| Greetings!
Welcome to the January 2013 issue of our Council newsletter.
If you have an upcoming event, information, or a special scout story you'd like to include in this newsletter, please, email our editor. |
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Scout Receives Honor Medal
Eleven thousand feet up a sun-scorched New Mexico mountain known as "Big Red," prospective Eagle Scout Brian Boatright watched in shock as a troop leader suddenly tumbled backward down the steep, rocky trail. "His eyes were rolling into the back of his head, and he was just in a terrible state," the 15-year-old sophomore at Orlando's Bishop Moore High School recalled. "Obviously, something was wrong." Ric Cooper, one of two adults leading the Scout trek, was unconscious, felled by severe chest pains and an apparent heart attack. The small band of Boy Scouts was four days and three hours into a rugged adventure climb in Cimarron, N.M., in late June when fate tested how closely they had heeded the organization's famous motto: Be prepared. On December 10th, Brian received proof that he was not merely ready for action but heroic and skilled. He received the Boy Scouts of America's Honor Medal, an award infrequently given to boys or their adult leaders for life-saving efforts. On Big Red that day, cellphones were out of range as the sun bore down on the climbers. The troop's other adult, along with a Scout who had wilderness first-aid training, immediately began CPR on Cooper, a retired work associate of Brian's mother, Eileen Bennett. Brian recalled that he was scared, but his merit-badge lessons kicked in. He pulled together three fellow Scouts and grabbed a map of Big Red's jagged paths. They took off running a sharply zig-zagging, four-mile descent to find help at Cyphers Mine, the nearest staffed camp. "We hoped for the best," Brian remembered, "but prepared ourselves for the worst." "Brian did everything right. Both the leaders and the Scouts did as they have been trained to do in an emergency situation," said Renee Fairrer, a spokeswoman for the Boy Scouts of America. She pointed out that the nine boys worked quickly but calmly as a team. Some built a shelter from a tarp and hiking gear to shield Cooper from the sun's searing rays. Others took turns with CPR. Two hiked farther up the trail, hoping to find a cell signal at a new height. Meanwhile, Brian's running crew, already winded from lugging 45-pound packs up the mountain trail for three hours, employed the buddy system, keeping track of one another. They reached base camp breathlessly in an hour and a half. Leaders at the base camp radioed a helicopter, which plucked Cooper off the rock and carried him to a hospital in Albuquerque, where he reportedly had successful heart-bypass surgery. Brian, who moved to Windermere with his mother a year ago, participated in the adventure camp at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico with members of his former troop in Arkansas. His friends are also likely to receive the same honors, Fairrer said. He is now a Life Scout, the Boy Scouts' second-highest rank, and a member of Troop 6, sponsored by St. Luke United Methodist Church on Apopka Vineland Road, where he received his award Monday. Fairrer said the Scouts have bestowed the Honor Medal on just 2,302 other Scouts or adult leaders in the group's 90-year history."It's our second-highest honor," she said. Cooper could not be reached by phone but provided written testimony on behalf of all the boys. "Even though I was unconscious while the group was taking care of me and securing assistance, I believe they did a wonderful job of making good decisions and taking care of me," he wrote. "After all, I am alive - that seems like pretty strong evidence."
Article and photo courtesy of the Orlando Sentinel.
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All-Hands Summit
 The Central Florida Council is proud to announce the 2013 All Hands Summit. This gathering is for every adult leader in the Central Florida Council. The All Hands Summit will begin at 8:30am and will include guest speakers such as former Astronaut Anna Fisher. Special videoettes from our Scouting units will be highlighted throughout the program. In addition we will be hosting a town hall question and answer session with the Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America, Wayne Brock, and the National Commissioner of the Boy Scouts of America, Tico Perez. We expect the 2013 All Hands Summit to fill up fast so be sure to reserve your seat today. There is no cost to attend and we look forward to seeing you there.
