September - October 2014
A Newsletter for Royal Ranger Leaders of the Potomac District Central Section
Family Day at Luray Outpost 129 Enjoys Field Trip to Luray Caverns Page 2
I Am a Ranger
Central Section’s Newest Gold Medalist ‘Changed’ By His Ranger Experience Page 3
Discovery Rangers Attend Advancement Camp Page 5
The Scribe September - October 2014
Culpeper Outpost Hosts Family Day at Luray Caverns
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hen Royal Ranger Outpost 129 at Culpeper Assembly organized a visit to Luray Caverns, the event became more than just a great adventure for the boys. The trip on July 19 was open to all family members. The result, as reported by senior commander Eric Miller, “This trip allowed the parents to see us working with there sons, families getting to know each other better, it was an all around good trip!” The event started with a short devotion from Genesis chapter 1, "In the beginning, when God created the universe." When the group arrived at Luray Caverns, they couldn’t wait to get inside. It was first time to visit the caverns for some. All the way through the cavern
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tour—from all the different types of forms, mirror-looking effects with the water, to the wishing well to the famous organ and ice cream cone—the Rangers and their families were captivated by the sights. Needless to say, God’s creation is awesome!
After the underground tour, the group enjoyed lunch and fellowship at the picnic area on the grounds of Luray Caverns, which was followed by a trip to Ralph H. Dean Park—about three miles away—home of The Imagination Station. The kids had a blast!
The Scribe September - October 2014
GOLD MEDAL SPOTLIGHT
Sam Bryant is Central Section’s Newest Gold Medalist
Sam Bryant, an Expedition Ranger with Outpost 48 at Highway Assembly of God in Fredericksburg, received the Gold Medal of Achievement during an award ceremony on Sept. 21, to become GMA #529 in the Potomac District.
I Am a Ranger By Sam Bryant
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hat made me a Ranger? That’s not really the right question. What did Rangers make me? Since I’ve become a member, I’ve learned and changed so much, and I want to tell you what the Royal Rangers program has done for me. When I first joined Rangers, I was 13, I was beginning to isolate myself, and I was just beginning to look for my place in the world. As a person I was often very bitter, and I almost always had something to prove, some axe to grind. I don’t really know what would have happened to me, had I not met the boys and commanders here. I will never forget my first encounter with the Ranger group. A close friend invited me on a fly fishing trip with his outpost. I met his band of camping buddies and thought, hey, these guys are pretty fun. They told me about what they did as a group, and I decided to try their Wednesday night meetings, and soon chartered with the outpost just in time for my first Pow Wow— Survivor. I loosened
up, and eventually I began to notice I was more forgiving, and I was beginning to own up to my actions just a little. Rangers was changing me. Royal Rangers has been a big part of my life as long as it has been in my life at all. To me, Royal Rangers is more than just a camping organization. Of course there are the fun outings, but it serves as an excellent medium for growing spiritually, and for fellowship. The Royal Rangers I know are like a second family to me. I love its community of people; they are always willing to hear your story and help you through anything you need, even if you and they have never met before. Many things I now know and many things I am good at come from Rangers. I’ve gained confidence in many areas and been prepared for many things in life. One of the purposes of Royal Rangers is to help boys grow mentally, physically, socially and spiritually. Mentally, I have grown much. I have learned many practical things and many skills. All those merits I did taught me about how to identify plants that were safe to eat; I was able to catch food
without a weapon; and make a functional house in the woods out of whatever I could find, along with a plethora of other survival skills and knowledge. More personal, spiritual things were taught through Bible merits and Spirit Challenges. I was often impressed that the Bible was covered and used in every aspect in Rangers. There was always something to learn, a spiritual truth to be shown by a commander or a wise friend. We learned to deal with things in a Christ-like way, and to defend our faith and stand true in many cultural and social issues. I just pray that I can pass along all this knowledge and wisdom to other, younger Rangers and friends. Another way Rangers grow is physically. I’ve aged through several years of Rangers, but I’ve also been able to take more and more as far as outings go. The endurance Rangers has given me has been with me in community service, and I’ve gained an appreciation for working with my own hands. Perhaps less obvious to others is growth socially. I’ve been to many Pow Wows, pinewood derbies, training camps, traces, and even Camporama. Going to this many events, I’ve met many people from other outposts, sections, and districts, even some memorable people from other countries.
