Yucca Council Leadership

Executive Board

President  Jack Peterson
Exec Vice President  Calvin Bishop
Commissioner  Jim Libbin
Vice Presidents -

Fundraising  John Hjalmquist
Treasurer/Finance  Phil Strickler
Program  Michael Kelly
Marketing  John Thilman
Leadership  John Martin
Endowment  David Carpenter
Membership  Stephen Nagy
Assets  Doug Borrett
District Operations  Waldo Allen

Professional Staff

Scout Executive  David J. Jones

District Executives -
Mescalero & White Sands

Bill Dickson

Geronimo, Polaris & Sunshine

Curtis Nimer

Wapaha & LFL/Exploring

Connie Perry

Office Support Staff

Office Manager  Alma Villarreal
Council Registrar  Claudia Saldana
Executive Secretary  Heather Decker
Office Assistant  Monica Villarreal

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Upcoming Council Events

Feb 27: Cub Scout Klondike

March 3: Scout Night at UTEP women’s basketball

March 6: Mescalero &Wapaha Pinewood Derbies

March 19-20: OLS Training in Sunshine District

March 20: BALOO/Den Chief Training in Sunshine

March 27: District Committee Workshop

March 27: Membership Summit

April 24: Scout Expo

May 1: Commissioner’s College in Ruidoso

May 28-31: Spring Family Camp

June 7-12: National Youth Leadership Training at Camp Dale Resler

June 20-July 17:  Summer Camp Sessions at Camp Dale Resler

Order of the Arrow Chapter Meetings

For all the new OA members, and old ones, we invite you to attend your chapter meetings:

Nesatin - Third Thursday, Ascension Lutheran, 7:00 PM

Tortugas - Second Thursday, Holy Cross Church, 6:30 PM

Mescalero - Third Thursday, Highland Presbyterian Church, 7:00 PM

Cochise - Third Thursday, Trinity Lutheran Church, 6:00 PM

Wapaha - Third Thursday, Montwood Middle School, 7:00 PM

Geronimo - Third Sunday, 1st Presbyterian Church, 7:00 PM

Scout Executive's Minute 

Scouters, our most valued assets besides the youth themselves, 2010 is here! Are you making the most of your 100 year Boy Scout full year Birthday Party? There are ways that we can show the public what we are doing. We are in a day and age when we need to be showing the world what we are about – not like the Unknown Scout that did his daily good turn by helping Boyce find his way. It is idea of helping others (individuals and groups of people) through our advancement service projects and through our Cub Scout and Boy Scout 2010 themes. We fill a legacy of service when we “Celebrate the Adventure and Continue the Journey”. Scouting’s legacy is service. Our legacy is values and ethical decision making. It’s Character Building. We belong to the greatest youth organization in the world. A movement that is making a difference!

Here are some of the ways you made a difference:

The Yucca Council and each Chartered Organization made a difference in the lives of all registered and additional registered youth in 2009. We added 12 more units in 2009. We added 120 additional youth that will get the Scouting difference and be our future leaders.

 Scouting For Food – what a job you all did in making a difference in the lives of others. 30 food banks and 47,000 items of food collected will make a difference to over 43,000 individuals. Advancement and Eagle Service hours in 2009 equaled $2,500,000 in community service dollars – WOW! That is making a difference. Have you logged your hours into www.goodturnforamerica.org? You will need your unit number and your PIN number available from the Council Service Center registrar. Log in your hours, show your enthusiasm for Scouting and for the values we’ve stood shown for over 100 years.

David J. Jones

Scout Executive & CEO

Yucca Council, Boy Scouts of America

Yucca Council Centennial Patch Available Now!

In the spirit of the centennial celebration, the Yucca Council has issued a centennial patch which will be incorporated with rocker pieces for many of the events of this coming year .   Pick yours up today.  Available at the Council Office for $2.00 each.

Four Merit Badges to Come Out of Retirement for 2010 

In honor of the Boy Scouts of America's 100th Anniversary, today's generation of Scouts will get the unique opportunity to experience some of the activities their predecessors enjoyed. That's possible thanks to the BSA's new Historical Merit Badge Program, a set of four discontinued merit badges that today's Scouts can earn only in 2010. Scouts can earn any or all of these merit badges: Signaling, Tracking, Pathfinding, and Carpentry. Scouts must start and finish all requirements within the year 2010, after Dec. 31, 2010, these merit badges will go back on the "retired" list.

