Archive for November 30th, 2008


As a scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 68, I have seen seventeen young men earn the Boy Scouts of America’s highest award, the rank of Eagle Scout. During most of the Eagle courts of honor, the new Eagle Scout will at some point stand up before the audience of friends and family and talk about his time in Scouting, and thank those who have helped him get to this point of his life.

Troop 68’s latest Eagle Scout is Mike Schwieters. Mike finished his Eagle award with only days to spare before his eighteenth birthday. Mike was an active member of the troop throughout his teen years, and still volunteers to help the troop if we need it when he is home from school. He is now in his second year of college and remains a good friend.

As Mike’s Eagle court of honor came to its closing, Mike stepped forward to say a few words to those who gathered for his special day. His speech was full of memories and some humor, but it also hit a few points that were good for the younger Scouts to hear. He spoke about how to treat others in the troop, and to take the challenge and earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

Mike’s Eagle court of honor was held last May, and ever since then I have wanted to post the video of his closing comments. He stopped by for a visit this weekend so I asked him if he minded if I would post the video to this podcast. He did not mind, so here it is for you to view. I hope you and your sons and Scouts enjoy it and take as much away from it as the members of our troop did.

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It is time once again for ten questions from the Scout Trivia book. This week’s topic in “Social Skills”. Keep in mind that these questions are based on the 1984 Boy Scout Handbook so you may find a question not covered in the current book.

(Question answers will be written at the bottom of this post, and are from the Scout Mania book. No cheating is allowed, after all, you are a Scout or Scout leader, correct?)

1) What is the nickname of the flag of the United States?

2) What is the most common immediate treatment for chemical burns?

3) What are the two ways of communication?

4) There are four “C’s” which describe the way to act in an emergency. Name three.

5) When carrying the United States flag, where does it go in relationship to other flags?

6) What system of communication uses a series of dots and dashes?

7) What sums up, in the words of great Americans, the things for which America stands?

8) What are the three “W’s” when phoning for help for an accident?

9) When should the United States flag be flown below another flag?

10) Which one of the following is NOT a right granted to you as a citizen of the United States in the Bill of Rights? a) Freedom of speech, b) Freedom of worship, c) Free access to all land, d) Freedom to vote.

Okay, do you have you answers chosen? Are you ready for the correct answers according to the Scout Mania Trivia book? Here they are….

1) Old Glory
2) Wash off with lots of water
3) Two-way, one-way
4) Confidence, Common sense, Calmness, Cheerfulness
5) At its own right, or in front of other flags
6) Morse code
7) The American’s Creed
8) Who, What, Where
9) Never
10) Free access to all land.

Did you do well? Stay tuned for more trivia in future postings.