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This blog is managed and written by staff of the Communications Department of the Boy Scouts of America. View all posts by Gina Circelli →

How Scouts Are Making 3-D Prosthetics for Kids and You Can Too

July 10, 2015

Scouts have embarked on a tech-centric mission of goodwill that can literally reach out and grab you.

By now you’ve probably heard about 3-D printing and how it’s making the unimaginable tangible (also affirming for many: Star Trek could indeed predict the future). You may have even read about the Venturers and Scouts who are leading efforts to create 3-D printed hands for children born with partially formed arms.

But do you know how these helping hands, along with the Scouts who create them, are changing the world for kids who are born without limbs?

In a video from Mic, Daisy Rosario reports 1,000 babies a year in the U.S. are born with a missing or partial limb. Before 3-D printing, prosthetics that compensated for limbs were rare and expensive. Expensive enough to inspire a South African carpenter, who had lost fingers in an accident, to collaborate with an innovative prop designer to refine the 3-D printable hand.

Now, Scouts are part of a worldwide group of volunteers who were initially recruited to the cause in a fittingly 21st Century manner (via YouTube comments – check it out in the video). The outcome? Prosthetic hands that would have cost thousands of dollars only to be quickly outgrown by kids who need them now cost less than $50 to make. Through e-Nable, kids can get the prosthetics at no cost.

The Boy Scouts of America has a history of encouraging kids to change the world for the better by exploring careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Both STEM activities in existing programs and the pilot STEM Scouts program challenge children to innovate and serve others.

See how Scouts are helping making sci-fi fans’ dreams a reality and, more importantly, how youth are helping youth in this technologically transformative mission by watching Mic’s video below. Then, learn how you can volunteer to create the future and helping hands by heading to e-Nable.

How Lusie and her 3-D printed arm could change the world for k…This revolutionary new technology is changing the world for kids born without limbs.

Posted by Mic on Tuesday, July 7, 2015

How Knives, Scouting, and Your Career are Related

July 10, 2015

Imagine hosting a dozen eight to ten-year-olds at one time. Now, imagine they all have pocket knives with them.

This is the real situation thousands of volunteer leaders in the Boy Scouts of America put themselves in to develop youth via kid-empowering activities. What they witness is often equally as influential on their own lives.

The BSA® Official Cub Scouts® Pocket Knife can be found here: http://www.scoutstuff.org/knife-cs-pocket.html#.VZ6WOpNVhHy — The BSA® Official Cub Scouts® Pocket Knife can be found here.

Guiding Cub Scouts through Pack activities like soap carving might test your patience and try your nerves. But LinkedIn blogger Nathaniel Sellers explains leading a Pack wielding knives might teach you a thing or two about facing challenges head-on in your professional life.

Through his experience working with Cub Scouts, Sellars shares some advice for the career-oriented “big kids” too: “A lot of us have learned to sit still and do our work, but we ought to remember that it’s not just about doing the work, it’s how you do the work; the principles, not just the process.”

Through the minor mishaps and major victories, Stellar witnessed this kind of principle-focused work come to life as Scouts took risks and worked with purpose. Check out the full story on Sellars’ LinkedIn post.

Mom Shares 5 Reasons to Get Kids into Scouting

July 9, 2015

Seeing the thrill of Scouting through the eyes of your child is enough to write home about. In fact, mom blogger Janel and her son’s delight at Scout day camp was enough to fill an entire post on her blog A Mom’s Take.

For Scouters the summer marks the beginning of camping season, a time when novice and longtime Scouts head outdoors to put their handbooks and skills to the test. These campouts are the hallmark of Scouting and the source of countless memories for the boys and parents who attend.

Rather than tell you why summer camps and Scouting are the ultimate source of fun and youth development for Scout-age kids, this summer we’re letting their parents fill you in. Check back with Scouting Newsroom weekly for tales from parents of Scouts, both new and seasoned, starting this week with Janel’s post.

