Opening Shot

• Sign up for the 2013 National Scout Jamboree

This Month

• “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” stampedes into theaters June 8

News & Notes

• Robots compete in RoboCup soccer competition

BL Headliners

• 2011 Heroes of Conservation Award from Field & Stream magazine

Road Trip

• Find out more about the BSA’s 50-Miler Award

Guy Gear Update: Boot Up!

• Hi-Tec Sports Osprey hiking boots ($70)
• L.L. Bean Pathfinder Hikers, Mid hiking boots ($79)
• Cabela’s Laramie Peak Mid Hikers ($80)
• Wenger Outback hiking boots ($90)
• Tecnica Brezza II hiking boots ($85)
• The North Face Men’s Tyndall hiking boots ($80)
• Vasque Vector WP hiking boots ($115)

Scouting Around

• Follow the progress at The Summit, BSA’s new national high-adventure base
• Gear Guy’s advice on choosing a good hammock system
• See video of Troop 2′s robot in action (coming soon)

Be Safe — and Nice — Online

• Read more about Internet safety for kids at netsmartzkids.org
• Learn more about the BSA’s new Cyber Chip award (coming soon)

The New River Experience

• Follow all the Summit goings on their blog
• Register for the 2013 National Scout Jamboree
• More information about the Order of the Arrow

Be Cyber Safe (and Smart)

• Find more information about Internet safety for teens
• Learn more about the BSA’s new Cyber Chip award (coming soon)

BSA’s Got Talent!

• Submit your video for your chance to perform at the Jamboree

Fitness First

• Sun safety tips to help you avoid sunburn, heat exhaustion and heatstroke

Games

• Design your own protective skin for your electronic devices

Now this is interesting. Scientists in Japan have taught a robot how to juggle.
Why is it important for a robot to juggle? Not sure, but it sure looks cool.

Games Guru: Beyblade is a good game! Unfortunately, you can’t submit the codes I’ve given you below until you complete Story Mode. Here are your codes:

– “WlCQtq4hNs” is the password to unlock the Belzebrute Y.
– Enter “Zw71nVSJuL” to unlock the Cyber ?S.
– Enter “DZ4gjMA58V” to unlock the Cyber Pegasus AR.
– Enter “bMJ4O7osHq” as a password to unlock the Pegasus ?M. This is a Metal Face bolt with Stamina Plus.
– 123mj11gh28 – Gives you all Beyblade parts
– bre7784erhe – Shows all characters beaten

Games Guru: You have to play each Story mode through with each character. So unfortunately you can’t get emeralds with Sonic once you started with Blaze. Finish with Blaze. Then you can play again with Sonic.

That’s just what Surfer Garrett McNamara did recently, surfing on a 78 foot wall of water, that was 12 inches taller than the previous record. Check out the video below:

Check out this video from my show on Outdoor Channel to learn more about managing blisters and preventing them in the first place!

If you’ve attended a past jamboree, you already have some memories. The BSA would like for you to share.

The Fireside Story Project is a fascinating collection of stories from past jamborees. Whether the last jamboree you attended was three years ago or 30 years ago, these guys would like to hear it.

It’s simple: All you have to do is call a number and record your story. Or you can record your story yourself at home and upload it here.

For more on how the project works, click here.

Either way, here’s what you need to know:

The 2013 Jamboree will be at the Summit, the BSA’s new national high-adventure base in West Virginia. The Summit is located near the New River Gorge National River, one of the best spots for outdoor adventure in this country.

The Summit is not yet open for business, but it will be 100 percent ready to go by next summer. Follow its progress on this blog.

Wondering if you qualify for the Jamboree?

Click here for Boy Scout qualifications.

Click here for Venturing qualifications.

How much does it cost? Click here for participant fees.

Click here for a few more rules and regulations about which you should know.

Want to work at the Jamboree? Click here for info on becoming a staffer.

