ScouterStan - Scout Leader Podcast

We dive into the urban legend of Scouting only taking one hour a week. Where did this crazy idea come from? We debunk a lot of the misconceptions that arise from recruiting claims. Leaders know that this is not the …

James E. West Fellowship Award recognizes the financial contribution to the Boy Scouts of America. It would seem that this is kind of straightforward …

Many scout leaders are frustrated with life scouts procrastinating towards their goal of becoming an Eagle Scout. Many factors affect young people's choices regarding time management. Scout leaders and mentors need to …

The Historic Trails Award is achieved by scouting units in recognition of historic activity on a historic trail. Hiking metals on specific trails can qualify for this group award. Typically Scout Troops can hike and …

The transition of youth leadership to adult leadership within a Troop is critical to the survival of the unit. Scout leaders spend an incredible …

The meritorious action award is often referred to as the heroism award and lifesaving award. This rare and unique award is given to individuals who have gone above and beyond to help others. Many scout skills or …

This is the follow-up video from the advancement team video from a few years back. From this, we dive into some of the new changes that have happened …

Scout Leaders are witnessing young people becoming more and more addicted to screen time. Cellular or mobile phones make it easy for anyone to stay …

This is a critical youth leadership position that is often overlooked. The Den Chief position is essential in many respects. They are the representation of the best of the troop. They are youth leaders who work with Den …

The Boy Scouts of America Alumni Association is established to help support scouting's goals of helping others at all times. Former scout leaders and community activists are encouraged to join the BSA Alumni …

Just over the words, Boy Scouts of America or Scouts BSA on the right pocket is a space reserved for the interpreter strip. All too often we forget that the Scouting movement is international. It's important that scouts …

Eagle Scouts are rare in the world. They represent individuals who have dedicated themselves to live their lives according to the Scout Oath and Law. …

The Scout Oath and Law are so important to the Scouting movement that young people should take it seriously. In the American Scout Law, the first two …

On the 100th Anniversary of Scouting in America (2010), the Centennial series commemorated this incredible event. The BSA reintroduced 4 discontinued …

Discover the unofficial top five tips for den leaders to get the most out of their leadership experience. These 5 tips could be for all unit leaders …

The mysterious George Meany Award is uncovered from its mystery. National recognition was provided by the AFL-CIO executive council. It is to recognize scout leaders that are union members and have given significant …

Most unit leaders may not be aware of the structure of their District and how important it is. The District is a critical part of your Council in its direct operations with all Scouting units in your area. The District …

Schoolroom visits are getting more essential to good recruitment. Many school-age children do not know that they can join Scouting and have the …

In this groundbreaking video, we delve into the transformative journey of the Girl Scouts organization as it embraces a new era of inclusivity and …

We take you on a journey to explore the exciting world of patch trading at a Boy Scout summer camp. If you're a Boy Scout enthusiast or collector, …

Being a new Assistant Scoutmaster can be a challenging but rewarding experience, and it's important to “be prepared” for the role. We'll cover …

Many non-scouters believe that Scouting is militaristic. Almost to the point of an “urban legend”. This rumor that somehow our peace movement is actually militarily oriented. Baden-Powell the founder of Scouting spend …

So many units fail when it comes time to replace a critical leader. Unlocking the secret of mentoring replacements is a critical skill that all …

Proclaimed to be the book that started the Scouting movement in the world. Originally was an instruction manual for the military. This little book of …

This podcast dispels many of the mysteries about Wilderness First Aid (WFA) training & CPR/AED Certification. Many scout leaders that are heading off to high adventure are required to take this training. This first …

The Scout uniform is part of the methods of Scouting. As a uniformed organization, we transform our daily life into being a Scout. Boys & Girls in uniform are Scouts, not kids. There are places to be in uniform and …

The history of the Den Chief is fascinating. Ernest Thompson Seton had the original idea from woodcraft indenes. The newly formed BSA just wasn’t ready for the new Cub Scouts. James West persuaded the founders to let …

We hear about people getting “kicked out of Scouting” all the time. Many famous people make this fashionable claim. The reality is that not many …

