RememberSchiff

And now something completely different - Airport hawk trap Eagle Scout project (Long Beach, CA) "There have been incidents where hawks get sucked up into engines," Life Scout Jonathan Babati said. "I thought this would be a perfect project to prevent that and help (the airport) save a lot of money." Although wildlife-aircraft collisions are not exclusive to avians, a 2021 study by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln reveals hawks and owls are among the birds most frequently struck by aircraft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, wildlife-aircraft collisions have resulted in $1.48 billion in damages from 1990 to 2023, killing hundreds of people. Babati says the idea is to place a rodent in one of the trap's layers to attract the hawks. The hawks will then land on a plank that folds and traps the bird inside the cage. Neither the hawk nor the rodents are harmed in the process, Babati said.... An environmental scientist will then take the hawk and relocate it to a better habitat, Babati said. More including photos at source: https://patch.com/california/longbeach-ca/how-cypress-life-scout-saving-hawks-long-beach-airport

Bennington, VT "Liam Lynch, 17, died last December after a tragic single-car accident in Bennington. Liam was just weeks away from completing his Eagle Scout community service project, something he had worked on for several months. The project involved building an outside classroom and gathering place for his beloved school, Grace Christian. According to his father, the plans for the space were sitting on his desk the night he died." “Liam was an amazing scout and an amazing kid," said Jim Poole, Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 353. “Being an Eagle Scout takes years of commitment and dedication. Liam really set a good example of what it meant to be a Scout. He was a great kid and loved this school with all his heart. It is only fitting that we can see his vision to the end. Liam started this. We are all so privileged to help him finish it. He was so close to finishing this. To be able to get this complete is huge. This was the last thing he had to do.” “Liam thought it was a fantastic idea to get this done for the school, Mike Lynch, Liam’s father, said. “I think it’s fantastic that after the tragedy, the first thing the scoutmaster said was that they were planning on having the Troop finish what Liam started on his behalf. This means the world to us.” His fellow scouts completed Liam's Eagle project. More (including photos) at source: https://www.benningtonbanner.com/local-news/scouts-complete-eagle-project-after-tragic-accident/article_98a0cb89-5c1e-476d-9338-7c6a96ff588f.html

@Rob441 welcome to scouter.com

"Philmont Scout Ranch has been awarded a $99,999 Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant from the New Mexico Economic Development’s Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD). This funding will support the revitalization of the historic 3.5-mile Philmont Santa Fe Trail – Cimarron Heritage Trail, enhancing connectivity between Philmont and Old Town Cimarron. The project aims to repair and widen the existing footpath and add clear trail markings for improved navigation. The upgrades will create a more accessible and enjoyable experience for campers, local residents, and visitors alike. The improved trail will invite leisurely strolls, offer opportunities for historical exploration, and enhance wildlife viewing along the route. Restoration efforts will involve the local community, with staff and volunteers from various organizations working from fall 2025 through spring 2026..." More at source: https://krtnradio.com/2025/05/11/philmont-scout-ranch-awarded-99999-grant-to-revitalize-historic-trail/ "The Santa Fe Trail crossed the plains southwest of Philmont in the mid-1800s. The Tooth of Time owes its name to this trail; travelers knew that once they passed it, they had only one week to go until they reached Santa Fe, New Mexico. Philmont's strategic location along the trail spurred some interest in it..." More at source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philmont_Scout_Ranch More at source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Fe_Trail

05/13/2025 Update: Sand Hill Boy Scout Reservation zoning change proposed: A proposal is in motion to Establish a “Public Service Overlay District” at the Sandhill Boy Scout Reservation...Join us Wednesday, May 21st at 5:30 PM at the Sandhill Scout Reservation Dining Hall. Let’s show Withlacoochee River Electric Co-op and our County leaders that this community pays attention and protects its green spaces. More at source (with comments): https://www.facebook.com/people/Save-Sand-Hill-Scout-Reservation/61564826926765/

Don't know. As I understand bolos came out of the Southwest; Philmont is in the Southwest, so sounds possible. Back in the day as I prepared for Philmont, I heard various alumni state one could only wear Philmont belts, bulls, arrowhead patches, neckers, etc. if one completed a Philmont Expedition. It must be earned. Then my beloved Troop Scoutmaster who had never nor would visit Philmont requested I purchase a Philmont belt & buckle for him. A dilemma to test of Scouting values? Where is it written? Confident that I wasn't officially doing a wrong thing, I bought him the Philmont belt and buckle.

I felt the same about Bolos. I thought neckers were uniform... worldwide.

I did find the World Scout Foundation 2024 Annual Report which was PUBLICLY released a couple of weeks ago. https://annualreport.worldscoutfoundation.org/2024/ As for Scouting America's complete 2024 Annual Report aka Report to the Nation, I have not found the complete report online. Maybe it will be available in its entirety at the National Annual Meeting or some time after.

Perhaps an adventure trip with your son who snaps photos on his cell and shows to his fellow scouts. Bottom-up, scout-led changes to troop outdoor program. Are you an adult leader in Troop?