But wait … what exactly is there to do at the Jamboree?

When you’re ready to sign up, go here.

I manage to get it hauled every day, Baylee, but it can be exhausting work. I need periodic alfalfa milkshakes and tumbleweed tacos to keep my strength up (or at least that’s what I tell The Boss).

That’s a great question, and many guys out there are wondering the exact same thing.

Tinea pedis, or athlete’s foot as it is more commonly known, is a fungal infection of the foot. It is more common in athletes, which is how it got its name, but anyone can get it. The infection most commonly occurs on the skin between the toes, but it may also be found along the instep or lateral aspect of the foot — the so called “moccasin” distribution. Prevention and aggressive treatment are crucial to managing athlete’s foot infection.

Check out the following video from the boonDOCS show, on Outdoor Channel, for more information on how to keep your feet footloose and fungus free!

Games Guru: There aren’t any codes, so there’s no quick way to get the last 3,000. But maybe go back and do some more collecting.

Games Guru: This YouTube video should help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXnk8tXjDnE .

I saw my friend has this Golden Egg called “Angry Radio.” How do you get it? Thanks!

Games Guru: The golden eggs are on the Golden Egg page. This particular egg is on the bottom row, second from the right. Click it. Once you see the radio, click the two keys in the middle of the radio. Voila. You have your golden egg for the Angry Radio puzzle.

I don’t know how to beat these levels: Level 12 on Danger Above (not the first one, the one at night); The Big Setup, I can’t beat level 5 on the second page; Mighty Hoax, I can’t beat level 12. If you can please help me, please do.

Games Guru: It’s hard to explain this in a few words. Pictures work better.

Here’s one site that helps for Danger Above:
http://angrybirds.mobi/level-8-15-walkthrough-for-danger-above-in-angry-birds/

For the Big Setup:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzzcERrR5WI&feature=player_embedded

For the Mighty Hoax:
http://angrybirds.mobi/level-5-12-walkthrough-for-mighty-hoax-in-angry-birds/

We all know that the Earth’s surface is made up more than 70 percent water, and only 20 percent landmass. The oceans go as deep as 6.7 miles. There are millions of acres of icecaps and glaciers, and millions of tons of water vapor in the atmosphere. Bottom line: The amount of water on Earth is almost unimaginable.

So try and picture that unimaginable amount in one giant spherical shape. Got it?

Scroll down to see the real size:

Were you close? You can’t forget the incredible mass of the Earth’s core, no to mention its above sea level landmass.

Do you know a funny joke? Click here to send it to us.

Mom No. 1: How do you get your sleepy-head son up in the morning?
Mom No. 2: I just put the cat on the bed.
Mom No. 1: How does that help?
Mom No. 2: The dog’s already there.

Submitted by Stephen C., Salem, Va.

Baby snake: Mommy, are we poisonous?
Mother snake: Yes, son.Why?
Baby snake: I just bit my tongue!

Submitted by Mark R., Barrington, R.I.

Chris: Why is a computer so smart?
Mom: It listens to its motherboard.

Submitted by Christopher W., Gladwyne, Pa.

Son: Dad, do you know the difference between a pack of cookies and a pack of elephants?
Dad: No.
Son: Then it’s a good thing Mom does the grocery shopping!

Submitted by Steven F. II, Naperville, Ill.

Sunday school teacher: Tell me, Johnny. Do you say prayers before eating?
Johnny: No, ma’am, I don’t have to. My mom’s a good cook.

Submitted by Matthew W. , San Antonio, Tex.

Doug: I think my mom’s getting serious about straightening up my room once and for all.
Dan: How do you know?
Doug: She’s learning to drive a bulldozer.

Submitted by Doug D., Wellington, Fla.

Ryan: Why did you chop the joke book in half?
John: Mom said to cut the comedy.

Submitted by John C., Granbury, Tex.

Erin: What did the mother bullet say to the daddy bullet?
Fran: What?
Erin: “We’re gonna have a BB!”

