Brand new Cubstruction
We have created a brand new set of worksheets for you to use with your Scouts during meetings or perhaps with your younger children. These new worksheets contain a word search puzzle, a cryptogram, a house with a puzzle in it, a scavenger hunt, a song to sing and a special picture to color. There is also a Kamp Knots cartoon included. This new Cubstruction set of worksheets was put together after a lot... [More]
By: InsaneScouter On: 2019-03-29Kids & differences from America to the Philippines
I have been in the Philippines for almost two years, and I recently had the honor of being named a godparent for a new little baby girl across the street. I am called Ninong, and my wife is Ninang. The little girl's name is Sabrina. In Filipino culture, godparenting is a very important aspect of life. Especially that the Philippines is a very religious country; godparents are needed in various occasions such as... [More]
By: InsaneScouter On: 2019-03-28Why
Walton image purchased by ShutterstockThe one nagging question that people in general -- folks who don't know me -- along with my friends and family (it was my mother's favorite question and even after she's been gone from the earth years ago, it still rings clear in my head) ask me."Why are you still doing this? You don't have kids in Scouting. You can't really earn anything from it anymore -- you're old. There's... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-03-25Enjoying the Hike
Shutterstock image purchased by Mike Walton I love hiking. It is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, to travel with my friends and share experiences with them, and to sing silly songs. As a youth, I participated in some 15 or so hiking trails, mostly because there was a good looking medal to add to my faux "buckskin display" I made in Cub Scouts, or patch to go onto my jean jacket (couldn't afford... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-03-21How Much Does the BSA Pay You?
Shutterstock Image (although my actual wallet has small pieces of paper which cannot be used for money) Several Scouters (and some parents!) have written or cornered me at a Scouting event or activity and asked these questions. I answer them candidly if not with a slight bit of embarrassment; I share this with you because, well, it came up again today:"Hey, Mike. I just read your Facebook stuff. It seems that you're out doing... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-03-18Hot Apple Cider Recipes
We thought we would share some of the sights and scents of having some hot apple cider in a campground. Here are some simple recipes using a store-bought jug of apple cider slowly heated on a camp stove with a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg added to it. Camping is a perfect place to enjoy these simple pleasures! Warm food and drink by the campfire keep you warm both inside and out. Here are... [More]
By: InsaneScouter On: 2019-03-14Groundhog Day at the Jamboree
President Donald Trump waves to some 30,000+ Scouts and Venturers during the "Fellowship and Service Show" on 24 July 2017 at the BSA's National Scout Jamboree (Carlos Barria/Reuters) By now, many of you have seen, read or heard about President Donald Trump's appearance and performance during the 2017 National Scout Jamboree. It reminded me of a movie I saw when I was younger. The movie was called "Groundhog Day," and it starred comedic actor... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-03-11A Scout is Courteous
Courteousness is getting harder and harder to find these days. As I think back to my time in Cub Scouting and Webelos, I remember that is was just expected that young men in the Boy Scout program were courteous. From the Merriam-Webster dictionary, people who are courteous are polished have manners, gallantry, or ceremonial usage of a court. I had to think about the last definition that Merriam-Webster used…The adjective courteous... [More]
By: InsaneScouter On: 2019-03-04Minus 2 paychecks
Stock photo purchased by Mike Walton Perhaps it made me feel good. Perhaps it is the idea of being around other like-minded people. Maybe it is the idea of humbling one's self to serve people you don't even know, seeing their faces say to you "thank you," especially after a day in which people's faces were saying anything but those words to you.Maybe it was the fact that with the loss of two paychecks,... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-02-25Wood Badge
Participants and staff of Quivira Council's Wood Badge course C5-198-13 (photo from Quivira Council used by permission) I spent a few hours over the weekend working on topics for these weekly entries. Many of them come to my brain and fingers quickly, and I have little to no problem typing out the content which I hope you find enjoyable reading. I also hope the material is a little educational as far as Scouting... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-02-18