RememberSchiff

Apologies, I have been trying to get Mr. Tillerson's full speech from the National Annual Meeting. Please post if you have it. Thanks. RS Tillerson served as the keynote speaker at the organization's "Duty to God" breakfast. The meeting serves as the organization's annual "shareholders meeting" for staff and volunteers. ...Without pointing fingers at the current commander-in-chief, he also discussed the current state of politics and democracy in the U.S. Tillerson openly questioned, "how did our nation of fellow Americans become so polarized, and how do we return to civility and respectfulness towards one another?" He said that he observed a "growing crisis in ethics and integrity" in American democracy. ..That led to a long discussion on "truthfulness." ..Tillerson also referenced the "better angels of our nature" * twice in his speech. Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tillerson-jokes-at-boy-scouts-meeting-that-god-sent-him-home-from-state-post-to-save-his-life/ * A reference to Abraham Lincoln's first inaugural address? “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.” Food for thought for America and Scouting.

The same could be asked of the camp director who he/she told. This seems a timely story, a Florida teacher is accused of not reporting a child’s sexual abuse. She was arrested after her husband was arrested on child porn, molestation and sexual battery charges. They were both big parts of the Boy Scouts, too. On Tuesday evening, we are learning they were stripped of their duties with the organization. The arrests come a the end of a four-month-long investigation: Operation Safe Summer. More than a dozen people were arrested, but a Florida Department of Law Enforcement agent said this is the first case he has had where a husband and wife were arrested. Greg Graham, scout executive with Southwest Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America, told WINK News: “Both of these individuals were immediately removed from all Scout Programs by the Southwest Florida Council and by the unit’s Charter Sponsor Partner as soon as the law enforcement charges were brought to their attention.” https://www.winknews.com/2019/06/04/teacher-arrested-for-not-reporting-spouses-child-sexual-abuse-crimes/

Found this today The West Baton Rouge Museum announced a new exhibition entitled “Prepared for Life: Scouting in West Baton Rouge”, which will open on June 8 and run through August 18, 2019... Artifacts from Port Allen’s old Scout Hut will be on display along with items loaned by local Scouters, including uniforms, photographs, and scrapbooks. In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, a portion of the exhibit will focus on the special badges that can be earned by Scouts related to Space Flight, Aeronautics, and Engineering. The exhibit will kick off with a Scouting Reunion Celebration on June 8 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Attend for a night of Scout themed entertainment, refreshments, and reminiscing with fellow troop members. Visitors are welcome to bring an item from their Scouting days to “show and tell” with fellow guests. https://www.thewestsidejournal.com/lifestyle/this-weekend-at-the-wbrm-prepared-for-life-scouting-in/article_2c4ef0f2-87b6-11e9-8b33-832162868fae.html

I too, a BSA volunteer, would like to know the answers to Representative Speier 's questions regarding BSA paid state lobbyists. Sad day when in order to get transparency from National, we need Congress's power to investigate. Maybe Rep. Speier will also ask what happened at the National Annual Meeting last month.

