Utah National Parks Council, BSA Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Today, the Boy Scouts of America Board of Directors unanimously decided to welcome girls into its Cub Scout program and to deliver a Scouting program for older girls that will enable them to advance and earn the highest rank of Eagle Scout. You can read more […]
To be nominated for the Distinguished Eagle Award, past Eagle Scouts are required to have received their Eagle at least 25 years prior and have “received extraordinary, national-level recognition or eminence within their identified field.” They must also exhibit a strong record of community service and family values Gary B. Doxey is a previous recipient […]
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Merit Badge Adventures at Maple Dell Scout Camp have proved time and time again to be a great atmosphere for Scouts to have fun and pursue advancement. This past weekend, the Porter Rockwell District of the Utah National Parks Council put together and hosted the whole event. It was a great success and we are […]
Every Eagle Scout has a story. Some people became interested because of a friend; others drew interest from Scout leaders. For me, my journey to become an Eagle Scout began because of my dad’s influence. Kent Vaughn was 12 years old when he was introduced to Scouting by his dad, Ray Vaughn. It was there […]
Ethan Rodriguez never got the memo that being an Eagle Scout was a requirement for dating BYU girls. “I’d be talking to a girl about what she would want in a future spouse and she’d say, ‘He has to be a returned missionary and he has to be, you know, an Eagle Scout.’” said Rodriguez. […]
Even since the early years of Scouting, retaining older youth provides a challenge. There are many reasons why boys decide to quit Scouting. Many want to be with their peers and, for the most part, Boy Scout troops lack a good peer environment for high-school-aged boys. Other boys may get bored with the program around the […]
A few weeks ago I had a conversation with some of my school colleagues. For one reason or another, the Boy Scouts came up and I found myself for a few moments as a listener. Personal sentiments were shared about the Eagle program not accomplishing what it used to. I recall the phrase “it’s not […]
Growing up, I lived very close to my elementary school, so every weekday I found myself walking to school. My mom told me it was good for me, but I was not a fan. I walked to and from school every day, head down, feet moving as quickly as possible.This was my routine for many […]
“Meet the requirements as they are written with no exception.” This quote is from the Guide to Advancement, topic 10.2.2.0. At first glance, it may sound a bit harsh or restrictive. It could even leave one wondering how a Scout with special needs can meet requirements that seem too tough. Well, through some creativity and […]
Your best buddies know you. Mama grew up with you. Your faithful scoutmaster helped you lead. But, your board of review members for your Eagle may not know how you personally conduct your life. For that reason, reference letters can be a good way for members to verify that you live by the Scout Oath […]
Last December marked my four-year anniversary of coming home from my mission. Spain was marvelous, as you may imagine. I was blessed with two great mission presidents and 11 outstanding mission companions. I could not have asked for better long-lasting relationships than those I gained while arduously serving the Lord with these faithful priesthood holders. […]
It has been a while, but before my summer hiatus and summer camp adventures, we were talking and sharing about my own Scouting experience – as a Scout. But, now let’s switch gears and talk about you – the Boy Scout. As you first join Scouting, you will probably hear – or did hear – […]
Blake’s Eagle project was recently featured on the Voice of Scouting as part of the 12 Days of a Scout Christmas, reminding us that a Scout is friendly. His mother gives the full story of his project and its impact here: Over this summer, I was biting my nails a bit. My son was a […]
Last May I was at BSA’s National Annual Meeting, where Michael S. Malone was recognized at the Americanism Breakfast. He had just completed a new and enlarged edition of his history of Eagle Scouting, “Four Percent” (WindRush Publishing, 2012), for which he was being honored. Then, in October, Mr. Malone agreed to write for us in The Voice […]
I have been thinking a lot about the role of mothers in Scouting. Now my intent in this blog is not to slight the fathers out there who are helping out in so many ways. My intent is to recognize the women of Scouting who normally don’t get any recognition, who work behind the scenes […]
With six sons outnumbering the lone daughter, there was always a lot of Scouting happening in the Pack house. After thousands of Scout activities and countless Courts of Honor, beads, beltloops, and merit badges, all six sons became Eagle Scouts and all six went on to serve missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of […]
Scouting tends to build strong bonds—between the Scouts themselves, between the Scouts and their adult leaders, and between the individual leaders themselves. So, it has a profound impact on a Troop when a Scout passes away, even if it occurs years after a Scout has graduated from the Troop. Tragically, one of our Eagle Scouts, […]
This project happened last year at our father-son campout at a campground up near Coalville, UT that is co-owned by several Methodist Churches. Pinecliff Campground is one of our favorite camping spots and we typically try to plan our father-son campout there in the Spring to welcome our new rookie Scouts and their dads, as […]
Last Friday, after several days of Top Hands Conference, we enjoyed something quite different to close this event. Usually it’s all about business, membership, new units, fundraising, program, etc. but this was a different ending. It was a kind of campfire program, but only the last part where the Scouts have quieted down and it’s […]
Sam was an Eagle Scout in our Boy Scout Troop. As he became a venture crew member he decided that he wanted to be in the Olympics and win a Gold Medal. Well, at least the Utah Summer Games in Cedar City, Utah. He took up cycling and Mountain biking. He biked all year long […]