September 2003

Edited by Scott Daniels Numbers Emergency Preparedness BSA Correction Interactive CD added to recruiting tools Pack Thrives in Montevideo, Uruguay

Last Chance to Enter Our "Favorite Places for Scouting" Photo Contest

There's still time to enter Scouting magazine's latest photo contest. The theme is "Favorite Places for Scouting," and it applies to all BSA programs: Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing.

Entries must be received by Oct. 1, 2003. Winners receive BSA Supply Division gift certificates and have their photographs published in Scouting's March-April 2004 issue and on the magazine's Web site.

Rules for entering

• Open to all registered BSA members (adult and youth). Deadline for entering is Oct. 1, 2003.

• Only unmounted color prints, from film or high-resolution digital images (JPG format), will be accepted, to a maximum size of 8 by 10 inches. Mounted prints or transparencies (slides), or other media, will not be accepted. No more than three entries per person.

• All photographs must have the following information taped on the back: name, address, daytime and evening phone numbers, unit number (if applicable), and council name.

• For the purpose of the contest, all prints submitted become the property of Scouting magazine. Winners must certify that photographs are their own original work.

• No photographs will be returned. The BSA, Scouting magazine, and its agents are not responsible for loss of photographs. The decisions of the judges are final.

• Send entries to Scouting Magazine Photo Contest, S304, P.O. Box 152079, 1325 W. Walnut Hill Ln., Irving, TX 75015-2079.

Winners will receive BSA Supply Division gift certificates as follows: Grand Prize—$400; 1st Place—$300; 2nd Place—$200; 3rd Place—$100; Honorable Mention—$25. In addition, all winners will receive a multipurpose tool, courtesy of Leatherman Tool Group Inc.

2005 National Scout Jamboree will host more than 30,000 youth at Fort A.P. Hill

The 16th National Scout Jamboree will be held July 25 - Aug. 3, 2005, at Fort A.P. Hill, in Caroline County, Va.

The 2005 National Scout Jamboree will be the seventh consecutive jamboree at the 76,000-acre U.S. Army facility, located between Richmond, Va., and Washington, D.C., that has served as the permanent site for national jamborees since 1981.

To be one of the more than 30,000 youth attending the national jamboree, a Scout must

• be at least a First Class Scout, have completed the sixth grade or be at least 12 years of age by July 1, 2005, but not have reached his 18th birthday by Aug. 3, 2005.
• participate in a prejamboree training experience.
• file a complete Personal Health and Medical Record prior to the prejamboree training.
• have been active in a troop or team for at least six months prior to July 1, 2005.
• be approved by the unit leader and local council.

More information is available at local Scout council service centers. Also, the jamboree Web site, www.scouting.org/jamboree, contains information for Scouts and leaders as well as applications that can be easily downloaded.

BSA councils and Red Cross chapters join in new training partnership

The Boy Scouts of America and American Red Cross have joined together to enable more youth and adults to be prepared for lifesaving situations in local communities.

Local BSA councils, in conjunction with local Red Cross chapters, will train and certify BSA volunteers to teach courses in first aid, CPR, emergency response, and lifeguard training. Red Cross training curriculum will be available to BSA youth participants and adult volunteers to help earn the Emergency Preparedness, First Aid, and Lifesaving merit badges.

Roy L. Williams, Chief Scout Executive, and Marsha J. Evans, president of the American Red Cross, signed the agreement in February.

"We see this partnership with the Red Cross as an important component to ensuring our youth and volunteers have the best training available," Williams said.

"A major thrust of the program was to get local Red Cross chapters and local BSA councils working together more, sharing resources," said Ed Woodlock, director of the BSA's Health and Safety Service.

Both organizations benefit from the partnership. BSA participants have access to high-quality, standardized, and regularly revised Red Cross training programs and will receive both BSA and Red Cross certifications. Red Cross training will reach potentially 250,000 more individuals annually, resulting in an increase in actual and potential sources of volunteers to help the Red Cross in emergencies.

