RememberSchiff

June 5, 2023: "Philmont announced today that they have initiated the first phase of an aggressive Forest Restoration project utilizing state-of-the-art mechanical thinning. This thinning process allows for a one-pass treatment of overgrown forests with a focus on the restoration, protection, and sustainability of the landscape and watersheds for future generations. ... The first phase, a 600-acre Restorative Thinning Project began in mid-April and will be completed by the end of June 2023. The treatment area will serve as an anchor point between Philmont’s backcountry camps of Crater Lake and Miners Park and connects to the 1,000-acre fuel break. ... Philmont’s restorative thinning project is supported by Kenneke, Director of Ranching and Conservation, led by Lee Hughes, Director of Conservation and led by Philmont’s Forester Marty Parsons. Collaboration with the State of New Mexico Forestry Division through Cimarron District Forester Mary Stuever has allowed Philmont to work with Miller Timber Services. Miller uses state-of-the-art thinning machinery, processes of working in steep southwestern forests. They are treating approximately ten acres per day. Most of the material generated through the project is transported to Blanca Forestry Products located in Blanca, CO., in addition to several local mills in New Mexico. Blanca is dedicated to producing high quality lumber and forest products backed by the sustainable harvest of Miller Timber Services. Revenue generated from the project is reinvested into treating additional acres. Thanks to U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich and New Mexico State Forester Laura McCarthy who were instrumental in securing the 1.3 million dollars needed to initiate this project. Philmont is grateful to the thousands of staff and volunteers who put time, energy, labor, and passion into this project. A special thank you to the thousands of Philmont donors across the country who gave and continue to give to Philmont’s Fire Mitigation and Restoration Fund." More at source: https://krtnradio.com/2023/06/05/philmont-announces-1-3-million-restorative-thinning-project/ https://www.roadsriversandtrails.com/how-philmont-was-affected-by-the-ute-wildfires/

@Eagle94-A1 @Jameson76 in support of your points. Note around 14:00 or so "...There is a plan in place...very cool to hear...I think we are in good hands...On the unit level,... just keep doing what you are doing..."

Cub Scout Rose Tylor Kunkes crossed-over and another Eagle walked hand in hand with the saints along the streets of Heaven. Initially, she was diagnosed with common strep, but it quickly became severely invasive. So fast, so terrible. "Rose loved service," her father said. "That was one of her favorite things to do." But, he said, "she was more of a foreman kind of person." Rose's mother said, "She would love to be there to help, but her help was talking to everyone and telling them what to do ... she loved to visit and tell stories and entertain everyone." Some time after their daughter died, the Kunkeses were going through Rose's desk. "They (the Scouts) had a day where it was, right around Valentine's Day, write a note to yourself and send yourself a Valentine," her mother said. "The Cub Scout Motto is 'Do your best.' We've said it so many times and we try to engrain that in everybody ... we found this note in her desk," she said, laying out a heart-shaped piece of paper with Rose's handwriting. "This was supposed to be a note to yourself," her father said. It reads, "Do your best! Be you." Rose's mother said, "When we found that note, we were just in awe of how much she loved it and lived it." That's when they decided seek the Spirit of the Eagle award for Rose. ... "On a quiet and sunny Sunday afternoon, more than 100 Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Scout leaders jammed into Bloomington's Second Presbyterian Church for a special award ceremony." "Rose had the right level of perseverance and commitment that we believe there's no way, there's no way she wouldn't have become an Eagle Scout." Ben Blumenberg, Scout executive, W.D. Boyce Council Much more at Source: https://pantagraph.com/news/local/bloomington-girl-who-died-from-strep-honored-for-her-spirit-character/article_fc94f672-00b0-11ee-a022-6fd14e78f0f1.html Scout Salute and farewell young Eagle,

Did our new Youth Protection Executive Glen Pounder speak at NAM? I have not heard him speak yet about new YP measures and organization in the BSA going forward?

??? Why not get the local Scouter input first and then determine if it is necessary or even affordable to hire an outside national architect firm? So for an existing camp, we have local scout leaders familiar and concerned about program quality and summer camp costs and Council execs seeing money that immediately needs to be spent to hire an outside architect firm to develop a master camp plan??

