Around The Scouting Campfire #12

Scoutmaster Steve and Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, return in episode twelve of the Around The Scouting Campfire podcast. Listen in as the guys talk about how the Scouting program was discovered by William D. Boyce during a trip to London in the early 1900's. There are quotes from Lord Baden-Powell. The Boy Scouts of Troop 68 perform the radio skit. Buttons reads the last letter to Scouts from Lord Baden-Powell. There is even a short story from an early National Jamboree.

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 story of how Scouting came to America is from the 1943 edition of the Boy Scout handbook.
The Radio Skit can be seen at Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast #70 - http://feeds2.feedburner.com/melrosescoutingproductions
Buttons' reading of the last letter to Scouts from Lord Baden-Powell can be seen at Melrose Scouting Productions #50.

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.

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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Around The Scouting Campfire #10

Yes, it has been awhile since Buttons and Steve have posted an episode to the Around The Scouting Campfire podcast. But your wait is over. Show #10 is ready to download and enjoy.

During this show Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, talks to Scoutmaster Steve about his next merit badge. Steve discusses saving our old videos of troop activities and courts of honor. We hear the Buckskin staff of Many Point Scout Camp sing a Scout Law song. Buttons brings in his friend Randall for some jokes. The show wraps up with A Scouter's Thanksgiving Prayer.

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.

And 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:
Blog post on "Saving The Video Memories" at A Scoutmaster's Blog .

The video of the Many Point Scout Camp staff can be found at Melrose Scouting Productions podcast #24. http://feeds2.feedburner.com/melrosescoutingproductions

The video of the Buttons and Randall Show #2 can be found at Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast #49.

The Scouter's Thanksgiving Prayer - http://usscouts.org/reverent/prayers.asp

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Around The Scouting Campfire #9

Has your troop, patrol, or den ever had to develop a new skit or patrol for a campfire program? The Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 created several new ones over the decades, mainly in the 1980's and 1990's. The Scouts would take a song, chance the words a bit (or a lot), add some actions, and suddenly had a popular campfire skit.

Star Trekking, by the Firm, was one of those songs that Troop 68 turned into a campfire skit. It became so popular that the troop wrote a sequel to it and called it Star Trekking: The Next Generation. During this episode of Around The Scouting Campfire, Scoutmaster Steve and Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, talk about how the troop developed these skits for the enjoyment of troops across Minnesota and beyond.

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.

And 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:
Blog post on Star Trekking at A Scoutmaster's Blog:

http://www.melrosetroop68.org/2006/08/campfire-skits-star-trekking.html

Videos featuring the Star Trekking Songs:

The Scouts performing on a local television show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivt4AWGBWhE

The Staff of Many Point Scout Camp performing Star Trekking can be seen on Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast #47.

The young Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 can be seen doing Star Trekking: The Next Generation on Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast #54.

Around The Scouting Campfire #8

The summer has been busy with Scouting and family activities but I finally felt it was time to add another episode to the Around The Scouting Campfire podcast.

The show begins with Buttons arriving home from an overnight camping trip. A very wet overnight camping trip. He talks with Scoutmaster Steve about a couple of the things he and his troop did during the damp outing. Then, get out your earplugs because Steve tries singing "Scout Wetspers", a song about being flooded when camping. The Boy Scouts of Troop 68 join us for their rendition of a campfire favorite, Singing In The Rain. Buttons talks about when you know you are a real Boy Scout. As the campfire comes to a close Steve's scout leader's minute reminds us about being loyal, and why we are involved in the Scouting program.

Steve and Buttons would like to 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.

And 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:
Song For The Wet Campsite - http://www.melrosetroop68.org/2007/07/song-for-wet-campsite.html

Singing In The Rain video - Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast #30

You KNow You Are A Boy Scout When video - Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast #21

Around The Scouting Campfire #7

It has been over a month since the last show so Buttons and I thought we better get one posted before you all think that we quit doing them. We have not. In fact, we have outlines for another three shows, and hope to write a few more while we are at summer camp this year.

During Around The Scouting Campfire #7 we find out that Buttons had a small problem during his scoutmaster conference for his Star Rank, and how he came up with the theme for this show which happens to be The Scout Law. Scoutmaster Steve then introduces us to a Scout Law song by the Croutons, and talks about Boy Scouts and adults who use bad language. During Buttons' Corner we hear about one of the radical Scout's first videos uploaded to Youtube. The show closes with Scoutmaster Steve sharing a story about being trustworthy from his 1950's version of Scoutmaster's Minute book.

Steve and Buttons would like to thank everyone who listens to the podcast, and who have sent emails about how they have enjoyed the shows.

Please rate the show and/or leave a comment at the iTunes store or at PTC Media forums.
You can contact Buttons at buttonst68@yahoo.com. You may contact Scoutmaster Steve at stevejb68@yahoo.com. We appreciate your emails and letters.

RSS Feed - http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MelroseScoutingAudioPodcast
Download episode by clicking HERE.

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 Law Song by the Croutons  -  http://music.topdownloads.net/mp3/view.php?id=2829

Buttons Talks About The Scout Law is show #6 of Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast.
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Around The Scouting Campfire #6

The sixth episode of Around The Scouting Campfire is now available. It is time to join Scoutmaster Steve and Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, for another 20 minutes of fun and reflection on Scouting.

