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.

Does he ever! Oh, sshhh. I’d better be careful. Check out the video “Behind the Scenes: How We Make Boys’ Life” on this site. You’ll get to see his backside (and his unique taste in clothing and hairstyle).

I could rent out my corral at reasonable rates, Collin. If that doesn’t interest you (not a lot of facilities or programs), you could search the
internet. BSA local councils have websites with information on their camps.

If you were my boss, Kenneth, would you carry the mailbag for a change?

Gee, Timothy, if I tweet it’s not on purpose….just kidding. I communicate by writing this E-bag and “Hitchin’ Rack” and hee-hawing when I laugh. I do have to haul the mailbag most of the time. That’s why The Boss feeds me.

The jamboree WAS great, Kyle. Your friend must have missed the Boys’ Life area. I had the grass mowed down to the dirt in my corral (the hay just wasn’t enough).

That’s an ambitious goal, Peter. If you’re interested in earning a lot of merit badges it’s achievable, I suppose. If it sounds like fun, go for it.

Same as for the rest of the year, Bill——eating and sleeping (and trying not to get caught at it when I’m supposed to be working).

They don’t let me play with sharp objects, Jack, but I hope you’re now able to carve my handsome likeness. Pedro carvings are the bomb.

The Boss is The Boss, Nick, and (aaack, he’s looking over my shoulder). OK, that’s hilarious, Boss. He says I could work 24/7 and never put in a full day’s work. I never catch a break. Man, he’s sneaky.

How about the history of burros in America, Joe? That’s one of my favorite topics. Or maybe why naps are good for you.

Sending me to the cantina is definitely not on The Boss’s to-do list, Bryan.

Hauling this mailbag is hard, Noah, but I love the chow at the end of a long day. Scouting has payoffs for hard work too.

Like they’d ever give me a cell phone, Michael.

Hee-haw, that’s pretty good, Michael. But then I think almost everything is funny.

In the corral, in the cantina, in the hall, in his office——you get the idea, Jack.

First, let me make sure The Boss isn’t sneaking around. OK, the coast is clear. Trust me on this one, Matt——you don’t want to see The Boss’s face.

How old is that mold, Jake?

I do what I can, Ryan, even though The Boss says it’s never quite enough.

Naturally. And thanks for promoting me to editor.

Whew, climbing mountains is a lot of work, Jason. But I agree, the views from the top are pretty sweet.

Because they don’t make pants with a hole for my tail, Gene.

I just laugh at them, Max. The jokes all come from our readers (that’s The Boss’s rule).

We have a listing of all the merit badges and requirements on this site, Trevor. And here’s my tip for camp: Take the merit badges that are difficult to learn anywhere else. Camps may have boats and water or horses or shooting ranges, you get the idea.

Gosh, yes, Michael. I know our staff finds our website challenging, but fun. And don’t I look good at the bottom of the home page?

I agree, Alec. Here’s a big hee-haw from me.

I have the same problem, Peter, but I have an editor. See if you can get one a little less grouchy then mine. Or just practice your handwriting and use a dictionary.

Good one, Jeffrey. Cowboys used to call food “chuck.” On cattle drives the food was carried in a chuck wagon and the chuck box carried the cooking implements and spices. (I had to ask The Boss.)

Of course, Matthew—my full name is Don Juan Pedro Ladino de Philmonte. That’s too much of a mouthful for most people, though.

“Guy Gear” has a rundown on backpacks on this site, Alex. Use the search feature and check it out.

When they schedule the eating theme, let me know, Caleb.

Yeah, we have some of those around here Tyler. For some reason, The Boss always wins them.

I have enough trouble with typing, Mel——but a burro with a guitar, that sounds pretty interesting. It would drive The Boss nuts.

The Boss says I’m a walking lint factory, Steve. But thanks for the tip.

Sure, Luke. If it’s green, I’ve tried it. Crabgrass is a bit tart.

I’ve hit the slopes, Kris, but not on purpose——and never on a board.

