Troop 424 G Marshfield Scout also took regional accolades…

Marshfield, Mass. — The Mayflower Council NESA Committee proudly announces Alyssa B. of Troop 424 Marshfield as the distinguished winner of the council’s 2023 “Adams Eagle Scout Project of the Year.”

The National Eagle Scout Association established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award (ESSPY) to recognize valuable service of an exceptional nature by an Eagle Scout candidate to a religious institution, a school, community, or other entity through completion of an Eagle Scout project.

Examples of projects selected for the ESSPY include undertakings that have benefited underprivileged children and recognized veterans, have been international, and require significant time and resources.

Working on the project with fellow Marshfield Scouts.

Alyssa’s project created an octagonal fire pit pergola for the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield. The structure included six hanging porch-style swings, a multiuse whiteboard, a firewood holder, a stone fire pit, and four benches. The entire project measured 24 x 24 feet.

The selection of recipients begins locally through the council NESA committee. The council selects a recipient for their respective council from the list of submitted nominations and then forwards a worthy candidate to the National Eagle Scout Association for regional consideration.

As such, Alyssa’s exceptional dedication and commitment have earned her recognition beyond Massachusetts and the Territory Project of the Year, catapulting her to the national stage.

Alyssa B. takes photos of the completed pergola.

Following in the footsteps of previous winners, including Owen E. from Troop 193 Easton in 2022 and Eric H. from Troop 28 Cohasset in 2021, Alyssa’s remarkable achievement marks the third consecutive year of Mayflower Council representation at the national competition.

As the Mayflower Council looks toward the future, the 2024 application period promises to continue the tradition of excellence established by Alyssa and her predecessors. 

Congratulations to Alyssa B. and all those who have contributed to this remarkable achievement. 

Alyssa B. of Troop 424 G Marshfield

Congratulations to all Cranberry Harbors District Annual Award recipients, and thanks to all who attended our April Annual Meeting, Elections, and Awards and Recognition ceremony. Thanks also to all who contributed to our “potluck social”. Announcement slides for April are posted below, along with Safety Moment suggestions for April and Draft information on how Units can pay for members in the new registration system. More information on the charter and membership renewal process revisions will be presented at our May Roundtable (May 1, Furnace Brook Middle School Cafeteria, Marshfield). Hope to see you there.
Apr_RT_Slides_Post
Key Safety Moments for April
Unit Pay for Member Renewal Draft 2

Mayflower Council’s new Scout Executive, Juan F. Osorio, arrived from the Chattahoochee Council in Columbus, Georgia, where he served as Scout Executive starting in 2018. Previously, Juan held roles in the Narragansett Council (Providence, RI), where he grew up as a Scout and earned his Eagle Scout rank. He began his tenure at the Mayflower Council at the beginning of March.

Read the first part of Juan’s first interview here.

Part 2 of 2

John Bishop for MayflowerBSA.org: You came in and were very complimentary of our council. If you had your druthers, what would be the one thing, as you come in, that the Mayflower Council would not change under your leadership?

Juan Osorio: That’s a difficult question, given that I’ve only been on the job a few days. However, the Mayflower Council has a great operation and program. The councils that merged into the Mayflower Council had impressive legacies. The program we deliver in the Mayflower Council is top quality. We serve about 3% of our youth population, which might seem low, but it’s not. We serve more youth than the national average, providing a great program that retains youth and keeps them engaged. With this in mind, I would work diligently to ensure we maintain the quality and delivery of the program that our volunteers provide weekly; this, combined with the great programs we run at the council level throughout the year and our summer operations, will work together to improve and deliver an excellent overall experience for our Scouts and families.

MayflowerBSA.org: What will be some of your priorities as you begin your work at Mayflower?

Juan Osorio: Again, being here only a short time, that’s a difficult question. I have yet to learn all the intricacies of the council’s operations. However, one of my strengths is streamlining processes to ensure we work as effectively and efficiently as possible as a nonprofit organization and a movement. That will be my focus in the first 60 to 90 days.

Scouters take a selfie with Juan.MayflowerBSA.org: In terms of your personal enjoyment of Scouting, having gone through it yourself and with your children participating, are there one or two things that you think Scouting delivers better than all other programs?

Juan Osorio: Character education and leadership! For example, my daughter — although not an Eagle Scout — had the opportunity to be in Scouting. Before girls were admitted into the program, she would follow me around day camp, enjoying the program.  When our programs were opened to females, she participated in NYLT. She tells me that the values and leadership learned through her association with Scouting allow her to excel as a leader in her college sorority and within her classes; I believe this gives her an edge in soft skills and leadership compared to her peers.

MayflowerBSA.org: What is your favorite tradition in Scouting that you hope every kid enjoys?

Juan Osorio: It’s the crossover from Cub Scouting to Scouts BSA. It’s a challenging time in our program as some families may think Scouts BSA is just a continuation of Cub Scouting. Yet, it marks a transition from an adult-led program to a peer-led one. Witnessing the Scout’s evolution over the next few years after Cub Scouts is incredible.

MayflowerBSA.org: When you’re putting on your Class A uniform, what is your favorite item on the shirt?