During this show we discover what advancement rank Buttons holds in Scouting as he and Scoutmaster Steve talk about his upcoming scoutmaster conference. What merit badges has Buttons earned? Why did he choose those merit badges? Steve goes on to talk about the ten things he likes to cover during a scoutmaster conference. He follows it up with a little humorous story of a little old lady who every morning Praises the Lord.

During Buttons' Corner we learn about ten nutrition myths. Yeah, Buttons talks to us slightly overweight adult leaders and Scouts about how to stay fit. I bet you never thought that would happen.

The show ends with Steve and his Scout Leader Minute, which is about The Stuff A Fellow Is Made Of, from the 1956 book Ideas and Stories For The Scoutmaster Minute.

Steve and Buttons would like to thank everyone who listens to the podcast, and who have sent emails about how they have enjoyed the shows.

Please rate the show and/or leave a comment at the iTunes store or at PTC Media forums.
You can contact Buttons at buttonst68@yahoo.com. You may contact Scoutmaster Steve at stevejb68@yahoo.com. We appreciate your emails and letters.

RSS Feed - http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MelroseScoutingAudioPodcast
Download episode - http://www.melrosetroop68.org/podcastaudio/MSAPE6.mp3

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:
Requirements for the Star Rank: http://www.usscouts.org/advance/boyscout/bsranks.asp
The Scoutmaster Conference: http://www.melrosetroop68.org/2006/09/scoutmaster-conference.html
Top 10 Nutrition Myths: http://www.centracare.com/community/spotlight/spotlight_spring_2009.pdf
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Around The Scouting Campfire #5

The fifth episode of Around The Scouting Campfire has been posted. That means it is time to join Scoutmaster Steve and Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, for another 20 minutes of fun and reflection on Scouting.

This show begins with Steve and Buttons talking about feedback they have received. Steve speaks about using your local community television station as a way to promote Scouting in your area. Hopefully you are not driving a car as you listen to the song Vista because you might want to join in. During Buttons' Corner we hear Buttons telling jokes to his friend Randall. As the show comes to an end Steve speaks about another type of compass used by Scouts and Scouters alike.

Steve and Buttons would like to thank everyone who have sent emails about how they have enjoyed the shows. Please rate the show and/or leave a comment at the iTunes store or at PTC Media forums.
You can contact Buttons at buttonst68@yahoo.com. You may contact Scoutmaster Steve at stevejb68@yahoo.com. We appreciate your emails and letters.

RSS Feed - http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MelroseScoutingAudioPodcast
Download episode - http://www.melrosetroop68.org/podcastaudio/MSAPE5.mp3

This podcast is found on iTunes at
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=307979159
and has joined the family of Scouting themed podcasts at PTC Media at
http://www.ptcmedia.net/

Show notes:
Scouting and Community Television - http://www.melrosetroop68.org/2006/07/boy-scouting-and-community-television.html
Vista - http://www.melrosetroop68.org/2008/04/mspp-36-vista.html
The Buttons and Randall Show #1 - http://www.melrosetroop68.org/2008/07/mspp-43-buttons-and-randall-show-1.html
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Around The Scouting Campfire #4

It is time for the fourth episode of Around The Scouting Campfire, a podcast about Boy Scouting with a bit of fun thrown in for good measure. Scoutmaster Steve and Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, have put together a full show for you.

Show #4 begins with Steve and Buttons talking about the troop's latest fundraiser, a pancake and sausage breakfast. Steve then tells a story about a campfire skit that did not go as well as the patrol was hoping it would. Next, the Buckskin staff of Many Point Scout Camp sings the Many Point Ballad. During Buttons' Corner, the radical Scout reads a couple letters he has received before trying to learn the Cub Scout Promise from Michael, the Bear Scout. As the show comes to an end we hear the Scout Leader's Minute, How To Catch A Monkey.

Steve and Buttons would like to thank everyone who have sent emails about how they have enjoyed the shows. Please leave a comment at the iTunes store or at PTC Media forums.
You can contact Buttons at buttonst68@yahoo.com. You may contact Scoutmaster Steve at stevejb68@yahoo.com. We appreciate your emails and letters.

RSS Feed - http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MelroseScoutingAudioPodcast
Download episode - http://www.melrosetroop68.org/podcastaudio/MSAPE4.mp3

This podcast is found on iTunes at
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=307979159
and has joined the family of Scouting themed podcasts at PTC Media at
http://www.ptcmedia.net/

Show notes:
The Pancake and Sausage Breakfast - http://www.melrosetroop68.org/2009/04/some-breakfast-fundraiser-details.html
A Campfire Goof-Up - http://www.melrosetroop68.org/2006/06/campfire-goof-up.html
The Cub Scout Promise (Giggles) - http://www.melrosetroop68.org/2007/05/mspp-11-buttons-cub-scout-promise.html
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Around The Scouting Campfire #3

Here it is, the third episode of the Around The Scouting Campfire podcast. There is a lot happening in this show. It begins with Scoutmaster Steve and Buttons discussing a new (fictional) video game based on the adventure of Scouting. Then Steve reads an email he received six years ago about how things have changed being a kid, and how we as parents have changed raising our children. The Boy Scouts of Troop 68 try to teach us the Dirty Sock Song, and expect you to sing along. Buttons talks about how you know when you are a real Boy Scout. And Steve wraps up the show with a Scout leader's minute about what really make a troop a good troop. All of this in a show that is less than 18 minutes long!