Submitted by Erin K., Tallahassee, Fla.

Joker: Why did the monster’s mother knit him three socks?
Harvey: I have no clue.
Joker: She heard he grew another foot!

Submitted by Matthew C., Gladstone, Mo.

A mother is trying to get her son to eat carrots. “Carrots are good for your eyes,” she says.

“How do you know?” the boy asks.

The mother replies, “Have you ever seen a rabbit wearing glasses?”

Submitted by Niles L., Acton, Mass.

Elephant: Why do mother kangaroos hate rainy days?
Hippo: I give up.
Elephant: Because their kids have to play inside!

Submitted by Jake P., Omaha, Neb.

Matthew: What did the mother rope say to her child?
Jim: What?
Matthew: “Don’t be knotty.”

Submitted by Matthew C., DeRidder, La.

Daffynition: Minimum—A small mother.

Submitted by Matthew St., St. James, Mo.

A mother mouse and a baby mouse are walking along when suddenly a cat attacks them. The mother mouse shouts “BARK!” and the cat runs away. “See?” the mother mouse says to her baby. “Now do you see why it’s important to learn a foreign language?”

Submitted by William E., Morganton, N.C.

Jack: What did the mother broom say to the baby broom?
Bill: What?
Jack: It’s time to go to sweep!

Submitted by Matt S. N., Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Mother to son: I’m warning you. If you fall out of that tree and break both your legs, don’t come running to me!

Submitted by Jake T., Worcester, Mass.

Robbie: Larry’s mother had four children. Three were named North, South and West. What was her other child’s name?
Bobbie: East?
Robbie: No. Larry.

Submitted by Robbie B., Quarryville, Pa.

Daffynition: Sweater—something you wear when your mother gets cold.

Submitted by Danny L., San Marcos, Calif.

Pee Wee: What did the digital clock say to its mother?
Westy: What?
Pee Wee: “Look, Ma! No hands!”

Submitted by Jairo S., Bakersfield, Calif.

Ben: How come the mother needle got mad at the baby needle?
Jerry: I dunno.
Ben: It was way past its threadtime!

Submitted by Rich P., Round Rock, Tex.

Q. I’d like to buy a mountain skateboard. What kind of board would you recommend for me?

A. Skateboarding down mountain trails? Love it. Get an entry-level board from MBS Mountainboards (mbs.com). They’ve been dedicated to the sport for a long time and make good boards. I did a quick check online and you can still get the basic MBS Atom 80 Mountainboard for $130, which should be a great board to learn on. You’ll pay about $30 more for the Atom 80x (comes with a hand-held V-brake), which will be very handy for running the steep stuff!

Happy Star Wars Day everyone! Today is considered a holiday by Star Wars fans to celebrate Star Wars films, books and TV Shows.

If you’re a big fan of Star Wars, you may want to check out http://starwars.com/play/ecards/maythe4th/ today.
The official Star Wars site is allowing visitors to email free Star Wars Day e-cards. There are dozens to choose from.

We leave you with a cool and very funny Stars Wars video made entirely with legos. SPOILER ALERT: If you haven’t seen the movies yet, this video will give away most of the story. Watch only if you are already familiar with the movies.

Enter the NHL 13 First Look Contest, which gives hockey fans a chance to be one of five people to win a trip to EA Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia to be among the first to play the NHL 13 video game. Here are the details:

Submit, in 200 words or less, why you should be one of the first to experience NHL 13 at the annual EA SPORTS NHL community event on May 28, 2012.

To enter, fans will be asked to submit their entry through the contest tab at: http://www.facebook.com/EASPORTSNHL

The contest is open now, and closes May 13, 2012. Winners will be by may 15, 2012. As always, speak with your parent/guardian before entering this contest.

