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Glenn Beck 'Roughs It' at Boy Scout Camporee 2016: Potstickers, CNN & Buc-ee’s

November 14, 2016
Lori Hanes

Writer

It ain't what it used to be, that's for sure. Abandoned in the wilderness that is Texas Motor Speedway, Glenn pitched a tent with his son this weekend at the Boy Scout Camporee, a huge scouting event in North Texas that draws nearly 6,000 scouts.

"So we go and we pack all of our gear, and we pull up to the NASCAR Speedway, and we're in the parking lot outside of the speedway, in between the speedway and the interstate," Glenn said Monday on his radio program.

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Thinking he'd be roughing it for the weekend, Glenn was surprised to find access to Port-A-Potty row, the giant convenience store that is Buc-ee's and Asian cuisine.

"We're making dinner, and the boys have to come up with what to have for dinner. What kind of Boy Scout troop has potstickers on a campout?" Glenn laughed. "Potstickers. We're having Asian cuisine?"

So much for the skillet cornbread and campfire stew.

Read below or listen to the full segment for answers to these questions:

• Was shuttle service available from Texas Motor Speedway to Buc-ee's?

• Did Jeffy attend the Camporee with his son?

• Did Glenn schedule a CNN interview at the Camporee?

• What time did Glenn leave the campsite?

• Will Glenn ever camp again?

Listen to this segment, beginning at mark 2:40, from The Glenn Beck Program:

Below is a rush transcript of this segment, it might contain errors:

GLENN: It is -- I went out camping with my son on Friday.

JEFFY: Did you?

GLENN: Yeah. And shockingly, your son as well. But you weren't there, for some reason.

JEFFY: No. I don't -- I couldn't make it. I have work here at the network.

GLENN: No. I'm your boss. No, you didn't have work on Friday night.

JEFFY: I do.

GLENN: You didn't have to -- so I went. It was the longest night of my life, I contend. I went, got there about 5:30 with my son.

PAT: It was at the Texas Speedway.

JEFFY: It's a camporee.

PAT: I mean, come on. That's not roughing it.

GLENN: No. No. Really?

PAT: Really.

GLENN: So we're in Texas, the largest state next to Alaska --

PAT: Right. Largest in the 48 contiguous.

GLENN: I mean, it is -- right? We're ten times the size of most countries.

PAT: We've got wilderness.

GLENN: We have it here. We're outdoorsmen. Right?

PAT: Yes.

GLENN: We're tough. I'm not. But that's the -- that's the MO on Texas.

So here's where we end up. So we go and we pack all of our gear, and we pull up to the -- the -- the Speedway.

(laughter)

GLENN: The NASCAR Speedway. And we're in the parking lot outside of the Speedway, in between the Speedway and the interstate.

PAT: In between -- so you're between the Speedway and I-35?

GLENN: And I-35.

PAT: Wow, that's bizarre.

GLENN: And I said to my son, I said, "You know what, let's go see if we can find any animals."

"Oh, there's a beaver across the street. It's Buc-ee's. Let's go."

STU: The convenience store.

GLENN: The convenience store, which is not a convenience store. It is a city.

STU: Yes, it's awesome.

GLENN: If you don't have a Buc-ee's around you -- people wouldn't know what to do -- if you're from New York and you go to a Buc-ee's, they wouldn't know what to think.

STU: It's like a Walmart-sized convenience store. It's unbelievable.

STU: It's unbelievable.

PAT: And another thing, the Texas Motor Speedway is in the metroplex.

GLENN: Yes.

STU: Still in part of this massive city.

GLENN: No. On the other side of the Buc-ee's is the airport.

PAT: Yeah.

GLENN: So you're having (sound effect). All right? So it's that outdoorsy. It's that outdoorsy.

PAT: Wow. Why did they pick that? Do you have any --

JEFFY: Because there's space.

GLENN: I would imagine because -- yeah, it's 6,000 Boy Scouts.

JEFFY: It's a camporee.

