Bryan on Scouting

They’re in separate troops, but make no mistake: Charlotte and Alex Beatson are on this Scouting journey together. They’ve worked on merit badges together, were inducted into the Order of the Arrow at the same time, and have even attended some of the same...

Imagine if those weekly meetings at your office had a “good conduct candle.” Blake’s texting and missed a question from the boss? Candle goes out. Rhonda brought her breakfast? Bye-bye, flame. Peter forgot the PowerPoint? Poof. But if the candle...

Sometimes, a merit badge will spark a future career path for a Scout. For Brian White, it was a leadership outing. White, who earned the Eagle Scout Award with Troop 299 of Dublin, Ohio, in 2004, owns a restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. Six years ago, the business began...

Zachary Schonfeld, an Eagle Scout from Virginia, has been elected by his peers to serve as National Chief of the Order of the Arrow for 2020. Zachary, along with National Vice Chief Noah Smith of Arkansas and four region chiefs, will serve and represent nearly 200,000...

We’re in the middle of registration periods for 2021 adventures at the BSA’s national high-adventure bases, with sign-ups at Sea Base starting this week. While you and your Scouts might have your sights on a specific experience, keep in mind that...

This is Unsung Heroes, a Bryan on Scouting blog series celebrating under-reported acts of Scouting heroism. These are stories that don’t make national headlines — but should. That’s doubly true in this world that can always use more good...

Madison Burrell uses these adjectives to describe her time at the wet and windy West Point Camporee: “tiring, scary, wet, muddy, crusty and painful.” Hardly a ringing endorsement, right? But then read what Madison says next: “I hope I’ll get to...

You wouldn’t know the cemetery near Thorntown, Ind., was the resting place of nearly 50 African Americans. For a long time, it was a patch of grass, recognized only by a few decrepit stone tombstones and a black-and-white sign. Four years ago, Reece Thompson of...

This is Unsung Heroes, a Bryan on Scouting blog series celebrating under-reported acts of Scouting heroism. These are stories that don’t make national headlines — but should. That’s doubly true in this world that can always use more good...

The Pinewood Derby can seem like a maze of tasks that make up a million-piece, very complicated puzzle, but it is time to simplify things a bit and make this all about fun for everyone. These steps should guarantee that you throw a successful and well-run race day...

It has traveled deep into the jungles of Panama, through slot canyons in Arizona and down a waterfall in Italy. It has shared screen time with celebrities like Brie Larson, Channing Tatum and Zachary Quinto. And it’s on the Scout uniform hanging in your closet...

A celebration that happens just once every four years. World-class venues packed with incredible moments. A spirit of unity, patriotism and courage. Turns out the National Jamboree and the Summer Olympics share a lot of similarities — with one exception: At a National...

Don’t just experience the National Jamboree. Bring it to life. Applications are now being accepted to serve on staff at the 2021 National Jamboree, coming July 2021 to the BSA’s adventure-packed Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. The first 2,021 people who sign...

To call the adults in Troop 96 carnivores is a bit of an understatement. As in any youth-led troop, the Scouts in Troop 96 of the Northeast Illinois Council are on their own at mealtime. Scouts in each patrol plan the menu, shop for ingredients and prepare the meals....

Let’s give a giant Scout salute to the den chief. When entrusted with enough responsibility, this young person can be a Cub Scout leader’s best friend. A den chief is a Scout, Venturer or Sea Scout who: Helps plan and conduct den meetings. Suggests games and...

In September, Ashley Panko looked up from her computer in shock. On TV, a reporter was telling the heartbreaking story of Troop 193 of Duncanville, Texas. The reporter said a thief had stolen Troop 193’s trailer and all the camping gear inside. Ashley, an 8-year-old...

The theme of Pack 164’s annual Christmas party hasn’t changed in four years: service before self. Every year, members of the pack from Madison, Miss., gather to assemble care packages for military personnel deployed overseas. The Cub Scouts fill boxes with things like...

Assistant Scoutmaster Scott deMasi’s subdivision was underwater — as were many parts of Kingwood, Texas, in the wake of the devastating Category 4 Hurricane Harvey in 2017. With roads flooded, bridges washed away, cellphone towers and power out, it was soon realized...

Ryan Davis, VenturingFest 2020 Youth Chairman Ryan Davis is ready to fly right past his comfort zone. Next summer, on the winding and bumpy mountain bike trails at the Summit Bechtel Reserve, you’ll find Ryan zooming downhill at top speed. Maybe he’ll be screaming;...

Smart, talented and brave. A friend to those in need. Someone who relishes learning new skills. While one group carries hiking sticks and the other lightsabers, I’d argue that Scouts and Jedi have more in common than you might think. The heroes of the Star Wars saga...

Scouts in girls Troop 606 of Chicago recently reviewed the eight steps of handling an emergency as outlined in the First Aid merit badge pamphlet. As they went over the steps, the girls decided to create a mnemonic device, similar to the one they learned for Leave No...

Note: This is the 30th in an occasional series where I share Eagle Scout project before-and-after photos. See the complete collection here and submit your own here. To fully understand the impact Eagle Scout projects have on communities, you need to see...

After crossing over from Pack 82 to Troop 99 in Benton, Ark., Nicholas Burrell was looking forward to many campouts, fishing trips and summer camp adventures. But before he could complete his first year in the older youth program, the 11-year-old went to see a doctor...

William D. Boyce didn’t start the BSA all by himself. Sure, he was the man who signed the papers to make the Boy Scouts of America official — at exactly 11:03 a.m. on Feb. 8, 1910. But just like the volunteers who start new BSA units every year, Boyce had plenty of...

Ten years, more than 40 million page views. Thanks to you, the loyal Bryan on Scouting reader, the 2010s were the best decade yet for the official blog of Scouting magazine. And because the blog launched in March 2009, the 2010s were also the only decade yet for the...

Welcome to Scouts Then and Now, a Bryan on Scouting blog series. The premise is simple. We share two photos of the same Scout or Venturer: once in his or her early Scouting years (Cub Scout, younger Scout, younger Venturer) and again in his or her later Scouting years...

Picking the best unit website is a bit like selecting the best recipe for Dutch oven cobbler. There are way too many to choose from, and because it’s all about taste, the selection process is totally subjective. But after browsing hundreds of unit websites, I’ve come...

Every few years, the BSA updates its Annual Health and Medical Record after consulting with health care professionals, Scout executives, council and camp health officers and other experts to ensure it is up-to-date and helpful. This was one of those years, meaning a...

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is the spirit of generosity that never fails to show out in full force. It just seems like the brisk air and long, dark, twinkly nights are synonymous with giving. In true alignment with the season and with the values...

When it comes to the Scout Law, last is certainly not least. Being “reverent” is a year-round part of a Scout’s life, but there’s one time each year when the connection between Scouting and faith takes on even more significance. It’s Scout Sunday, held every February....