Celebrating 100 Years of the Eagle Scout

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Western Los Angeles County Council,
Boy Scouts of America
Annual Report 2011
Dear Scouting Friends,
Nearly 260,000 youth live within the service area of Western Los Angeles County
Council, Boy Scouts of America, and more than 17,000 were registered in Scouting
programs during 2011. If you are like us then you believe that by working together we
can make a difference in the lives of youth – and with your help, we’ve done just that.
With strong and steady leadership in 2011 and a focus on board development, unit
service and community relations, Western Los Angeles County Council has built a solid
foundation for the future and has developed strong Scouting programming at every
level of the organization.
• We have recruited eight new Board members whose time, talent and treasury
will increase our impact on the young people we serve.
• We had growth in our Cub Scouting program.
• Camps Emerald Bay, Josepho and Whitsett continue to offer the very best of
outdoor adventures to over 22,000 youth and adults annually. New construction
at all camps and the incredible ocean and mountain venues continue to make
them among the preeminent camps in the Country.
• We had a balanced budget for the third consecutive year.
• Over $70,000 in camperships were awarded to deserving youth.
• Our camps and the youth we serve benefitted from $250,000 in capital investments.
• Our total net assets increased from a negative $428,826 to a positive $113,325
• Western Los Angeles County Council was awarded the Journey to Excellence
Award by the National Boy Scout Council.
For the youth, Scouting is adventure and fun. For parents who are looking for more
than just another activity for their kids, Scouting also fulfills the promises of building
character, leadership and good citizens.
These accomplishments and many more, are the result of dedicated volunteers, staff
members, and parents believing in Scouting’s core values, working together to make
a difference.
Thank you for helping us build a better tomorrow.
Alan Snyder
Council President
Larry Turner
Council Commissioner
Jim Rushton
Scout Executive
board of directors
Western Los Angeles County Council,
Boy Scouts of America
Council Key Three
Alan C. Snyder, Council President
President & CEO – Shinnecock Partners
Larry Turner, Council Commissioner
Attorney/CPA/Entrepreneur –
Lawrence J. Turner & Associates
Jim Rushton,
Council Scout Executive
executive committee
John Ashkar, VP of Business Operations
Real Estate Developer/Investor, self
Richard W. Hallock, Past President Voting
Retired Occidental Petroleum Corporation
Andrew L. Breech, Past President, Voting
President Dealer Operating Control Services, Inc.
Michael K. Lanning, VP of Development
Attorney at Law Lanning & Peterson, LLP
Dr. Mark Carlson, VP Administration
Chief Medical Officer & Senior VP Research & Clinical Affairs
St. Jude Medical-Cariad Rythm Mgmt. Division
Mark Murphy, VP of Program
Max Clark, VP Learning for Life
Managing Director Phyber Communications
Steven R. Cowley, Audit Chair
Chief Investment Officer, One Capital Management
Robert C. Gaby, Treasurer
Principal, Arxis Technology, Inc.
Irwin D. Goldring
Retired Attorney at Law, Irwin D. Goldring Attorney at Law
Gregg A. Noel, Past President Voting
Attorney/Partner, Skadden Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Benjamin G. Shatz, VP of Leadership Development
Certified Specialist in Appellate Law,
Manatt / Phelps / Phillips LLP
Alan B. Solursh, VP of Endowment
Senior Managing Director, JP Morgan Securities
J. Nicholson Thomas, VP of Legal Counsel
Partner Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP – LA Office
Alex Guerrero, VP of Scoutreach
Executive VP Tower General Contractors
executive board members
Lisa Alexander, Attorney, Jakle & Alexander LLP
Richard Newman, President & CEO, AECOM Technology Corporation
Brad Boeckmann, VP, Galpin Motors
Rick Newman, Jr., Executive VP, Lowe Enterprises Commercial Group
Richard Breen, CEO, Daylight Transportation Company
Paul Oliver, Balboa Oaks District
Lowell Brown, Partner/Attorney at Law, Arent Fox LLP
Jordan Orlick, Past Malibu Lodge OA Chief
Bob Byers, Retired President, Tri-Anim, Corp.
Douglas Pardee, Retired, Pardee Homes
James Charlton, Antelope Valley District Chair
Angela Pennington, Classic Party Rentals
Kent S. Colberg, Financial Consultant/VP Investments Wells Fargo Advisors
Timothy M. Pennington, Managing Partner, Apple/Oaks Partners LLC
Brian Compton, President, Tax Resolution Services, Co.
Msgr. Sabato A. Pilato, Superintendent of Secondary Schools
Peter T. Dameris, President & CEO, On Assignment Inc.
Erik D. Ridgley, Managing Director, Citigroup — Citi Private Bank
Fred Denitz, Owner, Northwest Mutual Financial Network
Wynne Ritch, Retired, Antiques/Collectible Dealer
Glenn Duval, Business Owner, Challenger Cable Sales
Greg Schem, President/CEO, Harbor Real Estate
Darren Edwards, Director of Private Banking Credit Suisse Securities
Phil Schramm, Investments
Daniel Fassbender, OA Lodge Chief
Jeff Shumway, Attorney at Law, Stroock, Stroock & Lavan
Ron Flury, Owner/President, Ecology Control Industries, Inc.
Ken Simpson, Industrial Real Estate Broker/Expert Witness
Joel H. Framson, President, Silver Oak Wealth Advisors, LLC
Jeanne Sinquefield, Retired, Dimensional Fund Advisors
Jolyon (Jolly) Gissell, Wealth Advisor, Morgan Stanley
Richard A. Smith, Jr., Senior VP, City National Investments
Max Goldberg, District Chair, Founding Partner Radical Clarity Group
Dave Thornberry, AV District Chair, Manager, Flight Test Instrumentation &
Northrop Grumman Corp.
Arif Halaby, President/Financial Counselor, Total Financial Solutions
Tim Haldeman, Real Estate Investment
Reed Halladay, Director Manager, Bel Air Investment Advisors
Shana Warshaw, First Vice President,
BNY Mellon Wealth Management — Family
Tom Hochhausler, Partner, Deloitte & Touche
Brian T. Whitney, VP Investments, UBS Financial Services
Bel-Air Wealth Management Group
Harlan Hogue, Council, International Rep
John R. Wilson, Attorney at Law, Lintrathern Company
Marty Kasman, CEO Orswell & Kasman, Inc.
Allan Young, President, Pacific Foundation
James Montgomery, CEO, Montgomery & Company, LLC
Rod Zalunardo, Crescent Bay District Chair, Executive VP/COO,
American Health Guard Dental Plan
John Morgan, Retired Exec. VP, Occidental Petroleum Corporation
2011 Council Highlights
For over 100 years, scouting has prepared
young people for a lifetime of leadership.
Scouting provides comprehensive youth
development through our Cub Scouting, Boy
Scouting and Venturing program, under the
guidance of volunteer leaders committed
to providing a quality program of activities,
training, camping and advancement.
