Welcome to our April 30th, 2012 Monday Memo

Merit Badge Fair 2012

This was one of the largest UCR Merit Badge Days yet, with over 160 boys participating from around Southern California. The Robotics merit badge was a big hit, where the scouts got a chance to design, build, and program their mobile robots that drove around on the ground. Special thanks go to the UCR IEEE and honor students who helped put on the event, Mt. Rubidoux District’s Crew 2 for running the registration. In terms of sponsorship, special thanks go to ASUCR, Mr. Gordon Bourns, and Mr. Henry Coil.

Save the Date for the Helendade Service to Camp Day!

Plan now to come up to Camp Helendade on Saturday, June 9th for a Service to Camp Day. Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, leaders and parents are invited to attend.

We can use your help to provide some needed service to camp. The primary work for the day are the annual fire mitigation projects which include weed abatement and raking up pine needles around each of the buildings. We'll even provide you lunch!

After signing up, we'll contact you with any special equipment you may need to bring beyond work gloves.

Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate any overnight camping. The water system will not be in operation so we'll ask that you bring drinking water with you.

If you have any questions, please email Program Director Kevin Gustafson    REGISTER BY CLICKING HERE!

International Scouting Committee News

Craig Murray, the newest member of the CIEC International Scouting Committee (ISC) and a Baden-Powell Fellow has been selected by the BSA to be one of the leaders of the BSA contingent to the Ukraine 100th Anniversary Jamboree. 

Craig is available to encourage and work with Scouts of the CIEC to participate in this unique event.  If you would like to be part of the BSA contingent, or want a presentation on the Ukraine Jamboree, please contact Craig at Thehiker@sageventure.com. For presentations generally on international scouting please contact your District Executive, the undersigned or any member of the CIEC ISC.

Mike Goldware, IR & Chair, CIEC International Scouting Committee
 

Mark Your Calendars for a Month of Saving at Your Local Scout Shops

Our Council has two stores to fill your needs. 

Boy Scout Rescued, Treated after Hike

Posted: Thursday, April 26, 2012 8:30 am
Boy Scout Rescued, Treated after Hike By Mary-Justine Lanyon, Editor 

An 11-year-old Boy Scout from Troop 55 on a hike with seven other boys from his troop and four adults fell victim to last Saturday’s heat. The hike is one the Scouts do every other year, Scoutmaster Tim Bloom said. “One young man was not up to the task of a trip everyone else could have easily completed.” Bloom expressed pride in the young men from his troop, saying “they all stayed with him and demonstrated the Scout spirit and the Scout law.” That law, he said, calls for the boys to be loyal, courteous and kind. They did just that, Bloom noted, by sticking with their fellow Scout as he took numerous breaks over the course of the day.

The trail, which the Scouts accessed on the other side of Highway 18 from Daley Canyon Road, had eroded considerably since the last time the boys had hiked on it. “When we realized the trail was not serviceable,” Bloom said, “that was the point of decision.” But armed with a map and compasses, the boys and their leaders decided they were prepared and up for the hike.

The boy’s father—who was one of the four adults on the trip—felt he was up for the task, Bloom said. But it became apparent as the day wore on that the boy was in trouble. “When they got to a waterfall,” Bloom noted, “it took each of the other boys three minutes to get around it. But it took this Scout 90 minutes. Then he took a two-hour break.” By the middle of the afternoon, the Scouts had completed only about one-third of the hike. The decision was made, Bloom said, for the boy’s father and Assistant Scoutmaster Todd Perkins to stay with him while the other seven boys continued on with the other two adults.

Perkins called Bloom, who was not with the group, to apprise him of the situation. At that point, the Scout was exhausted but not yet at the point of heat exhaustion.
A while later, Perkins texted Bloom, saying “you need to come in and get us.”

Using their GPS and compasses, the Scouts had determined their positions, which they relayed to Bloom. The sheriff’s search and rescue team was called in; they made the decision to pick up both groups.

“The five-hour hike had become 10 hours,” Bloom said. “Search and rescue felt there was no point in having them hike anymore. Prudence and good judgment said to take them out.”

Search and rescue first picked up the seven Scouts and two adults, shuttling them by helicopter from their location to a landing zone off Highway 330. Then they went in for Nathan and the two adults, executing a hoist rescue. They were in manzanita and other brush over their heads, disallowing the helicopter to land.

Once Nathan was at the landing zone, paramedics from San Bernardino City Fire checked him out. His vitals signs, Bloom said, indicated he was suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion. “His pulse was high and his blood pressure was low,” the scoutmaster said.

The paramedics gave Nathan oral fluids but no IV was necessary. He was transferred by ambulance to Loma Linda Medical Center, where he was treated and then released at 4 a.m. on Sunday.

CAMPING OUT IN THE BACKYARD
Meanwhile, the rest of the boys were fine but hungry. By the time they left the landing zone, Bloom said, it was 11:30 Saturday night. He took them to Applebee’s to eat and then to his backyard for a night of camping.

