Totem Poles, Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch Duty to Country...
Transcript of Totem Poles, Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch Duty to Country...
Totem Poles, Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch Duty to Country Summer Camp Sunset
Explore. Achieve. Dream. No other youth program allows young men and women to do so much to realize their full po-tential. No other program instills the character traits and leadership skills of Scouting. Not one. It is an absolute joy and a hearty challenge delivering such an essential program to our rapidly changing and growing community. In a time when Scouting membership has declined in many areas across the country, we’ve continued to grow in West Texas. Moreover, we’ve managed to trim expenses even while expanding our program. We’ve added essential capital improvements to our camp. We’ve provided numerous opportu-nities to help and train the volunteers who are the heart and cornerstones of our Packs, Troops, Crews, and Posts. We’ve stretched the hard-earned dollar of every contributor and put it to work right where it was needed most: providing unique educational opportunities and a foundation of character for our young people and future leaders. We pledge to continue to do our very best for today’s youth and tomorrow’s leaders.
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introduction ……………………. 3-7
highlights ………………………. 8-9
membership ……………………
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program ……………………….. 12-13
development & finance ………. 14-15
recognition …………………….. 16-17
leadership ……………………... 18-19
table of contents
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On cover: Canopy of Stars, by Aaron Bedell All images Copyright © 2015 Aaron Bedell *unless otherwise noted
Scouting in West Texas has been a community tradition almost from the very inception of the Boy Scouts of America. A letter from the home office established a council called the "Midland Council" in Midland, TX in 1913, with E. A. Bryan, Presi-dent. However, there appears to have been little activity between that time and when the Buffalo Trail Council officially chartered in 1923. The name Buffalo Trail actually came from the trails cut in the sandstone near Big Spring by buffalo hooves as the ani-mals walked to water. By 1945, according to that year’s annual report, the council had grown from 1,431 active membership in 1936, to 4,745 active members. That year they had 162 Scouts attend a six-day camp at the Davis Mt. Camp (a pre-cursor to BTSR). Activities for 1945 included waste paper collection; old clothing collection; cooperation with Red Cross Campaign; War Chest Dinner, War & Victory Bond Campaigns; put up posters for T.B. Seal and Infantile Paralysis Campaigns; ushered at football games; Cub Day Camps; Cub Rallies; Halloween events; observation of Anniversary Week; and Christmas Good Turn. In 1948, the council acquired title to a 6,000 acre tract in the Davis Mountains for camping and it was named Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch. More than one-hundred years since the first seeds of Scouting were planted here, the roots of the program continue to grow deep and strong thanks to the dedication of hundreds of volunteers and numerous community leaders.
BTSR Summer Camp, 1949 *
The future of America Our country’s greatest strength has always been its values
The core of the Scouting program is based on the same foundation that created the greatest nation: the character of its leaders. From the beginning, Scouting has maintained as its focus the ability to impart the qualities that are most de-sired among civilized peoples. Today, that means cultivating and instructing young people in the areas of patri-otism, work ethic, independence, cooperation, self-control, life-skills, resource-fulness, persistence, humility, tolerance, generosity, patience, fair-mindedness, respect, planning, preparedness, compassion, and many other worthy attributes.
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The values of Scouting Good for our youth; essential for our society
The Buffalo Trail Council is solidly committed to helping our youth achieve their goals. Cub Scouting focuses on family values. Boy Scouting develops the individual while still emphasizing teamwork. Venturing fuels the dreams of both young men and women through high adventure oriented activities. Exploring gives young adults the opportunity to experience a potential vocation or career through hands-on educational programs. Critical life-skills and values are im-parted to each youth who participates in Scouting through a variety of ways.
The Scout Oath On my honor,
I will do my best to do my duty to God
and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
to help other people at all times; keep myself physical strong,
mentally awake and morally straight.
