News Briefs
BSA invites its youth members to enter 100th Anniversary Logo Contest
In 2010 the Boy Scouts of America will stage a spectacular yearlong birthday party celebrating 100 years of service to the youth of the nation. By entering the 100th Anniversary Logo Contest, registered BSA youth members have an opportunity to be a special part of this historical occasion.
The national competition aims to find the perfect design of a logo for the BSA’s 100th anniversary celebration. Winning designs will be used throughout the celebration.
The contest is open only to registered youth members of the BSA. Full details can be found on the BSA Web site at www.scouting.org/100years.
Entries can be submitted through Nov. 30, 2007, by mail or electronically through the Web site. Judging will be in December with winners announced in January 2008.
‘MyScouting’ debuts on Internet
The BSA’s new MyScouting portal provides an Internet gateway to a variety of programs and services for volunteer Scout leaders.
The program was launched in August as a joint project of the BSA Information Systems Division and Custom Communication Division, located at the national office in Irving, Tex.
MyScouting replaces the BSA online learning center with a new state-of-the-art e-learning center available to all BSA members. The portal is reached by going to the www.scouting.org home page and clicking on the MyScouting link.
“MyScouting is now the portal for all our online training programs,” said CCD director and associate publisher in the Magazine Division Jim Wilson, “and it will be necessary for each user to set up a new account there, using his or her member number. Members will then have direct access to all their account data, enabling them to update or make corrections at any time.”
The portal integrates several existing online applications including e-learning, unit rechartering, advancement, and more.
Tour permits may also be obtained through MyScouting, speeding up and simplifying the process for adult leaders, who will be able to submit applications in an automated program that provides prompt electronic delivery of approved permits.
“With the launching of the MyScouting portal, we’ll continue to work on additional applications and services to support our members and enhance the Scouting program,” Wilson said. “Our overall goal is to have all councils, districts, and units on MyScouting in the near future.”
-- Bill Sloan
Nascar ‘Angels’ Help a Scoutmaster Get a ‘New’ 1997 Buick
 Scoutmaster James Carter and his wife, Tonya. |
Veteran Scoutmaster James Carter, who serves some of the toughest inner-city neighborhoods in Indianapolis, now has the “newest” 1997 Buick in town—and many of his Scouts have the Auto Mechanics merit badge—thanks to some mechanically adept “angels” from the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (Nascar).
Since May 2004, Carter—whose various troop meeting places have had four drive-by shootings and two murders—has spent up to 40 hours a week working with four troops based in public housing communities. In recognition of his outstanding community service, he was honored as Scoutmaster of the Year by the T-Sun-Ga-Ni District of the Crossroads of America Council.
Then, in July, he received additional recognition when he was chosen by Nascar to have his 10-year-old, 100,000-plus-miles vehicle—which he uses to transport troop members to various activities—repaired and updated.
 A Goodyear mechanic points out the Buick's brake damage to one of Carter's Boy Scouts. |
The Nascar Angels are stars of a syndicated TV show that includes “automotive extreme makeovers” performed by Nascar technicians. The makeover of Carter’s car—new tires and brakes, air conditioning service, body repairs, and painting—was done in late July in connection with Nascar events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (The episode featuring James Carter was slated to air the weekend of Oct. 13 and 14. Check local listings for details.)
The repairs were made and filmed in cooperation with Goodyear Gemini Tire Centers. “[Carter] does so much for children who might not have any other mentor that we wanted to give something back to him,” explained Goodyear regional representative Don Whiteside, who coordinated the event.
Scouts in Carter’s four troops were given an opportunity to participate in the makeover, helping them to qualify for the Auto Mechanics merit badge.
NUMBERS
20 — years the Milwaukee County Council has held a Scouting the Zoo show at the Milwaukee County Zoo. On June 2 and 3, Boy Scouts and Venturers camped overnight, and packs, troops, and crews put on displays about Scouting for the general public. Along with a variety of advancement opportunities, activities during the weekend included a parade; patrol competitions; pinewood derby, raingutter regatta, and Cubmobile races; a Saturday evening show, and Sunday morning pancake breakfast.
$219,830 — donated to local Scout councils in 2006 through www.scoutingfriends.org, the BSA’s online donation Web site, an increase of 110 percent over 2005. Donors specifically designated their contributions to 203 individual councils, a 75 percent increase over the previous year.
JOTA celebrates 50 years
Throughout the weekend of Oct. 19-21, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers can communicate directly with their counterparts in countries around the globe by participating in two events sponsored by the World Organization of the Scout Movement.
• During the 50th annual Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) amateur (ham) radio stations in every corner of the globe will participate; U.S. Scouts will be able to contact their counterparts in 150 countries.
Across the United States, Cub Scout dens and Boy Scout patrols will visit local ham radio operators to make the contacts. In addition, numerous councils and districts will set up special stations to help Scouts and leaders exchange greetings with Scouts from other nations.
“This isn’t just a BSA thing; it’s all over the world,” says Esther Scoggins of the BSA International Division. “It’s been happening every year since 1957, but it’s just as much fun as ever.” JOTA welcomes Scouts, former Scouts, and amateur radio enthusiasts of all ages, Scoggins adds.
