ScouterStan - Scout Leader Podcast

A patch that is on every uniform is the council shoulder patch. Originally the scout uniform didn't have a place for the council strip. The CSP that everyone is familiar with today was not officially adopted until 1970. There have been many different types of council identification on the uniform over the years. Many of the shapes of the modern patch have many historic examples. There have been ma...

A lot of adults have no clue about their role within the order of the arrow. It's important to remember that they are no longer running things or actively engaged in running the lodge or chapter. Adult Scouters should look to becoming more of a mentor and advise youth leadership. Being an active role model for the youth is important to inspire tomorrow's leaders. Working as an advisor for any aspe...

Starting up a new Scouting unit is important to giving America's youth the opportunity of a Scouting experience. Many critical things need to be done to make this happen. One of the most important is a Chartered organization that needs to be receptive and willing to sign for the unit. Many units failed to recharter and charter organizations have equipment already in place for a new unit. The Key 3...

Every Scout deserves a trained leader. The more training you get the better the adult leader you become. The first step in leadership is training. Only when you're fully trained in your position is award recognition possible.  Time and dedication are also needed to stand out from other leaders. Recognizing leaders is a good way of letting them know you value their time and effort. Depending o...

There is no such thing as a recruiting season. Scout units that fail often make this mistake. It is important to understand that scout units need a constant flow of new youth recruits. Here is a way to recruit new scouts year-round. The development of a clear recruiting program is critical to success. Each season has its challenges and recruitment goals should be set. Once you have established a r...

A very popular answer to this question is YES ! Many new adult leaders were once involved in the Order of the Arrow. Now that they are back in scouting they are wondering how to reestablish their membership. Hopefully, this video helps Scouters get back involved with their lodge. Membership in the order of the arrow is permanent regardless of where or when you did ordeal or brotherhood. It's just...

The National Jamboree from 1935 to the present day has been an exceptional experience for young people throughout the United States. The history of the National Jamboree is displayed within its patches and neckerchiefs. We explore many of the phenomenal imagery used within its beautiful and diverse images. There was a time in the United States when the Jamboree moved from east to west. Then found...

Join ScouterStan as he kicks off the 6th season. Scout leaders are a unique group of people that are dedicated to a higher purpose for our American youth. Today scout leader is faced with a lot of competition for the attention of young people. Scouting provides an opportunity unlike anything else. Scout leaders need to keep themselves motivated so they can provide guidance for their scouts. Making...

The Order of the Arrow is a brotherhood of cheerful service. Many chapters are looking for ways to give service to their community. Here are some simple ideas that can blossom into meaningful projects throughout your area. The Order of the Arrow is a wonderful way to start giving back to your neighborhood through scouting.  ScouterStan talks about 3 big projects that can be put together rathe...

A Scouts' Own service is usually short and often less than 15 minutes. As Scouts and Scouters, we have all participated in this religious observance. We discuss a Scouts' Own theme and structure to help Scouters put together an outstanding service. Keep in mind that the Scouts' Own service is not intended as a replacement for religious observance. It is a good way to reinforce the reverent part of...

Uniform seems to be a big concern with a great deal of leadership out there. Many of the top-rated videos on this channel have to do with uniforms and patches. Join ScouterStan as he describes his uniform and the story that it tells. Have you ever had to explain patches on your uniform? Not many of the adult leadership are actively uniform inspected. However, they need to set the example however t...

Let's discuss the most important Arrowmen in the Order of the Arrow. They are often overlooked and taken for granted but this should not be the case. Without these OA brothers, your chapter would struggle and fail. The entire lodge in all of its chapters depends on this one person. Of course, I speak of the New Ordeal member. By far the most important Arrowmen in your chapter. They bring new growt...

Square knots can actually tell a story. The square knots that I'm referring to are the ones other leaders put on their uniforms above the left pocket flap. Discover the four categories in this installment about uniforms and identify leaders that can help your unit succeed. This patch although simple design can be difficult to put on correctly. There are some simple things to identify in placement...