The Scout Law A Scout is
Trustworthy Loyal
Helpful Friendly
Courteous Kind
Obedient Cheerful Thrifty Brave Clean and
Reverent
1 Sung Joon Jang, Byron R. Johnson, and Young-Il Kim. 2012. “Eagle Scouts: Merit Beyond the Badge.”
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A recent study of Eagle Scouts confirms that boys who participate in Scouting are better prepared for the challenges of life as adults in the following ways:
They participate more often in recreational activities throughout their lifetimes. They are also better off emo-tionally, relationally, and physically.1
Youth who are involved in Scouting are more committed to learning, are goal-oriented, better planners and prepar-ers, practice self-efficacy, participate in activities with their neighbors, understand accountability, have moral-based attitudes, are open to diversity, have civic-minded attitudes, and are likely to be more spiritually mature.1
Scouts are more likely to participate in service clubs, do-nate their time and money to non-profits, take active roles in problem-solving, environmental stewardship, political roles, and civic leadership.1
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
WELL-BEING
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
2014 Highlights Buffalo Trail Council, BSA
PROPERTIES/EQUIPMENT Completed construc on of a new 5,000 square foot pavilion dedicated for the First Year Camper Program • Added 30,000 addi onal acres for backpacking and cavalcades through a new partnership with Caldwell Ranch • New equipment including 5‐ton truck, light tower/generator, 5‐ton dump truck, and bulldozer • Construc on nearly completed on a new shower house facility at WB Stowe campsite PROGRAM Increase of BTSR summer camp par cipants • Developed new programs at BTSR • Increased par cipa on in ac vi es • Es mated 700 in a endance at Pushmobile Derbies • New ATV Pilot Program for 2014 • Summer Camp and High Adventure Camps scored 100% on Na onal Inspec on • Day camps in all districts • 3rd Interna onal Camporee Scheduled at BTSR with an es mated 200 Scouts from Mexico a ending • Over 700 par cipants at spring and fall Cub‐O‐Rees at BTSR DEVELOPMENT Dis nguished Ci zen Dinner raised $165,000 • Successfully conducted new Sustainability Awards Luncheon • Spor ng Clay Tournament raised over $50,000 • New Life me Achievement Award Banquet planned with proceeds going toward Endowment and debt reduc on • Record increase in popcorn sales RELATIONSHIPS/MEMBERSHIP Top three councils for membership growth in Southern Region • 7 new partnerships formed with local Churches, Service Clubs and Community Organiza ons • At‐Risk Youth Programs—In School Scou ng, R.O.P.E., and G.R.O.W. programs show con nued growth and success ADMINISTRATION Compliance with BSA standards reviewed regularly • Achieved Silver Award in the Journey to Excellence program • Con nued diversifica on of board • Strengthened internal controls • Balanced Opera ng Budget • Growth in Net Assets over $300,000 • New gi s to endowment of $15,000 OTHER Con nued expansion of BTSR year‐round usage • New computer systems for camp and headquarters office • Successfully reintroduced council‐wide Scou ng for Food community good turn OUR VISION In 2015 we will con nue the process and development of capital improvements at Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch. Due to the popularity of BTSR we are literally overflowing with campers and must expand our facili es to con nue to deliver the promise of Scou ng to these boys. New facili es will include a dining hall, sustainability/nature center, mul ple new program pavilions, addi onal shower houses, and a great deal of infrastructure upgrades and expansions. We will be reaching out to our communi es to secure funding for these cri cal needs.
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Membership
Traditional membership grew by a total of 2.7%, including exceptional growth in the area of Cub Scouts and Ventur-ing, placing us in the Top Three for the Southern Region. Council-wide growth was generally strong. Although the climate for joining Scouting re-mains quite positive and the need has never been greater, there are new challenges to re-cruitment which require changing methods and approaches.
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Scoutreach & Special Programs Special emphasis con nues to be placed on reaching “underserved” popula ons throughout the council boundaries. Tradi onal Scou ng programs were established and delivered using tradi onal means and prac ces. Non‐tradi onal methodology was employed to deliver the various programs in some areas. Partnerships with other organiza ons play a big role in providing Scou ng in hard to serve demographics. Campfire, Casa De Amigos, R.O.P.E., G.R.O.W., and the new Propel program are at the forefront of providing innova ve program to youth that we o en have had a difficult me reaching.
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Cub Scouts 1,758 Boy Scouts 727 Venturers 254 TOTAL TRADITIONAL YOUTH 2,739
Buffalo Trail Council
Tradi onal Membership
Non‐Tradi onal (LFL, Exploring, etc.)TOTAL 64
One of the core elements of the Scou ng program is giving back to our neigh‐bors and the people in our communi es through a variety of different service opportuni es. Each me we recite the Scout Oath, we’re reminded that we are to do this at all mes. Scou ng for Food (SFF) is a wonderful chance to let our friends, neighbors, and other ci zens throughout the Permian Basin know that we are a vibrant and ac ve organiza on that delivers its promise. 2014 marked the first year for the return of this community good turn as a council‐wide event in nearly a decade. Scouts from Packs and Troops through‐
out Odessa and Midland pitched in to collect more than 3,450 pounds of food and enough money to provide more than 2,800 meals to needy families throughout our communi es. The collec on day tradi onally occurs in the month of January, immediately following the heaviest season for food banks when their stores are in most cri cal need of replenishing.