@MrGumby welcome to scouter.com.

Back in the day, I remember the old merit badge pamphlets were always red.

Or perhaps merit badge pamphlets are printed outside the US?

Free is Great but maybe this technology is 10-15yrs too late to attract current teen eyeballs and attention spans. Youtube? TikTok? My $0.02,

"Take a trip like no other with Philmont's Hut-to-Hut. Join us for a luxury trek with a five-night stay in the backcountry and base camp locations. As you hike between locations with just a daypack, our staff will transport your belongings to the next site and set up your accommodations, ensuring everything is ready for you upon your arrival. Guests will enjoy delicious meals and have plenty of opportunities to socialize, relax, and explore Philmont's.." Source with photos: https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/ptc/hut-2-hut/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DJO_WGFINa0/?img_index=5

Update April 29, 2025: LA County Supervisors approved settlement which become the largest abuse settlement in US. https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/la-county-unanimously-approves-4-billion-sexual-abuse-settlement/

Here's a 3 minute video of scouts and adult leaders biking. My question how did they get the changing camera angles?

The Hill Country Amateur Radio Club (HCARC) invited members of Troop 111 to take part in building a radio beacon. “One of our members is an executive in scouting, so when we do something that’s STEM oriented, we invite them. If they can find two or three scouts who are interested, then we support them and we present projects to them at their meetings,” said Hank Ortega, a local HAM operator and member of the HCARC. More at source, very interesting: https://www.hccommunityjournal.com/article_ddbf679f-1255-4f6e-92c9-34ad8e79ff48.html

April 25,2025: “Instead of selling Boy Scout popcorn, we go elk antler hunting,” "There’s a few rules to the Boy Scout shed hunt on the National Elk Refuge. Don’t approach the bison. Don’t touch carcasses. Keep your group in sight at all times." More at source: https://www.jhnewsandguide.com/valley/feature/boy-scouts-take-first-crack-at-shed-hunt/article_ebbb9c4b-56ba-42cc-a929-673cd18a6893.html

Build our own grabber gadget as a patrol project? Hmm, a scout is Thrifty, maybe build a grabber for a scout Earth Day cleanup then give it to Mom for a Mothers' Day present? Reduce, ReUse, Recycle. I found two interesting DIY grabber projects on Youtube. Note for safety reasons, I did not want to make/use sharp poker sticks for litter pickup. This one seemed the simplest. While this one required woodworking tools and skills or a perhaps there is a scout-crafted solution out there?

Safety is Job one which can be challenging with litter cleanup projects. We have been using gloves and grabber sticks as the scouts below. But buying grabbers ($15-25 each) limited the number we could bring to a cleanup, maybe there was another solution?

Here a University Extension service, designed for vocational certification, was adapted for a whole day outdoor classroom merit badge experience. "Each mentor brought the latest equipment they use in the field, and Scouts rotated between five stations where they learned mapping and drafting, surveying history and careers, leveling, creating boundaries, and 3-D laser scanning." University of Florida School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences , Surveying Merit Badge Great story which captures the intent of merit badge program - spark an interest, enthusiasm, hands-on, minds engaged, adult association ( professionals and previous scouts}, career possibilities... https://alachuachronicle.com/scouts-earn-surveying-badges-thanks-to-uf-geomatics-extension-program/ https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/surveying/ Scout Salute,

Seemed timely and topic relevant... “Remember, we are just custodians, we are here for a very short period of time on Earth. So when you work with Scouts, make sure we pass along a good Earth and a good world and all the good values that are important.” “Often times, young people get sidetracked by and consumed with commercialism – things like television and cell phones are not as important as the values that you teach in Scouting. That’s what’s important, so make sure you teach your Scouts how these important values will stay with them the rest of their lives, while consumerism is just fleeting and passes through your life as a person.” Pope Francis (1936-2025) in a 2015 interview with ScoutingWire Bray Barnes Reference: https://www.scout.org/news/scouts-worldwide-pay-tribute-to-pope-francis

April 21, 2025: Scouting America announce its partnership with #MyFriendToo US, "a groundbreaking initiative and resource – MyFriendTooUS.org – launched during Child Abuse Prevention Month to help children support their friends in disclosing sexual abuse to safe adults. Originally created by Protect Children in Finland and adapted for the U.S. in collaboration with ChildFund, #MyFriendToo US is the first program of its kind in the country, directly addressing the fact that children often disclose abuse to a friend rather than to an adult. The initiative equips children and youth with the knowledge, tools, and language to guide their friends toward safety and healing." https://www.myfriendtoous.org/ More at Source: https://www.scoutingnewsroom.org/press-releases/scouting-america-joins-myfriendtoo-us-initiative-to-empower-youth-in-the-fight-against-sexual-violence/

Tonight! Sales pitch for 2026 slots at SA High Adventure Bases.

Recently uploaded Scouting America Annual Affiliation Agreement with Catholic Dioceses/Parishes/Schools https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/524-95225-Catholic-Affiliation-Agreement.pdf