Not interested? How about the NHL Cover vote. You can help select the face of the next EA SPORTS NHL game. Vote an unlimited number of times and as often as possible at: http://covervote.nhl.com/

Well, Joey, you made it into my e-bag. I think that’s completely awesome (hope your school does too).

“The Dark Knight Rises” swoops into theaters July 20.

Q. Hello Gear Guy, I just got a new tent. What can I do to make sure it lasts me the longest amount of time possible?

A. Way to plan for the future, David. Caring for your gear is one of the most important things you can do. And if you treat your stuff well, most quality gear should last you for a decade or more. I still regularly use my 15-year-old tent. To bring you the best tent care tips I recently hooked up with some expert friends from REI (www.rei.com) and here’s what we came up with:

• Seam sealing. I’m not sure which tent you have, but these days most every tent comes with their floor seams and rainflys factory sealed for waterproofness. If you know for a fact your tent seams aren’t sealed then you’re going to want to do that ASAP with a product like McNett’s Seam Grip ($7.35; www.rei.com).

• Perfect pitching. When pitching your tent, use a ground cloth to avoid anything that might rip or poke a hole in your tent’s floor. Don’t snap your tent poles together because that can damage the fittings and weaken the poles. Instead, put the poles together one section at a time. When taking them down, start by breaking the pole down in the middle as it puts less stress on the poles. If your campsite is in the bright sunshine, leave the rainfly on during the day. The sun’s rays can breakdown the tent’s fabric over time but the fly (with its waterproof coating) is more durable to sun exposure.

• Be clean. After each outing, inspect your tent for damage and clean it when it’s dirty. Just spot clean it using a simple sponge with cold water and non-detergent soap (don’t use dishwashing liquid, bleach, stain sticks, etc).

• Smart storage. Never put your tent away wet. Sure, if you’re camping and it rains you have to pack it away wet, but as soon as you get home make sure to thoroughly dry it out. If you don’t, smelly fabric-destroying mildew will take over.

Today is National Dance Day.

Today is Spring Astronomy Day.

What’s going on in this picture? What is this hermit crab doing and what is he thinking?

If you can think of a funny caption for this photo, just post it in the comment form at the bottom of this page. After we approve it, your funny caption will be on this page for everyone to read.

Thanks to “photographer 7” for this great photo. Have you taken a funny photo? Send it to us.

Click here to write captions for more funny photos.

Thanks, Daniel. Being a video game star does add to my aura of awesomeness. (However, hauling the mailbag, which keeps me fed, keeps me humble.)

Fun Facts: The Moon

• The Moon is 250,000 miles from Earth.
• There is no wind or weather on the moon.
• The Moon is not a light source, and it doesn’t make its own light. The moon reflects light from the sun.

The Boss says it’s my uncanny ability to relax and keep my mind empty, Nolan. For some reason that doesn’t sound like a compliment, does it?

Games Guru: Yes, indeed. But he’s pretty rare. You can buy him online with a Google search for anywhere between $20 and $80.

Games Guru: There are tons of codes. Here are some character codes:

- Unlocks Aaron: AK6ATR7ECD8N
- Unlocks Ahriman: MAPE5REPE4T5
- Unlocks Bash: LAXBU6GRA4U
- Unlocks Behemoth: PASS3SU433KA
- Unlocks Cait Sith: P2KET4DTCW6
- Unlocks Death Machine: CH4D9EN3A3TE3
- Unlocks Fusuya: SF5AUS5WUJ39Y
- Unlocks Gilgamash: GU3RK3UG4AMP
- Unlocks Matoya: M8ATK2TCPAYA
- Unlocks Ming-Wu: MR3ZNNGXU72P
- Unlocks Ninja: H4NA53NJRE9
- Unlocks Oltoross: 8TA9CQQTAC
- Unlocks Omega: 6C6M6E6G6A6
- Unlocks Ragna: RJAGH5UE6NA7
- Unlocks Red Wing: 6A3K2A538TS
- Unlocks Seifer: SME4SA39SFAH
- Unlocks Shantotto: 469J3ELEVENWS
- Unlocks Siegfried: FGR3ET5KKJC
- Unlocks Steiner: A3NASX6UXT7
- Unlocks Vivi: VTS3RAPLVKE3
- Unlocks Wakka: WRKA3KUMKRA
- Unlocks Yuffie: PASS3CH3GC45

