Insane Scouter March Newsletter

Historic: We consider this item to be historic and as such it may no longer be appropriate for todays Scouts. Please refer to your local scouting policies and use your best judgment.

The Insanescouter March 2012


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InsaneScouter Information


Welcome to another edition of the InsaneScouter newsletter. Here in Vegas temperatures are rising and summer is just around the corner.

First, let me thank all of you who shared the twitter / facebook message to get a copy of the fundraising ebook. If you would like a copy of the e-book, but didn't share the message let me know and we will work something out. Just reply to the newsletter and let me know.

I have done a massive upgrade to the http://ScouterLinks.com website. Please check it out, add your Troop, Pack, Crew, Scouting, Camping, etc related website. As long as it relates to Scouting in some way and is not pure spam I will approve the link. Keep in mind I manually approve the links so it can take a week or two for new sites to appear.

Jeff, President and inventor of “The Perfect Campfire Grill” would like to thank you for your votes. He also reminds you there are still a few days left in the Walmart contest, so if you would like to help him get the grills on the shelf in Walmart stores you can vote once a day via facebook or text message. For more details check out my blog post at http://insanescouter.org/blog/530/The_Perfect_Campfire_Grill.html

Did you know that InsaneScouter is on Facebook and Twitter? You can follow us at:

Thanks all for being such loyal fans. You all rock!


New Content


Home > Resources > The Outdoors > Cooking > Dutch Oven
 

Mexican Black Bean Chili
1 lb Dried black beans 2 c Chopped onion 1 c Yellow bell pepper; 1/2" pieces 1 c Red bell pepper; 1/2" pieces 1 c Green bell pepper; 1/2" pieces 1 tb Chili powder 2 ts Cumin seeds 2 ts Dried oregano 1 ts Salt 1/2 ts Ground cinnamon 1 15 oz can Italian-style tomatoes; undrained & chopped 1 1/2 oz Semisweet chocolate; coarsely chopped 4 Cloves garlic; minced 2 Jalapeno peppers; seeded & minced 2 Bay leaves 1 c...

Home > Resources > The Outdoors > Cooking > Dutch Oven

Low Fat Cassoulet

Beans 1 lb Dried large white beans (such as Great Northern) 1 lb Dried red kidney beans 2 lb Smoked ham hocks (about 4 medium) 7 cn (14 1/2-oz) beef broth 1 cn (14 1/2-oz) diced peeled tomatoes, drained 1 tb Minced garlic 1 ts Ground allspice 2 10-oz packages frozen large lima beans, thawed Meats And Leeks 1 5-lb duckling (thawed if frozen), cut into 8 pieces 2 1/4 ts Ground allspice 2 lb Trimmed lamb shoulder or lamb...
Home > Resources > The Outdoors > Cooking > Dutch Oven

Lima Beans Creole

3 1/2 c Lima beans, fresh 1/4 c Onion; finley chopped 16 oz Tomatoes, whole; undrained 1/2 tsp Salt 1/8 t Pepper 6 ea Sl Bacon 2 T Green pepper; chopped Cook beans in boiling salted water in a Dutch oven until tender (20 to 30 minutes); drain. Return beans to Dutch oven, and set aside. Cook bacon until crisp. Remove from skillet, reserving2 tablespoons drippings; crumble bacon, and set aside. Saute onion and green pepper in reserved drippings until...
Home > Resources > The Outdoors > Cooking > Dutch Oven

Lentilvegetable Stew

Boil Until Tender 4 c Water; or stock 48 oz Tomato juice 2 c Lentils; dried 1 c Rice, brown; uncooked 28 oz Tomatoes, canned; chopped 3 Garlic cloves, crushed 1 Onions, chopped 2 Celery stalks; sliced 3 Carrots; sliced 2 Bay leaves 1 ts Basil leaves 1 ts Oregano leaves 1 ts Thyme leaves 1/2 ts Black pepper, ground 3 tb Parsley, chopped Then Add 1 Zucchini; sliced 2 Potatoes; peeled & diced 2 tb Lemon juice 1 ts...

Home > Resources > The Outdoors > Cooking > Alternative


Fresh Tomato Sauce Picante

1 medium size tomato, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped (1/4 cup) 6 springs cilantro or Italian parsley (leaves only), finely chopped (1 tablespoon) 3 serrano chilies, seeded and finely chopped; or 1 can green chili, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup waterCombine tomato, onion, cilantro, chilies, salt and water in a bowl. Cover; let stand about 30 minutes before serving. This sauce is best eaten the same day, as it soon loses it...
Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Eagle

Indian Theme Eagle Ceremony

May be performed by Order of the Arrow Ceremonial TeamCast:Allowat Sakima, the Mighty Chief Kichkinet, the Guide The North Wind The East Wind The South Wind The West Wind Drummer Scoutmaster Eagle Candidate and his parent(s)Props:Drum, Eagle Board, two red candles, white candle, blue candle, candle holder(s) Scoutmaster: We have the honor and pleasure of recognizing (Eagle Scout Candidate's Name) for the award of Eagle Scout. The parents and Scout leaders of the Eagle candidate whom we honor tonight have...