REPORT TO THE NATION. President George W. Bush visits with the BSA delegation in the Oval Office during the February presentation of the annual BSA Report to the Nation. From left: Chief Scout Executive Roy L. Williams; Sea Scout Emily Petty, Springfield, Va.; Honor Medal With Crossed Palms recipient Matthew Knight, Bowling Green, Ky.; Heroism Award recipient John Reese III, St. Louis, Mo.; National Order of the Arrow Chief Nick Digirolamo, Tampa, Fla.; National Venturing President Sam Stocker, Royal Oak, Mich.; Meritorious Action Award recipient Zachary Gomez, San Angelo, Tex.; Heroism Award recipient Jonathan Nagata, Santa Monica, Calif.; mother Bethany Loomis, son and Heroism Award recipient Jesse Loomis, and father William Loomis, Ann Arbor, Mich.; Host couple Carol Pyfer and Distinguished Eagle Scout John Pyfer, Lancaster, Pa. White House photograph by Eric Draper

Boys' Life subscription increases this month

Beginning Sept. 1, 2003, the Boys' Life subscription price for registered members of the BSA will increase to $10.80 for 12 issues. A one-year subscription for non-BSA members will increase to $21.60.

Despite the higher subscription price, which is due to the rising cost of paper and postage, a one-year subscription to Boys' Life is still less than other popular youth magazines, such as Highlights for Children ($29.64), SI for Kids ($29.95) and Nickelodeon ($19.97 for 10 issues).

"We can all be proud of Boys' Life, the BSA's flagship publication," said publisher Warren Young. "The magazine's quality continues to be second to none while the cost to member subscribers is still one-half to one-third the cost of other youth magazines."

Volunteer opportunities abound during September's National Public Lands Day

During the 10th annual National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 20, thousands of Americans will participate in service projects to provide "Helping Hands for America's Lands."

Volunteers will work at more than 500 sites in 50 states, including national parks, monuments, wildlife refuges, forests, grasslands, marine sanctuaries, lakes, and reservoirs managed by government agencies but belonging to everyone.

Activities will focus on improving and preserving habitats—forests, mountains, prairies, plains, rivers, wetlands, and urban places that are home to a rich diversity of animals, birds, and plants. Volunteers will build bird nesting boxes, plant trees, sow seeds, clean up streams and waterways, and clear weeds and overgrown brush.

In addition to habitat restoration, volunteers will install signs, improve trails and campgrounds, and build facilities to enhance America's public lands.

The event is sponsored for the fifth consecutive year by Toyota Motor Sales USA. Additional sponsors include numerous federal agencies, state, county, and city governments, and state parks departments. For more information, including a list of sites, activities, and contacts, go to www.npld.com, or phone (800) 865-8337.

Minnesota Scouter is recognized for service to youth with disabilities

Alexandra (Sandy) Klas Photograph Courtesy of Dawn Villella

Alexandra (Sandy) Klas, of St. Paul, Minn., is the 2003 recipient of the Woods Services Award. Presented by the BSA and the Woods Services and Residential Treatment Center, Langhorne, Pa., the award recognizes exceptional service and leadership to Scouts with disabilities.

During 48 years of service, Klas has impacted the lives of thousands of young people with disabilities of all types and severity. She initiated the Indianhead Council's special needs emphasis and its Special Needs Division, and served as chairman of the division from 1984 to 1991. The Indianhead Council has recognized her many contributions with the Silver Beaver Award, Distinguished Community Builder Award, and Special Needs Award.

In addition to Scouting, she has served as officer and board member of a variety of other organizations, including statewide president for three years of the Minnesota Association for Children and Adults With Learning Disabilities. She is a life trustee of Hamline University and has received a variety of awards from state and local agencies for her accomplishments throughout the special needs community.

High adventure opportunities available for members of urban and rural troops and crews

The Operation Lifetime Adventures program enables deserving youth from Scout troops and Venturing crews in urban and rural communities, who may not otherwise have the financial means, to participate in a weeklong experience at one of the BSA's national high adventure bases.

