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The Scouting Stuff Podcast

The Scouting Stuff Podcast

By The Scouting Stuff Team

Everything you should know about #Scouting in #Canada, and occasionally other places.
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Busy Minds LIVE!

The Scouting Stuff PodcastMar 13, 2024

00:00
47:48
Busy Minds LIVE!
Mar 13, 202447:48
Sasquatch Seekers LIVE!

Sasquatch Seekers LIVE!

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 hunt for Canada’s most elusive megafauna.

(There’s also a leaderboard, by the way. With prizes.)

Mike Eybel - the Associate Director of Communications for Scouts Canada, and an occasional guest of the podcast - also makes an appearance or two.

And again: this episode is a recording of a live event that was done on the Scouts Canada Discussion Group on Facebook.

Shout-Outs

A big thank you to Scouts Canada and Mike Eybel for facilitating this episode, and to Kate Larkin for being the inaugural guest!

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Music

Upbeat Rock (Good News), by Alex Grohl

Feb 29, 202435:19
#Beavers50

#Beavers50

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 Beaver Scouts section, and is planning on celebrating that this summer. Is your group ready? Is your council?

By the way, if you want to see what different Scouting NSOs call their sections, here’s a lengthy list.

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Music

Upbeat Rock (Good News), by Alex Grohl

Feb 16, 202441:41
A Tale of Two Commissioners
Feb 01, 202447:41
The Rangemaster
Jan 05, 202425:34
Scouts Lead Stuff
Dec 22, 202345:26
Scouting Five - Week of December 11, 2023
Dec 16, 202308:36
Scouting Five - Week of Nov. 20, 2023
Nov 24, 202308:34
La CyclOdyssée

La CyclOdyssée

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 in 7 months.

You can find links to all of La CyclOdyssée’s social media profiles at their LinkTree. In particular, their Instagram page is well worth a look.

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Music

Upbeat Rock (Good News), by Alex Grohl

Nov 10, 202348:14
Scouting Five - Week of October 16, 2023
Oct 20, 202304:05
Transatlantic Council

Transatlantic Council

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 integral component of the Council, and their main meeting place for camps.

Also discussed:

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Music

Upbeat Rock (Good News), by Alex Grohl

Oct 12, 202332:03
Scouting Five - Week of October 2, 2023
Oct 06, 202308:28
Battleship

Battleship

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 “Battleship”.

“Battleship” begins with the Scouts breaking into teams and folding 20 origami boats. While they’re busy with this, the Scouter set up a rectangular or square area outdoors, which the Scouts spread their boats around once they’ve got them made.

Each team then gets a metal garden spade, a flint & steel, and fifty cotton balls. The rest is fairly self-explanatory: they light each cotton ball in turn with the flint & steel, then use the spade to fling the fireball at an opposing team’s boat.

The team with the most undamaged boats left wins!

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Music

Upbeat Rock (Good News), by Alex Grohl

Sep 29, 202316:15
Scouting Five - Week of September 18, 2023
Sep 22, 202310:03
Jamboree Debrief

Jamboree Debrief

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 enjoyed their Swiss vacation.

Also: check out the Scouting Stuff Stuff page! You can order stickers there at the moment...and soon, neckerchiefs and badges will be available as well. Watch our social media for more details!

Shout-Outs

  • Samuel Ip was a member of the Hong Kong contingent at Kander100. While his campsite was right next to the Canadians’, he and Scouter Ken didn’t end up crossing paths...but he reached out to say hello and ask for some stickers.
  • Scouter Nathalie also reached out to ask for some stickers, and followed up to say she enjoyed listening to the recent Pinkies episode...which happened to feature her daughter!
  • And Simon left a five-star review on the website!

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Music

Upbeat Rock (Good News), by Alex Grohl

Sep 13, 202301:01:10
Scouting Five - Week of September 4, 2023
Sep 06, 202315:14
Pinkies

Pinkies

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 letter, a CV, a picture, and a video explaining why you’d love to volunteer at KISC.

Shout-Outs

A big “thank you” to – who else? – Sam and Laura for agreeing to this interview, to Sam for reaching out to Scouter Ken ahead of Kander100, and to Laura for being a listener to the podcast as well!