Steve and Buttons would like to thank everyone who have sent emails about how they enjoyed the shows. Don't forget to leave a comment at the iTunes store or at PTC Media.
You can contact Buttons at buttonst68@yahoo.com. You may contact Scoutmaster Steve at stevejb68@yahoo.com. We appreciate your emails and letters.

The podcast is found on iTunes at
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=307979159
and has joined the family of Scouting themed podcast at PTC Media at
http://www.ptcmedia.net/

Show notes:
The Dirty Socks Song - http://www.melrosetroop68.org/2008/12/mspp-57-dirty-sock-song.html
You Know You Are A Boy Scout When... - http://www.melrosetroop68.org/2007/09/mmspp-21-you-know-you-are-boy-scout.html

RSS Feed - http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MelroseScoutingAudioPodcast
Download episode - http://www.melrosetroop68.org/podcastaudio/MSAPE3.mp3

Around The Scouting Campfire #2

It is time for the second episode of the new Scouting-themed podcast, previously known as the Melrose Scouting Audio Podcast, but starting today will be known as Around The Scouting Campfire. Unfortunately, this episode was created before the new name so it still refers to itself as the Melrose Scouting Audio Podcast. Are you as confused as I am?

During this show Steve and Buttons talk about how famous Buttons really is (in his own mind), a father's rules about dating his daughter (like you have to be an Eagle Scout), and talk about Life With Dad. Buttons talks about the Scout Motto, "Be Prepared". And Steve introduces the rap version of the campfire favorite Little Bunny Foo Foo.

Steve and Buttons would like to thank everyone who have sent an email about how they enjoyed the first show. You may also leave a comment at the iTunes store and at PTC Media.
Buttons now has an email address. You can contact him at buttonst68@yahoo.com. You may contact Steve at stevejb68@yahoo.com. We appreciate your emails and letters.

The podcast may now be found on iTunes at
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=307979159
and has joined the family of Scouting themed podcast at PTC Media at
http://www.ptcmedia.net/

Show notes:
Dating my daughter - http://www.melrosetroop68.org/2007/04/fathers-daughters-and-dating-scouts.html
Little Bunny Foo Foo - http://www.melrosetroop68.org/2008/12/mspp-58-rapping-bunny-foo-foo.html
Buttons and the Scout Motto - http://www.melrosetroop68.org/2007/04/mspp-5-and-6.html

RSS Feed - http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MelroseScoutingAudioPodcast
Download episode - http://www.melrosetroop68.org/podcastaudio/MSAPE2.mp3
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The First Audio Podcast (Around The Scouting Campfire)

It has been a long time in the making, but the first Melrose Scouting Audio Podcast (MSAP) is done and ready to be heard. This new podcast will be hosted by me, Scoutmaster Steve, and Buttons, the radical Boy Scout. Current plan are to have four parts to the podcast: the opening monologue, "Around the Campfire", Buttons' Corner, and the scout leader minute.

The opening monologue will be a quick discussion between Buttons and myself about what will be coming up in the show. Nothing too fancy here because Buttons can be a handful when trying to carry one a conversation.

The second portion, "Around the Campfire", will feature a campfire-style song from one of the Melrose Scouting Productions video podcasts. If I run out of videos to take songs from I guess I may have to start singing them myself. Or maybe I could even feature other troops performing their favorite songs if they send me a mp3 file. This first episode contains the Hole In The Ground song.

"Buttons Corner" is the part of the podcast where Buttons gets to do his thing. Maybe he will talk about something Scouting, or have a couple jokes to tell, or audio portions of his videos will be played. In this episode, Buttons talks about the Outdoor Code and what it means to him.

As the podcast comes to an end it will be time for the scout leader minute. This is my time to share a story, or viewpoint, or a couple of stray thoughts about Scouting. In this episode I read John Wayne's explanation of the Scout Law.

As more episodes are created I may add more parts to the podcast. One thing I would like to add is "Buttons' Shout Out!" during which Buttons would recognize those packs and troops that write to him through this site. This could even turn into a feedback forum in which Buttons tries to answer some questions sent to him by the listeners.

I am also looking for a title for this podcast. At the moment I am simply calling it the Melrose Scouting Audio Podcast. I have also been tossing around the idea of calling it the "Around The Scouting Campfire" podcast. Do you like either of those titles, or do yoou have a suggestion of your own? Drop me an email with your thoughts at stevejb68@yahoo.com .

Anyway (as Buttons would say), it is time for you to download and listen to this first audio podcast. The normal feed will contain an mp3 file, but through this blog you can download either the mp3 or a AAC file, at least for now. The feed can be found at
http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MelroseScoutingAudioPodcast

Thanks for listening. I hope to hear (read) from you soon.
Download the:
mp3 file - http://www.melrosetroop68.org/podcastaudio/MSAPE1.mp3
AAC file - http://www.melrosetroop68.org/podcastaudio/MSAPE1.m4a

Twenty Videos of Buttons

Wow. I did not realize this until today, but there are twenty videos that feature Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, so far. That is almost enough for a television season. Does that mean it is time to consider a season #2?

When I first starting creating videos with Buttons I did it as an experiment. Could I make him interesting enough, and life-like enough, to where people would watch him? Over the last two years I think I have my answer. In 2008, the videos featuring Buttons and friends received over 36,000 hits through the podcast and website. (That does NOT include the hits on Youtube.) He seems to have a small fan base out there in internet land. And my mother gets a real kick out of watching his videos also.