 


Home > Resources > Activities > Skits

Improv Skit


Equipment: assortment of odd items Split into small groups. Each group is given an item or a bag of items and is given 2-3 minutes to come up with a skit using the item(s) given to them...

 


Home > Resources > Leaders > Scoutmaster Minutes

Holiday Spirit

Christmas and Hanukkah are, for the most people, the most joyful holidays of the year. The holiday parties, the exchange of gifts, and the brilliant lights of the Christmas trees make a guy glad to be alive at this season. Sometimes we forget that these holidays are really religious festivals. It's well to remember that the real holiday spirit is cast by the Star of Bethlehem and the Hanukkah candles, reminding us of the...

 


Home > Resources > Activities > Songs

Banks Of The Hanky Panky


Down on the banks of the Hanky Panky, Where the bull frogs jump from bank to banky, With a hee, hi, ho, hop, Leaps off a lily with a KERPLOP....
Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Webelos

Crossover Ceremony
The O/A Ceremonies advisor was the Cubmaster for the Pack. The logistics of the event may seem a bit daunting but the ceremony worked very well. Props: 4 canoes PFDs for everyone going into the canoesHints: Make sure that you comply with the Safety Afloat requirements for qualified life guards. Perform this during the day The four winds and the chief and drummer are the O/A ceremonies teamProcedure: The...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Cub Scout

Welcome
Equipment: 7 large colored cardboard cutouts of balloons which have the letters W-E-L-C-O-M-E on them. Set Up: Boys hold balloons with letters away from audience. As each boy says his lines, he turns over his balloon to reveal the letter. Cub # 1: Welcome to each and everyone. Cub # 2: We're going to have lots of fun. Cub # 3: Let's now officially open our meeting. Cub # 4: We give to you a friendly greeting. Cub # 5: Our...

Home > Resources > Cub Scouts > Webelos

Communicator Secret Code
For each letter, make a unique symbol or shape or another letter or number. Make copies of this and have boys write a coded message for the boy on his right to decode A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 ...

Home > Resources > Activities > Skits

Is It Time Yet
Need: 5-8 Scouts standing (or laying) with left foot crossed over right and right arm crossed over lef First Scout in line asks: "IS IT TIME YET?" - Second Scout asks third, etc down the line. Last Scout says: "NO" Word is passed back to the first Scout, one Scout at a time. After a lonnnnnnnng pause, First Scout asks: "IS IT TIME YET?" It goes down the line as before. Last Scout says: "NO" Again and the word is...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Cub Scout

2030 Closing
DENNER #1: (lights candle) What did it feel like, astronaut, as you flew into outer space? Did you mind being cooped up in such a tiny place?DENNER #2: (lights candle) Did the stars have points? Did the clouds race by? Did they bump into you as you sailed?DENNER 3: (lights candle) Did you feel like a kite when the string breaks away and it loses its balancing tail?DENNER #4: (lights candle) Could you hear the wind as it whistled by?...

Home > Resources > Activities > Games

Fill The Bottle
Type: Relay Equipment: Bucket of water, cups, bottles Each team is provided with a pop bottle and a paper cup. The players stand behind the starting line and put the bottles at their feet. At the signal, they race to the bucket which is at least twenty-five feet away. They fill their cups with water and race back to pour the water in the bottle. Each Cub in the team has a turn. The cups may be held with only one hand....

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Cub Scout

Good Will Opening
Setting: Eight uniformed Cub Scouts line up across front of room holding large cards with letters to spell out G-O-O-D-W-I-L-L. Each boy shows his card is he speaks. G - Greetings we bring now to everyone. O - On this special night of holiday fun. O - Once again it's that special time of year. D - We're doing our best to spread holiday cheer. W - Welcome to our meeting. it's sure to be worthwhile. I - Would you...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Flag

Constellations
Thoughts to be read by one of the leaders:For thousands of years, people have gazed at the night sky with wonder and awe. As they studied the patterns of the stars, the early sky watchers drew imaginary lines from star to star, outlining the shapes of objects, animals, and gods. Some of their names for these constellations are familiar to us today.Stonehenge, a ring of mammoth boulders built several thousand years ago on the plains of Southern England, may well...