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Music

Slow Burn, by Kevin MacLeod

Sep 01, 202347:37
Interview with Jack Higgins

Interview with Jack Higgins

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 Higgins, the director of KISC.

Shout-Outs

Many thanks to the Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC), the media team thereat (especially Myles and Luis) for setting everything up and providing recording gear, and of course Jack Higgins for taking the time to do this interview.

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Music

Drive Acoustic Rock, by ArtMusic

Aug 15, 202325:36
Kandersteg Update

Kandersteg Update

A short update on how things are going at Kander100 (aka KISC 100), the jamboree celebrating the centenary of Kandersteg International Scout Centre.
Aug 01, 202313:33
Scouting Five - Week of July 17, 2023
Jul 21, 202313:59
Jamboree Cultural Day

Jamboree Cultural Day

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 will make a memory for your guests.

I remember watching Scouts getting henna tattoos at the India camp, eating amazing kimchi with the Koreans, sampling hákari with Icelanders (think twice about this!), and vegemite with the Australians.

Have your unit throw a party that your guests will remember. Take turns staffing your unit party by wandering around the sub-camp."

Ken and Colin discuss Ken’s own preparations for the Cultural Day taking place at Kander100, including food ideas, games, music, and various other representations of what Canada is like!

Shout-Outs

Firstly, a shout-out to the Mannofield Explorer Scouts; we wish you all the best with your musical fundraiser!

We’d also like to give a shout-out to Andrew Obee and Liam Burns, the latter of whom we will have to arrange to bring on the podcast at some point!

And finally, a big “thank you!” to Joe Vantour, Andrew Waddington, Robert Kelly, Andrew Rice, and Leah Marie for their interest in our new stickers. Leah, especially, was instrumental in finalizing the design of them!

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Music

Drive Acoustic Rock, by ArtMusic

Jul 19, 202350:33
Scouting Five - Week of June 26, 2023
Jun 27, 202305:15
Cuborama
Jun 22, 202335:19
Kander100

Kander100

The trials and pitfalls of being a Jamboree Contingent Lead.

Podcast Topics

Ken and Colin discuss the upcoming Kander100 Jamboree, taking place at the Kandersteg International Scout Centre in (where else?) Kandersteg, Switzerland, this summer.

Actually, this episode is mostly a banter/catch-up session, but there is a fun and (potentially) challenging meeting idea for Scouts to be found near the end.

Shout-Outs

First, Scouter George from the 1st Cobble Hill Scout Group wrote in with some follow-up on a podcast review that was discussed previously:

"Thank you for your support of Scouts and Scouters across Canada with your podcast. I hope you get a chance to have Liam join, maybe after his cross-country listening tour?"

If Liam is interested in coming on an episode of the podcast, we’d be happy to have him! It’s always nice to add guest voices.

Additionally, speaking of reviews, Scouter Chris from the UK left us one a while ago:

"Recently discovered your podcast. I am a Scout Leader in the UK and am enjoying listening to you guys. From listening to just a few episodes, already spotted a few differences in Canadian and UK Scouting but also a lot we do the same. Scouting rocks no mater where we roam!"

Thanks for the kind words, Chris!

And finally, a big “thank you” to Tim Blair for allowing his recorded session on registration waitlists to be used as an episode!

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Music

Drive Acoustic Rock, by ArtMusic

Jun 09, 202346:24
Saying "Yes" To Your Waitlist

Saying "Yes" To Your Waitlist

A presentation given on Scouts Canada’s Workplace site, detailing how to say yes to youth waiting to join your Scout Group.

Podcast Topics

This week’s episode comes from a presentation given on Scouts Canada’s new Workplace site (Workplace is Meta’s business product, essentially Facebook for work teams) by Tim Blair of the 11th Seymour Scout Group.

The title of the presentation is "Can you say yes to your waitlist?", and deals with strategies for bringing more youth into your Scout Group even when your registration rolls are currently full.

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Music

Slow Burn, by Kevin MacLeod

May 25, 202343:55
Group Committee Transition

Group Committee Transition

How do you handle turnover in your Group Committee?

Podcast Topics

Ken and Colin discuss how to carry out an effective Group Committee transition. It’s not as easy as just electing a new treasurer or group commissioner; a Group should make sure to have all of the infrastructure in place ahead of time to ensure an orderly handover of documents, email accounts, and other pertinent information and materials.

