Orofino Chamber of Commerce
John Elsbury announces Boy Scouts of America 100th anniversary
By Alannah Allbrett
The Orofino Chamber of Commerce held its recent meeting June 17 at the Ponderosa Restaurant with guest speakers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Boy Scouts of America.
Door to the Corps outreach office
Speaking first was Ellen Berggren & Mark Mendenhall who described their office as the, “Door to the Corps” functioning as the Boise outreach for the Corps. It is a two person office designed to be a liaison to speak to groups, give technical planning assistance to states, and to answer questions for people relating to water resource concerns.
Other civil works planning includes: small eco system restoration, topsoil contaminates, storm water channeling, bridge repairs, and community projects to name a few.
The office was established ten years ago to cover projects within the state of Idaho and eastern Oregon. Recently, it has been overseeing projects funded by the federal stimulus program.
Historically, the Corps receives approximately $5 million for projects, but the State of Idaho has received, to date, $9.75 millions dollars for stimulus projects. A list of those projects may be obtained from the outreach office located at: 304 N 8th, Room 150, Boise, ID 83702 or the main office in Walla Walla, WA office. For more details call: 208-345-2064, or go to www.fbo.gov for the Federal Business Opportunities website.
100 years of scouting in America
John Elsbury, 15 year veteran scoutmaster (Troup 536 Orofino), gave a brief history and background for scouting in America which will celebrate 100 years in 2010. He stressed the purpose of scouting is to promote character building and leadership in youth.
Elsbury also said the primary difference in boy scouts and girl scouts (which are separate organizations) is that boy scouts offers the challenge of achieving Eagle status.
There are over 500 steps a boy is required to complete before becoming an Eagle Scout and approximately six to eight years of concentrated work to attain that level. Troup 536 has proudly turned out over a dozen Eagles. Elsbury feels that accomplishment is directly related to the community and family support for local scouts. He stated that many of the local parents grew up in the program.
The process of making Eagle Scout is one primarily of matching the boy to the right Eagle project. Three criteria must be met before a project is considered useful as an Eagle project: 1. it must be worthy – make the community better overall without directly benefiting the scout himself. 2. It must be a demonstration of organizational ability rather complex in nature, and 3. It must be a demonstration of leadership. It does not have to entirely be completed by all boy labor.
Community input for new projects is welcomed, as that is how most projects begin. Currently the stained glass windows in the Methodist Church are being redone as a scouting project. The steps which were built in Orofino City Park were the result of one boy’s idea and leadership skills in pulling it together.
Locally, scouts enjoy rock climbing and river running in canoes. Elsbury said that if there is one thing which could improve local scouting that would be MORE KIDS!
The 2010 National Jamboree will be held in For A.P. Hill, VA marking 100 years of Boy Scouts of America. Nestled in the rolling green hills of Virginia, close to our nation’s capital, Fort A.P. Hill lies near many historical Civil War landmarks. Unfortunately, it costs about $2,500-$3,000 to make that trip a reality. Elsbury and his son plan on using their own funds to attend. If people wish to sponsor other boys attending, that is welcome. For information go to: http://www.bsajamboree.org/
Upcoming Chamber Meetings
Public Affairs Committee Meeting June 25; General Membership Meeting, Wed., July 1, 12 noon - 1 p.m.; Business Meeting July 9.