The plan had been for him to have met the boys at the bottom of the trail and take them camping in Beaumont. “We didn’t want to disturb the sleep of the other campers,” Bloom said, so he changed their plans.

In the morning the boys made their breakfast. Later on Sunday they cooked the meal they would have made Saturday night. And then they headed for the Mountain Communities Senior Center, where they helped out at the Mountain Meals on Wheels spaghetti dinner. “They bussed tables and washed dishes for four hours,” Bloom said.

Nathan was at the troop’s meeting Monday night, “ready to go again,” Bloom said. He had a good parent debriefing meeting, going over what they can do the next time. “Parents and leaders need to talk about their concerns more before we start an event,” Bloom said. “We need to get a good assessment on every Scout. The boys in Troop 55 call themselves the Mountain Scouts, their leader said. They are always looking for adventure, something Bloom said Nathan was seeking when he transferred to this troop from another.

The message Bloom wants to get out to the community is these boys were prepared, they knew what to do in a difficult situation. The seven other boys, the adults on the hike told Bloom, were calm and showed great skills. “They were serious about making sure Nathan was OK,” Bloom said.

April's Space Derby - Pack 24

Mount Rubidoux Camporee

Mount Rubidoux held its Pioneering themed camporee this weekend in conjunction with its Webelosree and IOLS.  Attendance almost reached 380 including Scouts, Webelos and leaders.  The number surpassed the 256 in 2010 which was one of the district’s largest over last several years.  Activities included 6 competitions for the scout competed in by 26 patrols, two Dutch oven Demos, ax yard for Scouts to earn their “Totem Chip”, a Dutch oven cookoff, OA call outs, IOLS classes, and a full day of Webelos fun.

The competitions were comprised of a Pioneering Model building event, Map and Compass, Tomahawk throwing, Pioneering first aid, a tepee race, and a Leave No Trace experience. I would like to thank the following units for their support: Crews 2 and 90, Troop 8, Troop/Crew 129, Troop 156, and Troop 176.  These units put on a superb set of competitions for the patrols.  Troop 8 also sponsored an adult tomahawk throwing competition in the afternoon which was quite competitive.  They had to go three rounds to narrow down a winner.

The Dutch oven demos showed new Dutch oven cookers some of the in and outs of the art.  Thanks to Dennis Babcock for pulling this together.

Carrie Nelson ran a superb Webelosree that kept these future Scouters busy from sun up to sun down.

Jon Kantola, the district training chair, held an IOLS class that nearly reached 40.  Fantastic job Jon and I look forward to the newly trained leaders bringing their new knowledge back to our troops. The OA called out over 70 new candidates.  Fantastic job!

John Konyn, SM T2 & MtR camporee chair

UPDATE: The New Online Tour and Activity Plan to Go Live May 10th

Initially, the new Online Tour and Activity Plan was to go live on May 1, replacing the old Tour Plan application currently available through MyScouting. Based on feedback received, the National Council is making some additional enhancements that will delay the system being launched until May 10th.

Be sure to complete any tour plans that you're working on. Once the new Tour and Activity Plan goes live, any tour plans that have not been submitted or approved by before May 10th will cease to exist, and unit volunteers must resubmit their trip via the new Tour and Activity Plan application

For more information, you can view the Tour and Activity Plan training video and the Tour and Activity Plan FAQ page. 

White-Water Rafting Open to All at 2013 Jamboree

Despite what you may have heard, anyone who is old enough to go to the jamboree is old enough to go white-water rafting at the jamboree. The New River, in the heart of West Virginia, is pretty perfect for everyone of all abilities, and all people of jamboree age.

The New River has all kinds of fun stuff going for it. Not too big. Not too small. In fact, the rapids are certifiably and by every conceivable measure, just right.

The One Catch
The New River is really big, but it can only hold so many Scouts. That’s just a fact of nature that can’t be avoided. What it means is that, when participants pick their activities, there’s a chance they’ll get white-water rafting if they pick it, but there’s also a chance they won’t

So, if your Scouts and Venturers really want to experience white-water rafting at the jamboree, get them registered now. When it comes time to select their curriculum activities, make sure they make the rafting selection ASAPP! (Which stands for “as soon as paddling-possible,” by the way.)

And keep in mind that the jamboree just happens to be crammed full of fun things to do. No matter what, everyone’s in for the time of their lives at the Summit.

You’re not going to want to miss it—register today. Visit www.bsa-ciec.org/Jamboree today!

Spring Fling 2012

A Messagae From The Chief Scout Executive

Earlier this month, BSA President Rex Tillerson provided an update on the selection process for our next Chief Scout Executive, who will be named in late May. However, there is another important transition taking place within the same time frame. The BSA’s National Executive Board will elect our new president, Wayne Perry, during the National Annual Meeting in Orlando.