Scou ng For Food
Big Bend Cub Scouts 116 Boy Scouts 32 Venturers 15 TOTAL TRADITIONAL YOUTH 163
Chaparral Cub Scouts 433 Boy Scouts 297 Venturers 50 TOTAL TRADITIONAL YOUTH 780
Comanche Trails Cub Scouts 608 Boy Scouts 196 Venturers 5 TOTAL TRADITIONAL YOUTH 809
Lone Star Cub Scouts 371 Boy Scouts 115 Venturers 4 TOTAL TRADITIONAL YOUTH 490
Scoutreach Cub Scouts 230 Boy Scouts 87 Venturers 180 TOTAL TRADITIONAL YOUTH 497
District Membership Totals
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Council and District Boundaries
Programs
Every program experienced growth, particularly Cub Scout events such as Cub-O-Ree which was expanded to two dates in spring and two dates in autumn. Interest in Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch continues to flourish. Scout Troops from all over the region and as far away as Florida and California have come to enjoy the enchanting scenery of the Davis Mountains and the top-shelf program offered by some of the most experienced staff members in a three state area.
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Zoiks!! Record Increase in Popcorn Sales! Thanks in part to the courage and enthusiasm of Captain Corn and his sidekick, Popcorn Girl, sales of the fluffy, crunchy, bu ery stuff surged. Overall sales were $363,470 or a 32.5% increase over the previous year. Dozens of Cub Scouts qualified for free Day Camp by selling over $1,000 each. Boy Scouts selling $2,000 or more earned a free week at Summer Camp. Several lucky Scouts scored a new iPad Mini, col‐lectors’ patches, and more when they filled up a sales sheet which qualified them for a special drawing. Congratula ons to Pack 641 which was in the Top 20 for the na on with over $50,000 in sales!
Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch
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Summer Camp A endance
BTSR offers year‐round backpacking and horse‐back cavalcades to Scouts, churches, civic groups, and businesses. A er building up our infrastructure and establish‐ing key rela onships, we have finally reached the point where we will be offering Philmont‐style, week‐long high adventure backpacking experienc‐es that fully u lize the more than 100,000 total acres of land that we have access to throughout the Davis Mountains.
Our next step will be to secure addi onal funding for road improvements, commissary buildings, compos ng toilets, and addi onal program sites such as a Na ve American Indian Village, climbing outpost, Cowboy Ac on Shoo ng Range, Circle H western homesteading and archaeology program, and many more.
Ac vi es & Events
The Horse Program
Total Youth 3,065
Total Adults 781
Troops 133
Youth 2,620
Adults 647
Base Camp
Youth 445
Adults 134
High Adventure 2014 was a program rich year for BTC. Mul -ple camping events and exci ng one-day ac-vi es gave Scouts cause to be enthusias c.
Merit Badge Academy
10 Commandments & Duty to God Hikes
Mul ple Flag Re rement Ceremonies
Spring Camp‐O‐Ree
Don’t Mess With Texas trash pick‐up
Snyder Fish‐A‐Thon
8 weeks of Summer Camp at BTSR
District Day Camp or Twilight Camp
Webelos Resident Camp at BTSR
Campout with the Rock Hounds
4 Cub‐O‐Rees
Pushmobile Races
Winter Camp
Few councils can boast an ac ve horse program like the one at BTSR. Weekend cavalcades are available almost year‐round and the week‐long cavalcades held throughout summer camp are among the first programs to fill up each season.
With more than 50 head of hors‐es, our program is also one of the most robust. Crew members get to experience the best of the backcountry without the hassle of carrying a 40 pound pack plus they get to take advantage of some great western style meals.
As a bonus, Scouts who par cipate in the pro‐gram are able to qualify for the challenging Horse‐manship Merit Badge.
Development & Finance
Increases in volunteer manpower and heightened aware-ness throughout the community helped create a nurturing environment for philanthropic work.
