Eagle Scout title opens doors of opportunity

Houston Business Journal - by Nelson R. Block

The young sailor ­­— already a three-year veteran at age 20 — stood before a review board on his application for a college scholarship program leading to an officer’s commission.The seaman was newly posted to this base, so the board officers did not know him. The chairman focused on an indiscretion from early in the sailor’s career, and would not let it go, grilling him about it time and again. While the other officers asked questions, the chairman studied the rest of the young man’s record, then suddenly looked up. 

“You’re an Eagle Scout?” he asked. 

“Yes, sir,” the sailor answered. 

The chairman slammed the file closed and announced, “We’re done. The application is approved.”Thus began the university education that would lead Mike McCulley to a career as a captain in the Navy, an astronaut and the president of Houston business United Space Alliance LLC.

Eagle Scout — the title that has been described as “a resume in itself” — has opened the doors of opportunity to hundreds of thousands of its recipients. High school boys who notoriously procrastinate about everything rush to finish their requirements in time to include it on college applications. Grown men with resumes full of adult accomplishments proudly list it. 

Why should something done as a youth have such an impact on the American imagination?Most importantly, it is the shared achievement of many American business and professional leaders, which they themselves acknowledge as an important part of their training.President Gerald Ford, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, hotel magnate J. Willard Marriott Jr. and H. Ross Perot, all Eagles, have praised the trail to Eagle as an important part of their development.As information entrepreneur and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has said, “Whether you choose to become a teacher, a police officer, a doctor, or even the mayor of the greatest city in the world, your experiences as an Eagle Scout will prove invaluable.” 

Houston U.S. District Judge David Hittner says that his Eagle rank has followed his career, “all the way to the White House on my application for a federal bench.”These men value the work that led them to achieve the Eagle rank. It is not a task easily accomplished, and typically requires four to six years to complete. Only about 5 percent of Boy Scouts earn the Eagle award. Eleven-year-old boys are not known for long-term goal setting or deferred gratification, yet each year tens of thousands are inspired by the older Scouts in their troops to begin this long journey.Although the requirements have varied over the century the Boy Scouts of America has offered the advancement program leading to Eagle, the basic idea has remained the same. A Scout begins with the basics, learning how to hike, camp, swim, cook, identify wild plants and animals, read a map, use a compass, make things with knife, axe and ropes, and give first aid. 

This is all done in the company of six to 10 boys, usually of different ages, living and working together as a patrol. Here they learn that they are responsible not only for themselves but for their brother Scouts, in an outdoor setting which leaves little room for error and encourages that essential adult skill, planning.After forgetting the sugar, a boy is more likely to check the ingredients for a cookie recipe before again disappointing the rest of the guys. A cold evening without a coat is a chilly reminder to go over the camping gear checklist in the Boy Scout Handbook before leaving home. 

These experiences provide a boy with his first R&D opportunities and are strong teachers of a great American trait, ingenuity. Scouting is one of the few places in our culture where a child has a safe place to make mistakes, and learn from them. If you have no sugar, sweeten the cookies with some juice brought for breakfast. If you have no coat, learn how to warm yourself in layers of lighter clothing. 

After mastering the basics, earning the Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class ranks, the Scout advances by completing merit badges, where he is introduced to 122 subjects, as diverse as citizenship, atomic energy, lifesaving, medicine, music, athletics, collecting and archery. He also serves as a leader in his troop and works with community organizations. By now he has earned the Star and Life ranks as he completes 21 merit badges required for Eagle. 

He calls on all these skills when he undertakes Scouting’s graduate case study in good citizenship, the Eagle service project. The Scout works with a school, religious institution or other nonprofit to create something of lasting value — a bridge at a park, wheelchair ramps at a shelter, a collection of books for a neighborhood center.The Scout consults with the leadership of the beneficiary organization, submits a written proposal to his Scoutmaster, raises money, gets materials donated, recruits volunteers, plans work days, supervises the project and reports on the results. 

Earning the Eagle award is a man-sized job a boy can be proud of, and adults will respect.

