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eNewsletter Issue 31
| Monday, April 8, 2014 |
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Recent Scouting Photos from around Western Michigan:
Top Right- Pack 3054's Webelos Den crosses over into Boy Scouts. Leaders, Nate Viskers and Merissa Navarre, stand with their new Boy Scouts. Troops 3, 14, and 37 are receiving the 14 lucky Scouts.
Other Photos- Scouts at the 2014 Building Character Celebration. |
| Do you have a good photo? Email it! Email it to Dan at dan.soszynski@scouting.org. |
  
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Spring Recruitment for Everyone! Part 2 in a Series
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The Michigan Crossroads Council has reached out the DNR to help provide for quality fun and exciting activities for our new youth this summer. Here in the state of Michigan, the DNR will be operating thirty (30 ) State Park sites that Cub Scout Packs and Boy Scout Troops can go to weekly for FREE fishing. Scouts may go there as a unit, or as individuals with their parents. A list of the thirty sites will soon be posted on the President Ford Field Service Council's part of the MCC website. Each Park site will allow for at least a once a week free fishing event. Days and times will be posted. As a part of the weekly session, the DNR will provide fishing techniques, information on bait, types of fishing, and have fishing equipment you can borrow while at the site. This is a great opportunity for your newly recruited scouts to participate in. If you would like more information about how your Pack or Troop can utilize a fishing activity to reach new Scouts, contact your Unit Serving Executive. For staff contact information, click here. |
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Recognizing a Scouting Good Turn
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| When Dawn called the office, she had no idea who to talk to or how to find out who the Scout/Venturer was that helped her last weekend - she only knew she wanted everyone to know about this very helpful young man. After asking some questions, I found out it might be someone from Crew 2911 - sure enough - the Venturer is Grant Goodrich. Below is Dawn's story in her own words- "Hi, I just wanted to give a little credit to a Venturer in your area.
On Sunday March 23rd at the Devos Place after the Ultimate Sport Show, some scouts were helping out by cleaning up and tearing down some booths/displays. I was on my way out the door after having a long weekend myself as a vendor I was tired. But just before I got to the door I heard a muffled little baby scream. I turned to look the way I heard it coming from and saw no one around. Expecting to see an adult holding a new born baby, I only saw a stroller parked next to a pile of trash.
I heard it again and had to go back and investigate. I opened the top to the stroller to see inside and discovered a little baby crying. Quickly looking around for the parents and saw no one close by. I started asking the people that were in the near vicinity, if they know who's it was. To my dismay no one did and they carried on their business.
It was as this time a scout came up to me asking if I needed any help. I told him I couldnt find the parents and the baby was crying. He went over to the stroller, found the babies pacifier and put it back in his mouth and stood by the stroller until I came back over. I got a hold of the door watcher and he then radioed his boss.
While we were waiting the scout & I checked out the diaper bag for any identification and the scout did find the mothers wallet. He gave it to the show staff when they arrived.
The scout was so helpful when no one else stepped forward. He stayed with the baby, and even was prepared to make a bottle for him if need be. I was very proud of him although in that frantic moment I did not express that to him.
I am taking the time now.
Thank you sir for helping and assisting when others did not.
In the end the mother did come later and claim her baby. It was a misunderstanding between the mother and father in who was suppose to be watching the baby." A Scout is Helpful! Awesome job Grant!!
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Upcoming Events
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| April 26th | April 26-27th | April 26th |
1st Annual Gerber Grand Prix
This is an opportunity for some of the fastest cars from each Pack to race against each other for the chance to be named the fast car of the year! | Scout and Pal overnights are designed for Parents or guardians to attend with their son. They generally last about twenty four hours and are a ton of fun for both Scouts and their Pals! | BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation) is required for Cub Scout camping, however it is a ton of FUN for leaders.There will be sessions at Gerber and in Gaylord. |
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April 25-27th
| April 25-26th | April 30th |
OA Spring Gathering is at Camp Greilick in Traverse City with an Indian Lore theme, service to camp, ceremonies and more! Come and share in the fun! | Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) is a great training for Boy Scout Leader that takes leaders from Tenderfoot through 1st Class. There will be sessions at Gerber and in Gaylord.
