RememberSchiff

Full statement from Boy Scouts Lake Erie Council: Dear LEC Scouting Family, Let me begin by apologizing for not being able to communicate sooner. It has always been my approach to be immediately responsive with the hope that you would hear both good and bad news directly from the council if possible. Unfortunately, a set of evolving circumstances prevented us from a mass distribution prior to yesterday evening. By now, you are likely aware that yesterday a former adult member was arrested and charged in federal court with production of child pornography. We were disturbed to learn about and condemn these charges. Nothing is more important than the safety of our youth members and we take these charges very seriously. Upon learning of the investigation by Homeland Security, we removed this individual and prohibited him from any future participation in our programs. In addition, you have likely seen mention of an incident that occurred in June of 2017. Let me assure you that this incident was both thoroughly reviewed at the time and the appropriate action was taken. While that incident was different in scope and kind to this case, in our determination and efforts to fulfill our commitment to protecting our youth and to fully cooperate with the authorities, we were able to provide information to Homeland Security that resulted in criminal charges. The Boy Scouts of America seeks to prevent child abuse through comprehensive policies and procedures to serve as barriers to abuse. These include a thorough screening process for adult leaders and staff, criminal background checks, requiring two or more adult leaders be present with youth at all times during Scouting activities, and the prompt mandatory reporting of any allegation or suspicion of abuse. Anyone with any information on potential abuse should contact authorities to ensure the safety of our youth, in and out of Scouting. For more information about the BSA’s youth protection policies, please visit bsayouthprotection.org. We are committed to providing ongoing support to victims and their families, including counseling. We want to help victims heal, on their own terms, with a professional counselor of their choice. Through the ScoutsFirst Helpline, the Boy Scouts of America offers assistance with counseling to any youth member, former youth member, or the family of any youth member who suffered abuse during their time in Scouting. To reach the ScoutsFirst Helpline, call (844)- Scouts1 or 844-726-8871, or email scouts1st@scouting.org. In addition, if you have specific questions about this case, please contact Homeland Security at 216-749-9602. As this matter is ongoing, they are the only ones who are able to provide answers to our questions. Know that we continue to cooperate with law enforcement as they investigate this matter. Yours in service to youth and families, Marc J. Ryan Scout Executive / CEO Lake Erie Council, Boy Scouts of America https://www.13abc.com/content/news/Child-porn-charges-for-Boy-Scouts-leader-prompt-question-abotu-2017-incident-499712311.html

Update: Lake Hallie police said Monday that the deceased were: 9-year-old Jayna Kelley and 10-year-old Autum Helgeson, both of Lake Hallie, and 10-year-old Haylee Hickle and her 32-year-old mother, Sara Jo Schneider, from the Town of Lafayette. The surviving girl was hospitalized in Rochester in critical condition. ... Lake Hallie police said the driver and a passenger in the pickup truck both told investigators they had intentionally been inhaling chemical vapors (huffing) just prior to the crash. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/girls-scouts-killed-driver-colten-treu-huffing-before-crash-chippewa-wisconsin-officials-say/

That can come out when the camp director is prosecuted under Ohio 2151.421 Reporting child abuse or neglect parts a and b. http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2151.421

@KarenZ welcome to scouter.com .

Another senseless tragedy. Scout farewell.