Nelson R. Block, a Distinguished Eagle Scout and shareholder in the Houston office of Winstead PC, has served for 20 years as volunteer attorney for the Sam Houston Area Council BSA.

Read more: Eagle Scout title opens doors of opportunity - Austin Business Journal

100TH ANNIVERSARY…Last Saturday, district Boy Scouts held their 55th Annual Klondike Derby at the Watchung Reservation. Troop 104 of Scotch Plains had the fastest time, as well as a 99 out of 100 score. Troop 73 Senior sled from  Westfield was also a winner. This week marks the 100th Anniversary of Boy Scouts in America.

April 24, 2009 Scouts and Leaders from Troop 104 spent a weekend camping near Gettysburg National Cemetary. They took a hike and a guided tour of the area and learned about the history of Gettysburg.

Troop 104’s John Domanski

Earns Eagle Scout Status

In preparation for the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, 17 scouts and leaders from BSA Troop 104 attended the February 10, 2009 Scotch Plains Township Council meeting to show their love for scouting and to educate the public about scouting's goals and values. The scouts ushered in the meeting with a formal flag ceremony which included the salute to the flag. Following the opening, Life Scout’s David Sherman and Joseph Kaiser presented a report to Mayor Malool and the council about the history of the Boy Scouts of America, its core beliefs and values, which include a love and appreciation of the outdoors and the teaching of leadership, and what is expected of a scout. They also reported on the activity of the troop this year, including rank advancement, camping trips and the many service oriented projects, most of which directly affected and benefitted the towns people in Scotch Plains, and were designed, planned and implemented by the scouts. Mayor Malool recognized the troop and more specifically the Boy Scouts of America by proclaiming the week of February 8, 2009 as “Scout Recognition Week” in Scotch Plains and presented Scoutmaster Ed Bumiller with a Parent/Leader Appreciation Commendation certificate.  

Eagle Scout Dan Michalak received the highest honor in Boy Scouting September 29 at a special Eagle Scout Court of Honor held at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Scotch Plains. Pictured, from left to right, are: Bill Sherman, assistant scoutmaster, Dan, and Ed Bumiller, scoutmaster.

The boys, both young and old, spent a week in the wonderful wilderness of Long Lake, NY July 12-19. Some Scouts and Adults stayed in base camp and worked on scout skills while other Scouts and Adults took a week long canoe trek. All in all everyone had fun and a wonderful experience. Pictured here is the group getting ready to board the bus to Sabattis Adventure Camp.

<Click Here> to view larger photo

Excert taken from the Suburban News June 25, 2008

Michael Bumiller of Scotch Plains was presented with the highest honor in Boy Scouting at a special Court of Honor at All Saints' Church on May 31. Mike is a member of BSA Troop 104, which meets at All Saints', and he has been involved in scouting since second grade. Surrounded by troop members, family and friends, Mike was presented with a special framed hanging that encapsulated his path to the Eagle award, which was presented by Linda Michalak, Advancement Chair. Joe Kaiser, Troop 104 Committee Chair, served as Master of Ceremonies, former Scoutmaster Cleveland Bowser lead the invocation and benediction.

Mike's parents, Scoutmaster Ed Bumiller and his mother, Christine, recieved a special Eagle tie tack and Eagle pin to commemorate their support of Mike on his road to the prestigious Eagle award. Mike's career in Scouting was highlighted by Assistant Scoutmaster Larry Rosello, who spoke about Mike's accomplishments including 25 merit badges, the World Conservation Award, Fire' N Chit, and Tote' N Chit, as well as camping memories over the years.

A junior as Scotch Plains Fanwood High School, Mike's Eagle Project revolved around St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church's outdoor "Stations of the Cross" display, which he improved with a six inch rock wall around each of the 14 crosses on the church's property. Topsoil and ivy was planted around each circle with a team of 16 volunteers. Crosses with arrows were painmted on the pavement in front of each Station to lead the way to the next Station. The project totaled 93 hours of planning and implementation.

Aside from Scouting, Mike plays on the Varsity Soccer team at Scotch Plains Fanwood High School and is an active member of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle Church in Scotch Plains. His future plans include college, where he plans to study science or engineering.

