New Scouting Program: Heinz Refuge Scouting Award

[swbsa]

Hello Everyone,

 

Im posting today under the respective "Scouting Topics" pages to share this new Scouting program with you.

 

The program is a special award offered by the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum called the Heinz Refuge Scouting Award and it is open to all Scouts.

 

I dont want to burden everyone with reading all of the details in this post, but I've included an excerpt below and you can also check out the Environmental Education section of their website or do a Google search for more info.

 

Here's an excerpt from the Heinz Refuge Scouting Award brochure:

 

"The Heinz Refuge Scouting Award was created to recognize the efforts of those Scouts who seek to learn more about the cultural, historical, and environmental importance surrounding the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, and who seek to apply their passion for the environment in their daily lives.

 

Completion of the award requires seeing and experiencing the Refuge grounds and facilities first-hand, learning and applying knowledge obtained from Refuge exhibits and brochures, and participating in Refuge-based activities, service projects, etc.

 

The Heinz Refuge Scouting Award patch depicts the Philadelphia skyline behind a scenic vision of the Refuge, symbolizing the cultural, historical, and environmental importance of the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum and its role as an urban Refuge."

 

For more information, you can contact the Refuge at the following:

 

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum

8601 Lindbergh Boulevard

Philadelphia, PA 19153

215-365-3118

www.fws.gov/heinz

 

Please feel free to share this with any fellow Scouters who may be interested in what this program has to offer.

 

Sincerely,

S W

[CalicoPenn]

This sounds like a great program!

 

Thanks for sharing it with us.

[BartHumphries]

In researching that, I found the following links.

 

Requirements for the award itself, including a color picture of the patch:

http://www.fws.gov/heinz/pdf/Heinz%20Refuge%20Scouting%20Award.pdf

 

How visiting a similar site can help fulfill various Scouting requirements (probably holds true for the Heinz Refuge as well):

http://www.fws.gov/northeast/patuxent/scout_pl_boy_scout.html

 

Boy Scout/Venture recognition certificates:

http://www.fws.gov/educators/educators.html

[FScouter]

Just to be clear - it isn't a "Scouting" program. Scouting or BSA is not involved in any way. It's an activity that Scouts (or anyone) can do.

[ScoutNut]

Yes, this looks like a nice program, even if it is not specific to Scouting.

 

This seems to be similar to the Junior Ranger programs at many State, and Federal, Parks. Many museums, will have similar programs also. Some are even specific to a particular Scout award, or age level.

 

When looking for "fun with a purpose" for your Scouts (both boys and girls) do not forget to check out your local area parks, museums, conservatories, and even large businesses like quarries, electric companies, and water development plants.

 

[swbsa]

Although the program is not an official BSA-run program, it IS specifically and only intended for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, not just for "anyone" as you worded it.

 

What you said about Scouting or BSA not being involved "in any way" is also somewhat incorrect.

 

Local district Scouters and Refuge staff/volunteers actually worked together to create the program to mutually benefit and enhance the depth and quality of the environmental education being offered to our youth through both organizations.

 

The BSA and USFWS also actually have a mutual relationship at the national level. Granted, Scouting or BSA did not develop or launch the program itself in the sense we think of the World Conservation Award or Totin' Chip, for example, but there was a degree of Scouting and BSA involvement, even if it was just a few Scouters at the local district level.

 

 

 

"FScouter

Senior Forum Member *

Registered: 11/21/2001

Location:

Posts: 3818

 

RE: New Scouting Program: Heinz Refuge Scouting Award

Posted: Saturday, 10/30/2010: 9:19:45 AM

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Just to be clear - it isn't a 'Scouting' program. Scouting or BSA is not involved in any way. It's an activity that Scouts (or anyone) can do."

[ScoutNut]

While the brochure does state that it is for BSA, and GSUSA, it can easily be completed without utilizing any Scouting program materials at all.

 

Somehow I doubt that the Friends of the Heinz Wildlife Refuge would refuse to sell patches to another youth group, or school group, that had completed the requirements.

 

 

[thirddegree]

Regardless of the semantics ("Scouting program" or "program/activity for Scouts"), it looks like a great opportunity for Scouts in the region. Thanks for sharing!

[swbsa]

Thirddegree, thank for sharing your good Scouting spirit in response to my post.

 

Hopefully others will benefit from the information and share it with their units. It seems like a good opportunity for Boy/Girl Scouts of all ages to go out and be physically active on the trail, to learn more about the environment and human impact on it, and to learn about the history and culture of the area.

 

 

 

RE: New Scouting Program: Heinz Refuge Scouting Award

Posted: Friday, 12/17/2010: 1:45:52 AM quality

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Regardless of the semantics ("Scouting program" or "program/activity for Scouts"), it looks like a great opportunity for Scouts in the region. Thanks for sharing!