A Michigan Crossroads Council newsletter for volunteers, alumni and donors
highlighting great stories about Scouting in Michigan.

I support Scouting!
 

Unit Commissioner Joshua Eckstein of the Pontiac area shows why he supports Scouting through the Friends of Scouting campaign. Our 2016 Friends of Scouting campaign is in full gear and we are beaming like Josh at our results so far. 

To find out more and learn how you can support Scouting,  click here.
"100" and Counting for Troop 158 in Albion

Want to know how a Troop turns 100-years-old?  Ask the volunteer leaders who have made it their mission to make sure every one of their Scouts lives the words "No Excuses, No Exceptions".

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder was one of many lawmakers who offered congratulations to members of the Troop during a Centennial Celebration on March 19 at the Bohm Theater in downtown Albion.

For the rest of the story, visit our website at:   michiganscouting.org

Scout Salute to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan 
Are you a Flint Eagle that just recently received a recognition kit in 2016? Then you have the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan to thank for their generous donation of $1,800 that covered the cost of Eagle Recognition Kits to approximately 70 Scouts in the Flint area. This sponsorship helped offset the cost of each recognition kit that contains the Eagle Patch, Eagle medal, mother's pin, father's tie tack, and mentors pin. 

The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan has supported Scouting in several capacities since 2015. Boy Scouts of America truly appreciates the support and we look forward to continuing our partnership in the future. 
Brighton Scout earns Life Saving Award
Spencer Zach was honored with the Lifesaving Award at a special Troop 350 Court of Honor on 3/14.
An ordinary Saturday morning in October was anything but that for Spencer who relied on his lifesaving skills to save the life of a Brighton man.

The outcome for Mike Davis likely would not have been so positive if Spencer had not been there to perform CPR and keep him stable, a skill he learned in Scouts.

A Race for Success

A Pinewood Derby in February was about so much more than wooden cars rolling down a track for Cub Scout Pack 204.



The Pack is located in one of Kalamazoo's lowest-income neighborhoods, home to the Tree of Life School which the Scouts attend. Read more about what Adam Sterenberg, Principal of Tree of Life, has to say about the way Boy Scouts is changing the lives of his kids.
Want to help bring Scouting to more youth?


Donate now to help support Scouting in your community!

A Powerful Message
Dr. Robert Gates shares his thoughts with Michigan Scouts and Scouters
Dr. Robert Gates pictured with the Water and Woods Field Service Council and the MCC staff members, March 10, 2016

"Scouting has had the greatest influence on me, together with my parents, that shaped the basic character and outlook on my life," said Dr. Robert Gates, 36 th  National President of Boy Scouts of America. This was the powerful message delivered to a an audience of Scouting supporters, volunteers and staff by Dr. Gates, Keynote Speaker for the Great Lakes Bay Region Breakfast on March 10, 2016 in Midland, MI. 

Dr. Gate's  inspired the audience of supporters by sharing his message of the great values he learned through the Scouting program and how those lessons would be instrumental in his success. Continuing his address, Dr. Gates also impressed the need to reinvent Scouting for the future. He shared his belief that Scouting must learn to adapt and in some cases transform to meet the demographic realities of a changing America all while still remaining faithful to the traditional values of the Scouting program.

A helpful, friendly, and kind day in Flint...
Scouting for Water
If you haven't already heard, Scouting in Michigan was extremely busy the last month, doing what we do, helping others at all times. On February 27th, nearly 200 Boy Scouts from all over Michigan and as far as New York and Canada came together to distribute more 2,500 cases of water to nearly 300 residential homes, nine churches and two schools in Flint.

"We hope that the water we collected and delivered will make the lives of our friends, neighbors and fellow Scouting in Flint a little easier," said Matt Thornton, Scout Executive for the MCC. Click here to read the full story of this great project. 
View photos of the day.
A Flock of Eagles 

Secret recipes, antiques, and money are what some families pass down.  But, if you're a member of John Thorne's brood, it's the Eagle Scout Award.

