ScouterStan - Scout Leader Podcast

Last season we covered the Unit Leader Award of Merit knot. We forgot to mention or even talk about the Gold Star that can be added to the adult leaders' position patch. The star on the patch recognizes this achievement. There are some differences in this award between different Scouting positions. A Cubmaster who has achieved the Unit Leader Award of Merit keeps the knot on their uniform when the...

The Order of the Arrow… OA for short is shrouded in mystery only because it's an honored society that most non-Scouters don't know anything about. One of the mysterious positions is that of the Elangomat. This is a youth or adult OA member who has undergone training to lead a clan (a group of 5-8 Scouts) through the ordeal process. The Elangomat performs their duties silently as an example of brot...

The first episode of the 5th Season of Commissioner Weekly starts with a bang. Join ScouterStan in reigniting the joy and magic that Scouting can bring to America's youth. Now that we are in a post-pandemic environment America's youth are desperate for adventures outside. Scouting, like no other youth activity, fulfills this desire with meaningful safe adventures. The key to fulfilling all of this...

Scouting needs you to get more involved. Stepping up as a parent is a critical part of the big picture. Scouting should be looked upon as a part of your child's education. Being a part of it will make it more meaningful and you will also have a great scouting experience. We live in troubled times and rely too heavily on others for the education of our children. Taking control of how your child's s...

In this video, ScouterStan jumps into the differences between a Lodge and the Chapter in the Order of the Arrow. As an Honor Society of Scouts BSA and Honored Campers, the Order of the Arrow is established as lodges associated with Camps and Councils. Each Lodge can further split into Chapters usually structured as the Districts within the Council are. Many things are handled by different groups w...

The Board of Review is not all that complicated. It is essential for evaluating the performance of the leadership regarding youth achievements. Always keep in mind that it is just a review. It's not a trial or an inquisition of any kind. We go over the process and who needs to be there. Depending on the rank advancement will depend on the questions there may be asked. Keep Board of Review non-rehe...

There are many forms of training within scouting. During this pandemic time, Scout leaders have been concentrating on their online learning. There is more to training than just online classes. many times there is training that needs in-person instruction or physical demonstrations. It would be very difficult to do Introduction to Outdoor Skills, Wood Badge, or NYLT all online. One of the nice bene...

Order the Arrow High Adventure has been around since the 80s. Starting at the Philmont Scout Ranch with trail crews. This program allows arrowmen the opportunity to work the trails and receive exclusive adventures. In 2008 ArrowCorps5 captured this high adventure spirit by giving service to the US Forestry Service. Today the high adventure spirit continues at all of the major Scouting bases throug...

All too often these days Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Advisors, and Skippers go completely unrecognized. The Unit Leader Award of Merit seeks to right this wrong. Most unit leaders have fulfilled all seven of the requirements and never get the paperwork submitted. This video points out how to complete the requirements and get the paperwork submitted correctly. Follow ScouterStan as we explore all of...

One of the craziest things about Wood Badge is the fixation of critters. Each patrol in Wood Badge is personified by an animal. Be forewarned if you're going to Wood Badge you are going to become a diehard fan of your critter. You might even find yourself dancing around celebrating it. All this madness has a reason. You will discover the patrol method that Baden-Powell perfected and installed into...

Today's National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) was originally formed in 1925 as the Knights of Dunamis. in 1972 it became officially the NESA we all know. Discover the wonderful programs that the association has for Eagle Scouts in America. There are two different levels of membership Eagle Scouts can choose from. There are also many activities, seminars, and exclusives that NESA members have. NE...

One of the coolest badges a Scout can earn is the World Conservation Award. It has a Panda Baer on it! Cub Scouts, Scouts, Crew Members, and Sea Scouts can earn this award. Most of the time Scouts don’t know how close they are to getting it just by doing Scouting. Every Eagle Scout needs only one more merit badge to get it. Every Scout position has different requirements, but most of the time it's...