Without much effort , I found more than 5 cases of child abuse by scouters in July, 2018 alone. I did not add those who were being convicted and sentenced in July, 2018. Russell "Captain Rick" Ruth , a longtime local Boy Scouts leader has been arrested and charged with possession of child pornography. https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2018/07/09/boy-scouts-leader-faces-child-porn-charges/768303002/ Matthew Baker accused of abusing a boy younger than 12 in July 2018 at a Boy Scout camp.. Has abused at least 7 children since 2010. https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/ex-cub-scouts-leader-accused-of-sexually-abusing-children-including/article_1d3ef195-a087-55fa-b8fb-d3958d1e3d3f.html James Glawson, former assistant chaplain at a Boy Scout summer camp Yawgoog, sexual assault on 18yr old with mental disabilities. Other victims have come forward. https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/south-county/at-least-4-claim-sex-abuse-at-hands-of-former-boy-scout-volunteer/1833736629 Troop leader Heath Mills was arrested on two counts of solicitation of minor during "Operation Full Armor," in South Carolina. https://www.wistv.com/story/38754271/boy-scouts-call-leader-arrested-in-sc-online-predator-sting-operation-abhorrent-ban-him-from-programs A Boy Scout troop leader James Roberts, 74, in Sicklerville ,NJ has been charged with possessing and distributing child pornography. https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/child-porn-boy-scout-leader-camden-county-arrest-20180702.html "Aqua Joe", A Boy Scout official has been arrested and charged with production of child pornography after allegedly recording scouts while they were changing at Firelands Scout Reservation . https://fox8.com/2018/11/01/boy-scout-official-arrested-charged-with-child-pornography-after-allegedly-recording-children-changing/ Pack leader James Teddleton accused of sex crimes involving an underage girl. https://www.14news.com/story/38618913/newburgh-man-arrested-in-missouri-on-sex-crime-charges/ Just terrible.

The Story of Two Wolves is short and direct, good for closing a campfire and reinforcing the Scout Oath and Law.

The first class of female youth from Sequoyah Council BSA (TN) was inducted into the Order of the Arrow (OA) this month. Four girls from Kingsport-based Venture Crew 387 were nominated by their peers in March and have now completed the weekend induction required to become Arrowmen. https://www.timesnews.net/Community/2019/06/03/Sequoyah-Council-BSA-s-first-class-of-female-youth-inducted-into-Order-of-the-Arrow

I dunno. Never cared much for redundant awards . Some of us gaffers have outlived our old troops, but we will tell stories to any who will listen. Save your palms to applaud. Now have I told you the story of how my Philmont buddy was eaten by a bear....

I found a more detailed article which had a photo of scout Grant Hanson and his Eagle project. Hanson participates in historical reenactments with the 6th Cavalry Historical Association and with the Museum of the American GI. In addition to a love for history, he has a passion for scouting, and put a lot of preparation and planning into what would become his Eagle Scout project — the final step before becoming an Eagle Scout. Such a project requires scouts complete a major act of service while working in a leadership position. Last year, Hanson — who gets much of his love for the past from his maternal grandfather, who is a former Boy Scout and a Vietnam War veteran — had the idea to create a museum exhibit that made use of his own personal collection of historical artifacts purchased over time. “I feel like World War I is under appreciated, and the Boy Scouts had a role to play in that war,” Hanson explained. “The Boy Scouts had only been around seven years [when the war started], and [their involvement] became the reason they are so popular, the reason membership soared into the millions. People realized how useful the Scouts were.” https://www.theeagle.com/news/eagle-scout-uses-his-own-wwi-artifacts-to-create-exhibit/article_8a4959b6-84f2-11e9-be2d-03d12a2ad2e5.html

a 101 year old scout Duane Greenfield who earned his Eagle in 1935 at age 17. "There are very few Eagles that earn full palms," said Scout Executive Tom Smotherman, who is head of the Sioux Council of the Boy Scouts of America and presented Greenfield with his awards. Although palms were not available at the time Greenfield was a Boy Scout, the organization recently decided to retroactively bestow the palms on former Scouts who did the work to merit them, Smotherman said. "It's simply the right thing to do," he said. One of Greenfield's favorite stories from his time in the Scouts was the time he and some friends took a 14-mile hike to earn a badge. During the hike, the boys filled their canteens with water, only to realize later that the stream they had used was choked with dead frogs. He also reflected on the time his troop took a road trip to Madison and jumped from moving horse-drawn carts to grab watermelons growing in a nearby field before scrambling back on. "There was always something new," Greenfield said of his time in Boy Scouts. "There was a lot of stuff that came up that we didn't cover in school." More details at source: https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2019/06/01/sioux-falls-man-boy-scout-award-84-years-after-earning-his-eagle-scout-rank-duane-greenfield/1313509001/

A merger is not necessary to attend out-of-council camps, training, or activities. What I have seen is the number of camps halved after a merger. I have seen a STEM-something-or-other created after a merger, the need for this escapes me as we already have schools, public nature centers, science clubs, and museums.

