{"id":5485,"date":"2021-03-31T08:30:27","date_gmt":"2021-03-31T13:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/totscouting.org\/scouts-deliver-the-bsas-report-to-the-nation-virtually\/"},"modified":"2021-03-31T08:30:27","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T13:30:27","slug":"scouts-deliver-the-bsas-report-to-the-nation-virtually","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/totscouting.org\/scouts-deliver-the-bsas-report-to-the-nation-virtually\/","title":{"rendered":"Scouts deliver the BSA\u2019s Report to the Nation virtually"},"content":{"rendered":"
When asked about his favorite memory in Scouting, Derek Porter, the national chief of the Order of the Arrow, recalled a two-week, 180-mile-plus trek at the Northern Tier high-adventure base. It was \u201ctough, but rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that sums up what we do in Scouting,\u201d Derek says.<\/p>\n
That would describe 2020 as well. This past year, Scouts faced the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, which cancelled outings and forced them to often stay at home. Yet, Scouts rose to the challenge and continued learning valuable life skills and serving their communities.<\/p>\n
Five Scouts, including Derek, shared how Scouts persevered in 2020 when they virtually presented the BSA\u2019s Report to the Nation this week.<\/p>\n
Every year since 1917, the Boy Scouts of America has presented a report of its previous year\u2019s activities and accomplishments to the U.S. Congress. The recap is entered into the congressional record.<\/p>\n
Section 8 of\u00a0the BSA\u2019s 1916 congressional charter<\/a> requires the organization to present the report by April 1 of each year. Usually, the BSA selects youth delegates from across the country to hand-deliver it to key officials<\/a> in America\u2019s executive, legislative and judicial branches.<\/p>\n This year was different because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report was still submitted to the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate; however, instead of an in-person presentation, the delegates spoke on the BSA\u2019s successes on a virtual call.<\/p>\n You can read the 2020 report here<\/a>. Here are some highlights:<\/p>\n The report recaps the previous year, so the 2020 Report to the Nation is a summary of everything that happened in 2020. It\u2019s presented in 2021.<\/p>\n In past trips<\/a>, youth delegates have visited the President of the United States, their representatives in Congress and Scouting supporters in museums and organizations around Washington, D.C. Again, because of the pandemic, it was difficult to do that this time.<\/p>\n Instead, Scouts connected online, making presentations to BSA staff, volunteers and Scouting supporters from the U.S. Naval Academy and NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center before presenting to Cheryl Johnson, the Clerk of the House, and Sonceria Ann Berry, the Secretary of the Senate.<\/p>\n Johnson says her staff writes bios for Congress members, and so many Congressmen who are Eagle Scouts want to include that accomplishment.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are so proud, as they should be,\u201d Johnson says. \u201cIn years to come, we will have women members of Congress who will have \u2018Eagle Scout\u2019 in their bios. I find that so heartwarming.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Let\u2019s meet the five outstanding Scouts who were this year\u2019s delegates, in alphabetical order by last name.<\/p>\n Program<\/strong>: Sea Scouts<\/p>\n From<\/strong>: Ship 1, Palestine, Texas (East Texas Area Council)<\/p>\n Scouting accomplishments<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Program<\/strong>: Venturing<\/p>\n From<\/strong>: Crew 1956, Simi Valley, Calif. (Western Los Angeles County Council)<\/p>\n Scouting accomplishments<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Program<\/strong>: Scouts BSA<\/p>\n From<\/strong>: Troop 53, Schererville, Indiana (Pathway to Adventure Council)<\/p>\n Scouting accomplishments<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Program<\/strong>: Exploring<\/p>\n From<\/strong>: Post 1000, Massapequa, N.Y. (Theodore Roosevelt Council)<\/p>\n Scouting accomplishments<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Program<\/strong>: Scouts BSA<\/p>\n From<\/strong>: Troop 104, Scotch Plains, N.J. (Patriots\u2019 Path Council)<\/p>\n Scouting accomplishments<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n
Why is this called the 2020 Report to the Nation and not 2021?<\/h2>\n
Who did the delegates visit?<\/h2>\n
Who were the 2020 Report to the Nation delegates?<\/h2>\n
Aven Alexander, National Boatswain<\/a> from Texas<\/h3>\n
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Tyler Grey, National Venturing Officers\u2019 Association President<\/a> from California<\/h3>\n
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Kendall Jackson, Eagle Scout from Indiana<\/h3>\n
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Tiffany Lebron, Explorer from New York<\/h3>\n
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Derek Porter, Order of the Arrow National Chief<\/a> from New Jersey<\/h3>\n