Police Chief for City of Orange Named 2008 Spurgeon Awardee
The Orange County Council, Boy Scouts of America and Learning for Life (BSA/LFL) announced it will honor City of Orange Police Chief Robert Gustafson with the 2008 William H. Spurgeon III Award. The award recognizes exceptional leadership and contributions to Exploring, a national program for career education. The award will be presented at a public luncheon on Wed., Sept. 19, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency Irvine.
Chief Robert H. Gustafson was appointed the City of Orange’s 33 rd Chief of Police in 2004. Chief Gustafson has over 33 years of varied and specialized law enforcement experience and over 21 years of management and command-level responsibility. Throughout his distinguished career, Chief Gustafson has been recognized for his leadership, professionalism and meritorious service.
Explains Chief Gustafson: "Exploring provides high school students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience. In law enforcement, for example, the Police Explorers of Post #266 learn about the ideals of law enforcement tradition, integrity and dedication to public service.”
The Spurgeon Award is named after William H. Spurgeon III, the organizer of the first specialty explorer post in the U.S.A. formed in 1957, at the Newport Beach-based Helipot Division of Beckman Instruments Inc. Spurgeon and Beckman have died, but their pioneering pilot program set the stage for the BSA/LFL to officially adopt Exploring as a national initiative in 1959.
Outdoor Education Center News
Two big steps toward beginning programs at the Outdoor Education Center have come about this week. The orange grove at the Ranch Camp is being planted as a donation by Griffith Farms. The young trees are in bloom and the aroma of their blossoms is beautiful!
Also, the COPE course is being installed, after an unexpectedly long process of permitting for the project. Poles are in the ground and cables and ropes are being strung. Thanks to the Anaheim Ducks for supporting this project!
April is a great time to get outside with your kids! The scouting community has long known this, of course, but getting your kids outside has recently undergone a lot of study by child development specialists. A book by San Diego author Richard Louv collects the results of these studies and presents an overview of the current research. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder presents a convincing argument for cutting down on video games and spending more time playing outside. The updated second edition of the book has just been published. The author and a growing coalition of folks whose aim is to Leave No Child Inside have collected information about community events, national initiatives and new programs at www.cnaturenet.org.
Trail Building | On April 20 , there will be a trail building session at the Outdoor Education Center from 8am to 12pm. We are looking for adults and youth with trail building experience, but enthusiastic novices are welcome.
If you are interested please contact Christine Kirk, Outdoor Education Center Director at ChristineK@outdooreducationcenter.org. Thanks again to Troop 1210 and the Order of the Arrow for their help with this effort!
Construction Progress | We have concrete at the OEC! The foundations for the Dining Hall and the Nature Center have been poured. The Dining Hall is scheduled to be complete by early October, and the Nature Center should be complete by late summer.
Citrus Grove | Thanks to Griffith Farms for a significant donation of materials and labor for our Citrus Grove. Twenty-nine (29) varieties of citrus trees have been planted, including the wild Flying Dragon rootstock and the sweet Owari Satuma mandarin. The grove smells wonderful with the trees in bloom.
Look To The Sky!
This month’s full moon will be on April 20. Native American lore and The Farmer’s Almanac refer to this moon as the Egg Moon because it is the moon during which wild birds are nesting. If birds in your neighborhood seem agitated, it may be because they are worried about their fledging youngsters – be kind and gentle toward them during this important time in their lives, and watch closely to see if you can observe any first flights!
Lost Valley Is Looking For Merit Badge Counselors
Since 1999 a group of dedicated people have been teaching Merit Badges at Schoepe Scout Reservation at Lost Valley. Now, over 1,000 Scouts have received Merit Badges through this program. Merit Badges that are offered at Lost Valley: forestry, fish and wildlife management, soil and water conservation and environmental science. If you are a Merit Badge Counselor and are interested in helping to teach these Merit Badges, we would welcome your help. For additional information, please contact Toni Klemm at the Orange County Council Office at 714-546-8558 ext. 136.
