Congratulating Jarrod on His New Adventures!

Good Luck Jarrod

It is with mixed emotions (happy for him, sad for us) that I announce that Jarrod Blundy will be departing his role with Lake Erie Council, and he and his wife will, in their own words, “be following their dream of living and seeking adventure out west among the mountains.”

Jarrod has a background in Outdoor and Environmental Education, and a passion for using adventure to help people to discover and be the best version of themselves. He is excited to try outdoor education in a new setting, as well as pursue other personal goals and interests.

Jarrod has been a member of the Lake Erie Council for four years, and is grateful for the many opportunities that he has had to develop and execute exciting programs for our Scouts, and for all the wonderful colleagues, camp staff and volunteers he has had the pleasure work alongside.

"It has been the honor of my life to be part of Lake Erie Council family, and to have fulfilled many life goals here. Serving as a Camp Director at Firelands has been the highlight of my career, and taught me more than I ever thought possible. For that, I owe everlasting thanks to everyone at LEC who have left me with such a meaningful and positive impact."

While Jarrod will no longer serve Scouting full-time, he plans to remain active and engaged with the movement, as he has ever since joining the BSA as Tiger Scout.

Jarrod’s last day will be May 8 at the Firelands Beaver Day.

LEC 3 Minute Update – April 28, 2021

Hello, friends. My name is Kevin Wassie, and I’m coming to you from beautiful Beaumont Scout Reservation for your Lake Erie Council 3-minute update for the final week of April. Today I will be starting with a big thank you, then sharing a reminder about Spring Recruitment, and finally I will provide you with some updates on our Lake Erie Council Member Care Structure.

A huge Scout-out to all the volunteers, Scouts, and family members who helped to deliver some amazing programs this past weekend. We hosted our Pioneer Forward Spring Camporee at Beaumont Scout Reservation. Our Cub Scout Safari Fun Day at Firelands Scout Reservation, and many units hosted hikes in their local communities as part of our Unplug and Reconnect Spring Recruitment Campaign. And of course, I can’t forget about all our Merit Badge programs that have taken place over the past few days. Scouting is thriving in Northeast Ohio, and it wouldn’t be possible with out committed people like you who deliver the promise of Scouting. Visit LECBSA.org to see all our upcoming events and activities.  

With so many amazing opportunities for young people, we want to make sure every family has access to the Scouting program. That's where our Unplug and Reconnect Spring Recruitment Campaign comes into play. This might sound shocking to some of you, but new Scouts won’t join your Pack, Troop, Crew, or Ship unless you invite them. Saturday, March 1st is the international Scouts Trash the Trash Day. I will personally be at Adventure Subaru in Painesville Ohio from 10AM-1PM working with a crew of Scouts to clean the wooded area behind their dealership. Feel free to join me or find a Scouting unit in your community that is participating. There is still plenty of time to plan a service project for this weekend.  I can’t wait to see all of you Reconnect with you Communities this weekend.  However, service doesn’t just happen one weekend a year. On May 15th, we are looking for as many volunteers as possible to join us for a trail cleaning day at the Morgana Run Trail in the historic Slavic Village. Mark your calendars, more details will be coming soon to our Facebook page. 

Just a friendly reminder, that the Great Scout Luncheon is just 3 weeks away. Be on a look out for an email with updated information about this years virtual program. Visit greatscoutluncheon.org for more information, and we look forward to sharing the program with you on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. 

Finally, if you have called the Lake Erie Council Unit Service Center lately you may have noticed that our options have recently changed. In an effort to better serve our volunteers and families, we have departmentalized our staff in a way that will help get you the assistance you needed as quickly as possible. When you call the Service Center, if you aren’t sure of this specific person you need, start by selecting “0” to connect with our Member Care Team at the front desk. They will be able to answer your question or connect you to the person who can. As I always say, our job is to make your job easier. 

That’s all for this week’s update. Please like and share this video with your Scouting family. As always, thank you for keeping the Scouting flame burning bright. 

LEC 3 Minute Update – April 21, 2021

Hello, Lake Erie Council Family. My name is Kevin Wassie, and this is your LEC 3-minute update for the 4 week of April. Today we’re talking about Volunteer Appreciation Week, this weekend’s Reconnect with Nature Recruitment Event, and finally the Beaumont 75th Anniversary celebration.

