My recipe is a closely guarded secret, Paul (even though The Boss says he doesn’t know why—no one gets near the stuff). Let’s just say I keep it simple and “earthy.”

Read the jokes in “Think & Grin” at your meetings, Joshua. They keep my hee-hawing. Or discuss the latest “A True Story of Scouts in Action” or an outing featured in the magazine. Boys’ Life can brighten a meeting (and my cartoon will no doubt light up the room).

If it’s not green or brown, it’s probably not going to make it onto my menu, Sterling. But knock yourself out with the alfalfa—it’s full of fiber and protein. Let me know what you think. Nobody around here touches my tasty treats.

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).

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

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.)

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

My favorite shakes are made with alfalfa, naturally. The recipe’s a closely guarded secret, even though nobody seems interested in making them but me. And I must admit, typing with hooves is something I don’t do particularly well.

I don’t believe we have any philosophers around here, Will. I thought about it, and it made my head hurt. I’ll stick with hauling the mailbag.

Thanks for sharing, Frank. Scouts have to be prepared for anything. I’m glad I’m pretty much weather-proof and don’t have to worry about getting out of the rain.

Gee, thanks, Ashton. You’re right about the popularity of my favorite flavors, though. If I opened a shop for one customer, I’d watch the profits go right down my hay hole.

The Boss treats me the same every day, Valentine (so you know how that goes). I don’t believe he knows when my birthday rolls around.

My finely honed comic instincts never fail me, Will. The joke that produces my loudest hee-haw gets my pick.

Cold weather is fine if you’re prepared for it, Zachary. I came with this nice, hairy coat, so it doesn’t bother me. I wouldn’t shave my legs to make shorts if it was freezing, though.

I seem to do something that irritates The Boss on a daily basis, Conor, so he treats me the same every day. But it sure is fun to see his face morph through the colors of the rainbow.

I play video games about as well as I row a boat, Cole, but I like the ones featuring me. I don’t see anyone asking The Boss to pose for the camera—his jackets and ties are painful to look at most days.

You don’t want to see a picture The Boss, Timothy (I’d better make sure he’s not prowling around to check on what I’m doing.) Let’s just say he’s fashion challenged.

It’s hard work, I can tell you that, Chris. The Boss threatens to send me back to Philmont to keep me on my hooves.

Chocolate? Yuk. That ice cream has a delectable herbal flavor, Thomas. I guess you’ll have to keep looking.

I certainly do, Connor. But my stomach has an incredible capacity—I haven’t gone down from putting on the feedbag yet. I must have a high metabolism or something.

I lost the mailbag once, Matthew (actually I stashed it behind the copying machine). The Boss turned the most unusual colors that day when he saw me trotting around without it.

I’ll show this one to The Boss, Matthew. He likes it when readers compliment his story ideas. (Maybe then he’ll forget about stepping on one my burrshoe nails that came out.)

I am cozy in my hay-filled corral, Mark. Burros don’t need a roof and furniture.

I’ve been a backpacking burro, Evan—this is a much cushier gig. And trust me, the extra steps I take will be down to the cantina and back.

The best things I find are the edible ones that blow into my corral, Conner. I’d try geocaching if the prize was food, but then I’d eat it and the game would be over.

Boys’ Life chose me, Tanner. (The Boss says they were stuck with me when the Philmont staff shipped me here, but that’s just his take on the story.) They let me haul the mail because, let’s face it, what else is a burro going to do?

Being an editor looks like fun, Jacob (but I carry the mailbag). I prefer my  corral to a cave—it’s really dark in those places, and a headlamp doesn’t fit over my ears.

The Boss gets upset enough with my snacking and napping, Paul. He’d go off like a bottle rocket if he caught me playing games.

It gives me a break from hauling the mailbag, Sean.

I have a little trouble with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, Tom. Nobody will volunteer to let me practice on him.

If you are inspired enough to make a nifty racer, Nicholas, send us your commendable image.

