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Pacific Crest Post - October 2011
A Scout is Kind
Chairman’s
Message
Bob Chisholm,
Pacific Crest District Chairman
The winding down of summer and the start-up of a new school year is
always an exciting time. By now our Scout units are well into their popcorn
sales. Fundraising merits aside, the popcorn sales are an ideal way for our
youth to develop their salesmanship skills…and an opportunity to see their
community from another perspective. When
you see them, be sure to thank our popcorn Chairs-Julie Barber, Janine Stemper,
and your hard-working unit popcorn kernel for volunteering and putting in the
time and effort to make this program happen!
To the Cub Scout Packs in our District: it is recruitment time!!
Every Cub should talk with a friend or neighbor about what they like
about Cub Scouting and inviting them to their Den or Pack meeting.
There’s plenty to talk about; camping, hiking, pinewood derby, going
on field trips, and doing projects that help the community are just a few of the
many family oriented activities that Cubs are involved in.
Boys learn by doing, and there's no end to the fun things that Cub Scouts
do in their dens, as a pack, and at special events. With activities held at
every level—family, den, and pack—Cub Scouting provides a year-round program
of fun and learning for boys and their families. As a program for the entire
family, Cub Scouting can help families teach their children a wholesome system
of values and beliefs while building and strengthening relationships among
family members. Besides providing a positive place where boys can enjoy safe,
wholesome activities, Cub Scouting focuses on building character, improving
physical fitness, teaching practical skills, developing a spirit of community
service, and contributes to a boy's sense of belonging. Cub Scouting helps
parents and sons grow closer, and your involvement as a parent of a Cub Scout is
vital. It’s great fun to see the
excited new Cub Scouts and the parents that are in a dazed state because their
child told them that "HE HAS TO BE A CUB SCOUT!"
This summer I had an opportunity to volunteer at Mataguay Scout Ranch and
had a good look at the camp. The new tents/platforms look very sharp.
Parker Dining Hall kitchen had a quality menu unlike any I have seen at a
summer camp. The Legacy Campaign
efforts have allowed us to bring in a dredging crew that recently sculpted and
transformed Parker Lake. The lake is indeed a lake again with years of silt
removed; the island I knew as a Scout 40+ years ago has returned. I’m told
there are plans to have the dredge return in the fall to widen out the shoreline
even more. If you didn’t go there this past summer, consider planning a camp
weekend there. If you get there soon, you’ll be in time to see the trees turn
their fall colors. Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts that attend some form of summer
camp experience will have a decided advantage over youth that choose not to
participate in a summertime outdoor program. Scouts attending camp often remark
that they had the opportunity to do something that they had never done before,
made new friends, improved on their decision making skills, and developed a
deeper appreciation and respect for nature.
We are continuously thankful for all the volunteers and the support from
the community which makes the Scouting program so successful here in the east
county. Wherever I go, I continue to be impressed with the efforts of so many
working together to make our community strong, build our future, and such an
enjoyable attractive place to live. The world and times we live in today are
challenging for children and families, and we endeavor to do what we can to make
our children into the adults of tomorrow.It’s not always easy or
straightforward, but always worthwhile and rewarding.Our Scouting program
fosters values for doing your best and helping others, doing the right thing,
taking care of yourself, being self-reliant, learning to stand on your own
as-well-as being part of a team. But most of all, we strive to help each Scout
realize that he can stand up and say “Yes, I Can!”
District Executive Letter
Jeff Young, Pacific Crest District
Executive
Hello Pacific Crest District. Every
Fall, there are a number of things that occur in Scouting that needs all of our
attention. I would like to address
three items: Fall roundup, new leader training and BeAScout.org.
Fall Roundup: The
health of any scout unit is dependant on recruiting.
It is especially important at the Cub Scout level.
New boys (and their parents) who participate in cub scouts go on to boy
scouts. The earlier a boy starts
with cub scouts, the more likely they are to continue to the older programs.
For cub packs, having a good crop of Tigers or Wolves recruited each Fall
help ensure a sufficient critical mass of boys and new parents to lead and
support the program. To help ensure
there are enough boys in your program and an adequate pool of parents to draw
from to be adult leaders, don’t allow roundup time to slip by or be relegated
to a second or third tier priority.