PAT: 6,000.

JEFFY: Yeah.

GLENN: 6,000 Boy Scouts. 6,000.

PAT: Again, I will say it again, we have wilderness.

GLENN: I know. I guarantee you --

JEFFY: We don't have enough for areas for that many --

PAT: Yes, we do.

JEFFY: We do not.

GLENN: No, no, no. I guarantee you, you cannot have 6,000 -- Pat. Pat.

PAT: We've had jamborees in Montana. Are you telling me Montana has better facilities than Texas --

JEFFY: This is a camporee.

PAT: Well, we've had that.

JEFFY: Not a jamboree.

PAT: A jamboree and a camporee are essentially the --

GLENN: I can guarantee you -- this is because of the laws, having to make sure that you have access to everything.

PAT: Oh, I bet.

GLENN: That you have the right number of Port-A-Potties. And it's just too expensive to go out and really do it.

PAT: So you had bathrooms what, at the Motor Speedway?

GLENN: Yeah, and also Port-A-Potties everywhere. But we also had real --

PAT: Wow.

GLENN: Yeah, okay. So it was at the Motor Speedway. So we're -- I'm pitching a tent on gravel.

JEFFY: Right.

PAT: Come on.

GLENN: And to make it worse, I had scheduled --

PAT: Not even on grass. At least they could have put you on the infield.

GLENN: So I scheduled an interview. I had an interview scheduled for CNN. So I have to do this interview. So they bring this satellite truck. CNN sends this satellite truck. And so it pulls up next to the tents. And it's got all the -- it's like a city now. And the cameras are there. And everything else. This gigantic satellite on this gigantic semi. And all the Boy Scouts are coming --

JEFFY: Nobody knew you were there.

GLENN: Nobody knew I was there. So all the Boy Scouts were coming around because it was there for four hours.

PAT: Oh, my gosh.

GLENN: And they said, "What's with the -- and I said, "We have HBO. We have Showtime. We're not roughing it here. What do you guys have? Because we have every channel known to man at our campsite."

(laughter)

It was nuts.

PAT: I bet they were mad.

GLENN: Then we're making dinner. And the boys have to come up with what to have for dinner.

PAT: Uh-huh.

GLENN: What kind of Boy Scout troop has potstickers on a campout? I said, "What are you guys making?"

STU: Like dumplings?

GLENN: Yeah, potstickers.

STU: Right.

GLENN: "Potstickers." I said, "We're having Asian cuisine?"

(chuckling)

GLENN: "How do you make those over a campfire?"

JEFFY: You wrap them in foil, right?

GLENN: Yeah. We didn't actually have a campfire -- you can't have a campfire at the Speedway. So you just bring the kitchen appliances. Oh, my gosh, it was like come on.

STU: Wait. So they had an oven or a microwave?

JEFFY: They have a grill.

GLENN: They made them in -- on a stove.

JEFFY: On the gas grills. The Coleman gas --

GLENN: Yeah. The Coleman gas grills.

So it was camping like no other. I got up -- I finally got up at 4 o'clock in the morning because I couldn't -- I just couldn't take it anymore. And I got up at 4 o'clock in the morning. And I just -- I rolled up my sleeping bag. And then I went -- no, I'm not even rolling it up. I'm just leaving. My son can pack it. So I left. I left --

JEFFY: So is your tent still in the middle of the --

GLENN: No, he did it.

PAT: I love that. That is quintessential Glenn Beck. Quintessential Glenn Beck.

(laughter)

GLENN: My son gets up, and he calls me. And he's like, "You just left the tent?"

PAT: That's the greatest.

GLENN: And I said, "Damn right. You're a Boy Scout. Roll that baby up and make sure you don't lose any of the pieces. I'll see you at home later."

(laughter)

PAT: So you didn't even wake Raphe up to say you were leaving?

GLENN: No.

PAT: You just left?

GLENN: No, he was -- no. Here -- I get here. This really hacked me off.

