ISF Meeting

What is the ISF you might ask and how does it relate to scouting. Well the answer is that it is the interamerican Scout Foundation which just recently held its meeting in-conjunction with the BSA National Annual Meeting. Here is the story of how the meeting went and what was accomplished:

Meeting of the Board of the Interamerican Scout Foundation

As has become the custom, the annual meeting of the Board of Directors of the Interamerican Scout Foundation was held in the framework of the national assembly of Boy Scouts of America, on 20 May in Orlando, Florida, in the United States.

The meeting was chaired by Geoffrey Wheatley (Canada), Chairperson of the ISF, and attended by Marshall Hollis (USA), Treasurer; José Antonio Hernández (Mexico), Secretary; and members William Finerty (USA), John Neysmith (Canada), Héctor Robledo (Mexico), Bruce Trefz (USA) and Ricardo Wagner (Guatemala); as well as Ronald Castro, Chairperson of the Interamerican Scout Committee and Gabriel Oldenburg, Acting Regional Director (WSB-IR).

In line with the meeting agenda, the Board heard the report of the Treasurer and took note of the current financial situation, which had been affected by the difficult conditions recently in the global economy. It analysed the options available for promoting the Order of the Condor within the national scout associations of the Interamerican Region, in order to increase the funds that the Foundation administers for enhancing operations in the Region. After reviewing other internal matters, the motion was approved to extend for one year the offices of Chairperson Geoffrey Wheatley, Vice Chairperson Bari Saunders (USA), Secretary José Antonio Hernández, and Treasurer Marshall Hollis.

Here in the Interamerican Region we would like to publicly acknowledge the efforts of Interamerican Scout Foundation Directors to provide financial support for the institutional activities of our Region, and we would like to invite all members of the Order of the Condor to actively help to seek new donors in their respective countries.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

UK Scout Association News

Here is a article from: www.scout.org which talks about who the new head of the United Kingdom Scout Association is, so here is the article:

Bear Grylls appointed new Chief Scout in the UK

On 18th May 2009, The Scout Association announced Bear Grylls’ appointement as the tenth and youngest Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories.

Bear is one of the UK’s great outdoor adventurers; he is also a strong supporter of young people as seen via his work with international children’s charity, Global Angels. As Chief Scout, a position he will hold for five years, Bear will be the volunteer Leader of the largest co-educational youth Movement in the country: Scouting has around half a million Members including some 90,000 adult Leaders.

During his term, Bear aims to inspire more and more adults to volunteer for Scouting and is committed to reinforcing Scouting’s role as the place to offer adventure based activities to young people. Bear’s commitment to massively increasing the number of adult Leaders in the Scout Movement comes at a time when waiting lists to join Scout Groups across the UK remain at an all-time high: currently more than 33,000 young people aged between six and 25 are waiting to join Scouting in the UK.

Previously, as one of the youngest ever climbers to reach the summit of Mt. Everest, Bear is now the youngest person ever to become Chief Scout. He will be invested at a handover ceremony with outgoing Chief Scout Peter Duncan later in the year. Newly appointed Chief Scout Bear Grylls said: “I feel hugely honoured to be asked to take up this role as Chief Scout - it really is a dream come true. I have always loved helping young people live their dreams and to taste real adventure… The Scout Movement is a world-wide force for good and at heart it says that young people have the right to an adventure. And I for one am so proud to be part of that.”

In addition to Bear Grylls being appointed as the new Chief Scout, Wayne Bulpitt has been appointed as the first ever UK Chief Commissioner. This role will strengthen the day-to-day volunteer leadership functions within the Movement. Wayne will focus on managing and leading all volunteers within the Movement and will also be responsible for building relationships with political parties, Association ambassadors, and other charities and organisations.

New UK Chief Commissioner Wayne Bulpitt said: “I am delighted to have been invited to take on the new role and to lead our Movement at such an exciting time. The successes of the last few years mean that we are well placed to capitalise on our external high standing and profile and to fulfill our vision of providing inspiration, personal development and exciting opportunities to increasing numbers of young people. I know that we can only do this through increased support to those volunteers running our sections and units without whom there would be no Scouting. We now have a great opportunity to attract more adults to take on leadership roles in the Movement.”