To help ensure your success, I have a few suggestions:
1. Plan ahead.
2. Involve the whole pack in recruiting efforts.
3. Plan several roundup efforts. (sometimes things go wrong.
Have a backup plan(s)).
4. Coordinate with your DE and District Membership Chairman (We can be a BIG
help!)
To order FREE recruiting flyers from the council, click on
this link www.sdicbsa.org/Activities/Roundup
, then fill out the form and email or fax it to me.
Unit leaders, please contact me for help with flyers, school walk-thrus,
roundup planning, and recruitment night assistance.
I can be reached at 619-298-6121 x266 or jeff.young@scouting.org
New Leader training: Getting
new leaders trained is vital to your unit’s program.
Not only does it ensure that the leaders delivering the program to your
boys are doing so according to BSA principles, but helps get those new parents/
leaders engaged quickly. I can think
of few things as frustrating as being asked to do a job and not being given the
training to understand and do the job.
In order to assist those new leaders, all of the basic training courses
are available online. They can be
done at the new leader’s convenience and at their pace. Just go to the council
website www.sdicbsa.org
under the training tab. Then click
on the online classes.
Another fantastic resource is Roundtable.
On the second Thursday at 7 pm, the district conducts trainings on the
coming month’s theme. It is a
useful training where leaders can get ideas and ask questions regarding issues
relevant to their units. New leaders
will especially benefit from attending.
There are a number of resources available to units through the district.
There is no need to struggle on your own.
Help is available for the asking. Don’t
be afraid to take advantage of them.
BeAScout.org: For
those of you who are not aware, there is a new website that National has set up
to help people find scout units to join; it is called www.BeAScout.org
. On this site, interested families
can locate a scout unit in their area via a pin map.
Each pin makes a scout unit. Clicking
on the pin provides them with contact information for that unit.
Very few of the units in Pacific Crest have set up their account.
A few have not because they have had difficulty getting access.
District Executives now have access to the admin feature of these pins.
If you would like help in setting up your unit’s pin, please email me
at jeff.young@scouting.org . Let me
know what information you would like listed and I will get it set up.
Don’t miss out on this useful tool to bring new scouts to your unit.
Keep Popping!
Julie Barber, District Popcorn
Co-Chairman
Pacific Crest District has had a GREAT start on Popcorn Show n Sell!
Popcorn Take Order and Show n Sell began Sept 10th, and will
continue to October 31st. In our first week over $7,000 in popcorn
was sold by units of Pacific Crest.
Exciting news…Scouts can take Credit Cards as payment with the Intuit
Reader available from their kernel. Lots of Scouts are taking advantage of this
new form of payment, as I wonder by Show n Sell Sites I here Scouts saying
“Would you like to buy Popcorn, Debit, Credit, or Cash!”
We have already had to make 3 trips to council for a lot more popcorn.
Units please contact Janine if you want more Ramona Show n Sell Sites
Dates/Times!
Keep Popping with Sells and Orders! If
you have questions or need more Popcorn talk with your unit Kernel or Pacific
Crest Popcorn Kernels, Janine Stemper at janinestemper@cox.net or Julie Barber
at Julie@barberusa.org.
More District Eagles
Bryant Gold, District Eagle Board
Coordinator
At our Eagle Board of Review (EBOR) held Thursday, Aug 28, 2011, Pacific
Crest District welcomed two new Eagle Scouts into our ranks:
Justin Van Bibber of Troop 690 (sponsored by The American Legion, Post 468 in Julian) and Ben Anderson-Parks of Troop 130
(sponsored by First Congregational Church of Ramona).
Justin’s Eagle Service project was planning and executing a "Thank
You" day, for active Service Men and their families at Mataguay Scout
Ranch.
Ben’s Eagle Service project was designing and building a shade
structure at an "In His Steps" recovery home in Ramona.
Thank you to our Eagle Board of Review panel members: Greg Creswell,
Monroe McBride, Tom Andrews, Ken Carr, Wurzel Parsons-Keir, and Chip Rumis.
Congratulations Eagle Scouts Justin and Ben for jobs well done.