Please click here to reserve your seat
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Eagle Scout Manti Te'o sees awards pile up
 Manti Te'o is a brave, confident leader with an impressive collection of awards on his shelf. He's comfortable in a uniform. He's a loyal teammate.
But enough about his time in Scouting - I hear he's pretty good at football, too.
Long before Manti became an All-American linebacker for top-ranked Notre Dame, he became an Eagle Scout. And now that he's piled up tons of awards for his play (see a partial list below) and is projected as a Top 10 pick in next year's NFL Draft, he's become a household name.
To fully grasp the ways in which Scouting prepared Manti for life, check out this excellent South Bend Tribune article from April. In it, the author describes a time early in Manti's life where his character was tested.
When he was about 10 years old, his family was shopping in Hawaii on a windy day. Manti noticed an older lady walking across the street with many boxes in her cart. In an instant, a gust of wind came up and blew all the boxes to the ground, he recalled.
Te'o quickly crossed the street and picked them all up, putting them in her car.
When he came back to his parents, he was feeling pretty good about his deed.
"I had a big smile on my face expecting my dad to tell me how proud he was," Manti told the crowd. "But instead, he just simply said, 'That's what being a Scout is all about.'"
Manti said he was stunned. But he added, "My dad was right. That's what Scouting is all about. It's about serving others."
To me, that's proof that Manti "got it" from an early age. His family, his religion, and his time in Scouting put him on a path toward a strong mind. As he grew into his 6-foot-2 frame, he added a powerful physical presence. Ninety-six tackles and six interceptions later, it's easy to see why he's in the national spotlight.
You really should take time to read the entire article, but here's one of my favorite quotes from Manti: "The Eagle Scout is not about the 20-plus merit badges I have on my sash. It is not about the medal that I have pinned on my uniform. It is not about having the title of Eagle Scout on my résumé," he says. "Being an Eagle Scout is simply about serving others."
And now that he has a chance to add national champion to his résumé, you can bet we'll be watching this impressive Eagle Scout every step, hit, and tackle along the way.
List of Awards for Manti Te'o
Other than the Eagle Scout Award, he has earned:
- Maxwell Award for player of the year, given by sportscasters, writers, and NCAA coaches
- Walter Camp Award for player of the year, given by coaches and sports information directors
- Vince Lombardi/Rotary Award for outstanding lineman
- Chuck Bednarik Award for defensive player of the year
- Bronko Nagurski Award for defensive player of the year
- Dick Butkus Award for outstanding linebacker
- Lott IMPACT Trophy for outstanding defensive player
He also finished an impressive second in voting for the prestigious Heisman Trophy
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For Auction: 1932 Plymouth Rumble Seat Roadster
The Central Florida Council, BSA in association with Lonnie Pool and the Occoneechee Council, BSA will be auctioning off a 1932 Plymouth Roadster at the Mecum Auto Auction in Kissimmee on Saturday, January 26th at 6:30pm. It is lot S232, and can be viewed on the auction web site.
This car was the National AACA 1st place winner in May 2012. It has a beautiful 2 tone Cream and Tan with Brown leather interior and is a very rare classic example of an early Roadster with less than 4500 built.
This Roadster is just as good mechanically as it is cosmetically with dual side mounts and luggage carrier. Manuals and documentation dating back to 1965 included with purchase. Reliable Carriers to provide transportation for vehicle purchase anywhere in US or Canada at no cost.
100% of the proceeds of this car are going the Boy Scouts of America. Please encourage your friends and family to bid on this beautiful machine and to support Scouting. |
| The 2013 Friends of Scouting Campaign is off and running...
Scouting is "Making Heroes". In the next few months a Scouting representative will visit your Pack, Troop or Crew and give you an opportunity to invest in the future of Scouting here in Central Florida.
Funds raised in our 2013 Friends of Scouting campaign will help pay for unit service, leader training, youth scholarships, recruitment efforts, program development, program support, camping and much more.