 The Scouting program would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our amazing volunteers. On behalf of the Lake Erie Council, I want to thank every volunteer for improving the lives of young people across Northeast Ohio. You provide countless opportunities for our Scouts, and your positive influence will have lasting effects on a world that needs Scouting now more than ever. In recognition of your service, please check out the LEC Facebook page throughout the week for a variety of Volunteer Appreciation posts and giveaways. We are also hosting a volunteer appreciation Virtual Campfire on Facebook Live this Saturday at 7PM.

 Make sure you get plenty of rest after that virtual campfire, because this weekend Scouting units across the Lake Erie Council will be hosting their Reconnect with Nature events. These in-person, socially distant hikes are designed to get your current Scouts active while also inviting new families to join the Scouting family. It isn’t too late to advertise or even to plan your event. Let’s get out there and remind the world that Scouting is here, and you are invited to be a part of the Scouting Movement.

If you need further proof that the Scouting Movement is alive and well, look no further than our very own Beaumont Scout Reservation. This summer, we are celebrating 75 years of life-changing adventures as BSR. You can be a part of this celebration by attending one of our many program events held at the property in the coming months. We will be offering Resident Camp for Troops and Crews, Adventure Day Camp for Cub Scouts, and Family Camp weekends for everyone. Check out our calendar at LECBSA.org for all the dates and details. We can’t wait to see you on the trail!

 That’s all for this week’s update. Please like and share this video with your Scouting family. As always, thank you for keeping the Scouting flame burning bright. 

LEC 3 Minute Update – April 14, 2021

Hello, Lake Erie Council Family. I’m Kevin Wassie after a week of many zebra cakes, and this is your LEC 3-minute update for the 3rd week of April. Today’s update includes information about our upcoming Reconnect with Scoutmasters Zoom Call, a reminder about at our Unplug and Reconnect Spring Membership Campaign, and this week’s two fun facts!

Fun fact number one: I’m not actually Kevin Wassie: he has much better hair than I do! I’m Jake Brown, his colleague.

Last month, LEC volunteers and staff reconnected with our Cub Scout leaders through a series of Zoom calls that provided resources, best practices, and an opportunity for unit leaders to share what they need to be successful. This month, we are offering a similar opportunity to Scoutmasters. Please join us on Wednesday, April 21st at 7PM via Zoom. The link can be found in our 3-minute update script, on the council calendar, or on the Lake Erie Council Facebook page.

Speaking of reconnecting, the weekend of April 24th and 25th is the start of our Unplug and Reconnect Spring Membership Campaign. A successful campaign uses the Power of 3: Hold 3 events in your local community, encourage every family in your Scouting unit to invite 3 other families to join your events, and register at least 3 new Scouts in your Pack, Troop, Crew, or Ship. Now is the time to make a Facebook event for your hike at a local park, and share the event throughout your community before reconnecting with nature! If you have questions or need help, please contact LEC Member Care at LECMemberCare@Scouting.org or by phone at 216.861.6060.

And this leads me to the second of this week’s fun facts: you can invite prospective Scouting families to join you at LEC events, such as Cub Scout Trailblazers weekends, or Spring Camporees! Select Sibling or Scout at the time of registration to do so. Everyone attending events must bring the required health forms and other paperwork to participate. Please email me at Jacob.brown@scouting.org or Noah Boksansky at noah.boksansky@scouting.org with questions.

Lake Erie Council is hosting a variety of programs at our camp properties over the coming weeks and months. Our Council calendar is now fully updated with SBSA and Cub events through the end of 2021! We highly encourage you to make a plan to join us at camp with your returning and prospective Scouts today!

Also, in case you missed it, we recently shared new Camping Guidelines based on information from the Governor’s Office in conjunction with the Ohio State Department of Health. There is no longer a state restriction for camping only at residential camps. This means you can start camping at other properties, and we are one step back to normal! Please read the full announcement on our website: LECBSA.org.

That’s the info to keep you in the know. Thank you for joining me for today’s Three Minute Update. I’m Jake Brown, and I look forward to seeing you at camp soon!

Welcome Chris Fortunato

We are excited to announce the newest addition to the Lake Erie Council Team, Chris Fortunato. Chris joins the Experiences team as a Beaumont Scout Reservation Ranger and will partner with Bear Roloff as we prepare for our 75th anniversary summer camp and the 75th anniversary Camporall. There is a lot to accomplish to make sure camp is ready for our campers and their leaders.