• For the Jamboree-on-the-Internet (JOTI), many councils and districts will host events and provide computers to enable Scouts, under the supervision of leaders, to send e-mail messages, visit Scout chat rooms, and exchange audio and video presentations.
Organizers should prepare and register for participation in JOTI by visiting two Web sites: www.joti.org (which includes a list of necessary software, rules for participating, and information on creating a temporary e-mail address); and www.scoutlink.net (which provides a safe and supervised chatting environment).
Participants in both events are urged to share their experiences with the BSA’s International Division.
Get more information — including how to obtain participation certificates and patches from the division — at (972) 580-2401, intnldiv@netbsa.org, or on the BSA Web site at www.scouting.org/international/highlights.
Tips for a Safe Halloween
Three major health and safety agencies offer parents some valuable advice for safer trick-or-treating during Halloween.
• Children should walk on the sidewalk, not in the street; cross only at corners after looking both ways; and walk, not run, from one house to the next, advises the American Red Cross. Reflective-type clothing is recommended, along with reflective tape on bikes and props like brooms and wands.
Routes should be familiar to family members, and an adult or older youth should accompany each group of youngsters. Every group should also carry a flashlight, visit only homes that have porch lights on, and only accept treats at the door rather than go inside.
• Trick-or-treaters should avoid eating treats until they return home where a parent can inspect them, warns the National Safety Council (NSC). Nontoxic, U.S.-approved face makeup is preferable to wearing masks that can obscure the wearer’s vision, the NSC adds.
Younger children should have a slip of paper with their name, address, and telephone number pinned in a pocket in case they get separated from their group.
• When buying costumes, masks, beards, and wigs, look for the words “flame resistant” on the labels, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission emphasizes. To minimize the risk posed by lighted candles and other sources of fire, avoid flimsy costumes with baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.
Motorists, too, should use caution while driving in neighborhoods where trick-or-treaters are making their rounds. Children may dart from between parked cars, notes the NSC, so drivers should enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully. And watch for kids dressed in hard-to-see dark costumes.
“Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment,” adds the Red Cross, “and following some commonsense practices can keep events safer and more fun.”
—Bill Sloan
Illinois Cub Scouts meet the world from the public library
Northeast Illinois Council Cub Scouts from Pack 924, chartered to Northminster Presbyterian Church in Evanston, Ill., participated in the 2006 Jamboree-on-the-Internet by spending several hours meeting and greeting Scouts from such faraway locales as New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Iceland, Mauritius, and Aruba. And they did it all without ever leaving the comfort of the Evanston Public Library.
 Cubmaster Michael DeMar observes as Cub Scouts from Pack 924, Evanston, Ill., communicate online from the public library with Scouts from other countries during the 2006 Jamboree-on-the-Internet. |
Pack 924’s “command center” was the library’s community meeting room, where they were able to connect to the Internet via a free Wi-Fi hot spot and use the library’s Internet browser projection equipment to view satellite images of participating Scouts’ home locations.
Wolf Cub Scout Noah DeMar enjoyed meeting and “talking” with so many Scouts.
“It was fun to find out what Scouts in other countries do,” the Cub Scout explained. “Many of them have the same interests and hobbies as we do, although there were some interesting differences.”
Webelos Scout Daniel LeBien communicated with Scouts from Japan, a country that interests him, by sending and receiving e-mails from Japanese Scouts. He hoped to stay in contact with those Scouts, exchanging information and possibly Scout patches and other memorabilia.
Pack 924’s Cubmaster, Michael DeMar, was already looking forward to the group’s participation in 2007 JOTI.
“Jamboree-on-the-Internet gives our Scouts a unique perspective on the world,” he said.
“They meet kids from countries that perhaps they had never even heard of before, and they communicate with these kids about their Scouting and non-Scouting lives. Hopefully, these early, direct interactions will stick with them and promote greater international understanding.”
Eagle Scout news
• The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) is working with Harris Connect, Inc., a leading alumni search company, on a nationwide project to locate Eagle Scouts.
The association’s goal is to compile a four-volume national directory (one volume for each BSA region), available for sale to Eagle Scouts late in 2008. All information in the directories is subject to the Eagle Scout’s approval. No information on Eagle Scouts younger than 18 will appear.
Since 1912, more than 1.9 million Scouts have earned the Eagle Scout rank; it is estimated that more than a million of them are still alive and may be willing to reconnect with Scouting through service and support.
• From former astronaut Neil Armstrong and onetime basketball star and former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley to the late Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart, and retired Navy Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, also deceased, about 1,700 men have been honored with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award since it was established in 1969.
Presented to individuals at least 25 years after they received their Eagle Scout rank, the Distinguised Eagle Scout Award recognizes fame or eminence in one’s life work as well as having shared one’s talents with the community on a voluntary basis.
Nominations are submitted to NESA from local councils.
October 2007 Table of Contents
Copyright © 2007 by the Boy Scouts of America. All rights thereunder reserved; anything appearing in Scouting magazine or on its Web site may not be reprinted either wholly or in part without written permission. Because of freedom given authors, opinions may not reflect official concurrence.