California Inland Empire Council                      Monday Memo

Welcome to our April 18th, 2011 Monday Memo

Eagle Scout Service Project Highlight

As your Scout Executive, I have the honor to review each and every Eagle Scout application from our council. This Eagle Scout Service Project caught my eye and I wanted to share it with you.

Hello Mr.Daniszewski,

Thank you for the interest in my project. To help give you more information about my project, I have included an exerpt from my Eagle notebook.

Keep in mind, however, that this passage was written BEFORE I actually carried out the project, so it is all written in future tense.

Greenbelt Park is a City Park at 15th Street and Benson Avenue in Upland, CA. It has three softball fields, and is the home field for Upland High School Scots - Softball Team. The fields are used for the Hilltoppers Softball - Recreational Softball League, as well as other amateur softball leagues’ practice fields. There are many softball tournaments conducted at this location, as well.

The bleachers that I will be repairing are used to seat hundreds of softball spectators from many leagues and locales. They have to sit on the bleachers, whose present condition is very dangerous. There are numerous sharp edges, splintered wood, warped wood, and broken cinderblocks. These create an unsafe atmosphere to watch the girls play softball and detract from the beauty of the park and fields. I will repair the bleachers so that nobody incurs injuries from tripping on the broken cinder blocks, getting pinched or splintered by the damaged wood, or getting cut from the rusted, jagged edges of the steel handrails.

Small children and elderly people often are spectators, and are more apt to become injured from the bleachers in their current condition. The elderly are not as sure-footed and risk a fall when climbing the bleachers, as the lowest seats fill up first. This sometimes requires them to bring their own chairs, which can be very heavy and cumbersome. I have witnessed other spectators doing the same thing; bringing their own chairs because the bleachers are too uncomfortable or unsafe to sit on. The young children tend to scale the bleachers too fast, often treating them as if they are another jungle gym, thus increasing their chances of getting injured. I have already spoken with Don Boswell, the president of the Hilltoppers. He informed me that there has recently been some vandalism at Greenbelt Park involving wiring. He mentioned that he fears the aluminum bleachers at the other Greenbelt fields will also become easy targets for vandals and thieves seeking recyclable materials. This is why I have decided to use strong, difficult to steal lumber products to repair the bleachers, which will also preserve the old time history of the park. The wooden bleachers do not get as hot as the metal ones do, which is also a trait I’d like to see preserved.

The bleachers have been there for more than thirty years, and it really shows. If you look at the pictures that are included in this folder, you will see what I am referring to. The bleachers were beautiful and well built, but time and use has deteriorated them to the point that they need to be repaired immediately and extensively.

So as you can see, the primary benefiting organization is the City, an Eagle Project qualified organization, by enhancing the safety and appearance of the bleachers. It will also benefit many in the community. It will benefit the softball community by providing refurbished bleachers that will reduce the risk of injury while restoring the pleasant appearance of the seating to enjoy the game.

If you need anything else, please do not hesitate to ask.

Sincerely, Logan Carichner
Eagle Scout Boy Scout Troop 614, Upland CA

Kudos to Eagle Scout Logan Carichner and his parents, Dave and Barbara. 

Cub Day Camp

Spring Fling - Fall Membership & Popcorn Sale Kickoff!

Join us on Saturday May 21st at Pharaoh's Adventure Park in Redlands to kickoff our Fall Membership Recruiting programs and Popcorn Sale. This free program begins at 9:00 AM. Afterwards enjoy Splash Kingdom and Pharaoh's Adventure Park for a screaming deal of only $10.00 including lunch! Bring the family! Register online at www.BSA-CIEC.org/SpringFling today! Click Here for flyer 

Kudos to over 9,063 Adult Volunteer Leaders in our California Inland Empire Council!
 
Pray for our Scouts in Libya

I’m traveling overseas for a couple of weeks this month, including a stop in the Netherlands for a World Scouting event and to join the TransAtlantic Council for a camporee in Normandy. As I make my way through different countries, I always marvel at how the spirit of Scouting launched by Lord Baden-Powell more than a century ago works its way through so many different cultures to provide service to others.

That mission to serve is especially evident among our Scouts in Libya.

As the NATO air strikes continue and rebel forces battle Moammar Gadhafi’s government troops, Scouts in Libya are being called upon to assume duties that many adults would shudder to think about. According to an April 7 report in The Times, a British newspaper:

“The 3500 boy scouts of the city (Benghazi), most aged between eight and 18, have been cleaning the streets, distributing food and medicine, assisting doctors and orderlies in hospitals, finding homes for refugees, providing first aid to the injured, giving blood, picking vegetables, unloading aid shipments, clearing shrapnel from the airport runway, making meals for the fighters, and even cleaning the rebels' weapons.”

The report goes on to say how some of the older Scouts are also digging graves and washing bodies to prepare them for burial. Their efforts are receiving high praise:

“The scouts have been brilliant. We’re very proud of them. We underestimated our youth,” said Iman Bugaighis, spokeswoman for the Transitional National Council (a political body recently formed by anti-Gaddafi rebels to represent Libya).

Not to diminish what our Scouts do every day, but this is certainly a living environment in stark contrast to what our young people encounter on America’s home soil. It really makes you think about why we should be so grateful to live in a democratic society and land of freedom.

