RememberSchiff

Related story: Fourteen year old scout Lily Johnson earned the National Medal for Outdoor Achievement completing 127 nights of camping, over 500 miles of hiking, 85 hours of conservation work, a wilderness first aid course, became a Leave No Trace level one instructor, earned four 50-miler awards and planned two outings for the scout troop – including one 50-mile backpacking trip. “Once I get Eagle I want to just be a model for other scouts,” said Lily, who hopes to inspire other scouts to “do cool things.” Lily isn’t going to let the outdoor adventures end when their scouting career is over. Lily plans to complete America’s through-hiking Triple Crown, which includes completing the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide and the Appalachian Trail. The ambitious teenager hopes that throughout their life they can continue to see and protect the planet’s natural wonders and trails. “These trails have given so much to me, I better give back to them,” Lily said. Scout Salute. More at source: https://mltnews.com/edmonds-scout-first-from-non-male-troop-to-earn-prestigious-outdoor-achievement-medal/

Scouting taught me to be observant while hiking. Walking with my buddy on a jeep road on a hot sunny Philmont day, a rattlesnake slithered between my legs. I was yakking with my buddy and oblivious to my surroundings . Our SM watched, too stunned to shout out. Maybe that was a good thing but he gave me an earful afterwards in front of my patrol. Adult leaders could do that back then as a way to curb stupidity. Lesson learned. Eyes on trail and my feet. I am wary of warm surfaces, crevices, and vegetation. Last year I visited a CA poppy field with Mrs. Schiff who attempted a close-up photo of a pretty flower. Luckily I saw the rattler move in the poppies, close encounter. I mention this to scouts and parents who think hiking is just walking a longer distance with a 32oz ice coffee and ear buds. Hiking is much more than exercise, Scouter Fedorchak said the best way to keep yourself and your loved ones safe this snake season is to "be aware of your surroundings." "These snakes are most active at sunset because that's when prey becomes active," he said. If you think a snake may be nearby, "scuff your feet, it puts out a vibration to alert you are there," he added. Out of precaution, Fedorchak advised treating every snake bite like it's venomous. "Take a marker and circle the bite," he instructed. "What they will look for is if there is swelling [and] is there a possible envenomation." My $0.02, Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/record-breaking-number-of-snake-bites-prompts-new-guidance-on-staying-safe/ar-BB1p0S5y?item=themed_featuredapps_enabled

There have been 257 snake bites through the first six months of 2024, according to the North Carolina Poison Control, outpacing the previous six-month record total of 247 snake bites in 2020 which ended with a year total of 733 snake bites. Scott Fedorchak, a volunteer with Scouts of America who’s taught snake recognition for more than 50 years, said lack of resources and severe heat is driving the increase in snake and human interactions. “Snakes are going to where their food and water sources are, and with the rain, or lack thereof here within the last several months, they are now moving to places they can find food and water,” he said. “Right now, that’s people watering their yards, gardens, the edge of their property, and you bring them in closer proximity of each other, now you have a greater chance of interaction between snake and human.” Most NC snake bites are from copperheads. More at source including further explanation (see WRAL video) by Scouter Scott Fedorchak: https://www.wral.com/story/most-snake-bites-ever-in-nc-in-first-six-months-poison-control-says/21499851/

6/15/2024: A message from Bear Grylls, UK Chief Scout "To all my friends and family in Scouts, This September will mark the end of my time as Chief Scout after three 5 year terms as Chief and a total of 15 years in the role. Being Chief Scout has been the greatest honour of my life. The kindness and commitment of our young people and volunteers is incredible. And I’m so proud that since 2009 when I joined, over 2 million people have been through Scouts in the UK. Together we accomplished everything we set out to do – grow our movement and help millions of young people gain skills for life and access to adventure and the outdoors but like every volunteer in our movement, our roles evolve and nothing stays the same forever. I will of course continue as Chief Ambassador of World Scouting, helping support the global movement of some 65 million international scouts." Bear Grylls Chief Scout Source: https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2024/june/a-message-from-bear-grylls-uk-chief-scout