In 2011 the Western Los Angeles County
Council achieved the following results:
• 3600 Cub Scouts Ranks were earned
• 2258 Boy Scout Ranks were earned
• 840 Cub Scouts attended day camp or
resident camp
• 1330 Boy Scouts attended a long term
resident camp
• 332 Scouts attained the coveted
Eagle Scout Award
• 10,250 Merit Badges earned
2011 financials
WESTERN LOS ANGELES COUNTY COUNCIL,
BSA – unaudited
2011 revenue
Public Support & Revenue
Friends of Scouting, Project Sales
Special Events, Net of Direct Benefit
Legacies & Bequests
Foundations & Trust
Other Direct Support
Total Direct Support
Indirect Public Support
Untied Way
Total Public Support
Activity & Camping Revenue
Net Product Sales
Other Revenue
Total Other Revenue
Assets released from restrictions
Total Revenue
$
832,696
$
337,285
$
66,745
$
127,466
$
72,079
$ 1,436,271
$
13,779
$ 1,450,050
$ 5,388,291
$
307,685
$
288,336
$ 5,984,312
$
39,027
$ 7,473,389
2011 Expenses
Program Services
Support Services:
Management and General
Fundraising
Charter & National Service Fee
Total Expenses
Increase in Unrestricted Net Assets
$
6,272,082
$
$
$
416,443
535,025
951,468
$
58,248
$ 7,281,798
$
191,591
2011 ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN
GOLDEN EAGLE LEVEL DONORS
GIFTS OF $1,000 AND OVER
John Anderson
Mike Arlen
Jerome Ashford
John Ashkar
John Black
Garrett Bland
Andy Breech
Lowell Brown
Edward Butterworth
Bob Byers, Jr.
Mark Carlson, MD
Maurice Cattani
Steven Chersky
Max Clark
Kent Colberg
George Collins
Brian Compton
Steven Cowley
Scott Cruit
Peter Dameris
Van Anh Dastur, DDS
Frederick Denitz
William Doheny
Patrick Druez
Glenn Duval
Darren Edwards
Bryan Eget
B D Fischer
Ronald Fitzgerald, Sr
Charles Flippen II
Ron Flury
Derek Fortin
Steve Fox
Joel Framson
Marcy Fried
Robert Gaby
Jolyon Gissell
Irwin D. Goldring
Michael Goldstein
Michael Gould
Peggy Green
Julius Griffin, MD
John Haight, Jr
Reed Halladay
Richard W. Hallock
Arthur Hammarlund
Melanie Hammock
Mrs. William D.
Hanna
Roy Hanson, Jr
M. Harries
Lee Harrison
Thomas Hochhausler
Donald Hoffman
Harlan Hogue
Clifford Kahn
James Kanoff
Christopher King
Howard Klein
David Kline
Richard Kline
Anja Kloch
David Landon
Arthur Langton, Jr.
Mike Lanning
Randy Lencioni
Robert Levey
Robert Lowe
William Martin, Jr.
John McQuown
Russell Meals, Sr.
Mark Miller
Michael Minchin, Jr.
Craig Moles
John Morgan
Bruce Nelson
Richard Newman, Sr.
Richard Newman, Jr.
Kevin Niles
Gregg Noel
William Norris
John Overton, Jr.
John Pardee
Tim & Melissa Pennington
Angela Pennington
Nancy Pittenger
George “Bud” Reams
Erik Ridgley
Steve Rodgers
Vinnie Ruggieri
Jim Rushton
Alvin Sakai
Benjamin Shatz
Hamlet Shirvani
Tarek Shraibati
Jeff Shumway
Mace Siegel
Jeanne Sinquefield
Kenneth Sleeper
James Smathers
Alan & Julie Solursh
Keith Taylor
Nick & Kako Thomas
Larry Turner
Shana Warshaw
Brian Webber
Robert Weekley
Brian Whitney
Gale Williams
John Wilson
Matthew Wood
David Zuckerman
Adventure 16, Inc.
American Legion
American Legion Post 283
Armbruster Goldsmith &
Delvac LLP
Barnes Family Foundation
Bartman Foundation
Biosolutions, Inc.
Breen Family Foundation
Carrie Estelle Doheny
Foundation
Challenger Cable Sales Inc.
Cook Family Foundation
Dalton Corporation
Emerald Bay Alumni
Forest Lawn Foundation
Friends of Camp Whitsett
Frontier Toyota
Gelson’s Markets
Jewish Committee on
Scouting
John B. and Nelly Llanos Kilroy
Foundation
LDS 16
LDS 46
LDS 125
LDS 400
LDS 406
LDS 486
LDS 491
LDS 495
LDS 496
LDS 497
LDS 560
LDS 584
LDS 601
LDS 679
LDS 1830
Lockheed Martin AERO Club
Los Angeles Clippers
Foundation
Malibu Lodge Order of the Arrow
Mara W. Breech Foundation
Martha McDaniel Trust of 2009
Medtronic Foundation
Milken Family Foundation
Occidental Petroleum
Corporation
Pacific Maritime Freight, Inc.
Pacific Palisades Rotary Club
Pacific Youth Foundation
Antelope Valley Pack 31
Crescent Bay Pack 223
Pack 223
Pack 229
Pack 307
Pack 408
Pack 490
Pack 499
Pack 550
Pack 333
Pack 5
Pack 8
Pack 18
Pack 67
Pack 84
Pack 94
Pack 97
Pack 692
Pack 741
Poorman-Hoyt-Stratford
Foundation
Reseda Woman’s Club
Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom, LLP
The Britton Fund, Inc.
The J. Douglas and Marian
R. Pardee Foundation
The Warnack Foundation
Thunder On The Lot
Timothy Pennington IV
Memorial Foundation
Troop 2 of Santa Clarita
Troop 2 of Santa Monica
Troop 10
Troop 23
Troop 33
Troop 67
Troop 94
Troop 104
Troop 110
Troop 113
Troop 117
Troop 137
Troop 139
Troop 164
Troop 223
Troop 224
Troop 228
Troop 351
Troop 444
Troop 586
Troop 571
Troop/Crew 283
Troop 737
Troop 764
Troop 888
Union Bank Foundation
United Way, Inc.
100 Years of Eagle Scout Honor
Arthur R. Eldred received the very first
Eagle Scout award on August 21, 1912.
Since that date, over 100 millions boys
have enjoyed the Boy Scouting experience but only 2 million plus Scouts have
achieved the rank of Eagle. To celebrate
this incredible milestone, Western Los
Angeles County Council, Boy Scouts of
America is pleased to share personal
“road to Eagle” stories from many of our
Scouting family and friends. We hope
you enjoy these great tales of adventure,
love and friendship…
Why I Want To Become An Eagle Scout
From Our Loyal Scoutreach Cubs
Scoutreach - is an after-class-based co-ed program whose goal is to ensure that culturally diverse youth in urban and rural communities have the opportunity to experience Scouting. Scoutreach in Western Los Angeles County Council, BSA oversees two
programs: the after-class Scouting Program and the Soccer and Scouting program.
Both of these serve the East San Fernando Valley and involve approximately 2,000 youth
members. Because volunteer parents are not available in this inner city area, afterclass Scouting relies on paid aides to provide Scouting in the school setting, and the
program is delivered immediately after the school day. The after-school program educates and helps youth understand
the importance of being physically,
mentally and emotionally fit through
a participatory and active program
incorporating lessons on life.
The Soccer and Scouting Programs
also serve mostly Hispanic youth.
