This just came in via email from NESA

Calling On All Eagle Scouts
Your Eagle Eyes Are Needed!

It’s fiercely competitive—the consummate outdoor adventure.

Watch “Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout?” featuring an awesome, elite team of Scouts taking on adult challengers each Monday on the National Geographic Channel. Cheer on your fellow Scouts by tuning in each week at 7 p.m. Central/ 8 p.m. Eastern time through April 8.

More than 439,000 households tuned in for the premiere on March 4. That’s 439,000 households in communities across the country seeing the fun and excitement of Scouting!

You can count on the Scouts to give their “civilian” challengers a run for their money! It’s all in good—but not necessarily clean, fun. A variety of adventurous, Scout-based activities (which include being covered in mud) proves this is no day at the spa! Five more episodes await your viewing pleasure. Watch it, DVR it, tell your friends about it!

You can order fudge from this enterprising Boy Scout Troop at http://www.cambridgescouting.com/csorder.html. Hey, even if you are on a special diet, you can order it for gifts!

Regardless of whether you order or not, the Troop deserves a virtual pat on the back for an outstanding video.

I saw this today in my in box and thought it worth sharing – there are some great points here. NCAC asked recipients to share the message and so I am. Credit goes to NCAC for the content below:

NCAC’s E-Source: Keeping you in the loop

On Thursday we gave thanks. On Black Friday we sought the sales. And on Cyber Monday we shopped ‘til our fingers dropped. Today…called “Giving Tuesday” by some…opens the holiday giving season.

In that spirit, we present to you…

5 Reasons NOT To Support Scouting This Holiday Season

5. Scouting is just for well-to-do families from the suburbs.

Scouting serves young people and families in rural, urban and suburban areas. Some Scouting units support themselves through dues and fundraising while others receive support from generous individuals and organizations in the community. NCAC is dedicated to ensuring all who want to participate in Scouting have that opportunity. Last year, the Council provided more than $32,000 in scholarships for inner city youth to go to summer camp, where many have their first experience in the great outdoors.

4. Scouting is old-fashioned and doesn’t teach youth the skills they need to succeed today.

The values of the Scout Oath and Law are timeless and will always be relevant as the Scouting program continues to evolve to meet the needs of today’s young people. NCAC recently launched BSA’s new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) initative to help get young people excited about learning the skills – through merit badges such as Environmental Science, Architecture, Computers, Robotics, Invention, Programming and Digital Technology – that they need to compete in our global marketplace.

3. Boy Scouts is an all volunteer organization, so there’s no need for my donation.

Scouting is a volunteer-led organization, with countless hours dedicated after work and on weekends by volunteers. Supporting them on a daily basis are Scouting professionals who engage community organizations as chartered partners, recruit youth members and volunteers, organize activities, set up training opportunities, assist with paperwork and seek contributions from the community to maintain and grow the program. NCAC is blessed to have more than 21,100 registered adult volunteers supported by 75 Scouting professionals serving more than 56,400 local youth. But they can’t do it alone. It truly takes the community – individuals and organizations – to make Scouting happen.

2. My Pinewood Derby was not a good experience.

The Pinewood Derby is an iconic part of Scouting and one that many Scouting alumni remember for the rest of their lives…some more fondly than others. Through activities like the Pinewood Derby, Klondike Derby and Raingutter Regatta, NCAC teaches young people valuable lessons about craftsmanship, sportsmanship and how to work on a project from start to finish. Win or lose, these activities help mold their character and create lasting memories.

1. Everyone knows that one person can’t make a difference.

Yes, you can! In fact, one person reaching out to help is often the only thing that can make a difference. Our Scouts learn from the Scout Law “to help other people at all times.” Lead by example. With your support, NCAC can keep its commitment to ensure that every young person who wants to take part in Scouting has that opportunity.

We all know there are many good reasons TO give to Scouting.

Scouting transforms lives. And as our community demographics and the needs of today’s youth change – as the need for Scouting grows – so too does NCAC’s need for your leadership, participation and support.

Forward this email to your friends, family, co-workers and business associates. Be proud of the organization that you support and ask others to join you in ensuring that our high-quality, volunteer-led, character-driven program continues to offer young people the adventure and personal growth that can only be found through Scouting.

Give today and know that your gift will ensure young people learn the values of Scouting – trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent – which will never go out of style and will always be relevant.

A SCOUTER’S THANKSGIVING PRAYER

With reverance in our hearts,

We, Your many children of many beliefs,

United in common purpose,

Gather to offer this our humble prayer,

In Thanksgiving:

As Scouters we are thankful for:

The many gifts and talents given to our fellow Scouters,

and to ourselves;

The freedom we have to join together and as a team

accomplish more than any of us could alone;

The opportunity to be of service to young people,

parents, other Scouters and our community;

Our joy at seeing so many young people become excited

as they grow and are able to meet challenges;

Being reminded by their ceremonies and legends

that he who serves his fellows, is of his fellows greatest;

And most importantly we are thankful for the gift

of knowing that our prayers are heard.

We each in own way take this moment to silently

add our own thanksgivings . . . (pause)

With thanks in our hearts we offer our prayers

and ask that You, the Great Scoutmaster of All Scouts,

be with each of us until we meet again.

AMEN

By Michael F. Bowman