2014 Financial Statement (unaudited)
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Ongoing Capital Improvements
At the heart of nearly every council is its camp and Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch is no excep on. As the popularity of our camp has grown, so has the
demand on its physical re‐sources. As a result, pro‐gress is being made towards raising awareness for funds necessary to make improve‐ments, big and small.
Topping the list are a new dining hall and kitch‐en. This facility will eliminate what is probably the largest bo le neck of summer camp ‐ ea ng in shi s. The result of a unified meal me will not only be increased program opportuni es for campers but also fer le ground for addi onal bonding and fellowship that occur during meals. New program areas and pavilions are on‐track to be built in the near future.
First Annual Sustainability Awards Luncheon
Special Events
This first‐of‐its‐kind event was held on August 13th at MCM Grande in Odessa. In addi on to recognizing Charles Acker, an Eagle from Mo‐nahans, as youth honoree, Whi ng Petroleum was also honored for its North Ward Estes CO2 Flood Project as a model of sustainability. The event emphasized Scou ng’s commitment to environmental educa on programs.
The 27th Annual Dis nguished Ci zen Dinner was held on November 11th to honor Tim Leach, one of the Permian Basin’s most humble yet ac ve leaders. As a local company, Concho is one of the top contributors of our community.
Timothy A. Leach, Chairman & CEO of Concho Resources Honored as Dis nguished Ci zen
Financial development actually covers three different areas:
Opera ng funds are used to provide direct support to our units through programs, training, camping, professional staff, and a host of other costs that are necessary to operate on a day‐to‐day basis. These includes sources like FOS, special events, and founda ons. Capital funds are those related specifically to land, buildings, and some equipment. Most o en, donors are sought out to fund specific projects as they are needed. Endowment funds are acquired for the purpose of long‐term invest‐ment to protect and enhance the future of Scou ng. Sources may in‐clude bequests, wills, trusts, founda ons, or memorials in the form of outright or deferred gi s of cash, stocks, royal es, property, or equity. Buffalo Trail Council ascribes to a well‐balanced finance plan which in‐cludes allowances for a en on to and improvement of each essen al area.
*unaudited
Our Annual Fund Drive’s
Three Areas of Emphasis
Friends of Scou ng $323,735 Special Events $251,748 Founda ons $129,000 TOTAL DIRECT SUPPORT $704,483*
Other Development Areas Include
United Way $104,419 Product Sales (net) $162,544
Exciting council activities such as Pushmobile, Cub-O-Ree, and Summer Camp gave excellent opportunities for Scouts to earn the badges needed for advancement. Thanks to some very robust growth and rekindling of the time-honored, traditional pro-grams of Scouting, we’ve experienced a renaissance of interest throughout our commu-nities over the past year. This couldn’t have been accomplished without the persistence and dedication of a multitude of adult leaders who not only took the helm of some great events, they also lead the charge for helping to inspire hundreds, if not thousands, of youth to earn thousands of merit badges, skill awards, and rank advancements.
Recognition
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Buffalo Trail Council Mission Statement
To prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their life mes by ins lling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law
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61 Tenderfoot
44 Second Class
27 First Class
32 Star
37 Life
20 Eagles
1,304 Merit Badges
Boy Scouts
117 Tiger Cub
280 Bobcat
167 Wolf
123 Bear
67 Webelos
63 Arrow of Light
Cub Scouts
Ranks And Awards Earned Top 12 Merit BadgesCooking 74 First Aid 65 Swimming 47 Personal Management 46 Family Life 36 Chess 34 Ci zenship in the World 33 Archery 30 Horsemanship 30 Rifle Shoo ng 30 Emergency Preparedness 29 Environmental Science 28
The Buffalo Trail Council would like to congratulate the following young men for their significant achievement in a aining the rank of Eagle Scout. Their journey to Eagle was no small task; their accomplishment is the pinnacle of the Scou ng program!
