Virginia Headwaters Council, BSA

In this episode, we sit down with Audrey Storm to talk about the importance of youth and adults membership. This is a delayed release due to multiple technical issues, but still full of useful information even if you have already hosted a Join Scouting Night or have your program year underway. BSA Resources [https://www.scouting.org/recruitment/]

"Back to Gillwell, happy land ..." Time to sit down with a cup of Gillwell Joe [https://roastedprovisions.com/products/gilwell-joe?variant=44378986283287] and learn about this year's WoodBadge Course. Adam sits down with this year's course director, Tracey Stakem, to give you the inside scoop on WoodBadge. It's not too late to sign up [https://www.vahcbsa.org/woodbadge]; we promise you a Mountain Top experience.

Adam and I are back from camp - and while he is still catching up after spending two glorious weeks at Camp Shenandoah, I sat down to reflect on all that camp means to the campers and staff. We would love to hear your stories of camp; please share them via email at vahccampcast@gmail.com. View the Tributary [https://www.vahcbsa.org/files/48346/2023-july-tributary]

It is June, and that means it's time for Summer Camp. In this episode, Kyle sits down with Collin McCrone from Troop 111 and Crew 22 (with his mom listening in) to discuss why he is on Camp Staff and life at camp. He also provides some tips for new campers, not just what slushy to order this year. You can learn more about Camp Shenandoah and sign up for week 2 or 4 here [https://www.campshenandoah.org]. You can register [https://www.vahcbsa.org/woodbadge] for Woodbadge online today.

Wow - it has been too long since we gathered by the campfire, but we are back, and many episodes are being edited now. In this episode, we discuss the role of Native Culture and Cultural Appropriation in the BSA with Scouter Melissa Watts. Melissa Watts is a member of the Yurok tribe and a Scouter with Troop 111 in the Monticello District of the Virginia Headwaters Council. Adam and I sat down with her to talk about the recent BSA survey on using Native Imagery in scouting and, of course, her favorite camping story.  In a recent email survey taken by 35,000 current and former members, the national organization asked a broad range of questions about what changes should be made to its usage and portrayal of Native American imagery, ceremonies, and rituals. Native Imagery and Culture is pervasive in the history of the BSA, from our cub programming to the Order of the Arrow [https://oa-bsa.org/history/oa-handbooks]. This has not been a positive history [https://www.voanews.com/a/usa_native-americans-boy-scouts-stop-plundering-our-past/6173248.html], but recent work by the BSA and OA has worked to address [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/native-american-appropriation-boy-scouts-rcna78373] the past and our future. Melissa sits down with us to give her thoughts and perspective as one voice in the conversation, which you can continue by emailing us at:vahccampcast@gmail.com. We hope this is the beginning and welcome you back to the campfire.