| The Petoskey Community Breakfast celebrates Scouting's local accomplishments from our Scouts and Leaders, and provides community friends the opportunity to see Scouting's impact |
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| May 3rd | May 2-4th | May 4th |
Cub Scout Advancement Extravaganza is a chance for Cub Scouts to have a metric ton of fun while earning a variety of academic and sports beltloops.
| The Section C-2 Conclave is a great time for Order of the Arrow members to meet brothers from across the state and learn about ceremonies, regalia, and FUN! | USA Archery Level 1 Instructor Training is the course required for Scout leaders to assist with running archery ranges at Scout events. |
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| May 7th | May 10th | May 15th |
| The Terry K Lorenzen Memorial Golf Outing at Crystal Mountain's Mountain Ridge Course is an opportunity for golfers to come out an support Scouting. | Program Kickoff is now in May and there are three locations to learn lots! From Program Planning to Popcorn, Recruiting to Journey to Excellence, and much more!May 10 has locations in Kalkaska and Greenville. | The Traverse City Community Scouting Breakfast celebrates Scouting's local accomplishments from our Scouts and Leaders, and provides community friends the opportunity to see Scouting's impact. |
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| May 16-18th | May 17th | May 17-18th |
| OA Spring Conclave at Gerber Scout Reservation- We will be setting up for National Camp School at Gerber Scout Reservation! | Program Kickoff is now in May and there are three locations to learn lots! From Program Planning to Popcorn, Recruiting to Journey to Excellence, and much more!May 17 is offered in Muskegon. | Scout and Pal overnights are designed for Parents or guardians to attend with their son. They generally last about twenty four hours and are a ton of fun for both Scouts and their Pals! |
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| May 30 - June 8th | June 5th | June 7th & 8th |
| NRA Shooting Sports Instructor Training covers the gambit from Range Safety to Pistols to Rifles to Shotguns. | President Ford Field Service Council Annual Recognition Program and Silver Beaver Presentation | Michigan Adventure's 2014 Scout Days is great time to visit an amusement park in great weather in your uniform! |
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| June 15-20th | August 4 - 10th
| August 22nd |
| The National Youth Leadership Conference is a great opportunity for older Scouts and Venturers to learn the keys to leadership. First course opportunity is at Camp Greilick. | The National Youth Leadership Conference is a great opportunity for older Scouts and Venturers to learn the keys to leadership. Second course opportunity is at Gerber Scout Camp.
| The Annual Whitecaps Scout Campout is an amazing time for Scouts to watch a great baseball game and then sleep on the same field the game was played on! |
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| August 23rd | September 12-14th | October 17-19th |
| The Annual Lansing Lugnuts Scout Campout is another opportunity for Scouts and families to watch baseball and sleep on the field after. | The Outdoor Adventures Program Conference will be a productive and informative experience for participants that aims to increase the capacity of units to offer exciting and challenging outdoor programs! | The OUTING for SCOUTING is going to be the wildest Scouting event this side of I-75 and you won't want to miss it! |
Ranger Joe Niemczak Retires from the Boy Scouts
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Joe Niemczak has announced his retirement after 25 years with the Boy Scouts of America. "Ranger Joe" served in three different councils during his Scouting career. Most recently, Joe has served at Camp Holaka in lapeer, Michigan. Holaka was a Tall Pine Council legacy property comprised of 340 wooded acres on Horton Lake. The camp was used by local units for weekend outings, Cub Scout family camps, day camp, Cub Scout resident camp and youth and adult training programs. During his tenure, Joe has repaired countless buildings, pipes, plugs, switches, motors, tires, tents, cots, planted new trees AND helped many Scouts navigate the path to become accomplished outdoorsmen and better citizens. Joe and his wife will relocate to the Muskegon area. (click here for more information) |
From Our Previous Issues + In Brief |
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The Michigan Crossroads Council is proud to announce the NEW Polar Bear Challenge patch and application for Boy Scouts. | 
Wood Badge for the 21st Century is Scouting's premier training course. It is the ultimate leadership training experience for all leaders. There are four opportunities for this dynamite training this year in Michigan. |
Scouting and Freemasonry |
On my Honor....
