Innehållsförteckning för June/July 2025 från Scout Life

I am about to go on a Philmont Scout Ranch trek with my troop. We are picking our itinerary now. I’m very excited and can’t wait. We are planning on going on the trek with the burros and taking care of them. – YIS, Easton S., Texas Easton, my man, you are going to have a blast. And the trek you’ve chosen calls to mind my predecessor here at the magazine, Pedro the Mailburro. He’d be proud to know you’re visiting his cousins out in New Mexico on the hallowed trails of Philmont. I also want to call everybody’s attention to Easton’s signoff: “YIS.” If you’re around Scouts and Scouters enough, you might see this at the end of letters and emails. It stands for “Yours in Scouting.” Think of…

Nearly 250,000 soldiers were 16 years old or younger. More than 620,000 Americans died in the Civil War. July marks the 164th anniversary of the Civil War’s FIRST MAJOR LAND BATTLE between Confederate (South) and Union (North) troops — the First Battle of Bull Run. It took place July 21, 1861. BULL RUN WAS FOUGHT ON WILMER MCLEAN’S FARM. He later moved to Appomattox Court House, Virginia, but he couldn’t escape the war. When Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant, they met in McLean’s parlor. After the war, the 13th Amendment was passed, which officially made slavery illegal in the United States.…

I collect rubber animals. I have about 15 rubber ducks and over 40 other animals. My favorite is a giant Statue of Liberty duck my mom gave me. —Caleb K., Redfield, Iowa I have been collecting snow globes since I was 4. I have over 150 from different states and countries. I’ve even made some myself! Jack J., Windsor, Colorado I collect World Cup stickers. So far, I have over 600. My favorite one is the Lionel Messi sticker. Ryan P., Tampa, Florida I collect vintage things. So far, I have about 15. My favorite item is my full-size gumball machine. Ivan L., San Jose, California I have over 100 fire trucks. I look for them everywhere, including online, garage sales, antique stores and firefighter museums. Eventually, I want to…

Eagle Scout Stands Up for the Environment NICHOLAS STORM Age: 18 Hometown: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida Scout Rank: Eagle Scout, assistant Scoutmaster (Troop 277, Ponte Vedra Beach; Crew 875, St. Augustine, Fla.) Made Headlines: At the 2024 HOSA-Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference, where he won the Excellence Award in the Biotechnology category and was a top 10 finalist. The Scoop: Among other honors, Nicholas was chosen to attend Florida American Legion Boys State, where as a “congressman” he won Best Bill in the House, which focused on reducing red tide in Florida. Along with earning Scouting America’s Distinguished Conservation Service Award, Nicholas also received an Environmental Protection Agency award. LINGUISTIC CHAMP Eagle Scout Succeeds in National Program BELEN HARO Age: 17 Hometown: Venice, California Scout Rank: Eagle Scout (Troop…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE STAMPED HANDKERCHIEF: • Adhesive foam • Fabric paint • Pen • Plastic lid or tray • Scissors • Piece of fabric or plain handkerchief • Piece of felt • Stencil • Wooden block WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE PARACORD FISH-TAIL KEY CHAIN: • 24 inches of paracord • Key ring • Lighter (to be used by an adult) • Scissors FISH-TAIL KEY CHAIN: STEP 1. TIE AN OVERHAND KNOT on one end of your paracord. This will be a stopper knot. Next, place the key ring on your paracord. With the key ring in the center, adjust the cord to the length you want your key chain to be. STEP 2. BEGIN TO WEAVE YOUR PARACORD. Starting with the right side (side without the knot), wrap the…

Celebrating 160 Years The federal holiday Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom, achievements and culture. It originated in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger informed 250,000 enslaved African Americans in Texas that they were free. This came two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, which President Abraham Lincoln issued on January 1, 1863. Visit headsup.scoutlife.org/celebrating-juneteenth to learn more.…

The Manatees baseball team is made up of kids who know how to play hard and have fun. They’re then joined by two new players who were kicked off their former team. Can the Manatees learn to accept the newcomers? Can they teach them to be good teammates? And can they all work together to beat the best team in the league, the Dragons? Second Chance, book 2 in the Baseball Buddies series, is by Scout Life senior editor Aaron Derr. Red Chair Press. $16.99. Ages 8-12. In The Wish Switch, Emma uses a magical wishing well to make middle school perfect. However, when the new kid, Jackson, makes his own wishes, they come true instead of hers. Emma and Jackson must work together to fix the chaos before it ruins their…

Q: What should be in my first-aid kit? —Alex, Tallahassee, Florida A: YOU CAN BUY A PREPACKAGED KIT AT THE SCOUT SHOP OR BUILD ONE YOURSELF. Either way, get familiar with what’s inside. And what you have inside should include: • Latex-free adhesive bandages in assorted sizes • Sterile gauze pads • Latex-free adhesive tape • Moleskin • Soap or alcohol-based hand-sanitizing gel • Scissors • Tweezers • Disposable latex-free gloves • CPR breathing barrier • Pencil and paper or small notebook It’s also a good idea to have triple antibiotic ointment and hydrocortisone cream. But be aware that some people might be allergic to these, so ask permission before applying. You can add more to a group first-aid kit, like more bandages, alcohol swabs and a first-aid manual, such as…

After paddling for miles and navigating through rapids and around boulders, it feels nice to hop out of your inflatable raft for a bit and admire the scenery. For Troop 260 of San Jose, California, the Scouts could do that while relaxing in geothermal pools alongside the river. “There were a bunch of hot springs throughout the trip,” says Life Scout Matthew Lewis, 16. “There were different pools that were different temperatures. Some were hot, and some were cold. They were definitely a highlight of the trip.” That trip last July took the group 100 miles down Idaho’s Salmon River, past towering, jagged cliffs and cascading waterfalls. It took three years of planning, but the result was an adventure the Scouts had never experienced before. SOMETHING DIFFERENT For years, Troop 260…