The bilingual program teaches boys
and girls the lifelong values of Scouting, while at the same time coaching
them in soccer skills. The program
has teamed up with major league
soccer team Chivas USA to have an
annual tournament hosted at the Home Depot Center where all participants experience playing on a professional field and attend a major league game on the same day.
I would like to be an Eagle Scout because it the highest rank in Boy Scouts. If I were
an Eagle Scout I would feel very special and I’ll behave very good and I would be very
honored to be one and have lots of badges. I feel if I were an Eagle Scout everybody will
respect me. Some firefighters, police, astraunouts, sport players and musicians have
been Eagle Scouts. That is why I would like to be an Eagle Scout.
Arturo, Pack 261 Panorama City
I want to become an Eagle Scout because I feel when I’m grown up and I enter into a
college I would have more to tell them about myself. I would also have pride with all
the badges I have earned during the years. If I have a boy when I’m an adult I would
encourage him because Boy Scouts are the good boys of society. Boy Scouts are loyal
scouts. For me being a Cub Scout for life is an honor. I would work for any kind of Boy
Scout stuff. I would love to teach the next generation of Boy Scouts the way my Boy
Scout leader showed me. I would love to be an Akela. I would want to show my son my
Boy Scout pictures, uniform, badges and shirt. Hopefully my son would be the next
generation of Boy Scouts in my family.
Loyal Scout,
Kevin, Pack 250 Ranchito Elementary School
I would like to become an Eagle Scout because
I would like to learn more about Scouting. I also
want to experience camping as an Eagle Scout
and with other Eagle Scouts. I would also love to
learn new things about being a true scout. I would
also like to teach other scouts about how it feels
to be an Eagle Scout. Also, if I was an Eagle Scout
I would persuade other scouts to be Eagle Scouts.
Diego, Ranchito Pack 250 Ranchito Elementary
School
I am in Cub Scouts because it is fun. I love it because there’s peace and quiet. I have the loyalty
and respect to be in Boy Scouts. I am kind. But
people think I’m cute.
Loyal Boy Scout,
Jake, Pack 250 Ranchito Elementary School
I want to be an Eagle Scout because I want to be a loyal person, also because I would
have pride. I think that when I grow up I can become a loyal troop leader and an Akela.
Also I would encourage Cub Scouts to be loyal and encourage them to become Eagle
Scouts. Being a Boy Scout means to be loyal and a good person. Also to help others
and have respect for others. I would like other Boy Scouts to do the same thing.
Sincerely,
Bryan, Pack 250 Ranchito Elementary School
I want to be an Eagle Scout because I could learn even more about the Scouts. I also
want to be an Eagle Scout so I could do more fun and experience more stuff. Also so I
could go to a good college. Those are reasons on why I want to be an Eagle Scout.
Hayden, Pack 250 Ranchito Elementary School
I want to be an Eagle Scout because I want
to teach Cub Scouts. Also I want to teach
other kids from the Scouts to get all the
badges and to teach them to obey the law
of the pack. Also, I do not want to stop getting badges only when I get all the badges.
Sincerely,
A.B., Pack 277 Langdon Elementary
School
I want to be an Eagle Scout. I want to be
an Eagle Scout because I really want to be
in it to learn about different animals and
insects. Every Thursday I always bring my
blue shirt and help other Cub Scouts. I will explore the mountains and the woods. I will
also go fishing and get fish then we will let them go to the water.
From,
Abisa, Pack 277 Langdon Elementary School
I really want to be an Eagle Scout because I can explore the wilderness and see different animals. Eagle Scout really means a lot to me because I can explore the wilderness
and see cool animals all around the wilderness.
Jordan, Pack 277 Langdon Elementary School
I want to be an Eagle Scout because if I
ever get lost in a forest or jungle I would
already know how to survive. If I ever
apply for a job they will accept me because they know I’m a hard worker and I
could get a scholarship and have a good
job. That’s why I want to be an Eagle
Scout.
Jose, Pack 289
I want to be an Eagle Scout because I
want to be in the wilderness. For I can
get a better job. For I can go to a perfect and good college. I will know how to
survive in the wilderness.
Yahir, Pack 289
The reason I want to be an Eagle Scout is to have a good job. One day I want to be an
Eagle Scout.
Luis, Pack 289
The reason why I want to be an Eagle Scout is because I want to stay in Boy Scouts and
to work hard in stay in Boy Scouts. And but last thing, I want to be the Eagle Scout to
grow up to be a good leader and role model.
Anthony, Pack 261 Panorama City
When I could be an Eagle Scout I will stay in Boy Scouts, be good to others, and give will
to others. I will follow Akela rules and I will help the Cub Scouts grow. I want to have
good leadership. I will be nice to others and help my country.
Bryant, Pack 261 Panorama City
I would want to be an Eagle Scout because I want to be respectful to others. I also want to be an Eagle Scout
to come to Boy Scouts, respect people
and kids. Also to learn the Bobcat trail.
Ignacio, Pack 261 Panorama City
The reason why I want to be an Eagle
Scout is because I want to stay in Boy
Scouts and work hard and be an Eagle
Scout, and get more badges and I want
to do projects and to be learning.
Eduardo, Pack 261 Panorama City
I want to be an Eagle Scout because they are really important to me because I love being a cub scout. I also want to be a better worker to give money to my mom and to buy
a house. I also want to be an Eagle Scout to apply for a really good college also to be really smart and be a better Eagle Scout. I would also help many other people like to help
them build a house or paint there room or help them with anything they need. I also
want to go to all the camps to know what to do when an animal attacks you. So when
something is actually going to happen to my family I will know how to my family from
any danger there is because I care about them. That is why I want to be an Eagle Scout.
Axel, Pack 289
I want to be an Eagle Scout so I can be an advanced person for boy scouts. I also want
to be an important person. I wish I can be an Eagle Scout when I’m little but you have
to be 18.
Sebastian, Pack 289
I want to be an Eagle Scout so I could easily get a scholarship for college or a job. So I
could learn more about the wilderness. So I could meet new friends. So I can become
a firefighter. So I can be an advanced person.
Bravlio, Pack 289
If I were an Eagle Scout I would feed or give food to the homeless or save a kitten or
build a little dog house for dogs who need a dog house. I would also build a garden to
farmers so they could have fruits, vegetables, or crops so they could give to stores so
we could buy some food. I would also find dogs or cats and I would take care of them.
Carlos, Pack 289
I want to be a eagle scout because I want to have a better job and also I want to have a
better application and to survive in the wild and I want to become into a eagle scout and
when I came I’ll do my skills that I learned in eagle scout. The power of Eagle Scout.
Victor, Pack 289
I AM AN Eagle Scout
“If you reach for the stars you won’t end up with a handful of mud.” This has always
been one of my guiding philosophies for life. I achieved the rank of Eagle in Troop 10 in
1944 when I was 14 years old. As I prepared to graduate high school a few years later,
I had to rely on my own initiative to find the right university and all the funds necessary
to cover my tuition. Through research and diligence I uncovered the Robert Dofflemyer
Scholarship, a new scholarship founded in honor of Robert Dofflemyer and only available to Eagle Scouts who planned to attend Stanford University. Robert had graduated
Stanford in 1941 and three years later was shipped off to fight in the European theatre.
