The Scouting Stuff Podcast

Scoutrees

Learn all about Scoutrees, Scouts Canada’s fundraising partnership with Canada’s Forest Trust Corporation to plant the Scouts Smart Forest in Ontario.Podcast TopicsScouter Ken is joined by Kashmira Bulsara, Scouts Canada’s Deputy National Youth Commissioner for Marketing and Communications. Kashmira was invited to come on the podcast to discuss Scoutrees, a national fundraiser that sees Scouts Canada partner with Canada’s Forest Trust Corporation (CFTC) to plant trees in the Scouts Smart Forest in Ontario.The Scoutrees initiative allows groups to raise funds by way of selling tree sponsorships; donors don’t receive a little sapling directly, but instead contribute to planting even more trees in the Smart Forest; they’ll gain access to a dashboard that allows them to track the growth of the tree and learn about its contribution to the environment.Learn more about Scoutrees here!And learn more about the CFTC here!SubscribeFollow Us and SubscribeSupportHit the Tip Jar | Scouting Stuff StuffBe Our GuestRegister as a GuestSend FeedbackEmail Us | Leave Us a Voice Message | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Discord | Telegram | Leave Us a ReviewMusicUpbeat Rock (Good News), by Alex GrohlPack Light, Dream Big, by Jamboree Powell

Mattresses and Makeshift Compasses

Scouts around the world help out their communities in different ways. And which is better: a foam mattress, or an air mattress?Podcast TopicsGear Recommendation: Should you use a foam mattress or an air mattress beneath your sleeping bag? There are pros and cons to each...but please use one or the other if you want to enjoy a warm night’s rest.News StoriesYouth-led farming is strengthening food security in MalawiAção Bandeira 2025: A national moment for the oceanThe Gambia Scout Association revamps Youth Programme with innovative, youth-centred reformsScouting: learners and educators co-creating educational experiencesDiscussionNot much discussion this week. Scouter Ken might have some big news to share later this month, but for now has to keep it under wraps.There is the matter of the Scouting Stuff neckerchiefs. Those should have hit the podcast website for sale at some point last year, and didn’t. Once a viable means of adding a storefront to the site can be found, they’ll hopefully be available this year!Survival Tip: Did you know that you can improvise a makeshift compass using a metal needle, a container of water, a leaf, and a magnet or some silk, fur, or hair?SubscribeFollow Us and SubscribeSupportHit the Tip Jar | Scouting Stuff StuffBe Our GuestRegister as a GuestSend FeedbackEmail Us | Leave Us a Voice Message | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Discord | Telegram | Leave Us a ReviewMusicUpbeat Rock (Good News), by Alex GrohlPack Light, Dream Big, by Jamboree Powell

Back to September

Scouts Canada returns to academic year registrations, Mafeking Rover Camp burns down...and Princess Kate partners with Scouts. Again.Podcast TopicsGear Recommendation: The Swedish Fire Knife, by LightMyFire, is a handy combination of a basic Morakniv knife and a firesteel rod.News Stories:Scouts expand community programme to nurture youthsKate’s foundation joins forces with Scouts for important update‘It’s the loss of a meeting place’: Beloved scout camp reduced to ashesDiscussion: This week, Scouter Ken is rejoined by Scouter Corey to discuss Scouts Canada’s changes to its registration timelines.In response to the COVID pandemic, Scouts Canada shifted away from an “academic year” registration model (membership and programming would run from September through to August, with many groups opting to wind down in May or June to leave the summer months open) and adopted a “calendar year” model (membership and programming would run from January to December).On paper, this made sense; it centered the summer months - prime camping weather - in the middle of the program year, and should have encouraged more Scout groups to do more during the warmest part of the Canadian year. Sadly, this idea never took off, and the most recent Scouts Canada AGM saw a vote take place that supported moving back to “academic year” registrations starting with the 2026-2027 Scouting year.Survival Tip: Did you know that, in the Northern Hemisphere at least, you can use your hand to measure roughly how many hours are left until sunset?SubscribeFollow Us and SubscribeSupportHit the Tip Jar | Scouting Stuff StuffBe Our GuestRegister as a GuestSend FeedbackEmail Us | Leave Us a Voice Message | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Discord | Telegram | Leave Us a ReviewMusicUpbeat Rock (Good News), by Alex GrohlPack Light, Dream Big, by Jamboree Powell