Your gift is important.
Please make plans to participate at your next Blue & Gold or Court of Honor.
If you are unable to attend your Blue & Gold or Court of Honor, please help your unit achieve 100% family participation by making a donation using this link. On behalf of the over 25,000 Scouts here in Central Florida, thank you for being a part of this important campaign!! Thank you for making heroes!! Sincerely, Tom Wallace Proud father of a Scout Council FOS Chair |
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Spring into the Spring with events at our Camp!
 Racing into Cub Scouts March 8-10, 2013 Race into Cub Scouting at our camp with great racing activities for your Cub Scout and the entire family. Activities include racing events, bb guns, swimming, great campfire show, nature trails crafts, archery plus a whole bunch more. Please click here to register online for Racing into Cub Scouts Please click here for the information / registration flyer Fun with Son Weekends March 22-24, 2013 April 5-7, 2013 Experience our camp during the Spring of 2013. Cub Scouts and their families will enjoy great activities that include bb guns, archery, craft building, swimming, hiking our nature trails plus much more! Please click here to register online for Fun with Son (March 22-24) Please click here to register online for Fun with Son (April 5-7) Please click here for the information / registration flyer Boy Scout Extravaganza April 19-21, 2013 The Boy Scout Extravaganza is from Friday evening - Sunday afternoon, featuring eight exciting and adventures treks. Boy Scouts may choose their Trek that suits their adventures minds. Experience the great outdoor adventures at our Camp. Each Scout must attend as part of a Troop or with a parent / guardian. Please click here to register online Please click here for the information / registration flyer Tiger Crossing May 10-12, 2013 Bring your entire family to camp to celebrate your Tiger Cub's Graduation! Your graduating Tiger Cub and family will experience activities such as swimming, bb guns, archery, games, crafts, awesome campfire and of course a Graduation Ceremony. Please click here to register online Please click here for the information / registration flyer |
| Summer Camp 2013
Experience Scouting as it should be with high adventure, merit badges galore and the one and only Native American program village plus much more!
 Camp La-No-Che's summer camp adventures for Boy Scouts and Venturing youth include the ATV and Personal Water Craft experiences, a Native American village where scouts learn "hands on" about the Native American culture, High Adventure programs which include the Alpine Tower, high & low courses in COPE plus the Climbing tower, great program areas for scouts to earn merit badges in aquatics, ecology, scoutcraft skills, health fields, shooting sports and trailblazers (designed for new scouts).
 Summer camp 2013 at Camp La-No-Che will be the best ever. We already have over 160 Troops who are attending so please put your reservation in today. Please contact Pam Falconer (352-669-8558 or pam@camplanoche.com) at Camp La-No-Che located in the Leonard and Marjorie Williams Family Scout Reservation to put in your Troop's or Crew's reservation.
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Training
 Looking for the latest information on BSA Training Classes being held in the Central Florida Council? The Council Training Calendar is your one-stop shop for all training classes, when they will be held, who is conducting the class, and how to register. |
What's Going Around: Cold/Flu-related Asthma Attacks
Colds and flu are wreaking havoc in Central Florida this month and that's bad news for many asthma sufferers. It comes as no surprise that Centra Care physicians have seen a significant increase in asthma patients recently.
Asthma is often triggered by a viral infection like a cold or the flu (two illnesses that are both showing high numbers these days). For those with asthma, what starts as a minor illness can quickly irritate your airway tubes and cause more serious symptoms.
Learn More :
Asthma can be dangerous and should not be ignored. It is a disease of the airways, (your breathing tubes). Asthma creates inflammation and spasm of these tubes, which makes breathing more difficult and causes wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.
A Centra Care doctor will diagnose asthma based on three things: medical history, a physical exam and test results. They will also figure out how severe your asthma is in order to determine proper treatment. Tests may include a lung function test, a chest X-Ray and even an EKG. These tests will help find whether an infection or allergy or a foreign object may be causing your symptoms.
