On April 1, 2009 Michael Marchese was selected as the new Scout Executive for the Trapper Trails Council.

Mike describes himself as an enthusiastic Scout, husband and father. He became a Boy Scout in Sacramento, California in 1978. He then moved to and grew up on the Oregon Coast in Brookings, Oregon with his family. He was also a Boy Scout in the Oregon Trail Council, he would eventually be employed.

His Professional Scouting career began in Coos Bay, Oregon, as District Executive where he served the lower third of the Oregon coast. He was promoted to District Director in Eugene, Oregon. Served as Camp Director on the Oregon Coast from 1995-1998 and is a brotherhood member of the Order of Arrow.

Mike became Assistant Scout Executive of the Oregon Trail Council in May 1998. He was then promoted to Idaho in November 2002 after his selection as Director of Field Service for Grand Teton Council. In April 2006, Mike and his family relocated to Gilbert, Arizona when he was promoted to Director of Field Service and Chief Operating Officer for Grand Canyon Council.

Mike has been tasked with guiding 24 Executive Field Staff members who support 20,500 volunteers, 22 Districts, the Friends of Scouting campaign, Membership and Commissioner Service, as well as legal and fiscal controls.

Mike and his wife Cherylann, have a daughter, Katie, age 8, and son Christian 6.

He is Wood Badge trained and served on staff in 2003 as a Troop Guide. Mike served at the 2005 National Jamboree and plans to serve in 2010 as the Administration Chief, for Western Region, BSA.

Mike graduated from the University of Oregon, with a degree in Political Science. He enjoys restoring classic cars, which have included a 1959 Cadillac and1968 GT/CS Mustang. He likes everything outdoors; hiking, camping, golf and more.

He is eager to begin serving with the wonderful volunteers and staff of the Trapper Trails Council.
The hiring of Mike fills the vacancy left by former Scout Executive Rick Barnes who left in February to assume a new position with the Great Salt Lake Council. Mike will assume his new responsibility on May 1, 2009.

A special welcome to Michael Marchese and his family! We look forward to Mike’s leadership to the Trapper Trails Council family.

The following was a news release issued by Trapper Trails Council.

Marcus Dean Cooper, Jr. has earned his the Venturing Gold Award and Venturing Silver Award. Marcus is the son of Marcus and Pieper Cooper of Kaysville and is currently serving as Crew Guide of Crew 438, Kaysville Crestwood LDS.

Marcus worked at Camp Hunt this summer as a High Adventure Ranger and Lifeguard and is currently employed as a lifeguard at Layton Surf and Swim. He recently completed a Board of Review for his Venturing Gold Award and Venturing Silver Award.

According to Trapper Trails Council advancement staff, of the 47,000+ registered youth in the Council, 17,000+ of which are Venturers, Marcus was one of fewer than 8 youth to receive their Venturing Silver Award in the last twelve months.

This crowning achievement tops-off a long and impressive list of accomplishments including Eagle Scout with 81 merit badges, 4 Bronze Palms, 4 Gold Palms, 4 Silver Palms, Varsity Letter, and Denali Award to name a few.

A special Court of Honor was held for Marcus on Friday January 23, 2009 at the Crestwood Ward building at 1039 E. Crestwood Road in Kaysville from 7 to 8:30 pm.

The following was a news release issued by Trapper Trails Council, BSA.

Trapper Trails Council is pleased to announce the third annual Whitney M. Young and Vale la Pena! awards banquet will be held on February 6, 2009 at the Weber State University’s Sky Room in Ogden.

The Trapper Trails Council will present the Whitney M. Young Service Awards to Farrell Alleman, District Commissioner of the Bridger Valley District and business leader; Marsha Prantil, Senior Director of the YMCA of Greater Salt Lake – Ogden; and Ernest Stacy, past District Chairman of the Bridger Valley District.

The Council will also present the Vale la Pena! Awards to Francisco Carrillo, Hispanic community leader; Andres Ramos, Young Men General Board of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Rita Ramos, Trapper Trails Council Spanish Training Coordinator; Kurt Rifleman, physician and community leader; Alberto Vasquez, Hispanic community leader.

“Service to others has always been on of Scouting’s most important objectives,” said Michael Jenkins, Field Director. “The Trapper Trails Council is grateful for the efforts of these individuals and the many other dedicated volunteers who have worked to bring the benefits of the Scouting program to all our community’s youth.”

Established by the Boy Scouts of America in 1978, this special recognition is named for the late Whitney M. Young Jr., civil rights spokesperson and executive director of the Urban League from 1961-1971. The award was created to recognize outstanding services by an adult or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for youth from rural or low-income urban backgrounds.

Within urban and rural settings, the need to teach the principles of the Scout Oath and Law has never been greater. Scoutreach is the Boy Scouts of America’s commitment to ensure all youth have the opportunity to participate in Scouting

For more information, call Jeremy Bell at 801-475-7497

The following was a news release issued by Trapper Trails Council.