Mark your calendars! The 23rd annual Bay-Lakes Council Sporting Clay Shoot will be held on Friday, September 5th at Triple J Wing & Clay in Brillion, WI. Contact Kallee Kissling if you have any questions.

Scouting’s flagship event is one-of-a-kind. It’s a gathering of tens of thousands of Scouts, leaders, and Jamboree Service Team members that showcases everything that is great about the Boy Scouts of America. Over the course of 10 summer days, once every four years, the Boy Scouts of America gathers together. Scouts and Scouters who attend will explore all kinds of adventures—stadium shows, pioneer village, Mount Jack hikes, adventure sports and more—in the heart of one of nature’s greatest playgrounds. With 10,000 acres at the Summit to explore, there’s no shortage of opportunities to build Scouting memories.

Our motto in Scouting is “Be Prepared” as most of us know. We teach our Scouts to be prepared for their next adventure, to work through their checklists as they pack for an outing or summer camp experience, to be ready for leadership roles within the unit, and it is most certainly our mission in Scouting to help them to prepare for meaningful and productive lives as good citizens, good family members and to have successful careers. Being prepared is fundamental to our purposes. Essential to our ability to deliver on our mission and purposes, to deliver our program successfully is adult leader preparation, something we all too often forget or simply put off – I think to our detriment. Are you prepared?

I was reading a book to "my" first grade students a week ago about spring changes. One of them asked me why do we call it "spring." The go-to answer from my youth was about how plants seem to pop out of the ground--that they "spring" to life. During his time with me, another asked me to explain the pussy willow buds in a picture because he had never seen, nor heard of that tree. It went on like that for the several pages we got to read together in a short span of time that tutors have with each of their students: why spring?

Depending on how you use the word, Thesarus.com says there are 1,559 synonyms & antonyms for the word "spring." Like "bounce" or vault" for the verb use. Or, "budding" or "flowering" for the season. Even, "beginning" or "origin." Plus three other ways to use the word "spring." More than one person along the season will blurt, "Spring has sprung"-- a play on words, for whatever it may be worth.

In our Scouting world, spring can take on special meaning. After putting away the winter gear (but not too far considering the storminess we recently had), many of us trudge out into the woods again, but for maple syruping or reclaiming a hiking trail. We make plans for outings after what sometimes seems like a long winter indoors. Outdoor training always seems better than inside the building. Fix-it days and camporees. Park clean-ups and whitewater adventures. Of course camp open houses, or just a weekend at camp. Indeed, spring marks a time of rebirth, renewal, and growth in nature, with warmer temperatures, longer days, blooming flowers, and the return of wildlife, often symbolizing hope and new beginnings. Maybe even a peak toward summer resident camp.

Fingers crossed, most of us might be through with our last snowfall of the season. Beyond putting away the snow removal equipment, what can this spring season bring that will make a difference? Our days are almost always fully packed, and we rush through them sometimes on "auto pilot." Perhaps today is the opportunity to linger outside a bit longer and smell some fresh air. Clear those lungs and soak in some ever warming sunshine.

And, plan an outing with us. Come take a look.  We are waiting for you to join in the fun.

See you on the trail.

Feedback: Have a thought or question? We'd love to hear from you. Please share your comments with us. It is easy; just reply to this email or send a message to guide@baylakesbsa.org.