The BSA’s National Membership Policy - Update on May 23, 2013

Dear Fellow Scouters:

We appreciate your participation and support of Scouting as we help equip your children with the life skills to become good, strong citizens. Throughout Scouting’s 103 years, our focus has remained the same — to accomplish incredible things for young people and the communities we serve.

During the recent membership policy review process, we have continued to stay focused on that which unites us, reaching and serving young people to help them grow into good, strong citizens. As an integral part of the Scouting family, I want to take a moment to briefly update you about our membership policy.

In February, the Boy Scouts of America embarked on the most comprehensive listening exercise in its history to consider the impact of potential changes to its membership standards policy on the organization and gather perspectives from inside and outside of the Scouting family. This review created an outpouring of feedback from both those who agree with the current policy and those who support a change.

On May 23, following this review, the approximately 1,400 voting members of the Boy Scouts of America’s National Council approved a resolution to remove the restriction denying membership to youth on the basis of sexual orientation alone. The resolution also reinforces that Scouting is a youth program, and any sexual conduct, whether heterosexual or homosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting.

A change to the current membership policy for adult leaders was not under consideration; thus, the policy for adults remains in place. As the National Executive Committee just completed a lengthy review process, there are no plans for further review on this matter.

While people have different opinions about this policy, we can all agree that kids are better off when they are in Scouting. Going forward, our Scouting family will continue to focus on reaching and serving youth in order to help them grow into good, strong citizens.

America’s youth need Scouting, and by focusing on the goals that unite us, we can continue to accomplish incredible things for young people and the communities we serve.

Sincerely,
Wayne Brock
Chief Scout Executive
Boy Scouts of America

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Calling ALL Cub Scouts!!!

How does four days and three nights camping in the wilderness sound? While you are there you can swim, shoot arrows and bb-guns, and complete rank requirements or earn pins or belt loops.  Parents: Join your son in a great adventure at Rancho Alegre Cub Resident Camp from July 21-24. Do some fantastic things during your stay and watch your son grow and mature.

Resident Camp is a once a year opportunity to bond with your son in the outdoors. Cost is only $255 which covers both the Scout and one parent.  See Registration Page for rates for additional adults or a sibling.

For more information, visit our Resident Camp web page.  If you want to come, here are some links to forms you will need.

FORMS

• Cub Scout Resident Camp Brochure Registration Form
• California Permission to Shoot Form
• BSA Medical Form and Talent Release Form
• Campership Form

 

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WANTED - Lifeguard Trainees

Are you a better-than-average swimmer? Have you ever considered that being a Lifeguard is a rewarding and challenging summer employment opportunity? Are you at least 15 years old?. Rancho Alegre has the program for you at our annual Lifeguard Academy from June 24-28. The program is strenuous and challenging. You get to sleep in the dormitories and have meals served to you in our dining hall. There will be classes certifying you in Basic First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer. This program is open to youth (at least 15 years old) and adults; male and females; Scouts and non-Scouts (slightly higher fee). Cost is $300 for all this. Check it out on our webpage; then register online.

 

Ron Walsh Out of Office for Several Months

Ron Walsh, Council Program Director, is now at his home recovering from his second knee surgery in as many months.  He thanks all who have sent greetings and kind thoughts his way during this medical ordeal. If you wish to send Ron get-well wishes, send them to him, c/o Rancho Alegre, 2680 Highway 154, Santa Barbara, CA 93105.

 

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Bryan on Scouting

Here are some recent notices that will make your Scouting information up-to-date as more and more Scout Leaders are subscribing to the blog of the Editor of Scouting Magazine, Bryan Wendell, to obtain up-to-date information on the Scouting world. Bryan recently published these articles which might be of interest to many of our Los Padres Council readers:

• First Look: Major Venturing Changes Coming Next Year.
• Visiting Ours:  Jamboree Visitor Passes Now Available
• 10 Tips for Helping Scouts Balance Fun and Advancement at Summer Camp
• Ask the expert: Can Scouts Earn Service Hours Outside the Troop Setting
• Make Your Life Easier with Next-Gen Troop Program Features 
• Learn How to Work with Scouts from Different Economic Backgrounds
• How to Monitor Your Scouts Spending and Benefit Scouting
• Ask the Expert:  Can a Troop Prevent a Scout from Earning a Merit Badge at a Workshop or Summer Camp?
• The Most and Least-Popular Merit Badges of 2012, and What That Info Tells Us

On that last item about the popularity of merit badges, I tell the Scouts to go for the ones nobody else is going for so that they have something on their sash that makes people take notice and ask questions. Obviously, the most popular merit badges center around the Eagle required. But how about these bottom 20? Bugling, American Business, American Labor, Stamp Collecting, Surveying, Drafting, Landscape Architecture, Journalism, Public Health, Entrepreneurship, Skating, Dog Care, Truck Transportation, American Cultures, Insect Study, Gardening, Model Design, Plant Science, Farm Mechanics, Composite Materials. Go for the bottom!!!