That being said, the announcement of this new program, along with the requirements for earning the merit badge was made prematurely by the National Council.  We anticipate these merit badges will be available to earn in the Spring.  In anticipation of this, we would encourage anyone interested in serving as a merit badge counselor for these badges to submit their applications, and we will process them as soon as we are able.

Centennial Rank Patches Announced

All rank patches for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts for 2010 will feature special designs. The patches, called the "2010 Centennial Rank Advancement Badges" feature "2010, Boy Scouts of America", and the rank in text. The 2010 Centennial Rank Advancement Badges should be available in Scout Shops by the beginning of February. Make sure you honor your Scout's rank advancement with these special, one-of-a-kind 100th anniversary rank badges.

Centennial Dollar Release Date Announced

The designs have been approved, the dies are cast, and now the date has been announced for the release of the BSA’s Centennial minting of a silver dollar.

On  March 23, 2010, the first of 350,000 coins to be minted will be made available .  Profits from these coins will be made available to local councils in the form of grants.

Scouting Stamp Available This Summer

This tastefully done stamp featured here will be placed into circulation following its dedication this Summer at the National Jamboree in July 2010. 

The design, created by illustrator Craig Frazier of Mill Valley, CA, depicts the spirit and outdoor adventure of scouting through a backpacking scout and a large silhouette of a scout surveying the landscape.

NM License Plate to Celebrate 100 Years

On April 6, 2009,Governor Bill Richardson signed House Bill – 671 into law authorizing the state Motor Vehicle Department to “develop, establish, and issue a special commemorative Scouting registration plate celebrating the centennial of the Boy Scouts of America.”

The plate will officially become available early 2010 at all New Mexico MVD locations. Vehicle registrants will pay $10.00 in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fees for each year they renew the plate.

Above is an early sneak peak at some of the artwork currently submitted to the MVD for plate production.  More information on the license plate will be available as we learn more about the availability of the license plate.

Looking for 12 Eagle Projects in Each District

The 100th Anniversary Geocaching—Get in the Game Committee is looking for 8-12  Eagle Projects in each district to spotlight in the upcoming “Cache to Eagle” game that will kick off in May.  These Eagle projects will become public geocache sites that will draw attention to the good works scouts are doing in the community throughout the council.  In addition they will be part of a game that culminates with a puzzle cache during the 2010 celebration.  More details will be released on the council website at www.yuccabsa.org in the coming months.  We are also looking for donations of GPS units.

Please contact Miguel Montes with your  Eagle Project suggestions or  about GPS donations.

To join the 100th anniversary Geocaching-Get in the Game Committee, contact staff advisor, Curtis Nimer.

National Hall of Leadership Deadline Extended

The concept was simple enough, by February 8th, everyone would access the National Hall of Leadership Website, select their council from the drop down link, and tell a story of a scout or scouter that made a difference in their life.  Each council would then select their best five, send them to the national judge’s panel, and the best nomination would be chosen and their story told to the nation. 

Well none of that has changed, except the deadline!  You now have until April 2nd to make a nomination.  The announcement will now take place at the National Jamboree this Summer.  So please, click the nominate here button now and tell the story of a scout or volunteer who deserves to be recognized for all that they do.

Cub Scouts 2010

In October of 2010, the BSA will be instituting a large change to the manner in which the Cub Scout  Program is delivered, providing pre-planned meetings designed to ensure advancement each year in the program.  For more information click here!

Thanks to our Sponsors:

2010 Friends of Scouting Campaign Launches

Every year around this time, the Yucca council holds their annual Friends of Scouting (FOS) Campaign.  During this campaign we ask to come to each unit and give a brief presentation which explains what we as a council do for the units as well as how we pay for the program, after which we will be asking those in attendance for donations. 

In recent years, councils throughout the United States have needed to rely more heavily on the generous donations of scouting supporters as other sources of donations have begun to lessen.  Our goal is to have delivered a presentation  to every unit in our council by the end of April.  We have great teams of volunteers who will be calling your unit to arrange a time to hold a presentation.  It will save them a lot of trouble if you contact us to set a date.  So if you have not yet chosen a date or had a presentation, please send an email to cnimer@bsamail.org with your unit, date, time, and location, and we will contact you shortly to confirm. 

FOS is how we keep the scouting program fun and growing council-wide.  Please support us!

Yucca Council Celebrates 100 Years With a Bang!

On a cold February 8th, thousands of scouts, scouters, and the interested public assembled at Cohen Stadium in El Paso to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the scouting movement.  While is was cold outside, the scouting spirit (and about 42 Gallons of Hot Chocolate) kept everyone warm.

