RememberSchiff

"Acadia National Park, in collaboration with Friends of Acadia and Schoodic Institute, invites tenacious hikers to bring bags of soil to the summits of Penobscot and Sargent Mountains. You’ll get to choose how much soil you’ll carry – carrying as little as five pounds (about the size of a large freezer ziplock bag) is a huge help!" "The hikes are scheduled through September, and volunteers have already carried nearly 2,000 pounds of soil to these two summits. " More at Sources: https://www.bangordailynews.com/2024/07/30/hancock/hancock-environment/acadia-national-park-maine-mountaintop-erosion/ https://friendsofacadia.org/get-involved/events/save-our-summits-registration/ https://www.nps.gov/acad/learn/nature/summit-science.htm

Back in the day I carried in my wallet (a BSA coin wallet), an emergency info, BSA ID card, town library card, dimes for phone calls, and occasionally a buck or two. A recent story reminded me of this Do your scouts carry a BSA card in their wallet or some modern equivalent on their cellphone? On their cellphones have they added Scouts First Helpline contact?

And then there are BSA volunteers. Scoutmaster Maegen Fleck's "love of swimming is not limited to her swimmers; she also ensures that all her scouts are water-safe. When we say all her scouts, we mean ALL SCOUTS. Every summer, Maegen conducts the BSA Swim Test, which is open to all Scouts to ensure they can swim. Occasionally, a timid Scout might need to be more proficient, and Maegen offers these Scouts, free of charge, to learn how to swim at the local public pool. She has taught more than 20 Scouts to swim over the past two years. She has also taught the Swimming and Lifesaving Merit Badges to over 30 Scouts over the last two summers." More at source: https://readthereporter.com/from-scouts-to-olympians-she-helps-kids-be-safe-in-the-water/

So earlier this month, Congress received the Report to the Nation 2024, will it be publicly released?

7/28/2024: Starts Monday 6,000 participants expected revenue to the University of Colorado $2.9 million, largest conference at CU in 19 years. 6,000 campus beds, 500 hotel rooms and 170 campus event spaces. The dining halls are expected to serve around 100,000 meals. “We (Colorado University) have a unique opportunity as a conference operation to recruit students,” Daniel Dykstra, director of CU Boulder Conference Services, said. “We’re gonna have 4,500 honor students on this campus the last week in July.” No word yet if CU football coach Deion Sanders will stop in. "Conference participants will attend training and presentations on scouting and leadership, recreation and sporting activities, special events, speakers, banquets and evening shows." Sources: https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/07/27/cu-boulder-to-host-its-largest-conference-in-nearly-20-years/ https://www.colorado.edu/today/2024/07/14/campus-welcome-largest-conference-19-years

Update 07/27/2024: Hundreds gathered at the Heart Mountain Interpretative Center for the official opening of the Mineta-Simpson Institute - " a place where people from different points of view can come together to discuss their differences." Source: (I believe this article inadvertently reversed the institute name ~RS) https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/hundreds-gather-at-grand-opening-of-simpson-mineta-institute-in-wyoming Good video ( with scouts of course) - The Mineta-Simpson Institute https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwOJEId4JRM

Cadets from the Virginia Wing’s William P. Knight Composite Squadron teamed up with neighboring Troop 55B and Troop 55G Scouts this week at EAA AirVenture 2024 to finish second nationally in the Beginner Division of the Academy of Model Aeronautics UAS4STEM drone competition. ... "I'm in awe of this team and proud of the way they melded together and worked to accomplish such a challenging task,” said Capt. Alice Chan, assistant team manager. “From total newbies and even a tree crash mid-mission, it goes to show the capabilities of these cadets and scouts that they were able to complete the mission successfully and placed second place among other great talents." "Seeing members from two different American youth organizations, cadets from Civil Air Patrol and scouts from Scouting America, working together to exercise leadership and teamwork to accomplish the UAS4STEM competition makes me really proud of these future STEM leaders of our nation!" added 1st Lt. Jeff Ye, team manager. More at source including photos: https://www.cap.news/virginia-cadets-take-2nd-in-national-drone-competition/ 👍

