Weekend Patrol Box #3

The Patrol Box is clean, stocked and ready for another weekend of fun and Scouting.

There are a lot of goodies below, waiting to help your program out. Merit badges, a fire building video, popcorn sales, and lots to ponder--have a good weekend!

Ropes and Poles strikes again! (This is quickly becoming a favorite website.) Troop 423 will be trying out the Simple Friction Lock Bridge this weekend.

Scoutsigns introduced the Merit Badge of the Week Program--and the first week is American Business. Find lots of resources to help a Scout, or Scouter turned merit badge counselor.

The Scoutmaster Minute points out the value of your money in Scouting. A Scout is thrifty. This doesn't always mean "cheap".

Speaking of value: how are your popcorn sales going? See another tip--4th one!

Social networking is a growing part of your Scout's life: now the BSA has joined Facebook to connect with them.

Backpacker magazine demonstrates starting a fire with one match, a great survival skill to master. Video clips grab attention, and men are definitely visual--use them in your meetings.


BoyScoutTrail lights up a Webelos activity badge ceremony.

The Boy Scout Trail blog also highlights Confluence.org, where the intersections of latitude and longitude are photographed for an unique look at the world.

Let me know if there are other sites or news you would like to see. I'd love to read your comments on any way you use this material.

Help Scouting magazine

With the 100th anniversary of Scouting coming soon, acting now can help make great changes in plenty of time.

Just received this email from the fine folks at Scouting magazine:

Dear Scouter,

Scouting magazine needs your help! We would like your input to find out how Scouting magazine can continue to serve your needs. This survey will take about three to five minutes to complete.
This is the same survey advertised in the September issue of Scouting Magazine. If you have already taken the survey, please disregard this email.

The BSA has designated 2008 as "The Year of the Volunteer." As a token of our appreciation for completing the survey, you will automatically be directed to an online form where you can register to receive a free BSA "Year of the Volunteer" iron-on logo transfer. We hope you will wear it proudly to show your support for Scouting.
Click here to begin...
Thank you for all you do for Scouting!

Scouting magazine staff

Take a few minutes to help steer the future of Scouting.

Scouting as a way of life

Over the last 40 years, I've learned the value of Scouting (Boy Scouts, specifically) and how it can work in your life. In the past year, I have seen a reference to "imagine if everyone lived by the Boy Scout Law" a few times, and have thought of it often.

Indeed, what kind of country would we live in if everyone practiced these 12 simple ideas?

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. Big ideas, yet simple ideas.

As the Boy Scouts of America approaches the 100th anniversary year, it seems like a good time to reflect on those values, on the practical applications of them, and on the general state of Scouting in America.

There is a lot of good news out there to be shared, and some not so good, that deserves to have light cast into the shadows. There are a lot of good folks out there helping to prepare new generations of boys to be real men.