Author: Scouting magazine

It was an event for the history books. Literally.

The 2019 World Scout Jamboree, the first on American soil in more than half a century, welcomed Scouts from nearly 150 countries to the BSA’s stunning Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia.

A new book, called Unlock a New World: Celebrating the 24th World Scout Jamboree, lets you relive the magic of the quadrennial global event. Readers are treated to 160 pages of full-color photos, inspiring individual stories and fascinating bits of World Scout Jamboree history.

It’s a must-have for anyone who attended the World Scout Jamboree, served on staff (known as the International Service Team) or stopped by as a day visitor.

But it will also delight everyone intrigued by the concept of Scouts from six continents gathering in one place for 10 days of intercultural friendships, life-changing experiences and high-adrenaline adventures.

Order Unlock a New World for $29.99 from the official 2019 World Scout Jamboree store.

About the 2019 World Scout Jamboree

From the opening ceremony on July 24 to the closing ceremony on Aug. 1, the 2019 World Scout Jamboree — the 24th such event in history — celebrated global diversity, including both the differences that make us special and the similarities that unite us.

Though our uniform shirts may be tan or red or blue, we all wear the same purple patch signifying our membership in the World Organization of the Scout Movement. And we all learn to Be Prepared through hands-on experiences simply not offered in other youth organizations.

Part of what makes a World Scout Jamboree so special is the opportunity to meet people from countries you’ll likely never travel to. Here’s how Unlock a New World describes those cultural connections:

From Scottish kilts to Korean hanboks, Japanese kimonos to Kenyan masai suka, Scouters throughout the subcamps donned their native dress. They also showcased their heritages through folk dances and performances such as the Palestinian dabke, the Brazilian samba and the Mexican jarabe tapatio, to name just a few.

“It’s very interesting to meet and celebrate people from all around the world and learn about their cultures. It shows us that we may look different and speak different languages, but that we are all young people with very similar interests,” said Marcos, a Scout from Hong Kong attending his first World Scout Jamboree.

What’s inside the book

I explored Unlock a New World cover to cover, and here’s what stood out to me:

• Fascinating stories and stunning photos covering the entire event, from arrival to departure
• Lyrics to “Unlock a Brand New World,” the 24th World Scout Jamboree’s official song, written by a Scout from the U.K. contingent
• Details about the surprise appearance from Bear Grylls, the world-famous adventurer and Chief Ambassador of World Scouting
• Profiles of selected troops, such as Troop 3 (Coahuila, Mexico), Troop 70 (Avon, England) and Troop 133 (Washington, D.C.)
• The story of how the World Scout Jamboree flag made it to the top of Mount Everest and even higher — the International Space Station
• A chronology of every World Scout Jamboree from the first one, held in 1920 in England
• A look ahead at the 2023 World Scout Jamboree in South Korea

Exclusive excerpt: The opening ceremony

Bryan on Scouting received permission to share an excerpt from Unlock a New World. Here’s the story of the history-making opening ceremony:

Opening Ceremony

History was made on the evening of July 24, 2019. Never before had so many Scouts from so many countries gathered together in one place. On their feet and arm in arm, 43,000 youth and adult volunteers from 145 National Scout Organizations roared in anticipation for the official start of the 24th World Scout Jamboree.

As a soft blanket of darkness began to fall over the beautiful hills of West Virginia, the distinctive, deep sound of djembes filled the arena. Wooden flutes and string music began to swell, followed by the rich tenor of Lebo M, producer and composer for both the stage and film versions of Disney’s The Lion King, singing the distinctive melody of the musical’s opening song “Circle of Life.”

With the contingent of Scouts from South Africa, the singer appeared at the top of the stadium, winding his way through the crowd toward the stage, engaging Scouts along the way as if he had known them their whole lives. The song crescendoed as the entertainer and his fellow South Africans arrived on the stadium’s main stage. The enthusiasm, cheering, and joyful noises from the gathering of Scouts rose as flag bearers from each country represented walked through the audience proudly waving their flags, giving each country a moment to shine before all at the Jamboree.

The parade reached its apex as Canada’s 48th Highlanders and Royal Canadian Mounted Police brought a pageantry and panache that only they could provide as one of the three co-hosts of this World Scout Jamboree. With the raising of the World Scouting flag, the 24th World Scout Jamboree had officially begun!

Demonstrating that music would be a unifier throughout the Jamboree, Jessica Williams, a Scout from the United Kingdom, led the attendees in singing the official Jamboree Song, “Unlock a New World,” a song of her own composition, as the words were displayed on the video screens flanking the stage. The three Masters of Ceremonies — youth leaders from the three host countries — each translated various parts of this and all shows into their native tongues.

Chief Ambassador of World Scouting, Bear Grylls, made a surprise appearance rappelling down from the rafters to center stage. From there he shared an impassioned message, encouraging the Scouts to be the spirit and force behind global change, charging all to “Shine that Scouting spirit to everyone you meet!”

Next, World Scouting announced the launch of a new interactive app, NANO, designed to engage Scouts and other young people to take action for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). True to the Jamboree’s theme of Unlock a New World, the opening show did just that. Like magic, the NOVUS wristbands each Scout and adult volunteer wore for identification began to blink and light up in a myriad of colors, coordinated with the music that played throughout the evening. As the energy and emotion built, at every turn Scouts were astonished with the next amazing show element.

A season winner of America’s Got Talent, Recycled Percussion brought the entire crowd to its feet with an energetic and innovative performance that amazed and delighted as the four-person band used items ranging from ladders to blenders to trash cans and power tools to create melodies, many with fantastic visuals to match.

Just when the audience thought the show was over, the Masters of Ceremonies and Jamboree mascot Yona came on stage. They opened a small box from which slowly rose a small, brightly lit drone. It hovered near them and then began to rise. The drone moved upwards and out from the stage, going high into the air several hundred feet into the darkness.

Moments later, there was an unbelievable flash of light. A swarm of 250 drones lit up the canvas of the night sky, dancing and moving in amazing ways. Accompanied with inspirational music, the show’s attendees witnessed the largest drone show ever to take place in North America. As the iconic images of World Scouting and the Summit Bechtel Reserve came to life through the drones, the audience cheered wildly. A new world was truly unlocked that night.

When you feel lost, music can be your saving grace.

In April, as the virus continued to spread its dangers, toils and snares across the country, Alex Miller looked at the calendar with trepidation.

He could practically hear the clock ticking down the three months until July 30, his 18th birthday. He had one remaining requirement for the Eagle Scout rank: “plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project.”

While Alex knew that time extensions are available during COVID-19, he also understood that conditions might not improve any time soon. And besides, he wanted to find a way to leave an Eagle project-caliber mark on his community during its time of greatest need.

That meant acting now.

Alex devised a project he could complete without face-to-face contact with volunteers, one that harnesses his skills and passions, and — most importantly — one that would have an immediate impact.

Alex, a member of Troop 402 of Wadsworth, Ohio (Great Trail Council), planned, developed and led an effort to create three worship videos for his church, bringing joy, comfort and spirituality when his community needed it most.

“The project took place when many churches were not able to meet in person due to COVID-19,” Alex says. “Making these videos showed me that music can truly spread hope and make a difference during these hard times.”

Watch the videos at the end of this post, and keep reading for more of our interview with Alex, his parents and his district’s Eagle advancement chairman.

What the project involved

If you’ve ever tried to stitch together a few clips into a simple video to share with friends, you know that editing video is a time-consuming task. I’ve drained an hour creating a one-minute video that was just a few family photos and videos put to music.

That makes Alex’s effort downright Herculean.

For the “Amazing Grace” video, which is my favorite of the three, Alex had to collect videos from 28 different singers, synchronize their submissions down to the millisecond and weave everything together into a compelling finished product. He even added B-roll videos of the church, community, schools and parks to play behind the singers.

So just how long did all that work take? Thanks to the reporting requirements for Eagle Scout projects, we know the exact number.

Alex’s project involved 108.5 hours of service. That includes 87.5 hours of work by Alex himself and an additional 21 hours spread among the 36 members of his team.

Here’s an overview of the step-by-step process:

• Alex recruited prospective volunteers through emails, calls, texts and social media posts.
• He created a website to guide participants through each step of the virtual choir process.
• He worked with his church’s vocal director to select the hymns.
• He created videos for participants to use when rehearsing.
• He sent regular updates to the project beneficiary and participants.
• He established and enforced deadlines for submissions.
• He took photos and videos to be used as backgrounds and B-roll during the videos.
• He accepted all video submissions and used Final Cut Pro to edit together the audio and visuals into the three final products.
• He shared the videos online. They were even broadcast during a virtual worship service for Wadsworth United Methodist Church.