In addition to these articles such as Ask the expert or special offers for Scouts, there are articles and contests with interests for all. To make this blog part of your personal reader go to this url and sign up for some very interesting and informative reading - http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/author/scoutingmagazine/

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LPC Training Trails

We have some great training coming up! Here’s a list with a few comments. See the links on the LPC calendar for more information.

Aug 3 - Trainer’s EDGE: This course is intended for those with good presentations skills and is the second part of the “train the trainer” set of courses. The first part is new, “Fundamentals of Training”, and will be offered on January 11^th.

Aug 5–10 - National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) Mon-Sat: This is the premier leadership training for youth, the counterpart to Wood Badge training for adults, and is highly recommended.

Aug 10–11 - Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS) Sat-Sun: This is a hands-on course for adult Boy Scout leaders, and will prepare you to take scouts through advancement up to the First Class rank.

Aug 10–11 - Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders (OLS-WL) Sat-Sun: This is a hands-on course that is combined with IOLS; Webelos Leaders will receive credit for both OLS-WL and IOLS.

Aug 17 - Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO): Larsen Meadow. Hosted by the South Coast and Cachuma Districts. The course equips Cub Scout adult leaders to carry out outdoor activities, including pack family camping.

Sep 14 - Varsity & Venture Leader Specific Training: This is the classroom training for these adult unit leaders, and is full of helpful tips.

Sep 26–28, Oct 17–19 - Wood Badge: (Thur-Sat) This is the premier leadership training for adult scouters, the counterpart to NYLT training for scouts, and is highly recommended.

Oct 12 - Skills Workshop for Cub Scout Leaders and Parents: Cub Scout Leaders mainly have on-line training (except for BALOO). This is the opportunity for face-to –face training on a variety of topics that will help you work with Cub Scouts. Now is the time to request classes on the topics of your choice, or to volunteer to teach a class, so that we can adjust the program to your needs.

Any questions or requests regarding training? Please contact Brad Ross, the Council Training Chair, at stirmach@verizon.net. We would like to implement High Adventure Training in the council – please contact Brad if you are interested in helping put the courses together and staff the training. It’s great to be a trainer because you are learning along with the participants, and helping them help the scouts.

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Friends of Scouting

We are in the sixth month of the year and we still haven't achieved our Friends of Scouting goal for 2013.  Please help us achieve that goal so that we can properly plan programs for our youth.

This year's theme is "Scouting Builds Future Leaders."

To schedule your FOS presentation at an upcoming Blue-Gold Dinner or Court of Honor, please call your District Executive.

How is your District doing? How much did your unit give to this year's campaign? When will the Appeal be made at my units. These questions and others will be answered by clicking on your District's FOS web page.

Del Norte - Camino Real

Live Oak - Cachuma - South Coast

The statistics on the District FOS pages are prepared by your District Executive. If there is a problem, please let him or her know.

To download a special brochure about FOS, click here. For the special LDS unit FOS brochure, click here.

In addition to any money that you pay to your unit, it takes at least $150 annually to support your Scout and keep our facilities open. FOS makes this all possible. Your donation is tax deductible, and we will work with you if your employer has a matching contributing program.

Please be prepared to give to FOS, or go online at the Council's website and make your pledge.

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Camp French Sustaining Committee

It's not too late to support the drive to keep Camp French open. Contributions may be mailed to the Council Office at 4000 Modoc Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93110, or online the Council's website:  (https://www.doubleknot.com/Registration/CampaignDetail.asp?activitykey=1323401). For years the Council has been operating this camp at a financial loss which is now established to be at $65,000 annually. This is impacting other program areas of the Council's operations. Please make your contribution soon as the Executive Board needs to make a decision soon.

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Cub Scout Day Camps

Three of the Districts plan on holding Cub Scout Day Camp during June this year. Below are the locations and dates.  This year's theme is Galactic Trek. So get your rocket ship fired up and blast over to the site near you. Please click on the link to obtain more information and registration forms.

South Coast District - June 17 - 21 - Bishop Garcia Diego High School, 4000 La Colina Road, Santa Barbara
Camino Real District  - June 24 - 29 - Camp Mable French, Lake Lopez
Del Norte District - - June 17 - 21 - Paso Robles LDS Church (Creston Road)

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New Year Program Kick-offs Scheduled

ATTENTION ALL UNITS!!

