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A Jamboree in your own backyard

Have you ever wanted to attend an international Scouting event, but were unable to make it to one of the World Jamborees, a camporee in another country, or even a local event?

How about attending a Jamboree that literally could be as close as your own backyard, or practically so?

Scouts and Scouters around the world will soon have that opportunity as we are approaching the weekend of Jamboree On The Air, an annual worldwide gathering via amateur radio, sponsored by the World Organization of the Scouting Movement. Continue reading “A Jamboree in your own backyard”

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Leaders as teachers

Even though neither the official mission statement nor the aims of the Boy Scouts of America makes mention of it, leadership is one of the hallmarks of the Scouting program.  In fact, while leadership development is one of the methods used to accomplish the aims of Scouting, the end result is that in the process of developing character, citizenship and fitness, we happen to produce great leaders.

This leadership development happens at all levels. Yes, there are adult leaders who run the Cub Scout program and serve in Boy Scouts, but it is the development of leaders at the youth level that, to paraphrase the old GE commercial, is our most important product. Continue reading “Leaders as teachers”

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How’s your Journey going?

(See the end of this post for an update.)

As we move into mid-September, it’s time to stop and evaluate how our Journey is going this year.

Of course, I’m referring to the Journey to Excellence, the BSA’s replacement for the Centennial Quality Unit award. Last fall, I wrote about the new evaluation program that stacks units up not against their own commitments but a list of thirteen reference points with measurements for each, similar to the old Quality Unit program, but with a twist: there are three levels of success and two ways to get there. You must score points in 11 of 13 categories, and the number of points you score determines your level — bronze, silver or gold. Continue reading “How’s your Journey going?”

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What can Scouters learn from skaters?

Photo by Rob Woelkers - PluskateboardingSkateboarders and Scouts may seem at first like completely different groups of kids. Scouts are seen as courteous, obedient, cheerful, and clean, while skaters have been typecast as disrespectful, rebellious loners who wear dirty, ripped clothing and hang out in shady areas.

Take a closer look at skateboarding, though, and you’ll see respectful young people who help one another, take care of their surroundings and are engaging in healthful outdoor activities. They learn and practice skills, then try, fail, try, fail, try and succeed.  Sounds a lot more like Scouting now, doesn’t it? Continue reading “What can Scouters learn from skaters?”