IMHO, an understating of the important and an overstating the mundane. I would like details. As I recall Tilden when CEO Alaskan Airlines, cut executive salaries during difficult times. What expanded insurance protections? What expenses have been reduced - are handbooks and MB books freely online? How much has the yearly cost of scouting increased? Tell, Show, Do. My $0.02,

So for AOL, a coed den would then officially have to split into boy and girl dens to prepare scouts for a non-coed BSA troop? Another temporary wall to tumble?

The ACE program run by Avelo Airlines is the first of its kind program that is said to inspire the next generation of aerospace and aviation professionals. The program lasts for six months and is focused on providing opportunities for middle-school-aged students. This specific program is a partnership between East Haven Public Schools and Avelo Airlines in collaboration with Exploring. Exploring is a co-ed awareness program that is run by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) that provides curriculum development and management for younger kids across the country. The Boy Scouts of America Director of Exploring, Paul Lukas, spoke about the partnership, saying, "The partnership between East Haven Schools, Avelo Airlines, and Connecticut Yankee Council, BSA, is a collaboration that seeks to inspire the next generation of aerospace professionals right here in our community.” More at Source: https://simpleflying.com/avelo-airlines-hosts-aviation-career-exploration-program/

Back in the day, my troop's CO was identified on our neckers. Similar to this example below which I found on ebay. Maybe a historical troop necker? Draw a circle, divide into 3 wedges. One for BSA trefoil, one for CO logo, one for your old logo. Around perimeter, " Scout On, BSA Troop NNN 19xx- 202y" My $0.02,

Update 5/25/2023: Camp Trexler sold to the Trexler Veterans Initiative (TVI) for $7.8 million. "Following the sale, TVI will offer a leaseback agreement to the Valor Clinic Foundation...Among the foundation's main objectives is to help address and reduce the number of military veteran suicides. The TVI and the Valor Clinic Foundation have agreed to permit the use of the property by Scout units for cabin rentals and and campsite use "into the foreseeable future," according to the news release. " "Selling the property will help Minsi Trails Council cover its $2.6 million portion of a multi-billion-dollar national settlement with survivors of sexual abuse in the scouting programs. To select a buyer, the council’s real estate committee looked for an organization that intends to maintain the camp in a natural state, allow future access to Scouting programs, and close on the sale quickly." Sources: https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/poconos-coal/camp-trexler-sold-to-trexler-veterans-initiative-for-7-8-million/article_b74cb2a6-fb2b-11ed-b014-63ebb7197d51.html https://www.lehighvalleynews.com/local-news/trexler-veterans-initiative-agrees-to-buy-camp-trexler https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2023/05/trexler-scout-reservation-is-sold-to-new-owner-vowing-its-preservation-and-conservation.html

United Kingdom (about 400,000 young people) – 29 topic-indexed web pages. Their annual report is a detailed narrative giving a fuller picture of challenges, successes, setbacks, reflection, and direction (2025 goals) and a better understanding of UK Scouting than BSA Annual Report. Some takeaways we might add: Instead of “scout-run” unit experience, they promote a wider “youth-shaped” scout experience with 200-500? Youth Commissioners who ‘Plan’, ‘Lead’ and ‘Represent’ but be aware their upper age limit for scouts is 25. Board members are listed by name along with their % attendance and committee assignments - nice transparency. For example: 1 = Finance Committee Member 2 = Strategy and Delivery Committee Member 3 = Nominations and Governance Committee Member 4 = People and Culture Committee Member 5 = Safeguarding Committee Member 6 = Safety Committee Member Craig Dewar-Willox (100%)5 Nicola Gamlen (75%) 1, 3 Like New Zealand, they specifically thanked partners and sponsors. Some interesting ones: Pokemon, Raspberry Pi, Manchester United, Warhammer.. https://www.scouts.org.uk/about-us/our-impact-and-reports/ https://www.scouts.org.uk/about-us/our-impact-and-reports/scouts-annual-report-2020-2021/