The program is offered by the BSA National Council, in collaboration with the Scoutreach Division, local councils, and the three high adventure bases—Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, Northern Tier in Minnesota, and the Florida Sea Base.

Participation is limited to a patrol or crew of deserving youth accompanied by their unit leaders. Eligible Boy Scouts must have attained the rank of Star and demonstrated a desire to earn the Eagle Scout Award. Venturers must have received the Gold Award and demonstrated a desire to earn the Ranger Award. Adult leaders must be registered and trained volunteers.

Interested Scoutmasters and Venturing Advisors should talk to their council's Scoutreach unit-serving executives about this opportunity. A promotional brochure, No. 11-330, explaining Operation Lifetime Adventures, including scholarship opportunities, is scheduled to be available from the Scoutreach Division at the national office.

International Scouter's Award

The International Scouter's Award encourages Scouters to broaden their involvement in Scouting through participation in world Scouting activities and recognizes Scouters for their contributions to world Scouting.

Applicants must be registered adult Scouters with the BSA. They must receive approval of their local council's international committee chairperson or international representative and their council Scout executive.

Applicants must complete a total of six requirements from at least three of the following five categories: (1) giving leadership to international Scouting; (2) giving leadership to international events held in the United States; (3) giving leadership to international events held in other countries; (4) educating self and others; and (5) giving support to international Scouting.

Full requirements and an application form are available at council service centers or on the BSA Web site, www.scouting.org/international.

Numbers 3 — common Scout uniforming errors: • wearing the Boy Scout neckerchief over an open collar. (According to the Insignia Guide, BSA No. 33066D, the neckerchief can only be worn "over the turned-under collar or under the [unbuttoned] open collar.") • wearing an Order of the Arrow sash on inappropriate occasions. (The Order of the Arrow Handbook, >No. 34996C, states that the sash is only worn "at Order of the Arrow functions and special Scouting activities, when members need to be identified as Arrowmen rendering special services.") • wearing a folded merit badge sash over the belt. (The Insignia Guide says, "A merit badge sash is never worn on the belt.") 24 — years the Pocono District in the Minsi Trails Council, Lehigh Valley, Pa., has held an annual district mall show. Theme for the 2003 event last winter was "Join the Adventure," with unit booth displays featuring day camp, camporees, hikes, high adventure trips, and more. Other highlights included a pinewood derby, chili cook-off, and a "spaghetti bridge building contest." 28 — years since the Monmouth Council's Order of the Arrow lodge created the 11-mile Battle of Monmouth Historical Trail from the Quail Hill Scout Reservation in Manalapan, N.J., to the battle monument in Freehold, N.J. In 2003, which marks the 225th anniversary of the Revolutionary War battle, the council invites Scouts and families to hike the trail and qualify to purchase a commemorative medal. For information on the trail and camping at Quail Hill Scout Reservation, contact the Monmouth Council at (732) 531-3636. 30 — mayors from the Portland/Vancouver and Salem, Ore., area who participated in a Cascade Pacific Council pinewood derby last September to help promote the "Fun at Every Turn" Cub Scout membership campaign. The mayors teamed with Cub Scout partners in competing for "fastest car," "best-looking car," "car that best represents the community," and "slowest car." 69 — percent increase in items collected over the previous year in last November's Scouting for Food Good Turn in the Trails West Council, Wood River, Ill. More than 4,000 Scouts and Scouters collected an estimated $170,000 worth of food to help stock 18 food pantries within the council's seven-county boundaries in southwestern Illinois. 86 — annual Scouters' Recognition Dinners in the Theodore Roosevelt Council, Massapequa, N.Y. The 2002 event, held in October at the New Hyde Park (N.Y.) Inn, honored the council's Silver Beaver Award recipients, Stephen Clark, Frank D'Elia, Edward Hansen, Lynn Iredell, Mary Messina, and Frederick G. Sutton. 140 and 500 — worn and tattered U.S. flags flown in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, retired with reverence and dignity last September by Scouts in the Blackhawk Area Council, Rockford, Ill., and Scouts of Troop 544, New Hyde Park, N.Y., in the Theodore Roosevelt Council, respectively. The Rockford ceremony included radio interviews and TV visits to a model campsite, where Scouts cooked and served camp food to persons bringing in flags for retirement. The New York ceremony featured readings, patriotic music, an honor guard, and the playing of taps. 414 — Scouts who have earned the Railroading merit badge in the Miami Valley Council (Dayton, Ohio) through special classes offered by Division 3 of the National Model Railroad Association. Last November, 61 Scouts completed the most recent class, bringing the total number of Scouts earning the badge in the council to more than 400.