Robbie Lapham, 14, was on a paddling trip with other Scouts and adults on Antietam Creek in Maryland when one of the canoes behind him flipped, pinning two canoeists against a rock. The person in the rear was able to stay above the surface by holding on to the canoe, but the person in the front was trapped with her head barely above the churning water. Robbie exited his canoe, ran upstream, then entered the water and swam against the current to help the person in the front. Robbie reached under the canoe, pulled the woman out by her life jacket and helped her to shore. Robbie then returned to the water and righted the canoe, allowing the other person to swim to safety. Robbie dragged the canoe onto the…

CALENDAR June 1 is Dare Day. Take on a new challenge! June 15 is Father’s Day. See page 42 for DIY gift ideas. Summer begins on June 20. July 4 is Independence Day. Celebrate the Stars and Stripes! July 24 is National Tell an Old Joke Day. Visit go.scoutlife.org/tellajoke to share your favorite. On This Date June 4, 1919: Congress passes the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. June 6, 1944: In World War II’s D-Day invasion, American and other Allied troops storm the beaches at Normandy, France. July 20, 1969: The Apollo 11 lunar module lands on the moon, and American astronaut and Eagle Scout Neil Armstrong becomes the first person to walk on its surface. SEE IT Space fanatic Elio is mistaken for Earth’s leader when he’s…

I’ve always enjoyed riding my bicycle, but I had never gone farther than a few miles locally. While working on the Cycling merit badge, I discovered how much I like riding long distances. The 22-mile trail ride requirement wasn’t enough for me. I wanted more. I searched for long-distance bike trails and found several relatively close to home. At the same time, I learned about bikepacking. It combines biking and backpacking, and you spend multiple self-supported days on the bike trail. I set out on my first bikepacking trip with my father. We loaded our bikes with essential items and began our Pennsylvania trip on the Delaware and Lehigh Trail. We started in the Pocono Mountains and ended 156 miles in Bristol, Pa., four days later. We battled rain, cold…

MODL Infinity Tool DO YOU NEED A GEAR STRAP? AN ADJUSTABLE BUNGEE? A nightlight? You can have it all with the MODL Infinity Tool 2.0 ($19 for a two-pack). These flexible 8-inch modular straps can wrap around your wrist to be available whenever you need them. They’re stretchy and strong, capable of withstanding 70 pounds of pull strength. Use them to attach gear to your backpack or bike, connect tubes on a float trip, or carry firewood. The glow-in-the-dark version glows for six hours and can be “charged” with the sun, your phone light or a UV flashlight. Get more function from the Infinity Tool by adding studs and links called HookStuds and OmniLinks. You can add these pieces individually or get an Infinity Toolkit ($249) for a full set of…

Most everyone looks forward to a day atthe beach. Having the right gear can make the day the best it can be. Here are a few suggestions for what to pack: COVER UP You’ll have more fun in the sun if you don’t get sunburned. Throw on a rash guard like Columbia’s Kids’ Sandy Shores Long Sleeve Sunguard Shirt ($30). It blocks ultraviolet rays from the sun and keeps you from getting scratched by the surface of your surfboard or boogie board. Pair your rash guard with quick-drying shorts, like Columbia’s PFG Backcast II Shorts ($25) or Columbia’s Sandy Shores Board Shorts for girls ($25). Both are treated to dry quickly, have hand pockets and feature fabric that blocks harmful sunrays. Wear a wide-brimmed hat to shield your face, ears and…

HANDBOOK HELP How to Conduct a Flag Ceremony The flag of the United States of America symbolizes our country, our shared ideals and our fellow citizens. It should be treated with dignity and respect. So how exactly do you do that? You follow flag etiquette. Below are guidelines for respecting and caring for this American symbol. Some of these guidelines include knowing how to display the flag properly. That’s important when conducting a flag ceremony. At a campout, a unit meeting or community event, your unit can perform one. Here’s an outline for a simple ceremony: 1. Two Scouts stand at the back of the room, each holding a flag; the Scout with the American flag stands to the right. The leader stands behind them or at the front of the…

He Saved A Customer From Choking! Joseph Trusiak, 17, was working at a restaurant in Williamsville, New York, when one of the customers began to choke on his food. The man’s wife called for help, but no one around them knew what to do. Joseph kept calm, lifted the man from his chair and performed abdominal thrusts. The man soon expelled the food. No one was harmed during the incident. Life Scout Joseph R. Trusiak, a member of Troop 468 chartered to Lancaster Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, N.Y., received a Medal of Merit for his actions. He Saved Them From A Dog Attack! Josiah Davis, 17, was walking through his Shreveport, Louisiana, neighborhood with his cousin and a friend when they were confronted by an aggressive dog. The dog attacked…

The Jesus and Me emblem is for Cub Scouts in kindergarten and first grade. This program introduces Jesus as the Son of God in familiar terms so that young children can see Jesus in their own day-to-day experiences as a storyteller, teacher, friend and healer. The God and Me emblem is for Cub Scouts in second and third grades. This program helps Lutheran Cub Scouts become best friends with Jesus and tell their story of “God and Me” together. The God and Family emblem is for Scouts in fourth through sixth grades. This program helps youth understand the importance of family and God’s role in a healthy family. God and Family provides an opportunity for youth and their families to explore their faith together. The God and Church emblem is for…