A Scoutmaster's Blog

My collection of Scouting themed items is already large enough after 40 years of collecting. Very seldom will I buy a collection of items online to add to my collection, so you could say I was surprised when I broke down and bought a boxful of stuff from an online sale. There were a few items I wanted that were in that lot and the price was very reasonable so I thought “why not?” and hit the BUY button. I was quite pleased when it arrived.

This box contained all kinds of Scouting memorabilia. It contained Cub Scout and Boy Scout items. There were plenty of pins and patches. It included some uniforms parts and even a cap. There were also a couple handbooks which are always nice to add to my collection.

The video can be found on the Melrose Scouting Productions channel on Youtube. It can also be watched here.

I have been collecting Scouting memorabilia for over 40 years and I thought it might be fun to share some my Scouting collection with you. I have been writing down ideas for several videos featuring different parts of my collection. From patches and uniforms parts, to handbooks and novels, even movies and plush animals. I believe there may be something of interest in this series for anyone involved with the Scouting program.

This episode, the first one, features the committee and scoutmaster handbooks I have collected. There are even a few scoutmaster minute booklets. As I was going through the book I discovered a couple with a special tie in to our home troop. You can watch the video here:

These videos will be posted on Youtube on the Melrose Scouting Productions channel. Be sure to subscribe and click the notification bell you that you know when new videos are added.

He has been hiking, and climbing, and canoeing, and many other things. Scoutmaster Snoopy and his Scout Troop of Woodstock and his friends have been depicted in many Scouting activities in the annual Hallmark ornaments over the years. In 2021 they have decided to relax.

This year’s ornament depicts the famous Beagle Scout and his friends relaxing in a pool of water at the end of a great day at camp. When I first saw this I did not really care for it but the more I look at it and think about it the more I like it. This also represents a great part of the Scouting program, kicking back and enjoying life.

I picked up two of these ornaments today, one to keep in the box and one to hang on the tree during the holiday season. It is a great addition to the collection of Scoutmaster Snoopy ornaments I have collected for over a decade.

The ornaments are now on sale at your local Hallmark store. They are $17.99 each. They can also be ordered online at https://www.hallmark.com/ornaments/keepsake-ornaments/the-peanuts-gang-taking-a-dip-ornament-1799QXI7305.html

Do you plan to pick one up for that Scout in your household? Do you plan to add this to your own collection?

The camp rouser song states, “Many Point Scout Camp. That’s the place to be. It’s where the best of Scouting is, and that’s the place for me.” Six Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 discovered how true those words are when they spent the week of July 4th at the camp and had a great time.

The Scouts were kept very busy at camp. In the morning they would work on advancement and earn merit badges. In the afternoon they participated in troop activities around the camp. All program areas were open in the evening so the Scouts were able to choose how they wished to spend their time.

The beach and aquatramp were very popular during the hot days. The two climbing towers were also a favorite of the Scouts. A visit to the camp’s museum and 100 foot high fire tower, followed by a round of disc golf, kept the troop busy one afternoon.

Other activities included the archery, rifle, and shotgun ranges, nine square and Gaga ball games, DELTA team building challenges, and the favorite greased watermelon competition. Three of the older Scouts were able to participate in the camp’s ATV program one afternoon.

Attending the camp were Troop 68 members Austin E., Emmett M., Ethan Z., Logan R., Isaiah G., and Noah Z. Adults leaders were assistant scoutmaster Steve G. and committee member Matthew Z. Steve B. also attended for a few days.

The Scouts may have had a fantastic time while at camp but they were ready to return home on Saturday and relax for the rest of the weekend.

The Scouts had a blast during the DELTA team building exercises, and even surprised the camp staff with their problem solving skills.

The Scouts were all smiles after climbing to the top of the 100 foot fire tower and looking above the tree line.