What constitutes a night of Scout camping? You’ll find the qualifier “under the auspices of Scouting” or something similar in advancement requirements that describe nights of camping. What, exactly, does this mean? I’ll give you my best answer to this and other email questions that we’ll discuss in this podcast. You don’t want to miss […]

We work with our Scouts as they come to us…. I’ll discuss two different parent-related issues in this third (and final) in a series of podcasts about Scout parents – First we’ll acknowledge getting parents to understand the way advancement works can be a big challenge. I’ve worked with many parents who I would consider […]

The single most important thing a Scout parents need to know is … This is the second of three podcasts about Scout parents. Scouting is not simply another activity on the schedule, it is a process. Once Scout parents understand the process they become allies, until they do we can find ourselves working at cross purposes. In Scouts […]

What should Scout parents do if a child want’s to quit Scouts?…   This is the first of three podcasts about Scout parents. Just about every child will reach some impasse along the way that will make them reluctant or downright adamant about participating. What Scout parents do next is important. It’s more  than likely that this is going to […]

I am not thinking about the nature of Scouting activities… When Scouting is happening, when it’s really popping and sizzling along, Scouts are doing things that few, if any of their peers are doing. I am not thinking about the nature of their activities, that’s something we’ve discussed many times before, what I am thinking about […]

It’s all about asking the right question… When it comes to Scouts planning activities there are two major threads of observations I hear about: They don’t plan at all, they are incapable OR they plan the same things over and over. People contact me asking what new ideas for activities I may have because they […]

What Did John Thurman say to Patrol leaders? Richard Francis “John” Thurman (4 April 1911 – April 1985)  became the third Camp Chief at Gilwell Park in 1943 and ably developed Gilwell Park and leader training for 26 years. Author of 15 books on Scouting He made a considerable impact on World Scouting and his […]

What do you know about Scouting’s founder? February 22nd is founder’s day, the birthday of Scouting’s founder, born in 1857, 159 years ago, in Paddington, London, England World Thinking Day is celebrated annually on 22 February by all Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world. It is a day when they think about their fellow […]

How do you decide who ends up in what patrol? Patrols are not about managing Scouts, they are not an artificial construct. If you look at patrols from the perspective of your Scouts there’s the only thing that’s actually important – and that’s what we’ll talk about on this podcast. The real secret is that you don’t […]

How would you answer that question? Sure, we have the Scout law but would you add anything? Find out how one Eagle Scout just about to “age out” answered that question in this week’s podcast. In This Podcast Intro  Chris M’s Scout Law  Email question about Troop treasurer  This podcast is brought to you by […]