Ready to try out some snow sports? Before you hit the slopes, check out these nine tips for maximizing your winter fun.

#1. PICK YOUR SNOW SPORT

You can find a ton of fun on ice or snow. There’s ice skating, hockey, ice fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and sledding, just to name a few winter activities. Two of the most popular are downhill skiing and snowboarding.

If you’ve never done either before, they’re great sports to try with your unit. Carving through the powder presents plenty of challenges and rewards as you progress.

“I had never gone skiing,” says Caroline Fitzgerald, 14, a Star Scout with Troop 340 of Las Vegas, Nevada. “I thought it was a good opportunity to go with my friends. Some of the girls had skied before, so I could ask for help if I needed it.”

#2. PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE

Many ski resorts offer developed trails with varying difficulties. These trails are labeled green circle (easy), blue square (intermediate), black diamond (advanced) and double black diamond (very advanced).

You can find resorts across the country, with most throughout the Rocky Mountains and Appalachians. You might be able to find a place close to home. Troop 340 went on a day trip to Lee Canyon Ski Resort, less than an hour’s drive from Las Vegas.

Skiing and snowboarding can get costly, with day passes ranging from about $20 each to a couple hundred, depending on where and when you go. Search for discounted days. Some resorts provide such days specifically for Scouts and their families, like Shawnee Mountain Ski Area in Pennsylvania. Shawnee’s Scout weekend offers discounts up to 40% off lift tickets and rental equipment. Troop 883 of Eldersburg, Maryland, and Troop 146 of Hoboken, New Jersey, both took advantage of the slashed rates at a recent Scout weekend.

“It wasn’t too crowded, but I did see other troops there,” says Otys Train, 14, a First Class Scout with Troop 146. “Everyone in our troop told our Scoutmaster what they wanted to do; he was able to schedule the rentals.”

Another cost-saving tip: Camp at a nearby council camp, or book a cabin instead of staying at the resort.

Before you go, review the Guide to Safe Scouting to ensure everyone is physically ready and knows the safety rules. You should also have qualified adult leadership.

#3. READ THE SNOW SPORTS PAMPHLET

The Snow Sports merit badge pamphlet is full of valuable information, from safety rules to tips for technique. Read about how to properly get on and off a ski lift, practice etiquette on the mountain and perform first aid.

Dean Mimura, a Snow Sports merit badge counselor, recommends Scouts review the pamphlet before hitting the slopes. He has volunteered for the last few years at an annual Scout event at Big Bear Mountain Resort in California and estimates that usually half of the Scouts who sign up for the merit badge complete it at the event. The more prepared Scouts are, the more successful they tend to be, even if they aren’t trying to earn the merit badge.

“It’s a fun merit badge, and it’s designed to make a Scout a more well-rounded person,” Mimura says. “With any sport, there’s always conditioning, cardio and staying fit. It’s part of the Scout motto.”

#4. GEAR UP

Prepare for cold weather with the proper clothing. That means leaving your cotton shirts and denim jeans at home — these materials won’t keep you warm when they get wet. Instead, you’ll want wool, fleece and synthetic materials. Dress in layers so you can adjust your temperature. Put on waterproof gloves and thermal socks.

Some extra gear Scouts find helpful are hand warmers, a snow mask, a bottle of water and a waterproof bag to hold your stuff.

Always wear a ski helmet and goggles. You can usually rent a helmet, skis, snowboards, poles and boots from the resort.

“I rented a helmet, skis and boots,” Caroline says. “We figured out what sizes we needed and put it on properly. You were able to try it on right there and switch it if it wasn’t feeling right. They made it very easy.”

#5. KNOW YOUR LIMITS

If you’ve never gone skiing or snowboarding, don’t expect to tackle a double black diamond slope by the end of the weekend. Even if you’ve been before, you might want to start on the beginner slopes.

“I’ve been skiing, but that was a long time ago,” says Reyansh Sahani, 12, a Scout with Troop 146. “I fell lots of times for the first few hours. After lunch, I went again, and I didn’t really fall — that was good. You need to have patience.”

The more you get used to maintaining your balance and speed, the more you’ll be ready to advance. One trick for accomplishing this on skis is using the wedge position or “pizza,” in which you make a “V” shape, pointing the tips of your skis toward each other.

#6. TAKE SNOW SPORTS LESSONS

Resort instructors can teach you the basics of skiing and snowboarding. It’s always a good idea to take advantage of their expertise.

“If it’s your first time, second, third or fourth time, always take lessons and get a refresher,” says Ben Reed, 17, a Star Scout with Troop 883. “I wanted to try skiing. They showed how it was very different from snowboarding.”

Most beginners find skiing less challenging than snowboarding, unless they’re great surfers or skateboarders — then the skills translate well to snowboarding. Skiing also allows for more maneuverability since your feet aren’t locked onto a single board.

“Everything has to do with weight distribution and balance,” Mimura says. “If you learn skiing first, snowboarding will come a lot easier.”

#7. PACE YOURSELF

Don’t worry about trying to keep up with your friends or completing a merit badge right away. If you don’t feel comfortable advancing, you can say no. Work on your skills until you feel ready for more challenging slopes.

“I started off on the bunny hill, and we went down that a few times,” says Nicola Mark, 13, a Second Class Scout with Troop 340. “Then we went up to the next level, which was green, and it was a little steeper.”

#8. FALL. AND GET BACK UP AGAIN

You’re most likely going to fall. That’s OK. That’s how you get better. You can study why you fell and then work on your technique.

“When I was falling, the edge of my snowboard would dig into the snow when I’d turn,” says Andrew Demont, 15, a Star Scout with Troop 883. “I’d crash. Then I’d try going more lightly on the turns, and that helped.”

Ski with a buddy and cheer each other on.

“We fell a lot, but we encouraged each other to get back up,” says Eagle Scout Max Magulick, 17, with Troop 883. “People would pass us, but we’d try to stick to our own pace.”

Stay on designated slopes to reduce the risk of running into trees, rocks and other obstacles.

#9. HAVE FUN!

Snow sports can be difficult at first, but with more practice, you’ll soon get used to the slopes and might find a new favorite winter hobby.

“I love the combination of being able to ski and hang out with my friends,” Otys says.

"9 Things to Know About Snow Sports" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Staring up at a giant rock wall, the Scouts of troops 175 and 4175 pondered how they might make it to the top. This would be different from their regular outings to indoor climbing gyms.

But the more they studied the textured volcanic breccia rock, the more places they spotted to grab and step.

“In outdoor climbing, there are a lot more little ledges for your fingers and feet,” says Adam Woo, 15, a Star Scout. “It’s a lot easier to grip. With indoor climbing, there are a lot more bigger holds. All the holds here were a lot smaller, but even though they looked small, they worked a lot better than they looked.”

After clipping into the top ropes, the Scouts were soon scaling the massive natural wall, one of the many places to climb at Pinnacles National Park in central California.

Top left: Owen Salles works on the crux of a climbing route. The crux is defined as the hardest and most physically demanding move on a route. Bottom left: Ansel Chai, Scoutmaster Jeremy Wright and Assistant Scoutmaster David Woo review a climbing guide. Right: Adam Woo rappels down a rock wall at Pinnacles National Park.

GIVE OUTDOOR CLIMBING A TRY

Every year, troops 175 and 4175 of Foster City, Calif., visit an indoor climbing gym. These businesses set up artificial rock walls with bolted-in handholds, creating a safe, accessible environment to enter the sport of climbing. It’s a fun way to spend the day, but after doing it for years, the Scouts wanted a bigger challenge.

“With indoor climbing, there’s already top ropes and everything; it’s a lot easier,” Adam says. “They have a lot of people that are certified in the gym. With outdoor climbing, you have to set up all the safety.”

When you’re planning your own climbing adventure, you can’t just grab some climbing gear and go. You must have qualified adult instructors who have completed in-depth climbing training. Finding certified instructors proved to be the toughest part of the troops’ first outdoor climbing campout. But, if you can’t do an activity properly and safely, you shouldn’t do it at all. That’s all part of being prepared.

Amber Dogra eyes where she should grab to help her climb.

After the troops got instructors lined up, they still weren’t ready — the Scouts had some skills to learn too.

“We went over knots, climbing-specific knots,” says Tyler Lo, 15, a Star Scout. “We did some games. We had a relay race to see who would put on the equipment the fastest.”

Climbing equipment includes helmets, shoes and harnesses, and it’s important to know how they fit correctly. The troops studied how to wear and use the equipment over a few meetings before the trip.

Left: Amber Dogra moves up a route. The Scouts had a couple route options to try. Right: Austin Lu checks his figure-eight knot, which is secured to his harness.

ROCK ON

Pinnacles National Park features huge rock formations, remnants of extinct volcanoes that were split by the San Andreas Fault and moved by tectonic plates over millions of years. Today, climbers enjoy conquering these rocks and exploring the caves within the park.

The troops’ trip last fall included a full day of climbing and checking out a cave. The adults set up two different climbing paths, one harder than the other.

“I was worried I might not enjoy this experience, but since there were different difficulties, and we had certified adults to help us, I was able to do all the levels,” says Sharanya Mahanta, 15, a First Class Scout. “The sense of accomplishment to do all those things was definitely rewarding.”

Adam Woo prepares to descend after completing a climbing path. He communicates with his belay partner to ensure his partner is ready to help him down.

The Scouts cheered each other on as they scrambled up each path. If a climber couldn’t figure out how to advance, their fellow Scouts shouted out suggestions.

“There was a lot of collaboration,” Tyler says. “Watching other people do it before you helped.”

TASTE FOR ADVENTURE

After climbing, a group of Scouts grabbed their lunches and had a picnic at a cave entrance. Inside, they explored the cave’s developed trails, climbed staircases and looked for bats. It added to an already adventurous campout.

Austin Lu nears the top of a path after conquering the crux. Climbing paths are rated by their difficulty — the higher the rating, the harder the path.

The Scouts returned to camp at sundown and spent a little time reflecting on their day. There were many lessons learned from climbing: being patient, never giving up, trusting each other.

“Don’t feel bad if you’re not able to do it the first time,” says Sunaina Balakrishna, 14, a Scout. “There are so many ways you can get up to the top.”

Adam Woo of Troop 175 feels for handholds while climbing in Pinnacles National Park.

But one of the biggest lessons was that it’s fun to do new things.

“At the patrol leaders’ council, we voted to try to make this an annual thing,” says Siddharth Gopinath, 12, a Star Scout. “A lot of us wanted to do this again. I definitely think this was a good event.”

"Outdoor Climbing Is a New Adventure for These Scouts" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Yuanqin Tang reaches for an iron rung.

When climbing on natural rock, you seek small ledges to cling onto. In a gym, you grip artificial handholds. On a via ferrata route, you grab iron rungs embedded into the rock. It’s like climbing a ladder — and Troops 55 of Great Falls, Virginia, climbed this way to spectacular views.

“Via ferrata” is Italian for “by way of iron.” At NROCKS, an outdoor climbing center in eastern West Virginia, the Scouts latched onto a belay cable and climbed a series of paths up vertical rock faces. After a few hours, they gained more than 1,000 feet in elevation.

NROCKS Outdoor Adventures manager Bryan Williams gives a safety briefing to Samuel and Kyle Shadid. Before going on any climbing adventure, review and follow the safety rules. You can read Scouting America’s guidelines in the Climb On Safely and Belay On guides.

“It mimics bouldering,” says Joy He, 16, a Star Scout. “It was less climbing up and more climbing a distance.”

It’s an intimidating challenge, but it was one the Scouts were up to.

After a safety briefing, they geared up, hooked their carabiners to the cable and began their ascent. Some paths had 200-foot drops. It’s not a race to the top; every movement required focus to safely complete the journey.

Samuel Shadid advances up the via ferrata route at NROCKS. It was an intimidating ascent, but climbing with his troop encouraged him.

“I ignored the height,” says Life Scout Thomas Ye, 16. “I just pretended the ground wasn’t as far as it appeared to be.”

The Scouts had moments to rest and take in beautiful views of the Allegheny Mountains. They even got to cross a suspension bridge that hung 150 feet above the ground. When they reached the top, any nervousness was replaced by a feeling of accomplishment.

Eli Johnson attaches his carabiners to the belay cable. “It was one of the most intense experiences I’ve ever had,” he says of the climb. “It was challenging, but reaching the top made me feel like I could conquer anything.”

“I thought it was really exciting how our troops tried something new and challenging,” says Samuel Shadid, 13, a Second Class Scout. “We do really cool outings, and I think via ferrata was adventurous and challenged people’s fear of heights. Overall, I thought it was really fun.”

"Scouts Tackle ‘Via Ferrata’ Climbing Route in West Virginia" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

As Wyatt Pockl and Jackson McMichael paddled along a creek in Congaree National Park, they ducked under low-hanging tree branches. They could lift some branches out of the way, but that presented a risk.

After moving one, a footlong snake dropped out of the tree and landed on Wyatt’s knee.

“I thought he was going to jump out of the canoe,” Jackson recalls.

“I wasn’t — there were more snakes in the water!” Wyatt says.

Dodging nonvenomous water snakes wasn’t the only challenge Troop 8 of Columbia, South Carolina, faced during its weekend canoe trip this past April. But despite the challenges, the guys learned a lot and had fun in a beautiful park.

Top left: The troop saw a lot of wildlife in Congaree National Park, including this brown water snake. Bottom left: Seth Perry, left, and Evan Livengood prepare to launch their canoe. Right: Everett Schaller paddles.

TOTALLY SWAMPED IN CONGAREE

Congaree National Park in South Carolina features more than 26,000 acres, mainly of bottomland forest. These forests grow in places that flood often, creating boggy, shady environments ideal for many animals. Congaree attracts deer, foxes, beavers, alligators, amphibians and birds.

It also attracts adventurers who love to fish, hike and canoe. Troop 8 had been to the park before — it’s the largest old-growth bottomland forest in the Southeast U.S., with some trees growing 170 feet tall. And it’s only a one-hour drive from where the troop meets.

Josh Putnal paddles at the bow of his canoe while Scoutmaster Kirby Shealy handles steering from the stern. Behind them is adult leader Jeff Pockl.

“It’s an amazing place,” says Jackson, 14, a Star Scout. “There’s all sorts of greenery.”

This time, the troop would canoe a little over 6 1/2 miles. The plan could’ve changed quickly based on the river levels. On average, Congaree floods 10 times a year, submerging many of the park’s trails.

The troop’s leaders would need to watch the weather closely both before and during the campout.

ON THE WATER

After reviewing safety rules and properly putting on their life jackets, the Scouts launched their canoes. Where you sit determines your role: Most of the steering is done from the back (or stern) of the boat while the pace is set in the front (or bow).

“I could be a lot faster with the paddle when I’m up front,” says Noah Putnal, 12, a Tenderfoot Scout.

Seth Perry, Everett Schaller, Jackson McMichael and Evan Livengood steer their canoes through Congaree National Park.

When you’re tandem canoeing, you have to work together. If you’re both paddling on the same side of the boat, you won’t travel straight. Communication is key, so you can move effectively and in unison.

“I like being in the front because it’s where the power of the boat is,” says Everett Schaller, 12, a Tenderfoot Scout. “We learned the J-stroke and the draw stroke.”

Jackson McMichael and Wyatt Pockl carry their canoe.

Knowing different strokes makes it easier to maneuver, and the guys had to figure out how to move in the narrow creek with overhanging branches and clogged pathways. Sometimes, they had to slow down when approaching piles of wooden debris.

“It took us 10 minutes to get through like 5 feet of that,” says Wyatt, 13, a First Class Scout. “It was like a knife through ice. We powered through, but it was hard.”

Everett Schaller, left, and Seth Perry cruise underneath a tree.

They didn’t give up. When a nonvenomous snake fell in one of the canoes, they simply paddled to shore to let the slithering reptile out. When downed logs blocked the path, the guys hopped out and carried their canoes (called “portaging”).

“We were able to keep going, no matter what was in our path,” Jackson says. “We never said, ‘Stop — we don’t want to do this anymore.’ A Scout never quits on his dreams.”

The guys were rewarded later as the creek widened and fewer obstacles littered the water. They could paddle more freely and quickly, even taking off for a fun race.

Noah Putnal, right, guides his canoe with adult leader Adam Fenton.

WORK LIKE A TEAM

The Scout motto is “Be Prepared.” Monitoring the weather, the troop knew it was supposed to rain before they left. To make packing up easier, they started that evening after dinner instead of waiting until morning and packing in the rain. It was a great idea, but like paddling, you need to work as a team so the task goes smoothly.

Some Scouts tried carrying heavy equipment back to the troop trailer by themselves. Struggling with the gear quickly became frustrating, and they soon learned a lesson.

Jackson McMichael and Evan Livengood navigate their canoe across the calm waters of Cedar Creek. Behind them, at left, are Everett Schaller and Seth Perry.

“Many hands make light work,” Wyatt says.

It’s OK to ask for help, even when you’re a leader. A troop is a team, and everyone can contribute to solving problems and completing tasks. When you work together, you can all Be Prepared.

Jackson McMichael, center, helps adult leaders Adam Schor and Craig Perry take the canoes out of the creek. Right: Wyatt Pockl works on lighting a campfire.

Boating Fun

Scouting America offers several boating awards, from merit badges like Canoeing, Rowing and Small-boat Sailing, to special awards, including Kayaking and Whitewater Rafting. These awards are for older Scouts, Sea Scouts, Explorers and Venturers.

Most boating activities are for older Scouts, though Cub Scouts can ride or paddle in canoes, kayaks and other boats on calm water.

Before you get on the water, follow the proper safety rules as outlined in the Guide to Safe Scouting.

The Right Moves

Whether you’re weaving around logs or cruising on flat water, canoeing is a lot easier when you know how to paddle. Use these paddling strokes to guide your boat where you want to go:

Forward stroke — Helps you go forward. Place the paddle in the water and draw it back.

Backstroke — Helps you stop or move backward. Place the paddle in the water, keeping it vertical and pushing it forward.

Draw stroke — Moves the canoe sideways, toward the paddling side. Place the paddle far from the boat and draw it to you.

Pushaway stroke — Moves the canoe sideways, away from the paddling side. Place the paddle close to the boat and push it away from you.

Forward sweep — Turns your canoe. Create an arc with the paddle starting in front of you, which swings the canoe around.

Reverse sweep — Turns your canoe. Create an arc with the paddle starting behind you, which swings the canoe around the other way.

J-stroke — A forward stroke that counteracts any drifting, keeping you going straight. The paddling motion looks like the letter “J.”

"Troop 8 Paddles the Enchanting and Challenging Congaree" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Inside the entrance to the Mission Espada sits a large wooden weaving loom covered in strands of wool that are intertwined to create a colorful blanket. It’s an example of how mission residents used to make their clothes about 300 years ago in Texas’ first mission.

“We learned about the process for weaving wool for clothes and the tools they used,” says Camden Redden, 15, a Star Scout with Troop 848. “We saw an archaeology dig that was being done, too.”

The guys from Clear Lake, Texas, admired the historical exhibits inside Mission Espada before hopping back on their bicycles and continuing their big day of cycling: a 10-mile ride along the mission trails toward downtown San Antonio.

From left: Wesley Arnold, Charlie Baccus and Parker Swain study a map to figure out where to explore.

LESSONS WHILE RIDING THE MISSION TRAILS

For more than 20 years, Troop 848 has scheduled a yearly cycling campout. One popular destination is the Mission Trails, an urban hike-and-bike system that connects five historical Spanish missions, including the Alamo.

The missions were built in the early 1700s and served to introduce Christianity to Native Americans. In the 1830s, the Alamo famously became a central battle site during the Texas Revolution.

Cycling to each mission would be a fun way for the Scouts to learn about their state’s history. Plus, the trip could count toward the Historic Trails Award.

Troop 848 of Clear Lake, Texas, pedals along the Mission Trails in San Antonio. Leading the way are Wesley Arnold, Travis Redou, Charlie Baccus and Parker Swann.

“We had an on-the-trail quiz,” Camden says. “The patrols completed a scavenger hunt, covering the history of the missions.”

To prepare for the trip, the Scouts inspected their gear twice, making sure their helmets fit and their bicycles worked properly. If they didn’t have something they needed, they got it before the trip.

“At the first meeting, I borrowed someone else’s bike,” says Travis Redou, 11, a Scout. “By the next inspection, I had my bike. A bike repair shop donated one to me.”

Ryan Tryer (left) and Caleb Lazarow ride under an art sculpture titled “Árbol de la Vida: Memorias y Voces de la Tierra,” which means “Tree of Life: Memories and Voices of the Land.”

ON THE MISSION TRAILS

After a night at McGimsey Scout Park, an Alamo Council camp, the guys got their gear ready for the ride. It had rained the night before, but the trails soon dried out as temperatures climbed. It can get hot in Texas, even in April.

The heat would pose a challenge, but the troop made sure to drink plenty of fluids — plus they had lots of rest stops planned. At the missions, they explored the buildings and read the informational plaques.

The Mission San José is the largest mission site in San Antonio.

“It was fun to see parts of the culture and see the architecture that was there,” says Christopher Adams, 14, a First Class Scout.

The guys pedaled from mission to mission, which included climbing several hills.

“I thought 10 miles would be easy, but it turned out it was not,” says Theo Snell, 10, a Scout. “I felt super tired.”

The troop stands in front of the Alamo, which originally was named Misión San Antonio de Valero.

A TASTY REWARD

Some Scouts tackled an extra 5 miles to fulfill a Camping merit badge requirement, but everyone met up later at a downtown park called the River Walk.

Mexican cuisine and ice cream topped off a fun, educational day. As the guys ate, they waved to people riding by on tour boats.

“I really had a feeling of accomplishment by dinner,” Travis says.

The Historic Trails Award

Learn about our country’s history by visiting a historical trail. You can find one near you at go.scoutlife.org/historictrails. If you also research, hike or camp along the trail and complete a service project, you can earn the Historic Trails Award.

"Scouts Learn About Texas History as They Bike the Mission Trails" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Tristan Sword and his father sat by an alpine lake enjoying a picnic lunch. After a challenging up-and-down hike the previous day, chilling by the pristine water felt nice.

But as they relaxed, dark clouds began blanketing the sky — a hailstorm was approaching.

“The clouds got really bad,” the 15-year-old Life Scout says. “Then, wham! A piece of ice hit me in the face. There was an entire wall of ice coming down. It was so bad.”

Tristan and his dad scrambled back to camp as marble-sized pellets of ice poured down around them. Along with the rest of Troop 413, they huddled inside their tents, waiting for the tempest to pass.

Hail covered the ground the next day, but that didn’t faze the Scouts. They were veterans. For the whole trek, they had crossed snow fields, braved staggering altitudes and battled swarms of mosquitoes.

Joshua Terashima (front) and Elijah Pearson trek across a snow field in the Sierra Nevadas. The troop trekked through the John Muir wilderness, named after naturalist John Muir. Muir was instrumental in the development of our first national parks.

INTO THE MOUNTAINS

Every summer, the Scouts from Torrance, California, head into the mountain range along the state’s eastern side for a weeklong trip. The Sierra Nevada range boasts mountain peaks more than 14,000 feet tall.

Last summer, Troop 413 traversed about 50 miles in the Sierras, stopping by lakes and attempting to summit a 12,245-foot peak along the way. Rocky white mountains splattered with snow patches jutted high above passes and meadows green with pine and fir trees where the troop would camp, sometimes near lakes.

“We heard it was a beautiful place,” says Joshua Terashima, a 14-year-old Life Scout. “Our goal was to give everyone a good experience.”

James Pinner stands on a rock to fish in an alpine lake.

To do that, the Scouts needed to Be Prepared. They completed two training hikes with big changes in elevation, one of which required the troop to trek through snow.

“That snow trip helped,” says Life Scout James Pinner, 17. “During this trip, we got to use crampons for the first time. Some of us had never heard of crampons. This trip, we ended up hiking in snow a lot of the time. On the first day, we got to test out our gear.”

Joshua Terashima leads the troop up Pine Creek Pass.

FACING ADVERSITY

Having the right gear can make your trip more enjoyable, especially if you know how to use it. Spiked crampons provide more traction while hiking in the snow.

“They just strap onto your feet,” says Jacob Kotleba, 14, a Star Scout. “You stomp the snow a little bit to make it easier for the next hikers to walk.”

Snow wasn’t the only challenge for the group. They also hiked across streams and swatted mosquitoes. Some Scouts tried natural insect repellents, but what worked better were repellents with DEET as the active ingredient. Covering their faces and necks with mosquito netting also helped.

“Our longest day was probably the second day,” says Micah Bernard, 14, a Star Scout. “It was straight down and straight up. It was a tricky day.”

Top left: Before their weeklong trek, the Scouts went on training hikes, like this one near San Bernardino Peak. Top right: Aaron Kelly peeks out of his tent. Bottom left: Aaron Kelly (left) and Elijah Pearson prepare oatmeal for breakfast. Oatmeal is a healthy meal that is easy to pack for the trail. Bottom right: Stephen Kotleba leads a devotional.

After 12 miles on the second day, the group attempted to scale a nearby peak. It didn’t go as planned. “I was climbing, and my left foot slipped,” Joshua says. “My fingers bent all the way backward.”

The guys called off their summit attempt so they could attend to their injured friend. The safety and well-being of your crew should always come first. To Be Prepared for a remote high-adventure trip, you can take wilderness first-aid courses offered by Scouting America. An adult leader who was a former paramedic bandaged up Joshua.

When plans don’t go your way, it can be easy to get discouraged. But Troop 413 remembered the Scout Oath and Law. They motivated each other during their daily devotionals.

“It’s about keeping going, making it through with God’s help,” says Elijah Pearson, a 14-year-old Star Scout. “It’s a great time of reflection.”

Top: The group descends from its summit attempt at Pilot Knob. Bottom left: Joshua Terashima (left) and Tristan Sword trek across a snow field with the help of crampons on their boots. Bottom right: The group takes a break to sing together.

AMAZING EXPERIENCE

As the trip ended, the guys reflected on what they’d learned: being prepared, packing the right gear and keeping a positive attitude.

“There was so little complaining,” James says. “For every complaint, there were five people saying here’s how we can overcome the problem.”

When you’re surrounded by natural majesty, it helps you to keep your perspective, too.

“I think we all had a great time,” Joshua says. “There were amazing views for us to see the creation all around us and marvel at what God has made for us.”

From left: Aaron Kelly, Jacob Kotleba and Stephen Park head up Pine Creek Pass during Troop 413’s trek in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Aaron is wearing a mosquito head net to ward off the insects.

Know Before You Go

When trekking at high altitudes, pay attention to your health. Headaches, loss of appetite, nausea, insomnia and unusual exhaustion can be signs of acute mountain sickness.

Reduced air pressure and lower oxygen levels contribute to this sickness, which might turn deadly in severe cases. Stay hydrated and stage your ascent, acclimating yourself to the higher elevation. If you start feeling these symptoms, stop or start going downhill until you feel better.

Snow Travel

Use special footwear to gain traction and stability on snow and ice. For flat terrain, place microspikes over your shoes. The spiked devices give you enough grip to keep you hiking. Crampons work similarly but are better suited for slopes since the spikes are bigger. If you’re hiking through powder or deep snow, bring along snowshoes to keep yourself from sinking.

"Troop 413 Braves the Elements to Explore the California Mountains" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

For the most part, plastic is good. It’s the human-made material in may useful things, such as water bottles, sports safety gear and food packaging.

However, about 12 billion pounds of plastic are dumped into oceans each year. Millions more are dumped into rivers, lakes, streams, swamps and other waterways.

This is not good.

Some types of plastic take hundreds of years to break down. In the meantime, they pollute our water and harm wildlife. More than 1 million animals are killed each year due to plastic marine debris. Waterway and marine debris also pollute soil, and animals ingest the pollution.

As a Scout, you can do something to help.

Scouting for Clean Waterways is a nationwide effort that begins on Earth Day (April 22) 2025. It is designed to help Scouts not only use less plastic, but also properly dispose of trash, recycle and actively participate in cleaning waterways in local communities. Any Scout of any age can participate.

Be on the lookout for more details on Scouting for Clean Waterways, including the patch you can earn!

HERE’S HOW SCOUTING FOR CLEAN WATERWAYS WORKS:

• Start now by reducing your personal use of disposable plastics. Use a refillable water bottle instead of buying one-time-use water bottles.

• Properly stow and dispose of trash.

• Talk with your adult or youth leader about doing a cleanup project in your area.

• Beginning on Earth Day 2025, participate in a cleanup project at a river, canal, lake, stream, swamp, beach or other waterway in your community.

• Thanks to an official partnership with CleanHub, your impact on improving waterways will be doubled. CleanHub will match Scout cleanups pound for pound of plastic debris.

• Post about your Scouting for Clean Waterways project on social media. Use #ScoutingCleanWaterways

• Log the details of your cleanup efforts on the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration’s “Debris Tracker” app. Download the app here: go.scoutlife.org/trackdebris

"Scouting for Clean Waterways" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Sarah Marks coasts on a wave at Surf Camp, an annual Troops 506 campout.

Patrick Kozak watched the waves. They weren’t as tall as they had been early that morning, but some still reached a couple feet high before breaking into frothy whitewash. He could definitely ride them.

This was his second time at Surf Camp, a yearly tradition for linked Troops 506 of La Jolla, California. It’s the most relaxing campout of the year — hanging out with friends, playing games and splashing around in the ocean. But the adrenaline starts pumping when you’re on your surfboard and a good wave approaches.

“I was catching some of the waves, but I was falling off of them,” the 14-year-old First Class Scout says. “It’s still fun to catch one. I hope I can get good enough.”

All it takes is practice, which requires a lot of wipeouts. Even if they didn’t conquer massive barreling waves by the end of the weekend, the Scouts still had fun.

“Every day on the water is a good day,” says Nolan Hood, 17, a Life Scout.

Nolan Hood practices a trick move by starting on one board before jumping to a smaller surfboard.

SAFETY FIRST AT SURFING CAMPOUT

La Jolla is on the Southern California coast, so some Scouts in the troop have become well-versed in aquatics from lifeguard training and surfing with friends and family.

Adult leader Brian Catanzaro reviews surfing safety before the Scouts get into the water.

In preparation for Surf Camp every fall, the troop reviews surfing safety, studying the dangers of rip currents, underwater hazards and stinging animals like jellyfish and stingrays.

“Surfing has a learning curve,” says Marcus Catanzaro, 16, a Life Scout. “We go through the swim test. We go over safety aspects on dry land.”

Amaya Pfister tried surfing for the first time at Surf Camp

The troop camped within walking distance of the beach — close enough that they could hear the ocean. They leisurely got up, enjoyed doughnuts the adult leaders bought, and practiced surfing techniques on land before wading into the water.

“It’s hard to get up on your board, so you practice on the sand,” says Second Class Scout Beatrice Nicholson, 13. “There’s a way you can practice lying down and then getting to your feet in one smooth motion.”

When the Scouts felt ready, they grabbed their boards and got in.

Left: Eris Pfister surfs on a foam longboard, riding the waves all the way to the shore at Surf Camp. Right: Alex Markworth catches a wave on two boards. His plan: Jump from one board to the other without falling!

MAKING WAVES

Your surfboard matters. Longboards — which measure 8 feet and more — work best on big waves, while shortboards — about 5 to 7 feet long — let you move around quicker and easier.

“If it’s a lower tide, the shortboards are more maneuverable,” says Life Scout Alex Markworth, 16. “With longer boards, it’s speed and enjoying the wave rather than riding it out.”

Ultimately, it’s personal preference of how you want to attack the surf and how much you want to spend. Shortboards made of polyurethane foam cost a couple hundred dollars, while prices for fiberglass longboards can reach about $1,000.

Max Hayfen rides a wave on his boogie board.

You can also use a bodyboard or “boogie board” to ride across the waves, but you aren’t standing up on these since they’re often 2 to 3 feet long. Or you can go without a board at all.

“I wanted to try body surfing,” says Emma Zackowski, 13, a First Class Scout. “Body surfing is where you don’t have a board — you just ride the wave by yourself.”

Wind often creates waves while sandbars and underwater reefs can alter the shape and intensity of the waves. During the campout, the ocean offered small waves with whitewash to ride through; however, a few big ones formed, too.

Left: Emma Zackowski splashes through a wave. Right: Sarah Marks drops in on a wave.

“It was good for the variety of surfers we had,” Alex says.

When Scouts weren’t trying to ride the waves, they were paddling over to a lagoon outflow, which created a lazy river where they could float.

“Surf Camp is fun,” says Jacob Jones, 16, a Star Scout. “You just go and chill out there.”

Trevor Forrest and Massimo De Soto paddle up a lagoon outflow.

JUST CHILLIN’ AT SURFING CAMPOUT

Surfing wasn’t the only item on the troop’s agenda at the surfing campout. There were also card games, flying disc games, volleyball, bracelet-making, pizza, guitar-playing and hanging out by the campfire. Some Scouts worked on their Totin’ Chip or the San Diego-Imperial Council Wave Rider award, an honor focused on the basics of surfing and bodyboarding. For the Wave Rider award, Scouts study surfing safety and demonstrate certain techniques.

Amaya Pfister (left) and Jacqueline Long take a break from the waves. Jacqueline worked as a junior lifeguard for several years, which helped her gain confidence in the water.

“I only have two years of surfing. It’s gotten easier,” says Eris Pfister, 12, a Scout. “It’s like snowboarding: It’s hard, but once you get the hang of it, you get the hang of it.”

And even if you haven’t gotten the hang of it by the end of the weekend, you can go to Surf Camp again next year to enjoy activities, both on land and in the sea.

“It’s definitely one of my favorite campouts,” says Amaya Pfister, 14, a First Class Scout.

Massimo De Soto celebrates riding a great wave.

A Rare Sight

The weekend Troop 506 went surfing coincided with an annular solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, blocking sunlight. Unlike total eclipses, during which the moon completely covers the sun, an outer ring of the sun remains visible during annular eclipses.

Phoebe Yasuhara views the solar eclipse.

To protect their eyes, the Scouts used solar eclipse glasses and built an eclipse viewer.

“We saw the eclipse looking through a cereal box,” says Eagle Scout Emilio De Soto, 13. “It’s easy to make. The sun shines through, and you can basically see a dot on a white piece of paper.”

"California Troops Catch Some Waves at Annual Surfing Campout" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Crossing a state line can be a big moment, like when you leave your home state for the first time. Or maybe it serves as a milestone during a cross-country road trip.

For a group of 21 Scouts, reaching the South Carolina state line marked the end of an impressive 170-mile trek, during which they hiked, biked and paddled across North Carolina.

“It was breathtaking,” says Kayla Oxendine, 17, a Life Scout from Troop 1447 of Laurinburg, N.C. “Crossing the line seemed so unreal. It felt kind of weird, like ‘this is it.’ We were a bit sad.”

The moment capped off an amazing and rare accomplishment, though it wasn’t the first time Scouts had done this. In 1966, Troop 513 of Whiteville, N.C., trekked from the north side of the state to the south. Those Scouts, now in their 60s and 70s, greeted last summer’s crew at the state line, where they all crossed it together.

Scouts walk their bicycles across the South Carolina state line after a 170-mile journey, re-creating a trek that a troop did in 1966. Seven of the 1966 hikers joined last year’s group to cross the state line together.

RE-CREATING THE TREK

On most weekends in the 1960s, Troop 513 went camping at local farms and parks, where they’d build rope bridges, go hiking and work on merit badges.

“We’re 513; we don’t do normal things,” says Ronnie McNeill, whose father, John, organized the 1966 trek.

That weeklong backpacking trek taught the Scouts how to face adversity. The boys hiked at least 20 miles most days of the trek.

“These things are as much mental as they are physical,” says Sandy McNeill. “What you set your mind to, you can do.”

Troop 513 and a few friends from other troops during the 1966 hike. Scouts carried caution flags for safety during the hike.

Scouts today are determined and brave, too. The Cape Fear Council recruited eager Scouts from several units to re-create the 1966 march.

This one took two years to plan, as the small dirt roads had morphed into busy highways.

Not only did council leaders figure out a safe route, but they also added to the trip. These Scouts weren’t just going to backpack; they would also ride bikes, go canoeing, and stop by a zoo and racetrack.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” says MacKenzie Sanford, 15, a Life Scout from Troop 1447. “It was such an adventure that I couldn’t miss it.”

Scouts cycle on the second day of the trek near Swepsonville, N.C. From right: David Ladd of Troop 447 in Laurinburg, N.C.; Benjamin Wylubski of Troop 210 in Carolina Beach, N.C.; and Jesse Kegley of Troop 444 in Laurinburg.

ACROSS THE STATE

To prepare for any challenging outing, you must get physically strong. The Scouts went on three shakedowns to practice hiking and biking and review their needed gear. Then they all met at Cherokee Scout Reservation to get to know each other and relax before the trip began near Danville, Virginia.

Unlike the 1966 trip, the majority of the travel would be on bicycle — that way, the Scouts could cover up to 50 miles in a day. The first day, though, was on foot.

Scouts hike after departing from the Virginia state line.

“The first day was a little tough for some people,” says William Clements, 17, an Eagle Scout from Troop 102 of Boiling Spring Lakes, N.C. “They did themselves good by training for it. It was a good eyeopener.”

Adult leaders escorted the Scouts to ensure their safety. They inspected the bikes, adjusted the route as needed and monitored the weather, which included rain every day.

“We learned about wet brake pads and water spraying in your face,” says David Ladd, 16, an Eagle Scout with Troop 447 of Laurinburg. “We had to take hills a lot slower.”

The group wore brightly colored activity uniforms while hiking along roads to stand out to drivers

Staying safe was paramount, as was staying positive. The miles became more painful as the journey slogged on, so Scouts needed to help each other.

“There were two Scouts at the back. One asked me to hike with him because he needed some moral support,” David says.

An encouraging chat can help fuel you to soldier on. The group also found motivation from other sources along the way.

Left: Logan Leach (left) of Troop 460 in Raeford, N.C., paddles with Tucker Hedblom of Troop 38 in Southport, N.C. Right: Scouts paddle to shore. Canoeing made up the least of the trek’s miles, but it offered a lot of chances for fun and viewing wildlife.

MEANINGFUL MOMENTS

The group spent the nights at Scout camps and county parks, ending each day with a satisfying Dutch oven dinner. One evening, it was chicken and dumplings.

“We went for fourths that night,” Kayla says.

Enjoying a tasty meal, spotting a bald eagle while canoeing, taking a break to savor an ice pop — the little moments put smiles on the Scouts’ faces. As did the big moments, like riding their bikes around the track at Rockingham Speedway or visiting the North Carolina Zoo.

Every day, William counted how many people waved, honked or cheered at the group. By the end of the trek, he had counted more than 300.

“The people were so encouraging; it was awesome to see how good the world is,” William says. “It meant so much. A lot of the Scouts might’ve been having a tough time, and then we get a nice little reminder that we’re doing something awesome.”

The original crew stops at the state line at the end of the journey in 1966.

CROSSING THE LINE

When the group reached the southern line near Hamlet, N.C., they were greeted by seven members of the 1966 trek, who crossed the state line with them.

“As a group effort, for the sweat and tears, hiking across the state was something I have never forgotten,” says Vinson Bowers, who hiked with his friends in Troop 513. “The excitement of crossing that line, it was a great time.”

Some of the 1966 hikers — Vinson Bowers, Sandy McNeill, George McNeill, Charles McNeill, Coke Gray, Ronnie McNeill and Greg Blackman — pose with last year’s crew at the state line.

“It was definitely an amazing moment,” MacKenzie says. “Now I love high adventure.”

At a ceremony afterward, the council had mementos for the Scouts: commemorative medals, shoulder patches and certificates.

“We’ll be able to cherish those for the next 60 years until the next group does it,” David says.

"Scouts Re-Create an Epic Border-to-Border Trek Across North Carolina" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Wyatt Harris checks out the Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in Yellowstone National Park.

Every three years, boys Troop 746 of Baltimore, Maryland, travels far from home for an awesome adventure. It has been a troop tradition since the 1980s. This past year, they and girls Troop 647, also of Baltimore, visited Wyoming before heading to summer camp at Island Park Scout Camp in Idaho.

Follow these troops as they journal about their epic trip before summer camp.

DAY 1

Flew to Salt Lake City. All the meals were planned out, so we just walked into Walmart, filled up the carts and bought it.

“When we first got there, that was the most beautiful Walmart I’d ever seen. It had the mountains behind it. You don’t see stuff like that in Maryland.”

— Jonah Sorna, 15, Life Scout

DAY 3

Visited Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, Wyo. Hot springs are made when magma heats groundwater. The water in the park’s bathhouse was 104 degrees. It was a little too hot for some of us. But for about 20 minutes, it was pretty relaxing.

“We sat back and relaxed in the hot spring — it was nice.”

— Jonah

Arabella Holmes of Troop 647 leads the group on a hike around Jenny Lake. Behind her are Jonah Sorna, Mitch Schauer, Ben Fugate, Wyatt Harris, Zach Francis and Mutaba Pembamoto.

DAY 4

In Cody, Wyo., we ate a chuckwagon dinner and went to a night rodeo. Not all of us had been to a rodeo before. It was a lot of fun. We saw rodeo clowns, barrel racers and two pro cowboys at a time chase calves on their horses, jump off, tackle the calf and tie it up in 10 seconds.

“I don’t think I could ever do that. It really showed they had to be on the same wavelength to take down and tie up a calf and to see how much trust they had to have in each other.”

— Mitch Schauer, 15, Life Scout

Scouts visit Mammoth Hot Springs in Wyoming.

DAY 6

Camped at Yellowstone National Park. Saw waterfalls, hot springs and geysers. A huge bison was in the road. It was only a few feet from our van. We took a lot of pictures.

“It’s like being on a different planet. You look to your left, and it would just be a bright green or orange puddle that’s bubbling. It’s like something you’d never see anywhere other than at Yellowstone.”

— Arabella Holmes, 15, Star Scout

Mutaba Pembamoto, Landon Moulton, Jonah Sorna, Mitch Schauer, Arabella Holmes and Chloe Dimemmo watch Sawmill Geyser erupt.

DAY 7

Went whitewater rafting down the Snake River. It took like an hour. We went through Class II and III rapids. The water felt like it was zero degrees. It was absolutely freezing.

“We were pirates of the Snake River!”

— Mason Kokosinski, 17, Life Scout

Evan Straub pokes his head out of a tent.

DAY 10

Made it to summer camp. The staff was so welcoming. Earned a lot of extra merit badges and special awards, like Stand-Up Paddleboarding.

“The paddleboarding was a fun patch to do. I got to do freestyle yoga on a paddleboard.”

— Holden Kokosinski, 17, Life Scout

DAY 16

Heading back to Salt Lake City and then flying home. What a trip! We bought so many souvenirs, some of us needed to throw stuff in our friends’ bags.

“The trip was really fun. You only get to experience something like this once in your life. It’s something I’ll never forget.”

— Mitch

How to Fund Fun

A cross-country trip can get costly. That’s why troops 746 and 647 devoted two years to prepare for it. During that time, the Scouts did several fundraisers. They sold popcorn, Easter candy, camp cards and citrus fruit from Florida. By March, they were able to purchase plane tickets for the summer trip.

"Scouts Journal About Their Wyoming Adventure" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Thomas Moak, front, and John Philipp steer their duckies through a Class III rapid.

Go whitewater rafting, and you and your friends will likely hop into a large inflatable raft. These vessels provide a smooth ride over fast-moving water, plus the elasticity to bounce off half-submerged rocks. Rocks might do more damage to a hard-shell kayak, but the smaller kayak would be easier to maneuver in the rapids.

What if you were able to combine the two? Like an inflatable kayak?

Everett Baxley paddles through the waves along the Nantahala River.

They exist. They’re called “duckies,” and Scouts in Troop 53 of Mountain Brook, Alabama, got to try them out as they headed down North Carolina’s Nantahala River last August.

“If we were whitewater rafting, the rafting is super-stable, and you can plow through all the rapids, but in a ducky, you get the safety of a raft with all the fun of a kayak,” says Robert White, a 13-year-old Life Scout.

WHITEWATER EXPERTS

Paddling whitewater is one of Troop 53’s favorite activities, but for some of the Scouts, this trip would be their first time. Such an action-packed adventure requires professionally trained guides. You don’t want to tackle this activity without some expertise. That’s why Troop 53 goes to the Nantahala Outdoor Center near Bryson City, N.C. This outfitter knows the river and provides gear and guidance.

