Scout and Outdoors

The group is working to redefine itself amid falling numbers, a push for diversity and a knock on the door from girls.

The contribution of inspirational public figures has again been recognised in the annual Scout Birthday Honours List. This year's winners have just been announced.

What is it like to be the No. 7 pilot for the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, aka, the Blue Angels? Lt. C.J. Simonsen gives Popular Mechanics a glimpse behind the cockpit.

NAIROBI, 28 July 2010 – After many months of preparation, the 13th World Scout Moot officially kicked off in Nairobi, at Rowallan Scout Camp. A colourful ceremony that was graced by the President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Mwai Kibaki, signaled the beginning of the 10-day long event.

A busy schedule of meetings, the blog gets an RSS feed, a grilling from the 1st East Grinstead troop, planning the exciting DC/GSL conferences and a chance to say hello to Andy, new CC for Warwickshire. All in 5 days...

On the 27th of July 2011 I will be joining several thousand Scouts from around the world near Rinkaby, Sweden, for the 22nd World Scout Jamboree. I will be an Assistant Troop Scouter with the South African Contingent. I am looking forward to the trip, and hopefully to meeting some of the people who've shared ideas with me here on the blog.

The Moot will take place at Rowallan Campsite, situated in Ngong forest near the centre of Nairobi. Rowallan campsite is home to both the national office of the Kenya Scouts Association and the Africa Regional Office of the World Scout Bureau.

For more than 100 years, Popular Mechanics has celebrated the technological breakthroughs that have shaped the future. But we also know that changing the world is a local endeavor. This year, 63 million Americans donated time, skills and patience voluntee

Q. Hey Gear Guy, this question has been nagging me for so long: If I’m going backpacking should I wear boots with high ankles or ones with low ankles?
—Puzzled John, Nashville, Tenn.

A. If you’re going on a true backpacking trip and carrying a fully loaded pack, you’ll be more prone to rolling your ankle on unstable/uneven ground. So you should be wearing boots with plenty of ankle support. The higher-cut boots also protect your ankles from sharp rocks and thorns and keep you drier in wet environments. If you’re carrying a very light pack or just doing a day hike, low-top hiking shoes are fine. They are going to be lighter weight, more breathable and more comfortable.

Rod, reel, line and lure. There’s not much more you need to catch a fish. Here are five new classics that are sure to become hand-me-downs.

Boxing fans live for the thrill of a knockout punch. But that KO comes at a steep physical price for the victim.

On Thursday, BBC Radio 2 Breakfast presenter, Chris Evans, was presented with the inaugural Scouting Entrepreneur Challenge. This celebrates the skills on show when Scouts demonstrate a mind for business.

Jack makes it to the delegation meeting on time, we're off to an excellent 'thought for the day' from the Flemish Government Youth Minister and the main business of the conferences - consider the resolutions...

Earlier today, BBC Radio 2 Breakfast presenter, Chris Evans, was presented with the inaugural Scouting Entrepreneur Award. This award celebrates the skills on show when Scouts demonstrate a mind for business.

Ever wondered about the fluid dynamics of plunging into a swimming pool? Probably not. But behind the science is the secret to making the biggest splash.

The purpose of Brigham Young University Mechanical Engineering professor Tadd Truscott's sphere-drop experiments was to gain a better visual understanding of what happens when a sphere is dropped into water.

Time to look forward today, with consideration of the future work plan for the next three years, presentations on future world events, a chance to share good practice across Europe and several receptions.

Paperwork? For a backpacking trip? When it comes to backpacking, keeping good paperwork is part of Being Prepared. You’ll need a trip plan, an emergency plan and a duty roster.

Download our templates below to help you get started.

TRIP PLAN

Once your crew has agreed on an itinerary, write down your plans, and leave copies with your parents and a handful of other responsible adults.

• File No. 1: Trip Plan, Microsoft Word: Modify it yourself to fit your trip.
• File No. 2: Trip Plan, PDF: Print our file and fill in the details for your trip by hand.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN

Before you leave for any trip, try to anticipate what could go wrong. Altitude sickness? Flooding? Avalanche? A serious injury? Provide copies to a handful of responsible adults who won’t be going on the trip.

• File No. 1: Emergency Response Plan, Microsoft Word: Modify it yourself to fit your trip.
• File No. 2: Emergency Response Plan, PDF: Print our file and fill in the details for your trip by hand.

DUTY ROSTER

Your duty roster should help you organize the responsibilities of each member — or each patrol — as you progress along your trek. Come up with a list of duties (water purification, cooking, cleanup, etc.) along with a list of the Scouts who will perform them. That way everybody knows from the start what they’re in for.

• File No. 1: Duty Roster, Microsoft Excel: Type in your own job names and the names of who will perform them.
• File No. 2: Duty Roster, PDF: Print out file and write down the names of the jobs and the Scouts by hand.

Fishing companies from around the globe descended upon Las Vegas for the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, or ICAST. Among the rods, reels, clothes and celebrities were some wild new fishing lures.

A visit from members of the 1st Brussels, a reception for Friends of Scouting Europe, solidarity for Scouts in Africa and celebrating the re-election of Craig to the European Scout Committee, and appointment as its Chairman for a further 3 years.