RememberSchiff

Bird Banding Campout "On one recent weekend, 18 Scouts from BSA Troop 639 held a bird banding campout in northern Minnesota. The experience was a first for all involved, and made possible by one Scout’s grandfather, master bander and White Bear Lake resident Frank Taylor. Taylor greeted the troop at the banding site with the day’s first capture already in hand: a sharp-shinned hawk. He proceeded to tell all about that species’ physical features, diet and migration. He then enlisted the Scouts to help him record the bird’s measurements and information from its newly attached band. One fortunate Scout, Declan Johnson, was chosen to release it back onto its journey south. As he worked, Taylor showed the Scouts his equipment, talked about the banding process and shared more about raptors and their migration through northwestern Minnesota. He explained that since the vast water of Lake Superior doesn’t produce the warm air thermals the birds need to make their long migrations, they are funneled down the North Shore. As a result, they pass his banding station—and Duluth’s famous Hawk Ridge—in large numbers each fall." ( Read link) Scout Owen Tollefson remarked “It was just so cool. I felt like I wouldn’t have an experience like this, probably never in my life again.” What a great program idea. Scout salute. Much more (including photos) at sources: https://www.presspubs.com/white_bear/news/white-bear-lake-master-bird-bander-widens-scouts-outdoor-world/article_ef7e8408-9678-11ef-851b-87c14a58c2b1.html North Shore Banding - Frank Taylor https://bandingreports.blogspot.com/

A Maine scout's memories: His scoutmaster and assistant scoutmasters "never cared much for the achievement of badges, and focused far more on the experiences, and the hands on skills we learned." His scoutmaster's "barn* was a cabinet-making shop, and we were all introduced to the beauty of fine woodworking. The project that holds the most significance to me was the time he had each of us create a milking stool, cutting out the pieces, sanding and staining. The stool I made still resides in my mother’ living room." "An especially memorable camping trip found us on Warren Island State Park, just off Islesboro, and the activity leading up to it that had us all make our own slingshots for a competition on the camp-out...Needless to say, the giant paper wasp nest that hung high in the trees above our tent site became the preferred target for a bunch of rowdy boys with homemade slingshots." * Note: The barn was also a microbrewery. Will the old scoutmaster's uniform still fit? See source. IMKO, Scouting is a place that builds character by associating with characters. Adult Method. Source: This week in Lincolnville (Maine): Troop 224 10/27/2024 https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2024/10/these-cooking-items-in-your-home-are-linked-to-cancer-causing-chemicals.html

We need a revival of journalism and to do that we need a new generation of journalists - objective, accurate, investigative, brave, and persistent. Martin Baron speaks to this better than I. You might recall him from the Boston Spotlight team (Catholic Church) and the Washington Post. The Case for Objective, Investigative, and Local Journalism written by Martin Baron https://www.carnegie.org/our-work/article/the-case-for-objective-investigative-and-local-journalism/ In the above video, actor Liev Schreiber speaks of "certain kind of courage required to speak truth to power". Here are clips of Mr. Schreiber's portrayal of Mr. Baron in Spotlight. Okay Schiff, you said we need more journalists - the internet is full of them and what does this have to do with Scouts? Well, the internet is full of something, but stories by journalists are hard to find. As for Scouts, this is part of citizenship and who best to WRITE, EDIT, and PUBLISH* stories about Scouting or about any other interests than them, hence my interest in Young Reporter program. And to state the obvious, Scouting needs their published stories. My $0.01 for rambling, *Note: For Journalism Merit Badge a scout is NOT required to get published (only submit) nor edit copy. An unpublished journalist is called a writer. It is not hard to get published, it is hard to get paid.

Yes. Written by a "Young Reporter", made the article even more enjoyable to read.