Prior to his departure he secured a promise from his parents that they would create
a scholarship in his name should he not return. His parents did not wait to create a
scholarship in memoriam, choosing instead to endow it shortly after Robert’s departure. Robert did return from battle and at his request the scholarship was re-named
the Dofflemyer Scholarship and it continues to this day with over 245 Eagles having
benefited from the family’s generosity over the years. Applying my Scout oath to be
thrifty, I managed to stretch out the scholarship funds so well that, with a few odd jobs
added, I was able to save enough money to fully cover the costs of earning my MBA at
Harvard University once I finished at Stanford.
Though I know that earning the right to wear an Eagle pin allowed me to apply for the
scholarship, I am equally confident that it was the tenacity and the skills that I learned
working towards Eagle that helped me win the award.
Michael Minchin, Eagle Scout 1944
My two brothers, Bill and Bob, and I were proud members of Troop 21 in CulverPalms under the leadership of Scoutmaster Charles Stamps. To the best of my
knowledge we were the first family in the area to have three brothers become Eagle
Scouts.
Some of the fondest memories of being a Scout were found at Camp Emerald Bay
where Troop 21 went for summer camp, and incidentally where my older brother
Bob would later serve as a staff man for a number of years. While there were all
sorts of competitions and fun to be had, every afternoon there was a retreat and
then a uniform inspection in which the camp winner would receive an extra desert.
This was indeed an honor for which I fought vigilantly, and won, because in those
days (with the Great Depression felt all around us) to have two desserts, two puddings, was a real treat.
All three of us served as Lieutenants in WW II, but in different branches of service;
Bill in the Marines, Bob in the Navy and I served in the Army. I remember the night
before we shipped out, we three Eagles stayed at the Hilton in New York and they
were so happy to have three officers, from three different branches of service who
had the last name of Ruby. The girl behind the counter called us “her three rubies.
Over the years since my scouting days, I have found many opportunities to put to use
our Scout’s Honor Code in both business and personal life.
Carter Ruby, Eagle Scout
My son became an Eagle in January 2008 ceremony along with my nephew and two
other deserving boys before an audience of over 200 people at our sponsoring synagogue. Overflowing with pride and filled with appreciation to all who contributed,
that became the “it” moment in my Scouting life. In the years since, the skills honed
on the path to Eagle became evident as my boy turned into a young man. What an
outstanding program!
Then an unexpected dividend. Over and over, my daughter fondly recalled her brothers’s scouting adventures on the road to Eagle. Each time she relayed a slice of that
journey her enthusiasm grew. During those years, you see, I took her along. She
participated in everything and sometimes went to events my son did not (as a leader
I went to nearly all events). Little did I realize how many Scouting values flowed her
way merely through her presence. Today she and I share a special bond and I realize
that every time we leaders make an Eagle, we not only shape the life of the Scout but
also everyone he touches forever.
Jeffrey Feuer, Eagle Scout Parent
Scouting helps young men find great adventure and new experiences
that he could only find in Scouting – life changing experiences like his
first night sleeping beneath the stars, learning how to tie a taut-line
hitch, and singing campfire songs with dozens of new friends.
I was once a young man like that — one who gained these memorable
experiences due to the kindness of a stranger whom I never had the
opportunity to meet. In 1932, during the great depression I was a Boy
Scout that desperately wanted to go to camp and I did not have the $2.50
to cover the cost, and I had no way of earning it because of the thousands of experienced men looking for work themselves.
Fortunately, someone had provided my local council some money for
boys to attend camp and I was one of the Scouts fortunate enough to go.
That person’s donation encouraged me to enjoy a life in the Boy Scouts
and ever since, I have been trying to pay back all the benefit I found in
their generosity.
I am forever grateful to that kind stranger, and to all of those “kind
strangers” who are part of Western Los Angeles County Council for
championing the best in our youth because you may never know how
much your donation will affect a child’s life.
Russell Meals
Eagle Scout 1935
As I young Scout, I attended summer camps, campouts and outings just like everyone
else in my unit, but I never saw the benefits of the program in action until I turned 16.
By this stage in my life, many of my close friends had turned to drugs and alcohol,
missing classes and disrespecting authority figures. While they dealt with the consequences of arrests and rehab, I travelled to the 1997 National Jamboree where I
worked as a National staffer at Action Center C. I remember the experience like it was
yesterday because it taught me first-hand what the Scouting program can do when it is
applied correctly. I’d never been more excited about Scouting in my life and I parlayed
that excitement into another staff position at the 2001 Jamboree, a Philmont trek, a
Northern Tier expedition, staff positions at both high adventure bases, a Venturing
Silver Award, a term as the Western Region Venturing President and most importantly,
the rank of Eagle Scout.
Attaining the rank of Eagle was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, not
because the process of earning it allowed me to have fun and learn new skills, but
because it kept me focused in a time when distractions could have cost me my life. It
taught me humility, character, perseverance and discipline, traits which have become
a daily regiment in my life. It created a sense of purpose that cannot be effectively
transposed onto paper or into an email, but is known well by anyone who has also
earned the honor. Scouting rewards us not for trying hard, but for sticking it out and
getting the job done. The Eagle rank is the one symbol in our society that truly embodies indomitability. I can trust every Eagle with my life because I know that he will make
the right decisions, think critically and put service before self, as I do everyday.
Daniel Bronstein, DC, WLACC Eagle Dec 1998
What Daniel didn’t mention is how he’s giving back to scouting. He relocated to Grover Beach about 9 months ago to begin his chiropractic practice and connected with
a woman in his office whose son had just become a Boy Scout. While still connected
remotely to the advancement of High Adventure in Troop 22 of West Hills, Daniel has
demonstrated his leadership skills, his commitment to his new community and his love
of the outdoors by establishing and actively promoting a Venturing High Adventure
program for the Scouts in his neighborhood.
The significance of achieving “Eagle” is not something that is evidenced at the Court
of Honor. It is not a “final destination” but plays out over the years subtly as these
young men grow up and you see how they have internalized the values they have
learned from scouting in the way they approach life and in the contributions and
commitments they make to those around them. I have seen this in both of my Eagle
Scouts. They take the path less traveled and pave the way for others in everything
they do “leading by example”.
Thank you for letting us share.
Roberta Bronstein
I am happy to share some of my story of becoming an Eagle with you. I got my Eagle
when I was 16 and had my Eagle court of honor when I was 17. I just turned 18 and am
planning a career in law enforcement. I am working as a lifeguard presently. Doing my
Red Cross Certifications for my Lifeguarding job was EASY because it was all review
from what I’d done with First Aid, Swimming, Lifesaving, and CPR in scout camp and
with my troop before. My experiences of going to five scout camps (Whitsett twice,
Emerald Bay/Catalina, Chawanakee, and Camp Circle X/Forest Lawn Reservation near
Lake Arrowhead), along with two backpacking 50 milers (both high Sierra—Mammoth
to Yosemite and Silver Knapsack trail) with troops 496, 497, and 498, taught me a lot
about facing challenges and overcoming them. Make sure your troop does the white
water on Kern River if you go to Whitsett. I started scouts in Cubs, then my 11 year
old troop, then scouting, then Varsity and Venturer scouting with Mountain Man, Scout
Basketball tournaments, and Triathlons. I have to thank scoutmasters David Larson
and Greg Loveland, my mom and dad, as well as my older group leaders, and the young
assistant scoutmasters who always went along.
