RememberSchiff

I think we are seeing that with Connecticut Yankee Council sale of Deer Lake.

Why not create one? Isn't this what we Scouters do, develop leaders? How many times have we thought one of our scouts should become President or our PLC should replace the National Council ? My $0.01

The Narragansett Council announced in May that its Executive Board decided to sell Camp Cachalot in South Carver, Massachusetts, to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and to sell Camp Norse in Kingston, Massachusetts, to a separate nonprofit with plans to lease the property. Proceeds from the real estate sales will be part of the council’s $6.45 million contribution to a $2.6 billion sex abuse survivors compensation trust established as a result of a class-action lawsuit against the National Boy Scouts of America. https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/boy-scouts-selling-massachusetts-camps-to-pay-for-lawsuit-settlements/2742661/

@Bouv welcome to scouter.com

Update 06/08/2022: The Finley-Albright Boy Scout Reservation is scheduled for closing in August to developer George Emerson; while the sale has not been publicly announced, Emerson confirmed by phone Friday that he has the nearly 550 acres located at 11301 Trents Bridge Road under contract for an undisclosed amount. ... “The Heart of Virginia Council’s share of the collective survivor trust fund is just over $2 million, due this month,” wrote Heart of Virginia Council Executive George McGovern in a May 12 letter. “The HOVC Board of Directors has identified the Albright Scout Reservation, one of HOVC’s assets, as a means to that end.” The letter noted that the board of directors would meet later in the month to determine the best path forward to fulfill the $2 million obligation, likely by selling part or all of the Albright property – an 1800s homestead and old working cattle farm north of Lake Chesdin, which was donated to the Scouts and run by volunteers. ... Albright Camp Master and member of the Volunteer Committee – a group of roughly 30 that helped run the camp until many abruptly resigned following news of the sale to a private developer – Rick Fisher calls the sale “fuzzy transparent.” He likened the sale to the end of an era for a property he called a “home away from home,” and “our little slice of heaven out here” as he gazed across the hundreds of acres of wooded area in the hours before he helped check in scouts arriving to camp for the first weekend in June. ... And while the scouts have another property in Goochland, Camp T. Brady Saunders, it’s different, Fisher says – run by staff, not volunteers – likening it more to an amusement park with a big pirate ship on the pond, camping forts and a dining hall – opposed to the rustic nature of the Albright Reservation with its one running toilet and check-in cabin with electricity. ... Kevin Kessler is one of the members on the Friends of Albright Committee, a team that submitted a counter offer to purchase the property and allow the continuation of scouting activities. “The idea was this should have been kept as a scout place in perpetuity, that was the intent of the gift,” Kessler said, explaining that in that spirit a board member resigned to step into the role of what he called “angel investor,” approaching three principals at Albright responsible for developing activities there to help construct a counter offer to the $3.75 million, which he says was the sale price of the property. “Our offer was $2.4 million for 470 acres plus $600,000 in funds from other angel investors that would have been unrestricted cash – HOVC could use that however they saw fit – and then $400,000 in restricted funds that would have been used at Albright Scout Reservation for upgrades,” Kessler said. Their offer would have allowed HOVC to keep the core 85 acres where most activities occur and the remainder would have been put into conservation easements and for a dollar a year allowed the scouts to continue using the property for trails, activities and campsites, Kessler said. The caveat, he noted, was that the group was going to timber roughly 270 acres, but in a way that was aesthetically pleasing. He says the group was not allowed in the room at the May 18 meeting where the council decided to go with Emerson’s offer, and the process has left a sour taste. “I found it very condescending and very inappropriate that they gave us five minutes on a Zoom call, when that meeting was live,” Kessler said. “‘Inconsiderate’ is not even strong enough. We were just very offended that all the volunteers the last 20 years that have worked there weren’t given the consideration to make a plea, a very viable plea to purchase that property.” He is one of the many to have volunteered thousands of hours over multiple years to bettering the property for multiple generations – building latrines, pavilions, tractor sheds, cutting the grass, developing naturalist programs, labeling species, road maintenance. The list goes on. “I think a lot of people were just very upset that this was not a more transparent process,” Kessler says. “They have a legal right to sell it if they choose to, but a lot of people think it was the wrong decision and not in the spirit of scouting.” More at source: https://www.chesterfieldobserver.com/articles/scout-property-under-contract-with-developer-as-debt-looms/ Sounds very similar to Deer Lake, Connecticut Yankee Council transaction, except Mr. Emerson is not a member of the Council Executive Board.