Messengers of Peace is a flagship initiative of World Scouting that inspires Scouts around the world to take action in their communities by contributing to peace and sustainable development. Since 2010, Messengers of Peace has involved nearly all 172 National Scout Organizations of WOSM and inspired more than 16 million projects and actions totaling over 2.3 billion hours of community service. 💁‍...

The Order of the Arrow election season starts when unit leaders make contact with their OA chapter. All troops, crews, and ships are eligible for an election. The Inductions Team (also known as the Elections Team) will have a list of units in your district. Making contact is very important to make sure that you do not get missed. There are also a lot of technologies now that can help with setting...

Cub Scout Packs and Scouts BSA Troops need to understand the differences between a Crossover ceremony and an Arrow Of Light ceremony. Not all Webelos Cub Scouts achieve the Arrow Of Light award, But when they are old enough they all crossover to a Troop. Choosing a ceremony can be a daunting task. There are some basic principles to keep in mind when selecting which ceremony would be best. Remember...

Each unit should have a recruitment team of Scouters that are ready to promote their unit at any event. They should also be equipped with applications and new parent guides. The team should be very familiar with the process and know what kind of training would be needed. They would also help recruit leaders for the committee and scout-facing leadership. 💁‍♂️ For additional information and links m...

Patch trading seems to be a big part-time activity with Scouts and Scout leaders. There are many facets to the patch trading world that can be explored and enjoyed by everyone. Patches or badges whatever you choose to call them are a big part of Scouting worldwide. Most patch collectors start just trading for fun but soon develop a desire towards a type of collecting. All of these are usually patc...

Scouting started at the beginning of the 20th century. Baden-Powell the founder of Scouting believed in basic principles found in the Scout Law today. Scouting has grown over the years and around the world. Although the Scout Law has been adapted for each country's Scouting organization it still has in its core the same meaning. In the United States, the Scout Law has 12 keywords that evoke a mean...

Having a great new parents guide as a tool for your recruitment team is extremely important. This countdown list of 10 important points will help make your guide even better. This should also be kept up-to-date as often as needed. don't limit yourself to just these ten items. Presented here in no particular order. Having a list of who to contact, a schedule of events, meeting location, fees &...

Youth protection is a priority in Scouting. The training for youth protection starts with the parent guide that is part of the scouts' handbook. Unit leaders will often show videos produced by Scouts BSA before taking the scouts out for a long-term camping adventure. Unit leaders are required to keep their youth protection training up-to-date. Parents should be highly encouraged (but not required)...

Your local Order of the Arrow (OA) chapters Ceremony Team has worked with Cub Scout Packs throughout its area for many years. Providing OA Ceremony Team members for Crossovers and Arrow Of Light ceremonies. Recently this has changed with the standardization of the ceremonies from National. Many Cub Scout Packs may not be aware of this new change. Leaders need to provide appropriate ceremonies to m...

Job one of any scout leader is to run a safe program. In the past, we had the “Sweet 16” of BSA Safety in the Guide to Safe Scouting to refer back to. Now we have the SAFE Scouting guide to help us remember safety in our unit's activities. S upervision, A ssessment, F itness, E quipment, and environment. This guidance should be encouraged to be used and referred to when organizing activities and p...

Not Everyone Should Join Scouting? This sounds like a crazy statement but it was one that a parent made at a signup night. I have been struggling to think of the reasons why someone should not join scouting. This video is dedicated to answering some of those questions. Of course, I believe that everyone can benefit from scouting. Although extremely small exception that could be temporarily excludi...

You have attended Wood Badge and worked your ticket and now you got your beads. Now the Wood Badge course director has asked you to help by joining the staff. You say YES, and they hand you a bunch of recruiting material? Now you need to go get Scouters signed up. Some courses are full and no recruiting is needed, but some need help getting Scouters to signup. Be Prepared for this challenge by kno...