Mormon Life - Scouting tag

David Archuleta: the Eagle, the temple and the music

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:14:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: Good things are happening for David: receiving his Eagle Scout, going through the temple, he's on the cover of LDS Living (okay, that last one is a little biased).

It’s been a year since David Archuleta was the featured artist of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert.

Sporting a sweater and scarf, the 20-year-old "American Idol" star was in town last week to promote his Christmas concert CD and DVD, sign autographs, sit for some media interviews and enjoy Thanksgiving with his family before beginning a Christmas tour.

Polishing off a turkey sandwich during an interview, Archuleta described how honored he was to be invited to sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir he grew up admiring.

Boy used Scouting skills to save brother's life

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 10:56:00 -0600

source: ldschurchnews.com

Grant Grier, age 12, of the Wilmington 1st Ward, Wilmington Delaware Stake, recently received the Boy Scouts of America Heroism Award. The award is presented to youth who have demonstrated heroism in saving a life.

In June of 2010, Grant used several Heimlich thrusts on his 4-year old brother, Carson, to dislodge a small metal ball from his throat.

"Grant used skills that he learned from Boy Scouts," said Steven Grier, Grant's father, "And if you ask Carson about the metal ball, he smiles and says, 'My big brother saved me!'

President Thomas S. Monson receives Canadian Scouting award

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 10:43:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Canada and Scouting would likely be found near the top of President Thomas S. Monson's "favorites list."

For three years, the LDS Church president called The Great White North home while presiding over the Church's Canadian Mission from 1959 to 1962. His talks and writings often reference the years he and his wife, Frances J. Monson, spent living and serving among the Canadian members and their neighbors.

And he's a lifelong Scout who has championed the program for decades and actively serves on the Boy Scouts of America's National Executive Board.

On Friday, President Monson's passionate support for both Canada and Scouting were recognized when a trio of Scouts Canada executives presented him with the Silver Fox Award. According to Scouts Canada, the Silver Fox is reserved and bestowed upon "those deemed to have contributed service of the most exceptional character to Scouting in the international field, performed by persons who are not members of Scouts Canada."

Thousands of Scouts gather food Saturday

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 16:35:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Utah's Scouting for Food drive, the single largest one-day food drive sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America, will take place Saturday, March 26.

Beginning at 9 a.m., thousands of Scouts throughout the state will gather food to support needs of the Utah Food Bank and other local food pantries. Millions of pounds of food will be collected in just a few hours.

Residents are asked to put commercially packaged, non-perishable food items outside their front doors by 9 a.m. Products low in sodium/sugar/corn syrup are appreciated. Perishable food and food packaged in glass cannot be accepted.

{LDS How-to} Combine Scouting and Duty to God

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 10:28:00 -0600

by LDS Living staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Help a young man earn the two most important awards of his life. One might not think Scouting and Duty to God go hand in hand. One is doctrine-related, and the other is all about tents, badges, and fire, right? While both programs have a unique take on fostering development in a young man, these programs complement each other in many ways.

1. Involve the youth in service activities. Both programs call for service. Requirements of some service permeate every office of the Aaronic Priesthood, and the latter ranks of Boy Scouts—Star, Life, and Eagle—require service as well. Know what your Scout is doing for service and count it toward his Duty to God, or vice versa. Use merit badges such as Painting, Pet Care, Home Repair, and Citizenship in the Community to find service ideas.

2. Teach boys principles of morality. Duty to God involves a lot of pondering and studying the gospel. Scouting can help reinforce that with the Scout Law. Scouts are asked to live trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent lives. Mix in these principles with his gospel study.

3. Learn and expand their perspective. In the American Cultures merit badge, Scouts are asked to learn about other cultures in their area. What a great opportunity to share the gospel with others—a key requirement in Duty to God. Also, if you have non-members in your Troop, the interaction can produce positive missionary and moral discussions.

4. Interact with others. Scouts are encouraged to help inactive Boy Scouts return to service. Sound familiar? What’s more, Duty to God has a “Share” activity in every segment. Who better to share a testimony, a lesson, or a skill learned than with Scout buddies?

5. Measure success and growth. A Scout Board of Review is eerily similar to Priesthood and worthiness interviews. Leaders of both groups check on the boy’s progress and support him. This is easily a combined activity with LDS Scout leaders.

Make a master list to streamline your boy’s life. Make three columns—one on each side for either Duty to God or Scouting, and one in the middle for the activities he does from day to day or at school or work. Match requirements of the programs with things he already does and find where the two programs line up, then assign activities. Better yet, let him pick ones that will progress him simultaneously.