Nov 3, 2018: Opinion in Duluth News Tribune. Industrial Mining must be kept away from the Boundary Waters by Tom Tidwell, Chief of U.S. Forest Service 2009-2017 I first saw the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in July 2014 from a seat in a U.S. Forest Service floatplane. Below me, stretching as far as I could see, was some of the most beautiful country I had ever encountered in my 40-year career with the U.S. Forest Service. The Boundary Waters — part of the Superior National Forest, which is public land owned by all Americans — contains almost 1.1 million acres of forests, lakes, streams, and wetlands. It is the most-visited wilderness area in America and has been every year since its designation under the Wilderness Act of 1964. From the air it was easy to see why people were so concerned about a proposal by Twin Metals, owned by Antofagasta of Chile, to develop a sulfide-ore copper mine on the edge of the wilderness. In every direction, interconnected waterways laced the forest, and when considering sulfide-ore mining, the issue of water is central. When exposed to air and water, sulfide ore in which copper and other minerals occur creates sulfuric acid and generates heavy metals and other pollutants. This is sometimes called "acid mine drainage." This type of mining is more common in drier landscapes in western states. Even there, water pollution is significant and persistent. The vast network of waterways in the Boundary Waters region makes it particularly vulnerable to acid mine drainage. The increased acidity and heavy metal pollution could be catastrophic. It would be impossible to contain pollution given the interconnectedness of the waters. Compounding the problem is the absence of natural calcium carbonates, which means the water has virtually no capacity to buffer acid mine drainage. The waterways along the Minnesota-Ontario border would carry pollution from a Twin Metals mine downstream to Voyageurs National Park in the U.S. and to Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario. Because of the obvious risk to a national treasure, in my position as chief of the U.S. Forest Service, I initiated a review of copper mining in the area in 2014. The process included a public-comment period, two public hearings, and careful scientific assessment of the impact sulfide-ore mining could have on the Boundary Waters watershed. The review process proved conclusively that the watershed of the Boundary Waters is absolutely the wrong place for this type of mining. In 2016, after thorough consideration of the information gained in the review process, on behalf of the Forest Service, I denied consent for the renewal of mineral leases to Twin Metals and asked the secretary of the Interior to withdraw from the leasing program for 20 years the federal mineral rights in the Boundary Waters watershed. Such a mining ban is preceded by an even deeper consideration of the scientific, economic, and cultural impact of copper mining in the area to ensure the withdrawal is warranted. The administration of President Donald Trump reversed all this. In May, it brushed aside the science-based review and analysis that began in 2014 and reinstated the Twin Metals leases. On Sept. 6, the Trump administration canceled the deeper study on the need for a 20-year ban on mining activity in the watershed, further paving the way for Antofagasta's Twin Metals to build an industrial mining complex on the edge of the Boundary Waters. These were bad, anti-science decisions that went against the core mission of the Forest Service, which is to protect our national forest lands. Sidestepping careful scientific review and enabling sulfide-ore mining imperils the entire Boundary Water region, which has a vigorous and sustainable economy centered on clean water and a healthy natural landscape. For many decades, people from across the country have traveled to the Boundary Waters to enjoy camping, canoeing, fishing, snowshoeing, skiing, and dogsledding. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, church groups, school groups, and countless other organizations enjoy the high adventure and opportunities for personal growth and leadership fostered by Boundary Waters expeditions. We must keep industrial mining away from the Boundary Waters to preserve the rich experiences and priceless wilderness Americans have treasured for generations. http://duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/columns/4524156-local-view-industrial-mining-must-be-kept-away-boundary-waters

IMO, now that your son has completed ALL requirements including Scoutmaster Conference for Star, he should have a new BOR. My $0.02

These previous replies were split from...sorry for any confusion - RS

A lot going on in this topic, I am still sorting through replies. I might split some replies into new topic(s). My impression of the video was more fantasy as it showed a group of scouts on an unsupervised patrol outing, i.e., patrol method and no adults. Don't I wish that were still true. As to digs to other youth groups past or present. IMO, the smores (a Girl Scout invention) at the end, was that implying girls could now have the best of both - the BSA patrol method and Girl Scout smores? My $0.02 and let's be a little kinder otherwise this topic may be moved to I & P Thanks, RS P.S. I did split up replies about Two-deep to a new topic. @NJCubScouter @MattR @desertrat77 @LeCastor @John-in-KC

Thomas Close, 39, who is associated with Troop 406 in Richland County and is also known as “Aqua Joe,” admitted to filming boys changing between 2011 and this year. He also said he had downloaded child pornography since he was 16 years old, and that his sexual preference was for boys between the ages of six and 16, according to an affidavit written by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations agent Benjamin Shaw. .... In August (2018), (HSI) agents talked to officials at the Boy Scouts' Lake Erie Council in Cleveland. They showed a director cropped images from some of the videos, and the director said it appeared they were shot in teepees at the Firelands Scout Reservation in Wakeman, five miles west of Oberlin. Scouts sometimes change clothes in the teepees, the affidavit states. The director said other videos look like they were shot in locker rooms at the Wakeman camp, investigators say. Since all the photos appeared to pertain to changing before and after swimming, a director provided agents with a June 2017 report regarding an incident at the Wakeman camp that may be related. A den leader made a complaint about Close, the affidavit says, and the director told Close that he would be fired if it happened again. Over a year later? Call the Police when incident occurs!!! “This case was solved because of good investigative work but also because a parent who was trained to look for signs of suspicious activity raised their concerns to Scout leadership,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “We all have an obligation to be aware of what is taking place around us and let authorities know when there are concerns.” Anyone with knowledge of the man’s unsupervised contact with children should contact HSI at 216-749-9602. https://www.cleveland.com/court-justice/2018/11/ohio-boy-scouts-of-america-employee-charged-with-secretly-filming-boys-changing.html https://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/story/news/2018/11/01/boy-scout-official-arrested-child-porn-charges/1851611002/

IMO, also add Each scout packs his own gear and whatever gear his patrol assigns. Each scout is responsible for that gear, specifically cleaning and drying himself. He should setup a clothes line at home (he knows the knots and has rope) and learn how to use the washer and dryer. Learning to sew would also be great. Should parents talk to the SPL or the SM first? My $0.02

Maybe, but I think most troops still initiate the recruitment of Webelos. These troops have a ASM or Committee member (Membership Chair) serve as a Webelos liaison. He/she attends Pack Meetings, etc. often with a couple of his scouts who may or may not be den chiefs.

