Direct Service E-mail News

NEW CHIEF SCOUT EXECUTIVE IS ANNOUNCED

On September 1, 2007, Bob Mazzuca became the Boy Scouts of America's next Chief Scout Executive. He is the 11th Chief Scout Executive since 1911, when James E. West first served in the position. Mr. Mazzuca is an Eagle Scout. He received a bachelor of arts in history from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California.

"The BSA teaches American youth what I believe they need most--character and integrity," Mazzuca said. "Our oath teaches a dedication to duty, God, country, others, and self. The Scout Law describes how to live lives of honor. Our goal is to positively impact the future by preparing young Americans to become exceptional adults, by cultivating a sense of community, family, ambition, leadership, and priority, and to live lives that make the world a better place. Scouting is more than what we do; it's who we are--and what we will be."

"As we prepare to celebrate 100 years of the BSA and look to Scouting in the next millennium, the state of Scouting is strong. Scouting has never been better financed, both locally and nationally. We have exceptional volunteer leadership and an outstanding five-year strategic plan," Mazzuca said. "But we cannot rest on our rich heritage and history; we must embrace the future by looking within to determine where we are as an organization and as individuals. We will continue to reach out to our millions of alumni and to rapidly growing and dynamic segments of our population.

"I believe that the BSA can guide today's diverse youth into adulthood through mentoring and individual attention. Scouting teaches values, leadership, and character that help shape a better future for every young person in our country," Mazzuca said.

A List of Past Chief Scout Executives:

DIRECT SERVICE'S EAGLE NEST

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable from the Boy Scouts of America. The fact that a boy is an Eagle Scout has always carried with it a special significance, not only in Scouting, but also as he enters higher education, his chosen profession, and community service. The award is a performance-based achievement whose standards have been well maintained over the years. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 1.8 million young men. Not every boy who joins a Boy Scout troop earns the Eagle Scout rank; only about 7 percent of Direct Service Boy Scouts do so.

We are honored to recognize the following Scouts who have earned the rank of Eagle since our last newsletter.

NEW EFFORT TO LOG YOUR SERVICE HOURS

Good Turn for America is a national call to service by the Boy Scouts of America. It will help provide adequate food and shelter and to foster good health habits in our nation.

Since the BSA's inception in 1910, members have learned to live the principles of the Scout Oath and Law through community services and "helping other people at all times." With that history in mind, the BSA has developed a service initiative Good Turn for America.

What began with a singular act of service on a foggy London night quickly evolved into daily Good Turns and then into more encompassing national initiatives. These have included selling war bonds, collecting rubber and scrap metal, growing victory gardens during World War II, and more recently, Scouting for Food.

Packs, troops, and crews should report their service projects, including Eagle Scout service projects, at www.goodturnforamerica.org. For more information on how to do this, contact Terry Meyers at tmeyers@netbsa.org.

LOGO DESIGN CONTEST FOR BSA'S 100TH

The Boy Scouts of America will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2010. As part of the celebration, BSA is holding a contest to design the logo for the festivities. All registered youth members of the Boy Scouts of America are eligible to send in entries through the mail, or electronically through a special Web site until November 30, 2007. Judging will take place in December, and winners will be announced in early January 2008. Starting in September, you will find all of the details on the 100th Anniversary Web site, www.scouting.org/100years. This includes the downloadable logo contest information form. Good luck!

ONE WORLD ONE PROMISE, THE 21ST WORLD SCOUT JAMBOREE

With a theme of 2007: One World One Promise, the 21st World Scout Jamboree was held this summer at Hyland's Park in Chelmsford, England. Over 40,000 Scouts and Venturers from 156 countries participated in the 12-day event which celebrated 100 years of world Scouting. More than 3,200 Scouts, Venturers, leaders, and staff, including seven from Direct Service, represented the Boy Scouts of America.

BSA participants from the Northeast and Southern regions arrived in London on July 24 for three days of touring before heading to the jamboree. Highlights included Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, British Museum, a private charter boat trip along the River Thames, and much more. On July 27, the group departed for Chelmsford and the jamboree. The remaining two regions traveled directly to the jamboree site and participated in the same tour after the jamboree ended.

Direct Service Scouts in attendance were:
Christopher Behringer - Troop 253 & Crew 2253, Saudi Arabia
James Benson - Troop 707, Hong Kong
Joshua Benson - Troop 707, Hong Kong
Peter Chiknas - Troop 1, Hong Kong
William Drewes - Lone Scout, Costa Rica
Warren Edwards - Troop 253 & Crew 2253, Saudi Arabia
Shahmeer Narsi - Lone Scout, Canada

RELAUNCH OF BOYS' LIFE WEB SITE

There is exciting news at Boys' Life magazine: They have relaunched their flagship Web site, www.boyslife.org, into the premier site for fun and information. It is full of Scouting information and advancement help, gear buyer's guides, tons of how-to projects, and games for youth of all ages. And with Cub Corner, >I has created a special site dedicated for Cub Scouts. Why not visit the Boys' Life Web site today?

