Dear Friends:
As the Boy Scouts of America celebrates its 100th Anniversary, each of us has a unique opportunity and obligation to lay the groundwork for our movement’s second century. The eyes of the world will be upon us as we recognize this important milestone and we must ask ourselves, when our community looks at its Jersey Shore Council, what will it see?
Here at the Shore Scouting is as vibrant and as relevant as it was when we began our journey. We are serving an ever increasing number of young people and delivering to them the words to live by of the Scout Law, providing important community service, developing our future leaders, and, just as we have for 100 years, tackling the issues and challenges facing young people today.
Childhood obesity continues to become an epidemic in our country with 16% of our young people considered overweight, a number which has tripled since 1980. Our Jersey Shore Council is committed to playing in integral role in battling this issue locally and setting the example for Scout Councils nationally. As we set the stage for our second century, we must tackle the challenge that most endangers the well being of the children we serve. We are embarking on a new initiative, “I’m Physically Strong; I’m a Scout!” This initiative will encourage our Scouts to adopt more healthy and active lifestyles setting the example within our community. Likewise, our adult volunteers, who are role models for these young people, will be encouraged to adopt similar lifestyles.
This initiative will kick-off in conjunction with the Lakewood BlueClaws on Sunday, April 18, 2010, with a 5K and 1 mile fun run at FirstEnergyPark in Lakewood followed by a health expo and the opportunity for participants to attend that afternoon’s baseball game.
In addition, in the weeks ahead we will announce a special “I’m Physically Strong; I’m a Scout!” achievement program that will provide age appropriate requirements to be completed by our Scouts and adults to recognize and publicize their adaptation of a healthier and more active lifestyle.
Scouting has adopted within its mission to meet the challenges that have faced our young people for a century. I look forward to working with you as in our 100th year, we yet again rise to the occasion and help better prepare our young people to achieve their full potential.
Best regards,
Craig H. Shelley
Scout Executive