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

SCENES Guidelines

Here is a great way to get your council involved in becoming a more environmentally friendly organization that actually is willing to take the steps necessary to become conservation minded. I would highly reccomend your council looking into starting a project like this if they are will to broaden the environmental education initiatives.

World Scouting is pleased to announce the launch of new SCENES Guidelines for Scout Centres of Excellence for Nature and Environment as part of the World Scout Environment Programme.

"Scout Centres of Excellence for Nature and the Environment are outstanding examples of Scouting's ongoing commitment to the environment, through protecting natural areas, engaging Scouts through fun and interesting environmental education programmes and demonstrating continuous improvements in environmental management practices. I commend these Scout Centres for their example to Scouting and the wider community of how Scouts can make a positive contribution to the environment.

I would like to encourage our National Scout Organizations to read the SCENES Guidelines and consider if there are potential new SCENES Centres that can be established," recommended Luc Panissod, Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

SCENES Centres have three Key Requirements (and sub-requirements) that must be fulfilled to be considered as a SCENES Centre. The centre must: have a natural area provide environmental education practice environmental management

These three requirements are complimentary and combine to ensure that a SCENES centre has a strong environment focused foundation that has a positive influence on all its operations. Cooperation and support at the local, national and world level is integral to the optimal functioning of SCENES. SCENES is a worldwide initiative of WOSM that is adopted by NSOs and delivered at a local level through Scout centres. A complete list of requirements and the process for becoming a SCENES centre are available from the SCENES Guidelines.

To open the Guidelines, click here.

More Information :

SCENES Centres are supported through the SCENES Network and offers a space for Scouts interested to learn more about SCENES or to share their environmental education and management activities. Registration is available from: www.communityzero.com/scenes

For more information on the current SCENES Centres around the world, please see: www.scout.org/scenes

For further inquiries regarding SCENES, please contact Rod Abson of the World Scout Bureau at: rodabson@scout.org

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

WED

What might you ask is WED well let me give you a hint what is is about it has to do with the world and the environment. So what do you think it is all about.

If you guessed "World Environment Day" you would be corrected. So get out there and do something for the environment on June 5, 2009. On this day of you choose to participate you will be participating in a event that will have projects going on around the world.

Here is the full information release statement from the World Organization of the Scouting Movement:

Your Planet Needs You! Unite to Combat Climate Change on World Environment Day

On the 5th of June Scouts will join in the annual celebrations of World Environment Day, participating in environmental education activities, tree planting projects and community celebrations throughout the world. Scouts are an official partner with the United Nations Environment Programme to celebrate this day, with Luc Panissod, Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, calling on our members to share their activities with the UNEP World Environment Day website. "World Scouting calls all young people, Scouts and non-Scouts, to engage with UNEP on the occasion of World Environment Day. Raising awareness on climate change and working towards achieving better living conditions has increased Scouting's commitment to addressing environmental issues. Youth empowerment is an integral part of World Scouting policy to invite young people to become agents of change"

Already, the World Organization of the Scout Movement have pledged their participation in the global tree planting drive of the Billion Tree Campaign and World Environment Day. Priority countries for tree planting activities by Scouts include Mexico, India, South Africa, Georgia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Hungary, Philippines, Brazil and Australia. Through this initiative the Scouts hope to plant 65,000 trees or more.

Mexico is the official host country for the United Nations World Environment Day (WED) 2009 celebrations and the Scout Association of Mexico are coordinating many activities, workshops and tree planting projects for this event. This will be accompanied by hundreds of other environment initiatives throughout the world to make this a truly global event.

The theme for WED 2009 is 'Your Planet Needs You! Unite to Combat Climate Change.' It reflects the urgency for nations to ‘seal the deal’ at the crucial climate convention meeting in Copenhagen some 180 days later in the year. It also raises a call for everyone to get involved, rethink actions and ways that result in wastage and heavy greenhouse gas emissions, and adopt a greener lifestyle. There are a number of easy-to-use campaign materials which can be downloaded on the website at http://www.unep.org/wed/2009/english/content/downloads.asp.