The goals of asthma treatment are to establish normal lung function, relieve symptoms, and prevent asthma flare-ups. There is no cure for asthma, although symptoms may decrease over time. It is important to identify and avoid your asthma trigger(s). Your doctor may prescribe medications based on your condition.
The type of medication that you receive depends on the severity of your asthma, the cause of your symptoms, and your lung functioning. Nebulizer therapy, more commonly known as a breathing treatment is available at all Centra Care locations. A nebulizer changes liquid medication to a mist, which is particularly effective in administering asthma medication to infants and young children.
If you're an asthma sufferer and you haven't gotten a flu shot yet, now is the time to do so. Those with asthma are at a much higher risk of flu complications and should take vaccination seriously.
Did you know ... Centra Care offers discounted physicals for Scouts and Leaders? Scout physicals are available for $25 and Leader physicals are only $40. Check with your local Centra Care for your next annual physical.
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The Boy Scouts of America Discover Credit Card is now available!
 Imagine 1 million people using the BSA Card every day in the marketplace. With millions of swipes taking place in thousands of locations nationwide, the Boy Scout brand will be presented to families who might not otherwise have the Boy Scouts on their mind. This new product will make a positive impact in the lives of Scouters, alumni & new families throughout our community! Why should you get a BSA Discover Card? - You can use your BSA Card to make purchases everywhere Discover cards are accepted
- You'll receive all the benefits & cash back rewards Discover cards offer
- You'll support Scouting with every purchase!
- You'll have the ability to donate your cash back reward to the BSA & visit a Scout Rewards section where a selection of BSA products are available for purchase with your points
So, how do you get one? It's easy! Log on to www.BoyScoutCreditCard.com to apply. And don't forget, we announced last month, the BSA Prepaid Card is available too! Find out more at www.scoutsarethrifty.com. |
25th Sunshine Trade-o-Ree
 Do you wonder what a TOR is all about? The Sunshine Trade-O-Ree (TOR) is an annual event where scouts and scout friends gather together to display, collect, trade, purchase and sell all kinds of scouting memorabilia. What kind of memorabilia you might ask? Well, let me tell you that you will see anything and everything scouting related at the Sunshine TOR. There will be displays of patches of course, but you will also see older uniforms, scouting pins & buttons, coins, flags, hats, neckerchiefs, knives and other tools, newspapers and magazines and the list goes on and on. EVERYTHING scouting related can be found at the Sunshine TOR.Because of our location here in Central Florida, we draw many more people than other TOR events can. At the 2013 Sunshine TOR we will have 100 tables that will display scouting items from all around Florida as well as the country. Collectors and traders from all over Florida and also many from out of Florida are expected to attend the 2013 Sunshine TOR.Do you want to learn about the rich history of scouting? Do you want to make new scout friends? Do you want to earn Cub Scout and Weblos advancements or Boy Scout merit badges? Have you ever wanted to design a patch? Then come to the 2013 Sunshine Trade-O-Ree and have some fun!The Sunshine Trade-O-Ree will be held on the 1st and 2nd of February at the National Guard Armory, 2809 South Fern Creek, Orlando, Florida 32806 (map). Doors open at 5:00pm on Friday and 9:00am on Saturday. Go to www.sunshineTOR.com to find out more about the Sunshine Trade-O-Ree.
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TNAW '13
Tipisa Native American Weekend 2013
February 8th - 10th
Special Weekend Price: $30 a person
If registered before 1/1/2013.
Regular weekend fee: $35
Includes camping, food, & program.
