Scoutcast

Sometimes here on ScoutCast, we remind listeners that they need to have a succession plan in place should a leader or committee member be unable to keep their commitment, but we realized it might be a good idea to also help listeners put a good succession plan in place. Committee chair Kathleen Daggett of Santa […] The post January 2017 – Succession Planning appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

Let’s take a minute to think about your troop or crew meetings. Hopefully by this point, you’re in the norming or performing stage and everyone is having fun, but have the meetings gotten a little predictable? Every now and again, you should have a meeting that stands out above the rest, a meeting where everyone […] The post December 2016 – Making an Ordinary Meeting Extraordinary appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

Listener Bryan King asked us if we could do a show about the Board of Review process. Advancement specialist Mike LoVecchio agreed with that suggestion because, as he told us, “I get calls all the time with questions about Boards of Review.” You do? Well then, Mike, you’re just the person to come on ScoutCast […] The post November 2016 – Boards of Review appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

The Scouting Alumni Association is a call to all who have been positively impacted by the BSA. That includes family members of Scouts past and present, volunteers, Scouters, and community leaders. Is that you? We hope so and because we Scouters love awards, there’s even a Council Alumnus of the Year Award! Mike Movius, committee […] The post October 2016 – Scouting Alumni / Council Alumnus of the Year appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

Do you know what a troop committee is or what the members are supposed to do? What’s the relationship between the Scoutmaster and the committee? Charlie Garwood, who currently serves as the Area 5 vice president for program for the Piedmont Council in Gastonia, North Carolina, joins us for the discussion. The post September 2016 – Working With the Troop Committee appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

As Scout leaders, you all know how important advanced leadership training is. We’ve got NYLT and NAYLE and Kodiak. That’s right – we said Kodiak. Oh sure, a few years ago the Kodiak Trek may have been just for Venturers, but now – Kodiak is open to all Scouters! , Peter Self, who served as […] The post August 2016 – The Kodiak Challenge appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

That’s the question that appeared in the ScoutCast mailbox courtesy of listener Rich Eitzel. “We aim to please, said host Lee Shaw, so we invited advancement task force member Wayne Huddleston onto the show for an in-depth discussion of who can sign off requirements for both merit badges and ranks. Is it the merit badge […] The post June 2016 – Who Can Sign Off on Requirements? appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

You may have read the title of this episode and thought, “Did I read this right? Exploring can support my Boy Scout troop?” Well, it’s true! Joining us as we explore the many different ways the Exploring program can offer support to your Scouts is senior Exploring specialist Kristen Falatko and Boy Scout program specialist […] The post May 2016 – How the Exploring Program Can Support Your Troop appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

A lot of troops and crews think that just because they have some kids going to Philmont, Sea Base, Northern Tier, or the Summit, they can take the summer off. ScoutCast host Bryan Wendell thinks summer is “the greatest season of the year” for troop and crew activities, so we invited Jeff Bostwick, a member […] The post April 2016 – Summer Community Activities appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

The Scoutmaster is the adult leader of a youth-led troop. The Venturing Advisor is the adult leader of a youth-led crew. How do you assist the youth without lecturing? What is the process of shifting the attention off of yourself, as the adult leader and onto the senior patrol leader or crew president? Join us […] The post March 2016 – The Guided Discovery Process appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

The Scoutmaster’s Minute is a brief inspirational message, usually given at the end of a meeting or at the end of an activity in which you bring the whole group back together. But what makes a good Scoutmaster’s Minute? Does it have to be at the end of the meeting? And does it have to […] The post February 2016 – The Scoutmaster’s Minute appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

So the way we hear it; the Leave No Trace Trainer is now going to be replaced with the Outdoor Ethics Guide, but Leave No Trace is still being implemented, and oh, Tread Lightly has been added into the mix. Sound confusing? Well, all you need to do is click the download button as Dave […] The post January 2016 – The Outdoor Ethics Guide appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

You’re familiar with Plan B, right? It’s what you have ready as a backup just in case your original plan falls apart. Now the Boy Scouts of America is very good at being prepared should something unforeseen happen during an activity, but what if something goes awry and that activity might not happen at all? […] The post December 2015 – Plan B appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

Whether you’re new to Scouting or have been with us for a while, you’re probably – and hopefully – very familiar with the Guide to Safe Scouting and the BSA’s rules and regulations regarding safety. You can tell we take safety very seriously. Here to explain the method to the madness of these regulations is […] The post November 2015 – Scout Safety appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

Don Wendell, father of ScoutCast co-host Bryan Wendell and former chair of the National Advanced Leadership Task Force, stops by the ScoutCast studio to tell us all about the various advanced leadership courses that the BSA offers and how those courses will help you become not only a better leader (which makes the program better […] The post October 2015 – Advanced Leadership Training: What’s In It for You? appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

Everyone knows Scouting is full of really cool activities like camping and kayaking and building robots, but like everything else on Planet Earth, it costs money. So another big part of Scouting is fundraising. It’s not too difficult when you’re a cute little Cub Scout, and you give a great big smile with those adorable […] The post September 2015 – How to Sell Popcorn When You’re No Longer an Adorable Cub Scout appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

Letting your community know what your unit is up to is good for both the unit and the community. Michael Ramsey, department manager of Marketing and Experience Management, is here to explain how spreading the joy of Scouting in our communities can be your best recruiting tool. The post July 2015 – Recruiting in Your Community appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

You’ve probably heard of it, maybe even know someone who’s in it. Some people think it has something to do with Indians…(maybe?) Some even suspect it’s a “secret society” within the Boy Scout organization. And why are the members so gosh-darn loyal? National Chief Nick Dannemiller joins us as we explore the mystery that is […] The post June 2015 – Just What is the Order of the Arrow? appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

Contrary to popular opinion, the Venturing program does not have plans to take the boys out of your troop and into its crews. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. Venturers can be mentors, help with service projects and help strengthen your unit. Still not buying it? Then click the Download button and listen in as District […] The post April 2015 – How Venturing Can Help, Not Hurt, Your Troop appeared first on BSA Podcasts.

Is your troop stuck in a rut, doing the same activities year after year? How about using pipe foam and duct tape to build a miniature roller coaster (and learning about kinetic energy) or making a catapult out of craft sticks and rubber bands and sending things flying through the air (while secretly measuring velocity […] The post March 2015 – Incorporating STEM into Your Troop Meetings appeared first on BSA Podcasts.