RememberSchiff

@AnotherScouterwelcome to scouter.com .

New free explorer program to give hands-on firefighting experience   "SAVANNAH (Aug. 16, 2023) – Savannah Fire in partnership with Boy Scouts of America have come together to create an explorer program aimed at giving young adults interested in a firefighting career an invaluable experience. Explorers will take part in real-life training with plenty of hands-on Fire and EMS experiences. They will engage in practical exercises and simulations to develop essential firefighting and lifesaving skills. The program will meet the first and third Tuesday of each month and is open to anyone, ages 14 to 20. Applications are now open. ... Savannah Fire is covering the cost of the explorer program making it free to those who apply. " More at Source: https://www.savannahga.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2818

"According to a spokeswoman for the FBI, John C. Shores Jr.,54, of Omaha, was charged via federal complaint with attempted sexual exploitation of a minor and attempted enticement of a minor. John C. Shores Jr. was an active Boy Scout Scoutmaster and Commissioner for the Mid-America Council for Boy Scouts of America. The charges are the result of a Douglas County Sheriff’s investigation involving the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. On August 21, 2023, Shores was indicted on those charges. The FBI Omaha field office is seeking the public’s help in identifying potential victims. If you have information on this ongoing investigation or believe your child or other children may have been victimized by John Shores, please go to this FBI contact link or call the FBI Omaha field office at 402-493-8688." More at source: https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/fbi-omaha-seeks-help-identifying-victims-of-former-scout-leader

"This video was presented at the 2022 Distinguished Citizens Dinner honoring First Responders, Emergency Room Doctors and Nurses and Hospitals. David King, a Scout from Aloha Council, and his mom were completing a Hiking Merit Badge 15 mile hike when they came across lost couple and their dog. David saved the couple and their dog by using the tools he learned in Scouting, like making a stretcher. "

@pbcheesehead welcome to scouter.com

I am seeing fewer volunteer MBC's and more commercial (museums, farms, colleges, camps, canoe outfitters, etc.) MBP's. I call them Merit Badge Programs as who knows who the MBC is. Sometimes it is the host instructor, sometimes it is a proxy. Host instructor collects fees (scout/parent paid), the proxy (a registered scouter) handles bureaucracy and together they fulfill YP, sort of. More often, these MBP's are rushed one meeting and nearly devoid of the Adult Association Method. Just have parent register scout online with a credit card. Oh don't forget to fill out online workbook with online answers before first class. What is the Total Cost of Advancement these days for a scout, scouter, unit? My $0.01, time for coffee.

"As America has transformed, so, too, has the A.T. — changes that have inspired resistance, ridicule and relief. Originally 2,050 miles, it is now almost 2,200 miles. And it continues to get longer." Yes longer...but that seems true of all old trails I hike these days ...longer and uphill. "Some have proposed extending the A.T. from Maine into Canada by adding New Brunswick and Quebec — a path already known as the “International Appalachian Trail” — and perhaps going even farther." In the link below, there is a cool northward scrolling trail map starting at the southern terminus and ending at the northern terminus. Showing current trail and previous routes. Explanations for route changes - real estate development, greener spaces/better trails, moonshiners, smell (chickens), Superfund sites() https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/interactive/2023/appalachian-trail-length-route-changes/

Agree, our new YP Executive has been onboard for 4 months and we have yet to hear from him.

Great story about helping others. "Troop 129 (Las Vegas) started by donating the money they had raised from popcorn sales. It escalated to having all the troops in the valley working together. They raised more than $8,000 in monetary and material supplies in under 72 hours. And they are not stopping anytime soon as they are accepting donations through Sunday, September 10." More at source, including the scout bringing the idea to his troop, their plan, and Council support. Scout Salute, https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/las-vegas-boy-scouts-raising-thousands-for-maui-wildfire-victims/

