RememberSchiff

"Adventure Point is located on 30+ acres adjacent to The DeVos Family Center for Scouting in Walker, MI – just 5 miles northwest of downtown Grand Rapids. The campus features an outdoor 35’ Climbing / Rapelling Tower, Zipline, BB, and Archery Range and a Low COPE Challenge Course. Combined with 2 miles of groomed woodland trails along Mill Creek, and 5 modern Yurts for Camping – Adventure Point offers Fun, Adventure, and Outdoor Education for all ages." I found little mention on Adventurepoint's separate website of Scouting or its parent Michigan Crossroads Council. But I did read this story regarding Adrian College with Michigan Crossroads Council/Adventurepoint offering 3 college credits upon completion of the Summit Leadership Course. Your transfer credits may vary. Is this the future for BSA/SA facilities - more mainstream, catered, compressed outreach of scouting program strengths outside of Scouting ...Mini-courses? An observation at this point, not a criticism.

..."The most frightening call police, fire and EMS can receive is a report of a school bus crash." The Mahopac Falls Fire Department (NY) and Troop 371 scouts conducted a mock school bus accident using a 65-passenger bus and a wheelchair accessible van provided by Mahopac School District. Fire personnel praised scouts as “fantastic partners, learning first-hand about safety protocols and gaining valuable experience in emergency situations. Their enthusiasm and teamwork were truly inspiring.” Source: https://midhudsonnews.com/2024/10/12/firefighters-and-scouts-team-up/

Recently, National hosted a Safeguarding Youth Symposium in Las Vegas. Both David Chadwick, CEO and Founder of RealResponse and Ju'Riese Coln CEO of U.S. Center for SafeSport spoke among others (see above link). Recall @mrjohns2 informed us of SafeSport in the wandering topic BSA Lifeguard Program To Be Discontinued. I do not know if there are online recordings or transcripts of their presentations.

Oops we ( me?) forgot! Smokey turned 80 on August 9, 2024, but scout Case Shockley did not.

10/9/2024 Greenwood, AR - a group of trees planted years ago as part of Eagle Scout Tyler Coble's project were removed during a recent construction project. Local Eagle Scout Drake Brandon spoke at the Greenwood City Council's meeting Monday on behalf of fellow Eagle Scout Tyler Coble. Brandon said a group of trees (15), located near the new Mercy Clinic in west Greenwood, were removed as part of the ongoing roadwork in the area. "Along that trail, there were several trees planted, and that was a project for Tyler Coble and he couldn't make it here tonight," Brandon said. "I don't really have a plan, I just was curious about what the city would be willing to do to make it right." Greenwood Mayor Doug Kinslow said he wasn't aware before the meeting that the trees along the trail had been removed, but said he was willing to do what was needed to replace them. "I promise you we will put them back," Kinslow said. "I actually have some funds that I can use. I label it 'trees' every year because I am a bit of a tree guy myself."...Kinslow joked that Coble could replant all the trees if he wanted. The mayor did note that doing so would not make Coble a double Eagle Scout. More at source: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2024/oct/09/greenwood-city-council-to-help-restore-trees/

10/9/2024 For the second year in a row, the Township of Little Falls received the NJ City Green Dig In grant. This year's grant will provide the township with 3,000 daffodils and 10 native trees, continuing its efforts to beautify public spaces. Last year, Councilwoman Christine Hablitz spearheaded the initiative, securing a similar grant that resulted in the planting of 5,000 daffodils and 10 trees in various locations around town. The Borough of Woodland Park was awarded the same City Green grant this September and will host a “Dig-In” event on October 19. With the help of the Little Falls Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, library garden club, and DPW, the flowers and trees will be planted in various locations around town. The Township is looking for volunteers to assist with planting from the end of October through early November. More at Source: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/passaic-valley/articles/little-falls-receives-city-green-grant-for-second-year-seeks-volunteers-for-fall-planting Question: What flower did Baden Powell use to symbolize Scouting and why?

10/9/2024 More than a hundred scouts from the Minnesota side of the St. Croix River spent the better part of Saturday collecting seeds in the native prairie behind the New Richmond headquarters of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) St. Croix Wetland Management District as part of a project for Conservation Day. USFWS staff joined volunteers from Friends of the St. Croix Wetland Management District (WMD) and student volunteers from the University of Wisconsin River Falls (UWRF) in instructing participants on how to locate, identify and harvest seeds from lead plant and prairie bush clover. Greg Scheder, membership chair for Northern Star Council Scouting was responsible for organizing the seed harvesting opportunity. He particularly appreciates the educational opportunity it represents. “It’s always a fun event,” Scheder said. “When you have a higher volunteer to participant ratio it’s good from the educational aspect. The kids get a lot more information about what they’re doing than they would if it was a larger group. It’s also an opportunity for them to see something they’ve never seen before.” More at source: https://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/news/what-area-scouts-did-for-a-conservation-day-project/article_47e176ca-85f6-11ef-aaa1-c75d07e6e6c2.html