“If you follow what the instructors do, you’ll do pretty well,” Robert says.

Bryson Dobbins (left) and Jack Rogers carry duckies to the river.

Before the Scouts could take their duckies to the river, they reviewed safety guidelines — like what to do in case they fell out — and got fitted for helmets and lifejackets. If you’re navigating rapids rated Class II and above, you need to wear a whitewater-rated helmet. This class of rapids features waves up to 3 feet tall and visible obstacles — still fairly easy on a six-tier scale.

Steering a ducky through the Nantahala River’s Class II rapids would be a fun challenge and definitely doable, no matter everyone’s experience.

“It felt like it was an extension of your body,” says Life Scout Thomas Moak, 14. “It’s not as maneuverable as a kayak, but it was more comfortable.”

Charlie Long (front) and Jack Donald paddle their duckies.

PADDLE POWER

The guys soon saw the advantages to paddling a ducky. Since they’re inflatable, they can bounce off rocks and bend under stress without flipping. Most of the group stayed upright, though they still got wet.

“They have holes between the two tubes between the air pockets,” Robert says. “If there was water in the ducky, it could flow out super easy. But in rapids, water came up through them and splashed in your face.”

From left: Robert White, Everett Baxley and Harrison Baxley navigate cascading rapids and avoid trouble spots.

With an outfitter guide showing them the way, the troop navigated the rapids. The river flowed consistently, but there were pockets where the Scouts could briefly hop out and enjoy the refreshingly chilly water.

The 8-mile trip lasted for 2 hours, though it didn’t feel that long.

“I was surprised how fast it went,” says William Morgan, 13, a Second Class Scout. “I could’ve stayed out for another four hours.”

“I was sad when it was over,” Thomas says.

Scouts paddle through the rapids. Whitewater rapids are classified from
Class I through Class VI; Scouts are not allowed to go through any rapids higher than Class IV.

LESSONS LEARNED

Not all the fun happened on the water. The troop stayed at Woodruff Scout Camp, an Atlanta Area Council camp about an hour-long drive from the Nantahala Outdoor Center.

There, the guys climbed and rappelled on the camp’s 50-foot climbing tower for a couple of hours. To rappel, you lean backward off the side of the tower and lower yourself down the rope all the way to the ground. It can be intimidating.

“It’s like you have to sit in an invisible chair,” Thomas says. “But that didn’t really help me much.”

Still, facing a fear is putting the Scout Law into action. A Scout is brave.

Scouts make a healthy meal of oatmeal with dried blueberries and cranberries.

There were more Scouting lessons to learn back at camp. One patrol discovered a dirty pan in its patrol box. It had been left there for a month since the previous campout. The nasty cooking utensil served as a reminder that Scouts should be courteous and finish their responsibilities.

“Think about the group as a whole,” Thomas says. “Don’t assume the cook had everything handled after dinner.”

That lesson applied to paddling, too: Pay attention to your guide and watch for others on the water — that helps you be a more courteous kayaker. When you live out the Scout Law, it can make a big difference — and Troop 53 noticed it on its ducky outing.

“It was the best campout of the year by far,” Thomas says.

The troop sets up tents at Camp Woodruff.

Read the River

Watching how the water flows can tell you where to safely steer your boat. Rocks, riverbanks and other obstacles disrupt the current, causing eddies, holes and standing waves.

An eddy forms when water is pushed sideways and flows back upstream. They can be calm places where you can rest.

When water goes over a sharp drop and curls backward, it’s called a “hole.” Holes might be ideal places to “surf” against the current.

When fast water hits slower water or when water flows over a submerged object, standing waves appear. These waves are generally safe to paddle over.

However, all these features can turn dangerous depending on how fast the river is flowing.

Troop 53 floats down an 8-mile stretch of the river.

"Alabama Scouts Tackle Whitewater in Inflatable Kayaks" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Maybe -— just maybe —- a valuable golden nugget is hiding in this bucket of sediment, Rocco Koekemoer Jr. thought.

The bucket was emptied into a large water trough. Rocco grabbed a pan, dipped it through the water and scooped up some sand. He swished the water around, filtering out the sediment as he searched for glittery gold.

Nope, no nuggets. But he did unearth gold flakes.

Sharanya Kar Bhowmik (left) and Ankita Daniel pan for gold flakes in water-filled troughs. Most Scouts found a little bit to take home.

“You’d only get small pieces,” the 13-year-old Second Class Scout says. “It was maybe two cents’ worth.”

Rocco and his fellow Scouts might not have left the Consolidated Gold Mine much richer, but they did take home a lot of fun memories.

RUSHING TO DAHLONEGA

The most famous gold rush in American history happened in California in the mid-1800s. But the West Coast wasn’t the first place people dug for gold. In 1829, about 15,000 people flocked to north Georgia after a local newspaper reported the discovery of
gold. Many mined around the town of Dahlonega, which sits about 50 miles north of Dunwoody, where boys Troop 477 and girls Troop 1919 are from.

Carter Townsend and Nick Sparks pretend to push an old mining cart down the rails. Miners used these carts to remove material from the mine.

Last July, the troops embarked on a day trip to Dahlonega, where they toured the Dahlonega Gold Museum, went underground at the Consolidated Gold Mine and tubed down the nearby Chestatee River.

“I thought it would be fun to learn about the history of gold in Georgia,” says Jack Cope, 13, a Star Scout.

TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN

The troops’ first stop was the gold museum, where they saw lottery machines used to assign plots of land to prospectors. The gold rush played a part in the forced displacement of Native American tribes from their land, later called the “Trail of Tears.”

Webelos Scout Victor Medel holds a steel spike as the mine tour guide explains how miners would make holes for dynamite.

The U.S. government established a mint in Dahlonega to make coins. Within two decades, it had produced $6 million in $1, $2.50, $3 and $5 pieces, some of which are on display at the museum.

“They passed around a gold coin; it was worth about $2,000,” says Sharanya Kar Bhowmik, 13, a First Class Scout. “It’s bigger than a dollar coin, and it was really heavy.”

INTO THE MINE

Next, the troops visited the gold mine. Learning about the conditions in a mine was humbling: It was cramped, dangerous and dark.

“They’d give you three candles. Our guide held one, and it was super dim. It was crazy. You couldn’t see your hand in front of you,” says Ty Morgan, 12, a Tenderfoot Scout.

Jack Cope searches for souvenirs of gold from the mine.

For miners making about $1 a day — 10 times more than an average daily salary, it was worth it. The guide also showed them mining tools and machinery, including a 100-year-old functional drill.

The tour ended with panning for gold. Everyone was able to find a little to take home in a souvenir vial.

RELAXING ON THE RIVER

After lunch, the Scouts grabbed inflatable tubes for an hour-and-a-half trip down the Chestatee River. The water felt icy cold, but they got used to it during the leisurely float.

“It was chill and fun,” says Thomas Tran, 15, a Second Class Scout. “I don’t think I’ve experienced a day trip where we stayed in one place.”

Logan Tran enjoys tubing down the Chestatee River.

Not every adventure requires a lot of traveling. You can discover fun close to home.

As Rocco says, “It’s pretty cool that we can go an hour away and see all that history and go tubing.”

Photographs courtesy of Barry Deutsch

"Day Trip to a Mine Gives Scouts a Golden Opportunity for Fun" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

March 31, 2023 started quietly. But severe thunderstorms were in the forecast, and by that afternoon, clouds began bubbling over Little Rock, Arkansas, and turning an ominous green.

Brennan Horton was in class as the school day neared its end. Suddenly, he heard alerts ring out on everyone’s cellphones.

“It was a symphony of phone alarms,” the 15-year-old Life Scout says.

The weather alerts warned everyone to take cover. A nightmarish EF3 tornado, 600 yards across and churning winds up to 165 miles per hour, was barreling through the northern part of the city. Students rushed to safe places within their schools and waited anxiously as the storm passed.

“We didn’t know if our house had gotten hit or not because the power got knocked out,” says Thomas Miller, 14, a Star Scout with Troop 24 in Little Rock.

Thomas Miller of Troop 24 removes fallen tree branches in Little Rock, Arkansas.

His family’s home was OK, but others weren’t as fortunate as the tornado carved a path of destruction 34 miles long, smashing brick buildings to rubble and ripping roofs off houses.

Seeing the aftermath, the Scouts of Troop 24 knew they needed to do something.

“There’s a thought of responsibility of going out to help,” Brennan says. “It’s something that I want to do. Simply going out and helping people is what Scouting is all about.”

An EF3 tornado can topple home walls and rip roofs off buildings, as seen here with blue tarp-covered houses.

WIDESPREAD DEVASTATION

The Little Rock twister wasn’t the only one to strike on March 31. More than 140 tornadoes touched down across 16 states that day and the next. It marked the third largest tornado outbreak for a 24-hour period in U.S. history.

The outbreak added to an already active month as March 2023 saw nearly 200 twisters — the second most in recorded history for the month of March. The week before, severe storms battered Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi. These storms spawned multiple deadly tornadoes, reaching EF3 and EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita scale. The scale measures a tornado’s intensity based on wind speeds and damage. A tornado at an EF3 rating or higher often uproots trees, demolishes houses and tosses cars.

One of these violent twisters tore through Amory, Mississippi. The Banzhaf family has friends there, and Davis Banzhaf and his father went up to check on them.

“It was bad,” says Davis, 15, a Life Scout with Troop 14 of Starkville, Miss. “It’ll be something I’ll remember for a long time.”

Davis Banzhaf of Troop 14 helps clean up a yard in Amory, Miss.

Telephone poles were snapped in two, large trees were toppled over, and roofs had been peeled off homes and businesses. Davis and his father knew what to do.

“I immediately asked what I could do to help,” he says. “I just hopped right to work, carrying things, clearing out where a tree had fallen, picking up fence posts.”

CLEANING UP

In Little Rock, neighborhoods were smashed into piles of debris.

“Multiple houses of people I knew were completely wiped out — you couldn’t see them anymore,” says Revanth Nama, 13, a Star Scout with Troop 24. “It was kind of sad to see all the houses that were gone.”

Scouts with Troop 24 take a break from removing debris from a yard in Arkansas.

The adult leaders in Troop 24 looked for ways the Scouts could help, starting with people they knew.

“Once I figured out everyone in my life is safe and good, let’s go out and help as many people as we could,” says Eben Oschner, a Life Scout.

The troop picked up trash and debris, and then helped with local food drives.

“The experience made me feel like this is what Scouts do,” says Anay Pandit, 11, a Scout.

Last year’s tornado outbreak in Little Rock, Arkansas, produced some of the strongest storms the city had seen since 1999.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

After a natural disaster, you might feel the urge to jump in and help. After all, a Scout is helpful.

Sometimes, though, the area might not be safe, and it’s important to not get into a situation in which you become a victim, too. Damaged buildings could fall, broken glass and nails likely will be everywhere, and downed powerlines pose a deadly hazard.

Enter areas only when safety can be guaranteed. If an area is deemed too dangerous, you can still help in other ways.

“If you know anyone in the area, you can call to check on them,” Davis says. “If you don’t know anyone, you can send food or water; you could talk to your troop about helping out in different ways. There are lots of opportunities for helping people.”

You can also check with your council or organizations like the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and religious and community groups to see if they’re already helping and if you can contribute. Any amount of help can lift someone’s spirits when they’re facing such devastation.

“It’s not really like, ‘I should do this,’ ” says Oliver Vesecky, 12, a Tenderfoot Scout with Troop 24. “It’s more, ‘I want to do this to give others hope.’ ”

What Do You Do?

Most tornadoes rate as an EF0 or EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, but even a weak storm can cause significant damage. Most tornado casualties are caused by flying debris.

Weather bureaus issue watches when conditions are right for tornadoes and warnings when they have been sighted. During a watch, keep up with weather updates. If you’re outside, pay attention to changes in the sky, like:

• dark clouds sometimes tinged with green.
• heavy rain and hail.
• a funnel-shaped cloud.
• a roaring noise.

When a warning has been issued, get into a basement or a small interior room, such as a closet, bathroom or hallway. Close all doors and get under something sturdy, like a heavy table. You can protect yourself from flying objects with a mattress or blankets. Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls.

If you are caught in the open when a tornado approaches, get to a low spot, lie face down and cover your head. A ditch or other low spot is a good place to lie down if there is no floodwater.

Photos by NOAA; Courtesy of Troop 24; Benjamin Krain/Getty Images; Getty Images/iStock Photo; Courtesy of the families

"When Tornadoes Hit Communities, Scouts Know They Need to Help" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

You’ll have a blast this summer at these amazing BSA council summer camps.

Click here to see more Scout Camps featured in previous years

CAMP LA-NO-CHE

Central Florida Council; Paisley, Florida
camplanoche.com

SLIP ’N’ SLIDE: Camp La-No-Che is situated a short drive from the ocean, which allows for off-site deep-sea fishing expeditions. You can stay at camp and find plenty of aquatic opportunities at La-No-Che’s two pools, one of which features a waterslide. The camp’s lake also offers chances for small-boat sailing, canoeing, rowing, watersports and fishing.

INTO THE MUCK: One camp tradition is hiking to the “Big Stump,” a tree stump that takes about an hour to reach. It might be quicker to get there if you didn’t have to trudge through mud and muck. Complete the hike through the muddy terrain and earn a special patch.

NATIVE HISTORY: The camp invites a Native American educator to teach the Indian Lore merit badge. You can learn about the tribes that inhabited Florida and see relics, regalia and toys that date back hundreds of years while earning a merit badge. On Thursday nights, the camp hosts a Native American powwow.

GORHAM SCOUT RANCH

Great Southwest Council; Chimayo, New Mexico
gorhamscoutranchbsa.org

REV UP: Explore more than 10 miles of trails on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). Gorham is one of a select group of camps nationwide that offers a course to learn to safely operate an ATV.

SLICE OF THE SOUTHWEST: At an elevation of 7,200 feet, expect cool temperatures during the day and even cooler ones at night. The nighttime skies are beautiful, and the camp hosts star parties, during which you can study the heavens with a telescope. Learn about the history of the 2,650-acre camp as it shows evidence of use by the neighboring Native American Pueblos for thousands of years.

ALL THAT GLITTERS: When you do your laundry after a week at Gorham, you might notice your clothes will be a little sparkly. That’s because the dirt at camp consists of mica flakes, which glitter in the sunlight. You’ll go home not only with great memories, but also little pieces of camp itself.

CAMP STRAKE

Sam Houston Area Council; Coldspring, Texas
shacbsa.org

BLAST OFF: Collaborating with NASA, Camp Strake is offering out-of-this-world experiences, including field trips to nearby Space Center Houston and Johnson Space Center. You can get a behind-the-scenes tour at the spaceflight training and control facilities. Meet an astronaut and communicate with astronauts on the International Space Station.

COOL DOWN: Revive yourself at Camp Strake’s one-of-a-kind cool zone by the lakefront. There’s plenty to do at the 27-acre lake, like fishing tournaments, kayaking, rowing, an obstacle course and riding a zip line over the water. You can also grab some ice cream at the trading post.

GO ON A HIKE: The 2,800-acre property is located near the 129-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail, the longest trail in Texas. Off-site adventures include hiking part of this trail. You can also stay onsite and enjoy the 5 miles of hiking trails.

HERITAGE RESERVATION

Laurel Highlands Council; Farmington, Pennsylvania
lhcscouting.org

THE AMERICAN SPIRIT: The three camps on this 2,000-acre property are patriotically named: Camp Independence, Camp Liberty and Camp Freedom. The surrounding area is rich in historical sites and forts from the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War. At camp, the place to visit is Heritage Hub, where Scouts play games, ride a zip line and — on Wednesday nights — savor s’mores and deep-fried sandwich cookies.

RIDE A BIKE: Know how to ride a bike? Great! You can tackle the BMX dirt track. Don’t know how to ride? That’s OK: The camp staff will teach you, and — by the end of the week — you should be able to go on the track, too.

LAKE TIME: You can play tennis, hit the hiking trails or try the low-ropes COPE course. Another favorite activity spot is the 270-acre Lake Courage. Go motorboating, water-skiing and smallboat sailing. Each of the three camps has a waterfront, so aquatic fun is always close by.

MCNEIL SCOUT RANCH AT PEACEFUL VALLEY

Greater Colorado Council; Elbert, Colorado
scoutingcolorado.org

FOLLOW THE STORY: Staff skits are a lot of fun to watch during a campfire, but at McNeil Scout Ranch, they’re part of an ongoing story. You won’t want to be late to the daily flag ceremonies as the skits continue and prompt related games and contests. You might be inspired to fine-tune your acting skills at the camp’s Hollywood-themed lodge where the Theater merit badge is offered.

READY, AIM … : If you want to try shooting sports, McNeil Scout Ranch has facilities for trap, skeet and five-stand shotgun. There’s also a place for rifle shooting, field archery and tomahawk throwing. One of the programs for older Scouts focuses on a weeklong shooting sports experience, which caps off with cowboy action shooting.

LET’S RIDE: The camp offers more than 40 merit badges, including Horsemanship. You can go on not only trail rides, but also dinner rides and overnighters, when available. You can go off-site to ride down Class III rapids in the camp’s whitewater program.

CURTIS S. READ SCOUT RESERVATION

Greater Hudson Valley Council; Brant Lake, New York
ghvbsa.org

GEM OF THE ADIRONDACKS: Set on 1,000 acres and surrounded by six lush, forested mountains, Camp Read features four sites: Waubeeka, Buckskin, Summit Base and STEM Ranch. Enjoy the natural settings at each, like the caves of Waubeeka or the lake at the Summit Base, where you can ride a zip line, splash into the lake, swim to shore — and do it all again.

LET’S EAT: You can choose your dining experience at Camp Read. In Buckskin, you head to the dining hall; in Waubeeka, you cook at your campsite. All the cooking equipment is provided, including a propane stove or a sheepherder stove. Don’t forget to stop by the trading post during the week to grab a refreshing slushie.

TO THE SUMMIT: The Summit Base focuses on high-adventure fun: canoe and backpacking treks, zip lining, mountain biking and climbing the 60-foot-tall tower. It’s for everyone, with first-year campers invited to try some of the activities, too. You’ll still have time to earn a few of the 50 merit badges offered and head over to the STEM Ranch to learn skilled trades and technical skills or even go for a horse ride.

SCHOEPE SCOUT RESERVATION AT LOST VALLEY

Orange County Council; Warner Springs, California
ssrlv.org

SOMEBODY’S GOTTA DO IT: Roll up your sleeves and get dirty in the camp’s Dirty Jobs program area. There, you’ll learn welding, metalworking and how to do home repairs. Not only will you work on those merit badges, but you could also discover a new hobby or career path.

CLIMB ON: Encircled by mountains, Lost Valley is a true wilderness camp. When you’re in the mountains, you might be tempted to conquer one. At Lost Valley, you can — or at least scale a real rock wall. Climbers can choose between a rugged outdoor rock face or an indoor climbing wall.

GAME TIME: Every Tuesday night is game night. As party music plays, you can play cornhole, giant chess and kubb, a Swedish lawn game. There are also aquatics competitions and later in the week, a Western-themed stage show and carnival, complete with sharpshooter events, roping contests and root beer floats. Daytime temps often stay in the 80s, perfect for a horseback ride or ATV drive.

CAMP ROCKEFELLER

Quapaw Area Council; Damascus, Arkansas
camprockefeller.org

EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE: STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math, and Camp Rockefeller covers it all in its air-conditioned STEM complex. You can dive into learning about computers, 3D printing, robotics and photography. The camp offers around 70 merit badges with about a dozen of those focusing on STEM fields.

NEW EXPERIENCES: Rockefeller strives to offer new, fun merit badge and activity options. The camp recently added an advanced shooting sports program, in which you can fire black powder rifles and toss tomahawks. The camp will add a new zip line this year and an obstacle course next year.

FRY IT UP: On Wednesdays, burgers are served during a dance party at the parade field, where you can also play lawn games. On Fridays, eat some barbecue and, in exchange for participating in a small service project, grab some candy from the trading post and the camp staff will deep-fry it for you. Scouts have fried up cookies, cream-filled sponge cakes and more — yum!

"Get Excited for Summertime at These 8 Cool Scout Camps" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

As the guys of Troop 187 from Kennesaw, Georgia, trekked through Philmont Scout Ranch’s backcountry this past June, they noticed bare, charred tree trunks — the remains of a massive wildfire. That devastating blaze, the Ute Park Fire, consumed more than 36,000 acres and forced treks to be canceled in 2018.

The blackened timber reminded the Scouts of how important conservation work is for our environment. As part of a 12-day trip, the troop sawed and moved downed trees, which staff members could easily burn later, reducing the amount of potential wildfire fuel.

Scouts work together to clear meadows in Philmont’s Lower Bonito Canyon.

“It can help prevent or minimize the damage that happens during fires,” says Gavin Tate, 15, a Life Scout with Troop 187. “By doing that, we helped something big like that from happening.”

You, too, can help protect this natural treasure in northern New Mexico that Scouts have loved for generations.

As part of their Philmont Scout Ranch treks, Scouts complete conservation work. Some work includes removing overgrown vegetation.

A HISTORY OF CONSERVATION

Since 1939, Philmont has provided a rugged place for Scouts to backpack and explore. With more than 140,000 acres, 315 miles of trails and dotted with dozens of backcountry camps, it’s the world’s largest youth camp.

More than 1 million participants have visited since it opened, and everyone who goes on a trek serves the camp in some way before heading home. They’ve improved trails, fought erosion and removed overgrown vegetation. The work helps future generations enjoy the ranch.

Trimming branches makes stacking tree trunks easier. Removing the downed timber allows space for other plants to grow.

If you do three hours of conservation work during your trek, you earn the iconic Philmont expedition arrowhead patch. Crews that log 10 hours of work can get the 50-Miler Award, another honor available at Philmont.

The traditional 12-, nine- and seven-day treks each include one day to complete three hours of conservation work. However, you can sign up for other treks that offer more opportunities to serve.

Vegetation and downed trees are added to piles, which are burned in the winter.

MAINTAINING THE BALANCE

Over the past 15 years — and especially after the Ute Park Fire — conservation projects have focused on stream restoration, trail-building and wildfire mitigation. Stream restoration battles erosion — building trails cuts down on human impact by defining pathways — and wildfire mitigation removes fire fuel.

Simply getting rid of overgrown brush can transform the environment. Not only does it reduce wildfire risks, but it also cuts down on competition for space and sunlight, allowing native grasses and wildflowers to flourish. Seeds that have sat dormant for decades can finally sprout and grow. This encourages deer, birds and rodents to make the place home.

Grant Penner of Troop 187 from Kennesaw, Ga., saws limbs off a downed tree trunk.

Here are some specialized programs in which you can concentrate on conservation:

• Trail Crew treks develop your conservation and leadership skills during two weeks that explore the field of environmental stewardship.

• Order of the Arrow trail crew is a 14-day trek. Scouts spend a week constructing trails followed by a custom, seven-day itinerary.

• Spend 12 days on a STEM trek exploring the backcountry while examining the science, technology, engineering and math underlying Philmont and its most popular programs and activities.

• The Roving Outdoor Conservation School offers a 21-day experience of working on conservation service projects, meeting resource management professionals and protecting Philmont’s unique landscapes.

• Improve the health of Philmont’s forests during a one-week spring break program called Philbreak.

Marian Evans and Grant Penner prepare a tree trunk to be placed on a pile.

FEEL ACCOMPLISHED

Scouts who have gone on specialized programs have built longtime bonds with their fellow crew members. Of course, any trek at Philmont can become transformational. Just as everyone does a service project, everyone returns home from experiences that are hard to find anywhere else.

You can go backpacking, mountain biking, horseback riding, burro packing, gold panning and rock climbing. From witnessing the sunrise atop the 9,003-foot-tall Tooth of Time to tackling the next daunting hill with your friends, you can have a lot of fun while discovering your inner strength.

“You don’t remember the easy stuff as you remember the hard stuff,” Gavin says. “Day four had probably the worst hill. I realized how well I did on that day, but it was still a really hard day. I know myself better now. I know I can do that hard stuff.”

You can have all kinds of adventures at Philmont, including learning about American railroad history at the Metcalf Station.

ALPS Mountaineering

Philmont Scout Ranch is partnering with ALPS Mountaineering to support the Wilderness Guia Program, an outdoor experience that involves conservation and sustainability efforts (guia is the Spanish word for guide). Find out more about the program and how you can become part of a journey that leaves a lasting impact on the pristine landscapes we cherish at go.scoutlife.org/wildernesspledge

Make Plans Now

Sign up for 2025 Philmont Scout Ranch treks at go.scoutlife.org/philmont

Where Will You Go?

Philmont Scout Ranch is one of the BSA’s four national high-adventure bases. Here’s what the others have in store for you:

• The Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia offers treks on kayaks, whitewater rafts, ATVs and bikes — or you can try the Summit Experience, which includes BMX, skateboarding, mountain biking, zip lines, canopy tours and more.

• Northern Tier serves up epic lake-hopping canoe treks and winter camping experiences from its bases in northern Minnesota and Canada.

• Sea Base in Florida lets you explore the ocean from the surface and below with adventures focused on scuba-diving, sailing, fishing, coral restoration and more.

Scouting is full of adventures. Visit go.scoutlife.org/adventure to find the adventures that await!

"Scouts Help Maintain Philmont’s Ecosystem" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Ronin Ricks cuts through the powder. Experienced skiers can tackle basic slopes without ski poles, but if you’re a beginner, poles can help you balance.

After a day of skiing, you might be pretty tired. Navigating a snowy slope over and over calls on your abs, glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, ankles, biceps and triceps.

Although the Scouts in Troop 77 of Canton, Massachusetts, felt the burn of using those muscles on a ski trip last January, they were eager to do it again.

“I usually go skiing for a day. I’ve never gone two days in a row,” says Cayden Farrington, 12, a Tenderfoot Scout.

And that’s just what they did.

LET’S GO SKIING

The troop planned a four-day campout that involved staying at a cabin at T.L. Storer Scout Reservation in New Hampshire. (Troop 77 is not in the camp’s council. You can stay at other councils’ camps throughout the year — just check with the council on the camp’s availability.)

For Troop 77, it worked perfectly. T.L. Storer is about 30 miles from Gunstock Mountain Resort, where they were going skiing and snowboarding. Gunstock Mountain stands more than 2,200 feet tall, and the resort has carved out nearly 50 ski trails, ranging in difficulty from easy green slopes to expert double black diamond trails.

While novice skiers went for the green trails, some guys who go skiing several times every year started out on the blues.

“It’s like getting back on a bike for me,” says Charlie Zack, 16, a Life Scout.

Patrick King demonstrates the wedge technique for Scouts working on the Snow Sports merit badge.

STAYING SAFE

Skiing requires you to be in shape and wear warm clothing. You should also wear a helmet and goggles. Be sure to study the trails so you know which lift to take.

Ski lifts take skiers and snowboarders to the top of a slope. There are a few different types, but one of the most popular is chairlifts. Simply watch for your chair and sit down.

For more than a decade, Troop 77 has gone on an annual ski trip. This was their first time at Gunstock Mountain in New Hampshire.

“I don’t try to overthink it,” says Patrick King, 17, a Life Scout. “You just let it take you. Sometimes the platforms are a little icy. You get off slow and careful.”

Once you’re at the top, move out of the way for other skiers to get off, too. When you’re ready to ski down, you and your buddy should take on the slope together.

“If we didn’t use the buddy system, we could lose each other,” says Michael Wilson, 12, a Scout.

Max Isaacs navigates a slope.

TWO DAYS OF FUN

The troop spent the first day getting used to skiing again. Some of the more experienced skiers were able to tackle expert trails by the afternoon.

The Scouts returned to the cabin and warmed up with a bowl of chili. But after a little while, they felt a little too warm and decided to camp outside.

The troop reviews a ski trail map, pointing out the best routes based on ability.

“It got down to single digits,” Cayden says. “It did snow.”

The next day, they headed back to Gunstock Mountain for eight more hours of skiing.

“My legs hurt a bit, but it was so fun,” Cayden says. “I felt I got better at skiing during this trip.”

Earn the Badge

During their trip, some of the guys worked on the Snow Sports merit badge. You can earn this badge by downhill (Alpine) skiing, cross-country (Nordic) skiing or snowboarding. For each type of activity, you need to understand the equipment and demonstrate certain techniques.

"Conquer the Ski Slopes With Troop 77" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

The Scouts in Troop 247 of Shakopee, Minnesota, were excited to go dog-sledding — but not nearly as excited as the dogs were.

“When they’re ready to run, they jump really high,” says Ellie Ward, 16, a Second Class Scout.

Meghan Steffen (driving) and Eliana Sagstetter (riding) are all smiles as sled dogs pull them across a snowy trail at Tomahawk Scout Camp.

The bouncing soon turned into mushing as the Scouts hopped on the sleds and signaled the huskies to start running. For 20 minutes straight, the sled dogs pulled the Scouts across snow-covered trails. After a brief break, the dogs were swapped out for new dogs that were also eager to run.

“They just want to run,” says Elise Lange, 15, a Tenderfoot Scout. “I’m sure they’d run for as long as they’d want to.”

The troop had only a weekend with the frisky huskies, but it was enough time to try a new activity and discover more chilly adventures.

Left: Sara Kysylyczyn of Troop 7401 of Shoreview, Minnesota, with Louie, a sled dog at Tomahawk Scout Camp. Dog-sledding is one of the fun activities Scouts can choose to participate in at the camp.

LET IT SNOW

In January and February, Tomahawk Scout Camp in northern Wisconsin transforms into Snow Base, a winter destination filled with frozen fun like ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and winter camping. But a favorite program choice among Scouts is dog-sledding.

“We thought it sounded cool,” says Katherine Schnorr, 15, a Life Scout. “We had done winter camping before.”

Wisconsin sees a lot of snow and plummeting temperatures in the winter, and when it got closer to the Scouts’ dog-sledding adventure last January, the forecast predicted it’d be frigid.

Meghan Steffen (riding) and Eliana Sagstetter (driving) use the skills they learned to control the sled as five dogs pull them.

“When we were there, it was below zero,” Ellie says. “The camp provides 90% of what you need.”

Mummy sleeping bags, wool clothing, cooking equipment — the Northern Star Council camp staff had everything covered. On the first night, the camp also provides the training you need for operating the sleds and taking care of the huskies. Energetic dogs can be difficult to control; you can’t be timid when putting on their harnesses and hooking them up to the sled.

“We had to be confident in handling the dogs,” Elise says.

Straw provides a warm place for the dogs to rest. The front three dogs, Jesse, Rivet and Bailey, are all related and enjoy running.

DOGS COME FIRST

After a night sleeping in the bunkhouse, the Scouts woke up and had a job to do before breakfast.

“Before we’re allowed to eat, we had to feed the dogs,” says Meghan Steffen, 15, a Life Scout.

The group tossed some straw on the ground for the group of 20 huskies to relax and stay cozy in. They cleaned the kennels and filled the dogs’ bowls with fresh water. The dogs also got spoiled with some loving pets, scratches and pats from the girls. If you take care of your animals, they’ll be healthy, happy and ready to work.

Each sled dog has a barrel to retreat to so they can escape the elements or in case they’re feeling shy.

“They’re working dogs,” Ellie says. “They were raised to do this.”

After the dogs were cared for, it was time to get familiar with the sleds. Each sled required at least four dogs, as it would be pulling two Scouts: one to drive and one to manage the ropes. Standing on the back of the sled, the driver calls out commands to the dogs and leans on sharp curves to keep the sled upright. The rider sits on the sled and watches the dogs and the attached ropes to make sure no problems arise.

Katherine Schnorr (left) and Ellie Ward secure harnesses to sled dogs Chip and Dale.

MADE FOR THIS

For thousands of years, people have used dogs to haul gear. Several breeds can handle the cold and demand of pulling a sled; the camp uses Alaskan and Siberian huskies. These dogs have double-layered coats to keep them warm, and their metabolism (the process of turning food into energy) works in such a way that they have the endurance to run hundreds of miles in a week.

“Alaskans are used for sled racing. You can tell they’re mixed with greyhound,” Ellie says. “They both like to talk a lot.”

Dogs have different personalities, but on a sled-dog team, they must work together. The “alpha ” of the group should be the human, driving the team. Pictured here is Ivy, a blue-eyed Siberian Husky that enjoys an occasional stretch in the sun.

If you own a husky as a pet, you know they’re very vocal creatures. When driving a sled, you must be just as loud. It can prove challenging, especially in the elements.

“All the wind was coming at you and going through your gloves,” Elise says.

The Scouts soldiered on, yelling commands at the dogs. If the dogs still mushed too fast, the driver dragged her foot in the snow, signaling for the dogs to stop. Many of the Scouts don’t have such a powerhouse animal as a pet, so they had to make sure the team knew who was alpha during a ride.

Brynn Entner with Troop 7401 of Shoreview, Minnesota, holds on to Jesse. Tomahawk Scout Camp holds several sessions in January and February for Scouts to enjoy winter activities.

TIME FOR BED

Two rides later, the Scouts moved on to their next activity: getting ready for bed. They set up two shelters: a parachute tent and a quinzee, a simple shelter made from hollowing out a pile of snow. For the quinzee, that meant breaking out the shovels.

Emilee Burger digs out a quinzee from a pile of snow. Temperatures dipped below zero overnight; however, the Scouts stayed comfortable inside the snow structure.

“It took a lot of work, but it was fun,” Katherine says. “We had really nice sleeping bags. It was a lot warmer than I expected.”

It also helped that the girls laid a tarp and a few sleeping pads under their sleeping bags. The more padding there is between you and the ground, the more insulation you have to help keep you warm.

The next morning, the Scouts fed the dogs again, went on one last ride and then said goodbye to their new furry friends.

Eliana Sagstetter, Ellie Ward and Katherine Schnorr set up their sleeping bags inside a quinzee.

Listen Up!

Some common mushing commands are:

Hike!: Tells the dogs to go.
Haw!: Go left.
Gee!: Go right.
Whoa!: Stop.

Other calls include affirmations, which reward the dogs for following commands.

Elise Lange poses with one of the sled dogs.

"Ride Along as These Scouts Go Dog-Sledding in Wisconsin" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Laughing and shouting, Scouts sprint up a snowy hill, some with snow sleds tucked under their arms.

With a rope in each hand, Alec Ware, a 14-year-old Life Scout, steadily drags two pulk sleds filled with more snow sleds behind the group.

It’s a long hill. The group’s sprinting soon slows to Alec’s pace. Halfway up, they stop and turn around. They’re high enough for a fun slide down. Everyone grabs a sled and the laughing and shouting resume.

Bridger Webster slides down a hill.

“I like sledding. It’s really fun,” says Tenderfoot Scout Henry Ring, 13. “It’s fun to hang out with my friends.”

Troop 214 in Helena, Montana, spent a day sledding last December — the highlight of a winter campout in the mountains.

Troop 214 camped at a site managed by the U.S. Forest Service near where the Scouts would go sledding.

HEAD FOR THE HILL

Every winter, Troop 214 goes on a sledding campout. With the Continental Divide nearby, the guys have plenty of prime places to visit close to home.

For their most recent trip, they pitched tents at a snow-covered campground about 14 miles from home. With temperatures hovering below 32 degrees, a few Scouts wanted to earn a council award. Some councils offer winter camping awards that give points for camping in subfreezing weather.

“If you get 100 frost points, you get a badge,” says Scout Yuri Mullen, 12.

From left in foreground: Joshua Lee, Yuri Mullen, Bridger Webster and Alec Ware pick out their sleds.

After a chilly night, the guys woke up and packed the troop trailer with sleds and cooking gear. A short drive over a mountain pass led the troop to an open hill off the highway, where they would sled and eat lunch.

When picking a hill, make sure the slope isn’t too steep and there are no rocks or trees you could hit. You also need to wear warm clothing and a winter sports helmet.

Maddux Rickman, a Lion Cub Scout, zips across the snowy hill. Cub Scout Pack 214 was invited to sled with Troop 214.

“Make sure you have on good boots to get good grip,” says Bridger Webster, 11, a Scout. “You should have stuff on your face to block the snow. You definitely don’t want to get snow on your face, because it gets cold.”

LET’S GO SLEDDING

The troop brought toboggans and heavy-duty pulk sleds. To safely sled, you need to maintain control. If your sled has a pull rope, flip it around and use it to steer. Other sleds feature a steering wheel or handlebars. You can drag your feet in the snow to manage your speed.

Malachi Rickman steers down the hill. To avoid collisions when you go sledding, be sure to set up paths to walk up and slide down.

Sledders need to watch where they’re going, but everyone downhill also needs to make sure they’re out of the way. Establish sledding paths and return paths so you’re not walking up a hill on the same path that sledders are coming down.

You can work up a sweat by repeatedly hiking up a hill. Even though you’re in the snow, stay hydrated and bring plenty of clothes to moderate your body temperature.

“You have to dress in layers and have more gear,” says 11-year-old Scout Wolfgang Hitz.

Hadrian Mullins navigates his sled down the hill.

FUN FOR ALL

Later in the morning, Pack 214 joined the troop on the hill. Together, everyone enjoyed the activity and cheered each other on.

“I like sharing my sled with other people and trying their sleds,” says Christian Romine, 7, a Wolf Cub Scout.

Wyatt Ring grabs his sled before it slides away.

For lunch, the pack and troop chowed down on grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. Afterward, many of the Cub Scouts’ parents and grandparents joined them in sledding. The outing helped show why Scouting is so fun.

“You feel very included, and you get to do a lot of fun activities,” says Lizabetta Fowler, 10, a Webelos Scout. “Once you get into Scouts for a year or two, you start to get to know some of your pack and den members better. You have more fun because you have your friends here, and your family can come and just have a great time.”

Alec Ware drags two pulk sleds full of sleds for his fellow Scouts to use.

Sledding Science

The toughest ride down the hill is likely the first one. That’s because friction is slowing you down.

Friction is the force resisting motion between two objects. As you sled down a path, the friction between the sled and the snow creates a little heat, which melts the top layer of snow.

It helps if you go sledding when the air temperature is closer to 32 degrees and you’re not sledding on fresh, fluffy snow.

When you carve out a smooth sledding path, that’s when you can pick up speed.

Protect Your Head

Not all helmets are created equal. Each is designed to protect you in certain activities — for instance, a bicycle helmet won’t give you the protection you need when sledding. When you’re skiing, snowboarding or sledding, wear a winter sports helmet. Winter sports helmets provide more coverage, including protection from side impacts. Also, many helmets are built to withstand only a single impact. Replace your helmet if it’s absorbed the impact of a fall or crash, as the material might be damaged.

Bridger Webster looks back up the hill.

"Join Troop 214 for a Big Day of Sledding in Montana" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Scouts hang out under their lean-to.

Getting lost in the woods can be frightening. Now, imagine you’re lost and also standing ankle-deep in the snow as temperatures plummet below freezing. That’s downright terrifying, right?

Not if you know what to do.

For nearly a month, boys and girls troops 427 of Wausau, Wisconsin, studied winter wilderness survival skills. Then they headed out for an overnight outing in the snow. They wouldn’t really be lost, but they would practice using skills that would come in handy in case they ever were.

Surviving in February, they discovered, comes with challenges they wouldn’t have to consider in warmer temperatures.

Scouts construct a lean-to shelter. They scatter straw on a large tarp and place the other half of the tarp on top to form a giant mattress.

“It’s a lot different when it’s 20 degrees outside,” says Andrew Hackel, 12, a Tenderfoot Scout.

BE PREPARED TO SURVIVE

Whenever you go camping, you don’t expect to get into a survival situation. But sometimes things go wrong when you’re outdoors. That’s why it’s vital to understand how to react in emergencies, disasters or after a poor decision.

This is called wilderness survival. Preparing for outings and knowing what to do when things don’t go as planned can help you get home safely if anything ever does go wrong.

To properly prepare for a winter outing, bring warm clothing, preferably wool. Unlike cotton fabric, wool is warm and durable, and it keeps you insulated even when wet. Synthetic blends are also a good choice for underlayers.

“You don’t want to get caught out in the snow without the gear you need,” says Joel Del Conte, 17, a Life Scout.

Scouts clear snow around the campfire area.

In the troop meetings leading up to the campout, the Scouts discussed what they would need and what skills they’d work on: orienteering, shelter-making and fire-building.

OUT IN THE COLD

Right before the troops arrived at the Samoset Council primitive campground in central Wisconsin, it snowed. A lot.

About a foot-and-a-half covered the entryway, preventing the troops from entering the camp.

“We had to shovel it out of the way,” Andrew says.

As soon as they got through the front gate, the Scouts began working on their shelters. After assessing your situation and rendering any necessary first aid, finding shelter should be one of your top priorities in a survival situation. The Scouts unloaded a trailer full of pioneering spars and used a sled to drag them to camp.

The first shelter would be an enormous lean-to. Setting up between three trees, the group attached spars to the trees about five feet off the ground, creating a horizontal bar. They leaned more spars against the bar, securing them using square lashings. Then they laid down a tarp and covered it with hay, which would serve as a warm, cushy mattress on top of the cold ground.

The Scouts then built a quinzee, which you can make by hollowing out a pile of snow. They used spars and a tarp to give the shelter support and structure. Creating survival shelters turned out to be more satisfying than pitching tents.

Joel Del Conte, Xavier Harl and Zachary Hackbarth lash pioneering poles together to form the skeleton of a quinzee hut.

“It’s a lot more fun to see something you built be functional,” says Carley Pease, 14, a Life Scout.

CONQUERING CHALLENGES

Building shelters wasn’t the only fun challenge that day. The adult leaders had a couple of patrol contests planned for the Scouts: an orienteering course followed by a fire-building competition. The previous week, the adults had set up the course in the woods, placing orange markers next to sandwich bags. As the Scouts took bearings and marched to each marker, they found the bags were filled with matches, birch bark and dryer lint — perfect fire-starters.

The fire-building contest required each patrol to quickly ignite a small fire underneath a piece of twine stretched nearly two feet off the ground. The objective was to feed the flames so they’d burn through the twine.

Olivia Kolton takes a bearing with a compass to find the next control point on an orienteering course.

“I think fire-building was the toughest; our fire almost went out,” Carley says.

Campfires keep you warm — and they also help you cook some tasty meals. The troops did all their cooking over an open fire, making brats and kielbasa, as well as Dutch oven beef stew and “mountain man breakfast,” a delicious combination of sausage, hash browns, eggs and cheese.

The only time the Scouts didn’t use their culinary skills was during cracker barrel, a social time at the end of the day when they sipped hot chocolate and munched on Pop-Tarts.

“That’s real survival food there!” Joel joked.

Zachary Hackbarth ties the main crossbeam of a lean-to shelter to a tree.

CHILLED OUT

As the Scouts crammed into their shelters, temperatures dropped into the single digits.

“I had to keep my saline solution for my contacts in my sleeping bag so it wouldn’t freeze,” Carley says.

Some Scouts awoke to frozen clothing. Tenderfoot Scout Michael Graveen, 11, says he and his fellow Scouts developed valuable survival skills and enjoyed spending time together.

“It was pretty fun,” he says.

Steven Klement emerges from a quinzee the Scouts built while Evan Clawson, Xavier Harl and Joel Del Conte stand behind it. A quinzee shields you from the elements and retains your body heat, creating a comfortable place to sleep.

Treating Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a deadly situation in which your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Warning signs of hypothermia include drowsiness, confusion, fatigue and slurred speech.

If someone is showing those signs, move the person into a building or tent. Offer them small amounts of warm liquids and get them into dry, warm clothes. Zip them up in a dry sleeping bag and cover their head with a warm hat or the sleeping bag’s hood.

Watch the person closely, and be ready to administer other first aid if needed. Seek medical care as soon as possible.

A Survival Story

During cracker barrel, the girls’ Scoutmaster read a fictional short story for the Scouts: “To Build a Fire” by Jack London. In it, a man struggles to survive in the frigid Yukon Territory.

In writing the story, London drew upon his experiences of hunting for gold in northern Canada in the 1890s. His most famous works, The Call of the Wild and White Fang, were based on that gold rush, too.

London’s connection to Scouting goes way back. “To Build a Fire” appeared in the January 1946 issue of Scout Life (then called Boys’ Life), and The Call of the Wild and White Fang are listed in Scout Life’s “100 Books That Every Kid Should Read.” Find the full list at go.scoutlife.org/booklist

"Scouts Hone Their Survival Skills as Temperatures Fall Into the Single Digits" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

The Toxic Arrows patrol of Troop 787 of Cassleberry, Florida, steer their “party barge” during a raft regatta camporee.

