MDSC Announcement on Youth Protection
September/17/2012
Youth Protection
Dear Scouting family,
This weekend, the LA Times ran a story concerning the Boy Scout confidential youth protection files, which are being released.
As you know, Youth Protection is of paramount importance to the Boy Scouts of America and we have established a multi-tiered approach focused on effective volunteer screening, education and training, and clear policies to protect youth. As part of this effort we have, and will continue to use, Ineligible Volunteer Files (IV Files) to screen and keep individuals whose actions are inconsistent with the standards of Scouting out of the program.
Last June, an Oregon court ordered the BSA IV Files that were submitted as evidence in trial should be released. The BSA has argued that the confidentiality of these reports helps us protect Scouts. We believe that victims and their families have the right to choose for themselves whether to share their stories publicly, and people are more likely to come forward to report real or perceived misconduct if they can do so confidentially. The Oregon State Supreme Court recently ordered that those files be made public in redacted form and these files are expected to receive significant media coverage.
The IV Files involved are 25-45 years old and the media is likely to focus its attention on that time period. Scouting's Youth Protection policies and procedures have evolved and been strengthened significantly since then. Today our programs are cited by leading experts in child welfare as examples to be emulated by other youth serving groups. That said, the best prevention requires constant vigilance and we will never waiver in our efforts to protect the youth entrusted to our care. As we often say in Scouting, "Youth Protection begins with you." That means each and every one of us shares in this important responsibility. You can learn additional details about our youth protection efforts by visiting www.bsayouthprotection.com
As you know, and as the website above describes in greater detail, Scouting has in place mandatory reporting policies concerning abuse. If you have a good-faith suspicion or belief that any child is or has been physically or sexually abused, we ask that you notify local authorities and me, as your local Scout Executive.
If you should receive any media inquiries on this subject, please forward them directly to [email protected] or 855-870-2178.
Thank you for all you do to help ensure Scouting is a safe place for all.
John C. Fenoglio
Scout Executive/CEO
Mt. Diablo Silverado Council
925-674-6150
One Car One Difference
Do you have a vehicle that you no longer need and have a desire to support Scouting? If you do, this program may be for you.
One Car One Difference is a vehicle donation program that converts unwanted vehicles at auction into cash for non-profit charities. Their partnership with the Boy Scouts of America provides you another way to support our council, allowing them to put those funds to use in support of the programs and facilities needed most by the youth.
Donation process is simple. A few pieces of information will get you started. Towing and auctioning of the donated vehicle will be managed by the Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA) team. Once the vehicle is sold, you will receive a receipt for tax deduction filing, and the proceeds will be returned to the local Council.
Click on the logo to get started!
Council Merger Update
SUMMARY – The San Francisco Bay Area Council voted to support the Merger and the Mt Diablo Silverado Council voted to oppose the Merger. Consequently, the potential Merger of our two Councils will not move forward.
Last evening the “voting members” of the SFBAC voted overwhelmingly in support of merging (with 92% in favor.) However, the voting members of the MDSC, voted solidly against the merger (with 61% against.) Over the past several months an organized group within the MDSC developed and successfully marketed an “Alternative to Merger Plan,” which they believe will better serve the youth in our Council. Both organizations will continue to operate independently in providing the values and character building programs of Scouting to some 35,000 young people from throughout the Bay Area.
Find out more about MDSC's Alternative to Merger Plan here and their Plan of Action moving forward.
Webeloree
Two sessions to choose from:
South Session
Date: Saturday, October 6, 2012, 7:00am - Sunday, October 7, 2012, 10:30am
Location: Camp Herms, 1100 James Pl, El Cerritos (map)
North Session
Date: Saturday, November 10, 2012, 7:00am - Sunday, November 11, 2012, 11:30am
Location: Mare Island, Vallejo, 1595 Railroad Ave. (South of Touro Univ.) (map)
Cost: $45 per webelos, $25 per adult. Patch, pins, breakfast, and entertainment included.
Further information: Council website
Awards: Participation patch and 4 activity pins (Outdoorsman, Scientist, Showman, & Readyman)
Registration: Registration begins August 20th. This event always fills. Register early.
The Webeloree is a fun overnight outing for Webelos & their parents to enjoy. While working with Boy Scout patrols, Webelos may earn Webelos activity pins. The Webeloree is open to all first and second-year Webelos. All Webelos and their parent attending will receive a custom Webeloree patch and the activity pins earned at the event.
This year the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council is hosting two Webelorees! One at Camp Herms in October and one at Mare Island in Novemeber. For more information on either camp, please visit the information and registration pages here.