10/9/2024: Like Scouting UK Dwayne Fields, our new Recruiting Ambassador David Montgomery's Scouting experience helped him through a difficult childhood. From wiki David Montgomery , Eagle Scout and Detroit Lions running back: Montgomery had a difficult childhood. He does not know his father, and his mother moved the family numerous times around Cincinnati due to economic hardship. He remembers using the oven for heat, and boiling water collected from gas stations in the bath tub when either was disconnected. He has a brother who was incarcerated for drug trafficking and murder. After scoring a touchdown, Montgomery frequently holds up a "V"-sign in memory of a high school teammate and role model who was murdered during a home invasion.[69] While he was with Iowa State, Montgomery was chosen as a semi-finalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award for his efforts in befriending Hunter Erb, a 6-year-old who was born with multiple congenital heart defects, and orchestrating a team visit to Marshalltown, Iowa to help clean up after a tornado. Scout Salute, Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Montgomery_(American_football)#2018_season

Eagle Scout David Montgomery who has played football for Iowa State, the Chicago Bears, and presently the Detroit Lions, has now has been named our National Recruitment Ambassador. “David’s never been even tempted to do something wrong,” his mother said. “He watched several of his friends do the wrong things, but David kept himself around positive people. “Football’s always been his go-to. It was something he’s always been good at. It was about all he ever even thought about until I got him into the Boy Scouts.” “David’s inspiring story showcases the valuable impact Scouting can have. Because of the skills David learned while part of his local Cincinnati troop (772), he was able to reach the pinnacle of Scouting, and also his athletic career. We appreciate David’s leadership on and off the field and we’re excited to have him share the Scouting story with a new generation of youth.” remarked Scouting America CEO Roger Krone. “While Scouting took me outdoors and helped me discover a lifelong love for camping and fishing, it also taught me valuable lessons like developing a strategy and executing a plan, as well as how to be accountable for others than myself,” stated Montgomery . “These skills helped me both in Scouting and also taught me how to be a better athlete on the field.” Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Montgomery_(American_football) https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/randy-peterson/2017/08/03/david-montgomery-iowa-state-football-randy-peterson-eagle-scout/536269001/ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1087088/2019/07/22/scouts-honor-bears-rookie-rb-david-montgomery-has-left-a-mark-everywhere-hes-played/ https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/high-school/high-school-sports/2024/10/09/david-montgomery-detroit-lions-eagle-scout-ambassador-from-mt-healthy/75593785007/ https://www.scoutingnewsroom.org/press-releases/star-running-back-david-montgomery-encourages-families-and-youth-to-participate-in-scouting-america/

My first train ride came as a Boy Scout in a Philmont contingent travelling by bus. Enroute, we stopped at snow-topped Pikes Peak in Colorado. We wore our summer uniforms - shorts and short sleeve shirt with a light red jacket and a straw cowboy hat. More costumed than uniformed. Excited to ascend, we loaded onboard the Cog Railway passenger car. My adult advisor tapped my shoulder and quietly advised "Your fly is down." Oh, I attempted to remedy, but my zipper was BROKE! Worse, my other pair of shorts was on the contingent bus at some faraway parking lot. Too faraway. Leadership in crisis. My solution was to wrap my jacket around my waist. Mostly, I froze. More sensibly attired tourists remarked that I should put my jacket on. At the Peak, standing in the back row against a snow bank, I temporarily wore my rumbled jacket for the requisite group photo. Every scout knew my situation. Some older scouts kindly reassured me not to worry. We will get this fixed so I would not have the same problem at the Mt. Battie Cog Railway. Patrol Method at work. Somewhere between there and Cimarron, the zipper was repaired. Surprisingly, there was no cog railway at Philmont or at least then. With my patrol, and my fly closed, I hiked up Mt. Battie filled with unaware confidence. All was right, well except where we could see those spinning tornadoes out on the distant plains. I was prepared but payment would come due. Battie would claim my pocket knife. Later back home, for some reason my face appeared blurred on the Pikes Peak group photo. My parents assumed fidgeting, a common scout malady. RS

"... 3. If you are not comfortable conducting the session, consider contacting a local community expert to help, like a child psychologist, your local health department, a school social worker, or another mental health professional. " Our local schools here host multiple sessions through the school year - during school, after school, large groups, small groups, with parents, without parents. Attendance at two sessions is mandatory for students. Usually there are 3 to 5 seasoned professionals from various fields guiding the very interactive session discussion. On the surface, these sessions appear to be just informative but they are more trust building - there are people in the community who care and we here are are just some of them. Our troop committee is comfortable , nah gratefully enthusiastic, with those outside professionals conducting these sessions and teaching our kids and us laypersons how to recognize warning signs, successfully intervene, and find help. My $0.02,