IT’S TIME TO START PLANNING YOUR UNIT’S UPCOMING PROGRAM YEAR!

JOIN YOUR DISTRICT FOR THE 2013-2014 PROGRAM KICKOFF!

FREE – Program Planning Packets for Each Attending Unit!

Prizes! Fun! Fellowship! Fun! Up to Date Resources! Fun!

Interactive Information Booths on Training, Camping, Advancement, Unit Fundraising, Activities, and Finance!  You will be able to pick up your unit’s free copies of the following: program helps; pocket calendars; training dates; membership materials; district calendar; and information on upcoming council/district activities and events for the coming year.

The Los Padres Council will be holding Annual Program Kick-Off meetings in each district. This is a very special event that all Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Advisors, and Committee Chairs should plan on attending. Items to be covered at the event include upcoming activities and events, program planning, 2013-2014 calendars, and much more! All brought to you by Friends of Scouting donations! The calendar for next year can be viewed on the Council website. Calendar

Please take the time to attend this event. If your unit leader cannot attend please send a representative on your unit's behalf. A light dinner will be provided for $5 each person!

So, Join Your District for the Fun Beginning at 6:00 P.M. at the Site Listed Below.

DEL NORTE DISTRICT
WHEN:  Thursday, June 6, 2013
WHERE:   Atascadero Scout Hut
Hot Dogs, Chips, Drink Meal available for $5.00
RSVP TO:  Jillian Shumate; jishumat@bsamail.org

CAMINO REAL DISTRICT
HELD:  Thursday, May 22, 2013
TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT YOU MISSED:  Jillian Shumate; jishumat@bsamail.org

LIVE OAK DISTRICT
WHEN:  Thursday, June 20, 2013
WHERE:  Santa Maria LDS Stake Center, 908 E. Sierra Madre, Santa Maria
RSVP TO:  Angel Ortega; angorteg@bsamail.org

CACHUMA DISTRICT
WHEN:  Tuesday, June 4, 2013
WHERE:  Mother Hubbard’s, 373 Avenue of the Flags, Buellton
RSVP TO:  Justin Jepsen; jjepsen@bsamail.org

SOUTH COAST DISTRICT
HELD:  Thursday, May 9, 2013
TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT YOU MISSED:  Andrew Royster; aroyster@bsamail.org

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Scouts in the News

This new feature of your newsletter features the outstanding achievements of our Scouts as reported in local press.  Please send your articles to the webmaster at RanchoAlegre@cox.net. 

• Congratulations to Daniel Giordani, an Eagle Scout from Troop 4 in Goleta, who was recently named the Santa Barbara Special Olympics Youth Volunteer of the Year.  Several years ago Daniel did his Eagle project for Special Olympics and he has continued his involvement ever since.
• Congratulations to all the Scouts who have graduated high school this year, many of whom have earned scholarships and awards for their achievements. 
• It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Don Stillman, a long-time Scouter and educator.  Don was responsible for many of the intricate woodcarving signs at Rancho Alegre and he has been the driving force behind the xeroscape garden.  Services will be at First United Methodist Church (SB) at 1 pm on Friday, June 7th. 
• Also, with great sadness, we report the death on May 19th of Howard Mankins, a long-time political leader and Scouter in Arroyo Grande.  As a Mayor of Arroyo Grande and a County Supervisor, Howard helped Scouting with the lease and growth of Camp French. 

 

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Order of the Arrow

The OA's first 2013 ordeal was held May 17-19 at Rancho Alegre. Fifty-four new Brothers were inducted as Ordeal Members, and 10 Brothers advanced to the Brotherhood rank.  Among the camp improvements made during the weekend were installation of three telephone-type poles for new elements in the Low COPE Course, brush clearance, new roofs on several of the kybos, repair and painting of picnic tables, and trail maintenance.  The next Ordeal will be on August 16-18 at Camp French.  Register today to attend the Summer Ordeal.

Have you paid your 2013 Dues yet? Still only $15. Click here to go online for a form or make the payment.

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Rancho Alegre Summer Camp Registration Opened April 1st

Rancho Alegre Boy Scout Summer Camp Merit Badge and Program Registration opened up on April 1st as promised. It was amazing to see all the registrations come pouring in during that first week. Advance registration is essential if you want Scouts to get their first choice in program selection. Advance registration of classes allows the camp to plan by adding additional sessions of a program where possible and to order the correct number of supplies for each program area. If your unit is attending Rancho Alegre this summer, get your registrations in now (this is good advice for any camp you may be attending). To get registration forms and schedules from the Council website, click here.

