RememberSchiff

Another item to add to this survey. How frequently have you received VoS surveys? Were the questions expressed in an unbiased manner? Do you feel your concerns, ideas, opinions were captured by the survey? Did you see the published results of the completed survey or just a summary?

Sounds like a survey...in the making... maybe add Is Scoutingwire helpful? If not, what changes do you recommend. How does Council communicate with you? Remember communication goes BOTH ways. Is that communication informative, timely, and responsive? Do you find the Scouting Magazine articles relevant, e.g., a recent article on Nap Safety? Where do you go online to get scouting information and express your ideas, opinions, complaints and why? Bonus: What changes would you like to see with the Program Hazard Analysis, for example, input from volunteers, details (equipment, training, procedures) regarding injuries cited, ... I am sure there are more survey suggestions.

Good points. Another annoyance is when activity X is prohibited except at a BSA facility, as if safe, quality programs cannot possibly be offered elsewhere. Which brings me to a recent announcement of, exclusive to Summit, the National Hunters Education course. We do hunter education locally, outside of scouting, with instructors from Mass Wildlife and the host sportsmen club. Hunting rules and regulations, and licensing are state specific, plus scouts can bring their own firearm/bow to training.

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Update: In Missoula http://www.ktvh.com/2018/07/boy-scouts-traveling-across-the-u-s-visit-missoula

Detroit real estate investor Dennis Kefallinos has purchased a large former Boy Scouts of America campground in Lupton about 10 miles from the Huron National Forest. It's not yet known what Kefallinos plans to do with the 630-acre property at 3552 Lakeshore Drive, about 20 minutes northeast of West Branch, Chris Mihailovich, one of his top lieutenants, told me. "We are evaluating what's the best use of the property going forward, wish I had some more news," he said in a text message Monday night, adding that he did not know the purchase price. We at least know it was listed for $1.9 million, or $3,016 per acre. Staff in the Ogemaw County register of deeds office said a deed was filed April 27 for the April 23 sale of the Northwoods Scout Camp to Ivory Properties LLC, which is the 30-year-old LLC registered to Kefallinos at 1600 Clay St. in Detroit. That's the address of the Kefallinos-owned Russell Industrial Center off I-75. The campground, which closed in 2016, had been owned by Chief Okemos Council No. 271, one of nine scout councils that in 2012 had merged to create the Michigan Crossroads Council, which oversees Boy Scout properties, personnel and programs for the Lower Peninsula. http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180703/blog016/665201/kefallinos-buys-630-acre-former-boy-scouts-camp

FAIRVIEW, Kansas — After 50 years, Jim Spellmeier, who was a member of Boy Scout Troop 156, finally received his Eagle. “The troop went away around that time, and then I was off to college and kind of forgot about it,” said Spellmeier. But when he noticed contact information for the Pony Express Council in a news article recently, he reached out. Fortuitously, records from 1968 still are intact at the Boy Scout office, and pleased to right the situation, officials shipped out his award. He credits Boy Scouts with giving him the opportunity to do things he wouldn’t have done if he wasn’t involved. “I remember swimming a mile at Camp Geiger and earning my Lifesaving badge, which I actually had to use once,” Spellmeier said. Not surprisingly, with some of his clearest memories relating to the water, the excellent swimmer was given the Mic-O-Say name of “Flashing Fin.” More at Source http://www.newspressnow.com/news/local_news/fairview-man-receives-eagle-award-years-later/article_d12026c1-7b55-594b-97b8-0626637d537c.html Related

I am seeing more units shopping around for better summer camp experiences but the next year that get lured back with a better campsite or other perks. What would happen at Camp Waste-a-Week if at the closing flags, your SPL respectfully returned all blue cards to the Camp DIrector ?

In the matter of the Boston Diocese abuse, that would depend if the BSA knew and the Diocese certainly was not telling anyone - parents, police, BSA and the victims were nearly totally intimidated. IMO, if the BSA can police their brand trademarks, they can police their units. Restore the power that commissioners once had to enforce the program complete with confrontation - the beat cop. Back in the day (before YP), when our "neighborhood commissioner" visited ,he spoke separately with the SPL and PL's. before talking to adults. Not that we had many beefs beyond camporees being in cow fields. I continue to see new scouting abuse cases in the media and wonder what more we should be doing. My $0.02,