What he learned

It’s a lesson better learned in Scouting than when your career is at stake: Plans fall through.

When Alex learned it would be difficult to complete an Eagle project in person, he didn’t plow ahead anyway. He adapted.

“I learned that I need to be flexible with big projects like this,” he says. “I like to try to plan as much as I can in advance, but I have learned that not everything needs to happen exactly the way I plan it. There will always be some roadblocks, but it’s important to keep going.”

Here’s what else Alex learned:

• You can be a leader anywhere, at any time. “Leadership can take place in a digital setting and still be effective,” Alex says. “I was able to lead many people who I never met in person to completing a task that was new to them, too.”
• You can make a difference, even during a pandemic. “Don’t be afraid to try something different or nontraditional,” Alex says. “Choose a project that you are truly passionate about, and you will find a way to make it happen.”
• Eagle projects don’t have to leave something physical behind to have a lasting impact. “I had the perception that Eagle projects had to have a tangible result, which I now know is not true,” Alex says. “I was able to complete this project completely virtually, while still making a positive impact on my community and strengthening my leadership skills along the way.”

Alex completed his project before his 18th birthday.

And on Aug. 6, he passed his Eagle Scout board of review. (Yes, Scouts are permitted to have their Eagle board of review after their 18th birthday, provided all other requirements are met before turning 18.)

Not wanting to keep his expertly conducted Eagle project to himself, Alex posted easy-to-follow plans on his project’s website. He encourages others to follow the steps to create their own inspirational video.

The adults who helped

No Eagle Scout reaches that pinnacle achievement alone, and Alex is no exception.

Let’s have a round of applause for Paul Dexheimer, the Eagle advancement chairman for Alex’s district. When Alex contacted Dexheimer worried about deadlines, safety and logistics, Dexheimer helped him brainstorm ways to complete a project that would channel Alex’s interests, hobbies and skills in a unique but safe way.

“In my opinion, his project is an incredible testament to adaptability, leadership and perseverance,” Dexheimer says. “‘Amazing Grace’ brought my wife to tears.”

And let’s also hear it for Mom and Dad: Lorrie and Jim Miller.

When Alex told them his idea, they loved how it would help people connect even though they could not get together in person.

“This project allowed Alex to use his talents while bringing joy to others,” Jim Miller says.

Alex took full control of his Eagle project, just like everything in his Scouts BSA journey, but Jim and Lorrie served as listening ears whenever Alex needed them.

“We feel this Eagle project allowed Alex to showcase many of the skills that Scouts have helped him develop over the years,” Lorrie Miller says. “We could not be more proud of how this all turned out.”

Watch the videos

For 107 years, Scouting magazine has been bringing leaders, parents and volunteers news about “all-things Scouting” as well as resources for building an exceptional program. The print version of the publication may have ended with the May-June 2020 issue, but the resources for Scouting volunteers and parents are better than ever in the Scouting magazine app.

Even though the format for the trusted Scouting source has changed, the mission hasn’t. We are dedicated to continuing to deliver your same favorite features as well as some new topics to enjoy. With the app, you’ll always have access to the latest information to help you as Scouters and as parents.

So, check it out! The brand-new Scouting magazine app is available now in the App Store and Google Play.

See what’s new

The latest issue, September-October 2020, is online in a digital format, free to all adults registered with the BSA. Instead of waiting months for fresh content, the Scouting magazine app will be updated every day with something new.

You can sign up for notifications so you know when stories are posted on topics you like. Are you a Cub Scout leader? There’s a category for that. A parent? There’s a category for that, too. The app is easy to read, sleek and intuitive. Plus, you can have it with you and read it anywhere on your devices.

Tune in tomorrow (Aug. 28) for the first of a series of Facebook Live videos highlighting all the cool content that will be available through the app. After Friday’s broadcast, check back in to Scouting magazine’s Facebook page at 2 p.m. CT on Fridays for more live videos.

And, the Bryan on Scouting blog will still be here, sharing inspirational stories, helpful tips and the latest news. Together, the blog and app will provide you with what you need.

Winter coats marked down all summer long! Halloween costumes on sale beginning Nov. 1!

Some sales seem timed to meet the interests of the company, not the needs of the customer.

But every now and then, the right sale comes at exactly the right time. That’s the case with the Scout Shop uniform sale. You can save on essential elements of the Scouting experience right as a new Scouting year begins.

Here’s the deal: From now through Oct. 10, families can get 25% off any uniform bottom when they buy a uniform top from the same program.

The sale includes Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA uniforms — both youth and adult. You can even pair the discounted bottoms with the newly updated Scouts BSA men’s shirt and Scouts BSA boy’s shirt.

The sale’s only rule is that the top and bottom must be from the same program, meaning you can’t pair a blue Cub Scout shirt with green Scouts BSA switchbacks.

Beyond that, the process of saving a few extra bucks follows that old Cub Scout saying: “Keep it simple; make it fun.”

Keep it simple: Just use the code CUBSCOUT25 or SCOUTSBSA25 when ordering at ScoutShop.org, and watch the savings appear in your cart.

Make it fun: Keep shopping the site for other fun surprises, such as Pinewood Derby gear, camping equipment or craft supplies.

Stock up and save

When it comes to buying things my family needs, I sometimes forget the Scout Motto.

Instead of remembering to “Be Prepared,” I’ll shop for something the instant we need it. As you might expect, that’s rarely when that “something” is at its cheapest.

Savvy shoppers do it right. To save cash, they buy things in anticipation of future needs. They get their heating oil — and, yes, those winter coats — in the summer. They stock up on holiday decorations in early January.

That same thinking applies to this Scout Shop sale. Even if your family doesn’t need a uniform right now, consider these scenarios:

• Your Scout will soon grow out of their current uniform. (They grow up so fast! <sniff>)
• This is the year your Scout moves from a Cub Scout pack to a Scouts BSA troop. (See previous parenthetical.)
• A Scout in your family has a sibling who will soon be joining them on their Scouting journey.
• Your own leader uniform is ready to be retired (and donated!) and replaced with a new one.
• You have a long-term event in your future where you’ll need more than one uniform. (I took three full uniforms to the 2017 National Jamboree, for example.)

The five W’s (and one H)

• Who: Eligible uniforms are those for:
  • Cub Scouts
  • Cub Scout leaders
  • Scouts BSA youth
  • Scouts BSA adult leaders
  • (Note: Venturing and Sea Scout uniforms are not included in the sale.)
• What: Get 25% off uniform bottoms with purchase of a uniform top from the same program.
• When: The sale runs from Aug. 17, 2020, to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Oct. 10, 2020.
• Where: At ScoutShop.org and participating Scout Shops. (Use the store locator and be sure to call ahead to make sure your store is both open and participating in the sale.)
• Why: Because savings.
• How: Use the promo code CUBSCOUT25 to save on Cub Scout uniforms or SCOUTSBSA25 to save on Scouts BSA Uniforms, Cub Scout leader uniforms, and Scouts BSA leader uniforms.

Figuring out how to create a fun den meeting in a virtual setting can feel overwhelming.

That’s why the National Council and 50 councils across the country worked together to produce these Cub Scout Adventures video resources to help den leaders.

They are a series of short videos, prepared by councils, to align with Adventures for each Cub Scout rank. Scouting volunteers and council professionals recruited local subject matter experts, like museums, theaters, businesses and law enforcement agencies as well as the BSA’s national high-adventure bases, to create these videos that cover 96 Cub Scout Adventures. Many of these videos were filmed by den leaders and Scouts, too.

You can use these videos to enhance your virtual den meetings; they don’t take the place of the program designed and presented in the Den Leader Experience or Cub Scout handbooks. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, these virtual resources may be used to complete requirements, such as virtual tours instead of den outings.

During this time, as in any time, follow the Cub Scout motto: Do Your Best.

Webinars via Zoom are planned for August 31 and September 14 to help you Do Your Best by demonstrating how best to use these video resources. Also on the video resource page are tips for using BSA’s advancement tracking tool Scoutbook and more helpful videos for running a den meeting. Links to these videos are also within Scoutbook.

For fans of Scouting, it was the ultimate cliffhanger.

The action-packed Amazon Prime show World’s Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji ended its 10 episodes without revealing the fate of Team Eagle Scouts, the impressive group of young BSA alumni we profiled in a post published the day the show was released.

That led many Scouters, like a Bryan on Scouting reader named Peter, to comment with a question: How did Team Eagle Scouts do?

