2015 Silver Beaver Class Announced

2015 Silver Beaver Class

Elizabeth Stoner 

Elizabeth Stoner began her service to the area in 2002, teaching First Aid certification classes for the Red Cross.  She started looking for something a little different, and began Scouting in early 2005 at the York District Cub & Parent weekend.  This didn’t scare her off, so she agreed to help with the Gold Rush event later that year.   She was hooked, and has worked on the Gold Rush event staff every year since, helping chair the event since 2009. 

She joined the York District Committee late in 2005 as a Member-at-Large, and coordinated FFOS from 2007-2012 and Popcorn from 2009-2011.  She began serving as District Activities Chair in December of last year.

She was nominated for the Order of the Arrow in 2009 and went through the Ordeal in August of that year.  She got interested in working with American Indian Affairs, and has served as Co-Advisor of that group since 2010.  She earned her Brotherhood in May of 2010, and was selected for the Vigil Honor in August of 2015, completing her Vigil in October.

She attended NOAC in 2012, and served on National Jamboree Staff in 2010 in the Subcamp 19 Commissary and 2013 with Food Distribution for subcamp-F. 

Putting her PHd to use, She has served as Palmetto Council’s representative on the Piedmont –Appalachian College of Commissioner Science Doctoral Review Board since 2013, reviewing the commissioner Doctoral papers for the 8 Councils that make up the college.

She went through Wood Badge in the Owl Patrol as a part of SR-1019 in 2010, and served on staff as a troop guide in 2013 and ASM of troop guides for 2014.

She earned the District Committee Key in October of 2009, the District Award of Merit in December of 2009, and earned the York District Howard Hunter Camping award in 2013 & 2014. 

Leaders know her as a caring individual who always strives for perfection.  Her tenacity has led many a project to successful completion.

Please join us in congratulating our second Silver Beaver of the class of 2015, Elizabeth Stoner.                   

Donna Fletcher 

Donna Fletcher is the mother of eight and grandmother of nineteen.  She mentored two sons in the Scouting from Tiger to Eagle with palms.  Donna’s commitment to serving other people has a long history.  She has volunteered in two Scout councils totaling twenty-one years of consecutive volunteer service.  She has served in several Scouting capacities including Den Leader, Committee Chair, Popcorn Kernel, Unit Commissioner, Council Training Team, and many more.  In Scouting she has been recognized with several position-specific training awards, Adult Religious Emblem of Faith, the On My Honor Award and the Palmetto Award.  She is a very active member of her church holding many positions.  As an active member of the community with her children, she has supported the many activities they have been involved in.  In the last year alone she has directed over 30 service events and projects benefiting seventeen separate entities.  As a unit commissioner, she lists as one of the highest ranking in visitations to her units.  She has been a strong influence in the creation of Pack, Troop, Crew, and Team 476 in the new Newport Ward of the LDS Church.  She was also a founding member of Sea Scout Ship 427.  In 1996, she pioneered “popcorn for troops” in Iraq with Trail’s End Popcorn while her son was deployed.  That same year, her pack was the Nation’s top Trail’s End selling unit.  In addition to popcorn accomplishments, her pack was recognized as “Persons of the Year” for 57 service projects in the City of Wheaton, including Make A Difference Day which continues city-wide to this day.  Her name is synonymous with a get-it-done worker.  Please join us in recognizing Donna for her unparalleled service to Scouting, the honor and love she demonstrates in the community, and the reverence she has for her Church.  She embodies the Scout Law and the Scout Oath is how she lives it.  

Robert "Bob" Justice Honored with Distinguished Eagle Scout Award

As a member of the Boy Scouts of America 69 years ago, on August 1, 1946; and

WHEREAS, as an Eagle Scout, he has continued to serve God, his
country, and other people by following the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law; and

WHEREAS, he has achieved distinction as a Scouting
Professional; and

WHEREAS, he has given distinguished service to his community and nation as Commissioned Scouting Professional for 43 years. Starting in 1951 where he served the Chief Cornstalk Council where he brought Scouting to impoverished regions of West Virginia’s mining communities. Then leading the National
Executive Institute as the Director of Training for all Scouting professionals.
Finishing his career as the Scout Executive in Spartanburg, SC where he led a $1.2 million capital campaign to build a new Council Service Center, and renovate Camp Bob Hardin. In addition to his service to the Scouting community, he is an active community leader. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Rotary Club,  Masonic Lodge, Shrine Club, Parents without Partners, volunteer for the SC School for Deaf and Blind, and Southside Baptist Church. Robert is known around the Upstate of South Carolina as Mr. Scout Executive.

Therefore, be it RESOLVED, that in recognition of these and other achievements and the desire of the Boy Scouts of America, upon nomination of the Palmetto Council acting on behalf of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America, the honor of

                                                                DISTINGUISHED EAGLE SCOUT


USC Sports Clinic Update

New Location for USC Sports Clinic!

“The NEW Football Practice Facility”

Address: 1101 Bluff Road, across the street from Williams-Brice Stadium
The practice facility is the building in the back of Gamecock Park (the Old Farmers Market)

-From Bluff Road, take National Guard Road to the facility; if travelling North on Bluff Road, take a left; if travelling South on Bluff Road, take a right

Additional information: there are restrooms in the facility and absolutely no food is allowed on the field  .