The 2008 schedule is:
Forestry / March 14-16 and October 10-12
Fish & Wildlife / April 11-13
Environmental Science / October 24-26
Soil & Water Conservation / November 14-16
Friends of Scouting 80% Report Meeting Reminder
Thank you to those who attended our 65% FOS report meeting; it was a wonderful morning of baseball, trivia and “Take Me Out To The Ballgame.” As a Council, we are at 61% and are continuing to reach our goal of 100% by the Victory Celebration on June 4.
Highlights from the 65% meeting:
Congratulations to El Camino Real District!!!!
El Camino Real District has once again achieved 100% of their Friends of Scouting goal by the 1 st report meeting. Congratulations to Ron Draper, Jim Peterson and Courtney Enloe and their entire team for their achievement and leadership in our campaign!
Congratulations Campaign Leaders!!
As of Wednesday's 65% Meeting, Saddleback and Learning for Life have both surpassed the 65% mark, and El Camino Real is once again going strong at 102%. Great job and keep up the good work!!!
The next report meeting for the 2008 Friends of Scouting campaign will be the 80% report and will take place on Wednesday, April 16 at the William Lyon Homes Center for Scouting office at 7:30 am. Each district is asked to report their progress and share a success story about their campaign. The FOS 2008 meeting theme is the “World Series of Fundraising.” Currently, the council is at 61% or $985,423 of the council’s $1,623,00 goal.
We are well on our way of reaching the council's $1,623,000 goal and I feel confident that we can reach 80% by the next meeting! Thanks again and keep up the good work! .
Local Den Featured In OC Register
OC Register- April 10, 2008. Teresa Pack 1475
In the picture, WEBELO Scouts from Den 5, Pack 1475 charted by Elk's Lodge of Orange, are working on their Community Service Project to obtain their Citizenship pin. The boys assembled activity kits for the children at Childrens Hospital of Orange County. Left to right: Tony Villegas; Edith Alvarez, CHOC Child Life Specialist; Joshua Deight; Gonzalo Delgado, Den Leader; Jesus Mejia; Brian Delgado; Dilan Reyes; and Pablo Abarca. Not shown are Jordan Green and Mauricio Guitierrez.
Looking For Cub Scout Packs to Participate In National Pilot Program
The Council is looking for Cub Scout packs that are willing to participate in a national pilot program. The essence of the pilot program is to focus den meetings on the advancement process instead of normal program helps features (see Fast Track Flier for more details). This new program hopes to improve the quality of den meetings, to retain boys in Cub Scouting longer and to shorten the preparation time needed for den leaders. Participating Cub Scouts will receive program information through email or the internet.
Cub Scout packs wanting to participate in this pilot program should complete the commitment form. For more information, and to return your commitment form please contact Rachel Rash at 714-546-4990 ext. 155 or rachelr@ocbsa.org no later than April 25 to participate.
Scout-O-Rama Climbing Rule Change
All Scout-O-Rama youth participants (male and female) must follow the recently revised National BSA climbing guidelines. Parents must sign a Hold Harmless/Consent form for each youth participant wishing to use a unit or commercial climbing wall. Please distribute this email to parents; blank forms will be available at Scout-O-Rama, April roundtables and online (click to download). Direct any questions to the Council Risk Management committee at rm@ocbsa.org.
Scout Night with the Avengers
The Los Angeles Avengers is hosting a special event in honor of local Boy Scouts on Saturday, May 3 at the Staples Center. This event has been a tremendous success in past seasons, and the Avengers are delighted to invite the districts of Orange County Boy Scouts of America. This unique event includes the opportunity for scouts to run through the “Avenger Experience” obstacle course, access to the Avengers “Pre-game Jam” and a ticket to the Avengers vs. Arizona Rattlers game.
Click to download event flyer.
New Scout Registration Rallies Coming to a Neighborhood Near You
Kindergarten-aged and older boys are invited to join scouting this Spring. Packs and Troops throughout Orange County will be welcoming new families at neighborhood sign up rallys on Saturday, April 19 Tuesday, ABpril 22 and Wednesday April 23 at local middle schools. This is a great way to invite new families and get them involved in scouting fun just in time for summer activities. Scouting registration is $20 and includes registration, insurance, Boy’s Life Magazine, and their first Scouting handbook. All new scouts will receive a free water bottle and t-shirt when they sign up during these scheduled rallies.
