January-February 1999January-February 1999
Edited by Scott Daniels
An all-new edition of The Boy Scout Handbook (BSA Supply No. 33105, $7.95) is now available at Scouts shops and from BSA Supply Division distributors, just in time for Scouting's 89th birthday celebration in February. The new edition is the 11th since the venerable handbook was first published in 1911.
"We went to real Scout camps and took photographs of real Scouts with skinned-up knees for this edition of the handbook," said Joe Glasscock, director of Boy Scout program development. "We wanted to portray Scouting, camping activities, and equipment in a natural setting, not shot in a studio."
With nearly 200 fewer pages, the new edition is more compact than the previous handbook. References to other BSA resources, such as the Fieldbook, are supplied for Scouts seeking more information on a topic.
The book's improved construction uses a more durable material; it can lie open in the field without its spine breaking.
The latest advancement requirements are included, with checklists for a Scout to record his progress. More guidelines for conservation and community service projects are provided, as well as an emphasis on Leave No Trace and the use of single-burner gas stove cooking.
Also available in February is a new edition of The Scoutmaster Handbook (Supply No. 33009, $10). This edition will be published in a new, easy-to-use, 8.5-by-11-inch loose-leaf format that fits into a three-ring binder.
The new version of the handbook for adult leaders places strong emphasis on the "patrol method" and maintaining a boy-run troop, as well as on how to train boy leaders to support the patrol method.
Leaders will also find information on boy behavior and how to deal with their needs, new Scoutmaster's Minutes, games, program ideas, and copies of all forms regularly used by unit leaders.
A new two-year study by Louis Harris & Associates, titled "A Year
in the Life of a Cub ScoutlBoy Scout/Venturer: Strengthening Youth,
Families, and Neighborhoods," demonstrates how the programs of the
Boy Scouts of America foster the healthy development of its youth
members. The research follows an earlier Harris study, "The Values
of Men and Boys in America," which showed that men with strong
Scouting backgrounds maintain higher ethical standards, attain higher
educational levels, and show less antisocial behavior than do those
with no Scouting background.
The new study addressed the question "What is it about the BSA program that leads to such positive outcomes?"
The new findings show how Scouting effectively addresses what experts consider to be the six critical elements of healthy youth development: (1) strong personal values and character, (2) a positive sense of self-worth and usefulness, (3) caring and nurturing relationships with parents, other adults, and peers, (4) a desire to learn, (5) productive/creative use of time, and (6) social adeptness. Scouting's effectiveness was shown in findings like the following:
A 14-page booklet (BSA No. 02-303) summarizing the study is available at local council service centers.
The BSA's 1999 National Endowment Tour, featuring the Scouting art of Norman Rockwell, Joseph Csatari, Ernest Thompson Seton, and Robert S. S. Baden-Powell, is scheduled to visit 17 cities beginning this month. The exhibit is used by local councils to promote their endowment emphasis programs.
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| A Scout is Reverent NORMAN ROCKWELL | A
Scout is Reverent JOSEPH CSATARI |
Rockwell began his career with the BSA as an illustrator for Boys' Life magazine. Csatari, a student of Rockwell, was featured in a cover story in the September 1997 issue of Scouting magazine. He is a former art director of Boys' Life; since the late-1970s, his illustrations have appeared on the annual BSA calendar.
Seton, a nationally known artist and naturalist, was the author of the first American Scout handbook. Lord Baden-Powell, founder of worldwide Scouting, was also known for his sketches and watercolors.
The 1999 tour schedule: Miami, Jan. 14; Birmingham, Ala., Jan. 28; Austin, Feb. 11; Louisville, Feb. 18; West Los Angeles, March 4; Salt Lake City, March 25; Pleasant Hills, Calif., April 8; Portland, April 22; Highland Park, Ill., May 6; Detroit, May 13; Canton, Ohio, June 10; Grand Rapids, Mich., June 24; Allentown, Pa., Sept. 16; Atlantic City, Sept. 30; Framingham, Mass., Oct. 7; Albany, N.Y., Oct. 29; Buffalo, N.Y., Nov. 4.
