Growing up green
Shutterstock image purchased by Mike WaltonEvery child in America should spend their first eleven years growing up green. That was the consensus of my high school peers and some of my personal friends, as well.One of our high school peers is a history buff. He hosts a Facebook page for those of us who lived in the community and encourages us -- former students, teachers, administrators -- to comment and interact with each other (not... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-11-18
An increase is an increase
Money (copied from Bing under fair usage guidelines) The Boy Scouts of America (BSA)'s National Executive Board announced on Wednesday (23 October 2019) the following:"Starting next year (2020), the Boy Scouts of America membership fee will be $60 a year for all registered youth in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouting. The annual fee for adult members and youth in the Exploring program will be $36."(My math isn't all that grand, but the... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-11-10
Bird in the wilderness
Bird in the Wilderness stock photo As many of you are aware, I volunteer as a part of the Boy Scouts of America. I have been doing so as an adult -- with some breaks for various reasons -- since I was 18 years old. I have served as a volunteer at the local level, the District and local Council level (which oversees and coaches local units), within two Regions and their Regional Areas (which... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-11-03
More than Teaching Manners
It is great to know that the Boy Scouts of America -- an organization which I do NOT work for but have a strong affinity toward -- is upping their game. Our volunteers -- ALL of them, not just the ones interacting with youth on a regular basis -- are being asked to authorize the BSA to... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-10-27
The Greatest Challenges
Shutterstock image purchased by Mike WaltonThis was originally written and posted to the Scouts-L youth programs discussion list in the fall of 2004. Many of these challenges still exist to this day.There are five challenges to which the Boy Scouts of America must respond to in order to maintain its hold as the predominate youth organization in the United States. These challenges, like addressing, working through a strategy and overcoming an obstacle as part of... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-10-21
Who is going to help me now?
Today is the last day that I answer the phone here in the Arnold Public Affairs office with "Arnold Public Affairs, this is Mike." I have been promoted and will be working alongside other public affairs professionals at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio in two weeks.(Don't worry...I'll STILL be here on LinkedIn(TM) and elsewhere as much as my new job and personal time will allow me to do so!)We ask (okay, I ask) Eagle... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-10-13
Program, Program,Program
Troop 102 Photo by Mike Walton(From "Settumwhat?" by Mike Walton (c) 1998)I quit my job two days ago (in 1996). Technically, I requested a leave of absence in order to go with other members of my Army Reserve organization back to Germany. Most of us would not be going to Germany, but rather to Bosnia to assist with the peacekeeping mission being staged in that country. Either way -- Germany or Bosnia -- I was... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-10-07
In the midst of irksome tasks
This image is from the Tonkawa Lodge 99 website, photographed by Codie SmithA great personal friend of mine, Gayle, wrote to me yesterday afternoon and perked me up just fine. In addition to addressing me as "Bullethead" (a nickname I acquired decades ago when we were both kids, living in Petersburg, Virginia), she asked me "four questions you probably NEVER have been asked."I thought I would share them with you because chances are, you have... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-09-30
Why Boy Scouting: Real Community Service
I originally posted this to the Scouts-L youth programs discussions group as well as a potential chapter to a Scouting book I am still writing called "Eagle Feathers." I dropped it from there so I may use it with a new project I'll start after the first of the year. General John Vessey died in Minnesota on 18 August 2016. He started his military career as I did, as an enlisted Soldier but unlike me... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-09-22
Several extra uses for your walking stick
I remembered my walking stick that spends most of its time out in the garage waiting for me to take it out in the woods once again, where I found it. I picked it up a few years ago at a Christian camp in Northern Michigan. The walking stick is still much like I found it in the woods except for the fact that I coated it with some clear polyester lacquer to... [More]
By: InsaneScouter On: 2019-09-16