RememberSchiff

Best Time for Scouting for Food? Just ahead of expiration of SNAP benefits. ...About 1.6 million North Carolinians received SNAP benefits in 2022, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. More than 69% are in families with children. "I'm worried that a lot of families will be blindsided by this change, said Emily Johnston, a fellow with the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy. "This is going to significantly change the way that families receiving benefits access food and change the way that families have to budget and prioritize," she said. Many food pantries have begun to stock up in anticipation of higher demand in March as the extra benefits expire. Tina Postel, CEO of Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays of Mecklenburg County, said her organization felt well-positioned after local Boy Scouts donated more than 200,000 pounds from their recent "Scouting for Food" drive. "I'm not in panic mode right now thanks to those Boy Scouts, but I will tell you, we are definitely trying to make sure our warehouse is well stocked with food to meet that demand," she said. Source: https://www.wfae.org/charlotte-area/2023-02-27/extra-snap-benefits-are-ending-in-nc-food-pantries-are-stocking-up

One Year On: Scouts Continue to Support Ukrainians Displaced by War https://www.scout.org/news/one-year-scouts-continue-support-ukrainians-displaced

@forestcharm5welcome to scouter.com .

Deschutes River, Oregon: Students check for signs of use, rebuild duck nesting tubes on Deschutes “We are refilling duck nests with hay so they have the stuff they need to nest,” said Arthur Yenowine and Miles Rydstrom, Boy Scouts in Troop 21. The tubes are made of rolled up fencing with layers of hay to provide shelter and cover. The nesting tubes are elevated off the ground to protect duck eggs from predators. “If they figure out how to use it, they jump up there, they lay their eggs. The clutch is born up there. Instead of raccoons or whatever eating the eggs when they are on the ground, they are able to hatch,” said Christ Dittman, Ducks Unlimited area chairman. “Their success rate goes up dramatically once their eggs actually hatch and jump out the tube. They are never going back in the tube but once they are out their success rate goes up a lot.” Good video of scouts building and installing tubes: https://centraloregondaily.com/▶️-students-check-for-signs-of-use-rebuild-duck-nesting-tubes-on-deschutes/

IMHO, CO's should be given (or demand) a copy of insurance policy as part of chartering process. My $0.02,

Event: Raising the Flag, Coming of Age in WW2 Concentration Camps March 4, 2023 at Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles, CA (see link for more information) "Join the Boy Scouts of Heart Mountain in an intergenerational conversation on coming of age in a World War II concentration camp. The event will highlight a short film by Yuka Murakami that captured a moment at the 2019 Heart Mountain Camp pilgrimage opening ceremony where 89-year-old Harumi “Bacon” Sakatani, who was a teenage incarceree and former Boy Scout during World War II, is adamant about raising the U.S. flag alongside his fellow Boy Scouts. This program will also be a Gathering of Eagles, providing an opportunity for the community of Boy Scouts to come together in community and conversation." Source: https://www.janm.org/events/2023-03-04/raising-flag-coming-age-wwii-concentration-camps

"At the last minute, the Boy Scouts of Wyoming cancels its appearance at the 2019 Heart Mountain Camp pilgrimage's opening ceremony, but Harumi "Bacon" Sakatani (age 89), a teenage internee and former Boy Scout during World War II, is adamant about raising the U.S. flag." Scout Salute,

Of recent note and somewhat related. "A group of Boy Scouts received special Four Chaplains patches after completing an educational program designed by St. Stephen’s Boy Scout Unit 305 (Kearny, NJ) in honor of the 80th anniversary.... The Four Chaplains — Father John P. Washington, a Catholic priest; Rev. George L. Fox, a Methodist minister; Rabbi Alexander D. Goode; and Rev. Clark V. Poling, a Reformed Church in America minister — gave their life jackets to save others when their ship was torpedoed in the frigid North Atlantic in 1943. Washington, Fox, Goode, and Poling, all first lieutenants, met in 1942, having been inspired to sign up as military chaplains after Pearl Harbor. Their vessel, the Dorchester, a troop ship bound for a U.S. military base in Greenland, was struck by a U-boat torpedo in the early morning hours of Feb. 3, 1943. Washington had celebrated Mass just hours before the hit and began to offer absolution. The chaplains calmly assisted and encouraged numerous civilians and soldiers, offering them their own life jackets as the terrified crowd sped to the lifeboats." “When giving their life jackets, Rabbi Goode did not call out for a Jew; Father Washington did not call out for a Catholic; nor did the Reverends Fox and Poling call out for a Protestant. They simply gave their life jackets to the next man in line,” a history from the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation noted. More at source: https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2023/02/06/the-four-chaplains-selfless-heroes-of-wwii-honored-on-80th-anniversary-of-their-deaths/

Sorry about that, I edited to hopefully provide better source clarity. When quoting a media source, particularly one already with interview quotes in it, I prefer to italicize the quoted source text (maybe I should change font too). It seems cleaner visually to me. Another reason, albeit technical, is quote marks have been interpreted as an embedded command delimiter by forum software which has lead to data migration hiccups in the past.