On some campouts, you pitch a tent, cook in a Dutch oven and belt out songs around a blazing fire. On others, you strap on a backpack or hop in a canoe and trek to amazing places of natural beauty. But typically, you won’t be screaming at the top of your lungs as you fall 130 feet and then race along 3,000 feet of track, twisting and turning at nearly 60 miles per hour.

Unless you attend the Jersey Shore Council’s annual Six Flags camporee.

Many councils and districts across the country host camporees. A camporee invites dozens — even hundreds — of Scouts for a weekend of camping and fun. Sometimes you’re competing against other units in skill contests. Other times you’re enjoying themed activities at places you wouldn’t expect to camp.

Jack Weinberg, Jameson Lawless, Emmanuel Afentoulis and James Kimball, all from Troop 202 of Oakland, California, practice their knots at a mythological-themed camporee. Many of the stations were named for Greek heroes; this one, which tested Scouts’ basic skills, was named for Hephaestus, a blacksmith and craftsman.

MEET YOU AT THE PARK

For nearly three decades, Scouts have pitched tents at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. They’ve worked on merit badges, fished at the nearby lakes and, of course, ridden the thrilling roller coasters. About 600 Scouts attended last year’s event. Waiting in line wasn’t boring when you were with fellow Scouts.

“That’s what I like about Scouting,” says Angelo Amato, 18, a Venturer with Crew 66 of Point Pleasant Beach, N.J. “You meet people you normally wouldn’t meet, and you can find a gold mine of things to talk about.”

Scouts drive bumper cars at Six Flags Great Adventure during the Six Flags camporee

You can find a gold mine of fun, too. Scouts scooted around in bumper cars, battled comic book villains on an interactive ride and hopped on one of the fastest rides in the park — the Jersey Devil Coaster — again and again.

Your unit doesn’t necessarily have to belong to the same council or district to attend its camporee. Many troops and crews that go to the Six Flags camporee are from another council. If you find a fun camporee somewhere, check to see if your unit can go.

Scouts “serve in the cavalry” as they bounce on inflatable horses at a Civil War-themed camporee.

STEP BACK IN TIME

A quarter of a mile from the Gettysburg battlefield in Pennsylvania stands a 163-year-old barn on a family farm. About 900 Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA members walked into the building last year. When they came out, they had their Union Army marching orders.

Sporting navy blue kepi caps, the packs and troops stepped in line to different stations at a Civil War-themed camporee hosted by the Battlefield and Heritage Trails districts of the New Birth of Freedom Council.

Battlefield District Executive Christopher Lontz plays the bugle at a Civil War-themed camporee, alerting Scouts to switch stations.

The Scouts built stretchers at the field hospital, played period games like marbles and enlisted in the cavalry (bounced around on inflatable horses). At the sound of a bugle, each brigade of Scouts rotated to a new station. They also snacked on hardtack, cheese and homemade butter.

You can learn a lot of local history from themed camporees.

Under adult supervision, Scouts throw tomahawks during a Mountain Man Rendezvous.

In Maryland, Scouts saw how fur trappers in the mid-1800s lived during the Mountain Man Rendezvous hosted by the Seneca District of the National Capital Area Council. They learned how to saw wood, built survival shelters and watched blacksmithing in action. Before working with tools, refer to the Guide to Safe Scouting as there are protocols for using tools safely.

The Scouts also applied knot-tying, fire-building and orienteering skills at contest stations as they vied for a trophy to take home, decorate and bring back to next year’s Rendezvous.

Nanako Frey of girls Troop 202 from Oakland, Calif., works on her lashings.

WORKING TOGETHER

Oftentimes, camporees take place at council camps, like Rancho Los Mochos, a Golden Gate Area Council property in California. Last spring, Scouts met there for a mythological-themed camporee. The skills required for each station matched those of an ancient Greek hero or character.

For example, the Hercules Labors station featured a series of physical challenges, one of which required three Scouts to shuffle together on long skis. This challenge called for fitness as well as teamwork. Gabriel Webb with Troop 612 of San Leandro, Calif., helped run the station and recalled how one patrol struggled with the task.

Scouts from boys Troop 202 and girls Troop 202 walk together during a skis challenge at a Hercules-themed station.

“They just couldn’t get their feet straight,” the 17-year-old Life Scout says. “So they jumped off the skis, huddled together, jumped back onto the skis and — without missing a single step — yelled, ‘Chicken!’ for their left feet, and then ‘Nuggets!’ for their right feet. ‘Chicken! Nuggets! Chicken! Nuggets!’”

Scouts at the Tough as Nails spring camporee discovered skilled trade careers. The Lake Erie Council partnered with an Ohio-area contractor association to bring cement masons, carpenters and pipefitters to camp. The Scouts watched as the professionals demonstrated their work and equipment, including a mini excavator.

More than 300 Scouts on 20 rafts sailed around Lake Norris at Camp La-No-Che.

SET SAIL

Last spring, troops built rafts and hauled them to Central Florida Council’s Camp La-No-Che for a regatta camporee. Many Scouts intended to race around the camp’s lake. Not the Toxic Arrows.

“We just wanted to have a lot of fun,” says Rowan Greenly, 13, a First Class Scout with Troop 787 from Casselberry, Fla.

The Toxic Arrows patrol lashed together a barge from plastic barrels and covered it with an umbrella. The Scouts rigged a cooler full of water bottles to their barge and handed out cold drinks to parched Scouts on other rafts.

“We got the Scout Spirit Award,” says Tejas Gannu, 13, a Tenderfoot Scout.

Scouts play in a volleyball tournament at the mythological-themed camporee.

Nanako Frey and Cole Chan carry Sammy Beardsley in a stretcher while Jessica Stevens of Troop 2612 from San Leandro, Calif., judges their technique.

"Check Out 6 Cool Camporees From Around the Country" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

When someone holds up the Scout sign, the room quickly gets quiet. Why? It’s a reminder of what the sign means.

HOW TO MAKE THE SCOUT SIGN IN CUB SCOUTS

To make the Scout sign in Cub Scouts, raise your right arm straight up, with your index and middle finger separated. Those two fingers stand for the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. They also look like the sharp ears of the wolf, ready to listen to Akela, who is a good leader to a Cub Scout.

HOW TO MAKE THE SCOUT SIGN IN SCOUTS BSA

In all other Scouting programs, raise your right arm to shoulder height with your elbow bent at a right angle. Cover the nail of your pinky with your thumb and hold the three middle fingers of your hand upward and together. Your thumb and little finger touching represent the bond Scouts have throughout the world. The three fingers stand for the three parts of the Scout Oath: duty to God and country, duty to others and duty to self.

When the sign is raised, it’s a silent reminder to follow the Scout Oath and the Scout Law by respectfully quieting down and listening. Nobody needs to yell, “Signs up!” The sign says it all.

"Signs Up! How To Make the Scout Sign" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

One-eyed monsters, snaggletooth ghouls and even an adorable Grogu sat along a sidewalk staring at a group of Scouts last October.

The Scouts inspected each and picked their favorites. It was easy to enjoy the monstrous sights before them — they were, after all, the Scouts’ creations.

Every year, linked troops 3589 and 5589 of Victoria, Minnesota, host a pumpkin-carving contest the day before Halloween.

“It’s fun to hang out with friends while preparing for the holiday,” says Star Scout Owen Antolick, 12.

Ilse Hudson, Saoirse Thompson and Paige Thomas, all of the Fearless Falcons patrol, carve their pumpkins.

SMASHING GOURD TIME

One of the troop families owns a pumpkin patch and provides 100 pumpkins for the activity. The Scouts spend an afternoon carving pumpkins and enjoying hot chocolate and cookies. The pumpkins are judged, and the winners take home festive trophies. But the activities serve as more than a fun day with friends.

Left: Noah Gerken, an Arrow of Light Cub Scout, studies his pumpkin. Right: Owen Antolick works on removing the pumpkin’s stem.

The annual event also connects the troops with Pack 3589. Arrow of Light Scouts are invited to participate, a gesture that can help recruit them to cross over into the troops.

They are eligible for pumpkin-carving trophies, too — as are siblings.

“You get to meet other people, like the Scouts crossing over,” says Amelia Mackenthun, 12, a Star Scout. “That’s fun.”

Left: Luke Dore washes dirt off a pumpkin. Right: Ty Laumann labels his carved pumpkin before the judging.

A CUT ABOVE

Eagle Scout Max Worthington, 14, didn’t have a plan for his jack-o’-lantern. He wasn’t alone.

“I think most of us winged it,” says Life Scout Sofia Reeves, 15. “And that’s how we ended up with funnier designs.”

Each Scout had one hour to cut their design into a pumpkin. Many went with a classic toothy expression, while others tried more gruesome looks.

Dozens of carved pumpkins were lined up to be judged.

“One of the Scouts brought pottery tools; she didn’t carve holes but sculpted into the face like she was whittling,” says Star Scout Silas Bixby, 15. “It was unique.”

Wearing gloves helped cut down on the mess for those who carved holes and scooped out the innards. Not all the Scouts threw away the squishy insides. Silas sorted out the seeds to take home and roast for a snack. All the Scouts took home their jack-o’-lanterns to display for Halloween.

Mason Reeves shows off his creation.

The Perfect Pumpkin

Pick a pumpkin that works for you. You might like to transform a big, round pumpkin into a jack-o’-lantern — or maybe you want your orange creation to be lopsided. Embrace your creativity.

To help extend the life of your jack-o’-lantern, look for a few things:

Pick a pumpkin that isn’t cracked and doesn’t have soft spots. These are signs it’s already decaying. Your pumpkin should also be firm. If it can be easily scratched, the pumpkin likely was picked too early and will rot faster.

Also, cut into your gourd a day or two before Halloween. Pumpkins last only three to seven days after they’re carved.

“You can put Vaseline on the inside, and it’ll help keep it from rotting,” Owen says. “If you’re in warm weather, the pumpkin will rot faster.”

"Halloween Tradition Connects Scouts BSA and Cub Scouts" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Wyatt Wilson makes a new friend, Cody — one of the horses at Beaumont Scout Reservation.

You’re 15 feet off the ground on a stack of heavy-duty milk crates. Perched on the highest one, you feel the occasional gust of wind threatening to knock the shaky tower to the ground. You look down and see that your friends have another plastic crate for you to attach to the top. They want you to climb higher.

“Once you get really high, everyone’s watching to see if you’ll get higher or if you’ll fall,” says Second Class Scout David Temper, 13. “Everyone’s cheering that the person up there doesn’t fall.”

Shawn Pratt flexes after setting his own personal best record at crate stacking.

If you fall, it’s OK. You’re wearing a helmet and you’re hooked up to a taut climbing rope with a qualified adult on belay to catch you. A couple of the guys in Troop 533 of St. Charles, Missouri, stacked more than 20 crates before losing their balance. One stacked 25 — just shy of the troop record of 27.

The crate challenge added to a fun weekend during which Scouts also conquered the climbing tower and rode horses around the camp.

Left: Jayden Kirby bravely snags a crate to stack on the crate tower. Right: Wyatt Wilson brushes Gunner, one of the camp’s horses.

INTRO TO SCOUTING

To help new members develop outdoor skills before summer camp, Troop 533 hosts a few campouts. The first-year Scouts work on setting up camp, patrol cooking and earning the Totin’ Chip, the certification for carrying and using woods tools. One of the campouts is the annual horseback riding and climbing campout in May at Beaumont Scout Reservation near St. Louis, Mo.

“It’s a great opportunity for newer Scouts to get acclimated to troop camping, and it’s a good bonding time,” says Life Scout Jacob Fugina, 16.

While part of the weekend is devoted to learning these skills, the troop also scales the council camp’s 40-foot-tall climbing tower and goes on trail rides.

Left: Emmett Phillips grabs a handhold. When grabbing a handhold, squeeze only as hard as you need to hang on. Squeezing too tightly can wear you out. Right: Jayden Kirby and Wyatt Wilson (left to right) take a trail ride.

LET’S RIDE

After arriving in the rain, the guys set up their tents and gathered for “cracker barrel,” a time to savor some snacks and chat around a campfire. Some in the troop had been to Beaumont before as Cub Scouts, but this time, they’d be trying new activities.

When you’re trying something new, remember to Be Prepared. That means wearing the right clothing and shoes. For horseback riding, you want to wear long pants, like jeans, to protect your legs as they rub against the saddle.

“If you were doing climbing, you’d bring tennis shoes, not cowboy boots — that’s a bad idea,” says First Class Scout Andrew Mack, 11.

The troop split up the next morning, some heading to the climbing tower and others to the corral. The camp wranglers briefed the Scouts before the ride, which would follow alongside the camp’s paved roads instead of on the muddy trails. The horses didn’t seem to mind, though they did have their preferences, as the guys soon discovered.

Top: When the American flag is raised, you salute. Bottom: David Temper, Jayden Kirby and Wyatt Wilson ride by camp.

Phelan Pelster’s assigned horse, Cody, wanted to be near his horse sister throughout the ride.

“I kept nudging Cody to get back in the line,” the 14-year-old First Class Scout says. “He eventually got behind his sister.”

The group practiced their riding skills during the hour-and-a-half excursion while also getting to unwind and take in the scenery.

“It was really relaxing and fun,” says Nick Schneidenbach, 10, a Scout.

TO THE TOP

Meanwhile, a few Scouts found themselves out of their comfort zones at the climbing tower. After hoisting himself to the top, Andrew realized he preferred to be back on the ground — and he wasn’t thrilled with how he had to get there.

“The only way I could get back down was rappelling, and I have a fear of heights,” he says.

Connor Hoelzer reaches for a handhold on the camp’s climbing tower.

To rappel, you lean backward over the edge of the tower and descend along the side. Though you control the speed you slide down the rope, it can be intimidating — especially if you’ve never done it before. But a Scout is Brave, and Andrew mustered the courage to rappel down.

The campout helped build the guys’ confidence and improved their communication skills. When you’re climbing, you need to be able to talk to the person who is on belay. Belaying keeps the rope tight, preventing a climber from falling. You need to let each other know when you’re ready and can safely continue.

Scouts relax around the campfire after a busy day.

SWEET ENDING

At the end of the day, the troop played baseball and enjoyed a spaghetti dinner, finishing with deep-fried Oreos for dessert. The cookies were dipped in pancake batter and dropped into a pot of hot oil. It was a delicious way to end a great weekend.

“This was my first time at Beaumont since I was a Cub Scout,” Phelan says. “When I went there the first time, I didn’t get to do a lot of things the older Scouts got to do. It was really fun.”

Cool Horse Facts

• There are more than 200 breeds of horses.
• A horse’s height at the shoulder is measured in “hands.” One hand equals about 4 inches. Miniature horses measure less than 8 ½ hands, while draft horses stand as tall as 16 hands.
• Horses can gallop at 30 miles per hour but have been clocked at more than 40 mph.
• Horses existed in North America millions of years ago but went extinct. They are believed to have had stripes like zebras. European horses were introduced to this continent in the 1400s.

Know Before You Go

Horseback riding and climbing outings require qualified adult supervision to ensure everything is safe. COPE activities, such as the milk-crate climb, are for Scouts BSA-age members only. Prepare by reading up on each activity in the Horsemanship and Climbing merit badge pamphlets. Go online to the Safety Moments page at scouting.org to find more resources and guidelines.

"Scouts Fit Horseback Riding, Climbing and Camping Into One Amazing Weekend" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

When you join a Scouts BSA troop or Cub Scout pack, you are assigned to a patrol or den. This “patrol method” helps you make friends, develop leadership and teamwork skills, and share in the success of your group.

To build camaraderie, especially in a Scouts BSA troop, you will come up with a patrol name, yell and flag. How do you come up with something good?

You can get creative with a fun name like the “Radioactive Guinea Pigs” or the “Wizard Lizards.” Or come up with something that describes you and your fellow Scouts. If you all love nature, name your patrol after an animal or plant. Love to cook? Name yourselves after your favorite food. The choice is yours. If you need help, look through patrol patches at the Scout Shop.

Make a patrol flag to carry at troop meetings and on campouts. It can be a simple piece of canvas that you draw on, or you can sew a unique design that matches the patrol emblem you wear on your uniform.

Patrols have yells, too. If your patrol is named for an animal, you can use that animal’s sound. Or come up with a yell that’s just as creative as the wacky name you chose.

Have fun and be proud of your patrol.

SHOW US YOUR FLAG!

Every year, Scouts design thousands of awesome and creative flags for their patrols, dens, troops and packs. Some are funny and others are works of art, but all represent the fun and spirit of Scouting.

We want to see your amazing flag creations and share them with the world.

Just use the form below to send us a photo of your patrol or den flag. After we review it, we’ll post it here so everyone can see it.

Important Note: Please only upload photos of your flag. Because of privacy rules, we can’t post any photos that show people’s faces. Always ask for your parent’s permission before uploading anything to a website.

"Send Us Photos of Your Patrol or Den Flag" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Scouting is an adventure. How much adventure you have is up to you.

Whether you just joined or have been in the program for years — and depending on your age and proper preparation — you can launch a model rocket, scuba dive in the ocean, explore a cave and even ride in a tethered hot-air balloon.

Scouting can also open doors to new hobbies or a future career. With so much you can do, here’s how to take advantage of it all.

GET OUTDOORS

The great outdoors offers awesome activities — everything from fly-fishing to horseback riding treks to cross-country skiing and so much more. Get ideas from your handbook or Scout Life articles about what other units are doing. Book a campout at your local council camp, which is already set up for outdoor fun.

EXPLORE

Adventures happen everywhere. You can travel across the country to backpack in a national park or go to a local museum. Search for rewards in a geocaching hunt or go to a baseball game — and maybe camp on the field. Get creative when you plan your outings. They could end up in a future Scout Life issue. Let us know what adventures you have planned, and we might cover it.

LEAD

You can be a leader at any age. As a Cub Scout, you can do this by serving as a denner or assistant denner, by following your den leader’s instructions and using the Cub Scout sign. In older Scout programs, you can take on positions of responsibility, which can involve organizing gear, keeping meeting minutes or leading the entire unit. Whether you’re with your unit or with others, living the Scout Oath and Law makes you stand out among your peers.

EARN

You love badges, we love badges, everybody loves badges. And the BSA offers tons of them, along with certificates and medals. Some awards challenge you to try new things, like stand-up paddleboarding, whitewater rafting or hiking 50 miles. Others push you to improve your community, explore your faith, help other Scouts and more. Go for it!

CROSS OVER

Cub Scouts can look forward to a lot more camping and bigger adventures in Scouts BSA and older youth programs. Scouts BSA members, Venturers and Sea Scouts can try advanced, challenging activities and extended treks, like those at one of the BSA’s national high-adventure bases. The Exploring program connects you with people who can guide you to future careers. And did you know you can be a member of multiple older Scout programs at the same time? To see what each program has to offer and find a unit near you, visit scouting.org

BE SAFE

Before any outing, make sure there’s qualified adult supervision, you have the proper equipment, and everyone has the fitness and skills for the activity. If these requirements aren’t met, it isn’t safe. And if it isn’t safe, don’t do it. You can always try again later. What if you have a cool idea for an outing, but you don’t know how to do it safely? Talk to your adult leaders and check out the BSA’s Guide to Safe Scouting. That guide, along with online safety moments on scouting.org, shows how everyone can have fun safely.

SELL

Fundraising helps you raise money to go on amazing adventures. While you’re expected to earn your own way, money-earning projects are an option for paying for additional activities. Don’t look at raising money as a chore; it’s a way to help you participate in more fun activities. Fundraising also helps you build sales skills that can serve you later in life. Participate in your council’s sponsored fundraisers, and do unit money-earning projects approved by your council or chartered organization. Talk to your adult leaders about the BSA’s rules for any unit fundraising projects.

LEARN

Outdoor skills are a big deal in Scouting, but there’s so much more. You can find out about our nation’s history, how to protect our natural resources and how to potentially save someone’s life. Knowing what to do in certain situations empowers you to make better decisions. You know, it’s important to Be Prepared.

SHARE

Scouting is designed to help you succeed in life. Keep a healthy balance by spending time with your friends, playing sports, learning a new musical instrument and working hard in school. You can make time for Scouting and other interests. Your friends can, too. Invite them to join Scouting, and — together — you all can have a blast.

"Do Your Best to Make the Most of This Scouting Year!" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

There’s nothing quite like it. Thousands of Scouts from around the country in one place, making new friends, showing off Scouting skills and having so much fun they’ll remember that week-and-a-half for the rest of their lives.

It’s the National Jamboree.

The largest gathering of Scouts in the U.S. is happening now at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. It’s an adventure for everyone who attends.

WHAT’S A JAMBOREE?

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, the BSA planned a big gathering in Washington, D.C., in 1935. President Franklin D. Roosevelt hoped every registered troop in every council would send a Scout “to have every nook and cranny of our nation represented” in the Jamboree. But a polio outbreak forced the cancellation of the inaugural event.

Two years later, the president saw more than 25,000 Scouts set up tents in the shadow of the Washington Monument. The boys went sightseeing, listened to speeches and swapped trinkets they had brought from home.

Scouts met again in 1950, and the gathering was even bigger. Over the years, the National Jamboree has been held in different places around the U.S. before settling in the wooded wilderness of West Virginia. Typically, the event happens every four years, but the last one was canceled because of COVID-19.

GOING ‘FORWARD’

Since the Summit began hosting the Jamboree, Scouts have enjoyed all the exciting activities available there. You can go mountain biking, whitewater rafting, zip lining, rock climbing and skateboarding. You can tackle challenge courses and go on canopy tours. You can try stand-up paddleboarding, archery and BMX. Almost any fun high-adventure activity you can imagine is available at the Summit.

But since it’s a Jamboree, there’s more. This year, Scouts will enjoy entertainment at lakeside extravaganzas. They can also take part in Summit Apex, a new outpost program hosted by the Order of the Arrow.

Scouts can learn to become better leaders in their unit, community, nation and world through a new Jamboree program called Leadership Heights. Participants will hear from special speakers, try activities that enhance leadership and communication skills, and face challenges that help them reflect on being a better leader and team player.

More than 40 merit badges will be offered, including Fly Fishing, Mining in Society and Robotics.

Just like at the first Jamboree, Scouts can enjoy swapping with fellow Scouts. Trading patches has become a popular pastime, and some Scouts bring custom-made council emblems for the Jamboree. You can add the coolest patches to your collection during the week-and-a-half.

FUNDRAISING FOR THE FUTURE

Attending the Jamboree can be pricey, but it’s worth every penny. Paying for the big event requires preparation, salesmanship and a disciplined approach to saving. Get ready for the next Jamboree by following these steps:

• Check with your unit to see if you can use money you raise from unit fundraisers. If so, participate in as many unit fundraisers as you can — camp cards, popcorn or whatever your unit sells. Also check with your council for any fundraising events you can take part in.
• Save cash from jobs you do throughout the year. You can also save any money you receive for birthdays and holidays.

GET READY

Couldn’t go to this year’s National Jamboree? You can still follow the fun from home by logging on to natjamboree23.org.

Start thinking about attending the next Jamboree. Scouts often call it one of the defining experiences of their time in Scouting. Check back at jamboree.scouting.org for updates on registering for the next National Jamboree.

This Year’s Event

WHAT: The 20th National Jamboree
WHEN: July 19-28, 2023
WHERE: Summit Bechtel Reserve, Glen Jean, West Virginia
WHO: Scouts BSA members, Venturers, Explorers and Sea Scouts are invited
MERCH: www.scoutshop.org
THEME: “Forward”

Connect Online or Over the Air

You can connect with Scouts around the world every year via Jamboree-on-the-Air and Jamboree-on-the-Internet.

Every October, Scouts in more than 170 countries communicate with each other online or by ham radio. The events provide opportunities for fun activities and talking with other Scouts, and participation can fulfill requirements for Cub Scout Adventures, the Citizenship in the World merit badge and the International Spirit Award.

Around the World

Scouts meet not only on a national scale, but also on a global one. Since 1920, Scouts from around the globe have come together for the World Scout Jamboree. This year, it will be held Aug. 1-12 in Saemangeum, South Korea.

Like the BSA Jamboree, the World Jamboree is a time for fellowship and fun. You can meet Scouts from more than 100 countries, learning about their cultures and how Scouting makes an impact in their home countries.

The next World Scout Jamboree will be in Poland in 2027. It isn’t the only Scout gathering that happens in other countries: The World Scout Moot invites young people ages 18-25 for a week-and-a-half of high-adventure activities. The next one will be in Portugal in 2025.

"The National Jamboree Provides a Scouting Experience Like No Other" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Caleb Sepesy of Troop 701 conquers a high-ropes course during his troop’s trip to the Berkshires.

Cameron Miley marveled at the antique mitts on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The game’s early days looked vastly different from today’s sport. No batting helmets; very few home runs; a handful of teams. And the gloves?

“They were like a piece of leather, and you put it on your hand,” the 16-year-old Life Scout says. “How basic everything was — I don’t understand how they played like that.”

The visit to Cooperstown, New York, capped off an exciting nine-day trip for Troop 701 of Strongsville, Ohio. For most of their journey, the Scouts explored the Berkshires, a scenic region of western Massachusetts. The trip featured culture, history and a whole lot of adventure.

Scouts navigate a high-ropes course.

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

Each year, Troop 701 usually goes to summer camp and plans a week of high adventure. Sometimes, the Scouts head to one of the BSA’s high-adventure bases like Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico or Sea Base in Florida. Last summer, they decided to create their own adventure. But where would they go?

Past troop-led adventures had taken them to Maine, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. This time, the Scouts had their sights set on the Berkshires.

“Compared with the other options, it had the biggest versatility of what we could do,” says Life Scout Jett Razek, 17.

This region, known for charming towns and cultural attractions set among rolling green mountains, also offers plenty of outdoor excitement, like zip lines.

The guys studied the attractions and penciled out what they wanted to do. Each day would feature something different. When you’re planning an itinerary, you have to think about everything: travel costs, menus, admission fees and activity prices.

The troop raised money by selling popcorn and rubber ducks for the local Rotary Club’s charity duck race. To stay thrifty, they booked stays at campgrounds instead of lodges or inns.

Clockwise from top left: Caleb Sepesy rides on a zip line at Ramblewild; The Scouts stand in front of one of the waterfalls at Letchworth State Park; Jacob Yee and Charlie Parsons sit in the front of a whitewater raft as Scouts navigate the rapids.

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

The first stop was New York’s Letchworth State Park, home to three major waterfalls — some as tall as 600 feet. They trekked about 6 miles, admiring the falls and the wildlife, which included hawks and deer.

The next day, it was on to the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. “Contemporary art” refers to newer art produced in the later half of the 20th century or in the 21st century. These works might not fit within any artistic movement like impressionism or cubism. Artists are shaping their own styles, sometimes challenging their audiences to consider the art’s message. What do large, mangled balls of metal suspended in air say to you?

“There was odd stuff that you wouldn’t normally see,” says Life Scout Tommy Uhlir, 16.

On the third day, the Scouts went to Ramblewild, an adventure park with a high-ropes course and a zip line between trees.

“It was a nice physical challenge,” says Ty Worsencroft, 16, a Life Scout. “I had never done a high-ropes course.”

Right: The troop visits the 93-foot-tall Veterans War Memorial Tower atop Mount Greylock, the tallest point in Massachusetts. Left: The Genesee Arch Bridge in Letchworth State Park.

HIGH POINTS

After Ramblewild, the Scouts returned to the trails. First, they went on a scenic 5-mile hike along the Hoosac Range Trail before tackling Mount Greylock the next day. At 3,491 feet, the mountain stands as the highest point in Massachusetts. It’s a 3-mile climb to the top, but the views are worth it: You can see for miles.

“You could see Vermont from one spot,” Jett says.

It was a literal high point in the trip, but the next stop proved to be the favorite for almost everybody.

At Berkshire East Mountain Resort, the guys spent a day riding zip lines — some more than 2,500 feet long and 200 feet in the air.

For some, these activities were new and a little intimidating. That’s when you remind yourself that a Scout is Brave.

“If you’re nervous about trying something, go and do it,” says Eagle Scout Caleb Sepesy, 15. “If you put your mind to it, you can do anything.”

That’s the attitude the Scouts took the next day on the Deerfield River as they went whitewater rafting.

“It was a big highlight for me,” says Eagle Scout Charles Miller, 17. “The river we were on had rapid after rapid after rapid. It was exhilarating.”

Clockwise from top left: Charlie Parsons and Aaron Jackson check out an exhibit at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art called “Ceramics in the Extended Field;” Tommy Uhlir, Ty Worsencroft and Caleb Sepesy stand next to an exhibit showcasing items from the mid-1800s at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum; The Scouts enjoy some downtime by playing volleyball.

AN ADVENTURE TO REMEMBER

The Scouts had plenty of chances to skip activities if they were nervous about doing them. After all, the trip’s schedule was filled with so much to do.

But Eagle Scout Jacob Yee, 17, remembered the regret he felt after opting out of some activities during a trek a few years ago. This trip offered experiences he’d never tackled before, but he wanted to give them a try.

“You have to challenge yourself, push yourself,” Jacob says. “If I didn’t push myself, I’d be disappointed. I can accomplish these things; I pushed myself to do my best.”

Know Before You Go

When you’re planning a trip, keep the drive time in mind. Drivers need frequent breaks to stay alert. They cannot drive for hours upon hours. If possible, book public transportation like buses, trains or commercial airlines.

As your unit travels together, treat drivers respectfully and try not to distract them. Youth drivers are not allowed.

Direct your adult leaders to more transportation guidelines in the Guide to Safe Scouting.

"Troop Makes the Most of Its Trip to the Berkshires" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Adam Cushing with Troop 105 raises the troop flag aboard the USS Constitution.

Nestled in his sleeping bag, CJ Agnew tried to doze off, but he couldn’t. He was lying on history.

“I remember looking up at the stars and the masts, and realizing I’m sleeping on the deck of the USS Constitution,” the 16-year-old Life Scout says. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Imagine all the feet that walked across that deck.”

CJ and Troop 105 of Pembroke, Massachusetts, toured and slept aboard the nearly 230-year-old ship, which served in multiple conflicts, including the War of 1812. The outing helped the Scouts understand what life was like for a sailor back then.

Max Hanna and Ben Meehan fold the American flag with the help of U.S. Navy Airman Dehjon Okafor.

STEP BACK IN TIME

There are hundreds of military museums, memorials and historical sites across the U.S. Last August, Troop 105 wanted to check out one of them: the USS Constitution, stationed in Charlestown, Mass. It hosts tours during which Scouts can sleep on the top deck under the stars.

“It was built with iron sides; I think that was unique and led to many victories,” says Ben Meehan, 12, a Tenderfoot Scout.

The ship, nicknamed “Old Ironsides,” was in 33 battles and never lost. The educational tour also included practicing military drills from that era, like pretending to load one of the cannons.

“It took them 11 seconds to fully reload a cannon. Our closest was 22 seconds,” says Life Scout Adam Cushing, 16.

Troop 457 at Valley Forge National Historic Park in Pennsylvania.

Not every site lets groups stay overnight. Last January, Troop 457 of Rockville, Maryland, spent the night at another troop’s cabin and then traveled to Valley Forge National Historic Park in Pennsylvania for the day. Valley Forge was where the Continental Army, led by Gen. George Washington, recovered for six months during the Revolutionary War.

“With 12,000 soldiers, it was technically the fourth largest city in the colonies at the time,” says Star Scout Max Gruen, 16.

On that chilly day, the troop hiked 7 miles around the park, exploring some reconstructed cabins and Washington’s headquarters.

“It was big enough to house a couple people,” says Eli Giron, 12, a Tenderfoot Scout. “They didn’t change anything; they preserved it.”

The Scouts read plaques, studying what happened at the 3,500-acre encampment from 1777 to 1778. One interesting fact was Washington’s order to have soldiers inoculated against smallpox, a disease that accounted for many of the army’s deaths during the war.

“I love history,” says Austin Gallagher, 14, a First Class Scout. “We learned a lot.”

Scouts with Troop 489 stand by a Delta IV Heavy rocket at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

TODAY’S FORCES

There are hundreds of military bases across the U.S., including those for the Space Force. This new branch protects our country by launching and operating satellites to gather intelligence and track threats in space. One site where rockets are launched is Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California.

Troop 489 of Arroyo Grande, Calif., got permission to go on base to see a 232-foot-tall Delta IV Heavy rocket and tour an Atlas V booster.

“Both of those take off from Vandenberg,” says Tenderfoot Scout Benjamin Errico, 12. “They’ll put satellites up for weather and other important missions.”

After the tour, the troop stopped by nearby Honda Point, where seven U.S. warships accidentally ran aground in 1923, resulting in 23 deaths. The somber visit reminded the Scouts of the price the military pays for them to live free.

As Benjamin says, “It was a time to be respectful and reverent for the people that died for our country.”

The Military Branches

The U.S. armed forces are made up of six branches, each with unique duties:

• Air Force (established 1947)
• Army (est. 1775)
• Coast Guard (est. 1790)
• Marine Corps (est. 1775)
• Navy (est. 1775)
• Space Force (est. 2019)

"Scouts Check Out Military Sites Across the U.S." appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Max Kennedy looked out the windshield. But instead of an open road, he faced puffy clouds and a whirring propeller.

The 14-year-old First Class Scout was flying more than 1,500 feet above the ground inside a Cessna 172 Skylane airplane. He could see an amusement park below. The roller coasters looked like they came out of a model kit. Cars on the highway seemed like toys. But this flight was a little different from a commercial airliner.

“It was definitely bumpier since it’s a smaller aircraft,” he says.

An aerial tour capped off a campout during which Troop 94 of Yorktown, Virginia, learned about the fascinating history and science of combat flight.

FLYING THROUGH THE YEARS

People long wanted to fly and soon saw warfare advantages to taking to the skies. In ancient China, kites were used to measure distances to help armies strategize how to attack fortresses. In the 1890s, Scouting founder Robert Baden-Powell’s brother Baden designed man-lifting kites that could help spy on the enemy.

Airplanes were invented in 1903 — and a little more than a decade later, in World War I, the air was part of the battlefield. In World War II, the U.S. produced nearly 300,000 war planes. Some of the aircraft from both world wars are showcased at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The troop set up camp at a city park last year and headed to the museum to check out the more than 50 planes housed there. They saw small biplanes, iconic fighters and B-25 bombers — they even got to sit in a Beechcraft T-34 training plane.

“It’s pretty amazing we got to see that and get a hands-on experience,” says Grif Mahan, 15, a Life Scout. “As you progress, you go from wood frames to metal.”

The Scouts noticed not only changes in designs and technology, but also what never materialized.

“They had these huge models that the Germans had blueprints for that they were supposed to use to dominate the sky,” says Scout Elliot Hardman, 11.

While the Scouts studied the changes in flight, one thing that remained consistent was the science.

LEARNING TO SOAR

The Aviation merit badge teaches the principles of flight and how a plane meets those principles of lift, weight, thrust and drag. The guys handled the museum’s flight simulators and constructed paper airplanes, experimenting with different designs to make their planes soar farther.

“I feel we learned a lot more, because it wasn’t all up on a whiteboard,” says Darek Kennedy, 12, a Second Class Scout.

The following day, they saw those flight principles in action from the air. Flying in an aircraft is a fun option for completing the Aviation merit badge. Before an orientation flight, adult Scout leaders must complete the BSA’s flying plan checklist, which includes your parent’s permission and getting all the documentation on the plane and pilot.

The troop met with pilots at the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. There, they piled into a Cessna and took turns flying. The 15-minute flight took the Scouts in a big loop over the area.

“It’s one of the most fun experiences you’ll ever have,” Darek says.

"Scouts Soar at Aviation Museum in Virginia" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Floating in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico aboard a charter boat with your friends, you don’t have the luxury of finding a secluded spot to fish.

“You can’t really cast; there’s too many people to cast,” says Life Scout Zachary Bartling, 15. “You can drop your bait right in. You let the line out until you hit the bottom — that’s normally 40 or 50 feet.”

Then you wait. Who knows what will strike your piece of squid at the end of your line: A giant grouper? A red snapper? A shark?

“It’s pretty much wait-and-see if you get a bite,” says Life Scout Lauryn Cotton, 14.

Whatever did bite, the Scouts in boys and girls Troops 610 of Riverview, Florida, would get to reel in, clean, cook and eat.

Alex Paine holds up his first fish of the day, a grunt.

HEADED OUT TO SEA

Last spring, both troops headed to a fishing charter company in Clearwater, Fla. There, they boarded a 90-foot boat destined for fishing spots several miles from shore.

“A lot of Scouts enjoy deep-sea fishing,” says Life Scout Aiden Reed, 16.

Though you’re simply dropping your bait off the side of the boat, ocean fishing still requires some strategy.

Alex Vega helps Connor Hobbs detangle his line.

The water’s depth often determines what fish you’ll find. The deeper the water, the bigger the fish.

Bait also plays a factor. Fish find their food by detecting scent, sound and movement. Using live bait would alert all these senses. But the charter boat had frozen squid, which is the next best thing.

They also had everything else anglers need: heavy-duty rods and reels, and line capable of hauling in a 50-pound animal. The Scouts wouldn’t need anything that strong, though.

Grace Burden looks back at a bluestriped grunt that was reeled in.

REEL ‘EM IN

Soon after the Scouts at the front of the boat dropped their lines in, they began pulling up fish.

“They caught almost immediately,” says Eagle Scout Sam Herzberg, 16. “I changed places a lot more. There wasn’t much you could change.”

Many Scouts had luck during the three-hour outing. Mostly, they were landing grunts, a common fish off the Florida coast; however, they caught some red snapper, too. In all, the troops reeled in nearly 40 fish.

With the fish on ice, the boat headed back to shore. Scouts working on the Fishing merit badge fulfilled the requirements by gutting and filleting their fish.

Scouts show off the fish caught during their troop’s offshore trip.

GOOD EATIN’

The troops went to Camp Soule, a Greater Tampa Bay Area Council camp, to cook fish dinners and spend the night. For two weeks, each patrol had been figuring out how they’d prepare their meal.

“My patrol planned to deep-fry,” Zachary says. “We brought our own spices.”

Another patrol chose to pan-fry their catch over a campfire, which proved tricky as it started to rain.

“The rain didn’t help, but it was cool to watch,” Aiden says. “Not a lot of us had tried it that way, on the fire.”

Hieu Nguyen fries a fish over an open fire.

The consensus on the tastiest fish, though, went to the deep-fried.

The Scouts cleaned up and enjoyed spending time around the fire before heading off to bed. It was a delightful and delicious day.

“It put a smile on your face,” Zachary says.

Protect Yourself

Anytime you’re outdoors, even if it’s briefly, protect yourself from the sun.

“You’ve got to keep the UV rays away,” Aiden says.

Ultraviolet rays cause sunburns, and your skin can turn red within a couple of hours of being burned. The Scouts wouldn’t have much shade while they were fishing on the boat. So they slathered on sunscreen often, and some wore long sleeves to cover their skin.

Wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat also provides protection.

"Florida Troops Haul in Their Dinner During an Offshore Fishing Trip" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

AJ Cooke, Thadd Lawson, Auden Davis, James Kennedy and Ajay Jegan Mohan lead the way to summer camp.

Try something new? That was fun. Do it again? Hey, we really like this. Go for a third time? This is the start of a tradition.

By the 25th anniversary, it’s part of your troop’s identity. A legacy.

That’s the way the Scouts of Troop 76 in Frazer, Pennsylvania, view their annual cycling trip to Horseshoe Scout Reservation.

“It’s a really special thing our troop does,” says Life Scout Auden Davis, 15. “It connects us with our past Scouts.”

The guys pedal their bikes from their Scout hut for 50 miles along suburban streets and country roads to summer camp. It’s a tradition that began before the troop’s current members were even born.

Troop 76 pedals along scenic roads on its way to Horseshoe Scout Reservation.

THE FIRST RIDE

In 1998, a few Scouts approached the troop’s adult leaders with the idea of cycling to summer camp. The adults helped them put together a training routine and map out a route that kept them off major roads. It would be a hilly trip with about 4,000 feet in elevation gain.

After several training rides, everyone hopped on their mountain bikes and pedaled the 50 miles. The camp was abuzz with talk of the troop’s accomplishment.

“Oh, you’re the troop that rode into camp?”

Practically every year, the Scouts hear that question from fellow campers. Their tradition is now well-known and hasn’t been duplicated by others. This is Troop 76’s trip to Camp Horseshoe.

The Scouts pass through a covered bridge about 11 miles into their 50-mile ride.

PREPARING FOR NO. 25

Not every Scout chooses to ride. Those who do have their reasons for participating. Some like the camaraderie.

“I wanted to do it because my friends were doing it,” says Star Scout James Kennedy, 15. “It seemed like a really good idea.”

Others see it as a challenge to conquer.

“I wanted to prove to myself I could do it,” says Eagle Scout AJ Cooke, 17.

Quintin Lawson cools down. Each Scout brought two gallons of water to refill their bike bottles during stops.

AJ, who was born with cerebral palsy and had hip and knee surgery in 2018, went on his first ride in 2020. Every year since, he has been determined to finish stronger. His third ride was a little different.

“I feel there was more excitement in this group,” AJ says. “There was a lot of hype because it was the 25th ride.”

To ensure Scouts were prepared, they had to complete training rides — including a 35-miler. The trips helped them become familiar with road rules, practice climbing hills and adjust their cycling equipment.

The Scouts take a roundabout roughly 5 miles into the ride after their first stop at a park to recover from cycling up “Heart Attack Hill.”

To check if a bike fits you, straddle its top tube and lift the handlebars until the top tube reaches your body. On a road bike, if there’s an inch of space between the front tire and the ground, it should be a good fit. On a mountain bike, there can be 3 or 4 inches of space. Then you can get on the bike and adjust the saddle and handlebars. If the bike doesn’t fit and you still try to ride, you’ll eventually put stress on your back and knees.

James bought a new bike because his old one was two sizes too small.

“When I hopped on my new bike, my knees were where they needed to be, not all the way up to my chest,” he says.

Scouts switched positions throughout the ride. Ajay Jegan Mohan rides in front of Auden Davis, Darshan Gokuraj and former Scout Quintin Lawson.

AND THEY’RE OFF

At 5:45 a.m., the troop met at the Scout hut, packed their summer camp gear in the trailer, checked their bikes one last time, took some photos and hit the road. What lay ahead sounded scary: the Tunnel of Terror, Heart Attack Hill and Lost Scout Turn.

But the Scouts knew these were mostly fun nicknames given to certain points during past trips. For example, the Stairway to Heaven referred to a long, steep hill that ended at a church parking lot. Some weren’t so fun: the Tunnel of Terror is a pitch-black tunnel that follows an old train line.

“The whole thing is a minefield of potholes,” James says.

James Kennedy leads the group. Every few miles, the Scouts slowed down to regroup, sometimes at the top of a hill. Riding downhill was more enjoyable than tackling a hill.

The troop stopped several times to regroup and take a drink. The guys carried at least two bottles of water, snacks and something to replenish their electrolytes, which help regulate bodily functions.

“At the 40-mile mark, I cramped up,” Auden says. “I had to stop and rub my legs. They gave me a banana, half a Gatorade and some electrolyte water.”

Unexpected breaks are part of the tradition, too. Everyone prepares for them. Adults drove in front of and behind the group to account for everyone, carry bike repair tools and tend to Scouts who needed to take longer breaks.

The Scouts enjoy a picnic lunch at the end of the ride.

IT’S CAMP TIME

The final stretch of the ride turns into a sprint. Racing to the camp’s entrance, the Scouts vie to cross the finish line first. It’s a fun little competition to end a six-hour trek. Bragging rights are one prize, but another reward all Scouts get to enjoy is a picnic lunch.

The guys’ parents were waiting for them at the finish line, cheering them on and snapping photos. Afterward, they all ate a traditional Indian dish, along with hoagies, watermelon, chips, brownies and cookies.

AJ Cooke completes a knot-tying challenge at summer camp while Hannah Leinhauser (right) competes for girls Troop 76.

Then it was time for summer camp. The first-time riders could add the Cycling merit badge to the badges they’d earn that week. All the Scouts could claim their part in the troop’s cycling legacy — a unique experience that aims to challenge each generation of Troop 76.

“It takes a lot of hard work and perseverance to be able to do it,” AJ says. “It’s right up there with Eagle as far as what I’m most proud of.”