"The Coast Guard is looking for volunteers to share their skills and experiences with future leaders during the 2023 National Jamboree hosted by Scouts BSA, July 19-28 at the Bechtel Summit Reserve in Beckley, West Virginia. Prior Scouting experience isn’t required, but you must submit a volunteer packet by June 16 to be considered for this community service opportunity. The Coast Guard has supported 11 previous Jamborees and previous volunteers have used this community service to stand out from their peers for officer candidate school packages, officer-in-Charge review packages, Gold and Silver Badge packages, and civilian job promotions. That said, previous volunteers say the greatest reward was sharing their service stories with emerging leaders. “It was really rewarding giving kids a tour of the static displays (trailered small boats) we had on site and answering their questions about the Coast Guard,” said R. Eric Adams, Personnel Security Specialist, Station Cape Charles, Virginia. “I would take small groups from eight to ten people and tell them about the small boat and its missions and then I would turn it into a Q&A session and answer any questions they had about the Coast Guard.” This is a permissive orders opportunity and volunteers will be responsible their travel costs, meals and incidental expenses. While you will be berthed onsite in a tent with a provided cot, expect to pay $300-400 for food and lodging. You must also have permission from your first and second level supervisor to volunteer. " More at Source: https://www.mycg.uscg.mil/News/Article/3404163/coast-guard-seeks-volunteers-for-2023-national-jamboree-hosted-by-scouts-bsa/

Ah, so a microchip is required for dog ownership? My town still uses the old annual collar tags. Microchips are uncommon for mutt owners here. I will ask vet about microchips, blood types, recommended genetic screening.

I'm curious, what kind of registration tags does the US Army give to dogs owned by members? Over the years, it has been pleasantly reassuring meeting old familiar scouters at activities. RS with a 10wk puppy getting her second core vax today.

Update May 20, 2023: A memorandum filed by the plaintiffs Wednesday in support of an earlier motion asking the court to compel the Boy Scouts to provide documents that were to have been turned over May 12 includes a copy of a national Scout Executive Packet dated July 18, five weeks before the fatal Hawaii shooting. The packet contains a section emphasizing that proper supervision is required any time a shooting sports range is in use, in accordance with the BSA Shooting Sports Manual and National Camp Accreditation Program standards. "Recently, several shooting sports related incidents and near misses have occurred, " the packet states. "During the incident review process, these incidents and near misses showed a pattern of not following the range's standard operating procedures (SOPs ), a lack of proper supervision, and utilizing staff owned firearms and ammunition, including firearms prohibited in the camp's program." ... Third Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto agreed to extend the deadline for producing the first batch of requested documents to May 26. More at source link: https://news.yahoo.com/boy-scouts-admits-prior-shooting-160200192.html

@James6 welcome to scouter.com.

I like their initiative. Since newbies in the woods have been known to underestimate their situation, it will be interesting to see how this helpline further develops. Will there be functionality to directly connect to emergency services? Imagine if RoadRunner Patrol got a text, Family 2.3 miles NW of you needs water, Can you help?

Note: As I understand, this was NOT a Scout group - RS "The Santa Paula Canyon trail is a six-mile hike in Ventura County, with an elevation gain of more than 3,700 feet. A local hiking website describes the terrain as rugged and difficult. The "Last Chance" portion of the canyon is a trail that connects the Santa Paul Canyon section to another hiking path, and has another high elevation gain. The "Last Chance" trail is about seven miles long. " Ventura County Sheriff Office Narrative: On May 12, 2023, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Upper Ojai Search and Rescue (SAR) Team located and came to the aid of 10 missing hikers near the “Last Chance” area of the Santa Paula Canyon. On the above date, at approximately 8:00 P.M., Ventura County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a text message from a group of ten hikers who were unable to find their way back from the Santa Paula Canyon. These hikers were able to contact Ventura County Sheriff’s Dispatch through the Apple Emergency SOS feature and provided valuable information such as a possible location and if immediate medical aid was needed. Additionally, guardians for the 10 overdue hikers contacted Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies near the trailhead to report the subjects as missing and possibly in need of assistance. At approximately 8:30 P.M., the Upper Ojai Search and Rescue (SAR) Team was activated and immediately responded to the Santa Paula Canyon Trailhead. A total of 13 SAR members responded to locate the missing hikers. SAR team members hiked approximately 4 miles into the Santa Paula Canyon to locate the 10 missing hikers. SAR team members were faced with low visibility, multiple stream crossings and trails that had been previously damaged from the heavy rains. At approximately 11:15 P.M., SAR team members located the 10 missing hikers. Most of the hikers were not prepared for the hike and were provided with food, drinking water and lighting equipment as they were led out to the Santa Paula Canyon Trailhead. At approximately 2:40 A.M., SAR team members returned to the Santa Paula Canyon Trailhead with the 10 missing hikers. The hikers were reunited with their guardians and fortunately did not require any medical aid. The Upper Ojai Search and Rescue (SAR) Team consists of approximately 28 volunteers skilled in search and rescue operations in mountain, canyon and urban settings. The team volunteers on average 4000 hours per year on searches, rescues, training and public events. More at Sources: https://nixle.us/EFS8X?fbclid=IwAR1FiFH_ek8dvpow51YS-edQqFypPz8WsBG5q1h9s_3lhYB-tFLDxIK2zoM https://www.cbsnews.com/news/10-missing-hikers-rescued-from-california-canyon-thanks-to-apple-sos-feature/ https://www.backpacker.com/news-and-events/news/10-teenage-hikers-ojai-iphone-sos/ https://www.conejovalleyguide.com/dosomethingblog/the-punch-bowls-in-santa-paula#:~:text=The Santa Paula Canyon Trail,4 to 6 hour excursion. https://www.hikelospadres.com/last-chance-trail.html#.ZGTVOOzML0s https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208076