EIN Presswire 8/16/2023 Scouts Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of America, the feature-length film scheduled for Netflix release, was directed by Brian Knappenberger. The documentary includes exclusive interviews with survivors, whistleblowers, and former employees, and prominently features Zero Abuse Project Board of Directors member, Detective Michael Johnson. As The Boy Scouts' former Youth Protection Director turned whistleblower, Johnson provides crucial insight into the inner workings of The Boy Scouts and speaks to the internal decisions the organization made leading to decades of failed leadership. “One of the things that they had in their marketing messages is, 'The Boys Scouts has a rigorous application and screening process,' and that's not true, and it's never been true," says Michael Johnson in the film's trailer. "I'm here to tell you that the organization is still not safe for boys and girls.” My question, will there be a response to above statement from the current BSA Youth Protection Executive, Glen Pounder? More at source: https://www.rochesterfirst.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/650253106/zero-abuse-project-recognizes-the-new-documentary-scouts-honor-the-secret-files-of-the-boy-scouts-of-america/ https://www.einpresswire.com/article/650253106/zero-abuse-project-recognizes-the-new-documentary-scouts-honor-the-secret-files-of-the-boy-scouts-of-america

My gray matter seems to recall, they delivered a shrubbery to the sayers of Nay?

Good point. In my experience, "bounce-back" or failed to deliver messages are only displayed in opened Message app, i.e., it is not elevated to app bubble* notification or phone notification? IMO, Message App Icon should have a red failure bubble for failed sends.

Wilderness connectivity, sea connectivity, and everywhere else ...I have been waiting and waiting for the 5G Tesla Pi phone, the collaborative project among Tesla, Starlink, and T-Mobile. Thinking Pi in the sky, but more likely buy a JitterBug for the old scouters home. But for now, I will mind my signal strength.

@qwazse welcome home. Hot water on stove, Hario drippers, some ground medium roast. @SSScout just baked some cobbler.

Yeah been there.

Recommended Practices (RP) 551 - Mental, Emotional, and Social Health (MESH) Support (Revised January 1, 2023) on page 61 of source https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2023-NCAP-Replacement-pages-to-convert-2022-NCAP-Standards-to-2023-NCAP-Standards-v2.pdf American Camp Association (ACA) Mental Health Resources - Tips for Camps (Recommended, many course, podcast, article, and professional links) https://www.acacamps.org/resources/mental-health-resources-tips-camps

Narragansett Council has partnered with Eleanor Slater Hospital to provide mental health services for Camp Yawgoog campers and young adult staff members this summer. "Six clinical psychologists from Slater have agreed to be available to offer support for any time of the day for one week each while the overnight camp is in session, which runs from late June to late August. 👍 The National Camp Accreditation Program introduced new standards in 2023 that included a recommendation for all Boy Scouts of America organizations to provide mental, emotional and social health support. Members of the Narragansett Council and Slater say they have been discussing since January how to meet these standards. ... The idea for the collaboration initially came from Eleanor Slater staff members, some of whom are former Scouts. The partnership was then created after hospital team members pitched their idea to the Narragansett Council." More at Source: https://pbn.com/slater-hospital-partners-with-boy-scouts-to-offer-campers-staff-mental-health-support-at-camp-yawgoog/ Scout Salute,

The reality - conflict of interests. There should be no business transactions between Board Members and Council. One example from a year ago. "To preserve the open space (Deer Lake), Pathfinders had to top an offer that looked for a time like it would carry the day. In the spring, the Scouts’ Connecticut Yankee Council announced it was selling the land for $4.62 million to a major real estate developer, Margaret Streicker, who is also a board member of the council." https://www.courant.com/2022/08/13/deal-near-to-preserve-deer-lake-in-killingworth-as-open-space/