A properly running Troop has a regular Patrol Leader Council (PLC) every month. Many Packs, Troops, and Crews could benefit from a similar meeting …

Looking for a place to belong as an “Aged-out” Scout? Check out the College Scouter Reserve! This Scouting position is perfect for Scouts over 18 who …

The International Souters Award recognizes Scouters that have participated in and promoted international Scouting. Often adult leaders don't realize …

Scouting is deeply tied to STEM while working with America's youth. We need to recognize youth that chooses to fulfill the requirements of STEM …

The New Member Coordinator for any unit is a critical role in any successful Scouting unit. This underutilized position needs to be a critical part …

Do you have new Scouts going to Summer Camp? This is the podcast for you! In this episode, we'll be discussing everything you need to know about first-year Scouting at Summer Camp. If you're looking for information …

In this podcast, I'm sharing a surprising truth about “aging out” in the Order of the Arrow. In short, it's not as bad as you think! You may have heard that you'll age out of the Order of the Arrow if you're over 18 …

There is a debate about who is 3rd in command in youth leadership. Many maintain it’s the Troop Scribe while others put forth a good case for other …

Discover some of the fascinating histories of the tribe of Mic-O-say. One of the early honor societies of the Boy Scouts of America. Most Scouters know of the Order of the Arrow (OA) as the official Honor Society of the …

Many outside of Scouting don't know why we would volunteer our time to be adult leaders. We believe in helping young people discover Scouting Values …

Many leaders mistakenly think that Square Knot is only for the adult uniform. Youth are not restricted from wearing square knots that they have been …

In this podcast, we're going to discuss the basic training requirements for camping for all Scout Leaders. As a Scout Leader, you're undoubtedly passionate about your program and the outdoors. But before you can enjoy …

The Order of the Arrow (OA) is Scoutings Honor Society and has many different positions. two of these positions are within the unit. Most Scouters …

Volunteering to be the best scout leader you can be will always leave a legacy. Many scout leaders “pay it forward” through selfless service to …

Starting this Thursday, January 12, at 7 PM Season 8 will start. This promotional podcast gives you more details about what is going on with the show. I look forward to making this happen for the listeners of the …

A patch that is on every uniform is the council shoulder patch. Originally the scout uniform didn't have a place for the council strip. The CSP that …

A lot of adults have no clue about their role within the order of the arrow. It's important to remember that they are no longer running things or …

Starting up a new Scouting unit is important to giving America's youth the opportunity of a Scouting experience. Many critical things need to be done to make this happen. One of the most important is a Chartered …

Every Scout deserves a trained leader. The more training you get the better the adult leader you become. The first step in leadership is training. …

There is no such thing as a recruiting season. Scout units that fail often make this mistake. It is important to understand that scout units need a constant flow of new youth recruits. Here is a way to recruit new …

A very popular answer to this question is YES! Many new adult leaders were once involved in the Order of the Arrow. Now that they are back in …

The National Jamboree from 1935 to the present day has been an exceptional experience for young people throughout the United States. The history of the National Jamboree is displayed within its patches and neckerchiefs. …

Join ScouterStan as he kicks off the 6th season. Scout leaders are a unique group of people that are dedicated to a higher purpose for our American youth. Today scout leader is faced with a lot of competition for the …

The Order of the Arrow is a brotherhood of cheerful service. Many chapters are looking for ways to give service to their community. Here are some …

A Scouts' Own service is usually short and often less than 15 minutes. As Scouts and Scouters, we have all participated in this religious observance. We discuss a Scouts' Own theme and structure to help Scouters put …

Uniform seems to be a big concern with a great deal of leadership out there. Many of the top-rated videos on this channel have to do with uniforms and patches. Join ScouterStan as he describes his uniform and the story …

Let's discuss the most important Arrowmen in the Order of the Arrow. They are often overlooked and taken for granted but this should not be the case. …

Square knots can actually tell a story. The square knots that I'm referring to are the ones other leaders put on their uniforms above the left pocket flap. Discover the four categories in this installment about uniforms …

