Your's Truly and the National Commissioner

Boy Scouts of America Centennial Trees

Everyone can join in the Boy Scouts of America's 100th Anniversary celebration through the purchase of a Boy Scouts Centennial Tree. As part of the 100th Anniversary Generations Connection program, join Scouts all over the country as they plant "living legacies" of Scouting's commitment to supporting youth and families. For just $20, you can buy a striking 2 - 4'-tall Centennial tree to nurture for generations to come!

For every 100th Anniversary tree purchased, the Arbor Day Foundation will plant a corresponding tree in the newly designated Boy Scouts of America Centennial Forest. The Centennial Forest will aid in re-planting the Flathead National Forest in Montana after recent fires. If you choose, for $20, you can have two trees planted in the Centennial Forest. Your trees will be shipped directly to the Forest during the proper planting season.

Youth Protection Training Mandatory

Youth safety is the No. 1 concern of the BSA.

To increase awareness of this societal problem and to create even greater barriers to abuse than already exist today in Scouting, the Boy Scouts of America is implementing several important changes to further enhance its Youth Protection policies.

Effective June 1, 2010:

* -- Youth Protection training is required for all registered volunteers.
* -- New leaders are required to take Youth Protection training before they submit an application for registration. The certificate of completion for this training must be submitted at the time application is made and before volunteer service with youth begins.
* -- Youth Protection training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer's Youth Protection training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be reregistered.