Journey to Excellence: A Quality Program
Russ Christensen, District
Commissioner
We have a wonderful new tool for your Pack, Troop, Team or Crew, to help
you create a high-quality program for your Scouts, and to maintain that success
throughout the year.
Journey To Excellence, the new performance recognition program this year,
changes the basic way we measure and recognize success in the Boy Scouts of
America by moving away from the measuring process and moving to measuring
performance. We focus on specific aspects of a great Scouting program, including
Advancement, Member Retention and Growth, having Trained Leaders, Camping and
Outdoor Program, and Service Projects. There are also Committee level aspects,
such as creating an annual budget and reregistering on time.
Achievements are attained by your unit at the Bronze, Silver and Gold
levels, with specific achievement metrics for each. This allows your unit to
plan ahead and strive to achieve program excellence in a predictable way.
You can get the Journey to Excellence Scorecards at http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Commissioners/Journey.aspx. Work with your leaders to assess where you are today,
and be prepared to submit your sheet with your Recharter packet in December.
Pack 692 Excited for Coming Year
Chris Collins, Pack 692 Cubmaster
The Cub Scouts of Pack 692 had a fun and adventurous start to the Scout
Year. It's hard to imagine so much
fun could be packed (no pun inttended) into a few short months.
Besides having fun, the boys worked hard on scout advancements.
It is a pleasure to be part of the pack with so many dedicated Cub Scouts
that work hard and enjoy the activities.
June was a packed (again, no pun inttended) full month of adventure. The
pack had its own campout. Friday night, was a flag retirement ceremony. The boys
learned the importance of 'Old Glory' and what it means to us and how to
properly dispose of old flags. Saturday morning the boys competed in games. The
theme was "Minute to Win it". Saturday night was the advancement
ceremony. I am proud to announce all the boys that advanced.
Wolves: Jake Jilly and Micah Stone
Bears: Cameron Collins, Blake McIntyre, Matthew Purcell and James White
Webelos I: Cody Bailey, Collin Hamilton, Josh Johnson, Sam Hoover, Liam
McGinnis, Jake Malmquist, Bryce Rolling, Mike Smith and Tyler Stone.
I am proud to say our entire pack participated in the June Pacific Crest
District Day Camp.
Also, over the summer we participated in a Padre game followed by
fireworks and a sleepover on the field of Petco. It never gets old watching a
film on the Jumbo-tron at 1 in the morning. We also had a Pack Picnic at Dos
Picos Park where a lot of delicious food was consumed and a fun pool party at
the Purcell’s.
Six Scouts earned their Summertime Pin award by participating in at least
3 events over the summer, one during each month. Congratulations to Cameron
Collins, Matthew Purcell, James White, Joshua Johnson, Mike Smith and Collin
Hamilton.
I can't wait for the adventures that await Pack 692 for the coming year.
New District Members
Bob Chisholm, District Chairman
Welcome to our newest District staff members -
Joy
Stanley – Finance Chair
Joy, a recently retired Federal employee,
settled in Ramona and wanted to do volunteer work to both help out and get to
know her community better. She has lived and traveled all over the country
including living in Alaska for 13 years, and still keeps up the travel but now
it’s just for leisure. Both a member of the Friends of the Ramona Library and
a County Library volunteer, her most favorite job is working at the Library Book
Store redeeming young Reader’s reading achievement coupons for free books! As
the District Finance Chair Joy is supporting both the District and Council's
fundraising activities. If have any questions regarding finance or fundraising,
please contact Joy at jmariestanley@yahoo.com.
John Kordela – Membership Chair
John is our newest District member, coming
to us with 25 years in Scouting leadership experience in both Cub and Boy
Scouts. A Father of two Eagle Scouts, a Naturalist and Native American
specialist serving as a docent for Blue Sky Nature Reserve and served as a
docent and leader for the Kumeyaay Ipain Intereprative Center in Poway and
helped develop their native education and tour program for the Poway School
district. As our District Membership Chair, John’s role is to strengthen and
develop the
District’s membership and help us grow the Scouting program. If have any
questions or in need of assistance regarding membership, please contact John at
john.kordela@gmail.com.