Claytor Lake Boy Scouts Aquatic Center (Virginia) sold to Shah Development, real estate arm of Shelor Motor Mile, for $2.7 million. Lack of bookings and maintenance is mentioned, not surprising with reduced membership (covid) and competition with Summit which is 2 hours away. It is a rather new camp, predating Summit by about ten years. Will money go to bankruptcy and/or program rebuild? June 14, 2024 behind paywall: https://roanoke.com/news/local/business/development/shah-development-shelor-motor-mile-purchases-claytor-lake-boy-scouts-aquatic-center-sold-debt-free-pulaski/article_06a8f7ae-29b3-11ef-92b0-db307a3b3524.html From Aug, 2023 https://pcpatriot.com/whats-happening-at-the-claytor-lake-aquatics-base/

I wish it was SOP for all BSA documents, press releases, messages, etc to be CLEARLY DATED (publication and effective) WITH AUTHOR (person or group) on Page 1 and again on page footers. My $0.02,

In the 1930's, Marty Griffin found his social milieu in Boy Scout Troop 51, under the leadership of Brighton “Bugs” Cain, who earned his nickname for his love of entomology. He never had trouble finding a passion, starting with knot-tying in Boy Scouts. He mastered more than 100 of them, some as complex as those used by sailors on ships, and affixed them to a board that had to be widened with two hinges in order to win the local competition. The troop did most of its overnighting in Camp Dimond in the hills of Montclair and when the camp closed Griffin never got over it. “The anguish we all felt when the Oakland Boy Scout Council sold Camp Dimond for development has shaped my entire life,” he wrote in his memoir. To get from Oakland to Stinson Beach for another overnighter, Bugs Cain put Troop 51 on the Key Route train to the Oakland Mole, where they switched to the San Francisco ferry then the Sausalito Ferry, then the train to Mill Valley. It was a long hike from there but when he saw Bolinas Lagoon from the Dipsea Trail, it was suddenly worth being wet from the overnight drizzle and the blisters on his feet. “Behind the lagoon, thirty-mile-long Bolinas Ridge, an arm of Mt. Tamalpais, loomed in the mist,” he wrote nearly 40 years later. “The smell of salt from the crashing surf at Stinson Beach combined with the aroma of coastal sage after a rain, was unforgettable.” That made an impression and three decades later, he came to the defense of the wildlife in that sparkling saltwater lagoon against the proposed encroachment of a freeway. More of Dr. Griffin's life story including his work as a physician, environmentalist, and public health advocate at source link. BTW, he still has that hinged display board of 100 knots. Scout Salute and Farewell, https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/martin-marty-griffin-conservationist-19505794.php

Hmm, CBS link still works for me. Here is same story via youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_8nxlfT0Q4

Ed O'Keefe reports on a scout planned 10.5 mile trail of U.S. history in Paris. https://www.cbsnews.com/video/the-history-of-boy-scouts-in-france/

An enjoyable Sunday morning read. "Tents cover the Oxford County Fairgrounds in June 1949 in Paris for the historic Boy Scout Jamboree, the largest camp gathering in New England at the time. More than 3,000 Scouts from 11 counties participated, with 125 groups from southern Maine. The site is now the location of Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School on Main Street.. "One motivated and energetic group from Pownal, led by Scoutmaster David Whittemore, hiked 38 miles of roadways over two days, starting at the Pownal School and staying over in Hebron, before arriving at the fairgrounds." More including photos at source: https://www.pressherald.com/2024/06/09/largest-boy-scout-jamboree-in-new-england-camped-in-paris-75-years-ago/

Great Rivers Council recently offered a class where attendees could get their Federal Aviation Administration drone certification by taking The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST), as well as build and keep their DIY drone. The event ended with participants challenging each other in races and aerial contests. Cost $75 More details including photos at source: https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/scouts-learn-how-to-fly-with-diy-drones/article_45919aec-1e10-11ef-8722-b3648ec2e345.html

Safeguarding Our Youth General Session presentation (46 min) with Glen Pounder whose job title Youth Protection Executive appears renamed and NEB member Frank Tsuru who also serves as Chair of the Youth Safeguarding Committee. IMHO, presentation gets interesting starting at 19:00 when Mr. Tsuru talks about transparency and policy. Mr. Pounder continues and expands on that discussion. Why NAM presentations can't be broadcast (live and archived) online to all of us remains a puzzle to me. Better yet lets have a two-way dialog, maybe discuss pitfalls of perp profiling, the need for report tracking for both end-user and organizations...I am seeing some of the same failed solutions presented in a new tech suit. We have ideas and questions. My $0.02.