Update: And then Deadpool & Wolverine was released this summer. “Lost on a Mountain In Maine,” will begin its theatrical run on Nov. 1. Source: https://variety.com/2024/film/news/lost-on-a-mountain-in-maine-blue-fox-entertainment-sylvester-stallone-1236085210/

"That which does not kills us, makes us stronger." ? I hear what you are saying. All meds have side-effects. Weigh the good versus the bad, but not yourself? My old immune system tells me to be prepared. So a Shingles shot, RSV vaccine, a booster for whooping cough,... I even took an antibody test - sonuvagun my Hep A &B vaccines must have been placebos! We are all unique in our health needs. In my family, I have seen some of the long term effects of Lyme - Bell's palsy, fatigue, joint pain. More than a decade ago, my wife was given a prolonged antibiotic treatment for Lyme at Pen Bay Medical Center. It was less than successful. We would be in line for an approved Lyme vaccine. My $0.02,

Update July 24,2024: "About 80 people are involved in the trial at MaineHealth’s Pen Bay Medical Center, which is part of a national study of a Lyme vaccine called VLA15 developed by the companies Pfizer and Valneva, according to Dr. Robert Smith, who’s working on the trial team. In total, the study is testing the safety and effectiveness of the shot on nearly 9,500 people across the country. ... The goal is for the vaccine to show a statistically significant decline in cases of Lyme disease. Smith said the trials are expected to conclude by the end of 2025, which is when Pfizer will submit the vaccine to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval." Dr. Smith believes this is the only Lyme disease vaccine in final phase of trials. However, the University of Pennsylvania medical school is developing an mRNA vaccine that has completed preclinical animal trials. Sources: https://www.bangordailynews.com/2024/07/23/midcoast/midcoast-health/lyme-disease-vaccine-tested-midcoast-hospital-xoasq1i29i/ https://www.cell.com/molecular-therapy-family/molecular-therapy/fulltext/S1525-0016(23)00428-8?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS1525001623004288%3Fshowall%3Dtrue https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-releases/2023/september/penn-medicine-develops-mrna-vaccine-against-lyme-disease

Pressures of modern life and the pandemic have made the UK Scout organization stronger than ever with a 100,000-strong waiting list. ... "Then there’s the thorny issue of neurodiversity: where mainstream schools are struggling to cope with rising numbers of children diagnosed with autism and ADHD. The Scouts, however – which pitches itself as the opposite of a classroom environment – is not suffering. “We don’t teach in classrooms,” Carter adds. “We teach by doing in real life. Put up a tent in the rain, and they will learn it’s quicker if you work as a team. We also give lots of training to our volunteers on neurodiversity. “We find children’s time is so programmed by school and parents but we just let them hang out with their mates and breathe. They love their midnight feasts and toasting marshmallows, but they also love just chatting when it’s dark. They open up in that space.” For Sharmine Chowdhury-Tse, a parent and lead volunteer of the 20th Willesden Scout Group, the combination of these factors is what makes it so appealing." 👍 More at source, good read: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/parenting/scouts-most-in-demand-childrens-club/

Another Scout troop stranded, leaders concerned about running out of prescribed meds!

Post Confirmation Report (12 pages) 06/30/2024 This appears to be a summary of professional fees and survivor claims paid in last quarter and a cumulative total. https://casedocs.omniagentsolutions.com/cmsvol2/pub_47373/76ac3a87-5de8-4990-b51a-78e5d693372a_12318.pdf

Stranded at Tulsa International Airport, Scouts work the problem in hopes of reaching Sea Base in time for their adventure.