Here is a current list of the video of Buttons, the radical Boy Scout:
Buttons in "The Scout Oath"
Buttons in "The Scout Oath (almost)
Buttons in "The Scout Law"
Buttons and the Scout Motto
Buttons in "The Cub Scout Promise" (giggles)
Buttons in Physically Strong (This one happens to be my favorite.)
Buttons interviews Eymard, the assistant scoutmaster.
Buttons in "The Cub Scout Promise" (Law of the Pack)
Buttons in "You Know You Are A Boy Scout When... Part 1"
Buttons' Cub Scout Visit and Big Announcement
Buttons in "You Know You Are A Boy Scout When... Part 2"
Buttons in "Rec Room Tour"
Buttons and the Outdoor Code
Buttons in "Playing Broomball"
Buttons' Announcement About MSPP
The Buttons and Randall Show, Part 1
The Buttons and Randall Show, Part 2
Buttons reads the Farewell Message of Baden-Powell
Buttons Learns About Girl Scouting
The Buttons and Randall Show, Part 3

All these videos can be found through the Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast. Many of them can also be found on the Troop 68 website and on Youtube. A few can be found on the Yahoo video site.

Buttons will be branching out a little in the future. In addition to a new video that is in production, Buttons and Scoutmaster Steve (yeah, me) will be experimenting with creating an audio podcast about Scouting. Stay tuned and keep watching this blog for further announcements.

By the way, which ones have been your favorite videos featuring that radical Boy Scout?

MSPP #59: The Buttons and Randall Show #3

It has been over three months since we have last seen them on the Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast, but they are finally back. Buttons, and his friends Randall and Bones, return for what is the last of the trilogy of bad jokes. That's right, no more bad jokes to be told by Buttons to his laid back friend, Randall.

With each of the three shows, I have tried to find something for Randall to be doing as he gets interrupted by Buttons. In the first video Randall was reading a book. In the second he was listening to his music. In this new video Randall has a new puppy that he has named Dragon. We had a lot of fun filming Randall with the puppy (yeah, it is a stuffed toy dog.) For some reason we kept falling into fits of laughter. Randall looked too real as he was petting the dog. I think the video footage looks pretty good, but I would like to hear what you think.

As the new year gets underway, plans are for Buttons to return doing more Scouting themed videos. I want like him to go back to the Scout Oath and Law and explain what the different points mean in his own unique manner. I would also like to find a few more people for Buttons to interview. It might be fun to film him with a group of Cub Scouts.

Click here to DOWNLOAD this Podcast
Subscribe to Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast through iTunes.
or at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/melrosescoutingproductions
Check out other Scouting podcasts at PTC Media.

Please leave a comment using the link below, at the iTunes Music Store (were we could really use some more reviews), or at the PTC Media forums. Drop me an email at webmaster@melrosetroop68.org. It is great to hear what you think about these podcast videos.

MSPP #55: Buttons Learns About Girl Scouting

Up until now, Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, has always been about the Boy Scouting program. He has talked about the Scout Oath and Law, being physically fit, how to tell when you know you are a Boy Scout, and has interviewed a Cub Scout and an assistant scoutmaster. Today, he begins to expand his Scouting knowledge into something he has never talked about before - Girl Scouting!

In the United States, boys and girls have separate Scouting programs (except for Exploring). Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting are very different programs even though they share many of the same goals. In both programs the members may chose to earn the highest award available to them. In Boy Scouting that would be the rank of Eagle Scout. In Girl Scouting it is the Gold Award.

I recently had the honor of attending the Gold Award ceremony of my niece and two other Girl Scouts. It was very impressive, and I learned a few things about Girl Scouting that I did not know. I video recorded the ceremony at the request of my sister, and we plan to broadcast it over our local community television station.

After the ceremony, I had the chance to congratulate each of the girls, and ask them if they would be willing to be interviewed by Buttons, the radical Scout. They had all seen a Buttons video or two so they knew what I was asking. To my pleasant surprise, they all said yes to the idea.

This video posting to the Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast is the first of these videos. Ali Kociemba, one of the Gold Award recipients, is the first Girl Scout to be interviewed by Buttons. They discuss the different age groups of Girl Scouting, what some of the awards are, service projects, what Ali did for her Gold award, and what her favorite troop activities were. It turned out to be a nice introduction to Girl Scouting.

You are invited to leave a comment using the link below, or at the iTunes Music Store, or at the PTC Media forums. Drop me an email at webmaster@melrosetroop68.org. It really is great to hear what you think about the podcast videos.

Click here to DOWNLOAD this Podcast
Subscribe to Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast through iTunes.
or at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/melrosescoutingproductions
Check out other Scouting podcasts at PTC Media.

Buttons For President

It is time to announce the Buttons '08 campaign! After all, isn't it time we put someone in the White House who is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent? Isn't it time for real change? Isn't it time for someone to lead this country that has a sense of morals and can tell really bad jokes?

Join the campaign and order your buttons for Buttons '08! You can order them at http://www.cafepress.com/ptcmedia. Hurry! The chance to order these buttons of support will disappear after the election.

I can't guarantee that you will get the buttons before the election, but I hope we can count on you to help support the campaign. Yeah, I know, we should have started the campaign earlier, but we just did not have the funds to buy the newspaper ads and television spots. All we have is this blog and the buttons.

