What is the Better Programs Initiative? Let’s find out! Podcast Topics Scouter Ken is joined by Scouter Alicia, who is one of the representatives of Scouts Canada’s new Better Programs Initiative, a knowledge-sharing forum where Scouters can share (and find) ideas on how to run a top-tier Scouting program. Visit this episode's page at our website to find QR codes for the initiative and the Scouts Canada Network. Subscribe Follow Us and Subscribe Support Hit the Tip Jar | Scouting...

If you aren’t already planning for how different roles within your group can transition between people, you need to be. Podcast Topics Scouter Ken is joined by Scouter Corey - the outgoing Group Commissioner for the 59th Edmonton Scout Group - to discuss the importance of planning for how to transition people out of (and into!) roles within a Scout Group. Transition planning takes many forms. Ideally, the outgoing role holder should mentor the incoming member to make sure that there’s a...

Youth between the ages of 14 and 17 can also volunteer as Scouters, at least in Scouts Canada. Podcast Topics In their first in-person sit-down session of the year, Scouter Ken and Scouter Colin discuss Youth Scouters. This is an extension of the volunteer apparatus within Scouts Canada that allows minors (between the ages of 14 and 17) to go through the training and interview process that adult volunteers must complete to become Scouters. Youth Scouters count toward ratio requirements as...

Scouts Canada has partnered with Busy Minds and Little Yogis Academy to help bring mindfulness into program content. Podcast Topics Scouter Ken and Scouter Mike are joined by Michelle Faber, the founder of Busy Minds, for a live discussion mindfulness, its importance to mental health, and the ways in which Scouts Canada is partnering with Busy Minds (and Little Yogis) to add mindfulness exercises into group programming. Learn more: Busy Minds Little Yogis Mindfulness apps discussed in...

The first ever LIVE episode of Scouting Stuff, and an introduction to Scouts Canada’s “Sasquatch Seekers” event. Podcast Topics In the first of what will become a series of LIVE episodes, Scouter Ken is joined by Kate Larkin - the Director of Program & Volunteer Services for Scouts Canada - to discuss the Sasquatch Seekers challenge. This is a series of four weekly challenges for Scout Groups across Canada to complete, exploring a variety of activities and skills all themed around the...

Beaver Scouts (at least in Canada) is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. Podcast Topics Scouter Ken and Scouter Colin - finally, only two months into 2024! - sit down (virtually) to discuss Beaver Scouts. Despite a popular Canadian legend that the program for “younger than Cub Scout” youth was developed in Canada and exported to the world, the actual history of it goes back a bit further...to Northern Ireland, in fact. But half a century ago, Scouts Canada officially launched its...

Two brothers - twins, at that! - discuss their introduction to Scouts Canada and the roles they’ve served in therewith. Podcast Topics Scouter Shayne and Scouter Sheldon rejoin the podcast for another episode, this time to discuss their respective Scouting journeys with Scouter Ken. Though they came to the organization in different ways (and at different times), they both ended up serving as Group Commissioners for two different Ontario Scout Groups at the same time. Also: camp cooking. We...

What is the rangemaster role within Scouting, and how do you become one? Podcast Topics Scouter Ken is joined by Scouter Sheldon, the program director for Camp Everton in Ontario (and, coincidentally, the brother of Scouter Shayne from Episode 144). Much of the discussion in this episode focuses on the role of the rangemaster, which within Scouts Canada is a specifically-trained person who can run archery, pelletry, and even axe/tomahawk-throwing. Subscribe Follow Us and...

Where can youth find leadership opportunities? Funny you should ask! Podcast Topics Scouter Ken is joined by Scouter Shayne from Ontario for this episode. Among many other roles, Scouter Shayne has served as a Group Commissioner, a Section Scouter, and a Contact Scouter, and has also been with the Canadian Forces for three decades. The discussion ranges over a few topics, including the similarities and differences between Scouting and the military, why girls being part of Scouting is still...

Scouts across Africa help the vulnerable, Scouts in Canada sell trees...and Scouts were even at COP28. News Stories Advancing Gender Equality through Scouting in Ethiopia Reintegrating Vulnerable Young People through Ticket to Life Initiative in Africa 4th World Scout Education Congress Shaping the Future of Education in Scouting Congress Roadmap sets direction for education in Scouting to be more transformative, inclusive and innovative World Scouting Brings Youth Voices to COP28...

Scouts help with hurricane relief, JOTA-JOTI breaks records...and Hungarian Scouts camp on a river. News Stories Scouts de Mexico Extend a Helping Hand in Hurricane Aftermath A Record JOTA-JOTI! Digital Meets In Person for an Epic Jamboree No need to fear… the Boy Scouts are here! River Scout Camp: A Journey Through Time with Hungarian Scouts Scouts fees rise to fund new safeguarding team Swindon Gang Show returns: Scouts and Guides light up stage Subscribe Follow Us and...

Two of the three French Scouters who traveled by bicycle to WSJ 2023 tell us all about their adventure! Podcast Topics Scouter Ken is joined by Florian and Antonin – two of the three French Scouters who comprise La CyclOdyssée, who we mentioned briefly in the January 16 episode of Scouting Five – to discuss their 7-month journey to the World Scout Jamboree in Korea. Because rather than fly from France to get there, they opted instead to ride their bicycles, covering over 15,000 kilometers...