The Museum of the American G.I. (College Station, TX) is proud to present the Eagle Scout Project of Grant Hanson – “We Have a Job To Do Too: The Boy Scouts of America in the First World War”. On display throughout the summer of 2019 will be a uniform in the style worn by WWI scouts as well as some standard equipment carried by Scouts, an example of the literature they would’ve handed out, and one of the awards a scout would earn by doing his bit to help fight the Germans! More at source links: http://americangimuseum.org/exhibits/exhibits-bsawwi/ https://www.kbtx.com/content/news/Texas-Boy-Scout-hosts-exhibit-at-Museum-of-the-American-GI-510717491.html

One of the activities planned for the troop overnighter was the catapulting of potatoes using a makeshift slingshot, according to the suit. The troop’s scoutmaster, who was in charge of coordinating the event and was responsible for making sure it was conducted safely, failed to take reasonable steps to protect the scouts, such as obtaining protective eyewear and the plaintiff was struck by a potato in the left eye as a result, the suit alleges. The suit alleges “the plaintiff suffered, and continues to suffer from, physical and emotional injuries, including disfigurement.” Source: https://mynewsla.com/crime/2019/05/30/boy-scout-injured-by-catapulted-potato-sues-organization/

Update May 31, 2019: The Pinal County Medical Examiner'autopsy stated Joshua White was 6ft tall, 289lbs with no known medical issues died of dehydration and hyperthermia. Their report concluded it was an accident. The medical examiner's report said the boy reportedly drank 2 quarts (2 liters) of water while climbing the peak between Phoenix and Tucson and another 2 quarts on the way down. The small group of Scouts hiked for six hours on a day when temperatures reached 96 degrees. The Pinal County sheriff's office initially said the Scouts had water when they set out but ran out at the top. The park's website recommends that hikers each carry at least 2 to 4 quarts (2 to 4 liters) of water. More at source links: https://www.12news.com/article/news/autopsy-boy-scout-died-on-hike-of-dehydration-overheating/75-6db42e10-4b40-41f4-9058-71eb688848dc https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2019/05/30/autopsy-arizona-scout-joshua-michael-white-died-dehydration-overheating/1289001001/

ST. PETERSBURG — Freddie Lee Crawford, a former law enforcement professional who fought the City of St. Petersburg for equality in the workplace, died last Friday, May 17 at Palms of Pasadena Hospital with his family by his side. He was 81. In 1965, Crawford, along with black officers Adam Baker, Raymond DeLoach, Charles Holland, Leon Jackson, Robert Keys, Primus Killen, James King, Johnnie B. Lewis, Horace Nero, Jerry Styles and Nathaniel Wooten filed a landmark lawsuit against the St. Petersburg for discrimination on the police force. Due to their efforts to desegregate the Police Department, they would be called the Courageous 12, but they also fought to desegregate the BSA locally. Crawford and other black police officers organized a Boy Scouts troop in the black community. The national Boy Scouts organization dodged the issue of desegregation by leaving it to local councils to decide on whether or not to admit black children. Some councils admitted black youth but prohibited them from wearing the scout uniform. Fulwood remembers Boy Scout officials in Richmond, Va., once threatened to stage a public burning of Scout uniforms if black boys were permitted to wear them. “Freddie and a small group of black police went through a long obstacle course to get our charter as Troop 206, or was it 202,” said Fulwood, who couldn’t quite recall. He remembered the troop’s first camping trip in the late 60s to an unincorporated area of Pinellas Park near Clearwater. The officers were doing all of this on their own time, stealing time away from being on duty. “Once we were all camped down, Freddie and the other police officers left to go back to duty about 10 miles away. We were in an all-white area at the time, tolerated intruders on the strength of police officers – even if they were ‘colored.’ At least it was the harmless activity of camping to ‘rehabilitate some colored boys.’ “ On that fateful day, one of the boys set the woods on fire trying to light a cigarette. Fire trucks and police cars came from all over the county. Crawford, King, and other black cops came racing from St. Pete. “We never went camping again. I’m surprised, in hindsight, that they were not fired,” Fulwood said. From that point on, there were no more camping trips for the young men...on to boxing at PAL Scout Salute and Farewell, More at source http://theweeklychallenger.com/courageous-12-freddie-crawford-funeral-set-for-june-1/

