Did you hear that Congress passed the Free Ice Cream on Fridays bill? Unfortunately, the president vetoed it because he’s lactose intolerant. OK, that didn’t really happen — except during a Citizenship in the Nation workshop offered at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. To illustrate how the three branches of government interact, counselors there…

This story originally appeared in the November-December 2012 issue of Scouting magazine. It happens every year: Just about the time new den leaders figure out how to lead a den and pack programming falls into a comfortable rhythm, Thanksgiving Day arrives. And not far behind it come Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Day. By…

Snowflakes usually melt before you can get a good look at them. Here’s how to preserve individual flakes so you can study them later. WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO PRESERVE A SNOWFLAKE Access to a freezer Freezable pouch (A large pencil case works well.) Black poster board or foam sheeting sized to fit inside pouch 5…

Scouting offers many opportunities for you to lead. The longer you’re in the program, the more others will look to you to step up. But how do you become a good, responsible leader who commands respect from Scouts and adults alike? Here are a few tips: • Keep your word. If you say you’ll do…

Whether you’re a dayhiker conquering local hills or a hardcore wilderness backpacker, your most important piece of gear is the same — and it might be the item you’ve put the least thought into buying: your boots. The wrong hiking footwear can send a backcountry adventure downhill fast. Take your first steps on your next…

Life Scout Paul Lehmann and his sister Ann, a Second Class Scout, stood at the top of the slope. It was Paul’s fourth time visiting Devil’s Head Ski Resort near Merrimac, Wisconsin, and he had all the confidence in the world. “I had gone down most of the hills before,” says Paul, 14. “All the…

Q: When I go camping, I take my phone. I don’t want it to get damaged. Can you recommend any good phone cases for the outdoors? — Fred, Charlestown, Massachusetts A: If you’re going into the wilderness with a smartphone worth hundreds of dollars, you’ll want something tough to protect it. My pick is the…

A trek to one of the BSA’s high-adventure bases can be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. You can hike rugged trails to breathtaking vistas, paddle remote lakes far from the hum of the modern world, and sail and dive aquamarine waters teeming with sea life — and enjoy dozens of outdoor…

Happy Holidays! Count down the days until December 25th with these very funny kid’s Christmas jokes sent in by Boys’ Life readers. We guarantee this clean holiday humor will help you “ho ho ho” like a certain jolly old elf. Do you know a funny Christmas joke? Click here to send it to us. Comic…

During Act 2 of Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton jokes that Vice President John Adams “doesn’t have a real job anyway.” The same could be said for Keri Snyder’s predecessor as Pack 455’s committee chair. When Snyder took over the role for the Lakeland, Tenn., pack, other leaders joked that she would just be sitting around and…