Peter watched much of the Bear Grylls-hosted show with his daughter, a Bear Scout who “wants to compete in an adventure race when she grows up.”

”I have to say that I enjoyed the race, and the program was well produced, but I’m frustrated that … we never learn whether they completed the race,” Peter writes. “Although I enjoyed watching it, it is tremendously frustrating not to know the result.”

I hear you, Peter! The show definitely leaves viewers wanting more.

Bryan on Scouting was not given access to the episodes before they aired. With 66 teams racing across 416 miles of mountains, rivers, jungles and ocean, it was inevitable that some teams would get more screen time than others.

Even if every team received the exact same amount of screen time, that still wouldn’t be much. The 10 episodes total a combined 477 minutes of running time, which would equal about seven minutes per team.

But even though Team Eagle Scouts didn’t get much time on screen, their story of uniting under extreme conditions is no less inspiring. Especially when you know that Scouting helped them develop the skills and strength needed to overcome each of the obstacles seen on the show.

Yes, yes, sure. But did they finish the race?! We reached back out to Team Eagle Scouts to find out.

**Spoilers ahead.**

How Team Eagle Scouts finished in ‘World’s Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji’

Of the 66 teams that started the 11-day adventure, exactly two-thirds finished before the cutoff time.

Team Eagle Scouts finished 43rd of the 44 teams that finished, completing the journey just 90 minutes before the course closed.

Team New Zealand took first place, netting $100,000. Team Canada Adventure took second place and $50,000, and Team Gippsland Adventure of Australia took third and $25,000.

No team from the United States finished in the top 10; Team Eagle Scouts was one of just 11 U.S. teams to finish at all.

”It was intimidating, racing with some of the best teams in the world, especially knowing that the course had beaten some of them,” says Team Eagle Scouts captain Eric Lillstrom, an Eagle Scout, Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow and former summer camp staffer. “I was ecstatic that we finished.”

Lillstrom says he and his teammates — Matt Moniz, Katie Hancock, Corey Mullins and Charley Walton — focused on competing against the course, not on battling other teams.

That’s something Scouting does: It helps you make a plan and focus on what’s important.

”The fact that we weren’t driven to compete with and beat other teams allowed us to go at a sustainable pace and not make any race-ending mistakes,” Lillstrom says. “Luckily, our pace was just fast enough to finish. We embodied the attitude of the proverbial tortoise and finished the World’s Toughest Race while so many faster teams did not.”

What you didn’t see on the show

I asked Lillstrom for a glimpse of what we can’t see when watching the show.

“I feel like the producers did a really good job of letting it be as dramatic as it was without needing to spin it,” he says. “This race was brutally long, and I think that comes through in the show. But it’s impossible to comprehend the level of exhaustion we felt. We were completely beat after Day 4 and had to continue going with very little sleep and perpetually wet shoes for seven more days.”

Hancock, a lifelong Venturer and recipient of the Summit Award, Venturing’s highest honor, agrees that the lack of sleep was “absolutely brutal.”

”I remember drifting off throughout different activities during the race,” she says. “Falling asleep while biking, paddling, even walking.”

That’s something else Scouting does: It gives you the strength to keep going and reminds you that you aren’t alone.

”Scouting gave us the leadership skills to conquer the course as a team,” Hancock says.

Lillstrom adds that, no matter how large of a set viewers might have, the sheer scale of the island doesn’t translate to television.

“Most people don’t know how big Fiji is,” he says. “The whole race distance was over 415 miles, longer than the state of Illinois or Wyoming. That’s farther than going from San Francisco to Los Angeles.”

Staying in touch

Though the show debuted in August 2020, the actual race was completed nearly a year ago — in September 2019.

And while the members of Team Eagle Scouts had to keep secrets about the show to themselves for 11 months, they have been keeping in touch with one another throughout.

That’s another thing Scouting does: It brings people together.

”We still text regularly. We share funny memes and random reminiscences from the race,” Lillstrom says. “All of the experiences we had during this race firmly set Charley, Katie, Corey and Matt in my ‘friends for life’ group.”

Faced with the challenge of keeping their pack active and running without the benefit of in-person meetings, Cub Scout Pack 145 from Christiansburg, Va., did what so many dedicated Scout leaders have had to do during these tough times: They got creative.

Beginning in March, the pack leaders challenged their Cub Scouts to complete 35 tasks related to the Cub Scout program. Among our favorites:

No. 1: “The Scout Oath asks that all Scouts work on being ‘physically strong.’ Let’s hear reports or see a photo or a video of our Cub Scouts being physically active outside today.”
No. 2: “Show ‘A Scout is Clean’ by demonstrating or explaining how you wash your hands.”
No. 9: “A Scout is Thrifty! Find and count spare change from around your house.”
No. 11: “Litter cleanup in your neighborhood.”
No. 21: “Make your own musical instrument.”
No. 31: “Plant a garden.”
No. 33: “Duct tape is a Scout tool that can repair or craft anything. Show what you can do!”
No. 35: “Scout patches tradition — Show off all the patches you have earned before or during COVID.”

It’s a very fun and impressive list, and you can read the rest here. To receive credit for completing the challenges, the Cub Scouts had to document everything with photos or videos and send them to the adult leaders.

Once the challenges were verified as complete, the pack leaders mailed patches to the Scouts. It took more than 1,000 stamps to make sure every youth got the patch they deserved.

To top things off, the pack leadership made a personal visit to the home of every Scout. While observing appropriate social-distancing rules, the adults asked the Cub Scouts to say these four powerful words on video: “I’m a Cub Scout.” Watch the powerful and moving collection of responses below: 

Scouting doesn’t stop, even after you move on from a unit.

In 1988, a group of Scouters whose sons were no longer part of Troop 172 of Westfield, N.J., wanted to stay involved in the program that had shaped their families’ lives. So, they began working in a two-car garage at Winnebago Scout Reservation in New Jersey. They used their talents and some old donated equipment to do maintenance at the camp, replace signs at other Patriots’ Path Council camps, and construct new buildings and a waterfront.

This group of 27 retired Scouters call themselves “The Flintlocks.” Their spouses jokingly call them “The Flintstones” because of their age. Everyone is retired with the average age of 75; the oldest, Joe Schott, is 98. They have varied backgrounds; some are retired electricians and plumbers, others were police officers, small business owners, dentists and teachers.

One-third of the group is Eagle Scouts; more than half of them have been awarded the Silver Beaver Award, and about 40% are active in their grandchildren’s units. On average, they volunteer 5,000 hours cumulatively every year.

Last year, these men volunteered their time and talents to help a council program in trouble.

Shop stars

The Patriots’ Path Council offers an outreach program to bring Scouting to special-needs schools, inner city children and fatherless families. Usually, the council buys hundreds of Pinewood Derby cars and delivers them to the Flintlocks to design, cut, sand and repackage. The council then provides these cars to youth, so they can experience the excitement of a Pinewood Derby race.

This past year, however, the council was unable to continue this program due to financial reasons. So, the Flintlocks decided to help.

The group approached an area service league that provided them a $500 grant. The Flintlocks used the funds, along with some of their own money, to buy five cases of wooden cars — enough for three local special-needs schools.

Over the years, the group had expanded the camp garage, doubling its size. However, it burned down in 2013.

“We turned lemons into lemonade,” says Michael Hart. “We constructed a brand new 7,000-square-foot state-of-the-art wood shop.”

The shop features many new machines and a suction system to remove sawdust. One-third of the shop building is where the men work on big projects, like tent platforms and picnic tables. Last year, they made 110 platforms, 60 tables and 32 benches. Another third of the building is devoted to crafts. The men build craft kits — birdhouses, stools, tool boxes, bat houses — all to be sold in Scout shops. The rest of the building is a place for meetings or to hang out; the camp also uses this space for summer camp registration and other programs.

In the craft section of the shop, the men got to work on the 240 Pinewood Derby cars. They donated the finished products to the schools for the kids to paint and decorate while the teachers installed the wheels. A council professional then visited the schools and set up a track for the students to race their cars. One school social worker told the Flintlocks that the race was “the highlight of the year for the students.”

This year, the Flintlocks have stayed out of their shop because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Once things normalize though, they’re ready to continue serving Scouts in northern New Jersey.

“You were never a Boy Scout,” one character tells another as they prepare to face a villainous vampire. “I, however, always come prepared.”

This line, found in Stephen King’s 1975 dark novel Salem’s Lot, is one of dozens of Scouting references in the master storyteller’s works. Of King’s 59 full-length novels to date, at least 32 reference Scouting in some way.