Messengers of Peace is a flagship initiative of World Scouting that inspires Scouts around the world to take action in their communities by contributing to peace and sustainable development. Since 2010, Messengers of …

The Order of the Arrow election season starts when unit leaders make contact with their OA chapter. All troops, crews, and ships are eligible for an election. The Inductions Team (also known as the Elections Team) will …

Cub Scout Packs and Scouts BSA Troops need to understand the differences between a Crossover ceremony and an Arrow Of Light ceremony. Not all Webelos …

Each unit should have a recruitment team of Scouters that are ready to promote their unit at any event. They should also be equipped with …

Patch trading seems to be a big part-time activity with Scouts and Scout leaders. There are many facets to the patch trading world that can be explored and enjoyed by everyone. Patches or badges whatever you choose to …

Scouting started at the beginning of the 20th century. Baden-Powell the founder of Scouting believed in basic principles found in the Scout Law today. Scouting has grown over the years and around the world. Although the …

Having a great new parents guide as a tool for your recruitment team is extremely important. This countdown list of 10 important points will help …

Youth protection is a priority in Scouting. The training for youth protection starts with the parent guide that is part of the scouts' handbook. Unit leaders will often show videos produced by Scouts BSA before taking …

Your local Order of the Arrow (OA) chapters Ceremony Team has worked with Cub Scout Packs throughout its area for many years. Providing OA Ceremony Team members for Crossovers and Arrow Of Light ceremonies. Recently …

Job one of any scout leader is to run a safe program. In the past, we had the “Sweet 16” of BSA Safety in the Guide to Safe Scouting to refer back to. Now we have the SAFE Scouting guide to help us remember safety in …

Not Everyone Should Join Scouting? This sounds like a crazy statement but it was one that a parent made at a signup night. I have been struggling to …

You have attended Wood Badge and worked your ticket and now you got your beads. Now the Wood Badge course director has asked you to help by joining the staff. You say YES, and they hand you a bunch of recruiting …

Last season we covered the Unit Leader Award of Merit knot. We forgot to mention or even talk about the Gold Star that can be added to the adult …

The Order of the Arrow… OA for short is shrouded in mystery only because it's an honored society that most non-Scouters don't know anything about. One of the mysterious positions is that of the Elangomat. This is a …

The first episode of the 5th Season of Commissioner Weekly starts with a bang. Join ScouterStan in reigniting the joy and magic that Scouting can bring to America's youth. Now that we are in a post-pandemic environment …

Scouting needs you to get more involved. Stepping up as a parent is a critical part of the big picture. Scouting should be looked upon as a part of …

In this video, ScouterStan jumps into the differences between a Lodge and the Chapter in the Order of the Arrow. As an Honor Society of Scouts BSA and Honored Campers, the Order of the Arrow is established as lodges …

The Board of Review is not all that complicated. It is essential for evaluating the performance of the leadership regarding youth achievements. Always keep in mind that it is just a review. It's not a trial or an …

There are many forms of training within scouting. During this pandemic time, Scout leaders have been concentrating on their online learning. There is more to training than just online classes. many times there is …

Order the Arrow High Adventure has been around since the 80s. Starting at the Philmont Scout Ranch with trail crews. This program allows arrowmen the opportunity to work the trails and receive exclusive adventures. In …

All too often these days Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Advisors, and Skippers go completely unrecognized. The Unit Leader Award of Merit seeks to right …

One of the craziest things about Wood Badge is the fixation of critters. Each patrol in Wood Badge is personified by an animal. Be forewarned if …

Today's National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) was originally formed in 1925 as the Knights of Dunamis. in 1972 it became officially the NESA we all …

One of the coolest badges a Scout can earn is the World Conservation Award. It has a Panda Baer on it! Cub Scouts, Scouts, Crew Members, and Sea …

The Order of the Arrow (OA) is Scouts BSA National Honor Society. Scout leaders need not think of it as competition and need to promote the OA within the unit. There are many reasons for supporting the OA. It helps …

Scouting has developed over the many years unique training skills that help young people learn more efficiently and independently. The EDGE (Explain, Demonstrate, Guide, and Enable) method is the official way of …

