The Promise. January A quarterly newsletter from the Outdoor Program Support Committee of the Central Region.

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1 The Promise A quarterly newsletter from the Outdoor Program Support Committee of the Central Region January 2014 Our Vision: To give every young person in Scouting the opportunity to obtain lasting values and a love for the outdoors, and to do so with safety, good facilities, and strong leadership. Our Mission: To provide every council with sufficient tools to build a quality outdoor experience for young people in a safe and friendly environment, and to support the efforts of all councils to deliver the Promise of Scouting. Welcome to The Promise newlsetter. It is the intent of the Central Region Outdoor Program Support Team (CROPS) to provide councils with information and tools to improve local outdoor program and help them to better deliver the Promise of Scouting. Look in this newsletter every quarter for news from National, highlights from the program Task Forces and dates of upcoming events. Feel free to distribute this to any interested scouter and we hope this will be beneficial to your work in the Scouting Movement. CROPS Team 2014 Chairman: Jim Kern National Staff: Curt Palmer Newsletter: Dan Gille Marketing: John Fenimore National Camping Schools: Jim Forrest Camping Task Force: Dan Gille Fishing Task Force: Bill Pepito Shooting Sports Task Force: Connie Elliott Outdoor Ethics Task Force: Toby Green COPE & Climbing Task Force: Todd Whiteley Aquatics Task Force: Steve Terrell Conservation Task Force: Van Anderson jimkern.bsa@gmail.com curt.palmer@scouting.org dcgille@gmail.com johnrfenimore@gmail.com jcforrest@comcast.net dcgille@gmail.com billpepito@gmail.com campconnie@aol.com greentoby58@gmail.com toddswhiteley@gmail.com terrells@indy.rr.com vanderson@funaviation.com

2 Editor s Note: This January 2014 issue of The Promise marks the 1 st anniversary of this newsletter. Our goal is to present the volunteers in the Central Region involved in the Outdoor Program with up to date information on what is new with the various national task forces, as well as any other news that will be helpful in delivering the Promise of Scouting to the youth of the Central Region was an exciting year with lots of changes, including the opening of The Summit with the 2013 National Jamboree promises to be just as exciting. Thanks to all the folks who contributed articles to previous issues. Hopefully we will be able to provide even more in Special thanks to Jim Kern for giving me the opportunity to edit this newsletter. It has been a lot of fun and I am looking forward to another year. My wife Karen has graciously been the layout editor, as well as a final proofreader. Thanks! Dan Gille Editor National Camping Task Force I will be joining the National Camping Task Force (NCTF) as the Central Region representative at the Outdoor Program meeting on February 3 rd in Dallas. I will have an update in April issue of The Promise. Dan Gille Central Region NCTF Representative The BSA s Complete Angler Recognition 2013 The Complete Angler Recognition was established by the BSA National Fishing Task Force in October 2013 for the purpose of providing and recognizing a well- rounded youth angler within the Boy Scouts of America, and requires three merit badges. This new award replaces the Certified Angler for Youth. Lord Baden - Powell, founder of the Boys Scouts, was an avid fisherman and a pioneer of Catch and Release fishing. When you catch your fish do as I do only keep those you specially want for food, put back the others the moment you have landed them. Continued.

3 B- P further believed that Every Scout ought to be able to fish in order to get food for himself. He believed that fishing, especially fly- fishing, taught Scouts to be patient, conservation minded, and to love nature. In 2002, Baden - Powell was inducted into the IGFA, International Game Fish Association, Fishing Hall of Fame. (Less than 50 members have been recognized including Isaak Walton, Ernest Hemingway, Theodore Gordon, Zane Grey, Joe Brooks, Al McClane, Ted Williams and Lee Wulff.) The Fishing Merit Badge (Angler Merit Badge) was one of the original 57 badges earned. Just over 2 million Scouts have earned the Angling or Fishing MB. In a recent Boys Life survey, fishing placed 4 th as the preferred Outdoor Activity within their Scouts units; surpassed only by camping, swimming and bicycling. The Fishing industry facts ranked fishing 6 th out of 42 recreational activities. More Americans fish than play golf and tennis combined. Most recently, a special BSA report titled Scouts Favorite Activities while Camping, ranked fishing 3 rd, lead only by hiking and outdoor cooking. (Think where it would be if camps put more emphasis on fishing and fly- fishing, and improved the quality of their fishery, their instruction, and the equipment.) The Fishing Task Force is here to help in these endeavors. The Fly Fishing Merit Badge, our newest angling badge, was introduced in 2002 and has received special interest and attention from our National Outdoor Program. Major effort to present this skill was made at the last three National Jamborees with great success. It has become the major emphasis of the Certified Angler Instructor s certification program. In 2012 alone, a combined 65,000 Fishing and Fly Fishing Merit Badges were earned, a 48% increase over The last of the triad is the Fish & Wildlife Management Merit Badge, which was originally called Wildlife Management when it was introduce in Of the three Merit Badges, Fish & Wildlife is the most challenging to obtain because of the conservation projects required. The purpose of the Fish & Wildlife Management badge is to encourage healthy fish, wildlife, and plant populations, while preventing population decline. For more information contact Bill Pepito at billpepito@gmail.com National Fishing Task Force, Communications Chairman Central Region Outdoor Program Fishing Chairman

