Innehållsförteckning för March 2024 från Scout Life

What’s a thesaurus’ favorite cereal? Synonym Toast Crunch. —Aaryn T., Vernal, Utah You like that joke? I love that joke! I’ve got one for you: Why do eagles eat grubs when it’s cold out? They WORM us up! (See more great jokes on page 43.) I’M SUPER PLEASED to see the Backpacking merit badge appear in the October 2023 magazine, because I love backpacking and I constantly encourage my friends to go on a trip! Last summer I went on the Rayado Trek at Philmont, which was one of the most life-changing experiences I’ve ever had. I’d love to see a future magazine offer details on the unique challenges and equipment of snow camping. I think it could be both informative and encouraging! Other than that, I love the magazine…

Humans have created 1.9 billion tons of plastic waste, most of which is swirling around in the ocean. Plastic doesn’t degrade or decay — so it can remain as trash for hundreds of years, piling up in landfills and oceans and killing fish and wildlife. However, scientists think they have found a solution. In recent years, scientists have discovered a strain of bacteria that can digest the polyethylene plastic commonly found in plastic water bottles. They were surprised to find several species eating the plastic floating in the ocean. Here are the plastic-eating bacteria and insects they believe will help solve the problem: • The wax worm has two enzymes in its saliva that break down plastic at room temperature within just a few hours. The enzymes are produced by…

Scouts Win National Award RAFI AHMAD, Life Scout, age 17, from Troop 1 in Chicago, Illinois RISHAB JAIN, Eagle Scout, 19, from Troop 728 in Beaverton, Oregon ALEXANDER KNOLL, former Cub Scout, 19, from Post Falls, Idaho MATEO LANGE, Life Scout, 15, from Troop 5 in Petoskey, Michigan ARMANDO PARRISH, Eagle Scout, 18, from Troop 81 in Richardson, Texas TE’LARIO WATKINS II, Second Class Scout, 16, from Troop 4026 in Pataskala, Ohio Made Headlines: For being named national winners of the 2023 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. The Scoop: The Barron Prize selects 25 outstanding young leaders for their positive contributions to community and the environment. Te’Lario founded The Garden Club Project, which donates produce to food-insecure families in his community, as well as vegetable seed kits to schools and…

As the guys of Troop 187 fromKennesaw, Georgia, trekked through Philmont Scout Ranch’s backcountry this past June, they noticed bare, charred tree trunks — the remains of a massive wildfire. That devastating blaze, the Ute Park Fire, consumed more than 36,000 acres and forced treks to be canceled in 2018. The blackened timber reminded the Scouts of how important conservation work is for our environment. As part of a 12-day trip, the troop sawed and moved downed trees, which staff members could easily burn later, reducing the amount of potential wildfire fuel. “It can help prevent or minimize the damage that happens during fires,” says Gavin Tate, 15, a Life Scout with Troop 187. “By doing that, we helped something big like that from happening.” You, too, can help protect…

Peter: What did the Scoutmaster say to the Scout who earned their Hiking merit badge? Daniel: No idea. Peter: “You’re going places.” —Peter C., Antioch, California A PUNNY BOOK: Gardening by Ray King. Emile T., Santa Monica, California NATHANAEL: Who does a Good Turn daily and floats in water? KYLE: I’m not sure. NATHANAEL: A buoy Scout. Nathanael M., Staten Island, New York Margaret: Why did the bad paragraph get released after its trial? Ethan: I don’t know. Why? Margaret: Because it didn’t have a proper sentence. Margaret W., Bloomfield Hills, Michigan LEIF: Knock, knock. PERRIN: Who’s there? LEIF: Repeat. PERRIN: Repeat, who? LEIF: Who, who, who. Leif S., Jasper, Indiana LUCY: What has hands but can’t clap? ANNIE: Tell me. LUCY: A clock. Lucy M., West Linn, Oregon A…

Have a question and don’t know who to ask? Jenny and Steve are here for you. My best friend in the whole world is moving. What should we do? Jenny: Remember that your best bud is moving, not falling off the face of the planet. When I was in school, my best friend moved to another state. I was devastated, but we wrote letters (those were the days before email) and stayed close for years. Use technology to your advantage: Keep in touch by texting, calling and using whatever social media your parents allow. Take lots of photos at Scout meetings, school events and your other activities to share with them. Steve: My father is a military man, so I moved about every three years growing up. It was a…

WHAT TO PLAY THIS SPRING NINTENDO FOR SWITCH Knowing Mario is dangerous: It landed Luigi, Mario’s brother, in three haunted mansions. It left Yoshi, his pet dinosaur, stranded on two deserted islands. Now, it has placed Princess Peach in danger. This time, Princess Peach is self-reliant. Trapped in the now-bewitched Sparkle Theater by a wicked witch named Grape, the marvelous matriarch of the Mushroom Kingdom demonstrates previously unknown abilities by transforming herself into a swordfighter, a detective, a martial artist and a baker. Blockbuster adventures have long been Nintendo’s strong suit, and this particular Peach won’t fall far from the tree. Expect huge worlds, fun action, endless puzzles, hidden objects and much to smile about. Penny’s Big Breakaway Two things to know about Penny’s Big Breakaway: It’s fast and it…

If can name the highest peak at Philmont Scout Ranch, then you’ll probably ace this quiz! Visit go.scoutlife.org/philmontquiz to test your knowledge. CONFUSE YOUR BRAIN! Optical illusions play tricks on your eyes and brain. See if you can figure out the fun illusions at go.scoutlife.org/braintricks SEND US A PHOTO OF YOUR CAR! Add your car to the 2024 Pinewood Derby photo gallery at go.scoutlife.org/pwdphotos CAPTIONS THAT MADE US • I really hope Groot doesn’t notice the firewood. (Submitted by OnceTwiceSOLD) • They call me a trash panda, but there ain’t nothin trash about my chili! (LolMasterr) • Goodbye, garbage — hello, s’mores! (JOE!!!) • Aw … it’s cooked. They ruined it. (shadowscout) • You gonna eat that? (Catgirl) • Wow — this invention is great.…