Roundtable’s Prepared
Debra Worthen, District Cub
Roundtable Commissioner
We
had a little test on our scheduled September Roundtable night...Are Cub Scouts
and their families prepared? Do we have what we need to survive future
blackouts? It was also a good time to put into practice the core value for
September, Cooperation, "...the act of working together, united effort or
labor."(definition # 1 in the dictionary)
Core value for October is Responsibility and the Cub Scout way is to
"fulfill our duty to God, country, other people and ourselves." A
Prayer (could be offered at meetings by Cub Scout or Leader)..."We are
thankful for our safety in our home, at school, and as we play. Help us do our
best, be responsible every day, and be good Cub Scouts."
November's core value reminds us to be good citizens, "Contributing
service and showing responsibility to local, state, and national
communities." Citizenship is "the duties, rights, and privileges of a
citizen", which is our every day opportunity. Our challenge as leaders is
to teach this opportunity and assist our Cubbies as they put it into practice.
"Showing regard for the worth of someone or something" is the
meaning for December's core value, Respect. A Cubmaster's Minute could include,
"Like snowflakes, we are all different and unique. We must show respect for
our fellowman. Respect for his beliefs, respect for his belongings, respect for
his privacy, and respect for the ground he walks on and the air he breathes. In
so doing, we show respect for ourselves and secure freedom for all."
Please join us for Roundtable every second Thursday of the month, 7pm, at
527 9th St. December's Roundtable will offer holiday treats. Units are invited
to bring their scrap books, posters, photo albums, etc. Share your Cub Scout
2011 adventures!
See you at Roundtable!
Recharter Time and Planning for Success
Russ Christensen, District
Commissioner
One of the upcoming activities for each Pack and Troop committee should
be in preparing for the rechartering process and evaluating their unit for a
quality program (see Journey to Excellence article on page 3). Each unit
committee should have held an annual planning meeting in the last couple of
months to set up the calendar of events - outings, monthly themes, special
meetings such as Blue and Gold and Courts of Honor. Putting the plan in place
makes delivering a quality program so much easier. Perhaps the most important
message here is to create and use a plan, and to delegate in order to spread the
load and to offer the best Program possible. Recharter packets and training will
be available at the October Roundtable.
As parents we can quickly tell when a particular meeting is successful.
The Scouts are busy interacting, learning, competing, laughing. There is a plan
in place for the meeting, an agenda that guides the meeting activities and not
only defines the specific events of the meeting but also sets the tone for the
meeting - fun opening, focused learning activity, boisterous physical activity,
introspective closing. Similarly, when the Scouts are restless, punching each
other (more than usual), and being disruptive, most often it is because the
meeting is missing some of these key components. It takes a bit of preparation
to set up a meeting for success, and it takes additional planning and
forethought to create a solid program for the year. A unit should have an Annual
Plan, with monthly themes and major events defined well in advance to be able to
prepare for them. Each month should be broken down to weekly plans as the month
draws near so that materials will be available and delegation can happen.
Quality program makes it fun for Scouts and adults alike.
Pack 678’s Fun Summer
Bree Beery, Pack 678 Committee
Chairman
Pack 678 is excited to welcome the many new and
transferring scouts and their families that have joined us over the summer
months!!
Our pack has had a great summer with our Graduation Campout in June,
Scout Night with the Padres in July, our annual participation in the SDCE 4th
of July Parade and our first annual Rain Gutter Regatta in August.
Congratulations to our winners: 1st place Thomas Brackman, 2nd
place Blake Markee and 3rd place Ryan Beery. For taking the summer
“off”, we sure were busy!!
We are starting off the new scout year by adding two new dens, we welcome
Corina McMillen as our new Tiger Leader and Kyle Choate as our second Webelos 1
Leader. We are grateful to ALL our leaders, as they are the back bone to our
program.
We are currently selling popcorn and have many other events planned in
the months to come. These include Scout Night with the Padres, Scout Day at
Bates Nut Farm, Fun with Son at Mataguay, and Trick or Treat Main Street. The
holidays will bring us Wreaths Across America at Fort Rosecrans, Stockings for
our Military and the adoption of a local family for Christmas.
We have hit the ground running and are looking forward to another
productive scouting year. We wish all the packs and troops great success in the
up and coming scouting year!
