We’re concerned and we hope you are too.

As you may have already heard, the Executive Council of the Boy Scouts of America released their proposed policy today, which keeps the gay ban in place for adult leaders but would prohibit kicking out openly gay Scout youth members “on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone [emphasis added]”.

Who is the King of Scouting? Did you see this recent article on the WOSM website – www.scout.org Tuesday 30 October 2012 The King of Sweden, His Majesty Carl XVI Gustav – simply a Scout His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, the King of Sweden, has been actively involved in Scouting since his childhood days. In 1955 he joined as a Cub Scout with the name (totem) Mowgli and progressed to the Scout age-section in 1958. At the age of 10, as a Crown Prince then, one of his first official duties was to participate in a Scout camp in Sweden. Since then, the King often takes part in various Scout activities both in Sweden and around the world. He always makes it a point to find time to visit Scout gatherings such as Jamborees where he often camps in a tent alongside other Scouts and leaders. During his visits to [...]

To old for Scouting was a debate or part there of I recently witnessed on twitter by some Canadian scouts. At the heart of the debate was the drive for more engagement and leadership for young people in scouting. A good thing you would think, it was post the impACT 2012 conference in Canada if you don’t know what this it check out Dylan’s Post on ScoutsBuzz I am not sure if this to old for scouting is a new debate in Canada, maybe someone from over there will respond and tell me, however in the UK over the last couple of years and now with the update in the fundamentals of Scouting there has been a significant push to see greater youth engagement and leadership within scouting. Thus the debate about people being to old for scouting comes up. The point that was made in the twitter debate I [...]

I came across this very interesting post from the US about Sky Lanterns it would seem that the Boy Scout of America have decided to ban these at scouting events. – Sky lanterns: Why they’re on the BSA’s no-fly list Look! Up in the Sky! It’s a Bird … It’s a Plane … It’s a floating ball of fire and fuel that could destroy acres of farmland or forest in a massive wildfire! It’s a sky lantern — also known as a paper, floating, or Chinese lantern. Consider it a miniature, unmanned hot-air balloon. Seeing several fill the night sky surely must be something to behold. (I’ve never seen them in person, but I did watch the Disney movie Tangled, so does that count?) Sky lanterns: Why they’re on the BSA’s no-fly list « Bryan on Scouting. You need to read the whole article and I would suggest reading the comments [...]

A rather short post today just wanted to share a few things with you. Firstly the something borrowed I have come across a number of post from scouters out of the US talking about the ongoing situation regarding Homosexuality and Scouting I made my view known in the post Morally Straight However I would strongly recommend you take a moment and check out Scouters Journey – Honoring the Scout Law ScoutmasterCG – A few thoughts in diverse times The Inclusive Scout Network – Ryan Andresen earns eagle but BSA kicks him out instead of presenting award Secondly Something New Today I launch my Virtual Camp Blanket, it will be a collection of badges and pins that I have collected over my time is scouting. I will be adding to it as time goes on and I hope you enjoy it.

I saw this video the other day and felt I really should share it with you. The video is from the 1st Walmer Scout group in South Africa, and for one of their scouts pioneering project they build a Triple storey tent tower. Yep that it three Icelandic patrol tents one on top of the other – confused well watch the video. I got to the end of the video and though, Imagine if you wanted a pee in the night, I mean the decision is hard enough when camping, do I get out of my warm sleeping bag, do I try and last. However add to that I am three stories up bleary eyed and I need to climb down. anyone ever build a pioneering project like this?

<Man sits at his Computer> What shall I do this summer International Camp Staff Programme that look interesting  <Reads More> So the question is who has heard of this? The Scout Association and the Boy Scout of America web sites say: Each year, the Boy Scouts of America invite Scouts aged 18-30 from around the world to come to the United States and spend the summer as an International Camp Staff member of a BSA summer camp or Cub Scout day camp. As a camp staff member, you will: Spend 8 to 11 weeks as a member of the staff of a BSA summer camp in the United States. Make friends with Scouts from another country Receive free food and lodging while in camp. Teach BSA Scouts about Scouting and life in your country. Learn about another Scout Association. Live in another culture. To be a camp staff member, you must: Be [...]