RememberSchiff

Been worried about our oaks here in northeast as there has been a bumper crop of fungus from the hot, wet (#4 wettest on record) summer. More wind damage than past summers. Haven't noticed a difference in acorns.

"The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) collects a variety of species of acorns and nuts that can be planted at its Augusta Nursery (Crimora, Va.) to grow into tree seedlings that will become the forests of tomorrow. These seeds will produce next year’s hardwood seedling crop, which will be sold to Virginia’s forestland owners. Seedlings grown from Virginia-grown seed generally produce trees that will best thrive in our state’s climates. Certain nuts can be difficult to find regionally, and availability can change year to year. At times, one species of tree in a region may produce minimal acorns, while others are abundant. This is why DOF puts out a call-to-action for landowners across the state. The more trees that can be identified for collection, the more nuts can be potentially planted in the nursery." Virginia’s Department of Forestry is asking the public to help the agency collect the acorns in support of their efforts to plant trees statewide. Joshua McLaughlin is the nursery manager at VDOF’s nursery in Augusta County. He says each year people donate acorns which are then planted at the nursery. Within a year, those seeds become seedlings - available for purchase for around $3.00. “So here in about a few weeks, we’ll start putting acorns in the ground, and then that will be next year’s crop,” McLaughlin explained. “And so like for this year, starting October 2, we actually have our online store starting our seedlings sale season, and we sell seedlings to the public. We’re not in it to make a lot of money. seedlings are very inexpensive. " DOF needs the following species this year. *Bold species are of particular interest: *Black Oak *Chestnut Oak *White Oak *Black Walnut Chinese Chestnut Northern Red Oak Pin Oak Shumard Oak Southern Red Oak Swamp Chestnut Oak Swamp White Oak Water Oak Willow Oak Keep these acorn collection tips in mind: Safety first. Stay away from roadways. Look for whole, uncracked acorns that are dark brown or green. Collected acorns do not need caps. Do not collect on private property without permission. Place in a paper bag. Please do NOT use plastic bags. Use a separate bag for each species. Label the bag with the collection date and species (if known). If you’re not sure, include a few leaves from the tree to help us with identification. Place in a cool area until you’re ready to drop them off (sooner the better!). Collection from yards, sidewalks, driveways, etc., is recommended, to ensure collection of a single species. (Forest collection makes it difficult to determine the tree of origin and often leads to mixing of acorn types.) Avoid sticks, leaves, gravel and debris. More at sources: https://www.wdbj7.com/2023/09/26/how-you-can-participate-virginias-annual-acorn-harvest/ https://dof.virginia.gov/forest-management-health/seedling-nurseries/acorn-and-nut-collection/

@Jenniwelcome to scouter.com

@derksmit welcome to scouter.com

Easy enough to check, let's see the EB and EC member list of local councils and National.

IMHO, Council executives and other professionals should NOT be members of the Executive Board which oversees them. My $0.02,

The Little Guy Hotel Eagle Project for Wildlife education Center More at source: https://www.newschannel10.com/video/2023/09/25/video-scouts-bsa-builds-bug-hotel-wild-west-wildlife-rehabilitation-education-center/

Buck Hill Scout Camp (formerly Cub World, Narragansett Council, RI) BURRILLVILLE, R.I. — The state Department of Environmental Management will acquire more than 900 acres of land in town from the local Boy Scouts of America chapter for $1.61 million, according to a purchase and sale agreement approved by the State Properties Committee. ... The Narragansett Council of the Boy Scouts of America had previously planned to sell about 200 acres to Getaway, a “glamping” rental company, which had proposed building 65 cabins on the property. However, those plans fell through earlier this year after the company withdrew its proposal, citing concerns about financial viability. This is not the first time the state has purchased land from the Boy Scouts. DEM, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, bought 189 acres of land in Burrillville, also near the Buck Hill and George Washington Management areas, from the Boy Scouts of America Narragansett Council in 2012. More at source: https://ecori.org/state-to-purchase-preserve-boy-scouts-land-in-burrillville/ Another source with more info: https://nrinow.news/2023/09/21/ri-dem-to-acquire-cub-world-as-part-of-930-acre-purchase-of-boy-scout-land-in-burrillville/

@qwazse I am glad you were there for them. 👍

"Sept 19 (Reuters) - The Boy Scouts of America’s $2.46 billion settlement trust has begun sending payments to men who were abused as children by troop leaders, under a bankruptcy settlement still facing appeals from a minority group of abuse survivors. The initial payments are being sent to 7,000 claimants who chose a "quick pay" option under the Boy Scouts of America's bankruptcy plan, with the first 70 (second source stated 60 - RS) claimants paid on Tuesday. Those claimants will receive $3,500 without going through the lengthier evaluation process that awaits 75,000 others who filed claims." More at sources: https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/boy-scouts-victims-begin-receiving-settlement-payouts-appeals-continue-2023-09-19/ https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scouting-settlement-trust-begins-payments-to-compensate-survivors-of-sexual-abuse-in-boy-scouts-of-america-301932494.html

Luckily no injuries.