Show your support and get out and vote on November 4th!

MSPP #49: The Buttons and Randall Show #2

They are back! Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, and his friends Randall and Bones return in another video with more terrible jokes, more one liners, and more "Yo, dude"s. A fourth puppet joins the group and gives a quick little take on the thoughts of a wise man.

I want to thank Josh for helping me out this this one (and the next one). We spent over three hours filming the puppets last Saturday to end up with about 90 minutes of video. That footage will then be editing down to two shows, each taking about two to three hours per show to edit. Each show will end up being about 5-6 minutes long.

We had fun filming with the puppets and trying to come up with ways for Randall to be interrupted for each show. I was afraid that I might not find my voice back that I used for Randall, but I think I got pretty close. We spent more time filming scenes with Randall because my voice kept trying to slip back into doing Buttons, which I find much easier to do.

I hope you enjoy watching these shows. (We have one more planned. In fact, it has already been filmed. It just needs to be edited.) If you do enjoy them I ask that you go to iTunes, if you have an account, and leave a review for Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast. Or, go to PTC Media and leave a comment on the forums.

Or drop me an email at webmaster@ melrosetroop68.org
Thanks for watching.

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

Happy Birthday Buttons!

That's right! Today, August 17, Button the radical Boy Scout celebrates the two year anniversary of his first appearance in an online video that appeared on Youtube. It has been quite a ride since then. When I look back at those first videos it almost makes me cringe. His talk was slow. His movement were stiff. To tell the truth, at the time I was not sure what I should be doing with him.

What a difference two years can make. Buttons has developed into a somewhat hyperactive teenager who loves Scouting. He has appeared in videos by himself, with real Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and recently starred in a video with other puppet friends. He has conducted interviews of people in Scouting, gone camping, stayed physically fit, and even tried playing broomball. So far, Buttons has appeared in sixteen videos.

Buttons has also been a guest on two audio podcasts; An Hour a Week, and Akela's Adventure. Both podcasts are part of the PTC Media family of Scouting podcasts. Buttons also made a live appearance at Pack 68's School Night To Join Scouting in the fall of 2007.

So what is in the future for Buttons? More videos, of course. Plans are in the works for Buttons to star in videos about Leave no Trace camping and internet safety. Two more "Buttons and Randall Show" videos are being planned. And there is a rumor that Buttons could soon launch his campaign to run for the presidency.

Buttons and I have enjoyed creating these videos over the last two years. We hope you have enjoyed watching them. We invite you to leave comments for Buttons by clicking on the link below, or at the iTunes Music Store (by clicking HERE), or at the PTC Media forums (click HERE).

Thanks for watching!

MSPP #43: The Buttons and Randall Show #1

Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, returns to the Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast with a couple of new friends. Randall is a cousin of Buttons who is a bit more, shall we say, intellectual. Randall is more of a quiet bookworm and a bit of a geek, while Buttons is a bit more outgoing and seems to be hyped up on sugar most of the time. And then there is Bones, the dog who has always carries a bone with himself to gnaw on.

This is the first video to feature these three characters together, and probably will not be the last. During this film Buttons interrupts Randall's reading time to tell a few jokes, and begins to get on Randall's nerves just a bit. Bones pops in a couple of times to explain just how bad he thinks the jokes really are.

This is the first time I have created a video with three puppets. It was quite a challenge to create voices and characterizations for the two new puppets. All three puppets are operated and voiced by me. This is one of the few videos featuring Buttons that has actually requied a script for filming and editing.

I hope you enjoy this video. Please leave a comment here at the link below, or at the PTC Media forums, or at iTunes if you do enjoy it. Or drop me an email at webmaster@melrosetroop68.org

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

MSPP #42: Buttons' Announcement About MSPP

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.

MSPP #32: Buttons Plays Broomball

It has been a month since the last podcast was posted, but there is a reason for that. I wanted to make a film with Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, that showed him participating with Boy Scouts on an outing. I felt it was time for Buttons to leave the safety of the house, and play a game with the Scouts.

This video features the Boy Scouts of Troop 68 on their winter outing in February, 2008. Their schedule includes an afternoon game of broomball, so Buttons decides to go along with them and watch the game. When one of the boys gets tired, he asks Buttons to play for him. Unfortunately, Buttons is not very good at playing broomball and the Boy Scouts need to put their first aid skills to use.

This video presented several challenges. First, filming outdoors scenes in the sun while looking at a 2" LCD view screen is tough. It is very hard to make out what is being filmed, and what is not. We also had a little trouble with the camera and did not get all the scenes filmed that I wanted to get filmed. Unfortunately, time did not allow us to go back and record scenes that could have used another take or two.

Filming Buttons in the real world is quite a challenge in itself. There is not budget for these films, of course, so we have to develop ways to show him active with the Scouts without creating special sets that would have been made for bigger productions, like the Muppets. Trying to keep a puppeteer out of camera view is a real problem. In fact, in one scene the puppeteer was in the shot and it took some creative editing to get him out of it.

Editing this video was also a challenge. Soon after I started editing it I realized that I would need a little narration to help the story along. I also felt this one would need some music to help it move along, but I did not want to use popular music and violate any copyright laws. So, with the help of Mel-TV, I was about to use their music library and also present them with a film to play on the station.

I hope you enjoy this video. True, Buttons in not in it as much as he is in his previous films, but I really wanted to show the Scouts interacting with the puppet, and thus, the film features the Boy Scouts more then it does the puppet.