  For more information & online registration, visit: Tipisa.org/tnaw Or contact weekend chair Michael Todd at: tnaw13@live.com |
2C4U - Never (Social Media)
 It's - Today - It's - Now - It's Social Media and it's you're New Community. It reaches the youngest of the youth to the oldest of the seniors. It's not just Cool but a necessity and it's never 2C4U (to cool for you), you need to be part of it - ASAP. What is Social Media, it's a way to communicate (to share, to stay informed) with and about others, your friends, your business partners, and most definitely your peers in your social interests and hobbies - the Boy Scouts. Social Media is available for our use through many venues such as Social Networks like Facebook, Blogs like Wordpress, Microblogs like Twitter, Media Sharing like You Tube, Texting, Podcasts, Forums, RSS Feeds, Voice Over IP, and Wikis like Wikipedia. The list goes on and on so you'll never be out of the loop, you can always be in touch, and most of all you'll always be up to date and on top of things. So how do you get connected? I'm sneaky, I know you have a computer, yes you're reading this article in the Central Florida Council E- News Letter - you are already connected. It's that easy. Don't ever say B4N (bye for now) just stay connected, be mobile via your Smart Phone and/or Tablet like an I-Pad. Now that we're connected and can't get away no matter how fast and far we run, we can't hide from the electronic world around us - we are part of it. I have a ?4U (question for you), how should we use this world of Social Media and why should we make it a priority to join this electronic world. We need to use Social Media to reach every Scout and every Adult Member in the Central Florida Council to inform them of what is available in the Scouting Program Nationally, in the Central Florida Council, and locally in our Districts. We need to keep everyone up to date and promote the ease of involvement causing their success in Scouting. Avenues we need to establish to create this mass promotion should include Social Networks, Blogs, Media Sharing, and Texting. Are you in agreement - TOTES (Totally). Success in Social Media communications and promotion doesn't end at just getting initial involvement of our Scouts and Adult Members but continues throughout the Scouting Adventure. We can continue our use of Media Sharing (You Tube on site Videos), Texting (Up to the minute event scheduling highlights), and add in Microblogs: Twitter - Let's "Tweet" - Yes we can communicate second by second - LOL (Laugh Out Loud). Social Media isn't just prior promotion but it continues throughout and even after the Event, we can cause their excitement throughout their participation and then cause lasting Scouting Memories. We will never get everyone involved in every Scouting Adventure but we must keep them informed on what's available for them or show them what they missed out on - then they will be involved the next time they get the chance. Scouting's success is literally at our finger tips through electronic communication and the use of Social Media. We need to keep the information flowing throughout the Central Florida Scouting Community. Everyone wants to be in the know so they can be involved in the Scouting program they love. |
Golden Eagle Dinners - Save the Date!
The Golden Eagle Dinner is the annual fundraising event that helps make Scouting happen in Central Florida. It brings together the business, civic and political leaders of our community. The event shares the story of Scouting's success, while illustrating Scouting's positive impact on our youth. And there is an event coming your way soon... This event also affords us the opportunity to honor a great community leader! See below for event information in your area. To find out more or how you can be a part of this great event, contact Nancy Freeman. |
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Location
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Honoree
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February 15th
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The Villages
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March 6th
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West Orange County (Luncheon)
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Tim Keating, President
R.C. Stevens Construction
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March 14th
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Lake County
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Dr. Moxely, Lake County Superintendent of Schools
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March 19th
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West Volusia County
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West Volusia Beacon
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March 21st
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Brevard County
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Lynda Weatherman, President/CEO
Economic Development Commission of FL Space Coast
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March 26th
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Southeast Volusia County
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Clay Henderson, Sr. Counsel
Holland & Knight
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March 27th
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Apopka Area (Luncheon)
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Lou Haubner, Realtor
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March TBA
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East Volusia County
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Ryan Lochte, Olympic Swimmer
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March TBA
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Flagler County
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Sam Cline, President
S.E. Cline Construction
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April 4th
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Seminole County
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Larry Tobin, CEO
Fairwinds Credit Union
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April 16th
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Metro Orlando
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Jimmy Hewitt, Co-Founder
Orlando Magic
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April TBA
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Osceola County
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Rotary Clubs of Osceola County
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