Scout leaders often forget the three promises that are represented in the scout sign. The scout oath and law are represented when making the scout sign. The three fingers are the promises that we make in the oath and …

The National Youth Leadership Training NYLT is equivalent to the adult Wood Badge in many ways. Youth leaders in their Troop or Crew should plan on …

The Order of the Arrow (OA) Vigil Honor is shrouded in mystery. We discuss how and why this is. We also discuss the process by which a Brotherhood …

Scouting just celebrated its 111th Birthday in America. All during that time Scouts have been wearing various types of uniforms. Very early on the uniforms were very easy to obtain. As the decades of Scouting continued …

The new Wood Badge is something that everyone's talking about. Discover with ScouterStan what is new at Wood Badge. National has implemented many surveys to improve Wood Badge with new leadership teaching skills. …

Eagle Scouts are rare in the world. They represent individuals that have dedicated themselves to live their lives by the Scout Oath and Law. Many of …

What is a NOAC? This is the national conference for the Order of the Arrow known as the National Order of the Arrow Conference or NOAC for short.  In this video, ScouterStan talks about his experiences at the infamous …

Task One: When you agree to take a leadership position, your first job is to find your replacement. “You must have someone that can take over when you go, or you can’t go!” Every unit needs to have succession plans in …

In November of 2018, I finished posting my 3 Part Eagle Mentoring series. Here is the 4th part of that for leaders and mentors. Quite simply it's time to plan a celebration of your new Eagle Scouts achievement. There …

I wonder how many Scouts and Scouters have thought about the motto “Be Prepared”? This includes unexpected service to the community. Often this is personal and close to home in many ways. Living your life by the …

Patch landing places on the uniform can be confusing. Sometimes it's easier to think of them as the four quadrants of the uniform shirt. Uniform …

Safety is job one for us adult leaders. A big part of safety is Youth Protection Training (YPT). This is done online and can be printed out from …

Happy New Year! Let's make this year one of the best for Scouting. There are five ways to make sure that we start off the year in a good way. 

#1 is to make sure that your Youth Protection Training is up to date. It's …

What is the oldest leadership corps in Scouting? The oldest leadership role in Scouting is the Commissioner corps. “Gray Tabs” or I like to tell the …

Adult leaders and parents are NOT exempt from the Scout Law. Have you ever really thought about it. Also the number one question we should ask all …

Historically, a BSA service project is a special Good Turn that puts Scout spirit into action.  Good Turns take many forms such as 

• aid during emergencies and natural disasters 

• recycling • conservation projects 

• …

All troops should expect every adult to take on some kind of leadership role. One that’s often overlooked is Merit Badge Counselor (MBC). Merit Badge …

Thair is an actual complaint form for parents. That national has a 100% guaranty on. More info later, let's jump into this. We are talking about disagreements and not actual safety or YPT issues.

Parents get mad or …

Now that the ties of Brotherhood are upon you, what’s next?

✔ Get into your chapter/lodge activity weekends!

• Inductions Weekend – In the South, …

First time on their own.  2nd or 3rd night at summer camp – Most new Scouts develop self-imposed anxiety or homesickness when a routine has been …

There are 31,000,000 YouTube Channels and only 76,179* have more than 1K Subscribers. That represents about 0.2457% of channels on YouTube. 2,000 channels have more than 1 Million Subscribers.

🏆 THANK YOU FOR …

Training of the elected youth leaders of your unit is the unit's responsibilities.

Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) Activities …

Scouting cannot happen without fundraising. All too often parents tend to be relied on for funding their youth through the program. The scout should …

In cub scouting, we focus on good character building. This helps give the cub scout confidence and self-reliance. This skill is necessary for everyone. Merit Badges are a great way of finding talent and interests. If …

Do you know a successful Pack or Troop? They are the ones that have a gigantic AOL cross-over ceremony. You know the one Troop who has 2 or 3 new …

The primary goal with all Scout leaders is Safety. We as adult leaders need to understand that some times we learn more by failing. A Senior Patrol …

In a Pack, the planning meeting/seminar is usually a subcommittee of adults. In a Troop the planning is done by the youth members, guided by SPL and …

Baden-Powell is accredited with developing the “patrol method” originally for the British Army shortly after his success at Mafeking. His military …

Advancement is one of the eight methods used by Scout leaders to help youth fulfill the aims of the BSA. A new or small unit could use the committee …

Mobile phones are a way of life these days. Scout units need to think of setting up rules that will help make them less intrusive.