Former Scout Quintin Lawson checks on his bike at the 27-mile mark. Troop alumni were invited to go on this anniversary ride.

Know Before You Go

Every Scout can go on a bicycle ride with their unit, though longer trips require stamina and proper training. Before any ride, you must demonstrate you’re physically fit.

You must wear a properly sized and fitted helmet that meets safety standards. Use the buddy system and follow all traffic laws. Make sure your bicycle is well maintained, fits you and has safety equipment.

We Were There

This magazine (then called Boys’ Life) featured Troop 76’s fifth ride to camp in the July 2003 issue. That issue featured assistant Scoutmaster Jim McCormack’s son. An avid cyclist, Jim McCormack still helps organize the troop’s rides to camp.

“It became a thing because the Scouts came to me,” he says. “The Scouts own it. We’ll coach you, but it’s your bike. The Scouts do the work.”

If your unit has a cool upcoming trip or tradition, let us know by contacting us via scoutlife.org. You might be featured in a future issue.

"For 25 Years, This Pennsylvania Troop Has Biked to Summer Camp" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

One of them could be you.

If you’re a Scout or Scouter who plays an instrument, visit the band’s website for more information. Band members will be part of the National Jamboree Staff, so you must first apply to be on staff at the National Jamboree, with “Jamboree Band” as your requested assignment.

You’ll also need a recommendation from your local band director or music teacher. Click here for the recommendation form.

For information on past Jambo bands, click here.

"Join Together With The Band" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

You need more than strength and technique to navigate a tandem kayak on the ocean. Paddling together — especially through wind gusts and strong currents — keeps your boat moving forward.

The girls of Troop 673 from Scotts Valley, California, worked in sync to steer through the straits off the Washington coast during their weeklong ocean kayaking adventure.

Savannah Maykranz (front) and Alex Baum coast to the shore at Jones Island.

“You don’t want to be all over the place,” says Dylan Turzak, 14, a Life Scout. “It definitely took a lot of teamwork.”

Teamwork helped the Scouts go more than 20 miles, stopping at forest-covered San Juan Islands, where they camped and admired the scenery. Along the way, they improved their kayaking skills and spotted wildlife, including porpoises, harbor seals and bald eagles.

From left: Jane Jewell, Sadie Maher, Dylan Turzak, Savannah Maykranz and Alex Baum pose under the Space Needle.

STARTING IN THE EMERALD CITY

When you’re visiting a new place, you might want to go sightseeing. That’s what the troop did after arriving in Seattle last July.

Before their trek across the islands north of the city, the Scouts spent a day downtown. They stopped by the first Starbucks, established in 1971. They ducked “flying” fish, playfully tossed by employees at the Pike Place Fish Market. They dined at a Korean barbecue restaurant, and then watched the sunset from the panoramic observation room of the 605-foot-tall Space Needle.

The Scouts visited Pike Place Fish Market, where workers throw fish to each other.

“That was the perfect way to start the trip,” Dylan says.

The next morning, the Scouts boarded a ferry and headed to San Juan Island, where they met an outfitter that would guide them on their journey. If you’re planning a kayaking trip, you have options with designs and materials. Some kayaks are inflatable; others are made with plastic or fiberglass soaked in resin. Designs are for different uses and water conditions, from calm flat water to rushing whitewater.

Alex Baum of Troop 673 smiles as she paddles around Washington’s San Juan Islands.

The outfitter offered 20-foot tandem kayaks, which can seat two, plus two weeks’ worth of equipment — perfect for a trek on potentially choppy waters.

“They have a surprising amount of room; they could hold several medium-sized bags,” says Tenderfoot Scout Jane Jewell, 11.

With their gear and food stowed in their vessels, the Scouts set out for Jones Island.

The Scouts stop for lunch at Stuart Island halfway through the trip.

BATTLING THE CURRENTS

The girls’ first stop required paddling for 8 miles, and they soon discovered how tough open-water kayaking can get.

“The currents were super crazy,” says Savannah Maykranz, 14, a Star Scout. “It was a long paddle.”

To minimize dealing with rough waters, steer along the shore, where the wind and waves are not as powerful.

The troop saw a lot of wildlife, including harbor seals.

Staying close to land also gives you more chances to see wildlife. The Scouts saw river otters, foxes and harbor seals with their pups. Later in the trip, they were surprised by porpoises that surfaced close to their boats.

“It was amazing seeing the porpoises,” Jane says. “They go up and you see the dorsal fin. It’s like living in a book.”

From left: Alex Baum, Dylan Turzak, Savannah Maykranz and Sadie Maher discuss the paddle route for the day.

ADVENTURES ASHORE

Not all the excitement happened in the water. The Scouts camped under towering evergreen trees, overlooking the sea. On Stuart Island, they hiked to a 130-year-old lighthouse, where they got a view of some Canadian islands. They also visited a shut-down schoolhouse and took time to shoot hoops at the basketball court.

“We really got to explore the island,” says Eagle Scout Alex Baum, 16. “It was a more leisurely pace.”

Dylan Turzak uses a bilge pump to remove water from her kayak during a practice bailout for the Kayaking merit badge.

Throughout the adventure, the Scouts worked on kayaking techniques like safely exiting a capsized kayak and maneuvering a swamped boat to shore. You can learn these skills through the Kayaking merit badge, which the girls earned.

They ended their trek with more sightseeing — this time at Miners Landing in Seattle, where they rode a Ferris wheel and grabbed some souvenirs.

“It was the best Scout trip I’ve ever done,” says Life Scout Sadie Maher, 16.”

The group paddles into Roche Harbor at the end of the trip. Everyone was looking forward to showers, pizza and soft beds.

Know Before You Go

Kayaking can be fun when done safely. Before hopping in a vessel, you must wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device and use the buddy system.

Practice in flat water, working on fundamental skills. Cub Scouts as young as Wolves can paddle a kayak on flat water. However, float trips, which require training in reading the environment, using emergency equipment and communicating with fellow kayakers, are more appropriate for older, experienced Scouts. Refer to BSA Safety Afloat for more guidance.

Remember to follow the directions of the qualified adults supervising.

Finding Killer Whales

Orcas, also called killer whales, stand out as the ocean’s top predator. Highly intelligent, weighing up to 11 tons and armed with 3-inch-long teeth, they feast on fish, squid, seals, sharks (including the great white) and other whales.

Troop 673 didn’t see any whales during the trek, but orcas are often spotted where the Scouts were. Killer whales live in every ocean and travel in groups, called “pods,” of up to 50.

They follow the food, and the Pacific Northwest is rich in salmon. That can make it difficult to predict when and where to see them, especially since the whales can swim 100 miles in a day.

In that part of North America, the best times for whale-watching are usually summer and autumn months, which are salmon-spawning season.

Aquatic Awards

The BSA offers special aquatic skills awards for activities like scuba diving, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. Check the Guide to Awards and Insignia for more awards to earn on your next aquatic adventure.

"Scouts Shine While Kayaking Off the Washington Coast" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Led by his team of sled dogs, Eagle Scout Brent Sass mushes in the Iditarod, a nearly 1,000 mile race in Alaska.

Fighting 65 mph winds while trekking across a frozen Alaskan trail, Brent Sass fell and tumbled into the snow. When he got up, he couldn’t find the path.

“There was zero visibility,” he says. “I used my headlamp to shine into the abyss.”

For nearly two hours in the dark, Sass hunkered down while the wind and snow battered him and his team. They needed to find the trail, and Sass was the only one who could navigate — or talk.

Brent Sass, 42, of Eureka, Alaska, is a sled-dog musher and an Eagle Scout. He did get back on the trail that blustery day, and his team of 11 dogs pulled him 975 miles over eight days in March 2022 on the way to winning the Iditarod, the most famous sled-dog race in the world.

“It was a pretty treacherous race,” Sass says. “I never felt like it was over until I was racing up the street to the finish line.”

Sass on his sled. Last year, he completed the race in eight days, 14 hours and 38 minutes.

LEARNING TO LEAD

Sass grew up in a Scouting family: His dad, uncles and cousins all earned the Eagle Scout rank. He joined as a Cub Scout and later crossed over into Troop 424 of Excelsior, Minnesota. Scouting taught him about leadership and teamwork.

“It laid the foundation to manage a team and deal with differences,” he says. “Little did I know I’d be using all of these skills.”

After high school, he moved to Alaska and began mushing for fun after seeing his neighbor do it. Wanting to try competitions, he started raising his own sled-dog team. Today, he owns more than 50 dogs, with about half being in the prime racing age (between 3 and 7 years old).

Sass has been racing since 2006, notching up multiple top finishes — including three victories in another 1,000-mile race, the Yukon Quest. To be successful, you have to know your animals.

“They all have personalities and strengths,” Sass says. “It’s my job to put all of that together.”

Sass celebrates and poses with two of his dogs at the finish line.

PUTTING IT TOGETHER

Before last year, Sass had mushed in the Iditarod five times, finishing in the top five twice. It takes more than assembling the perfect team to win. Studying the trail, monitoring the dogs’ health and staying on schedule all play a part.

“Experience is everything,” Sass says. “Each year, you learn something new about your dogs, the trail and yourself. You’re soaking in all of that knowledge and applying all of it.”

For such a long race, you need to have speed and stamina. At most checkpoints, mushers and their teams rest for a few minutes. They also have one 24-hour break at the halfway point. Sass estimates that over the eight-day stretch, he slept for only 14 hours.

After Sass and his team took the lead halfway through the race, he kept checking the progress of the other mushers behind him. Rarely does one hold on to the lead for long. He reminded himself to stay positive and focused all the way to the finish line.

“It was a 20-year dream coming to fruition. It was pretty awesome,” he says. “Dream big and go after it — that’s the biggest thing.”

Sass looks ahead while at a checkpoint. Each musher must stop more than 15 times to rest and take care of their dogs.

This Year’s Race

More than two dozen mushers will compete in the 51st Iditarod, which begins March 4, 2023. Sass is scheduled to race again.

Dog Health and Safety

Racing in harsh conditions requires sled dogs to be in tip-top shape. Veterinarians check on each sled dog before the race, including physical examinations, blood tests and heart checks. Vets check on the dogs during the race, too. Mushers carry clothes and booties to help protect their dogs from the elements.

"Eagle Scout Wins Famous Sled-Dog Race" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Camp time! Be Prepared for summer fun at these eight Scouts camps around the country.

Click here to see more Scout Camps featured in previous years.

K-M SCOUT RANCH

Montana Council; Lewistown, Montana
montanabsa.org

REVVING UP: If you’re 14 or older, you can get certified to drive an all-terrain vehicle with the Polaris ATV Experience. Once you’re trained, you’ll have miles of trails to explore on 700 acres of the 1,000-acre forested camp in the mountains. You can also hit the trails on a mountain bike.

GO TO A GHOST TOWN: Every Friday, the camp hosts Kendall Day, when Scouts head to the remnants of the old mining townsite. Kendall was settled in the early 1900s. There, you can explore town artifacts, play time-period games and compete in relay races.

OUT THERE: In the central Montana mountains, you’re a good distance from major cities. That means awesome night skies filled with stars. There’s a spring-fed pond stocked with trout, and you might see turkey and deer. Many troops choose to add a trip before or after their week at camp to nearby Glacier or Yellowstone national parks.

ALASKA ULTIMATE HIGH ADVENTURE

Great Alaska Council; Anchorage, Alaska
akultimatehighadventure.org

USE YOUR IMAGINATION: This program offers several preplanned trips — or you can customize your own epic adventure. Go backpacking in a national forest and add sea-kayaking, fishing on a charter boat or visiting a glacier. Whitewater rafting is also a popular choice.

RED CARPET TREATMENT: When your unit arrives in Anchorage, you’ll be picked up at the airport and escorted to Camp Gorsuch for a review of your trip and a good night’s sleep. All the logistics, guides, transportation, lodging, food and cooking equipment will be taken care of. 

TOURING THE LAST FRONTIER: If you don’t want to venture into the backcountry, your unit can tour in and around Anchorage. Go car-camping at a state park; take a day hike to a glacier; explore an old gold mine; visit museums; and catch a glimpse of Denali, North America’s highest mountain.

CAMP SIDNEY DEW

Northwest Georgia Council; Armuchee, Georgia
nwgabsa.org

CAMPING IN HISTORY: Set in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Sidney Dew has 15 campsites, four of which are original from 1939. Many facilities around the 650-acre camp were projects from that era — like the old dining hall, which now serves as the Order of the Arrow lodge. The OA lodge also performs a callout ceremony, which has been done the same way for decades.

PROGRAMS FOR ALL: Whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced camper, you have your choice from more than 50 merit badges. After working on badges, the afternoons are free. Try the COPE tower, take a dip in the pool or head offsite for whitewater rafting.

WANT SOME WATERMELON?: Evening programs feature activities like chess tournaments and basketball games, but a favorite is Waguli Watermelon Wednesday. That’s when everybody hangs out while music is playing, enjoys a few games and devours some tasty watermelon. 

CAMP BALDWIN

Cascade Pacific Council; Dufur, Oregon
cpcbsa.org

IN THE MOUNTAINS: You’ll want to bring warm clothes for cool nights, as this camp sits at 3,500 feet in elevation on the east side of Mount Hood. Climbing is done on natural rocks, and the lake feels chilly. Take advantage of the off-site outings: whitewater rafting and an adventure park with alpine slides.

MEALS YOUR WAY: Baldwin provides the menu before you get to camp. That’s because you cook most of your meals. Knowing the menu beforehand allows you to customize it. Pancakes on the menu? Pack some blueberries or chocolate chips to kick breakfast up a notch.

GIDDY-UP: Go for a trail ride, either while working on the Horsemanship merit badge or not. The camp has 45 horses, and you can sign up for trail rides into the nearby national forest. You can also sleep under the stars on an overnight ride.

CUYUNA SCOUT CAMP

Twin Valley Council; Crosslake, Minnesota
twinvalleybsa.org

CAST A LINE: With three onsite lakes, Cuyuna is a fishing paradise. You can catch largemouth bass, pike, bluegill and crappie. The camp offers about 35 merit badges, including Fishing and Fly-Fishing. On Wednesdays, you have free time to create your own adventure, like going fishing at one of the three lake outposts.

GO OFFSITE: The Wednesday adventures aren’t contained to the 600-acre property: You can choose to go to nearby amusement parks, safari zoos, horseback riding stables and zip-line tours. Your family can enjoy the same adventures, since they can stay on the other side of camp for the week.

LEARN NEW SKILLS: Learn valuable skills that can lead you to careers. While the camp does renovations, Scouts are invited to see the skills it takes — like electrical work, painting and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.

GRISWOLD SCOUT RESERVATION

Daniel Webster Council; Gilmanton, New Hampshire
nhscouting.org

TAKE YOUR PICK: The 3,500-acre property contains two camps: Hidden Valley and Camp Bell. Between them, there are four bodies of water with multiple waterfronts, where you can go sailing, snorkeling and tubing. More than 60 merit badges are offered between both camps — including some you might not expect, like Farm Mechanics and Pulp and Paper.

‘SUPER FANTASTIC DAY’: Hidden Valley offers merit badge programs in the morning and patrol and troop activities in the afternoon. The friendly staff tries to make sure everyone has a “super fantastic day,” as they say. At Camp Bell, the focus is more on patrol activities like a team-building obstacle course and cooking contests.

ON THE FARM: With horses, pigs, goats and chickens, you’ll get a feel for life on the farm at Camp Bell. You can work on merit badges like Animal Science, Gardening and Horsemanship. There are trail rides as well as a horsemanship outpost for overnight trips.

CAMP MOUNTAINEER

Mountaineer Area Council; Morgantown, West Virgina
macbsa.org

THE BIG ZIPPER: During the opening ceremony, look up. Camp staff will be sliding down the dual quarter-mile zip lines, each carrying the American and West Virginia flags while “Taps” is being played. It’s a great way to start a week of camp tucked in the wooded hills of West Virginia.

PRIME PARTNERSHIPS: It’s often the staff that makes camp great. Working with local organizations and a major college, Camp Mountaineer provides top-notch instruction and meals. Students from West Virginia University serve on staff; the camp partners with the university to provide the food service. They also work with local and state officials to help ensure safety — like at the shooting range.

LET’S HAVE SOME FUN: You can ride the zip lines, scale the 65-foot hexagon-shaped climbing tower, rappel off natural rockface and play on the human foosball court. Evening programs include escaperoom-style puzzles, movies, astronomy hikes and art projects with Kool-Aid. At the end of the week, there’s a beach party and water carnival with a lot of aquatic games.

RODNEY SCOUT RESERVATION

Del-Mar-Va Council; North East, Maryland
delmarvacouncil.org

DOWN BY THE BAY: If you love aquatics, this is the place for you. The 900-acre camp sits at the head of Chesapeake Bay with a mile of waterfront. Go sailing, waterskiing, tubing and swimming. You can even thank the bay for the pottery classes, as that’s where fresh clay is collected.

‘ICE CLIMB’ IN THE SUMMER: Many camps have a tower on which you can climb and rappel, but the one at Rodney offers “ice climbing.” It’s actually hard foam on a 32-foot-tall wooden wall, but you use ice-climbing equipment like picks and crampons to scale the “ice wall.”

FOR THE FIRST-YEARS: The camp boasts more than 60 merit badges, including Swimming and Nature, which first-year campers can earn while they work on outdoor requirements for the Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class ranks. They also get to take part in other activities at camp like shooting sports, archery and climbing.

"Summer Will Be Tons of Fun at These 8 Awesome Scout Camps" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Daniel Willis knew he wouldn’t stay dry through his troop’s backpacking trek last July. The Scouts were at the Summit Bechtel Reserve for the weeklong Pack N’ Paddle Experience, which includes a day of whitewater rafting along the New River.

However, the guys of Troop 41 from Sugar Grove, Illinois, were already drenched before they got to the river. It rained on them several hours on the second day on the trail. After the storms stopped, the air remained calm and unbearably humid.

“Sometimes, it felt like I was breathing more water than oxygen,” says Daniel, a 17-year-old Life Scout.

That made paddling through the rapids so much more refreshing and enjoyable. But that wasn’t the only fun they experienced in the lush hills of West Virginia.

PICK YOUR ADVENTURE

The Summit, one of the BSA’s four national high-adventure bases, guides Scouts through several different experiences. There’s the New River Experience, a paddling journey on inflatable kayaks. You can also choose treks riding bicycles or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) with the Polaris ATV Experience. Or you can stay at the Summit’s developed property and have fun with everything there: skateboarding, shooting sports, zip lines and climbing, to name a few.

“We do a single high-adventure trip per year, and this time we chose the Summit,” says Alexander Davis, 14, a Star Scout. “The Pack N’ Paddle sounded like fun.”

With this experience, the guys would travel more than 40 miles in the backcountry, trekking to beautiful overlooks and exploring forgotten mining towns, with a day devoted to whitewater rafting.

To get ready, they went on weekly practice hikes for five months at home and reviewed what gear to bring. After a 10-hour drive, they arrived in West Virginia, up for the challenge.

HIT THE TRAIL

Starting out, the guys scaled some switchbacks, hiking along easy grassy paths.

“The hiking didn’t seem as bad as it was going to be,” says Star Scout Lukas Zuttermeister, 14.

Then, the trails got steeper and slippery, slowing the group down. A Scout is Helpful: When your group faces a challenge, look out for each other.

“It was nice to see the teamwork develop this day,” says Life Scout Nate Diaz, 17. “One of the Scouts was struggling, and several other Scouts were able to take some weight off of his backpack and help him out.”

The day ended at a campsite by the New River, where they went swimming and admired the sights.

“The views you see at the Summit are absolutely amazing,” says Nicholas Collins, 16, a Life Scout. “Everything is green and picturesque. It’s like a postcard.”

The next day, they kept their eyes on the trail as it began to rain. The group pulled out rain gear and trudged to Thurmond, a ghost town. Towns that were once busy with people and are now practically deserted are called “ghost towns.” Because of coal mining, a few hundred people lived in Thurmond in the early 1900s. At last count, only five people still call it home.

Learning about local history added to the trip. The Scouts checked out old mining equipment and railroad tracks.

MAKING WAVES

The trek had many highlights, but most of the guys’ favorite came on the New River.

“The best day was the whitewater rafting,” Nate says. “Many of us had never been and did not know what to expect.”

The troop split into three groups, riding three inflatable rafts — each with a guide who navigated them through exciting rapids.

“As long as you don’t mind getting wet and swallowing water, it’s a lot of fun,” says Eagle Scout Logan Cunz, 18.

In larger rapids, the rafts crashed through big waves and bounced off rocks. It was an adrenaline rush. The guys also tried some fun whitewater techniques like surfing. To do this, they rowed against the current into a rapid. Once they were in position, they paddled back and forth, riding the waves while staying in the same spot.

“It was probably the most fun I’ve ever had on a Scout trip,” Daniel says. “The whitewater rafting was at just the right time to give us a very welcome break.”

ZIPPING TO THE END

The Scouts finished their journey at the Summit’s Big Zip, a set of zip lines that can reach speeds of 50 mph. Riding the Big Zip topped off a fun week — and for some in the troop, it marked the grand finale of adventures in Scouting.

By completing the trek, some of the Troop 41 Scouts, like Logan, had completed adventures at all four national high-adventure bases. There’s a badge for that. It’s called the Grand Slam of National High Adventure award. Scouts who go to three high-adventure bases can earn the Triple Crown of National High Adventure award.

Each base offers something different in both challenges and rewards (see below).

“The trip was pretty intense,” Logan says. “It was more physically taxing than mentally taxing, so I was able to focus on enjoying it.”

At the end of each day, the Scouts could unwind in camp and play a game of cornhole while taking in their surroundings.

“When we were up on the top of the mountains, it really brought you to a strong realization of where exactly we were and that we hiked throughout these mountains,” Nate says. “We all made it!”

Make Plans Now

Sign up for 2023 or 2024 treks at summitbsa.org

Where Will You Go?

The Summit is just one of the BSA’s four national high-adventure bases. Here’s what the others have in store for you:

• Philmont Scout Ranch in the mountains of New Mexico offers backpacking treks with varying degrees of challenge. There’s also horseback riding, rock climbing, shooting sports, leadership training and more.
• Northern Tier serves up epic lake-hopping canoe treks and winter camping experiences from its bases in northern Minnesota and Canada.
• The Sea Base in Florida lets you explore the ocean from the surface and below with adventures focused on scuba diving, sailing, fishing, coral restoration and more.

Scouting is full of adventures, and the BSA Outdoor Adventures Team is here to help you find the one that’s right for you. Learn more at go.scoutlife.org/adventure.

"Backpacking? Whitewater Rafting? Zip Lining? You Can Do It All at the Summit" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

After spending 15 hours speeding down the slopes and rekindling his skiing skills, Nathan Kaley didn’t want his troop’s weekend ski trip to end. But the schedule and his body said otherwise.

“I wish school was off so we could go another day, but I was tired,” the 12-year-old First Class Scout says. “If tiredness did not exist, I’d go for five more days.”

Still, two days proved to be plenty of time to work on a merit badge, learn some techniques and create great memories.

NEW YEAR, NEW TRIP

Every year, Troop 1 of Colorado Springs, Colorado, goes skiing at Monarch Mountain. About a two-hour drive away for the guys, the ski resort in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado offers 63 runs at varying levels of difficulty. Although some of them had skied before, last January’s trip would be some Scouts’ first time, so everyone prepared the same.

Reading the Snow Sports merit badge pamphlet, they reviewed ski equipment, proper clothing and trail markers. Markers identify each ski slope with an assigned color: green for easy, blue for intermediate and black for difficult.

“We discussed it so you wouldn’t go down a steep hill,” says Paolo Madrid, 12, a First Class Scout. “Usually there’s a sign next to the run.”

After a couple weeks of planning, the guys headed to a lodge a few miles from the resort.

START OFF EASY

On the first day, everyone hopped on the bunny hill, a gentle incline for beginners.

“It’d been a long time since I had skied,” Nathan says. “A few others and I were seeing what our ski levels still were.”

The adult leaders assessed everyone’s abilities — some needed to stay on easy slopes, while others were ready for hard runs. All the Scouts took to the green-level slopes first before advancing to more challenging runs.

Everyone used the buddy system, so they paired up with a friend or two for all activities. If someone fell or lost a ski, someone would be there to help. On this trip, both happened frequently.

“That’s why we have the buddy system,” says First Class Scout Keegan Bench, 12.

If someone were to get hurt or lost, having a buddy could prevent a serious situation from becoming worse. The system helps ensure everyone’s safety.

MOVING UP

Keegan tried snowboarding instead of skiing. Generally, skiing is easier to learn, but as an experienced skier, Keegan wanted to try something new. And as with anything new, practice helps you get better — even on seemingly simple tasks like getting back up after you fall.

On a snowboard, you can get up by rolling over onto your stomach and pushing yourself up onto your hands and knees. This is called getting up “toeside.” Standing up from a seated position is called getting up “heelside.”

“I don’t know how people do it heelside,” Keegan says.

Again, it takes practice. To stand up that way, move your board close to your body and dig the back (heelside) edge of your board into the snow. Use your hands to push yourself up. Some people find grabbing the front (toeside) edge helps them keep their balance.

After eight hours on the slopes, the troop headed back to the lodge to clean up and eat dinner.

“We made a humble Scout meal of ramen,” Nathan says.

Downhill skiing can be strenuous; you can burn a couple hundred calories within a half-hour. Eating food rich in carbohydrates can help your body recover by replenishing your muscles’ glycogen, a type of sugar that provides your body with energy.

Paolo, who lost his ramen flavor packet, says, “I ate plain noodles; it was not fun. But noodles were good enough for me.”

LET’S GO AGAIN

Eating carbs before a workout maintains your energy. On the second day, the Scouts ate oatmeal and biscuits and gravy before tackling the mountain for seven hours.

“Everybody got on the more challenging stuff,” Nathan says. “It’s nice to feel that fast feeling while you’re going on an easy route. I did feel more comfortable with the slopes I liked, but I tried a few more blues.”

With added confidence from a day of skiing, Nathan and his buddy, Nehemiah Hurtado, advanced to the intermediate slopes. The knowledge from the Snow Sports merit badge also helped, especially in practicing turns and stops.

“I think it was beneficial since I liked the skiing so much,” says Nehemiah, 11.

“It’s a great idea to try the merit badge,” Keegan says. “It was a great addition to the trip.”

Mountain Tips

Try these tips shared from Troop 1 to help your ski trip go smoothly:

• Purchase your lift tickets and ski gear before going. You can usually find better deals this way; plus, you won’t have to wait in line at the resort.
• When you take a break, place your gloves inside your helmet so you don’t misplace them.
• Keep any loose items in zippered pockets so you don’t lose them while skiing.
• Carry a small backpack containing your outdoor Scout Essentials, including water. Stay hydrated; skiing can be a workout.

Showing Their Colors

Ski slopes are rated based on their steepness. A 45-degree angle equals a 100% grade.

Green circle: Easy. Slopes are groomed and wide. The slope grades are less than 25%.

Blue square: Intermediate. Slopes are groomed but steeper. Slope grades go from 25% to 40%.

Black diamond: Advanced. Slopes could be groomed or not. Grades are 40% or more.

Double black diamond: Expert. Narrow slopes can have drop-offs and obstacles like trees. Grades are 40% or more and often include backcountry routes.

"Colorado Scouts Conquer Slopes on Ski Weekend" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Councils across the country put on winter camps, but if you want a good chance of playing in the snow, you’ll have to head north.

Many camps have organized winter programs. Sometimes, though, finding your own fun creates an unforgettable adventure. That’s what the Scouts in Troop 60 of Geneva, Illinois, discovered when they went to Crystal Lake Scout Reservation in Wisconsin.

“The goal going up there was to have a good time, but we didn’t know how we were going to do that,” says Life Scout Quinn Bobeczko, 17. “We spent the whole day making a snow fort. It was a fun challenge for the whole troop.”

FREE-TIME FUN

From January through March, Scouts at Crystal Lake Scout Reservation can earn merit badges like Geocaching, Astronomy and Snow Sports. They can also go cross-country skiing, ice fishing, sledding and snowshoeing.

While it all looked enjoyable, Troop 60 decided to do something on its own. The Scouts headed out onto frozen Crystal Lake and began building a fort. This wasn’t a small project: They constructed 5-foot-high walls, carved out windows and a patio, and erected a flagpole using a tall stick. They tied a shirt to it to serve as a flag.

This impromptu endeavor still required a lot of communication and teamwork.

“It fell down twice,” says Star Scout Daniel Davis, 15. “It was fun, but it was tiring.”

Some Scouts stabilized their creation with snow, while others dragged a sled to transport blocks of packed snow they gathered. With more free time, they could focus on their fort during the weekend campout.

“It gave us extra hours in the day,” Quinn says. “I’d give the trip a 10 out of 10.”

PICK A PROGRAM

Winter camps also offer an array of organized activities. At Camp Sheppard in Washington, Scouts can try archery, study ecology and slide down snowy hills on inner tubes. At Aubrey Watzek Lodge in Oregon, campers choose to go sledding, hike the snowshoe trails or play pingpong or giant Jenga in the lodge. These activities aren’t only for older Scouts; Cub Scouts can do them, too.

At Crystal Lake Scout Reservation, Oliver Robinson, 8, a Wolf Scout with Pack 436 of Weston, Wis., stayed overnight in one of the camp’s cabins. The next morning, he and his fellow Cub Scouts built a quinzee hut, went sledding and conducted science experiments in the snow.

“We made volcanoes,” Oliver says. “We made a pile of snow, dug out the center, and mixed baking soda and vinegar.”

The Cub Scouts also created wax candles, conquered an indoor climbing wall and ended the campout by watching a movie.

GO OFF-SITE

Council camps can also serve as a place to stay while you find nearby adventure. Last February, Troop 84 of Westerville, Ohio, took on the slopes at Mad River Mountain, the largest ski resort in their state. The troop saved some cash by staying at Camp Otter Run instead of at the resort.

“It’s pretty close, too,” says Star Scout Trey O’Bryan, 13. “Skiing is something most people don’t get to do. We like providing the opportunity for Scouts to do that.”

The ski trip also gave them a chance to work on the Snow Sports merit badge. To earn the badge, Scouts must demonstrate certain turns, stops and moves. After mastering those skiing skills, the group tackled more challenging slopes. Ski slopes are rated by color: green for beginner hills and black for steep, difficult slopes, with blue and red marking those in between.

“Going down a blue hill and not falling — that was an accomplishment,” says Tenderfoot Scout Owen Drake, 12.

After five hours of skiing, the troop headed back to camp, where they enjoyed a hamburger dinner and then performed skits around the fire to stay warm.

The Scouts agreed that beginners might find the merit badge requirements hard, but going skiing was still a blast.

“Racing my friends — it was fun,” says Second Class Scout Lucas Jergens, 14. “There’s no feeling like it.”

HOW TO BUILD AN IGLOO

Like Troop 60’s snow fort, making an igloo requires snowy blocks. To make this shelter, first pack mounds of snow until they harden — or you can cut blocks of snow from the depth where your feet stop sinking.

Begin assembling your snow blocks in a circle. To make it more manageable, the diameter of your igloo should be no larger than 10 feet. Stack more blocks, using a knife to shape them and fit together. You will be building the igloo from the inside, so be sure to leave vent holes and not seal yourself in.

After you complete the dome, punch out a hole for the door. Crawl out, shape your entrance and pack snow onto your igloo to seal any gaps. This also helps make it sturdy.

Get more details and instructions for building igloos and quinzees.

STAY WARM

Cold-weather camping calls for more than your basic camping gear. You should also pack:

• Long-sleeved shirts (not cotton)
• Long pants (fleece or wool)
• Sweater (fleece or wool)
• Long underwear (polypropylene)
• Hiking boots or sturdy shoes
• Socks (wool or synthetic)
• Warm parka or jacket with hood
• Stocking hat (fleece or wool)
• Mittens or gloves (fleece or wool) with water-resistant shells
• Wool scarf
• Rain gear
• Extra underwear (for longer trips)

Find out more about staying warm and dry during cold-weather activities.

"Councils Offer Frosty Adventures at Winter Camps" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Across a frozen expanse, Scouts huddle around small holes carved into the ice. Below their feet, fish swim sluggishly, occasionally nibbling at the bait dangling in the chilly water.

“You have to sit there and wait,” says Sky Riggs, 12, a Tenderfoot Scout with boys Troop 218. “It feels like every bite is a massive accomplishment.”

That’s the nature of fishing. It often requires patience, determination and a positive attitude. And when you’re fishing on a frozen lake, you need to call upon all those qualities — plus try to stay warm.

ONTO THE ICE

Boys and girls troops 218 of Spokane, Washington, went ice fishing for a day on Sacheen Lake last January. The 310-acre lake is filled with trout, catfish, bass and perch. But most species would be tough to catch.

“During the winter, the fish don’t move as fast,” says Star Scout Kennedy Beeson, 13.

Ice fishing demands a different strategy. You can’t plop any lure down a hole and expect fish to gobble it up. Try brightly colored lures or a shiny spoon since it might be dark under the ice. If it’s a bright day, cover the hole as much as you can with ice shavings to block suspicious-looking sunlight.

Twist or pull your line to give your bait some action. You want it to mimic real prey. You can also use live bait like minnows, maggots or waxworms (moth larvae).

“If you feel a bite, you want to do sharp motions with your fishing rod in order to hook the fish,” says Tenderfoot Scout Titus Leone, 12.

KEEP AT IT

The Scouts tried different spots and techniques, but none of them had much luck.

That’s OK. The camaraderie and work on their ice-fishing skills made the daytrip worth it.

“It’s just something different to do in the winter,” says Scout Reagan Northway, 13. “Being there with your friends in the freezing cold is fun.”

A Scout is Cheerful. Even if you don’t go home with a fish, you still can leave with great memories.

“Go with the correct mindset,” says Life Scout Simon Ward, 15. “Most of us went saying, ‘It’s going to be a fun time to spend with my friends.’”

IS IT SAFE?

To safely walk on, ice must be at least 4 inches thick uniformly. If it’s too thin, you could break through into frigid water, which could be dangerous. If you see any open water, don’t go out on the ice.

Even if you don’t see water, you cannot tell how thick ice is simply by looking at it. You will need something to make a hole, like an ice chisel or an auger, which is a large, spiraled drill. For new, clear ice, drill a hole and put a tape measure into it, hooking the end to the bottom edge of the ice so you can get a measurement.

Know that ice is never 100% safe, and older, cloudy ice often is only half as strong as new, clear ice. So if it’s “white ice,” it should be at least 8 inches thick to walk on.

GEAR YOU NEED

If you have fishing tackle, you already have most of the necessary gear, but you might need a few extra items to stay warm, comfortable and safe:

• Fishing rod and reel
• Bait
• Auger or ice chisel
• Chair (or overturned bucket)
• Warm clothes (bring extra layers)
• Shelter to shield you from the wind.

An ice-fishing tip-up is a device that helps you know when you have bite. See how to make one at go.scoutlife.org/tipup.

"Washington Scouts Try Ice Fishing on a Frozen Lake" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Ethan Fidhel woke to his friends crowded around him. He sat up to see what they were watching. It was wolves — three of them. The majestic beasts, two covered in striking white fur, had emerged from the woods, soon followed by a pair of 2-month-old wolf pups.

The wolves were hungry, but Ethan, a 16-year-old Eagle Scout, wasn’t worried. It was feeding time at the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota. He and the rest of boys Troop 610 of Riverview, Florida, watched the wolves eat from behind a window in the center’s viewing room.

“Getting a front-row seat to the wolves was pretty cool,” says Eagle Scout Sam Herzeerg, 16.

Scouts don’t always have to venture into the wilderness to find an awesome animal encounter.

WAKING UP TO WOLVES

Last June, Troop 610 embarked on weeklong canoe treks at the BSA’s Northern Tier high-adventure base in northern Minnesota. One crew paddled 75 miles while the other traveled 100, cruising by waterfalls and Native American pictographs.

That’s an adventure in itself.

But before their treks, the troop took an overnight trip to the International Wolf Center. Located about 30 miles from Northern Tier, the center houses gray wolves, including arctic subspecies, that are born in captivity. Wolves are one of America’s most misunderstood animals, often portrayed as ferocious killers in fairy tales and movies. In reality, they’re generally afraid of humans.

That’s just one fact the guys learned. The center strives to educate visitors about wolves, so they also found out about pack dynamics, animal behavior and diets.

“A wolf can go a month without eating, and then feast on one animal,” Sam says.

After an educational talk, games and pizza, the guys set up their sleeping bags in the viewing room. At 4 a.m., the wolves started lurking around their 1 1⁄4-acre enclosure. The Scouts started waking up then and watched the wolves walk closer to the windows. They even got to hear them howl.

SLEEPING WITH SHARKS

Cub Scouts with Pack 625 of Woodstock, Georgia, slept soundly under a 340-foot tunnel-shaped tank filled with sharks and sawfish at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Tennessee. They had been awake until midnight exploring the facility that houses 11,000 species of sea creatures, so they were pretty tired.

When they arrived at the aquarium last June, they took a tour and got to pet stingrays and jellyfish. (Don’t try this at home! Most jellyfish sting. The aquarium’s touch tank has special moon jellies that can’t sting humans.)

“It felt a little bit slimy,” says Judd Meyer, 6, a Lion Scout.

A diver on the tour quizzed the Cub Scouts about different animals. He also played Rock, Paper, Scissors with them while he was underwater in the tank.

The Cub Scouts enjoyed the aquarium’s massive indoor playground and went on a scavenger hunt, during which they read informative signs by the tanks and learned more about animals.

“I didn’t know a pufferfish could puff two to three times its size,” says Webelos Scout Robert Walker, 10.

As the activities wound down, the pack got ready for bed under the tunnel tank. Inside the tank swam sawfish, several species of sharks and a sea turtle named Sally. After a good night’s sleep, the Cub Scouts met in a classroom, where they got to touch starfish, lobsters and an iguana.

SCOUTING THE ZOO

It’s fun to do the activities that an animal facility offers, but it’s really fun to do Scouting activities there, too. For the past 37 years, Three Harbors Council has hosted Scouting the Zoo at the Milwaukee County Zoo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This past June, more than 600 Scouts camped on the zoo grounds across from animal exhibits.

The campout was filled with contests, like the councilwide Pinewood Derby championship. Cub Scouts also raced each other around the parking lot on Cubmobiles — one-seated wooden cars. Older Scouts took on skills challenges, like pioneering.

During free time, everyone explored the zoo. Evan Bondar, an 8-year-old Bear Scout with Pack 316 of Oak Creek, Wis., goes to the zoo often with his family, but sometimes things are different.

“They had a new seal there; the seals had given birth to a baby,” he says.

At the end of the day, everyone watched the movie Night at the Museum.

RIDING AT THE RANCH

For decades, Scouts have gone on exciting treks at Philmont Scout Ranch. This includes Cavalcade, a weeklong program on horseback through the rugged New Mexico wilderness.

If you love horses, the BSA high-adventure base isn’t the only place you can ride. Look for equestrian programs at council camps, like Camp Geronimo in Payson, Arizona, or D-Bar-A Scout Ranch in Metamora, Michigan. Both offer trail rides on their properties.

At D-Bar-A, you can add a ride to a weekend campout or wait for the ranch’s summertime equestrian camp. The weeklong camp teaches you how to ride and properly care for a horse. Then spend a night under the stars with your horse.

At Geronimo, Scouts can ride trails that take them around canyon rims and across creeks. Cub Scouts can go riding for the day at nearby R-C Scout Ranch.

Keep Learning

The BSA offers many opportunities to learn more about our natural world, specifically animals. In Scouts BSA, you can earn merit badges in Animal Science, Bird Study, Dog Care, Fish and Wildlife Management, and Horsemanship, to name a few.

"Scouts Get an Up-Close Look at Animals at These Fun Outings" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

In the middle of the woods, surrounded by moss-covered tree roots, a metal grate sits melded into the earth. It’s not very big — maybe a couple of feet wide. Peer through the door’s bars and you see very little: jagged rocks encircling a passage; beyond that, darkness.

But through the darkness, a fascinating geological wonder exists: Sullivan Cave. The nearly 10-mile cave, located about 25 miles south of Bloomington, Indiana, features long, tight paths, massive rooms and creatures you won’t find on the surface.

This isn’t a commercial cave. You can’t just crawl through the gate and explore. You need permission, along with an experienced and qualified guide, which Scouts from three Illinois troops got last October so they could venture 100 feet underground.

“The thought of being that deep in the ground is really cool,” says First Class Scout James Hoehn, 15, of boys Troop 797.

ON THE SURFACE

Troop 797 of Utica, Illinois, plans a caving trip every year. The Scoutmaster has been leading caving expeditions for more than 30 years, so he has connections with cave owners and spelunking clubs.

In 2020, the troop wanted to explore Sullivan Cave, owned by the nonprofit Indiana Karst Conservancy. However, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed their trip for a year.

When the Scouts could safely go caving again, the Utica troop invited girls Troop 1091 of Spring Valley and boys Troop 13 of Champaign to join them. To prepare, they went over rules for caving: no running, no jumping, no horseplay. One slip on a wet rock and they could get hurt.

Other safety requirements included following the buddy system and carrying the right gear. Each Scout would have three lights, a helmet, snacks and at least two quarts of water.

“The motto is ‘Be Prepared’,” says Kyle Kremer, 13, a Tenderfoot Scout with Troop 13. “While we were in the cave, the strap came off my headlamp, so now I understand what the motto means.”

INTO THE CAVE

After the Scouts arrived at the 28-acre property, they reviewed the safety rules and dressed for the muddy adventure.

“We put on an old pair of jeans, an old sweatshirt that wasn’t sentimental and duct-taped elbow and knee pads,” says First Class Scout Grace Johnson, 15, of Troop 1091.

The duct tape helped secure the pads, which the Scouts would need for protection as they crawled across rocks.

“The Velcro might not be strong enough,” says First Class Scout John Boyle, 14, of Troop 797.

When everyone was ready, the guide opened the metal door. It was time to descend into the darkness.

“I wasn’t really claustrophobic, but there were a few tight spots,” Kyle says. “I felt a little nervous. That’s a natural reaction when you’re trying something new.”

When faced with a new challenge, take your time and breathe. Soon, the situation might not seem so intimidating.

As everyone entered the cave, they started dropping activated glowsticks to mark the path so the group could easily return. They had a long six-hour journey ahead.

THROUGH THE PASSAGES

The Scouts encountered different passages in Sullivan Cave. One, called the Backbreaker, forced them to hunch forward as they avoided a 4-foot-tall ceiling. Other rooms, like the Mountain Room, featured tall rock columns and hanging stalactites. The Scouts were careful not to touch or accidentally bump into them.

“It takes 100 years to make and two seconds to destroy,” says Eagle Scout Philip Guglielmetti, 17, of Troop 797.

One area had about a foot of standing water, where they spotted little animals swimming.

“It was cool to see the crawdads; there were some that were see-through,” says Second Class Scout Ella Sartain, 14, of Troop 1091.

The Scouts didn’t stay in the water for too long, though.

“It was foot-numbingly cold,” Grace says. While they marveled at large, spacious rooms and noticed more wildlife — like a sleeping bat, a little frog and three salamanders — they were also astounded at the litter inside the cave.

“We found cigarettes, beer cans, soda cans — it was sad,” Ella says.

Based on some of the brand logos, the trash likely had been there for decades. But it wouldn’t stay. The Scouts pulled out a shopping bag and filled it with trash. Scouts always leave a place better than they found it.

HEADING OUT

Every 15 minutes, the group stopped to do a buddy check. This also gave them time to take a drink or eat a snack. Even though it was a chilly 55 degrees inside the cave, they were still working hard, so it would be easy to get dehydrated.

By the last part of the trip, the group was muddy and tired. To keep everyone’s spirits up, they started singing — mostly Disney tunes.

“We had an entire musical,” Grace says.

Along the way back, they picked up the glowsticks. When the Scouts emerged from the cave, they were greeted by the delicious aroma of chili. Some adult leaders had been cooking a hearty meal for the group outside the entrance.

Though they were tired, the Scouts felt grateful after their caving expedition.

“It’s exhilarating. Not very many people get to experience this,” Philip says.

Before You Go

Before your caving expedition, review the BSA guide Cave Safely, Cave Softly at go.scoutlife.org/caves. You must have qualified supervision, proper equipment and training before the trip.

