RememberSchiff

The Diocese of Youngstown (OH) parishes will no longer charter BSA units. Bishop David Bonnar mentioned insurance coverage, potential liability , and “changes in Scouting itself.” as reasons. "This policy decision will not affect religious activities and awards available to Scouts through the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, he said." https://www.wytv.com/news/local-news/youngstown-diocese-no-more-scouting-activities-on-church-school-grounds/

Michael Johnson, our previous YP exec, noted that frequency of overnights were a key difference. But if youth organizations utilized a central, standardized YP reporting and training, more objective comparisons could be made. There would also be a central, open database of disqualified volunteers. Though they are undergoing staffing and funding growing pains, I am impressed with SafeSport's transparency, for example, here is their 2022 and 2023 Annual Reports, note incident reports rose 30% from 2022 to 2023 : https://uscenterforsafesport.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AnnualReport_DataPage_062624.pdf https://uscenterforsafesport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2023-AnnualReport_071124_v3.5.pdf I am also impressed with their fully-engaged CEO Ju’Riese Colón, who was previously National Vice President of Child & Club Safety for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Executive Director of Prevention & Outreach for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). “As a result of our work, a culture shift in sport is taking root,” Ju’Riese Colón, CEO, U.S. Center for SafeSport said. “Athletes are rejecting the notion that sexual harassment is inevitable, coaches aren’t turning a blind eye to inappropriate behavior, and parents aren’t tolerating abusive practices. Together, we are establishing a culture where people are compelled to throw open the curtains on abuse rather than sweep it under the rug.” https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240627870384/en/U.S.-Center-for-SafeSport-Releases-2023-Annual-Report

Found answer. Add some historical background from https://www.praesidiuminc.com/everything-need-know-safe-sport-act/ "The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 was created in reaction to the abuse found various youth sports organizations, including USA Gymnastics. This act will create new a standard of care that will affect youth-serving organizations across the country. The purpose of the law is to expand existing mandated reporting laws to all youth sport organizations that participate in international or interstate sporting events. This has the potential to affect not only national governing bodies like USA Gymnastics, USA Swimming, and other Olympic sports, but the law will also impact camps, public and private schools, collegiate sports, country clubs, community organizations, and sport facilities."

Interesting indeed, what was the cost? I looked at their course catalog. Imagine one YPT course good for Little League, Soccer, high school sports, and ...scouts. https://uscenterforsafesport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/FSS-CourseCatalog_083122_vFinal3.6.pdf Here is the page describing their core course:

The Whittier Trust has donated $100K which will be used to replace five Pop Hutton cabins at Camp Maluhia on Maui. "We are excited to support Maui Scouting and are deeply impressed by the ‘Be Prepared’ mentality of the Maui Scouts,” said David Dahl, President and CEO of Whittier Trust Company. “Their quick response during the recent wildfires, including hosting displaced families and over 100 Red Cross workers, along with organizing supply drives and other emergency operations, truly exemplifies the spirit of Scouting.” https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/100k-donation-made-to-maui-camp-following-wildfire-efforts/ar-BB1qbByu?ocid=BingNewsVerp Thank you to Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez , and Whittier Trust for their donations.

Protest of selling portions of camp planned for Sunday.

IMHO, a YPT certification should be nationally or at least state recognized and accepted. If one is so YPT certified , that certification is accepted everywhere in that region. It should be officially developed and endorsed by multiple child protection organizations and be in common use by youth organizations (schools, scouts, clubs, camps, employers,...) and those individual whose job puts them in contact and care with youth (police, medical personnel) My $0.02.

I think third party YPT certification courses will increasingly be the domain of the resident state, e.g. PA, TX.

Many John Doe's In 1995-2006, these two councils inflated (30-40 or more percent) their membership numbers to secure more United Way funds. They documented ghost scouts and ghost units and paid (if registration fee was not waived) the $20/unit and $10/scout registration to National from council funds. Later they recouped that and much more from the United Way. Council membership was audited. The FBI investigated this fraud. Some professionals resigned or were removed. United Way reviewed funding policies amid their ongoing concerns about BSA membership discrimination. Atlanta Area Council "Operation First Class" https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2005/06/01/atlanta-scouts-inflated-numbers/f60b5e91-0c8d-42da-a749-91a9155fcf08/ Greater Alabama Council: https://www.parentadvocates.org/nicecontent/dsp_printable.cfm?articleID=6970

Been awhile, here's an excellent example of latest Annual Report from the Scout Association (UK). The 79 pages describes their program, plan to reach their goals, past year financials, membership numbers, safeguarding (YP) governance (names of those in charge) AND a thank you to their financial supporters. https://yuf.org.uk/sites/yuf/files/2023-12/Scouts - Annual Report 2022 to 2023.pdf Oh and its public. Scout salute.