These include the WED logo, posters and several flash animations including a new feature, the Daily do something Tips. These are useful ideas on how to easily green your daily routine, and promotional materials that you can use on your website or through other publications.

Further, UNEP have started a global online tree-planting campaign for WED on Twitter. UNEP has pledged to plant 100,000 trees for 100,000 followers --or one for every follower if they can achieve more than 100,000-- by World Environment Day, 5 June. This effort supports the Billion Tree Campaign’s goal to plant a total of seven billion trees- one for every person on the planet- by year’s end. UNEP ask that supporters start following at www.twitter.com/UNEPandYou. Add your voice and twitter loudly!

As the WED slogan says, ‘Your Planet Needs You!’ Please register your activity at http://www.unep.org/wed

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

Long time since last post

Sorry it has been so long since my last post but through the summer with everything that is going on it is sometimes hard to keep on the the blog. I just recently started a job with the state parks that has me working 8 hours a day 5 days a week. My hours I really good and I enjoy my job alot. The hardest thing about the job is that my work week is wednesday through sunday which interferes with weekend campouts but other than that it is the perfect fit for me.

My goal through the summer will be four to five posts a week so I can get at least 20 posts each month.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

Arrowmen in Action

Arrowmen in Action: Hitting a Home Run for the Community

What would happen if you could hit a baseball as far as you dreamed?

Brant Taylor could hit a grand slam, and then some.

When Brant was 14, he dreamed of a ball park that would be accessible to everyone, especially those with special needs. Brant’s older brother, Austin, a developmentally disabled 25 year old with mild cerebral palsy, has been part of the Challenger Baseball League in Greensboro, NC, at Pomona Park for years, with Brant watching.

Brant also noticed that the field was in poor shape – the slick gravel infield, the dusty conditions on dry days, and the muddy outfield. The conditions were not good for the athletes, especially with many using walkers or wheelchairs. Brant realized that the league needed a better place to play.

Brant tackled the $200,000 project with ease – approaching the City Parks and Recreation Department, the city council, the Grasshopper’s Minor League Team, and even their national affiliate, the Florida Marlins. After a lot of run-around, and steady determination from Brant, he was able to secure the materials, funding, and labor to build the new field – with a solid rubber infield to make getting around much easier.

It all came together this spring when the field was completed and the first game was played. The true reward for Brant was the atmosphere of the new field and the smiles of the athletes playing on it.

It is fairly safe to say that Brant hit this one out of the ballpark.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

Volunteer ethics

Code Of Ethics For Volunteers
Heart of America Council

As a volunteer, I realize that I am subject to a code of ethics similar to that which binds the professionals in the field in which I work. Like them, I assume certain responsibilities and expect to account for what I do in terms of what I am expected to do. I will keep confidential matters confidential.

I promise to take to my work, an attitude of open mindedness; to be willing to be trained for it; to bring to it interest and attention. I realize that I may have assets that my co-workers may not have and that should use them to enrich the project at which we are working together. I realize also that I may lack assets that my coworkers have, but I will not let this make me feel inadequate, but will endeavor to assist in developing good teamwork.

I plan to find out how I can best serve the activity for which I have volunteered and to offer as much as I am sure I can give, but no more. I realize that I must live up to my promises and, therefore, will be careful that my agreement is so simple and clear that it cannot be misunderstood. I believe that my attitude toward volunteer work should be professional, believe that I have an obligation to my work, and to those who direct it, to my colleagues, and to those for whom it is done, and to the public.

Being eager to contribute all that I can to human betterment, I accept this code of ethics for the volunteer as my code to be followed carefully and cheerfully.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

Its Official

It is finally officially after completing the paperwork hurdle I have finally become a assistant scoutmaster. Becoming a assistant scoutmaster in my Troop is very important for two very different reasons.

The first reason is to be able to continue to serve my Troop in a official leadership position capacity which will allow me to get tenure for my 20 year mark award. This official leadership capacity will also allow me to continue to have direct contact with youth members and the Troop which allows me to give back to my community.

