Scout Sunday 2018: A Scout is Reverent (Part 1)

On Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, Troop 466 with Pack 466, the various Girl Scout units and even some Cubs from Pack 209, joined us for Scout Sunday!  Here are a few photos before Mass

BSA Youth Protection

For more information, go here.

BSA Youth Protection Update

The Boy Scouts of America have announced a series of updates to our Youth Protection Training and Policy.  Below you will find part of the announcement.  For the complete article, please go here. 

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Dear Scouting Friends:

Over the decades, the Boy Scouts of America has been a leader in developing training and policies designed to keep young people safe. These comprehensive policies were considered groundbreaking when they were developed and soon became the standard used by other organizations for safeguarding youth. But when it comes to the safety of children, our goal is to continually improve.

Sustained vigilance on youth protection is a central part of our culture.

Over the past two years, the BSA has worked with experts in the field of child abuse, child sexual abuse and maltreatment to develop new training and resources that will further strengthen our ability to protect youth. These changes include:

• Fully updated and revised Youth Protection Training developed with leaders in the field of child abuse prevention and includes insights from experts, survivors and the latest strategies for recognizing and preventing major forms of abuse. This is the designated Youth Protection training for all adults.
• Expanded youth protection content across all our communications channels will inform and engage our volunteers and parents.
• An expanded National ScoutsFirst Helpline to aid volunteers and families in addressing potentially dangerous situations.
• The BSA also provides unlimited counseling and support for healing to anyone who has ever been abused in Scouting.
• Youth protection training for youth members will be available in 2019.

In addition to updated training and resources, the BSA announced new policies to ensure compliance with mandatory training requirements. These policies have been in place in the NCAC for a number of years. These policies include:

• As of January 1, 2018, no new leader can be registered without first completing youth protection training.
• As of January 1, 2018, no council, regional or national leader will be allowed to renew their registration if they are not current on their youth protection training.
• As of September 1, 2017, no unit may re-charter without all leaders being current on their youth protection training. Registrars no longer have the ability to approve charters without full compliance.

Simon King Remembered

Last Saturday, a couple of Scout leaders were invited to celebrate the birthday of one of our most distinguished leaders at the Palm Restaurant in downtown DC.  

Now, let me say up front, the troop did not pay for any of it.  This was solely a private affair, which was paid for with private funds.  I say this, so no one thinks that we are blowing the Christmas Tree sale profits.

If you know anything about the Palm Restaurant, is that regulars will get their picture on the wall.   Well, it was pointed out that one of our Scout leaders was a not only a regular at the Palm - lunch once a week -- but had his picture there.

The author of this post knew Mr. Simon King but did not know him as well as many at the dinner.  I always found him to be courteous and friendly.

So, to honor him not only the dad of a Scout in our troop, but as a former Troop Committee Chair, I now present his picture.

Thank you for all that you did for Troop 466.