So is Bear Grylls available?

Yes. We already have a third party for background checks.

Update 09/5/2024: Dwayne Fields has succeeded Bear Grylls as UK Chief Scout.

9/5/2024: "Dwayne Fields been appointed as our 11th Chief Scout to lead our half a million young people and adult volunteers for his values, commitment to help young people, and outstanding leadership qualities. During his time as Chief Scout, Dwayne aims to inspire even more young people and adult volunteers to join from all backgrounds. " More details and photos at source: https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2024/september/dwayne-fields-becomes-new-uk-chief-scout/

Very prudent move. IMHO we should NOT be self-certifying ourselves as competent in skills where we are at risk for liability. We only make ourselves more liable, use third party certification! ACA for camps, YMCA for swimming, Red Cross or American Heart Association for CPR/First Aid, NRA or USA Shooting for firearm safety. My $0.02,

Good memory @yknot.

IMHO, this is unlikely, as even if a club had a rimfire-only range, semi-auto's like this BSA prohibited Ruger 10-22 would be in use by club members. Most outdoor rifle ranges around here are more inclusive: 22, 30-06, 5.56, 380, 270,... all on same firing line at the same time. BTW, when you shoot at a non-BSA range, read and understand that range's rules and procedures and obey the RSO instructions. Reserving the whole range for Scouts might be a possibility. During hunting season less so. My $0.02

Update 9/3/2024: The parents of 10 year camper Jack Gear who died in this jet ski accident are bringing a wrongful death lawsuit against Middle Tennessee Council and the BSA. They claim their son's death was the result of Middle Tennessee Council’s Boy Scouts of America’s “negligence and reckless conduct.” Sources: https://www.wsmv.com/2024/09/03/family-boy-killed-jet-ski-suing-middle-tennessee-boy-scouts-group/ https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2024/09/03/family-10-year-old-boy-killed-jet-ski-crash-suing-boy-scouts-america-10-million-lawsuit-says/ Their filed complaint below appears well researched regarding Tennessee law and BSA safety guidelines (page 5, Guide to Safe Scouting and Personal Watercraft Safety Course). https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/2c/e2/06517d304288b8e197e6069629b0/gear-lawsuit.pdf

Above link has an aerial map of existing 1300 acre camp outlined in red and proposed 500 acre subsection proposed to be sold for commercial and residential development. Camp appears to be bounded by a highway and spreading real estate development.

"Some of the biggest needs for modernization (Camp Sand Hill) are new bathrooms and showers at campsites, Porter said. The current facilities are huts, some 50 years old, with little privacy for boys and girls. Outdoor showers have panels where passersby can peer in from above or below the user. Scout Executive Mike Butler said enclosed buildings with private toilets and showers will cost up to $600,000 each — eight are needed across three camp locations. The council is seeking to build a new dining hall at Camp Brorein in Hillsborough County, which will cost $7 million. Other projects at Sand Hill include a BB gun range for Cub Scouts, upgrades to the existing shooting facility and a new ropes course. If the 50-acre portion is developed by the electric cooperative, the council will have to build a new ranger home and maintenance barns that are currently on that site at an estimated cost of $800,000." Sand Hill operated this summer, so it presumably passed the NCAP Assessment Team inspection. Let's see the NCAP report. for their observations and recommendations. "The council has a $21.7 million endowment as of July 31, but $11.7 million of that is restricted and unable to be used for construction projects, records provided by Butler show. " Well now. Not a lawyer, but if Circuit Court Judge Donald Eugene Scaglione ruled DiePolder's donation restrictions are void perhaps he will rule that the Council endowment restrictions are void as well? Source: https://www.tampabay.com/news/hernando/2024/08/30/boy-scouts-explore-sale-500-acres-sand-hill-camp-brooksville/ My $0.01,