You sound like The Boss, Kevin. But I’m glad we keep you smiling.

No, Evan. But The Boss fills in nicely, thank you.

I guess you found that article on the Wayback Machine, David—thousands of pages of good stuff.

December 1966 is on the site, Bill (I checked in out—there’s a giant snowman skiing on the cover). We hope to keep putting back issues the Wayback Machine (2009 is on now).

Well, the BSA does have Scout units around the world, Reece. I guess that means I’m world famous. (I don’t think I’ll share that with The Boss, though.)

If we ever catch The Boss playing with Legos (or with anything), we’ll try to get a photo and post it on the web site, Kyle.  Don’t hold your breath.

Not if I could help it, Gerrit.

I thought my cameo was a star turn, Garrett. Thanks. The Boss will undoubtedly be poking around here soon to make sure I haven’t nodded off, and I’ll tell him hi for you.

Being an Eagle Scout is an honor you carry throughout your life, Daniel, and it carries some weight on college applications and resumes.

You are guessing right, Lorin.

I happen to be fluent in Donkey, Matthew. It’s my native tongue, but nobody around here understands it.

Our readers send in many ideas, Jacob, and our crack staff and freelancers also come up with nifty ideas. (I seem to have trouble getting my ideas into print, for some reason.) I guess my job would be hard if I really put my back into it, but that only happens when The Boss is looking.

I get around on my hooves, Josh (short treks only). About the only thing I own is this sweater. And can you see me operating a mechanical device…without causing a minor disaster?

Those pictures are a fun way to enjoy the jamboree again, Owen (whether you attended or not).

Make the most of the experience and have fun, Christopher. I don’t have extra sweaters lying around, and my milkshakes don’t travel too well (or taste too swell to non-burros). Sorry.

I have no idea how my alfalfa gets here, Matthew—it just shows up in the cantina. But I’m glad to hear you’re a fan.

Consider the light shed (at least a glimmer), Alex. You made my E-Bag.

We publish only a fraction of the stories of the Scouts who are recognized by the National Court of Honor each year, Lamar, about one out of eight.

Congratulations on nearing your goal of Eagle Scout, Patrick. The people and experiences do make it a memorable journey.

A clean hydration system keeps you from getting sick, Chris (and an upset tummy is no way to enjoy an outing). The Gear Guy’s columns are posted on this site.

The Boss gets mad about a lot of things, Alisa, but not about anyone reading the magazine. You’re a girl and you enjoy it, so I guess that’s enough said.

Snow is a solid, Rond, and it can scorch if the pot is hot enough. It not only tastes funky, it smells funky, too.

Just how old do you think I am, Jonathan? Boys’ Life celebrated its 100th birthday in 2011. (But I tell The Boss he now couldn’t publish this magazine without me—and, of course, he snorts.)

Have you invited him to attend a meeting to check it out, Leo.? Letting him get to know the other Scouts might light a fire under him.

Just type “learn to tie knots” in the search engine, Sam (it’s in the Video section). That’s one video I’ll never be able to use (these hooves).

I don’t work for the cantina, Daniel, I’m just the best customer (and The Boss says it shows).

I got my job toting the mailbag because I learned how to tote heavy loads at Philmont, Austin. I guess if you learn how to design games, you’ll have an easier time landing a job. (Sounds more fun than this mailbag gig.)

I guess carrying this mailbag does have a benefit, Jonathan. Maybe I should suggest that The Boss lug it around to keep him on an even keel. (He’d never do it, but I’d like to see the look on his face when I suggest it.)

You’ve made me hungry, Michael—and tired. But thanks for the tips.

According to The Boss, my sweater is definitely trademarked (he says the smell is, um, distinctive). You can get a back issue (if it’s not too far back) by sending us the month you’re looking for along with $3.95 to Boys’ Life, 1325 West Walnut Lane, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079.

Whoever heard of an eagle toting a mailbag? The Boss makes this mascot earn his keep, Jimmy (believe me).