Chris is no stranger to Beaumont. He began his Beaumont career in 2008 as a CIT and never looked back. He then joined camp staff and served in multiple roles including lake front staff, pool staff, and ranger staff. Chris earned his Eagle Scout in October 2011 and currently serves as an assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 105 North Jackson, OH. You may not know Chris by his "real" name as he is fondly referred to as “Nacho.” Chris was recently awarded the Division Award of Merit for his service to camp and in particular the move of equipment, program materials, and buildings from Camp Stigwandish. Before coming to Lake Erie Council, Chris served as building and grounds maintenance for Moms Meals in Youngstown. Chris will begin at Lake Erie Council on April 12, 2021. Please join me in welcoming Chris Fortunato.

LEC 3 Minute Update – April 7, 2021

Hello, Lake Erie Council Family. My name is Kevin Wassie, and this is your LEC 3-minute update for the 2nd week of April. Today I will be sharing information about Spring Membership and also sharing details about a special Youth Leadership Award through the office of Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who you may remember from his guest appearance during last year’s Pancake Power Hour.

 I always try to keep these videos fairly light and entertaining, but today I want to have kind of a serious discussion on Spring Membership. The past 12 months have been difficult for all of us. As a council, we are very proud of our ability to adapt and overcome. Last year, we were able to offer Scouts BSA Resident summer camp, thousands of merit badges were completed through our online courses, and many of our Packs, Troops, Crews, Ships, and Posts were able to adjust to a changing world and continue to provide amazing programs for young people across Northeast Ohio. It’s important to celebrate those wins, but we also need to recognize that many of our local units struggled to maintain their programs and some were not able to recharter this year.

 If you are watching this video, I assume the Scouting program has made a positive impact on your life and the lives of those around you. With that being said, the program that has given so much to you needs your help now more than ever. The future of the Scouting movement depends on every Scouting unit engaging new families and retaining their current Scouts. Here is how we are going to measure our success. Over the next two months, I am asking every Scouting unit in the Lake Erie Council to register three new Scouts. I’m not talking about an Arrow of Light transferring to a Scouts BSA Troop, although that is incredibly important. I’m talking about welcoming new families into our programs and reengaging the families whose Scouting units were unable to renew their charters in 2021. The foundation for this process is already in place: It’s called Unplug and Reconnect. Lake Erie Council volunteers and staff have given you a blueprint that you can follow to engage and welcome these new families, but it can only succeed if local unit leaders commit to this process. We might not agree on everything in the Scouting world, but I hope we can all rally around the idea that more kids in Scouting is a good thing for everyone. So, please plan a hike and help families reconnect with nature. Give back to your communities through Scouts Trash the Trash Day and plan a fun activity to engage new families. If you need help, just ask. If you need resources, head to LECBSA.org and check out our new Membership Resources Page under the Resources tab. Together, we can grow the Scouting movement.

 I don’t really have a great transition here, so I’m just going to have Producer Anthony throw up an adorable picture of me from my Cub Scout Days.

 We good? Perfect. If nothing else, my mother will appreciate that. Moving right along, Ohio’s Secretary of State and friend of Scouting Frank LaRose is currently seeking nominations for the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award.  This newly established Award was created in February 2021, as a way for members of the National Association of Secretaries of State to recognize a gifted, civic-minded young person in their state. The recipient should demonstrate leadership abilities, have a passion for social justice, and be motivated to improve the quality of life in their community. If you would like to nominate a young leader, please visit NASS.org/node/2208. If that is a confusing and complicated link, ,you can always visit LECBSA.org to access the 3 minute update script and links. If you receive the update by e-mail, the scripts can also be accessed by hitting the Script button in your e-mail.

 That’s all for this week. Thank you for Keeping the Scouting flame burning bright.

LEC 3 Minute Update – March 31, 2021

Hello, Friends. My name is Kevin Wassie. The weather here in Northeast Ohio is unpredictable. One day the sun is shining, the next day it’s raining, who knows it could snow tomorrow. But one thing you can always count on is your Lake Erie Council’s 3 minute update. It’s the first week of April, and I will be sharing information on Community Service, our world-famous Scouts Own Products, and a few ways you can support the Scouting movement.

