One step at a time

I find it interesting how many general authorities tell stories about harrowing activities they had as young men. Yet on the other hand, how many high adventure activities get shot down because someone thinks they're too dangerous? How do we expect these young men to become great leaders?
 

Once a Scouter...

I know it's only been a matter of weeks, but there are some folks who are going through Scouting withdrawal. Please be kind.

A farewell to Scouts

Scouting has played a major role in my life. It's a bit bittersweet as we say goodbye to Scouting as the activity arm of the Young Men's program. Not to mention that it's great fodder for cartooning!

Here are ten of my favorite Scouting cartoons from over the years. And if you're feeling sentimental, you can always order my collection: Cubs, Scouts and Zombies. It's a great post-Christmas gift!

Light the World: Let your light so shine

The final Light the World challenge is to continue to let your light shine. The scriptures tell us that Jesus "went about doing good." We can do the same!

Our Scout troop went caving near Mount Adams in southwest Washington. Deep inside Dead Horse Cave is a large cavern. We gathered all of our scouts and leaders in the center and turned out all of our lights.

We were surrounded by a thick darkness — so thick that none of us could see our hands in front of our faces, let alone a glimmer of light.

After one minute, our guide turned on his flashlight.

It felt blinding. The relief felt by the scouts was palpable.

Then everyone turned on his own light. The cavern seemed like it was ablaze.

In the same way, each kind act that we perform is like a small light in the cavern. And if we all share our light — one by one — what a difference we can make in the world!

Camp clean up

Ironically, the mess kit is clean!

Check your sources

One of the first map reading skills we teach Scouts is how to orient your map to your location. Otherwise you could easily wind up off course, far, far away.

With just a dash of jelly

Sometimes when assignments are made at Scout camp, leaders take for granted that the kids have been trained in some of the basic skills.

Protect your goodies

Kind of an inside joke for scouters — the kids with the blue uniforms and blue neckerchiefs are Bear Scouts

In the beginning

Sometimes young scouts can feel overconfident. It usually isn't justified.

Best Cubs ever!

It’s an older cartoon, but I want to take one more look at some of my scouting cartoons before it’s too late!

Endless summer... camp

As the school year comes to a close around here, it's time to start thinking about summer activities. For many of our Young Men, this summer could be the last chance they get to go to Scout camp.

Be that as it may, there are many of us who have fond memories of the Scouting program. In fact, many of those memories are included in my new collection, Cubs, Scouts and Zombies! Grab a copy for your favorite Scouter — or zombie — today!

Sketchbook: Hagoth the Horrible

This gag asks three big questions:

• Who was Hagoth?
• What is a Raingutter Regatta?
• Did Nephites actually have rain gutters?

That's too many questions for one cartoon!

Singing around the diode

It seems like every year our Scouts went to camp in August — at the end of the summer when everything has dried out. There were quite a few times when there was no fire allowed. The lack of a campfire really does take away from the spirit — and the smell — of camp!

It's wildfire season around here. Eighty percent of the state is in drought condition; we have fires in several locations.

Be careful when you're out there!

It's not just a calling, it's an adventure!

Sis. DeFord appears in a lot of my Scouting cartoons. She's Mrs. Scouting in our area; she's done it all — Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cubmaster, Scout Committee. And just last Sunday, she was in the foyer after church working on Friends of Scouting. Here's to you, Sis. DeFord — and all those others like you in wards everywhere!

Plus she makes a killer mint brownie!

On being prepared

Better clothes, yes. Questionable food, yes. Better living conditions than Scout camp? I've been to some nice Scout camps, and I've been in some scary missionary apartments. I'd say that one is a tossup.

By the way, if you want to really prepare your missionary by giving him or her a true picture of what it's  like, I recommend two things. One, read Sis. Kerry Jo's Mission Blog (or follow her on Instagram @sis.kerryjo). Secondly, pick up a copy of Arie VanDeGraaff's Mission Daze (available at Amazon.com). Between the two of them, you'll get a really good idea of what to expect.

And good luck to my padawan, who enters the MTC today. Go forth and do good things!

Sketchbook: Skills where it counts

Scouts can really surprise you sometimes.

Good news, bad news

Foil wrapped dinners, burnt hot dogs, cold ramen and dirt-encrusted s'mores. What could be better?

Smile when you wave that!

I'm taking a little time off, so this week we'll be running a few of my favorites from years past. Happy Flag Day!

We're not dealing in absolutes

We just added another Eagle to our nest — my young padawan just earned his award, after several years of hard work.

On a totally unrelated note, I wonder how many Scouts would pass their boards of review if they had to prove the clean part by showing a picture of their bedrooms?

Be prepared and all that

That explains why so many young men have messy rooms!

Thanks once again to my padawan for the inspiration for this one.