Check out A Mom’s Take: 5 Reasons They’ll Love Day Camp to see why Janel not only loves the BSA’s programs for her son but also for other children who seek adventure!

The Old Game That’s Cultivating the Minds of New Scouts

July 6, 2015

In the July 2015 issue of Chess Life, writer Brian Jerauld highlights the chess merit badge, which will be in the clutches of 100,000 Scouts as of this summer. The badge is only a few years old but its influence on the game of chess is profound, as boys everywhere are not only learning the game but also teaching it to others.

Read Jerauld’s article in full, republished below courtesy of US Chess Federation.

The Boy Scouts Merit Badge: A Prime Example of the Game’s Resurgence

Providing a metric on the game’s resurgence across the U.S. today—and simultaneously planting a wide crop of players for tomorrow—the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) will issue its 100,000th chess merit badge this summer, less than five years after its launch.

The first chess merit badges were earned by 20 scouts in St. Louis in September, 2011, and more than 6,000 followed nationally before the year’s end. Since then, the achievement has maintained itself as one of the fastest-growing merit badges out of 135 options, landing in the top-25 in each calendar year since inception. The Boy Scouts of America counted 87,881 chess merit badges awarded at the start of 2015 and, given its pace of nearly 2,200 earned each month, is expected to hit six-digits this June.

“The chess merit badge teaches youth members strategic planning, critical thinking, concentration and decision-making skills—as well as good sportsmanship,” said Deron Smith, Director of Communications for the Boy Scouts of America. “In fact, while discussing the merit badge with their counselor, scouts must describe how the skills he obtained can help them in other areas of their life. These life skills align with the BSA’s mission to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes.”

The Boy Scouts aren’t just the next crop of wood pusher, they are instead entering chess—as their reputation goes—prepared. Requirements to earn the chess merit badge go beyond understanding rules and how the pieces move; they are discussing Zwischenzug and clearance sacrifices, and organizing round-robin tournaments before earning their validation. Scouts learn about pawn structure and tempo, proving a clear understanding of checkmate along with four different ways to draw, and the values of the game are even learned off the board.

“While earning the chess merit badge with their counselor, scouts learn the rules of the game, notation, how to organize a tournament, and then they must take on a leadership role to teach another Scout how to play,” Smith said. “They also must describe how the skills he obtained can help them in other areas of their life.”

The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, whose founder Dr. Jeanne Sinquefield helped develop the badge along with Jerry Nash and the U.S.
Chess Federation, offers regular day-long sessions that teach and fulfill the BSA requirements for the chess merit badge. Capped at 60 scouts a session, the Club’s sessions have been pushed by demand and moved from quarterly to bi-monthly in 2015. Before the January 28 session began, May’s session had filled.

“We can see that there’s a lot of preparation ahead of time,” said Bill Thompson, Scholastic Coordinator for the CCSCSL. “They know what they need to do to pass, and they prepare before they come in. That falls in line with the general philosophy of the Boy Scouts: Prepare and think ahead—that’s kind of their motto.”

~ Brian Jerauld, Chess Life

Wake Up with Al Features Scouter’s Tips to Beat the Summer Heat

July 2, 2015

As the heat sets in, Scouters head out – to summer camp that is.

When it comes to keeping cool during the hottest month of the year, Scouts and Scouters know all the secrets. The Weather Channel’s Wake Up with Al (that’s Al Roker) took note of this when correspondent Dave Malkoff caught up with the Atlanta Area Council’s Bert Adams Scout Camp staff member Samantha Grinstead for the show’s Hot Jobs series.

The Scout-filled camp is about an hour outside of Atlanta and has already been hotter than 90 degrees for several days this summer. Grimstead really feels this heat as she stands lifeguard to Scouts immersed in the camp’s refreshing lake. But it’s all in a day’s work to keep kids safe.

Check out the feature below to hear from Grinstead on how she manages in the sun and gain tips from Safe Scouting and Youth Protection Development Director Jason Baldridge on how to battle the heat this summer. Then, after the jump, check out the BSA’s guide for appropriate water consumption for the weather you’re experiencing.

