One of my favorite Scout leaders passed away last month. He could be a little gruff – in a good way. If the troop hadn’t been backpacking in a while, he’d notice that the boy’s discipline on campouts would start to break down a little. They’d take a little longer to get going in the … Read more
Campfires are useful and fun. They keep us warm, cook our food, and give us light. But they can also be dangerous, and susceptible to the weather. That’s where the “Campfire Defender” comes in. It’s a campfire management tool – essentially a fireproof tarp you stake down over your fire. And it allows you to … Read more
Here’s a story that’s not going to make the front page of the paper. It’s not going to lead the evening news. But it says everything about what Scouting produces – character. The Treasure Valley Camp Staff went above and beyond the call of duty to help a young Scout. Troop 159 from Brookfield was attending … Read more
Over the years I’ve done hundreds of school recruiting talks or “Boy Talks.” They’re a great tool for bulking up your recruiting numbers. On average, it’s estimated that a good school recruiting talk can triple the number of families who will actually show up to your joining night. Let me start with a little story about … Read more
I’ve scoured the Amazon Prime Day Deals so you don’t have to. A scout is prepared, and part of being prepared is having the right camping gear. Of course, for new scouting families, getting camping supplies on a budget is crucial. You can spend hundreds of dollars equipping an 11-year-old. Having the right stuff on that … Read more
One of the highlights of scout camping is a great campfire. Kids look forward to it all day long, and as well they should. It’s fun, funny, and exciting. It’s one of the highlights of any camping experience, and a great way to wrap up a fun day in the woods. In these days cell … Read more
So, the other day I wrote about some of the things you’d want to bring to camp as a first time leader. Now, here are some of the intangibles to make your life a little bit easier. In addition to getting yourself physically ready for camp, it helps to be mentally ready. In today’s economy, … Read more
So, right now most packs are thinking about Day Camp, or Resident Camp, or the Fourth of July Parade. They may be doing one of the things listed in our Summer Recruiting Guide. But most of them are thinking that fall recruiting is a long ways away. But the days until school’s get back in … Read more
Cub Scout Day Camp Downtime So, you’re a Den Leader for Day Camp. Congratulations, you’ve got one of the most exhausting, fun, and unforgettable experiences ahead of you. There will be lots of activities for them to be running around, and to tire them out, so that bit’s handled. There will be things like archery, … Read more
Phone Scammers So this isn’t specifically about nonprofits, or volunteerism – but if you’re reading this, you’re probably involved with one of those. One of the things I want to provide for my readers are things to make their lives better. This will make your life better. It will free up your time so … Read more