988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. While some areas may be currently able to connect to the Lifeline by dialing 988, this dialing code will be available to everyone across the United States starting on July 16, 2022. When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary. SAMHSA (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, part of US Dept, Health & Human Services) sees 988 as a first step towards a transformed crisis care system in America. The current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255, 1-800-273-TALK) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, even after 988 is launched nationally. The Lifeline’s network of over 200 crisis centers has been in operation since 2005, and has been proven to be effective. It’s the counselors at these local crisis centers who answer the contacts the Lifeline receives every day. Numerous studies have shown that callers feel less suicidal, less depressed, less overwhelmed and more hopeful after speaking with a Lifeline counselor. Answer the call! These centers are looking to bring on new volunteers and paid employees. You will receive training, so if you are a caring person who wants to help those in crisis, apply today. Find your opportunity: samhsa.gov/988-jobs More at source links: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988/ https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988

The new national (USA) three-digit number — 988 — (mental health version of 911) is meant to connect people in mental health crises with those who are specially trained to respond to such situations. The easy-to-remember number launches July 16. ... According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20 percent of Americans will have a mental illness in any given year. And reports of mental health problems have been growing in recent years, even before the Covid pandemic. More at source: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/mental-health/988-suicide-prevention-hotline-launches-july-will-pay-rcna31701

Camp Gustin (95 acres) is among 20 properties selected for Land for Maine’s Future conservation program. Matt Klutzaritz, Pine Tree Council CSE, said the property is expected to be conveyed in the next few months. “We are pleased the Androscoggin Land Trust will be purchasing the property, thus protecting it in perpetuity for Scouts and the general public,” Klutzaritz said. “We have been working with Androscoggin Land Trust for some time and we feel that this is an excellent collaboration for this wonderful property.” Aimee Dorval, executive director of Androscoggin Land Trust, said the property will be open to the public in the near future. Boy Scouts will not have exclusive use of the land, but will be able to hold some special events and use the camp, she said. Source: https://www.pressherald.com/2022/06/06/five-local-projects-among-20-picked-for-land-for-maines-future-conservation-program/

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has purchased 477 acres at the former Woodland Trails Scout Reservation and will make it a part of state’s wildlife preserve in Preble County. ODNR paid the Miami Valley Council of Boy Scouts of America $1.815 million for the property, according to Brian Plasters, Ohio Division of Wildlife spokesman. ... Jeffrey Schiavone, Miami Valley Council scout executive/CEO, said the final parcel, the core area of the camp, has not been placed on the market for sale. The portion that was sold last week was deemed as “excess land.” “This sale will allow the Miami Valley Council to make our contribution to the National BSA’s Survivor’s Trust, along with all local councils across the country, which will achieve two key imperatives: equitably compensate survivors of past abuse and ensure the mission of Scouting to continues in our communities,” Schiavone said. “Since the beginning of this process, we’ve been hyper-focused on continuing Scouting’s long-standing tradition of environmental stewardship, and we are very happy that the land is placed in the hands of a conservation-minded organization with ODNR.” More details at source link: https://www.journal-news.com/local/odnr-purchases-part-of-woodland-trails-camp-from-boy-scouts/CMDAP2HZKFBDTHES6PYF77OEP4/

Update 06/06/2022: Two men (brothers) are in custody in connection with the statue theft. Both are charged with possession of stolen goods greater than $10,000 and malicious damage to property greater than $10,000. https://abcnews4.com/news/local/arrests-made-after-suspects-cut-up-life-sized-boy-scout-statue-attempt-to-sell-parts https://www.live5news.com/2022/06/06/brothers-accused-stealing-cutting-up-boy-scout-statue/

Mark Twain said "Buy Land. They're not making any more." Senator Blumenthal's comment regarding the existing National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund (establlished in 1964) appears on the mark. LWCF project map list: https://lwcf.tplgis.org/mappast/ On August 4, 2020, the Great American Outdoors Act became law, further funding the LWCF.