Diamond Brand Gear (Asheville, NC) which has manufactured tents for the U.S. military for over a century, has recently embarked on a rebranding of its outdoor gear manufacturing business that unabashedly embraces its past. One example are its canvas messenger bags, which feature upcycled fabric from tents, the canvas reclaimed after use by Boy Scout troops. Also, they’ve tweaked the design of Diamond Brand backpacks that were popular in the late 1980s to give a contemporary twist to the basic packs many once toted to school or took on day hikes. The packs have features like enhanced back support, a taller pocket (for carrying a bottle of wine or growler) and removable straps that can be interchangeable with various strap designs. Some incorporate upcycled fabric, as well. “Our view is that we’re reclaiming our destiny,” Delaloye said. A revamped website and soon-to-be-added interpretative photos at the pop-up factory will help give a face to the company’s rich background, which has included decades of making gear for Boy Scouts of America. ... The centerpiece of the Diamond Brand Gear's Pop-up Factory’s space (Asheville, NC) is a seven-by-nine-foot green canvas wall tent, of the type many Baby Boomers grew up with on family camping trips. The tent, which will be available to consumers this fall in different sizes, has added windows and an optional floor, said Delaloye. The canvas tents have previously been manufactured by Diamond Brand primarily for Boy Scouts. More detail at source http://www.blueridgenow.com/news/20180701/craft-made-equipment

They know the problem was the Church cover-up and feel their scouts are safer with other CO's.. IMO, Scouting has more work to do regarding YP, an education-only solution is not enough as this case shows and the BSA should consider the recommendations given.

@WMAScoutMom welcome to scouter.com The Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp, not affiliated with Scouting, is also held at Camp Moses in August . "The Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp provides a unique experience of conservation, shooting sports, and outdoor recreation education. The camp’s program introduces young people to the ethical responsibilities of hunting and fishing in order to foster careful stewardship of our natural resources." Local sportsmen clubs offer scholarships. http://juniorconservationcamp.org https://www.facebook.com/Mass-Junior-Conservation-Camp-537591036286089/

This July, Crew 8 of Chatham , New Jersey will be embarking on an 11 day, 74 milebackpacking trek through the Swiss Alps. Starting in Verbier, this crew of nine scouts and two adults will hike through breathtaking trails, passing pristine glacial lakes, and summiting some of the world's most coveted peaks. Over the past two years, this crew has been meticulously planning every detail of the excursion. ... “I am so proud of what these scouts have accomplished,” Marty Foy, Crew Advisor said. “The Scouting program has allowed these scouts to develop into a group of self-reliant young men that are executing their well-developed plan. These scouts have all participated in previous training experiences, including hikes in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and more. "The scouts have also visited Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, for treks from 100 to 200 miles over the summer. The crew has practiced wilderness survival techniques, is experienced in mountaineering, backcountry cooking, and first aid, including having 2 EMTs on the crew. The Boy Scouts of America is truly the premier youth development program preparing these young men for future success in their lives. I look forward to seeing the very bright future these young men are embarking on and their contributions to our American society.” More details about crew planning and itinerary at Source https://www.tapinto.net/towns/chatham/categories/press-releases/articles/chathams-crew-8-to-hike-the-swiss-alps-this-july Scout Salute,

Perhaps those adults did not wish to register online to take the YPT course?

Eight recommendations from redacted report are on pages 83-85. which I recommend reading. I will just type the 8 bullets here. https://louisvilleky.gov/sites/default/files/mayors_office/redacted.pdf 1. Advising the Explorer Post should be an Assigned Duty, Not a Volunteer Effort. 2. Explorer Advisors should be rotated out of the program on a regular basis. 3. The Chief Explorer Advisor Should be a Senior Officer. 4. The Chief Explorer Advisor Should be changed every 18-24 months. 5. Establish a Minimum Age (30) to Serve as an Explorer Advisor. 6. Recruit Parents of Explorers to serve as sponsors along with LMPD officers. 7. Limit Participation in the Explorer Posts to Those Under the Age of 18. 8. End the practice of ride-alongs.

Redacted report https://louisvilleky.gov/sites/default/files/mayors_office/redacted.pdf Page 67. The report states "The misconduct within the Explorer program did not occur because of lack of appropriate policies and procedures. Rather, it occurred because these procedures were not properly followed, implemented, and supervised." The next page cites examples by adult leaders and Explorers (youth) but affirms "Youth protection, however, is the responsibility of adults." Ride-alongs (no two-deep) and digital communications (no one-on-one contact) were cited. "Betts and Woods repeatedly violated the prohibition on digital communications. Text, Snap Chat, and Facebook messanging appear to be the primary manner in which Betts and Woods communicate with their victims. Had Betts and Woods followed the required protocol and not texted Explorers, many of the sexual relationships would likely not have developed."