Home > Resources > Activities > Skits

Beam Me Up
Scout: Walks on stage, looks around slowly and says, "Scotty! The aliens are very unfriendly!! Quick!! Beam me aboard!!" Another scout in the audience: THUNK (the sound of a 2x4 landing on stage)...

Home > Resources > The Outdoors > First Aid

Environmental Injuries
Heatstroke, hypothermia, diarrhea, and intestinal parasites are environmental injuries you could face in a survival situation. Heatstroke The breakdown of the body's heat regulatory system (body temperature more than 40.5 degrees C - 105 degrees F) causes a heatstroke. Other heat injuries, such as cramps or dehydration, do not always precede a heatstroke. Signs and symptoms of heatstroke are-- Swollen, beet-red face. Reddened whites of eyes. Victim not sweating. Unconsciousness or delirium, which can cause pallor, a bluish color to...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Flag

Computer Closing
The theme for this month has focused on the computer. In these days, we can't imagine what life would be like without them. Computers are wonderful! But let's not forget they are only tools and they need good programming to be useful. Also we need to know how to use them. In some ways boys are like computers. They need motivation and good guidance. With parents' help, Cub Scouting can give boys such motivation and guidance. Unlike computers, however, once...

Home > Resources > Activities > Pre-Openings

Gymkhana
Have different stations set up outside for the pardners to test out their “riding” skills. These might include barrel racing, ribbon racing with a pardner, keyhole racing, etc. You can also add other rodeo fun ideas such as twirling a lasso, lassoing a post, etc. This can also be used as a regular game during a Pack Meeting....

Home > Resources > Activities > Skits

The Failing Engine
Props: Seating for the pilot, and two rows for passengers. Announcer: This skit takes place on an airplane. [Participants enter and form up in two rows, seated. The Announcer becomes the pilot at the front. Various sound effects of flying are suitable] [The plane is flying along, when the pilot announces:] Pilot: Ladies and gentlemen I'm sorry to tell you that the far Starboard engine is overheating and the engineer is going to shut it down. Don't worry, the plane...

Home > Resources > Leaders

Discounts to Scouts
The following is a list of companies that offer discounts and freebies to Scouts. Please feel free to contact us and let us know of any errors or additions for this page. Company Category Description Website Discount Location Status Verified Bass Pro Shops Sporting Goods Sporting Goods Store www.bassproshops.com 10% National confirm 7/8/2008 Next Adventure Sporting Goods www.nextadveture.net 10% Pacific Northwest confirm 7/8/2008 Alps Mountaineering Camping Gear Internet Store www.alpsmountaineering.com up to 40% must apply for membership Internet confirm 7/8/2008 Scoutdirect.com Camping Gear Alps Mountaineering store www.scoutsdirect.com up to 40% must apply for...

Home > Resources > Activities > Skits

Don Diego And The Super Jumping Beans
This skit has three main characters: Amigo, Pancho, and Dan Diego. In addition, you will need other characters for JUMPING BEANS. YOU can have as many jumping beans as you wish. Amigo, Pancho, and Don Diego are dressed in Mexican costumes. As the scene opens, Amigo and Pancho are on stage conversing. Don Diego is sitting to one side of the stage sleeping, siesta style. He has one leg all wrapped up in a bulky bandage. The jumping beans, who...

Home > Resources > The Outdoors > Cooking > Desserts

Peanut Butter Play Dough Musical Instruments
You will need: 1-cup creamy peanut butter, 1 1/2-cups instant powdered milk, 3 tablespoons honey, Medium sized mixing bowl Combine all ingredients into the mixing bowl. Mix until dough is smooth. If dough is dry add more honey if it is to dry add more powdered milk. Dived dough out so that each boy has his own and let them make and create as many musical instruments as they can. Have them share their ideas with each other. When they...

Home > Resources > Activities > Songs

This Old Man
This old man, he plays one, He plays knick-knack on my thumb. With a knick-knack, paddy-wack, give a dog a bone. This old man goes rolling home.Two-on my shoe. [Tap shoe.] Three-on my knee. [Tap on knee.] Four-on the floor. [Touch the floor.] Five-on my hive. [Move hands as if brushing bees away] Six-on my sticks. [Tap knuckles of other hand.] Seven-up to Devon. [Shake fist.] Eight-on my pate. [Tap top of head.] Nine-on my spine. [Touch...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Flag

Making That Leap
We have all heard the words of Neil Armstrong as he stepped on the surface of the Moon for the first time, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." What is remarkable about these words is that even when performing an incredible personal achievement, he also knew his actions would have an impact on billions of people over a quarter of a million miles away. He was saying that the words and actions of each of us...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Cub Scout

Aim For The Stars
The words "Aim for the Stars" have important meaning to Cub Scouts. There have been many before us who have set their sites and lived their lives by Aiming for the Stars. And while they may not have made it on the first try, or the second, or even the third, they eventually do make it. A Cub Scout who does his best like our motto says, is bettering himself. Sure, sometimes he may not "hit the stars," but he...