2016 “BOY SCOUTS DAY”
Saturday, January 23rd 9:15am
USC Football Practice Facility

Program Agenda:
8:30am            Participants’ check-in
9:05am            Welcome by Boy Scouts, USC Athletics or student-athlete, clinic instructions
9:15am            Clinic begins- Team participants: track & field, golf, volleyball, football (two stations), soccer.  Six stations= 20 minutes: 15 minutes- activity; 5 minutes- autographs, rotation
11:15am          Clinic ends/Closing remarks/Group picture/Additional autographs 

January 23rd Programs Postponed

The two Palmetto Council programs scheduled for Saturday, January 23, 2016 have been postponed due to the possibility of inclement weather.  The Daniel Morgan District Pinewood Derby Workshop will be rescheduled for January 30, 2016 and the Trainer's EDGE Conference will be rescheduled for a Saturday in February.  Sorry for the inconvenience.  Stay tuned to the Palmetto Council Social Media accounts for more updates.  

NRA Pistol Instructors Training

To: Scouters of the Palmetto Council

The ShootingSports Committee is planning on conducting a class for NRA PISTOL INSTRUCTORS this Spring.  The date has not yet been set, but we need to know if there is interest from volunteers for us to put on this class.  With the addition of High Adventure Week at Camp Bob Hardin, we will need additional volunteers to support the Shooting Sports Committee. 

If you are interested in taking the courseplease email me or call me.

jhill@comporium.net

8033727284

Thank you.

John Hill                                                             

New Ranger for Camp Bob Hardin

TO:                  Palmetto Council Executive Board, Volunteers, Staff, and Members

FROM:             Greg W. Leitch, Scout Executive / CEO

SUBJECT:        New Ranger for Camp Bob Hardin            

We are excited to share that Dwayne McDaniel has been selected as the Property Superintendent / Camp Ranger for Camp Bob Hardin in Saluda, NC. Dwayne has extensive experience from his many years as a ranger with the Hornet’s Nest Girl Scout Council. Dwayne is a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served as a heavy equipment repair specialist.  He is well qualified in plumbing, electrical, and construction work. Dwayne also brings a passion for sharing the outdoors with children to help them see the beauty in the world around them.

He will begin his new assignment on January 16, 2016.

Please join us in welcoming Dwayne and his family to the Palmetto Council.

Palmetto Council's Multi-Cultural Markets Initiative Is Making A Difference

“This is a great thing y’all are doing for the community. Keep doing this.  This keeps our younger kids out of the streets. They are making something of themselves,” says Tempestt, mother of a Highland Community Cub Scout.

The Palmetto Council is on a mission to change lives – as many young lives as possible.  “Every kid deserves the opportunity to better himself.  They learn to serve their community.  There’s a level of integrity, honesty, and bravery that comes with being a Scout,” says Victor Durrah Jr., Director of Multi-Cultural Markets.     

In September, The Council created a Multi-Cultural Markets Initiative.  The main goal is to provide Scouting opportunities in underserved markets by building strong community partnerships and relationships for communities that need the Scouting program most.  

“With this Multi-Cultural Markets Initiative, we are bringing scouting to the kids.  It’s basically scouting in their backyard.  We have had some tremendous outcomes from our Multi-Council Markets Scouting Initiative,” says Durrah.

Candace has a son who’s part of this new Initiative.  “I’m glad he’s in the Cub Scouts because it prepares him for life. It teaches him social skills because he knows a lot of kids in the Cub Scouts.” 

These Scouts hit the ground running with much enthusiasm about their new adventure.  The Scouts in Stewart Park (Pack 500) participated in Scouting for Food where they collected over 100 lbs. of food from their neighborhood to be donated to The Spartanburg Soup Kitchen.  But that’s not all of their accomplishments, within a month of the Program’s start, Scouts have bonded, learned pledges, and earned Bobcat rank.

The Palmetto Council has collaborated with a number of partners to bring Scouting to: Arcadia Elementary, Silver Hill United Methodist Church, Stewart Park Community Center, York County Boys and Girls Club, Gaffney Boys and Girls Club, and Meeting Street Academy.

“When we as professionals visit schools throughout the Palmetto Council, we often tell the story of scouting, and every kid responds by raising his hands with excitement at the simple fact that he might have the opportunity to join the adventure,” Durrah says. “The reality is that every kid may not get the chance to become a Scout because money, transportation, and leadership are the most common barriers amongst our youth and Scouting.”    

Some parents are already seeing changes in their Scouts.  The Scouts are building character, showing leadership, and enjoying the service.  These parents are extremely grateful for the Multi-Cultural Markets Initiative.  “I really, really would appreciate it if y’all keep continuing in this community,” says Tempestt. – (Scout Mom)

The Palmetto Council has also established a Career Exploration Program for girls and boys ages 14-21.  The program provides opportunities for these participants to learn more about career choices.  The partnerships for Career Exploration include Spartanburg County Alternative School, The Citizen Scholars Program, and AMI Kids Program in Jonesville.

The Multi-Cultural Markets Initiative partnerships include The City of Spartanburg, The Spartanburg County Foundation, The Boys and Girls Club, Arch Ministries, Wofford College, and USC Upstate. Together we have provided resources and volunteers, and invested time to make sure we provide Scouting programs to those youth who need it most.

Story by: Charmayne Brown/Scout Mom