If a Group has gone through the process of getting itself online, organizations like TechSoup (or TechSoup Canada) can help a Group expand from just having a registered domain into having a full-fledged team and document management solution (e.g. Google Workspace, Microsoft 365)...often for free, or for a vastly reduced non-profit-friendly price. Getting set up with solutions like these can facilitate both easier sharing and storing of important documents and records, but also smoother handovers of same between individuals.

Shout-Outs

Liam, from the 2nd Airdrie Scout Group, left us a review online:

"As a scout this is interesting to listen to."

Thanks for the kind words, Liam! We love getting reviews, especially 5-star reviews...and we’re glad that you’re finding the podcast interesting.

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Music

Slow Burn, by Kevin MacLeod

May 12, 202338:37
Scouting Five - Week of April 24, 2023
Apr 29, 202307:44
Scouting Five - Week of April 10, 2023
Apr 15, 202310:31
Cross-Country Big Opportunity
Mar 31, 202301:08:41
Map Makers and Barrier Breakers (The Big Opportunity)
Mar 03, 202301:28:24
Scouting Five - Week of February 20, 2023
Feb 23, 202312:12
A Big Opportunity
Feb 17, 202317:37
Scouting Five - Week of January 16, 2023
Jan 19, 202311:27
More of What We Already Do
Dec 30, 202246:06
Scouting Five - Week of November 28, 2022
Dec 02, 202204:07
Scouting Five - Week of November 21, 2022
Nov 24, 202214:01
Volunteers, Redux

Volunteers, Redux

Finding and keeping volunteers: the ever-present challenge every Scout Group faces. Podcast Topics

Ken is joined by Scouter Jonathan for this episode, to revisit a topic that was discussed as recently as Episode 121: how do you find volunteers for your Scout Group? And once you’ve done so...how do you retain them?

As you might well imagine, there’s no one-size-fits-all, cut-and-dried solution. It’s generally not a winning strategy to try and force the issue by way of ultimatums, though at times it may be necessary to trade someone’s commitment to train up as a Scouter for a “reserved” spot in the program for their child.

But once you’ve got those volunteers, how do you retain them? How do you keep them coming back? In part, this will depend on running a great program; parental engagement will follow youth engagement, in most cases. And in part, this will also depend on giving each Scouter the chance to shine in the role, to bring their knowledge and talents into the program for the benefit of the youth.

But perhaps the most important thing is to foster a sense of community and friendship between Scouters. It’s one thing to show up every week for meetings; it’s quite another to be able to meet up, have fun, and support each other outside of meetings too.

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Music

Slow Burn, by Kevin MacLeod

Nov 11, 202254:42
Scouting Five - Week of October 31, 2022
Nov 03, 202209:13
Scouting Five - Week of September 19, 2022
Sep 20, 202213:00
PSA - Kander100 Announcement

PSA - Kander100 Announcement

Scouter Ken will be at the Kander100 Jamboree! Announcement

Scouter Ken has been selected as the Contingent Lead for the Scouts Canada delegation that will be attending Kander100, the mini-jamboree being held to celebrate the centenary of Kandersteg International Scout Centre. Thirty Scouts and Scouters (in total!) from Canada will be attending the event.

If you’re curious, the Canadian Contingent website is here: KANDER100 JAMBOREE

And yes, this likely means that there’ll be an episode or two recorded at (and published from) Kandersteg next year.

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Music

Baltic Levity by Kevin MacLeod

Sep 07, 202202:03
Scouting Five - Week of August 29, 2022
Sep 01, 202208:49
Meet the Parents II

Meet the Parents II

Revisiting the how-tos of a parent meeting. Podcast Topics

Ken and Colin revisit a topic from almost half the podcast ago — Episode 67, published in September of 2018, specifically — and offer some thoughts on how to hold a successful parent meeting.

