Bay-Lakes Council Camps still need to fill specific staff positions and need your help finding qualified servant leaders who can help deliver adventure beyond the expected to our campers!

Please encourage interested individuals to apply using the link below and also have them email Council Camping Director, Dan Skrypczak, to let him know they’ve completed the application. Compensation includes staff uniform parts, room & board, plus a weekly salary depending on experience, position, and required training. If you have an active National Camp School Certification and are interested in volunteering for a week or two, please reach out to Dan so he can include you in the NCAP roster for the sessions you’ll be helping with.

As temperatures rise and outdoor adventures call, let's prioritize safety with these essential guidelines for hammock usage: 

1. Follow Manufacturer's Instructions: Always read and adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines for proper hammock setup. 
2. Secure Anchors: Use sturdy, stable, and healthy anchors like trees to support your hammock. 
3. Maintain Height: Keep the bottom of the hammock at a safe distance from the ground, with a maximum height of 3 feet. 
4. Respect Weight Limits: Check weight limits and ensure only one person occupies the hammock at a time to avoid overloading. 
5. Choose Safe Locations: Avoid hanging hammocks over water, concrete, or other hazardous terrain.  

For more information visit:

• Safety Moment on Hammock Camping
• Hammock Camping, the BSA Way on Aaron on Scouting

Spider-man. Giannis. Wonder Woman. J-Love#10. Batman. Indiana Jones. All easily recognizable names. For many, all considered super heroes.

How about Walter “Scotty” Scott, Jr or Donald W. Miller or Bruce Deadman? Scouting has its heroes, some of whom get recognized for their extraordinary contributions and others who continue to work in their units and communities, and beyond. Earlier this week, April 22, the annual meeting of the Bay-Lakes Council took several moments to recognize three gentlemen whose lifelong Scouting commitments blazed trails for all of us to follow.

Scotty was Council President from 1988-1991 and served as the Trust Committee Chair. He has been an ambassador and advocate for Scouting in the greater Oshkosh community and actively engaged that community in financially supporting Scouting. In 2001, he created the Excellence in Leadership group in 2001 and served as its chair through 2022, This spring, Scotty concluded his final year on the Council Advisory Committee.

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Also concluding his final year on the Advisory Committee, Don first joined Scouting in 1953 and served as Hiawathaland Council President 2009-2012. A part of the merger process that brought Hiawathaland into Bay-Lakes Council he was a long-serving member of the Board of Directors. Heading west, Don served three years on  the Executive Board of the Mt. Baker Council in Washington state and is now a member of the Greater Southwest Council Executive Board in New Mexico.

Bruce and Ducks Unlimited are synonymous and inseparable. He was instrumental in bringing D.U. and Scouting into a strong national partnership that is evident here in Bay-Lakes Council and beyond...even at last summer's National Jamboree at Summit Becthel Reserve, which he attended. A life-long conservationist, Bruce can be found at these Scouting events and not just at camp, and is always watching for the next, successful fundraiser that will support both. He remains active on the Council Advisory Committee.

There are several clichés about never meeting one's heroes or, perhaps, disappointment when meeting them. Most assuredly not with these three distinguished Scouters. From all of us, thank you Scotty, and Don, and Bruce! Long life and much happiness!

Warren Kraft
Program Development

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.