What’s the most important consideration; process or practice? In this week’s podcast I’ll answer email questions about the difference between processes that achieve our aims and practices that we adopt, young Scouts learning the patrol method, parting ways with a difficult volunteer, and how to resolve a behavior problem. Mac Barron’s Catholic in a Small Town […]
The Scoutmaster Podcast
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Scoutmaster Podcast 281 – Parent and Scouter
Things can get tricky when you are both a Scouter and the parent of a Scout. In this week’s podcast I’ll answer email questions about occupying the role of parent and Scouter, how small troops work, and what qualifies as service for the ranks of Star and Life. The Big Three Resources every Scouter should read. […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 280 – The Happy Camper
This encore presentation features an interview with Kevin Callan, the happy camper, the most famous camping and canoeing expert you’ve never heard of. Kevin is a Canadian, a famous Canadian on Canadian television and radio, he’s a well-known author; a famous canoeist and camper in a country full of canoeists and campers. There’s a whole world of excellent Canadian stuff […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 279- Les Stroud
Interview with Les Stroud of Survivorman about his book Will to Live.
Bill McFarland calls in to tell us about his favorite camping trip.
Scoutmaster Podcast 278 – Eagle Scout History
This encore presentation features an interview with author Mike Malone about his book about what it means to be an Eagle Scout, Four Percent. Mike is an award-winning author and experienced Scouter with an impressive resume of leadership. Four Percent is much more than a simple history of the award – it is a significant contribution to what it means […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 277 – Hiker’s Gear Guide
This encore presentation features my interview with ultimate hiker Andrew Skurka. Skurka’s Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide is my new go-to resource for backpacking gear information. The first section of the book asks and answers the questions that many don’t think to ask until they are out on the trail with too much and/or too little gear, blistered feet, and soaking wet […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 276 – Patrol Method
This encore presentation features an interview with the authors of Working the Patrol Method, a Scout leader’s guide to youth leadership training. I think this is the best work on the patrol method since ‘Green Bar’ Bill Hillcourt’s Handbook for Patrol Leaders last published in 1965 or Baden Powell’s Aids to Scoutmastership originally published in 1920. It’s about […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 275 – The Scouting Party
In this encore episode I interview author David C. Scott about his book The Scouting Party; a thoroughly researched, unflinching account of the founding and first decade of the BSA focused on the lives of Earnest Thompson Seton, Robert Baden-Powell and Daniel Carter Beard. To my knowledge no one has so thoroughly analyzed the events and personalities involved […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 274 – 91st Dublin
I was very fortunate to get to sit and talk a while with Joe Briggs and Alan McConnell from the 91st Dublin Scout Group. The 91st was visiting our Scout camp and touring during the 50th anniversary of the group. Joe is the group leader with 50 years of Scouting experience, and Alan is the group Venture leader. […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 273 – Group Scouting
It may not solve all our problems, but it may be a better way of organizing… A couple of weeks ago a listener asked me to help out with a survey on Cub Packs. The answers we received got me thinking about group Scouting and how our organizational structure has some unintended consequences that effect […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 272 Eagle Scout Thoughts
There’s always plenty to talk about when it comes to the Eagle Scout! In this week’s podcast I’ll opine (and preach a little) about our Eagle Scout attitudes and answer email questions about troop meeting chaos and an advancement mistake. The important thing to realize is that once a Scout earns Eagle Rank he begins the lifelong process of […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 271
What does learning to ride a bike have to do with Scouting? Listen to my answer to an email question from a new Scoutmaster to find out, I answer several other questions on this podcast about records, troop size and youth leader accountability. LINKS IN THIS PODCAST Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers Get The SCOUTMASTERCG APP Podcast Archive […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 270 – The Story Of Kazik
You may have more in common with Kazik than you first suspect! This podcast is one story that I think you’ll find inspiring and significant; a story of Scout spirit against seemingly insurmountable odds. Kazimierz Piechowski, or Kazik, who grew up as a Boy Scout in Tczew on the border of Poland and Germany. When the Nazis invaded […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 269 – Parents and Summer Camp
We prepare our Scouts, but how about their parents? How can we help parents make it though the first week of summer camp? Entrusting the full-time care of your child to someone for such a long time, for the first time, can be challenging for parents. In this podcast I offer some ideas you can share […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 268 – Rank Requirements
What do the resources say? Who signs rank requirements? It’s up to the unit leader to select and train those who approve advancement, that’s the short answer! Listen for the longer answer and answers to email questions about troop meetings, terms for positions of responsibility, alcohol stoves, and backpack weight. Links in this podcast Going Camping Go Light! (more […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 267 – Email!
It’s catch-up time! In this week’s podcast I’ll catch up on email questions concerning approving requirements, relationships between Cub Packs and Troops, moving to a new Troop, unit policy manuals, how Scouts address Scouters, and determining what activities best achieve the aims of Scouting. Links in this podcast The Big Three Resources every Scouter should […]
Podcast 266 – Scouting Source Code 3
Where is it? What is it? In this week’s podcast I’ll complete our series on the search for the Scouting “source code”, we’ll find out where it is, who created it, and why. Links in this podcast My.Scouting.Org PDF by Martin Ohrenberg A Troop Revolution Why do Scouts go Camping? Page 9 – The promises […]
Podcast 265 – Scouting Source Code 2
Who was the voice of Scouting? How did a Danish Scout become the voice of Scouting in the United States? He knew the source code! What must we have to have to call what we do “Scouting”? This podcast is the second installment of a great story that ought to inspire us all to think about what […]
Podcast 264 – Scouting Source Code Part 1
This story really explains it all… .. told by a man who ought to know Scouting if anyone does! What must we have to have to call what we do “Scouting”? Must we have an organization? If we understand how Scouting started a century ago we can better understand its relevance today. This podcast is the […]
Podcast 263 – Wilderness First Aid
Wilderness First Aid is highly recommended, but when is it required? In this week’s podcast we’ll do our best to tell you when wilderness first aid training is required (although it’s just good common sense too!) , I’ll also answer questions about uniforms, the effective date a Scout earns a rank, and how Venturing Crews use the patrol method. […]
Podcast 262 – The Scale of Scouting
What’s the difference between a patrol and a herd? In this week’s podcast we’ll look at what the founder had to say about the scale of Scouting and I’ll answer email questions about patrols choices and presenting badges. LINKS The Big Three Resources every Scouter should read Music A Boy Scout in Switzerland Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com […]
Podcast 261 – Avoiding the Troop Program Death Spiral
Are you in danger? I know that a title like “troop program death spiral” sounds dramatic, but I got your attention, right? I’ll explain what the dreaded troop program death spiral is and help you avoid it as well as answering email questions about Eagle Scout advancement, Advancement policies instituted by a troop, and “Webelos […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 260 Paperwork!
Scouts and paperwork can be like oil and water! In this week’s podcast an update on our 2016 trip to Kandersteg, I’ll answer email questions about handling permission slips (get in touch and tell me how you handle paperwork and deadlines), youth leaders, and avoiding homesickness. LINKS Working with Homesick Scouts Homesickness on podcast 76 Helping Homesick Scouts […]
Podcast 259 – Socratic Scouting
Can a Scoutmaster save their brains by using their ears? Baden-Powell thought so! In this podcast we’ll explain and discuss the art of Socratic Scouting. I’ll also answer email questions about merit badge blue cards (there’s always a question about them!) and who can or should be conducting Scoutmaster Conferences. LINKS Merit Badge Blue Card Infographic Kandersteg 2016 […]