The Order of the Arrow (OA) is Scouts BSA National Honor Society. Scout leaders need not think of it as competition and need to promote the OA within the unit. There are many reasons for supporting the OA. It helps retain older Scout, teaches good leadership skills and it’s fun. ScouterStan goes over how you can promote the OA inside the unit. There are adult leader positions within the Troop or C...

Scouting has developed over the many years unique training skills that help young people learn more efficiently and independently. The EDGE (Explain, Demonstrate, Guide, and Enable) method is the official way of training youth to teach skills. Adult leaders need to use the EDGE method correctly setting the example. The EDGE method of teaching skills is not limited. The EDGE method can be used in m...

Scout leaders often forget the three promises that are represented in the scout sign. The scout oath and law are represented when making the scout sign. The three fingers are the promises that we make in the oath and the arm is held in an “L” shape representing the law. Scout leaders need to help scouts understand the meaning of this sign. By discussing it in great detail it is intended to give le...

The National Youth Leadership Training NYLT is equivalent to the adult Wood Badge in many ways. Youth leaders in their Troop or Crew should plan on attending this week-long course. Many of the up-to-date training techniques are used in a Troop setting to inspire youth leaders to take on new responsibilities of leadership. This national course of youth leadership training is highly recommended for...

The Order of the Arrow (OA) Vigil Honor is shrouded in mystery. We discuss how and why this is. We also discuss the process by which a Brotherhood member becomes a Vigil Honor member.  The Order of the Arrow is full of mystery intentionally. This gives the individual a more meaningful experience through the ceremonies and their own personal ordeal. It is important that we observe and preserve...

Scouting just celebrated its 111th Birthday in America. All during that time Scouts have been wearing various types of uniforms. Very early on the uniforms were very easy to obtain. As the decades of Scouting continued it quickly became more complex. ScouterStan talks about how the uniform has evolved and changed over the many decades. Ever wonder about that strange hat that you saw a Scout wearin...

The new Wood Badge is something that everyone's talking about. Discover with ScouterStan what is new at Wood Badge. National has implemented many surveys to improve Wood Badge with new leadership teaching skills. Streamlining the normal course from six to five days and lowering the cost. Also revamping the mission statement to reflect modern leadership techniques. Wood Badge is now recommended for...

Eagle Scouts are rare in the world. They represent individuals that have dedicated themselves to live their lives by the Scout Oath and Law. Many of today's leaders are eagle scouts living fulfilling lives of leadership throughout our community. Scout leaders should dedicate themselves to promoting this achievement by mentoring young people towards it. Now that the first class of female Eagle Scou...

What is a NOAC? This is the national conference for the Order of the Arrow known as the National Order of the Arrow Conference or NOAC for short.  In this video, ScouterStan talks about his experiences at the infamous NOAC. A full discussion of how to join-up, get ready to go, traveling and even check-in at the conference is discussed. ScouterStan will also talk about dorm life and all the fa...

Task One: When you agree to take a leadership position, your first job is to find your replacement. “You must have someone that can take over when you go, or you can’t go!” Every unit needs to have succession plans in place for every position. Parents MUST step up and pitch in as adult leaders. Reasons they don't... Uninformed – Most parents are never asked to help as an adult leader. The only tim...

In November of 2018, I finished posting my 3 Part Eagle Mentoring series. Here is the 4th part of that for leaders and mentors. Quite simply it's time to plan a celebration of your new Eagle Scouts achievement. There are many people to thank for helping the Scout along the trail to Eagle. This is completely optional, however not taking time to properly thank those involved, is contrary to the beli...

I wonder how many Scouts and Scouters have thought about the motto “Be Prepared”? This includes unexpected service to the community. Often this is personal and close to home in many ways. Living your life by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law makes it easier to take on responsibilities. Here are two situations where it kicked in for scatter Stan. Feel free to put your unexpected service mome...

Patch landing places on the uniform can be confusing. Sometimes it's easier to think of them as the four quadrants of the uniform shirt. Uniform inspections should always be constructive. Often the Cub Scout or the Scout has no say in where the patches wind up. Making sure that you hand out the inspection sheets to new Scout parents before they purchase uniforms will ensure proper placement. There...