Scouting Program Archives: Boy Scout Program Features

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Sharks and Minnows  Here is a game to go with this month's aquatic theme. It can be used to fuflill requirement 2 for the Swimming belt loop from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program: "Play a recreational game in the water with your den, pack, or family." This is a simple version of the game. There are many, many variations and some groups add "house rules" as well.

BSA Swim Test  Pack your swimsuit on top. Those are always the instructions when packing for summer camp, because one of the first things we will have to do when we get there is the swim test. The BSA swim test is used to determine ability level so that participants can swim in an area which is appropriate for them.

Sweet 16 of BSA Safety | Skill Level Limits  The most familiar application of skill level limits is the swim tests which are administered at summer camp. But there are other examples as well.

Kayaking BSA Award  One of the fun things Boy Scouts get to do at many summer camps is kayaking. When I am at Boy Scout camp, I always try to find some time to go kayaking on the lake. There is no merit badge specifically for kayaking like there is for canoeing or rowing on a lake, but there is the Kayaking BSA award.

Cubmaster Minute – Science and Perseverance  The Cub Scout core value for the month of June is perseverance. Here is a brief Cubmaster minute to help Cub Scout understand why perseverance is important.

Shooting Troop Program Feature for Boy Scouts  One of the resources which BSA provides for Boy Scout troops is a set of troop program feature guides. Our troop is planning a shotgun shooting outing in August, so they will probably be looking at some of the ideas in the Shooting program feature.

BSA Medical Forms  All four of my boys had their physicals yesterday. And I took along the BSA medical form to have it filled out so they would be ready for camp this summer. Sometimes this takes parents by surprise. Remind them to make an appointment and get it done if they haven't already.

Native American Prayer  Native American lore is an important part of the Boy Scout and Cub Scout programs. This prayer is attributed to Chief Sealth (for whom Seattle is named).

Scoutmaster Minute - Cheerful Service  With Order of the Arrow elections approaching in the coming months, I though I'd share this Scoutmaster minute about cheerful service. It will help the troop remember what they should be basing their votes on and it should help current OA members remember the ideals they should be trying to live up to.

Troop Program Features - Program Planning  The Scoutmaster, Senior Patrol Leader, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader work together to develop long term plans for a Boy Scout troop. One thing which can help with this is the BSA troop program features.

Scouting Resources - High Adventure Destinations  Scoutmaster Clarke Greene - of The Scoutmaster Podcast fame - is developing a database of high adventure destinations. I love the idea! Adding a little adventure to a program keeps older Scouts engaged.

Toasted Peeps  When perfectly toasted, the sugar coating on the Peep caramelizes. And the marshmallow insides becomes really gooey, just like in a regular toasted marshmallow

National Outdoor Badges - Adventure  I wrote previous posts about the camping award, the hiking award, the riding award, and the aquatics award. Today I am promoting the adventure award - the last in the series.

Personal Fitness Merit Badge for Boy Scouts  For you Scouts getting ready to start this badge, it is important to really understand your counselor's expectations before you start.

National Outdoor Badges - Aquatics  This award is for Boy Scouts who can't get enough time on the water.

National Youth Leadership Training  National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is an intense week long leadership training class for youth

Pumpkin Bread Recipe  Pumpkin bread is a favorite snack bread and dessert at our house. This recipe is easy enough for kids to make.

Plant Science Merit Badge for Boy Scouts  Spring is around the corner and the seed catalogs have been arriving in the mail. So this is a good time to take a look at the plant science merit badge.

Personal Measurement Log for Orienteering  When you go on an orienteering course, you need to have some ways to measure things. Some of the methods used require you to have something of known length for comparison. A personal measurement log will help you with this.

A Simple Explanation of the Scientific Method   If you don't have a background in science, helping your Cub Scout out with this might seem a little intimidating. But the scientific method is really very basic and only involves a few simple concepts.

National Outdoor Badges - Hiking  I don't think anyone in our troop has come close to doing this much hiking, but we do have a group currently training for Philmont, so maybe they will make these goals.

60 Hikes Within 60 Miles Book Series  We are coming up on some prime hiking season. In the spring the temperatures are mild and it isn't buggy yet. So I am reviewing my favorite hiking book - 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles. Hopefully there is one available in your area.

Snow Sports Merit Badge for Boy Scouts  I think the biggest barrier to our scouts earning this badge is the cost. But for those who have the means, this is a really fun badge

Hand Washing Station Gadget  This is a gadget which was shown to us at a recent Roundtable. It uses lashings to make a handwashing station from straight sticks and an empty gallon milk jug.

Scoutmaster Minute – Only One  Here is a Scoutmaster Minute which reminds us not to focus on the big insurmountable problem. Instead, just do what you can.

National Outdoor Badges - Camping   If you have some enthusiastic campers in your troop, they might have completed the requirements already.

Inventing Merit Badge for Boy Scouts  This looks like an interesting badge which they could work on together, but without a counselor in the troop to give them a little nudge, I could picture this dragging on for months. I'll go ahead and pass the requirements on to the PLC in case they are interested in pursuing it though.

My Favorite Knot Book  This book was recommended a few years ago when I went to Cub Scout BALOO training. I am not a "knot person". I can watch someone do a knot and repeat it, but an hour later it is forgotten.

Pot and Towel Rack Camp Gadget  These instructions are for a pot and towel drying rack. There is a small picture of a similar gadget in the Boy Scout handbook.

Service Project Ideas for Boy Scouts  Boy Scouts are required to participate service projects for Second Class, Star, and Life. Our troop encourages all Scouts to participate in service projects whether they need the hours or not.

Weather Hazards Online Course  Be prepared for unexpected changes in the weather.

Music Merit Badge for Boy Scouts  With all of the holiday concerts this time of year, some of your Scouts might want to work on the Music merit badge.

Banana Bandanna Skit  The idea behind the skit is that the Scouter with the banana has misunderstood the announcer. Every time the announcer says to do something with the bandana, the Scouter does it with a banana instead.

Herb Casserole Bread Recipe  Fresh baked bread tastes wonderful when you are out on a chilly campout. This is a casserole bread which is pretty easy to make.

Sports Merit Badge for Boy Scouts  We all know Scouts who are trying to juggle their Scouting activities with other commitments. In many cases, this might mean finding time for Scouting and sports. So help your Scouts find a way to make them complement each other. Introduce them to the Sports merit badge.

Boy Scout Leave No Trace Award  Boy Scouts will complete a couple of the requirements for the Boy Scout Leave No Trace award while working their way toward Eagle Scout.

Public Speaking Merit Badge for Boy Scouts  Learning to speak in front of a group is important for anyone - young or old.

Pets Merit Badge for Boy Scouts  This is a good merit badge to recommend to your Scouts with pets. For those who are already taking care of their pets, it gives them some recognition for their efforts.

Make a Difference to One  This can be used as a Cubmaster/Scoutmaster/Advisor Minute or it can be used with adults to encourage more participation in the Committee.

Movies for Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge  Sometimes when I am doing an initial interview with a Scout for the Citizenship in the Community merit badge, they don't have any idea of which movie to watch for requirement 5.