Wearing a bicycle helmet cuts the chance of seriously hurting your head if you’re in a bike accident. But that same helmet might not provide good protection if you wear it while rock climbing or skating. Here’s how to pick a safe and comfortable helmet. THE PRO-TEC CLASSIC ($55) and CLASSIC JUNIOR ($65, two sizes,…

Floating through a rushing river requires concentration and quick decision-making. It also helps to know a little geometry. Scouts with Troop 411 of Minot, North Dakota, learned that approaching rocks at a 45-degree angle in their inflatable rafts would lessen the chances of capsizing in the frigid water. “You have to paddle to dodge the…

The Owala FreeSip water bottle ($22-$30, owalalife.com) gives you the option to drink from a straw or a spout. The large mouth has two openings you can sip from while holding the bottle upright or swig from while tipping it up. The stainless-steel bottle comes in 19-, 24- and 32-ounce versions in several different colors.…

Q: Freeze-dried meals might be a good choice for backpacking because they’re lightweight and provide a good amount of nutrients. Which ones would you buy? — Duc, Sugar Land, Texas A: As a matter of convenience, freeze-dried meals are great. But you’re paying for that convenience. If your budget does allow, though, it doesn’t get…

When it comes to riding ATVs, safety is absolutely essential. To ensure you’re safe on every ride, take this quiz to learn the ATV Safety Institute’s 7 Golden Rules. No matter what your ATV riding experience is, from beginner to seasoned rider, safety always plays an important role in riding. Quiz sponsored by Polaris. Learn…

It’s more than cowboy boots, horseback riding and roping. How much do you know about the way cowboys and cowgirls take care of both their animals and the environment? Take this quiz to find out, and then consider applying the information you learn to your Environmental Science merit badge! Quiz sponsored by National Cattlemen’s Beef…

This fun magnetic device can help you increase coordination skills. Strengthen the small muscles in your hands and wrists as you create shapes and letters. WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE A MAGNETIC WAND 1 petri dish (available at big box stores) 1 craft stick 1 sheet of construction paper (any color except black) 7-8 inches…

Here’s what you’ll find inside the May 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. MAY 2022 FEATURES ‘WE ARE YOUNG BUT STRONG’ After Hurricane Ida tore through the…

Nature is full of surprises, many of which are so rare that only a small number of people have ever witnessed them. Here are six examples of nature at its rarest. CORPSE FLOWER BLOOMS Looking and smelling like something straight out of a horror movie, the corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum) is so named because it…