The second reason is because I just recently applied for a 3rd assistant scoutmaster position for the 2011 world scout jamboree. The reason this is important is because I need experience as a ASM before being able to qualiffy as a leader for the jamboree.

This will be the final time I sign as junior assistant scoutmaster.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

Scouts of the World Award Story

© The Guides and Scouts of Finland

Friday 15 May 2009

First Scouts of the World Discovery in Finland

The very first Scouts of the World Discovery in Finland took place in Helsinki from 8 to 11 May 2009, with 23 enthusiastic Rover Scouts from all across the country willing to face our common global challenges in the fields of environment, sustainable development and peace. Most of the participants will complete their SW Award with a Voluntary Service by taking actively part in reforestation, construction and environmental education at a scout camp in Senegal in Summer 2009. A Rover Scout group of four will design their individual SW Voluntary Service projects, too.

The SW Discovery began on the 8 of May as two tents were put up at the beautiful Rastila Camping site, at the coast of the capital city of Helsinki and just 18 minutes from the city centre by the underground - a symbolic step towards a more socially active Scout Movement in Finland. Evening meal ready and done, the participants presented each other the Millennium Development Goals and were challenged to develop a personal feeling towards them by arguing and casting votes.

Saturday - Europe Day - was opened with activities concerning environment followed by a climate change forum prepared by the Climate Expert of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation. After lunch, the participants visited the headquarters of two organisations, now in the fields of development and peace: The Finnish Non-Governmental Development Co-Operation Organisation Platform to the EU, Kehys, and the pacifist organisation The Committee of 100. The experiences were shared together in a vivid discussion before the dinner. The theme of development was deepened and the hope for individual possibilities for changing the world encouraged during the evening activities.

Sunday and sunshine on the National Mothers' Day, it was time for the last but not the least important area of the Scouts of the World Discovery: peace. The participants travelled not only through a Forest of Peace Proverbs but also to the planet Gaia with the Paralleia 5000 space-time capsule. In a role play, they attended the Peoples’ Assembly in search for a better world in a multicultural environment. Before conclusions there was also time for discussing SW Voluntary Service and individual projects –even for picking a bunch of flowers for all the mothers in the world, a Finnish tradition.

On Monday the participants had the possibility to share their newly developed ideas with Finnish Youth Delegates to the United Nations in a youth panel, followed by MDG-related activities. The panel was organised by the International Affairs Committee of the Capital Region District (The Guides and Scouts of Finland) and students from the High School in Munkkiniemi.

The SW Discovery was possible thanks to wonderful ideas provided by the Finnish Youth Co-Operation - Allianssi –network, British Council – Finland and EEDF (Eclaireuses Eclaireurs de France). Several active and selfless individuals helped organising the event.

A participant shared his thoughts on the SW Discovery: "For me, the weekend had the effect I think it was supposed to have - a feeling that I can personally make a difference in the world"

This article was prepared by Tom Henriksson, a Rover Scout in charge of the First Scouts of the World Discovery in Finland. The photo was produced by Mikko Roininen, participant.

For more information on how to obtain the Scouts of the World Award visit: www.scoutsoftheworld.net.

Share your Scouts of the World activities with the World Scout Bureau by emailing Andres Morales, Unit Manager Adolescents & Young Adults.

Visit the Scouts of the World Award Picture Gallery.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

NSJ 2010 Staff Guide

The NSJ 2010 Staff guide is available even after being delayed by almost a month. It has been released for staff. All staff for the 2010 National Scout Jamboree should have read all of the information in the guide at least once before they leave for the jamboree. Preferably people should read the guide in its entirety every other month starting immediately because you are the first line of defense when it comes to questions or concerns from participants, other staff, contingent leaders, or day visitors. You should be the one to know the information.

There is not excuse not to know this information. I am not saying that you have to be able to quote the document but you should be very familiar with it when it comes time for the jamboree. The guide is there to help you do your job to the best of your ability.

For the first time the guide is entirely online in html format but it is also available as is the norm in pdf format for adobe acrobat reader.