The illustrations for the article "It's a Great Fit!" on pages 20-23 in the October 1998 issue of Scouting magazine should have been credited to artist Joel Snyder.
From communities such as Pretty Prairie, Coffeyville, Eureka, Medicine Lodge, and Newton, more than 5,000 Scouts, family, and friends assembled at the Kansas State fairgrounds in Hutchinson last April 24-26 for the first encampment of the expanded Quivira Council.
The new council, which resulted from the merger of the Kanza and Quivira councils, is headquartered in Wichita. It encompasses 30 counties, with communities of fewer than 100 persons, sprawling suburban areas, and an metropolitan center of more than 300,000.
"Early in the merger process the idea of a large event to help unify the new council emerged," said Council President Paul Stephenson. "Activities were designed to involve every program group within the council."
Tiger Cubs, and Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts spent the day trying achievement-related activities as well as logging hundreds of miles on fun cycles.
Boy Scouts enjoyed traditional skills, like the signal tower built by Troop 503 from Rose Hill and archery and bicycling, as well as newer activities like in-line skating and computers.
Other exhibits featured a display by Sea Explorer Ship 210, Wichita; an amateur radio unit operating the K2BSA call sign; and service support by law enforcement and medical posts.
The event started on a high note with more than 2,500 Scouts filling the grandstand for a gigantic Order of the Arrow calling-out ceremony, with 200 honor campers starting their journey toward a life of cheerful service.
Chief Scout Executive Jere Ratcliffe spoke to a gathering of Eagle Scouts, challenging them to continue to give leadership to their troop and the country. The Eagle Scouts ranged in tenure from just a few days to George Jordan, who received his badge from Lord Baden-Powell in 1928.
Cub Scouts got to see what new adventures awaited them in Boy Scouting. Crossover ceremonies were held as Webelos Scouts took the next step into Boy Scouting.
On Saturday night the grandstand filled for a concert, followed by fireworks set to the music of "God Bless the U.S.A."
"For the majority of our members this is the largest Scouting experience of their lives," commented Scout Executive Roy Rhodes. "Each Scout left with a renewed spirit of Scouting, and a better sense of Scouting's diversity."
Venturing, the BSA's young adult program for men and women involved in high adventure, Sea Scouting, arts/hobbies, sports, and religious activities, has elected the following individuals to its national cabinet.
 (Left to right) Gavin Svenson of Bemus Point, N.Y., representing
the Northeast Region; President Jonathan Fulkerson of Paragould,
Ark.; Chad King of Omaha, Neb., representing the Central Region;
David Ellison of Provo, Utah, representing the Western Region; and
James Wells of College Station, Tex., representing the Southern
Region. As Venturing president, Fulkerson also serves as a youth
member of the BSA's National Executive Board. (Photograph by
Roger Morgan) |
Two key pieces of Venturing literature are now available at Scout shops and from Supply Division distributors. The Venturing Leader Manual (Supply No. 34655, $7.95) is the primary reference tool for crew officers and Advisors. The manual explains how to start a crew, develop activities, and earn awards through the youth advancement program. The loose-leaf format is three-hole-punched to fit conveniently in a ring binder.
The Ranger Guidebook (No. 3128, $5.95) tells how a Venturer can earn the Ranger Award, the recognition for achieving a high level of outdoor skills proficiency. To receive the award, a crew member must pass eight core requirements and four of 18 electives. Requirements, resources, and record sheets are included in the spiral-bound notebook.
The annual contest to find the national Be Kind to Animals Kid will highlight the 84th Be Kind to Animals Week, May 2-8. Sponsored by the American Humane Association, the week celebrates the special bond between humans and animals.
To nominate a child, an adult (parental approval is required if other than the child's parent) must submit by March 15 a 200-word description of why a child between six and 13 deserves to be the next Be Kind to Animals Kid. Many local animal shelters and humane societies hold local contests, with winners entered in the national competition.
The winner gets a $5,000 college scholarship. Send entries/get information from the AHA, 63 Inverness Drive East, Englewood, CO 80112, (303) 792-9900, or visit the Web site, http://www.americanhumane.org.
| The Boy Scouts of America |  |
http://www.scouting.org |