Interactive Boy Scout Handbook 

With all the advancements in technology and the internet I think it would be a great time for an interactive Boy Scout Handbook. I am not suggesting that we do away with the printed version of the handbook, but supplementing and enhancing it with a web based interactive version. This handbook supplement could include things like how-to-videos, interviews with noted outdoors men and women, tutorials from different outdoor gear suppliers, and so on. There are many reasons why this would be beneficial to the overall program.

First: I have seen many new leaders come to Scouting who do not have the background or proficiency in the outdoors. This would be an opportunity for us to offer how-to-videos on things like starting fire, first aid, swimming and life saving skills, lashings, orienteering and map reading, etc. Practically every still photo illustration in the printed version of the handbook could be supplemented with some form of how-to-video or tutorial that could show how it is actually done. This would help improve the program for those scouts and leaders who are visual learners and allow them mimic what they see in the videos. Now, I know that we have Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills, but not everything is covered in that short weekend to fully orient the leader on what to do in the outdoors. Plus these videos could be a great resourse for Roundtables and Universities of Scouting.

Second: This would allow us to partner with national organizations like the Red Cross, North Face, R.E.I., or Kelty (or another gear company) for gear, USDA, Leave No Trace, and other groups that would like to instruct Scouts and leaders in the proper way of performing certain skills. This would also offer the youth special access to these companies/ organizations for special training and insights that would not be available to the average person. I propose something like an online Red Cross first aid certification that each Scout could earn through the enhanced version of the handbook, or something along those lines.

Third: These how-to-videos and tutorials could be produced by Scouts from troops across the country. We could put out a notice for scout troops to shoot videos of them performing certain Scout skills and then have them upload it to a website or Youtube. This could be billed as a national contest and as an opportunity to earn the cinematography merit badge. I would think that Scouts learning from other Scouts would be more entertaining for the youth and get them excited about being like the young men they see on our training videos.

These are just a few of the possibilities that exist by having an enhanced version of the handbook. We could also make the progress tracking sheets in the back of the handbook into savable PDFs that each youth could then track their progress electronically. There is also an opportunity for us to promote this change as the Boy Scouts are “Going Green” by attempting to limit the amount of paper we use. I think the possibilities are endless.

National Story Database 

 In Progress

One of the most powerful things I've heard on the radio (NPR) lately is the ongoing collection called StoryCorps. The format is simple: two people are recorded as one recounts a personal story that the other was involved in. The resulting edited pieces (perhaps 2-4 minutes each) are often quite moving.

Why not apply the idea here? On the occasion of the 100th Anniversary, ask Scouts and Scouters to tell us about their most moving Scouting moments. We'd post these on then National website and ultimately store them in a National Story Archive in association with the National Scouting Museum.

Register New Adults before Charter Renewal 

 In Progress

This suggestion is both technological and cultural.

For decades, Charter Renewal has been the time for units to fill gaps in their leadership and register new adult leaders. But many years have now passed since background checks of volunteers has become part of Scouting. Registering new adults needs to happen immediately, but we currently have some leaders serving for several months before recharter time without completing an application or a background check.

In order to shift our culture away from registering adults only once a year, please remove the "Add New Adult" option from Online Rechartering. We need all the help we can get with some units and this will help us to share the message that new adults need to be registered immediately.

Venturing/Venturer Tool Box 

 In Progress

I have been looking for additional copies of the Venturing/Venturer Tool Box that was given out in Nashville. Since it is already navigable as an html page, can it be uploaded to the website and make each video and document available for download?

There are so many things available on the DVD that being able to site down with potential Advisors and give them access to all this information at once and at any moment would simplify everything!

Get rid of the scrolling marquee at the top of MyBSA 

 In Progress

This kind of web design is no longer used. It is annoying and half the time when I do try to read the announcement I can't because the first half is off the screen. At the very least keep it stationary. If you're hurting for space, make a dedicated box on the page for announcements of this type. Make short headlines that we can hover over (or click on) for more details.

Also, the welcome page says " Welcome back...." Could someone please code a proper non-breaking space? The problem is the ampersand is being translated into it's html entity code (&) which creates   thus breaking down not so gracefully.

LFL Rosters 

LFL rosters need to be one page. There's very little info printed on them and it is a huge waste of resources and money to make it two pages.