Scouts march in the Derry town parade in It, a character raises her right hand in the Scout salute in Duma Key, and the hero creates a makeshift compass in The Dark Tower III, an act that causes his traveling companion to proclaim, “You really are an Eagle Scout!”

Time and again, the author uses Scouts and Scouting as a kind of shorthand for a range of character traits, including trustworthiness, bravery and preparedness.

Through his references, King, who was not a Scout as far as I can tell, demonstrates the universal understanding of Scouting values. King doesn’t need to explain what he means by “Scout virtues” or “Scout’s honor.” Readers understand.

It’s worth mentioning that a lot of the material in King’s books would frighten younger Scouts. Don’t interpret this post as my recommending a reading of The Shining at your next pack meeting.

But Scouting references in popular culture have always fascinated me, especially when those references come from one of the most successful novelists in history — and one of my personal favorite writers. As a Constant Reader (the nickname for King’s loyal fans), I started making a note every time I noticed a Scouting reference in one of his books. As I worked my way through his novels, there were enough Scouting references to form a pattern and, eventually, prompt a blog post.

To put it another way: This exhaustively researched post is the culmination of a 15-year overlap between my Scouting and Stephen King fandoms.

Annotated Stephen King bibliography

Three notes:

1. I’ve only included King’s full-length fiction works, though I have noticed references in his short stories and novellas.
2. Don’t worry if you’re still planning to read a King novel mentioned below. This list is spoiler-free.
3. I tried to reach out to King for an interview for this article but was unsuccessful.

• Carrie (1974)
  • No Scouting reference found
• Salem’s Lot (1975)
  • Multiple Scouting references, including mentions of Cub Scouts and a Scout hatchet; one character tells another, “You were never a Boy Scout. I, however, always come prepared.”
• The Shining (1977)
  • A mention of “Boy Scout virtues” and “Scout’s honor”
• Rage (1977, as Richard Bachman)
  • One character is called a “Star Scout”
• The Stand (1978)
  • References to a Scout backpack and Scout mess kit
• The Dead Zone (1979)
  • One character learned to use a “Silva compass when he had been in the Scouts”; a later passage mentions “Boy Scouts winning merit badges on The Great Hike of Life”
• The Long Walk (1979, as Richard Bachman)
  • References to a “Cub Scout attendance pin,” “hiking Boy Scouts,” a “Boy Scout pack” and “an Explorer Scout out for a day of bird-watching”
• Firestarter (1980)
  • Reference to a Cub Scout meeting
• Cujo (1981)
  • No Scouting reference found
• Roadwork (1981, as Richard Bachman)
  • No Scouting reference found
• The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger (1982)
  • No Scouting reference found
• The Running Man (1982, as Richard Bachman)
  • No Scouting reference found
• Christine (1983)
  • Characters say “Scout’s honor”; a road to a lake is kept plowed for “winter Explorer Scouts camping trips”
• Pet Sematary (1983)
  • A character “hadn’t held a compass in his hand since Boy Scouts, twenty years before”
• Cycle of the Werewolf (1983)
  • No Scouting reference found
• The Talisman (1984, with Peter Straub)
  • A character smells “old, mouldy canvas — it was the smell of a Boy Scout tent found in an attic after many dark years”
• Thinner (1984, as Richard Bachman)
  • One character says “Scout’s honor”
• It (1986)
  • One character “believed in the Boy Scout motto,” a poster invites families to “JOIN THE SCOUTING EXPERIENCE,” mentions of “Scout campouts” and “Boy Scout shorts”; Scouts march in the Derry parade
• Misery (1987)
  • No Scouting reference found
• The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three (1987)
  • A character rescues another, “but that didn’t mean he was a Boy Scout”
• The Eyes of the Dragon (1987)
  • No Scouting references found
• The Tommyknockers (1987)
  • No Scouting references found
• The Dark Half (1989)
  • A photographer brought three cameras because “I believe in the Boy Scout motto”
• Needful Things (1991)
  • No Scouting references found
• The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands (1991)
  • One character creates a makeshift compass, and another says, “You really are an Eagle Scout!”
• Gerald’s Game (1992)
  • No Scouting reference found
• Dolores Claiborne (1993)
  • No Scouting reference found
• Insomnia (1994)
  • Mentions of “Scout’s honor” and a Scout compass
• Rose Madder (1995)
  • “Luckily, my Boy Scout training has never deserted me,” one character says; references to a Scout troop and “Scout’s honor”
• The Green Mile (1996)
  • “Listen to your Scoutmaster,” one character says
• Desperation (1996)
  • “Boy Scouts we ain’t,” one character says after realizing nobody in the group has a flashlight
• The Regulators (1996, as Richard Bachman)
  • No Scouting reference found
• The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass (1997)
  • No Scouting reference found
• Bag of Bones (1998)
  • No Scouting reference found
• The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (1999)
  • No Scouting reference found
• Dreamcatcher (2001)
  • A photograph shows a “young fellow in a Boy Scout uniform, right hand raised in the three-fingered Boy Scout salute”
• Black House (2001, with Peter Straub)
  • A character wouldn’t make “a good Scoutmaster”
• From a Buick 8 (2002)
  • A police barracks gets an “occasional Boy Scout tour”
• The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla (2003)
  • No Scouting reference found
• The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah (2004)
  • No Scouting reference found
• The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower (2004)
  • No Scouting reference found
• The Colorado Kid (2005)
  • No Scouting reference found
• Cell (2006)
  • An antagonist “got tired of being a Boy Scout”
• Lisey’s Story (2006)
  • No Scouting reference found
• Blaze (2007, as Richard Bachman)
  • No Scouting reference found
• Duma Key (2008)
  • “This is a true story you’re telling me?” one character asks another, who responds by raising “her right hand in the Boy Scout salute”; another character says he knows what poison ivy and poison oak look like because “I was a Boy Scout”
• Under the Dome (2009)
  • A character fills his “Boy Scout pack” with rocks to throw at the mysterious dome
• 11/22/63 (2011)
  • A character from present day preparing to time-travel back to the late 1950s is told not to bring a backpack because, “Where you’re going, nobody wears backpacks except Boy Scouts, and they only wear them when they’re going on hikes and Camporees”; a later reference mentions a troop of Boy Scouts tending a bonfire with their Scoutmaster
• The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole (2012)
  • No Scouting reference found
• Joyland (2013)
  • References to Cub Scout Pack 18 and “a Boy Scout with a merit badge in modesty”
• Doctor Sleep (2013)
  • A character keeps all his most prized possessions in a special box, including his baseball cards and “Cub Scouts Compass Badge”
• Mr. Mercedes (2014)
  • A mention of “Scout’s honor” and a reference to a Scout sleeping bag
• Revival (2015)
  • No Scouting reference found
• Finders Keepers (2015)
  • A character “had never been a Boy Scout, but believed in being prepared”
• End of Watch (2016)
  • No Scouting reference found
• Sleeping Beauties (2017, with Owen King)
  • Mentions of a “Life Scout” and “Scout’s honor”; one character refuses to go into the woods because they were “never a Boy Scout”
• The Outsider (2018)
  • No Scouting references found
• Elevation (2018)
  • No Scouting references found
• The Institute (2019)
  • A character makes a reference to Scouts

Other Scouting references in Stephen King books and elsewhere

If you’ve spotted a Scouting references in a Stephen King book not listed here, leave a comment below.

Same goes for Scouting references in popular culture. Scouting Wire shared some pop culture references from the new millennium, but I’m interested in others you’ve found. Comment below with your faves.

As for me, I’m going to get back to reading.

Twenty-two years ago, over a series of chilly Saturdays in December 1998, I completed my Eagle Scout service project.

Wanting to find a project location that was personally meaningful, I chose a spot I had grown up visiting: the Heard Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney, Texas.

Trips to the Heard with my mom, dad and sister offered a welcome dose of nature just a short drive away. I wanted to give something back — to leave that special place a little better than I found it.

And so I planned, developed and led an effort to build a wooden deck and two benches, making a scenic area easier to access and enjoy.

I learned something about myself during those months of work. I learned I could plan a giant project, get it approved and lead my peers — all with very little help from adults.

But the true beneficiary was the museum and its visitors — the 100,000 people who visit the Heard Museum every year. It’s rewarding to know that some of these families sat on the benches and walked on the deck my friends and I so earnestly built.

That’s my Eagle project story. Today, I’m inviting current and future Eagle Scouts to share theirs.