I get there. And one of the dads drops his son off and says, "I'm just dropping him off."

You're, what?

"I'm just dropping him off."

You're not staying?

"At the Motor Speedway?"

I'm like -- well, no. I didn't know I had that option.

Then -- then as I'm --

PAT: Your wife didn't let you have that option.

GLENN: I know. Then as they're pitching -- as they're pitching their tents and I'm pitching mine, one of the camp -- the counselors comes over and says, "So Raphe -- all the boys are going to be sleeping over there in their tents, and then you just stay in yours, and everybody can just stay in their -- you know, the men will stay in their tents."

PAT: And wasn't the point for the fathers to be with the sons, right?

GLENN: Right. So I stood around all night.

PAT: If you're not with the son, then why be there?

GLENN: Why be there?

PAT: I'm with you on that. I'm with you.

GLENN: Right. Right. So I didn't -- I got up. He wasn't even in my tent. He was in with the other boys in their tent.

PAT: Definitely with you.

GLENN: I'm like, "Oh, man." I said to him, "We're never camping again. Never. At least at a motor speedway."

STU: Interesting. That's also what civilization said about 1900.

GLENN: Right.

STU: We're never camping again.

GLENN: I mean, when you're camping and you're going to the Buc-ee's, that's not camping.

JEFFY: Well, you made the choice to go to Buc-ee's. You can make the choice not to.

GLENN: We could have hiked across the street. I could have put my big hiking boots and gone across the street to the Buc-ee's. That's not camping.

The worst experience next to this one -- the worst experience of my life was my brother convinced me to go hiking. And hike up Mount Baker. Okay? Now, this is a mountain up in northwest Washington. So he says, "Let's hike up Mount Baker. I know this great place that we could camp."

So we hike all day. I mean, we started 6 o'clock in the morning. By the time we make it to camp, it's maybe 9:30 or 10:00 because it's summertime. And it's taken us all day to get there. And it's pitch dark when we get there. And we're pitching the tent in the dark.

STU: What year is this? This is like --

GLENN: I'm 17 years old.

STU: Okay.

GLENN: So we pitch the tent.

The next morning, I'm awakened by the gentle sound of an RV.

(chuckling)

GLENN: And I open up the tent and there is a freaking parking lot. And I look at my brother, and I said, "We hiked all day yesterday so we could get away -- and we're at a parking lot?" He's like, "I knew you wouldn't go any place without a bathroom. So we're just hiking up here. I couldn't imagine you being quiet without an indoor bathroom. This is the only place."

JEFFY: Even then.

GLENN: Even then.

JEFFY: So I want to -- you're upset that you weren't roughing it enough?

GLENN: No.

JEFFY: As --

PAT: You're upset that you didn't drive to the campsite.

JEFFY: You're so upset that you were going camping with your son, that you had a TV live shot scheduled.

GLENN: If you're going to be miserable, at least be out in the middle of nowhere.

PAT: Uh-huh.

GLENN: Why be miserable, literally ten minutes from my house. All I could think of was, I could get in my house -- I could be sitting in my couch in total comfort within eight minutes.

JEFFY: Yeah, that's why I don't camp.

STU: If you -- this exact monologue occurs if the opposite happens, which if you're in the middle of nowhere, you complain about not being close enough to anything.

JEFFY: Yeah.

STU: Why can't we just go right next door --

PAT: There's no question about that.

STU: -- like the Texas Motor Speedway, across the street from Buc-ee's.

PAT: The issue is camping. Stop it. Let's stop camping. There's no reason for it. We have homes now. Camping was important when we didn't have homes.

(chuckling)

GLENN: Can you imagine --

PAT: Now we have nice places to rest.

GLENN: Imagine -- imagine somebody 100 years ago saying, "Man, some day, people are going to live like this for fun." And everybody would be like, "Crapping in the woods? Being cold, sleeping with a rock print in your face the next morning? I don't think so." No, they'll do it for fun, I'm telling you. No.