Who
Am I?
I
live in your community and I'm part of the owl family. Like other members of
this family, I'm nocturnal. Because I'm small, I feed on insects such as moths,
beetles, and grasshoppers and eject pellets of the indigestible parts in the
manner of an owl. At night, you can
hear my distinct call, a mellow “Poor-will!……poor-will!…”
(see page 6 for the answer)
Troop 679 Hawaiian Summer
John Elliott, Troop 679 Asst.
Scoutmaster
It’s
a long way from Ramona to the teakwood deck of the battleship USS Missouri, but
Ramona Boy Scout Troop 679 recently made the journey. The Troop, which is
chartered by the San Diego Country Estates Association, spent the last week of
July attending Boy Scout summer camp at Camp Pupukea on the North Shore of Oahu,
Hawaii. During their visit to the Aloha State, the 15 boys and eight adult
leaders visited Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial, and the USS Missouri,
nicknamed the “Mighty Mo.” They also earned more than 30 merit badges while
at camp, and participated in myriad island adventures from riding sailplanes
over the North Shore to kayaking down Sunset Beach to snorkeling with sea
turtles and swimming beneath Waimea Falls.
Joined by more than 120 other Scouts and adult leaders from the San Diego
area, Troop 679 spent the week at summer camp in the company of a number of
local Hawaiian Troops. This made for some interesting conversations as the boys
from California and Hawaii compared notes on their respective differences and
similarities. The Ramonans were as surprised that their new Hawaiian friends eat
rice with nearly every meal and enjoy snacks of Spam musubi (rice, nori seaweed,
and Spam) as the Hawaiians were that fish tacos are a popular lunch item in
Ramona.
The visit to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial was particularly
important to the Troop. During the past several years Scoutmaster and Ramona
resident, Bill Stevens, has led the Troop in an ongoing service project to
maintain the parade float for the San Diego Chapter of the Pearl Harbor
Survivors Association. Scouts from the Troop march annually in the Fourth of
July parade in Coronado with members of the Association riding aboard the float.
“This part of our summer camp experience in Hawaii was a living history
lesson for the boys,” said Stevens whose own father was a survivor of the
attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. “The boys recognized
a number of members of the San Diego Chapter who appeared in a video on the
survivors that was playing at the museum near the Memorial,” continued
Stevens.
The visit to the USS Missouri, site of the surrender of the Japanese to
General Douglas MacArthur on September 2, 1945, continued the history lesson. On
the last afternoon of their time in Hawaii, the Troop boarded the “Mighty
Mo” in Pearl Harbor for a tour of the ship followed by dinner and a night
spent sleeping in the crew compartments. Now a museum ship open to the public,
the USS Missouri is moored in Pearl Harbor bow-to-bow watching over the sunken
USS Arizona where 1,102 U.S. Sailors and Marines are interred forever.
Troop 679 is very thankful for the support from the community of Ramona.
Their Hawaii summer camp trip would not have been possible without the
fundraising that was accomplished by the annual Boy Scout popcorn sale last year
and a pancake breakfast the Troop held last winter.
Legacy of Values
San Diego-Imperial Council
The
Legacy of Values Campaign to build a new Scout Service Center and make
improvements to Mataguay Scout Ranch is underway. All Scouts and Scout families
are being asked to consider making a one time contriibution to this worthy
cause. 2/3 of this new building will be dedicated space for our members for
leader training, advancement, a scout shop, an eagle courtyard and more.
Among the giving opportunities available is the chance to join with
others to sponsor a Merit Badge Emblem that will be permanently displayed in
both venues following the completion of the campaign. Select available merit
badges of significance to your family, service group, business or community and
designate the recognition of the above, the names of up to 5 individuals or a
memorial or "in honor" of a favorite Scout, Scouter.
Gifts of any size are welcome to the overall campaign and gifts at $1,000
and above will receive a limited Edition Legacy of Values gift boxed coin. Gifts
of $2,500 or more will be recognized on commemorative bricks. All gifts and
donors will be listed in a commemorative book for the Legacy of Values campaign.
