Misc Visuals
The Ultimate Visual Guide to Boy Scout Patches and What They Mean
The Boy Scouts of America was established in 1910 – ever since, invaluable qualities such as integrity, courage, teamwork, and survival skills have been cultivated and challenged in the youths who join. Boy Scouts can earn a myriad of patches that represent their achievements, ranging from simple colored shoulder loops to indicate the level of scouting the Scout has reached to individual merit badges in skills such as swimming, first aid, environmental science, archery, communication, citizenship in the community, wood carving, and even family life! One thing I love about patches of all kinds is how they translate a broader concept into a small design, much like logos! The team at WizardPins.com has created this fantastic visual guide to Boy Scout patches and what they mean:
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There are so many cool designs on here! I am especially fond of the Wood Carving, Camping, and Arrow of Light patches. There are over 135 merit badges that Scouts can earn. How are Boy Scout patches earned? For merit badges, a scout must complete requirements with their badge counselor that help demonstrate a skillful understanding of the badge’s subject. For example, in order to earn a Hiking merit badge, the Scout must take four 10-mile hikes and one 20-mile hike with written plans and follow-up reports. I am actually shocked that a 20-mile hike is necessary – that is a colossal challenge even for a well-seasoned adult! It even says that Scouts are permitted to stop for just one meal. Goodness gracious! Way to go, Boy Scouts.
The team at Mortgage Calculator released a study examining COVID-19’s impact on the American housing market. The pandemic hugely impacted the global economy, creating shifts in the prices of groceries, cars, gas, and homes. Generally, home prices skyrocketed all around the country. Their research showed that these ten U.S. cities had the largest home price increases:
- Irvine, CA
- Detroit, MI
- Fayetteville, NC
- Miami, FL
- Tampa, FL
- Buffalo, NY
- Port St. Lucie, FL
- Newark, NJ
- San Bernardino, CA
- Petersburg, FL
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There are many reasons that home prices rose so much between 2020 and 2024. The economy was chaotic and uncertain during the pandemic, with average people feeling unequipped to navigate the changes. Many people lost jobs, especially those who held public-facing positions. Others switched to remote work, forcing them to make their home their workspace. For some, this was an ideal situation; others wished for a new home to accommodate their new way of working. Unemployment rose to a higher rate than it had in 80 years. This situation left many seeking new situations, but just as many felt they should plant deeper roots instead.
There were not enough houses to fit the number of people searching for a move or first-time home ownership. Interest rates soared. People moved out of city centers to rural and suburban communities. This left the housing market in flux with skyrocketing prices, as we can see from the in-depth research presented in this chart.
The team at Sightmark offered us a look into the world’s most impressive sniper shots with a chart showing how the longest shots ever made measure up. Their display is rich with details, including the sniper’s origin country, the weapon and ammo used, and, of course, the length of the shot with handy comparison visuals that highlight the skill needed to make these incredible shots.
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These were the longest sniper shots made, according to their research:
- Viacheslav Kovalskyi (Ukraine) – 2.36 mile shot
- JTF 2 Sniper (Canada) – 2.2-mile shot
- 2 Cdo Regt Sniper (Australia) – 1.75-mile shot
- Ukrainian National Guard Sniper (Ukraine) – 1.68-mile shot
- Corporal of Horse Craig Harrison (United Kingdom) 1.54 mile shot
- Corporal Rob Furlong (Canada) – 1.51 mile shot
- Master Corporal Arron Perry (Canada) – 1.44 mile shot
- Sergeant Brian Kremer (United States) – 1.43-mile shot
- Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock (United States) – 1.42-mile shot
- South African Special Forces Sniper (South Africa) – 1.32-mile shot
We can see that some of the names of the top snipers have been withheld from public records for reasons of military confidentiality. Many of these snipers belong to their nation’s most elite military units, undertaking dangerous and highly secretive missions. The data shows us the precision skill it takes to be one of the world’s best long-distance marksmen. Helpful context provides further jaw-dropping statistics. For example, Kovalski’s shot over 2.36 miles was longer than the Washington Mall. He had a spotter helping him with conditions, but he missed his first shot, breaking the record with his second.
The United States is home to a wealth of incredible amusement parks, offering experiences for both families and adrenaline junkies. With so many options, deciding where to go can be overwhelming. Fortunately, a new chart from the Florida Rentals team ranks the nation’s top parks, making it easier to plan your next adventure.
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The rankings are based on several key factors:
- Park size
- Total attractions available
- Number of roller coasters in operation
- Themed areas within the park
- Ticket pricing
- Reviews from Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor
Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, claimed the top spot. Known as the second-oldest theme park in the country, Cedar Point boasts the highest number of mechanical rides worldwide that earned it a Guinness World Record. This iconic destination is celebrated for its legendary roller coasters, including fan favorites like Raptor, Millennium Force, Maverick, Gatekeeper, and Steel Vengeance.
The top ten parks featured in the chart include:
- Cedar Point
- Six Flags Great Adventure
- Six Flags Great America
- Kings Island
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Hersheypark
- Disneyland
- Magic Kingdom
- Disney’s California Adventure
This chart serves as a handy resource for anyone planning a theme park getaway. With insights on locations, ticket prices, and standout features, it’s the ultimate tool for choosing your next thrilling escape.
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