The celebration began with a short speech from David Jones, Scout Executive, Jack Peterson, Council President, John Thilman, the event’s organizer, and Mayor John Cook.  The highlight of the night was a twenty-three minute firework show and birthday cake for everyone in attendance.   

Council Banquet and Eagle Recognition Dinner a Big Success 

On February 20th, over 200  scouts and scouters gathered together to celebrate the many accomplishments of 2009 and to recognize the leaders who made those accomplishments possible.  Among those recognized were the following:

Commissioner of the Year Award:

Peter Grammar

2009 Centennial Quality Districts:

Polaris, Wapaha, Sunshine, White Sands, and Geronimo

2009 Venturing Leadership Awards:

Stephanie Fiochetta and Brandi Tena

2009 Nona Resler Spirit Award:

Tami Gandt, Bruce Folmar, Richard Widmark, and Nate Jones

2009 Popcorn Achievers:

Top Units—Pack 7 with $20,854 and Troop 956 with $27,673

Top 3 Sellers—Alex Miller, Troop 956 with $5,990; Lazius Brown, Pack 930 with $4,135; and Franky Sandoval, Troop 413 with $3,344

New Heritage Society Lifetime Member:

Patricia Peterson

2009 James E. West Fellowship Members:

Florence R. Robie, L. Missy Widmark, Derek Kartley, John Thilman, Derek Hartley, Francis L. Snoddy, Will Harvey,  Randall Andreasen, Jack Yoskey, David Panko, Alice Panko, Alisandra Panko, Kyle Panko, Jay Austin, Kevin Sandburg, Frederick W. Francis, Lawrence Taylor Francis, Lawrence G. Francis, Terry Dunavant, and William Snider

2009 Silver Beaver Recipients:

Connie Perry, Robert Wilbur, John Thilman, Louise Folmar, and Sparkie Plaatje

And of course, our 2009 Eagle Scouts:

Christopher Anaya, Cr 278, Derek M. Anderson , Tr 129, Dylan Z. Anderson, Tr 62, Kimball Bartlett, Tr 158, Aaron S. Batkin, Tr 27, Derek P. Batiste, Tr 222, Kennen J. Bitton, Tr 178, Jordon L. Bowden, Tr 158, Joshua A.Bracken, Tr 158, Andrew M. Chaparro,Tr 90, Nicholas B. Coakley, Tr 25, Manuel I. Carrasco, Cr 278, Michael T. Cusick, Cr 278, Mark A. Dallago, Tr 62, Sean A. Dion, Tr 192, Paul M. Doran, Tr 248, Daniel T. Dzurko, Tr 82, Malachai J. Egan, Tr 180, Warren Ekery, Tr 164, Adam J. Escajeda, Tr 32, Brian S. Fleming, Tr 168, Ezra J. Flores, Tr 90 , Marco A. Garcia, Tr 90, Robert Garcia, Tr 180, Russell Godman, Tr 147, Joseph A. Gonzalez, Te 158, Seth A. Gonzalez, Tr 158, Joseph M. Guinto, Tr 168, Mauricio Gutierrez,Tr 338, Jeremy Harlas, Tr 180, Jordan D. Hawkes, Tr 90, Jesus Hernandez, Tr 438, John R. Herron, Tr 59, Nathaniel B. Hill, Tr 59, Connor D. Horak, Tr 192, William T. Howell, Tr 59, Christopher Jimenez, Tr 279, Alan F. Jolley, Tr 158, Brian A. Kelly, Tr 55, Corban Larsen, Tr 158, Oscar Loy Jr., Tr 192, Jared T. Lucky, Tr 004, Gabriel Machen, Cr 278, Jacob Makens, Tr 180, Julian C. Maldonado, Tr 279, Matthew T. Mangum, Tr 174, Mason C. Martin,Tr 59, Christian A. Miller, Tr 4, Andrew Mitchell, Tr 27, Tony A. Montenegro, Tr 191, Eric J. Montrose, Tr 27, Joshua C. Moore, Tr 158, Justin M. Mrochek, Tr 27, George E. Norwood, Tr 147, Jeremiah L. Ortega Tr 158, William N. Palm, Tr 415, Aaron J Palos, Tr 192, Kyle A. Panko , Cr 66, Ruben Paredes, Tr 338, Daniel L. Parrott, Tr 68, William Peck, Tr 180, Clark C. Pederson, Cr 242, Cody J. Pederson, Cr 242, Joseph Ramirez, Tr 181, Angel Ramos, Tr 152, Jacob W. Ritter, Tr 127, Adarsh A. Saheba, Tr 4, Daniel A. Salazar, Tr 37, Justin T. Schwartz, Tr 82, Joseph C. Severson, Tr 279, Hansol Sim, Tr 53, Fred A. Smalley, Tr 37, Collin Smith, Tr147, Jorden Soderberg, Troop 8, Andrew L. Stott, Troop 714, Michael T. Swahlen, Troop 59, David E. Usevitch, Crew 278, Nicholas Vanwolff, Troop 180, Jason Velez, Troop 59, Ethan X. Wertz, Troop 134, Ryan D Wilder, Troop 147, Brad M. Williams, Troop 66, Joseph Wood, Troop 174, Giovanni Yancey, Troop 86. 