Cub Scout Leader: Compelled, committed or both?

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 11:26:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Would you be a Scout leader if it wasn't an assignment from your Mormon bishop?

It's a valid question — one I asked myself after a recent conversation with a high councilor in our stake.

To examine my present commitment to Cub Scouts, I looked at my past that includes years as a volunteer Girl Scout leader when my daughters were in elementary school. We held productive weekly meetings, sold cookies by the truckload and earned enough patches to fill those little brown vests. All my daughters stopped attending Girl Scouts when they started attending Primary Achievement Day activities at church.

When my only boy turned 8, I wanted him to follow in the footsteps of his Eagle Scout father and knew the trail to success started with Cubs. I also knew if I wanted the experience for my son done right, I'd better do it myself.

High praise for the Boy Scouts

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:42:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Where would you be if an emcee said, "Let's give Johnny a round of applause," and an audience of gangly, boisterous boys began to holler and vigorously clap their hands in a circular motion? At a Scout meeting, of course! And, as a worldwide program, and with its 100th year anniversary in the United States, Scouting deserves congratulations.

I love Scouting. I must admit when I first became involved as a Primary leader, I didn't appreciate the program as I do today. I went to camp and saw men "goofing around" with the boys, and doing dorky things. I didn't get it. Over the years, however, I have come to realize that of all the men that serve in the church, Scout leaders are, in every sense of the word, the "salt of the earth."

You see, these people do not do what they do to "be seen of men." Their calling doesn't land them on the stand, or in front of other adults ooh-ing and ah-ing over their every word. They aren't the high profile people; they are often the underappreciated people in the ward, and this is OK with them. Some serve for decades and do so feeling it a privilege to help prepare boys to become men who will make meaningful and moral contributions to society. It is a selfless calling, and they revel in it. Is there occasionally a "bad apple" in Scouting? Sure, but overwhelmingly the character and quality of the leaders and boys testifies to the worth of the program.

Helping less active Scouts with Faith in God awards

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:54:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

I arrived at the home of a Cub Scout on Friday afternoon with a Faith in God pamphlet in hand ready to do what I could to help the boy be at church on Sunday, only to find the family packing a camp trailer for a weekend in the woods.

"Sis. Duce, Sis. Duce look at my new fishing pole I got for my birthday," said my beaming Scout. "And look at this chocolate cake we're going to eat in the mountains," he said, pulling a bakery box from the cooler.

I immediately knew nothing I could say or suggest would be more important to this 10-year-old than spending time with his family in the mountains to celebrate the milestone of having a two-digit age.

"Happy Birthday," I said giving him a hug and wishing I would have remembered a token gift for the moment. "I came to remind you that we're having a Scout activity next week and wondered what kind of cupcakes I can make for you."

From the Archives: My Love Letter to Boy Scouts

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 07:38:00 -0600

source: keepapitchinin.org

Utah’s Boy Scouts have had a rough couple of years with forest fires, massive searches for lost Scouts, and the untimely deaths of beloved sons. Although recent tolls have been heavy, the rewards, over time, have been priceless.

Tessie Dalebout turned six in the spring of 1912. On May Day of that year, as the curly-haired child skipped along the banks of Parley’s Creek in Salt Lake City, she lost her footing and slipped into the turbulent waters.

The stream, swollen by melting snow, caught the tiny girl and tumbled her end over end. She was carried for nearly a block, passing under two bridges before some men who had seen her fall were able to catch her. They pulled her out and laid her on the bank. A crowd gathered around the still form.

Cub Scout Chronicles: Water play makes any Cub's day

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:00:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

We recently enjoyed a quarterly Primary activity with another ward on the grounds of our town's historic mansion and arboretum. Under the shade of hundreds of trees, leaders in the Primary led groups of mingled kids on scripture-theme adventures.

The obvious challenge with such events is engaging the entire group whose ages range from 3-11.

It isn't uncommon for Primary presidencies to endure rolling eyes of older kids who aren't really interested in participating in preschool-geared games. However, this day was a victory for the Cub Scouts — the planned activities were right up their alley.

A "tree of life" station let them conquer the sweet-tasting doughnut-on-a-string contest in just a bite or two. They "lifted one another's burdens" by each holding the ends of a towel and tossing water balloons to another duo. Running the obstacle course while balancing a cup of "living water" was done in record time compared to more careful kindergarten-age female counterparts.

Mormon man doesn't have to have sons to be a Scouter

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:35:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

You know you're dating a real Scouter when your first date together is a Scouting event.