John's sons and grandsons followed his lead and earned their Eagle Scout rank.  John took his cues from his father who is believed to have earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1927 or 1928.

Click here to read more:   michiganscouting.org
For my brother...
Tyler Young, Eagle Scout of the Year 

Tyler stands in front of his Eagle Project, created with his brother's inspiration.
A younger brother who suffers from a chronic illness served as the inspiration for Tyler Young's Eagle Scout project which was an upgrade to the Coopersville Recreation Sports Complex. 

Tyler was recognized as President Ford Field Service Council's Eagle Scout of the Year during the 2016 Building Character Celebration on March 17.

Rota-Kiwan runs and ruins
Bad Prom was a great event!


On March 12, runners from all over Michigan got snazzy and then got sweaty as they dressed up in fun prom attire and ran the trails through the Rota-Kiwan Scout Reservation, which has been exposing the youth of Michigan to the importance of being physically fit since 1921. It was generously sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance, Biggby Coffee, Fastsigns, CSM Construction, Gordon Water and D&W. Thank you to all was part of this Bad Prom and watch out for another 5K to take place at Rota-Kiwan this coming fall! 
What's new at Rota-Kiwan Scout Reservation?


Rota-Kiwan Scout Reservation is about to embark on a new food journey... Introducing a farm to table concept titled Seed to Life! This summer, Rota-Kiwan will be partnering with local volunteers and organizations to grow or bring in 25% local food (sourced within 100 miles). 

Not only will the food be fresh and amazing in the dining hall, Scouts will have the opportunity to experience the the growing process by helping out and learning in our large hoop house that will be installed at the end of April! We will grow many fruits and vegetables, giving kids the opportunity to get their hands dirty and try lots of new foods along the way. There will be programming centered around the growing process including how to compost (using our compost pile), how to plant, harvest and eat fresh foods grown in your backyard. We will also focus on nutrition and making healthy eating choices. 

Did we also mention that we will be introducing a few new members to the camp team? 12 chickens will be joining the camp in May for education, fertilization and fresh eggs! Scouts will have the opportunity to help out with the chickens and learn about the role they play in farming. 

There are lots of opportunities for volunteers to get involved. We will need help installing the hoop houses, planting the garden and maintaining the garden and chickens throughout the summer. If you are interested, please get in touch with Megan Yankee at Megan.Yankee@scouting.org or (269) 779-2848. 

Camping and Positive Youth Development

If you find yourself sitting at the kitchen table thinking about whether to help send a kid to summer camp, we'd like you to consider this - in a recent study commissioned by 4-H, researchers concluded that "when the strength of adolescence is aligned with family, school, and community resources, positive youth development (PYD) will occur."

Positive Youth Development is exhibited by having the 5 C's - competence, confidence, character, connection and caring - all of which leads to the 6th C - contribution! The study, entitled "The Positive Development of Youth," was conducted by the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University. Over a 7-year period, over 7,700 adolescents in 44 states were followed, studied, measured and surveyed along with their parents, school officials and representatives of after-school community youth programs.


Where is camping in all of this you might ask? The study goes on to say that the most powerful community youth development  programs are those that provide:

* Positive and sustained relationships between youth and adults... Camping, check! 
* Activities that build important life skills... Camping, check!
* Opportunities for youth to use these life skills as both participants in and as leaders of valued community activities... Camping, check!

We all know that growing up is a process, with many twists and turns. What this study says, though, is that young people are as capable of learning values as are adults - possibly more so. And, they absorb more positive development if they are part of a community-resource program-like Scouting-- that provides strong mentoring relationships, have opportunities to learn important life skills, and the opportunities to put those skills to work within valued activities.