The Scribe September - October 2014
See GOLD MEDAL on Page 4
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GOLD MEDAL (Continued from page 3)
I’ve learned how to interact with all types of people. I’ve learned many things about leadership. Thanks to the positive influence of Rangers, I’ve been able to hold the position of senior guide, and try to use it responsibly. Rangers has, most importantly, given me skills to function in a workplace with people I may or may not like dealing with. Thanks to the Royal Rangers program, and the godly influence of my comrades and commanders, I’ve also been able to give moral and practical advice to younger Rangers, and sense when to be there when an older Ranger needs help or prayer. Possibly the most important and emphasized area is spiritual growth. I have seen impossible prayers answered, I have seen the most lost lives set on fire, and I have seen people so touched with the presence of God, that like Moses in the wilderness, they carry the presence right to you. I myself have felt the presence of God, I’ve been baptized in the Holy Spirit, and I’ve done things I’ve never even dreamed of doing during worship. I have greater confidence in being an example to the younger Rangers, and being a brother to my peers. I have grown much stronger in the faith, and I’ve realized how truly weak I still am. I can better defend my faith, and I try to show my difference as a Christian. All this and more I learned from joining Royal Rangers. I am still learning many things through Rangers, school and otherwise. I am learning more and more about myself, my
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limitations, my potential, what I can do and where I am in my walk with the Lord. Learning is crucial, but I strive for action. I use what I’ve learned to try to prepare myself for Sam Bryant’s GMA ceremony was a gathering of the life ahead of me. several Gold Medalists from Central Section: In the area of school, (from left) Glenn Hannold (GMA #479), Sam Bryant I’ve been rigorously (GMA #529), Caleb Richters (GMA #426) and Austin Clark (GMA #520). researching careers and colleges, and actively seeking God for guidance for where he wants Rangers has given me opporme to be. I began volunteering tunities to sharpen my team skills with different organizations to and leadership skills, and to look explore possible careers like mediat my possibilities. With my backcine, and I’ve played in bands and ground and interests, I could be a ensembles to explore music. In my doctor, a chef, an artist or musipersonal life I have been seeking cian, or do something in missions. God, seeking wisdom from God, I have many opportunities in front and preparing myself for whatever of me, and they are always changlies ahead. ing. Through it all, Rangers has In preparing for the future, I taught me to always seek God often wonder about what it holds first, no matter where I am. It’s for me, and, more importantly, always easier to follow something what I can do with it. I want it to when your eyes are on it. be meaningful, and I want to make I cannot stress enough the inan impact— no, I want to leave a fluence Royal Rangers has had on crater where God tells me to minmy life, my relationships and my ister. I want to always support spirit. I only pray that God would ministry, I want to pour my time allow me to use the vast armory and effort, my very soul into somethat Rangers has given me to bless thing, and just open it up to be a those around me, and as iron blessing to everyone. I don’t know sharpens iron, I wish to be a godly if God is leading me away from example, and to influence the next home to reach people who don’t generation of Rangers for the have access to the amenities that many adventures that God has set we do, or if He wants me to stay aside just for them. here, and show love in nation full My time in this outpost has of lights and noise, yet so barren made who I am. My name is Samand dead to the soul. The Royal uel Bryant. I am a soldier of God. I Rangers program has shown me am a Ranger. the possibility and size of a crater I can make.