During his two-year term as the BSA’s top volunteer, Wayne will lead the National Executive Board with a continued focus on building a sustainable future for the organization. One of his top priorities will be to assist in the transition between me and my successor as Chief Scout Executive.

Wayne is the chief executive officer of Shotgun Creek Investments LLC, a private investment company in Bellevue, Washington. He also serves as a member of the board of directors for the Seattle Mariners baseball team and the board of trustees of the New York University Law School, where he is chair of the Investment Committee.

Wayne has a long history of service as a Scouting volunteer. Wayne’s past Scouting roles include Western Region president and vice president, president of the Chief Seattle Council, district chairman, Explorer Advisor, Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, and merit badge counselor. During his tenure on the National Executive Board, he has served as president-elect, on the Finance Impact, International, Strategic Planning, and Human Resources/Innovation and Research Group committees, and on the BSA National Foundation. Wayne has also served as international commissioner of the BSA and as a member of the World Scout Committee.

Wayne’s Scouting recognitions include the Silver Buffalo Award, Silver Antelope Award, Silver Beaver Award, Scoutmaster Award of Merit, Heroism Award, District Award of Merit, Wood Badge, Scouter’s Key, and World Scouting’s Bronze Wolf. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow.

Wayne and his wife, Christine, are the parents of four Eagle Scout sons: Kevin, Gregory, Douglas, and Justin. In addition, Wayne is a private pilot and an avid outdoorsman.

We are grateful and fortunate for the exceptional leadership Wayne will provide as we transition the BSA’s volunteer leadership and continue to focus on our mission.

Robert J. Mazucca
 

Bob’s Blog: Making a Difference

Troop 1994 in Concord, California, is pretty busy these days practicing its outdoor skills for an upcoming camporee. The Scouts will be competing against other troops to demonstrate how well they work as a team.

What’s unique about these Scouts is that they are all special-needs teens, but they don’t let that stand in their way. Their story was told recently in an article carried by the Contra Costa Times, profiling their accomplishments under the leadership of Scoutmaster David Rowntree and his wife, Sheila, who serves as assistant Scoutmaster.

“Independence—that’s what they learn,” according to one of Troop 1994’s ScoutParents. That’s what guides Troop 1994 in its mission to teach the values of Scouting to these special-needs students.

For the past 19 years, the Rowntrees have led Troop 1994 in the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council, guiding students with a variety of disabilities, including autism, scoliosis, and other developmental or physical challenges. Their wonderful efforts were just recognized by the Mt. Diablo Unified School District in Concord with a “You Make a Difference Award” for their work to better the lives of special education students.

Troop 1994’s success is another example of what we mean by making sure our Scouts are Prepared. For Life.™ Since the Rowntrees started this special-needs troop in 1993, more than a dozen of its members have become Eagle Scouts, including two who now volunteer as assistant Scoutmasters. They have learned the leadership skills that are now helping them mentor other Scouts and give back to their community, which is a terrific testimonial to our mission.

Hats off to David and Sheila Rowntree for their inspiring work to deliver a quality Scouting experience for these great Scouts! I hope units across the country are following their example to accept young people for who they are, and help them fit in.

Bob Mazucca
 

News & Tidbits

• Area 4 Scouters: Please find attached Area 4 Training Events Calendar for 2012. Please share this information with those in your council who can use this schedule. If you have upcoming events that you would like to share with the area members, please forward that information to me. Lyle Mills, Chairman Western Region, Area 4 Training Committee
• Calling all Boating Aficionados: Do you have something planned for May 6th? Is that a no I hear? Well then you are more than welcome to come out to Sail Cove at Lake Perris SRA to enjoy a fun day on the lake with boats, and Sea Scout Ship 195. Come one, come all aged 14-20. When: May 6, 10am-4pm, Where: Lake Perris SRA - Sail Cove. Who: Anyone interested in boating. What will we be doing: Having fun on the water and enjoying a dutch oven lunch. Please RSVP beforehand to Boatswain Kyle Gonering at kgonering@hotmail.com or www.facebook.com/ssschangingtides

Adult Leader Awards

Camp Emerson Availability

Friends Of Scouting Report

Positive Quote
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"The world's favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May."

   ~ Edwin Way Teale
 

Joe Daniszewski Scout Executive/CEO California Inland Empire Council, BSA PO Box 8910 1230 Indiana Court Redlands, CA 92374 909.793.2463, Ext. 120 877.732.1450 909.793.0306 Fax

Monday Memo is from Scout Executive Joe Daniszewski and contains his reflection on what is happening within the Council. The purpose of Monday Memo is to communicate information about the week ahead, to acknowledge the good things happening around the Council and to address specific issues that the Scout Executive wants to bring to your attention. Joe welcomes any comments, suggestions or recommendations on how to make this memo as helpful as possible. If you have something you want publicized in the Monday Memo, please send it to his attention c/o Monday Memo: Joseph.Daniszewski@scouting.org for Monday Memo Archives Click Here