A look back and a look ahead – exciting times for Scouting in Vermont
A Look Back
Let me first preface this commentary by saying that there are so many persons to thank for the time, talents and treasures given to the Green Mountain Council and all that it entails, that I am not going to single out any one individual or individuals. Inevitably I would miss many and that is not fair to all who have contributed to a great summer of programming, and to date a great year for Scouting.
It is this time of the year I always reflect on the summer that was. Labor Day has come and gone, the last official weekend of summer. The camps are closed, and our attention turns to the fall Scouting season and an equally exciting time of the year when Cub Scout Packs across the state open their doors to invite and welcome new families to join this great movement.
Our summer camp programs continue to grow in quantity and quality and the leadership of each goes all-in to providing a great long-term camping experience for the Scouts and leaders. Frontier Camp is on the rise after taking a year off, Mt Norris Resident camp had a 30% increase in camper attendance, and both programs are gearing up for even better attendance in 2019! Camp Sunrise Resident camp continues to provide a high level of staff experience offering parents and Cub Scouts a fun-filled program and for many, an introduction to a long-term camping experience. The Arrow of Light (AOL) program has been instrumental in preparing Webelos for Boy Scouts and in promoting attendance at Mt Norris Scout Reservation in the future.
Two Cub Scout Day Camps in Long Trail and Three Rivers districts provided a “closer to home” summer program for over 75 Cub Scouts. Each day was exciting, adventurous and fun-filled for “Cubs on the Move”, theme for 2018.
37 Boy Scouts and Venturers received an exception week of leadership development and training as part of the Council’s National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) course held at Camp Sunrise. This is an excellent resource for Scout troop leaders to prepare Scouts to hold positions in the troop such as Senior Patrol Leader or Assistant SPL. Many troop committees have found that once they send boys to this training and see the added value it brings to the troop, they put the cost of it into the annual budget to send one or more Scouts each year.
To close out the summer, Green Mountain Council hosted the 2018 Area 3B Section Conclave at Mt Norris Scout Reservation. 200 members from 9 different Councils came together to learn, t fellowship and to have a lot of fun! The camp was well prepared physically and a good time was had by all.
All in all, another great summer of programming and leadership development was had by many and to that, many, many thanks are in order for each and every person who played a role in these successes. I am so proud to be part of this Council because of the volunteers who come together for a common cause that is very evident every time we come together. Each of us have a role to play in the success of Scouting in Vermont and together I think we make a pretty good darn team. Let’s keep the momentum of the summer going so it can carry us through the rest of the year!
It is this time of the year I always reflect on the summer that was. Labor Day has come and gone, the last official weekend of summer. The camps are closed, and our attention turns to the fall Scouting season and an equally exciting time of the year when Cub Scout Packs across the state open their doors to invite and welcome new families to join this great movement.
Our summer camp programs continue to grow in quantity and quality and the leadership of each goes all-in to providing a great long-term camping experience for the Scouts and leaders. Frontier Camp is on the rise after taking a year off, Mt Norris Resident camp had a 30% increase in camper attendance, and both programs are gearing up for even better attendance in 2019! Camp Sunrise Resident camp continues to provide a high level of staff experience offering parents and Cub Scouts a fun-filled program and for many, an introduction to a long-term camping experience. The Arrow of Light (AOL) program has been instrumental in preparing Webelos for Boy Scouts and in promoting attendance at Mt Norris Scout Reservation in the future.
Two Cub Scout Day Camps in Long Trail and Three Rivers districts provided a “closer to home” summer program for over 75 Cub Scouts. Each day was exciting, adventurous and fun-filled for “Cubs on the Move”, theme for 2018.
37 Boy Scouts and Venturers received an exception week of leadership development and training as part of the Council’s National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) course held at Camp Sunrise. This is an excellent resource for Scout troop leaders to prepare Scouts to hold positions in the troop such as Senior Patrol Leader or Assistant SPL. Many troop committees have found that once they send boys to this training and see the added value it brings to the troop, they put the cost of it into the annual budget to send one or more Scouts each year.
To close out the summer, Green Mountain Council hosted the 2018 Area 3B Section Conclave at Mt Norris Scout Reservation. 200 members from 9 different Councils came together to learn, t fellowship and to have a lot of fun! The camp was well prepared physically and a good time was had by all.
All in all, another great summer of programming and leadership development was had by many and to that, many, many thanks are in order for each and every person who played a role in these successes. I am so proud to be part of this Council because of the volunteers who come together for a common cause that is very evident every time we come together. Each of us have a role to play in the success of Scouting in Vermont and together I think we make a pretty good darn team. Let’s keep the momentum of the summer going so it can carry us through the rest of the year!
A Look Ahead
What an exciting time for the Boy Scouts of America! A time where we can welcome young girls into the ranks of our Cub Scout program! A time where as a movement, will be able to instill the values found in the Scout Oath and Law to an entire new group of youth! A time where character development, citizenship responsibility and personal fitness will be expanded two-fold, a time when developing leadership skills in young people can now be shared with girls. In my 40 years as a professional, I can think of only one or two other times where I have been part of a transformation moment in the Boy Scouts of America. This is a landmark moment for Scouting and we need to embrace it for all its worth and potential!
The feedback and level of excitement and enthusiasm that I have heard and read about is unprecedented from the leaders of our Cub Scout Packs. Parents are so excited that their daughter and daughter’s many friends can now “officially” participate in the Cub Scouts. They can put on the uniform, pin on the adventure pins and wear proudly the rank of Lion, Wolf, Bear and/or Webelos.
Even more exciting is the prospect that these new female Cub Scouts may one day become Eagle Scouts! Beginning on February 1, 2019 the Boy Scouts of America will open its doors to welcome girls 11-17 years of age in the newly formed Scouts BSA. Female Scout troops will be springing up all over the country as again, these young ladies are able to do all that the boys have been doing for over 100 years; canoeing, camping, hiking, exploring nature, and so much more, and being officially recognized for their achievements.
So, to all who read this, jump on board for the ride of your Scouting life. Be a positive and participating player in this transformation of the Boy Scouts of America. We have a great product to offer and are making a difference in the life of a child, which has now doubled in the number of youth we can reach.
Yours in Scouting,
Ed McCollin
Scout Executive
Green Mountain Council, BSA
The feedback and level of excitement and enthusiasm that I have heard and read about is unprecedented from the leaders of our Cub Scout Packs. Parents are so excited that their daughter and daughter’s many friends can now “officially” participate in the Cub Scouts. They can put on the uniform, pin on the adventure pins and wear proudly the rank of Lion, Wolf, Bear and/or Webelos.
Even more exciting is the prospect that these new female Cub Scouts may one day become Eagle Scouts! Beginning on February 1, 2019 the Boy Scouts of America will open its doors to welcome girls 11-17 years of age in the newly formed Scouts BSA. Female Scout troops will be springing up all over the country as again, these young ladies are able to do all that the boys have been doing for over 100 years; canoeing, camping, hiking, exploring nature, and so much more, and being officially recognized for their achievements.
So, to all who read this, jump on board for the ride of your Scouting life. Be a positive and participating player in this transformation of the Boy Scouts of America. We have a great product to offer and are making a difference in the life of a child, which has now doubled in the number of youth we can reach.
Yours in Scouting,
Ed McCollin
Scout Executive
Green Mountain Council, BSA
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