Boy Scout Troop 8 Eagle Scout candidate Brian Goldstein gave an overview of his project at the July 9 Kiwanis luncheon meeting.

Boy Scout Troop 8 Eagle Scout candidate Brian Goldstein is requesting financial backing for his project. The project is an environmental experiment and educational tool for Milton Ave. School. Natural species of plants at the school have been driven out by deer and have been replaced by invasive species. Two deer exclosures (enclosures that keep deer out), 4 wooden benches and an information kiosk will be constructed behind the school. Invasive species of plants will be removed from both exclosures. In one exclosure, the natural plants will be restored and the soil in the other exclosure will just be left alone to let nature take its course.

The primary beneficiary is the Chatham environmental commission but the school would also see benefits from the project. Brian has requested funding from Chatham JC’s, Chatham Environmental Commission, Milton Ave. PTO, and the Soil Conservation District of Morris Co. These organizations have also suggested Kiwanis as a source of funding. Cost of the project is $2,50; so far, Brian has raised about $1,000. He sent an article requesting local residents for support to the Chatham Courier, asking that it be printed. Checks should be made out to Troop 8 with Brian Goldstein Eagle Project in the memo field and sent to the Ogden Presbyterian Church (which sponsors the troop). He closed by asking Kiwanis to make a donation to his project. Everyone enthusiastically applauded the presentation.

March 19 Program: Dennis Kohl, Scout Executive for Patriots' Path Council presented the "LEDR - Leadership Excellence - Direct Results Program".

Scout Executive Dennis Kohl (right) was introduced by Past Kiwanis Club President Dick Plambeck (right) at the March 19 Chatham-Madison Kiwanis Club breakfast meeting held at Charlie Brown’s restaurant in Chatham Township. Dennis is Scout Executive for Patriots’ Path Council of Boy Scouts of America. He gave an overview of the new LEDR – Leadership Excellence – Direct Results Program”.

LEDR is a weeklong retreat designed to give students a chance to explore their leadership skills, to connect with peers, and to learn how to get involved in their community. This one week program is to be hosted at Camp Winnebago for 15-20 year old boys and girls. This program will be offered to current scouts and non-scouts with registration occurring during the application process.

Dennis started his presentation by giving an update on the Patriot’s Path Council (Morris, Sussex, Union and Somerset counties). In the past year, 345 young men became Eagle Scouts. Ten percent of their scouts become Eagle Scouts, compared with four percent nationwide. There are three outstanding Scout troupes in Chatham. Scouting is doing well, especially in our area.

Scouting is known for developing leaders. A new foundation and program was developed by Dennis with the assistance of Eagle Scouts to expand and focus efforts on leadership training.

Dennis presented a complete and clear description of LEDR. He asked Kiwanis to sponsor a student. The audience was very impressed with the program and enthusiastically applauded after a short Q & A session. To learn more, please visit the LEDR website.

August 16 Program: Al Thomas, Boy Scouts of America, spoke on "Leadership Development for Teens"

Al Thomas, Senior District Executive, Fishawack District, Patriots' Path Council, Boy Scouts of America was introduced at the June 16 Meeting by Betty Anne Keat.  She said, “This summer Al spent 2 weeks hiking and camping with two other advisors and nine boy scouts at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.” Al gave a fascinating talk on leadership development opportunities for teens.
He pointed out that Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts are excellent programs for developing youth leadership skills because the activities are led by the boys. Chatham and Madison have the best Troops you can find. Eagle Scouts become leaders of a community project. All Boy Scouts are encouraged to be in service to others and they develop their leadership skills along the way.

Aside from traditional Boy Scouts, other programs are offered for teenagers that develop leadership: Venturing and Exploring. Exploring is career-oriented; for example, there is an Aviation Exploring Post at Morristown Airport. Venturing is more about hiking and camping in a high adventure activity. Venturing Crews can also specialize in arts or other areas. Both programs are led by the teenage participants, which gives them experience and the opportunity to develop and improve their leadership skills. Adult advisors help organize the youth and provide guidance along the way. Leadership training is provided. Ventures are organized into Crews - Explorers are organized into Posts. Both can be coed or single sex, as determined by the participants (most are high school age). Choice of uniforms is up to the particular group of participants. Service to others is an important part of both programs.

Venture Crew 77 sponsored by the Madison Elks Lodge emphasizes High Adventure and Community Service. Youth interested in this activity can contact John Kennedy.

Al suggested that Kiwanis consider starting a Venture Crew in Chatham. Since Kiwanis already sponsors the CHS Key Club, sponsoring a Venture Crew would be a logical extension of the club’s focus on supporting youth.

He also gave an overview of the Leadership Venturing program offered by the Patriot’s Path Council. It consists of 11 modules that can be offered in a variety of customizable packages. This could be of interest to the CHS Key Club. A program specialist could describe the program at a Key Club Meeting.

Another educational program offered by Boy Scouts is “Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience” (C.O.P.E.). Participants spend a day at Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation building their leadership skills. Building teamwork is an important goal.

A special event at the Stanhope camp will be offered the second weekend this September: “Extreme Leadership, Climbing to New Heights”. It has been designed by and offered to members of the Boy Scouts and also to others in the community. Similar events will be offered in the future. This program could be of interest to the Key Club.

Kiwanis members thanked Al for his interesting, complete and helpful overview of the programs. For more information, go to website http://main.ppbsa.org/