Here is the link to the website: click here.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

quote of the week- wisdom

our key to freedom lies in your power to control your thoughts.
- Tim Connor

Wisdom is being true to our inner self - thus bringing harmony and peace
into our lives. It's discovering a new idea or solution that meets everyone's needs.
Wisdom is also honoring people and caring about their rights. It is reflected in
the courtesy with which we treat others. Enjoy the following wisdom.

It is no longer enough to be smart -- all the technological tools in the world add meaning and value only if they enhance our core values, the deepest part of our heart. Acquiring knowledge is no guarantee of practical, useful application. Wisdom implies a mature integration of appropriate knowledge, a seasoned ability to filter the inessential from the essential.

To understand reality is not the same as to know about outward events. It is to perceive the essential nature of things. The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential. But on the other hand, knowledge of an apparently trivial detail quite often makes it possible to see into the depth of things. And so the wise man will seek to acquire the best possible knowledge about events, but always without becoming dependent upon this knowledge. To recognize the significant in the factual is wisdom.

Insight, I believe, refers to the depth of understanding that comes by setting experiences, yours and mine, familiar and exotic, new and old, side by side, learning by letting them speak to one another.

Good people are good because they've come to wisdom through failure. We get very little wisdom from success, you know.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

The Power of the Scout Sign

Here is a short little story about the power of the Scout Sign. Remember the sign is something that people will recognize that, that person has been in scouting whether or not you are in uniform. So here it is.

After having been around scouting for a few years it is not very hard to pick up various habits. Reciting an oath has been one of them. On one occasion, not too long ago, a seasoned veteran of the New York City Police Department was being sworn in at a Grand Jury Proceeding. The officer raised his right hand and swore to tell the truth ...all the time holding his pinkey with the thumb of his righthand in the scout sign. The officer realized it almost immediately but not before the district attorney noticed and commented, " officer, I think you've just increased your credibility a 100 fold with this grand jury". Such is the effect of the scout sign. It has great meaning and symbolism for truth and justice. And so it should!

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

Tustumena District Spring Camporee 2009

Just this weekend my unit attend the 2009 Spring Camporee for Tustumena District of the Great Alaska Council. This event was held at Halibut Campground in anchor point which is about an hour from where our Troop meets, so getting there was not a big challenge. This campground is on the beach near the Cook inlet. We had a huge turn out at the event which suprised me. We end up have 14 youth which is awesome for the small size of our Troop. We divided into our regular patrols instead of having just one big patrol like normal because we had enough participation. I unfortunately did not get to see my Troop's two patrol's go through the events because they needed judges for the various competition. I was assigned to the Ronin Patrol from Unit 555. The Patrol I judge in the competion did a excellent job while completing the task. The competition including starting a fire using natural fire starters which means dead plant material and matches and nothing else. After that they had to boil two cups of water in 10 penny can and then dry a wet paper towel with burning it. After that the patrols had to either demonstrate that each could use a signaling mirror, make a accurate and quick signal from natural materials on the beach, and create smoke signal from the fire they started earlier. After that they were given a first aid scenario. Then the patrols went off to lunch with their units. In my unit both patrols had the option of choosing between hard and soft tacos. After lunch there was a orienteering event and then we a a 3 way tug-o-war competition. Finally after discussing the scores with the other judges we decided that the Kiss Patrol from the Seward Troop came in first and the Cavemen patrol from my unit in Soldotna won second. Later in the evening the host Troop which is Troop 55 invited our Troop to come over for a flag retirement ceremony. Instead of just watching the ceremony like I expected, the Troop ended up getting involved in the ceremony. After that our numbers for our unit dropped significantly for staying over the second night.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

Hapy Mother's Day

I just wanted to wish my mother and all the mothers of the world a Happy Mothers Day.

Hopefully this does of humor will brighten your day.

The Scouter's Wife and the Scout's Mother
(In memory of Nancy Plitt and Judy Simpson, and in honor of all others)

If your laundry routine includes inspecting for red shoulder tabs ... you might be a Scouter's wife or a Scout's mother.

If a dab of Coleman fuel behind each ear is more alluring to your husband than Chanel No. 5 ... you might be a Scouter's wife.