The Scribe September - October 2014
It’s time to charter your outpost for the 2014-2015 Ranger year. The charter year is Sept. 1 through Aug. 31 (traditional school year). The charter processing period will be Aug. 15 Oct. 31 for all established outposts. All charter renewals should be submitted during this time, although charters submitted after Oct. 31 will be accepted. Chartering is a beneficial program that allows churches to receive discounts and exclusive resources when they register (charter) their Royal Rangers program with the national office. Chartering provides important information to the national Royal Rangers ministry that enables them to monitor and shape the success and well-being of Royal Rangers and supports the ongoing development and improvement of the ministry. For additional information on chartering visit the chartering FAQ page on the national Royal Rangers website at www.royalrangers.com. The benefits of chartering are many. The greatest, of course, is that you benefit from the services provided by the national and district leadership teams as they endeavor to continually improve and grow Royal Rangers for local church success.
Catch of the Day Christopher Smith (center) from Outpost 48 hoists a 14-inch catfish he caught at Locust Shade Park during the Central Section Discovery Ranger Advancement Camp held Sept. 12-13. It was the first time Chris had caught a fish! Nine Rangers from two outposts participated in the advancement camp, organized by sectional Discovery Ranger coordinator Dan Pignaloso and hosted at Abundant Life Assembly of God in Stafford. Boys attending the overnight event were able to choose to work on either the archery, fishing or compass merit, and had an opportunity to complete all the requirements for the merit they selected.
The Scribe ď ś September - October 2014
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JOIN US FOR OUR LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE Our next sectional staff meeting and commanders’ roundtable will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 9 a.m. at Harvest Church, 6077 S. Seminole Trail (Rt. 29), Rochelle, VA 22738. The church is located on Rt. 29 approximately 21 miles south of Culpeper. You'll appreciate the fellowship with fellow leaders and gain insight on plans for future sectional events for your outpost. Refreshments and lunch will be provided. Our roundtable meetings typically adjourn before 3 p.m. We will discuss plans for upcoming sectional events. We will also provide you with resource material and information that will help you in your outpost.
CENTRAL SECTION STAFF Sectional Commander Ken O’Maley ...................................(540) 937-6139 Email: kenomaley@aol.com Skyline Area Commander ...........................(Vacant) Shenandoah Area Commander Tony Wilson ....................................(540) 856-8423 Email: royalrangergfm369@gmail.com Allegheny Area Commander .......................(Vacant) Piedmont Area Commander Julius Williamson ...........................(540) 948-4347 Email: jwilliamson@rrcsb.org Highland Area Commander ....................... (Vacant) Rappahannock Area Commander Gary Wagner ..................................(540) 898-7415 Email: garywagner54@aol.com Training Coordinator .................................. (Vacant) Ranger Kids Coordinator Keith Meeder ................................ (540) 635-1906 Email: linden.meeder@hotmail.com Discovery Rangers Coordinator Dan Pignaloso .................................(540) 720-0144 Email: danpigna@yahoo.com Adventure/Expedition Rangers Coordinator Kyle Llewellyn .................................(571) 438-5210 Email: kllewellyn81@gmail.com
Bowling … Hillbilly Style Central Section sponsored the “Hillbilly Bowling” event at this year’s Potomac District Pow Wow on Aug. 14-17. Themed in accordance with the Pow Wow theme of “Hillbilly Heaven,” the bowling event substituted tires or basketballs for bowling balls, and the “pins” were empty five-gallon buckets. It was harder than you might think to get a strike! Five outposts from Central Section, with a total of 39 Rangers and leaders attended district Pow Wow. Although
small in number, we accounted for several awards. Glenn Hannold (OP361) took 1st place in trap shooting for commanders. For the swimming competition, Isaac Pemberton (OP215) took 3rd place and Kameron Johnson (OP215) took 2nd place for Discovery Rangers, Colton Gogol (OP215) took 3rd place for Adventure Rangers, and Kolin Johnson (OP215) took 3rd place for Expedition Rangers. 6
Public Relations Coordinator Gary Wagner ................................. (540) 898-7415 Email: garywagner54@aol.com Boys’ Representative Isaiah Padgett ............................... (540) 899-2986
CENTRAL SECTION ROYAL RANGERS 11042 Settletown Pl., Rixeyville, VA 22737 Phone: (540) 937-6139 Email: kenomaley@aol.com
The Scribe September - October 2014