Indholdsfortegnelse for August 2023 i Scout Life

Bats and birds are their specialties, but wildlife biologists Selena Birgit Kiser and Mark Kiser love all species of critters. Both have worked for the State of Florida and previously worked for Bat Conservation International on such programs as the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and the North American Bat House Research Project. NOT FROGS OR TOADS Horned lizards get their name from the horns on their heads and spikes along their bodies, which give them a tough, intimidating appearance. While they are called “horned toads” or “horned frogs” because of their shape and size, they are lizards, not amphibians. Their flat, wide bodies are unlike those of other lizards, which typically are long, narrow and built for speed. There are 17 species of horned lizards,…

Some Ideas For Your Next Merit Badge Adventure Bird Study Birding is a fun, easy way to learn about some of the most fascinating animals on Earth. You don’t need much stuff, and no matter where you live, you don’t have to go far. 1. GET SOME BINOCULARS. Find a balance between what you want and what you can afford. You don’t have to buy the most expensive binocs. Sometimes you can find a perfectly good pair at a neighborhood garage sale. Look for binoculars with seven times (“7x”) magnification or greater. However, it is possible to have binocs that are too powerful. If you’re watching songbirds, you’ll probably be able to get as close as 15 feet, but the most powerful binoculars can’t focus on an object that close.…

WOLVES ARE WOW! Explore the world of wolves at go.scoutlife.org/wolves. Listen to their howls, read a cool story and see amazing videos. Plus, funny wolf jokes and comics! JAMBOREE GALLERY! Take a look at fun and exciting photos from the 2023 National Jamboree at go.scoutlife.org/jambophotos SCOUTS IN ACTION! Get inspired by reallife Scout heroes! Look back at over 10 years of thrilling Scouts in Action comics at go.scoutlife.org/sia CAPTIONS THAT MADE US Yogi bear? Nah, I’m a yoga bear! (Submitted by CrunchyOrangePatrol) That BEAR-ly hurt. (ATP) This Personal Fitness merit badge is a real bear to complete. (ScouterScoob) Gotta stretch so I can reach the bear bags in the tall trees. (SusheenTheCat) This little piggy … (Lula bel) Too … stiff … from … hibernation. (Luko123) Head, shoulders, knees and…

CALENDAR Aug. 12 is World Elephant Day. Aug. 15 is National Relaxation Day. Kick back before school starts. Aug. 25-31 is Be Kind to Humankind Week. Treat others as you want to be treated. On This Date Aug. 9, 1944: Smokey Bear is created to spread awareness about fire prevention. Aug. 19, 1893: Frank J. Wisner invents the root-beer float. Yum! Aug. 26, 1939: Major League Baseball games are televised for the first time — a doubleheader between the Cincinnati Reds and Brooklyn Dodgers. TRY IT The knot of the month is the timber hitch, which is perfect for securely dragging a heavy log across the ground. Visit go.scoutlife.org/knots for step-by-step instructions.…

Scouts and others with big stories. CHAMPION ON ICE Eagle Scout Wins Internationally TALEAH BOZANIC Age: 19 Hometown: Deerfield, Illinois Scout Rank: Eagle Scout (Troop 4112, Fountain Valley, California); Venturing Pathfinder (Crew 774, Laguna Niguel, Calif.) Made Headlines: As a member of the U.S. Figure Skating team that won the 2023 French Cup in synchronized ice skating. The Scoop: Taleah represented the United States as part of Team USA and as a member of Teams Elite Senior based in Northbrook, Ill. She won gold at the 2022 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships and fourth place in 2023. Taleah is also a member of the 2020 Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scouts. Know someone who’s making headlines? Let us know! go.scoutlife.org/headliners CHAMPION OF LITERACY Eagle Scout Wins Grant CHASE HARTMAN Age: 17…

Cavin Hampton, 16, was kayaking with his family on a fast-moving section of a river in Alabama when his mom and 3-year-old niece collided with a log and capsized. Mrs. Hampton and Cavin’s niece were able to grab the log but were unable to climb the steep slope to get to safety. Towing a second kayak behind him, Cavin paddled toward them to attempt a rescue. Cavin pulled his niece onto his kayak. Mrs. Hampton had a puncture wound in her arm, so Cavin used his shirt to control the bleeding. Cavin knew his mom was too weak to climb the slope. Seeing no way to get her out, he called 911. First responders arrived, and Cavin helped them get his mom and niece to the opposite shore, where an…

Cameron Miley marveled at the antique mitts on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The game’s early days looked vastly different from today’s sport. No batting helmets; very few home runs; a handful of teams. And the gloves? “They were like a piece of leather, and you put it on your hand,” the 16-year-old Life Scout says. “How basic everything was — I don’t understand how they played like that.” The visit to Cooperstown, New York, capped off an exciting nine-day trip for Troop 701 of Strongsville, Ohio. For most of their journey, the Scouts explored the Berkshires, a scenic region of western Massachusetts. The trip featured culture, history and a whole lot of adventure. It’s All in the Details Each year, Troop 701 usually goes…

HANDBOOK HELP More Than a Game Playing games is fun, but certain games can help you become a better team player, learn more about your fellow Scouts in your den or patrol, or spark ideas for future adventures. For example, everyone can face each other in a circle and toss around a ball. Add to the challenge that, after catching the ball, you must share something about yourself with the group (like your favorite meal). This could generate ideas for meals at the next campout. These games can be fast-paced, too. In Hi-Lo, everyone organizes by patrol. The senior patrol leader tells patrol members to arrange themselves in a certain order. For example: by height, number of pets or number of merit badges earned. The patrol that organizes itself the…

He Saved His Dad From Diabetic Shock! Achilles Salas, 8, was at home in Stevens, Pennsylvania, when he saw his dad sweating heavily and struggling to stay conscious due to an oncoming diabetic emergency. Mr. Salas was in serious danger. He told Achilles his blood sugar was extremely low. Achilles quickly set up his dad’s blood sugar monitor and brought him any sweet snacks he could find. Achilles kept his dad alert and kept feeding him the snacks. He made sure his dad didn’t lie down so he wouldn’t choke. Eventually, the monitor showed Mr. Salas’ blood sugar beginning to stabilize. Achilles’ quick actions saved his dad’s life. Tiger Cub Scout Achilles Salas, a member of Pack 95, chartered to Swamp Lutheran Church in Reinholds, Pa., received a Heroism Award…

For more information, contact your local council or visit go.scoutlife.org/religiousawards…