Mason-Dixon Council will fold into the Shenandoah Area Council. “This decision comes after careful consideration and months of discussions at the board level. The challenging circumstances faced by Scouting in recent years, including the impact of COVID-19, financial constraints, and declining membership, have motivated both Councils to join forces,” an announcement sent to The Winchester Star states. “This merger aims to create a stronger organization that can provide enhanced opportunities for youth in our region.” Sinoquipe Scout Reservation (Mason-Dixon Council) and Camp Rock Enon Scout Reservation (Shenandoah Area Council) will both continue operation. More at sources: https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/area-boy-scout-councils-announce-merger/article_6ae8e137-6117-5057-a285-6722ac2645e9.html SAC Mason-Dixon website transition: https://www.sac-bsa.org/Members

Youngest scout ever to arrive at scout camp! The Olveras reside at the Lost Valley Boy Scout Camp near Warner Springs, CA where father and husband Andrew works as a ranger. The dirt road in and out of camp is 10 miles long. "I woke up with very strong contractions at 5:20 a.m., and they were just very strong right away and 3 minutes apart. We quickly got dressed, grabbed our things and our dogs to drop off at my mom's on our way to the hospital, and left." Jacquie told both her husband Andrew and mother that she didn't think she was going to make it to the hospital. "He was absolutely freaking out," said Jacquie of her husband of eight years. "But I needed him to pull himself together and help me because the baby was coming and he stepped right up to assist me. We couldn't call for help because there is no cell service on the dirt road. About 10 minutes later we were holding our baby boy in our arms. My dogs sat in the back seat and observed the whole birth since they were with us. They were so well behaved. So after the birth, we had to get back in the car and drive the rest of the way down the dirt road and the brief distance from there to my mom's house where we could get telephone service and call an ambulance." ... After a short visit to the hospital, both mother and child were given a clean bill of health and sent home. Wesley weighed in at 7 pounds, 4 ounces and 19 inches long, being born three days after his predicted due date. Scout Salute to Olveras, More at source including photo. https://www.villagenews.com/story/2023/09/07/regional/father-delivers-son-on-way-to-hospital/74102.html

Mr. Roland Ray, now living at Health Central Park in Winter Garden, was born in Winter Park and grew up in Orlando. He was one of many young Central Florida students who joined Boy Scout groups — Troop 90 for boys who were black — but he was one of just a few who stayed with the program and, ultimately, earned their Eagle rank, the highest award in scouting. Roland and two troop friends, Leo Belton and George Nixon, were among the first black Central Florida boys to reach the rank of Eagle in 1946. Roland still has the newspaper clipping recognizing their achievements at age 16. Roland recalled the thrill of earning his merit badges and rising through the scouting ranks. One of the badges he could earn was for surveying — a skill that would benefit him later in his career (U.S. Army Corp of Engineers during Korean War, contractor). One of his favorite memories is learning how to build a fire for a badge, he said. He also enjoyed the campouts and the camaraderie of scouting with his friends. Roland loved the outdoors and spent Florida’s hot months at Lake Mann in Orlando as one of the area’s first black lifeguards certified by Boy Scouts. He remembered attending a lifeguard program somewhere on the Florida-Georgia border to get his certification, he said. 1946: A new Eagle Scout 2023: Now 93 , his Scout Spirit still strong! Read the rest of his life story at source: https://www.orangeobserver.com/news/2023/sep/06/roland-ray-among-first-black-eagle-scouts/ Scout Salute and a card on the way.

Update Sept, 2023: Transformation of 14.9 acres of scrub brush and thistle into a wildlife habitat at Camp Wilderness (MN). Over a hundred Scout volunteers carefully planted hundreds of native seedlings and shrubs, "With good stewardship and tending, the plantings will grow into a lush forest that will serve as habitat and food sources for mammals of all sizes, from chipmunks to porcupines to bears. The conservation work will take place over four years at the Camp Wilderness Boy Scout Camp, located near Park Rapids, MN. The project was initiated by a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Northern Lights Council." More at Source: https://www.enbridge.com/stories/2023/september/boy-scouts-of-america-plant-seedlings-shrubs-park-rapids-minnesota-conservation-stewardship

Bird Photographer of the Year Awards: "Overall Winner is ‘Grab the Bull by the Horns’ by Jack Zhi. It features a female falcon attacking a brown pelican with great speed and agility." Young Bird Photographer of the Year is 17-year-old Anton Trexler with his image ‘Blue Hour and Red Moon’ More winning photos and videos at source: https://www.birdpoty.com/bpoty-2023-winners https://petapixel.com/2023/09/05/photographer-who-waited-4-years-for-thrilling-falcon-photo-wins-bpoty-23/ https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2023/09/winners-bird-photographer-year-2023/675227/

Update 9/1/23: Northern Tier celebrates 100 years "From August 24 -27, the Boy Scouts of America’s oldest National High Adventure Program, Northern Tier, located on Moose Lake, celebrated their 100th anniversary. The sold-out reunion hosted around 330 camp staff alumni, who partook in various events around Ely throughout the weekend. “Everybody here worked at this particular base or one of our satellite facilities in Bissett or Atikokan,” said Eric Peterson, a staff alumnus at Northern Tier and one of the organizers of the 100th anniversary event. Some of the weekend activities were paddling Moose Lake, tours off the base and its new features, hiking around Blackstone and Secret Lake, Listening Point tours, and a dinner Friday and Saturday night, one on base and one at the Ely Arts and Heritage Center at Pioneer Mine." more at source: http://www.elyecho.com/northern-tier-celebrates-100-years