Being part of a troop which did a lot of activities and campouts made scouts a lot of
fun for me. We did a lot of outdoor. Being able to work on merit badges like Climbing,
Rifle, Shotgun, Swimming, and Lifesaving merit badges changed my life, and being
a junior scoutmaster was great too. Organizing an Eagle project was not easy, but
remember, you are the idea person and organizer and leader, you coordinate people
to help you and advise you, that’s the important thing about doing an Eagle project is
that you learn how to plan the project and get everything in place and get a bunch of
people together to pull it off. I had 40 volunteers helping me. That was awesome. My
Eagle project was painting and repairing animal visiting facilities and bathrooms at the
Castaic Animal Shelter. A lot of our community services are hurting right now with budget cuts and they need a lot of volunteer help. Doing an Eagle Project ties everything
together you have learned in your troop, in school, and in your life. It felt great to do it.
Becoming an Eagle scout gives you advantages—it proves you finish what you start and
people respect that because they know it takes a lot of work to become an Eagle. I am
grateful I am an Eagle scout and will always honor becoming and being one. I hope you
make it and become one too. You will never forget what you have become.
Evan McLaughlin
Troop 498 and Troop 496
I became an Eagle in 1967 and the next year I was asked to address an Eagle Scout
convention. When I was introduced by Donald
Douglas Jr. it suddenly hit me – this room was
filled with the top tier of men that we all (boys
and parents alike) admired by reputation, and
the young men in the room were expected to
grow and try to fill their shoes. I could not believe that I was included. I could not believe
that the distinguished and enormously busy
Donald Douglas Jr. would spend two minutes
listening to me.Then I realized that the road I
had been on did not end with becoming an Eagle, but rather Eagle was where the road began After the dinner the Crescent Bay Council
sent me a photo which I treasure to this day.
Michael Doland (Currently ASM Troop 223)
In my senior year of high school I was blessed with many offers of football scholarships. I chose instead to attend Stanford University on an academic scholarship to
allow me flexibility to drop football if I chose.
By my senior year, working two and three part-time jobs to supplement the scholarship, I ran out of money. I approached the Director of Financial Aid indicating I needed
a loan or consideration for the Dofflemyer Eagle Scout Scholarship. He awarded me
that scholarship and I was able to graduate, without debts, from Stanford. Sure pays
to be an Eagle!
Kent S. Colberg
Eagle Scout 1957
Crescent Bay Area Council
ALL-IN-THE-FAMILY EAGLES
Former WLACC Scout Executive Schiller A. Colberg with grandsons
Doug and Scott Stewart, son and Executive Board Member Kent Colberg.
Missing: Kit Colberg, son-deceased 1989.
The other evening I was talking to one of our older scouts at the unit meeting where I
serve as Unit Commissioner. He is 16 years old and on schedule to become an Eagle
at age 17. He plans to accomplish this in order to remain in the troop and assist with
younger scouts for one more year after attaining the Eagle Rank. Then off to USC,
UCLA or JOHN HOPKINS to start his journey to becoming a Medical Doctor. This little
short discussion brought to my mind the real meaning of the Eagle Rank....the goal to
win....the will to succeed in life.
Bob Levey
Unit Commissioner
Balboa Oaks, Eagle Scout 1953
Many years ago, on the evening before my son David Cohen turned eighteen, he showed
up a little late to an Explorer Post meeting. The Advisor, Yo Mizuki, asked him why he
was late. He said he was finishing up his last Merit Badge for Eagle. She said, “Why
did you wait so long?” A big smile spread across his face and he quietly replied, “I had
plenty of time.”
THEN
Dean Cohen
District Commissioner
Cahuenga District, WLACC
NOW
Who wants action, adventure and skills you can use the rest of your life?
Then become an Eagle Scout. By earning the Eagle Scout rank in Boy Scouts not only
will you have the best time ever, camping, hiking, doing archery, throwing hatchets and
much more....There is something not everyone knows, you can receive a scholarship
to college. That means the Boy Scouts can pay for part of your college education. This
will help you get a better job.
Did you know the first man who walked on the moon was an Eagle Scout? Armstrong
and many other famous, successful people were too. Like the movie director of ET,
Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones, Steven Spielberg, baseball superstar Hank Aaron,
38th president Gerald Ford, pro basketball star Bill Bradley, and former FBI director
William Sessions. The list goes on and on. If you look in history a large amount of successful business men, politicians, astronauts, and famous people say that they believe
their success is from the journey of becoming an Eagle Scout.
Imagine you are applying for a job and on your application it says you earned a college
degree and were an Eagle Scout. All other people applying for the job only had a college degree. Who would you choose? Knowing that becoming an Eagle Scout takes a
lot of dedication and shows that you are a good leader, I know you would choose the
Eagle Scout.
Yes it does take a lot of work, but, it is fun and cool work. Is being adventurous fun?
Of course it is. You won’t even notice the hard work, and hard work always pays off.
Some also might say
that what if there is no
competition with your
job. Well you should
still be an Eagle Scout
because you learn a
lot of important life
skills that you would
probably not know if
you were not an Eagle
Scout.
In conclusion, by becoming an Eagle Scout
you learn important
life skills, experience
adventures, and use
it to get an education
and a great career.
Action, Adventure, Knowledge, Success! Everyone should want to become an Eagle
Scout!
5th Grade Persuasive Speech by Bryce Valles, Boy Scout Troop 609
I was a very shy child and did not do a lot of activities outside of school work. I am the
fifth of six children, 3 girls and 3 boys. When I was in 6th grade, I used to go with my
older brother to his weekly Boy Scout meetings. At the time, I did not think I was paying attention to the meetings. I just wanted to play in the games that they did at the
end of the meeting. When my brother attained the rank of Eagle, I stopped going to
the meetings. It was not until I reached 9th grade from the suggestion from my sister
and mother that I joined the troop. Through the years, I never missed a meeting and
attended almost every camporee, camporama, and hiking trips. Through the years, I
was able to make life long friends, learn skills, and gain confidence in myself.
Being a member of the Boy Scouts has helped me in several facets of my life. Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout is something that is part of my life. I have continued to
remain active in the Scouts by being a merit badge counselor. Both of my brothers
achieved the Eagle rank and now my nephews are carrying on the family tradition. I
owe this to my family, Scout Leaders, and having the opportunity to be a part of the Boy
Scouts of America.
Chris
Eagle Class of 1987
My path to Eagle was somewhat rocky. While I liked
Cub Scouts because I could run around and play with
the other boys, I wasn’t so sure I wanted to continue
on into Boy Scouts; my mom made me, though. Once
I was in Boy Scouts, and had advanced through some
ranks and merit badges, I found that I really liked it,
after all. I progressed through the ranks, and achieved
the Life rank at the age of thirteen and a half. There, I
languished for the next three-and-a-half years.
Between my mom and a lot of the other adults of my
troop, I decided to start working on my Eagle Scout
Project in March of 2009, right around the time I turned
seventeen. It took the rest of that school year and the
summer to actually pull it all together, and I held my
Blood Drive in early August of that year. Then my mom
hit me with screeches of college applications, which
prompted me to complete the write-up, and turn it in,
in order to hold my Eagle Scout Board of Review in
September of 2009, so that I could put “Eagle Scout
of America” on my college applications and resume.