Emergency Preparedness BSA The Boy Scouts of America is joining with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure the nation's youth are prepared for any situation. In response to the DHS request that the BSA help citizens across the country prepare for all kinds of emergencies, Scouting has introduced the Emergency Preparedness BSA program. Preparedness is defined as ready for all kinds of emergencies, able to respond to save lives and property and to help a community return to normal life following a disaster. The BSA program will inspire youth and adult members to meet this challenge and to develop the necessary skills to participate effectively in this service. When an emergency occurs, every youth and adult member of BSA in the immediate area has the responsibility to respond first, as an individual; second, as a member of a family; and third, as a member of a Scouting unit serving the neighborhood and community. As a result, the Emergency Preparedness BSA program includes training for individual, family, and unit preparedness. (Special training in all three areas is a prerequisite for BSA members conducting any type of emergency service in their communities.) • Individual Preparedness. This step trains members to be mentally and emotionally prepared to act promptly and to develop the ability to take care of themselves, including practical survival skills. • Family Preparedness. Basic instruction helps Scouting families learn emergency skills and how to react when faced with fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, explosions, warning signals, fallout protection, terrorism attacks, and other situations. • Community Preparedness. The program fosters the desire to help others and teaches members how to serve their communities in age-appropriate ways, with responsibilities and skills for community service increasing with the members' maturity. Emergency Preparedness Award Youth and adult BSA members earn an Emergency Preparedness pin upon completion of program- and age-specific requirements. (Youth requirements are available for Tiger Cubs through Venturers; leaders complete requirements for either Unit or Council/District Volunteer Scouter.) An application (No. 19-602) must be submitted to the local Scout council for approval. The award builds upon the existing emergency and safety requirements involved with rank advancement in BSA programs. Age-specific requirements include • taking the Red Cross First Aid for Children Today course. • joining a safe kids program such as McGruff Child Identification. • building a family emergency kit. • completing Scouting merit badges such as First Aid and Emergency Preparedness. • developing a pack or troop preparedness plan and taking first-aid and CPR courses from appropriate agencies. The pin may be worn on civilian clothing or on the uniform, centered on the left pocket flap. Only one pin can be worn, but a young person may earn the award more than once, as he advances through the ranks and is capable of more complex preparedness activities. Requirements, applications, and other information about the Emergency Preparedness BSA program are available online at www.scouting.org or at council service centers.

Correction In the article "This Is Only the Beginning," in the May-June 2003 issue of Scouting, the BSA's Scoutreach National President's Recognition Awards (which honor Scoutreach professionals for outstanding achievement in bringing Scouting to urban and rural youth) were described as annual awards. However, while the achievements of Scoutreach professionals will continue to be recognized at future BSA National Annual Meetings, the awards are not scheduled to be presented on an annual basis.