How a Former Scout Became the First Presidential Candidate for 2048

July 2, 2015

The first declared candidate for the 2048 presidential elections was a Boy Scout.

Andrew Lessig declared his candidacy for United States president in 2008, announcing his run in the 2048 race. Little did he know the commitment he was making when he filled out a two-page form to run for federal office when he was only in middle school.

What inspired Andrew to run? He told Washington Post‘s Philip Bump his inspiration, “grew out of an education program I was doing with the Boy Scouts. I was putting on the meeting program one month and I wanted to do it on civics. I looked into it, and looked into what it actually takes to run for federal office.”

Ever the determined Scout, Andrew took to the challenge himself. He even opted to set up a committee (an option on the form). That’s what made things complicated for the 2048 presidential candidate.

“I remember getting a bunch of election law stuff from the FEC after a while and not realizing what I had gotten myself into,” he explained.

He had to write to his FEC Commissioner to terminate his presidential committee and put an end to a smattering of paperwork and fund documentation.

“I don’t want to run and fill out paperwork until 2048,” Andrew wrote. “Please Mr. Commissioner, let me cease Campaigning, and please don’t fine me for my bad paperwork.”

The committee was terminated but his candidacy remains.

Andrew, now in law school, remains steadfast you will not see him in the 2048 elections, but that doesn’t change his status until the election year. Read why he thought 2048 would be his year and how he no longer feels up to the challenge by checking out the Washington Post article.

Scouts Show Food Editor How to Craft Campout Delicacies

July 1, 2015

When it comes to cooking in the outdoors, Scouts are the wilderness’s sous chefs.

Epicurious Food Editor and blogger Matt Duckor dubs himself a “Boy Scouts dropout”. A fan of neither sleeping on the ground nor knot tying, Duckor wrote off the Scouts at the early age of 11 (his tremendous fear of bugs didn’t help). But when he found himself in queue for a work campout, who did he turn to for camping cookout lifehacks? The Scouts, of course!

55887d3674cbe9ed7c20f602_EPI-grid3 — Photo: Danny Kim, Epicurious

Duckor was back in the ranks he left behind when he joined Troop 19 for his piece, “Everything I Know About Camp Cooking I Learned From the Boy Scouts.” As the title suggest, when he was among Scouts ages 11 to 16, this food editor learned from the real experts of outdoor cooking.

Surprised by the troop’s lack of ceremony and abundance of unbridled love for being outside, Dukor’s focus was on the meal prep. He watched as each Scout spearheaded an individual cooking-related task, as their Scoutmaster supervised.

“But, honestly, he doesn’t have to intervene very often,” Dukor explains. “Each of the kids knows what their tasks are—and that no one eats if they don’t accomplish them.”

What really left an impression on Dukor, however, was some Scout wisdom he gained when he asked one of his temporary troop mates what he liked to cook.

“Sometimes the simplest meals are the most delicious ones,” the Scout replied.

See what the Scouts whipped up for dinner (including a Scouting favorite for dessert: brownies in orange peels), get a pretty nifty recipe for your own campouts, and read the full story on Epicurious.

Eagle Scout Salutes Veterans with Monumental Service Project

June 26, 2015

Not every aspiring Eagle Scout gets a day named after him in his quest to reach Scouting’s highest rank. But on Armed Forces Day, one 17-year-old Scout in the New Birth of Freedom Council unveiled a veteran-honoring monument he spearheaded and became the exception.

For the project that has since helped him achieve Eagle Scout, Trevor D. raised $29,000 to erect a granite monument honoring veterans of Dauphin and Middle Paxton Township in Pennsylvania. The unveiling ceremony drew more than 300 people, ensuring these veterans received the recognition Trevor intended.

Now Trevor is getting citywide acknowledgement too. Earlier this week, the Dauphin County commissioners proclaimed Wednesday “Trevor Drawbaugh” day. They even donated a brick to the monument that sits prominently in the county’s square.