If your laundry routine includes inspecting for blue cards in shirt pockets .. you might be a Scout's mother.

If a Thursday night family dinner consists of Whoppers in the car in the church parking lot .. you might be a Scouter's wife and a Scout's mother.

If you cook a nice pot roast for supper for the Scoutmaster because he came straight from work to a PLC meeting at your house, and then heat up the leftovers for your husband when he gets home, ... you might be a Scouter's wife.

If your only real vacation in 5 years involves driving from Maryland to Philmont with a carload of boys ... you might be a Scouter's wife.

If your husband plans a "night out with the boys", and you know that it will be a night _outdoors_ with boys ... you might be a Scouter's wife.

If your most memorable vacation with your husband was being the only woman in a crew of nine men and boys on the Allagash River in Maine .. you might be a Scouter's wife.

If you spend your honeymoon wearing green shorts and knee socks ... you might be a new Scouter's wife.

If your husband mutters in his sleep about a ticket, and you know we hasn't just caught speeding .. you might be a Scouter's wife.

If you've converted your dining room into an office, and your garage looks like L.L. Bean's attic .. you might be a Scouter's wife.

If your husband's tan line starts just above his knees, and ends three inches below his knees ... you might be a Scouter's wife.

If you have shelves of coffee mugs, and you don't drink coffee ... you might be a Scouter's wife.

If your best china cup has a 1865 Camporee logo on it .. you might be a Scouter's wife.

If your husband has disappeared, and you know you can always find him at Price Club trying to get a deal on #10 cans of peaches for cobbler ... you might be a Scouter's wife.

If you tell your husband you are expecting to hear the pitter-patter of little feet, and he thinks the PLC meeting is at your house tonight ... you might be a Scouter's wife.

If your husband brings home three rolls of red-white-and-blue ribbon to be sewn into Mothers' ribbons, and says "Don't worry, the Court of Honor isn't until tomorrow night and we only need 15 made" .. . and you don't have a sewing machine ... and you get it done ... you might be a Scouter's wife.

If you just _know_ that the sun room will be finished, right after the next Goshen Bears workend ... you might be a Scouter's wife.

If your family car seats 8, even though there are only 4 in your family ... you might be a Scouter's wife.

If the money collected for your memorial is used to but an air compressor for Scout Camp, and everyone thinks that is just right ... you were a Scouter's wife.

If you keep your Mother's ribbon, with the Eagle pin, with you _forever_, .. you were a Scouter's mother.

Copywrite: Chuck & Nancy May, June 1996.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

2 Upcoming Jamborees

The BSA International Division has just released information that it will be sending a BSA to two different international jamborees. The first Jamboree is the Panamerican Jamboree in 2009. The details for this Jamboree is as follows:

Panamerican Jamboree 2009
Have you ever wanted to head south for the holidays? Perhaps to Mexico? The upcoming Panamerican Jamboree – JamPan – will be held during the Christmas holiday period, beginning the afternoon of 26 December 2009, near Toluca, Mexico. Councils are welcome to organize contingents. However, these contingents must be coordinated through the BSA’s International Committee. An individual contingent must be coordinated through a national contingent scheme. Keep International Committee member Bari Saunders (international@scouting.org) informed of your plans, and he will coordinate the logistics with the host country. Bari is serving as the BSA’s contingent leader for JamPan.

New information just released: A troop will be formed to represent the BSA’s International Commissioner. Participants (36 Scouts and four leaders) will be selected from nominations made by IRs. Time is short as this selection process will begin shortly. To make a nomination, please refer to the special mailing being sent to IRs in the near future.

