Viewpoint: If Only the Boy Scouts Were Like Girl Scouts...

Okay, okay, okay, I am pretty bad about this regular posting thing but I'm hoping to write more often, as Scouting for me has been extremely complicated and extremely busy. However unlike normal where I promise to do better, I'm not going to promise anything about post frequency as that seems to detract from the whole point of this blog. First off though I need to deal with a few administrative items before jumping into my May 2013 Update, which include:1) Membership Resolution: I will not be covering this issue even though it is one of the biggest challenges going...

During our last camp out I was forced into a situation that I am sure most if not all Scoutmasters hope that they never have to deal with.  I was sitting with the Assistant Scoutmaster when from over in the Scout area of camp I heard a word that got my attention.  I jumped from my chair and offered an ultimatum to the Scouts.  Use that language and find yourself on the “uninvited” list. A Scout is clean in thought, word, and deed.  Living that part of the Scout Law that is Clean does not stop at brushing your teeth. That sad...

Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois recently honored longtime Girl Scout volunteers who have given years of their time to help build girls of courage, confidence and character....

As they prepare to graduate from high school, 15 Medford Lakes girls have graduated from Girl Scouts as well....

The victims of civil war in Uganda might be far away, but this Florida Girl Scout took her fight to help improve the situation there to Congress as part of her Gold Award project. Check out a video about Jamila, a 2013 National Young Woman of Distinction, below! In seventh grade, Jamila was introduced to Invisible Children Organization and wanted to raise awareness about the youth of war torn Northern Uganda and bring to light the heinous crimes of Dictator Joseph Kony and the need for education and rebuilding of Uganda. Working in partnership with the Invisible Children, Jamila...

Nachos on the trail? Sure! With yet another line in shelf stable packaging from Frontera, you have two choices: Cheddar Nacho and Black Bean Nacho. I found these at Cost Plus World Market, but knowing their track record, it will be in grocery stores soon enough, if not already. You can gently warm the pouch [...]The post Food Find: Salpica Nacho Sauces appeared first on Trail Cooking & The Outdoors....

Keep Calm and Hike On Normally you would see a hiking blog with lots and lots and lots of photos from my journey. I might wax poetically about what I had seen on the trails or write a line of prose. Two and a half weeks ago a one of my Sony alpha cameras stopped functioning… no extended warranty.  I have two cameras so I felt blessed as many have none and in this economy one is way better than none. Three nights ago the unthinkable occurred my only camera which was a replacement from a failed camera abruptly died stopping...

You know that dream you have of flying? If you’re coming to the 2013 National Scout Jamboree, you’ll have a chance to live that dream at The Canopy. Seriously. Check out the video above for a taste. Built by Bonsai Design, the eight courses of The Canopy feature more miles of zips than any facility in the world. In addition to all the fun that comes with 48 zip lines and eight skills stations, this tree-to-tree adventure is a great way for Scouts and Venturers to connect with geology and ecology among the hemlock, oak, birch, and hickory trees. So come take flight...

Having used Water-Jel® Burn Plus over the years (lets just say that heat and I don’t mix well) I was happy to check out a new product, Water-Jel® unburn® sunburn relief gel. So…what happens when you forget to wear sunblock (ouch, that is me) or don’t re-apply often enough or go too high in altitude [...]The post A Wee Bit Too Much Vitamin D? appeared first on Trail Cooking & The Outdoors....