Are you taking part in JOTA-JOTI this year? News Stories Sadly, there won’t be any Scouting Stuff neckers or crests at this time; orders for both items didn’t meet the production thresholds. If you placed an order, it’ll be cancelled and you’ll get a refund. Stickers are still available, however! The Biggest Annual Scouting Event is On: It’s JOTA-JOTI 2023! ScoutLink ScoutWired Subscribe Follow Us and Subscribe Support Hit the Tip Jar | Scouting Stuff Stuff Send Feedback Email...

A bit more information about how Scouts BSA' Transatlantic Council is structured, and the role Kandersteg plays in it. Podcast Topics Scouter Will, from Scouts BSA’s Transatlantic Council, joins the podcast to discuss the Council and its role in allowing the children of deployed soldiers and diplomats to continue participating in Scouting even when they’re nowhere near the United States. And as it turns out, Kandersteg International Scout Centre – which they call Camp Alpine – is an...

A successful musical fundraiser, Scouts Canada apologizes...and Scouts in Brazil get crafty with plastic waste. News Stories Aberdeen Explorer Scouts invited to Scottish Parliament to mark fundraising efforts Scouts Canada issues apology for role in ‘historical harm’ on Indigenous Peoples The Girl Scouts are discontinuing a cult-favorite cookie Moment cub scouts as young as seven dodge traffic on dark country lane after getting lost on map reading exercise that was only supposed to be...

Scouter Paul from the Hudson Explorers explains a fun game his unit plays with paper boats...and fire. Podcast Topics Whilst at Kander100, Scouter Ken met up with Scouter Paul from the Hudson Explorers, an Explorer Scout unit based in Sutton Coldfield, just outside of Birmingham. Some of the unit are regular listeners of the podcast, and that little meet & greet turned into an invitation to join them - and a few other contingents from various countries - in a game they called...

Scouts respond to disasters, another Scout Group loses gear to theft...and you can now get a podcast necker or badge! News Stories Scouting Stuff Merchandise Pre-Orders Ride the Waves Not the Waste with Scouts of Trinidad & Tobago Libyan Scouts' Heroic Response to Devastating Floods Morocco’s Scouts unite to launch relief efforts after deadly earthquake Moncton, N.B. scout troop loses $8,000 worth of camping equipment in theft Scouts celebrate 70 years in...

The Kander100 Jamboree was a huge success. World Jamboree 2023...not so much. Podcast Topics Ken and Colin discuss the challenges - to put it mildly - faced by those who attended the 25th World Scout Jamboree in Korea this summer, as well as the response of WOSM and various national contingents to the heat wave and other issues that emerged at the site. And then the conversation shifts to Kander100 and the experience of the Canadian Contingent thereat, as well as how Ken and his family...

Jamborees around the world, a new WOSM member organization...and a disturbing documentary. News Stories Scouts Honor: The disturbing true story behind Netflix documentary Former Scouts Canada employee sentenced to 4 years for sex crimes Proposed settlement reached in Ralph Rowe lawsuit A wave of transformation: 80,000 Scouts spark change in Algeria Saudi Girls in Scouting Volunteer in Large Numbers During Pilgrim Service Kander100 43,000 Scouts unite for 25th World Scout Jamboree in...

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a volunteer at Kandersteg International Scout Centre? Podcast Topics Scouter Ken chats with Sam (from Canada) and Laura (from the United States), two “Pinkies” (read: seasonal volunteers) at the Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC). Sam and Laura explain what it’s like to be a Pinkie, as well as how to apply for the role. Pinkies serve three-month terms roughly corresponding to the four seasons, and the application process includes a motivation...

An interview with Jack Higgins, the director of the Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC). Podcast Topics Scouter Ken was at Kander100 (also called KISC100), the large(r) jamboree held to celebrate the centenary of the “permanent mini-jamboree” that the Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC) in Switzerland was founded to be. As it happened, some of the media staff at KISC had heard Episode 137, and asked Scouter Ken if he’d be interested in doing an interview with Jack...

A short update on how things are going at Kander100 (aka KISC 100), the jamboree celebrating the centenary of Kandersteg International Scout Centre.

Scouts help refugees, a king is crowned...and what SHOULD you expect at a Jamboree? News Stories From Fundraisers to Advocates: Norwegian Guides and Scouts Transform Lives of Young Refugees Scout Camp in a Refugee Camp: How Scouting is Helping in Malawi Arab Parajamboree sets the bar for hosting inclusive Scout events Scouts support King Charles III’s Coronation at Westminster Abbey Scouts design TransLink’s first-ever scout badge Westfield Scouts live motto “Be Prepared” at Memorial...

Some brief thoughts on how to prepare your Group (or Contingent) for Cultural Day at whatever Jamboree you’re attending. Podcast Topics Cultural Day has become a staple of Jamborees, and it’s important to be prepared for it. As Scout.org notes: "In the middle of Sunday, each unit puts on a demonstration illustrating the culture of their country, region, or locality. The camp is closed to visitors. This is your opportunity to cook, sing, dance, or offer an experience from your country that...