Hold the presses, not 50 acres! Tampa Bay Council is considering selling another 450 acres of Sand Hill Scout Reservation for "residential and commercial developement". With diminished membership and a need for millions of dollars worth of camp upgrades, the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America is exploring the sale of 500 acres of its 1,300-acre camp in Hernando County that has drawn Scouts from across Florida for decades. ... Now on Sept. 19, the council’s 70-member executive board will vote on whether to begin marketing another 450 wooded acres of Sand Hill on the northeast section for commercial and residential development, Scout executive Mike Butler confirmed. The board will also vote on the sale of the 50 acres to the electric cooperative if the purchase agreement is ready by then, Butler said. ... Butler said enclosed buildings with private toilets and showers will cost up to $600,000 each — eight are needed across three camp locations. (Military reserve units on training exercises might help here.) More details including photos and map at source: https://www.tampabay.com/news/hernando/2024/08/30/boy-scouts-explore-sale-500-acres-sand-hill-camp-brooksville/ Poor Larry DiePolder must be spinning in his grave.

Previously, as part of its bankruptcy plan of reorganization, BSA’s artwork was transferred to the BSA Settlement Trust. Hon. Barbara J. Houser (Ret.), the Trustee overseeing the administration and distribution of the funds to survivors, ordered the start of the liquidation process last week, picked Heritage Auctions to handle the sale, and remarked “These Survivors have waited decades to be heard and acknowledged, and the sale of these works will aid us in providing a measure of justice to them. Buyers should be proud that they will be contributing to rebuilding lives and helping to right past wrongs.” “Heritage is deeply grateful to have been entrusted with what is undoubtedly one of the most significant collections of Golden Age illustrations to emerge on the market in recent years,” said Aviva Lehmann, Heritage’s Senior Vice President of American Art. “We are honored to present this museum-caliber collection, which not only celebrates the artistry of Norman Rockwell and other luminaries of the Golden Age but also embodies the rich cultural heritage at the core of our mission as America’s largest auction house. Equally important to us is the privilege of supporting the Survivors, underscoring our commitment to both the arts and social responsibility.” ..."At confirmation of the plan, the Trust’s compensation fund was valued at approximately $2.5 billion. Other causes of action against third parties may increase the fund further. To date, the Trust has paid more than $25 million to over 6,800 Survivors." The art collection itself has been valued at $130 million. Reminder, the collection is on view at the Medici Museum of Art until this Sunday September 1. Sources 8/28-29/2024: https://www.tribtoday.com/news/local-news/2024/08/medici-scouting-for-a-new-collection/ https://www.ha.com/heritage-auctions-press-releases-and-news/heritage-to-auction-boy-scouts-of-america-masterpieces-to-compensate-survivors-of-childhood-sexual-abuse.s?releaseId=5034

Twenty five pieces of the BSA 321 piece art collection will be auctioned by Heritage Auctions in November. Heritage Auctions recently sold Babe Ruth's 1932 "Called Shot" jersey for north of $24M. Not sure if any of these 25 art pieces are Rockwell. Source (mostly behind a paywall): https://www.wsj.com/articles/boy-scouts-to-auction-norman-rockwell-paintings-other-art-to-fund-sex-abuse-settlement-b97441fd Interested in comic books? https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?dept=1938&mode=live&auction_name=7379&ic=hero-Comics-viewLots-7379-082124

Thanks. I'm a couple thousand miles from the western US and Canadian wildfires and am still affected by the smoke. The climate change effects: increased wildfires, heat waves, flooding, wind, high bacteria counts at beaches, ...are definitely negatively impacting scOUTING, my $0.02,

The annual late summer-fall HawkWatch (viewing and counting hawk migration) has begun. Combined with a hike , it is good scout activity, e.g., Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatiory . There are about 34 species of diurnal raptors in North America, some sites have more, some less. About 15 species migrate through Maine and only 3 were counted last year in Acadia, Source (good read about identification and Acadia Hawk Watch) https://www.bangordailynews.com/2024/08/23/outdoors/outdoors-contributors/annual-hawk-watch-cadillac-mountain-acadia-joam40zk0w/ References: HawkWatch daily counts by location https://www.hawkcount.org/ Interactive US map to find hawkwatch sites and respective data https://www.hawkcount.org/sitesel.php https://www.nhaudubon.org/conservation/raptor-migration/