The Scouting Stuff Podcast

Scouts Canada CEO Liam Burns offers his thoughts on “Youth Led”, the Canadian Path, badges, and more. Podcast Topics Scouts Canada CEO Liam Burns joins Scouter Ken for a discussion about...well, a number of things. Although it was Liam’s blog post about Scouts Canada’s badge program – which rightly called out some of the shortcomings of the new badge program ushered in under the Canadian Path init...

Long-time Scouter and author James B Wood joins us to discuss his new book for current and prospective Scouting volunteers. Podcast Topics Scouter Ken is joined by James B Wood , a Scouter from the UK Scout Association . Having been “in the trenches” as a volunteer for many years, he took it upon himself to write a book - now out and available in print or on Kindle - for current and prospective Sc...

Albania (re)joins WOSM, the UK gets a new Chief Scout...and the World Scout Conference happened. News Stories Scouting in Albania joins as the 176th Member Organization of World Scouting 2,000 Scouts gather for the opening of the 43rd World Scout Conference in Cairo 84 people join Scouting every hour: A decade of remarkable growth Scouts of China to host the 17th World Scout Moot in 2029 Denmark t...

Why do Scouts wear neckerchiefs? Podcast Topics After far too long, Ken and Colin sit down for another chat, this time about neckerchiefs ...arguably one of the most universal symbols of the Scouting movement. Scouts from around the world sport neckers – a short name they’re affectionately known by – at all manner of events, and trading neckers is a common sign of friendship at Scouting events. Sh...

Philippine Scouts respond after a typhoon, Scouts Canada launches a helpline...and Italian Scouts take Vespas to Norway. News Stories Hope After the Storm: The Philippine Scouts' Relief for Typhoon Survivors Hope After the Storm: Donate Solidarity on Wheels: Italian Scouts' Vespa Expedition to Norway A Scouts Canada day camp is back in action and introducing a whole new group of kids to ou...

Kenyan Scouts double membership...and Scout jamborees take place in Canada, Iceland, and Norway. News Stories 5,500 Scouts and Guides Gather for the 7th Roverway 2024 in Norway Kenya Scouts Association doubles membership to 4.4 million Girl Scouts San Diego announces partnership with new baker More than 1,700 Scouts arriving for jamboree near Sooke Scout Jamboree in Sooke welcomes kids from around...

Scouts need (more) volunteers, Bear Grylls steps down...and Mali joins WOSM. News Stories Scouts Canada sidelines 700 in York Region because volunteer shortage puts children and youth on wait list Volunteers urged to step up for Scouts Canada in Barrie Scouts Canada Seeks Volunteers and Business Support in Kingston Scouts Canada urgently needs volunteers in Burnaby Scouts Canada highlights Prince...

Scouts Canada plants trees, Scouts BSA pilots co-ed troops...and UK Beaver Scouts hunt for the Gruffalo. News Stories Launching the Canadian Climate Challenge Applications for the Scouts Canada Scholarship Program are now open! Combined Troop Pilot Scouts honor veterans by placing flags at Appleton cemetery ahead of Memorial Day Ely Scouts Gruffalo hike for Cambridge Search and Rescue Subscribe Fo...

Scouts BSA renames to Scouting America, Scouts fundraise and rally to help...and a fire ravages a Canadian Scout Camp. News Stories Boy Scouts of America announces rebrand to ‘Scouting America’ Tides of Transformation: Thousands of Portuguese Scouts Leading the Charge Against Marine Litter Young People Innovating Solutions to Plastic Waste in Rwanda HRH Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg awarded Bronz...

Let’s learn a bit about a particularly hazardous invasive plant to watch out for this summer. Podcast Topics Scouter John Kemp of the 5th Brant Troop joins Scouter Ken to discuss giant hogweed , an invasive plant that looks a bit like cow parsnip , and which grows near watercourses. Anyone out exploring in the bush should take care to avoid contact with giant hogweed ; the sap damages the skin in...

What is the Better Programs Initiative? Let’s find out! Podcast Topics Scouter Ken is joined by Scouter Alicia , who is one of the representatives of Scouts Canada’s new Better Programs Initiative , a knowledge-sharing forum where Scouters can share (and find) ideas on how to run a top-tier Scouting program. Visit this episode's page at our website to find QR codes for the initiative and the S...

If you aren’t already planning for how different roles within your group can transition between people, you need to be. Podcast Topics Scouter Ken is joined by Scouter Corey - the outgoing Group Commissioner for the 59th Edmonton Scout Group - to discuss the importance of planning for how to transition people out of (and into!) roles within a Scout Group. Transition planning takes many forms. Idea...

