Re: BigEdBSA & Camp Thunder

In a message dated 96-12-20 10:41:48 EST, JSECDM@AOL.COM (Jeff Elliott)
writes:

<<The author of the above listed posting is not an employee of the Flint
River
Council, Boy Scouts of America or Thunder Scout Reservation.>>

Flint River Council Scout Executive Jack Sears & Program Secretary Jeff
Elliott are correct. I tended my resignation from the staff of Thunder Scout
Reservation at the end of the 1996 summer camp season, and agreed to stay on
through the end of the year as Trading Post Business Manager. This has been
a most successful year for the Camp & Trading Post. I have left the camp
under good conditions and the decision to leave Camp Thunder was mine alone.
I was told by Reservation Manager Joe Wortham that I was welcome back on the
summer camp staff of Thunder any time. I appreciate that, but my 1997 plans
do not include Camp Thunder. The Camp Thunder Trading Post E-Mail account
(BSAstore@aol.com) will transfer with me but E-Mail concerning Camp Thunder
will be forwarded to Thunderbsa@aol.com. The very capable Gene Ingram
(Ini-to's Lodge Advisor) will be taking over the reins of the country store
for 1997. I would suspect customers will see little change, and the camp &
council will benefit from Gene's extrordinary knowledge of Native American
crafts.

Camp Thunder is still, I believe, one of the best camps in all of the
southern region. I would recommend any troop or post looking for new program
ideas to consider booking there. I will be there on February 4th as a
volunteer scoutleader on the staff for NESA Merit Badge Day.

My decision to leave Camp Thunder has been a hard decision, but I feel is the
right decision. Jack Sears is our council's new Scout Executive (actually
about one year now), and as with all relationships, some work out better than
others. I will not air any disagreements on this forum in public or in
private, he has done many positive things since coming here including a
significant improvement in the success of our Popcorn Program.

All Scout Camps, even the best ones change. Thunder Scout Reservation will
change for the coming year. I have left, our Camp Director/Marketing
Director has left, Our Food Service Manager has left, and nearly all of the
summer camp area directors. In there place, I can tell everyone, some
excellent replacements are coming on board. One of the finest Program
Directors I have ever worked with, Greg Fergueson is coming back (from
Orlando). He can be reached at Fundor7160@aol.com. I think it is a good
thing that camps change, new ideas and new approaches, but Thunder will be a
very different place in 1997, and knowing Greg, Gene, and some of the other
people remaining, I am sure it will be a very good program.

My Scout Executive goes on to write:
<< His views and expressions are not supported or endorsed by the Flint River
Council, its Executive Board, Staff or Volunteers.>>

Since camp I have been careful to place in all of my messages & signature
blocks descriptions which clearly indicate that I am a volunteer and not a
council employee (In fact the entire Virtual Country Store effort has been
totally voluntary on my part, the council has not paid any money for this
service, and I have never made a cent on the project). The fact that Mr.
Sears does not agree with me is not in dispute. We have very different
perceptions of supply division & other matters. As for my Scout Executive
trying to speak for all of the volunteers in our council...... ?

<<For official information regarding Camp Thunder and the Flint River Council
send your posts to: Thunderbsa@aol.com attention Jeff Elliott, Thunder
Reservation Secretary.>>

Please do E-Mail Camp Thunder directly at their E-Mail address. I will
continue to speak my mind as a engaged and active volunteer scouter in my
council and on the Internet. Scouting porfessionals (many, not all) have
been loath to acknowledge Intrernet Scouting. It is a flow of information
they can not control, edit, or stop. Some scouting professionals & many
volunteers have discovered the richness of the Internet as a source of
information, debate, and fellowship, even in our Scouting Bortherhood. For
myself, I remain....

YIS,

Ed Henderson

Scoutmaster BSA Troop 12, Flint River Council
Committee Chairman Pack 12, Flint River Council
Explorer Advisor, Post 12, Flint River Council
Team Coach, Team 12, Flint River Council
Chartered Organization Representative, Post 312, Flint River Council
Member of Committee Post 95
Member & Vice Chairman of Flint River Council NESA Committee
Member & Vice Chairman of Flint River Council Relationships Committee
District Advancement Chairman - Towaliga District
Assistant District Commissioner for Exploring - Towaliga District
Outgoing Chaplain of Thunder Scout Reservation
Outgoing Business Manager of Thunder Scout Reservation
Camp Staff Veteran of 16 summers

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