Weekend Patrol Box #5

The weather is sunny and warm, and down into the 40s at night. Perfect for camping and dragging out the Patrol Box. Lots of interesting things in the Patrol Box this week.

Fire is always popular. There is also a video and a video game tucked away to help pass the time. The Cub theme this month is "Adventures in Books", so count on plenty to read.

Autumn seems to bring out the best of everything.

Participate in the Great American Fire Drill in October. The National Fire Protection Association reminds us that 05-11 OCT is Fire Prevention Week.

Plant a family tree, courtesy of the National Wildlife Federation's Green Hour program.

Cub Scouts have the Map and Compass belt loop; Boy Scout's have the Second Class map and compass requirement (1A). Let Backpacker magazine's video help you learn how.

Catch up on Baloo's Bugle at USScouts.org--November's edition is out now for "Seeds of Kindness"--49 pages of fun and training.

Popcorn? Did I mention popcorn?

Scouting.org also has a Cubcast (podcast) available for the "Adventures in Books" theme. Also covers Scouts recruiting new Scouts. This is a BIG download (23.7MB) for those on dial-up.

The BSA theme this month is Engineering: so what is a swingboat? Ropes and Poles shows us another great project. [If you build any of the Ropes and Pole projects, I'd love to see a picture of it. Send to scoutsigns.]

R&P also led me to another pioneering and engineering site: Pioneering Made Easy in the UK. Here is the scaffold hitch needed on another swingboat from South Africa. [I need to find a good source for poles.]

Boys' Life online provides a new game: Robots vs. Aliens Chess

With the political season in full swing, don't miss a chance to work on the American Heritage merit badge, from ScoutSigns.

The future of Cub Scouting? Lion program update from KISMIF.org.

A Scoutmaster's Blog: Button's reads Baden-Powell's last message to Scouting. Kids really seem to like this series.

Lone Star Scouter encourages you to seek training on climbing for your Scouts.

Well, that should give you plenty to see, read, listen to and do for the weekend.

If I missed anything, let me know!

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.