Dear Scouter,

I became a Boy Scout in the late fall of 1973. For Christmas that year I was given two books that would change my life.

The first was a Boy Scout Handbook. During study time at school I memorized the Oath and Law. I can remember a teacher looking over my shoulder to see what I was working on and can imagine that they were cheering that I was getting involved with something a little less troublesome than some of the activities I was normally associated with.

The second was the Boy Scout Fieldbook. I was captivated by the adventures of scoutcraft. Of tracking, hiking, outdoor adventure, and most importantly to me, the pictures of lashed bridges and towers. I knew then that, some day, I would build such structures. Five years later, I was the Scoutcraft Director of a Boy Scout Camp just outside of Tucson, Arizona. There I taught Pioneering Merit Badge and took pride in the towers and bridges we built. You didn’t just make rope in my class, you made rope that we used as a part of our project, or perhaps you had to put a splice in it. I assisted in teaching Wilderness Survival and every Wednesday night would sit on a giant rock as the Scouts finished up their survival shelters and would watch the city lights begin to sparkle many miles below us. What a summer of great adventures!

I was excited when I saw a bridge as the focal picture of our new web site. Just like an outdoor bridge, this web site will help you keep your feet dry by giving you information vital to your Scouting adventures. You’ll learn about upcoming programs, camps, trainings and activities. You will find resources to help keep you safe. You will find tools to help you bring Scouting to life for young people. If you want to join the adventure, you will find out how to do that as well.

On behalf of the Redwood Empire Council, welcome to our new web site.

Happy trails!

Ralph Voelker
Scout Executive