"At the end of September, members of Poindextor explorer scout group took part in ‘Sky Camp’, a competition where they had to build, sleep and cook food on a platform constructed in the trees. Taking place in the woods at Paccar Scout Camp, the platforms had to be constructed from materials such as wooden poles, ropes, nets and tarpaulins. Participants slept in hammocks, which were suspended between the trees. Every team competing had to have a theme, as well as food and a menu for the weekend...." More at Source including photo: https://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/young-reporter/24678266.northwood-explorer-scouts-sky-camp-2024/

An impressive, well-considered Eagle project, Scout Salute. Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/montevideo-boy-scout-dog-park/

Related, but to be facilitated by a local council... Mid-Iowa Council Youth Safety Summit Nov 9, 2024 in Des Moines, IA Glen Pounder will lead panel discussion which includes Mary Wangerin from National's Special Needs Committee. Mary Wangerin co-chaired the Northern Star Special Needs and Disabilities Committee and has been very involved in neuro-diversity training for the BSA. She co-authored with Roger Tate the BSA Inclusion Toolbox for Special Needs and Disabilities. She has been a production editor of Abilities Digest and website AbleScouts.org. https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34059(24)_WB-Inclusion-Toolbox.pdf Unknown if this Youth Safety Summit will be streamed or recorded. Source: https://scoutingiowa.org/safetysummit/ Content and Schedule: https://scoutingiowa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Youth-Safety-Summit-At-a-Glance-UPDATED.pdf

Building confidence to overcome anxiety SAVEs another ... Nine-year-old James, who struggles with anxiety, says his recent training in Boy Scouts allowed him to overcome his fear in the moment, call 911, and save his mother's life. “I wanted to join because we have been camping and fishing and doing a bunch of cart racing stuff, and it's a lot of stuff that I like.” After quitting Scouts several times, James decided to come back, and it was at the right time when he learned a life-saving technique just weeks before he would use it. “We practiced calling 911, and they would give us scenarios, and we would kind of say what we would do if that actually happened. Then, a couple of weeks later, my mom had the allergic reaction, so I kind of knew what to do.” And he did. Both James and his Mom are ok. Scout salute, More at source: https://www.cnycentral.com/news/local/nine-year-old-overcomes-anxiety-to-save-mothers-life-with-skills-learned-in-cub-scouts

Update 10/19/2024: "After discussion with the more than 800 delegates, the National Council approved the new price of membership dues at $65 for girls. Dues will remain at $25 for the next year, then rise to $45 for the 2026 membership year and to $65 in 2027, the organization said. Adult membership dues will increase from $25 to $30 in 2026. ... In 2022, GSUSA lost a trademark infringement lawsuit filed against the Boy Scouts of America, which expanded its reach in recent years to counter a decline in membership. It allows girls, openly gay boys and transgender youth to join. The change fueled concerns in the Girl Scouts that its appeal to girls would be undercut as it was forced to compete for the first time with the larger Boy Scouts for recruits." Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/girl-scouts-to-increase-dues-to-65-over-two-years/ar-AA1sBiqA

IMHO, this has some possibilities: 1. We will see how scouting membership is impacted by a single variable - registration dues. No pandemic, no legal/bankruptcy complications. 2. Price parity with BSA/SA might lead more girls to consider joining us. $85, should I choose GSUSA or BSA/SA? Ooops, I guess I just added a complication to analysis in 1.

On Saturday, the 900 delegates of the Girl Scouts of the USA’s National Council will vote on whether to raise dues for the first time in eight years. The GSUSA Board has proposed raising membership dues from $25 dollars a year to $85 per scout – a hike of 240%. “The proposals are directly tied to supporting our local councils and improving program delivery for current and future members,” a Girl Scouts of the USA, or GSUSA, spokesperson said in a statement to CNN. Membership dues are the Girl Scout’s largest source of revenue, generating $38 million in 2023 from its nearly 2 million total members. But the organization is losing money, projecting operating losses of $5.6 million this year, so it’s looking for cash. ... The Boy Scouts of America’s membership fee also rose to $85 in April, but that increase was just $5. More details at source: https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/18/business/girl-scouts-to-vote-to-raise-fees-to-usd85-from-usd25/index.html

CBS News Texas report with comments from Trustee Barbara Houser.

