Conquistador, BSA - Announcement




Announcement: Scout Executive, Guy Eichsteadt, to retire I have announced my retirement, effective November 1, 2011, closing out a forty year career with the Boy Scouts of America, and having joined this council as the Scout executive on February 1, 2008. I began my Scouting career in 1972. I have served as a district executive in the Cascade Area Council, Salem, Oregon, a district executive in the Blue Mountain Council, Walla Walla, Washington, as a field director in the Columbia Pacific Council, Portland, Oregon , supervising ten field staff in two of the three service areas. I then joined the national council Relationship Division in Irving, Texas, and became the assistant Scout Executive of the Four Lakes Council, Madison, Wisconsin. In 2002 I was selected as the Scout Executive of the Far East Council, Tokyo, Japan and in 2008 I was selected as the Scout Executive of the Conquistador Council, Roswell, New Mexico. Here is a reflection on how the world, society, and Scouting has changed over two generations. The Vietnam War ended, the Berlin Wall fell and the Cold War ended and the war on drugs and the war on terrorism began. Old countries became new countries and new countries became newer countries. U.S. society became more liberal following the Vietnam War. Church attendance declined. Following the extreme hike in gas prices more women entered the work force resulting in fewer volunteers in schools, churches, and Scouting programs. Divorce rates increased due to the stress on the family. Values changed at home, church, school, and across society. Over forty years, Scouting changed too. Boypower 76, with a goal of reaching one-third of the youth population, ended. Tiger Cubs became a new program. Women became Cubmasters, Webelos leaders, and Scoutmasters. Exploring moved to the Learning for Life subsidiary corporation. Venturing became the new high school otudoor program. Uniforms, literature, and outdoor programs changed and then changed again. The Boy Scout program and organization went through many changes following the Boypower 76 years to keep in tune with changes in society and the interests of youth and the competition for family and volunteer time. Youth protection was launched as a result of organized efforts by pedophiles to become Scout leaders. Organizations challenged the Boy Scout position on Duty to God and leadership standards. During his time as a career Scouter, I have worked diligently to strengthen the council and district volunteer structure, to support and improve the local Scout program, to develop positive relationships with United Way, community, religious, and education leadership. Volunteers, summer camp, and leadership training have always been at the center of my Scouting life. While the council earned some national recognition during the past three years, the Joint Venture Camp Agreement and the quality of the Wehinahpay and Dowling camp program are highlights during my time as your Scout Executive. I am impressed by the spirit, desire, and dedication of the Conquistador Scouters and am happy to say that, for a time, “I hiked the Scouting trail with you.” I look forward to seeing you around the campfire, sharing old Scout tales, and creating a vision for tomorrow’s Scout program.

Announcement: Scout Executive, Guy Eichsteadt, to retire

I have announced my retirement, effective November 1, 2011, closing out a forty year career with the Boy Scouts of America, and having joined this council as the Scout executive on February 1, 2008.

I began my Scouting career in 1972. I have served as a district executive in the Cascade Area Council, Salem, Oregon, a district executive in the Blue Mountain Council, Walla Walla, Washington, as a field director in the Columbia Pacific Council, Portland, Oregon , supervising ten field staff in two of the three service areas. I then joined the national council Relationship Division in Irving, Texas, and became the assistant Scout Executive of the Four Lakes Council, Madison, Wisconsin. In 2002 I was selected as the Scout Executive of the Far East Council, Tokyo, Japan and in 2008 I was selected as the Scout Executive of the Conquistador Council, Roswell, New Mexico.

Here is a reflection on how the world, society, and Scouting has changed over two generations. The Vietnam War ended, the Berlin Wall fell and the Cold War ended and the war on drugs and the war on terrorism began. Old countries became new countries and new countries became newer countries.

U.S. society became more liberal following the Vietnam War. Church attendance declined. Following the extreme hike in gas prices more women entered the work force resulting in fewer volunteers in schools, churches, and Scouting programs. Divorce rates increased due to the stress on the family. Values changed at home, church, school, and across society.

Over forty years, Scouting changed too. Boypower 76, with a goal of reaching one-third of the youth population, ended. Tiger Cubs became a new program. Women became Cubmasters, Webelos leaders, and Scoutmasters. Exploring moved to the Learning for Life subsidiary corporation. Venturing became the new high school otudoor program. Uniforms, literature, and outdoor programs changed and then changed again. The Boy Scout program and organization went through many changes following the Boypower 76 years to keep in tune with changes in society and the interests of youth and the competition for family and volunteer time. Youth protection was launched as a result of organized efforts by pedophiles to become Scout leaders. Organizations challenged the Boy Scout position on Duty to God and leadership standards.

During his time as a career Scouter, I have worked diligently to strengthen the council and district volunteer structure, to support and improve the local Scout program, to develop positive relationships with United Way, community, religious, and education leadership. Volunteers, summer camp, and leadership training have always been at the center of my Scouting life. While the council earned some national recognition during the past three years, the Joint Venture Camp Agreement and the quality of the Wehinahpay and Dowling camp program are highlights during my time as your Scout Executive.

I am impressed by the spirit, desire, and dedication of the Conquistador Scouters and am happy to say that, for a time, “I hiked the Scouting trail with you.”

I look forward to seeing you around the campfire, sharing old Scout tales, and creating a vision for tomorrow’s Scout program.