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Schedule the Date

Summer Camp and Programs - Check out our different Summer Camps and Training Activities coming up later this year. Click here to go our camp web page for any of these events.

• Lifeguard Academy - June 24-28
• Staff Training Week - June 30 - July 6
• Boy Scout Camp (Traditional) - July 7 - 13
  • Applications now being accepted for Provisional Scouts and Day Campers
• Boy Scout Camp (LDS) - July 15-20
  • Venturing Days (LDS) - July18-20
  • Cub Scout/Primary Day (LDS) - July 19
• Cub Scout Resident Camp - July 21-24

National Youth Leadership Training - August 5 - 10 at Rancho Alegre (coed course). Applications for participants are now being accepted. For more information and to enroll your youth leadership, click here.

Woodbadge - September 26-28 and October 17-19. The first weekend is at Rancho Alegre; the second is at Camp Three Falls in this course hosted by Los Padres and Ventura County Councils. Woodbadge is the ultimate Scout training leadership program. Fee is $240 if paid in full at least 30 days prior to the start of the sessions.

Below you will find a list of some upcoming Council-wide events for Los Padres Council. To register and/or pay for any of these events, click on the line and it will take you directly to the registration page. Included in the calendar are major civic and religious activity dates as well as dates of college testing for college students. This enables units to plan activities around these events. For events beyond the last date, click on the link to the calendar.

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• NYLT Staff Development: 6/7/2013 - 6/8/2013
• ACT Test Administered (info): 6/8/2013
• Council Commissioner Cabinet Meeting: 6/11/2013 7 PM - 6/11/2013 8:30 PM
• Flag Day: 6/14/2013
• Fathers Day: 6/16/2013
• President's Cabinet Meeting: 6/18/2013 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
• NYLT Staff Development: 6/21/2013 - 6/22/2013
• Lifeguard Academy: 6/24/2013 8 AM - 6/28/2013 5:30 PM
• Summer Camp Staff Training Week: 6/30/2013 9 AM - 7/5/2013 4:30 PM
• Independence Day Holiday: 7/4/2013
• Rancho Alegre Summer Camp - Week 1 - Traditional Scout Camp Week: 7/7/2013 1 PM - 7/13/2013 9:45 AM
• Ramadam (Muslim): 7/9/2013
• OA Rededication and Fellowship at Summer Camp: 7/9/2013 5:30 PM - 7/9/2013 9 PM
• National Jamboree 2013: 7/15/2013 8 AM - 7/24/2013
• Rancho Alegre Summer Camp - Week 2 - LDS Camp Week: 7/15/2013 8:30 AM - 7/20/2013 3 PM
• OA Night at Rancho Alegre: 7/16/2013 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
• Executive Board Meeting: 7/16/2013 7 PM - 7/16/2013 8:30 PM
• LDS Venturing and Varsity Days: 7/18/2013 - 7/20/2013
• LDS Cub Scout Day: 7/19/2013 - 7/20/2013
• Cub Scout Resident Overnight Camp: 7/21/2013 1 PM - 7/24/2013 10:30 AM
• NYLT Development and Set-up: 8/2/2013 - 8/4/2013
• Trainers' Edge Course: 8/3/2013 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
• National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT): 8/5/2013 8:30 AM - 8/10/2013 6 PM
• Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders: 8/10/2013 8 AM - 8/11/2013 5:30 PM
• Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS): 8/10/2013 5:30 PM - 8/11/2013 6 PM
• Council Commissioner Cabinet Meeting: 8/13/2013 7 PM - 8/13/2013 8:30 PM
• Order of the Arrow Summer Ordeal: 8/16/2013 6 PM - 8/18/2013 9:30 AM
• Basic Adult Outdoor Orientation for Cub Leaders (BALOO): 8/17/2013 8 AM - 6 PM
• Popcorn Show and Sale Orders Due Online: 8/20/2013
• Executive Committee Meeting: 8/20/2013 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
• President's Cabinet Meeting: 8/20/2013 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
• District Operations Meeting: 8/22/2013 7 PM - 8/22/2013 8:30 PM

To find out about upcoming Scouting events, log on to the Council website at www.lpcbsa.org. 

This newsletter to our valued Scouters in the Los Padres Council is issued twice monthly on or about the 1st and 15th of each month. Deadline for articles is four days prior. Send all articles, pictures, etc. to the webmaster at RanchoAlegre@cox.net.