I Promise and Swear...
 Both lines are sacred to Scouting and Freemasonary. Hundreds of thousands of men and boys have spoken these lines and will continue to do so for as long as the sun continues to rise on our great country. The boys are our sons, grandsons, nephews, cousins, and neighbors. We all know who the boys are.
But who are the ones that live and die by these words "I promise and swear...". The ones that watch over the boys and teach the values required to become men. Next year will be the centennial celebration of the Order of the Arrow. We would be of interest in hearing the stories of Scouters involved in Masonry and Masons who may be interested in furthering the development of relationships between Scouting and the Masonic Lodges in our communities. From one Masonic Scouter to another, please contact me if you are interested and willing to join our endeavor to grow the partnership of Freemasons and Scouts. Jim Penrod, Committee Chair, Belmont Troop 283 and Past Master Rockford Masonic Lodge #246 |
Scoutmaster Tips - A Scoutmaster's Prayer
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| Riley Perrone was forwarded this Scoutmaster Minute from another Troop in Colorado. This poem was written several years ago during World War II on a night preceding a Koshare Christmas party. Buck Burshears, while trying to figure something to say at the banquet the following night, had just learned that another of his boys, one of the Koshares, was missing in action. The result was the poem, "A Scoutmaster's Prayer," which Buck spent most of the night writing. After the war, the young man turned up in a German prison camp and returned home safely. "A Scoutmaster's Prayer" - JF "Buck" Burshears A little boy came knocking t my Scout room door.
An awfully little fellow just twelve and no more.
His eyes danced as he watched my gang at rowdy play.
"I would like to be a Scout," he said, "I'm just 12 just yesterday."
In the weeks to come he found his place, a trim young Scout he made.
The tests he passed with eagerness, a thorough job sure paid.
The oath, the laws, the knots and flag. Were taken to his heart.
A better man he was sure to be tho he'd just begun to start
By the candle-lighted darkness I watched his round face beam
As the oath and law he pleged to keep-- just like a prayer it seemed.
The years to come were happy ones as we followed the trail--
That greater man had laid for us far up where eagles sail.
I watched him grow from boy to man the days were far too few,
To try to teach the important things that Scouting said were true.
I didn't know so long ago our nation he would defend,
I only saw a job to do, a helping hand to lend.
Now he's flying higher still with silver wings up there.
I pray to God the job I did was better than just fair.
He thanked me once for what I did so many years ago.
It was not his thanks that paid me because he did not know
That greater thanks he'd given me a thousand times before
By his dancing eyes and smiling face-- Could one ask for more?
There are other boys a-knocking, I must invite them in.
Please, God, give me strength to make them better men. Other tips and trips from past issues are compiled here. Any Scoutmaster (or Assistant or other Leader) can submit a tip, trip, idea, or anything helpful or exciting or even boring. Please email tips to Dan Soszynski. |
Scouting History |
The Boy Scouts of America has been around for 104 years and 68 days. In that time, millions and millions of Americans have enjoyed themselves in the pursuit of fun in the outdoors. There are also a ton of fun photos from throughout the years. Each issue of the Proclamation will now end with a historical Scouting photo or item.
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Over the weekend, Gerard Perry of Ionia turned 100 years old. For 85 of his year's, Gerry has been a member of Scouting! At his Birthday Bash, Mr. Perry commented on his most commonly asked question - "How'd you get to be so old?" He credits his years of VOLUNTEERING and giving back to the community with the reason he is 100 years old today!
Below, Mike Sulgrove presents Gerry with his 85 year veteran pin and a sterling silver Eagle Scout Mentor Pin in Thanks for his years of service.
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If you have read this far- Dan would like to remind you that April is National Humor Month. This month work on that sixth sense - humor. Practice your puns, sarcasm, limericks, slapstick and stand-up. Or perhaps just read some Think 'n Grin in your Boy's Life Magazine. Laughter is the second best medicine according to my doctor (medicine is still better medicine). So, enjoy the laughs this April. That is all. Nothing else. Thanks. As always, if you have any feedback or thoughts on future issues of the President Ford Proclamation, please contact Dan Soszynski. |
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