The priest of our local Catholic Church raped a 13 yr old scout in the 70's. Their two units move elsewhere as did the priest. I moved here in 1990 and unaware of this, I tried to revive the unit as the Church had a great meeting place and storage. I got a quick blunt education from parents. More than 40 years later, scouting did not return and this Church has its own youth group.

Presumably release of the 90 page report was delayed (from March) as there are at least 6 lawsuits against the city (LMPD), Boy Scouts of America, Betts and Curtis Flaherty, the former head of the Explorer program. http://www.wdrb.com/story/37725991/unsealed-lawsuit-claims-former-lmpd-officer-sexually-assaulted-teen-over-three-year-period My search continues to find the safety recommendations in the 90 page report.

In March, 2017, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer shut down the police Explorer program following reports of abuse and cover-up. On Wed., a 90 page investigative report was released. It was written by former U.S. Attorney Kerry Harvey who was hired by Mayor Fischer. Despite recommendations about how to make the Louisville police department's Explorer Scout program safer, Mayor Greg Fischer and Chief Steve Conrad said they have no plans to revive it. Three Metro Council members who reviewed the unredacted version of an investigatory report commissioned by the city said they would never let their own children participate in the program. Timeline 2016-present https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2018/06/27/louisville-metro-police-explorer-sex-abuse-scandal-timeline/739016002/ But U.S. Attorney Kerry Harvey, who ran the investigation, noted that sex abuse of Scouts was not limited to the allegations in Louisville. The Courier Journal reported in 2017 that over the past 40 years, at least 137 girls and 26 boys in Explorer programs across the nation have been raped, seduced, fondled, kissed, dated or otherwise exploited in 28 states by at least 129 law enforcement officers, firefighters and other advisers. Some cities that suspended Explorer programs decided never to revive them, the story said. Councilwoman Jessica Green, a Democrat, said her 9-year-old son has expressed interest in being a detective with the department's canine unit and the Explorer program would have been good for him, but she wouldn’t allow him to participate. "At this juncture, I don’t know if the Explorer program would ever come back, but even if it did, as a parent, I think it just hits you in the gut when you read these kind of allegations, so no, I unequivocally would not send my baby," she said. .... Sources and video: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2018/06/28/louisville-explorer-scouts-not-reviving-mayor/742051002/ http://www.wdrb.com/story/38510968/what-we-hope-to-learn-from-the-lmpd-sex-scandal-investigation

IMHO, Scouting should be leading the comeback of "free range parenting" My $0.02,

Risk is positive, risk is good, ... adventure playgrounds ...like Scouting once was. https://www.today.com/video/risky-play-like-adventure-playgrounds-could-benefit-kids-and-parents-1265972291896?v=b https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/how-much-risk-good-kids-parents-make-case-more-adventurous-n886256

Update: Eagle Scouts Cycling spotted exploring the inner workings of the Grand Coulee Dam (WA). "Scoutmaster Bruce White said they brought along 250 inner tubes as well as 35 spare tires for repairs along the way." http://www.escaa2018.info http://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2018/06/27/news/eagle-scouts-tour-dam-bicycling-cross-country/10562.html

He's a Dad to two small kids, an IT businessman, a scout leader, and ...an opera singer? http://www.cbs8.com/story/38516128/zevely-zone-boy-scout-leader-by-day-opera-singer-by-night

At their 45 annual NH distinguished Citizens Award Dinner, Daniel Webster Council recognized Dean Kamen, the founder of FIRST (robotics competition, "gracious professionalism"). Dean appears at 0.14 in following video: http://www.wmur.com/article/scouts-role-models-honored-at-45th-annual-nh-distinguished-citizens-award-dinner/21953489 Who is Dean Kamen? What is FIRST? https://spie.org/membership/spie-professional-magazine/spie-professional-archives-and-special-content/2011april-archive/creativity-first?SSO=1

IMO, school is where civics should be taught, scouting is where it can be practiced. - responsibility, service. Remember when a single, thick merit badge pamphlet covered all citizenship merit badges? My $0.02,