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

Ethan's Giving Tree

Make Sure No Scout Goes Without…  Be Part of Our Council’s Ethan Giving Tree! When it comes to the good of every Scout in Palmetto Council, support is alive and well in our community. And in that spirit, something exciting is ‘growing’ in your Palmetto Scout Shop right now…

Come see the ETHAN GIVING TREE! It’s set up in-store and loaded with ways to help Scouts in need right here within our own council.

Just pull a card, purchase a gift by December 19, and make a real difference in someone’s Scouting adventure. Each card includes the first name of a local Scout, along with a “This Scout needs…” wish list. Pick yours today!


Ethan Giving Tree will come down on December 19 or when all cards have been chosen. Donations accepted November 14 – December 19.

Palmetto Scout Shop
Contact:  Tammie Brooks

 

 

Robert "Bob" Justice to be awarded Distinguished Eagle Scout Award on January 30, 2016

Robert "Bob" Justice to be Awarded
Distinguished Eagle Award  

The National Eagle Scout Association & Palmetto Council are proud to announce that Robert "Bob" Eugene Justice will be awarded the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.  Bob Justice will join a very elite fraternity of Eagle Scouts.  Less than one percent of Eagle Scouts Nationally will be recognized with this honor.  The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award is reserved for those Eagles who have received extraordinary national-level recognition, fame, or eminence within their identified field.  We are very proud of Bob and hope that you will consider joining us for a reception in his honor on January 30, 2016 at 6:00 pm at the Episcopal Church of the Advent prior to the 2016 Palmetto Council Volunteer Recognition Banquet.  If you wish to stay for the banquet (starts at 7:00 pm) to see the presentation of the award, you can purchase your ticket ($25) by clicking HERE.  To attend the reception, click HERE.  To honor Bob's service to Scouting and our community, we will be endowing an Eagle Scout Scholarship in his name that will help make a lasting memory.  We are strongly encouraging  all of the attendees of the reception to consider making a donation to the newly established Bob Justice Eagle Scout Award Scholarship Endowment to be awarded annually to local Palmetto Council Eagles.  

Silver Beaver Award Nomination Deadline Announced

Deadline:  December 1, 2015

The deadline for applications for the Silver Beaver Award Class of 2016 is December 1, 2015.  Please find the award application link below where you can download a fillable .pdf file.  Once you have downloaded and filled the application, you can either mail a hard copy to the Palmetto Council Service Center (Att: , Linda Fant, 420 S. Church St., Spartanburg, SC 29306) or you can email the saved pdf file to Linda Fant (email:  linda.fant@scouting.org).  

Reflections of a Middle-Aged Wood Badger

(Originally published Saturday, September 26, 2015 in S5-551-15 Issue 11 of The Gilwell Gazette.)

                Two Scouting people have been much in my thoughts over the past few weeks. One is a 12-year old boy, just a few years into Scouting. The other has spent much of his life in Scouting. Both have needed our prayers lately, as well as all of the expertise and crare modern medicine can provide.

                I know Keeghan Brown through two belt loop colleges I hosted a few years ago in the Palmetto Council. He was one of 80 youth we had in 2012, and among the 65 boys we had in 2013. I still have copies of his ‘Bachelors’ degree in Academics and Sports Belt Loops and Pins on my computer. He has been very active in Scouts during his few short years in the program.

                Less than a month ago, he was considering the possibility of playing football this fall. As of yesterday evening, he was coming out of a several-hour open heart surgery in Charleston, and the hopes and prayers for the time being are that he can soon breathe on his own. His parents are going through a trial I cannot imagine and which I can barely think about without losing my composure.

                Just a matter of days separate endless possibilities and a previously unthinkable possible end.