May 31, 2024 Update: The civil lawsuit filed by the family of an 11-year-old Boy Scout Manuel Carvalho killed August 28, 2022, at the Camp Honokaia Boy Scout Camp range has been settled. The terms of the out-of-court settlement are confidential. Neither the Carvalho's family attorney Kris LaGuire nor the BSA attorney Lincoln Ashida would comment further. "There have been no arrests or criminal charges filed in connection with Carvalho’s death." "Capt. Rio-Amon Wilkins of the East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Division said at the time all the charges under review for potential filing are misdemeanors, punishable by up to a year in jail upon conviction. The statute of limitations for misdemeanors in Hawaii is two years from the time of an incident for the authorities to file related charges." More at source (but behind pay wall) https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/05/31/hawaii-news/plaintiffs-boy-scouts-settle-wrongful-death-case/ https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2024/05/31/hawaii-news/plaintiffs-boy-scouts-settle-wrongful-death-case/

May 30, 2024: National Executive Board (NEB) election results from National Annual Meeting from 3 weeks earlier were announced by Brad Tilden. New NEB members: (The NEB has 40-48 members.) "Laurie Champion, managing director at Marsh & McLennan Companies, has served as the Michigan Crossroads Council president and on numerous BSA committees and groups, including the National Program Safety Subcommittee, Insurance Advisory Group, National Governance Task Force and Scouts BSA Committee... Anne-Marie Lamarche is a strategy consultant at Lamarche & Associates with 35 years of experience in marketing strategy and new product development. She has served as council president and area president and was the inaugural chair of National Service Territory 3... Jacob Pruitt is head of Fidelity’s National Charitable Services business unit and president of Fidelity Charitable. He serves as Scoutmaster for Troop 118 in the Pathway to the Rockies Council... Max Siegel, CEO of USA Track & Field, has served as president of global operations at Dale Earnhardt Inc., and manager of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program... Willy Xiao has held positions at OfficeTogether, which was acquired by Envoy; Meta; and Rippling, one of the world’s fastest growing startups. Xiao is an Eagle Scout and was on the executive committee for the 2019 World Scout Jamboree..." More background details at sources: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/scouting-america-welcomes-national-executive-132200254.html https://www.scouting.org/about/governance/national-executive-board/ P.S. So presently, there are 46 NEB members. Not listed in above executive board link ( leaving the NEB?, some are listed in Retired Board Members) Jack Furst Dan Ownby Jim Turley Lyle Knight Frank McAllister Gary Wendlandt

Found this on Orange County history website: The biggest single Scouting event ever to hit Orange County (CA) was the Third National Jamboree, held here in July 1953. Some 50,000 Scouts and Scouters from across the United States descended on the Irvine Ranch for seven days of fellowship and fun. ... The fee for the Jamboree was just $48 per boy, and yet they still turned a profit, and refunded each camper $13.50. The Irvine Company donated the site and some of the preparations, which helped keep the costs down, and lots of equipment was borrowed from the military... The Scouts ate a lot–like 1.6 million tons of food and drink, including 500,000 eggs, 150,000 donuts, 170,000 loaves of bread, 63,000 pies, 750,000 bottles of soft drinks, and 625,000 quarts of milk, plus tons and tons of ground beef, chicken, hot dogs, steak, and vegetables. All this and more created 1.5 tons of trash daily....Workers dug 4,500 latrines for the Jamboree, and after the event, eucalyptus trees were planted in many of the holes. So, if you see a mature eucalyptus tree in the Newport Center/Eastbluff/Big Canyon area, you now know what likely kickstarted its growth... The Jamboree finally came to an end on July 23. One last show was held in the big amphitheatre, with 90,000 people in attendance. “Auld Lang Syne” was the last song sung, and then the exodus began. Good summary of planning and activities along with photos and map at sources: https://www.ochistoryland.com/jamboree P.S. Found another source: https://www.newportbeachlivingmagazine.com/articles/blog-post-newport-beach-boy-scouts-jamboree-1953