I ask that you please add a prayer for the Scouts in Libya. They are one of the few symbols of consistency left in that war-torn country, and I applaud their dedication and bravery. We should all think of their efforts as we reflect on how we are approaching our mission to serve America’s youth in this second century of Scouting.

Bob Mazucca, Chief Scout Executive

Scout Wire April 14th
 

Top Stories:

Enter Your JTE Service Hours Online at New Site
You can now enter your service hours online at the Journey to Excellence site, as well as find information for first-time users and tips for successful service projects. Read more

Coming to the 2013 Jamboree: Venturing Crews
Beginning in 2013, Venturing members are eligible to participate in the jamboree. Read more

Robotics Merit Badge Launches; Patches to Fly on Shuttle
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• BSA Featured in USA Today’s ‘Saving Childhood’ Series; Tips for Leveraging the Story in Your Area
• Plan a Trip to Northern Expeditions, Northern Tier’s Extreme High Adventure Base
• Jamboree Arena Show Up for Excellence in Live Design Award – Vote Now!
• North Florida Council Fundraiser Takes Participants ‘Over the Edge’

Scouts are You Ready for the Philmont 2012 Challenge?

The California Inland Empire Council is sponsoring three crews of 12 Scouts and leaders for a 12 day trek July 5 - 17, 2012. The cost for the expedition is $740 per person plus transportation costs to and from Cimarron, New Mexico.

The council contingent is open to those Scouts and leaders whose troops, teams or crews do not have another opportunity to participate in their own expedition. Priority will be given to those who have never been to Philmont or who have not attended within two consecutive seasons. Applications will be taken on a first come, first served basis.

Completed applications along with a $100 deposit are due by Friday, May 20, 2011. Please read Philmont's Risk Advisory and Weight for Height Requirements to see if you will be able to qualify to participate.

If you have additional questions, please contact Program Director Kevin Gustafson at (909) 793-2463 ext 139. Philmont Application 

National Scout Jamoboree 2013

Venturing Weekend - Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews (ILSC)

I have got some great news: Our Council ILSC is almost here!!
We will have the shooting range open, a dutch oven cook off, a "party/dance" in the Nature lodge, camping with our crew, CIEC VOA Elections the possibility of the climbig wall open, a movie night, and other things... but there is no doubt that whatever we do we will have fun doing it!
Though i'm sure that it will be even MORE fun if You and even Your crew joined us!! The ILSC is being held on April 29- May 1 and the cost is 35$ per person, you can register as a unit if you'd like and registration is at the Council Office.

If you have ANY questions or would like the flyer email me at a4vp2010@stargazr.us or Click Here for Flyer

Joyce Flores, Western Region Area 4 Venturing Pesident

Temescal District 3rd Annual Golf Classic The Temescal District Golf Committee, George Anasis, Robert Camerota, Joe Fellin, Tracy Teters, Phil Mortenson, Owen McGarry, Karla Hollenbeck, Suzette Romero, and Doug Smith, would like to invite you to the 3rd Annual Golf Tournament being held on Monday, May 9, at Western Hills Country Club in Chino Hills. Registration is $600 and up for a foursome. Registration contact is Joanne Higgins at the Ontario Council Field Office, 909-983-4564. Hope to see you there!!!! Click Here for Registration Flyer or to Register Online.

OA Camping Award

Congratulations to Cahuilla Lodge#127 for being awarded The E. Urner Goodman Award. The award was established in 1969 as a tribute and testimonial to the Order of the Arrow's founder. The purpose of the award is to encourage and challenge Order of the Arrow members and lodges to increase their effectiveness in promoting and increasing Scout camping in each council. Each year, two awards are presented to two outstanding lodges in each region. Congratulations to past immediate Lodge Chief Adam Purvis and his leadership team for this outstanding achievement.

News & Tidbits

• Scout's Honor: Nature is nurtuting "Malcolm Dirton has his head in the clouds. And that's the way he likes it." Read More
• 2011 Tahquitz District Spring Camporee - Huge Sucess in the Snow! Click Here for Game Results 

Friends of Scouting Weekly Report

1st Quarter 2011 P.R.A.Y. Report, Youth Awards

Weekly Camping Report

Camp Emerson Attendance Report

Positive Story & Quote
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The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

On the night of April 18–19, 1775, just hours before the battles of Lexington and Concord, Revere performed his "Midnight Ride". He and William Dawes were instructed by Dr. Joseph Warren to ride from Boston to Lexington to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams of the movements of the British Army, which was beginning a march from Boston to Lexington, ostensibly to arrest Hancock and Adams and seize the weapons stores in Concord.

Listen, my children, and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-Five;
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“Out started six officers, seized my bridle, put their pistols to my breast, ordered me to dismount, which I did. One of them, who appeared to have the command there, and much of a gentleman, asked me where I came from; I told him. He asked what time I left . I told him, he seemed surprised, said ''Sir, may I crave your name?'' I answered ''My name is Revere.”

Have a great Scouting week!
Yours in the Spirit of Scouting,

Joe Daniszewski Scout Executive/CEO California Inland Empire Council, BSA 1230 Indiana Court Redlands, CA 92374 909.793.2463, Ext. 120 877.732.1450 909.793.0306 Fax