Home > Resources > Activities > Skits

Trip To The Moon
Cast:  Controlman,  2 Spacemen,  President,  Man-In-The-Moon,  2 Space Mice Props:  Spaceship, Telescope, Moon with door big enough for head to stick out, Chair Setting:  (As curtain opens, Controlman is looking at the moon through a telescope, at left. Spaceship stands close by. Man-in-the-Moon & Space Mice are hidden behind moon on opposite side of stage. Spacemen enter at left, helmets under left arms and they approach Controlman. 1st Spaceman:  Has the President arrived? Controlman:  Not yet. 2ND Spaceman: I hope...
Recipes

Creamed Cheese And Bacon Sandwich

1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
8oz pkg cream cheese
1bs salad dressing
1/2 tsp red pepper
1/2 tsp Tabasco

Stir bacon crumbs into softened cream cheese. Add rest of ingredients -and mix well. Spread over hot toast to serve.


Chocolate Lovers Upside Down Cake

1 cup flour
3/4 cups sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
5 tsp cocoa
1/2 cups milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbs melted margarine
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup boiling water

TOPPING:

1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cups brown sugar
1/4 cups cocoa

In small pot, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cocoa. Stir in milk and vanilla. Add melted margarine and pecans. Line Dutch oven with foil, grease and flour. Pour batter into oven. Combine sugar, brown sugar, and cocoa. Spread mixture over cake batter. Pour 1 cup boiling water over top of cake. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. When done, carefully turn oven over with lid on. Attempt to remove :cake on lid. When cool, carefully peel off foil and serve.

 
 

Ramblings

How not to Step into the Breach
Nature abhors a vacuum – and so do strong leaders. When your senior patrol leader doesn’t react quickly enough to get the troop’s attention or deal with some minor problem, there’s always an adult around who’s all too happy to...

Kid's Chili
This recipe was recently shared on a Scouting mailing list and I thought I would share with you as its sounds pretty good and came with high praise. Originally it came from http://www.food.com/recipe/kids-chili-15603#ixzz1npbZ9Clu Kid's ChiliIngredients:2 lbs lean ground beef1 cup chopped yellow onion1 teaspoon salt½...

Gone from Pack Trainer to Committee Chair
Hello All,Been awhile since I last posted and there have been some updates. Yes, I am still a Den Leader and now a Webelos Den Leader, which is my primary position as an Adult Scout Leader.I have completed my...

Boy Scout Rivals
In the first book of this twelve part series, written by Maj. Archibald Lee Fletcher, introduces the boys of the Beaver Patrol of Beverly, Indiana, a small Midwestern town. This group of boys, living shortly after...

The Perfect Campfire Grill
 My good friend Jeff Walker, founder of The Perfect CampfireGrill, has designed and built an amazing line of grills to cook over a campfire. Jeff's grills are made from heavy-guage steel and have a patented one inch raised edge that...

Keep Having Fun!!!
Remember, if you are having fun everyone else is having fun.  When we get into the second half of the Scouting year, us Leaders start looking at the “Finish Line” aka the end of the Scouting year.  It is bittersweet,...

Adventure of Beaver Patrol - 12 Novels by Fletcher
Big Rock Publishing presents the Centennial Edition of The Boy Scout Series, originally published in 1913, and written by Maj. Archibald Lee Fletcher. This edition features a foreword written by P. Todd Kelly, noted Scouting historian...

Kamp Kitchens � Revisted
Awhile back I wrote a series detailing my group camp kitchen which included an array of helpful tips and hints. Since I originally wrote this series many more Scouters have started to use InsaneScouter and I thought the series might...

Hang a Hammock Inside a Mini-Van
This is a cool video I stumbled across with a guy showing how he hangs a hammock in his mini-van. All he really does is hook each end of the hammock in the doors, one in the front passenger door,...

Interview of the Center Trail team
Recently I was able to talk with the folks at CenterTrail.com, a website that provides simple template based hosting to Scout units. In interest of full disclosure Center Trail is a sponsor of InsaneScouter, but in no way was this...
 

Kamp Knots


Used with permission by
Rich Diesslin
www.the-cartoonist.com

KNOTS Cartoons full-color paperback book is here!
Great Gift for Scouts and Scouters!