Youth between the ages of 14 and 17 can also volunteer as Scouters, at least in Scouts Canada. Podcast Topics In their first in-person sit-down session of the year, Scouter Ken and Scouter Colin discuss Youth Scouters . This is an extension of the volunteer apparatus within Scouts Canada that allows minors (between the ages of 14 and 17) to go through the training and interview process that adult...

Scouts Canada has partnered with Busy Minds and Little Yogis Academy to help bring mindfulness into program content. Podcast Topics Scouter Ken and Scouter Mike are joined by Michelle Faber , the founder of Busy Minds , for a live discussion mindfulness, its importance to mental health, and the ways in which Scouts Canada is partnering with Busy Minds (and Little Yogis ) to add mindfulness exercis...

The first ever LIVE episode of Scouting Stuff, and an introduction to Scouts Canada’s “Sasquatch Seekers” event. Podcast Topics In the first of what will become a series of LIVE episodes, Scouter Ken is joined by Kate Larkin - the Director of Program & Volunteer Services for Scouts Canada - to discuss the Sasquatch Seekers challenge. This is a series of four weekly challenges for Scout Groups...

Beaver Scouts (at least in Canada) is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. Podcast Topics Scouter Ken and Scouter Colin - finally, only two months into 2024! - sit down (virtually) to discuss Beaver Scouts . Despite a popular Canadian legend that the program for “younger than Cub Scout ” youth was developed in Canada and exported to the world , the actual history of it goes back a bit further...

Two brothers - twins, at that! - discuss their introduction to Scouts Canada and the roles they’ve served in therewith. Podcast Topics Scouter Shayne and Scouter Sheldon rejoin the podcast for another episode, this time to discuss their respective Scouting journeys with Scouter Ken . Though they came to the organization in different ways (and at different times), they both ended up serving as Grou...

What is the rangemaster role within Scouting, and how do you become one? Podcast Topics Scouter Ken is joined by Scouter Sheldon , the program director for Camp Everton in Ontario (and, coincidentally, the brother of Scouter Shayne from Episode 144 ). Much of the discussion in this episode focuses on the role of the rangemaster, which within Scouts Canada is a specifically-trained person who can r...

Where can youth find leadership opportunities? Funny you should ask! Podcast Topics Scouter Ken is joined by Scouter Shayne from Ontario for this episode. Among many other roles, Scouter Shayne has served as a Group Commissioner, a Section Scouter, and a Contact Scouter, and has also been with the Canadian Forces for three decades. The discussion ranges over a few topics, including the similaritie...

Scouts across Africa help the vulnerable, Scouts in Canada sell trees...and Scouts were even at COP28. News Stories Advancing Gender Equality through Scouting in Ethiopia Reintegrating Vulnerable Young People through Ticket to Life Initiative in Africa 4th World Scout Education Congress Shaping the Future of Education in Scouting Congress Roadmap sets direction for education in Scouting to be more...

Scouts help with hurricane relief, JOTA-JOTI breaks records...and Hungarian Scouts camp on a river. News Stories Scouts de Mexico Extend a Helping Hand in Hurricane Aftermath A Record JOTA-JOTI! Digital Meets In Person for an Epic Jamboree No need to fear… the Boy Scouts are here! River Scout Camp: A Journey Through Time with Hungarian Scouts Scouts fees rise to fund new safeguarding team Swindon...

Two of the three French Scouters who traveled by bicycle to WSJ 2023 tell us all about their adventure! Podcast Topics Scouter Ken is joined by Florian and Antonin – two of the three French Scouters who comprise La CyclOdyssée , who we mentioned briefly in the January 16 episode of Scouting Five – to discuss their 7-month journey to the World Scout Jamboree in Korea . Because rather than fly from...

Are you taking part in JOTA-JOTI this year? News Stories Sadly, there won’t be any Scouting Stuff neckers or crests at this time; orders for both items didn’t meet the production thresholds. If you placed an order, it’ll be cancelled and you’ll get a refund. Stickers are still available, however! The Biggest Annual Scouting Event is On: It’s JOTA-JOTI 2023! ScoutLink ScoutWired Subscribe Follow Us...

A bit more information about how Scouts BSA' Transatlantic Council is structured, and the role Kandersteg plays in it. Podcast Topics Scouter Will , from Scouts BSA’s Transatlantic Council , joins the podcast to discuss the Council and its role in allowing the children of deployed soldiers and diplomats to continue participating in Scouting even when they’re nowhere near the United States . An...

A successful musical fundraiser, Scouts Canada apologizes...and Scouts in Brazil get crafty with plastic waste. News Stories Aberdeen Explorer Scouts invited to Scottish Parliament to mark fundraising efforts Scouts Canada issues apology for role in ‘historical harm’ on Indigenous Peoples The Girl Scouts are discontinuing a cult-favorite cookie Moment cub scouts as young as seven dodge traffic on...