 Let’s start with our first ever 3 Minute Update SCOUT-OUT. It’s kind of like a Shout-out, but with the word “Scout” cleverly substituted for “Shout”.  Anyway, a big thank-you to Stephanie Ortiz and her entire team at Troop 335 in Sheffield Village. They organized a massive community service project that included 17 troops and 3 packs. Together with 206 volunteers they helped to clean a local Horse Ranch logging over 1,000 total service hours.  Thank you to everyone who came out to that event. Community Service is an important part of the Scouting program, whether it’s Cub Scouts raising the American flag at their school, a Life Scout completing their Eagle project, or dozens of Scouts raking out a horse barn: Service Matters. When your Scouts are out there making a difference in the community, be sure to capture and share those stories. Reach out to local media, post pictures on your local Facebook pages, make sure your Pack, Troop, Crew, Ship, or Post has their own public-facing Facebook Page. Let the world know that your Scouting unit is ready and available to help those in need. If you are interested in helping with an upcoming project, mark your calendars for Saturday, May 15th. On that day, local Scouts will be helping to refresh the Morgana Run Trail in Cleveland’s Historic Slavic Village and we will need your help. More information on that project coming soon. Don’t forget to also register your Scouts for Scouts Trash the Trash Day on the weekend of May 1st as part of our Unplug and Reconnect Spring Membership Campaign.

 After a long day of Community Service, there is nothing better than kicking back with a big stack of pancakes or waffles that are covered in Scout’s Own Maple Syrup. Our locally sourced syrup is made from sap that is collected at Beaumont Scout Reservation. It also goes great with Easter Eggs, and it’s not too late to order your Scout’s Own products and get them into those Easter baskets for breakfast this Sunday. Email Kallee Kissling or visit ilove.scoutsown.org to place an order. If your family doesn’t celebrate Easter, we still want you to enjoy Scouts Own products on any special occasion. Last week, I enjoyed a nice maple flavored cake on my birthday and some mornings I even put a little dab of syrup in my hair. It gives great volume and a wonderful shine. 

In all seriousness, not only are these products delicious and locally sourced, but they also support the Scouting movement. If you’re watching this video, you probably have a vested interest in the Scouting program and there are lots of ways you can help support our local Scouting Movement. Participating in products sales like Scouts Own and Trail’s End popcorn, attending events at our camp properties, and making generous donations to the Lake Erie Council are all ways you can impact the lives of young people across 7 counties in Northeast Ohio. It also helps with our massive 3-minute-update production budget. Did you know that I’m not even a real person? This is also CGI. It’s Hollywood magic. Just kidding, much to the dismay of my family, I am 100% real.  As your family plans their charitable giving for 2021, please consider supporting Scouting by becoming a Keeper of the Flame. Your monthly contribution makes a significant impact. Also, on Wednesday, May 19th we will be hosting the 2021 Great Scout Luncheon. Visit LECBSA.org to learn more about this annual event and to find out how local businesses and organizations can get involved with the GSL. 

 That’s all for this week’s update. Make sure you are following us on Facebook. Please like and share this video with your Scouting family. Thank you for staying to the end despite my terrible jokes and for keeping the Scouting flame burning bright. 

LEC 3 Minute Update – March 24, 2021

Hello, Friends. My name is Kevin Wassie and this is your Lake Erie Council’s 3 minute update for the fourth week of March 2021. Today, I will be sharing information for Cub Scout  Leaders, An exciting opportunity with our COPE Program, and finally a reminder about the Unplug and Reconnect Campaign.

Over the next few days, we will be hosting several virtual events for Cub Scout Leaders. Our Reconnect Series will provide information on available resources while also giving Pack leaders a chance to tell us the resources they need/want. Wednesday, March 24th at 6:00 PM is our Reconnect with Cubmasters Zoom Call. Thursday, March 25that 6:00 PM is our Reconnect with Cub Committees and Monday, March 29th we will be reconnecting with Den Leaders. Zoom links can be found on our Facebook Page and the LEC Council.  In April, we plan on hosting a similar opportunity for Scoutmasters. 