• Current Eagle Scouts: If you’re one of the 2.1 million people who have become Eagle Scouts since 1965, the year the Eagle project became required, you’re invited to take the #EagleScoutChallenge.
• Future Eagle Scouts: If you’re still working on your Eagle project as you read this, you’re invited, too. Describe your plan or share photos or videos of the progress. The #EagleScoutChallenge is for you, too.

I’ve outlined the process for joining the #EagleScoutChallenge below, but it really can be distilled down to just 97 characters: share the story of your Eagle project on social media, and challenge another Eagle to do the same.

How to join the #EagleScoutChallenge

Compared to the weeks or months you spent working on your actual Eagle project, the #EagleScoutChallenge is quite simple.

Step 1: Share the story of your Eagle project on social media

Choose your favorite social media platform or three, and tell the abbreviated story of your Eagle project. Post as many places as you’d like — LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more.

I was lucky that my dad, fellow Eagle Scout Don Wendell, had digitized hundreds of photos from my years in Troop 1776 of Plano, Texas. He was able to quickly find the Eagle project photos I’ve used in this post.

A few things to consider:

• Tell the what, why and how of your project. Why was/is it important — to you and to your community?
• Keep it short and simple. Challenge yourself to tell the full story in 280 characters, even if you aren’t posting on Twitter and subject to a character limit.
• Include a photo or video if possible. Dig out that box of BSA photos or swipe back through your camera roll.
• Be sure to include the hashtags #EagleScoutChallenge and #scoutingstories, which will make it easy to find other Eagle Scouts sharing their stories.

Step 2: Nominate another Eagle Scout

This step puts the “challenge” in #EagleScoutChallenge.

Pick one or more fellow Eagle Scouts and tag them in your post, inviting them to share the story of their Eagle project.

A brief history of the Eagle project

While the Eagle Scout Award was first earned in 1912 (shoutout to Arthur Eldred!), the Eagle Scout service project was not officially added as a requirement until 1965.

(That’s a good piece of trivia for the next time someone tells you it’s easier to become an Eagle Scout today than “way back when.” I respectfully disagree!)

The 1965 update challenged young people to “plan, develop and carry out a service project” to benefit the community.

In 1972, that was revised to include a leadership component, ensuring that the prospective Eagle Scout would “give leadership to others” while completing the project.

Today, the requirement reads: “While a Life Scout, plan, develop and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school or your community.”

More than 2.1 million Eagle Scout Awards have been earned between 1965 and 2019. That means there have been more than 2.1 million Eagle projects — each one leaving a community a little better than before.

You can see many of these projects in the Eagle Scout Project Showcase, a service from Boys’ Life magazine.

Let’s do this!

Let’s get the #EagleScoutChallenge going. I look forward to seeing what you share.

Now you can support Scouting without lifting a finger — or at least not more than one.

AmazonSmile, the simple and no-cost way to donate to a favorite charity like your local BSA council, now works on the Amazon Shopping app for iPhone and Android.

That means it’s easier than ever to support Scouting anytime, anywhere.

We first told you about AmazonSmile when it debuted in 2014. (Read that post for details on signing up for AmazonSmile for desktop shopping.)

Through its AmazonSmile program, Amazon donates 0.5% of eligible purchases to the charity of your choice — at no cost to you. You’ll get the same prices, selection and service found on Amazon.com, but now Amazon gives 0.5% of its cut to a good cause.

The BSA and its local councils across the country are eligible AmazonSmile charities. Individual packs, troops, posts, ships and crews are not eligible.

Why use AmazonSmile

Sure, I agree that 50 cents on a $100 tablet might not seem like a huge donation. And it’s not a substitute for the generous contributions you regularly make to local Scouting through campaigns like Friends of Scouting.

But as any frequent Amazon shopper knows, your purchases add up.

As of May 2020, the BSA National Service Center in Texas has received nearly $9,000 in AmazonSmile donations. That total doesn’t include the hundreds or even thousands of dollars received by local councils like yours.

What’s the news here?

Previously, AmazonSmile required the user to shop using their browser — either on a desktop computer or through the mobile browser on a smartphone.

That meant that when you shopped in the official Amazon app, you weren’t contributing to your chosen charity — even if you had already activated AmazonSmile.

By adding AmazonSmile to its official app, Amazon is making the program available anytime, anywhere. So now when you buy a blender from the back seat or a printer from the patio — your council still gets that 0.5%.

How to activate AmazonSmile on your iPhone or Android

Step 1: Join AmazonSmile

If you aren’t yet an AmazonSmile member, sign up at smile.amazon.com using a web browser (mobile or desktop). You’ll sign in with your Amazon credentials, and the site will walk you through the process.

Amazon will ask you to choose your favorite charity. This is where you search for your local Scout council or choose the “National Boy Scouts of America Council.”

Step 2: Open the Amazon Shopping app on your phone

If you don’t have the app already, download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Step 3: Open Settings within the app

Open Settings by tapping the three horizontal lines (aka the “hamburger”) at the top left and tapping “Settings.”

Step 4: Tap AmazonSmile

Step 5: Tap the button for “Turn on AmazonSmile”

You’ll need to follow the three-step setup process. Note that Amazon requires you to turn on notifications to be able to use AmazonSmile on your phone.

Step 6: Make note of your renewal date

Amazon asks that you renew your AmazonSmile donation every six months. This is easy but required. When six months are up, you’ll have to choose your favorite charity again. If you don’t, purchases made until you do will not count.

Step 7: Confirm that AmazonSmile is active before your next purchase

Look for AmazonSmile at the top of the app as you browse. You’ll also see your chosen charity on the confirmation screen.

Aug. 24 update: To see how Team Eagle Scouts finished, read this.

When assembling a supergroup to race across rugged backcountry terrain using whatever means necessary — paddling or mountain biking, rappelling or climbing, orienteering or canyoneering — you’ll want a Scout or two on your side.

Or, better yet, you’ll want an entire team of Scouts.

Team Eagle Scouts, consisting of four Eagle Scouts and one recipient of the Venturing program’s highest honor, will compete in the World’s Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji, a reality competition series devised by Survivor creator Mark Burnett and hosted by Bear Grylls, Chief Ambassador of World Scouting.

”Without my background in Scouting, I wouldn’t have stood a chance,” says Team Eagle Scouts captain Eric Lillstrom, an Eagle Scout, Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow and former summer camp staffer. “Scouting is where I learned to be a leader, and the most important lesson of all in this case was to lead by example.”

All 10 episodes of the show, which was filmed last year before the pandemic, are available to stream beginning today on Amazon Prime.

Bryan on Scouting reached out to Team Eagle Scouts to get the spoiler-free scoop.

What is Eco-Challenge?

In Eco-Challenge, 66 teams from 30 countries compete in a grueling 416-mile race through the South Pacific nation of Fiji. Each team of five must work together to solve problems and navigate Fiji’s gorgeous but often-impenetrable terrain, traversing across water, dirt, mud and rocks along the way.

Instead of a GPS device, teams must navigate with nothing but a map and compass.

”After each expedition leg, we would think to ourselves, ‘well at least the next section can’t be harder than what we just did,’” Lillstrom says. “But it was always harder.”

As physically draining as the race was, competitors had their mental stamina pushed to the brink as they were forced to work together to solve problems. If any team member decided to drop out or could not finish, that entire team was disqualified.

Based on that description alone, you can imagine why the Boy Scouts of America was asked to field a team. Those are skills Scouts practice at weekly meetings, monthly campouts and weeklong adventures.

“Adventure racing is Scouting’s sport,” says Corey Mullins, a member of Team Eagle Scouts who is a BSA professional and former Philmont staffer. “It tests everything you learn in Scouting to the extreme. This is the perfect environment to test how well Scouting prepares youth for any challenge they face.”

Team Eagle Scouts raced against a lineup that includes a team of firefighters from Western Canada, a group of computer scientists from Uruguay and a team of Australian Scouts.

How will Team Eagle Scouts fare? We’ll have to find out together by watching the show.