The Webeloree online registration will launch on August 20th. Please be aware that some of the activity pins featured, during the Webeloree require some portion of the pin requirements be completed before the Scouts arrive for the event. Having these prerequisites completed will allow the Webelos to complete the pin during the weekend. To view the list of pins that require requirements to be done before camp, please preview the registration information here.
Marksmanship Day
Date: Saturday, September 15, 2012
Time: Choose from:
- AM Session 8:00AM - 12:00PM
- PM Session 1:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Camp Herms, 1100 James Pl, El Cerritos (map)
Cost: $20 per scout, $5 per adult. Lunch included. $5 late fee per person after August 5th.
Attire: Class A uniform
Awards: Participation patch, Archery or BB Shooting belt loop and pin
Bring: Warm clothes.
Must read: Event flyer
Note: This event always fills. Register early.
The Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program is an optional program for all Cub Scouts. Its purpose is to encourage the Scouts in learning new skills, or improving one they already posses. Cub Scouts can earn belt loops and pins in 25 academic areas and 28 different sports. Among them, the shooting sports loops and pins (Archery and BB-gun Shooting) can only be earned through Council-led events, under BSA trained supervision, and at a BSA facility range.
Marksmanship Day is one of such Council events and the next one is coming up on September 15th. Registration can be made online at the Council website. Make sure to wear your Class A.
Note: Shooting sports belt loops can be used toward Wolf electives 20c and 20n, part of Bear requirement 23c and Bear electives 20.
MDSC 20th Anniversary
Dear Scouts and Scouters,
Come join us for an Ice Cream Social in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of our Mt. Diablo Silverado Council Service Center in Pleasant Hill from noon-2pm on Sunday, July 22nd.
- Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream
- Bounce House
- Scout Shop Sidewalk Sale
- Prizes
Bring the whole family! RSVP to [email protected].
Hope to see you there!
Anne O'Neal
MDSC Celebration Chairperson
MDSC Cub Scout Olympics
The Mt. Diablo Silverado Council is calling all Cub Scouts and their families! Come join us for an exciting day of fun-filled friendly competition at the Cub Scout Olympics.
This fun-filled day will include several activities and events on both the individual and Pack level. Each Cub Scout can compete individually in the long jump, bean bag toss, frisbee throw and the obstacle course. Then the Pack can come together to compete in the running relay and the tug-of-war. Between events the Cub Scouts can enjoy activities such as the bounce house or check out the Fire Truck and the Police K-9 unit. Register now to take part in this exciting day and prepare yourself for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Location: Acalanes High School - 1212 Pleasant Hill Road, Lafayette
Date: Saturday, May 19th, 2012
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Price: $15.00 ($25.00 at door) for Cub Scouts and siblings.
Includes awards, patch and BBQ lunch.
$5 for adults (includes BBQ lunch)
Click Here for the informational flyer and registration form.
For questions or information about getting involved contact Mary April at (925) 202-3882.
Council Merger Info
Scouters and Scout families,
The Mt. Diablo Silverado Council is considering merging our Boy Scout council operations with the San Francisco Bay Area Council.
There is a new “Official Merger Discussion Website" concerning the merger. It contains answers to many of the most pressing questions regarding the merger. We invite you to click the following link to the new website and encourage you to save it as a favorite.
http://www.boyscoutmerger.org/
We invite you to forward this URL to anyone who would be interested in learning more about this merger discussion, so that they too can become informed.
Thank you,
John C. Fenoglio
Scout Executive/CEO
Mt. Diablo Silverado Council
Mt Diablo Silverado Council Friends of Scouting Campaign
Hi Pack 1776!
It's that time of the year again for the Friends of Scouting fundraising campaign. For those families that have joined the pack within the last year, this is the annual fundraising drive where the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council asks for our support. Whether your family as been a part of the pack for years, or you are new to the pack, please do consider contributing to this worthy cause.
When I consider donating, I often have many questions. Allow me to share some information that I hope help answer some questions you may have.
What is the Mt. Diable Silverado Council and why should I provide support?
The MDSC is located in Pleasant Hill and serves over 14,500 scouts in Contra Costa, Solano, Napa, Lake, and northern Alameda counties. The activities and services provided by the Council are training, camp Herms and Wolfeboro, recruiting materials, administrative services, professional services, insurance, and most everything we need to run Pack 1776.
How do I donate?
Brochures (attached) and envelopes will be passed out by the Den leaders to the families in their dens at the Pack meeting Wednesday. Families are asked to fill out the section in the brochure, and then return the pledge card and donation in the envelope to their Den leader, or me, at the pack meeting. If you want more time to review, you can turn in to me up to Sunday March 18th. I'd like to get these turned in by March 23rd.