PAT: Yeah.

(chuckling)

GLENN: I mean, they didn't know that we were also going to have potstickers.

(chuckling)

GLENN: That may have been the thing that threw it over the edge.

Featured Image: (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)

Shocking Christian massacres unveiled

Aldara Zarraoa / Contributor | Getty Images

Is a Christian Genocide unfolding overseas?

Recent reports suggest an alarming escalation in violence against Christians, raising questions about whether these acts constitute genocide under international law. Recently, Glenn hosted former U.S. Army Special Forces Sniper Tim Kennedy, who discussed a predictive model that forecasts a surge in global Christian persecution for the summer of 2025.

From Africa to Asia and the Middle East, extreme actions—some described as genocidal—have intensified over the past year. Over 380 million Christians worldwide face high levels of persecution, a number that continues to climb. With rising international concern, the United Nations and human rights groups are urging protective measures by the global community. Is a Christian genocide being waged in the far corners of the globe? Where are they taking place, and what is being done?

India: Hindu Extremist Violence Escalates

Yawar Nazir / Contributor | Getty Images

In India, attacks on Christians have surged as Hindu extremist groups gain influence within the country. In February 2025, Hindu nationalist leader Aadesh Soni organized a 50,000-person rally in Chhattisgarh, where he called for the rape and murder of all Christians in nearby villages and demanded the execution of Christian leaders to erase Christianity. Other incidents include forced conversions, such as a June 2024 attack in Chhattisgarh, where a Hindu mob gave Christian families a 10-day ultimatum to convert to Hinduism. In December 2024, a Christian man in Uttar Pradesh was attacked, forcibly converted, and paraded while the mob chanted "Death to Jesus."

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommends designating India a "Country of Particular Concern" and imposing targeted sanctions on those perpetrating these attacks. The international community is increasingly alarmed by the rising tide of religious violence in India.

Syria: Sectarian Violence Post-Regime Change

LOUAI BESHARA / Contributor | Getty Images

Following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024, Syria has seen a wave of sectarian violence targeting religious minorities, including Christians, with over 1,000 killed in early 2025. It remains unclear whether Christians are deliberately targeted or caught in broader conflicts, but many fear persecution by the new regime or extremist groups. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a dominant rebel group and known al-Qaeda splinter group now in power, is known for anti-Christian sentiments, heightening fears of increased persecution.

Christians, especially converts from Islam, face severe risks in the unstable post-regime environment. The international community is calling for humanitarian aid and protection for Syria’s vulnerable minority communities.

Democratic Republic of Congo: A "Silent Genocide"

Hugh Kinsella Cunningham / Stringer | Getty Images

In February 2025, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an ISIS-affiliated group, beheaded 70 Christians—men, women, and children—in a Protestant church in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, after tying their hands. This horrific massacre, described as a "silent genocide" reminiscent of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, has shocked the global community.

Since 1996, the ADF and other militias have killed over six million people, with Christians frequently targeted. A Christmas 2024 attack killed 46, further decimating churches in the region. With violence escalating, humanitarian organizations are urging immediate international intervention to address the crisis.

POLL: Starbase exposed: Musk’s vision or corporate takeover?

MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO / Contributor | Getty Images

Is Starbase the future of innovation or a step too far?

Elon Musk’s ambitious Starbase project in South Texas is reshaping Boca Chica into a cutting-edge hub for SpaceX’s Starship program, promising thousands of jobs and a leap toward Mars colonization. Supporters see Musk as a visionary, driving economic growth and innovation in a historically underserved region. However, local critics, including Brownsville residents and activists, argue that SpaceX’s presence raises rents, restricts beach access, and threatens environmental harm, with Starbase’s potential incorporation as a city sparking fears of unchecked corporate control. As pro-Musk advocates clash with anti-Musk skeptics, will Starbase unite the community or deepen the divide?

Let us know what you think in the poll below:

Is Starbase’s development a big win for South Texas?  

