Buttons vs Barney?

Wow. I just saw the scathing review of Around The Scouting Campfire that was left on iTunes. Plus, the reviewer left a one star (out of five) rating. It seems he does not like Buttons and finds him distracting. He also does not think the show contains much useful information.

I know the show does not contain much "hardcore" Boy Scouting information. It was never meant to be that type of show. Jerry and the others do a great job of creating those types of Scouting podcasts. I always thought of ATSC as more of an entertaining podcast with a Scouting theme. I began it because some people wanted an audio version of some of the Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast videos, and more of Buttons.

I realize that ATSC is a small time homegrown podcast and will never be very popular. In fact, only two of the shows ever reached 1000 hits within the first month. (#4 and #5) I never expect to be on par with Chris' An Hour A Week podcast. I do not plan to produce a weekly podcast like he does.

My podcasts do not generate much feedback so I guess this hit closer to home than it probably should. But… Is there too much of Buttons in the podcast? Should I concentrate more on the serious Scouting subjects? Is it time to retire the podcast? I guess I am now looking for some ideas as to the direction I should go.

Commemorative Rifles by Henry

Mike, a former member of Troop 68, recently posted a quick note of our troop's forum about something I thought was awesome, but mothers may not appreciate. Boy Scouts like guns. Every summer camp has rifle and shotgun ranges. Many Boy Scouts hunt for game when they are old enough. It seems one company has decided to do something a little special for those Scouts during the 100th anniversary celebration. Henry Rifles has created a couple of special commemorative rifle to celebrate not only the Boy Scouts of America, but also Eagle Scouts.


The first rifle (quoted from the website)- The Boy Scouts of America celebrate their 100th Anniversary in 2010. To commemorate this occasion, Henry Repeating Arms announces the release of its Henry Golden Boy “Boy Scouts of America® Centennial Edition” licensed rifle. To mark this milestone, this special rifle features the Scouts Oath, Scouts Law, scrollwork and traditional Boy Scouts of America logo embellishing the receiver, as well as a 100 Years of Scouting logo and Centennial Edition gold filled etchings in the buttstock and forearm.
http://www.henry-guns.com/press_bsa100.cfm  


The second rifle (again from the website) - The gleaming nickel-plated receiver is adorned with spectacular engraving hand cut by Henry engraver Rob Bunting. The right side is highlighted by the image of a majestic bald eagle accented by distinctive American scrollwork and a banner proclaiming the proud sentiment of all Eagle Scouts: Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle. The left side bears the image of the famous Eagle Scout™ medal and banners reading Eagle Scout and Boy Scouts of America. The engraved images on both sides and the winged leaf border are selectively plated with brilliant 24-karat gold.
http://www.henryrepeating.com/h004es_eaglescout.cfm


Check the links for pictures of these guns. They are gorgeous. I wish I had a couple of thousand dollars laying around to buy them, but unfortunately, I am saving to replace my car this summer. Besides, I don't think I could ever bring myself to actually fire one. Have any of you purchased one of these rifles? 

MSPP #80: Questions For Buttons

It has been nearly a year since Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, has been featured in a new video. He has been pretty busy with school, Scouting, and his podcast, Around The Scouting Campfire. He recently began to work on his Cinematography merit badge and decided to make a video in which he answers several questions sent to him by some Wolf Cub Scouts from California. Even the sister of one of the Scouts gets to ask a question. The kids ask Buttons about the Scout Promise, leadership, den chiefs, grapes, and more.

Click here to DOWNLOAD this Podcast
Subscribe to Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast through iTunes.
or at the RSS feed: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/melrosescoutingproductions
Check out other great Scouting podcasts at PTC Media, including The Leader's Campfire and Around The Scouting Campfire.

Boy Scout YouTube Day - February 8th

Unless you have been hiding in a cave somewhere you have probably heard that the Boy Scouts of America are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. The United States of America Congress granted a charter to create the B.S.A. on February 8, 1910. Since that day there have been over 100 million boys who have joined the organization.

The B.S.A. has been planning some fantastic events to celebrate the anniversary. There has been a colorful float in the Rose Bowl Parade, a partnership with Dale Coyne Racing, the historical merit badge program, and the upcoming 2010 National Jamboree, just to name a few. Councils, districts, packs, troops and crews are also planning special events.

I have an idea. Let's try to bring this to the public eye in another arena. Online. On YouTube. Let's pick a couple videos that have a Scouting theme and then, on February 8th, we have our Scouts, families, and friends watch those videos. Let's see if we can't get enough hits that day to bring those videos to the YouTube front page. Could we make one or two videos go "viral"?