CALL SCOUTS CANADA FOR TIPS TO QUELL YOUR CAMPING CALAMITIES In honour of the upcoming epic Canadian camping season, Scouts Canada (the country’s leading co-ed youth organization), is ‘going to the phones’ to help outdoor-challenged Canadians navigate common camping calamities. Starting May 1st, expert advice on the ten top camping conundrums will be available for free, 24/7, when calling Scouts Canada’s ‘Camptastic’ Helpline at 1-844-SCOUT101. “As nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, Scouters live for camping, but we recognize that many Canadians may hesitate to benefit from the camping experience due to rusty skills or a lack of confidence,” said Mike Eybel, a volunteer Scouter of nine years with Scouts Canada. “A 24/7 helpline was the quickest, most practical and easiest way for us to support Canadians this camping season, wherever they’re at and whenever they need.” More at source: https://www.scouts.ca/news-and-events/news/2023/05/camping-cluelessness-theres-a-1-844-number-for-that

In the summer of 2017, Eric Valentine recalled that he was volunteering with an eastern Oregon Boy Scout troop when they encountered a group of rafters in need of assistance. Six years later, the 80-year-old retired judge — and former Scoutmaster...was hiking along Hells Canyon in early May and taking photographs when he lost his balance and fell 60 feet down a slope and was in desperate need of help... More details including photos at source: https://news.yahoo.com/60-foot-fall-hells-canyon-100000035.html

Sea Scout Ship Viking (Ship100), a local Sea Scout Ship of the national coeducational program from the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) that blends youth boating and leadership skills with social and community service experiences, has been has named the 2023-2024 BoatUS National Flagship - a recognition as the best "ship" (Sea Scout group) in the country. ... Said BSA National Chair Sea Scout Chair Ben Feril, "Sea Scout Ship Viking is outstanding because they ensure every single activity has an element of fun, where Sea Scouts are encouraged to be warm, welcoming, and bring their friends. This is bolstered by a policy of getting on the water every time a prospective new member attends a meeting." Much more at source link: https://www.sail-world.com/news/261774/Whats-the-Best-Ship-in-the-Country Scout Salute,

Could we have this training available online before this summer's scout camps and National Jamboree ?

I think a law enforcement group or professional security firm could produce a leader training video set at a camp and other scout venues. After all there are several basic hidden camera search videos on Youtube. I watched a couple videos about AirBnB and rentals and these points were commonly made: - visual check for anything unusual - check power outlets, lights, and switches - check smoke detectors - check mirrors - darken room, use flashlight to see reflection of camera lens (as mentioned, lenses are getting smaller). Also while dark, use phone camera to detect infrared camera operation. - RF detector phone apps (detect wireless signal) - check devices on camp wireless router Another $0.01,

Good point! On May 4, the FBI and Justice Department notified public media in NJ/NY/PA area with a request to reach victims. In my search, only the home Council to those camps posted a Council website notice some days later, though no doubt they were emailing and phoning when the FBI announced. IMO, given: 1. camp scouts possibly came from different councils and states. 2. the investigation includes Council employee(s) 3. child porn often has an internet component 4. the investigation is being conducted by federal enforcement agencies. FBI and Justice Dept here. Note previously, the Ohio "Aqua Joe" (30 years sentence) case was handled by Homeland Security, and there was another scout abuse case(s) by Secret Service. The National Youth Protection Executive and his staff should be directly involved and responding. As I understand Mr. Pounder has experience with 3 and 4.. This is a time to rethink National and Council roles. I would like to see a uniformed Council SE in court sitting with victim families. NCAP changes, follow-up inspections? My $0.01