Meet Team Eagle Scouts

Eric Lillstrom, team captain

• Eagle Scout
• Expedition guide for polar explorers who leads multiweek expeditions to both poles
• Adventure guide for the Northwest Passage, leading kayaking trips in the Great Lakes
• Former employee of the Bay Lakes Council and Camp Makajawan
• National Camp School aquatics staff

Matthew Moniz

• Eagle Scout
• National Geographic Adventurer of the Year 2010
• Climbed five of the seven tallest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest in 2018
• Participated in the NASA Twins Study
• Experienced freestyle skier, mountain biker, kayaker and rock climber
• Represented the BSA at the 2016 Report to the Nation

Katie Hancock

• Lifelong Venturer and recipient of the Summit Award, Venturing’s highest honor
• Boardercross competitor and 2022 Winter Olympics hopeful
• Messenger of Peace Hero Award recipient
• Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award recipient

Corey Mullins

• Eagle Scout
• Philmont backcountry manager, COPE camp leader, and search and rescue camp leader
• Ultramarathoner and competitive mountain bike racer
• Employee at the Pathway to Adventure Council in Chicago

Charley Walton, team assistant captain

• Eagle Scout
• Outdoor educator and conservationist at Philmont Scout Ranch
• Studies mechanical engineering at Oklahoma State university
• Participant in Philmont’s Roving Outdoor Conservation School

A ‘ragtag group of individuals’

Several Eco-Challenge teams are veterans of the race, which first aired in 1995. That includes a team from Japan that has been racing together since 1996 — before some members of Team Eagle Scouts were even born.

Compare that to Team Eagle Scouts, which had met only twice before traveling to Fiji.

“Before the race, we were all strangers,” says Matt Moniz, an Eagle Scout who helped rescue climbers after a Mount Everest avalanche in 2015. “Scouting is the only thing that our team had in common. We all knew how to communicate and rely on each other when we needed it the most.”

Mullins calls the team a “ragtag group of individuals” who had spent a combined 96 hours together before the race began.

”In all aspects, our team should have fallen apart in the first 24 hours,” he says. “However, there is one thing that we had that others did not: what we learned from Scouting.”

‘Shared experience in Scouting’

While preparing for the race, the group stayed at the home of Katie Hancock, a Venturing Summit Award recipient who earned the 2016 Messengers of Peace Hero Award.

Lillstrom, the team captain, says the group clicked immediately, bonding around their “shared goofy sense of humor.”

And it helped that each member brought their own unique expertise in outdoor skills like outrigger canoeing, rock climbing, mountain biking, stand-up paddling, hiking and even escape rooms.

But again, none of those skills matter when you’re on Day 5 of very little sleep and seemingly endless high-stress situations. Or when you’re trying to use a long pole to paddle a bamboo raft called a Bili Bili — an ordeal Moniz compared to “paddling a bathtub with a matchstick.”

That’s when the mental side, which the team also sharpened in Scouting, really kicked in.

”Luckily, all team members had a background that developed the grit necessary to keep going,” Lillstrom says. “Our shared experience in Scouting gave us the framework to work together as a team without knowing each other very long. Our teamwork and positive attitude was what got us through — no question.”

How to watch Eco-Challenge

Cheer for #TeamEagleScouts as you watch World’s Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji, streaming now on Amazon Prime Video. The show is recommended for viewers ages 13 and up.

Watch the official trailer below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4rq5BZIni8

Three years ago, Troop 25 of Emmaus, Pa., renovated its Scout room by adding a fresh coat of paint to the walls and replacing old cabinets with heavy-duty metal shelving to hold camping gear. The result gave the Scouts a cleaner, more organized space at the St. John’s United Church of Christ.

One small cabinet housed awards and old records dating back to the 1930s. For a unit originally chartered in 1932, the troop committee believed those items should be on display. Two years later, phase two of the renovation project got underway by installing cabinets and countertops to create a troop museum. Some of the work was done during troop meetings, but most took place on the weekends as not to cut into program time.

Still, Scouts volunteered on the weekend workdays to complete the project. Scouts stained all the wood used in the museum. They installed plywood with aluminum tracking to create doors for extra storage. If this is sounding like a project you want for your unit, Troop 25 Scoutmaster Andy Frobase says it should be a group effort.

“Get the Scouts involved because not only will they learn a lot of history about the troop, but they will learn many different types of trades and skills throughout the process,” he says.

Filling the museum

Not only were the cabinet’s items put on display, but the chartered organization representative Glenn Clauser (Eagle Scout Class of 1960) and committee chair Chad Seibert (Eagle Scout Class of 1990) donated their collections from when they were Scouts in Troop 25.

At the end of their work, the troop had a beautiful backdrop for its meetings, showcasing nearly 90 years of the unit’s history. Some of those items include the troop’s original charter from 1932, a troop flag from the 1930s, Order of the Arrow sashes, camp patches, pennants, an old Cub Scout camera, cooking gear and vintage Scout handbooks.

“Reach out to your community outside of the troop because you may find many people in your community who were former Scouts, and they may have things they’d be willing to donate,” Frobase says.

The troop placed plaques on the cabinet door of all its 94 Eagle Scouts and past Scoutmasters. Above the museum, the Scout Oath, Law and Motto were applied in vinyl lettering. Finally, current Scouts wrote about what it’s like to be a Scout in 2020 and placed their writings in a time capsule that was installed behind a cabinet.

When the museum was done, Troop 25 held an open house for current and former troop members as well as church congregants to check out the room.

The key to finishing the project? Plan ahead.

“This goes back to the Scout Motto: Be Prepared,” Frobase says. “Make plans, have meetings with your troop on how you want to make things and find out how parents and leaders can contribute their areas of expertise, like carpentry, flooring or art.”

Meeting during the pandemic

Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Scouts have not been able to enjoy their new room and museum. They have been virtually meeting via Zoom; the troop’s committee chair changed his background on the app to show the troop’s museum.

After state mandates allowed, they started meeting outdoors, so they could maintain social distancing.

An impressive recruiting effort to introduce area teenagers to Sea Scouting. Community service projects that build goodwill — and often make the local news. An I-gotta-try-that schedule of monthly outings that includes sailing, swimming, fishing, waterskiing and wakeboarding.

Any of those could explain why Sea Scout Ship 198 of Lewes, Del. (Del-Mar-Va Council), saw its membership leap from 10 to 28 last year.

But Cheyenne Snyder, Ship 198’s boatswain during that remarkable 2019, has an explanation that’s harder to quantify.

“I think this growth is because of the fun but educational program we have,” she says, “along with the atmosphere that is built for teamwork and friendships.”

However you explain it, Ship 198 is a deserving recipient of the 2020 National Flagship, an honor given to the top Sea Scout ship of 2019.

Whether on board the 32-foot Coupe de Tete, the 30-foot Sea Angel or the Sea Scout training vessel Miss Mell, Ship 198’s members have shown how to navigate the Sea Scouting program.

Ship 198 received its award at the National Bridge of Honor in May. The event, held online for the first time because of the pandemic, celebrated the incoming and outgoing national and regional boatswains, recognized recipients of the National Sea Scout Leadership Award, and honored the 2020 National Flagship Fleet.

(Quick reminder: Even though this year’s National Flagship is from a prime spot on the Delaware Bay, the list of past recipients includes several ships from landlocked areas. “You have to live near the coast to be a Sea Scout” is one of five major myths about the program.)

We reached out to Ship 198 to learn how they charted a course for success.

Overcoming adversity

Many of the lessons of Sea Scouting were pressed into unexpected action during Ship 198’s long cruise in the summer of 2019. The plan was to take a 120-mile voyage from Lewes, Del., to Baltimore via the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal.

But midway through the trip, Cheyenne noticed smoke coming from the engine bay of the 32-foot Coup de Tete.

“So I went down to take a look,” says Sea Scout Carson Watts. “I found a small fire and put it out with a fire extinguisher. If not for Cheyenne seeing it and me putting it out, I think it could have been catastrophic.”

Knowing the location of the ship’s fire extinguishers — and how to use them — is essential for any boater. The Scouts’ quick action prevented further damage to the ship.

With their boat docked for repairs, the Scouts feared their long cruise would end early. But the youth leaders remembered that Ship 123 from nearby St. Georges, Del., was conducting its own summer activities nearby. Youth leaders from Ship 198 contacted Ship 123 and coordinated an impromptu weekend of paddle sports, camping and fellowship.

“Even though the long cruise was technically a failure, we definitely made the best of the situation and had a great time,” says Sea Scout Ben Koly.

Advancement, activity and service in 2019

To get a better picture of Ship 198’s success, let’s look at its 2019 résumé:

Advancement and awards

• 50% of youth members advanced one rank.
• 10 members earned the BSA Recruiting strip.
• Members earned certifications in first aid and CPR, completed safe boating courses, and worked on Scouts BSA Rank advancement.
• Several members were elected into the Order of the Arrow.
• Members earned the Long Cruise Badge, and the Ship conducted Introduction to Leadership Skills for Ships.
• Several adult leaders attended Seabadge training.
• One youth member attended SEAL training.