You can find some interesting blog articles about what needs to be communicated to parents, and how, and exactly how you go about it with the parents of youth in your Group will depend on all sorts of factors. But in summary, here’s the gist of what a successful parent meeting should include:

  • Meetings, rather than one meeting. The 59th, at least, has had better success by ditching the “one big meeting” in favour of having the Group Commissioner come out to the first or second meetings for each Section.
  • Set fundraising expectations early.
  • Make the pitch for volunteers, both parent helpers and Scouters.
  • Explain the badge program.
  • Explain the uniform.
  • Explain the Code of Conduct and set expectations for youth behaviour.
  • Food isn’t necessary, but it isn’t unwelcome.
Shout-Outs

Scouter Eric from the Northern Lights Medical Venturers reached out to us to let us know that the MedVents are once again accepting membership applications. If you’re interested in Vocational Scouting and your home group is in NLC, consider submitting your name.

As always, a big thank you to the folks at Scouting Radio for rebroadcasting Scouting Stuff episodes to their worldwide Scouting audience. If you're listening to us on Scouting Radio right now, let us know; reach out and get in touch. We'd love to hear from you.

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Music

Slow Burn, by Kevin MacLeod

Aug 19, 202240:03
Scouting Five - Week of August 8, 2022
Aug 10, 202220:01
Travel Woes

Travel Woes

Traveling by air these days is...tricky. Podcast Topics

Whoa...where did June go?

After too-long a hiatus, Ken and Colin sit down for another catch-up discussion, and also take a look at two recent stories that have come out concerning Scout Groups whose travel plan disruptions have made the national news.

The first story is that of a Scout Group who ended up
stuck in Zurich due to incomplete data in the ArriveCAN mobile app. The second is that of a different Scout Group who ended up camping out in the Vancouver airport after their planned flight from there to Whitehorse was cancelled.

Two very different stories, but both illustrate the challenges that Scout Groups will likely be facing for a while yet as they plan and carry out adventures...especially the sorts of adventures that require air travel!

Shout-Outs

As always, a big thank you to the folks at Scouting Radio for rebroadcasting Scouting Stuff episodes to their worldwide Scouting audience. If you're listening to us on Scouting Radio right now, let us know; reach out and get in touch. We'd love to hear from you.

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Music

Slow Burn, by Kevin MacLeod

Jul 22, 202251:51
Encore Presentation: So, You're Going Camping...

Encore Presentation: So, You're Going Camping...

A discussion of packing lists: what to include on them, and why they're important.

Podcast Topics

Parker rejoins the podcast and chats with Ken about packing lists. Because while it's nice to think that Scouts might be mature enough to know what to bring along on a trip, and while it might be tempting to test one's Scouts by making them suffer through the consequences of forgetting some key piece of gear, the truth of the matter is that just about everyone — even adults! — can and will benefit from having a list to refer to when the time comes to put together all the gear one will need for an adventure.

Scouts BSA has published some excellent, if generalized,
warm weather and cool weather packing lists; Ken's own Group has also developed a list that it maintains internally and periodically updates.

Important Note: By all means, make use of the above-linked documents...but only use them as templates. Always pack according to your troop's needs, and your individual needs as well.

Shout-Outs

As always, a big thank you to the folks at Scouting Radio for rebroadcasting Scouting Stuff episodes to their worldwide Scouting audience. If you're listening to us on Scouting Radio right now, let us know; reach out and get in touch. We'd love to hear from you.

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Music

Slow Burn, by Kevin MacLeod

Jun 10, 202249:24
Scouting Five - Week of May 30, 2022
Jun 04, 202214:15
Scouting Five - Week of May 2, 2022
May 06, 202208:53
Scouting Five - Week of April 25, 2022
Apr 28, 202207:08
Ukraine

Ukraine

Are there things Scouts can do — wherever they are, right now — to help out people in Ukraine? Podcast Topics

Ken and Colin discuss the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, and comment both on what Scouts in the country (and in surrounding countries) are already doing to help out the many millions of refugees that have fled (or are trying to flee) their homes, and what Scouts in other countries can do (and are already doing) to help out in their own way.

Scout Donation Platform Link: Ukrainian Scouts Humanitarian Response

Shout-Outs

As always, a big thank you to the folks at Scouting Radio for rebroadcasting Scouting Stuff episodes to their worldwide Scouting audience. If you're listening to us on Scouting Radio right now, let us know; reach out and get in touch. We'd love to hear from you.

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Music

Slow Burn, by Kevin MacLeod

Apr 14, 202255:30
Scouting Five - Week of April 4, 2022
Apr 06, 202206:44