Byesville Rotarians Learn about Boy Scout 100th Birthday Celebrations

Pictured: Christina Morris, Rotary President, Jeff Wickerham, Senior District Executive of the Boy Scouts of America.

Readings for next meeting: April Rotarian, "By George, They've found It," p. 16, and "Four-Way Test Kicks off Serious Discussion," p. 19.

Jeff Wickerham, Senior District Executive of the Boy Scouts of America, met with the Byesville Rotary on Tuesday to share local plans for celebrating “100 Years of Scouting.” 2010 will mark the 100th birthday of Boy Scouting. Wickerham is chair of the committee planning a year long celebration to mark the event.

Local birthday celebration plans are in progress. The celebrations will begin the summer of 2009. Events will include an Eagle Scout Gathering to honor and recognize Eagle Scouts living in Cambridge-Byesville area. Additional activities include a Tree Planting Event planned for Arbor Day, a Patch Program, a 10 Commandment Walk organized in cooperation with local churches, a Blue and Gold Banquet with all packs, troops, and crews.

Activities will culminate with celebrations at the 2010 National Jamboree in July 2010. Thirty-six local scouts and 4 adults will attend this event with 40,000 other Scouts from across the country.
The National Boy Scout Office is sponsoring a “Hall of Leadership.” One Scout will be chosen to represent each Scouting District. Nominations will open in February, 2010. Anyone can nominate a Scout who has affected the lives of other people.

The Muskingum Valley Council is looking for all Scouts and former Scouts. Contact the Scouts at 453-0571.

In the Cambridge/Byesville area, 625 young people are involved in Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs. At 340 members divided into 13 troops, the Cub Scouts, for boys in grades 1-5, are the largest group.
The Boy Scout program includes 11 traditional Boy Scout troops designed for young people 11-17 and two special interest programs. The Venturing program is coed and open to ages 14-20. This group is a high action group aimed at adventure such as rock climbing and rafting. The Explorer program with about 100 coed youth members, for ages 14-20 and designed to explore careers.

The club’s next meeting will be April 21, at the Rolling Hills Schools Administration Building. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.