"Scouts Discover Underground Adventure in Sullivan Cave" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Standing atop the 800-foot-tall launch tower, Ethan Wheat didn’t have much time to think about how he was about to zip a quarter-mile across the second-largest canyon in the United States.

“They hook you up, and you go,” says the 14-year-old Life Scout. “It was fun. It sounded like a Ferrari going down, it was so high-pitched. You could feel the wind.”

Zip lining across Palo Duro Canyon was only one activity Troop 4018 of Frisco, Texas, did in the Texas Panhandle last November. The Scouts also hiked around the canyon, admired the night sky through telescopes and adjusted to some surprises.

‘THE GRAND CANYON OF TEXAS’

Palo Duro Canyon stretches 120 miles in length and is about 800 feet deep with layers of shale and sandstone creating its tall walls. By comparison, the Grand Canyon in Arizona measures more than 270 miles long and a mile deep. The “Grand Canyon of Texas” is not as grand, but it’s still impressive.

The troop had visited once before and looked forward to cooking pizzas in a Dutch oven at camp. However, when they arrived, they learned that they’d need to change their menu.

“They had a burn ban while we were there, so we couldn’t use a Dutch oven or have open fires,” says Star Scout Colin Brodner, 14. “Luckily, we had backups. The motto is ‘Be Prepared.’”

When conditions are dry, the risk of wildfires increases, so local officials might ban campfires. The guys altered their meal plans, cooking their food on propane stoves. But you can’t really huddle around a stove to stay warm. While temperatures reached 80 degrees during the day, they dropped to the low 20s at night.

“We were warned it’d be pretty cold,” says Life Scout Agam Sheth, 17. “I was shivering.”

STARS AND SOLAR FLARES

Some Scouts braved the chilly evenings to work on the Astronomy merit badge, thanks to an assistant Scoutmaster who brought two telescopes. The first night was clear, perfect for observing the stars and planets. For three hours, the guys located Venus, Saturn, Neptune and Jupiter, along with four of its moons.

“We saw the rings on Saturn,” says Second Class Scout Jayant Rajadhyaksha, 11. “It was mesmerizing.”

They also studied the moon, viewed nebulas and saw the Andromeda Galaxy. To earn the merit badge, Scouts must identify at least 10 constellations and eight bright stars.

The next day, the assistant Scoutmaster installed special scopes and filters for them to safely view the sun. It was difficult to see many dark sunspots, which are caused by disturbances in the sun’s magnetic field. They did, however, see solar flares — eruptions of electromagnetic radiation in the sun’s atmosphere.

TO THE ‘LIGHTHOUSE’

Another day activity the troop planned was a nearly 6-mile round-trip hike to the Lighthouse. It’s not a real lighthouse — it’s a 300-foot-tall rock formation overlooking the canyon. The guys packed their lunches so they could eat when they arrived. Most brought freeze-dried meals that only required boiled water to make.

“It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good,” Ethan says of the food.

“After that, we had to climb to the top,” says First Class Scout Cayson Young, 12.

They scurried up a summit trail to get a good look at the canyon. It was windy and a little chilly up there, but the views were worth it.

“The Lighthouse was a really interesting bit of terrain. The way you could see for miles was really cool,” says Star Scout Perryn Cote, 13.

FINDING FUN

For some Scouts, the Lighthouse hike proved to be the highlight of the campout. For others, it was riding the zip line at Palo Duro Canyon Adventure Park. Perryn, on the other hand, preferred what wasn’t on the itinerary.

“The stuff I found the most memorable were usually the smaller moments, not the big activities,” he says. “I had fun making quesadillas and seeing a raccoon.”

While it’s great to enjoy action-packed activities, remember to savor the quiet times. You can use them to do a service project like picking up trash, or sit down for a fun game of cards with your friends — both of which the troop did on the campout. Or you can take in the scenery and maybe spot some wildlife. The guys saw deer, woodpeckers and wild turkey in the canyon.

“The views were impressive,” Ethan says. “It was awesome.”

Grand Views

A canyon is a deep valley often carved out by erosion from water and wind, sometimes forming over millions of years, like the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Scientists estimate Palo Duro Canyon formed in about 1 million years.

Canyons, sometimes referred to as gorges depending on their size, can be found in many states, including Utah, Georgia, Colorado, Hawaii, Wyoming and New York.

Zip Lining Safety

Riding a zip line across a canyon or through a forest can be a lot of fun. But before you book an aerial adventure, first ask if the zip line company meets the operating standards set by the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) or American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM). If your council camp has a zip line, they’re required to follow these safety standards, so going to a council camp is a great option.

Zip lining is an appropriate activity for Scouts BSA members, Sea Scouts, Explorers and Venturers, but not Cub Scouts.

"Towering Rock Formations, Stargazing, Zip Lining in Palo Duro Canyon" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

When you’re crossing a bridge, you might not think much about what’s underneath. Depending on where you are, an adventure could be waiting.

In the shadow of the 65-foot-tall Blue Heron Bridge in Riviera Beach, Florida, an artificial reef attracts a variety of fish, stingrays, lobsters, octopuses and crabs. It’s one of the best snorkeling places in the state.

The Scouts of boys and girls troops 373, both of Melbourne, Fla., wanted to check it out. The girls troop had been snorkeling before in the Florida Keys, but this spot was closer to home and looked like fun.

AN UNDERWATER TRAIL

About 80 miles north of Miami, the Blue Heron Bridge connects Singer Island to the mainland. In between sits Phil Foster Memorial Park, featuring a snorkeling trail. The trail stretches across 800 feet with boats, rocks and sculptures submerged in about 10 feet of water. These structures encourage coral growth and provide shelter for other marine life.

“I was surprised by how much we saw,” says Life Scout Sylvia Kopenkoskey, 15. “It was a really good spot.”

Before you go snorkeling in open water, you must train. The Scouts practiced at a local pool to get used to wearing masks, snorkels and fins. Snorkeling offers swimmers an inexpensive way to explore the underwater world: The mask helps you see, the fins help you move and the snorkel helps you breathe. But there are tricks to using this gear — some of which require a little practice.

“To not get saltwater in my mouth, I had to figure out that when I breathe through my mouth, I need to make sure my snorkel is above the water,” Sylvia says. “It was more of an inexperience thing.”

“If your snorkel does fill up, you just have to blow really hard and it usually comes out the top,” says Life Scout JJ McKune, 14.

Another common problem is your mask fogging up, which is caused by dirt or changes in temperature between the air and water. You can use special wipes to prevent the fogging.

“If you don’t have any of that fancy stuff for your goggles, just go above the water and dunk your goggles in the water, let it fill up and then empty it,” JJ says. “It should then be clear, and you can see again.”

Armed with these tips and some practice, the Scouts felt ready.

MASK UP

Since the park doesn’t offer any campsites, the troops found another state park about 50 miles away. On a mild spring weekend last April, the troops set up camp and woke up early the next morning to the noisy calls of sandhill cranes.

“They’re very loud and repetitive. It was not very nice waking up to,” says Star Scout Lily McKune, 12.

Still, the Scouts felt rested and energetic for a day in the water. They shuttled over to the park, rented their gear and reviewed the safety rules. One major rule was following the buddy system. Accidents can happen unexpectedly, so it’s important to look out for each other.

“You had to be within arm’s reach of your buddy,” says Star Scout John Ewing, 12.

During the morning, some Scouts splashed around in the shallows, getting comfortable in the water. One way to ease into snorkeling is to wear a special inflatable snorkel vest. The vest will help you float while you focus on looking around and breathing while your face is underwater.

Even in the shallow swimming area, there was plenty to see.

“I’ve never seen so many hermit crabs in one place,” says First Class Scout Savannah Nash, 14. “Maybe on one bridge pole, there were thousands. They were all super tiny.”

After lunch, the tide came in, clearing any murkiness from the water and making it perfect to explore the underwater trail.

IN THE DEEP END

Scouts kicked over to the trail and peered beneath the surface, occasionally diving down to get a closer look at the marine life. They spotted a pufferfish, sea urchins, stingrays, a lobster and an octopus, which Savannah named “Dave” just for fun.

They also saw a couple of barracuda. The ferocious-looking fish appeared to be about a foot or two in length — or maybe they were smaller.

“Everything’s magnified underwater,” Savannah says.

What wasn’t exaggerated was the amount of colorful fish hanging around the artificial reef. Sergeant major, sheepshead and blue-striped grunt were a few of the species the Scouts identified.

The whole day wasn’t devoted solely to snorkeling. Some Scouts tried paddleboarding, working on the Scouting award for that activity.

“Do everything you can while you’re there, because you don’t know if you’ll be back,” says Life Scout Rachel Devoid, 14.

That attitude helps you fully take advantage of a beautiful day at the beach. After several hours in the water, the Scouts returned to camp to rest and eat, indulging in a chicken-and-rice dish that evening and chocolate-chip pancakes the following morning before heading home.

“It was a perfect campout,” Rachel says.

Find an Underwater Trail

The designated snorkel trail by the Blue Heron Bridge isn’t the only one in America. Several have been set up off Florida’s coasts — some taking divers past shipwrecks. Others, like the one off St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, pass over natural coral reefs.

Earn the Snorkeling BSA Award

By mastering the basic skills of using a mask, snorkel and fins, Scouts BSA members, Venturers, Sea Scouts and Explorers can earn the Snorkeling BSA Award. This award can be worn on your swimsuit.

Some of the requirements include using snorkeling equipment, demonstrating survival and first-aid techniques, and understanding snorkeling signals.

Learning and practicing these skills in a confined area, like a pool, will prepare you for snorkeling in open water.

Be Safe

When getting snorkeling gear, look for traditional snorkel masks and tubes. Do not use full-face masks, which combine a built-in snorkel with a mask covering your entire face. Those masks are prohibited in all BSA aquatic activities because of several possible dangers, including carbon dioxide buildup. For more, read the BSA Snorkeling Safety guide.

"Scouts Find Underwater Wonders on a Florida Snorkeling Trail" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Scout Scarf Day is Aug. 1, so gather up your favorite neckerchiefs to share with SL!

Celebrate the day by capturing and sharing your neckerchiefs with us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook by using #ScoutScarfDay2022

You can also click here to submit your neckerchief photos.

"Share Photos of Your Neckerchiefs for #ScoutScarfDay2022!" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

You’re driving your custom car with a shiny paint job, high spoiler — and powerful rocket engine.

No, it’s not street legal, but it’s perfect for Rocket League.

You zoom up a wall, launch into the air and hurdle toward a giant soccer ball bouncing across a colorful field. Your vehicle makes contact, and the ball flies into a goal, sparking a fantastic explosion.

Rocket League ranks as one of the most popular videogames, with around 100 million players logging on every month. The game is simple: It’s soccer in souped-up cars. But like any game, success demands strategy.

“It requires a lot of teamwork and constant communication,” says Marco Rost, a 13 -year-old Second Class Scout with Troop 1333 of Klein, Texas, a suburb of Houston.

Scouts practice those skills on campouts and during service projects, but how well would they do online? Last year, eight teams from six Texas BSA councils competed in a Rocket League tournament. The winners would each receive a $100 gift card to the Scout Shop.

GAME ON

Rocket League can be played on PlayStation, PC, Switch and Xbox — and a mobile version launched last year. The game is free to play.

Based on one’s experience within Rocket League, each team member gets a competitive rank, starting at the bronze level and going up to supersonic legend. Marco’s silver-level team, the Squirreling Mambas, drew a high-ranking diamond-level opponent in its first qualifying match.

“That game was very complex, skill-wise,” Marco says. “We got destroyed.”

Time to regroup before the next match. Each team played weekly for a few weeks before the playoffs began.

In a Rocket League match, like in soccer, some players play offense while others stay back on defense. While attacking, players can dribble the ball on the ground or in the air. To score, they need timing and skill to flick the ball into the goal. Team Infinite had that. The squad, primarily made up of team members from Austin, Texas, marched its way to the championship.

The Squirreling Mambas got bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the team JAQ Gamers, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t have a good time.

“We were always pretty close,” Marco says. “Other than the fact that we lost, it was still pretty fun.”

THE SKILLS YOU NEED

Team sports call on athletes to be more than technically skilled. They must use “soft skills” like leadership, cooperation and creativity. The same is true for esports and Scouting.

Playing in a virtual tournament offered Scouts the chance to develop those soft skills in a fun way. They learned how to quickly communicate with each other and solve problems to give their teams the best chance to win.

You can give Rocket League a shot at rocketleague.com and check for any future tournaments hosted by Rally Cry at rallycry.gg/scouting

Follow this guidance when gaming online:

• Follow all BSA Youth Protection policies.
• To communicate outside the game, use business-oriented conference platforms that include good safety and privacy features.
• Update with the latest security features to avoid unauthorized visitors or other security issues.
• Do not record online activities or meetings that include youth.
• Safeguard personal information.

"Scouts Battle for Online Supremacy in Rocket League" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Venturing Crew 753 of Thorntown, Indiana, wanted to see it all during a 10-day trip to the Golden State last summer. In that time, the Venturers got to snorkel, rock climb, backpack, whitewater raft, sightsee — and experience an earthquake.

“We didn’t plan for an earthquake!” says Duncan Curtis, 18.

The 5.9-magnitude tremor added extra excitement to an already action-packed adventure.

GO BIG

Most of the Venturers had never been to the West Coast, so they asked their crew Advisor to help put together an itinerary of things to do and places to visit. They came up with snorkeling off Catalina Island, summiting San Jacinto Peak, rock climbing in Joshua Tree National Park, backpacking in Yosemite National Park, whitewater rafting on the Kern River, touring the giant sequoia trees in the Mariposa Grove and visiting Hollywood.

It was going to be a big trip.

To prepare for all the activities, the Venturers had some work to do. First, they went on a weekend backpacking trek in Morgan-Monroe State Forest south of Indianapolis. To get ready to climb, they practiced on a climbing tower. For snorkeling, they completed a BSA Snorkeling Safety class.

Training might not sound exciting, but it’s essential. Before any activity, you must assess whether you’re physically and mentally ready. Practice hikes, BSA training and updating your medical records all help you stay safe and have fun.

DREAMS BECOME REALITY

After flying into Southern California, the first stop was Joshua Tree. The national park gets its name from the 40-foot-tall plants with spiky green leaves that grow around the nearly 800,000-acre park. The area also features large boulders and rock faces for climbers to conquer.

The Venturers spent the day top-rope climbing before scrambling through the “Chasm of Doom,” a passage under a massive pile of boulders. It required strength, time and flexibility to maneuver through the passage, but there was a huge sense of accomplishment once everyone made it through.

That was a common theme the Venturers discovered at each stop: challenges followed by reward.

At Catalina Island, they set up camp and hurried back down to the harbor to go snorkeling at two different spots.

“I had never been snorkeling,” says Owen Kiplinger, 17. “You could see a lot of fish.”

The trip offered many new experiences — some of which the Venturers liked, others not so much. It was important for everyone to encourage each other, especially as they began to tire later in the week.

“The trip tested that camaraderie, but it made it stronger,” says Ethan Bowman, 18.

‘WALTZING’ CARS

When the crew arrived at Yosemite, they marveled at the national park’s giant sequoia trees. Some of these behemoths are thousands of years old and hundreds of feet tall. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, a few of these trees had tunnels cut through them, some big enough to drive a car through. Carving these majestic trees for the sake of tourism damaged the trees’ health and strength, and two have since fallen.

Still, walking through one of these trees reminded the crew how awe-inspiring nature is. And if that wasn’t a big enough reminder, they felt another after finishing a brief backpacking trek.

As some crew members went into a store, tremors from an earthquake more than 100 miles away shook the area.

“Everything on the shelves started rattling,” Owen says.

Other Venturers were in the parking lot when the earthquake struck.

“The cars were waltzing around,” Ethan says.

Everyone was OK after the earthquake. The impact was lessened since they were so far away from the quake’s epicenter, so what they felt was the equivalent of a 3.8 on the Richter scale.

MORE HIGHLIGHTS

In order to get to everything on their itinerary, there wasn’t much time to rest.

“I felt like we were going 90 miles per hour down the highway all the time,” Duncan says, referring to the trip’s pace.

On the Kern River, the crew met with a professional raft trip outfitter and paddled a few miles, crossing through Class II and III rapids. Rapids are rated based on intensity, ranging from an easy Class I to a dangerous Class VI. The rapids the Venturers traveled through were manageable yet exciting for whitewater beginners.

The crew finished up in Hollywood, where they checked out celebrities’ handprints and footprints in the concrete outside famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. They made sure to compare their hands to their favorite celebrities, like Robin Williams and the actors from Marvel’s Avengers movies.

“It’s the best trip I’ve done in Scouts,” says Andrew Petro, 16. “I felt like I took advantage of everything. It was the epitome of Scouts.”

FREE AS A BIRD

A cross-country trip can get expensive. Each Venturer paid about $1,000 for this trip, which included airfare, food and fees. The crew sold programs at the Indianapolis 500 to help raise the funds.

When an opportunity for a free meal on the trip arose, the Venturers tried to take advantage. At the beginning of the trip, an adult leader, who is an avid birdwatcher, offered to pay for a percentage of the crew’s final meal at a restaurant. He agreed to take care of 1% of the total meal cost for every bird species the Venturers saw. So if they saw 50 different species, he’d pay half the price of everyone’s meals.

The crew aimed to find 100 bird species. A free meal was an incentive, but the challenge helped the Venturers to be more mindful of nature.

At the end of the trip, they had spotted 90 different birds. Close enough. The adult generously paid the entire bill.

FINDING YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE

Adventures await everywhere; you just need to look. You can plan an “epic” trip thousands of miles away, a fun weekend in a neighboring state or a day outing in your hometown.

Ask adult leaders, like Crew 753 did, if they know of cool activities your unit can do. You can also ask your parents and friends to get ideas.

"Indiana Venturers Get an Epic California Outdoor Experience" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Floating through a rushing river requires concentration and quick decision-making. It also helps to know a little geometry.

Scouts with Troop 411 of Minot, North Dakota, learned that approaching rocks at a 45-degree angle in their inflatable rafts would lessen the chances of capsizing in the frigid water.

“You have to paddle to dodge the rocks,” Life Scout Nate Lewis, 16, says. “It wouldn’t be fun if you flip.”

For the most part, the Scouts stayed upright as they trekked and paddled 60 miles along Montana’s Flathead River during a weeklong packrafting trek last summer.

YOU’LL BE BACK

Two years before, Troop 411 backpacked at the Montana Council’s Montana Outdoor High Adventure Base, “MOHAB” for short. The Scouts had so much fun
that they planned another trip — this time, trying another activity: packrafting.

Each Scout would load his gear into his own raft, and the group would paddle downstream, encountering rapids of varying difficulties.

“It was the size of a small kayak, and we’d inflate it with an inflation bag,” Eagle Scout Hudsen Lemar, 16, says. “They were very durable.”

But before the Scouts launched their rafts, they had to prepare. Even if some had previously canoed at Northern Tier in Minnesota or Swamp Base in Louisiana, they needed to be physically ready for this aquatic adventure. They followed a workout regimen so they would all be in shape. They also reviewed what they packed.

“We weighed the gear and tried to split it up evenly,” Nate says.

Each pack came in around 40 pounds. To stay light, the menu featured granola and powdered milk, dried fruit, noodles and instant mashed potatoes.

After arriving at the high-adventure base, the troop planned the five-day trek with a staff advisor, learned how to use bear spray, and reviewed safety rules and on-water communication signals. They were ready for a week in the wilderness.

READY FOR THE RAPIDS

Each day on the water involved navigating some class of rapids. Rapids form when moving water is forced through narrow channels and over obstacles, creating waves and choppy conditions. The more powerful the rapids, the higher class they’re rated (see below).

Cub Scouts are not permitted to go on float trips with moving water. Older Scouts who are classified as swimmers and have taken the proper training may go on a self-guided unit trip up to Class III rapids. Scouts can tackle Class IV whitewater only in a raft with a professionally trained guide. Anything more powerful than that is off-limits in Scouting.

Most days paddling the Flathead River, Troop 411 saw Class I and Class II rapids. Relatively calm waters meant they could admire the surrounding evergreen forests and towering mountains. They also had the chance to explore them on dayhikes. On the trek’s second day, the Scouts climbed 3,000 feet up a mountain. On the third day, they trekked to an alpine lake.

“There was something about swimming around in a natural remote lake that was exhilarating and surreal at the same time,” Life Scout Ethan Sipos, 16, says.

The fourth day introduced the group to Class III rapids. First, everyone got out to assess the area and determine the best route to go. They studied the flow of the river and the possible hazards before they paddled through the rapids.

“We all made it without flipping,” Hudsen says. “Class III had high water and big rocks. It was really tricky sliding over the rocks.”

A ROSE IS A ROSE

Conquering the Class III rapids proved a highlight for many in the group. At the end of each day, the troop came together for a discussion, recapping how everything went. They called the sessions “Thorns, Roses and Buds.” A “thorn” was a challenge, a “rose” counted as a success and a “bud” stood for something positive — maybe what they were looking forward to the next day.

Sharing their ups and downs helped the Scouts not only take time to talk about how they were feeling, but also appreciate the journey.

“High adventure is not something everyone gets to do,” Nate says. “You only have five days to make the most of it. On the first day, I wished I could go home. On the last day, you get the feeling of accomplishment. You can’t just do this in your backyard.”

The sessions also helped Scouts understand how others were doing.

“We had to depend on one another, because someone may have been suffering a little more than the other, and it was up to all of us to look out for each other,” Ethan says.

While the “thorns” often came from battling insects, the sting wasn’t enough to ruin the sweet smell of the daily rose.

“It was the best high adventure we’ve done. It was awesome,” Life Scout Ryan Hubbard, 16, says.

The importance of putting points of the Scout Law into practice became clear on the trek, like having a cheerful outlook. The right attitude helps you focus on the roses instead of the thorns.

“There are two types of fun: Type one is in the moment and type two is looking back,” Nate says. “This one had a lot more of type one.”

Know the Flow

Whitewater rapids are classified to help paddlers understand what to expect from a river section.

Class I: Easy. Fairly smooth water with light waves.
Class II: Novice. Quicker water with medium waves.
Class III: Intermediate. Many high and irregular waves with obstacles.
Class IV: Advanced. Powerful rapids with strong waves, whirlpools and dangerous obstacles.
Class V: Expert. Long, violent rapids with big drops, constant obstacles and some waterfalls.
Class VI: Extreme. Paddlers face a constant threat of death.

"Scouts Learn To Go With the Flow During a 60-Mile Packrafting Trek" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

When the BSA postponed the 2021 National Jamboree because of the coronavirus pandemic, many units — like Crew 28 of Spartanburg, South Carolina — looked for other adventures.

The Venturers borrowed an idea from their crew Advisor’s old troop in West Virginia: Visit some spectacular mountain ranges and wildernesses in Wyoming and Idaho.

“Traveling has always been a dream of mine, so having an opportunity such as this was a once-in-a-lifetime deal that I had to hop on,” says Trista Gaffney, 17.

An awesome trip doesn’t require an awesome budget, though. To prepare for the cross-country journey, the crew shopped for the best deals on flights, raised money to buy new backpacking gear (see below) and worked on food budgets of no more than $5 per meal per person. Since some adult leaders are active or retired military, they also were able to use discounts on park passes and equipment rentals.

Because of their thriftiness, the individual cost for the weeklong trip totaled $850. What they received would be rich, long-lasting memories.

KAYAKING ON JENNY LAKE

The first stop for the crew was Jenny Lake, a picturesque place within Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. Its beauty attracts many tourists — and the chipmunks there know it.

“They’d come right up to you,” says Katelyn Sweeney, 16.

The Venturers rented two-person kayaks and paddled across the lake beneath the backdrop of jagged peaks. After an hour on the water, they hiked past a 100-foot waterfall to an overlook area called Inspiration Point.

SCALING THE TETONS

The crew tried to conquer the Middle Teton, a mountain measuring as the third highest in the park. The thin air and difficult terrain proved too much, and the group stopped around 9,500 feet.

Still, they scrambled across rocky switchbacks and reached glacial areas, where some wrote in the snow.

“The hike was pretty challenging toward the end when the steep inclines began, but I still had a really good time,” Trista says.

IN AWE OF YELLOWSTONE

The crew checked out waterfalls, hot springs and geysers at Yellowstone National Park. They saw dozens of elk and bison roaming the grounds and talked with park rangers on horseback.

“Yellowstone is one of my favorite places on earth,” says Addison Fox, who turned 21 right before the trip and went as a registered adult. “It’s so crazy how you can go from the geysers to the meadows and how drastically the environment changes. It’s so vast and changes so frequently. Everywhere you go, it’s like a new adventure.”

MINDS AT EASE

While at Yellowstone, the Venturers met up with a professional Scouter from their home council, the Palmetto Council. Matthew Kelly was backpacking the 3,028-mile Continental Divide Trail from Canada to New Mexico.

“It was interesting to hear him talk about it,” Katelyn says. “I was worried about our three-day backpacking trip, and he’d already been backpacking for a month and a half.”

The meeting put the Venturers’ minds at ease about their upcoming 12-mile trek in Idaho, especially seeing how little Kelly needed to travel across the country. He didn’t have a tent. Shoes proved more important. He had already burned through two pairs trekking to Yellowstone.

INTO THE WILDERNESS

The trip culminated in a three-day backpacking trek in the Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho.

“You had great cell service all the way in, and the second you hit Sawtooth, it’s gone,” Katelyn says. “It’s like entering the wilderness.”

The Sawtooth National Forest spans about 2 million acres and is home to more than 50 mountain peaks that tower higher than 10,000 feet each. The crew hiked to a few of the forest’s 1,000-plus lakes nestled among the mountains.

SAWTOOTH SERENITY

In a trip already filled with beautiful views, backpacking in the national forest didn’t disappoint. The Venturers swam in crystal-clear Alice Lake, surrounded by rocky peaks.

“It looks just like a sheet of glass up in the mountains,” Addison says. “I didn’t think something like that existed.”

At night, the magnificent Milky Way spread across the sky. It seemed the longer they looked, the more stars they saw.

“It made me appreciate the wilderness you can get into,” says Keegan Weakland, 21. “It made me want to get out and do more stuff.”

Saving Up

The crew earned money in several ways for this trip. They sold camp cards, popcorn and barbecue.

You can, too.

All fundraising efforts must be approved by your council and chartering organization. Follow practices outlined in the Guide to Safe Scouting and local laws regarding solicitation rules and permits.

Pack Later

Most of the time, you pack your bags at home. But Crew 28 tried something different: Instead of fitting food into their packs before their flight, they used an app to order groceries at their destination. After they landed, they picked up their grub, which was waiting for them at the grocery store.

The advantages of packing this way: First, it makes going through the airport faster since you don’t have to deal with liquid or gel limits per governmental transportation regulations. Second, with everyone together, you can easily divvy up gear and food to help spread around the weight.

"Venturing Crew Treks to the Sawtooths" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Lilli and Sammy Ziegler had seen hurricanes, but Ida was different.

What they expected would be a weakening storm picked up steam as it neared the Louisiana coast, transforming into a monster that ripped roofs off buildings, flooded neighborhoods and knocked out the power — in some places for more than a month.

“You could hear the wind whistling. It was really loud,” 16-year-old Sammy says. “It was howling, howling, howling.”

That lasted for seven hours outside the Ziegler home as the wind toppled nearby trees and powerline poles. And their neighborhood didn’t even receive the full brunt of the storm.

After slamming into Louisiana, the violent storm raged across several more states. Although downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical cyclone, it spawned deadly tornadoes and dumped record amounts of rain. Ultimately, Ida killed more than 100 people and caused $65 billion in damage, making it the fifth costliest tropical cyclone to ever strike the U.S.

Millions were left without power, clean water and basic supplies. Scouts across the country, especially those who lived in Ida’s path, stepped up to help.

“We are young but strong,” says Mario Gabriel Fanego, 14, a Sea Scout with Ship 1908 of Union City, New Jersey. “Together in unity, we can make our communities a much better place.”

DEVASTATION EVERYWHERE

Last August, Ida formed in the Caribbean Sea. As it churned into the Gulf of Mexico, it reached hurricane strength and continued to get stronger with winds of 150 mph. It didn’t let up as it approached land.

Many evacuated before the storm hit, but some stayed.

“It was pretty nerve-wracking,” says Adelaide Pineda, 11, a Tenderfoot Scout with girls Troop 8720 of Abita Springs, Louisiana. “We thought it wasn’t going to be too bad, and the power would be off for a couple of days. The power was out for much longer.”

Troop 8720’s chartering organization, the local VFW, became a hub for emergency responders. The troop teamed up with boys Troop 610 and Pack 109 to clean up the property, which was littered with broken tree limbs. The Scouts filled wheelbarrows with debris and gathered it into a pile to be disposed of later. Two Scouts from Troop 610 did a similar cleanup on the acre-sized yards of a 76-year-old woman and her 82-year-old neighbor, who contacted the troop.

“I just wanted to help make things feel more normal again,” Adelaide says.

Many residents would need a lot of help to find a little bit of normalcy.

“We were safe, and nothing got really destroyed. Others weren’t so lucky,” says Isabella Pratt, 11, a Scout with Troop 8720. “We drove around. There was so much destruction.”

Lilli and Sammy visited the city of Houma, where the eye of the hurricane had passed nearby, to help the sheriff’s office there with a supply drive and distribution.

“It increasingly got worse the further we got in,” says Lilli, a 13-year-old Second Class Scout with girls Troop 150 of New Orleans. “We saw whole oak trees pulled out of the ground. It was crazy.”

“There was one warehouse that you could see straight through,” says Sammy, a Life Scout with boys Troop 150. “There was a car shop — the whole roof had collapsed.”

FINDING WAYS TO HELP

Relief comes in waves after major natural disasters. Local first responders are on the scene before anyone else. The federal government often provides food and water. Local community organizations, like churches and Scout units, can fill in the gaps before outside groups offer assistance.

One immediate gap that Jack Whitney noticed was the challenge of contacting others.

“Communication was a really big issue, because people didn’t have power,” the 13-year-old Life Scout with Troop 150 says. “Without power, they have no way to charge their cellphones. Their next available opportunity for electricity would be their car, but that’s difficult because people didn’t have any gas because people stockpile gas during hurricanes.”

So Jack grabbed his family’s solar panels and headed to hardware and auto parts stores to ask for donated parts to build two charging stations. He built the wooden frames and connected the electronic parts to create 13 charging ports on each station. He took the stations to churches, so people seeking aid there could charge up their devices and reach out to loved ones.

Jack’s sister, Maggie, a 17-year-old Life Scout, painted a sign asking for donations and placed it by the family’s open trailer in front of their house. She greeted neighbors and collected toiletries, cleaning supplies and canned food to take to a local church.

“People helped us all over,” Maggie says. “It was a very short notice, because people needed it very quickly.”

FIGHTING FLOODS

Ida’s wind speeds eased up as the storm moved inland, but the storm continued to soak places in its path, turning city streets into rivers in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

“I saw a lot of automobiles underwater and heard a lot of people had their sewers back up,” Mario says. “I saw tow trucks and flatbeds for days. The destruction of vehicles was mind-boggling.”

The destruction at a church food pantry in Union City, N.J., prompted Ship 1908 and Crew 228 to take action. The Sea Scouts and Venturers cleaned up the flooded pantry to help it get back up and running.

In the Northeast and along the Gulf Coast, Scouts worked together to help other people. It’s what Scouts do, no matter where or when.

“When we went to Houma, I didn’t know any of these other Scouts,” Lilli says. “We’ve all been through storms. We know what’s it’s like. We worked as a team. We did it together.”

Before You Serve

After a natural disaster, you might feel the urge to jump in and help. But it’s important to be safe so you don’t also become a victim.

Floodwaters can be full of chemicals and other contaminants, damaged houses could fall, and downed powerlines pose a deadly hazard. Enter areas only when safety can be guaranteed.

It is best to partner with organizations like the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, religious and community organizations, as well as other Scout units to find ways to help. Before serving, review the BSA’s service project planning checklist.

"Scouts in Hurricane Ida’s Path Step Up to Help Their Communities Recover" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Everyone tends to make new friends at summer camp, but they don’t usually have feathers.

A group of ducks visited girls Troop 284’s campsite as the Scouts worked on the American Heritage merit badge together, and Fiona Levick loved it.

“I said hi to them,” the 12-year-old Tenderfoot Scout says. “I was so happy because there were so many of them.”

However, the waterfowl soon wore out their welcome for the rest of the troop. The ducks refused to waddle off, and the girls’ imaginations ran wild.

“We slept in the lean-to that night, and everyone was terrified the ducks would come and attack us because Fiona had summoned them all to our campsite to eat all of our food,” says Tenderfoot Scout Grace O’Donovan, 12.

Of course, that didn’t happen, but the entertaining evening added some humor to an exhausting, rain-drenched canoe trek across the lakes nestled among New York’s Adirondack Mountains.

CONTINUING THE TRADITION

For more than 50 years, boys Troop 284 of Radnor, Pennsylvania, has canoed in northeastern New York. The trek typically totals 100 miles over two weeks and serves as the troop’s summer camp as adult leaders lead merit badge classes in Canoeing, Lifesaving, Fishing and Nature, among others.

“We’ve been going for as long as a lot of our adults can remember,” says Life Scout Parker Bruhns, 16. “In the 1960s, we were not a very adventurous troop. Our Scoutmaster then wanted to transform that.”

The first trek launched in 1970, and every few years, the Scouts canoe through the Adirondacks. During other years, they go to council camps and high-adventure bases like Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. But the canoe trek remains a favorite — not only for its tradition, but also for the adventure. Last July, the girls troop planned its own weeklong 50-mile version.

“The girls decided we could do it, too, so we gave it a shot,” says Second Class Scout Anna Latchford, 12. “I think half of us didn’t know how to canoe, so I think it was pretty helpful to get used to the strokes and being in a canoe.”

To prepare for the journey, the Scouts practiced canoe strokes by using brooms at troop meetings. They also went on an overnight practice trip down the Delaware River. To ensure their gear stayed dry, some Scouts bought quality rain jackets and waterproof compression bags, while others opted for cheap ponchos and trash bags.

Whichever waterproof gear the Scouts chose to bring, they would need it starting on Day One.

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY

With rented Kevlar canoes, the troops met in Old Forge, N.Y., to launch their separate treks.

“The second we show up, it starts raining,” says Life Scout Kyle Johnson, 14. “On pretty much every summer camp, no matter where we go, it tends to rain every day. But we’re always prepared.”

“That’s a Troop 284 thing,” says Sam Murphy, a 15-year-old Star Scout.

The boys took off, logging nearly 7 miles on the opening day. Meanwhile, the girls needed some time to get on the water, which had turned choppy as the weather worsened.

“It had taken a long time for us to get going,” says Star Scout Sophie Tachna, 14. “It was pouring rain, and everybody was tired by the end of it when we made it to the island. People were yelling and screaming, ‘Yeah! We made it to our first destination!’”

A tough first day can be demoralizing, and when you don’t know whether the rest of the trip will bring more of the same, you might not want to continue. But a Scout is Cheerful and will find a way to stay positive.

“We sang a lot of songs,” says Tenderfoot Scout Quinn O’Donovan, 14.

HAVE SOME FUN

While you’re paddling for hours, you have time to take in your surroundings. The boys spotted bald eagles flying overhead and a muskrat scurrying on the shore, while the girls noticed a loon diving in the lake. Long times on the water also mean you can talk with your friends and have a good time.

“Just being with everyone, it was a really fun experience,” Sam says. “You don’t have your phones. Normally, when I’d see kids hanging out, they’re all on their phones. It’s really nice to get away from technology and distractions like that for two weeks, and just be with each other.”

Times on land, though, weren’t always so much fun.

“The canoeing wasn’t the hard part — it was the portages,” says Noah Amjed, 12, a Second Class Scout.

Portages are trails between lakes. You must carry your canoes and gear from one lake to the next. That’s why it’s important to pack light. Some of the boys’ backpacks weighed only 10 pounds since they packed just a few sets of clothes to last for the two-week trek.

“At some point, we could put up clotheslines if our clothes got dirty, so we could wash them and use them again,” says Second Class Scout Chirag Kandi, 12.

When it’s been raining for days, your clothes can get dirty pretty fast, especially when you’re playing games in camp. One of the boys’ favorites was “Infiltration,” where one team must sneak to the other team’s base without getting caught.

MAKING THEIR MARK

At the end of each trek, the Scouts had earned several merit badges and completed their intended journeys — the boys ending in Saranac after 100 miles, the girls at Long Lake after 50.

The Scouts felt accomplished, but some couldn’t wait to go home. When you’re gone for a week or two, it feels nice returning to modern conveniences and comforts. However, it feels even nicer after spending time with your friends, mastering a new skill and conquering a challenge.

“I had a lot of fun,” says Judy Horn, 14, a Scout. “And that was only my second time camping.”

Dealing With Homesickness

During these treks, some Scouts wanted to go home. It’s a natural feeling that you might have during an outing. There’s no shame in feeling that way.

Don’t be embarrassed to talk to a friend or Scout leader — they want you to have a good time and can let you know what to expect for the rest of the trip, which can be comforting. If you need an additional outlet, send a message back home or jot down your thoughts in a journal.

If your friend is feeling homesick, encourage him or her. Ask if they want to talk about how they’re feeling. Let them know there’s a lot of fun to be had, and then invite them to play a game or work on a project together.

"Scouts Keep Tradition of Canoe Adventures in the Adirondacks" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

On a hike through the woods near Maryland’s Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation, a group of Scouts and adults walked over what looked like a plain old stream.

A handful of hikers in the back decided to look more closely, and thank goodness they did: A mother turtle was laying her eggs. Right there. On the edge of the stream. For anyone to see.

Thankfully, the group knew where to look.

The experience was part of the Baltimore Area Council’s Ernest Thompson Seton Scout Naturalist Program, where Scouts and adults from different units spend a weekend learning about different aspects of nature. When the weekend is over, each participant is equipped to help lead a nature-themed outing with their home troop.

The idea is to spread the word: There’s lots of cool stuff out there.

“I think it’s important, because it’s sort of an escape from a lot of what you do normally,” says Adin Nair, a 15-year-old Scouts BSA member who plans to lead a nature activity as part of his role of den chief. “It’s not really a part of what most people do. So it’s important to teach people about that so they can carry it on with them, and then they can teach other people about it and make nature an integral part of their lives, too.”

LOTS TO DO …

The program squeezes a lot of activities into one action-packed weekend.

There’s a hike along a lake, during which the Scouts learn to identify birds using a field guide and a smartphone app. There’s a hike to a quarry, during which they learn about its history by examining its present contents. And there’s a night hike, during which they look for owls — not with flashlights, but instead using only moonlight.

“I liked the bird-watching,” says 13-year-old Scouts BSA member Zachary Washington. “I was interested in that. I enjoyed just walking through nature seeing all the different types of birds I hadn’t seen before.”

“It was cool seeing the animals that were out at night,” says 13-year-old Elliott DeFilippis.

There’s also time for a game of flying disc golf, designed to review what the Scouts learned during their self-guided hike along a nature trail earlier in the day. There are field games designed to teach a variety of ecological concepts. And there’s a nature-focused campfire.

Of course, the Scouts review the principles of Leave No Trace.

And at the end, the group performs conservation-related service projects.

“I really enjoyed doing the projects at the end,” says 13-year-old Bradley Nadolny. “That was my favorite part of it. We dug out a trench to redirect water so we could preserve a trail. We put in a bird box. And we also got rid of some invasive vines. It was actually fun.”

By the time Sunday rolls around, the participants have “graduated” and are cleared to spread the word. Some of them might go on to lead a nature weekend of their own. Others might choose to lead a stream study in their community or a smaller nature-related activity at a regular unit meeting.

“I think it will be interesting to bring that information back to my troop and crew,” says 15-year-old Scout and Venturer Abdul Razzaq.

… LOTS TO SEE

Throughout the weekend, the Scouts are encouraged to keep a journal of what they see and learn. A journal is a valuable tool for a nature lover. It’s like a historical document in that it helps you remember everything you did.

Yes, you can always take pictures with your phone. But there’s value in taking the time to write down your feelings and observations — and maybe even draw a sketch or two of what you saw.

This will also come in handy when you pass along your knowledge to more Scouts.

“Getting out to nature really helps bring back the senses of what it’s like being out in the wild,” says Zachary. “As we grow up, it’s important for us to influence those who are younger to help them learn more about nature, too.”

At one point, the group stopped at another stream. To the casual observer, the sand and mud at the bottom looked uninteresting.

Then they looked closer. Disturbing the bottom revealed a variety of tiny bugs called macroinvertebrates — baby insects such as dragonfly and stonefly larvae, snails, crayfish and beetles that play a major role in the overall health of an ecosystem.

Most organisms struggle to survive in streams full of toxic chemicals and pollutants. A stream with a high diversity of macroinvertebrates is likely a very healthy stream.

“When you get away from the computer or the phone and you go outside, you don’t have to be bored,” says Abdul. “There’s always something to do.”

As long as you know where to look.

How To Become a Scout Naturalist for Your Unit

The Ernest Thompson Seton Scout Naturalist Program is run by adult volunteers from the Baltimore Area Council’s conservation committee. The idea is to take the course on your own, and then present what you learn to your own troop at a future outing.

The next program is scheduled for May 14-16, 2022, at Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation. Sign up at broadcreekbsa.org

If you can’t attend in person, many of the lessons are available online at scoutnaturalist2018.wixsite.com/environmentalvideos

Who Was Ernest Thompson Seton?

In addition to being the first Chief Scout of the Boy Scouts of America, Ernest Thompson Seton was a naturalist, writer and author. His book The Birch Bark Roll of the Woodcraft Indians was a major influence on Lord Baden-Powell before Baden-Powell founded the Scouting movement.

Seton went on to help write the first Boy Scout Handbook.

His granddaughter, Julie A. Seton, Ph.D., was in communication with the developers of the Ernest Thompson Seton Scout Naturalist Program. Learn more at etsbook.indentus.com

"When You Complete the Seton Scout Naturalist Program, Your Adventure Is Only Beginning" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Click here to see more Scout Camps featured in previous years.

RESICA FALLS SCOUT RESERVATION

Cradle of Liberty Council; East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
resicafalls.org

NOT YOUR NORMAL CHOICES: You can choose from about 70 merit badges, including 10 Eagle-required. Some of these badges are Engineering, Fly Fishing, Law and Metalwork.

DOWN TO THE SWIMMING HOLE: There are six miles of streams around camp where you can fly-fish for trout. You can also paddle across a lake in a “dragon boat,” a canoe adorned with a golden dragon’s head. But everyone’s favorite aquatic areas are the swimming holes along Bushkill River, some of which feature waterfalls.

GAMES GALORE: The parade field is the place to be for games. Play gaga ball, grab some friends for human foosball and make some free throws on the basketball court. The camp also offers a scavenger hunt, a triathlon and extensive campwide games.

ZINK HIGH ADVENTURE BASE

Indian Nations Council; Tulsa, Oklahoma
zbase.camp

GO BIG: You’ll have plenty of room to play at the 35,000-acre “ZBASE.” The high-adventure base features ATV and mountain biking courses, an 18-station sporting clays complex and a 10,000-acre lake where you can ride Jet Skis and go wakeboarding on a cable wake park.

TAKE A TREK: Instead of working on merit badges for a week, you choose one of eight different treks, each planned with multiple activities, like backpacking and riding horses. You can stay overnight in treehouses, air-conditioned bunkhouses and cabins.

FLYING HIGH: Get a good look at the property from the 70-foot-tall steel tower. This COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience) course features more than 40 elements, such as picnic tables and a boat. You can also zip line 1,300 feet across the lake.

CAMP EASTON

Inland Northwest Council; Harrison, Idaho
nwscouts.org/campeaston

THE WATER’S FINE: Jump into Lake Coeur d’Alene, where the water is usually around 70 degrees and Scouts are enjoying practically any aquatic activity you can imagine, including scuba. The camp offers every aquatic merit badge except for Whitewater. You can also play on the camp’s large inflatable water toys or paddle in a 24-foot-long fiberglass canoe.

HAVE SOME FUN: Evenings at Easton are always entertaining. On Wednesday nights, the camp staff sets up a projector at the parade grounds and screens a movie. Other nights feature games, such as Scouts-versus-staff tug of war.

UP FOR A CHALLENGE: You can also go zip lining or earn special camp awards, like the Gold Paddle for patrol participation or the Knot Ninja for tying eight knots in 75 seconds. But the big prize is the Iron Scout Award. Not only must you complete the Knot Ninja challenge, but you also have to identify plants and animals, demonstrate fire-building and first-aid skills, and master the archery range.