Sounds like a good reason to help send a kid to camp, doesn't it?
Summer Camp registration is now open. Each year the demand for camp scholarships outweigh the supply of funds needed. Help send a kid to camp! Contact Gerry Granum, Director of Development, (313) 361-1280 or email  Gerry.Granum@Scouting.org or go to michiganscouting.org/donate to make your gift.

Upcoming May Events

The Michigan Crossroads Council hosts a number of special events throughout the year to fund various Scouting programs and to recognize the outstanding individuals that provide those programs. Here are some events coming up this year:

Terre K. Lorenzen Memorial Golf Outing
Wednesday, May 4th, 2016,  Crystal Mountain Resort
Honorary Chair, Ron Jolly WTCM NesTalk 580 will be recognized for his support to Scouting.
Everyone is invited to join us for our 33rd annual Boy Scouts of America, Terre K. Lorenzen Memorial Golf Outing! This event is a four person scramble, including on-course games, silent auction and a banquet dinner. This year the President Ford FSC will be honoring WTCM's Ron Jolly for his decades of support to Scouting.

All proceeds from this event will help deliver our life-changing Scouting program to youth in Northern Michigan .

Find our more about this event by contacting Ashley Krebs at 616-648-9442 or ashley.krebs@scouting.org


Sporting Clays Classic ... presented by 
Kuka
Friday, May 6th, 2016,  Bald Mountain Shooting Range 
Whether you are a life-long firearms enthusiast or a newcomer to shooting sports, this outing is a blast! This day will provide you and your guests a safe and thrilling day in a beautiful and relaxing setting. This annual event is a competitive, 100-round shooting competition that's fun and entertaining for all! Come on out and have a "blast" all while helping to support Scouting programs that serve Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties. 

Find our more about this event and register by visiting our website at  http://michiganscouting.org/glclassic/  or contact  Jaime Hayes at 313.361.1291 or at  jaime.hayes@scouting.org  for more information.
Shooting Clays Event
Wednesday, May 11, 2016, Kent County Conservation League 


Join us for a day of fun with shooting games and lunch, golf carts for each team to transit between shooting stations, ammunition, gun cleaning, premier silent auction and raffle, social hour after, including hors d'oeuvres, premium beverages, and cigars.

All proceeds from this event will benefit the nearly 20,000 young men and women in North and West Michigan. For more information and to register contact Sarah Hotchkiss at  sarah.hotchkiss@scouting.org , 616.785.2662 ext 207. download the

Friends of Scouting luncheon
Mark Dantonio MSU Head Football Coach
May 19th, 2016 Alexander's Premier Banquet Hall and Facility
 
Featuring Keynote Speaker:
Mark Dantonio, MSU Head Football Coach 

Join us as Mark Dantonio delivers a message that inspires! Scouting should be available and affordable for all youth in our community and with your attendance to this luncheon we can help make this commitment a reality. This 12th annual Friends of Scouting luncheon directly supports our efforts to support and strengthen youth's self-confidence, academic, and leadership skills to prepare them for adulthood. 

For more information, please contact Joseph, Koehn at Joseph.koehn@scouting.org

2016 Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner... 
Samir Salman CEO, Continental 
Automotive NAFTA Region

Wednesday, May 25th, 2016, MGM Grand Detroit 

Join us at this annual event where we recognize noteworthy and extraordinary leadership of citizens in our community. This year's recipient is Samir Salman, CEO of Continental Automotive NAFTA Region for his impact on Scouting and his involvement with the youth in our community. All funds raised at this event will help support over 25,000 youth in Southeastern Michigan.

For more information, contact Jaime Hayes at 313.361.1291 or at  jaime.hayes@scouting.org or register here:  http://michiganscouting.org/dcad/  
Make sure you share our new  Impact Newsletters with volunteers, alumni and donors that you know. Click the "forward this email" below and send  this copy to your email contacts. 

Have a great story to share? Send your thoughts, ideas and great stories to Beth Hunter beth.hunter@scouting.org
137 S. Marketplace Blvd.
Lansing, MI 48917
(517) 940-4210

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