4 Sea Scout Marksmanship Program The medal awarded will reflect the highest level earned. An exciting marksmanship program is now available for Sea Scouts who want to learn more about safely using a rifle, shotgun or pistol. The Sea Scout Marksmanship Program has recently been approved for Sea Scouts as an extra- curricular activity. Sea Scouts now have the opportunity to shoot a rifle, shotgun or pistol, or all three. The Marksmanship program is designed as a progressive program with the Sea Scout first learning the basics, and then progressing into a more advanced shooting program. The awards earned will be based on the level of shooting attained, with the first award being Basic progressing to Expert. This is the first time that a shooting sports program has been developed for the Sea Scouts. Shooting is an exciting activity to include in the year- round program. Shooting sports build self- confidence in youth of all ages by teaching them discipline, as they work toward improving their marksmanship skills. Look for more information on the Sea Scout web site soon Cub Scout Shooting Sports Cub Scouts and Webelos have an opportunity to earn their shooting sports belt loops and pins through their Council- run Day Camps and Resident Camp programs. Unfortunately, not all Cub Scouts and Webelos are able to attend these camps, and often do not have other ways to earn these awards. The BSA has approved an easy to follow one- day program that allows Cub Scouts or Webelos another chance to earn the shooting awards. These one- day events must be run at a District or Council level. With the help of qualified volunteers, the youth will now be able to earn their belt loop and/or pin in an afternoon. This easy to follow program can be found under Shooting Sports at Connie Elliott Central Region Shooting Sports Representative

5 Super- Regional BSA Outdoor Ethics Conference - November 6-9, 2014 Plans are underway to conduct a BSA Outdoor Ethics conference at Camp Alpine in northern New Jersey. Area and Council Outdoor Ethics Advocates, Leave No Trace Master Educators and Trainers, Tread Lightly! Masters and Trainers, and other interested Scouters are encouraged to join us for this important event. Our theme for the event is "Making the Ethics Work". The conference focus will be on delivering the Outdoor Ethics program in our Councils. Information about the new Outdoor Ethics awards, program implementation, working across the multiple levels of our councils (unit, district, council staff and volunteer leadership), and much more will be presented, with time allotted to share ideas and best practices. Although the conference is held in the Northeast Region, members of the BSA Outdoor Ethics community from throughout the country are welcome and encouraged to attend, hence the "Super- Regional Conference" name. This conference will be conducted in coordination with the Northeast Region Outdoor Program Seminar, which will include representatives from region, area, and council program committees. This coordination will provide the opportunity to interact and share common opportunities with people from other key council committees. Various lodging options are available - dorm- style, rustic cabins, Adirondack lean- tos, and tent sites. Meals will be in the camp's large dining hall. More information about the camp, including facilities, directions, etc., is on the camp web site: We are interested in your input regarding the conference schedule, program, and other information that will help the conference planning team. Your responses are not a commitment to attend the conference or any specific workshops, but they are very important to our planning. Contact Central Region Representative Toby Green at: greentoby58@gmail.com for more details.

6 Cope & Climbing Starting in 2014, the annual COPE & Climbing Conferences will be offered on a regional basis. This replaces the past practice of a single meeting for the whole country. In an effort to make it easier for COPE & Climbing volunteers to attend, the Central Region is offering two conferences. The topics include a discussion on changes in the standards, council training of level 2 instructors, rescue procedures, assessor training and more. The first conference will be held on March 1 st & 2 nd at Ransburg Scout Reservation in Bloomington, Indiana. The second will be offered at Camp Geiger in St. Joseph, Missouri, on March 14 th to the 16 th. Check the Crossroads of America website, or the Pony Express Council s website for registration details. In 2014 the COPE & Climbing standards will not be an appendix to the NCAP standards, but incorporated into the main document. The task force has drafted a letter describing the changes for Also, a navigational tool has been developed to help scouters sift through the NCAP document for the standards that just apply to COPE & Climbing programs. Contact your area advocate if you need help obtaining any of these documents. Todd Whiteley Regional Chairman, COPE and Climbing Central Region, Boy Scouts of America Central Region Boatswain My name is Katie Bruton. I am the new Central Region Boatswain. I am an Able Rank Sea Scout on Ship 5454 out of the Greater Saint Louis Area Council in Area 3. For my term, I would like to work on communication between areas, and also promote the Sea Scouting program. I will help your areas promote events that you are hosting. So, please send me information about your events, and I will try to get them in newsletters. Thanks. Yours in Sea Scouting, Katie Bruton Sea Scout Central Region Boatswain centralregionboatswain@gmail.com

