9 October 2008
Eagle Scouts Say Don’t Call Them Liars
Posted by admin under: camps .
I’ve been watching with some interest the story from the NBC affiliate in Bakersfield, 17 News, KGET. A group of Camp Kern’s staff who are Eagle Scouts wrote a letter to the council to complain about the director alleging him giving out inappropriate gifts at a staff party and falsifying training records. It seemed like the issue was brought to the attention of the media before the council had a chance to review the issue so I waited to see what would happen before giving the charges credence. I was intrigued to learn that this camp is on the same lake as another camp I went to with my son when we first joined our Boy Scout troop.
The council responded to the allegations.
The Southern Sierra Council released a statement Tuesday saying its investigation found the camp director and camp leaders did not attend the party.
The boys said camp administrators used a computer drawing program to create false certificates that purported to show staff members had the training they were required to have.
On Tuesday, Council officials said all staff members received all appropriate training. Because they lacked the already-made certificates reflecting the training, administrators made their own.
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Boy Scout officials say they are turning over management of Camp Kern to another organization called CampWorks, Inc. Boy Scout officials also they are re-training all camp leaders, volunteers, and staff.
Afterwards, 17 News asked for a response from the Eagle Scouts who originally brought them the story.
“I read that letter yesterday that the scout office had put out and it completely offended me. The fact that five Eagle Scouts are all saying pretty much the same thing and here this letter says no this did not actually happen, they were not actually there. It pretty much says as an eagle scout, that we are all liars,” Rankins said after scout officials released a statement denying the allegations.
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The statement from Boy Scout officials did not say whether the camp director had been fired. 17 News called the office Wednesday and asked for McIlvaine, but we were told he was not in the office.and asked for Jim McIlvaine, they said he was not in the office. Boy Scout officals would not answers questions about their statement.
This one is definitely up in the air. If there was improper behavior on the part of the adults then they need to be held to account. I just can’t think of a reason why a group of Eagle Scouts would make something like this up or purposefully distort the facts.
Update: 17 News is now reporting that the council has fired the camp director.
While the council president did confirm the camp director was fired, little details were released Thursday. Board member Ron Brummett would not answer questions at the leadership camp and referred all comments to the scouts’ attorney, Jay Rosenlieb. His office says he is on vacation for two weeks.
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Volunteers say while watching this scandal has been painful, they are proud of the Eagles who are standing up for what Boy Scouts of America believes in.
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One Comment so far...
Dan - Scouting News Says:
10 October 2008 at 3:53 pm.
They are in a very sticky situation and being introduced to the politics involved in a large organization. I hope they don’t let the actions of the Council’s Professionals turn them off from Scouting and their past achievements.