• Mobile phones …

There are only 7 requirements for this award. Most Scouters have completed it after two years in a unit. Filling out the paperwork and submitting it …

You have a scout youth that is turning 18 soon. Scout leaders should have a plan worked out for the scout's parents leaving. Most Scouters and …

The opening of many meetings is a flag ceremony. Has your unit practiced it? Should an opening prayer come before the flag ceremony? Yes, think about …

In the past, the traditional scout summer camp was defined by overnight tent camping, waterfront swimming, and unusual dining hall experiences. Now living in a post-pandemic time we need to think of summer camp …

Scouting is blessed with many founders. Many of the ones throughout history are no longer around to sincerely thank for their service. There are …

All rank advancements beyond First Class Scout require merit badges. Everyone should know the system and the blue card process is a big part of that. …

Welcome to Season 3 of Commissioner Weekly. Season 2 finished filming at the beginning of February. So this is the first time we have been able to address the pandemic. Most of Scouting survived with some needed …

In scouting, we promise in our oath to help other people at all times. Honoring our nation's armed services is important in building strong citizenship. Honoring all that helped out in the CoVid19 pandemic is important …

You're invited to become apart of our scout leader community we have here on YouTube. With almost 250K views in 9 years*, only 0.003% of viewers of this channel are subscribers (not 8% as ScouterStan stated in the …

Your district Cub Scout Day Camp has a minimum of two Camp School Certified directors.  The Day Camp Director and Program Director. This training …

Most scout leaders leave Scouting when their children do (but not required). Some units have “term-limits” on positions like Scoutmaster, Cubmaster …

Basically, only cash/check/charge donations to Scouts BSA or your local council office fall under charitable donations. Everything else is your property and asset. Donations to a scout unit are given to the chartering …

The Scoutmaster conference is exclusive to Troop operations. However, the concepts and policies apply to all unit leaders*. Its recommended that …

If you're stuck in a rut.. with the same old schedule of campouts. You NEED to change it before your Scouts lose interest. Youth like new and …

Now the hard part? Making time to complete your ticket. A ticket is broken up into 5 parts. Setting up your tasks in a logical order with the …

Ordeal membership is meant to be temporary. You only do ordeal once! The ordeal is a big thing but not the only thing that Order of the Arrow is about. This is the start of your membership process. In a short time, you …

The 12 points of the BSA's Scout Law was put together by Robert Baden-Powell and Ernest Seton. The first publication of ‘Scouting for Boys’ in 1908 Baden-Powell first proposed only the first 9 points of the Scout Law. …

In a Pack, the sign-off responsibilities are delegated to the adult Den leadership and parents. In a Troop, this may be delegated to senior (First …

The history of B-P is naturally lengthy in detail. Knowing the brief history will help you gain insight as to the foundations of Scouting. Over 160 years ago on February 22nd (1857) Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell …

Whether you like it or not, Scoutbook is here to stay. In April 2015 the BSA acquired Scoutbook. Scoutbook is the official Scouts BSA online unit …

The history of scoutings beginnings and how scouting came to America is a fascinating subject. We first must understand the basics of youth organizations at the turn of the 20th century. In 1844, George Williams founded …

Scout Sunday or Sabeth is the first weekend of February. Many units are chartered with religious organizations and it would only be natural to be …

Scout units are not immune to the thievery of their equipment. All scouting units should take precautions to discourage thieves from stealing. …

Teen suicide is the 2nd cause of death to American youth today. I know this subject is dark and cringy and most leaders avoid it if they can. As …

At the last camporee or summer camp, your name was called out and you left the campfire with Order of the Arrow brothers. This is known as a …

