Author: Frank

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#DareToDo

doagoodturndaily_200What’s that hash tag doing in the title of this article?

It’s the latest initiative to spring forth from this year’s historic centennial National Order of the Arrow Conference at Michigan State University.

Conceived by a handful of Arrowmen and their adult advisors and unveiled by national chief Alex Call during the arena show Wednesday night, DareToDo is simply an expression of what we are as Scouts and Scouters. It builds on the first word of our slogan - Do a Good Turn Daily – and challenges us,  Scouts and Scouters everywhere whether Arrowmen or not, to not only do a daily Good Turn but to chronicle it in social media for the coming one hundred days – symbolic of the one hundred years of cheerful service that members of the OA have given. Continue reading “#DareToDo”

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NOAC 2015: It Starts With Us

noac_banner_montano_250More than fifteen thousand Arrowmen – Scouting’s best – converge on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing starting today to take part in the largest Scouting event in the United States other than the National Jamboree. The National Order of the Arrow Conference, or NOAC, gives these young men the opportunity to participate in a wide range of leadership enhancing, life-skill development and fun activities while living on a college campus for a week.

Scouts travel and live with those from their home lodge but will meet and participate with others from around the country in a wide variety of activities intended to not only help them be better lodge and chapter officers and leaders but to be of service to their troops and others in Scouting. Training sessions include subjects like high adventure, camping, ceremonies, American Indian activities and supporting their local units. Historical exhibits give attendees a glimpse of Scouting’s origins and the opportunity to see items such as memorabilia from the first hundred years of the OA. There’s plenty of fun, too, with sports and competitions that challenge Scouts physically and mentally, and nightly arena shows that feature keynote speeches and entertainment in a once-in-a-lifetime setting. Continue reading “NOAC 2015: It Starts With Us”

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One down, two to go?

rainbow_flag_with_bsa_logo_250By now, you have heard that the Boy Scouts of America has lifted its ban on employment and volunteer registration of openly gay individuals. The executive board followed the lead of BSA president Dr. Robert Gates, who in May told the national meeting that it was time for the BSA to deal with “the world as it is, not as we might wish it to be.” His remarks and the board’s action have met with surprisingly widespread approval from those inside the movement as well as the general population. As our society comes around to a mode of inclusion, the welcoming attitude towards the idea is really no surprise. Continue reading “One down, two to go?”

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Troop Leader Guidebook now available

TLG1_200The first of two volumes of the long-awaited Troop Leader Guidebook is finally available through the BSA Supply Division’s ScoutStuff.org website and at many Scout Shops in local councils.

The Guidebook, priced at $12.99, replaces the Scoutmaster Handbook and is a wide-ranging manual that explains Boy Scouting to an audience that includes not only the Scoutmaster but committee members and parents as well. It is written without jargon and assumes that the reader has little or no familiarity with the Boy Scout program. Continue reading “Troop Leader Guidebook now available”