Commissioners of Scouting America

08/21/2026

Service to the community is an important part of the Scouting program. Learn from Dallas DJ Hawkeye (Mark Rybczyk) about this great service project, and how your pack can get involved.

08/21/2026

Today is Internet Self-Care Day so take a moment to explore online tools, communities, and resources that support your mental, emotional, and physical health. From meditation apps and virtual support groups to educational content and wellness resources, there are many ways to make your time online more meaningful.

For Scouts, safe and responsible online activities are an important part of the experience. Check out Scouting America’s Digital Safety and Online Scouting Activities resource for tips and guidance on staying safe online:

https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/digital-safety-and-online-scouting-activities/

Remember to take care of yourself, both online and offline.

08/20/2026

Scouting America is encouraging families to explore Cub Scouts this fall as a welcoming, hands-on environment where children build friendships, discover their strengths, and develop confidence.

Scouting offers more than outdoor adventures, helping young people develop teamwork, problem-solving, empathy, perseverance, and other skills that prepare them for life. The program gives children opportunities to step away from screens and experience authentic challenges, accomplishments, and connections.

Scouting America President and CEO Roger Krone emphasizes that Cub Scouts helps children discover what they are capable of while building a genuine sense of belonging.

Professional basketball player and Eagle Scout Josh Hart, Scouting America’s newest ambassador, credits Scouting with teaching him discipline, teamwork, responsibility, and perseverance.

This fall, families are encouraged to find a local Cub Scout pack and give their children the opportunity to build lasting friendships, confidence, and real-world skills.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/real-adventures-real-growth-scouting-america-welcomes-new-families-during-fall-recruitment-302855713.html

/PRNewswire/ -- As families prepare for the school year, Scouting America is inviting parents to explore Cub Scouts – a fun, welcoming and structured...

08/20/2026

Fall Commissioner Impact Session: Forging Ahead — Building Bridges to Retain, Grow, Thrive

Join us for the upcoming in-person impact session on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 8 AM to 5 PM at Flag Plaza in Pittsburgh, hosted by Laurel Highlands Council.

This is more than a commissioner gathering. All Scouters are invited, including council, district, and unit volunteers and professionals.

You’ll have the opportunity to

• Review the new Trail Map with National Commissioner Devang Desai
• Learn what’s new in membership with Ken Gordon, Chair of the National Membership Engagement Committee
• Connect with the National Commissioner Service Team
• Share ideas and best practices with fellow commissioners
• Explore practical ways to help every unit Retain, Grow, and Thrive

Learn more 👇

https://www.scouting.org/commissioners/training/impact-sessions/

The National Commissioner Service Team conducts several live national level training events each year. These events help equip commissioners to be successful in their local councils and districts. The team uses proven adult learning techniques to maximize the effectiveness of these events. Date Virt...

08/19/2026

A great Cub Scout experience starts with a great welcome. Follow these steps to help new Cub Scouts and their families feel welcomed, connected, supported, and part of the Pack.

08/18/2026

We have received reports of an issue preventing advancement to the next screen in the Safeguarding Youth Training.

The issue appears to occur when training videos are viewed in full-screen mode on some computers. In full-screen mode, the Forward button may not be visible when it is time to advance.

To resolve the issue:

1) Exit full-screen mode on the video by pressing the ESC key. Alternatively, move the cursor to the bottom of the video screen, hover over the full-screen icon in the lower-right corner, and click it to exit full-screen mode.

2) Once the video is no longer in full-screen mode, the Forward button should be visible, allowing the training to continue.

You can complete the course using either Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

Following these steps should allow the training to progress normally.

Thank you for helping keep our youth safe.

08/18/2026

Reminder: Nominations for the 2027 Silver Buffalo class are being accepted until August 31.

Silver Buffalo Award recipients include volunteers who have shaped almost every aspect of Scouting and provided extraordinary service to youth. Since its inaugural class 100 years ago, the Silver Buffalo has been Scouting’s highest commendation. The 2026 class was recognized during the National Annual Meeting.

Nominations for the 2027 Silver Buffalo class are being accepted until August 31.

Click here for more information 👇

https://onscouting.org/2026/07/08/heres-how-you-take-home-the-silver-buffalo/

08/18/2026

Monday Membership Moment: Teaching Like a Leader — The EDGE Method

Adult volunteers wear a lot of hats - planner, safety officer, cheerleader, fundraiser. But at the core of it, most of what we do is teach something: a knot, a fire-building technique, how to run a den meeting, how to lead a patrol. The instinct for a lot of us is to just show a Scout how to do it, or worse, do it for them because it's faster.

EDGE exists because Scouting isn't about getting the task done; it's about building the youth's competence and confidence so they can do it themselves, and eventually teach someone else.

The Four Steps

Explain — Tell the Scout what you're teaching and why it matters. Keep it short and concrete. Don't skip the "why" because it's what makes the skill stick.

Demonstrate — Show them how it's done, at a pace they can actually follow. Narrate what you're doing as you do it.

Guide — Now they try it, with you coaching alongside. This is the step adults most often rush past. Resist the urge to jump in and fix it. Offer guidance, not a takeover.

Enable — Step back. Let them do it on their own, and eventually let them teach it to someone else. This last step is where real leadership growth happens both for the Scout and often for the adult who has to learn to let go.

Try this. Pick one moment this week. Maybe a skill session, a meeting task, even setting up chairs, and run it through all four steps instead of just doing it yourself or giving a quick verbal instruction. Notice how much more ownership the Scout takes when they've been guided through it rather than told or shown once.

EDGE isn't just a teaching technique for Scouts. It's a leadership habit for adults. The volunteers who use it consistently tend to raise Scouts who take initiative, because they've actually been trusted to try, stumble, and improve. That's the whole point.

08/18/2026

Proper equipment is essential to making Scouting adventures both safe and enjoyable, from hiking and paddling to climbing and zip-lining. The SAFE Checklist emphasizes choosing equipment appropriate for the activity, environment, and participants. Equipment should be properly fitted, inspected before use, and monitored throughout the adventure for any issues. Consider weather conditions when selecting clothing and gear. After an adventure, clean, inspect, repair as needed, and store equipment properly so it is ready for the next adventure.

Learn more:

https://scoutingwire.org/e-is-for-equipment/

Photo: Scouting America

08/17/2026

You Have Leads!

As of the most recent report, there are more than 7,045 open leads (an increase of 32% since last week) and 286 pending applications (a decrease of 17% since last week) awaiting follow-up in the online registration system. Each lead represents a family interested in learning more about Scouting, and each pending application is an excited new youth member who has already paid to join and is just waiting for unit approval.

If you haven’t already checked the leads and pending applications, make sure your volunteers and teams review this information and take action to help welcome more youth and families into Scouting.