JAMBOREE-ON-THE-AIR and JAMBOREE-ON-THE-INTERNET

Jamboree-on-the-Air, or JOTA , is an annual Scouting and amateur radio event sponsored by the World Scout Bureau of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Thousands of amateur radio stations around the world participate. If the conditions are right, it is common to contact a hundred Scouting countries during the weekend.

Marking the event's golden jubilee, this year's JOTA will have the theme, "50 Hours Around the globe." In 50 hours, Scouts can travel around the Globe. The 50th JOTA will run from 10 p.m., October 19, to midnight, October 21, local time. The International Division of the Boy Scouts of America has Jamboree-on-the-Air Fact Sheets, special edition 50th anniversary patches, and pocket cards available. For more information go to: http://www.scouting.org/international/highlights/22-218.html

Jamboree-on-the-Internet, or JOTI, will be held on the same weekend but will begin on Saturday, October 20, at 0001 hours local time and end Sunday, October 21, 2007 at 2359 hours local time. As with JOTA, Jamboree-on-the-Internet is sponsored by the World Scout Bureau of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. The event utilizes computers and the Internet. The International Division of the Boy Scouts of America has Jamboree-on-the-Internet Fact Sheets, patches, and pocket cards available. For more information go to: http://www.scouting.org/international/highlights/22-883.html

RECRUIT A SCOUT - EARN A SPECIAL PATCH

Fall is here, and along with it a new year of Scouting. Is your troop, pack, or crew making plans for recruiting new members? Why not introduce yourself to families moving into your area and encourage them to get their sons involved in your Scouting program. Boys ages 7-10 can learn more about Cub Scouting at www.joincubscouting.org. Boys ages 11-18 can visit www.thescoutzone.org to learn more about Boy Scouts. What about those bridging Webelos Scouts; have you invited them to join your troop? Boys and Girls ages 14-20 can learn more about Venturing at www.scouting.org/venturing.

To help with recruitment, any Scout or adult who gets a new youth to join your pack, troop, or crew will earn a specially designed "recruiter patch." Patches are free of charge. Be sure to indicate which applicants were recruited by a member of your troop and I'll include those patches when I return their membership cards.

WELCOME NEW UNITS

Join us in welcoming the following new units to Direct Service's family:

BOY SCOUT REQUIREMENTS NOW ONLINE

Requirements for Boy Scouts, including rank requirements, merit badge requirements, peripheral awards, alternate requirements for disabled Scouts, and other policies related to the advancement and awards programs, are now available online at http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/rankvideo.

The content of this Web site is drawn from the Boy Scouts Requirements book, which is designed to bring together the requirements for merit badges, rank advancements, and Eagle Palms, and to highlight recognitions for special opportunities. View a series of videos or download the podcasts demonstrating how to fulfill each requirement for the first three ranks of Boy Scouting: Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class.

2008 PHILMONT TRAINING CENTER CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

The Philmont Training Center (PTC) is nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico near Cimarron. Rich in history and natural beauty, this area offers exciting educational experiences for the entire family. The PTC has served as the national training center for the Boy Scouts of America since 1950.

A variety of weeklong conferences will be conducted for volunteers next summer. Each one will feature the latest tools and techniques led by a faculty of experienced Scouters. The conference schedule permits ample time for family activities, day hiking, and recreation. A weeklong backcountry mountain trek is available for Venturing-aged youth. Full details on the programs available can be found at www.philmonttrainingcenter.org. Contact Terry Meyers for full details.

DIRECT SERVICE UNITS IN ACTION

Troop 458 Aids Earthquake Survivors
Harau Canyon in West Sumatra is the site of an annual four-day campout for Boy Scout Troop 458, based in Duri, Indonesia. These trips to the volcanic highlands are always full of adventure as the boys experience the outdoors in this unique setting. Hikes through the jungle, swimming at the base of waterfalls, and a bit of spelunking in bat-filled caves are always part of the fun. One day is always set aside to tour nearby Bukittinggi. Rich volcanic soil has created an agriculturally prolific region, and expansive rice paddies with ominous volcano backdrops create memorable vistas. Normally, a trip to the local museum and the Japanese caves would provide the troop with an introduction to local culture, and an interesting and adventurous historical perspective of this area.

This year, however, was different, and the troop's "Bukittinggi day" took on more important objectives. West Sumatra is one of the most tectonically active areas in the world and on March 6, the area suffered two large earthquakes with extensive damage. Before their trip to West Sumatra, the Boy Scouts collected donations from their local community in Duri and secured matching funds from a major employer in the area. They used this to purchase food packages and construction materials for 75 families in the small village of Padang Lawas. On Saturday, May19, the troop took a walking tour of the area to witness the damage to homes, businesses, schools, and mosques. During that tour, they presented the donations on behalf of the Duri community.

This year's West Sumatra camping trip was again full of outdoor fun and adventure, but was even more rewarding as the troop learned about communities in need and formed a bridge between two Sumatra communities.

