A Scoutmaster's Blog

I know. I know. It has been awhile since Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, has made an appearance at the Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast. Well, he is back, and he has something to tell you.

One thing that we podcasters like is lots of statistics about our podcasts. We like to know how many visitors visit the site. We want to know how many times the podcast episode is watched. We like to know from what countries people are watching. It is even fun to know what computer operating system is being used. And of course there are plenty of other bits of information that are useful.

I do not receive all this info from the troop’s website stats. Oh, I receive very basic information, but I am looking for more. So, with the help from Chris at the An Hour A Week Podcast, I am creating a new address and feed location for the podcast. For a couple of weeks the old and new feed locations will be online, but then it will all change to the new feed. That means you will have to change the feed in your RSS reader and video player.

The feed to the iTunes Music Store will also be changed. With Chris’ help, I hope to make this as painless as possible. It we do it correctly, you may not even have to change anything in iTunes. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

The original podcast feed was http://melrosetroop68.org/podcast/podcast.xml .
The new feed is http://feeds.feedburner.com/melrosescoutingproductions .
The Feedburner feed should allow me to receive a lot more information about the podcast downloads, which will be quite helpful.

Since this change is coming to the podcast I thought it would be great for Buttons to make an announcement in his own special way. He gets a little confused, but then, he is not a computer literate type of person. He even has trouble using a chat room. So, sit back, hit the link, and enjoy the video. And don’t forget to change your feed so you continue to receive videos, including an all new video to be posted soon featuring Buttons and a couple of his friends.

Watch this video post of Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast, and then leave a comment if you have enjoyed it. You can leave a note below by clicking on the COMMENTS link below, or at the PTC media forums.

If you leave a comment at the iTunes Music Store you will help the Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast climb higher in the ratings.

Click here to DOWNLOAD this Podcast
Subscribe to Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast through iTunes.
Check out the other Scouting podcasts at PTC Media.

The Boy Scouts of America is coming with with a new uniform in August! Oh, you have heard about that already? I thought you might have. I am probably the last Scouting blogger to write about the new uniform. I was not sure what to think about it so I did not really want to write about… Until now.

I have read a few things about the new uniform. I have seen the BSA’s information about it. I have seen the pictures of it. But only recently have I made up my mind about it. And that is only after talking to Jerry at The Scoutmaster Minute.

To tell the truth, I think it is time for the uniform to change. I did not have a problem with the current shirt, but even this 48 year old thought the current uniform pants and socks were dorky looking. Plus, the shorts were designed horribly, in my opinion. I have not worn the official shorts or pants since the 2001 National Jamboree. The new uniform looks like it should be a lot more comfortable and that it will wear better on troop functions. The right sleeve pocket looks like an interesting idea, but I wonder how many times it will get sown shut. The new cap will not look like a target sitting on a Scout’s head.

Fred Goodwin has found an article in the Dallas Morning News that talks well of the new uniform, and also quotes a couple Scouts on how they feel about it. You can check it out at http://tinyurl.com/5lm7pz .

Today the blog hit 40,000 visitors! Once again, I would like to thank all of you who have taken the time to read this blog over the last two years. I hope you continue to enjoy stopping by for a visit.

It is hard to believe, but next week I will head out to attend a week of summer camp for the 25th time. That includes three weeks as a Boy Scout, and 22 times as an adult leader. That does not include the five trips to Philmont Scout Ranch, the trip to the BWCA, or the 2001 National Jamboree. I guess you could say there has been a lot of long term Scouting camping trips in my life.

For over two years I have been placing Scouting related videos on Youtube. It has been interesting to see which videos have become somewhat popular, and which ones have not. Here is a list of the “ten most watched” videos I have placed on Youtube that were produced by the BSA and/or its councils:

1) The Boy Scout Zone Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKFnGDRaMQU

2) Boy Scout Commercial – Helpful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gC0Wu0UK1Y

3) Boy Scout Commercial – Trustworthy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAjBryHkeVg

4) Boy Scout Commercial – Reverent
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKqWeze7xB8

5) Boy Scout Commercial – Jim Lovell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNq6WsYIAFI

6) Crazy Boy Scout Commercials
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0HzH3Tn7Ik

7) Boy Scout Commercial – Thrifty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S25U_CqVChM

8) Boy Scout Commercial – Obedient
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXdSWVnz_W0

9) We Do It Music Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tok9gePil3E

10) Boy Scout Commercial – Baby Talk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d28fwTC83Qw

There are plenty of others. If you would like to view them all then check out
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=stevejb68&p=v
.