Big Cypress National Preserve
Established on October 4, 1974, Big Cypress National Preserve is a huge swath of swampland occupying over 720,000 acres and located in southern Florida, west of Miami. Big Cypress NP shares a border and is often paired in spirit with Everglades National Park. Hosting nearly one million visitors in 2011, it is a great destination for strong men and women who can brave the weather and the bugs. There is no admission fee.Notable featureThe most... [More]
By: Daniel Taylor On: 2015-02-07Eagle Tip - Strike Up the Band
Strike Up the BandMusic, William Congreve argued 300 years ago, has “charms to sooth a savage breast.” But music can also stir up emotions, as Hollywood filmmakers regularly demonstrate.If you can recruit a musician or two, you can capture a little bit of music’s emotional impact at your next Eagle court of honor. How? By including a performance of “Trail the Eagle,” the unofficial anthem of Eagle Scouts, in the ceremony.“Trail the Eagle” is a... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2015-02-05First National Boy Scout Jamboree, Washington D.C. 1937 Chevrolet Newsreel
First National Boy Scout Jamboree, Washington D.C. 1937 Chevrolet NewsreelWake up early to the bugle, bathe in chilled water and rush to breakfast! Typical start of a day at the jamboree, where the chefs have to cook 50,000 eggs – two for each boy! Breakfast is followed by boxing matches and activities – how fast can you scale a nine foot wall? Can you build a fire with flint and steel?There are interesting exhibitions including... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2015-02-04Fun Things to Make with Toilet Paper Rolls
FUN THINGS TO MAKE WITH TOILET PAPER ROLL:1. Minions: Which kid wouldn’t love minions? Take a roll and colour it yellow, paint a Minion face and add a few limbs! 2. Snake: Paint a few rolls and let the kids put them together to make a snake. Sure to keep them busy for a few hours. 3. Lorax: Talk about Dr. Seuss and teach your kids about the environment. Build a Lorax! 4. Bird Feeder: Use peanut butter and... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2015-02-03Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is located in the north Midwestern United States near Duluth, Minnesota. Its islands are situated off the tip of Wisconsin, in Lake Superior, the largest of the five Great Lakes. Apostle Islands NL was established on September 26, 1970.Notable FeatureAs of late, the most notable features in Apostle Islands National Lakeshore have been the sea caves. Located on the mainland, as well as Sand and Devil Islands, the sea caves face... [More]
By: Daniel Taylor On: 2015-01-31Eagle Tip - Learning From Our Mistake
Learning From Our MistakeWanting to make her son’s Eagle court of honor especially memorable, one of our troop moms decided to hire a caterer. She arranged for the caterer to arrive and set up about the time the ceremony was scheduled to begin. You can imagine her shock when she went into the reception room right after the ceremony and discovered there was no caterer and no food! (Fortunately, someone else had picked up the... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2015-01-29Snow Camping with Boy Scouts
Snow Camping with Boy ScoutsThe most important part in snow camping is building the fire in a hole dug in the snow. Initially one has to make sure the fire has caught on to the small sticks. The hardest part is keeping the fire burning. To build the fire twigs have to be added before the big barks. To put out the fire, snow is just shoved on it.Sled Dogs were camping at a park... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2015-01-28Cyber Chip Program
Cyber Chip Program Youths today spend more time on the internet than on anything else. They are perpetually hooked on to an electronic device. Hence, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA)’s Cyber Chip program is an appropriate step taken to protect the youth while they are online. In partnership with NetSmartz, they have developed this Youth Net Protection tool that is designed to look like a smart-phone. Some of the issues the program addresses are... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2015-01-27
Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park is located in the northern part of the central United States. The entirety of the designated land is located in South Dakota. The badlands have a long and interested history. They used to be home to now-extinct American mammals such as the saber-toothed tiger and one species of rhino. Later, its geological formations housed outlaws and fugitives.Nowadays, it is a beautiful, federally protected national park that’s perfect for the family.Notable featureThe geology... [More]
By: Daniel Taylor On: 2015-01-24Eagle Tip - Sharpen Your Ax Before Planning a Court of Honor
Sharpen Your Ax Before Planning a Court of HonorDespite what various websites claim, Abraham Lincoln probably did not say, "Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." (Details are here.) That doesn't mean whoever did say that was wrong, however. In fact, the wisdom definitely applies to Eagle courts of honor. You'll probably spend at least twice as much time planning a court of... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2015-01-22