Here is the Information for the 2009 Asia-Pacific Jamboree which is the second event I am talking about:

Asia‐Pacific Jamboree 2009
The international leadership of the BSA recently announced that it will send a patrol to represent it at the upcoming Asia‐Pacific Jamboree beginning 28 December 2009. The eight Scouts and two leaders will be selected from nominations currently on file from IRs. This jamboree is being hosted in the Philippines at well‐known Camp Malachi, which is a full‐service Scout camp that is owned and operated by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP). The cost to participate has been set at $800 per person. The fee includes airfare, patrol camping equipment, contingent luggage, and the jamboree fee. Participants will first meet in the Dallas area before their planned flight to Manila. Kent Clayburn, who serves as chairman of the BSA’s International Committee, stated, “This will be an exciting opportunity for some very lucky members of the BSA. Our Scouts will have an incredible time interacting with Scouts from Asia and around the world. This event will literally be a mini world jamboree.” Note to IRs: The International Committee retains nominations made by you until those nominated ask to be removed or they become too old for a youth position in our exchange programs. New nominations for the files are welcome at any time.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

WSJ 2011 Update 2

Here is some more information regarding the 2011 World Scout Jamboree that is going to be held in Sweden. This update is from the almost monthly BSA International Division Newsletter. This newsletter can be subscribed to by e-mailing the request to International@scouting.org. So here is the update:

World Scout Jamboree 2011
International Commissioner Wayne Perry recently announced that promotional materials for the 2011 World Scout Jamboree (WSJ) will be released during the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA’s) National Annual Meeting in May. This will include the official launch of the BSA’s 2011 WSJ Web site and online registration materials. There will be a special elective held at the National Annual Meeting for International Representatives (IRs). The session will include a presentation about the jamboree site by the jamboree director, special guest Göran Hägerdal. A live demonstration of how to register online will be included in this elective session. All applicants – youth, leaders, and staff (International Service Team members) – will be required to register online. Join us for a jumpstart on this registration process.
National Annual Meeting
Elective at the National Annual Meeting: Sweden in 2011. This elective, presented by BSA’s International Committee, will focus primarily on promotional plans for the 2011 WSJ in Sweden. Meet the BSA’s promotional team and members of the Swedish Scout Association, who will share the most up‐to‐date information regarding site and program preparations. In addition to jamboree plans, learn about other international travel opportunities available for members of your local council.

I just have to include the National Annual Meeting as part of the update because if you are going to the meeting and have the time to slip in the Sweden in 2011 Elective then I would highly suggest that you do so.

I hope to see some of you in Sweden in 2011. I just submitted my Adult Contingent Leader Application for the event and am hoping that Western Region will approve it so I can participate.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

WWSW Answer

The Answer to the WWSW question is that it stands for "World Wide Scouting Web"

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

WWSW

Many of you are probably going to ask what WWSW. Let me first give you some clues to this subject:

1. We have 28 million brothers and sisters all over the world
2. We have more than 200 organizations in this single organization
3. We all share a common oath and law but at the same time it varies from place to place
4. Our headquarters is in Geneava.
   

That is all the clues I am going to give for now. Tomorrow I will give out the answer. Hopefully someone will guess correctly. It probably can't be found on the internet so it is going to require some logic and brain power to solve.

Hope someone gets it, until then good luck.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

Arrowmen in Action

Arrowman In Action: City Councilman and Scout

Jeremy Yamaguchi can juggle. He doesn’t work for the circus, and he probably doesn’t spend much time entertaining kids. But at the age of twenty, Jeremy juggles school, Scouts and his position on the Placentia City Council. “Balancing school, OA and the City Council is a challenge,” he says. “I’ve missed school for the city and the city for Scouts and vice versa.”

But no matter how much is on his plate, Jeremy seems determined to give back to the program that he says helped shape him to be the leader he is today. He currently serves as the Section Chief for W4-S and is an assistant scoutmaster with his local troop in Orange County. “I can attribute the reasons for my success from the character development, life skills and outstanding leadership opportunities that the Scouting program has given me,” says Jeremy.

And it was that character development that led him to run for the Placentia City Council. “The main reason I ran was so that I could give back to my community.” Although Jeremy has caught quite a bit of attention as the youngest elected official in Southern California, he says it’s important to stay humble. “It’s important to remember where you came from,” he says. When it comes to his priorities, he looks to former President Ronald Reagan for advice: “faith, family, hard work and freedom,” is the order he lists them in.

What advice does he have for Scouts looking to go into elected office? “Be humble and stay true to who you are and to your ideals.” Jeremy uses the Power of One to give back to his community. How will you use it?

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08