The Legacy Campaign offers several ways to make significant gifts,
ranging from cash (immediate or payments over time) to deferred gifts (estate
planning/bequests) or combinations of both. In-kind gifts (i.e. construction
services, phone systems, etc.) will also be necessary to complete our vision and
will also be appropriately recognized. To
find out more call Lori Butler, Development Director @ 619-298-6121 ext. 251 or
see www.legacyofvalues.org
Unit Leader Training
Debra Worthen, Pacific Crest District
If you’re a new Cub Scout Leader, or if you’re an experienced leader
who is taking on a new position, this course is for you!
When: Saturday, November 5
Where: LDS Church in Ramona
Time: 8:30 AM until approx. noon
Cub Scout Leader Specific Training will show you everything you need to
know to get you started; includes all about Cub Scouting, your particular role
and responsibilities, and the resources available to help ensure your success.
Unit Commissioners Available to Help
Russ Christensen, District
Commissioner
Your friendly neighborhood Unit Commissioner is ready to serve! Unit
Commissioners are a bridge between your pack or troop and the district and
council information, resources and activities available. They are there
specifically to help those pesky questions, like “what training do we need?”
and “can we do archery in our back yard?” or “what’s a Tour Permit and
when do I need one?” Unit Commissioners are there to lend a hand on program
guidance, ways and means for your Committee, and to connect you with resources
nearby and down the hill. Contact Russ Christensen to get connected with your
Unit Commissioner.
We have most units covered in our district, but we are always looking for
someone who can help. The ideal Unit Commissioner is a parent who has a son who
has recently bridged into Boy Scouts (Cub Scout Commissioner), or one whose son
has been in Boy Scouts for several years (Boy Scout Commissioner). If you would
like to help out, please let me know and we will get you set up. If you think
you might be interested, take a look at the Unit Commissioner Fast Start at www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Commissioners.aspx for more details.
District Uniform Bank Up & Running
Charlie Tiechert, Jr, District
Committee Member
We
now have scores of freshly washed and folded Cub Scout and Boy Scout uniforms,
shorts, neckerchiefs, yellow den leaders' shirts, etc,etc.
All you have to do is call District Committee Member Charlie Teichert at
760-789-0566 to arrange to look over and take what your unit can use!
Robin Hall of Pack 636 in Warner Springs picked up 17 uniform shirts,
some with shorts, and some other uniform items already for her unit.
There
is no charge of course! These are recycled, excellent condition uniforms
for those in need! Call Charlie if your scout, or unit is in need.
Cub
Scout Leader POW-WOW Day
San
Diego-Imperial Council
Cub crafts, campfires, songs, skits, run-ons, round-ups, recruitment,
ceremonies, whittling, science, Cubmaster for dummies, edible crafts.
At Horizon Christian Academy, 5331 Mt. Alifian Dr, San Diego, Oct. 15 –
8:00 – 4:30 p.m., cost $25, register by Oct. 8, 2011.
Register at www.sdicbsa.org
Borrego’s Units Reflect
Elaine Tulving, Troop 696/Pack 696
Summer Fun for Troop 696
Since the entire troop participated as Little League All Stars most of
July, no camp was scheduled. However, local merit badge counselor, Cathy Paredes,
was on hand for Life Saving in August. Scouts also completed their work on
Citizenship in the Community with a power point presentation about Borrego
Springs from their viewpoint. They were rewarded with rifle shooting at Mataguay
September 10 under the direction of MB Counselor Ron Underwood. A Court of Honor
was held right on Silva Lodge deck Sept 10 with many family and community
members attending to complete the “Community” themed weekend. Sunday
morning, Sept 11, scouts took a brisk hike around Mataguay Ranch with a stop at
the chapel for a 9/11 remembrance reflection time. Now onto completing Star
rank.
Pack 696 Webelos in the Forest
Three Webelos scouts (Daniel, Jacob and James) took advantage of Mataguay
Scout Ranch on a Saturday morning to earn the Forester Activity pin. Two scouts
were able to receive their pin that evening as part of Troop 696’s awards
ceremony. It was a perfect opportunity to introduce Mataguay to the new Webelos
scouts and their parents. Hopefully it will inspire them to participate in
Webelos Woods and future camp at the ranch.
Watch for our Pacific Crest District Facebook page
coming soon!