September 24, 2024 From: Glen Pounder, SVP & Chief Safeguarding Officer Facilitating a Suicide Prevention Session A Guide for Scoutmasters and Others Suicide looms as a growing problem for youth and their families. Depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicide can be sensitive and difficult topics to speak about openly, but studies show acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce suicidal ideation. Help is available in many forms for those struggling with mental health. This guide has been prepared to help leaders facilitate a suicide prevention session at a troop meeting. Please read the entire document before taking any further action. In addition to this guide, please download the ten-minute video found at this link. VIEW HERE Before conducting the session, we recommend the following. Discuss with the troop committee the plan to facilitate this session at a troop meeting. Decide with the troop committee if parents will be encouraged to attend the troop meeting with their Scout. Attendance by any Scout is optional and is not tied in any way to advancement. Alert all parents or guardians when the session will occur so they may decide whether their Scout will participate. The content has been professionally assessed as appropriate for Scouts thirteen years of age and older; however, for Scouts BSA youth younger than thirteen, parents or guardians should review the materials in advance to decide if their Scout should participate. If you are not comfortable conducting the session, consider contacting a local community expert to help, like a child psychologist, your local health department, a school social worker, or another mental health professional. Regardless of whether you or someone else conducts the session, let all Scouts know in advance that the troop will be talking about depression, suicidal thoughts and suicide and it’s their choice whether they want to attend. Let them know ahead of time they don’t have to share anything they’re not comfortable with sharing. Whoever is delivering the session should watch the video and read this guide thoroughly beforehand to become comfortable with the material. Seek additional guidance from a professional if you have questions. Deliver the session. Encourage questions and open discussion. If Scouts have questions but you’re unsure how to answer them, tell them you don’t know, but will find out! In the event a Scout shares suicidal thoughts, be prepared to act. When unsure what to do next, make sure the Scout is safely being supervised by adults and contact the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 for guidance. Remember to also contact your local Scout executive as soon as safe to do so. Additional Resources: https://988lifeline.org/ The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. Their website also contains educational materials. https://www.nami.org/ National Alliance on Mental Illness is an organization that raises awareness, provides support and education on mental illness. https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based, early intervention course that teaches participants about mental health and substance use challenges. They provide courses for youth and adults. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KmVZwfhbcA Troop Talk Live episode on facilitating a suicide prevention session. Yours in Scouting, Glen Pounder SVP & Chief Safeguarding Officer source: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/training/Suicide Prevention Discussion Guide FINAL.pdf

Saturday, Jan. 29, 1955, a train ride in western Massachusetts. On that date 57 Cub Scouts from Pack 96 participated in a train excursion from Pittsfield, MA to Great Barrington, MA and back. A first train ride for most of them but more Scout adventures were ahead. Source: More reminiscing of author's train ride and other Cub Scout experience in the 50's. https://www.berkshireeagle.com/history/cub-scout-packs-dens-berkshire/article_7e10f4d2-7c69-11ef-836e-db34f4c1778a.html Something special about a journey together on same train, bus, plane. Years ago, we planned a train trip to a camp site at a state park. A first train ride for many. Many pennies placed on rails for the locomotive to press on departure.

"From May 20 to May 21, 2023, members of Troop 18 hiked and camped a twelve-mile section of the Appalachian Trail, starting at its entrance into Connecticut at Sherman, and finishing in Kent. ... On September 21, 2024 scouts from Killingworth Boy Scout Troop 18 continued their goal to hike all fifty miles of the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut and hiked the last fourteen mile stretch. The scouts completed the first thirty-six miles in Connecticut over the previous two years. They started this most recent climb in Falls Village and hiked twelve miles to the Brassie Brook campsite in Salisbury where they camped overnight. The following morning the scouts hiked to the summit of Bear Mountain, which is the highest peak in Connecticut at 2,316 feet. The scouts then hiked to the Connecticut-Massachusetts border, completing all fifty miles in Connecticut. The scouts plan to continue hiking the Appalachian Trail next spring." New York: 88.4 miles of AT trail Massachusetts: 90 miles of AT trail New Hampshire: 169.0 miles of AT trail Note trail sections are subject to change. Scouting adventures. Scout Salute More at sources: https://hk-now.com/a-busy-spring-for-killingworth-boy-scout-troop-18/ https://hk-now.com/killingworth-scout-troop-completes-connecticut-appalachian-trail-trek/

The Mountain Area Council (WV) has entered into a partnership with West Virginia University (WVU) Rifle Team. “Thanks to the help of the Hayhurst family, Jim Davis, and Christy Hayhurst, we were able to modify our range set up to meet the specifications needed by the WVU Rifle Team and add in the electronic components they need for their electronic targeting,” Scout Executive Scott Hanson said. More at sources: https://www.wboy.com/video/camp-mountaineer-rifle-range-dedicated-as-wvu-rifle-teams-practice-facility/10072296/ https://wajr.com/2024/09/24/wvu-rifle-scouting-america-begin-shooting-sport-partnership-at-camp-mountaineer/ Scout Salute,