SCOUTING SMOKE SIGNALS
MOMENT OF SILENCE
Our condolences to Earl Kumfer and family. Earl’s mother, Ava Mae Kumfer passed away recently (Obituary – page 6). Earl is Miami District Commissioner and an Assistant Scoutmaster at Troop 38, sponsored by Calvary United Methodist Church.
THIS I BELIEVE – OUTCOME STUDY BY THE HARRIS INTERACTIVE FOR THE BSA
(From The Courier – Official Messenger of the Anthony Wayne Area Council)
For many years, the Boy Scouts of America has studied the impact of Scouting programs on youth. Through these studies, we have found Scouting is delivering the promise: to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices during their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Five key areas where volunteering for Scouts has a positive impact where identified: personal values and traits, communication skills, relationship skills, survival and outdoor skills, and management & leadership skills.
Personal Values and Traits
The study revealed that the Scouting program reinforces their values and gives them the opportunity to act on them. Here is a list of some outcomes: 90% stated volunteering helped them to be a better citizen, 30% of the volunteers stated that Scouting helped them be a better leader and member in other organizations they joined, 67% stated Scouting helped them understand environmental awareness and conservation, 62% stated volunteering helped them reinforce ethical and/or moral character, by hearing the Scout Oath so many times, 40% stated that through volunteering they have developed a more personal relationship with God, 85% stated that volunteering builds self-esteem and reduces stress – “You get to be a kid again in a way.”
A special welcome to all our new volunteers as they join Scouting this fall. If leaders would like copies of the total study, contact Nikki at the Scout Service Center. Next month we will write about Communication Skills Outcomes.
Chris Mathes, Scout Executive, BSA-AWAC
From A CODE TO LIVE BY . . . FRIENDSHIP FIRE
As we light the fire from the top,
The flames begin slowly, almost tentatively.
Then, as each new twig of common experience
Begins to glow, the fire of friendship begins to grow in intensity
And warmth, the flames cast their light to all around.
As the burning embers of common experience fall into the larger
Logs and fuel below, the foundation of our friendship fire develops
Until you can look away briefly and be confident that when you
Look back, our fire of friendship will still be there.
Eventually, you don’t have to look back,
You can feel the warmth of the fire
Even when you are far away.
Although adding more fuel to our fire at this point will not add to the
Warmth or intensity of our friendship fire,
We feel compelled to do so . . . just to experience the joy of the fire’s
Initial bright flames.
As the friendship fire matures into burning coals,
We are content to sit with it silently . . . sharing the moment.
Later as we leave for a time, if we bank the coals of common bond.
When we return, some embers of the friendship fire will remain
Beneath the white ash,
And
If we add just a few twigs of common experience
Or sticks of shared memories
The flames of our fire of friendship will be kindled anew.
by Jim Molebash-Field Director, AWAC-BSA
MIAMI DISTRICT FALL CAMPOREE TO TAKE PLACE OCTOBER 3, 4, 5, 2003
Location of Camporee is to be at Jefferson Park in New Haven, Indiana (Same place that the Klondike Derby was held this past winter).
THE SCOUT SHOP RESUMES NORMAL HOURS OF OPERATION
The Scout Shop at 8315 W. Jefferson Blvd will be open from 9am to 6pm M-F and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.
COMING TO A NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR YOU – IT’S BOY SCOUT FALL POPCORN SALE TIME
Many Scouts earn their way to summer camps and outings by selling popcorn so support Scouting by saying, “Yes,” the next time you’re asked to buy some Boy Scout popcorn. Parents – make sure that you get sales materials from your unit leaders early!
TIGER CUB SCOUT DAY AT THE ZOO
The public is invited to learn more about Cub Scouting at Tiger Cub Scout Day at the Zoo on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, 3411 Sherman Blvd., Franke Park area.
Tiger Cub Scouts, and their families, and anyone interested in scouting, is welcome to participate in special activities, including a Zoo scavenger hunt, interactive displays, and more. Tiger Cubs are seven years old and/or in the first grade.
To pre-register for the event, contact Eric Clark or Chuck Walker at 432-9593 or 800-272-2922 by October 7. The pre-registration fee is $5.00 per person and includes lunch. Families can also register the day of the event at $6.00 per person. Lunch will be served from 11:00am to 1:00pm under the tent in Franke Park
The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is open every day from 9:00am to 5:00pm until Oct. 12. Regular admission is $6.50 for adults, and $4.50 for children ages 2-14 and seniors over age 60. Children under age 2 are admitted free.
> Read More Information About Us
> More Articles Written By Our Staff
- Diving Into The New Year - January 16, 2026
- Step Back in Time at The Old Fort During ‘Nouvelle Annee’ - January 16, 2026
- Fort Wayne Senior Completes Local Hiking Challenge 125 Times - January 16, 2026