“It’s a great honor to attain the rank of Eagle,” Dauphin County Commissioner (and fellow Eagle Scout) Jeff Haste said.

Trevor will carry the rank with pride as he sets off to join a new set of ranks. He starts Marine basic training this October, making his decision to honor veterans all the more significant.

Learn more about what inspired the Eagle Scout in the video below, where Trevor addresses attendees at the monument unveiling. Then head to Penn Live to read more on how the city returned the honor.

Eagle Scout Saddles Up for Gold at Special Olympics

June 26, 2015

Eagle Scout Ben Stevick mounts for victory at the 2015 Special Olympics Summer Games.

This summer the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles will feature Eagle Scout Ben Stevick, as he gallops into the national spotlight by competing in equestrian events for Team USA.

While he’ll be on a national stage as he jumps back in the saddle, this certainly isn’t Stevick’s first rodeo. He’s won gold, silver, and bronze medals through the Special Olympics Maryland (SOMD) in a slew of other sports: aquatics, powerlifting and skiing.

Although he hasn’t always been a fan of the large animal that could bring him to Special Olympic gold, Scouting and the games triggered Stevick’s love for riding and Special Olympics sports in general.

“I overcame my extreme fear of horses to begin horseback riding,” Stevick explains on his fundraising page. “I, then, overcame my fear of the equestrian barrel race to participate in the Special Olympics.”

Stevick joined his father and brother in Boy Scouts, where he delved into a variety of adventure sports at summer camp. Scouting even marked the trail for him to join the Special Olympics, as the family met a volunteer who was a torch runner for SOMD. Even today, this accomplished athlete regards earning his Eagle Scout rank among his top achievements.

Learn more about this Special Olympian on Team USA’s site, and prepare to root him on as the games kick off July 25.

The 102-Year-Old Eagle Scout, Chief Justice Legend

June 25, 2015

Judges Jack Pope (left) and Steve Smith.

Did you know the longest sitting justice in Texas Supreme Court history is an Eagle Scout? Holding the seat for 38 years, Jack Pope proves starting out an Eagle Scout can set young men on the path to set records and exceed expectations.

Now 102 years old, Pope earned Eagle in 1928. He received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award more than half a century later. But between receiving the two huge honors, Judge Pope made history.

A graduate of Abilene Christian University (ACU) and University of Texas (UT) law school, young Pope continued his student leadership. He was the Students’ Association president at ACU and student editor of of the Texas Law Review while at UT.

After serving in the Navy during World War II, Pope became Texas’ youngest district judge at the time in the 94th District Court. After landing a seat in the 4th Court of Civil Appeals in San Antonio from 1950-1964, he was elected to the Texas Supreme Court.

In 1982, Judge Pope became Chief Justice for the state, and served until his retirement in 1985.

Learn more about Judge Pope by exploring the timeline of his honors below:

1928 – He received the highest rank in the Boy Scouts: Eagle Scout.
1983 – Judge Pope earned the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. This award from the Boy Scouts of America acknowledges Eagle Scouts who have distinguished themselves on a national level, receiving recognition or eminence within their fields and who have strong records of voluntary service to their communities.
2009 – He earned the Texas Center for Legal Ethics’ inaugural Chief Justice Jack Pope Professional Award. This honor goes to appellate judges and lawyers who embody professionalism and integrity.
2010 – The judicial section of the State Bar of Texas presented Judge Pope with its inaugural Judicial Lifetime Achievement Award at its Annual Judicial Conference.
April, 2013 – Judge Pope celebrated his 100th birthday and was honored with a ceremony in the Texas House of Representatives within the Texas State Capitol. The House passed a resolution in his honor, as U.S. presidents and U.S. Supreme Court justices sent congratulations letters. The congrats came from the likes of President Barack Obama and former Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Achieving more in his lifetime than many can fathom, Jack Pope’s impression on others is just as impressive. By all accounts a man of integrity and passion, Pope is the living legacy of everything an Eagle Scout can aspire toward.