I have enough trouble with typing, Mel — but a burro with a guitar ,that sounds pretty interesting. It would drive The Boss nuts.

The Boss says I’m a walking lint factory, Steve. But thanks for the tip.

Sure, Luke. If it’s green, I’ve tried it. Crabgrass is a bit tart.

I’ve hit the slopes, Kris, but not on purpose — and never on a board.

It’s going to be quite a show, Matt. Check with your local council to find out where it will be shown on a big screen on Saturday, July 31.

As soon as you get your dough, David, stash some of it away——bank (piggy or otherwise), sock, mattress, tin can. And pretend you don’t have it. You’ll
be surprised how much you can save.

If the (burro) shoe fits, wear it, Jason. And I wear mine proudly. The Boss says nobody has a hee-haw like mine.

The Boss never talks about his age…or his house, for that matter. He’s all business, Jamie. And I’m all play. Maybe that’s not such a good combination.

I hope you were kind to my equine cousins, Daniel. I sympathize with all my fellow creatures who carry burdens, like this big mailbag I’m looking at.
I’m glad you had a good time, though.

What’s a little rain when you’re having a good time, right, Max?

I’m sure you’ll get your chance on the ice soon, Michael. Until then, chill out. Hee-haw!

I’ve been stung a few times sticking my nose in the clover, Peter. But good luck with your campaign. Those pesky bees help make the lunch I love to
munch.

That’s OK, David. The Boss will think that is funny. Or will he? He doesn’t really laugh at anything. Oh well, he’s not around right now——into the E-bag this goes!

Do they look like your hands, Ian? I should say not. And yes, my typing is ridiculous.

I think it’s cool, Andrew. I don’t get asked about new merit badges to introduce, Andrew. In fact, about the only things I get asked to do are
“Stop it” and “Hurry up with the mailbag.” Oh, well. But what about Architecture and Chemistry and Collecting and Medicine and Radio and
Woodwork? Not exactly outdoor pursuits, but merit badges definitely worth looking into for a career or a lifetime hobby.

The Boss is only scary if you work for him, Brandon. (And even then he’s not that scary.) This magazine was around long before The Boss started giving orders. Boys’ Life celebrates its 100th birthday next year.

The Boss never gives me any cantina time, George. I just, you know, drift down there as often as I can. The Boss says my full time job is eating and
sleeping and that toting the mailbag is incidental. So I probably won’t be asking him to camp out in the cantina, even though it would be fun to see
how far his eyes pop out.

Arrgh, Adam, you cut me to the quick. I could wear a patch over an eye, but I’d run into stuff. I don’t think I’d make a very good pirate. A mailburro is a unique, hardworking equine (namely me) who totes the mail around the Boys’ Life offices. And they didn’t choose me, I was shipped to the editors and they gave me the one job they thought I could handle.

That’s probably what Scouts in 1960 said when they looked at a 1910 handbook, Andy——different times, different requirements.

I’m touched, Austin. I won’t even mind if The Boss looks over my shoulder and reads your message.

That’s because I’m wearing it, Matthew. But seriously, if you do go asking for treats in October disguised as me, hee-haw nicely and hope for something good, green and grainy.

Yeah, Hank, get out a map and find some new places. Check out state and national parks and preserves. Many of them are perfect for campouts.

Since Scouting is for humans, Robert, that’s an experience I missed. But I do enjoy reading about and watching videos of Scouting adventures.

That is pretty cool, Keith. Since I don’t wear pants, that’s something I won’t learn how to do.

The Boss tells me it’s all about skills and judgment, Jonathan. And he tells me that’s why I’m hauling the mailbag. Isn’t he a sweetheart?

Yes you are, Joe — one I don’t plan to visit. But I’m glad you had a blast.

Me neither, Joel (but it isn’t going to happen for a while). The water’s great when it’s not frozen, too. Of course, I roll in the dust to cool off. Nobody understands that one.

I’ll bet they don’t sell tumbleweed tacos at the concession stands, though, Sandy. That would be a thrill.