I really would like to read your comments about this film. You can leave one here, 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. Let me know if I should continue to produce more videos like this one.

Download Podcast
Watch the Video on the troop's website.
Subscribe to MSPP through iTunes.

MSPP #31: Buttons and the Outdoor Code

Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, talks about the Outdoor Code in this post to the Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast. Not only does he recite it but he also covers the four "C's" of the code: clean in the outdoors, careful with fire, considerate in the outdoors, and conservation-minded. It is a code that all Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts should follow whenever you are in the great outdoors, like when you are camping or hiking or just having fun.

Buttons would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment to this post, or at the PTC Media forums, which is holding a drawing through the month of February. It would also be great if you left a comment and rate the podcast at the iTunes music store which helps Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast get a higher rating and thus, make it more visible to people who search for Scouting podcasts. You can also leave a comment at Digg.com. Thanks for watching.

Download Podcast
Watch Video on the troop's website.
Subscribe through iTunes.

MSPP #27: Buttons in "Rec Room Tour"

Buttons, that radical Boy Scout, has taken on a life of his own during the past year. He sure knows his Boy Scout stuff, although he has a thing or two to learn about Cub Scouting yet. He has shown us how to stay in shape, and how to know if we are a real Boy Scout. He has even got a bit opinionated at times.

Take this video, for example. He takes a tour of the scoutmaster's basement recreation room, pointing out things of interest along the way. He talks about the book collection, the patch collection, and the mug collection. But then, he starts to make fun of the scoutmaster, even going so far as to call him a "white and nerdy" dude! Now I ask you, "Is this fair? Is this alright with those of you who watch these videos?" After all, what is wrong with playing a game of Dungeons and Dragons now and then? Who can deny that Star Wars is a great movie?

Watch it, meditate about it, and then leave a message as to what you think of it.

Download Podcast
Watch Video on the troop's website.
Subscribe through iTunes.

MSPP #26: You Know You Are A Boy Scout When... Part 2

When do you know you are a Boy Scout? Is it when you attain the Tenderfoot rank? Is it when you have spent your first night in a tent, away from home, in the middle of the forest? Is it when you lash your first 80' high signal tower?

Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, returns with a second video for the Melrose Scouting Production Podcast to explain "You Know You Are A Boy Scout When..." In this video he talks about internet chat rooms, packing for the camping trip, setting up your tent, and poison ivy.

Enjoy the video. Leave a comment and let me know what you think about it. If you have an answer to "You know you are a Boy Scout when..." then add it to the comments. If I receive enough good ones then maybe Buttons will appear in a third video on this subject.

Do not forget to go to the iTunes music store and leave a comment for this podcast and the other podcasts of PTC Media. When you leave a comment for each of the shows you will be entered in a drawing for some great Scouting stuff. PTC media plans to hold four drawings during the next couple months and the only way to register is to post comments on iTunes. Good luck!

Download Podcast
Watch Video on the troop's website.
Subscribe through iTunes.

MSPP #22: Cub Scouts and PTC Media

The parents, Cub Scouts, and new members of Cub Pack 68 received a surprise during "School Night to Join Scouting" on Tuesday, September 25, when Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, stopped by for a surprise visit. The boys eyes went wide and the grins reached from ear to ear as Buttons introduced himself to the pack. A few of the Cubs already knew Buttons from watching his videos on Youtube and the troop's website, but for the other boys it was the first time seeing the radical puppet.

I decided to bring Buttons to the meeting as I was gathering materials to take along to the school night meeting. I was a little nervous about how the puppet would be received by the boys and parents. It is one thing to make a video of the puppet in my home. It is quite different bringing him before a live audience. Would the boys and the families accept Buttons? Or would they ignore him? It was time to find out.

I did not create a "stage show" for Buttons. Instead, I walked around the room with him, going from table to table, talking to the kids, giving high fives, avoiding being punched, and trading a few hugs. Before I knew it there were a dozen kids following Buttons around the room.

Just before the actual meeting began the boys were given the opportunity to have their picture taken with the radical dude. I offered to post the pictures on the troop's website if the parents were okay with that. They were. The pictures can be seen HERE.

Now that I know Buttons is accepted by the Cub Scouts, I may have to plan another visit or two to the pack during the next year. Who knows. There may even be another video out of that visit.

Speaking of videos, a new video of Buttons has been posted about his trip to the pack meeting. And it is time to announce that the Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast can now be found on the PTC Media network! I am honored to be a part of this Scout-related network of podcasts. The Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast has joined The Leader's Campfire, An Hour A Week?, and Akela's Adventure. Check out PTC Media HERE.

Download Video Podcast
Watch Video on the troop's website.
Subscribe through iTunes.

Outside of Scouting

One thing that is exciting about being a blogger is when you write something that gets noticed and read by many. It seems that I have written a couple articles over the past year that have been popular reading for a several people. It is very exciting when a post is found noteworthy enough to be mentioned on other people's blogs. I am always amazed when I find links on other Scouting blogs that mention an article from "A Scoutmaster's Blog".

