May-June 1999May-June 1999
Edited by Scott Daniels
Enter Scouting Magazine'sTake Your Camera to Camp Photo Contest |
With a national theme of "Celebrating 90 Years of Strong Values and Leadership," the BSA on Nov. 1 will begin a 12-month celebration of the 90th anniversary of Scouting in America.
Leadership and youth character development were chosen for the theme because
they are more important than ever as our nation enters the 21st century.
In March councils received a 90th Anniversary Implementation Kit and began recruiting leaders, organizing, and planning celebration efforts. Plans will be reviewed at August district roundtables and finalized by the end of September.
The council marketing kits provide suggested program outlines to help incorporate the theme into local events, such as Scouting Anniversary Week, Scout Sabbath/Sunday observances, blue and gold banquets, roundup, camporees, distinguished citizen award and Eagle Scout recognition dinners, and other regular council activities.
The kits also include a variety of publicity support materials, such as sample news releases and print advertisements, to help councils inform local media of the anniversary, its focus on leadership, and the BSA contribution in this and other areas.
On Nov. 1 the national celebration officially begins with the first of three interwoven elements, as described below. Councils will launch local celebrations in early November with kickoff events focusing on BSA involvement in leadership issues.
National support will also be provided by the Supply Division, which is developing T-shirts, patches, mugs, and many other 90th anniversary merchandise items.
In addition, all divisions will incorporate the anniversary theme into Web sites, training, recognition awards, and ceremonies. For example, the Finance Support Division will use the theme in its 2000 National Endowment Tour, and Venturing plans special public service projects for the anniversary.
Two resource companions to the new edition of The Scoutmaster Handbook are now available at Scout shops and BSA Supply distributors.
Troop Program Resources (BSA Supply No. 33588) includes new Scoutmaster Minutes, games, ceremonies, worship services, a glossary of Scouting terms, and copies of forms that are regularly used by leaders.
Three volumes of Troop Program Features [Supply Nos. 33110, 33111, and 33112 (vol. I, II, and III, respectively)], each with 12 monthly programs, contain meeting outlines and a schedule for the suggested monthly activity.
All four items are published in an 8.5-by-11-inch, loose-leaf format so that they can be easily reproduced and fit in the same three-ring binder as The Scoutmaster Handbook.
The BSA's 1999 Outdoor Program Seminar will be held Oct. 6-10 at the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base in Islamorada, which is located halfway between Miami and Key West.
For professional and volunteer Scouters who have outdoor program responsibilities, the seminar offers more than 20 workshops featuring program ideas, management solutions, camp promotion, facilities use, and state-of-the-art outdoor equipment. In addition, one day will be devoted to sailing and enjoying various activities at the sea base.
Keynote speaker is Michael Gurian, author of The Wonder of Boys and A Fine Young Man. Royal Robbins, noted rock-climber and mountaineer, will present a slide show and tell how Scouting has influenced his life. Michael Brandwein, an internationally recognized trainer, will give a presentation on communicating with staff and youth.
The $400 fee ($475 after Aug. 30) includes registration, four nights' lodging in dormitory-style accommodations, and meals. Volunteer Scouters should contact their local council Scout executive for an invitation to attend.
In response to requests from membership, the olive shorts and trousers now have additional pockets as part of the official Scout uniform. As displayed in the BSA Supply Division's 1999 Official Catalog (No. 70-051), the new polyester/cotton/poplin pants are available for youth and male and female adult leaders. (In addition, two styles - cotton and polyester/wool - of shorts and trousers without the additional pockets are available in men's sizes.)
Some other new uniform items in the catalogue include:
The summer camping season is just around the corner - and full of opportunities for great pictures that leaders and youth will want to enter in Scouting magazine's "Take Your Camera to Camp" photo contest.
The contest theme also applies to all other BSA camping experiences, including Tiger Cubs outings, Cub Scout day and resident camp, family camping, Boy Scout summer camp or high adventure treks, and Venturing superactivities.
Entries must be received by Oct. 1, 1999. Winners receive BSA Supply Division gift certificates and have their photographs published in Scouting's March-April 2000 issue and on the magazine's Web site.
So don't forget to take your camera to camp this summer. There may be a winning photograph there waiting to be captured.
Winning pictures will appear in the March-April 2000 issue of Scouting magazine. 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.
Christina Farrell, a member of Venturing Crew 105 in Arcadia, Calif., reigned as Tournament of Roses Parade Queen on New Year's Day in Pasadena. The 17-year-old competed against nearly 800 other young women for the coveted Rose Queen crown.
Christina enjoys Venturing activities, such as hiking and canoeing, and community service projects that include volunteering at local food banks.
She is also a member of the California Scholarship Federation, the National Honor Society, the National Youth Leadership Conference, and her high school marching band and varsity volleyball team.
Christina credits participation in the Venturing program with helping to provide her the confidence needed to enter the Rose Queen competition.
"Not only does [Venturing] give you a great opportunity to do fun things with your friends, but I've gained great teamwork and leadership skills," she adds. "It's amazing that one can have so many wonderful experiences in a single program."
Four feature articles from Scouting magazine were honored in the 1998 Community Action Network Media & Corporate Awards Competition for "coverage of community social problems, including solutions that work to alleviate them."
Receiving certificates of merit in the category for problem-solving projects initiated by an individual or nonprofit group were:
Eagle Scout Andrew Johnson escorts Teri Bollinger, Miss Missouri U.S.A. 1999, during the opening ceremonies of the 1999 Miss U.S.A. Pageant. The BSA's Ozark Trails Council, headquartered in Springfield, Mo., selected 51 lucky Eagle Scouts and 12 alternates from 105 applications to escort the contestants during the January event staged at the Grand Palace in Branson, Mo.
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