NATIONAL SCOUTING MUSEUM
Do you have a box full of BSA patches you've been awarded and pins you've earned? Wherever you stow your Scouting treasures, they are cherished reminders of good times you've had with your pack, troop, or crew, and of steps on your journey along the advancement trail.

The National Scouting Museum in Irving, Texas, is the memorabilia box of the Boy Scouts of America. From the soaring entry to displays of the BSA's most prized possessions, the National Scouting Museum is a must-see destination for every Scout and Scouter.

Museum exhibits exploring the organization's first century bring to life the Boy Scout story. You'll find interactive presentations, histories of the BSA's origins and development, and the world's finest collection of Norman Rockwell's paintings of Scouting scenes.

Visitors of all ages can enjoy hours of delight and discovery in the National Scouting Museum. For directions, hours, and more information, check out www.bsamuseum.org.

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SCOUT STUFF - THE BOOK
Take an exciting journey through the National Scouting Museum with Scout Stuff, a brand-new book from DK Publishing and the Boy Scouts of America.

The 240 large-format pages feature gorgeous color photographs sampling the best and most unusual museum items. From the first Eagle Scout pin to packets of freeze-dried ice cream just right for backpacking or carrying aboard a spacecraft, it's as though you've lifted the lid off BSA's national box of treasures to discover everything inside.

Here's a Scout Stuff sneak peek, starting with the evolution of BSA uniforms through the decades.

The uniform on these pages date to Scouting's earliest days when boys wore merit badges on their right sleeves and emblems of office on the left. Subsequent pages show vintage uniforms of Cub Scouts, Sea Scouts, Air Scouts, Explorers, and Venturers.

Scout Stuff takes a sharp look at the National Scouting Museum's pocketknife collection, ranging from old blades carried by early Scouts to a modern edition featuring a computer-compatible memory stick.

Want to learn more about Scouting's origins? Scout Stuff shares stories and artifacts of many who played roles in launching the organization, including Ernest Thompson Seton - author, artist, naturalist, and BSA's first Chief Scout.

When it comes to BSA memorabilia, registration cards certainly have a story to tell. Early cards were held together with metal rivets. The folded cards of the 1920s and 1930s came in small brown envelopes.

Order of the Arrow patches have a special place in the hearts of collectors. You'll find plenty of prized OA memorabilia in the National Scouting Museum and on the pages of Scout Stuff.

A perfect gift for the holidays, Scout Stuff is a must-have book for everyone interested in Scouting. Get your copies now at www.scoutstuff.org.

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COLLECTING MERIT BADGE
The joy of collecting can lead in many directions, from stamps and coins to baseball cards, comic books, and embroidered patches. If you like collecting things, check out the Collections merit badge. Completing the requirements will guide you as you expand your collections, organize and protect them, and put them on display.

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PATCH VESTS
To show off your previously earned badges and insignia, a patch vest could be just the thing. It's not part of the official BSA uniform, but you can wear it at campfires and other informal gatherings. Order a vest in your size from www.scoutstuff.org.

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COLLECT THE SCOUT STUFF PATCH
Want a unique patch to add to your collection? Inside every copy of Scout Stuff you'll find a handsome, full-color embroidered emblem celebrating the National Scouting Museum and everything that makes up the good stuff of Scouting. For details, see www.scoutstuff.org.

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(This edition of the Be Prepared Newsletter was developed and written by Robert Birkby, author of the current edition of the Boy Scout Handbook and of Scout Stuff, the new book about the National Scouting Museum collection.)