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[Editor's note: What follows is a guest blog post written exclusively for Cracker Barrel readers by Judge William S. Sessions. Sessions, a Distinguished Eagle Scout, is a former United States District Court Judge and the former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Now, he's leading the initiative to promote the BSA's centennial coin.]
Hello! I am Judge Bill Sessions, and I am glad for this opportunity to introduce myself as the honorary chairman of the Boy Scouts of America’s initiative to promote the Boy Scouts of America Centennial Silver Dollar. This March, the United States Mint will mint and make available for sale, beginning March 23, 350,000 Boy Scouts of America Centennial Silver Dollars. Surcharges from the sale of the coins may raise up to $3.5 million for the BSA Foundation, to help extend Scouting in difficult to serve areas. I am grateful for the opportunity to support the BSA. Scouting has had a tremendous and lasting impact on my own family.
I joined Scouting while my father was an Army chaplain in the south Pacific during WWII. And though he had never been a Scout himself, my father, Will A. Sessions, Jr., saw great value in it. Upon his return from the war, he became a pastor at a church in Kansas City, Mo., and wrote the first nationally distributed handbook to support Scouts in earning their God and Country award.
My journey into the program began in Troop 136 in Kearney, Neb. After my father’s return from the war, we moved to Kansas City, where I became a Sea Scout. I continued on through Scouting to earn my Eagle award. And, not long before I did, I had the experience of a lifetime at Philmont. I saved every penny to come up with $100 for the monthlong trip, and was at Philmont when WWII ended. It was an experience I will never forget.
My three sons were involved in Scouting as boys, and they still find great joy in it to this day. My son Pete (Congressman Pete Sessions of Dallas, Tex.) went on to earn his Eagle Scout Award, and later, the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. It was in Scouting that my children discovered their love for camping and the outdoors. My wife and I had always encouraged our children to attempt to achieve goals they thought they could not, and Scouting reinforced that idea of challenging yourself. I saw my sons grow and change into ambitious young men who weren’t afraid to take action.
Scouting continues to bring me immense pride as I watch my grandchildren participate in the program. Once again, I have the opportunity to watch as our young family members develop the drive to learn and accomplish on their own. I am reminded that you never know what will capture a young person’s imagination, nor what they’ll do with the tools you help them acquire. What we give through Scouting is an education, in the truest sense, and it’s the greatest gift we can give our children.
The Boy Scouts of America Centennial Silver Dollar will be available beginning March 23, 2010 at noon (ET). You may place your order through the United States Mint or by caling 1-800-USA-MINT.
This just in: The deadline for nominating a worthy Scout or Scouter
for the National Hall of Leadership is now April
2, 2010.
That gives you two extra months to recognize the people who have influenced Scouting the most.
In deciding to extend the deadline, members of the 100th Anniversary Team said they have received thousands of nominations already but want to make sure everyone has a chance to share their Scouting story.
The date for announcing the inductees was originally scheduled for May’s National Annual Meeting in Dallas, but that has changed. Now, the names will be announced on an even bigger stage: the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. One honoree will be selected from each local council, and the national council will name one additional inductee.
To nominate someone for this once-in-a-lifetime honor, click here.
You tell your Scouts to "Be Prepared" for anything, but would they know what to do when a model rocket flies off course and into the chest of one of their peers?
Josh Raynes and Chris Rogers did.
For their actions in saving the life of 16-year-old Connor McNeil, the boys received the Heroism Award (left) in a ceremony yesterday.
To read how their actions saved the day, click here.
The Heroism Award, first given out in 1923, is awarded to youth or adults who use Scouting skills to attempt to save someone's life with little or no risk to themselves. Only about 3,000 have been awarded in the medal's history.
At speeds that surpass 200 miles per hour, IndyCar racing
offers fans nonstop thrills. So it’s a natural fit with the Boy Scouts of
America, an organization that’s been serving up fast-paced adventure for 100
years.
That’s the idea behind this month’s launch of BSA Motorsports. The No. 19 IndyCar, a joint venture between the BSA and Dale Coyne Racing, will make its debut on March 14 in Brazil. The season runs through October with 17 total races, including 13 in the U.S.
This offers two unique opportunities for Scouting. First, the BSA’s logo and colors are all over this sharp-looking ride, and Scouts will play a role in opening ceremonies at several IndyCar races. That gives the BSA a great opportunity to extend the Scouting message to the uninitiated.Second, Scouting units from across the country will get the chance to see the car up close and meet the driver and crew—all while learning about the math and science behind open-wheel racing. That keeps boys interested and gives packs, troops, and crews a great recruiting tool.
The car will be available for units at each of the 17 stops on the IndyCar schedule. Sure, you could jet to Brazil, Japan, or Canada to see this car for yourself, but if you’re not big on international travel, make plans to see it at one of these U.S. races:
You could also spot the red-and-blue racer on TV. Each IndyCar race is televised nationally on Versus or ABC. Click here for the schedule. Also, make sure to look for the No. 19 car and racing team at this summer’s jamboree.
Follow the jump for another photo.
Continue reading "BSA Motorsports will get your guys revved up for Scouting" »
We already know what the BSA 100th Anniversary coin will look like (see above). And now we know when we can get our hands on one (or several) of the 350,000 set to be minted in Philadelphia.
The date to circle on your calendar? Tuesday, March 23, 2010. That's according to the recently updated schedule on the U.S. Mint's Web site and a story on Coin News that has more details.
Will you be getting one (or one dozen) of these collectible coins? Use the comment box below to let us know.
We're still learning the full extent of the devastation caused by Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti, but we do know one thing: the people of Haiti need the world's help to recover from this tragedy.
We're sure that many of you in the Scouting community have already stepped up, but if you're still looking for the best way to do a good turn for the Haitian people, read the BSA's official response. Here's the complete text of the statement:
"Our hearts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti. Many members of the BSA family want to provide assistance to the people affected by this horrific earthquake.
"Based on the information we have to date, the most immediate needs are for medical attention, food, water, clothing, and shelter. The most effective way to help is by donating to the American Red Cross, which is a strong ally of Scouting around the globe.
"While there are no Boy Scouts of America units in Haiti, Scouting is a worldwide brotherhood. We will continue to try to communicate with those in Scouting in Haiti through the Interamerican Region of the World Organization of the Scouting Movement. This region is composed of all the Scout organizations in the Americas and the Caribbean. The BSA will work through this arm to support the rebuilding of Scouting when appropriate."
Did you miss your chance to enter Scouting magazine’s recent photo contest? We sympathize. So we’re going to give you another chance to win recognition for your photographic prowess.
We're talking about the Boy Scouts of America: Today photo contest. It shares its name with the title of a book of photography scheduled for release in October. The book will use professional and amateur photos to document the image of Scouting across America.
Submit your photos in any, or all, of 12 categories that, as you no doubt have guessed, represent the 12 points of the Scout Law. The book will publish the winners, and each winning image will earn the shooter a $50 gift card to the BSA Supply Division and a copy of the book.
Before you charge up your camera's battery, though, read these rules:
For inspiration, check out the expert advice of the BSA’s official photographer, Roger Morgan: “The image should not just create a visual reaction, but must evoke a feeling about the point of the Scout Law for which it represents. We’re looking for photographs that create an emotional response.”
We're looking for great trips to feature in What a Weekend, recognition-worthy volunteers for Scouter Spotlight, and tricky questions about BSA policies or procedures for Ask the Expert.
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