Sounds great, C. J. But that’s a long walk for a small burro, and I don’t think The Boss would put me in a crate and ship me there.

I complete meals, naps and my mail rounds, A&W. Merit badges are for Scouts, not burros.

Talking about work makes me sleepy, Sam. Keep plugging away at your goal, and you’ll reach it. The main thing is to have a great Scouting experience.

Hmmm, disappearing magazines. Perhaps you should start a file for the magazines and put each issue away when you’ve finished reading it, Anthony. That way you’ll always know where they are.

Well, I certainly never forgot to turn in a book report, Michael. I don’t believe I ever wrote one, though. Getting grounded wouldn’t be a punishment for me—no work and more time to eat and sleep.

My corral isn’t exactly a social hot spot, Logan. The Boss is always doing the same (picky and a bit demanding). The question is: Where is The Boss?

I wouldn’t feel like myself without my sweater, Cristian.

Oh, you know, Micah, Boss things: Look over Pedro’s shoulder, tell Pedro to tote the mailbag, chase Pedro out of the cantina, wake up Pedro, bark at Pedro. He puts out a great magazine every month, though, so I guess he does a lot of other things besides keeping me on task.

If you’re on the bench, at least you have a good seat for the game, Zachary. But you’ll never know unless you try.

You’re making me blush, Jacob (even though I don’t turn red). And I’ll keep the crack about you-know-who confidential.

You know, Elizabeth, I actually am a beast. I’ll show this to the Boss just to watch him turn funny colors (he thinks he gives me too much hay as it is).

Gee, thanks, Jeremy. I drop the mail all the time when I get excited. It’s just one of those things that endears me to The Boss.

Wonder no more, Talon, and felicidades on your buena experiencia en Colorado.

I eat the ice cream, Colin, and I wear the sweater. But sometimes I get messy and wear the ice cream too —— and green and purple look great together.

And I say thank you, Jeremy. The Boss says I certainly sleep like a rock.

You can check out Steve and Jenny on this site, Noah (and ask them anything). Maybe a better question is: Why does The Boss TRY to overwork me?

Hauling this heavy mailbag around keeps me in shape, Patrick —— which is a good thing, because the only other calorie-burning activity I can do is run. We burros aren’t particularly gifted at sports.

Thanks for the pep talk, Carl. Fun, skills and other cool stuff is a pretty good recipe for a great experience.

If The Boss is around, Michael, I’ll say I don’t “pop up” more because I’m busy toting the mailbag. If he’s not around, I’m either in the cantina chomping on something or taking a snooze somewhere.

I’ll take the milkshake, Ian. About the best I could do with tools is make a pile of tools.

Glad to hear you think Scouting is “sticky,” Tim. Just like a cactus cobbler. Maybe I should wander down to the cantina and see if they’ve got some.

Thanks, Juliano. At least you didn’t say I looked like The Boss.

Well, Adam, all I can say is “flummoxme.”

I sew about as well as I type, John, but thanks for the helpful tip. Maybe it will save a few pin pricks.

Sure, Ethan——tumbleweeds and hay are more grayish tan or light brown or something. They go down just as smooth as the green stuff.

The Boss tries to get me to work me hard, Caleb. That seems to be a continuous point of friction between us.

Epic. I like that, Malcolm. And I’ll pass your suggestion along to The Boss.

I come from a long line of floppy-eared, bag o’ bones hayburners, Josh. But here at the Boys’ Life offices, I’m one of kind.

That used to be my line of work, Grant, and, yup, the bags are heavy. The mailbag can get a little hefty, but nothing like those Philmont packs. I’ll pass the word to my New Mexico compadres to keep it up. I’m heading down to the cantina for a snack.

I’d better, Alex, I camp every night in my corral (without a tent.)

Walking can’t be beat for getting around the jamboree, Ben. You also get to meet more people that way.

It’s simple, Connor. Just type “jamboree DVD order form” in the search box and then download the order form. Fill it out and mail it or fax it to us.