BEAUMONT SCOUT RESERVATION

Lake Erie Council; Rock Creek, Ohio
lecbsa.org/beaumont

LOVE THE LODGING: You can pick from 27 campsites at the 1,200-acre camp or choose to stay in one of the 12 troop lodges. These buildings have bunk beds and can sleep up to 36 people. They also come with a small kitchen, complete with a pot-belly stove and refrigerator.

WEAR THEM PROUDLY: The camp offers more than 100 merit badges, but badges aren’t all you can earn. Scouts who participate in the camp’s honors program receive a totem that they can decorate with beads as they achieve certain Scouting accolades. Do the Mile Swim? You get a bead. Inducted into the Order of the Arrow? Another bead. After a few years, some Scouts wear their totem decked out with nearly two dozen beads.

LET’S GO SWIMMING: Beaumont features four lakes, where you can go fishing for sunfish and bass. You can also head down to the camp’s swimming pool and zip down one of the two waterslides. The slides drop you into the shallow end of the pool so Scouts of all swimming skill levels can enjoy them.

CAMP PIGOTT

Chief Seattle Council; Snohomish, Washington
seattlebsa.org/camping/camp-pigott

GO ON AN ADVENTURE: The camp offers mountain biking, blacksmithing and boating, but for older Scouts who want more, there’s Adventure Camp. This option provides treks offering whitewater rafting, rappelling down a waterfall and scaling natural rock faces.

TAKE THE FAMILY: Want your whole family to experience summer camp fun? Then sign up for Camp Getaway, a shortened family camp that’s separate from the traditional summer camp experience. You and your family can still go hiking, mountain biking, swimming and climbing. You can also invite a non-Scouting family to attend with you.

HIT THE TRAIL: You can bring your bike or use one of the camp’s bikes to travel along the camp’s trails. A staff member can help you work on the Cycling merit badge and take you on a guided ride to scenic spots and views of waterfalls.

CAMP BARSTOW

Indian Waters Council; Batesburg, South Carolina
campbarstowsc.com

BUNDLE UP: Tired of running from one side of the camp to the other for your next merit badge class? That won’t happen at Barstow. The camp has bundled together its merit badges, and campers work together in cohorts during half-day sessions. That means more individualized learning and more field trips, like to the local airport or fish hatchery.

ORGANIZED FREE TIME: The staff plans plenty of fun activities to do in the evenings, including basketball and pingpong tournaments, ecology tours and tubing behind a motorboat. On Tuesday nights, the staff puts on a karaoke party.

CAMP OUT, CAMP IN: Every campsite has two or three Adirondack shelters, each with 12-16 bunks and electrical outlets. They also have large canvas tents and covered hammock shelters, complete with rigging.

"Get Back to Nature at These 6 Amazing Scout Camps" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Colorful fish dart in and around exotic corals, which cover the ocean floor in vibrant shades of red, yellow and purple. Some corals resembling tree branches reach up from the depths while others sit nestled closer to the sandy bottom, providing hiding spots for all kinds of marine wildlife.

That was decades ago. Today, this once-thriving habitat off the Florida coast is almost entirely dead.

That’s where you can help.

By using innovative methods that accelerate corals’ growth, Scouts on the Marine STEM adventure at Sea Base can be part of a conservation effort to help restore the third largest barrier reef system in the world.

THE RESCUE PLAN

Working with scientific and governmental agencies, Sea Base built a land-based nursery in 2019 with 19 tanks to house several coral species, including endangered ones. Corals are marine animals that are related to jellyfish and sea anemones. Their simple bodies, called “polyps,” are composed primarily of a mouth, stomach and tentacles. Many polyps live in large groups — sometimes in the millions — creating hardened protective structures called “reefs.”

However, since 1980, about 90% of the coral reefs in the Florida Keys have died from warming temperatures, ocean acidification and diseases, some of which have killed coral colonies within weeks.

Starting with 224 individual coral fragments, Sea Base staff members have expanded the inventory to nearly 7,000 using a process called “micro-fragmentation” (see below). Basically, corals are cut into small pieces, which stimulates their growth — faster than 25-40 times their natural rate. With the facilities in place, Sea Base can grow as many as 10,000 corals in a year. This means coral reefs could be restored sooner.

Scouts have already begun helping out, including Troop 2 from Richland, Washington. Last spring, the girls troop spent a week at Sea Base, with one day devoted to taking care of coral.

“We saw coral at different stages of life,” says First Class Scout Emma Miller, 14. “We moved the coral from tank to tank and learned about a bunch of different species. It was pretty impressive.”

Scouts fragment the coral into pieces about one square centimeter in size and glue them onto ceramic plugs. After four to 12 months of growing in a controlled environment, the pieces double in size. Then they can be fragmented again, or they can be outplanted onto dead reefs.

REBUILDING REEFS

To plant coral, Scouts on the Scuba Advanced Marine Exploration adventure scuba dive one to six miles offshore where lifeless coral skeletons litter the ocean floor. Sea Base staff guide the Scouts down into about 30 feet of water to an underwater nursery, where they help clean algae off coral trees. Then, Scouts help take corals from the nursery to the reefs, where they attach them using a marine epoxy.

Hopefully, these corals will survive where others once lived and thrive for hundreds of years.

The underwater world teems with life. As many as 1 million different marine species call it home.

“It’s so different than being in a pool or a lake,” says Eagle Scout Celeste Blair, 14, of Troop 2. “It’s so beautiful.”

Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor, but scientists estimate that nearly a quarter of ocean life relies on them for food and shelter. They can also help protect coasts from storm surge and erosion. That makes Scouts’ efforts in the Florida Keys so important.

MORE TO EXPLORE

A day at the coral nursery and snorkeling doesn’t sum up all the fun on the Marine STEM adventure. Like all the adventures at Sea Base, Scouts do many exciting activities. For the rest of the week, Scouts on the Marine STEM adventure conduct marine life surveys, go deep-sea fishing, tag sharks and dolphinfish, go kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, clean up beaches, and build and race underwater rovers.

Abigail Lightfoot’s favorite activity was deep-sea fishing.

“We caught a pufferfish,” the 15-year-old First Class Scout says. “It was awesome.”

Sometimes your week will come with extra surprises while you’re out on the water.

“All of a sudden, there’s a pod of dolphins,” says Life Scout Aubrey Brandstetter, 14. “They came right up to our boat, and they were surfing alongside us. It was cool to watch.”

Even during bad weather, like Troop 2 experienced, Sea Base staff will find alternative activities, like touring a sea turtle rescue facility.

“If you love STEM, go do it — and bring a lot of sunscreen,” Emma says.

How Micro-Fragmentation Works

When coral is cut into pieces using a tile saw, they quickly try to heal themselves.

The fragments are kept in tanks to keep them safe from disease and predators, and poor water quality. This process has worked for branching, brain, boulder and star corals.

About Sea Base

Located in Islamorada in the Florida Keys, Sea Base offers more than a dozen different adventures, including some focused on scuba diving, fishing and boating. Scouts regularly visit nearby national parks and islands, often conducting service projects.

The coral restoration project is one of several environmental efforts that Sea Base’s Brinton Environmental Center hosts. Scouts also help remove invasive species, pick up trash from beaches and conduct surveys on marine life health, which are sent to area conservation organizations to use.

Find your aquatic adventure at www.bsaseabase.org.

"Scouts Help Save Coral Reefs Through a New Sea Base Program" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

A requirement for the ranks of Star, Life and Eagle is to serve your troop in a position of responsibility (POR).

For some Scouts, it’s no problem. Standing in front of a room full of people and giving a speech? Bring it on! Making important decisions that affect the entire troop? No big deal!

For the rest of us, it’s a little more complicated.

Have no fear. There are ways to Be Prepared for your position of responsibility — and have fun while you’re at it.

There are two categories of POR:

You’re either working in a position of service to your troop, or you’re working in a position of leadership of your troop.

Both are important. One is a great way to get ready for the other.

IMPORTANT JOBS

A position of service — such as historian, librarian, bugler, scribe or quartermaster — won’t overload you with responsibility. If you’re nervous about taking a leadership role, start with a service role and see how that goes.

“Any of those positions are great first steppingstones, because they offer a taste of what it’s like to be responsible for something,” says Brad Rindos, an Eagle Scout who has served in multiple positions of responsibility for Troop 8 in Chatham, New Jersey. “Getting started with those responsibilities can make you better prepared to take a bigger role in the future.”

Brad started as a scribe. His job was to take notes after troop meetings and patrol leaders’ council meetings. Then he would email his notes to his Scoutmaster, and they’d talk about any questions he might have.

READY FOR MORE

Once you’ve served your troop in a service capacity, you might start feeling more comfortable taking a position of leadership. It might not be a good idea to start with senior patrol leader right away.

Instead, consider leading a group of brand-new Boy Scouts as troop guide or even a group of Cub Scouts as den chief.

“You can get into the aspect of teaching Scouting to the younger kids, and that’s what Boy Scouts is about,” says Adam Pieroni from Troop 98 in Whitpain Township, Pennsylvania, who served as den chief. “Just working with younger guys and realizing what they can learn in the time that you have with them.”

As you start getting more and more comfortable leading small groups, it might be time to consider a more demanding position within your troop. Some troops offer patrol leader positions to younger Scouts, knowing they’ll have additional support from adult leaders.

“It taught me how to communicate with people and how to be organized,” says Della Fincham, former SPL of Troop 19 in Ridgefield, Connecticut. “Those are very important life skills.”

ON THE WAY UP

Another great steppingstone leadership position is assistant patrol leader. It won’t qualify as a position of responsibility for advancement, but it will give you much-needed training for a true patrol leader position down the road.

“It’s a great gateway position, because you’re assisting a patrol leader with anything that he needs, such as preparing duty rosters and things like that,” Brad says. “But you don’t have the full responsibility. The patrol leader is able to look out for you.”

The assistant senior patrol leader position has two things going for it: It qualifies as a position of responsibility for advancement, and it’s a great way to get ready for the top job of senior patrol leader. There’s no better way of training for senior patrol leader than the job of assisting the current senior patrol leader with anything he needs.

Different troops are structured in different ways. Troop 584 in Katy, Texas, for example, has a position called assistant senior patrol leader of service.

“I organize service projects to help out with our community,” says Anshuman Patil, 16. “Usually the projects are scheduled ahead of time. Sometimes people send me emails like ‘these people need help’ or ‘our church is holding an event and we need help.’”

BIG JOB

All of which leads to the top youth leadership position: senior patrol leader.

Brad served Troop 8 as senior patrol leader, and then went on to serve as senior patrol leader at a National Youth Leadership Training event and as lodge chief for his Order of the Arrow lodge.

“I was definitely a different Scout at the end of my term [as senior patrol leader] than I was at the beginning,” he says. “Having a position of responsibility is something that many Scouts can interpret in different ways. I learned that it’s always important to put others before yourself and to think about how they feel.

“I like the concept of servant leadership: putting others before yourself.”

POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• The senior patrol leader presides over all meetings and activities, chairs patrol leaders’ council meetings and leads the troop’s annual program planning conference.

• The assistant senior patrol leader helps the senior patrol leader run meetings and activities.

• Patrol leaders plan and lead patrol meetings and activities.

• A troop guide leads new Scouts through early Scouting activities.

• A den chief serves as the activities assistant for a Cub Scout den.

• The historian keeps files of pictures and facts about past activities of the troop.

• An Order of the Arrow troop representative serves as a communication link between the local OA lodge or chapter and the troop.

• Librarians maintain a troop library.

• The quartermaster maintains patrol and troop equipment.

• A bugler plays the bugle (or a similar instrument) to mark key moments during the day on troop outings, such as reveille and lights out. (Bugler is not an approved POR for the Eagle Scout rank.)

• Scribes attend and keep logs of patrol leaders’ council meetings and other troop meetings.

• An instructor teaches Scouting skills as needed within the troop or patrols.

• The chaplain aide assists the troop chaplain or religious coordinator.

• Outdoor ethics guides help the troop plan and conduct an outdoor program that emphasizes effectively practicing the principles of outdoor ethics.

• The webmaster establishes and maintains a safe and secure troop website.

• A junior assistant Scoutmaster works as part of the Scoutmaster corps and handles any duties assigned by the Scoutmaster.

"Everything You Need to Know About Positions of Responsibility" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Here are 10 New Year’s goals that can make your time in Scouting the best it can be.

1. GO ON A HIKE … THEN GO ON A BACKPACKING TREK.

Before you embark on an epic multiday backpacking experience, you’ll want to start small. Take a day hike at a local park — or even through your own neighborhood — and try to notice things you normally wouldn’t: the sounds of nature (or the sounds of automobiles) or the sight of the trash you can clean up along the way.

Carry a backpack with you, and add more weight each time. When you’re an older Scout, Sea Scout or Venturer, you can participate in overnight backcountry treks. You’ll carry everything you need to survive: sleeping bag, tent, food, water, bug spray … everything!

2. SPEND THE NIGHT OUTDOORS … THEN SPEND THE NIGHT OUTDOORS IN A HOMEMADE SHELTER.

Never spent the night outdoors before? No problem! The best place to start is your own backyard. You don’t have to buy an expensive tent, either. Just start with the cheapest one you can find or borrow one from someone in your Scout group.

Once they’re comfortable with the breeze, the humidity and the sounds of bugs, older Scouts can sleep outdoors without a tent. A “lean-to” is a homemade shelter that consists of leaning fallen limbs against a rock, overhang or other object to create a wall. Cover the limb with leaves, and you’ve got your own shelter.

Learn more at go.scoutlife.org/shelter

3. CLIMB A WALL OF ROCK … THEN CLIMB A MOUNTAIN.

Scouts of all ages can learn rock-climbing basics at a man-made facility. (Visit one near you with a trusted adult.) Older Scouts, Sea Scouts and Venturers can climb outdoors at an established climbing site with natural rock formations, as long as they have qualified supervision and the proper equipment.

There are more than 200 mountains in the continental United States that are taller than 10,000 feet. For most of them, you won’t need ropes and helmets to reach the top. It takes only excellent physical fitness and a never-give-up attitude. You can do it!

4. CATCH A FISH … THEN CLEAN, FILLET AND COOK IT.

Fishing is for everyone. Whether you’re a 5-year-old Lion, a 20-year-old Venturer or someone in between, you can find a fun challenge in fishing. First you have to perfect your cast. It’s critical to getting your bait where it needs to be.

Then you have to learn the basics: where to look for fish, which lures to use in which conditions and how to reel in fish. Once you’ve made a catch, the fun really begins. Cleaning a fish is the process of getting the meat ready to cook. It’s crazy messy and also crazy fun.

Learn more at fishing.scoutlife.org

5. BECOME A BIKER … THEN GO ON A MULTIDAY CYCLING TREK.

Bike riding is more than just a good way to get around — it’s also a great way to stay in shape. You’ll need to know how to take care of your bike and how to make quick repairs when needed. And don’t go too far without knowing how to fix a flat.

Once you’re older and more comfortable on your wheels, try a multiday bike trek. After you learn how to carry all the necessary gear, you’ll be able to travel longer distances in a shorter amount of time than you could on foot. Mostly, to make sure you’re ready, you’ll need to practice, practice, practice.

Learn more at go.scoutlife.org/biketips

6. GO SNORKELING … THEN GO SCUBA DIVING.

Snorkeling is a great way to observe underwater life. It requires little equipment — all you need are a snorkel, a mask and fins. It requires basic skills — you need only be a strong swimmer. And once you get the hang of it, it’s actually very relaxing. Just you and the fish, floating around, checking stuff out.

Older Scouts looking to take their aquatic skills to the next level should try scuba diving. Once you earn certification by learning basic dive-safety information and an overview of the required skills, you’ll put on a mask, a snorkel, fins, a regulator, a dive computer, gauges, tanks, weights and maybe a wet suit … and off you go, into the deep blue sea!

Learn more at go.scoutlife.org/scuba

7. GO TO SUMMER CAMP … THEN GO TO ONE OF THE BSA’S NATIONAL HIGH-ADVENTURE BASES.

If you’re a Cub Scout, there’s no better way to spend a week of your summer than by going to day camp. Every camp is different, but you’ll get to do all kinds of fun stuff — from shooting bows and arrows to building your own gadgets. Older Scouts take it to the next level with summer camp, where you spend a whole week at a BSA campground, and work on merit badges and participate in Scout activities such as sailing and mountain boarding.

For older Scouts, the BSA’s high-adventure bases are where it’s at. There are four, and they’re all awesome in their own ways. Some units send groups to a different base each summer.

Learn more at go.scoutlife.org/highadventure

8. EXPERIENCE A CLASS II RAPID … THEN A CLASS IV.

The American Whitewater organization created the international scale of river difficulty so rafters, canoers and kayakers know what they’re getting into. Scouts who are too old to be Cub Scouts but still younger than 13 can paddle watercraft on Class I or II rapids. This is still tons of fun. We’re talking rapids plenty strong enough to push you down the river faster than you could paddle on your own.

Older Scouts (age 13 who have completed eighth grade, or 14 and older), Sea Scouts and Venturers can tackle rapids Class III or IV. We’re talking intense, powerful rapids with big drops and big waves. Helmets required!

9. TRY SNOW SPORTS … THEN SPEND THE NIGHT IN AN IGLOO.

There’s no reason to fear the cold. Whether it’s 50 or 20 degrees in the winter where you live, Scouting doesn’t stop in December, January and February. The key is to Be Prepared. Don’t wear cotton — it won’t keep you warm if you get wet. Do dress in layers — that way, you can remove or add them as needed.

If there’s enough snow, you can build an igloo. There’s a reason people have been using igloos as snow shelters for hundreds of years: They work. We know it sounds weird, but a Scout can sleep comfortably in freezing weather if they do so inside a small building made of ice.

Learn more at go.scoutlife.org/igloo

10. RANK UP … THEN EARN THE RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT … OR THE SUMMIT AWARD … OR THE RANK OF QUARTERMASTER.

The highest rank in Cub Scouting is Arrow of Light. It’s such a big deal that you’re allowed to wear your Arrow of Light emblem on your Scout uniform long after you’re too old for Cub Scouting.

The Summit Award is the highest award in Venturing, and Quartermaster is the highest rank in Sea Scouting. Both require you to demonstrate leadership, service and personal growth. Eagle Scout is not just an award; it is a state of being. Those who earn it as teens continue to earn it every day as adults. That is why, no matter how old you get, you never say, “I was an Eagle Scout.” Instead, you always say, “I am an Eagle Scout.”

Five Things You Can Do in Scouting That You Probably Didn’t Know You Can Do in Scouting

• Ride in a tethered hot-air balloon.
• Fire off a catapult or trebuchet (with soft, small objects).
• Participate in an indoor body flight.
• Participate in chalk ball.
• Fly a drone.

"Make the Best of Your Time in Scouting With These 10 New Year’s Goals" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

You slip onto a seat inside an enclosed machine. It slowly starts spinning, picking up speed like a Tilt-A-Whirl ride gone haywire. The faster it accelerates, the greater the gravitational force you feel — up to four times greater than normal. That’s a G-force of 4, and it slams your body into the seat.

It’s what campers can experience at the Cosmosphere, a space museum in Hutchinson, Kansas.

“They spin you pretty fast. It’s neat feeling more gravity,” says Thomas McLendon, 13, a Star Scout with Troop 232 in Towanda, Kan.

During four days at the Cosmosphere’s Merits of Space Summer Camp, Scouts work on merit badges like Aviation, Astronomy and Energy, and they also ride machines similar to what astronauts train on. They try flight simulators, conduct simulated missions to the moon and Mars, check out star shows in the museum’s planetarium, program robots and build handheld gliders.

“There’s something new every camp,” says Talon Callahan Lane, 13.

This past summer marked the third time the Second Class Scout from Troop 171 of Spokane, Washington, has attended a Cosmosphere camp. One of his favorite activities is participating in a mission.

“You’ve got to really know how to communicate — like in a real Scout patrol — on a space mission,” Talon says.

WORK AS A TEAM

For the missions, Scouts are split up into two teams: the control room team and the lunar module team. One loads up into a five-person space capsule, while the other sits behind actual mission control panels used in NASA’s Gemini and Apollo missions. The teams talk to each other, working together to complete assigned tasks.

“There were a whole bunch of switches and a monitor for each person,” says Thomas, describing the lunar module. “You have a checklist to make sure no one blows up the craft.”

Knowing your role and doing your best helps the entire mission. It doesn’t matter if you recently met all your teammates at camp — every Scout
has a job to do.

“It doesn’t just teach you about space; you get to be a leader and work as a team,” says Lorenzo Perez, 12, a First Class Scout from Troop 249 of Topeka, Kan.

THE PLACE TO LEARN

The Cosmosphere houses more than 15,000 American and Russian space artifacts, including a moon rock collected during the Apollo 11 mission, Russian spacesuits, the Apollo 13 command module and the Mercury Liberty Bell 7 capsule.

Scouts examined some of these items during their merit badge classes. For the Geology merit badge, they used Geiger counters, which detect radiation, to study meteorites.

Scouts also tested the Cosmosphere’s flight simulators, one of which featured a replica F-16 fighter jet cockpit rigged with monitors, while another involved a virtual-reality headset. With these programmable simulators, Scouts could pilot practically any aircraft, from a fighter jet to the Wright brothers’ 1903 flyer.

Camp “gave me an opportunity to learn more about planes, space, tech, and just everything I love and enjoy,” Talon says.

Scouts in Space

Of the 12 men who walked on the moon during NASA’s Apollo missions in the 1960s and 1970s, 11 were Scouts. Neil Armstrong (Apollo 11) and Charles Duke (Apollo 16) were Eagle Scouts. Since NASA started selecting astronauts in 1959, more than half had been involved in Scouting.

Keep Learning

Harrison Schmitt, 86, is one of 12 people in human history to set foot on the moon. Before he was an Apollo 17 astronaut, he was a Cub Scout and Second Class Scout with units in Silver City, New Mexico. Scouting taught him about teamwork and the value of a diverse education.

Don’t rely only on school — if you’re interested in something, seek more resources, like museums or programs within Scouting, to enrich your knowledge.

“Take on as many different experiences; read as many different books as you possibly can; study as many different subjects as you can — get as broad an education as possible,” Schmitt says. “You may never use it, but the point is that unless you have that background, there are many careers that aren’t open to you. Many of these careers build on themselves. One career can build the foundation for another that’s even more exciting.”

The more education and experience you acquire, the more confident you can be about trying something new, he says.

"Scouts Train Like an Astronaut at Cosmosphere Camp" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Normally, seeing a paved path wouldn’t feel that exciting. But after you’ve been pedaling miles through a sandy trail in the desert under the scorching sun, nothing looks more welcoming.

“It felt so nice to be back on pavement,” says First Class Scout Jerry Yao, 14. “Sometimes the sand was really thick and very hard to ride through. And sometimes there were huge rocks everywhere — along with sand — and that was very hard to get around.”

Troop 305 of Walla Walla, Washington, tackled more than 300 miles of pavement, gravel and sand this past summer during a 10-day bicycling trip across Washington and Idaho. Some Scouts had made this journey before, but this time it proved much harder as temperatures soared to 117 degrees.

When the elements turn the trip into a struggle, you start to appreciate the little things, like riding on smooth pavement. The Scouts found many little surprises that transformed this trip into one of their all-time favorites.

A TROOP TRADITION

Every three years, Troop 305 cycles from North Bend, Wash., on the western side of the state to Taft, Montana, just beyond the Idaho state line. It’s a long trip, winding across arid flatlands and up wooded mountain passes. The Scouts usually log close to 450 miles.

To prepare for such a trek, the troop organized weekly practice rides for four months. Scouts racked up more than 400 training miles, including scaling steep hills and pedaling consecutive 45-mile days.

Starting out on a gravel trail in North Bend, the crew felt enthusiastic yet nervous.

“We all felt prepared, but we knew we’d be riding through a record heat wave for Washington,” says Life Scout Joshua Courtney, 17. “It got the hottest it’s ever been.”

All riders carried about a gallon of water along with tools for quick repairs. Some adult leaders drove a support vehicle with a trailer, carrying the rest of their gear and cold water. The first day, though, wasn’t that hot, and much of the trail was shaded, so the Scouts pedaled 50 miles and glided through an old railroad tunnel that had been converted for hikers and cyclists.

“It was almost 3 miles of just straight blackness with the exception of our headlights,” says Life Scout Bryce Hollopeter, 14.

They ended the ride at a lake, nestled among tree-covered mountains. The next day, the shade disappeared as the Scouts entered a flatter, drier part of the state.

TURNING UP THE HEAT

This summer, the Pacific Northwest experienced record heat. The Scouts found a discarded bike tire on the trail, which gave them an idea.

“We had [extra] tires in the trailer, but we didn’t have them with us on our bikes,” Joshua says. “We decided that we were going to carry them on our bikes. On day three, an adult leader’s tire wall blew out. We had the extra tires, so we were able to fix his bike. That was the day we rode 30 miles without our support vehicle — so we were really lucky there, because we were prepared.”

Being prepared helped them get back on the trail instead of sitting stranded under the oppressive sun. Temperatures began rising earlier and earlier each day. Starting on the third day, the riders would stop at noon as it became too hot to continue.

“We got up at 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning so we could leave early to beat the heat,” Jerry says. “It was so cold — we were all wearing sweaters. At the end, we were so hot. We didn’t cool down for a long time.”

To stay cool, Scouts visited city swimming pools and rivers. Ice cream was a popular treat.

LITTLE SURPRISES

Days got hotter, regularly reaching 110 degrees in the afternoons. That’s when the Scouts really appreciated things like zipping down hills and feeling the wind in their faces or finding a shady tree to nap under at the end of a ride.

The Scouts typically camped in city parks, but on many days the adult leaders called ahead to see if city leaders had other accommodations. As a result, the troop stayed overnight at a church, where the Scouts played pool in an air-conditioned basement. To thank others for their hospitality, the Scouts offered small boxes of sweet onions from their hometown.

As the trip continued — with some days cut short because of the heat and others totaling nine hours on the road — the troop monitored their progress with GPS apps on their phones.

“The most commonly asked questions were: ‘How many miles have we done?’ ‘How many miles do we have left?’ and ‘How many miles until the next break?’ ” Jerry says. “Oh, yeah, and the temperature.”

The adult leaders blogged during the journey, including about the unexpected expenses of buying extra ice and sports drinks to keep everyone cool and hydrated. Another surprise came when blog readers donated to help offset the costs of dozens of drinks and 680 pounds of ice.

MORE THAN RIDING

The trip wasn’t just about cycling; the group also learned about the places they rode through. They visited Wallace, Idaho, to see the Great Fire of 1910 monument. This wildfire was one of the most destructive in American history, burning 3 million acres across three states. State and federal agencies responded by taking a more active role in firefighting. The Scouts also toured Kellogg, a city that was once a hotspot for mining silver, gold, lead and zinc.

They also did Good Turns along the way, helping another cyclist change a tire, helping someone push a car onto a trailer and pulling a fallen tree from a trail. After crossing the state line, the Scouts were shuttled back to Washington and slept a good part of the way. It had been an adventure.

“This so far is my favorite memory in Scouts,” says First Class Scout Aaron Repoff, 15. “I’ll probably remember this for the rest of my life.”

How to Fix a Flat

Rather than trying to patch it up, the troop found replacing the inner tube to be a quick and easy way to fix a flat tire.

“It takes 15 minutes,” 13-year-old Life Scout Bart Gonzalez says. “This way, we knew the tire was fixed, and we wouldn’t get a second flat.”

To replace an inner tube, first flip over the bike and loosen the axle bolt holding the wheel in place. Take the wheel off the bike frame, and unscrew the valve cap. Deflate the tube, slip a tool between the rim and the tire, and slide it around the rim to loosen the tire from the rim. Pull out the inner tube.

Inspect the inside of the tire — a sharp object that caused the flat might still be there. Tuck a new inner tube inside the tire, and then work the tire back onto the rim. Inflate the tube, and install the wheel back on the bike.

"Troop 305 Burns Up the Road on 10-Day Bicycling Trip" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

“We had a lot of luck,” the 16-year-old First Class Scout says. “For whatever reason, the fish were biting. We caught six.”

Scouts with linked troops 214 of Raleigh, North Carolina, not only had a good day at the lake last April, but also mastered wilderness survival skills over the weekend. A campout at Falls Lake allowed them to practice their resourcefulness — an essential survival skill.

Scouts crack open acorns so they could make the insides into pancakes.

ACORN PANCAKES FOR BREAKFAST

Nearly every year, the troops go on a campout during which they work on the Wilderness Survival merit badge. Those who have already earned it focus on advanced survival skills. The adults bring the survival gear, as well as a few challenges for the Scouts. This time, the Scouts had to fillet fish, build fires and make pancakes from acorns.

Henry Cash and Savannah Jerman make a survival shelter from sticks. Leaves and pine straw were added to the roof.

The first night’s activities, though, were interrupted by thunderstorms. Scouts set up shelters using trash bags but retreated from camp after lightning began crackling across the sky.

“After the rain came, I had to completely redo it,” says Second Class Scout Matthew Bridgers, 13. “It was definitely uncomfortable. Once the rain was over, I didn’t have as much padding as I did before.”

Scouts built shelters with wood they brought so they didn’t have to disrupt the environment. Other Scouts made survival shelters from plastic trash bags, duct tape and paracord.

Large trash bags can be duct-taped together and stretched over a rope tied between two trees. It’s an easy and cheap shelter that can keep you dry overnight. Place more trash bags on the ground over a bed of pine straw, and you’ve got a soft place to rest. To stake it down, grab four rocks and wrap each trash bag corner around one, securing each with string.

Kenneth Mabry empties ground acorns that had soaked in water to remove tannins.

Before the Scouts went to bed, they started preparing breakfast: acorn pancakes. They broke open the oak nuts their Scoutmaster had collected and ground the insides into a flour. The flour was placed in a satchel and left to soak in water overnight. This step removed the acorns’ tannins. If you’ve ever bitten into an unripe fruit and got a mouthful of bitterness, you’re tasting tannins — a compound the plant makes to deter animals from eating its fruit until the seeds inside are mature enough to be dispersed.

The next morning, the Scouts formed the acorn flour into patties and cooked them. It turned into a crumbly mess. Still, they learned a new way to make a meal from what nature provides.

Quinn Bennett collects lake water to treat for drinking.

ACTIVITIES GALORE

Scouts working on the merit badge had plenty of skills to master: starting a fire with flint and steel, purifying water, figuring out directions using a stick’s shadow, and making symbols to signal rescue planes. It’s a wealth of knowledge that could save your life.

Left: Mason Carver holds up a bluegill he caught. Right: Kenneth Mabry fishes while standing in the lake.

Fishing with a paper clip — which the Scouts tried — isn’t necessarily an essential life-saving skill, but it’s a great exercise in being resourceful. Straighten a paper clip and fashion it into a hook with a pair of pliers; use a file to sharpen the end.

Some Scouts tried flint knapping, the art of making tools from rock.

Scouts also knapped flint and started fires using a bow-and-drill.

“I definitely enjoyed getting outside,” Matthew says. “This gives me an opportunity to be rugged.”

Megan Lamm cleans a fish, bought before the campout so Scouts could practice this skill.

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST (OF MIND)

The campout was cut short as more thunderstorms began threatening the area. By that time, though, Scouts had completed the requirements for the Wilderness Survival merit badge. More important, the Scouts received a boost to their self-esteem by trying new things, even if they didn’t turn out perfectly. In a real survival situation, positive thinking is vital to making it out alive.

Noah Koch kindles a fire he started without matches.

Being resourceful demands positivity. If your first try fails, try again. And if that doesn’t work, think of a different way to get the result you want. During the campout, the Scouts learned several different methods for starting fires, so if one didn’t work, they had the skills for trying another. That’s also called Being Prepared.

Knowing different methods for finding or making food means Scouts don’t have to resort to buying emergency ready-to-eat meals, which they tried for lunch. To say the least, they weren’t fans of the lemon-flavored high-calorie bars.

“It tasted like chapstick,” Matthew says.

What’s Important?

Foraging meals from nature can be a rewarding skill. In a survival situation, though, it should be low on your priority list. Exposure to the elements, injuries and dehydration are much bigger concerns.

If you think you’re lost, here’s what you should do, in order of importance:

• STOP, which stands for “stop, think, observe and plan.”
• Provide first aid.
• Seek shelter.
• Build a fire.
• Signal for help.
• Drink water.
• Don’t worry about food.

You need to be absolutely sure of what you’re eating if you forage something from nature. Some wild berries, mushrooms and flowers can make you very sick or even kill you if ingested.

Fire by Friction

The bow-and-drill fire-starting method relies on friction to create heat. To start a fire this way, you’ll need a bow, spindle, hand block and fireboard. You can create all of this from wood you gather.

Wrap the bowstring, which can be a shoelace, around the spindle so it spins when you move the bow. Whittle a notch into the fireboard for the spindle to fit into; you’ll place your tinder beneath the notch.

Hold the spindle steady with a hand block, and begin quickly moving the bow back and forth to spin the spindle.

The friction from the spindle should create a spark in your tinder, which you can blow on to ignite into flames.

"Scouts Practice Resourcefulness at Wilderness Survival Campout" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Every morning, Aditya Khanna announced to his fellow Scouts that it was “time to wake up.”

Snug in their sleeping bags, the 14 others didn’t awaken annoyed, but instead welcomed the 15-year-old First Class Scout’s daily proclamations. When one of your friends can’t wait to hit the trail, the enthusiasm can be contagious. You might want to get up and get going, too, even if the trek looks difficult.

“It definitely wasn’t leisurely. ‘Brutal’ would be a better word,” says First Class Scout Rykyn Fann, 12.

Scouts relied on positivity from each other as they backpacked the rugged 38.5-mile trail around Santa Catalina Island off the California coast.

UPS AND DOWNS

After nearly a year of staying home because of the COVID-19 pandemic, linked troops 606 of Irvine, California, met in March for a six-day backpacking trek on Santa Catalina Island. The rocky island features five developed campsites connected by the Trans-Catalina Trail, which changes 9,600 feet in elevation along the way. That’s a lot of uphill and downhill hiking.

The troops trained for the trek with a couple of practice hikes. Feeling prepared, the Scouts arrived at the tourist town of Avalon after a short ferry ride. There, they fished, shopped and snapped some photos.

“Everyone really enjoyed being together and seeing each other’s faces, even if it was through a mask,” says Life Scout Elizabeth Bank, 15.

The next day, the Scouts started their trek, climbing 1,600 feet in elevation while stepping around cacti and over rocks. With little shade, the sun beat down on them all day. Fortunately, the campsite had cold showers — a soothing relief after a hot day.

That evening, a bison wandered near camp.

Foxes, deer, birds and a herd of more than 100 bison live on Santa Catalina Island. The bison aren’t native; they were imported in the 1920s by a movie crew and left there. Today they roam the island, and a conservation group monitors the herd’s health.

“I thought it was a horse stomping around,” says Tenderfoot Scout Cammie Corcoran, 14. “I was too tired to get out of my tent.”

The exhausted Scouts still had 30 miles to go to complete the trek.

“I was destroyed after that hike,” says First Class Scout Rudra Desai, 13. “I had to think myself out of quitting. I continued, and it was well worth it.”

KEEP GOING

The next day, the trail led the group to Airport in the Sky, a municipal airport that features a café and a gift shop. Airport in the Sky is one of the highest points on the island.

“We were above the clouds,” Rudra says. “The views were just amazing. You could see the ocean on both sides.”

The Scouts chatted with a few other hikers at this rest stop.

“There was a couple with a baby. That was cute to see a baby on the trail,” Elizabeth says.

“I think it was amazing,” Rykyn says. “The baby and all that stuff they were carrying were heavier than what we were carrying.”

Moments like those inspired the group. Suddenly, hiking uphill while carrying a 35-pound backpack didn’t seem so bad.

Scouts cheered each other on as they used the caterpillar method. This method lets you take multiple breaks while slowly moving along the trail. The lead hiker steps off the trail while everyone else marches past. Then the lead hiker falls back in line, becoming the “butt of the caterpillar,” as the Scouts jokingly called it. The new lead hiker does the same. Over a mile, everyone got about four breaks.

“We know it’s a hard hike,” Rudra says. “You might not be having fun, but you’re together with your friends.”

Encouraging each other just came naturally.

“I wasn’t trying to show Scout spirit. It was nice to see someone else smile,” Elizabeth says.

HAPPY MOMENTS

On the other side of the island, Scouts stayed at coastal campsites. They slept under the stars, played on the beach and cast their lines from the shore.

First Class Scout Shayaan Ali, 15, worked on the Fishing merit badge, learning how to handle a rod and reel. When looking for saltwater fish along a beach, pay attention to structures — both natural, like sandbars, and manmade, like piers. Fish tend to seek food that travels with or gets caught in the current around these structures. Several Scouts caught fish on the trek, including Aditya, who snagged a 14-inch calico bass.

“I got to gut it and eat it,” he says. “I thought it tasted pretty darn good, because I caught it. That was not on my meal plan.”

Something else not on the schedule was paddleboarding, but Scouts took the opportunity to get on the water during their last stop at Two Harbors village before heading home. It was a fun end to a challenging campout.

“We can overcome a lot more than we think we can,” Rudra says.

"Scouts Hike the Challenging Trails of Santa Catalina Island" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Backpacking through the remote wilderness of Yellowstone National Park, the Scouts of Troop 4900 sat down in a circle to rest. Sitting like this gave the Scouts a view of every direction. They didn’t want a bear or other dangerous animal suddenly sneaking up on them. Within a few minutes, Life Scout Miles Berry, 16, saw a bison emerge from the trees — about 50 feet from the group.

“Bison,” he said.

His friends weren’t alarmed. On the trail, they had seen twice as many bison as people.

“No, close!”

Everyone turned around and witnessed the massive woolly beast lumbering toward them. Slowly and carefully, the Scouts and adult leaders grabbed their packs and slinked farther down the trail, out of the nearly 2,000-pound creature’s sight.

The experience demonstrated the importance of teamwork in keeping everyone safe. It represented just one lesson the troop from Woodstock, Georgia, learned during its 55-mile trek.

PREPARING FOR BEAR COUNTRY

For more than a year, Troop 4900 planned a trip to our country’s first national park. Coming from Georgia, the Scouts knew they might encounter some things they weren’t used to. So they went on a couple of practice hikes and had a gear shakedown. During one hike, they practiced stringing up bear bags and handling bear spray.

“We made sure to carry our bear spray with us at all times,” says Thelonious Coe, a 17-year-old Life Scout.

Bear pepper spray is a deterrent designed to irritate an aggressive bear’s breathing, giving you time to escape. Studies have shown it’s highly effective when discharged properly, although you likely will never need to use it. The odds of being attacked by a grizzly bear in Yellowstone are 1 in 2.7 million. Still, you should Be Prepared, especially when hiking in the backcountry.

An adult leader, wearing an orange sign that simply said “Bear,” would sometimes pop out of the woods on the practice hike and mimic bear behavior, just as a reminder they should always be alert and have their spray ready.

KODIAK CURRICULUM

Backpacking in Yellowstone would be an adventure in itself, but the Scouts decided to add another element: BSA’s Kodiak Challenge. The Kodiak Challenge
is a weeklong leadership training course designed to enhance an outdoor trek. Each day comes with a new leadership activity followed by time to delve into lessons from that activity.

The troop’s first challenge was to set up camp without saying a word. When you’re accustomed to communicating verbally, it can be tough. Simply pointing to what you want doesn’t tell others your intention. And doing everything yourself slows down the task. The Scouts figured out that hand gestures and written notes worked well.

“It emphasized that if you can’t communicate with your group, you can’t accomplish anything else,” 16-year-old Star Scout Sean Rollins says.

Other challenges involved brainstorming how to cross a river without getting wet — a lesson in teamwork — and discussing the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

“It helped make every day different,” Sean says. “With this, we woke up and we had a talk; we had a challenge. It made the trip more exciting and gave us more to reflect on.”

What better place to reflect than in Yellowstone National Park?

AMAZING WILDERNESS

Yellowstone, which covers 2.2 million acres across three states — Wyoming, Montana and Idaho — is home to boiling hot springs, towering waterfalls and more than 500 geysers, including famous Old Faithful.

“In some places, you can hike 20 miles to go see a pretty view,” Miles says. “In Yellowstone, you hike 20 miles of pretty views.”

At night, the crew looked up at the Milky Way and could pick out satellites moving across the sky.

“There were a lot of satellites,” says Oscar Shetler, a 16-year-old Life Scout. “The first night, we saw well over 20.”

The Scouts also counted the wildlife they spotted during the week: 68 bison, 11 chipmunks, one snake and one squirrel. No bears, but they did find tracks. They also heard elk bugling and wolves howling. The Scouts saw only 32 people on the trail.

Even when surrounded by such untamed splendor, backpacking for miles can get a little tiresome.

“We’d get bored while walking, so talking gave us something to focus on,” 17-year-old Life Scout Brian Kervin says.

Conversations ranged from Scouting values to fast-food cravings to the best Star Wars movie. The consensus on the last topic: Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith.

GAINING PERSPECTIVE

Hiking past shed elk antlers, bubbling mudpots and geothermal pools reminded the troop that they were trekking through parts of the park that most tourists never get to visit.

“I’ll never see something like that again,” says Clay Love, a 15-year-old Life Scout.

Adding the Kodiak Challenge to the trek enriched the entire experience. It turned into more than a hike through Yellowstone’s backcountry; it was a time to grow as a leader and a person.

“I learned more in those five days than in five years,” Oscar says.

Check out the Kodiak Challenge and other youth training courses at go.scoutlife.org/kodiak

THE AMERICAN BISON

Bison are enormous creatures. Males weigh as much as a ton and stand 6 feet tall. Yet they’re fast: They can run up to 35 mph. They’re also strong swimmers and can jump high fences.

Scientifically, the giant herbivores are named “bison,” although many people call them “buffalo.” The Lakota tribes call them “tatanka.” Native Americans relied on the animals for food, shelter, clothing and tools.

At more than 30 million strong, bison herds once roamed most of America. As settlers pushed West in the 1800s, the majestic animals were hunted nearly into extinction. Conservation efforts helped the wild population rebound to 30,000 today. About 5,000 live in Yellowstone, the only place where they’ve lived continuously since prehistoric times.

"Troop Discovers More Than Just Natural Beauty in Yellowstone’s Backcountry" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

When a Scout couldn’t backpack any farther along the mountainous Timberline Trail, the rest of the crew stopped to figure out what to do.

“We sat down on the trail,” says Owen MacHaffie, a 15-year-old Eagle Scout. “We all took our gear off, and we thought how to get them out safely and how we follow all the rules for Scouts.”

They texted the Scout’s parents to come pick him up. Owen, along with others, helped escort the tired Scout off the mountain. The next day back on the trail, Owen had to make the same difficult decision about whether to continue or not.

Sometimes it’s gratifying to dig deep, keep going and finish the trek, but if you’re too exhausted, it’s more important to not hurt yourself and to try again another time.

HEADING TO MOUNT HOOD

For months, Troop 799 of Tigard, Oregon, stayed home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. When restrictions eased over the summer, Scouts jumped at the opportunity to explore. The troop chose the 41-mile trail encircling Mount Hood — at 11,240 feet, it’s Oregon’s tallest peak. The Timberline Trail provides a scenic trek with views of waterfalls, forests and, of course, the mountain. It’s a grueling challenge, though, as the loop trail climbs and descends from 3,300 feet in elevation to 7,350 feet.

Like any trek, you must be physically ready. One way to prepare for a big trip is to go on a practice hike or two. Practice hikes are shorter outings during which you can get used to traveling with heavy packs, climbing steep hills and strengthening your body. However, due to the coronavirus, the troop didn’t do one.

“We were restless; we wanted to do a big backpacking trek,” 12-year-old First Class Scout Jonathan Ayers says.

That’s understandable since the pandemic had cancelled so many campouts. Still, the Scouts would soon realize how vital it is to practice.

THE CHALLENGE BEGINS

The troop met at the Timberline Lodge at 5,900 feet to start a four-day journey with more than 10,000 feet in elevation gain along the way. The first day, though, was all downhill.

“It was very deceiving,” says Nick Leinberger, a 17-year-old Eagle Scout. “We’re all singing along; it was a very peaceful start before the craziness of the elevation gain.”

