Scouting's Values

Scouting is a values-based program with its own code of conduct. The Scout Oath and Law help instill the values of good conduct, respect for others, and honesty. Scouts learn skills that will last a lifetime, including basic outdoor skills, first aid, citizenship skills, leadership skills, and how to get along with others. For almost a century, Scouting has instilled in young men the values and knowledge that they will need to become leaders in their communities and country.

Read about the "Values of Americans - A Study of Ethics and Character" and the  "Values of Scouting - A study of Ethics and Character" by Harris Interactive.  The Boy Scouts of America commissioned Harris Interactive to conduct the Values of Americans study to examine the ethics and character of Americans young and old, and to see if values have changed over time. The Boy Scouts also wanted to determine how Scouting has influenced the values of adults over their lifetimes and the lives youth members.

83rd Annual Council Recognition Event

Mark your calendar for the upcoming Annual Council Recognition Event on Saturday, February 21, 2009.  The event will take place at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 9500 Constitution Ave. NE in Albuquerque.  Lunch will begin at 11:45 am, with the awards program taking place following lunch.  In addition to recognizing the Silver Beaver recipients, presentations will be made for the 2008 $1,000 popcorn sellers, recognitions for the 2008 Centennial Quality Districts, 2008 Council Officers, and other recognitions.  The cost for the event will be $22.00 per person or $38.00 per couple.  Online registration for the event will be available very soon.

Be sure to join everyone at this council-wide celebration of Scouting in the Great Southwest Council!

Council Annual Business Meeting

The Council Annual Business Meeting is for Executive Board Members, Chartered Organization Representatives, and other Council Members At-Large. The purposes of this meeting include the election of 2009 Council Officers and the 2009 Executive Board and the Council Annual Report. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 22—11:45 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church, 201 University Blvd NE (University and Central) in Albuquerque. There is a $10.00 lunch fee. Please RSVP by calling or emailing Jessica at the Council Service Center, 505-345-8603 ext. 12 or 1-800-368-9218 ext. 12 or jparsons@bsamail.org.

Great Southwest Council, BSA
Mobile Device Use Policy

The Great Southwest Council recognizes that its volunteers are a valuable asset and very important to our continued growth and success.  The Council is firmly committed to the safety of its volunteers, employees, and youth members.

To further this commitment, the Great Southwest Council has developed this Mobile Device Use Policy, effective October 23, 2008.

Read more....

1st Annual Eagle Scout Recognition Banquet

Recognizing the two hundred and two 2008 Eagle Scouts in the Great Southwest Council

Guest Speaker
Robert Mazzuca
BSA Chief Scout Executive and Eagle Scout

Friday, February 27th, 2009 - 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Embassy Suites Hotel, Albquerque, NM

Please contact Jessica Parsons at the Council Service Center
for reservations, 505-345-8603 ext 12 or 800-368-9218.

Lunch will be provided for all 2008 Eagle Scouts.

For more details, see the event flyer.

Woolrich Outdoors Promotion

The Corporate Alliances team at the national office is committed to doing everything it can to cultivate corporate relationships for successful local promotions and funding that directly support local council efforts.

As a result of their efforts, Woolrich Outdoors will host a promotion at 57 Dillard’s stores across the country. Woolrich will donate $5.00 for every First Forks T-shirt sold between this Sunday, November 16, and Saturday, December 6. The funds raised will be used by the BSA National Council to support local councils.

The Dillards stores that are participating in the promotion are: 

Stop by Dillards and look into purchasing one or more of these great T-shirts.

Camp Construction Update

Status of the improvements at Gorham Scout Ranch:

• The pool has been renovated and winterized. It is now covered with the new cover.
• The shower house has been demolished and the site is ready for new construction.
• The sites for the COPE course and the climbing tower have been cleared and are ready for construction to start. Construction should start mid-December.
• The bid has been awarded for the new roofs for the ranger house and the lodge. This construction is slated to be finished by the end of the year weather permitting.

The following work is not scheduled and needs to be completed by the time summer camp starts.

• Grade all roads and build a new road to the maintenance yard.
• Construct shade shelters in the horse corrals. The metal roofing was salvaged from the shower house. If anyone can help provide poles and purlins or trusses, please contact Andy Mumma.
• The horse corrals need to be expanded to accommodate additional horses. 1200’ of horse fencing has been donated. Supplies needed are posts or old power poles, railroad ties or other treated posts, and staples.
• The men’s urinal in the lodge needs to be removed so that the drain pipe can be repaired.
• The decking outside the lodge overlooking the parade grounds needs to be stripped and recoated to keep the water from leaking into the QM and trading posts. Materials and expertise to get this done are needed.
• The latrines need to be rebuilt. New seats will be installed and new siding and doors are to be installed.

Other items needed are hay mangers for the corrals; culverts, minimum of 12” diameter up to 6’ elliptical.

Anyone interested in helping can contact Andy Mumma at 505-410-8146 or at amumma@sunrise-landscape.com. If anyone has experience with a skid steer (Bobcat) or would like to learn, there is plenty to do.

All of the latest photos of the camp construction can be viewed here.