Eriq Thompson, 15, and Corey Clemetsen, 14, both from Troop 99 in Albany, Ore., know Taps so well that they’ll be traveling to Arlington National Cemetery next month to perform as part of Arlington Taps 150, the 150th anniversary of the song.

The Scouts are among the youngest of the musicians invited to participate in the event.

Check out their performance of Taps — on trumpet — below.

They’re all worth earning, Haydn, if you have an interest in the subject. I submitted an idea for a Cactus Raising merit badge (the blossoms are very tasty). Haven’t heard back on that one yet.

Q: What are red bugs and how do you treat them?

A: Red bugs, chiggers, berry bugs, scrub-itch mites and harvest mites are all terms used to describe members of the family of insects known as Trombiculidae. These reddish-orange mites can be found worldwide, but they really enjoy hanging out in damp, grassy and wooded areas, especially at the edges of forests. In the United States, chiggers are mostly found in the southeast, south and midwest. They are most active from early spring to early autumn, until the first frost.

Chigger larvae might infest humans by crawling up our shoes and legs as we make our way through the scrub. What’s kind of cool is that they do not actually bite us. Likewise, they do not burrow into our skin, and they do not suck our blood. Instead, chiggers use their mouths to drill tiny holes into our skin through which they secrete specialized salivary enzymes designed to break down our skin cells from the inside. Then, they slurp up the mixture through a tube formed by hardened skin cells called a stylosome. Basically, it’s like drinking a big “YOU” protein shake!

Your skin does not take too kindly to all of this drilling and parasitic digestion. Consequently, humans typically develop intensely itchy, bright red pimple-like bumps or hives or a generalized skin rash in the areas where the mites were attached, even up to 24 to 48 hours after exposure. Chiggers prefer to attach to skin at areas where the clothing fits tightly against the body, such as at the tops of socks or around the elastic edges of underwear, so a rash in these areas may be a clue to the specific cause.

So, what can you do for a chigger rash? First, forget the old myth of applying fingernail polish to the affected areas. Chiggers do NOT burrow into the skin, so trying to suffocate the mites with polish makes no sense at all. Second, chiggers do not lay eggs in the skin, so stop worrying about that.

Chigger wounds are a complex mixture of mechanical damage to the skin (the drilling), enzymatic disruption of the skin (the digestion), and your body’s own attempt to get rid of the parasite. Consequently, the most important thing to do is to prevent chigger infestation. Avoid camping in warm, moist temperate climates of high mammal density, including livestock pastures, natural parks and preserves.

If the area is infested, get out of there quickly and wash your skin vigorously with soap and water. Itching is best alleviated through the use of topical corticosteroids (either over-the-counter hydrocortisone 1% ointment or prescription strength from your physician) and anti-histamines like Benadryl. Watch out for severe rashes that can become secondarily infected with bacteria; in these cases, consult a doctor immediately.

Now you know a “mitey” bit more about chiggers than you did before!

What would you have said?

That means more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees are totally free for this week.

Don’t worry: There are other fee-free dates in 2012. Check out the list here.

Click here to find a park near you.

My stint at Philmont hauling gear-laden panniers was like one long camping trip, Todd. The Philmont staff eventually discovered my true mission in life, and sent me to, ahem, assist the editors here at Boys’ Life.

Q. Dear Gear Guy, I’m going on a Bluenose camping trip and was having trouble finding the right gear. What are some good brands for warm clothes that are also affordable?