Happy New Year! 2020 will be a big year for us scout leaders. Sometime in September, we should see the first girl Eagle Scouts. This will be a big …

During this vacation time, it would be ideal to check into your scout Leader training. Records of your training are attached to your Scouts BSA ID …

Every Chef has a deep respect for the skillet… Scouters love something much deeper. Dutch ovens! Many Scouters discover that cooking in the great outdoors can be challenging. Gaining some quick knowledge about the Dutch …

ll across the nation scouts are discovering the joys of winter camping. ScouterStan recalls his youth in's winter camping experiences. Even though ScouterStan lives in Central Florida winter camping is exciting. Similar …

The purpose of the uniform is part of the aims and methods of Scouting. The scout uniform shows others the unity of scouting. It shows others you can be trusted. It shows others that you are willing to help at all …

Thanksgiving is this week and Scout Leaders need to reflect on Things there thankful for. I’m back with a new season of commissioners weekly. We are …

ScouterStan reviews the first session of the commission's weekly show. ScouterStan has been inspired to continue with a second season, but he needs …

Every year scouting units recharter. 😬The recharter packet should contain the following:

• ✔ Step-by-Step Instructions
• ✔ Printout of Units Current …

On June 15, 1916 the US Congress first issued a charter (Title 36 congressional charter) to the Boy Scouts of America signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson. Scouting in the USA has been charged to help make …

Scout leaders are notorious for volunteering and over-committing. We like to say and hear the word YES! Leaders often get burnout when they …

A Den Chief is a youth position in a Troop that is helping the Den Leader in a Cub Scout Pack. Often this position is dismissed as unimportant and trivial. However, it’s one of the most important in the life of a Scout …

♫“Back to Gilwell O’Happy Land… I’m Going to work my Ticket if I can.”♫ Wood Badge is the highest level of adult Scout leader training available in …

The Order of the Arrow (OA) is Scouts BSA National Honor Society. The OA was founded by Urner Goodman and Carroll Edson in 1915. Founded on the …

Today we recognize all of Americas who willingly sacrificed their lives, to save others. Firemen & First Responders, who bravely climbed up to …

Everyone should be encouraged to use the Scout Sign and recite the Scout Oath and Law. Often I see parents at meetings that just stand there, while …

This is your monthly district roundtable meeting that ALL Scout leaders should plane to attend. The structure of this meeting has three parts. …

Now that we have lost of new families joining our Pack or Troops, existing leadership needs to have a discussion about training. Every adult (moms, …

Cub Scout Packs recruit leaders from the parents. Troops get leaders crossing over from Packs with their Scouts. Packs are organized and run by the …

Scouts recruitment is year-round. When school starts back up in the fall, its often referred to as the start of recruiting season. Many districts …

Charter Organization Representative (COR’s) is your units connection to the community. Many units don’t even consider a service project for their …

A lot of the Cub Scout Packs take the summer off? Nope! Troops have Summer Camp and that’s it? Nope! Scouts mimic the school schedule in many ways. …

One of the big challenges for adult leaders have at summer camp is finding time for self-improvement. Pack and Den Leaders can help out with …

The natural tendency of adult leaders to cross from a pack to a troop is not the only option. Seriously consider joining the commissioner core of …

Setting an example is often harder than just doing it. Consistent start times is critical to establish respect for leadership and audience. Remember that to be early, is to be on time. On time, is to be late. To be late …

Sometimes adult leaders have difficulties with other leaders. your unit commissioner can help work out difficulties and help relations be more scout …

 Adult leaders are faced with many challenges. One of the biggest Fear for adults is public speaking. ScouterStan explores concerns that Adult …

The Scout Sign is a common feature of any scout meeting. It demands our respect as it is a living symbol of our commitment to the Scout Oath & …

Every scout leader should always be prepared with a quick one-minute story for the end of any meeting or campfire. This story can help illustrate a …

Your scout unit needs to use the JTE as a road map to gold. When you do this your unit will succeed in every way. Journey to Excellence is the …

Join ScouterStan as he launches the first episode of the commissioners weekly series on YouTube. Find out what a commissioner is, and how to use one …