Scouting for Food Drive

Wow! What a great effort by every district in the Council!  We saw a big increase in the number of units participating this year responding to the call for food to fill the local food banks.  Food banks across the council have all been suffering from shortages and the Boy Scouts came to their rescue.  We helped supply 30 food banks with much needed food stores.  Way to go Scouts!  A special thanks goes out to the OA members and National Guard members who worked the drop off sites!  Thanks to Peter Piper Pizza for providing some of those crews with pizzas!  We also need to make sure to give our Council Scouting for Food Chair, Mr. Rick Pratt, from Polaris District, a huge thanks for coordinating this year’s drive! Way to go Rick!

We are still collecting food at various sites and don’t have a firm count yet but it appears we went well above last year’s collection.

2010 Scout EXPO - Calling All Scouts!

The Centennial Scout Expo is coming this April 24^th!  If you thought last year’s Expo was a big event you haven’t seen anything yet!  We already have over 40 outside attractions coming but what we are missing are Scouts.  We have about 10 units signed up to be a part of this huge event  so we have room for about 300 more!  We should have as close to 100% participation as possible for this once in a lifetime celebration of scouting.  We are expecting close to 30,000 visitors coming through the gate.  What an opportunity to show and let people experience what scouting is all about!

If you believe in the scouting program and want to see it grow, you need to be an active part of this show.  Please call or come by the Scout Office today and let us know you are coming and how much space you need!

2010 Scout Month Patch is Here!

CUB SCOUT REQUIREMENTS: Cub Scouts and leaders can earn a Scout Month Patch by completing the one required activity and two elective items between the months of February and May.

REQUIRED ACTIVITY: Hold a Centennial Pack Blue & Gold Banquet.

ELECTIVES: Choose three...

 • Hold a Scout Sunday program in your sponsoring organization.

• Have a Pack display in a store window or church lobby, etc.

• Conduct a flag ceremony for a group other than your pack.

• Conduct a complete uniform inspection for your full pack using inspection forms.

• Conduct a pack service project.

• Attend school in uniform one day (February through May).

• Have a photo taken with the Centennial Corvette at one of the many Council activities.

• With your pack make an 8" x 8" quilt square for the Yucca Council Cen-tennial Quilt

• Earn one of the "Year of Celebration Award Patch ribbons.

• Submit an article and/or photo to a local newspaper, Yucca Council newsletter, District newsletter or unit newsletter.

• Participate in a Council Centennial Event.

BOY SCOUT/TEAM/CREW REQUIREMENTS: Troops, teams, crews, and leaders can earn a Scout Month Patch by doing the one required activity and three of the elective items between the months of February and May.

REQUIRED ACTIVITY: Hold a Troop, team, or crew Banquet or special BSA Centennial Court of Honor.

ELECTIVES:

• Hold an overnight camp during February or March

• Hold a Scout Sunday program in your sponsoring organization.

• Have a troop, team, or crew demonstration or display in a store or church lobby, etc.

• Conduct a flag ceremony for a troop, team, crew other than your own

• Perform a troop, team, or crew service project.

• Attend school in uniform one day (February—May).

• Conduct a uniform inspection for your full troop, team, or crew using the uniform inspection sheet.

• Have your photo taken with the Centennial Corvette.

• With your troop, team or crew, make an 8" x 8" quilt square for the Yucca Council Centennial Quilt.

• Earn one of the "Year of Celebration Award Patch ribbons.

• Submit an article and/or photo to a local newspaper, Yucca Council newsletter, District newsletter or unit newsletter.

• Participate in a Council Centennial Event.

If you would like to have the Centennial Corvette at your next event, please contact John Thilman at abnrgr2000@yahoo.com

Update Your Training Records Online Today!