A. Gotta love those Bluenose trips! I definitely dig winter camping. OK, affordable cold-weather clothing brands? In my experience, your best bet for quality yet affordable outerwear is to look at the “house brands” of outfitters like REI (rei.com), L.L. Bean (llbean.com) and Cabela’s (cabelas.com). Those big outfitters often manufacture their own branded gear that uses the same high-quality fabrics and insulations as the big brands but for way lower prices. Columbia (columbia.com) makes some pretty affordable warm clothing, too. Stay warm, Thomas!

The Boss is more of a behind-the-scenes kind of guy, Caleb. That’s the most delicate way I can put it. (I don’t want him reading anything derogatory I might write about his appearance—he’s always lurking around and peeking over my shoulder.)

Of course, it’s my real name, Jordan (short for Don Juan Pedro Ladino de Philmonte, which I only use on formal occasions).

There’s nothing like a little music when you’re outdoors, Nick. I even serenade the stars occasionally when I’m out in my corral. The Boss heard me once and threw his shoe at me. I don’t think he’s a music lover.

The Children’s Choice Book Award categories and finalists are as follows:

Kindergarten to Second Grade Book of the Year
Bailey by Harry Bliss (Scholastic)
Dot by Patricia Intriago (Farrar, Straus and Giroux/Macmillan)
Pirates Don’t Take Baths by John Segal (Philomel/Penguin)
Three Hens and a Peacock by Lester L. Laminack, illustrated by Henry Cole (Peachtree)
Zombie in Love by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Scott Campbell (Atheneum/Simon & Schuster)

Third Grade to Fourth Grade Book of the Year
Bad Kitty Meets the Baby by Nick Bruel (Roaring Brook/Macmillan)
A Funeral in the Bathroom: And Other School Bathroom Poems by KalliDakos, illustrated by Mark Beech (Albert Whitman)
The Monstrous Book of Monsters by Libby Hamilton, illustrated by Jonny Duddle and AlekseiBitskoff (Templar/Candlewick)
Sidekicks by Dan Santat (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic)
Squish #1: Super Amoebaby Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm (Random House)

Fifth Grade to Sixth Grade Book of the Year
Bad Islandby Doug TenNapel (GRAPHIX/Scholastic)
How to Survive Anythingby Rachel Buchholz,illustrated by Chris Philpot (National Geographic)
Lost & Foundby Shaun Tan (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic)
Okay for Nowby Gary D. Schmidt (Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
Racing in the Rain: My Life as a Dogby Garth Stein (HarperCollins)

Teen Book of the Year
Clockwork Prince: The Infernal Devices, Book Twoby Cassandra Clare (Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster)
Daughter of Smoke and Boneby Laini Taylor (Little, Brown)
Divergentby Veronica Roth (Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins)
Passion: A Fallen Novelby Lauren Kate (Delacorte/Random House)
Perfectby Ellen Hopkins (Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster)

Author of the Year
Jeff Kinney for Diary of a Wimpy Kid 6: Cabin Fever(Amulet Books/Abrams)
Christopher Paolini for Inheritance(Alfred A. Knopf/Random House)
James Patterson for Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life(Little, Brown)
Rick Riordan for The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus, Book 2)(Disney Hyperion)
Rachel Renée Russell for Dork Diaries 3: Tales from a Not-So-Talented Pop Star(Aladdin/Simon & Schuster)

Illustrator of the Year
Felicia Bond for If You Give a Dog a Donut(Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins)
Eric Carle for The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse(Philomel/Penguin)
Anna Dewdney for Llama Llama Home With Mama(Viking/Penguin)
Victoria Kann for Silverlicious(HarperCollins)
Brian Selznick for Wonderstruck(Scholastic)

Visit this link to cast your vote now: http://www.bookweekonline.com/voting

Many burros have carried heavy loads up and down the Grand Canyon, Devin, but not this burro. Enjoy your outing, though. I’ll think about you when I’m happily munching hay out in my corral.