After 26 years of marriage, Sharie Bollwinkel can only remember one year that her husband, John, didn't do any Scouting.

Needless to say, John Bollwinkel of Park City, Utah, is a Scouter through and through.

Not even having a family of all girls slowed him down.

"He always says, 'I know I have three daughters, but I need to find three husbands for those daughters. That's why I am a Scouter,'" said his daughter Katie.

Four years ago, Bollwinkel was on the high council in his stake. He was assigned to be over the Spanish-speaking branch, even though he doesn't speak Spanish. At the time, he had been looking for something to do in Scouting and decided to start a Spanish-speaking Scout troop. With the help of some sister missionaries who were teaching a few boys, they got started with three to four boys. One of the boys, with some difficulties at home, couldn't find a ride home, and Bollwinkel offered to pick him up when he needed it.

100 years of Scouting

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:57:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

"On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight." — Scout Oath

Around the time our pioneer ancestors were building the Salt Lake Temple in 1875, Robert F.F. Baden-Powell joined the British Army in England. Two beginnings that would eventually merge to help Mormon boys grow into LDS men.

This year, the United States celebrates 100 years of Boy Scouting — a program of traditions, uniforms, good turns and brotherhood. Scouting has been a part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 97 years. An organization that teaches duty to God and country has also proved a good teacher in helping young men prepare for missions, marriage and a lifetime of priesthood responsibilities.

Through his experiences in the army, Powell decided to write a military book on scouting techniques. In 1903, Powell returned from a transfer to South Africa to find that his book, "Aids for Scouting," was being used by young people. He decided to revise the book to fit youth and titled it "Scouting for Boys."

Eagle Scout rank awarded to 35-year-old from Utah

Thu, 27 May 2010 15:46:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

The vast majority of Boy Scouts receive their Eagle Scout award by age 17. But because the paperwork never got sent in, Derick Duncan didn't receive his award until two decades later, at age 35.

Duncan knew he had earned the award at age 17 in Mesa, Ariz., but between confusion over who was qualified to perform his board of review and then his family moving, nothing was ever finalized.

Fortunately, he retained the original paperwork over the years.

"It had some dust on it," he said of the records. "But I have always had it in a binder. All the merit badge and advancement records, project pictures and write-ups, even the local council had signed off on it."

Duncan had heard of other, older men receiving Eagle awards, which prompted him to pursue it one more time.

"I read an article about a man named Robert Rubano from Staten Island, N.Y., who was 45 when he got his Eagle awarded," Duncan said. "I found his phone number and called him up. We had a great conversation. He is a Scoutmaster and also has two sons in Scouts. When I thought about my involvement as a Scout leader and my son who was just about to start his own Scouting experience, it made it an easy decision to go after it. I think it's never too late to be a good example."

Stadium of Fire to host world's largest-ever Eagle Scout Court of Honor

Thu, 06 May 2010 15:22:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

The 30th annual Stadium of Fire at America's Freedom Festival at Provo is boasting more than just five-time Grammy Award-winning superstar Carrie Underwood this summer. It is also poised to have the world's largest-ever Eagle Scout Court of Honor.

The Utah National Parks Council of the Boy Scouts of America is organizing this segment of Stadium of Fire and already has 160 Eagle Scouts lined up for the July 3 event.

According to John Gailey, spokesman for the Utah National Parks Council, that number is rising every day.

"They're still registering. We have put the word out across the nation," he said. "It's going to be pretty exciting."

Gailey said 20 new Eagle Scouts at one Court of Honor is the highest previous number that has been able to be verified so far, and so it is clear that this one will shatter any previous mark.

So far, new Eagle Scouts from eight different states have been lined up — including some from Washington state, Texas and Pennsylvania. At least a dozen Scout councils from around the U.S. are scheduled to be represented to date.

Boy Scouts announce new award for playing video games

Thu, 06 May 2010 13:19:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: Um...really? You knew it had to be coming — recognition in the U.S. Scouting program for playing video games.

The Boy Scouts of America have recently introduced a new belt loop and academic pin available to Cub Scouts for having an understanding and ability with computer and video games.

The Boy Scouts also have three new merit badges and four temporary, revived merit badges available this year.

According to some scouting sources, these new awards were among the most controversial ones in recent years.

John Gailey, spokesman for the National Parks Council, said he was surprised when he heard about these new video gaming awards and initially feared they would simply be skill oriented.

"However, it's not about becoming a great gamer," he said, explaining the awards are based on cubs learning about licensing, game ratings and responsibility.

He stressed the belt loop is also focused on youth balancing their time playing video games against their other responsibilities.