With Scout Sunday approaching, I have been giving this more thought. Personally, I have always preferred a more meaningful, less odd "right-hand" shake over a "left-hand, Scout handshake" as the former is not only a sign of friendship but also can be a giving your word (a contract?) with a firm grip from your strong arm. But alas covid... Perhaps the Scout sign with a Scout smile should now be used. A greeting of friendship, peace, trustworthiness, and helpfulness... My $0.02,

Here's the start of an idea from source https://www.today.com/parents/teens/minnesota-boy-scout-sleeps-outside-1000-days-rcna68868 Isaac is thinking ahead to this summer when he'll be traveling for the Boy Scout Jamboree and eventually will make his way to Washington, D.C. He says he would love to camp on the White House lawn and hopes President Joe Biden might extend an invitation. “If he had one wish right now, it would be for the president to ask him to camp out on the White House lawn,” Isaac’s dad says. “Wouldn’t that be neat? It would be a feel-good story for the nation.” Perhaps Isaac's parents could be invited to stay in the Lincoln bedroom? https://www.today.com/parents/teens/minnesota-boy-scout-sleeps-outside-1000-days-rcna68868

Update Feb 1, 2023. Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation raised funds to purchase camp. Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) is the buyer. $7M plus People throughout Iowa and Nebraska contributed to a fund to help make $2.8 million in repairs to the camp after a tornado ripped through in June 2008... "In working on the sale with the council, INHF has agreed to do three things: Open the property to the public; maintain the memorial to four boys that died in a 2008 tornado on the property; and honor and share the history of LSSR as a scout camp," the organization said. Source link: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/agriculture/2023/02/01/iowa-natural-heritage-foundation-purchases-little-sioux-scout-ranch-tornado/69859468007/

Update 1/11/23 from Virginia legislature: Delegate of the 47th District of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Patrick Hope (D-Arlington) has introduced House Joint Resolution 531: Constitutional amendment (first reference); personal property tax; exemption. Provides that property owned by a chartered organization and used solely for the purpose of supporting one or more scouting units holding a charter issued by the Boy Scouts of America or Girl Scouts of the United States of America shall be exempt from state and local taxation. Those organizations would join other nonprofits that also enjoy this status, including museums, churches, the YMCA and similar religious groups. “I know many Scout troops rely on vehicles for camping trips and backpacking adventures across the state and the country,” Hope said. “Many troops, however, cannot afford other means of transportation to these excursions and owning your own van(s) is an economical way to afford these life-changing experiences.” Sources: Full Resolution in pdf https://www.arlnow.com/2023/01/27/del-hope-files-bill-to-exempt-scouting-troops-from-personal-property-taxes/

Interesting side note... Gloversville, NY - Town stepped up to become Troop 7's new charter organization as the Foothills Methodist Church which had been CO for 60 years could no longer perform the duties. “Basically, it’s (Troop 7) going to have to be completely redone from the ground up. Where it stands, they have three active Boy Scouts in it, and no troop committee, so we’re going to be starting-over new.”, according to Town Clerk (and new COR) Jenni Mazur. “We will be discussing giving them a meeting place within the city. This is going to be a combined thing where boys from Gloversville and Johnstown will be joining.” The city must pay a $75 annual fee and she and Mayor Vince DeSantis must undergo Boy Scouts of America certification training to serve on the newly reconstituted Boy Scout Troop 7 committee, which will consist of seven members. More at source: https://leaderherald.com/gloversville-local-news-johnstown-local-news/local-news/2023/01/gloversville-set-to-charter-boy-scout-troop-7/

What a remarkable scout...

"Well, I think we're definitely crazy guys," Voelz said in 2021 when the troop held the plunge at a frozen Mirror Lake at Camp Stidwell. "The troop is kind of known for that as well and we attract that kind of craziness, having fun regardless of your circumstances. Something the boys have heard me say a million times, is there is no such thing as bad weather, just poor choice in clothing. And so, you know, we got a fire, we can warm back up, we're not going to die — probably. "This is kind of who we are. We do crazy things, you know. And in the midst of not being able to do things, we're still going to do them in a safe way if we can. We're going to find a way to navigate that and still do our crazy stuff." Ah, adventure and fun while managing risk - scouting. More at source: https://bonnercountydailybee.com/news/2022/dec/28/jump-2023-polar-bear-plunge/ 🥶

Update Dec 28, 2022: New Birth of Freedom Council executive board members are negotiating with the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy for the sale of 916 "buffer" acres around Camp Tuckahoe on South Mountain. Does this include March 15, 2021 fire area? More details at sources, except there is no mention of the March 15, 2021 fire which burned 150 acres along South Mountain. https://www.bradfordera.com/news/state/proposed-sale-of-camp-tuckahoe-could-help-local-boy-scout-council-replenish-its-reserves/article_6aa489c0-126e-51a9-955b-5b5323dd41ea.html https://www.news-journal.com/cumberland-county-commissioners-vote-2-1-to-award-grant-for-land-project-on-south-mountain/article_cb2bbad8-f824-57f4-8f39-c09f16e1bb26.html