This promotion can be seen on gas station “Pump Top TV” screens, at major movie theatres beginning April 11, on banners throughout neighborhoods, in local sections of the OC Register, and on postcards sent home through schools. For more information, visit our “Join Scouting” website www.ocscouting.org
A special thank you to all the volunteers who are helping at the middle school sites on these days.
OC Law Enforcemet Explorer Advisors Association and Learning for Life Hosts First Joint Fundraiser.
The Orange County Law Enforcement Explorer Advisors Association and Learning for Life are holding their first joint fund raiser. All event proceeds go to the Learning for Life’s Exploring Program’s parent organization and to the OCLEEAA Scholarship fund which helps pay for Explorer academy who could not afford to attend otherwise.Contact Marla McGee at 714-546-8558 extension 183 or by visiting www.ocexploring.org.
Introducing Scouting for Food Chair Jayne Willson
Jane Willson of El Capitan District is the new Scouting for Food Council Chair. She has been involved as El Capitan’s Scouting for Food Chair since 1999 and received her Silver Beaver last year. She has been active with Pack 230 and helped form Troop 1999. She also has received District award of merit, Bronze Pelican Award and St George Award. Come welcome her at our first Scouting for food committee meeting Wednesday May 9 at the Council office at 7:00pm or at the Scouting for Food booth at Scout-O-Rama May 17.
CRC letter.doc(28KB)
What is Scouting for Food 2007.doc(41KB)
Upcoming Trailbuilding Opportunities
We need Boy Scout troops and strong parents who are interested in doing some hard physical work that is fun and rewarding at the same time. Troops with some trailbuilding experience are strongly preferred, but our wonderfully competent Trail Boss can provide training for enthusiastic novices. Trail tools will be provided. All participants must bring work gloves, sturdy shoes, a sack lunch, strong arms and a great attitude! Sunday, April 20 is the next scheduled day.
If your troop is interested, please contact Christine Kirk, Outdoor Education Center Director, at ChristineK@outdooreducationcenter.org. Thanks you to Troop 1210 and the Order of the Arrow who have worked the past two trailbuilding days. Both groups had a great time and enjoyed the views that are offered by the areas where we are installing trail systems.
Scout Spring Clean Up
The Saddleback District, Boy Scouts of America cordially invites you on a Community Service Project to help keep local cities clean.
For the first two weeks in April all Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venture Crew members along with their parents will start a city wide sweep of walking our neighborhoods, parks and schools to pick up litter before it hits the storm drains. You’re invited to take a walk through our city streets and help the Scouts teach others our “Outdoor Code” as we do our community-wide clean-up.
With 4,00 Scouts in our District along with 4,000 parents and you, we have can make a difference. Contact Susan Geers, Saddleback District Commissioner, at sgreers@cox.net for additional information.
Band Musicians Sought for SOC 2008
Do you play a band instrument? Want to perform with other scouts at Scout-0-Rama?
Join the Orange County Scout band lead by Director Donn Hallman. Rehearsals are Thursdays at 7:00 on April 10, 24, May 8, 15 at the American Legion Post 555 on Beach Blvd, North of Westminster Blvd, South of the 22 freeway. For more information, contact Committee Chair Nadine Fishel at nbfishel@yahoo.com..
10th Annual Orange County Fire Explorer Academy 2008
The Tenth Annual Orange County Fire Explorer Academy will take place June 22 through June 28.
Scheduled events include auto extrication, wildland, rescue systems, LPG fire control and structural fire control.
Any questions regarding event operations schould be directed to Bruce Bailey, Academy Coordinator, at (949) 831-0872 or brucebailry@ocfa.org. Registration questions and forms should be directed to Chief Terry Scortt, OCFA/Community Volunteer Services, at (714) 573-6055 or terryscortt@ocfa.org, or Mickey Hansen, Operations Coordinator, at (714) 573-6755 or mickeyhansen@ocfa.org.
See attached flyer for details.