Scouting reaches its centennial anniversary

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:03:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

As the Boy Scouts of America celebrates its 100th anniversary, the storied organization's first institutional sponsor — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — can certainly claim a prominent place at the birthday table. It was a century ago this month that the BSA was organized on a national basis. Three years later, the Church formally became an official citizen of the Scouting community. A century has passed, and Scouting's guiding challenge that boys remain "physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight" have become a part of the fabric of Aaronic Priesthood holders across the United States.

Since the beginning of the Church's friendship with Scouting, general priesthood leaders have championed the teachings of Scouting. They've long understood that Scouting can help a young man prepare for future priesthood duties, missions, temple marriages and lifelong service in the Church.

"I am pleased to stand firm for an organization that teaches duty to God and country, that embraces the Scout Law," said President Thomas S. Monson in an October 1993 general conference address. "Yes, an organization whose motto is, 'Be Prepared,' and whose slogan is, 'Do a good turn daily.' The Aaronic Priesthood prepares boys for manhood and the weightier duties of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Scouting helps our boys to walk uprightly the priesthood path to exaltation ... The priesthood program of the Church, with its accompanying activities, including Scouting, will help and not hinder you as you journey through life."

Utah is 'Eagle Scout State'

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:20:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

The headquarters of the Boy Scouts of America may be in Texas, but the "capital" of the BSA is in Utah.

That's what Utah Lt. Gov. Greg Bell said at what was believed to be the largest gathering of Scouts and leaders in the nation to celebrate American Scouting's centennial.

Some 2,500 Scouters gathered Thursday night in the Grand Ballroom of the Salt Palace Convention Center for a sold-out anniversary gala, sponsored by the Great Salt Lake Council of the BSA. It was truly the celebration of a century, amid an ocean of Scout uniforms.

"What a hoot! Look at this," Robert "Bob" Mazzuca, the chief Scout executive/CEO of the Boy Scouts of America from Irving, Texas, said in amazement as he looked at the huge audience as its keynote speaker.

For the fifth consecutive year, he said, the number of Eagle Scouts earned in the nation increased.

Of the record-high 52,470 Eagle Scout awards earned in the United States during 2009, 5,640 of them — almost 10.8 percent of the total — came from Utah.

"We did not make it less difficult," Mazzuca said. "Something is working out here."

From Great Britain to Great Basin: A brief look at history of Scouting

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:16:00 -0700

source: sltrib.com

Scouting in America, 100 years old this month, really has two founders: Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell and William D. Boyce. Baden-Powell, a British military hero during the Boer War in Africa and an avid outdoorsman, wrote Scouting for Boys in 1908 after finding English boys reading military manuals he previously had written.

Not long after Scouting began in England, Boyce, a Chicago publisher and explorer, lost his way in a dense London fog, according to a history on the Boy Scouts of America Web site.

A boy guided him but refused a tip, saying that as a Scout he would not take a money for doing a "good turn." That gesture inspired Boyce to meet with Baden-Powell and, on Feb. 8, 1910, Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in Washington, D.C.

Utah's first two troops, both designated Troop 1, were organized soon after.

Stadium of Fire to honor Eagle Scouts

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:19:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

This year's Stadium of Fire will have more than 100 special guests, all under the age of 18.

In honor of the Boy Scouts of America's 100th anniversary, America's Freedom Festival at Provo and Stadium of Fire will host a Centennial Eagle Court of Honor during its July 4 festivities.

"We're trying to make this the largest Eagle Court of Honor in Boy Scouts of America history," said Emory Cook, a festival spokesman. "We want as many Scouts as we can get."

Only 4 percent of Boy Scouts, or 2 million total, have received their Eagle award, the last of 11 ranks in the Scouting system.

Scouting emphasizes spirituality; various faiths have awards

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 10:07:00 -0700

source: MormonTimes.com

A Boy Scout is reverent.

That's the 12th point of the Scout Law, emphasizing how important spirituality and religion are in the Scouting program.

And with the annual Scout Sunday observance coming on Feb. 7, Scouting and faith are especially relevant topics.

As an emblem of spiritual endeavors, dozens of awards from different religions recognize a Scout's or Scout leader's devotion to a supreme being. Even amid so much diversity and extreme caution not to promote religion in general, the Boy Scouts have not tapered off in their reverent devotion. As the Boy Scouts of America celebrates its 100th anniversary, reverence remains a solid cornerstone of the movement.

The BSA, through the Programs of Religious Activities -- P.R.A.Y. publishing -- coordinates the religious emblem awards.