TROOP NEWS

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Want to win some of the great stuff we review in the November 2022 issue? Here’s your chance!

Lightweight and handy, the Morakniv Scout 39 ($44, morakniv.se) is a fixed-blade knife designed for beginners. Its 3-inch recycled stainless-steel blade gets most carving jobs done smoothly, and it can be sheathed in an included leather case. The Swedish birch wood handle makes the knife easy to grip, and the large finger-guard provides protection while you use it. While the BSA doesn’t restrict the types or sizes of knives you can use, first check with your unit, camp or council, which might impose limits. Some states even have knife laws. To earn the right to carry and use a knife,…

Q: There are so many mess kits out there. Help! — Lide, Atlanta, Georgia A: Shopping for mess kits can be overwhelming, which might leave you wondering, “Why can’t I borrow a plate and silverware from home?” Sure, you can do that — especially when car camping. Mess kits show their value in durability and packability. Many nest inside themselves so they don’t take up much space in your backpack. Some fold down, like Hydaway’s Collapsible Bowls ($20, shop.myhydaway.com), giving you even more space. For a basic kit, consider the BSA Stainless Steel Mess Kit ($20, available at the Scout…

Good tricks, great treats. Here are two all-time classic video games you might consider playing this Halloween.

Q: I need a good sleeping pad. What do you suggest? — Maxwell, Vestal, New York A: You can get something simple, like the closed-cell Therm-A-Rest RidgeRest Classic Mattress Pad ($30, available at the Scout Shop), or go all out with sleeping bag-pad combo Zenbivy Motobed ($339, zenbivy.com), complete with a super-comfy 3-inch foam mattress. There are plenty of choices for prices in between. Keep in mind that you want cushioning from the hard ground and insulation to help keep you warm. Look at the pad’s thickness and R-value. The higher those numbers are, the more padding and insulation you…

Here’s what you’ll find inside the November 2022 issue of Scout Life magazine. Remember, many articles are only available to subscribers and are not available online. Please visit scoutlife.org/subscribe to subscribe to the print or digital editions of Scout Life magazine. NOVEMBER 2022 FEATURES SCOUTING ON THE WILD SIDE Get an up-close look at animals during outings like these. • Scouts Get an Up-Close Look at Animals at These Fun Outings THE NATURE CREW: FLYING SQUIRRELS: CATCHING AIR Flying squirrels are amazing animals, but their name is misleading. • Catching Air with Flying Squirrels FUN AND GAMES Here’s your guide…

Flying squirrels are amazing animals, but their name is misleading. They don’t flap or have wings. What they should be called are “gliding” squirrels. They have skin folds called “patagia” between their arms and legs, attached at each wrist/ankle. When they jump from a tree, they spread their patagia and catch air like a sail, using gravity to glide. Their wide, long tails (almost as long as their body) act as a rudder to steer them. They are super maneuverable in the air and can turn 180 degrees mid-jump! And they can glide far. The longest recorded glide is nearly…

Ethan Fidhel woke to his friends crowded around him. He sat up to see what they were watching. It was wolves — three of them. The majestic beasts, two covered in striking white fur, had emerged from the woods, soon followed by a pair of 2-month-old wolf pups. The wolves were hungry, but Ethan, a 16-year-old Eagle Scout, wasn’t worried. It was feeding time at the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota. He and the rest of boys Troop 610 of Riverview, Florida, watched the wolves eat from behind a window in the center’s viewing room. “Getting a front-row seat…

National STEM/STEAM Day is Nov. 8. Take this quiz to find out how much you really know about science, technology, engineering, art and math.