Good story with photos in link below. "Novyi Sokil is now one of three functioning Ukrainian Plast camps in the United States." https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2024/07/16/g-s1-7730/how-ukrainian-scouting-culture-thrives-in-the-woods-of-western-new-york-state

7/16/24: "The Scouts First Anonymous Reporting allows anyone to submit anonymous reports of physical, psychological, or sexual abuse. By facilitating two-way, anonymous communications through texting, email, and QR codes, Scouts First Anonymous Reporting ensures youth and adults alike can be heard and start the path to giving them the advice or help they need." Roger Krone Chief Scout Executive, President & CEO More at source: https://www.scouting.org/executive-comms-blog/scouting-america-introduces-scouts-first-anonymous-reporting/

Central Georgia Council's Camp Benjamin Hawkins is under contract to be sold. The camp began in 1927 and comprises 500 acres. The Central Georgia Council office is also for sale. Source: https://www.13wmaz.com/article/news/local/camp-benjamin-hawkins-contract-sold-nearing-100-year-legacy/93-e49907a0-d0a6-4c52-8f81-644cb5a5bf5f

07/17/2024 Boxwell Scout Reservation, Lebanon, TN "Officials say the camper, 10, was on the jet ski with a 19-year-old staff member who was driving when the crash happened. The Boy Scouts Middle Tennessee Council said the camper was part of a National Guard family and was participating in the Tennessee National Guard’s annual Youth Development Week. " Sources: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/wilson/2024/07/17/jet-ski-crash-on-old-hickory-lake-near-tennessee-boxwell-boy-scout-camp-kills-10-year-old-boy/74437960007/ https://www.newschannel5.com/news/boxwell-reservation-jet-ski-crash-kills-one-child-camper-injures-one-staff-member

Found this today on Globe Newswire "IRVING, TX, July 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scouts and leaders from Scouting America joined Senate and Congressional leaders in Washington last week to highlight the importance of programs for the nation’s youth and discuss the positive impact these youth programs have on our communities. ... Washington officials were joined by Scouting America youth in the Cub Scout and Scouts BSA programs, as well as members of the Venturing, Exploring and Sea Scout programs. Bringing real excitement and competition to the meeting, Cub Scouts from Pack 98 of National Capitol Area Council provided a Pinewood Derby track and cars for officials to race. ( I wonder if there was bipartisan support of the race results? ) Special guest NASA astronaut and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award recipient Mike Fossum immediately picked-out the Space Shuttle Pinewood Derby car and challenged all Cubs Scouts to race. ... “For over a century, Scouting America has provided the nation's premier program for character development and values-based leadership training for more than 130 million young men and women,” said Roger Krone, president and chief executive officer of Scouting America. “We want to thank our elected officials for their unwavering support for advancing the mission of Scouting, and we look forward to another century of working together." More at source links with photos of Pinewood races. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/07/17/2914698/0/en/Scouting-America-Goes-to-Washington.html https://weownadventure.com/pinewood-derby-at-the-u-s-capitol/

Back in the day, I earned Red Cross Swimmer, Junior Lifeguard, and Senior Lifeguard certification. These courses were taught mornings at my town pool by volunteer Red Cross Aquatic Instructors. As I recall, the total cost was $10 or $20 to cover book and card. The courses filled quickly and were physically demanding in endurance and stroke execution. My Red Cross instructor was also a Swimming and Lifeguard MBC - so WINNING. The following two summers, I would work as a lifeguard at the same town pool and help teach those courses. I never registered for BSA Lifeguard at our local camp, perhaps if I had been a waterfront CIT? I will say, it is easier to find a submerged ten pound weight in a town pool than a "cedar-water" lake in Jersey. Today, it appears this level Red Cross training and certification is outsourced to $$$ for-profit schools. Unsure but I think the Y is cheaper, at least for members. I fume when I hear of the expense to teach basic life-saving skills: first aid, CPR, swimming,... That said, Scout Salute to Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation which donated $20,000 to Camp Roosevelt "to make improvements and allow their lifeguard staff to get crucial training. The waterfront program teaches kids water safety and fun through swimming, boating, and paddleboarding. Camp organizers say with the help of donations kids get to learn skills and experience nature at a more affordable cost." Source: https://www.wabi.tv/2024/07/13/maine-foundation-makes-donation-helps-boy-scouts-make-splash-camp-roosevelt/