The Yucca Council has been selected by the National Boy Scouts of America to be a pilot program (one of 12 other Councils) that will implement in 2010 the “mandatory” or required training for adult leaders. It will be a progressive approach by in 2010 by taking the top unit leaders (Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Team Coaches, Crew and Post Advisors) and requiring training be done. Note, training for the top unit leader is part of the quality unit standards anyway. In 2011, the Council will require all direct contact leaders to be trained (Den Leaders, Assistant Cubmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters, Assistant Team, Crew and Post advisors). In 2012, all adult leaders registered will need to comply by being trained. The Yucca Council Executive Board unanimously approved implementation of this program.

We see this as a positive approach to making sure that the youth have a quality experience in Scouting. We will make every effort to be proactive in offering training through each District (both basic training, and outdoor specific training). Districts will be more involved and engaged in helping a unit’s leaders to be fully trained. We know this is a huge endeavor and one that we are not taking lightly… it comes with an increase in the number of trainings being held. Basic Training and outdoor leader training will be consistent in every district so you will be able to attend (on almost any given month) a training in your district or a neighboring district in the Council. Studies show that when leaders are trained they stay in Scouting longer, they enjoy what they are doing, and youth stay in the program longer, advance more and transition to the next program (Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts, Boy Scouts to Venturers, etc.).

The first step in the process in getting your training records updated in the Council Office. There will be a link under the training tab of the yuccabsa.org website that will allow you to select the training you received and list the approximate date you took it.  We are looking to update all of our training records.  We cannot list on the site what trainings we have on file for you, so please list as many as you can.  Remember, “a scout is honest”.

The Umbrella of Training

Many parents and volunteers have approached us with the question, “what do I have to do to be a trained leader?”  The answer is a little different for everyone.  A trained leader is one who has taken all the necessary trainings for their current position in scouting and is able to wear the trained patch on their sleeve.

There are several steps to being a trained leader, but they all start at the same place:

Fast Start Training: The first step in any leader training.  Includes an overview of specific roles and responsibilities.  45 Minutes

Youth Protection:  Essential to any Scout Leader’s Training, learn how to protect your youth, and yourself from any dangers.  You will learn the Boy Scouts of America’s Youth Protection Guidelines, signs of abuse, and how to report suspected abuse.  40 Minutes

This Is Scouting:  “This Is Scouting” provides an overview of the Scouting organization, including history, values, programs, Youth Protection, community involvement, and training. The module consists of six video sections, each followed by a brief quiz.  50 Minutes

Position-Specific Training:  Each leader has a specific training they should attend for their position.  Usually taught on a Saturday, these courses are taught by well-trained and knowledgeable staff that can not only make the training fun, but also prepare you well for any situation you may face.   See flyer for complete list of courses.  Time Varies from 2-6 Hours

Outdoor Training:  For a lot of leaders, your training ended at position-specific training.  For Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, and Cubmasters there is the additional step of Outdoor Leader Skills or BALOO.  These courses teach how to plan and run en effective outdoor program.  BALOO—All Day Saturday,  OLS-All Day Saturday and Friday Night

Required Training Plan      Umbrella of Training Flyer       BSA Online Learning Center

Myscouting.org       Training Wiki

Camp Dale Resler: Your Summer Camp

Hey scouts and scouters summer will be here before you know it!  Plan to spend a week of your summer with us at Camp Dale Resler.  Enjoy the cool mountain air, wildlife, and  learn more about nature and living in the outdoors.  Achieve those rank advancements and merit badges you couldn’t get done before.  Shoot archery, rifles and shotguns, throw tomahawks, swim, build crafts, rock climb, rappel from a bluff, or take a hike, mountain bike ride or do it all while at Camp Dale Resler!  These things are for scouts and adult scouters alike.

Come enjoy the beautiful scenery and enjoy a good hot meal and have fun!  We will take the stress of work and school off your minds and replace it with lasting memories of good times.

Please sign up today the campsites are going fast!

2010 SUMMER CAMP SCHEDULE

1st Week June 20^th-26^th (Horse Week)

2^nd Week June 27^th-July 3^rd

3^rd Week LDS Week July 5^th-10^th

4^th Week July 11^th-17^th

Webelos Resident Camp: July 13-16 (Tuesday-Friday)

Cub Resident Camp: July 13 & 14 (Tuesday & Wednesday)

Come see Camp Dale Resler’s Official Website!