Eagle Scout Class of 2014
Josiah Bencomo, Troop 30 Ft. Davis Marc Perez, Troop 30 Ft. Davis Joey Aceves, Troop 129 Andrews Nathan Farrar, Troop 129 Andrews Dus n Savell, Troop 129 Andrews Nolan Barmore, Troop 37 Monahans Timothy Linton, Troop 775 Odessa Timothy Gregg, Troop 775 Odessa Seth Hodges, Troop 775 Odessa Ryan Adams, Troop 175 Midland Miciah Avampato, Troop 232 Midland Clayton Bisbee, Troop 158 Midland Daniel Dalager, Troop 158 Midland Sco Drebenstedt, Troop 158 Midland Luke Jacobsma, Troop 270 Midland Bradley Keith, Troop 175 Midland Timothy Snell, Troop 232 Midland Kevin Sparks, Troop 232 Midland William Telschow, Troop 196 Midland Kayden Thomas, Troop 231 Midland Gerardo Vazquez, Troop 19 Midland
Patrick Hooper of Andrews became an Ea‐gle Scout when he was 12 years old. But he didn't stop there. He set out to successfully earn every merit badge the BSA offered. It was a feat that may have never been ac‐complished by any other Scout since 1910. He went on to become only the 16th Scout in the na on to complete all degrees of Eagle Palms since the award was introduced in 1927. Patrick is now top of his class as a marine cadet in Tex‐as A&M’s ROTC program. He, and other Eagles from Buffalo Trail Council, are our future leaders among leaders.
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An Eagle with Many Feathers
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Leadership
Under the visionary leadership of our executive board, high expectations and a challenging course have been engi-neered for the future of Scouting in West Texas. In addition to raising the bar for program, membership, community outreach, and camping, additional emphasis has been placed on updating and improving camping fa-cilities and a variety of heavy equipment used for maintenance and transportation.
First Year Camper Pavilion Completed Thanks to funding provided through the generosity of an anonymous founda on, the dream of a dedicated program site to serve the im‐mensely popular and ever‐growing Trail to Eagle Program (first year camper program) was realized. Ground was broken on the 5,000 square foot, solar‐powered pavilion in September which was completed before the end of the year. Hundreds of young men will now be able to enjoy a fully‐equipped and be er‐than‐ever ex‐perience with a view from the site that should inspire dreams of becoming an Eagle Scout.
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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President Charles House
Council Commissioner Byron Welch, Ed. D
VP Finance (Treasurer) Paul Lucas
Assistant Treasurer David Baker
Past President Deana Savage, Ed.D
VP Development Pat Canty
VP District Opera ons Gary Wood
VP Program Bob Ferguson
VP Proper es Ralph Truskowski, PE
VP Membership/Rela onships Vacant
VP Governance Frank Stowers
Corporate Secretary David Chapman
PROFESSIONAL STAFF
Scout Execu ve/CEO David Chapman
Assistant Scout Execu ve/Camping Director Mark Richardson
Development Director/CFO Aaron Bedell
District Director Chapparal Ma Vercher
District Execu ve, Comanche Trails Michael R. Adam
District Execu ve, Big Bend Vacant
District Execu ve, Lone Star Zack Mullins
Camp Director Mark Richardson
Scout Reach Execu ve PJ Aguire
RANGER
BTSR Head Ranger Dan Damon
SUPPORT TEAM
Accoun ng Assistant Mary Pearce
Camping Registrar Gracie Quintela
Scout Store Manager Eilda Pacheco
Registrar Hailey Harpole
PART-TIME SUPPORT TEAM
Big Spring Satellite Office Eunice Thixton
Odessa Satellite Office Willy Brown
Larry Adams, CPA
David Baker
Bruce Brady
Blaine Bushman
Chris Callicoate
Pat Canty
Toby Eoff
Robert Ferguson
Marcus Fernandez
David Garcia, RTSBA
Ron Harkrider
Charles House
Richard Johnson
Dr. Randall Kelly
Stephen Lambert
Paul Lucas
Javier Morales
James Parks
Jordan Partee
Deana Savage, Ed.D
Frank K. Stowers
Sandy Thomas
Dr. Steve Thomas
Don Tomlin
Ralph Truszkowski, PE
Dan Wagoner
Dr. Byron Welch
Gary Wood
Grant Wright
David Chapman
EXECUTIVE BOARD
PRESIDENTS COUNCIL
Steve Castle
Neil Florer
Sam Howell II
William B. Kent
Ken Peeler
K. Kyle Peeler
Mark Philpy
James Riggen
John Sco
Charles Smith
Ladd Smith
Don Tomlin
Kyle Womack
Non-Profit Org. U. S. Postage
P A I D Midland, TX 79711
Permit # 76
Phone: 432.570.7601 Fax: 432.570.7611
www.buffalotrailbsa.org
Today’s youth. Tomorrow’s Leaders.
Buffalo Trail Council
Boy Scouts of America
1101 West Texas Avenue
Midland, TX 79701-6171
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