Juan Osorio joins leaders in congratulating new Eagle Scouts.

Juan Osorio: As I mentioned, I have about 17 Eagle Scouts and six mentor pins under my belt. I wear one to represent all six. So, my Eagle Mentor pin is the piece on my uniform that I cherish the most.

MayflowerBSA.org: You still need to decorate your office. What is the one item that you are really excited to show off?

Juan Osorio: Well, there are a few. There’s a photo of the Jenks Park Tower in Central Falls, Rhode Island. It reminds me of where I came from and the adversity I faced to get here. There are also eagles around the room, gifts from Eagle Scouts who earned their rank under my leadership as a Scoutmaster. Their success, especially considering they were low-income kids, will be my real lasting legacy.

MayflowerBSA.org: When we were hiring you, many Scouters were thrilled about your background in New England, believing that New England Scouting is different from Scouting around the country. Yet, you also have exposure to other councils. Why do you think these two perspectives will allow you to see the field differently than someone from just New England or another region?

Jenks Park Tower in Central Falls, Rhode Island (photo: GRP photography).

Juan Osorio: I am a New Englander, but I’ve also lived in Georgia for six years. One thing we need to continue doing better is sharing best practices across councils. Boy Scout councils, over 240 of them, often work in silos. Having worked in two different regions, I’ve seen the benefits of sharing ideas and resources. I love to bring some of those practices here to New England. Remember, it’s not about being better than our neighbor but working together to improve our Scouting program.

Be sure to watch for more updates from Juan as he begins his work in earnest. Meanwhile, listen to his interview with Rob DiFazio on the latest Around the Campfire podcast.

Mayflower Council’s new Scout Executive, Juan F. Osorio, arrives in Milford, Massachusetts, from the Chattahoochee Council in Columbus, Georgia, where he has served as Scout Executive since 2018. Before assuming this position, Juan held various roles in the Narragansett Council (Providence, RI), where he grew up as a Scout and earned his Eagle Scout Rank. He began his tenure at the Mayflower Council at the beginning of March, succeeding Bryan Feather, who retired in December 2023. Osorio recently sat down with MayflowerBSA.org to provide insights into his personality and hopes for the Mayflower Council and Scouting overall.

This is the first of a two-part Q&A.

John Bishop for MayflowerBSA.org: Juan, please tell us about your beginnings in Scouting.

Juan Osorio, Scout Executive, Mayflower Council: I started Scouting in the first grade. My next-door neighbor was a Cub Scout. Every Saturday, he would attend a Cub Scout meeting across the street at the church. One Saturday, I asked him where he was going; he said, “Come and join me,” and I have been in Scouting ever since. I was instantly hooked on the program, and ultimately, I became the second Eagle Scout of Troop 3 Central Falls, Rhode Island, a ScoutReach unit. During my time in the troop, our Scout Executive, Dave Anderson, would take ScoutReach kids hiking at Mount Mercy. When I was 16, I had the opportunity to go with the group and Dave. During that campout, I realized I wanted to do what Dave did and work for the BSA for the rest of my life. I wanted to be a Scout Executive. I wanted to give back to the program that’s given me so much and be devoted to offering Scouting to kids nationwide.

MayflowerBSA.org: Explain “ScoutReach” to people unfamiliar with it.

Juan Osorio: ScoutReach is the BSA’s vehicle to reach inner-city, at-risk youth. The Narragansett Council has a solid ScoutReach program. They went to schools and community centers in areas that had a high poverty rate, where there’s a higher percentage of single-parent families, kids being raised by grandparents, aunts, and uncles, and families that face increased adversity. They offered the Scouting program to those families at a heavily subsidized cost through ScoutReach, allowing them to enjoy Scouting and attend summer camp. When I started my profession with the Boy Scouts of America, I began as a ScoutReach Program Specialist. It was my job to go into these low-income communities and be the Cubmaster and Scoutmaster to multiple different Scout groups so that they could find a quality program locally.

MayflowerBSA.org: Are you born and raised in Rhode Island?

Juan Osorio: No, I was born in Medellin, Colombia. My mother brought my sister and me to this country when I was just three, and my sister was eight. I grew up in Central Falls, Rhode Island, and graduated from Central Falls High School. I lived in Rhode Island until I moved to Georgia to be a Scout Executive there.

MayflowerBSA.org: Now, just by showing up with the name Juan, you’re changing the look of the Mayflower Council. And the Mayflower Council itself has already earmarked diversity as one of the things it needs to improve. What are you bringing to the table, besides yourself, to ensure we reach as many different types of people as possible?

Osorio with a group of Georgia Scout Executives.

Juan Osorio: As a minority, diversity is critical and very near and dear to my heart. I have worked with the National Boy Scouts of America on the Citizenship and Society Merit Badge; I am a co-founder of the L.I.S.T.O.S., the Hispanic Work Resource Group for the BSA; and I was part of the first edition of the employee DEI training with the National Boy Scouts. Again, because I am a minority and have faced adversity as one in this country, I need to make sure that we are equitable across the board, not only in ethnicity but also in gender, sexuality, and age. All of them will be our focus as we move forward to ensure that we are fully inclusive to all our families and youth, allowing them to join and enjoy our great programs, regardless of background.