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Blogs and Podcasts

BSA Cubcast
Health and Fitness
The Cub Scout motto is “Do your best,” and the best way to accomplish that is to be healthy and fit. BSA National Commissioner Tico Perez joins us to explain...

BSA Cubcast
Spring Tiger Cub Recruiting
Lucia Cronin is an executive committee member of the Bay Lakes Council in Appleton, Wisconsin. She has been successful in both recruiting and, more importantly, retention. We’ve asked her to...

Ropes and Poles
Kontiki rafts - March 1987
From my home troop's (9th Benoni) logbook - the troop's raft featured in a photo from The Citizen, a national newspaper, covering Gauteng (then Transvaal) Kontiki....

Leave No Trace
Be Our Guest
Students sketching Lower Yosemite FallsA Leave No Trace mindset tip from the e-tour:Heading to a National Park, State Park, or National Forest? Don't just think of yourself as a visitor...

leave no trace community
Be Our Guest
Students sketching Lower Yosemite FallsA Leave No Trace mindset tip from the e-tour:Heading to a National Park, State Park, or National Forest? Don't just think of yourself as a visitor...

Scoutmaster Musings
Day 13 - Oracle Chalet Village
I walked 50480 steps on the trail today.I traveled about 21 miles today.I spent most of the day walking across a very hot, dry desert after I descended the Oracle...

Scout Wire
Breakfast Club: Next Call April 4; Site Launched
The Council Operations Breakfast Club meeting on April 4 is titled “Cool Innovations Under Way in the BSA!” Please join host Assistant Chief Scout Executive Gary Butler once again as...

Scout Wire
Finance Impact e-Letter: Be Prepared … for Summer Camp!
Click to open April 1 issue The April issue of the Finance Impact e-Letter has been published and is available on the Finance Impact website. Be Prepared―for the summer camp season. As...

Scout Wire
All Markets Strategy Summit Planned for National Annual Meeting
For the second year, Council Operations will be hosting an All Markets Strategy Summit for council staff and key volunteers interested in analyzing, preparing, and executing plans to work with...

Scout Wire
AT&T to Award Grants for Curbing Dropout Rates
AT&T has launched a campaign to help more students graduate from high school ready for careers and college, and to ensure the country is better prepared to meet global competition. Among...
 

Random Scout News

view all news at all news

Boy Scouts to help food pantries
The Boy Scouts of Samoset Council is conducting a Scouting for Food Drive for local food pantries in the councils 13-county area in central and northern Wisconsin....

Circular N° 12 / March 2012
Organisations having Consultative Status with the World Scout Committee...

Cub Scouts in Exeter's Pack 323 race in Pinewood Derby
Members of Pack 323's newest den, the Tigers, pose with their cars and trophies at the conclusion of an exciting day of racing. Courtesy photo We reserve the right to...

Merrie Spaeth: The Girl Scouts At 100
Amid the annual cookie sales, the Girl Scouts are celebrating their centennial this year. The organization has evolved during that time, and commentator Merrie Spaeth likes some of the recent...

Happy birthday, Girl Scouts
Wharton Girl Scout Troop 176 participated in the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts candle-lighting ceremony on March 12, along with many other Morris County troops. They learned about the history...

Girl scouts celebrates 100 years in Eloy
Girl Scouts USA celebrated it's 100th year in Eloy Thursday. It's the birthplace of the organization's CEO Anna-Marie Chavez. She says though the principals are the same today, the times...

Muslim girl scouts in new uniform
Girl scouts have a new choice of uniform following requests from the Muslim community....

Girl Scouts celebrate 100 years
The North Attleborough Girl Scouts held a Mother-daughter tea party themed event with a focus on early Girl Scout history and the life of founder Juliette Gordon Low, on Sunday...

Lights Out!
                  Want to be able to see the stars for once within the city limits? Want to show that you are concerned about the environment? Well, Earth Hour 2012 will give...

Lights Out!
                  Want to be able to see the stars for once within the city limits? Want to show that you are concerned about the environment? Well, Earth Hour 2012 will give...
 

 

Thoughts to Ponder

Scoutmaster Minute – Only One

I am only one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.

This quote from Edward Everett Hale reminds us that we need to look at what we can achieve rather than getting distracted by all of the things we can’t do.

When we look around, there are many little things we can do to help our fellow man. Focus on those things instead of the big problems which seem impossible to solve. Who knows? Maybe if enough of us work on the things we can do, the things which seemed impossible may be within our reach.

So let’s finish up tonight with a similar thought from Mother Teresa:

If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.

 



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