If this is to work we need to get the word out to as many people as possible. We will need the involvement of packs, troops, and crews. We will need the councils and districts to spread the word. We need blogs to blog about it and people on Twitter to tweet about it. We will need hundreds of thousands of people to watch these videos on February 8th if we are going to make an impact.

I would like to make a few suggestions for the videos we could watch: one B.S.A. promotion video, one video showing Boy Scouts performing a skit, and one showing Scouts having fun on an activity. If you have a suggestion please leave a comment below.

The B.S.A. Promotion video - This one was suggested to me when I asked for suggestions on Twitter. It is titled "Feel Proud" and features Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts doing community service projects to a catchy musical tune.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9csn7asa8Nc

Boy Scout Skit - I am choosing a skit which is one of my favorites, The Furniture Store. This video was performed by the Boy Scouts in my troop during one of their community shows.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbWYdwSPOJo

Scouting Activity Video - I thought this was a cute video of Cub Scouts doing their version of the Cub Scout Promise, rap style. And it is only a minute long.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIob4dY2XLY

So there you go. Get out and spread the word! And watch video on Monday, February 8th.

Around The Scouting Campfire #11

It is time to join Scoutmaster Steve and Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, as they host another episode of Around The Scouting Campfire, a podcast for Scouts, adult leaders, and families.

During this episode the guys talk about the new year and look back at 2009. Scoutmaster Steve begins the new year by reciting some quotes from Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, and then reads a story about setting goals to fly with the eagles. After a song from The Scout Zone, Buttons tries to learn the Cub Scout Promise from Michael the Cub Scout, and then reads some feedback from our listeners. The show ends with a scoutmaster minute about being friendly and a thank you to you, our listeners.

Steve and Buttons thank PTC Media ( http://www.ptcmedia.net ) for allowing this program to be a part of their family of Scouting related podcasts. We would also like to thank the Boy Scout Store ( http://boyscoutstore.com ) for sponsoring this show. be sure to check out their website.

Finally, we would like to thank you, the listeners, for downloading Around The Scouting Campfire and sending us your emails. You can contact Buttons at buttonst68@yahoo.com. You may contact Scoutmaster Steve at stevejb68@yahoo.com. Please rate the show and/or leave a comment at the iTunes store or at PTC Media forums.

Download episode by clicking HERE.

RSS Feed - http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MelroseScoutingAudioPodcast

This podcast is found on iTunes at

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=307979159

and is a member of the family of Scouting themed podcasts at PTC Media found at http://www.ptcmedia.net/

Show notes:

The Scout Zone - http://www.thescoutzone.org/

Video of Buttons and Michael - Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast #17

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Coleman Gift Card Winner!

The time has come to announce the winner of the $25.00 Coleman gift card. (Drum roll please...) The winner is Kevin, known as scoutdude on Twitter. Congratulations Kevin. I will need you to write me with your address so that Coleman can mail the gift card to you.

I would like to once again thank Christina and the folks at Coleman for making this give-away possible. And I would like to thank those of you who took the time to enter the contest.

Earn A Historical Merit Badge

Are you a Boy Scout? Would you like to do something different this year, the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America? How about earning a merit badge from the early days of Scouting that have been off the books for years? The BSA is bringing back four merit badges that you earn this year only. The badges include Signaling, Tracking, Pathfinding, and Carpentry.

These badges must be completed before December 31, 2010, or you lose out on your chance to earn something from Scouting's history.

For more information checking out the blog of Scouting Magazine, the Cracker Barrel, at http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2010/01/historical-merit-badges-help-boy-scouts-celebrate-scoutings-past.html

BSA & Dale Coyne Racing Team Up

I do not know about you, but I thought this was cool. Soon after the Boy Scouts of America was in the national spotlight with their awesome float in the Rose Bowl parade, I hear of a special partnership with an Indy racing team. The following is a portion of the press release:

IRVING, Texas (January 11, 2010) – The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and Dale Coyne Racing (DCR) today announced that the two legendary organizations are teaming up to promote family fun and education through a new BSA IndyCar. Scouts can experience the BSA’s No. 19 IndyCar throughout the 17 race IndyCar® Series 2010 schedule of events including the greatest spectacle in racing, the Indianapolis 500.

The No. 19 car will help commemorate the 100th anniversary of the BSA – the nation’s largest youth service organization. The BSA and DCR plan to utilize the high-tech nature of Indy cars as a platform to promote science, technology and math to those involved in Scouting.