The Scouts hoped to travel about 10 miles each day. That meant a full day of backpacking, even on the first day.

“We were a little sore and tired, but we were ready for the next day,” Jonathan says.

After the Scouts passed the 120-foot cascading Ramona Falls, the trail started uphill. Soon, one of the Scouts became bushed. The crew split up so the weary Scout could be safely escorted back to his parents while everyone else marched ahead to set up camp. However, that meant the escorting group needed to hike 21 miles total to reach camp. They didn’t get there until after sundown.

The next morning, Owen contemplated continuing. Finishing this trek would fulfill the requirements for the Backpacking merit badge. But would it be worth it?

Not if it seriously threatens your health and safety. Owen chose to text his parents to come pick him up. Using the buddy system, Owen was also escorted to the base of the mountain.

“I’m really glad the people that were hurting left,” Jonathan says. “It was the most elevation gain we had to hike so far.”

GOING AROUND THE MOUNTAIN

While some Scouts went home to recover, the rest pushed forward. Out of the forest, the crew crossed muddy, frothy creeks, found snow patches and looked out for miles from rocky trails closer to the summit.

Morale soared as the Scouts enjoyed the natural beauty around them. Without shade, it turned into a hot hike under the sun, but at night, the temperature dropped into the 40s.

“We all ate dinner, sitting on a log, laughing,” Jonathan says. “We were having such a good time at camp. That was one of the better nights.”

On the final day, the trail dropped back into the forest, where the group spotted white smoke over a wooded ridge.

“We saw the plume of smoke,” Nick says. “We watched the helicopter circle over it.”

As the helicopter dumped water to douse the blaze, Nick received a text message from his father: a strong windstorm was headed their way. The windstorm, gusting at speeds of more than 60 mph, could spread that fire in a heartbeat. This time, everyone needed to go home — now.

The Scouts scurried down the trail. The air grew hazy with smoke. Just after they reached their destination, forest rangers closed the area.

They avoided the dangerous windstorm, which knocked down thousands of trees, blocking the path along Timberline Trail. The exhilarating end capped off a trip full of blessings counted and lessons learned for future treks.

“I will be doing lots of practice hikes,” Owen says. “I’m definitely doing it again.”

Avoid Wildfires

If you come across a wildfire in the wilderness like Troop 799 did, watch the smoke — it can tell you a lot. White smoke usually means light brush and grass is burning, while dark smoke typically means heavy brush and trees are ablaze. Wildfires can spread twice as fast in dry, grassy areas versus in dense forests.

Wildfires are unpredictable, but you can get a good idea of their path by the direction the wind blows the smoke high in the air. You’ll want to stay upwind of the fire and move perpendicular to the wind.

Flames also travel faster uphill as heat rises, so seek lower ground. Search for firebreaks — areas with very little combustible material, like roads, large bodies of water and rocky terrain.

"Great Rewards Can Come By Pushing Your Limits, But Sometimes It’s Wise To Stop" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

When it comes to your future, you should make the most of your Scouting experience. On an application for college or a job, it’s not enough to just list Scouting as one of a half-dozen bullet points on your résumé. You need to explain the significance of that experience and how it shaped you.

By elaborating about your awards, leadership opportunities, volunteer hours and hands-on activities, you bring your Scouting experience into sharp focus, which can move your application to the top of the pile.

WHY CONTEXT MATTERS

So why not just list that you are an Eagle Scout or spent however many years in a pack, troop, ship or crew? Because colleges and employers want more than the “what.” They also want the “so what?”

Check out these excerpts from two fake-but-realistic résumés from the same Scout. Which reference to Scouting looks more impressive?

You know that years of Scouting means you completed service projects, earned merit badges and held leadership roles. But how would an application reader or hiring manager know that? You have to show them.

WHERE SHOULD YOU INCLUDE SCOUTING EXPERIENCE ON JOB APPLICATIONS?

• On your résumé: Under volunteer experience, include an overview of your Scouting accomplishments. If you worked a paid job — at summer camp, for example — list that separately.

• In your cover letter: Think of a memorable Scouting experience — one that helped solidify your leadership skills and shows your commitment to get the job done. Turn that into a short narrative that catches the hiring manager’s attention. Which of the following intros makes you want to read more?

Example 1: “I spent four years as a Scout in Troop 123. As senior patrol leader, I learned how to overcome setbacks, lead my peers and work in a productive team.”

Example 2: “Sunset was just an hour away, but that night’s campsite was still 10 miles down the trail. As the leader of this group of Scouts — someone elected to get the job done — I had a decision to make.”

WHERE SHOULD YOU INCLUDE SCOUTING EXPERIENCE ON COLLEGE APPLICATIONS?

• In your application: Colleges say they look at everything you send — not just your GPA and test scores. This means you’ll want to include Scouting under sections like volunteer experience or extracurricular activities. If there’s space, include a few highlights.

• In your essay: Find the university’s mission statement. Which of its stated values align closest with Scouting values? In that overlap, you might find inspiration for your essay. If the university values innovation, talk about the time you invented a camp gadget using only the materials in your troop trailer. If it values leadership, write about how you led a group of Scouts on a 50-mile hike across rugged terrain.

HOW TO SPOTLIGHT SERVICE PROJECTS

Eagle Scout service projects check so many boxes. They show that you can manage a multifaceted project, create a budget, lead others and commit yourself to something that takes months to complete. All that, plus the impact on the community.

If you’re an Eagle Scout, include your service project in your résumé or application. It also might form the backbone for a cover letter or admissions essay. If you aren’t an Eagle Scout, choose any memorable community service project. Describe how the project ignited a passion for selfless service.

These words can be more impactful when paired with numbers, so include how many hours of volunteer time you’ve given. Check out the “value of volunteer time” calculation at go.scoutlife.org/volunteertime. There, the nonprofit group Independent Sector determined that in mid-2021 each volunteer hour was worth $28.54 to the nation (the number regularly changes). If you’ve accumulated 100 hours of service in your Scouting career, that service is worth $2,854.

HOW TO DESCRIBE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Scouting is unique among extracurriculars because it’s truly led by youth. Make this as clear as possible by sharing how, as senior patrol leader or patrol leader, you planned an entire year of activities, including meetings, campouts and a weeklong canoeing trip.

On a job application, describe how, as quartermaster, you prepared a detailed inventory for $3,000 in troop camping equipment. Or tell in a college essay how, as troop historian, you conducted interviews and historical research to prepare a video celebrating your troop’s 100th anniversary.

HOW TO EXPLAIN MERIT BADGES

Employers want to hire people who have many talents and can adapt to changing needs of the workplace. Colleges want to admit students who demonstrate a range of skills and show a willingness to learn.

Every time you earn a merit badge, you gain skills in a subject area with real-world value. Share both the number of merit badges you earned and a few specific examples. If you earned one with a direct link to the job or university, include it for sure. For example, if you’re applying for an after-school job at a pet store and have earned the Pets merit badge, list it. If you’re hoping to major in anthropology and earned the American Cultures merit badge, be sure to say so.

HOW TO INCLUDE HIGH-ADVENTURE EXPERIENCES

Scouting trips lasting a week or longer require months (or years) of planning, training and fundraising. So the story isn’t that you got to go kayaking in Alaska or hiking at Philmont. It’s about everything leading up to the trip. It’s about the hurdles you overcame along the way. It’s about how you came back changed forever.

THREE OTHER QUICK TIPS

• Don’t use jargon. Don’t assume everyone knows common Scouting terms like “merit badge,” “senior patrol leader” or “National Jamboree.” Briefly explain what they are.

• But don’t leave out Scouting keywords, either. This is important as some employers move to computerized résumé scanners that automatically organize and rate applicants. If you’re an Eagle Scout but only say that you “earned the highest award in the Boy Scouts of America,” the employer might overlook it completely.

• Plan for the interview. For a job or college interview, consider how your Scouting experience might be showcased verbally. Interviewers often use résumés to find icebreakers, and your time in Scouting might be what they choose. Be Prepared to tell your Scouting story by rehearsing it with friends or family.

"How to Include Scouting on Job or College Applications" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

With two 48-ounce Nalgenes and a couple of 32-ounce water bottles, Andrew Hruby thought he had enough for each day of his troop’s 40-mile backpacking trek.

But the first day on the trail required trudging uphill — a 2,100-foot gain in elevation — under a hot sun with little shade. The 15-year-old First Class Scout drank all his water, and he still had a mile until he would get to the campsite.

“We all knew how high we were going to go,” says Josh Hebert, 14, a Life Scout. “We wanted to end each day at a lake so we could have a steady water source and go swimming.”

That’s good planning. Good teamwork called for some of the faster hikers to run ahead, filter water from the lake and bring it back to their thirsty friends. The additional hydration helped all the Scouts finish the 8-mile hike to Husband Lake.

“When you got in, it was refreshing,” Andrew says. “The water was pretty; there was nice shade.”

Swimming in the lakes wasn’t the only daily reward Troop 282 of Eugene, Oregon, received while hiking through the Three Sisters Wilderness.

BACK TO NATURE

The COVID-19 pandemic foiled the troop’s exciting out-of-state plans last summer, as it did for many Scouts all over the country. However, the Scouts found adventure closer to home. The Three Sisters Wilderness in western Oregon is a 281,000-acre area named after three 10,000-foot-tall volcanoes. The wilderness also includes about 260 miles of trails, including parts of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, a favorite among backpackers.

“It’s not always about backpacking. Seeing the scenery and getting outdoors is great,” says Jack Olson, a 15-year-old Star Scout. “You get to see the stars at night and get away from everything.”

The Scouts planned a five-day trek through forests and across streams, often with a view of the volcanoes. Some wanted to work on the Backpacking merit badge, while others went for fun.

“I wanted to go because of the adventure of it all,” says Eagle Scout Derek Saxman, 17. “It’s a whole different kind of experience.”

To fully enjoy an outing, you should consider every detail. Hot weather in the forecast? End each day at a lake to cool off. Want some entertainment if you don’t plan on swimming? Pack a deck of playing cards. Is everyone carrying their own meals? Go light by buying dehydrated food and a small backpacking stove.

“You want to bring the best gear you can buy on your budget,” Derek says. “A lightweight backpack is really helpful.”

Derek found his pack on sale for $80. With all his gear, it weighed 34 pounds. Your loaded pack shouldn’t weigh more than 20% of your body weight. The lighter the load, the easier it is on your body. To reduce weight, shop for lighter gear or leave some items at home, but remember to bring your essentials, like a first-aid kit and a pocketknife.

BEAUTY ALL AROUND

While the first day proved tough, the next couple of days offered much flatter terrain in the shade as Scouts hiked past towering evergreen trees.

“I really enjoyed the scenery and seeing the Sisters through the trees,” Josh says.

Keep your head up with your eyes and ears alert, and you can appreciate the environment. Instead of quickly crossing, the Scouts stopped at creeks, where they discovered snakes and salamanders. One lake teemed with thousands of toads.

“It was really cool,” Josh says. “You could hear them jumping around.”

At night, some Scouts set up tents or hammocks, and some slept on a tarp.

“We were woken up one night by what we thought was a mountain lion scream,” says Orion Braham, 16, a Life Scout. “The wildlife was awesome to hear.”

DEALING WITH THE UNEXPECTED

Sleeping out in the open is fine on comfortable, dry evenings, which the weather forecast predicted for the week. With this in mind, some Scouts opted not to bring rain gear or tents.

But the weather can change in a hurry, especially in the mountains. On the fourth night, it started to sprinkle and mist.

“When it does that all night, you get soaked,” Andrew says.

Another unwelcome surprise came during the last couple of days. The trail was poorly defined, littered with sharp brush and fallen logs. Scouts carefully watched their steps on the uneven ground.

“It was slow going. If we couldn’t see the trail, we waited for everyone,” says Eagle Scout Connor Griffiths, 16.

To stay on the right path, Scouts pulled out their maps and compasses, and also checked the adult leaders’ GPS. Despite the challenges, they finished the trek — proud of their accomplishment, but mostly grateful to have hiked in such a beautiful area.

“It’s important to look where you are, not just a few feet in front of you,” Derek says.

VOLCANOES IN THE U.S.

Oregon is home to 17 volcanoes, including the Three Sisters. The Sisters’ last eruption was about
1,900 years ago.

America has more than 160 active volcanoes, and more than 140 of them are in Alaska. California has the second most with 18. Volcanoes are in practically every other western state. An active volcano is usually defined as having erupted within the past 10,000 years. There are about 500 active volcanoes worldwide.

"Troop Finds Adventure in the Three Sisters Wilderness" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

As they prepared for the 42nd annual Great Hiwassee River Raft Race, the Scouts from Troop 10 in Cleveland, Tennessee, had a plan: Finish with the fastest time.

The Scouts from Troop 1010, also from Cleveland, had their own plan: Embrace the event’s theme by dressing up in cool costumes and showing tons of enthusiasm, and if they finish with a decent time, so be it.

Then there were the Scouts in Troop 116 from Signal Mountain, Tenn., who had a different kind of plan: Have fun, do the best they can and enjoy their float down the river.

That’s the great thing about the annual Great Hiwassee River Raft Race, sponsored by the Ocoee District of the Cherokee Area Council: There’s room for all of the above.

Participants get to build their own rafts (following specific safety guidelines) and work as a team to paddle down a very calm section of the Hiwassee.

“It’s just really fun,” says 14-year-old Audrey Webb from Troop 1010. “A lot of different troops get together and make rafts, and there’s different themes every year that you can follow, and you can make costumes … and then you just race down the river.”

FIRST THINGS FIRST

For most troops, the process of building a raft that can support five to eight Scouts while also staying afloat begins weeks before the actual race. Troops that have participated in the event multiple times might be able to get it done the night before.

Teams start with basic flotation inner tubes. The number of tubes depends on the number of Scouts that will be on that raft. Teams need one tube per Scout — plus one extra, just in case.

Scouts use biodegradable twine to tie the rafts together. (That way, if some of the twine ends up in the river, no harm done.) Then, they use naturally occurring wood — most teams choose bamboo — to provide a structure to sit on. The whole thing is tied together with the knots and lashings they’ve learned over the years in Scouting.

The final required item is a safety rope, to be used to pull someone to safety. (Hopefully you won’t need that.)

Some teams build really fancy rafts, with such luxuries as footrests and seat backs. Others keep it simple and just build an easy flat platform to sit on.

“We had the older Scouts show the younger Scouts how to do proper lashings,” says Ethan Bullock from Troop 116. “Then we went back and checked all the lashings to make sure the raft wouldn’t fall apart.”

DRESSING UP

Before any raft goes in the water, it’s inspected for safety by race officials. Lashings are tightened — or completely redone, if necessary.

The theme of the most recent Hiwassee race was Vikings.

Let’s just say Troop 1010 took this seriously. Very seriously.

They called their team the Viking River Queens. They dressed up as Vikings, complete with shields.

“We go all out,” Audrey says. “It’s just like something fun for us to do. We enjoy it every year. We had the shields on our raft for inspection and we had our flag. …It’s just another fun thing to add to the race.”

For their efforts, they earned first place for best design.

They also earned first place for best overall, because it turned out their boat was pretty fast, too.

THE RACE IS ON

With so many rafts participating, it would be impossible for all of them to start the race at the same time. Each boat is timed, and the fastest time earns the prize for that category.

Let’s just say that Troop 10 took this seriously. Very seriously.

“There’s a lot of encouragement on our raft,” says Troop 10’s Jacob Blackwell, 14, who was part of the Troop 10 raft they called Blackhawk. “The raft captain calls out when to paddle, so we’re all like, ‘One! Two! One! Two!’

“You have to constantly be thinking that someone could beat us. You’ve got to keep going.”

For their efforts, the Blackhawk won for fastest time.

As for Troop 116, the Scouts spent too much time getting stuck on a rock to compete for the fastest time award. So they just took it easy.

“We were just going out there trying to have fun with it,” says 12-year-old Aidan Castellanet.

“You don’t see a lot of civilization [on the river]. You’re just floating down and admiring nature’s beauty.”

After all, it was part of their plan.

For more information on the Great Hiwassee River Raft Race, visit cherokeeareabsa.com.

MORE PHOTOS FROM THE RACE

TUBING SAFELY

Tubing can be loads of fun, but there are many hazards to consider.

Inner tubes are difficult to steer, and they offer almost no protection in a collision. When tied together, tubes become a significant entrapment hazard. This is why you should go tubing only on slow-moving water.

You must wear shoes and your life jacket. And make sure you follow the BSA Safety Afloat guidelines. Learn more at go.scoutlife.org/safetyafloat.

"Scouts Race Down a Tennessee River on Homemade Rafts" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

This summer, it means even more.

Welcome to the BSA’s Summer of Service. It’s going on now, and you can participate as an individual, with your family or with your Scout unit by simply fulfilling the promise you’ve already made: “To help other people at all times.”

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN BE PART OF IT!

What can you do to join the Summer of Service? It’s simple.

1. Pick a project, Good Turn or random act of kindness.

2. Complete the project, Good Turn or random act of kindness.

3. Tell us what you did.

That’s it!

A Scout should do their best to help other people every day. Maybe when you go for a walk with your family you carry a trash bag and pick up litter along the way.

A group service project is another way to help people. There are all kinds of benefits to working as a team in service of others.

In addition to learning leadership (somebody has to be in charge) and teamwork (most projects will require you to all work together), you’re going to be making a difference in your community — and maybe also to the natural world around you.

The BSA’s Summer of Service runs from April to October. Do Your Best to take part!

TELL US ABOUT IT!

Visit scouting.org/summerofservice to share your service project success story with the BSA. This is important! We want to hear from every unit about how you chose to serve this summer. Notes, pictures, videos … we want it all!

A HISTORY OF SERVICE

Helping others has been part of the BSA from the very beginning. In the first edition of the handbook published in 1911, the Scout badge is described as having a knot “to remind the scout to do a good turn to someone daily.”

“To help other people at all times” was part of the very first Scout Oath.

During World War I, the United States sold Liberty Bonds to support military efforts. The BSA did its part to help, urging people to purchase bonds with the saying, “Every Scout to Save a Soldier.”

In the 1920s, the BSA added a service component to the requirements for the Star, Life and Eagle ranks. In 1965, the Eagle Scout service project was officially defined.

If you choose to participate in a project with your Scout unit, you have tons of options.

You can serve your community by working with a local food bank or homeless shelter. You can reach out to local nonprofits like churches or the Red Cross to see what kind of help they need.

You can also help the natural world around you by picking up trash, planting trees or organizing a recycling drive.

Be creative! Brainstorm! Come up with new ideas, or stick with a significant project that your unit has always done.

LOTS OF OPTIONS

You can also participate in the Summer of Service by doing a smaller act of kindness for the environment or for the people around you. These acts might seem like they happen in the spur of the moment, but they can happen only if you’re looking for them.

Maybe you notice someone at the store who could use some help with their groceries. Maybe you make it a point to say “Have a great day” to that neighbor you don’t normally talk to. Maybe you go out of your way to thank a teacher, bus driver, mail carrier or other public servant. The possibilities for the Summer of Service are wide open. The most important thing is that you get out there and do it!

BE SAFE!

While we want every unit to participate, we also want everyone to stay safe.

• Most of the photos for this story were taken before the pandemic. For any projects scheduled for this spring and summer, you’ll need to consult the Restart Scouting Checklist, which provides guidelines on conducting Scouting activities while following your local COVID-19 regulations.

• All projects should comply with federal, state or local laws regarding the safety of youth.

• Use of power tools by youth — including chainsaws, log splitters, woodchippers, and power saws or mills — are not allowed. Youth may use age-appropriate tools following tool manufacturers’ guidelines.

• For more help in planning your Summer of Service project, check out the Service Project Planning Guidelines on page 87 of the Guide to Safe Scouting.

For more details on these tips, visit scouting.org/summerofservice.

"Welcome to the Summer of Service" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

It’s a lot of work to earn Eagle. It’s also a lot to earn a BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award.

You must provide clear, written evidence that you planned, led and carried out two substantial long-term projects. (One of the projects can also serve as your Eagle Scout project, assuming it is related to conservation.)

We’re here to tell you: It can be done.

WHERE DO I BEGIN?

Interested in starting down the road toward a BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award? Start with the workbook, available for free. It’s long, so take your time. It’s packed with tons of useful information and will give you a clear idea of what you’re getting into.

Next, find yourself an advisor. An advisor is an adult with experience who can help you get where you want to go. Learn more at go.scoutlife.org/conservationadvisor.

BSA DISTINGUISHED CONSERVATION SERVICE AWARD PROGRAM

The new BSA Distinguished Conservation Service individual awards are granted by the National Council through the local council’s conservation committee to a member of a Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts or Venturing unit for exceptional and distinguished service to conservation and environmental improvement.

You must complete two conservation projects. Both must be designed to address a conservation issue or need in the local area and must benefit the environment or the creatures that live there.

The BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Awards are presented for distinguished service in natural resource conservation. The awards are:

• Youth: BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award
• Adult: BSA Distinguished Conservationist
• Organizations and Individuals: BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award Certificate

In 2020, a similar program called the William T. Hornaday Awards was discontinued, and the BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Awards program was launched. We spoke with three recent winners of the previous award to get their advice.

Trevor Burke, Troop 577, Dallas, Texas

Where He Is Now: Double majoring in mechanical engineering and mathematics and studying pre-medicine at Southern Methodist University in Dallas

His Projects: Trevor’s Eagle Scout project — which also counted as a conservation service project — focused on clearing invasive pecan trees in Texas’ Blackland Prairie Ecological Region. As he learned more about the region and the challenges it faces, he became more determined to do what he could to help.

The soil and climate of the Blackland Prairie is perfect for crops. That’s good news for agriculture — but not good news for the plants and animals native to the region. Over the years, as more and more land was converted to crop production, native plants and animals were forced out.

“I found a sense of like, ‘Wow, this ecosystem is special.’ It’s home to a lot of unique plants and animals. And it is dying off. My goal was to help save the prairies as much as I can and make a difference as best as I can.” Once he got the pecan trees under control, Trevor focused next on removing invasive grasses.

Hundreds of years ago, early farmers learned that native prairie grasses didn’t grow as fast as the grasses imported from overseas. Johnson grass became more and more popular, because it grew back quickly after being grazed by livestock. Eventually, it overwhelmed the native grass species.

Trevor developed a plan that reintroduced native grasses in concentrated areas, allowing them to slowly spread over time.

The next step was to limit erosion caused by water runoff from surrounding neighborhoods. Trevor took a drainage pipe, rerouted it so that it would divert the rainwater to a nearby meadow, and installed a row of rocks to prevent erosion.

Trevor’s next project involved the reintroduction of native bobwhite quail to the prairie. He raised the birds in a pen himself and released them into the wild. Years later, wildlife cameras indicate quail numbers are on the rise.

His advice: “You’ve got to have perseverance. It’s not always going to be straightforward. Don’t let the setbacks define you. It’s not an easy thing, and it’s not an instant thing. It’s just a matter of solving problems.”

Peter Livengood, Troop 687, Farmington, Pennsylvania

Where He Is Now: Studying fisheries and wildlife biology at California University of Pennsylvania in California, Pa.

His Projects: Peter didn’t know the BSA conservation awards existed until he was almost 17. From that point, it was an all-out race to get it done before he turned 18.

“Some people were like, ‘You’re crazy! You can’t do that!’” he says. “And I said, ‘Sure I can.’”

He certainly didn’t skimp on the hard work.

His first project was sprucing up the bioswales in nearby Ohiopyle. A bioswale is a path where water from sidewalks and streets can flow into an area with dirt and vegetation, which helps filter out pollutants before the water returns to local waterways.

Next, Peter developed a system where he and other volunteers could count the number of raptors that migrate through an area near his community called Chestnut Ridge. Counting migrating birds — and making that data available to the public — is critical for monitoring bird populations.

Peter spent months collecting data that could be used to save a nearby lake that had become choked with vegetation. He and his team went through the painstaking process of identifying all the plants in the lake, recording the water depth at multiple spots, recording the water temperature on an hourly basis and testing the water for nutrients that could be contributing to plant growth.

And, finally, Peter recruited a team to perform a second massive research project, this one on the struggling understory — the layer of plants under the main canopy of the forest — near a local campground. They found that visitors were inadvertently stomping out much of the vegetation.

“We worked with the park manager to develop a plan,” he says. “We put in some tent pads so people would know where to put their tents. We made some recommendations for signage. And we recommended planting more native vegetation to make it look natural again.”

His advice: “For me, it was all I did for eight months. It’s better to keep it manageable. Try to take it slow and plan ahead. It’s never too early to get a head start on these projects.”

James Raubenheimer, Troop 105, Exton, Pa.

Where He Is Now: Enrolled in a four-year master’s program in computer science and applied mathematics at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

His Projects: James earned the rank of Eagle at age 14. “I really enjoyed working on my Eagle Scout project more than I thought I would,” he says. “So it became, ‘What’s the next step?’”

James organized and executed a massive tree-planting effort along a stream in his community. Using a mathematical model called the Universal Soil Loss Equation, James was able to calculate how much soil was being lost per year due to the damaging effects of erosion in that area.

“We calculated it for this one area along the stream and found that 27.56 tons of acres were being lost per year,” James says. “We ended up planting around 800 trees, and we calculated that we could take that number from 27 to 0.5 tons of soil lost per year.”

James then set out to help build up the fish population in a nearby lake. Previous attempts to provide shelter for fish with downed trees had produced mixed results. James took the effort to a whole new level by designing, building and installing eight pyramid-shaped wooden structures better suited to provide shelter for smaller fish.

After that, James led an effort to remove invasive brush at a county park. He and his volunteers went after the vegetation with weed whackers and chainsaws, and then pulled the rest by hand. They also placed signs on trees to help visitors learn more about the native vegetation that was supposed to be there.

His final project was to create a website to clearly explain to citizens the tax benefits of implementing policies around their homes that would decrease the runoff of storm water that carries pollutants into local waterways.

His advice: “One of the trickiest parts of all of these projects was the paperwork. You can get overwhelmed. Use the [project] workbook, and have good advisors and mentors. Mine gave me so much good feedback and notes. They really helped guide me through the process.”

"One of the BSA’s Rarest Awards Goes to the Scouts Who Make the Biggest Impact" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

At Star Wars Celebration gatherings, you can’t avoid bumping into characters like Rey and Kylo Ren. But one year, Dark Horse Comics Editor-in-Chief Dave Marshall ran into someone he didn’t expect to see: Kerra Holt, a Jedi knight he had helped bring to life in a comic a few years earlier.

The fan “had put together this whole costume of Kerra — just the spitting image of the character,” he says.

Things got even cooler a few minutes later when a fan popped up dressed as Zayne Carrick, another character from a Dark Horse series.

“You had these two characters from these comics that I had edited hanging out at the booth,” Marshall says. “It was fun and surreal — art and life bleeding all together.”

It was also different from the typical day at the Dark Horse Comics office in Milwaukie, Oregon.

SHAPED BY SCOUTING

Marshall grew up reading comic books and participating in Troop 63 in Monroe, Connecticut. He became an Eagle Scout there in 2000. Scouting’s merit badge program inspired his career choice.

“(Scouting) was something that helped me realize that you can take a hobby, an interest, a fandom and act on that — not just be a passive consumer of it but be creative and do something.”

TO-DO LISTS

Now as the editor-in-chief, Marshall oversees all the books Dark Horse publishes — everything from traditional comics to graphic novels to fancy art books. That means he spends more time looking at to-do lists than comics.

When he does look at a comic — something he loves to do — he’s looking at the result of a year or more of work by a team of people. Often those people live around the globe and only ever meet in person at shows like Star Wars Celebration or Comic-Con International.

The person connecting them all is the editor. He or she is the one person who touches every part of a comic’s creation.

“Particularly at the beginning, the editorial job is really exciting because you’re the one that’s sort of driving the book into existence,” he says.

IT TAKES A TEAM

So what happens in the year or more before a comic appears?

At Dark Horse, many projects build on existing properties like the Nickelodeon show Avatar: The Last Airbender.

“Often projects start simply from something we’re passionate fans of,” Marshall says. “We want to see if Dark Horse can contribute something to building that universe and doing more with those characters.”

In the case of Avatar, that meant creating a series of graphic novels.

Once the original creators, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, gave the OK, one of Marshall’s editors began assembling a creative team. The key members were American writer Gene Luen Yang, who was a fan of the show, and a pair of Japanese artists who go by the pen name Gurihiru. (They had drawn short Avatar comic strips for Nickelodeon magazine, so they were already familiar with the show’s universe.)

Yang worked with DiMartino and Konietzko to develop a storyline that picked up right where the show had ended. He then wrote a script for the first 80-page book.

“The script goes page by page through the book,” Marshall says.

“It breaks down every single page: how many panels are on the page, what is in each panel, the dialog for the characters.”

After the editor approved the script, Gurihiru went to work turning Yang’s words into art. Then other members of the team added color and lettering.

“The letterer takes the script and creates all the balloon shapes, puts the words in there and makes sure it looks good,” Marshall says. “If there are any sound effects in the comic, the letterer creates those.”

Finally, all the different elements of Avatar: The Last Airbender — The Promise, Part 1 got merged together and shipped to the printer. A few months later, copies appeared in local comic shops and online retailers — and on Marshall’s desk at Dark Horse Comics.

He flipped through his copy, thinking about the team that had made it possible. But then he turned his attention to his to-do list and the next project that would bring an incredible story to life for fans.

"Eagle Scout Brings Comic Book Worlds to Life" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

It’s 3 a.m. when Austin Reeves wakes up to a rustling noise. Whatever is making the noise sounds big. Really big. And it’s getting closer.

“It sounded like it was right outside my tent,” the 12-year-old Second Class Scout says. “I was pretty sure it was a bear. I woke up my tent buddy. We were freaking out, because we didn’t know what to do.”

Austin thinks he hears the bear’s flaring nostrils sniffing around the boys’ tent. Suddenly, he remembers a tip he learned earlier in the week for warding off bears. He reaches into his backpack and pulls out his dad’s metal mess kit he’d borrowed for the trek. With the kit’s pot in one hand and pan in the other, he feverishly clangs them together.

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

“It was really loud,” Austin says. “I could barely hear anything.”

He doesn’t stop until the handles break off both the pot and pan. Then he listens. Silence.

He emerges from the tent and spots the large tracks. Yes, a bear had wandered into Troop 321’s campsite.

The overnight encounter added to an already exciting trip for the guys from Long Beach, Mississippi.

ELEVATION GAIN

Troop 321 traveled to Colorado for a weeklong 32-mile backpacking trek across the Continental Divide last June. The Continental Divide is a natural boundary stretching from Alaska to the southern tip of Chile in South America. It separates river flows between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Some of its tallest points reside in Colorado.

Hiking at 10,000 feet presented quite a challenge for the Scouts who live almost at sea level.

“We were excited, but we were anxious,” 12-year-old First Class Scout Jacob Smagur says. “This was out of our comfort zone. The highest we had hiked was part of the Appalachian Trail. We were four times higher in Colorado.”

When you live nowhere near such an elevation, you have to improvise your training. Scouts prepared by climbing stairs in parking garages and going on a practice hike. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Scouts were screened before the trip and wore masks in public places.

Another altitude precaution was not hitting the trail the day they arrived in Colorado. Instead, they allowed their bodies to adjust to the change in elevation by camping at an RV park for a couple of days.

Altitude sickness can quickly sap your energy, give you a headache and make you puke. Some complications can be fatal, so the Scouts took it slowly.

“The first day we started hiking, it was very hard to breathe,” says First Class Scout Addison Carroll, 12. “Walking with a 40 pound pack made it harder to breathe.”

SUMMER SNOW DAY

For hiking uphill, the Scouts used a “caterpillar” hiking technique. The method allowed them to frequently catch their breath without having to stop and wait for stragglers.

“We start off in a line, then the leader takes 10 paces and then steps off the trail,” 13-year-old Star Scout Lucas Santiago says. “After everybody passes, they get in the back of the line. Then the person in front does the same, and so on and so on.”

Taking more frequent, shorter breaks also helped the group maintain a steady pace, even if it turned out slower than some Scouts would’ve liked. The physical demands combined with the gradual progress created some unhappy campers. That is, until they saw their first small patch of snow.

“I’ve never seen real snow before,” Addison says. “It was even crazier to see it in June. For us, that was madness.”

Some Scouts had visited the mountains before on family vacations or even lived in Colorado briefly, but for many of these southern Scouts, this presented a new experience. They played in the snow for at least 15 minutes before picking up their packs again, and they wanted to stop at every snow patch they found afterward to play some more.

But snow isn’t always fun, especially if you’re thirsty.

“Boiling snow takes a lot longer than you think,” Lucas says. “I scooped up the snow, and then I had to filter out the pine needles. It was 30 or 40 minutes by the time I had water in my water bottle.”

STUNNING SIGHTS

Despite the frustrations, the trek was rewarding overall. For most of the troop that backpacked across the divide, nicknamed the “Divide Walkers,” those rewards came from the fantastic mountain views. At night, the Scouts could gaze down on the twinkling lights of a distant town.

A few Scouts who hiked part of the trail and then trekked back to the RV park, nicknamed the “Cave Explorers,” toured the Cave of the Winds and rode on a zip line at a nearby park. They also visited a dinosaur fossil museum and checked out the towering sandstone formations at the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

“It was very fun. I enjoyed it a lot,” says First Class Scout Christopher Spicer, 12.

The Cave Explorers group greeted the Divide Walkers as they finished their mountain journey. Together, the Scouts enjoyed a pizza dinner and a trip to an Old West museum before heading home.

“I felt like I had done something,” Addison says. “I’ve done a big hike before when we did 50 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Now I can say I hiked at 10,000 feet.”

THE DIVIDE TRAIL

If you want to hike across part of the Continental Divide, there are five states where you can do it: Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming. A scenic trail system stretches across those five states, totaling 3,100 miles.

It crosses deserts, grassy plains, mountains and national parks, including Yellowstone and Glacier.

The trail is longer than the Appalachian, which measures 2,190 miles, and the Pacific Crest, which is 2,650 miles long. The longest scenic trail in America is the North Country, at 4,600 miles.

WHEN IN BEAR COUNTRY

The bear that wandered into Troop 321’s campsite was most likely a black bear, since they live in most states.

Whenever you are camping where bears live, properly store your “smellables,” including food, trash and toiletries, away from your campsite. However, a bear might still check out your campsite.

If one does, stay calm, stand your ground and wave your arms. Yell at the bear or make loud noises to scare it away, but don’t imitate bear sounds or make high-pitched squeals — to a bear, those might sound like a wounded animal.

IN MEMORY OF DOUG CAPPS

Troop 321 Scoutmaster Doug Capps, who accompanied the unit on the Continental Divide trek, passed away in December due to complications of COVID-19 (contracted after the trip). The troop asked that we proceed with telling this story.

"At 10,000 Feet, Scouts Adjust to Backpacking in the Mountains" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

During a brisk February weekend last year, Scouts made the drive to Camp Frank G. Lumpkin in far west Georgia, searching for adventure, advancement and entertainment. But what they discovered was so much more.

The girls of Troop 19 from Auburn, Alabama, hosted a “Woods Women” campout, inviting two other troops: girls Troop 89 from Columbus, Ga., and girls Troop 307 from Montgomery, Ala., for a challenging excursion of Scout skills.

“Basically, we got a bunch of girls together from different troops near us and we did fun activities that helped with advancement — anything from knot-tying to fire-building to orienteering,” says Claudia Mattingly, a 16-year-old Life Scout. “It was really good, and it also helped bond the Scouts from different areas.”

NEW TEAMS, NEW FRIENDSHIPS

The girls — split into new patrols, mixed with different troops — tackled each task and forged friendships along the way, learning the importance of teamwork.

“The lashings really brought the Scouts together more than any other activity,” 16-year-old Star Scout Alycia Harp says. “Because it was a little more of a challenge, the girls didn’t know what to do, so it created a time for everybody to work together better, and through that we got to bond a little more.”

As it turns out, bonding and teamwork were among the most rewarding takeaways from this weekend.

“It just really surprised me that it was so easy to make friends with everybody, and it really helped the experience for me, made it a lot better,” says Emma Stone, a 15-year-old First Class Scout.

Fashioning a shelter using only sticks and rope or throwing tomahawks can boost morale and camaraderie. Apparently, according to “ace hawk heaver” 15-year-old First Class Scout Leslie Stone, it helps to have your new friends yell, “Yeet!” in unison as you throw.

“Magically, it worked every time,” Leslie says with a smile.

MAGICAL MOMENTS

The Woods Women weekend was about more than bonding through the activities — it also was about how those bonds continued to grow outside of the events. That’s when the most memorable highlights unfolded, completely organically around the campfire or the lunch table.

“In the dining hall, the first time everyone was together, we were all talking, and everyone was just having a good old time,” Claudia says. “That’s the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of this trip.”

If you’re thinking of planning a similar outing with multiple troops, you must get your council’s approval first — and remember to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines. There may be additional authorizations you’ll need beforehand, too. If approved, consider following in the hiking boots of the Woods Women.

“Prioritize making a connection with each person in your group,” Alycia says. “And that’s with whatever you do. Make a connection, understand each person, and be kind and patient and welcoming with everyone. Eventually you’ll have a relationship where everything will just come naturally. Everything will work smoothly, and you’ll succeed at whatever you want to do.”

"Scouts Form Unbreakable Bonds at Weekend Campout" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

We know you’re ready to return to summer camp. When you can, consider one of these six amazing Scout camps.

Click here to see more Scout Camps featured in previous years.

CAMP SHANDS

North Florida Council; Hawthorne, Florida; campshands.org

POOL PARTY: Slide down one of two giant waterslides — both more than 100 feet long — into the camp’s pool, which can be reserved for troop parties, complete with hot dogs and hamburgers. You can also play at the splash pad or head down to the spring-fed lake for sailing, canoeing or kayaking.

LET’S EAT: Campers eat well at Camp Shands, including Taco Tuesdays and sourdough pizza for lunch on Wednesdays.

COMFY CAMPING: It can get hot in Florida, so each campsite has an enclosed pavilion with a ceiling fan. If you reserve early, you can get a nice night’s sleep all week in one of the camp’s four treehouses. Each raised cabin has electricity and sleeps up to four Scouts.

TESOMAS SCOUT CAMP

Samoset Council; Rhinelander, Wisconsin; campingisking.com

WHERE CAMPING IS KING: For more than eight decades, Scouts have visited Tesomas, a nearly 1,200-acre wooded retreat rich with history. When you enter camp, you pass a sign with Smiley, the camp’s logo designed by The Walt Disney Company in 1952. Staff members act out skits and sing songs in the dining hall, which was built more than 85 years ago.

GO ON A MICROTREK: If you want to go on an adventure but still want some variety for the full week, check out one of the camp’s “MicroTreks.” These half- and full-day programs allow you to go zip lining, horseback riding, mountain biking and go-kart racing. You can throw tomahawks one day, drive an ATV another and end the week by hiking to several waterfalls.

WHAT’S THE THEME?: From arcade games to movies, science fiction, the Wild West and more, each year provides a different theme to the same great camping experience. From scenic lakeside camping to its massive water trampoline, Tesomas does not disappoint.

CAMP ALPINE

Transatlantic Council; Kandersteg, Switzerland; tac-bsa.org

PERMANENT JAMBOREE: You don’t have to wait years for the next World Jamboree. Camp Alpine is hosted by the BSA Transatlantic Council at the Kandersteg International Scout Centre, which annually welcomes thousands of Scouts from around the world. At barbecues and campfires, they share patches, songs and food from their countries, and teach each other a dance move or two. It’s an awesome and enriching experience.

WORKING TOGETHER: Merit badge classes can be an exercise in teamwork. Scouts taking Wilderness Survival venture out to camp in shelters. Then they are “rescued” by Scouts working on the Search and Rescue merit badge, and “treated” by those taking Emergency Preparedness and First Aid. If that’s not your cup of tea, rest assured there’s something for everyone at Camp Alpine.

REACH THE SUMMIT: Older Scouts have the opportunity to scale mountains as part of the camp’s Summit program. Spend the day hiking through the Swiss Alps or canyoneering through canyons carved by snow-fed rivers. Plans are underway to expand the program to five days, conquering four mountain peaks along the way.

CAMP GORSUCH

Great Alaska Council; Chugiak, Alaska; scoutingalaska.org

LAST FRONTIER: Camping at the base of Bear Mountain, you’ll feel like you’re in the “Last Frontier.” You can examine Alaskan gold and jade for the Mining in Society merit badge, try fly-fishing for rainbow trout or watch float planes land nearby while swimming in Mirror Lake.

BEYOND THE BASICS: First-year campers can participate in “Cheechacko Trail” and work on skills for the Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class ranks, while older Scouts have the option to be a “Silver Sourdough.” They can head out for one night of wilderness survival and focus the whole week on COPE, aquatics and other activities.

SPOOKY STORIES: The camp provides procedures for what to do if a bear enters camp, but what if Erbie Walker does? The seaweed monster might emerge from the water to terrorize campers — or, at least, that’s the story. It’s a fun campfire story that you can hear at Camp Gorsuch.

MITIGWA SCOUT RESERVATION

Mid-Iowa Council; Woodward, Iowa; campiowa.org

EXTRA EXCURSIONS: You can choose from among the 40-plus merit badges that Mitigwa offers, including Entrepreneurship, Farm Mechanics and Water Sports. On Friday, pick another adventure for the day, like scuba diving, visiting a nearby arboretum, cycling 20 miles to a nearby town or touring an interactive living history museum.

RIDGE RACING: Zip across a lake on the camp’s dual zip lines — at 680 feet long, it’s one of the largest of its kind in the Midwest. Mitigwa sits on three ridges that overlook the Des Moines River Valley, and the zip lines take Scouts across two of those scenic ridges.

CARDBOARD REGATTA: Canoeing is fun, but canoeing in a boat made of nothing but cardboard and duct tape? Well, that’s a blast — if you build it right! Troops and patrols race boats they make and decorate. Prizes go to the fastest teams, with special awards for the best-looking boat and the boat that sinks most spectacularly.

BLUE RIDGE SCOUT RESERVATION

Blue Ridge Mountains Council; Hiwassee, Virginia; bsa-brmc.org

CHOOSE YOUR CAMP: Blue Ridge Scout Reservation is made up of three camps: Powhatan, Ottari and the Claytor Lake Aquatics Base. Each provides something a little different for older Scouts. Powhatan’s high adventure focuses on canoeing and whitewater rafting, while Ottari stays primarily on land with mountainboarding, paintball at targets and rock climbing. Scouts can scuba dive and wakeboard on Claytor Lake.

SCOUTING FOUNDATION: Young Scouts get a taste of early Scouting as they put on campaign hats and take the Brownsea Island program. You learn the patrol method and develop leadership skills while working on rank requirements. Part of the program includes an overnighter and a 5-mile hike.

FUN AND GAMES: Evenings are devoted to fun at each camp. At Powhatan, Scouts challenge the camp staff to Ultimate matches. You can also play in a chess tournament or play soccer. At Ottari, the staff hosts a luau cookout with games and a water carnival. You can also ride an 800-foot zip line.

CAMPING DURING COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic forced many summer camps to shut down last summer. Some continued while enforcing strict guidelines to ensure everyone stayed safe and healthy. Others hosted virtual camps instead.

Hopefully, more camps will be open this year so you can experience all the fun that summer camps offer. Check with the camp and council often to stay updated on any guidelines for this summer. If the camp will be closed, continue checking back since there might be other cool opportunities available.

"Let’s Go Camping Again at One of These Awesome Scout Camps" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Gliding to shore in their canoes, Scouts with linked troops 65 of Circle Pines, Minnesota, scanned for the portage trail.

Nope, nothing but heavy brush.

After getting out of their canoes and investigating, they found the hidden path. Hunting for the right way to go sometimes happened, as these Scouts were on a Northern Tier voyage most had never trekked. It’s a trek that was conquered by 15 Eagle Scouts in 1930.

“It felt like I was back 90 years ago; it was amazing to see what they portaged through,” 15-year-old Star Scout Zach Short says.

Not only did the troops navigate through overgrown trails on the 82-mile trip, but they also spotted Native American rock paintings and waterfalls in the Minnesota wilderness.

You, too, can paddle the same spectacular route during the Northern Tier High Base’s 100th anniversary.

BUILDING ON TRADITION

In August 1930, the high-adventure program in Ely, Minn., invited a crew of Eagle Scouts from Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota on a seven-day trek led by canoeing experts. Some of those Scouts went on to be Scouting leaders and directors, while the experts wrote canoeing guides for the BSA.

