On June 11, 2008 an F3 tornado tore through the Little Sioux Scout Camp northeast of Omaha killing four young boys participating in an Eagle Scout leadership training weekend and injuring dozens. In the devastating aftermath, stories of incredible heroism arose from the destruction as children rescued children, pulling one another from the rubble while performing life-saving first aid.

On the 9/11 Anniversary 2009, FDNY firefighters including survivors of the World Trade Center attacks, will raise the spirits of the survivors of the Little Sioux tornado as they work shoulder-to-shoulder with the young Scouts and their families to help rebuild the camp and erect a Chapel on the foundation of the structure where the four boys were lost. This very special Chapel will be built with timbers salvaged from the tornado, literally transforming the devastation into something full of Hope.

The 9/11 Anniversary rebuilding project is being sponsored by The New York Says Thank You Foundation whose mission is to help rebuild communities affected by disaster as a way of saying “Thank You” for all the love and support Americans from across the country extended to New Yorkers in the days, weeks, and months
following September 11.

To support this “Pay It Forward” effort to help rebuild the Little Sioux Scout Camp on the 9/11 Anniversary 2009, please visit www.NewYorkSaysThankYou.org and click on the DONATE NOW button. Your donation is 100% tax-deductible and any amount you contribute is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

One in three children in Nebraska (K-12) are overweight or at risk of being overweight. To help combat this, the Mid-America Council is transforming our many wellness-based activities into a higher profile program – ScoutFit.

The ScoutFit program will bring to light the current wellness-based activities and advancements Scouting offers and also use new, specially designed wellness challenges, menus, help guides and awareness campaigns to encourage healthy behaviors and attitudes among our members. Through ScoutFit, the Council will proactively address wellness, and by extension, obesity in our units and community.

The Council’s ScoutFit Challenge began with the staff and was recently rolled out to volunteers. Nearly 100 leaders, with more signing up every week, have pledged to be ScoutFit. Here’s the story of one.

My ScoutFit Story
By Clarissa Conolley, Program Assistant

Since joining Boy Scouts of America, I have enjoyed guiding the Scouts during fundraisers, service hours and camping trips. However, I did not enjoy having little energy, feeling tired and not being able to keep up with the youth. Less than a year after I signed the adult application form, I realized I had to do something to change my unhealthy lifestyle, and ScoutFit helped me do that.

ScoutFit teaches that the trick is to start with one habit at a time. I began by drinking more water and less soda. I ate healthier foods with smaller portions. I chose the stairs over the elevator, and parked further from the entrance. These small steps helped pave the way to a big achievement. I’ve lost 45 pounds and feel great. I can’t wait until summer camp at Camp Cedars. Let’s see if the troop can keep up with me this time!

To register for Scouts, call 402.431.9BSA (9272). Visit, https://macsecure.waittinteractive.com/forms/form14.aspx and pledge to be ScoutFit in 2009!

About Mid-America Council
The Boy Scouts, Mid-America Council serves youth in 58 counties in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. The Council serves youth by instilling them with values that last a lifetime. Such values include honesty, helping others, character development and respect for the law. Scouts learn these values while participating in fun, family-friendly activities. The Council, supported by 8,516 volunteers, is headquartered in Omaha, with a satellite Scout Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

The following was a press release issued by Mid-America Council.

The Mid-America Council, Boy Scouts of America is recognized as “Centennial Quality Council” for 2008, for providing youth members with the highest quality program experience possible.

For nearly 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America has created a strong foundation of leadership, service, and community for millions of America’s youth. Today, the Mid-America Council celebrates this legacy as it reaffirms their commitment to inspire and prepare future generations.

The council received this recognition under the leadership of Daniel P. Neary, Chairman and CEO of Mutual of Omaha and Mid-America Council Chairman, Stephen L. Bartlett, Vice President, Wells Fargo Private Bank and Council Commissioner, and Lloyd E. Roitstein, Mid-America Council Scout Executive/President.

In order to receive Centennial Quality Council, the Mid-America Council had to achieve 10 areas of achievement, including serving more youth in its traditional program, ending the year with 30,527 total youth.

The council also focused on staff development and recruiting quality volunteer leadership at every level of the organization. Individuals looking for volunteer opportunities can call 402.431.9BSA (9272).

The Boy Scouts, Mid-America Council serves youth in 58 counties in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. The Council serves youth by instilling them with values that last a lifetime. Such values include honesty, helping others, character development and respect for the law. Scouts learn these values while participating in fun, family-friendly activities. The Council, supported by 8,516 volunteers, is headquartered in Omaha, with a satellite Scout Center in Sioux City, Iowa.