“Racing is a modern day way to connect with youth and to further Scouting’s dedication to expanding tomorrow’s leaders through education, math, science and engineering,” stated Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca. “We are grateful to Dale and Gail Coyne and their entire racing team for making this incredible opportunity possible.”

For the full press release check out the Dale Coyne Racing website at: http://www.dalecoyneracing.com/release011110.html

150,000 Visits and Counting

This note is more for myself then anyone, but "A Scoutmaster's Blog" reached a total of 150,000 visits yesterday (since the counter began in June 2007). It has only been a little over seven months since it reached 100,000 visits. The daily visits have been increasing nicely. The blog averages 200-300 hits per day. It will be interesting to see how long it takes to hit 175,000 views.

I would like to thank you all for coming to this site and reading the blog.

MSPP #79: Ben Lindbom, The Snowmobiling Eagle Scout

Let's face it. Earning the rank of Eagle Scout is a very big deal. Only 4% or so of all boys in Boy Scouting earn the highest rank offered in the program. So what do you do for an encore? Well, if you are from Minnesota, and your name is Ben Lindbom, you get on your snowmobile and set your sights on winning races.

Ben Lindbom has been racing snowmobiles since he was 13 years old. He took second place in his first race, and has been going strong ever since. Been is currently competing in the International Series Of Champions Tour which will take him to several locations in the upper midwest. He is currently positioned top ten in the standings. Not bad for a young man from Staples.

A few months ago I was contacted by Ben's family and asked if I would feature Ben in one of my blog articles. His father, David, sent me some information about Ben, including a video they had made in which Ben talks about racing and Scouting. After viewing the video I thought it would make for an excellent post to the Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast. The Lindbom's liked the idea and gave me permission to use it. Ben does an excellent job of talking about Scouting and his love of racing, so there is really not much for me to write. Watch the video!

Check out this month's Boy's Life magazine. Ben is featured in the January issue. You can also read more about Ben on his website at http://www.benlindbom.com/ .

Click here to DOWNLOAD this Podcast
Subscribe to Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast through iTunes.
or at the RSS feed: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/melrosescoutingproductions
Check out other great Scouting podcasts at PTC Media, including The Leader's Campfire and Around The Scouting Campfire.

Get Involved In Scouting?

During the my last year of tech college my classmates and I would discuss what we wanted to do with our lives once we were out on our own. What kind of job did we hope to get? What kind of community would we like to settle down in? What organizations would we get involved with, if any?

I was a Boy Scout for three years so I made the comment that it might be fun to find a troop and get involved again. When I think about that comment now I have to stop and ask myself, why did I say that? I really did not accomplish much as a Boy Scout. Yes, I went to the meetings, and the occasional weekend camping trip, and three week long summer camps, but I do not remember much about them. I only earned four merit badges. I only got as far as Second Class Rank. I do not remember a single court of honor. Unfortunately, and I hate to say it, my time as a Boy Scout was pretty uneventful.

I must have had enough fun in Scouting though to make a comment like that in college. I may have realized that the Scout program was a great program to help young boys grow into men of strong character. I guess I wanted a chance to be a part of that process. But there was one more reason to reconnect with Scouting. A personal one. I always felt bad that I did not remember much about my time as a Scout, and that I did not accomplish much in the program. I thought that maybe I could help some other boys have a great time in Scouting and do the things I never had the chance to do.

As luck would have it, I found a job and settled back in my hometown. Within two months I discovered they had restarted the troop which had been disbanded about five years earlier. I walked up to the scoutmaster one night and asked him if he could use some help. (Click HERE for an earlier article about this.) That was nearly thirty years ago. I think I can honestly say that I have helped to make a positive impact on the Scout program in this community.

How long will I continue to be with the program? I do not know. I had never planned to be with it for three decades. Unfortunately, this community may make the decision for me. Membership in the troop has dropped to only seven Boy Scouts, down from nearly forty Scouts ten years ago. I discovered today that the Cub Pack currently has only three boys. One of the Pack's problems is that parents do not want to take on any of the leadership roles. This has been going on for the last five years or longer. Thus, the Pack's program has suffered, and the boys are not joining like they once did.

Let's face it, parents need to get involved, at least at the Cub Scout level, for the program to succeed. Do today's parents not understand the great benefits of the Scouting program, both to them and their sons?

Get involved with Scouting? Too tell the truth, I can think of few programs that are better worth your time and effort.