MayflowerBSA.org: That is in keeping with Baden Powell’s original intent. For example, he brought poor and wealthy kids together and did his first experimental Scout camp. He also helped start the Girl Guides. How do you speak to the traditionalists in Scouting regarding the future?

Juan Osorio: Scouting brought specific values to the United States from the UK, many of which have stayed the same for 114 years. However, the Scouting program differs today from 20 or 30 years ago. The world has changed, we in the BSA have evolved, and we must continue growing to meet today’s families’ needs. Millennial parents, our target audience, have a different philosophy on life from those of prior generations. And so, we have to meet that market. While Scouting has had an incredible history in our nation, we continue to evolve to stay relevant to today’s society while staying true to the values found in the Scout Oath and Law. We’re teaching character, and we should be able to teach character to all the kids in the United States of America.

MayflowerBSA.org: Part of that character and roots in the Scout Law makes it possible for the Scouts to adapt to people’s schedules and have multiple focuses in the family. What would you say to a child or a child’s family who says, “My kid plays baseball and soccer?” How does Scouting fit into that web of wonderful things that children do?

Juan Osorio with Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Ralph Puckett, Distinguished Eagle Scout.

Juan Osorio: For many years, Scouting has faced the challenge of kids enjoying sports and many other activities along with Scouting. Our unit leaders have been very adaptable to allow those schedules. Scouting is one day a week, for the most part. We do outdoor activities and campouts but are flexible, which is excellent. Our parents can do much more with their child at home through Scoutbook and other interactive means that allow us to extend our program into their households. Technology is a great thing, but technology has caused us to work longer hours as adults. We go home, we’re at the dinner table with our family or watching TV, and we might be on our cell phones looking at our emails. That’s the challenge that we face in today’s day and age. As we digitilize our program more, it gives those families more access to enjoy it. Again, we must continue evolving to stay relevant in our market.

MayflowerBSA.org: To that end, Scouts BSA are kids who are dealing with academics, athletics, art, and music – all those beautiful things that may make a focus solely on an Eagle Scout or an Eagle Scout project difficult.

Juan Osorio: As an Eagle Scout, I have a lot of love and respect for those of us who attain that rank. However, Scouting is much more than that, and too often, as an organization, we focus only on Eagle Scouts. We have to focus on the delivery of our program. Suppose a Scout in our program is interested in the outdoors rather than our advancement. In that case, they should be allowed to continue to be in the program and enjoy it. Advancing, while important, is not the only facet or purpose of our organization. Some Scouts might enjoy merit badges, others the outdoors. Some may enjoy the weekly meetings and not like to go camping. Others might want to make it to Eagle Scout by age 15, and others, like myself, might barely scrape by and hand in their Eagle Scout application the day before they turn 18.

MayflowerBSA.org: As adult leaders, we don’t want to turn away anyone interested in Scouting, even if they aren’t solely focused on the ultimate goal of the Eagle.

Juan Osorio: Our program is a well-rounded program that welcomes everybody. Suppose that means kids want to enjoy the program without the advancement? In that case, that is perfectly okay. As a former Scoutmaster who has produced 17 Eagle Scouts, outside of those 17 Eagle Scouts, I had hundreds of kids who benefited from our program that, to this day, see me in a grocery store and thank me for providing them with a quality program and values they continue to carry. They’re not Eagle Scouts but retain many values that Scouting taught them. It’s not a pass or fail; it’s not “Eagle Scout” or “no Scout.” There are a lot of other opportunities within our program for our Scouts to learn and grow.

MayflowerBSA.org: One of the things I’ve heard recently, anecdotally, is that being an Eagle Scout no longer helps people on the way to college and employment success. That’s probably wrapped into some harsh realities the Boy Scouts of America have faced over the last few years. What do you say to that?

Juan Osorio: Being an Eagle Scout has directly opened doors for me. I went to Rhode Island College and was part of the PEP program. They only accepted about 30 incoming college students. The only reason I got accepted was that I was an Eagle Scout. It helped me in my life and continues to benefit me. As a Scout Executive, I meet and work with many C-suite corporate leaders. Time and time again, they will tell me that if they see a candidate is an Eagle Scout on their application, they will consider them. It’s not a shoo-in, but a “Hey, this person has accomplished a lot at a young age; they can be great on my team,” giving them more opportunities. There are still a lot of other skills that they must prove. However, Scouting generally teaches the soft skills our youth do not receive because of the other challenges they face. I think employers, now more than ever — especially after COVID — are realizing that. It’s the soft skills that they’re looking for in some of these new employees coming into the corporate world.

MayflowerBSA.org: Soft skills? Meaning teamwork, civics, and leadership training?

Juan Osorio: It is as simple as conversing and looking your manager in the eye. Something as simple as knowing how to interact in a team setting. Those are things that we teach. Those are the types of soft skills that colleges and employers are looking for.

Look for Part 2 next week…

Mayflower Council Scout Executive Juan F. Osorio