The Lake Erie Council will be hosting a COPE & Climbing Instructor Training for Scouts and Scouters interested in serving on the instructor team. COPE stands for Challenging-Outdoor-Personal-Experience. As a former COPE instructor, I can tell you that this is an awesome opportunity. If you have enjoyed climbing and rappelling on the tower, swinging around in the high ropes course, or working through obstacles in the low ropes course, join the instructor team to become an expert and help others through our vertical challenges. Volunteers can earn points toward a reward system, which includes climbing gear and other apparel. Instructor training is April 9-11 at Beaumont, and registration closes this Friday.

 Spring is officially here! We have a ton of awesome programming being offered at our camp properties during the month of April, and we are also asking our Scouting units to host some exciting programs too. Through the Unplug and Reconnect challenge, we are asking all groups to engage at least 3 new youth members in their Pack, Troop, Crew, or Ship. That might sound like a big ask, but it is only 1 new Scout for each of your Unplug and Reconnect Events. Remember, Scouts and their families cannot benefit from our life changing program if they never join. So now is the time to invite them to be a part of Scouting. Be sure to visit our website to learn more about Unplug and Reconnect. If you need help, give our Member Care Department a call at 216.861.6060 or send an email to LECMembercare@Scouting.org.  

That’s all for this week’s update, but make sure you are following us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the local Scouting news. Please like and share this video with your Scouting family. Thank you for keeping the Scouting flame burning bright. 

LEC 3 Minute Update – March 10, 2021

Hi, my name is Phil Williams and I am your Lake Erie Council Director of Experiences in for Kevin Wassie. My Team and I work hard to bring you and your Scouts awesome experiences across our council and beyond. Alongside our volunteer teams, Our experiences team delivers great merit badge programming, fun and engaging Cub Scout activities, first-time overnight experiences, Cub Haunted Weekends, Scouts Summer Camp, and much more.

For today’s 3 minute update I am here to talk to you about our properties, the Wood Badge Power Hour and the Unplug and Reconnect Campaign.

Beaumont Scout Reservation is located in Rock Creek, Ohio, and has 1,200 acres of woods, lakes, rivers, and trails. Firelands Scout Reservation is located in Wakeman, Ohio, and has over 450 acres for scouts to explore.

Keeping our camp properties looking good is more than a one-person job. While our rangers work tirelessly to make sure Beaumont and Firelands are great places to visit, they do this with the support of numerous volunteers. Our camps depend on volunteers with knowledge and experience to make your camping experience great. Today we are launching a new resource page for people who are interested in helping make our camps better places to visit. This resource page gives scouts and Scouters information about who to contact to help at camp, what items we are looking for donations for, and service days and events that are scheduled to come upon the calendar. 

Three events in particular where we are looking for your help and expertise are Wilderness Engineers Weekend at Beaumont Scout Reservation from April 30 to May 2, 2021, Beaver Day at Firelands Scout Reservation on May 9, 2021, and Beaver Day at Beaumont on June 5. Wilderness Engineers Weekend is an Adult only weekend where we work on projects that are hard to complete while camp is open. We provide food and lodging for adult volunteers that are able to attend. 

Beaver Days are open to all. Beaver Day gives units an opportunity to give back to camp with pre-planned service projects for all ages. Participants in Beaver day will be provided with lunch and overnight camping at no charge.

As a reminder, this year’s Wood Badge and NYLT Breakfast will be going online. This jam-packed, hour-long event will kick off 2021’s Wood Badge and National Youth Leadership Trainings. If you are unfamiliar, these are our premier leader training courses for adults and youth members of the Scouting program. Virtual doors open at 8:30 AM this Saturday, March 13, 2021. This event is great for past participants, future participants, or anyone looking for Scouting fellowship and fun. This is also your chance to support Wood Badge and NYLT by making a donation that will help provide scholarships and new program materials. Check out the council website for more details on the virtual breakfast or to sign-up to attend this year’s life-changing leadership courses.

Lastly, Unplug and Reconnect is the Lake Erie Council’s 2021 Spring Recruitment Campaign. We want every unit to engage both new and current families by hosting 3 events in their community. This week, we are launching a website that unit leaders can use to help advertise their events. Check out LECBSA.org to find prewritten social media posts and a variety of images that you can use to let families know that they can Reconnect with Nature, Community, and Friends this Spring.

As always make sure you share this video with your Scouting family and thank you for keeping the Scouting Flame burning bright.