@PeterHopkins welcome to scouter.com

According to a police report, multiple people had fallen out of their canoes in the river’s bend near Murwin Park and were calling for help, stating that a 14 year old girl was submerged under the water. A state trooper entered the water and swam out to the victim and another teen, who was trying to rescue her. Officials say the trooper and the teen struggled to free the girl who was pinned underneath a capsized canoe and a submerged log. Authorities say once additional help arrived, the girl was freed and taken to a hospital where she later passed away. The State Patrol confirmed to 27 News Monday that everyone canoeing Saturday had life jackets on. Her brother was also swept away by the water, but he survived. .... “We have talked to some people…canoers, kayakers and they commented on how crazy this particular corner is on the Yahara River, with the obstructions, the current,” Rock County Sheriff’s Boating Recreation Deputy Chris Krahn says, who also helped in the water rescue Saturday Krahn also says just before the capsizing of two canoes with the Boy Scouts trip, four people in two other canoes made it to land after deciding it was too treacherous, and became eyewitnesses to the subsequent capsizing. Krahn says having the proper safety equipment in paddle sports can be augmented by additional training. “We would recommend you go somewhere with less current, a small local lake, or where you could walk and maybe practice these techniques, re-boarding, canoeing, kayaking and get familiar with your equipment before you come out,” Krahn says. The Rock County Sheriff’s Office now recommends paddlers stay away from the Yahara River, the Sugar River and some other bodies of water where water levels are high. Krahn and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Chief Conservation Warden Todd Schaller say only general, boating best-practices safety announcements were released to the public prior to Saturday. https://wkow.com/news/2019/05/28/girl-who-died-when-canoe-overturned-was-part-of-boy-scout-outing/

Wednesday on the park grounds, a methane burner stands as a reminder that the lessons learned at Fredrickson Park thus far have been learned the hard way. The land, donated by the Fredrickson family, once served as a dump. The city discovered environmental problems and spent some $800,000 to ‘cap’ the park area. Now, the Boy Scouts have marching orders to raise and spend up to $400,000 to make the park a place for kids to learn STEM lessons the easy way. Like don't build a park over a methane spewing toxic landfill. This is an EPA brownfield site. https://cfpub.epa.gov/bf_factsheets/gfs/rlf_activities.cfm?fs_id=2255&xpg_id=3068 On April 9, 2007, the City of South Bend, Indiana, made a loan of$176,000 and a sub-grant of $100,000 to the South Bend Redevelopment Commission to assist with cleanup costs associated with the Fredrickson Park North Extension. These were made possible through a $250,000 EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grant awarded to the City of South Bend in 2004. The cleanup, which was completed in June 2007, removed contamination on the former landfill. In addition to EPA funding, the South Bend Redevelopment Commission, leveraged $1,000,000 in redevelopment funding through federal, local and private partnerships. The Fredrickson Park North Extension was redeveloped into a Boy Scouts Resource Center that opened in April, 2007. For more information about this loan or the City of South Bend EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund, contact the EPA Region 5 Brownfields Coordinator at (312) 886-7576. IMHO, leave the place be and pitch your tent elsewhere. my $0.02

Our camp tells scouts to not bring cellphones because lack of coverage, damage/theft/loss, and program distraction. Scouts still bring their cells along with a charger pack which more than lasts the week. Our unit parents decreed their scouts can carry their cellphones for safety as they already do for school and further argue 1: from YP: "All aspects of the Scouting program are open to observation by parents" and so their scouts should be able to directly contact their parents. 2. today, the cellphone is the multi-purposed device (flashlight, camera, compass, communicatios,...) which they can always carry, whereas a pocketknife less so. So far no problems. YMMV.