Segler wanted to be a cowboy when he was a kid growing up in Alabama. Instead, he found his calling as a Western oil painter. “In 1977 I got a job as a cowboy in a living history program at Philmont Scout Ranch in northern New Mexico. I worked in the program for seven years,” he said. “During my time at the ranch, I began painting professionally, particularly cowboy subjects. I signed on with galleries in Ft. Worth and Santa Fe and started showing my work around the Southwest. I still go on cattle drives with them, which continues to inspire my paintings.” ... In 2016, the Eagle Scout who has been involved with scouting for more than 50 years, took on one of his most ambitious and time-consuming projects, one that was very close to his heart. “David Carr, prominent Los Alamos community supporter, approached me about doing a painting that would commemorate the upcoming 100th Anniversary of the Los Alamos Ranch School and Troop 22,” Segler said. “The founders of the Ranch School built their new program on the philosophy of Baden Powell’s fledgling BSA, which was less than 10 years old at the time. Troop 22 sprung out of the Ranch School and was the first and only mounted Scout troop in all of Scouting. Every boy at the school was a member of the troop, and every boy was issued a horse for the duration of their stay at the Ranch School.”... The Boys of Pajarito Plateau More at source, including art show at Karen Wray Gallery : https://ladailypost.com/national-artist-of-the-bsa-jeff-segler-shows-los-alamos-themed-work-at-karen-wray-gallery/

Mid-America Council seeks buyer for Little Sioux Scout Ranch The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation is campaigning to raise $2 million by Dec 31, 2022 to purchase the almost 1,800 acres of land for wildlife habitat and recreational use. The ranch, spread across the western slope of the Loess Hills, has given Scouts a place to hike, canoe, fish and camp for more than 50 years. The Mid-America Council ...wanted to find a buyer who could do three things: open the property to the public; maintain the memorial to the four boys who died in the tornado; and honor and share the history of the ranch as a Scout camp. More at source: https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/iowa-foundation-needs-to-raise-2m-to-buy-little-sioux-scout-ranch-in-western-iowa/article_9502d82a-80a5-11ed-afc0-03d7aca08d9c.html

Update Oct, 2022: Appleton Boy Scouts honored as national heroes.

Good story. Here is a direct link. https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/land-of-10000-stories/12-year-old-boy-scout-buys-11300-in-christmas-presents-for-foster-kids-he-doesnt-know/89-84b658b7-9bf1-4262-889b-ed3338b8575f

Update 12/21/2022: Camp Trexler, Pocono Heritage Land Trust (PHLT) PHLT plans to put in a bid as soon as the property gets listed for sale in the first quarter of 2023, but one complication in the matter is that the land trust is only allowed to pay the appraised value of a property. So, a win for PHLT might look like someone else buying the property — a hunting club or church group, for example — and partnering with the PHLT to preserve it. “If we can’t buy the property, we want to work with whoever does buy the property to make sure that it’s not developed,” PHLT Executive Director Louise Troutman said. Ideally, that solution would involve public access, but at the very least, PHLT wants it protected by a conservation easement even if it does not become a nature preserve that is open to the public. ... Supporters can sign a petition at phlt.org and pledge money if they are interested in helping fund the purchase. Troutman noted that previous generations of some of the farming families in the Jonas area sold farmland to the Scouts. “They didn’t sell it for development. They sold it for the benefit of the boys,” she said. More at source: https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/environment/2022/12/21/boy-scout-camp-sale-in-poconos-would-go-towards-victims-of-sex-abuse/69734886007/

Say like Congress requiring delivery of both organizations respective, charter required Report to the Nation to Congress at the same time and location?

FYI, A collection of well researched postings on the early history of scouting in Seattle written by software engineer and historian Rob Ketcherside. An excerpt from Seattle's first patrol leaders Who the patrol leaders represented The patrol leaders represented a diversity of economic backgrounds, and children of immigrants versus descendants of colonists. But, they were all white boys. The religion of some of their families came up in newspapers or records, and in each case they were a denomination of Christianity. However, there was a rabbi involved in the founding of Scouting in Seattle in 1910, so within a month there were Jewish boys in troops as well. Ethnic diversity came within a decade, and it’s possible that the Collins Playfield group had non-white members that same year in September 1910. Gender diversity has taken much longer in Scouting in America. After 8 decades, girls joined BSA Venturing crews in 1995. Then, gay youth openly joined in 2013, and in 2017 transgender youth openly joined. Finally in 2018, the first girls joined BSA troops and packs. BSA troops are currently still separated by gender identification. https://ba-kground.com/tag/scouting/