So you can imagine my surprise to find my blog listed on a non-Scouting related site. It has not happened very often, but it did happen this week. The newest video of Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, has been found worthy to be mentioned on a blog that covers puppetry. The PuppetVision Blog does a weekly post called "Weekly Puppet Web Series Round Up" in which the writer highlights puppet videos he has discovered and enjoyed. I guess he liked the video of Buttons asking the question "You know you are a Boy Scout when..." I would like to thank Andrew for adding Buttons and "A Scoutmaster's Blog" to his list of puppetry sites.

MMSPP #21: You Know You Are A Boy Scout When...

If you have been in Scouting for awhile then you probably have an answer to the question "You know you are a Boy Scout when..." (If you don't, then you have not been involved with Scouting long enough.) I belong to a Facebook group which does its best to answer that question in dozens of different ways.

I thought it would be fun to bring back Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, as he covers a few of the answers to this question. We (me and a volunteer crew) had fun filming him as he tries to answer the question at a cabin on King's Lake in central Minnesota. Unfortunately, it was pretty windy that day, as you will hear when you watch the video. Buttons presents five answers to the all important question, and things do not always go according to plan. My favorite part of this episode is when Buttons is sitting on the edge of the tent and the weather changes on him.

This is the first of two videos planned that will feature Buttons on this subject. I have seen many good answers to the question, but unfortunately they do not all lend themselves to being filmed with a character like Buttons. Especially when I do not have the budget that the Muppets have. (Um, there is no budget here.)

I hope you enjoy the video. Leave a comment and let me know what you think about it. If you have an answer to "You know you are a Boy Scout when..." then add it to the comments. If I receive enough good ones then maybe Buttons will appear in a third video on this subject.

Download Podcast
Watch Video on the troop's website.
Subscribe through iTunes.

MSPP #17: The Law of the Pack

In May I posted the first video featuring Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, and Michael, the giggling Cub Scout. Michael was trying to teach Buttons a little about Cub Scouting. Unfortunately, Buttons did not quite understand and the giggling began.

Today's post to the Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast pairs up the two again. In this video Michael is still trying to teach Buttons the Cub Scout Oath, but this time they get sidetracked and begin to talk about the Cub Scout Law. The two work well together and play off each other very well. This is the second of three videos that were made with Michael and Buttons.

So, click a link, sit back, and enjoy another episode with Buttons, the radical Boy Scout. If you have any ideas for a new video featuring Buttons leave a comment. We love to hear from you.

Download Podcast
Watch Video on the troop's website.
Subscribe through iTunes.

MSPP #16: Buttons Interviews Eymard

By now you know of Buttons, the radical Boy Scout. You have probably read the recent post about Eymard, the eighty year old assistant scoutmaster. What happens when they meet in the woodlands on a Troop 68 outing and conduct an interview? Well, it ain't no Larry King style interview, that is for sure.

Eymard was a very good sport about the whole thing. He and Buttons exchanged some good natured teasing and had fun doing the interview. They discuss Eymard's duties as an assistant scoutmaster, his age, cooking skills, knot tying, woolly worms, and other subjects.

Meanwhile, in the background, the Boy Scouts are preparing for the annual Camp Watchamagumee Egg Drop Competition. They are gathering natural materials to package an egg. During the competition the egg and package will be dropped, higher and higher, until only one egg survives.

It has been a couple months since we have made a video with Buttons. I hope you enjoy it. We had fun making it. And hopefully, within the couple of weeks, there will be another new video featuring that radical Boy Scout. If you have any ideas for a video featuring Buttons we want to hear about it. Drop us a note.

Download Podcast
Watch Video on the troop's website.
Subscribe through iTunes.

Buttons Makes an Appearance

If you are a reader of this blog, or a follower of the Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast, then you know who Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, is. Buttons has starred in several videos that can be found online at Troop 68's website and on Youtube. He seems to have gained a small following out in internet land.

Today, Buttons was a guest on a special edition of the Akela's Adventure audio podcast. The hosts of the podcast, Mr. Bob and his son Ti, have been spending the week at Cub Scout Day Camp. They are posting a special podcast each day this week covering the different activities they participate in doing during the day. Buttons joined them on tonight's episode and asked Ti, who happens to be a fan of Buttons, about his day at camp. They chatted about the different activities and the skits and songs performed during the day's campfire program. It sounds like both Ti and Mr. Bob had a great time at camp.

Buttons would like to thank Mr. Bob for inviting him to be on the Akela's Adventure podcast. The radical Boy Scout had a great time talking to Ti, and hopes they can do it again sometime.

MSPP #12: Buttons is Physically Strong

Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, loves to talk to Scouts about the Scout Oath and Law. In this video he talks about being physically strong, one of the Scout Oath's duties to self. When he does some pull-ups, push-ups, and sit-ups he discovers it is not very easy to stay in shape.

This was the third time filming Buttons in his series of films. And in some ways it was one of the toughest. The pull-ups and push-ups were pretty easy to film, but the sit-ups presented a challage to film since nearly the whole body of Buttons was in view. I do not have the budget of the Muppets, or maybe I should say I do not have a budget at all, so I do not have access to all the special made sets available to those puppeteers. I have to discover the best way to film the puppet without being seen myself. I think things have been working out pretty well so far.

This video happens to be my favorite film of Buttons that has been done so far. I like the way he really seems to be alive and shows the "pain" of staying physically strong. I hope you have as much fun watching it as I did making it.

Watch it on the troop's website here, or download the podcast here.
.

MSPP #11: Buttons & The Cub Scout Promise

Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, is a puppet that was given to me by my parents one year in the 1980's. I played with it for awhile, even brought it along on a few Scout functions. It was a fun puppet to have around. Kids loved it. Adults thought it was cute.