Director of Program and Operations Kenn Miller told MetroNews (that) visitors will be able to participate in all on-site activities at no cost, June 15, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. “As I visit with friends and neighbors in the community, what I hear is, most know about the summit. Many haven’t had the opportunity to come on the site, and we’ve opened that up to many more activities,” said Miller, who said he hoped fishing enthusiasts in particular would take advantage of an experience they otherwise may not find in the area. “We’d encourage you to bring your own gear, if that’s something you’d like to do, but we do stock our lakes, and you’re going to catch some good ones, I promise.” Miller said the addition of several new permanent structures and facilities at Bechtel Summit Reserve to accommodate participants from 150 countries in the upcoming World Scout Jamboree also will provide a unique regional venue for future events, such as concerts and religious gatherings, which typically attract thousands of people, and have the potential to generate a boost in economic activity for southern West Virginia. “We’re talking to a number of large-denomination churches, some other groups, associations. What we have to offer is pretty hard to find any place else, in the size and scale that we have at the summit. So, we do believe it’s a great resource, ” he said. “We know — certainly for the World Jamboree and even our other seasonal programming — the majority of our participants have never been to the state of West Virginia, and this is their first experience, and they’re having a great time, which means they’re going to come back and they’re going to bring their friends.” More at Source: http://wvmetronews.com/2019/05/26/summit-bechtel-reserve-to-host-community-appreciation-day-ahead-of-global-scouting-event/

Well it is still a Bill which will be debated by politicians so I put it here. IMO, the bill needs more public awareness. When it becomes law then its NEWS and I will move to Open Discussion. https://www.mountaineers.org/blog/soar-act-to-help-groups-get-outside Sound reasonable? RS

IMHO, ideally the CO should do this as they select and approve adult leaders. But the reality for me has been the CO does not do this. Since the Program (common goal) is easier to deliver with adults who are on the same page (who then attract similar adults), the unit leader and committee have to seek and recruit those adults and possibly turn away those who volunteered first. I can recall a Pack trip to a AA baseball game. We managed to get scouts and adult leaders to attend in uniform, the fact it was Scout night with a discount helped. Hurray, easier to find and keep together. Hot night, by the third inning, I noticed some leaders who were also drivers, having a beer. Heh its a ball game, gotta have a beer! Despite existing BSA guidelines regarding alcohol, we adults could not get on the same page, so no more ball games. Now, our unit is struggling with adults who use their cellphones while driving to events with scouts. IMO, guidelines are only as good as the adults. Recruit better adults. My $0.02,

The Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act, in part, would allow agencies to issue a single permit for trips that cross agency boundaries—USDA Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service—a process that is currently time-consuming and entangled in red tape. Every year, Americans spend more on outdoor recreation than they do on pharmaceuticals and fuel, combined, the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) reports. The outdoor recreation economy generates $887 billion in annual consumer spending, 7.6 million jobs, $65.3 billion in federal tax revenue, and $59.2 billion in state and local tax revenue—and it’s still growing. Recreation is a huge part of this country, but for a lot of people, there are still barriers to participate. Often, they turn to backcountry guides as their sole way of recreating. So why is it so hard for guides and their groups to access public lands? Senators—Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced the bill. Source: https://www.snewsnet.com/adventure-travel/senate-introduces-simplifying-outdoor-access-for-recreation-act

You need a common goal...or enemy.