"The forestry crews focus on removing understory and selected trees that increase the amount of space between trees, allow for growth of grasses and fine fuels, and provide conditions that will burn with much less intensity. This work not only protects people, watersheds, and infrastructure, but it creates healthier forest habitat. These forest thinning projects follow major backcountry access roads, creating “shaded fuel breaks” along priority road corridors. In the event of a fire, this shaded fuel break will provide a buffer that allows for backcountry staff and participants to escape, and an access for firefighting personnel to enter and exit the area and undertake safer fire operations. In addition to the dedicated forestry crews, Backcountry camp staff implement “defensible space” thinning around their cabins in order to make them easier to protect in the event of the next fire. Once the trees are cut down, they still need to be removed from the forest. Trunks of large trees are milled into lumber by a specialized staff crew and are used in a variety of projects around the Ranch. Trees that are too small to be milled are cut up into firewood that is given away to the local communities. The smaller branches that cannot be used for either purpose are piled in open areas, left to dry, and then burned during the winter." More at source: https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/resources/conservation/fireecology/

After reading story below, I will be more mindful of signal bar strength as I hike. I dunno maybe there is a hiking app that also tracks phone signal strength waypoints? As there was no phone reception, Eric, 58, was worried about the threat to his wife of hypothermia. He helped her into a survival bag to keep warm, then headed back (left his wife!!!) to where he last remembered getting a signal. “I thought this was a bit over the top but I got in,” said Margaret. “But it’s surprising how cold you can get.” https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/mans-scout-training-saves-wife-27505340

Looks like South Korea (govt, media, citizens) has started judging accountability for fiasco. WOSM? BSA? Canada? "While thousands of Scouts spent their time away from their original campsite, ruling party politicians sought the person accountable for the disaster that put hundreds of youngsters who were heat-stricken and exhausted to clinics and hospitals. Kim Hyun-sook, , the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family , had her name put on the top of the list of the people who were the source of the problem by the ruling People's Power Party lawmakers." Whether she has been a setup scapegoat, I do not know, She cannot be the only one who failed. Source: https://www.ajudaily.com/view/20230811170705185

No.6 KHANUN Issued at(KST) : 2023.08.10. 19:0 https://web.kma.go.kr/eng/weather/typoon/typhoon_5days.jsp?tIdx=1&x=32&y=8

8/10/2023 From Stars & Stripes: Typhoon Khanun is expected to pass ...about 30 miles east of Osan Air Base and Camp Humphreys on Thursday afternoon and evening. Both were in typhoon readiness condition one, with 57 mph winds expected within 12 hours. Some services in Humphreys, such as passport issuance and driver testing, were operating with limited staff, according to the base’s official Facebook page. Nonessential military vehicles were prohibited from traveling on Humphreys roads and drivers were advised to use caution. https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-08-10/khanun-lan-typhoon-tropical-storm-japan-korea-11001954.html Outdoor events for Jamboree Scouts canceled due to typhoon "All outdoor events prepared for Scouts participating in the 25th World Scout Jamboree were replaced with indoor activities on Thursday, as Typhoon Khanun, accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds, passes through the Korean Peninsula." https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/08/356_356785.html

Too Long, Didn't Read. I guess it is all relative. At 44 pages in that format, the WSJ Guidelines are half the length of my son's Eagle Project Workbook. Here is the same text, without pictures and copious white-space - 15 pages. https://members.scout.org/sites/default/files/media-files/WOSM_WSJGuidelines_EN 2016.pdf

WOSM Guidelines "This document provides the key requirements for the Host Organisation to effectively plan and carry out the World Scout Jamboree. Relying on the constitution of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), resolutions and policies adopted by the World Scout Conference, decisions made by the World Scout Committee, as well as invaluable insights and experiences gained from past World Scout Jamborees, these guidelines serve as a roadmap for a seamless Jamboree experience. As the Host Organisation, it is our responsibility to adhere to WOSM’s guidelines for organizing the World Scout Jamboree, while also considering the wealth of knowledge shared by previous Host Organisations and the World Scout Bureau." So for reference, the rather vague and lightweight 44 page ... WOSM Guidelines for Hosting the World Scout Jamboree (adopted by the World Scout Committee in March, 2016) Facilities p26-27