CDR Leader’s Guide

CDR Campsite Registration Form

CDR Program Highlights

Leave No Trace Trainer Course

The Boy Scouts of America has been a conservation driven organization since its inception in 1910.  A Conservation Merit Badge was included in the very first Scout Handbook.  Since then, the science and technology for conservation has changed but we are still a conservation minded group.   Beginning several years ago, certain merit badge requirements began including the requirement for a working knowledge of the Leave No Trace principles and how they apply to that merit badge.  Now, requirement 2 for Second Class is a discussion of the principles of Leave No Trace and First Class requirement, 3, calls on the youth to demonstrate the principles on ten outing, three of which must be overnight campouts.

In order to facilitate these requirements, a new position of responsibility has been added, the Leave No Trace Trainer.  The Leave No Trace Trainer must attend the 16 hour minimum trainer course and be selected by his Scoutmaster.   The 16 hour course will be offered May 21-23, 2010 and again September 24-26, 2010.  Priority will be given to youth attending May 21-23, 2010.  This would also fit well for any boy going to Philmont this next year and wishing to serve his trek in another new position, the Trek Leave No Trace Guía.

Click Here for the Flyer

Jim Karol, BSA Leave No Trace Lead Master Educator, Yucca Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate.

Yucca Council Training Events

2010 Information and Application   2010 Staff Application

Why National Youth Leadership Training?

Today, leaders need to understand how to best work with teams, NYLT integrates the best of modern leadership theory with the traditional strengths of the Scouting experience.  The course teaches an individual how to lead themselves and lead others in a team environment.  NYLT aligns youth training with the adult training that is taught in Wood Badge for the 21^st Century.  BSA wants everyone to speak the same leadership language.

Course Overview

NYLT integrates the best of modern leadership theory with the traditional strengths of the Scouting experience.  Through activities, presentations, challenges, discussions, and audio-visual support, NYLT participants will be engaged in a unified approach to leadership that will give them the skills and confidence to lead well.  Through a wide range of activities, events, games, and adventures, NYLT participants will work and play together as they put into action the best that Scouting has to offer.

The Yucca Council will be holding their 2010 course of NYLT June 7th –13th at Camp Dale Resler.  Plan now to send your youth leadership.

Scouting for Photos

If you have an event photo you would like to see included in the council newsletter, please send it and a description to cnimer@bsamail.org

Report to States

On February 6th and February 8th, the Yucca Council sent delegations to report to the states of Texas and New Mexico on the accomplishments of the Yucca Council in 2009.  These delegation included the following delegates:

Texas - Brandi Tena, Jacob Decker, Forrest Carlson, David Decker, and Riley Finnegan

New Mexico - Ginger Franco, Santana Sanchez, Val Islieb, Cameron Cranmer, Tim Kraus, Lewis Harry, Rose Fierro, David Holden, Sammy Holden, and Greg Cranmer

When they returned from the trip, we asked each of the delegates to write up their description of what happened.  Here are excerpts from two of those selections:

“My favorite thing about being a part of the delegation was when I got my picture taken with the governor.  The room had at least five bodyguards.  My mom got to be next to the governor.  Then we got to hear the governor give a speech.  It was really inspiring.  He talked about how being a scout still helps him today.  There were at least 200 scouts there for the reports.  About 6,000 scouts were in the parade that celebrated the anniversary of scouting.”

-Riley Finnegan

“My favorite part of being in the delegation to Santa Fe was when The Governor asked to be introduced to the rest of the group, following the Eagle Scout presentation of the governor's letter of congratulations.  I was able to go around the group and introduce the members of the delegation and a bit about each person in our group!   Gov  Richardson said he was a cub scout, but that was as far as he went.  He wondered out loud how many Reps and Senators were Eagle Scouts,  I mentioned he should take that poll at his next earliest convenience, and ask how many women are currently or have been Scout Volunteers like Gloria  Vaughn. He said he knew Gloria but was a little surprised to find out she had over 30 years in Boy Scouts.”

-Val Islieb

“Once we arrived we waited for a few minutes and then the Governor came out of his office to meet with all of us.  He asked a few questions about the Boy Scouts and took pictures with us and then presented a letter of congratulations to one of Yucca Council's newest Eagle Scouts, Lewis Harry.  This was a wonderful time in his life and a tear of joy came to mom's face as well.  We presented the Governor with 3 lapel pins.  1 was the BSA 2010 centennial pin and then 2 were the Yucca Council pins with the Texas star and the Zia symbol in the middle with the Scout Fleur-de-lis.  He was extremely happy and we exited on a very wonderful note.”

-Greg Cranmer