Should Starbase become its own city?  

Is Elon Musk’s vision more of a benefit than a burden for the region?

Shocking truth behind Trump-Zelenskyy mineral deal unveiled

Chip Somodevilla / Staff | Getty Images

President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have finalized a landmark agreement that will shape the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations. The agreement focuses on mineral access and war recovery.

After a tense March meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy signed a deal on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, granting the U.S. preferential mineral rights in Ukraine in exchange for continued military support. Glenn analyzed an earlier version of the agreement in March, when Zelenskyy rejected it, highlighting its potential benefits for America, Ukraine, and Europe. Glenn praised the deal’s strategic alignment with U.S. interests, including reducing reliance on China for critical minerals and fostering regional peace.

However, the agreement signed this week differs from the March proposal Glenn praised. Negotiations led to significant revisions, reflecting compromises on both sides. What changes were made? What did each leader seek, and what did they achieve? How will this deal impact the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations and global geopolitics? Below, we break down the key aspects of the agreement.

What did Trump want?

Bloomberg / Contributor | Getty Images

Trump aimed to curb what many perceive as Ukraine’s overreliance on U.S. aid while securing strategic advantages for America. His primary goals included obtaining reimbursement for the billions in military aid provided to Ukraine, gaining exclusive access to Ukraine’s valuable minerals (such as titanium, uranium, and lithium), and reducing Western dependence on China for critical resources. These minerals are essential for aerospace, energy, and technology sectors, and Trump saw their acquisition as a way to bolster U.S. national security and economic competitiveness. Additionally, he sought to advance peace talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war, positioning the U.S. as a key mediator.

Ultimately, Trump secured preferential—but not exclusive—rights to extract Ukraine’s minerals through the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, as outlined in the agreement. The U.S. will not receive reimbursement for past aid, but future military contributions will count toward the joint fund, designed to support Ukraine’s post-war recovery. Zelenskyy’s commitment to peace negotiations under U.S. leadership aligns with Trump’s goal of resolving the conflict, giving him leverage in discussions with Russia.

These outcomes partially meet Trump’s objectives. The preferential mineral rights strengthen U.S. access to critical resources, but the lack of exclusivity and reimbursement limits the deal’s financial benefits. The peace commitment, however, positions Trump as a central figure in shaping the war’s resolution, potentially enhancing his diplomatic influence.

What did Zelenskyy want?

Global Images Ukraine / Contributor | Getty Images

Zelenskyy sought to sustain U.S. military and economic support without the burden of repaying past aid, which has been critical for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. He also prioritized reconstruction funds to rebuild Ukraine’s war-torn economy and infrastructure. Security guarantees from the U.S. to deter future Russian aggression were a key demand, though controversial, as they risked entangling America in long-term commitments. Additionally, Zelenskyy aimed to retain control over Ukraine’s mineral wealth to safeguard national sovereignty and align with the country’s European Union membership aspirations.

The final deal delivered several of Zelenskyy’s priorities. The reconstruction fund, supported by future U.S. aid, provides a financial lifeline for Ukraine’s recovery without requiring repayment of past assistance. Ukraine retained ownership of its subsoil and decision-making authority over mineral extraction, granting only preferential access to the U.S. However, Zelenskyy conceded on security guarantees, a significant compromise, and agreed to pursue peace talks under Trump’s leadership, which may involve territorial or political concessions to Russia.

Zelenskyy’s outcomes reflect a delicate balance. The reconstruction fund and retained mineral control bolster Ukraine’s economic and sovereign interests, but the absence of security guarantees and pressure to negotiate peace could strain domestic support and challenge Ukraine’s long-term stability.

What does this mean for the future?