Who
Am I? from
page 4.
An interesting fact about Poorwills: they can hibernate, surviving in
torpid conditions, without food and with its body temperature lowered almost to
that of its surroundings. This adaptation is unique among birds. It was reported
that one concerned citizen in Ramona brought in a “sick” bird to one of our
local wildlife rescues…only to learn that it was a Poorwill that was
hibernating.
Powerful CEOs Who Got Their Start
As Boy Scouts
Here’s just a sampling of powerful CEOs (all Eagle
Scouts) who got their start in the Boy Scouts.
Rex Tillerson -- CEO of Exxon Mobil and current BSA National President
"I have a lot of terrific memories associated with scouting, probably most
of the high points of my growing up years," Tillerson told the Boy Scouts
of America. "If you look around, there aren't a lot of places where we give
young people those values at those formative years and reinforce them in the way
that the scouting program reinforces by putting them in real life situations
where they have to interact with peers, older children and adults. It's probably
more relative today than ever because as I look out there, there just isn't
another program that exists today that does that."
Hank Paulson -- Former U.S. Treasury Secretary and CEO
of Goldman Sachs
Scouting helped foster Paulson's lifelong interest in wildlife and nature
conservation. He later became chairman of the Nature Conservancy. Under Paulson,
the Conservancy worked with the Boy Scouts and the Maryland Department of
Natural Resources to conserve Scout Camp Nanticoke, a nesting ground for bald
eagles. "I get letters from Eagles who say 'Paulson, would you look at
hiring me at Goldman Sachs?'" he said. "And their having that Eagle
rank is a positive thing. Then I look and see if they've done anything since
becoming an Eagle Scout."
Walter Scott Jr. -- Former CEO of Peter Kiewit and Sons
Scott is a lifelong friend of Warren Buffett's. His foundation donated $25
million to Boy Scouts of America. At a West Virginia Boy Scouts function, Scott
spoke fondly of his experience as a scout: “I believe the lesson Scouts
provided in forming goals and achieving them was a formative experience in my
success in my life -- and it was also just plain fun,” he said. “I enjoyed
the opportunity to learn new things, I enjoyed the camaraderie with my fellow
scouts and I especially enjoyed camping. The love and respect for the outdoors
and our natural environment that scouting instilled in me continues to this
day."
Steven Spielberg -- Founder of Dreamworks
The Boy Scouts got Spielberg
started in film. The young filmmaker
ended up making a western. “My dad's still-camera was broken, so I asked the
Scoutmaster if I could tell a story with my father's movie camera,” Spielberg
told Nickelodeon Magazine. "He said yes, and I got an idea to do a
Western." "I made it and
got my merit badge,” Spielberg later recalled. “That was how it all
started.”
Stephen Bechtel, Jr. -- Co-Owner of the Bechtel
Corporation
In an interview with Forbes, Bechtel attributed much of his success to the Boy
Scouts: "Thinking back on it, I think probably the best thing about it
was the things that I learned in the way of character. Moral character,
work ethic, hard work, decisiveness, and just working on things," he said.
Bechtel's foundation donated $50 million to Boy Scouts of America.
Charles F.
Dolan -- Founder of HBO and Cablevision
Dolan's first foray into media
started when he took photographs of scout activities and sold them to a local
newspaper. The young Dolan then wrote a weekly column on scouting for the paper
for $2/week. He now owns media companies and sports teams.
H. Ross Perot -- Founder of Perot Systems and former
U.S. presidential candidate
The self-made billionaire once
advocated teaching the Boy Scout Oath to children in poor neighborhoods as a
solution to poverty.
Michael Bloomberg -- Mayor of New York City and founder
of Bloomberg LP
When Bloomberg was a child in Medford, Massachusetts, he had to sell Christmas
wreathes to raise the money for Boy Scout camp. He eventually became an Eagle
Scout, and later, a multi-billionaire and the mayor of the largest city in the
United States. In a State of the City speech, he credited the Boy Scouts for
sparking his interest in public service. "Public service is a gift that
most of us have experienced; for me, it began in the Boy Scouts. And in these
tough times, it’s up to us to share that gift even more generously with our
friends and neighbors."
Pacific
Crest District
