Update on Elbert County Fire
Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch is open for operations, and the current wildland fire northwest of Elbert, Colorado (CR 102 Fire) is not affecting our program. The latest information from the Elbert County Office of Emergency Managenement states:
Here is a quick update on the CR 102 fire from the changes previously reported. The fire has been updated to 90% containment from 75% with crews working hot spots at this hour. Weather continues to be a factor in the burn area and winds are developing. This could change the containment factor through the afternoon. The Town of Elbert remains on Pre-Evacuation Notice for the remainder of the afternoon.
Fire hotspots are in the canyon areas of the forested burn area making suppression difficult. Fire commanders are addressing future concerns for the remainder of the day and aggressive suppression tactics. Be sure to look for updates on the County Web Page at http://www.Elbertcounty-co.gov or follow Emergency Management on Facebook and Twitter @ Elbert County OEM.
Please contact us if you have additional questions regarding the burn area. A notification will be sent to residents in the Town of Elbert when the pre evacuation is lifted. Additional Updates will continue through the day until containment is secured at 100%.
Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch is not currently under evacuation order. A plan has been developed and campers & staff are fully prepared to evacuate if needed. Troop leaders have been asked to contact parents directly to keep the main phone line at PV open.
David Huffine Memorial
Dear Scouting Friends:
It is with a heavy heart that I must share the news of the unexpected passing of our Peaceful Valley Camp Ranger, David Huffine. David was a good man and a great asset to the Denver Area Council. He will be deeply missed. Please pray for David and his family during this very difficult time.
A memorial service will be held to honor the life of David Huffine Sunday, May 20th, 2012 at 3 p.m. at Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch in the McKenzie Range (the flag pole area near the Dining Hall) located in Elbert, CO with fellowship to follow in the Kephart Dining Hall. The Scout uniform is appropriate attire. Please wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk and possibly stand for a period of time (folding chairs will be set up in the area). Scout volunteers from Troop 636 will be directing traffic and parking. If you have photos of David Huffine or a special message for the family please email them to Nicole Cosme.
Your Scout Executive,
John Cabeza
Baylor University Study Shows 46 Ways Eagle Scouts Are Different
With the help of the Gallup Organization, Baylor University researchers contacted 81,409 potential respondents to study the differences between Eagle Scouts, former Scouts who didn’t make Eagle, and men who were never in Scouting. At long last, the results of the 2010 study are in.
Called Merit Beyond the Badge, the study found that Eagle Scouts are more likely than men who have never been in Scouting to:
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Have higher levels of planning and preparation skills, be goal-oriented, and network with others
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Be in a leadership position at their place of employment or local community
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Report having closer relationships with family and friends
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Volunteer for religious and nonreligious organizations
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Donate money to charitable groups
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Work with others to improve their neighborhoods
“Our study measured if achieving the rank of Eagle provides an advantage and benefits throughout a Scout’s life,” said Dr. Byron Johnson, lead researcher, Baylor University. “We found that the effort and commitment required to earn this rank produces positive attributes that benefit not only these men in their personal and professional lives, but also benefits their communities and the country through the service and leadership they provide.”
To learn more about the study, as well as this year’s 100th anniversary of the Eagle Scout Award, a number of resources are available:
There you have it. Read the complete 74-page study (PDF) here.
Eagle Scouts - Tell Us Your Story!
The Denver Area Council is looking for Scouts that have already attained the rank of Eagle and are currently working on an additional community service project for a special story feature. Email your story including the details of the project and the dates to Nicole Cosme, Director of Marketing for the Boy Scouts of America, Denver Area Council.
Voice of the Scout
As part of a national Boy Scout of America program, the Denver Area Council is excited to announce our participation in the Voice of the Scout. With over four million members, this program is being adopted as a key way to collect experiences and deliver upon the expectation of members as they participate in Scouting.
Beginning mid-March, parents, Scouts and Venturers over 14, volunteers and chartered organizations will begin seeing surveys delivered into their email inboxes for Voice of the Scout. The surveys have been designed to be very brief but will give needed insight into the variety of experiences at the unit and district within our council.
Surveys will stay open for three weeks, and then information will be referenced for making key decisions to drive Scouting forward, as guided by the people that matter most - our members. It will be a continuous program, in that we will launch these surveys twice per year, with no household receiving more than one survey every six months. The surveys will go out in March and September of each year.
Here are some resources available for your use:
Voice of the Scout is how we will help guide our decision-making for our future programs and operational delivery. Please take a few minutes of your time to participate!
High Winds Hit Camp Tahosa
Camp Takes a Licking; But Keeps on Ticking
 Ward, CO - On Saturday evening, November, 12th, 2011 winds hit Camp Tahosa estimated to be in excess of 120 miles per hour. Damage included the estimated loss of 400 trees throughout camp, minor damage to the Ranger’s home, as well as minor damage to two latrines and a tree hitting a parked car of one of our troop leaders. At the time of this event, approximately 100 Scouts and leaders were in camp.
When the storm winds hit camp; everyone sought shelter in permanent structures and most importantly of all, there were no injuries.
Camp Ranger, Marc Lyman, stated that the Scouts and leaders handled this potentially disastrous situation in true Scouting spirit and were prepared to deal with the aftermath of this event.
The other good news is that no programs or activities planned for camp will be moved or cancelled.
Many Scouters have called the Council, asking if they can provide any assistance in cleaning up the trees that have been downed. The trees in the central part of camp will be cut up and removed by this weekend. In addition, Bill Williams, Chairman of the Council Conversation Committee, has sought expert advice as to whether we should remove the trees outside of the central camp area. The recommendation is NOT to remove these trees for the time being.
If you are interested in seeing more, please visit the photo album and see the photos taken following the storm.
Scouting's Jouney to Excellence
“Scouting’s Journey to Excellence” is the BSA’s new council performance recognition program designed to encourage and reward success and measure the performance of our units, districts, and councils. It is replacing the Centennial Quality Awards Program as a means of encouraging excellence in providing a quality program at all levels of the BSA. Read more...
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