As we saw through the pandemic, it was/is through the volunteers who carry the fire that scouting continues. Quoting A. J. Kierstead opinion from recent Concord (NH) Monitor "In moments like this I am unbelievably grateful for the decentralized nature of the scouting program. Councils, districts, and units hold the most responsibility for what the scout does when they show up to an event or meeting. Tips are given to help leaders navigate the extensive curriculum, but there are many online resources we rely on that expand upon that base... In my experience, councils, districts, and units are not a reflection of the nonsense we see at the national level. Scouting America will continue to be the corporate arm of one of the best citizenship and community building programs in the world. I will stay involved to make sure sanity is not lost in my little corner of the program, while hopefully raising the awareness of those who have not fully considered the implications of what this programming means." Well said.

Today there was a more detailed interview with photos by KSL. Shad Stevens is an Eagle Scouts: “I grew up in it. I was a very young Eagle Scout. It was my life as a young man. I got my Eagle Scout when I was 13 years old and then I served in Order of the Arrow and with other organizations, served on junior leadership training camps and a lot as a young man,” Stevens said. “Then after I got married and came back, I immediately became a scoutmaster and served in scouting for 20 years as a scout leader in one capacity or another.” “Last year and my wife and I went up and toured it and just immediately fell in love with what’s there and knew that this was our future,” Stevens said. Source link below. Note the maintenance and building restrictions on historical property mentioned. I suspect that was a factor in BSA not renewing lease. https://ksltv.com/648984/after-almost-100-years-camp-steiner-to-get-new-life-as-high-adventure-base-camp/

Offloading liability? As mentioned, the Hawaiian wrongful death was at a scout camp range. I have shot at more than a dozen "commercial ranges" in NH, ME, MA, PA, VA, NV. Their facilities, staff, clientele, firearms, and safety rules vary considerably. I do not know of any uniform safety or business certification for commercial ranges; it is the Wild West regarding calibers, actions, rent/bring. That said, "commercial ranges" usually have a Range Safety officer at the firing line. At local club ranges. often members are their own range safety officer. At those local clubs, Scout shooting activity would reserved the whole range and have their own trained RO's; insurance through the NRA. Commercial ranges make their money from instruction, equipment, sales but mostly from rentals firing their ammo. Odd we could take Cubs camping at only council-approved camps, but we apparently take Scouts to any "commercial range". What the ... IMHO, Councils should partner with local sportmens clubs. Regarding indoor ranges, I have shot at the same range where the Boston Marathon bomber practiced, along-side Philly gang-bangers in PA, and nutjobs firing full-auto in Vegas. Air filtration (lead) at indoor ranges was a concern except at one place. Scary, never been back to any of those places. I can only recommend one indoor range for Scouts but I am not sure they allow youth or reserve range time for outside groups. Commercial outdoor ranges are less common hereabouts - competition (local clubs and free state ranges), worry of a round getting away, noise, range vandalism, real estate costs. My $0.01 for rambling

Shad Stevens’ longtime dream has been to secure a property where youth can disconnect from society and reconnect with their lives. “The dream is that we have a mountain that is able to bring youth groups from all different types," he said. "Our mission is to play with purpose, or have adventure with purpose. So our dream is that we use the mountain to help inspire young people.” “That's my purpose. It's what I was built for. It's why I'm here," he said. "I see the unique issues our youth face in our society. And I see so much of the solution of what they're dealing with is to spend time away from it. And nowhere better to spend time than a camp like this.” Last year, he learned the Boy Scouts of America would not renew its U.S. Forest Service special use permit at Camp Steiner. The 93-year-old camp has deep roots in the Uinta Mountains and at 10,400 feet, was the second-highest Scout camp in the world according to BSA. He said it was considered the “Flagship Camp” of the Great Salt Lake Council and was always the first camp to fill up. The newly christened Sunrock High Adventure Base rests on the shores of Scout Lake. The property boasts staggering views of Bald Mountain, Reid’s Peak and Hayden Peak, with more than 30 lakes within a 10-mile radius... More at Source including audio and photos: https://www.kpcw.org/summit-county/2024-05-14/historic-boy-scout-camp-to-reopen-as-a-high-adventure-youth-camp-in-the-uintas

Lilliann ‘Lilly’ Markowitz has earned the Gold Award in Girl Scouts, Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts and Chief Petty Officer in Sea Cadets (US Navy program not Sea Scouts). She is believed to be the only "Chief Golden Eagle". More at source, impressive: https://themadisonrecord.com/2024/05/15/lilliann-markowitz-achieves-top-rank-in-girl-scouts-boy-scouts-and-sea-cadets/ Scout Salute, Well Done.