I loved her for pushing me. Today, I am a very proud
Eagle Scout. I look forward to helping other young
men along a similar route, when I have some time for it after I graduate from college.
Joshua Plottel
Eagle Scout 2009
Of the various things I’ve achieved in my life, one in particular stands out as important
to me. Very recently, I completed my Eagle Project in Boy Scouts. It was my 3rd attempt
at doing so; the previous two times having been forestalled and eventually abandoned. I
very nearly gave up on the prospect of ever completing a project until I finally found the
perfect project that would fit within my time constraints. With the support of the rest
of my family (especially my mother, father and cousin), I completed the entire project
in just over 2 months.
My Project was located at Vasquez Rocks County Park and required many hours in the
blistering heat rebuilding picnic tables, which necessitated hiking the Agua Dulce hills
to locate said tables, as they were scattered throughout the location. I did not just jump
in feet first this time; I took it one toe at a time. Basically, taking on a project of this
size was rather daunting, but after considering my abilities I knew the scope was within
my resources. I’m quite proud of my completion of this project at the metaphorical
11th hour (since I finished the project just a few weeks short of my 18th birthday). The
quality of the work involved, the timely completion of the work, and the rapid planning
phase are all examples of effective organization and work hard. I also am proud of the
fact that I learned a few things-don’t make assumptions and adult priorities differ from
mine.
My project relates well to
who I am as a person. I am
dedicated, hardworking, creative, and possess good foresight. My project brought out
my perseverance and taught
me the value of time management skills. The ways I
and my team overcame unexpected issues (such as
bolts too rusted to remove
from existing tables, a shortage of bolts with which to
install new boards, and an
evacuation of the park as a raging fire was bearing down on us threatening to destroy
our completed work) signal my creativity, my quick thinking in an emergency situation,
and my excellent planning of the project serves as an example of my foresight.
This project represents my success. I was its owner. Therefore, the skills involved in
completing my project are a subject of great pride with me. I feel I am completely prepared to face my future. Through the experiences I have gained from my family and
involvement in Boy Scouts of America I have a strong base to build upon. I understand
what service is and how powerful it can be. I learned this through the innumerable
service projects I have participated in but I have gained my deepest understanding of
service through the completion of my Eagle Project. Volunteer service is simply at the
foundation of America’s core values. I understand this and I intend to continue pursuing a life that demonstrates to all, an Eagle Scout is a person with character, morals,
values and ethics.
Devin Haerle Eagle Project Reflections
On July 19, 2011 a life long goal of achieving the rank of
Eagle Scout was finally met for Grant Silver. At the age of
3, Grant attended a close family friend’s Eagle Court of
Honor on Flag Day at the Ronald Reagan Library and announced to his parents that he too wanted to be an Eagle
Scout. As soon as he could Grant started his Scouting
Trail as a Tiger Cub, never loosing site of his goal. Grant
started out as a member of Cub Scout Pack 57 sponsored
by his church and went on to earn his Arrow of Light and
all 20 Activity Badges before bridging into Boy Scout Troop
228. Grant earned his Religious Knot as a Cub Scout and
went on to earn all 4 emblems of the God and Country
series, topping it off with being a Four Star Recipient. As
a Boy Scout Grant has earned 41 merit badges, and has
gone on to earn 2 Eagle Palms before aging out.
In 2009 Grant joined NJS Troop 827 in order to attend the
2010 National Scout Jamboree celebrating 100 years of Boy Scouting in America. Grant
was the only attendee from his troop and knew absolutely no one from this new troop,
which was made up of several different districts within WLACC. Fortunately this new
troop met once a month for over a year and during that time he formed many friendships. One new friend became his Patrol Leader and asked Grant to be his Assistant
Patrol Leader and Jamboree buddy. Together the two scouts earned the 100% Program
Award for participating in numerous adventures and showcases throughout the course
of Jamboree. NSJ Troop 827 was very fortunate and had the honor of hosting a small
contingent of Boy Scouts from Japan, and so more new friendships were formed. Patch
trading is very popular at Jamboree but trading uniform shirts and neckerchiefs with
Japanese Scouts is priceless! Grant and his Jamboree buddy have stayed close and
helped encourage each other work toward becoming Eagle Scouts and as a result they
participated in each other’s Eagle Court of Honor ceremonies.
Grant William Silver, Eagle Scout 2011
Santa Clarita, CA
My inspiration came from four scouts in troop 327, Baptist Church in Robinson, Illinois.
I was 14 and they were 13 and were pushing the envelope with me by keeping up with
me in getting the requirements for Eagle. I didn’t want these younger scouts, one of
which became my brother-in-law later in life, to become the first Eagle Scout in the
troop and in the town we grew up in. So when I got one merit badge they were right
behind me.
So competing with them was a challenge but it was Grandpa Turner who pulled me
aside and said “Wynne, if you become an Eagle Scout this year I will pay your way to
the 1960 Jamboree in Colorado Springs. Incentive pushed me over the top and on the
50th Anniversary of Scouting February 8th, 1960 I was the first Scout to receive the
Eagle Award in my home town, I ended up with 46 merit badges, and five palms by the
time I was 18 years old. As for the other Scouts they didn’t become Eagle Scouts until
they also turned 15 the following year. I became a Professional Scouter in 1972 and
retired 32 years later and I am in my 55th year being registered with the Boy Scouts of
America......
Wynne Ritch, Eagle Scout 1960
Donald Pitts, Eagle Scout 1942 (second from left)
Don was a native Californian and grew up at
McKinley Home for Boys in Van Nuys before
graduating from Los Angeles High School. He
attended UCLA for one year before entering
the U.S. Navy. Don received an Annapolis
appointment but declined, opting instead to
enroll at Pomona College where he graduated
with a B.A. in Economics. A year later he was
assigned to the U.S. Foreign
Service. After training in
Washington, D.C., he served
as an administrative officer
for diplomatic missions in
Warsaw, Poland; Stuttgart and
Frankfurt, Germany.
Don went on to have a 34-year
career with TRW, Inc., in positions
of business administration and
government relations for their Space
Technology Laboratories, TRW Defense
and Space Systems Group, and Electronics and Defense Sector. During that time, ten
years were spent in Washington, D.C., two
years of which he served as a TRW-loaned
executive to the nonprofit National Alliance
of Business in the position of Senior Vice
President.
Don was also a member of the Los Angeles Private Industry Council, USC Industrial
Social Work Advisory Board, USC Board of Councilors for the School of Social Work,
and the South Bay School District where he tutored ESL students.
Donald Pitts, Eagle Scout 1942
Barry Leafman is celebrating his serving 15 years
(1997 - Current) as Cub Master of WLACC Cub-Parent and Family Camp Weekends.
More than 20,000 participants have attended during
this time.
Barry enjoys seeing parents and their Cub Scouts
experiencing quality time together. Barry also values the community of volunteer staff who assist in
putting on the program.
Barry earned the rank of Eagle Scout November 4,
1971 as a member of Troop 404 in Montebello, CA
Barry’s two sons Brandon Leafman and Bryce Leafman are Eagle Scouts.
