PBS Leader Training

Youth Protection Training taught to over 200 leaders of PBS


(Above: Hirobo Obeketang teaches Majuro District Leaders Youth Protection Training)

The Boy Scouts of America began a new policy of caring for our youth in May 2010, and in keeping with that policy, the adult leaders within the Pacific Basin have turned out in large numbers to receive this training.

The YPT is a major step forward in an area where protection of youth is not a priority. The training introduced by the BSA is bringing the needs of youth, and their importance to the minds of Scouting and the community.

Island Leaders from Four Nation/States attend Wood Badge and PBS Conference

Scouting in the Pacific Basin reached a major milestone and objective when six Island leaders and one Island Commissioner attended Wood Badge and the PBS Conference in August 2010. These leaders attended the first cluster course of the Aloha Council and helped make up the largest Wood Badge course in the Council’s history.

The leaders that attended included Bell Tosie of Kosrae, Derek Cepeda of Guam, Hirobo Obeketang, Herson Aloka and Martin Baso of the Republic of the Marshall and Islands, Dr. Ernest Oo of American Samoa and Jack Metcalf, Island Commissioner from Houston, Texas.

Along with the Wood Badge course, the PBS leaders received training on Youth Protection, Leave No Trace, Developing Community Partnerships, District Leadership Training Workshop, Trainer Development using the EDGE model and many other focuses. The leaders returned to their home island prepared to share what they have learned with local community leaders and Scouts. From this training, many will benefit.

Uniform Donations help Island Youth enjoy Scouting

Uniforms go a long way to support the Scouting program in the islands. In an area in the world where there aren’t too many luxuries, Scout uniforms can be a symbol of pride, loyalty and dedication.

The Aloha Council is conducting a uniform drive to help provide this important element of Scouting to our Scouts. Many of our island youth have never had a new shirt in their life. Imagine what a Scout uniform would do for these young men. Currently units and families are donating their used uniforms for this purpose, as well as companies like First Class Shop in Edinburg, TX and Troy Pugh in Ephrata, WA.

For more information on how you can help, please contact the Aloha Council Service Center at the numbers listed above.

Be a Part of the Scouting Experience

The remote islands and atolls of the Pacific are overwhelmed by poverty and limited opportunities. Scouting on these islands provides a substantial resource in the development of young lives and the young people living there. As we look for more and more ways to better serve our youth in the Pacific, we ask assistance from our entire Scouting family on behalf of these future leaders.

There are so many ways that individuals or groups can help these young boys and girls. Individuals who are interested can be Island Commissioners, adopting and visiting an island periodically to help run our Scouting programs; Venturing crews or patrols can spend their annual high adventure experience in the islands learning about new cultures and running summer camps; people or groups can adopt an island financially to help support its annual Scouting program; or districts, units or individuals can help collect donated uniforms to send to the different islands. Many of our youth have never had a new shirt in their life. Imagine what a Scout uniform would do for these young men.

Welcome to PBS

Pacific Basin Scouting

Aloha and welcome to the Pacific Basin Scouting Weblog, published by the Aloha Council, BSA.

Scouting in the Pacific, under the direction of the Aloha Council, consists of an area expanding across six time zones, both sides of the International Dateline, and North and South of the Equator. It includes American Samoa, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Kosrae, FSM - The Sleeping Lady

Through this blog we hope to share the story of Scouting in these areas, highlighting the uniqueness of the program and needs of the youth we serve. This will be a place where photos, news and information will be posted and where Scouters can contribute to help the overall needs of the program.

Our blog will be updated regularly with occasional updates for special projects or events. We will also maintain a quarterly news digest with articles posted to this site. So, please join us and be a part of the largest Scouting effort in the BSA and the World.