Update 7/11/2024: Today, 2024 National Chief of the Order of the Arrow, David Gosik, presented Congressman Pete Sessions with a copy of the 2024 Report to the Nation. Congressman Sessions also was introduced to BSA CEO Roger Krone. Source: https://www.instagram.com/congressmanpetesessions/p/C9QjCNHyOme/ https://x.com/PeteSessions/status/1811163116178395232

"Again, the best way to prepare for heat-related illnesses is to prevent the illness." I remember back in the day, wearing a cold-water soaked, full-size necker.* I do worry that global warming with more frequent, severe storms and heat waves will cause the extinction of summer camp. https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/heat-related-illness/ *Note: Though hard to find on the trail, wrist dipping in a cooler with ice water mix also offers relief too.

Throwing a log on fire with a relevant story All-girl Scout troop from Brunswick takes to the high seas for adventure camp Great story about why these girls chose to join Boy Scouts and their Sea Base trek. It was 1. Program, name was not an issue, these girls wanted to Scout, 2. parents stepping up to deliver Program - character building, service, ADVENTURE, skills. IMHO this success story is repeated daily in units across the country, Gender is irrelevant as are High Adventure Bases. Get kids who want to Scout and adults who will deliver the Program ...membership growth will come as described in story. excerpt from source: Elena also tried Girl Scouts, “but there wasn’t really a lot to do.” She enjoyed all the art-related badges and projects she can do in the BSA in a wide variety of media. We get to camp out once a month, not just once a year,” Mikayla said, “and that’s a lot better.” Each month, the troop also does service projects. “We rehabilitated a fire ring at Camp Butler. We replaced all the logs, trimmed the trees, removed debris and redid the whole thing” Mikayla said. They also have volunteered at Danbury Senior Living and at the St. Ambrose flag retirements and 911 ceremonies in conjunction with the Veterans of Foreign Wars. They have also signed on to help maintain the children’s garden at Heritage Farm for the Brunswick Area Historical Society, starting in August. John Turner, co-chair of our High Adventure Committee, came from the Youngstown area to Brunswick. An Eagle Scout himself -- following in his dad’s footsteps -- he said: “When I found out that BSA was opening to girls, in 2019 my daughters started looking around. But then the pandemic came and everything came to a halt.” Once life became more normal, they had four or five girls join, and now there are about 16 to 18 girls in the troop, he said. More at source about their Sea Base trek with photos: https://www.cleveland.com/community/2024/07/troop-7407-takes-to-the-high-seas-adventure-camp.html

ABC News: Children who fled Russian invasion find community in Ukrainian scouting organization in Canada https://abcnews.go.com/International/children-fled-russian-invasion-find-community-ukrainian-scouting/story?id=111568550

The group calls themselves ‘BOOTS’, which they say stands for Brotherhood of Old Tired Scouts, and they have been hiking and biking through the trails at Cameron Park for nearly 30 years, training for camping trips and helping maintain the park. “We have an adventure group,” Scott Littrell, known as ‘Mad Dog’ to his friends, said. “We go out twice a year on adventures, but we hang around a lot together. We mountain bike, we hike, we maintain trails, we fish, you name it, outdoorsy stuff.” He said the group formed out of their sons’ boy scout troop around 27 years ago. “It started with Troop 497,” Littrell said. “We had kids about the same age. After they all got their Eagle Scouts, the dads had all this camping equipment, and we decided it would be more fun without the kids just to go camping. We recruited people along the way.” ... Fun read, Source: https://www.kwtx.com/2024/06/26/central-texas-retired-scouts-group-hike-bike-cameron-park-trails-nearly-30-years-train-big-camping-trip/