One hundred years ago today, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was founded by W. D. Boyce.   The Scouting movement was started in the United Kingdom in 1907 by Lord Baden-Powell.   Boyce brought Scouting to the US after meeting with “the unknown Scout” in London, many legends springing up around this encounter.   From that humble beginning sprang the largest youth movement in the free world.

There are celebrations planned around the country and online on this date.    Scouts and Scouters are being encouraged to wear their uniforms on this date.  The BSA also has events planned throughout the year in honor of its centennial,  with the high point being this Summer’s National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill.  If  you see any links to coverage of today’s anniversary events, please add them in the comments.   I will try to add some myself as I find them.

Happy Birthday to the BSA!

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I was told earlier this evening that the executive boards of York-Adams Area and Keystone Area Councils, BSA, have unanimously recommended their councils be consolidated by merger.  Next month the voting membership of both councils will be asked to vote on this merger.

If either council votes “no” there will be no merger.

If both councils approve the merger will be effective March 1, 2010.  The temporary name Keystone York-Adams Council would then be used with a permanent name to be chosen within six months.  Susquehannock and Tuckahoe lodges would then merge on January 1, 2011

Further details can be found on the York-Adams Area Council website.

Thanks to David Hultberg for passing on this news via patch-l.

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George Jennings, a frequent contributor of images to this site especially for New York issues, was recently honored by the International Rotary with the Cliff Dochterman Award.  This award recognizes a Rotarian who acts as a role model and renders distinguished and dedicated service to Scouting through active service, leadership or other exemplary contributions.  He is an active member of Hudson Valley Council and Nacha Nimat Lodge.  He is one of only four Scouters to receive this award since its inception in 1994!

The Poughkeepsie Journal has a short article online about this award.

Congratulations to George Jennings for being recognized for his service, and his 63 years in Scouting!

(Hmm… I wonder if this award has a square knot and if he has any to trade… )

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From the Official National Order of the Arrow Website:

Rich Ferolo elected as the Central Region Chief.
Brian Ahrens elected as the North East Region Chief.
Don Combs elected as the Southern Region Chief.
Fred Gross elected as the Western Region Chief.

No further information was given at this time.

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From the Official National Order of the Arrow Website:

Brad Lichota (Chippewa Lodge, Great Lakes Council #272) was elected the 2010 National Chief.

Will Swingle (Nawakwa Lodge, Heart of Virginia Council #602) was elected as the 2010 National Vice Chief.

No further information was given.   A search on the internet shows Mr. Lichota was section chief of C-2A, and Mr. Swingle was chief of SR-7A.

The 2010 Region Chiefs will be elected after breakfast on December 28.

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As the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is about to begin the celebrations of its centennial, expect a great effort to be made to preserve its history and make it available for posterity’s sake.   In the early years there were many great men involved with the BSA, with giant personalities, and whose significant contributions have last decades after their own passing.   Dr. E. Urner Goodman, founder of the Order of the Arrow, was one such man.

I recently saw this video posted on another blog and thought I needed to share it again.   This very popular and moving video was first shown at the 2006 National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) Center for History.   It contains edited remarks from Dr. Goodman originally delivered at the 1954 and 1956 NOACs.    The words are just as meaningful today as they were a half century ago.   Wisdom does not become dated with age.

Among other things, Dr. Goodman tells us of the great danger involved with founding the Order in 1915.   He then went on to describe three specific dangers:

1. The danger of the clique;
2. The danger of the oligarchy;
3. The danger of the boss.

The threat from those three dangers — both within the Order and our society in general — are just as great today as in 1915, or in the 1950s when these remarks were delivered.   Be on guard for them

An embedded link is after the jump.
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Brotherhood Barn: Fireplace of Cheerfulness

I thought this was published back on November 24th, but it appears I never released it to the blog….

Morty Fink has reported that the Brotherhood Barn, located in Bondville, VT, on what was once E. Urner Goodman’s Summer home is undergoing extensive repairs and renovations.   The barn has suffered somewhat from the ravages of time over the years.   He has posted online several photos of the barn in its current state.

Among Morty’s photos are several of the “Fireplace of Cheerfulness”.   This fireplace is constructed, in part, of stones donated by various OA lodges.

I believe the property is currently owned by Ted Goodman, E. Urner Goodman’s son.   I do not know what the Goodman family’s long term plans are for this property, but I hope this fireplace will be preserved for posterity’s sake.   This barn has a special significance in the history of the Order of the Arrow and should be preserved for posterity’s sake if possible.

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I received word that the chief of Ashokwahta lodge, Iroquios Trail Council, died while traveling home from a Scout event. The following announcement was made on the Iroquois Trail Council website:

The Council is saddened by the passing of Scouter Austin J. Boyd, who was killed in a traffic accident while traveling home from Wednesday evening’s camp kickoff. Many of you knew Austin in his role as the current Lodge Chief of the council’s Order of the Arrow Ashokwahta Lodge and from his prominent roles on the summer camp staff over the past several years. An Eagle Scout, Austin was an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 59 of Clarendon and a member of Venture Crew 42. Austin will be sorely missed. Austin’s family has asked that we extend this invitation to all Scouts and Scouters: “A memorial service will be held to celebrate the 19 years we shared with Austin James Boyd on Saturday, November 7. The service will be held at Disciples United Methodist Church, 4410 Holley Byron Rd (Route 237) Holley, NY 14470 beginning at 4:00pm.

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Click the link and Read the article. It is sad to see that some people with influence are caught up in their liberal idealism.

http://www.bloomingtonalternative.com/node/10075

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Tsali 134 J4? with Segments

Congratulations to the brothers of Tsali lodge ( Daniel Boone Council, Asheville, NC)!   The lodge defended its Team Dance National Championship at NOAC this week.   In addition, the lodge’s Twisted Rawhide Singers are now the Southern Drum National Champions.

I expect at least two more segments will soon be issued for the lodge’s jacket patch as a result of these championships.   I have not heard how the lodge’s dance and drum teams did at the Dixie Fellowship last Spring, so there may be new segments for that as well.

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