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# Scoutmaster Minute: Seeing Beyond the Mask
**By:  
Posted On: 2024-11-08**
Scouts, as Halloween nears, we're surrounded by spooky stories and creatures of the night – witches, goblins, and ghosts, all in good fun. But let’s pause for a moment to talk about a different kind of mask, the ones people wear in real life. Sometimes, people may look or act a bit different, and like those Halloween costumes, it’s often just on the surface.Some folks may have scars or medical conditions that change how they look, and others express themselves in unique ways that might seem unusual at first. But remember, the Scout Oath and Law encourage us to be kind and respectful toward everyone, to see beyond the surface, and to treat others with honor and compassion. Just like our scout family values each person’s unique skills, we should extend that acceptance to everyone we meet.So, as you enjoy the spooky sights and costumes this season, remember that real “monsters” don’t look any particular way. Those Halloween frights and thrills are all in good fun, but kindness, patience, and understanding are what make us strong and honorable Scouts. And, of course, be careful with real-life creepy-crawlies out there – some of nature’s critters, like spiders and snakes, are best admired from a safe distance.Let’s keep the fun lighthearted, and remember that kindness is the greatest treat of all.
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Scouting resources for Den Leaders, Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Girl Guides, Girl Scout, Cub Scout, Venturing, Exploring, Beavers, Joey, Boy Scout Leaders
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# From Behind-the-Scenes to New Projects: What’s Next for Wacky Scouter?
Posted On: 2024-11-04**
## **Hey Everyone, It's Scott Here!**
It has been quite a while since the last update, but I've been hard at work! I’ve been busy fixing various bugs across the site and stabilizing the server to keep everything running smoothly. On top of that, I’ve been helping < create a new website for a Girl Scout Day Camp in Northern California, and it just launched!
I've been crunching the numbers, and since adding the themed body above the curated items, I’ve noticed our analytics have taken a dip. Open rates and clicks are dropping. So, I’m considering a change. Maybe I should move those themed sections to a blog post or a separate newsletter. Or, perhaps I could use them as a foundation to relaunch the Treasure Chest newsletter? Your input would be invaluable! What do you think?
Have your say here: <
## **A Little Behind-the-Scenes Insight**
Right now, I’m fully self-funding Wacky Scouter. The ads on the site generate less than $1,500 a year, which barely covers the hosting and domain costs. Everything else, from my time to my team's efforts, is paid out of my own pocket. We do it all: tech work, content creation, and more.
## **Exciting News from USSSP**
The unofficial results are in! USSSP has approved a proposal to run a few ads on the site. The goal? Fund future development for both usscouts.org and wackyscouter.org. Given that usscouts.org gets significantly more traffic, there’s a lot of potential here.
## **Looking for Volunteers!**
Got coding chops in PHP, Node, or Python? Or perhaps you're a Linux sysadmin wizard or a digital marketing guru specializing in SEO? We’d love your help! Just a reminder: this is all volunteer-based, so there’s no funding available for extra assistance.
(Note: We’ll need help tagging content on Wacky Scouter and possibly USScouts, but the tech isn't quite there yet.)
## **Email Dilemmas**
I’ve been wrestling with how to offer free @scoutleader.org email addresses. The hurdles? Inserting ads in emails and preventing spam. So, the plan is to charge a small fee, around $12 a year (just $1 a month). Does that sound fair?
## **Lessons: A New Adventure**
I’m planning to launch "Lessons" for various requirements, like merit badges, knife and fire safety, and leadership. They’ll be in a self-study format with text snippets, videos, and links to various resources. While I want to include these in the Knapsack package, I’m conflicted about making them paid content. Should they be free? But then, how do I fund their creation?
## **Scouting in Action**
I'd love to hear what amazing things your units are up to! Whether it's a campout, service project, creative activity, or a scout or leader going above and beyond, share your stories with me. Your adventures might be featured on the Wacky Scouter blog! Be sure to include photos and permission for us to use them, along with any necessary legal releases. Just email your submissions to me for consideration.
## **Treasure Chest Newsletter Revival**
Lastly, I’m thinking about bringing back the Treasure Chest Newsletter. I’d love to keep it monthly and theme-based, packed with resources and ideas to support you. What would you like to see in it?
## **Your Thoughts?**
Let me know your ideas and opinions. It’s your feedback that keeps this community thriving and evolving!