Robert J. Mazzuca
Chief Scout Executive

High Desert District Pinewood Derby

The winners were 1st Jacob Ford Pack 18, 2nd Chris Shutter Pack 456, and 3rd Ricardo Hall Pack 574.  Other awards were given for the following categories: Peoples Choice- Max Rosenberg P 574, Best Paint - Christian Rhodes P 157, Best in Show - Riley Ford Pack 18, Best Interior - Ethan Blackwood P 574 and Best in Progress - Francisco Trujillo P 157.

We had 16 participants and all of the boys had a great time competing in the District Pinewood Derby.

 

 

Kudos to the Taquitz District Webelos Woods for their "Green" efforts!

Tim Purvis wrote the following:

 I want to draw everyone?s attention to a subtle, but HUGE change that occurred this year for the Tahquitz WW activity.  While probably hardly noticed by our 475 plus Scouts, appreciated and supported heavily by our 105 adult Scouters and Leaders, yet felt immensely by our full kitchen staff, was the fact that not a single piece of Styrofoam product was used or dumped into a trash can to fill our landfills.  I?ve put some conservative numbers together for each of us to ponder for a moment in order for this to have full impact.  In review of my Sysco order on record for the 2008 Tahquitz WW activity, we eliminated the following this past weekend:

1,160 9? Styrofoam Plates eliminated=$112.24
Cups (get a load of this number) 5,220 Styrofoam Cups eliminated=133.45
2,400 Plastic Sporks eliminated=$14.26
600 Plastic Spoons eliminated=$15.57

Money saved by going Green at Emerson for Tahquitz WW 2009=275.52
Landfill spaced conserved by breakdown of Styrofoam product=2,000 years Click Here
Example set for kids=Priceless

Unless you worked in the kitchen, one did not realize the heavy, heavy added burden to manage the collection of trays and flatware to assure that Scouts did not inadvertently dump the silverware into the trash when dumping leftover food product, the oversight of an assembly-line for the collection of flatware into containers of soapy water, the stacking of trays, the collecting of trays needing to be carried back into the kitchen for washing, the washing of trays between the two food service meal servings required for a group this size, the restacking and organizing of flatware to prepare for the following meal service periods.  It added the need for another two to three adult volunteers just for oversight?..and, I would add that it was all worth our effort.  These kids will grow-up knowing that we simply cannot manufacture an oil base product that will take thousands of years to degrade for the simple use of convenience.  My hats off to each of you, but mainly Mr. Nick Radcliffe for making this Council effort and long time bantered-about issue a reality.  Nick Radcliffe did the footwork to assure that Camp Emerson received the ?used? trays and flatware.

 

Tell Us Your Scouting Stories! 

"We invite you to share your Scouting memories and stories with the National Scouting Museum. Please see attached flyer for details.  Also, feel free to distribute these flyers to anyone else that you think might have an interest in this program."  Thank You Gail Mayfield Curator Assistant BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA National Scouting Museum 1329 W. Walnut Hill Ln. Irving, TX. 75038 972-580-2426 or 800-303-3047 http://www.nationalscoutingmuseum.org/

Focusing On Results

As you may know, the BSA National Board Meeting was held in Dallas last week. Randall Stephenson, our national 100th Anniversary Chairman, knew there was one thing he needed to address above all, return on investment. When 2010 draws to a close, what will national and local councils have in return for the time, energy, and money that together we are putting in to the 100th?

We?ve set goals and committed ourselves to measurable outcomes. Through this celebration, we intend to increase membership, build the base of volunteers, re-engage alumni and enhance overall perceptions of Scouting. We have programs and a structure in place to accomplish those things. Now, our challenge is to realize the full potential of this opportunity.

We have a lot to be proud of already:

• 17,000 plus reconnected alumni
• More than 1,200 nominations to the National Hall of Leadership
• 16,000 ribbons already earned through the Year of Celebration program in just six weeks
• 284 Generational Scouting Family stories and more than 10,000 trees slated for 2010 planting
• Nearly 1,600 unique media hits that have left 119 million positive impressions
• More than 90% of local councils with plans in place to couple national celebration programs with a few carefully selected unique local celebration activities.
• Great opportunities on the horizon with the 100th Anniversary coin from the U.S. Mint, an official U.S. Postal Service Stamp, a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade, a Grand Centennial Parade on July 25^th in Washington, DC, and much more!

But let?s remember, this is about growing and strengthening Scouting in every community of America. The 100th Anniversary is a critical channel to help local councils achieve meaningful outcomes. It will take a focused effort on all our parts to realize the full potential of this celebration.

Think of this as an important and critical campaign to which you are fully committed. Each of us can be an ambassador. Each of us has unique opportunities to deliver a call to action to volunteers and staff?through personal connections, businesses, involvement with Scouting at the local level. Register as an alumnus through BSA Alumni Connection. Participate in the eight national engagement programs. Spread the word.

The next time our national board will convene is right around February 8, 2010 ? the date the Boy Scouts of America officially marks 100 years. But the focus will not be on the past. Instead, we?ll look forward. Because through this effort, we?re laying a foundation for Scouting?s next century of service.

Palm Desert - Sunrise Gold Cart Parade 

Kudos to Troop 131 of Sunrise District. They won the second place award in the Judge's Trophy category in the Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade.

News & Tidbits