Kuala Lumpur Troop 818 Hosts Campout with Malaysian Scouts
Scouts from Troop 818, chartered to the International School of Kuala Lumpur, held their first ever campout with Malaysian Boy Scouts this Spring. The Malaysian boys came from the 10th Air Scouts, which is a unit founded in 1915. In addition to the usual camping activities, the two troops teamed up in a service project to rebuild footbridges, guard rails, and other infrastructure along a popular hiking trail. The event attracted the attention of "The Breakfast Show," a national TV news program in Kuala Lumpur, which sent a crew to film the boys at work. The TV crew interviewed Troop 818's Scoutmaster, Colin Helmer, and 10th Air Scoutmaster Wan Heng Yuen as well as several of the boys. The two troops hope to make this an annual event.

Monkey Wars, Bearded Pigs, and Great Sunsets.
By Corbin Weber, Life Scout, Singapore Troop 7

Monkey wars, bearded pigs, and great sunsets are what will be remembered from Singapore Troop 7's Spring Break Campout at the Baku National Park in Kuching Malaysia. This past spring, 19 Scouts and 13 parents left Singapore to spend a week camping at Baku Park. The event focused on teaching the Scouts how to handle themselves in unfamiliar situations and territories.

After arriving in Kuching, the group was met by local guides who had grown up in the jungle as members of the Iban tribe. The guides quickly loaded the troop into buses and took them to a small fishing village for transportation by boat into the jungles of Borneo and the land of the proboscis monkey. The boat ride was actually a highlight of the trip and quickly reminded us of the fact that this wasn't going to be like camping in Singapore; the 4-5 foot crocodile we saw five minutes into the trip kind of gave that away!

After arriving at the Baku National Park and unloading boatloads of supplies, the Scouts set up their tents in an enclosed area that, unbeknownst to us, was soon to become a war zone. Although Baku has three species of unobtrusive primates (silver backs, the slow loris, and proboscis monkeys) it also has aggressive and well coordinated macaques, pilfering thieves who can open tent zippers in the blink of an eye and coordinate remarkably well-organized attacks. Fortunately, however, we'd been warned of their tendencies and always had at least two individuals on standby at the camp to fend off attacks, something that provided endless entertainment to the Scouts. Thus, we survived the camp without losing any personal possessions to the macaques, a victory in itself that was secured without any injuries to either the monkeys or the boys.

Although thwarting the plans of the macaques was a great part of the trip, the troop also learned a lot by preparing all of their meals, completing several merit badges (including an extremely difficult one related to forestry), learning how to recognize edible versus poisonous plants, and cooking the Iban way using bamboo and other natural materials.

Without question this wasn't just a trip, it was an adventure that reminded everyone in the troop of just how fortunate we are to be in Singapore and part of a great troop that's willing to help boys grow through experience. This definitely wasn't an ordinary scout camp, and the two endangered species we saw (proboscis monkeys and orangutans), the vipers in the buses, the macaques and wild pigs rooting around the campsite, and fantastic sunsets all made sure it was one none of us will ever forget.

Troop 442, demonstrates that "Must Love Dogs" is not just another trendy movie title...
Kevin Scott, Scoutmaster, Troop 442, Perth, Australia

Boys and the love of dogs are a natural synergy in life, but this youthful passion was recently harnessed and constructively focused as Troop 442, located in Perth, Australia, undertook a very worthy community project at the Shenton Park Dog Shelter in partnership with Chevron Australia, Bunnings Warehouse, and the BP Kwinana Refinery.

The caretaker's cottage at Western Australia's oldest dog shelter was badly in need of renovation and this caught the eye of Troop 442 Scout Michael Heynes. In fact, the dog shelter was in urgent need to move a caretaker back into the small house in order to better care for the dogs in the off-hours, but did not have the manpower, money, or resources to undertake the project on a short time frame. However, this need was also an answer to Michael, who was ready to tackle a community project in his quest to attain the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout.

As the Boy Scouts of Troop 442 soon learned, the Shenton Dog Refuge is a not-for profit organization and one of the oldest dog shelters in Australia. Established in 1935, the kennels are able to handle up to 150 dogs and are manned by a large staff of dog-loving volunteers.

With considerable endurance, good humor, and speckled in blue paint, the Boy Scouts and their dads completed the cottage renovations in just two weekends in May, and before the new carpet was scheduled to be installed by the June 1 deadline. In those two weeks, Michael, the scouts, and their family support volunteers donated over 200 man hours and completely renovated the interior of the small cottage, turning the unused building into a cozy home for a full-time caretaker.

For Eagle Scout candidate Michael Heyns there was the additional sense of pride in the achievement of a very significant community improvement project and completing a key step in becoming an Eagle Scout. Most importantly, for all the scouts of Troop 442, the title of Eagle Scout is the pinnacle of rank achievement and signifies that a Boy Scout has endeavored to a level of accomplishment that only about 5 percent of all Scouts reach before age 18.

While BSA Troop 442 is looking for that next community project in Perth to undertake, the Scouts are very satisfied that at least 150 residents at the Shenton Park Dog Refuge are passing the nights more securely under the watchful eye of a full-time caretaker in a freshly painted and updated cottage.

UNITS DUE TO RENEW

It's time for the following units to renew their charters. Renewal kits have already been mailed out. If your unit is due to renew and you have not received the renewal kit, please contact Terry Meyers.

CHECK OUT THESE WEB SITES

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