Activity

• During the winter and spring, the ship conducted land-based and indoor pool training.
• During warmer months, the ship enjoyed monthly outings to learn the fundamentals of sailing, marine engines, marine radio procedures, piloting, navigation, onboard emergency procedures as well as man-overboard drills.
• The ship sailed to Cape May, N.J., as well as locations throughout the Delaware Bay and the Chesapeake Bay.
• Ship 198 fielded two teams in the Northeast Region Koch Cup Qualifiers in October 2019, placing first and third.

Service

• Ship 198 planned and conducted five community service projects during 2019, including an erosion-prevention project involving the planting of dune beach grass in areas along the Delaware Bay.
• The ship partnered with the city of Lewes, Del., to provide maintenance to city marinas and buildings, clean up the canal and set up a safe-boating booth during the city’s annual Maritime Day.
• In December, members of the ship partnered with the local Lewes West Marine store to wrap Christmas presents for customers.
• Ship 198 counts among its members Eagle Scout Matt Parsons, the 2019-2020 National Chief of the Order of the Arrow.

For another perspective on a successful Sea Scout ship, read this or watch the ship’s National Flagship application video below. The video offers a compelling recap of the ship’s 2019 adventures.

What the Sea Scouts said

Scouts in Ship 198 shared a few more favorite memories with us.

“My favorite memory is taking the boats out in the summer and having man-overboard drills. It combines education and safety with having fun.” — Elie Cerchio

“My favorite memory since I joined Ship 198 was our long cruise in 2017. We sailed to Cape May, N.J., and Atlantic City. There were many issues that took place throughout the trip, but it brought the people on the trip closer together, gave them experience in difficult situations and taught them to value teamwork.” — Lex Dignon

“Sailing over the summer definitely was the best memory so far. I remember it was my first time sailing, and I had a lot of fun.” — Wyatt Snyder

“My favorite memory has to be the 2017 long cruise. We got to explore a city, walk the boardwalk, eat tons of free fudge samples, and even went to see a movie — all in between relaxing days of nice sailing on the water. When we ran into rough weather on the last day, we extended the trip and learned a lot about teamwork in tough situations.” — Christopher Dean

Watch the National Bridge of Honor

Thanks to Ship 198 Skipper Ron Krajewski for the help with this post.

We’re a few months into coping with the COVID-19 pandemic — though it probably feels like so much longer.

Your Scouts’ summer adventures might have been cancelled; you might feel frustrated navigating life at home or going out in public; you might be examining your and your family’s mental health like never before.

The Boy Scouts of America reached out to several experts to provide some insights and awareness on how to deal with these challenging times. They are:

• Jennifer Daer Shields, child psychologist at the Center for Childhood Abuse and Neglect
• Lori Poland, executive director of the National Foundation to End Childhood Abuse and Neglect
• Dr. Scott Krugman, vice chair of the department of pediatrics at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore
• Debbie F. Plotnick, vice president of Mental Health and Systems Advocacy, Mental Health America
• Dr. Richard Krugman, distinguished professor at the University of Colorado, Pediatrics-Child Abuse and Neglect/Kempe, dean of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, founder of the National Foundation to End Childhood Abuse and Neglect
• Dr. Christine Moutier, chief medical officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Keep in mind that their advice should not be used to diagnose health conditions. Reach out to a professional health provider to address specific concerns you may have.

Still, these eight videos can provide some helpful information for parenting through the COVID-19 crisis. Check out those resources and feel free to share with fellow parents.

For help with continuing Scouting at home, see this page and these FAQs.

Today’s in-demand superhero skill isn’t flight or invisibility. It’s the ability to sew.

Sewing machine sales have skyrocketed as dextrous do-gooders put their skills to work making face coverings that could save lives. “As the need for masks exploded,” the Washington Post wrote last month, “sewers became rock stars.”

In Scouting, meanwhile, the importance of sewing skills never waned.

Scouts — or at least their rock-star dads, moms and grandparents — have been adding patches to uniforms, hemming pants and making backcountry gear repairs since the Scouting movement began.

During the pandemic, Scouts and their families have used sewing for another reason: Good Turns. Scouts and Scouters have been making face coverings for themselves, for friends and for complete strangers.

Like anything in Scouting that involves a sharp point, we should keep safety in mind. So today, I thought we’d go over a few sewing safety tips.

1. Check the manual

I’m guilty of it, too. I’ll unbox a new tool or gadget and immediately throw the product manual into the recycling bin.

With an appliance like a sewing machine, that’s not a good idea — especially if your Scout plans to use the machine, too.

The manual will have specific safety, cleaning and maintenance information for that exact product. Grab a glass of lemonade and spend some time reading the manual with your Scout.

And what if that product manual was recycled long ago? Check the manufacturer’s website. Most popular brands, including Bernina, Brother and Singer, post product manuals on their website — even for models they no longer sell.

2. Inspect the machine

While some families purchased a shiny new sewing machine during the pandemic (causing many companies to sell out completely), many more simply dusted off the machine they’ve had all along.

Whether your machine is new or a hand-me-down, you’ll want to inspect the machine before you begin. This means looking for damage, checking the power cord, making sure ventilation openings are clear and going over each setting knob by knob. Never use a broken machine.

For cleaning and maintenance tips for your specific machine, return to the manual you just read. (You did read it, right?)

3. Supervise your sewer

Top-selling beginner models like the Brother XM2701 or the Singer Start 1304 suggest that their products can be used by children ages 8 and up.

But that’s a guideline and won’t apply to every family. And it certainly doesn’t mean that an 8-year-old Wolf Scout is immediately ready to begin sewing.

With any model of sewing machine and with Scouts of any age, adult supervision is recommended.

It says so right in the manual: “The appliance is not intended for use by persons with … lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety. Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.”

4. Keep your fingers (and hair) away from the needle

As you’d expect, the majority of sewing-related injuries are caused by the machine’s sharp, fast-moving needle. The best safety advice is to keep your fingers a safe distance away.

On a sewing machine, the metal piece that holds the fabric flat on either side of the needle as the fabric is fed through the machine is called the presser foot.

To avoid injury, maintain a safe zone of about one inch away from the presser foot at all times. And keep your hands on the left and right of the presser foot — never in front.

If you do suffer a puncture or cut, be sure you know how to treat them.

Scouts with longer hair will want to tie their hair back when sewing. The natural position when sewing — leaned over slightly — means any loose strands could get caught in the machine.

5. Go slowly

Start slow and gradually build up speed as you practice and gain confidence.

That’s sound advice for Scouts learning to use any piece of equipment — from an all-terrain vehicle to a hand saw. And it applies to sewing machines as well.

Like the gas pedal on a car, the foot controller on a sewing machine responds to the amount of force applied. Press down lightly for slower sewing; press down harder for faster sewing. Learning to maintain a steady, even speed takes practice.

Speaking of that foot pedal, make sure the space around your feet is clear of objects that could fall on the pedal and inadvertently activate the machine.

6. Don’t force it

Feed dogs are metal ridges that come up from the bottom to feed the fabric through the sewing machine. They ensure that the fabric moves seamlessly through the machine.

The biggest lesson here is to let the feed dogs do their job. Work with the machine; don’t force the fabric through. Forcing the fabric can cause it to shift, ruining your straight stitch. And it can also lead to a safety hazard by bending your needle.

7. Stay clean and organized

The 11th point of the Scout Law should apply to your sewing work, too.

Keeping a clean work area means sharp supplies like needles, scissors and loose pins have their place. For pins, use a magnet to pick up any that you drop on the floor before someone steps on them.

For families with a metal sewing machine, try sticking that magnet on the side so it’s always within arm’s reach.

If you’re sewing by hand (you brave soul, you!), this guidance applies as well. Keeping sharp needles neatly organized will avoid unexpected pokes.

8. Keep focused

You’re aware of the dangers of distracted driving, but what about distracted sewing?

Never look away from the sewing machine when it’s in use. Moving your attention, even for a moment, could have serious consequences.

If you need to look away, take your foot off the pedal.

If you were looking for a tutor for your student, Manan Shah’s résumé would rise to the top of your pile. He excels in Advanced Placement and honors classes, has placed first in national math competitions and scored a near-perfect score (1580) on the SAT.

A typical tutor of that caliber might set you back $50 an hour or more. But Manan is no typical tutor. He’s a Scout, and Scouts think differently, solve problems and help other people at all times.

When COVID-19 forced Manan’s high school to move to online education in the spring, Manan made the transition fairly easily. But he knew that younger students would need more individualized attention.

So he recruited some of his smart friends and embarked on a selfless Good Turn.

