Recommended Books for Scouts and Scouters

Are you looking for a book for a Scout or Scouter? Here are some recommended books. Some also include detailed reviews.

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Book Review: Getting Started in Pinewood Derby

I received a copy of Getting Started in Pinewood Derby by Troy Thorne. This colorful workbook goes through all of the steps involved in building a car. My favorite thing about the book is that it is directed at Cub Scouts – who should be doing most of the work on their cars.

The book is divided into 7 “sessions”, which help keep the process from seeming overwhelming to a young Scout:

Shopping
Shaping
Painting

Axel Prep
Wheel Prep
Weighting

Test Runs

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Book Review: Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction

Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction is another fun book for Scouts who like to build things. I recommend this book for ages 10 (or so) and up.

It shows them how to make miniature catapults, bows, and other projectile machines out of common office supplies. This book would make a great basis for a open house or a just for a fun meeting. The physics aspect let themselves to teaching science and engineering concepts.

The adults will also have fun with this one. My only caution is to make sure younger children are capable of understanding the safety concepts.

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Book Review: Beginning Boy Scouts

I received a copy of Beginning Boy Scouts by Jeremy and Heather Reed. The subtitle is “An unofficial practical guide to Boy Scouts for parents and new leaders.” And that describes the book perfectly.

(Note: The name reflects that it was written before the Boy Scout program name changed to Scouts BSA, but the information all still applies.)

If you know somebody who is new to the Scouts BSA program, then this would be a great resource to give them an overview of the program. Note that this book only covers the Scouts BSA program, not Cub Scouts or Venturing.

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Review: A Scout Leader’s Guide to Youth Leadership Training

I was given a book to review called A Scout Leader’s Guide to Youth Leadership Training: Working the Patrol Method. It is by Rob Faris, Ted Knight, Harry Wimbrough, and Joseph Durel – all Eagle Scouts.

I am really impressed with this book. Training youth leaders and really implementing the patrol method are things which many troops struggle with.

(Note: This book was also written before the transition from Boy Scouts to Scouts BSA, so some of the terminology might be outdated. The information is just as valid as the day it was written though.)

More Recommended Books

Recommended Books for All Ages

For Cub Scouts

For Scouts BSA and Venturers

Unlike the books above, I have not written reviews on the books below. Some I have read myself and others have been recommended by fellow Scouters. If you have a book you would like to recommend, please add it to the comments below.