Interactive CD added to recruiting tools Recognizing that one of the most effective recruiters for Scouting is an existing Boy Scout, the BSA is expanding the national emphasis, which began a year ago with the introduction of a special Scout Recruiter patch, awarded to any Scout who brings a new member to his troop. The incentive patches are supplied through council service centers to Scoutmasters at no charge. In addition, every troop in the country is receiving an interactive CD, "Scouting for Fun" (No. 16-353), which can be copied and distributed to individual Scouts, to use in creating dramatic e-mail messages to send to friends who are not Scouts. "The latest research tells us that young people are using the computer rather than the telephone to communicate with friends," says Joe Glasscock, national Boy Scout director of program development. The material on the CD, designed for use by an 11-year-old boy, will enable a Scout to create his own e-mail activity slide show, using one of five different kinds of music and a variety of action images from categories like "summer camp" and "high adventure."

Pack Thrives in Montevideo, Uruguay By Marlene Monfiletto Nice The Webelos den meeting in the home of Vince and Robin Lambert looks like most other such meetings across the United States. The difference is that Den 3 of Pack 3908 brings together an international group of boys in Montevideo, Uruguay. The pack has been in existence since 2001, when the Lamberts moved to Uruguay. Commander Lambert serves in the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) in the U.S. Embassy in Montevideo. Activities of the Cub Scouts in Pack 3908, Montevideo, Uruguay, included a visit to the American Airlines terminal at the airport. Photograph Courtesy of Commander Vince Lambert "I wanted to start a Scouting program here," Lambert said. "I was a Boy Scout, and I wanted to give something back for all the leaders who were there for me." Lt. Col. Scott Messinger, Army chief for the ODC, and his wife, Myklind, act as leaders for a Tiger Cub den. The Wolf and Bear dens meet together under the direction of Raymond Sloan, a missionary living in Uruguay. As the pack was organizing, word spread through the Uruguayan American School, which serves most of the U.S. military and diplomatic community in Montevideo. And within months, the Lamberts and Messingers had enough boys to start Pack 3908. Garrett Berntsen, who maintained registration with his home troop in Alexandria, Va., while continuing to work toward his Eagle Scout Award, serves as den chief for the younger boys. Not all of the Cub Scouts are U.S. citizens. The pack includes boys who are British, Australian, Finnish-Singaporan, Dutch, and Ecuadorian-Swedish. That gives an international flavor to the group when the boys share ideas and stories about vacations and homelands. The meetings are conducted in English, which provides the boys from other nations an opportunity to practice their second language and the native English speakers a chance to pick up some Spanish as they help each other along. The pack has had a variety of activities, from camping in the Lamberts' and Messingers' backyards, to traveling up the Atlantic Coast for a family camping trip and hike up the small mountain at Pan de Azucar. Pack 3908 has toured the American Airlines terminal, at which they visited the first-class section of a plane and the new control tower, where they watched planes take off. Being affiliated with the U.S. embassy has also provided some special experiences. The boys, led by Lt. Col. Messinger, were able to commemorate the six-month anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on Washington D.C., and New York City by planting a tree in the embassy garden. The ceremony, planned and conducted by the boys, became a media event in this small country, with U.S. Ambassador Martin J. Silverstein presiding. The ambassador was also the special guest at the pack's annual blue and gold dinner, held at the Messingers' house. The Scouts were invited to sing at an embassy-sponsored Memorial Day service at the British Cemetery and brought flags to decorate the graves of U.S. sailors buried there. And one of the former den leaders arranged a trip to see the "brain" of the embassy—its computers and the main computer control center. Being in another country has presented some challenges as well. Materials in Uruguay, such as wood for building projects, are often very expensive and in limited supply. And when planning their raingutter regatta, the Cub Scouts discovered that Uruguayan homes typically don't have rain gutters. ("We had the regatta in the Messingers' pool instead," Vince Lambert said.) Scouting in Uruguay is popular for the same reasons it is in the United States, Lambert observed. "It emphasizes the things boys like to do," he noted. "Boys need to hang together, and this fills that need with positive things. It gives them a chance to be part of a 'good gang.'" Myklind Messinger said she would like the program to grow strong enough to continue as new diplomatic and military families move to Montevideo. "My goal is to get parents involved who will be here after we all leave," she said. "That's the best way to make sure the pack will continue."

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