International Scouting

Joe Briggs (Group Leader) and Alan McConnell (Venture Section Leader), 91st Dublin scout group, Scouting Ireland — discussing the ONE advancement program, single-sex patrols within a coed group, 50-year group anniversary trip to the US, Woodbadge training, and comparisons between Irish and American scouting.

Elizabeth Elwell Cook, Girl Guides leader with the Cambridge Garden Guides in Sydney, Australia, discusses Guiding history in Australia, the patrol system, Thinking Day, outdoor activities near the Blue Mountains, and the global brotherhood of scouting.

Clarke reflects on the passing of Nelson Mandela, his patronage of South African scouting, the South Africa Scout Association's historic 1976 integration, and leadership lessons drawn from Mandela's life and words.

Chris Nielsen, chair of the National Youth Council of Scouts Australia (Melbourne), discusses the structure of Scouts Australia, the NYC's advisory role, the Rover section, international youth forums, and the value of formal youth involvement in Scouting organizations.

Jeff Kvistad, Scoutmaster of BSA Troop 965 in Kuwait, discusses leading a multinational troop (New Zealanders, Australians, Lebanese, Dutch, French-speaking, and American scouts) in the desert, camping challenges including extreme heat and dehydration risks, adapting BSA traditions for non-American members, distance from council support, and the enriching experience of cross-cultural scouting.

Dean Post, Scouts Canada venture advisor, discusses how Scouts Canada handled inclusive membership (removing barriers based on sexual orientation), membership trends since 1998, co-ed scouting, and youth-driven program revitalization. Dean's 17-year-old son Alex, a veteran scout, also shares his firsthand experience with inclusiveness at camp.

Panel discussion with Tom Brewer (Scoutmaster/Beaver Scout leader, Ottawa ON), Harry Snyder (assistant Scout leader, 68th London Scout Troop, London ON), and Dean Post (advisor, 26th Guelph Venture Scout Company, Guelph ON). Topics include Scouts Canada's group structure, Beaver through Rover sections, coed scouting, linking events, youth commissioners, recruitment, and cultural differences with BSA.

Peter LaRue, group scout leader in South Africa and author of the Ropes and Poles blog, discusses South African scouting structure, the Contiki raft competition, rover scouts, the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden, Springbok Scout advancement, and the universality of scouting principles worldwide.

Interview with Mohamed Faswi-Jemma, Scout trainer from Tunisia — scouting structure, international camps, and the Scout motto in Arabic ('kun musta'eddan').

Lt. Col. Otha Thornton — Eagle Scout, White House communications staff, and rebuilding Scouting in Iraq