 Taken from the Patriots Path Council Newsletter Vol 1, Number 22

New Boy Scout Uniform
It was recently announced at the National Annual BSA Meeting that our Boy Scout uniform will be changing. Any uniform you have will always be an “official” uniform. The current style uniform will be available until all supplies are gone.

So far, this will affect switchback pants and socks. Most of the popular sizes cannot be re-ordered because the Distribution Center supply is depleted. Both Patriots’ Path Scout Shops have a good supply of these items at the present time.

New BSA Uniform.pdf (Not availible until October 2008)

Hello Troop,        

      I just wanted to let you all know that the spring food drive was a success. With the help of the boys that participated distributing and picking up the bags of food we managed to collect 130 bags of food.        

     The Pantry coordinator, Mrs. Davis, was extremely grateful and expressed her thanks to the entire troop. These food items will help the 60 local families who make use of the pantry and Mrs. Davis estimated that our donation will last through most of the summer. We are the only Boy Scout Troop that donates to this food pantry on a regular basis and during times like this,which is considered the off-season.        

     Thanks again to everyone who helped and also donated food.

-Alex Ebeling

Taken From Backpacker Magazine – February 2007

Make Your Sleeping Bag Warmer

8 easy ways to fortify your sleeping bag

by: Jason Stevenson

Don't get cold feet at the prospect of winter backpacking. With the right insulation, food, and clothing, even chilly sleepers can snooze soundly through a freezing night. Follow our field-tested advice and set up your sleeping bag as shown below to create a comfortable cocoon that dries your damp clothes with body heat, and ensures all-night warmth.

• Size your sack You don't need a -40°F bag to sleep toasty, but you do need a snug fit; a too-big bag means extra space to heat, which saps your body's energy. Choose a winter bag with just enough tossing-and-turning space, and a temperature rating based on the lowest digits you'll experience, subtracting 10 degrees (15 if you sleep cold).
• Have a snack Eat energy bars before bed to give your body the fuel to stay warm, and keep a Snickers handy in case you wake up chilled before dawn.
• Cover your dome Always sleep in a hat, especially if you don't use your sleeping bag's hood.
• Dress for space It's tempting to wear every layer to bed, but too much clothing can make your bag tight and compress the insulation. Adjust your layers to suit your bag's interior volume.
• Put on dry socks If your feet get cold, wrap them in a jacket or extra insulating clothes.
• Snuggle with a bottle Fill a Lexan bottle or two with hot water, stuff them inside a sock or fleece, and place them between your legs (to warm the blood in your femoral artery) and at your feet.
• Go long with your pad Skip the ultralight summer shortie for a full-length mat, and back up any self-inflating pad (1.5 inches thick is optimal) with a closed-cell foam mat or spare clothing underneath it. A pack placed under your legs also provides insulation.
• Dry your shoes Stash wet boots in a waterproof stuff sack or trash bag between your legs to keep them from freezing. Remove insoles and put them in your bag to dry out. If you have double boots, sleep with only the liners.

Today the members of Boy Scout Troop 104 held their annual Sunday church service at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Scotch Plains, NJ. This service allows the troop members to thank the parishioners of the church for their sponsorship of our troop. Following the service the scouts treated the parishoners to a pancake breakfast which afforded the opportunity for everyone to commune in fellowship. A special thank you goes out to all the scouts and family members that helped to make this day a success and especially Mrs. Domanski for once again spearheading this great event.

The Fanwood Rescue Squad’s corroded, 30-year-old flagpole is being replaced

his week by Scouts of Troop 104, led by Eagle Scout candidate Courtney Slaten,

who is also a member of the squad. Pictured is the old flagpole after it was removed

last weekend. The new pole will stand a few feet away, surrounded by new pavers.

Scotch Plains-Fanwood Troop 104 adult leaders flank new Eagle Scout Chad Ringel,

who received the highest honor in Boy Scouting September 15. Pictured, from left

to right, are: Bill Sherman, assistant scoutmaster; Larry Rosello, assistant scoutmaster;

Chad and Ed Bumiller, scoutmaster.