Barry enjoys a rich Scouting life. He has earned the
District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver Award.
Barry Leafman, Eagle Scout 1957
A Father of a Eagle Scout Story
It was 1999 and our son became a Boy Scout bridging at Camporee into Troop 22.
Saturday night after the Camporee campfire Troop 22 performed the bridging
ceremony.
I also long ago was a Boy Scout, I wanted my son to experience the magic as I had.
My family moved around the country during those years and I found immediate friends
in a new place. I worked my way up the ranks and merit badges all the way to Life
Scout and just one merit badge away from Eagle. On my seventeenth birthday, I was
drafted into the Army at the end of World War II. So you might say I had a good enough
excuse not making it. I would tell that story to the scouts in our son’s Troop. During
that time our Troop had more Eagle Scouts than ever before and probably after. The
scouts would say, I don’t want to be like that old man saying that story to his son when
I’m his age.
Robert Soyster, Eagle Scout Parent
Eighteen years ago, in 1994, I met Erik Torgerson (an Eagle Scout for more than 40
years) at the First Christian Church of North Hollywood. My son, Sean, was almost
eight years old and we were looking for something for he and I to do together. Erik
introduced us to the Boy Scouts. We went to our first Cub Scout Pack meeting and had
a great time. Sean wanted to be a Cub Scout.
We spent the next two+ years in Cub Scouts and then bridged to Boy Scouts and joined
Troop 139 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, where Erik had been the Scoutmaster. I will always remember our first Boy Scout Overnight Camping Experience. It
was great! Sean earned his Eagle Scout rank in 2006 and went on to college. I stayed
on as the Troop 139 Fundraising Chair and joined the Cahuenga District WLACC BSA
Committee. I was very proud that my son is an Eagle Scout and shared our Boy Scout
Experiences with everyone. When asked, “Are you an Eagle Scout?”, I had to reply, “I
am not.” After a while, I starting replying, “I am not an Eagle Scout ... I am an Eagle
Scout Parent.”
Nathan A. Wolfstein IV & Erik H. Torgerson
Co-Founders, Eagle ScoutParents ESP
10 Fun Facts about Eagle Scouts
1. 2,151,024 and Growing: That is the total number of men who have achieved the
Eagle Scout rank since it was first awarded in 1912 to Arthur Eldred. The 1 millionth
Eagle badge was awarded to Alex Holsinger in 1982; the 2 millionth Eagle was awarded
to Anthony Thomas in 2009.
2. The First 100: It took less than 36 months for the first 100 young men to achieve
Eagle status once the program was created. By the middle of 1914, Scouts from 19
states had earned the award.
3. Largest Eagle Scout Class: The largest number of Scouts to earn the Eagle Award
in the history of the organization is 56,176 in 2010, which was the 100th anniversary
of the Boy Scouts of America. As the honorary president of the BSA, President Barack
Obama’s signature has appeared on more Eagle cards, in the shortest amount of time,
than any other president.
4. Oldest Known Living Eagle Scout: As a relatively new centenarian, 100-year-old
Oliver Wooten of Kentucky was born about a year and a half after the Boy Scouts of
America was founded. He still lives the tenants of the Scout Oath and Scout Law and
gives us all something to look forward to!
5. In Service to Others: In 2011, 51,473 young men earned the Eagle Scout Award.
Before a Scout can be awarded his Eagle, he must create a leadership service project.
The average number of hours spent on each project is about 185. So if you multiplied
that number by the number of Eagle Scouts in 2011, it represents more than 9,525,610
hours that young people gave back to improve their communities and nation.
6. Boy Scout Bling: Scouts who earn their Eagle in 2012 will receive a special badge
that was commissioned to recognize the 100th year of Eagle Scouts.
7. Eagles and Heroes: There is no higher medal that can be bestowed on a U.S. military
serviceman or woman than the Congressional Medal of Honor. There are currently two
heroes who wear their Medal of Honor as proudly as they display their Eagle Award,
Leo K. Thorsness and Thomas R. Norris.
8. Beyond Eagle: Beyond the Eagle rank and Eagle Palms are Distinguished Eagles.
This prestigious honor is awarded for distinguished service in a profession and one’s
community for a period of at least 25 years after attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.
Fewer than 2,000 men have received this high honor since it was established in 1969.
9. Eagle Men: A Scoutmaster could work on and earn the Eagle Award up to 1965, when
rules were changed instituting a maximum age of 18 for earning Eagle—unless the
Scout is identified as having special needs.
10. Scouts Among the Stars: Of the 312 pilots and scientists selected as astronauts
since 1959, at least 207 have been identified as having been Scouts or active in Scouting.
Of the 24 men to travel to the moon on the Apollo 8 and Apollo 10 through 17 missions,
20 were Scouts, including 11 of the 12 moonwalkers and all three members of the
Apollo 13 crew.
Famous Eagle Scouts
•H
enry Aaron - Baseball player, home run
king - the Mobile Press Register quoted
Henry as saying that the greatest positive
influence in his life was his involvement in
scouting
• Arthur Eldred - First Eagle Scout
•G
ary L. Ackerman - U.S. Representative
from NY
•R
obert Edward Femoyer - WWII Army Air
Force Navigator, Medal of Honor recipient
(deceased)
•B
ill Alexander - U.S. Representative from
Arkansas
•L
amar Alexander - Lawyer, Governor
of Tennessee, Secretary of Education,
presidential candidate
•N
eil Armstrong - astronaut, first man on
moon, from Wapakoneta, OH
•W
illie Banks - Olympic & world record
holding track star
•D
aniel J. Evans - Senator and Governor of
Washington
• David Farabee - Texas State Representative
•R
ear Admiral Eugene B. Fluckey - WWII
Submarine Commander, Medal of Honor
recipient (deceased)
•T
homas Foley - Speaker of the House and
U.S. Representative from Washington
•G
erald Ford - U.S. President (1st Eagle to
be President) (deceased)
•L
loyd M. Bentsen, Jr. - Treasury Secretary
& U.S. Representative from Texas
•S
teven Fossett - Flew solo nonstop around
the world in a hot air balloon and in an
ultralight airplane, won the Chicago to
Mackinaw boat races, competed in the
Iditarod dog race, and competed in several
iron man triathlons, and among other
things lived the Scouting mottos both Cub
and Boy Scout by doing his best and being
prepared (deceased)
•M
ichael Bloomberg - Mayor of New York
City, founder of Bloomberg News
•M
urphy J. (Mike) Foster - Governor of
Louisiana
•B
ill Bradley - Pro basketball star and U.S.
Senator from NJ
•R
obert M. Gates - Director of Central
Intelligence (CIA) and Secretary. of Defense
•J
ames Brady - Press Secretary to President
Reagan
•R
ichard A. Gephardt - U.S. Representative
from Missouri, Minority Leader
•S
tephen Breyer - US Supreme Court
Justice
•S
teve Holcomb - Olympic Gold Medal
winner - 4 man Bobsled
•M
ilton A. Caniff - Comic strip artist “Steve
Canyon”
•A
dmiral Jay Johnson, USN - Chief of Naval
Operations
•R
ear Admiral Jay M. Cohen, USN Undersecretary of Homeland Security
•M
ichael Kahn - stage director, Oscar
winning film editor
• Barber B. Conable - President, World Bank
•W
illiam Henry Keeler - Roman Catholic
Cardinal and Archbishop of Baltimore
• Albert Belle - baseball player
•C
harles E. Bennett - U.S. Representative
from Florida
• William Bennett - Secretary of Education
•J
ohn W. Creighton, Jr. - President & CEO of
Weyerhaeuser Company
• Larry Kellner, CEO - Continental Airlines
•W
illiam E. Dannemeyer - U.S.