More than 80,000 Americans died of the flu in the winter of 2017-2018, the highest number in over a decade, federal health officials said last week. Although 90 percent of those deaths were in people over age 65, the flu also killed 180 young children and teenagers, more than in any other year since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began using its current surveillance methods. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/01/health/flu-deaths-vaccine.html That said, I wish the information presented was more complete. e.g., how many who died were vaccinated and with what vaccine, how many were in group living ? Last month, I got the high dose Flu vaccine. I hope it is the right dose. Another $0.02

As I understand, Eagle Project Coordinators are now called Eagle Project Coaches. Coaches are optional, but recommended as stated on page 14 of the Eagle Project Service Project Workbook. That said, the coach could be correct that the Council Eagle Board would not approve. And just as a coach should do, he/she gave feedback - recommendations to improve the project and its chances for success. A Scout who proposes a project to recycle HIS toys to help other kids, well lets work on this idea - the problem/need, who specifically will be involved and benefit, will the proposed solution work or will it become a mess of parts that will be little used. Scouts often have their first, second, ...Eagle Project proposals rejected... part of leadership learning process. Let your son learn. My $0.02,

@ASMmom1976 welcome to scouter.com

Save as many as you can. RS

@Damon welcome to scouter.com

@Vanhall21 welcome to scouter.com. I did some editing but could you clarify. Your husband is the Bears DL for your son's den and all is well with that den or did other adult leaders take over? Another den has adult leader problems which is affecting your Pack? Where is the Cubmaster in all of this? Are you a leader in the Pack?

I guess there were early adopters back in the day too. Girls were allowed to join Explorer programs as “participants” in 1969, while required to be members of Girl Scouts or Camp Fire. Explorers went completely co-ed in 1971. http://kdhnews.com/news/local/girls-part-of-boy-scouts-nothing-new/article_e7a4c73c-b3aa-11e7-b71c-836cc6416e8f.html In April 1971, young women became eligible for full membership in Exploring... https://www.exploring.org/about-us/ For months, the Girl Rangers operated as a kind of shadow Explorer troop, neither Boy Scouts nor Girl Scouts. Then, in April 1971, the national BSA Explorers officially went coed. The South Carolina Girl Rangers registered as an official Explorer post and became the first all-female troop in the nation.. https://www.outsideonline.com/2300691/lost-legend-girl-rangers

Fifty years ago, the Oct. 21, 1968 edition of the Intelligencer Journal (Lancaster,PA) reported that the Boy Scouts of America voted to allow girls in Explorer troops (ages 14-18). Locally, the program got mixed reviews. Some students were enthusiastic about welcoming girls to science groups, dances and parties, but not sports activities or hiking. Explorers would admit girls “by special interest” beginning on Jan. https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-that-was-doctor-delivered-baby-while-in-labor-herself/article_ac46279c-ba95-11e8-9c45-dbd83b22f3c5.html

Let's remove the gender, can we agree that those who bully one will likely bully others. Thanks, RS

@glad2badad welcome to scouter.com

Many counties offer "youth tours" of prisons for those at-risk. https://worcestercountysheriff.com/services/community-outreach/youth-tours/

Congrats on his weight loss but how much money did he spend to hire nationally known weight-loss coach Charles D'Angelo?

We have early bird-pricing and camperships but haven't adopted a published Tier price structure for summer camp. How well is this working for scouts, the program, and camps? ...Tier A represents the true cost of camp for a scout. Tier B is partially a subsidized rate, marking the halfway point between Tiers A and C. Tier C is a heavily subsidized rate meant to be competitive with other camps. Each tier receives the same benefits and opportunities during camp, but Dave Plond, scout executive for the Overland Trails Council of Boy Scouts of America said it’s a way for families who can afford to pay the entire cost of their scout’s camp experience to do so. While Plond said they expect most campers to pay the Tier C rate, Tiers A and B were included in the list of prices as an option for families with the financial means to contribute more. He hopes the move also brings awareness to the true costs of camp and encourage families with the means to provide additional assistance to the council. Besides the competition factor, Plond said, the main reason to not simply increase camp costs is to make sure local scouts have an option for attending camp. Camps are an essential element of the scouting program. http://www.hastingstribune.com/news/officials-making-changes-to-help-keep-iconic-camp-augustine-open/article_8b6e4078-d5fb-11e8-94c9-e33d3ad6d2de.html https://overlandtrailscouncil.com/camping/summer-camp/summer-camp-pricing/