Closing One Year and Opening Another

Lots of international Scouting events happened to close out 2025!Podcast TopicsGear Recommendation: Always have a good sleeping bag for your overnight adventures, taking into account factors such as the weight and size of the bag, its temperature rating, and the weather you’ll be facing outdoors.News StoriesJamCam 2025, over 2,000 young Scouts gather in Cali to celebrate continental unity3rd Arab Parajamboree celebrates accessibility and youth empowermentThousands gather for the 33rd Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree in the PhilippinesCroatian Scouts’ “Boranka” campaign wins Intercultural Achievement Award for SustainabilityScouts of Jamaica support Hurricane Melissa relief effortsGirl Scouts Cookie Season Is Here, and There’s a New Flavor to Get Excited AboutGotta catch 'em all? Missouri Eagle Scout earns every merit badge in Scouting America programScout leader celebrates five decades of serviceDiscussionWith no guests this week, Scouter Ken offers some thoughts on a three-meeting plan that will challenge youth to design a game. This can work with Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, and older youth as well.All you’ll need for supplies is some large pieces (or rolls) of paper, pencils, erasers, and pencil crayons or markers.First meeting: Just let the kids play games, and challenge them to keep playing games over the rest of the week until the next meeting.Second meeting: Start with a discussion about the elements of a game; keep it to fifteen minutes at an absolute maximum. If possible, recall some of the games played in the previous meeting and show how these break up into the elements. Then, tell the youth to pick a game they already know, and to start changing elements bit by bit until they come up with a totally new game...and turn them loose with the supplies.Third meeting: Bring back the games the youth designed in the second meeting, and have them try and play through to the end. Encourage them to make any changes they need to in order to improve the flow (and the fun) of the games.Survival Tip: Hug a tree to survive!SubscribeFollow Us and SubscribeSupportHit the Tip Jar | Scouting Stuff StuffBe Our GuestRegister as a GuestSend FeedbackEmail Us | Leave Us a Voice Message | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Discord | Telegram | Leave Us a ReviewMusicUpbeat Rock (Good News), by Alex GrohlPack Light, Dream Big, by Jamboree Powell

New Direction

The Interamerican Scout Conference encourages diversity...while Scouting America comes under fire for same. And Scouting Stuff is changing!Podcast TopicsGear Recommendation: Luci Solar LanternsNews StoriesInclusive leadership and future horizons at the 29th Interamerican Scout ConferenceBringing voices together for gender-balanced leadership in ScoutingU.S. ready to cut support to Scouts, accusing them of attacking ‘boy-friendly spaces’DiscussionWith no guests this week, Scouter Ken offers some thoughts on just how boys (and men) are faring today, in terms of things such as high school marks and completion times, college and university admissions, and suicide/deaths of despair rates. None of these are trending in positive ways. And while Ken would be the first person to agree that Scouting should indeed be co-ed, he does wonder about what the long-term impact will be of non-sporting “boys only” activities (especially ones offering mentorship from older men) functionally disappearing.Survival Tip: When going for a hike, especially in the mountains, always check the weather ahead of time. Dress for the weather, and bring extra clothing and food.Basically, don’t be the hikers these Cub Scouts had to help out.SubscribeFollow Us and SubscribeSupportHit the Tip Jar | Scouting Stuff StuffBe Our GuestRegister as a GuestSend FeedbackEmail Us | Leave Us a Voice Message | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Discord | Telegram | Leave Us a ReviewMusicUpbeat Rock (Good News), by Alex Grohl