Representative from Cal.
•D
r. Alfred Kinsey - insect biologist, human
behavior researcher
•W
illiam Devries M.D. - transplanted first
artificial heart
• John Koncak - basketball player
•M
ichael Dukakis - Governor of
Massachusetts, presidential candidate
•L
TC Aquilla James Dyess - WWII Marine,
Medal of Honor recipient (deceased)
•S
heldon Leonard - actor, director,
producer, 3 time Emmy award winner
•S
teven W. Lindsey - Astronaut - He was the
pilot for STS-95 when John Glenn returned
to space as a Senator. He made Eagle in
Troop 161 in Temple City, California.
Famous Eagle Scouts
•G
ary Locke - Governor of the State of
Washington, the first Chinese-American
Governor in the contiguous United States,
and selected as a Distinguished Eagle Scout
by NESA
•J
ames Lovell - Navy pilot and astronaut,
President of National Eagle Scout
Association. Flew on Gemini 7, 12 & Apollo
8, 13 At one time had seen more sunrises
than any other human being
•R
ichard Lugar - Senator from Indiana
(presidential candidate 1996)
•J
. Willard Marriott, Jr. - President, Marriott
Corp.
•C
DR William McCool, USN - Astronaut, Pilot
of U.S. Space Shuttle Columbia
•W
. Walter Menninger - Physician, civil
servant
•M
ichael Moore - Author and filmmaker,
nominated for an Oscar for “Bowling for
Columbine”
• Jim Mora - NFL football coach
• Oswald “Ozzie” Nelson - actor
• Sam Nunn - U.S. Senator from Georgia
•E
llison Onizuka - Astronaut aboard the U.S.
Space Shuttle Challenger (deceased)
•S
teve Oswald - Astronaut, Navy Rear
Admiral
•M
itchell Paige - walked 200 miles to
enlist in Marines on his 18th birthday in
1936, retired as a Colonel, Medal of Honor.
Presented his Eagle award in 2003 after it
was verified that he’d not received it in 1936
because he’d joined the Marines. (deceased)
•F
rancis J. Parater - nominated for
Sainthood by Diocese of Richmond, VA.
died at age 22 in 1920 in Rome, while at
seminary
•H
. Ross Perot - Self-made billionaire and
presidential candidate
• Rick Perry - Governor, State of Texas
•J
. J. Pickle - U.S. Representative from
Texas, proudly displayed his Eagle plaque
inside his office (deceased)
•S
amuel R. Pierce - Former Sec. Housing &
Urban Development
• Frederick Reines - Nobel Prize winner in
Physics
•G
ary Rogers - Chairman and CEO of
Dreyer’s Ice Cream
•J
im Rogers - CEO of Kampgrounds of
America (KOA)
•M
ike Rowe - Star of “Dirty Jobs with Mike
Rowe” on the Discovery Channel
• Donald Rumsfeld - Secretary of Defense
•H
arrison Salisbury - Pulitzer Prize winning
author
•J
ames Sanderson - Vice Admiral, US Navy
(Ret), Deputy Chief US Atlantic Fleet
•D
r. Benjamin Lewis Salomon - WWII
Army front line surgeon & Medal of Honor
recipient (deceased)
• Jeff Sessions - Senator from Alabama
• William Sessions - FBI director
•S
am Skinner - Secretary of Energy during
the Bush administration and now CEO of
Commonwealth Edison
•S
teven Spielberg - Movie producer,
from Scottsdale, AZ, made a movie of
his troop while getting Photography MB.
Helped to design requirements for the
cinematography MB
•W
allace Stegner - Writer and college
professor, won Pulitzer Prize in 1972 for
“Angle of Repose”
•P
ercy Sutton - Attorney, Chairman of the
Board of City Broadcasting Corp.
• John Tesh - TV celebrity and pianist
•M
eldrim Thomson, Jr. - 3 term governor of
New Hampshire (deceased)
•L
eo K. Thorsness - Vietnam War Air Force
Colonel, POW, & Medal of Honor recipient
•S
am Walton - Founder, Wal-Mart (deceased)
•T
ogo West - Secretary of the Army and
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
•E
dward O. Wilson - Pellegrino University
Professor and curator of entomology at the
Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard
University
•J
ay Zeamer Jr. - WWII Army Air Force pilot
& Medal of Honor recipient (deceased)
•E
lmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. - Admiral, Chief of
Naval Operations
Boy Scouts of America, Western Los Angeles County Council is
dedicated to building a strong future for the youth of today. For
over 100 years, Boy Scouts of America has developed good leaders
and citizens, and Western LA County Council remains dedicated
to preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices over
their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath
and Law.
How can you help impact the next generation?
Your financial contribution today, will help build a bright future
for the youth already served by Western Los Angeles County
Council, Boy Scouts of America, and will enable us to positively
impact the lives of the thousands of deserving young people
in the community by providing necessary dollars to share the
experiences and adventures of Scouting.
Your Friends of Scouting contribution helps WLACC to:
• Support parents and volunteer leaders through training in youth
development, high adventure and outdoor skills.
• Provide activities and training to youth in at-risk- neighborhoods
who aspire to improve their communities.
• Recognizes outstanding youth whose contributions have
benefited the National Forest Service, Veterans, disabled
individuals, and food pantries throughout Western Los Angeles
County.
• Maintain and operate great camps like Camp Emerald Bay,
Camp Whitsett and Camp Josepho with full time staff and
outstanding facilities and programs.
• Protect our dedicated leaders and youth with liability insurance.
Our youth need positive role models, too! A contribution of your
time is a wonderful way to make a difference ­­— here are a few
examples of how:
• Become a merit badge counselor and share your expertise with
young scouts.
• Let us share the mission of Scouting at your Rotary Club, Lion’s
Club, American Legion, or other service organization.
• Join the speakers’ bureau and share your career knowledge
with future leaders.
• Gain targeted exposure for your company by sponsoring a merit
badge.
• Join your district committee and get involved with the work of
scouting all while directly connecting with the folks in your town.
• Ensure that Scouting is available for young men for the next 100
years and leave your legacy by endowing a planned gift to the
Council.
• Ask your company to make a matching gift to the Council.
Please contact WLACC to find out how you can help today’s Scouts
while leaving your legacy.
Western Los Angeles County Council,
Boy Scouts of America
16525 Sherman Way #c8
Van Nuys, CA 91406
818-785-8700
www.bsa-la.org
The Scout Law
A Scout is:
Trustworthy,
Loyal,
Helpful,
Friendly,
Courteous,
Kind,
Obedient,
Cheerful,
Thrifty,
Brave,
Clean,
and Reverent.
Western Los Angeles County Council
Boy Scouts of America
16525 Sherman Way, #C8
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Van Nuys, CA
Permit No. 54