Scout Camp The Movie: Trailer

BSA Registration Fee Increase (As if we didn't see this one coming)

BSA Registration Fee Increase

Posted on 13 July 2003 on Scouting News.org

The Executive Board of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America unanimously passed a resolution at its business meeting on May 22, 2009, to increase the traditional membership registration fee for all youth and adults to $15 from its current $10, effective Jan. 1, 2010. The last fee increase — from $7 to $10 — was in 2003.

A great deal of thought and consideration went into this decision by both the Executive Board and the Membership Fee Task Force led by National Commissioner Tico Perez. Consideration was given to an expected deficit to the National Council operating budget, the impact to program and council support, the necessary funding required over the next several years, the cost of implementing fee increases annually in systems and forms, as well as the overall fees paid by councils. Input was sought and received from staff and volunteers at the council level. Finally, given all these considerations, it was determined that the best approach was to increase the fee to the level chosen and make every effort to hold that level for a period of at least three years.

Why is the membership fee being increased, especially now, during such difficult economic times?
The National Council is committed to providing added benefits to local councils and volunteers to support the delivery of high-quality Scouting programs in every community. A key investment continues to be in providing more user-friendly web-based resources. For example, via MyScouting.org, volunteers will be able to complete even more training requirements on their own schedule, 24 hours a day, via online resources. This will complement their current ability to recharter and manage advancement records online, complete and submit tour permits, and participate in the Scouting Community social network, which continues to grow. Also, in the future, new-member registration will be available online.

As good stewards, we strive to keep costs to a minimum. Even with this increase, youth can receive the full benefits of Scouting membership for only $1.25 per month.

The National Executive Board reviewed revenue and expense projections along with the planned initiatives over the next several years, recognizing that the annual registration fee would not meet expenses. The Board decided that the fee could be increased each year or every other year to keep pace with the expected expenditures, or that it could be raised to the level chosen and held in place over the next several years.

Veterans Fight to Keep 75-yr. old Mojave Desert Memorial cross

Thanks To All Of Our Readers....600 visits And Still Rolling

Hard to believe that only months ago when I started this blog it would have been for anyone but our boys. But it has become far more than that. I am so thrilled when I receive comments from readers or requests to use our posts. I work really hard trying to find the most Scout appropriate material for our leaders and boys. To look at the hit counter and see it roll over 600 is awesome both for myself and for our Troop. It means that we are doing our best! Our best to get our young men in an area where they are far more intelligent than we elders......the internet. Yes the great power of the internet. There is the good and the bad as in all of life. We only hoped to make our site not only good but GREAT! Following the values of scouting.

I would feel very honored to know that somewhere some young scout is able to learn, if only one thing or get a laugh and a smile for the day. I would love to believe that all of our boys are looking and reading, learning something new, that is the greatest honor, to teach our youth! That is life. Laughing and learning each and everyday. Thanks to all who read our blog and please keep coming back and keep reading we are honored!

Thanks and God Bless!
Troop 51

Look It's a Copperhead...I Guess Boys

Look it's a Copperhead, no a Rattlesnake..... in a Gartner snake sort of way. Kinda sorta guys the snake part was right but neither of the 2 first descriptions were even close. Here's a link though if you would like to learn about it. And PS guys it was a Gartner snake not a Copperhead but thanks for causing random chaos at the creek. It was really a funny. Especially the part were if it is a Copperhead why in the heck are you standing only a foot away. Hum...well work on that. http://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Garden_Snakes

Scholarships For Scouts

This directory is published by the Boy Scouts of America in cooperation with schools, colleges, and universities to provide Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Explorers with information and aid in obtaining an
education. Requests and applications for scholarships or loans should be directed to the institutions as
indicated in the descriptions.
There is a lot of information available on financial help today. Many libraries have publications, and school
counselors may have knowledge of many scholarships and funds.
Some sources of helpful information follow:
A Guide for Parents and Students. This brochure outlines steps parents and students should be taking in planning financially for education beyond high school. It lists additional sources for information. One free copy is available from The American Legion, Attn: Americanism and Children and Youth Division, P.O.

Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206.

Here is a link to what may be available to your scout:

http://www.etexscouts.com/Scholarship%20Information%20for%20Scouts%20and%20Explorers.pdf

Roosevelt Praises The Boy Scouts

On the 31st anniversary of the incorporation of the Boy Scouts of America, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the organization. ...Enjoy the audio...what an honor......

http://link.history.com/services/link/bcpid1681694255/bclid1716450017/bctid1626108222

This Question Will Be Asked...What Is The Outdoor Code...

The Outdoor Code

Remember this one you will hear it again:
As an American, I will do my best to -
Be clean in my outdoor manners.
I will treat the outdoors as a heritage.I will take care of it for myself and othersI will keep my trash and garbage out of lakes, streams, fields, woods, and roadways.
Be careful with fire.
I will prevent wildfire.I will build my fires only where they are appropriate.When I have finished using a fire, I will make sure it is cold out.I will leave a clean fire ring, or remove all evidence of my fire.
Be considerate in the outdoors.
I will treat public and private property with respect.I will use low-impact methods of hiking and camping.
Be conservation minded
I will learn how to practice good conservation of soil, waters, forests, minerals, grasslands, wildlife, and energy.

I will urge others to do the same.....

Calling All Eagle Scouts...Some Mike Rowe Wisdom

Dirty Jobs Mike Rowe Wrote This Per a Fathers Request:

(Mike Offers a Potential Eagle Scout His Eagle Perspective)

Mike,
I'm not sure where I heard that you are an Eagle Scout, which brings me to my question. Could you PLEASE take a moment & post to my 13 year old son Kelby & encourage him to finish scouting (& anything else that'll help with this?) Reason I'm asking is that he only lacks 1 1/2 - 2 years in reaching Eagle, but some of his buddies have got him to thinking scouting isn't cool at his age. Thanks much, Gary -- scooterdave

Kelby,
Your Dad asked me to drop you a line and say something inspirational that might persuade you to dig down deep and find the determination to make the rank of Eagle Scout. It's a reasonable request, from a father who obviously wants to see his son succeed. But here’s the thing - The Eagle Award is not really meant for people who need to be dragged across the finish line. It’s meant for a select few, and I have no idea if you have the guts to see it through. Statistically, I suspect you do not. Only one out of a hundred Scouts make Eagle, so if you fail, there will be lots of other people with whom you can share excuses. Quitting now might disappoint your Dad, but I doubt that he or anyone else will be overly surprised. Anytime 99 out of 100 people do the same thing, it’s not exactly a shock. I’m not trying to be cute with a bunch of reverse psychology. When I was 15, there was nothing that anyone could have said to me that would have inspired me to do something I didn't want to do, especially a stranger with a TV show. So I’m not going to assume you’re any different, or pretend that I have some influence or insight that you haven’t already heard from a dozen other people who actually know and care about you. I’ll just tell you straight up, that doing something extraordinary can be very lonely, and most people simply aren’t cut out for it. Being an Eagle Scout requires you to be different than most everyone around you, and being different is really, really hard. That’s why the award is called “an accomplishment.”Personally, and for whatever it’s worth, the best decisions I've made in my own life, are those decisions that put me on the outside of being cool. Singing in the Opera, working in home shopping, staring in the school play when the entire football team laughed at me, and especially earning my Eagle, were all choices that required sacrifice, hard work, and delayed gratification. I have no idea if you possess those qualities, or even envy them. But I can tell you for certain, that NOT getting your Eagle, will be one of the easiest things you’ve ever done.Anyway, I have no idea if you would prefer an easy life of predictability and mediocrity, or if have the passion to follow the road less traveled. Only you get to decide that.

Good Luck, Mike

http://blogs.discovery.com/mike_rowe_answers/2008/11/mike-offers-a-p.html

Scout Oath And Law