7 Certified Angling Instructor s Programs for 2014 January 30- Feburary 2, 2014 Regional Fishing Camp School - Florida Sea Base, Florida Keys. Sign up for a four- day CAI certification plus council year around fishing program development. Fish the beautiful Keys. May 22-23, 2014 Northern Tier - Ely, MN Staff Train- the Trainer for 16 to 20 Brigade Leaders qualifying for CAI s to then train the remaining staff on Angling Skills. May 29 - June 1, 2014 Regional Fishing Camp School - Cole Canoe Base, Alger, MI Sign up for a four- day CAI certification plus council year around fishing program development. Fish in Michigan s quality Trout waters. May 31, 2014 Philmont Fish Camp Staff Training for the base staffers qualifying for CAI to ensure quality Fly fishing instruction for the Crews throughout the summer program. September 14-20, 2014 Philmont Training Center Sign up for a five- day Fishing Camp School Set Your Hook on a Year Round Fishing Program and earn the CAI qualification. See Philmont Training Center s 2014 Schedule for more details. Fall of 2014 (date to be announced later) Galveston, TX Fishing Camp School for Sea Scouts.

8 Youth Certified Angler Instructor's Program July , Camp Makajawan, Pearson, WI This BSA Certified Angler Instructor Course is designed for registered, mature youth, years All participants are expected to have long- term outdoor camping experiences All participants will be required to have adequate clothing, camping gear, & tentage necessary for a 1 week extended outdoor stay. Meals will be provided Maximum enrollment is 80 Course cost is $285 per participant Reservations will be taken on a first- come, first served basis. For more information please contact Jim Neubaum at or jneubaum@bsamail.org Program Changes Venturing Due to declining membership in the Venturing program over the last few years, the National Venturing Task Force has announced changes to the program that will go into effect in Beginning in May, 2014, the Silver, Gold and Bronze awards will be phased out and replaced by four new awards. The names for the new awards have not been announced yet, but there will be a period of overlap where the current awards can be earned through December 2014 or Venture Scouts may transition to the new awards after May of There will be new programs organized along four subject areas: adventure, leadership, service and personal development. There will be a new handbook and new training opportunities. The goal of the changes is an increase in advancement and membership, and improved retention.

9 Cub Scouts Beginning in 2015 there will be changes to the Cub Scout program as well. Some of the highlights include a simplified advancement model for all ranks, as well as Cub Scouts adopting the Scout Oath and Law. More information on these changes will be announced at the 2014 National Meeting in Nashville TN. Cooking Merit Badge On January 1, 2014, the new Cooking merit badge became a requirement for Eagle. The new requirements will be become mandatory for Scouts who begin the merit badge after January 1, The new pamphlets should be in Scout Shops by the end of January. From now until December 31, 2014, Scouts may use the old or new requirements. Scouts who started the merit badge with the old requirements, may finish with the old requirements. They do not have use the new requirements, but may switch if they choose to. Scouts who have earned the old merit badge, may purchase or be presented with the new silver border merit badge. They do not have to earn it again. They can t wear both versions; only one can be worn. Scouts who start the merit badge in 2014 can use either the old or the new, but they have to choose which requirements they want to use. Any merit badge started in 2015 must use the new requirements.

10 WHAT IS A SCOUTER? This originally appeared in Bryan Wendell s blog: Bryan on Scouting on October 22, About the author Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the senior editor of Scouting and Eagles' Call magazines. Send Bryan an e- mail with questions, comments or blog tips.

11 Chairman s Minute Jim Kern, Regional Chairman Happy New Year! It is our sincere hope that 2014 is a successful and enjoyable year for you and for Scouting. Many great things happened in 2013 (National Jamboree, NCAP rollout), and we know that the next year brings hope and best wishes to you all. Our committee has been hard at work with the leadership of our 7 Areas to establish a network of Area Advocates that will serve as resources and helpers to our 69 councils. Our plan is to conduct training for these folks in April. Then they will start to contact councils and review a council s position on key Outdoor Program topics, as identified by our committee. Watch the next Promise for more details. National Camping Schools begin late in January and run until June. These sessions train and prepare leaders for Day Camp, Resident Camp and provide support for camp rangers. Go to the National Website for more information and the 2014 schedule. With the advent of the NCAP program in 2013, more councils will fold into this in the coming year. As more councils are involved, some program questions and issues will arise. Our committee s role with NCAP is to assist councils who have program challenges identified through the Camp Assessment phase. Know that we are prepared and excited to help all councils who want additional support. Finally, High Adventure enjoyed a record year in 2013, and 2014 is shaping up to be a great year as well. This coming summer, high adventure opportunities will be available at the Summit in West Virginia. Go to their website for program and sign up information. Thanks for all you do and good luck in 2014!!! Editor: Dan Gille dcgille@gmail.com Special Thanks to Karen Gille for proofreading and layout Future Publication Dates: April 2014 July 2014 October 2014