Other thoughts: - purchase a surplus MacKenzie statue from a council about to be merged. - 3D scan my 4" x 1.5" MacKensie and scale for full size mold fabrication. - borrow another council's statue, cut into the 3 or 4? sections sufficient for molding new statue. Re-weld - recycle, move on, plant a tree. I really cannot see purchasing a replacement statue. 👍 My $0.01

...now if part of the statute could be put back together by scouts, that would speak to our character, say akin to our cracked Liberty Bell. my $0.02, A Boy Scout Merit Badge Camp at Sikeston Career and Technology Center (MO) is hosting a welding event for scouts to gain hands-on learning experience with welding. ”Right now, we have around 130 to 150 participants,” said Welding Instructor Brent Trankler. “It’s an exposure to a skill in trade that they might not get to see. We’ve used it as a recruitment tool for my class here and we get a lot of kids interested in it at youth,” Brent Trankler said. “These activities include wire welding, stick welding, oxy fuel cutting, some virtual welding machines that were donated by Lincoln Electric and we also have a black smithing event,” said Trankler. https://www.kfvs12.com/2022/06/03/more-than-150-boy-scouts-attend-welding-event-tomorrow/

“I am emphasizing to my colleagues that there is a clear urgency here,” said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat who thinks there may be federal funds available to buy Scout properties. “We have no time to waste.” Sen. Blumenthal has said he’s looking into the possible use of money from the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund to help in the purchase of the Connecticut camp and the other Boy Scout properties for sale across the nation. Individual states decide which projects to pay for with that money. Sen. Blumenthal said selling camps to developers goes against the tenants of an organization that is supposed to teach environmental stewardship. “Unfortunately, local Boy Scout councils are selling to the highest bidder,” he said. “So, I think it is a national challenge, but it goes to the core of what scouting means and the ethos and ethic of scouting, which they may be betraying.”

Does Council have insurance coverage for this?

Update June, 2022 No surprise, this Scout is now an Outdoor Contributor to the Bangor Daily News (Maine). https://bangordailynews.com/author/nolanraymond/

I wonder if lead was added to original bronze (copper and tin alloy as I remember from Metallurgy MB back in the day).

I noticed this in section summary... Section 147. Increasing Youth Recreation Visits to Federal Land. (new) This section requires the Department of Agriculture and DOI to develop a national strategy to increase youth recreation on Federal lands. ...sounds like a job for us!

So perhaps the weight and scrap value were over-estimated. “It’s just another example of bad things happening in the world right now that we’d like to turn the corner and go the other direction,” B&D president Chris Staubes said. “Doing the mental math on this, it’s a 500-pound bronze statue if it was melted down, if some of these places are paying .40 cents on the dollar, you’re not talking about a whole lot of money,” he said. “I mean several hundred dollars that someone may have gotten causing this type of harm.” Source has photo of pieces. https://www.live5news.com/2022/06/01/missing-scouts-statue-returned-pieces-scrap-metal-dumped-into-buckets/

Acccording to B&D’s (scrap yard) marketing director Kimberly Strobel , a man showed up at the yard trying to sell metal. A cashier went out to inspect the load on the scales, confirmed it appeared to be a cut-up art piece, and said no sale. Cameras captured his arrival, Strobel said. With the scrap yard sale negated, the man left. B&D called police. A short while later, the fire broke out. Apparently the 1000lb statue was broken into 50 pieces... SE Jason Smith later confirmed to The Post and Courier the pieces were back in the scouts’ possession but he did not disclose how they came back. I checked scrapmonster.com. Bronze scrap ranges from $1 to 2.70/lb https://www.postandcourier.com/news/stolen-north-charleston-boy-scout-statue-found-in-pieces-at-burning-scrap-yard/article_5912d4a0-e1b8-11ec-b967-57f68d81aed3.html