The hardest thing about using the puppet was not playing with it or making it do things. That comes easy to me. The hardest thing about Buttons was coming up with a voice for him. It had to be a voice that fit his looks. I also realized that the voice would also play a major role in the type of personality that Buttons would have. After playing around with several voices, and rejecting most of them, I finally decided on a deep throat-style voice based on a surfer-type dude's way of talking.

Buttons has never been the same since. The voice defined his personally like I thought it would. Suddenly this puppet became alive. Kids would howl with laughter. Adults would smile, and even giggle once in a while. But there was a price to pay for using that voice. It was very hard on my throat, and I could usually only say a few sentences at a time as Buttons.

When I did the first videos with Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, they were short videos. I wanted to see how the puppet looked, how the voice worked, and if he would look real enough to pass what I wanted to accomplish. After viewing the videos I was pleased with what I saw. I began to expand the videos, and take Buttons away from the den. He toured my family room, went around town filming in parks and at school. People saw these videos and enjoyed them.

It was time to take Buttons to the next level. It was time for him to perform with a live person. Michael is the Cub Scout brother of one of my Boy Scouts.
When he saw a video of Buttons the first time he broke out laughing and could not stop. I thought it might be fun to try doing a video in which he would have to interact with the puppet. I knew he would have a tough time trying to keep a straight face, but to tell the truth, I did not want him to be too serious.

This podcast video is the first video in which Buttons shares the limelight with Michael, the radical Cub Scout. Michael tries to teach Buttons the Cub Scout Promise. And tries, and tries. Buttons proves to be a slow learner. Michael has a hard time not giggling. It has become the most popular video featuring Buttons, the radical Boy Scout.

Watch it HERE on our troop's website, or download the PODCAST, and then leave a comment about it. Thanks for watching.

MSPP #6 and #7

I decided to upload two videos to the Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast this weekend, after all, it is raining outside so I can not go for a bike ride. Both videos feature your favorite Scouting puppet, Buttons, the radical Boy Scout. The first shows Buttons reciting the Scout Law, the second features him talking about the Scout Motto, Be Prepared.

The video featuring the Scout Law is actually the very first video made with Buttons. (Click HERE to watch it.) It was an experiment that went fairly well. I posted it on Youtube and actually received a few positive emails about it. So I made other videos with the puppet.

The video that features Buttons talking about the Scout Motto was probably the fourth or fifth video made with the radical Boy Scout. (Click HERE to watch it.) I thought it might be interesting to hear Buttons point of view on what it means to really Be Prepared.

There are more videos of Buttons waiting for their turn to be placed on this podcast, along with a few ideas for more videos of the radical Scout. Stay tuned to see them all. Or, if you can not wait, check them out at the troop's website.

Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast #2

Yo dude! That's right, this is the second entry in this new podcast. And the name is now Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast, not the Buttons Presents name. I wanted a name to cover all the videos I plan to put on this podcast, not only the Buttons videos.

This entry is once again about Buttons trying to recite the Scout Oath. That's right, TRYING to recite it. It makes the same mistake that thousands of Boy Scouts have made over the years and starts to recite the Scout Law.

By the way, how do you like the logo for Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast?

Here is the link to this podcast:
http://melrosetroop68.org/QTmov/ButtonsMessesUp.m4v

You can subscribe to this podcast at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/melrosescoutingproductions

Buttons, Cub Scout Promise, and hockey hair

Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, has almost learned the Cub Scout Promise from Michael, the
Cub Scout, in the newest video. This time the two get sidetracked and start talking about
long hair and hockey. This is the third video featuring Buttons and Michael.

The video can be seen at
YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOW_kXbrjpc
or
Troop 68's web site: http://melrosetroop68.org/videos.html

Thank you for watching the videos. We hope to be making new ones this spring when the
weather gets nicer as we take Buttons out into the campgrounds with the Boy Scouts. Leave a message and let me know what you think of them.

Comical Look at Cub Scout Promise #2

The latest of the videos featuring Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, has been posted. He is still trying to learn the Cub Scout Promise from Michael, the radical Cub Scout. Unfortunately, Buttons is not the brightest Cub in the Pack. I am sure you will get a chuckle or two from this, the second video of this series.

You can see it at:
http://melrosetroop 68.org/videobutt onsCub2.html
or
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=YCTPDokPBnw
(If you watch it on youtube be sure to leave a comment and rate it.)

Thank you to everyone who has watched the first of the Cub Scout Promise videos. It has
become one of the most popular videos I have made. Between the two sites it has been
watched over 1000 times during the last 2 1/2 weeks.

Comical look at the Cub Scout Promise

The first of the four new videos featuring Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, has been posted. This one features a of troop member's brother trying to teach Buttons the Cub Scout Promise. Of course, things do not go as planned, and hairy issues arise. The other three videos will be posted in the weeks to come.

You can view it in two places....
http://melrosetroop68.org/videobuttonsCub1.html
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMLSNj4UHFE

All the videos are of Michael, the Cub Scout, trying to teach Buttons the Cub Scout Promise. The plan was to only make one video. We did four takes, thinking to edit them into one good video. However, each of the four takes ended up having their own style, even though each one covers the Cub Scout Promise. So, keep a watch out as I post all four versions. I will probably post them about 2-3 weeks apart.