Many Scouters have been asking about the status of summer camp in 2022. Camping is at the core of Scouting and the Council stands by the importance of getting youth outside and learning valuable skills for not only life, but also for advancement in the program. There are two mandatory requirements for successful summer resident camping at Camp Kingsley or Camp Henderson: A great program and a safe environment. Without those two elements, the Council cannot offer a quality program.

Unfortunately, the news is mixed. Due to safety issues with the dining hall the Council will not be able to hold summer resident camping at Camp Henderson for Scouts, BSA for 2022. There is an ongoing effort to further diagnose the issues and make repairs to the dining hall, but the timing of completion is uncertain. Without a completion date, we cannot hire staff, only to let them go at the last minute due to the project not being finished.

The good news is that there will be resident Cub Scout camping at Camp Kingsley for the summer of 2022. Staff and volunteers will be making more improvements, repairs, and programming additions over the next six months to get the camp in tip-top shape and to create an even better experience for Cub Scouts, leaders and parents.

While we are disappointed in not being able to hold summer camp at Camp Henderson this year, we are working hard to come up with some great alternatives for Scouts, BSA so they can still have exciting, fun, and educational summer programming in-Council this year. We will keep you up to date on any changes through Smoke Signals, or on the website.

We would like to take this time to remind everyone that Youth Protection Training (YPT) is required yearly. The best time to take Youth Protection is during the fall before charter season starts. Units that do YPT training together please considering scheduling it for November to avoid holidays and weather.

Renew Your Youth Protection Online - https://my.scouting.org/

If you are an Eagle Scout candidate and are looking for a project, the Irish Cultural Center in Utica could use your help. As part of their project, the Irish Cultural Center will be opening a museum covering the rich history of the Irish-Americans in central New York. For more information on this exiting opportunity you can contact Alex Sisti at sistia@roadrunner.com

Please join us in congratulating Andrew Mummenthey of Troop 50 for receiving the 2021-2022 Danforth & Marguerite Bolton Eagle Scout Scholarship: awarded to Eagle Scouts within Leatherstocking Council who demonstrate leadership and a strong participation in extracurricular activities. This endowed scholarship was established by a bequest from Dan, a banking CEO and Marguerite, a teacher with a passion for collecting sea shells and rocks. They shared an affinity for BSA’s mission and loved all that the Council programs offer its youth membership. This scholarship and its deserving recipients honor the incredibly generous legacy they left behind.