Update May, 2022: ... the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act - passed out of the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee. Next, the bill will head to the Senate floor for a vote. That means we’re one step closer to fixing the current inefficient, unpredictable recreational permitting system, which creates barriers for people to experience the outdoors through outdoor programs like The Mountaineers. The SOAR Act was included in a larger package of recreation bills* called the America’s Outdoor Recreation Act of 2022 (S. 3266), which passed the Senate committee by voice vote on May 3. The Mountaineers actively worked with the bill sponsor and committee to improve the legislation as it moved through the process. The SOAR Act will improve the recreational permitting systems of federal land agencies so that more people can experience public lands through volunteer-based clubs (like The Mountaineers), outfitters, guides, nonprofit leadership organizations, or university outdoor programs. The bill has already passed through the House Natural Resources Committee... A section by section summary (9 pages) of America’s Outdoor Recreation Act of 2022: https://www.energy.senate.gov/services/files/F32F442F-7FEC-4734-886A-875A7B247E4F but here is a shorter summary: This bill provides for additional recreation opportunities and facilitates greater access to federal public lands. If the public does not need to obtain a permit or reservation to access an existing picnic area, neither the Department of the Interior nor the Department of Agriculture (USDA) may require an outfitter or guide serving fewer than 40 clients to obtain a permit to access that site. Interior and USDA shall construct and designate shooting ranges on National Forest System land and public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management for the public to use for recreational target shooting. Interior and the Forest Service shall enter into an agreement with the Rural Utilities Service to install or construct broadband internet infrastructure at recreation sites on federal land. The Bureau of Reclamation shall establish a competitive grant program to provide grants to conduct inspections and decontamination of watercraft in reservoirs operated and maintained by Interior, including to purchase and operate a watercraft inspection and decontamination station. Interior and USDA shall establish a pilot program under which Interior or USDA may enter into an agreement with a private entity providing for capital improvements (including the construction of structures and improvements), management, and maintenance by the private entity of a campground on federal land. More details at source link: https://www.mountaineers.org/blog/soar-act-advances-in-u-s-senate

Update: Statue FOUND! Parts of the statue were discovered at B & D Scrap Metal when fire crews responded to a fire at that facility. https://www.counton2.com/news/local-news/missing-boy-scout-statue-found-at-scrap-metal-facility/

Yeah I think BP took that concept from Havad Business Review. For about 2X the cost of a Scout Handbook, you can buy their current issue. IMHO joining a Scout Troop is more thrifty.

BSA is also requesting any video footage of the theft caught by cameras of nearby businesses, as the organization is concerned the statue will be taken to a scrap yard for shredding or melting. A police report mentions that the statue was fastened to its base by four bolts, and two of the bolts appeared to have been “ripped” from the statue’s base while the other two were possibly cut. https://www.counton2.com/news/latest-news/north-charleston-police-investigating-theft-of-life-sized-boy-scout-statue/

05/32/2022 Coastal Carolina Council BSA Service Center (SC): A $1,000 reward is being offered for the arrest and conviction of the people responsible for stealing a bronze and life-sized Boy Scout statue from a center in North Charleston. According to officials with the Boy Scouts of America, when staff returned to work at the Coastal Carolina Council BSA Service Center on Medical Plaza Drive they discovered that the sculpture was stolen over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. A report states that the statue, designed by R. Tait McKenzie, was cast in 1937 and has been a corner stone to the scout office for decades. Dr. Bobby Baker, a board member and long time scouter, has volunteered a $1000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the thief. Anyone with any knowledge of the person who may have stolen the statue or it’s whereabouts is asked to call the scout office at (843) 763-0305. More at source: https://www.live5news.com/2022/06/01/thieves-make-off-with-bronze-life-sized-boy-scout-statue-n-charleston-center/ You may recall last month, two men stole the statue Grace from outside of the Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada headquarters. It has been recovered. https://www.fox5vegas.com/2022/05/12/girl-scouts-statue-recovered-after-it-was-stolen-las-vegas-headquarters/