The big news is - We have a new District Executive, Kristina Becker. Kristina was introduced Tuesday at our monthly District Commissioner Meeting. Not only was Kristina introduced, the meeting was attended by our new "Area" Field Director, Dave Bryan. Dave has been in Scouting many years as a volunteer and professional. Not to be left out, our originally scheduled guest was also there, our new Council Commissioner, Scott Storrer. All three guests gave us a little about their background and where they see the District going.
Another first, this was the best attended Commissioner Meeting since I took the position of Assistant District Commissioner in 2010 with 13 people in attendance.
Scott Storrer shared some information from the Council level.
Council has three major focuses at the moment:
Family Scouting - a task force has been formed to provide for a smooth implementation of girls in Scouting.
The after School Program in Philadelphia, this replaces what we knew as "Scout Reach" There is a huge potential for membership growth in Philadelphia. There are plans to purchase land in Fairmont Park for a Scouting Camp to bring Scouting to the city. Funds are available to complete this project.
The long awaited Camp Garrison upgrade, Camp Hart and Delmont restoration. There is money allocated so it is not all hot air this time! The plan is to provide a first class Scouting Camp experience less than an hour from all of our Scouts. Resica Falls will remain the premier Scouting Summer camp, with of course provisions for females.
Be sure to show up for our District Recognition Picnic. We will take payment at the door. There are quite a few recipient volunteers and youth and adults. You may be one! It is only fitting to recognize all the hard work done by our volunteers. Without that devotion and effort the Scouting program would not be the great program our Scouts enjoy today.
So the important thing looking ahead - Make sure all of your Adult Leaders complete the new Youth Protection Training ASAP! This will reap many benefits going forward. If your Unit or group of adults would like to complete the new YPT training in a classroom setting you may contact Mike Matusheski at
[email protected]. Mike will gladly schedule the training.
See you at the picnic, Tom Shaw and his crew have been working hard to make this a fun and memorable event. There is rumored that BB rifle shooting will be available! How's that for a change of pace?
Yours in Service,
Ken Houseal
Lafayette District Commissioner