Another decision not mentioned in National Report, FleishmanHillard ($$$) which has previously worked with the BSA, was chosen as PR Agency of Record (AOR) in November 2023 with a focus on the rebrand. BSA Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Michael Ramsey said his team is amplifying the organization’s message to reach youth and families across the country via national press releases and a social strategy that “leans hard into” Instagram and LinkedIn. “We have a lot of our leaders on LinkedIn,” said Ramsey. “But video is the backbone of a lot of the things we are doing. We are also looking at media outlets that target youth and families.” ... The team particularly wants to reach moms and make them aware of all the fun and adventure involved in scouting, such as camping, hiking, boating and earning badges, said Ramsey. Next February 8, a marketing campaign called Spring into Scouting will let older youth — children ages 11 to 18 — know about the opportunity to join scouting programs, Ramsey said More at Source: https://www.prweek.com/article/1872349/inside-boy-scouts-america-rebrand My advice, if you are a going to talk to CEO, CFO MOM, be prepared to reveal the True Cost of Scouting and parental time commitment. My $0.02,

May 11, 2024, Mississippi Valley Council : ADAMS COUNTY, Ill. - An ammunition shed at Saukenauk Scout Reservation’s shotgun range caught fire Thursday, destroying $8,000 of ammo. Mississippi Valley Council Scout Executive Ricci Dula said the shed, constructed as a Wood Badge project, was gutted leaving debris on the range. Only leaders and the reservation’s ranger were onsite at the time. “We’re still determining the cause of the fire,” Dula said. “Nobody was harmed or at any risk of being harmed. The Mendon Fire Department did an exemplary job; the fire could have been considerably worse. It was about 25 feet away from a propane tank and another structure.” (One report said the cause was burning trash. ) The fire also wiped out Camp Saukenauk’s supply of guns, some of which were used during the Sporting Clays for Scouts event on Wednesday... More at sources including video and photos: https://www.whig.com/news/fire-destroys-scout-reservation-s-ammo-shed/article_66b960ba-0f1f-11ef-a825-0f9c306f606e.html https://www.wgem.com/2024/05/11/camp-saukenauk-ammunition-building-destroyed-fire/

Agreed. I do not know the settlement of the wrongful death suit (August, 2023) against Aloha Council/BSA. Some random concerns I do not understand why "commercial ranges" are assumed safer than member-only sportsmen clubs (prohibited?) or more cooperative with an outside group program. This will likely end Council relationships with local, non-commercial sportsmen club which not only teach firearm safety and marksmanship but often host Klondike Derbies and scout fundraising events (turkey shoots, clay-breaking). The Marksman Experience at Bechtel will have to drop high-powered rifle after Sept 1. Long distance shooting, e.g. 1000 yards ends. .30-06 (center-fire) shooting at Philmont will end. Will Philmont Sportsman Adventure end? Unit shooting teams? Some members buy and use their own rifles for competitions. Back in the day, here he goes again, I bought and used my own rifle to earn Marksmanship Merit Badge. I still shoot my old Mossberg 340. I found no new rules regarding the secure (vault) storage of firearms and ammunition at camps or off-site. IMHO, hunter education and firearm instruction will be a safe and fun family activity outside of Scouting. My $0.02,

https://www.nrainstructors.org/search.aspx Note the Search at bottom For NRA FIRST Steps Pistol, BSA Only or Youth Only, All Available, I found no courses in 6 New England states. Course availability needs to be examined further. There are fewer NRA/BSA instructors and some courses have a limited demand.

2022 National Shooting Sports Manual (298 pages) www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/Shooting-Sports IMHO, there should be separate manuals for Archery and Firearms. Regarding program name change "Range and Target Activities", will that include horseshoes, cornhole, beanbag toss, pumpkin chunking?