                Meanwhile, in Spartanburg, Dick Kugler’s family recently gathered at Spartanburg Regional to surround this father, grandfather and lifelong Scouter with love and gratitude during his last days. Kugler, a recipient of the Good Shepherd Award, most recently served as a unit commissioner and committee member with both Pack 11 and Troop 11 in the Palmetto Council. He made it a point of pride to join both the pack and troop on campouts, including one frigid overnighter last fall at Landrum, SC; and a week of Boy Scout camp at Camp Bob Hardin in summer 2014. He joined my Bear den a few years ago to talk about his days as a Cub Scout, somehow managing to hold their attention better than the den leader (me) as he pointed out the changes to his beloved program over the years.

                Dick Kugler, after a lifetime of serving others, passed away today in Spartanburg.

                The span of time between these two lives is considerable, and yet they share a common bond with each other and with me. That bond is Scouting, and it is strong enough that the same people in South Carolina are praying for a little boy’s recovery in Charleston and for a family’s peace and strength in Spartanburg.

                Where does that leave the middle-aged Wood Badger? Here are just a few thoughts. First, there are no guarantees. We cannot know when we wake up whether we have another hike or another campout left before we ‘go home.’ A well-respected, excellent staffer told his patrol this afternoon that he didn’t know whether he would ever give another presentation, or serve on another Wood Badge staff. It’s true. He doesn’t, and neither do I. Nor do you.

                Second, the personal connections that we form through Scouting can be lasting and powerful, if we but make them so. Some Scouters never speak with their Wood Badge patrol members again, while others look forward to frequent get-togethers. That choice is mine and yours to make.

                Third, the training that you are receiving this weekend—no, that’s not right – the training in which you are actively participating will allow you to impact many people through Scouting and cross paths with others who want to make a positive change in our community and world. That is a wonderful thing, and not something to take lightly. I would not know Keeghan Brown and his family today, and I would only know Dick Kugler as a member of my church’s choir, if I had not met them through the gift of Scouting.

                So, if tonight you decide to lift up two lives and two families in prayer, please consider adding a word or two of thanks for a program that touches those lives, those families, and many more besides.

-By Michael Wiggins

Promotion Announcement for Camp Ranger

We are proud to announce that our Camp Bob Hardin Ranger, Mr. Steve Kay, has been selected as the property superintendent for Camp Bud Schiele in Rutherfordton, NC. Camp Bud Schiele is a 1,045 acre facility operated by the Piedmont Council with an annual attendance of over 7,300 youth and adult leaders. This promotion opportunity will bring Steve closer to his extended family while continuing the proud traditions established here in the Palmetto Council. He will begin his new assignment on October 15, 2015.
Best wishes can be sent to Steve via email at Steven.Kay@scouting.org or sent to the Council Service Center to his attention.
Please join us in congratulating Steve and his family on his promotion.

Palmetto Council Recognizes Leaders for Service to Hispanic Families; Launches Multi-Cultural Markets Service Initiative

Spartanburg, SC – The Palmetto Council of the Boy Scouts of America will recognize two adult leaders for their service to Hispanic families during a ceremony on September 2, 2015. Mr. Michael Tolman and Mr. David Walters will be recognized with the Vale la Pena Service Award for their work in the Boiling Springs community.

The Vale la Pena Service Award recognizes outstanding service by an adult or organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Hispanic / Latino youth.

Michael Tolman – Michael serves as Scoutmaster of Troop 125, chartered to the Boiling Springs Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is being recognized for his work in helping Hispanic families grow in the Scouting program while encouraging youth members to take on roles of responsibility within the troop. He routinely teaches youth members to live by the Scout Oath and Law while making good life choices.

David Walters – David serves as Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 125, chartered to the Boiling Springs Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. David is being recognized for being a pioneer in the recruitment of Hispanic youth to join Scouting in the Boiling Springs community. He has been recognized as an “invaluable resource” for families of new youth members when they join the troop.

These awards are the first recognitions presented as part of the council’s Multi-Cultural Markets Service Initiative, launched in September 2015. This initiative will focus on building sustainable Scouting programs in diverse neighborhoods with no Scouting presence. The service initiative is being led by Mr. Victor Durrah, Jr., who was recently recognized by the Spartanburg County Foundation with the Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership and Community Change for his work with outreach programs in Spartanburg.