ScoutCast

The Scoutmaster’s Minute is a brief inspirational message, usually given at the end of a meeting or at the end of an activity in which you bring the whole group back together. But what makes a good Scoutmaster’s Minute? Does it have to be at the end of the meeting? And does it have to be a minute? We asked these questions to John Duncan, Council Commissioner with the Northeast Illinois Council, who gave us a lot of food for thought.

The post February 2016 – The Scoutmaster’s Minute appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

So the way we hear it; the Leave No Trace Trainer is now going to be replaced with the Outdoor Ethics Guide, but Leave No Trace is still being implemented, and oh, Tread Lightly has been added into the mix. Sound confusing? Well, all you need to do is click the download button as Dave O’Leary, the Outdoor Ethics coordinator for the Northeast Region, joins us to explain everything we need to know about this new youth leadership position.

The post January 2016 – The Outdoor Ethics Guide appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

You’re familiar with Plan B, right? It’s what you have ready as a backup just in case your original plan falls apart. Now the Boy Scouts of America is very good at being prepared should something unforeseen happen during an activity, but what if something goes awry and that activity might not happen at all? Do you just cancel? We here at ScoutCast don’t think you should so we invited Bill Adams, a 30-year Scouting volunteer from the Southern Shores Field Office in Hartland, Michigan, to join us for a discussion on how to get your troop ready for whatever may come its way.

The post December 2015 – Plan B appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

Whether you’re new to Scouting or have been with us for a while, you’re probably – and hopefully – very familiar with the Guide to Safe Scouting and the BSA’s rules and regulations regarding safety. You can tell we take safety very seriously. Here to explain the method to the madness of these regulations is our very own Richard Bourlon, team lead of Health and Safety. Let’s find out together.

The post November 2015 – Scout Safety appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

Don Wendell, father of ScoutCast co-host Bryan Wendell and former chair of the National Advanced Leadership Task Force, stops by the ScoutCast studio to tell us all about the various advanced leadership courses that the BSA offers and how those courses will help you become not only a better leader (which makes the program better for the youth), but also a better employee, manager, parent, etc., and have a good time doing so. Take the first step to being a better you and click the Download button to hear more.

The post October 2015 – Advanced Leadership Training: What’s In It for You? appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

Everyone knows Scouting is full of really cool activities like camping and kayaking and building robots, but like everything else on Planet Earth, it costs money. So another big part of Scouting is fundraising. It’s not too difficult when you’re a cute little Cub Scout, and you give a great big smile with those adorable chubby cheeks and start stumbling through your script. You’re just so doggone precious, people gladly buy whatever you’re selling. But what about when the Scouts get older and a little less adorable? Donovan Fisher, aka The Popcorn Scout, and his dad, Scott, with the Washington Crossing Council in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, are here to share with us Donovan’s secrets as the third highest selling Scout in 2013 with more than $23,000 in sales. Did Dad help? Let’s find out.

The post September 2015 – How to Sell Popcorn When You’re No Longer an Adorable Cub Scout appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

Letting your community know what your unit is up to is good for both the unit and the community. Michael Ramsey, department manager of Marketing and Experience Management, is here to explain how spreading the joy of Scouting in our communities can be your best recruiting tool.

The post July 2015 – Recruiting in Your Community appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

You’ve probably heard of it, maybe even know someone who’s in it. Some people think it has something to do with Indians…(maybe?) Some even suspect it’s a “secret society” within the Boy Scout organization. And why are the members so gosh-darn loyal? National Chief Nick Dannemiller joins us as we explore the mystery that is the Order of the Arrow. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

The post June 2015 – Just What is the Order of the Arrow? appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

Contrary to popular opinion, the Venturing program does not have plans to take the boys out of your troop and into its crews. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. Venturers can be mentors, help with service projects and help strengthen your unit. Still not buying it? Then click the Download button and listen in as District Executive Patrick Higgins, of the Simon Kenton Council in Columbus, Ohio, chats with us about how these two programs can harmoniously work together.

The post April 2015 – How Venturing Can Help, Not Hurt, Your Troop appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

Is your troop stuck in a rut, doing the same activities year after year? How about using pipe foam and duct tape to build a miniature roller coaster (and learning about kinetic energy) or making a catapult out of craft sticks and rubber bands and sending things flying through the air (while secretly measuring velocity and distance)? Ron Colletti of the Greater St. Louis Council shares the kits he prepares for incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in your den and pack Meetings. Your Scouts will have a blast…literally!

The post March 2015 – Incorporating STEM into Your Troop Meetings appeared first on BSA Podcasts.