Handout / Handout | Getty Images

While Trump didn’t secure all his demands, the deal advances several of his broader strategic goals. By gaining access to Ukraine’s mineral riches, the U.S. undermines China’s dominance over critical elements like lithium and graphite, essential for technology and energy industries. This shift reduces American and European dependence on Chinese supply chains, strengthening Western industrial and tech sectors. Most significantly, the agreement marks a pivotal step toward peace in Europe. Ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which has claimed thousands of lives, is a top priority for Trump, and Zelenskyy’s commitment to U.S.-led peace talks enhances Trump’s leverage in negotiations with Russia. Notably, the deal avoids binding U.S. commitments to Ukraine’s long-term defense, preserving flexibility for future administrations.

The deal’s broader implications align with the vision Glenn outlined in March, when he praised its potential to benefit America, Ukraine, and Europe by securing resources and creating peace. While the final agreement differs from Glenn's hopes, it still achieves key goals he outlined.

Did Trump's '51st state' jab just cost Canada its independence?

Bloomberg / Contributor | Getty Images

Did Canadians just vote in their doom?

On April 28, 2025, Canada held its federal election, and what began as a promising conservative revival ended in a Liberal Party regroup, fueled by an anti-Trump narrative. This outcome is troubling for Canada, as Glenn revealed when he exposed the globalist tendencies of the new Prime Minister, Mark Carney. On a recent episode of his podcast, Glenn hosted former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, who provided insight into Carney’s history. She revealed that, as governor of the Bank of England, Carney contributed to the 2022 pension crisis through policies that triggered excessive money printing, leading to rampant inflation.

Carney’s election and the Liberal Party’s fourth consecutive victory spell trouble for a Canada already straining under globalist policies. Many believed Canadians were fed up with the progressive agenda when former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned amid plummeting public approval. Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Party leader, started 2025 with a 25-point lead over his Liberal rivals, fueling optimism about his inevitable victory.

So, what went wrong? How did Poilievre go from predicted Prime Minister to losing his own parliamentary seat? And what details of this election could cost Canada dearly?

A Costly Election

Mark Carney (left) and Pierre Poilievre (right)

GEOFF ROBINSPETER POWER / Contributor | Getty Images

The election defied the expectations of many analysts who anticipated a Conservative win earlier this year.

For Americans unfamiliar with parliamentary systems, here’s a brief overview of Canada’s federal election process. Unlike U.S. presidential elections, Canadians do not directly vote for their Prime Minister. Instead, they vote for a political party. Each Canadian resides in a "riding," similar to a U.S. congressional district, and during the election, each riding elects a Member of Parliament (MP). The party that secures the majority of MPs forms the government and appoints its leader as Prime Minister.

At the time of writing, the Liberal Party has secured 169 of the 172 seats needed for a majority, all but ensuring their victory. In contrast, the Conservative Party holds 144 seats, indicating that the Liberal Party will win by a solid margin, which will make passing legislation easier. This outcome is a far cry from the landslide Conservative victory many had anticipated.

Poilievre's Downfall

PETER POWER / Contributor | Getty Images

What caused Poilievre’s dramatic fall from front-runner to losing his parliamentary seat?

Despite his surge in popularity earlier this year, which coincided with enthusiasm surrounding Trump’s inauguration, many attribute the Conservative loss to Trump’s influence. Commentators argue that Trump’s repeated references to Canada as the "51st state" gave Liberals a rallying cry: Canadian sovereignty. The Liberal Party framed a vote for Poilievre as a vote to surrender Canada to U.S. influence, positioning Carney as the defender of national independence.

Others argue that Poilievre’s lackluster campaign was to blame. Critics suggest he should have embraced a Trump-style, Canada-first message, emphasizing a balanced relationship with the U.S. rather than distancing himself from Trump’s annexation remarks. By failing to counter the Liberal narrative effectively, Poilievre lost momentum and voter confidence.

This election marks a pivotal moment for Canada, with far-reaching implications for its sovereignty and economic stability. As Glenn has warned, Carney’s globalist leanings could align Canada more closely with international agendas, potentially at the expense of its national interests. Canadians now face the challenge of navigating this new political landscape under a leader with a controversial track record.