Pohnpei Camp Preparations

In preparation for the upcoming Pohnpei Boy Scout Summer Camp, the Aloha Council provided camp supplies to the Pohnpei State Office of Social Affairs. The staff members of the OSA are responsible for the youth programs of Pohnpei and include Scouting as part of their overall youth efforts. The camp will be held on July 18-22 at Nett Elementary School and will include around 250 Scouts.

Staff members count out First Aid supplies, including bandaids, cotton swabs, cotton balls and alcohol wipes, art supplies and patches and wristbands for the participants.

The Director of the Office of Social Affairs, Kester James (far right), Youth Coordinator, Person Joseph (far left) and John Mills... showing off some of the supplies and resources provided by the Aloha Council for the youth of Pohnpei State

The staff of the Office of Social Affairs with Ko'olina Mills, who accompanied her father to assist with the camps throughout the Pacific

The staff of the Office of Social Affairs with the Special Assistant to the Governor for Social and Community Affairs, Janet Panuelo (front row, left).

Chuuk Day Camp 2011

Our camp experience in Chuuk was different than all the other islands. We have struggled to have any success in Chuuk. We have worked with the Office of Social Affairs with no results. Last year we began a new effort with the Department of Education and have great hopes there.

In the meantime we have focused our efforts on Scouting in the LDS Church. Our event this year was planned for a single night camp to be held on July 8-9, 2011. Due to leadership and budget issues within the branches on the island we joined with the seminary program and held a coed single day Day Camp instead. We had originally planned for 70 youth, but had 136 youth attend.

Boating to the Island to meet with the youth

Youth of the island still live and fish in the traditional manner

Being greeted by island youth

After classes on First Aid, environmental issues, drug and alcohol prevention, we played team building and challenge games. The youth loved the new experiences and competition. Above, the youth try to figure out how to flip a tarp without touching the ground.

We taught the importance of communication through games

The games required teamwork and cooperation along with problem solving

Each youth left with a token to remind them of the day. As you can see by my shirt, it was a tremendously hot day, but very successful.

Saipan Liberation Day Parade

Saipan Liberation Day - July 4, 2011

The WWII Battle of Saipan, which began on June 14, 1944, lasted for 24 days. Civilians encountered during the period of the battle and afterward, while emergency conditions still prevailed, were placed in secure camps to keep them out of the way of the fighting. In these camps, the U. S. military could also better meet their basic needs for food, clothing, shelter and medical care. The native population were released from these camps on July 4, 1945 and the anniversary of their release is celebrated as "Liberation Day" every July 4th.

The Scouts of Saipan march in the annual Liberation Day festivities and parade every year. This year about 75 Scouts from 6 Packs and Troops participated.

Saipan Summer Camp 2011

Photos from the Summer Camp held in Saipan - 6/27 to 7/2/11

Camp was held at Kam Pacific Park in Northern Saipan

Preparing for the opening campfire



The skits were fun, but the smores were best

The Scouts got to build things, including marshmallow shooters

Most of the youth had never held a bow and arrow before

We took a six mile hike to Selena Cave

A coconut break along the way

The Cub Scouts joined us for a Day Camp on the last day

Finally there... Selena Cave

Only the older Scouts were allowed to venture inside

Parents day... the last night

Closing campfire, Troop 913 did the Haka

Giving the Scouts their patches and wristbands

Palau Summer Camp 2011

Photos from our Summer Camp in Palau - June 22-25, 2011

Scouts passing off their Tenderfoot fitness requirements

Scouts of Palau

Scouts were required to learn several knots for their Tenderfoot

Showing off their personal first aid kits

Learning how to help a choking victim

Scouts learned how to fish, as well as eat

El'Zeder Eledui being awarded the Award of Merit

Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts enjoyed Ko'olina Mills's help during camp

A Court of Honor was held on the last day... a Scout is given his Tenderfoot

Marshall Islands Scouts in the LDS Church

Curtis Vila, a Scoutmaster for an LDS troop in Majuro, Marshall Islands, shared this story:

“What a wonderful privilege to be able to serve the youth of today in this modern times. We have started out small yet with the unwavering support of parents, and fellow ward members miracles started to happen. Now another neighboring ward has joined in and the youth of these two wards started to come out to our meetings and eventually all returned back. I've enjoyed scouting before and I can't imagine being active in the church without it. My wife is also focusing on the Pack.

“Now we are on our 9th Troop Meeting. We have 20 Young Men in our 2 patrols and we customize our weekly program plans to address the local needs of the youth. We will continue to do our best to serve these youth in our Troop as we know what scouting means to boys.”

American Samoa Scouts Conservation Efforts

Scouts of American Samoa Participate in Effort to Revive Native Plants

Scouts from Troop 287, LDS Leone 2nd Ward, gather in Faga’alu to participate in the
District Service Project of planting native trees

The American Samoa District participated recently in an effort to assist the National Parks office in planting trees that are native to Samoa.

Nearly 200 Scouts from 20 different troops around Tutuila gathered at the Faga’alu Beach Park to receive the trees and return to their respective villages to plant them. In all over 100 saplings were planted throughout the island.

The event also included educational experiences for the Scouts, as they learned the value to protecting native species against potential invasion plants and animals. The Scouts also used the event as a preparation for the upcoming Scout Fiafia in April.

The activity included some Scout competition and Scout skill instruction as well as an overnight campout the evening before each troop was to perform the service. The theme of the event centered around teaching the Scouts environmental awareness.

CNMI District Celebrates Scouting’s 101st Birthday

In celebration of Boy Scouting Week, the CNMI District held a Scout Picnic on Saturday, Feb. 12, at the American Memorial Park in Saipan. The Scouts enjoyed various activities and competitions like knot tying and lashing, talaya throwing, kite making, and coconut husking on the Saturday event. Presentations were also given by the Department of Lands and Natural Resources' Division of Fish and Wildlife in an effort to teach the Scouts about their local environment. Pictured is a DLNR staff member teaching the Scouts about the endangered Pacific Green Sea Turtle and their mating habits.

New Units and Advancement

Four New Units Started in Ebeye as Scouts in Kosrae and Majuro Advance

Above: New Scouts in Troop 422 showing off their new Scout uniforms... Two Cub Scout Packs and Two Boy Scout Troops were started in November 2010 on the island of Ebeye, Republic of the Marshall Islands. These two units, chartered by the LDS Church, are the first units started in Ebeye in almost 10 years. In an area where there is little opportunity for youth, Scouting is beginning to see progress toward helping the youth of the island.

On other islands of the Pacific, Scouting continues to grow and provide strong opportunities for boys. The youth of Troops 741 and 742, in Kosrae, FSM, have enjoyed advancement in Scouting and have earned their Second Class Scout rank and are working on their First Class. In Majuro, Marshall Islands, Scout Roger Muller, with Troop 454, chartered to the Co-op School, has earned his First Class rank. He is the first Scout in the Marshall Islands to earn this rank. He has since turned 18 and is now an Assistant Scoutmaster.