25 November 2008
Victory Base Gets an Overhaul
Posted by admin under: International .
The Victory Base Council web site has been updated and it is more navigable than the old site. I miss the pictures of shoulder patches they used to have, but other than that it’s very good. Victory Base Council in Iraq is not really a council in the official sense because it’s not a Scouting organization run by Iraq. It’s a group of United States military who want to bring the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides experience back to Iraq after it had been misused and decertified under Saddam Hussein.
There is a page that talks about how we back here can help them over there. They also list out their current priorities.
OUR CURRENT PRIORITY LIST (29 Aug 08)
(Issue / Owner / Date)
1 - Uniforming / (local contractor donating) / Sep 10
Designs finalized, now in progress…
2 - Cooking gear / Coleman / Jun 20
Shipping in progress from Spirit of America, Hooray!
3 - Leatherworking / ? / ?
Tools and equipment for ongoing kit use. (hammers, punches, dies). Kits for a craft, such as is sold in BSA Council Stores (wrist band, etc).
4 - Scout & Scouter books/ In progress / several sources Sep 15
We could use some scout books, field books, SM handbooks, etc for training our many volunteers who are not Scouters.
5 - Basic Camping Demo Set / The Postons / June 15
Delivered July 2008, put to use next meeting in Tent Demo.
6- Scout Crafts / ? /
Basketry, or coin pouches you stitch together, etc.
7- Space Derby / ? /
We have pinewood derby kits, and are working on a track, but you know what would work GREAT between two palm trees? SPACE DERBY! Whatever sort of wire rig is best, plus some kits, and we’d be off and running in no time. A bit easier than pinewood derby too, since we lack most power tools, and the wood is more “carve-able”.
Ooh. I love the space derby. It is super difficult to get to work right because of wire tension and friction and breaking rubber bands and stuff, but it’s so fun when everything comes together. I’ll have to noodle this one.
As always, direct financial aid is appreciated.
To contribute directly to the “bottom line” of Iraqi Scouting (as we do with the profits from our fundraising) you can send a check to the BSA, made out to the “World Friendship Fund”, with a note on the memo line that it is for “Iraqi Scouting/VBC”. Address & Point of Contact for such donations is:
Janine Halverson
International Division - S221
Boy Scouts of America
P.O. Box 152079
1325 West Walnut Hill Lane
Irving, TX 75015-2079
Phone: 972-580-240 1Fax: 972-580-2413
Email: jhalvers@netbsa.org
- The Boy Scouts of Iraq
- Another Iraq Council Created by U.S.A.
- New Iraq Scouting Service Square Knot
- Victory Base Makes The News
- Army Major Talks About Her Iraq Scouts Volunteer Work