The Life Scout from Troop 66 of Edison, N.J. (Patriots Path Council), started a free virtual tutoring service to help families in his community. So far, Manan’s team of 250 volunteer tutors has provided more than 900 hours of free tutoring to more than 200 students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

“We were hoping that we could at least help a few kids,” Manan says. “Never could we have imagined
that we would help as many students as we have to date.”

Alongside co-founder Linda Liu, Manan created the nonprofit LimitlessMinds Inc. Their efforts have gotten noticed on news outlets like NJ.com, which dubbed Manan and Linda “hero high schoolers.”

“Community service has always been a major part of my life, and I knew that many of my peers are academically gifted,” he says. “While it can seem difficult to make a profound impact alone, you may be surprised by how many people are willing to help you and your cause.”

How it works

Tutoring through LimitlessMinds costs nothing. Students get 30 minutes to two hours of tutoring per session. For safety, Manan’s team requires that the student being tutored has a parent next to them the entire time.

As for the tutors themselves, they get no cash for their efforts. But in addition to the satisfaction of helping others, these tutors earn volunteer hours required for various extracurricular organizations. Everyone wins.

(Recommended reading: Can Scouts earn service hours outside the troop setting?)

Why he did it

Scouting is part of the Shah family’s DNA. Manan’s brother is an Eagle Scout, and his dad is a dedicated BSA volunteer.

Manan has been part of Scouting for a decade. He led a troop of more than 100 Scouts as senior patrol leader and served as a den chief for his entire time in Scouts BSA.

“My experiences in these leadership roles gave me the confidence and interpersonal skills needed
to lead this project,” he says.

Speaking of leading projects, Manan was well into planning his Eagle Scout service project when the pandemic hit. Some of his work had to be put on hold.

“I saw LimitlessMinds as another way to give back to my community in the meantime,” he says.

Who has helped

What began as a conversation between friends has grown into an ever-expanding effort to offer free tutoring to families who need it.

It hasn’t been easy. Manan has spent hours on the phone with school administrators, local parents and news reporters. He has answered endless emails and stayed up late recruiting tutors and spreading the word.

“My interactions with various people have not only helped me develop stronger communication skills,” he says, “but also deepened my understanding of different people’s circumstances in life.”

And he hasn’t done it alone. In addition to his co-founder, Manan has been supported by his family, teachers, school officials and the entire community.

“Receiving positive feedback and expressions of gratitude has shown me how valuable LimitlessMinds is to my community,” he says.

The power of the individual

So how can a Scout in your pack, troop or crew make a similar impact? Start by thinking about the beginning, not the end.

If you just look at the result of Manan’s hard work — a network of 250 tutors across 10 chapters, including one international chapter — it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

But Manan’s effort started with two friends brainstorming ways to help others.

From there, it grew organically. And Manan and his team plan to continue the service even after the pandemic subsides.

“If you truly believe in a cause and want to help others, then it is certainly possible,” he says. “LimitlessMinds has taught me that when you put your mind to something, the impact one person can have is limitless.”

This year has been hectic, to say the least — disrupted schedules, cancelled campouts and constant adjustments have become the norm. Any resource to help you keep track of changes and plan accordingly would be welcomed.

Say no more. Boys’ Life magazine offers free downloadable calendars, notebooks and charts to help you Be Prepared and continue Scouting efficiently. Boys’ Life, the premiere magazine for kids and teens, has provided these resources to Scouters for years.

Many of these resources have been integrated into Scoutbook, the BSA’s advancement tracking app. The app offers a suite of easy-to-use, web-based tools that are helpful to both Scouts and leaders.

Through Scoutbook

• Scoutbook enables units to update advancement records, manage activities, download purchasing reports, communicate with the unit, and much more.
• Parents and Scouts can track their progress through the Scouting App (available for download via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store). Through the app, parents can review and track requirement completion, add service hours, keep hiking and camping logs, prepare their Eagle Scout application and more.
• If you are new to Scoutbook, tutorials and instruction guides can be found here.

Outside of Scoutbook

Other items available here include:

Since its debut a year ago, our Unsung Heroes series has spotlighted 16 underreported acts of heroism. We’ve told you about a Venturer who rescued a family after a car crash, a Cub Scout who stopped a friend from choking and a Scout who saved an injured hiker during a family vacation.

But today’s Unsung Hero is a little different. Jasper Wang, a 13-year-old Star Scout from Troop 755 of Northville, Mich. (Michigan Crossroads Council), isn’t being recognized for a one-time act of courage but for a lifetime of them.

Jasper’s older brother, Malcolm, has epilepsy that causes intense, scary seizures. Though he’s shorter and six years younger than Malcolm, Jasper acts as a protective big brother.

When Malcolm has what’s called a grand mal seizure, which causes him to lose consciousness and experience violent muscle contractions, Jasper is right by his side. He checks vital signs, moves furniture aside, gets towels and an ice pack, and finds Malcolm’s wheelchair.

Quick action is vital to prevent Malcolm from injuring himself. The neurologist has instructed the family to call 911 only under specific circumstances.

“So we’re usually on our own during these events,” says Karen Wang, Jasper and Malcom’s mom. “Our attention and care can mean the difference between life and death.”

Jasper’s heroism earned council recognition in October 2017 when he received the National Certificate of Merit, awarded for a “significant act of service.” The act being recognized happened in February 2016 when Jasper and Malcolm were doing homework after school. Malcolm had a seizure, and Jasper and Karen helped prevent further injury.

“When I wake up from a seizure,” Malcolm says, “Jasper tells me that I did everything right.”

A guardian and friend

Jasper’s kindness toward his older brother isn’t limited to the frightening moments immediately before, during and after a seizure.

He’s around during the lighter moments, too. Jasper teaches Malcolm how to play games, finish jigsaw puzzles and build complicated Lego models.

“Jasper is an expert at Legos,” Malcolm says.

In 2019, Jasper earned the Disabilities Awareness merit badge. While working on that badge, Jasper started teaching a Pokémon class at the Living and Learning Enrichment Center in Northville, Mich. Malcolm takes music therapy classes at the local nonprofit, so Jasper knew the place well.

Jasper, who has been collecting Pokémon trading cards since elementary school, thought the center’s clients with autism would enjoy seeing the cards and memorizing facts about Charizard, Pikachu and other Pokémon characters.

From a neurological perspective, Jasper’s plan was sound. Therapy programs often incorporate special interests like trading cards in order to teach social skills — turn-taking, paying attention and holding a conversation.

All on his own, Jasper planned lessons to teach the rules of the game and purchased materials for the class. It was an instant hit, and clients began asking how they could join the fun.

The most impressive part: This was all Jasper’s idea. He’s showing what it means to be helpful, friendly and kind without expecting anything in return.

“I believe in doing the right thing because it’s the right thing,” Jasper says, “not because someone told me to.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the family has decided to stay home as much as possible out of concern for Malcolm’s health. Jasper plans to resume the Pokémon classes once it’s safe to do so.

His own identity

Karen and Orson Wang know that Jasper’s role in helping care for Malcolm could, if unchecked, become all-consuming. Malcolm has health needs that often demand the family’s full attention.

Jasper doesn’t complain. He’s the kind of young person who puts the needs of others before his own. He’s a Scout.

That’s why Jasper’s parents work hard to make sure Jasper has time to grow on his own.

“Jasper and I have been involved in Scouting since he was in first grade, and Scouting allows him to develop his own identity separate from his brother,” Karen Wang says. “In the summers, my husband takes a week off work to spend with Malcolm while I go to Scout camp with Jasper.”

At camp, Jasper enjoys teaching skills to younger Scouts. (No surprise there.) But his favorite activity is archery — a passion first developed at Cub Scout day camp that has become more than a hobby. Jasper now competes in Olympic recurve target archery year-round.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jasper — like others across the country — has continued his Scouting adventure from home. He completed his Star rank board of review through a videoconference, is working on his religious emblem and has earned merit badges from home. (For the Collections merit badge, he wrote about his Pokémon trading cards collection.)

Whether making his own strides or helping others like Malcolm, Jasper shows what it means to be a Scouting hero.

Share your Unsung Heroes story

Stories like these brighten my day — especially because I know this kind of thing happens regularly in Scouting.

Here’s how to share the news of an Unsung Hero in your pack, troop or crew:

1. Send an email to me with the subject line “Unsung Heroes.”
2. Include a detailed summary of the heroic act.
3. Include any “supporting documentation” you can. Examples include links to a story in your local newspaper, paperwork for a Scouting heroism award nomination or eyewitness accounts.
4. Include high-res photos of the Unsung Hero.