The Scouter Digest Staff

Have a Magical Summer at Goshen’s Webelos Camps

January 26, 2021 by Goshen Scout Reservation

Enter a World of Magical Competition!

Prepare for a world of magic and mischief, as Camps PMI and Ross host the first Magic Olympics in the new world. Join the competition – will you be an Archer using your power to guide your shot? Perhaps a master of tricks and illusion perfecting your skills and Handicraft and Scoutcraft. Come discover these skills and more at Camp this summer!

Unit registration is open for Goshen’s two Webelos camps, Camp PMI and Camp Ross. Join us for a spellbinding summer for rising Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts. Choose a week and save a spot for your Pack! Get more information and save a spot at www.gotogoshen.org.

50th Anniversary Environmental Protection Agency Award

January 25, 2021 by Sara Holtz

Program Term – January 1 to December 31, 2021

The Environmental Protection Agency, as part of a public awareness campaign to celebrate its first 50 years, has partnered with the Boy Scouts of America to create an award for members of troops, crews and ships. This new award will recognize youth who research and learn about the subjects of human health and the environment, as the EPA develops its vision for the next 50 years.

The objective of the EPA award is to combine a variety of disciplines to challenge and educate youth; introduce them to the breadth of the EPA’s involvement in environmental protection and conservation; and encourage them to research, investigate, experiment, demonstrate, survey, and study air pollution, water pollution, solid and hazardous waste, and ocean dumping.

Complete or already have completed* one merit badge from each category:

1. Animal Study (circle badge completed)
a. Animal Science
b. Bird Study
c. Insect Study
d. Mammal Study
e. Reptile and Amphibian Study

2. Outdoor Activity (circle badge completed)
a. Backpacking
b. Camping
c. Canoeing
d. Climbing
e. Fishing
f. Fly-Fishing
g. Gardening
h. Hiking
i. Kayaking
j. Scuba Diving
k. Whitewater
l. Wilderness Survival

3. Earth Science (circle badge completed)
a. Energy
b. Forestry
c. Geology
d. Nature
e. Oceanography
f. Plant Science
g. Soil and Water Conservation
h. Weather

4. Earn the Public Health merit badge.

5. During the 2021 calendar year, participate in an environmental/public health community service project as part of an approved Scouting program totaling at least 6 hours.

* Merit badges may be earned retroactively

Link to the application: https://i9peu1ikn3a16vg4e45rqi17-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/512-09821_EPAAward.pdf

A Better Pool

January 25, 2021 by Ethan T

Ethan T. of Troop 1966 in Fairfax Station, VA, has always been an avid swimmer. In fact, for the past ten years, he has been part of the Sideburn Run Swim Team, which is nearly as long as he had been a Scout. So when Ethan was looking for an Eagle Scout Project, he learned that Sideburn Run’s pool had some overgrown ivy area. While he was inspecting the ivy-covered area, Ethan recalled the times he and his teammates had found the space too small. Ethan began to consider incorporating a way to make the area around the pool more usable while for his teammates while he inspected the ivy. After consulting the board members, he decided he would clean up the ivy and clean up the area so the team could maximize it.

Ethan got to work by writing up a proposal for the pool board. Once they approved his proposal, he created a timeline, yet that timeline got put on hold due to COVID-19. Yet once restrictions were lifted, and Ethan drafted a new plan that followed social distancing rules. Ethan then began to gather the supplies, and he got to work. He found some trouble trying to lead at first. He realized he couldn’t just explain and then do the task to his volunteers; he discovered that he would only do the work. He also felt overwhelmed by the number of questions he would receive, asking if he could assist them. Yet once he figured out how to properly guide his volunteers, Ethan felt like he could handle anything.

After completing this project, Ethan felt he learned a lot about leadership and how to break down a large project into manageable parts. He was proud to have helped his community and later said, “My favorite aspect of this project was seeing all the different tasks coming together. I enjoyed stepping back to see the progress we had made and how all the tasks were coming together. I also enjoyed seeing my plans turn out exactly how I envisioned the project would look in the end. I am looking forward to next season so people can start using the new area. I feel like the swim team can now fully maximize that area during their meets, and members can enjoy the games we made.”

Week 5 – Variety Week!

January 22, 2021 by Mark Bruno

It’s been busy getting back to work and school, so I’m a little late getting this weeks guides posted – I apologize!

There are a variety in the numbers and types of adventures for each rank – This week you’ll see that. Not every rank will have an adventure guide, but you can go back and complete any you have left from earlier or take on an elective adventure.

Lions – King of the Jungle: https://public.3.basecamp.com/p/9c44qdPKSqcJuf1RsvLkHG5B

Tigers – Tiger Bites:
https://public.3.basecamp.com/p/xpZTCnAmZGTn5Po11j8ZT2D2

Wolves – Howling at the Moon:
https://public.3.basecamp.com/p/WsYZeLbvwhNrg5XRowQMp2jW

Bears – Baloo the Builder:
https://public.3.basecamp.com/p/SBE4qnAPr23MSs2W79qdVXui

Webelos – Cast Iron Chef:
https://public.3.basecamp.com/p/GTUEBVAFmaReFNdpgds5xFqF

Let us know on the Facebook page or by the email for the Scouters Digest how these are helping your Pack.

The Importance of Bees

January 22, 2021 by Robbie S

Robbie S. of Troop 2012 in Sterling, Virginia, had taken an interest in his father’s hobby as a beekeeper. Watching him work taught Robbie the importance of bees in the environment. He learned that bees and other pollinators are vital to plant reproduction and biodiversity. While learning more about these pollinators, he also learned that honey bees are at extreme risk of extinction due to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) which is caused by various factors such as pesticides and poor nutrition. Robbie knew that for his Eagle Scout Project he wanted to raise awareness about pollinators and help the local honey bees out with some new bee boxes.

Robbie needed to show his Troop and his community the importance of pollinators to their ecosystem. So he began to research all he could about honey bees, mice, tracheal mites, and other pollinators, and how they help spread pollen. While Robbie was enthused to have found so much information, he was a bit overwhelmed by the amount of it and he had to figure out how to condense it into a slideshow. Once he had completed his slideshow, he recruited some volunteers to begin the process of building bee boxes. They were able to get their hands on a few kits with the help of Robbie’s father and they began their work. After finishing two beehives, Robbie was ready to show his work and spread awareness about pollinators to his community. He explained their importance to biodiversity, and ways they can help on an individual level, such as not using pesticides on your lawn.

Now that he completed his project, Robbie was able to not only learn more about pollinators and how to build bee boxes but how to effectively communicate and organize. There were many steps to this project from emails and agendas to keeping Scouts organized and keeping track of dates which led Robbie to quickly build his communication and organization skills. Even though it was hard work, it was all worth it in the end for Robbie because he was able to spread more awareness about the importance of pollinators.

If you’re interested in learning more about pollinators, you can check out Robbie’s slideshow here!