Lets refrain from personal attacks . Thanks, RS

The Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger program is a partnership between the National Park Service and the Boy Scouts of America. The program invites Scouts and Cub Scouts to participate in educational and/or volunteer service projects at national park sites. These activities spark their awareness of the national parks and provide Scouts with the opportunity to explore their national parks and learn more about protecting our natural and cultural resources. Scouts are awarded certificates and/or patches after meeting certain requirements of the program. More at information at sources: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/youthprograms/scout-ranger.htm?fbclid=IwAR2H24iGOybhvOeEYjIJJ2UdOJ_y0ztPaNGp_9_ZaJECsDOXI9UHUJpP3Vs https://www.wate.com/news/smoky-mountains/great-smoky-mountains-national-park-to-offer-scout-ranger-patches/

My unit does this informally. Allows the unregistered knowledge expert to focus on teaching scouts and not BSA paperwork.

@DannyG good point. This topic is Girl's Troop YPT on a family campout. I split recent "legal settlement and abuse" posts to its own new topic. Note to OP @dangale

Double dip? ... here is an Eagle Scout candidate who completed double projects! “I have one more merit badge to earn before I can get my Eagle Award,” scout Ben Arnold said. “But even when I get it I plan to stay active in Scouts for a while because my brother Eli is still involved.” “I think what I like most about Scouting is the sense of community I get from my troop,” he said. Source with photos: https://www.yesweekly.com/news/jamestown_news/scout-combines-two-projects-into-one-eagle-award/article_4bac37ac-4747-11ee-8cf5-1fb0b2be3a64.html

Update Aug 24, 2023: “The owner has abandoned the 42ft S/V Amokura (which remains aground on Johnson's Reef) and claims not to have the financial means to deal with this situation,” said U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs Officer Ricardo Castrodad. A week after the grounding, the National Park Service (NPS) learned the vessel owner’s insurance does not cover salvage of a grounded vessel, said Virgin Islands National Park Program Coordinator Elsa Alvear. “The NPS must therefore identify funds and award a contract to a local salvage company,” said Alvear. To make a path for the grounded vessel northward to deeper water, trained coral restoration divers have relocated more than 400 coral colonies and fragments of colonies to a site adjacent to Johnson’s Reef. There has been no evidence of fuel spillage or other pollutants. "Neither the Coast Guard nor the NPS would comment on potential fines or penalties for the vessel’s owner, citing an ongoing investigation." More at source: https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/owner-of-boat-grounded-on-johnson-s-reef-has-abandoned-the-vessel/article_281a929c-7ecc-5d9d-b6b0-7fac610e14bb.html

"This is one of those opportunities we've been working towards to help our community more when they need us its unfortunate it had to be like this and as soon as we heard about it all of us jumped on and serving community as best we can" commented scout Chaysen Tanaka. "Boy Scouts say there is still much to be done to help others on Maui, and they will continue serving their community." More at source, including a photo of what appears to be inside a camp hall turned distribution center. https://www.kitv.com/news/boy-scouts-of-america-helping-with-recovery-efforts-on-maui/article_c864632c-44fa-11ee-a911-cb02b7e2022e.htmlhttps://www.kitv.com/news/boy-scouts-of-america-helping-with-recovery-efforts-on-maui/article_c864632c-44fa-11ee-a911-cb02b7e2022e.html

Excerpts from Kids Are Alright columnist Carl Kieke farewell: Its purpose was to provide a spot in the newspaper for Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Gold Award recipients to be recognized. It quickly expanded to include any youth groups or individuals who were providing service to the community – showing that not all kids were troublemakers. On Aug. 21, 2023, column No. 1,522 appeared. It is the final column in the series. Due to changes in the newspaper, the section is being discontinued. I want to thank my readers over those 30 years. I would occasionally be met by someone who mentioned that they were readers of my column. I have been active in the Boy Scout program since joining Boy Scout Troop 212 at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, as an assistant scoutmaster. It quickly became my hobby of choice as I went through school in Sherman and Denton and finally arrived in Abilene in 1978 to begin work for the Reporter-News. Through the column I have become more familiar with Girl Scouts, 4-H and other youth programs. I retired from the Reporter-News in 2007 but continued the column, first as a paid columnist, then as a labor of love. But times change. I’m not sure how many people actually read the column now, due to changes in the way people get their news in the 21st century. I hope it has provided amusement, information and news. Perhaps various groups have been able to “steal” ideas and programs for their own use. (...guilty) Thank you for your readership. Carl Kieke Scout Salute! Your informative and kind columns will be missed. Perhaps a display of his columns at the National Scout Museum or in the Journalism merit badge pamphlet. More at source: https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/opinion/2023/08/27/kids-are-alright-column-ends-30-year-run-in-abilene-reporter-news/70642077007/