Venturing

Here is a list of earned Merit Badges for 2015.  The Top 13 are all required. Rank Merit Badge 2015 % of Total 1 First Aid*          80,716 4.01% 2 Swimming**          71,821 3.57% 3 Cooking*          67,691 3.36% 4 Environmental Science****          63,783 3.17% 5 Citizenship in the World* ...

Yogi Berra, the famous catcher and manager of the New York Yankees, known for his malapropisms, said “You can observe a lot by watching.” During my many years of involvement with the Young Men program of the Church I have had the opportunity to watch a lot of LDS Scouting ...

I miss my time as a child when the only time that really mattered was knowing the street lights came on which indicated it was time to come home.  We would play bike-tag or “ditch-em” or ride bikes or explore.  Times are different now.  School is more competitive, so the ...

For the first time ever, it’s now possible for a Scout to earn every Eagle-required merit badge using nothing but the new interactive digital merit badge pamphlets. Or, put simply: The future is officially here. As first reported on Scouting Wire, interactive digital merit badge pamphlets are now available for all Eagle-required merit ...

Because of my former service as Young Men General President for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and my continuing association with Scouting, I am often asked, especially recently, about the relationship of Scouting and the Church.  Recently, I had that conversation with a good friend and one ...

Every boy involved in Scouting pledges to “do his best” when he recites the Scout Oath. He does not vow to try to do his best; he promises he will do his best. Perhaps Yoda, the venerable Jedi Master, explains this facet of the Scout Oath succinctly when he admonishes, ...

Even though leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have decided to continue the partnership with the Boy Scouts of America, and even though the majority of members polled have determined to follow the prophet on this choice, I still hear a lot of discussion among Young ...

With nearly 22 million veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces living among us, chances are good that at least one of these American heroes is a family member or close friend of you or someone in your Scouting unit. Though these men and women deserve our recognition and thanks every day, ...

The Quarterly LDS-BSA Relations Newsletter is out.  Here is what’s inside: Growing Scouting through Reactivation – Focusing on Scouting’s Principles and Ideals By Stephen H. Hess, Young Men general board member Annual Priesthood Leadership Conference on Scouting Dates: The first session will be held June 25—July 1 and the second from ...

Have you ever considered why you serve as an Aaronic Priesthood or Scouting leader? What is your reason for doing so? What drives you to want to be with the young men of your ward at least one night per week, on Sunday, and probably one weekend per month? What ...