What are my options for donating?
Cash, check, or credit cards are accepted. Donating tomorrow may not be convenient for some, so pledges are another convenient option and can be spread out over time. Pledges for $25 can be taken and reminders mailed. Pledges can be annually, semi-annually, quarterly, or monthly.
How much should I donate?
The Council estimates it costs approximately $200 annually to support each scout, and this is the amount Council hopes each family will contribute. Pack 1776 families have been very generous in the past…some families give more than the recommended amount, some give the recommended amount, some give less. At the end of the day, this is a personal decision, and all contributions are appreciated.
Is my donation tax deductable? Yes!!!
Attached is a brochure with more information. In addition, I will be showing a brief video at the Pack meeting to help provide information.
On a personal note, I sincerely believe in the Boy Scouts of America and support the Mt Diablo Silverado Council Friends of Scouting campaign with all my heart. As a boy growing up, I was both a Cub Scout and Boy Scout in the Mt Diablo Silverado Council, and I was fortunate enough to attend many of the events and camps supported by the Council. As a Boy Scout, I went to Camp Wolfeboro 4 consecutive years and had the time of my life. In scouting I established friendships with guys that are still great friends to this day. I could not have experienced all that I did if it weren’t for the generous folks that supported the Council then. Now it’s time for me to give back, and I hope you will join my family and support the Council’s Friends of Scouting campaign.
Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Regards,
Steve Jackson
Committee Chairperson, Pack 1776
Webeloree Recap
2011 Webeloree, October 1 – 2
Webelos from Pack 1776 had a great weekend at historic Camp Herms in the El Cerrito hills. Everything was well organized, well staffed, and packed full of fun.
The Webelos started Saturday morning by setting up their tents in the lower field. The scouts did the majority of the set up with very minimal help from the adults. They all did a fine job.
After the opening flag ceremony and rousing songs, our Pack started the morning at the Forester Unit. Mr. Harrison, from Boy Scout Troop #24, taught the scouts about tree growth rings, the five layers of a forest, 6 forest trees, 6 forest plants, how water/minerals/sun help, and about the harm/benefits of wildfires.
Our group then moved onto the Outdoorsman Unit. Boy Scouts from Troop # 24 used a skit format to thoroughly go over every point about the Leave No Trace Frontcountry Guidelines (plan ahead, stick to trails, manage your pet, leave what you find, respect other visitors, trash your trash). The Webelos also learned about the rules of outdoor fire safety and practiced how to fuse and whip the ends of a rope. Here they used the rope they fused to make a paracord bracelet with a side release buckle. We ended this unit by making our foil dinner with chicken, potatoes, and vegetables.
Then we gathered under the beautiful redwoods and had a picnic with our bagged lunch. The scouts played and the adults relaxed.
At the signal, we moved on to the Geologist Unit, led by Geologist Michael L. and Boy Scouts from Troop # 100. This was a well prepared, hands on unit. They touched real fossils, learned the four different ways mountains are formed, examined minerals in various uses and geologic materials used in home building, and talked with geologist Michael L. about the rocks found at Camp Herm and geology mapping of the area. (Very interesting stuff!) Before leaving this unit, the scouts received a special rock as a memento.
The final station they visited on Saturday was led by biologist, Mr. Dekloe, from Troop 864. Here the Webelos earned their Naturalist pin by learning about an ecosystem, an aquadic ecosystem & wetland, flyways near our area, dangers of litter, and poisonous plants & animals. We also went on a short hike and learned about non-native plants, how some plants use nitrogen in the soil, what poison oak looks like and why we should avoid it, stinging nettle, poisonous hemlock, poppy seed disbursement, and the difference in pine cones.
After our closing flag ceremony, we ate our delicious foil dinner of chicken, vegetables, and potatoes. The evening was capped off with two different shows. We first visited the amazing AstroWizard, Mr. Rodrigues, who educated the scouts on space and science related topics using pictures, props, bubbles, telescope, and exciting explosions. And finally, a well run campfire program led by Boy Scout Troop #127 entertained the entire camp audience with fun songs and funny skits.
Next year’s Webeloree is planned at Camp Herms for October 6-7, 2012. So, mark your calendars and save the date.
The following scouts earned their Forester, Outdoorsman, Geologist, and Naturalist Pins:
Andrew K, Ben R, Dylan W, Ethan M, Hayden C, Jack P, Raymond F, Umesh N, Warren H