12 Simple Words by John W. Kennedy - 160 pages, release date Oct 30,2024 “This book offers my vision of the powerful personal resource these 12 words hold, and it also incorporates the input of over 50 successful people from different walks of life, including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, adult leaders and more,” said author Kennedy. “I’m thrilled that this book has finally been compiled." Next paragraph is a review from Amazon which resonated with moderator me. I recommend Read Sample on the Amazon link below. "One of the things that drives John W. Kennedy the craziest and increases his personal cynicism is the fact that we do not communicate anymore. This sounds odd in a world full of communication devices, but 'talking at' is not 'talking with' others. We always look to find someone to blame instead of listening and trying to understand another's POV. Most of the time, blame is never the answer needed to act, but something to deal with after the solution is found. Debate and arguments have value when they do not become personal. He has changed his approach many times in life, when someone convinced him of a better solution. We must stop making broad assertions and assumptions based on factors out of one's own control. We need to decide that groups are made up of individuals that have differing life experiences. We can embrace and learn from many." Sources: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/randolph/sections/community-happenings/articles/meet-local-author-john-w-kennedy-at-county-college-of-morris-author-of-12-simple-words-to-sign-books-5c3c6f22-411b-4603-821c-bc8a392086e3 https://www.amazon.com/12-Simple-Words-Foundation/dp/B0DG7ZGD3S

Troop 12, Hollis, NH Travels to Kauai for Biennial BIG Trip Senior scouts of Hollis Troop 12 returned on August 2 from their “Big Trip” to the island of Kauai. The trip, which began on July 23, was the result of two years of research, planning and preparation. The scouts were joined by seven Troop 12 Eagle Scouts who recently “aged-out” of the program when they turned 18, but became adult leaders. The troop established a base camp at BSA Aloha Council’s Camp Alan Faye on the borders of Koke’e and Waimea Canyon State Parks. Summer camp for Kauai scouts was not in session at the time, so Troop 12 had the camp all to themselves.... (see link below) Troop 12 has been conducting a “Big Trip” every two years for almost 30 years. Scouts independently select potential destinations, research them, and formally propose them to their peers over the course of a school year. At the end of that year, the troop votes to select the next destination. Detailed planning is then conducted by participants during the next 12 months for the following year’s Big Trip. In addition to selecting appropriate camping spots and daily high adventure activities, scouts have to plan for their meals and all other logistics to support the trip, including equipment lists, emergency services, cell service coverage and dead spots, grocery store and gas station locations, parking and backcountry permits, and duty rosters. More trek details and photos at Source: https://hollisbrooklinenewsonline.com/troop-travels-to-kauai-for-biennial-big-trip-p8815-166.htm

Two troops from same town. One treks to Alaska, the other to Mt. Katahdin (Maine) In July, 11 Scouts and 5 adults from Hopkinton, MA Troop 1 spent 10 days backpacking and canoeing in southern Alaska. The troop organized the trip through the Northern Lights High Adventure Base, which is associated with the Midnight Sun Council in Fairbanks, Alaska... ...Despite the challenges, Troop 1 looks forward to its next trip. SM McDaniel says he hopes to take his Scouts to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico in 2026. “We try to do high adventure [trips] every other year." Note: Planning uncertainties which includes weather, but now add Microsoft. (~RS) In early September, Troop 4 Hopkinton hiked Maine’s highest mountain as part of a revolving series of hikes. Troop 4 runs a “six highest peaks of New England” program to give Scouts more hiking opportunities. “The program was started in 2018,” said Troop 4 assistant Scoutmaster Charusmitha Ram. “We want every Scout to have an opportunity to complete these [hikes] through their course to Eagle Scout.” For each hike the Scouts do, they receive a patch for their uniform. The other mountains included in the program are Mount Washington, Mount Mansfield in Vermont, Jerimoth Hill in Rhode Island, Bear Mountain in Connecticut and Mount Greylock.... More trek details and photos at Source: https://hopkintonindependent.com/hopkinton-boy-scout-troops-venture-to-alaska-mount-katahdin/