TROOP NEWS

Check Out the 22 Top Toys and Games of 2022

October 21, 2022

It’s the season for wish lists and giving gifts. To help you get started on your holiday shopping, here’s our annual Scout Life guide for some of the hottest toys and games of the year. Each top toy was kid-tested and approved. MIX IT UP Mix your own music with just a punch, swipe, twist or flick of the handheld RUKUSfx Motion-Controlled Music Mixer. It comes with more than 120 music tracks and 80 sound effects, and you can also record your voice and upload favorite tunes. Our 9-year-old tester really got into it after watching the video tutorial. “I…

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Write a Funny Caption For This Photo

September 26, 2022

What’s going on in this picture? What is that camel doing or thinking? If you can think of a funny caption for this photo, just post it in the comment form at the bottom of this page. After we approve it, your funny caption will be on this page for everyone to read. Click here to write captions for more funny photos.

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How Much Do You Know About Caves?

September 21, 2022

Do stalactites go up or down? Test your caving knowledge with this fun trivia quiz.

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Inside the October 2022 Issue

September 20, 2022

Here’s what you’ll find inside the October 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. OCTOBER 2022 FEATURES WHAT YOU FIND UNDERGROUND Scouts discover wildlife, fantastic formations and a chance to do a Good Turn in an Indiana cave. • Scouts Discover Underground Adventure in Sullivan Cave SWEET TREATS It’s important to eat balanced meals, but sometimes it’s nice to satisfy your sweet tooth. • Savor These 4 Scout-Approved Sweet Treats FICTION: THE FORBIDDEN…

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How to Tie the 7 Basic Scout Knots

September 15, 2022

There are dozens of useful knots. By mastering these seven basic Scouting knots, you’ll be ready for just about any situation that calls for tying ropes together, forming loops, and securing ropes to objects. After you have learned to tie a knot, practice it often. Carry a piece of rope in your pocket. When you have a few minutes to spare, pull it out and tie all the knots you know. Practice them enough that you can tie them quickly — even with your eyes closed. When you can do that, you will be ready to use these knots whenever…

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How to Make a Time Capsule

September 15, 2022

Use a PVC pipe to make an indestructible time capsule that will keep your treasures safe for years. WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE A TIME CAPSULE One pre-cut PVC pipe 4 inches in diameter (We recommend 1 foot in length, but you can make yours larger or smaller, depending on how much you want to store in the time capsule.) Two 4-inch plastic test plugs Items that represent you A retrieval date (when you will open it) A storage location Stickers, paint, duct tape and any other items to decorate the time capsule WHAT YOU’LL DO TO MAKE A TIME…

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How to Buy the Right Tent for Your Next Adventure

September 14, 2022

You can sleep under the stars, slip into a bivvy sack or hang a tarp, but if you want a more substantial shelter, get a tent. What kind of tent should you get? Here are come variables and features to consider so you can choose the right tent for your trip. WHEN CHOOSING A TENT FOR CAR CAMPING, HERE’S WHAT TO CONSIDER: • CLIMATE. What kind of weather will you be camping in? Four-season tents are designed to withstand strong winds and loads of snow. If you’ll be in milder climates, a three-season tent will do the job. • SPACE.…

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How to Choose a Safe and Comfortable Campsite

September 14, 2022

Picking a place to pitch a tent isn’t always simple. You could find a flat spot, but the site might be in a low-lying area and prone to flooding if it rains a lot. To find a place you can safely and comfortably sleep and eat outdoors, consider these nine factors: Environmental Impact Use established campsites whenever you can, or camp on durable surfaces that won’t be damaged by you and your fellow Scouts when walking around. If you must move objects, like logs or rocks, return everything to its original spot before you leave. Safety Pitch your tent away…

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Illinois Scouts Discover Underground Adventure in Sullivan Cave

September 14, 2022

In the middle of the woods, surrounded by moss-covered tree roots, a metal grate sits melded into the earth. It’s not very big — maybe a couple of feet wide. Peer through the door’s bars and you see very little: jagged rocks encircling a passage; beyond that, darkness. But through the darkness, a fascinating geological wonder exists: Sullivan Cave. The nearly 10-mile cave, located about 25 miles south of Bloomington, Indiana, features long, tight paths, massive rooms and creatures you won’t find on the surface. This isn’t a commercial cave. You can’t just crawl through the gate and explore. You…

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Savor These 4 Scout-Approved Sweet Treats

September 12, 2022

It’s important to eat balanced meals, but sometimes it’s nice to satisfy your sweet tooth. Here are four tasty recipes to try. Have a favorite dessert recipe? Send it to us! OWASIPPE SOUP Last summer at Owasippe Scout Reservation in Michigan, Matthew Hanson with Troop 41 of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, won a cooking contest with this recipe. Ingredients One 20-ounce can crushed pineapple in juice One 21-oz. can cherry pie filling 1 box chocolate cake mix ¾ cup butter, melted Directions Spread the crushed pineapple and its juice into a 12-inch Dutch oven. Spread the cherry pie filling on top…

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