In honor of that trek and the Scout crews that explored the wilderness in the 1920s and 1930s, Northern Tier will offer the Charles L. Sommers Trek, which follows that 1930 Eagle Scout route. For a week in July, boys and girls troops 65 explored the route, which will be an option to Scouts who visit in the 2022 and 2023 summer seasons.

“I kept a journal, because I knew things were going to get so crazy,” says Sophia Engler, a 14-year-old Second Class Scout. “It was pretty fun.”

The troops followed COVID-19 guidelines, and the week started with Sophia celebrating her birthday — she got to eat a slice of cake as she and the crew reviewed the route. Dessert wasn’t a rarity — the Scouts carried the ingredients to make more cakes while camping.

Each canoe was occupied by three Scouts and two backpacks: a big green one to store the food and cooking supplies, and a huge gray pack to hold gear. After crossing a lake, two Scouts would handle each of the packs while the other carried the canoe across the portage trail to the next lake.

Even with three per canoe, the group’s first day on the water proved difficult.

“We had to go straight into the wind,” says Life Scout Anna Peterson, 15. “That was really tough, but everyone made it across. I was proud of everyone.”

STRUGGLES AND SATISFACTION

As it turned out, the wind wasn’t the only challenge.

“The ideal paddling situation was cloudy and calm,” says Life Scout Max Theis, 15. “The sun got annoying when it beat down on you for six hours. I did wear sunscreen, but my hands still got sunburned.”

Scouts also had to maneuver their canoes around beaver dams, sometimes forced to get out of their vessels in shallow places. Not only were some portage trails hard to find, but a few were also really long. The longest hike between lakes proved to be 340 rods — that’s more than a mile.

But for any struggle, the trip presented even more rewards. Scouts watched spectacular sunrises over peaceful water layered with wispy fog. They saw Native American pictographs painted on boulders, viewable only by canoe. They spotted a majestic bald eagle dive and snatch a fish from the lake.

First Class Scout Lucas Engler, 16, fished nearly every day of the trek. Low on fishing line, he borrowed Anna’s pole threaded with a four-pound line.

“I casted three times before I got my first hit. I wasn’t able to catch it the first time,” Lucas says. “I was using a frog lure with a flasher. It attacked the legs every time. The one time I adjusted the hook, I landed that fish — at the expense of Anna’s rod.”

The pole snapped in two, but he proudly managed to pull out the smallmouth bass.

“That was a very lucky fish for me to get,” he says.

TIME TO REFLECT

A demanding yet rewarding trip, the Northern Tier trek will be one the Scouts always remember. While some moments obviously stick out in their minds, reviewing journal entries and photos stirred up even more memories — like when 15-year-old First Class Scout Benjamin Rexeisen struck a pose in camp to elicit a laugh from everyone.

“It was nice to have that close bond with people,” says Life Scout Elisabeth Bley. “It was really cool to go on, and I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I was going to.”

Those experiences are now part of Northern Tier’s nearly century-old history. The troops followed in the wake of those early Eagle Scouts, and yet this crew forged their own unique journey. And that will be the case for all crews that visit the Minnesota wilderness for this year and every year beyond.

MAKE PLANS NOW

Sign up for 2022 or 2023 treks by visiting Northern Tier’s website or by logging on to the Find Your Adventure portal.

There you can also sign up for treks at the BSA’s other high-adventure bases: Florida National High Adventure Sea Base, Philmont Scout Ranch and Summit Bechtel Reserve.

PICK YOUR TREK

Northern Tier is bringing back the Paul Bunyan Award, a participation patch last handed out 50 years ago. To earn the honor, your crew will have to head to Northern Tier and meet one of three qualifications during the 2022 and 2023 summer canoeing seasons:

• Finish a 100-mile canoe trek.
• Be from one of 10 councils within the original “Region 10” that managed Northern Tier during its first 50 years:
  — Black Hills Area — Rapid City, South Dakota
  — Central Minnesota — Sartell (St. Cloud), Minn.
  — Gamehaven — Rochester, Minn.
  — Montana — Great Falls, Montana
  — Northern Lights — Fargo, North Dakota
  — Northern Star — Fort Snelling (Twin Cities), Minn.
  — Sioux — Sioux Falls, S.D.
  — Twin Valley — Mankato, Minn.
  — Voyageurs Area — Hermantown (Duluth), Minn.
• Participate in one of two special trips: the Charles L. Sommers Trek or the Paul R. Christen Trek, a 200-mile journey over 12 days.

KNOW THE NORTHERN TIER SLANG

Portage: A trail connecting two bodies of water.

Rod: The unit to measure the length of a portage. It’s the length of one canoe. There are 320 rods in a mile.

Gray Whale: Nickname of the Northern Tier portage packs. They can hold three campers’ gear.

"Scouts Navigate the Same Northern Tier Treks That Launched Scouting’s Canoeing Tradition" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Read all about the Eagle Scout Award and the impact Eagle Scouts have made over the decades in this special digital edition of Scout Life magazine.

"Special Edition of Scout Life Celebrates Female Eagle Scouts" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Life Scout Paul Lehmann and his sister Ann, a Second Class Scout, stood at the top of the slope. It was Paul’s fourth time visiting Devil’s Head Ski Resort near Merrimac, Wisconsin, and he had all the confidence in the world.

“I had gone down most of the hills before,” says Paul, 14. “All the beginner green and blue ones, and also the orange-marked terrain park. Even three of the advanced black-diamond hills.”

“But I hadn’t,” laughed Ann, 11. “It was my first time. All I could think was, ‘Wow, we don’t have hills like this where we live in Illinois!’”

With people waiting in line behind her, Ann jammed her right foot down to lock her ski boot in place and squinted against the glaring sun pouring down the slope. Leafless oak and aspen trees marked the left and right boundaries of the run, while a wide ribbon of pure white snow ran between them.

After some encouragement from other Scouts, Ann nodded and pushed herself out of the gate. The wind stung her face and watered her eyes, but she kept on her feet as she raced down. She was skiing!

FROM PRACTICE TO PERFORMANCE

Boys Troop 9 and girls Troop 2019, both of Champaign, Illinois, were spending the weekend at Devil’s Head to earn the Snow Sports merit badge. Many of the requirements were checked off in troop meetings before the ski trip. But before they could earn the badges, the Scouts first needed to step out into the cold.

“We did a lot of activities to prepare for the trip,” says Makenna West, a 13-year-old Second Class Scout. “We layered up the Scouts with all they would need to survive time in the snow. This gave them the chance to see how it felt to move around with unfamiliar gear.”

“But it’s one thing to read about it, and another to do it!” says Daniela Stewart, a 12-year-old Tenderfoot Scout.

One of the toughest requirements was to “make a controlled run down an intermediate slope and demonstrate short-, medium- and long-radius parallel turns, a side slip and safety stop to each side and traverse across a slope.”

“Keeping things under control when you’d never skied before wasn’t easy,” 11-year-old Tenderfoot Scout Curtis Hanson says. “We managed the turns and stops, and after I got to the bottom of the hill, all I could think was: ‘I want to do it again!’”

THE VALUE OF EXPERIENCE

Skiing is a centuries-old way to travel. In the late 1800s, innovations to skiing equipment popularized downhill skiing for fun and competition, though the sport didn’t catch on in the U.S. until the 1920s and 1930s. Ski resorts opened up all over the country, and now millions of people enjoy them each year. Devil’s Head has been a skiing destination for Troop 9 for the past few years.

“Most of the older guys had been there before, and they gave a lot of advice to help keep us safe,” 11-year-old Scout Addison Dyer says. “Some guys took some good tumbles. You kind of chuckled when someone fell and cheered when they got up. We rated the falls like in the Olympics. Nobody got a perfect 10, but they came close.”

Tumbles will happen — skiing requires balance and proper technique. Supporting each other during a shared experience is important, especially for those who are trying something new. Snow sports can be strenuous; you need to be physically fit.

END OF THE RUN

By day’s end, everyone was tired but happy. Their time on the slopes wrapped up with only a few sore muscles, and they gathered at the bottom of the hill to trade jokes and stories before heading inside to roaring fires, pizza and a heated swimming pool.

Through careful preparation, solid teamwork and a dash of bravery, the Scouts finished their time at Devil’s Head.

“And everybody earned their Snow Sports merit badges,” Ann says. “I didn’t try any of the double-black runs, but there’s a whole lot more skiing I want to do.”

“And next year you can teach me a few new tricks!” Paul says.

SNOW SPORTS MERIT BADGE

Downhill skiing isn’t the only winter sport you can do to earn the Snow Sports merit badge. You can also try cross-country skiing or snowboarding. For any activity, make sure you wear a helmet and stay in designated areas.

FOR YOUR SKI TRIP

Here’s how to be ready for your own trip to the slopes.

1. Exercise. Stretch every day for 5-10 minutes. Go jogging three times a week for at least a mile. To help build those hill-climbing leg muscles, skip the elevator and take the stairs.

2. Prepare. Brush up on your first aid. Make sure at least one person in your party has a good first-aid kit and knows how to use it. Dress in layers. If you wear only one thick coat, you will become very uncomfortable. Don’t forget the little things! Hand sanitizer, extra batteries and a pack of playing cards can come in handy.

3. Where to Go? There are more than 200 ski resorts in the U.S. This means wherever you live, it shouldn’t be too far to get to one. Each resort has its own specialties. Some feature challenging runs, while others cater to first-timers. Pick the one that best matches your abilities and interests. Most resorts offer discounts on lift tickets, rooms and equipment rentals if you have enough people in your party. So try to take your friends!

"Illinois Scouts Brave the Slopes for a Cool Merit Badge" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Scouting offers many opportunities for you to lead. The longer you’re in the program, the more others will look to you to step up. But how do you become a good, responsible leader who commands respect from Scouts and adults alike? Here are a few tips:

• Keep your word. If you say you’ll do something, do it. If you don’t know if you’ll be able to keep a promise, don’t make a promise. Your words won’t mean much when you don’t follow through consistently with your actions.

• Communicate and delegate. Treat your troop as your team, not as your subordinates. Share your plans or challenging situations with them rather than keeping it all to yourself. Someone else could have a good idea for how to tackle a problem. Assign tasks to take pressure off yourself and to empower your team.

• Be fair. You might want to rely on your friends, but showing favorites can create resentment. Be empathetic and treat everyone the way you’d want to be treated.

• Give praise and encouragement. Let your troop know you value their help and effort. Simply saying “good job” can go a long way.

• Ask for help. You don’t have to do everything yourself. Adult leaders can provide guidance; fellow Scouts can provide support. You’re not a failure if you fail. It’s all part of growing as a leader.

Every job contributes to a vibrant, effective troop. Check out all the Scouts BSA positions of responsibility.

"How to Earn Respect as a Leader" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Madison Findley was worried when it came time to untie the Siberian and Alaskan huskies pulling her dogsled.

“They wanted to chase the dog team in front of them,” says Madison, 14, a Life Scout with girls Troop 216 of La Grange Highlands, Illinois. “You could tell they were ready to go really fast. I felt like I was going to fall off.”

Instead, she deftly unhooked the anchor rope, put it in her passenger’s lap and hopped on the back to help guide the sled through the Wisconsin woods. She did it exactly the way the instructors at Tomahawk Scout Reservation’s Snow Base taught her.

Sam Perez also was a little nervous when he first drove a dogsled during his troop’s January adventure.

“But then I calmed down,” says Sam, 13, a Life Scout. “It was clear to me the dogs knew what they were doing.”

DOG DAYS OF WINTER

Dog sledding is just one of more than a dozen fun activities offered at Snow Base in Birchwood, Wis. Several troops meet at the camp every weekend during the winter, choosing a few activities to try. Those who go dog sledding start by focusing on the well-being of the animals.

“The No. 1 rule: Take care of the dogs first,” says Robert Brusak, a 16-year-old Eagle Scout of boys Troop 216.

That means feeding, watering and picking up after the dogs before Scouts eat their own meals, as well as making sure the dogs have fresh straw in their beds at night.

Once they had dog care down, they learned to harness the huskies to the sleds.

“I feel that was the most challenging thing, because the dogs are a lot stronger than me,” 14-year-old Life Scout Kristina Findley says.

When it was time to ride, a guide and a Scout took the lead dogsled. Two Scouts — one driving and one riding — followed in a second dogsled. They trekked along a snow-packed trail that made a giant loop. At the halfway point, the driver and the passenger switched places. Being the driver wasn’t always easy.

“Sometimes you had to help by pushing the sled up the hills,” Kristina says.

After a full day of dog sledding, everybody relaxed with a taco meal and a moonlight hike to a frozen lake where they studied the constellations. Some Scouts howled to see if their sled dogs would howl back — they did.

SLEEPING IN THE SNOW

Meanwhile, Scouts from Troop 516 in Woodridge, Ill., pulled sleds loaded with camping gear to a different frozen lake. There they learned how to build snow shelters called “quinzees.” They made a big pile of snow, says Ricky Zawodniak, a 17-year-old Eagle Scout. Then the snow pile needed a few hours to settle and solidify.

“The sun warms it up, it melts a little bit and then it refreezes,” Ricky says.

That gave them time to try cross-country skiing.

First Class Scout Becca Zawodniak, 14, of girls Troop 516, was trying the activity for the first time.

“I really enjoyed skiing,” Becca says. “I didn’t want to stop.”

The Scouts also went tubing before returning to their snow piles to turn them into sleeping quarters. That meant digging out a door.

“We used our hands or feet — and sometimes a shovel,” 14-year-old Star Scout Ben Larsen says. “Digging out the inside of the quinzee was a lot harder than building the snow pile, because we were at a weird angle — trying to hit snow off the roof.”

Ben and his fellow Scouts put tarps on the floor of their completed quinzee, along with two sleeping pads per person, and then special sleeping bags provided by Snow Base. Sleeping in the quinzee was the best part of the weekend.

“Because it had been hectic all day, it was nice to be relaxed and warm,” Ben says.

He liked quinzee-building so much that he and his friends made another one when they got home.

MORE FUN AT SNOW BASE

Tubing down Snow Base’s designated hill was the highlight for many members of Chicago, Ill., Troop 599 during the Snow Base weekend.

“The way the path was made, you were twisting and turning going down the hill,” Life Scout Jahlil Brown, 13, says. “I just found a lot of joy in it.”

Troop 599 also played broomball on a frozen lake; it’s like ice hockey, except you’re wearing boots instead of skates. Scouts learned to build different snow shelters. One involved making a tepee using a parachute. For another, they stacked bricks out of patted snow.

Turkey-and-rice soup was the perfect supper after a day of fun and hard work.

“At that point, we would have eaten about anything,” says Life Scout Erik Erling, 15. “But having hot soup really lifted our spirits.”

Like many Scouts, he’s ready to go back.

“I want to keep pushing myself to do more,” Erik says. “Next time, I want to spend two nights outdoors.”

Born to Run

For thousands of years, people have used dogs to travel across frozen, forbidding terrain. Breeds like the Siberian husky and Alaskan malamute were developed to work in such conditions; Alaskan huskies are a mix of several different breeds, including greyhounds.

These sled dogs have thick double-layered coats to keep them warm in subzero temperatures.

They have incredible endurance, capable of running up to 1,000 miles in about a week. Their bodies regulate their metabolism, so while they burn calories, they don’t burn fat reserves.

Take Care in the Cold

Staying warm, dry and well-hydrated are key for winter camping. This includes:

• Wearing layers of non-cotton clothing loose enough to allow good circulation.

• Taking off layers if you become too warm. Sweaty clothes can make you cold.

• Carrying spare dry clothing to change into if the clothes you are wearing become damp.

• Changing into dry clothes before going to bed.

• Storing sweaty clothing in a daypack or gear bag, not in your sleeping bag.

• Regularly brushing the snow off your clothes to help stay dry.

• Always wearing a hat.

• Drinking water regularly. It’s easy to get dehydrated, but don’t eat snow. It can make you colder. Melt it instead.

• Keeping your water bottle inside your jacket to keep it from freezing.

• Eating snacks, such as trail mix, to help you stay warm.

"What’s More Fun Than Winter Camping? Camping with Pups!" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Jacob Shanahan tumbled into the chilly river. The 12-year-old Second Class Scout had been digging through his dry bag for a tasty granola bar when the current suddenly picked up, pulling his canoe straight into a large log and overturning it. Jacob screamed — with good reason.

“Right before we flipped, we saw some gators about 100 yards away,” he says.

The alligators stayed on the shore, sunning themselves. After Jacob and his canoe mate corrected their vessel, he took inventory of his gear. Clothes: soaked. Shoe: lost. Granola bar: missing.

Still, this wasn’t going to dampen his spirits. He and the rest of Troop 2001 of Naples, Florida, were not even halfway through their 19-mile paddling trek along Peace River last December. There was plenty of adventure ahead.

Paddling the Peace River

The 106-mile Peace River flows from east of Tampa, Fla., to the Gulf of Mexico. Its dark-colored water, caused by tannic acid released by decomposing plants, often discourages tourists, making it a haven for wildlife, including alligators, snakes, egrets, sandhill cranes, turtles and fish.

The waterway is also an ideal place for a weekend campout. Only a few miles downriver from the boat launch, homes no longer line the shore, replaced by towering trees draped in Spanish moss. Many trees have fallen into the river and are half-submerged, creating obstacles for Scouts steering their canoes.

“At first it was fun, but after getting stuck on seven trees, it became a challenge,” 13-year-old Star Scout Rylan Zurbrigg says. “It seemed like we got stuck around every turn. There was no way to dodge them.”

Some guys used techniques they learned at summer camp when earning the Canoeing merit badge. Teamwork and communication with your fellow paddlers help tremendously when you want to pivot, spin and move around the water.

“A lot of us have had experience,” says Daniel Medeiros, a 14-year-old Star Scout. “It requires practice and planning.”

Fossils Galore

When the troop members stopped for lunch, they scarfed down their food and then grabbed sand sifters. You’re almost guaranteed to find fossilized shark teeth buried in the banks of Peace River.

Scientists say Florida was underwater millions of years ago. People have unearthed megalodon teeth — giant shark teeth measuring as long as 3 inches — as well as bones from Ice Age-era animals like mastodons and giant armadillos.

The guys scoured the shoreline along the water’s edge. It felt like panning for gold, except instead of shiny nuggets, they were searching for animal artifacts. During their brief hunt, they discovered seashells and more than two dozen shark teeth. Most were about an inch long.

“They were small and black,” 10-year-old Scout Nathaniel Bickford says. “We used these little sifters; we put sand in them, then put them in the water, and when you pulled them up, there might be shark teeth. We found a lot. It was pretty cool.”

A Bonding Experience

Back on the river, the guys socialized and enjoyed the scenery. They snapped photos, sang tunes from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and cruised under bridges.

On straightaways, Peace River lives up to its name, offering a slow, peaceful trip. However, that means the guys had to paddle harder to get downstream. Around turns, the current speeds up, so if they wanted to change places in the canoe, it was best to do it on calm water.

It’s always safest to switch on shore, but you can accomplish this maneuver on open water. Put your paddle down and keep your hands on either side of the boat to stabilize it as you move. One paddler should lean down and to one side while the other steps over.

The person in the back of the boat, or stern, primarily steers while the one in the front, or bow, provides power. If three people are in a canoe, the one in the middle can relax.

“I liked the front; we did switch around a lot,” says Joshua Gersbach, a 14-year-old Second Class Scout. “We mostly stayed in the spot we were most comfortable in and would swap to the middle so we could rest.”

Pack Light, Pack Right

You don’t need much for a two-day trek. Rylan’s pack, for example, weighed little more than 10 pounds.

“We brought just what we needed and a little extra clothes or food, just in case,” says Douglas Medeiros, a 12-year-old Tenderfoot Scout.

Inside their packs, the Scouts stuffed gear into garbage bags or waterproof sacks. That didn’t help Jacob, who had his pack and bag open when his canoe flipped. His stuff was still waterlogged when the troop reached a grassy area to set up camp. He laid everything out to dry as others started dinner.

Each Scout was in charge of his own meals. Most brought a small backpacking stove and fuel to cook dehydrated meals. This kind of cooking is quick and easy: Boil some water, pour it in the bag and mix, and it’s ready to eat.

After dinner, the troop played a game of tag and huddled around the campfire before turning in for the night, serenaded to sleep by the bellowing of nearby cattle.

A Castle in Florida

The second day of paddling proved less intense than the first. The guys had already tackled three-quarters of the trek, but they still had a few more miles to go.

“I go on almost every Scout trip; I’ve never been canoeing that far,” Nathaniel says.

This stretch of the river didn’t provide as much shade. Time to break out the widebrimmed hats and sunscreen. Even on a mild winter day, you need to protect yourself from the sun and drink plenty of water. Each Scout carried at least two gallons of water.

Reaching the pick-up point didn’t mark the end of the journey; Troop 2001 had one more place to visit before heading home. A short drive took the tired guys to Solomon’s Castle.

Built by sculptor Howard Solomon in 1972, the castle is adorned with stained glass and stands three stories tall. Reflective metal printing plates cover the exterior, making the building shine in the sun.

Inside, hundreds of Solomon’s quirky art pieces fill the rooms — many are recycled from scrap metal, used car parts, and old farming and office equipment.

But the onsite restaurant, built inside a 60-foot wooden replica of a 16th century Portuguese galleon ship, grabbed the guys’ attention. Jacob ordered a tuna fish sandwich, a meatball sandwich, lemonade, root beer and a chocolate milkshake — a royal feast for a hungry Scout after a long weekend of paddling.

“It was amazing,” he says.

Fossils in Unusual Places

Earth looked vastly different millions of years ago. Continents were still connected, mountain ranges had not yet risen and oceans covered places where we now live. This is why scientists have found fish and whale fossils in the Andes and Himalayan mountains, and why you can find shark teeth in the middle of Florida.

Other unique findings around the country include:

Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona. Large petrified logs litter a desert that used to be a Late Triassic forest.

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Colorado. Volcanic ash preserved 1,700 species of plants, insects and fish in this valley.

Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, Utah. More than 12,000 bones from at least 74 different Jurassic-era dinosaurs, mostly the carnivorous Allosaurus, have been found at this site.

Love adventure stories like this? We’ve got insider tales and tips just for subscribers. Get a year’s worth of the best and funniest and most interesting things you need to know for $12.

"Scouts Find Adventure on the Peace River (Spoiler: It Wasn’t Totally Peaceful)" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

In 1846, more than 500 soldiers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began a 1,900-mile march from Iowa to California to help West Coast troops during the Mexican-American War. Along the way, they cooked cakes on glowing coals, tussled with “jumping” cholla cactuses and trekked across rugged deserts.

The regiment’s journey has been called “the greatest march of infantry in the history of the U.S. Army.” The trail they forged crosses more than half the country.

Today, you can hike some of that same trail and have some of those same experiences. As a bonus, you can earn the San Diego-Imperial Council’s U.S. Mormon Battalion Trail High Adventure Award. That’s what Troop 500, chartered to St. Agnes Catholic Church of Point Loma, California, did in January.

“It was amazing to walk in the footsteps and hike the same trail as those soldiers,” says Jackson Kirby, 12.

A lot of the original trail has been paved over or is on private land. The Scouts chose to hike a 14-mile stretch in California’s Anza Borrego Desert State Park.

To confirm the route was passable, the troop’s adult leaders did an exploratory hike and found a wonderland bristling with sagebrush and foxtail cactus amid the Laguna Mountains.

THE JUMPING CACTUS

The trip wasn’t all fun. One of the troop’s adult leaders, Laurie Unthank, got stuck with a cholla cactus during the exploratory hike.

“It attacked me and embedded its barbs in the side of my calf,” she says. “I couldn’t bear the pain of pulling it out myself, so our Scoutmaster took two flat rocks and took it out for me. It hurt like crazy!”

Cholla cactus doesn’t literally jump, but it can seem like that as needle-covered stems can easily detach from the plant even if you slightly brush up against it.

In response, the troop packed tweezers. A good choice, since Tobin Skinner, 13, got stuck with chollas, too.

“It took forever to get the spines out,” he says.

A TRIP BACK IN TIME

Axel Mitchell, 15, says he enjoyed learning about the trail’s history during the troop’s three-day trip.

For six months, members of the Mormon Battalion endured sickness, starvation and the elements as they trekked over mountains and deserts.

“It must have been much harder to do it back then,” says Killian Treppa, 12.

Scouts could still see where the soldiers had built the road for their wagons and widened a dry waterfall by hammering it out with pickaxes. The battalion never had to fight, except for fending off a herd of wild cattle, later referred to as the “Battle of the Bulls.” When they arrived in California, soldiers helped build roads and a fort.

Antonio Maldonado III, 15, helped his troop re-create a meal the battalion would have eaten on the trail: greens, dried meat and “ash cakes.”

“They had few ingredients and even less flavor,” Antonio says of the cakes. “Fortunately, we added honey, and that made all the difference.”

Ash cakes are patties of flour and water cooked directly on glowing coals. They pick up a little ash, but they go down OK after a long day of hiking.

“The bare-boned meal taught us that after a long day of hiking and trail-building, all the Mormon Battalion had was scant food,” Antonio says.

CHILLY NIGHTS

Scouts learned lessons not only from history, but also while in the park.

“My tent mate left our rain fly behind to save weight. It turned out to be a bad idea, but we warmed up fast when the sun came out,” says Hayden Howard, 15. “I froze on the second night.”

Before you hit the trail, confirm the gear you’re bringing, especially shared gear, he says. Still, the guys stayed in high spirits.

“You’d think we’d go right to sleep after a long day of hiking,” says Ben Folk, 14. “Nope! Instead, we stayed up late watching the stars and taking in the view.”

While the days were mild and pleasant, the temperatures plummeted at night.

“How cold was it?” says Wade Connor, 12. “My tent got covered in ice!”

After packing up and driving three hours home, ice flew out of his gear when he unpacked.

“It was that cold!” he says.

WORTH THE TRIP

The hike and meal were requirements for earning the council award. The Scouts also toured memorials and museums. They even marched in a parade to commemorate the battalion’s arrival in San Diego.

“This was one of our troop’s best backpacking trips,” says Jake Unthank, 12.

Although Scouts were sore by the end of the trip, they were happy they completed it.

“This was my first backpacking trip,” says Garridan Gonzalez, 13. “I am definitely going to do another one.”

MAKE YOUR OWN ASH CAKES

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tbsp. sugar

Start a fire and let it burn down to white, ashy coals. In a bowl, mix the water, flour and sugar with your hands. If it gets too sticky, add more flour.

Separate the dough, roll into balls and shape into patties about a quarter-inch thick. Lay them directly on the coals, turning them after 3-4 minutes. When both sides are done, remove them and brush off as much ash as possible.

Add honey or more sugar to make a sweeter ash cake. Bake some extras for snacks for the next day’s march.

THE MORMON BATTALION

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a Christian denomination that started in 1830.

In 1846, church elders asked the U.S. government for help moving west after mobs attacked a city of Latter-day Saints in Illinois. President James K. Polk agreed to help if a group would join to fight in a war with Mexico as the U.S. looked to expand its territory.

The Latter-day Saints enlisted at the urging of the church’s president, Brigham Young; more than 30 women and 40 children accompanied the battalion. To this day, the battalion has been the only religion-based unit in U.S. military history.

The battalion met with Native American tribes along the way and stood guard while one tribe buried its dead during the war.

SPECIAL AWARDS

High-adventure and program teams at many councils across the country create special activities, treks and awards. San Diego-Imperial Council’s award program for the Mormon Battalion Trail includes options for Cub Scouts, too.

Check with your local council to see what special awards it offers. Any Scout can earn the BSA’s Historic Trails Award. Requirements include researching and hiking a historic trail, and completing a service project.

"Scouts Hike in the Footsteps of One of the Greatest Military Treks in American History" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

When the members of Scouts BSA troops 26 (boys) and 126 (girls) out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, talk with Webelos Scouts at their Hallo-Weekend campout, you won’t hear them saying things like, “Hey, you in the blue hat … ”

Instead, you’ll hear the older Scouts treating the Cub Scouts like friends — asking them questions, getting to know more about them and, maybe most important, calling them by their names.

“We want to really engage with the Arrow of Light Scouts,” says Haley Whitbook, a 13-year-old from Troop 126. “We want to make them feel like a member of the troop.”

Hallo-Weekend is an annual Halloween-themed event in Oologah, Okla., where Scouts BSA troops invite Webelos dens from all over the area to spend the weekend together. The Webelos get to go camping and learn some Scouts BSA skills — and maybe decide which troop they’re going to join.

The Scouts BSA members get to practice their leadership skills by taking the younger Scouts under their wings for the weekend.

In the end, everyone wins — and everyone has fun.

“It’s important for the Cub Scouts to see that they can have a connection with the Scouts they’re going to be spending time with in [Scouts BSA],” says Nathan McCorkle, the 14-year-old senior patrol leader of Troop 26 at last fall’s Hallo-Weekend event.

RECRUITING SEASON

Recruiting is a big part of having a healthy Scout unit. And an event like Hallo-Weekend can go a long way toward meeting your recruiting goals.

It’s an opportunity to recruit new Scouts not by telling them why they should join your troop, but by showing them what it could be like when they join.

At Hallo-Weekend, Scouts BSA members guide Cub Scouts through a variety of events. Some are designed to help them earn Webelos or Arrow of Light requirements. Others are just for fun.

Both are an opportunity for older Scouts to show their new friends why it’s worth sticking around for Scouts BSA.

“It helps them see what being in Scouts BSA is like,” says Maren Hettler, 12, from Troop 126. “We’re trying to get more momentum and get more girls to join, and we can kind of make the difference between if they stay in Scouts or not.”

At one station, the Scouts BSA members help the Cub Scouts earn their Castaway elective adventure, which involves cooking without pots and pans, lighting a fire without matches and building a shelter out of tree limbs.

At another, the older Scouts teach the younger ones how to fly fish. At yet another, they teach them about backpacking.

At night, they settle in for skits around a campfire.

BEING PREPARED

As with any Scout campout, the key to a successful recruiting event is planning. Because the event is so ingrained in the culture of Troop 26, everyone takes a tremendous amount of pride in doing their part to pull it off.

“It gave me some more leadership opportunities,” Maren says.

Nathan had already been part of two previous recruiting campouts, so he had a good idea of what worked and what wouldn’t.

“We want to show them how our troop functions and what we do,” he says.

That means not just camping alongside the Webelos. It means camping with the Webelos.

It’s a way of showing the Cub Scouts that you’re with them every step of the way.

“I enjoyed it,” says Haley. “They were a little crazy. They were everywhere when we went on our hike and I was like, ‘You have to stay with me,’ but I really liked seeing all of the smiling faces.”

The key is to keep them interested. Ask them questions about themselves. Find out where they go to school. Ask what they like most about Scouting.

“Most of the time,” Nathan says, “they’re really interested in what we’re doing.”

MONSTER MASH

Tulsa, Oklahoma, Troop 26 started its Hallo-Weekend event in 2010. When girls started joining Scouts BSA, girls Troop 126 became a part of the team.

The event has grown so much that other Scout troops from the area are invited as well.

To go along with the Halloween theme, each year features a different “monster,” which is really one specially chosen Scouts BSA member in a costume.

After starting with traditional monsters such as Dracula and Frankenstein, the group has had to reach for lesser-known ones. The most recent was the Creature from the Black Lagoon, a character that debuted in a 1954 movie but hasn’t seen a whole lot of action in Hollywood since.

Troop 26 keeps a display of all the monster costumes from past Hallo-Weekend events.

"A Scout is Friendly … Especially When Welcoming Visiting Webelos" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Cub Scouts, start your engines! You can watch Pinewood Derby cars from around the country compete in the National Pinewood Derby 500 at Texas Motor Speedway!

The big race will be this Saturday, Sept. 12, and you can watch it online as part of the BSA’s second installment of Family Fun Fest. The three-hour Facebook Live extravaganza will be jam-packed with cool demonstrations, interviews and giveaways. If you missed the first installment on Aug. 8, you can watch it here.

Not only will the upcoming event include exciting Pinewood Derby races, but you’ll also learn how to yo-yo, craft a Snap Ships spacecraft toy, make a constellation projector, build an archery quiver, construct a birdhouse and create slime. Who doesn’t love slime? The free online event will also feature an interview with an astronaut about his time in space and giveaways from the Scout Shop.

You can RSVP on Facebook or sign up for email updates. Registering is one way to win prizes that will be given away every half-hour Sept. 12, starting at 11 a.m. ET.

Invite your friends and families not currently in Scouting — they can join in the fun while seeing what Cub Scouting is all about.

AWESOME DAY OF FUN

Cub Scouts serve their communities. They can still serve virtually. Family Fun Fest will have an opportunity to support our nation’s teachers through AdoptAClassroom.org, a nonprofit organization that funds classrooms and schools. You can give to the organization and youth can write a letter to teachers.

You will have plenty of fun projects to create during Family Fun Fest. You can also learn to build a Snap Ships spacecraft toy. Check this page for a list of supplies, so you can Be Prepared for the big day.

As mentioned earlier, you will have multiple chances to win prizes, including $200 Scout Shop gift cards, Pinewood Derby bundles, hammocks, backpacks, portable batteries, tents and more. You can win by RSVPing on Facebook, tuning in the day of or by completing this Adventure Log, taking a photo of it and posting it on social media with the hashtag #famfunfest.

You can also post a photo of your car on Instagram using the #Pinewood500 hashtag to enter a design competition.

"Get Ready for Family Fun Fest this Saturday!" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

When you join a Scouts BSA troop, one of the first things you’ll work on is earning the rank of Scout.

Good news! You’ll complete many of these same requirements when you’re a Webelos Scout. Then after you join a Scouts BSA troop, all you have to do is show an adult Scouts BSA leader what you’ve learned.

The key is to pay attention now, so you don’t have to relearn everything later.

First — if you haven’t already — work on memorizing the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, Scout slogan and Outdoor Code. Explain what Scout spirit is. Give the Scout sign, salute and handshake. And memorize the Pledge of Allegiance.

STEPPING UP

The next thing you’ll need to do is study the Scouts BSA First Class badge. The rank of First Class is the fourth rank that you’ll earn in Scouting, and the badge is an important symbol of the Boy Scouts of America. In fact, Scouts in other countries have their own badges that look very similar.

You’ll also need to show that you can tie three different knots: a square knot, two half-hitches and a taut-line hitch. Don’t worry; they’re all pretty simple — and also very handy to know!

Speaking of rope, you’ll learn how to whip and fuse the ends of different kinds of rope. This will keep the ends of your rope from unraveling. You know how shoestrings look if you don’t keep them tied? You don’t want that to happen to your rope!

THE PATROL METHOD

Another thing you’ll need to do to earn the rank of Scout is to learn how a Scouts BSA patrol works and how Scouts BSA advancement works. You’ll practice this in your Arrow of Light den, so all you have to do is explain it to a Scouts BSA leader.

Finally, you’ll have to show that you know how to responsibly use a pocketknife. Remember the Whittling Chip you earned? That’s it! That’s all you have to know.

In Scouts BSA, by the way, you’ll earn a Totin’ Chip, which is kind of like the Whittling Chip, only even more awesome because you get to use an ax and saw, too.

"What You Need to Know About the Rank of Scout" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

The most satisfying part of Scouting is right there in the Oath: “I will do my best.” Because, really, that’s what it all comes down to.

Do your best to be a leader, to be competent in the outdoors, to stay physically fit and to continue to work toward the next rank.

Do your best to set a good example, to learn how to camp or hike or bike, to eat healthy and to finish that open merit badge you keep putting off.

Do your best, even if your unit can only meet online, and you can only be with your friends on a screen.

Do your best every time, all the time, and follow our tips to make this the best Scouting year ever.

BECOME A BETTER LEADER

No matter how old you are, your Scout unit needs you to work on becoming a leader.

If you’re a Cub Scout, being a leader might mean paying attention during meetings, even when your friends aren’t. This applies to online meetings, too! If your friends see you sitting up straight and paying attention as your leader talks on the screen, they will be more likely to do the same thing.

Being a leader also might mean standing up for a friend when someone else is making fun of them.

A requirement for the ranks of Star, Life and Eagle in a Scouts BSA troop is to serve in a position of responsibility (POR). There are two categories of POR: You’re either working in a position of service to your troop or working in a position of leadership of your troop. Choose the one you’re most comfortable with, and tackle that first. Then test your limits by trying the other.

Venturing crews have presidents, vice presidents and other youth leaders. Sea Scout ships have youth leadership positions such as boatswains and boatswain’s mates. If you already hold one of these positions, think about what it would take to move up in the ranks.

If you aren’t currently in a position of responsibility, that’s totally cool. Just talk to your current leader about the position that’s right for you.

EXPAND YOUR OUTDOOR SKILLS

Not everybody is comfortable spending the night — or multiple nights — outdoors right off the bat.

Participating in your Cub Scout pack’s campouts is a great way to get used to spending the night outside. Try to make it to as many as you can. If you’re already a comfortable camper, try this: Pack for a campout all by yourself. Then have a trusted adult check to make sure you didn’t forget anything.

Scouts BSA troops rely on their members to plan upcoming outdoors activities. Join your patrol leaders’ council, and weigh in on future plans. If your troop is full of experienced campers, bring up the idea of a more challenging adventure like a multiday trek or a trip to a high-adventure base.

Being outdoors is the specialty of most Venturing crews. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have room to grow. Mountain biking, cycling treks and outdoor rock climbing are just a few of the Scouting-approved activities that can really test your limits. Sea Scouts can go beyond sailing and try kayaking and rafting, or even join the landlubbers for a backcountry backpacking trek.

Don’t pass up the opportunity to participate in a virtual campout, either. You might not be with your buddies, but you can still learn a lot, especially if you can set up a tent in your yard and spend the night inside it. Make sure your device is charged so you can check in with the rest of the group when you need to!

ADVANCE MORE EFFICIENTLY

No matter how old you are, no matter which program you belong to, the key to advancing is pretty simple: Show up and participate.

A Cub Scout who does their best to show up to every meeting and participate in as many activities as possible is going to do great.

As you get older, you’re going to be more responsible for your own advancement. Think about what you already enjoy, and focus on merit badges and rank requirements that incorporate those activities. Then expand your horizons by trying something new.

Scouts BSA members should pay attention to their troop’s communications, whether it’s via email, social media or something else. There are often opportunities for advancement — special merit badge classes, for example — just waiting for you. This is especially true if your unit is restricted to online activities only. The opportunities to advance are still there. Without in-person meetings, it’s more important than ever that you pay attention to your unit’s communications so you know what’s going on.

Your troop probably has an advancement coordinator whose job is to help you. Take advantage of that, and initiate a meeting to see where you are.

Sea Scouts can strive for the rank of Quartermaster, the highest award for that program. Venturers can aim for the Summit Award. Take some time to read your handbook and make sure you’re right where you need to be in terms of advancement.

BALANCE SCOUTING WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE

The Scouting program is designed so you can still succeed in other areas of life, such as school, sports, band or whatever else you enjoy.

While a life full of activities can be satisfying, it can also be stressful. Our advice: Break it down into a list of what you need to do next, and focus only on those things.

It’s great to have long-term goals like becoming an Eagle Scout or qualifying for the all-state band.

But the least stressful way to reach those goals is to make a list of what you want to accomplish on that day or during that week.

When your teacher gives you an assignment, write it down. If you practice your instrument or your debate skills every day, write that down. If you have an open merit badge, write down one thing you can do to make progress on it that week.

As you go through your days, it’ll feel good to check things off the list. It’s healthy (and important!) to look at the big picture every once in a while, but it can consume you if you obsess over it. Breaking your goals into bite-sized pieces makes it much less stressful.

KEEP YOURSELF PHYSICALLY STRONG AND MENTALLY AWAKE

Scouting’s idea of fitness includes fitness of your body, fitness of your mind and fitness in making moral choices.

If you aren’t as physically fit as you need to be, it’s OK. Scouting — along with a healthy diet and plenty of sleep — gives you the opportunity to get there.

The most important thing to remember is that it’s not going to happen overnight. It’s a decision that you make each and every day. Am I going to walk the dog for 30 minutes today? Am I going to do those pushups and pullups?

If I had a doughnut or candy bar yesterday, do I need another one today? (Spoiler: The answer is no.)

Fitness of the mind means taking care to stay sharp and alert. Training yourself to learn, lead and solve problems is a large part of building mental strength. The ways in which you treat other people and the world around you are choices to think about seriously.

Being an active Scout can help with that. Now what are you going to do?

SCOUTING CONTINUES … NO MATTER WHAT

Sometimes in life, we face challenges. Scouting is no different. Just remember, Scouting is not a single event, meeting or campout.

Being a Scout is living the values of the Scout Oath and Law every day. It is what’s in our hearts and minds as we interact with others, either in person or virtually.

"Make This Year the Best Scouting Year Ever!" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

Anyone can make art.

Got a pencil and a sheet of paper? You can make art. How about watercolors? Acrylic paints? Computer drawing apps? Art, art and more art.

When we asked on Facebook for Scouts to submit samples of their own artwork, they delivered. And it’s not too late to join the fun.

First, watch our series of art videos below. We share helpful tips from professional artists whose work you see in the pages of Scout Life each month.

Then start your art! It doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad or somewhere in between. Just get to work and see what happens.

Finally, don’t forget to share your creations using the form at the bottom of this page.

We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

COMPUTER AND PENCIL SKETCHES WITH JOEY ELLIS

Take a look at the Art merit badge requirements and art appreciation with art teacher and expert Luc Travers. And then the illustration magic begins when Joey Ellis demonstrates computer-sketched art with Photoshop. He also shows how to sketch with pencil and paper.

Supplies to have on hand for the pencil sketch:

• A few pieces of tracing paper or regular computer paper
• A pencil
• An eraser
• A marker (or a permanent marker)

ACRYLIC PAINTING WITH ERIC OTTINGER

Eric Ottinger shows how to make a work of art with acrylics.

Supplies to have on hand:

• Acrylic paints
• Synthetic bristle brushes
• A wax- and oil-free canvas or heavy watercolor paper (or even a blank piece cardboard)
• Water in a disposable or painting cup
• Paper towels or clean junk rags
• A workspace you can get messy (protect surfaces you want to avoid staining with paint)

PENCIL AND PAPER SKETCHING WITH DARYLL COLLINS

Daryll Collins demonstrates a pencil-and-paper sketch and answers viewers’ questions.

Supplies to have on hand:

• A few pieces of tracing paper or regular computer paper
• A colored pencil (Darryll likes a Prismacolor Col-Erase Erasable Colored Pencil – carmine red)

WATERCOLOR DEMONSTRATION WITH KEVIN HURLEY

Kevin Hurley demonstrates watercolor painting and answers viewers’ questions.

Supplies to have on hand:

• Basic tray of watercolors
• Set of watercolor brushes
• Textured watercolor paper (140 lb. weight recommended)
• Water in a disposable or painting cup
• Paper towels or clean junk rags
• A workspace you can get messy (protect surfaces you want to avoid staining with paint)

PEN AND INK ART WITH MIKE MORAN

Mike Moran shows how to create art with pen and ink.

Supplies to have on hand:

• A pen with plenty of ink (fountain, rollerball or felt-tipped)
• A few pieces of heavyweight paper

DRAWING FROM THE ART MERIT BADGE

Check out requirement 4 from the Art merit badge:

4. Render a subject of your choice in FOUR of these ways:

1. Pen and ink,
2. Watercolors,
3. Pencil,
4. Pastels,
5. Oil paints,
6. Tempera,
7. Acrylics,
8. Charcoal
9. Computer drawing or painting

If you watch all the videos and draw along with the experts, you may have four (or more) great pieces of art to show your merit badge counselor. This could help you complete a key, challenging requirement. Ultimately, only your merit badge counselor can give you the final sign-off. Either way, you’ll be working toward developing the skills you need to earn this badge.

And if you need a hard copy of the merit badge pamphlet, you can order it online here. If you’re looking for the Kindle Edition, you can find it here.

Have you created a comic, drawing or artwork during Art-O-Ree? If you are under 18, send it to us. It could be featured in Scout Life magazine, on scoutlife.org or on our social media channels.

Important Note: Please only upload photos of your artwork. If you sign your artwork, please only use your first name. Because of privacy rules, we can’t post any photos that show people’s faces or full names. Always ask for your parent’s permission before uploading anything to a website.

ARTWORK FROM SCOUT LIFE READERS