September - October 2012
A Newsletter for Royal Ranger Leaders of the Potomac District Central Section
A Camporama Journal Central Section Outposts Enjoy Cross-Country ‘Caravan’ Page 2
GMA Recipient Zach Wile Reflects on His Ranger Experience Page 4
Prepare for Sectional Ranger of the Year Event Page 6
It’s Chartering Time! The Scribe Page 8
September - October 2012
A Camporama Journal Central Section Rangers Bring Home the Accolades By Ken O’Maley
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his year marked the 50th anniversary of Royal Rangers and about 30 leaders and boys from the Central Section formed a “caravan” that started on Friday, July 6, as we began the adventure to Eagle Rock, Missouri. The two days it took to get there the temperatures soared over 100 degrees each day, but the pool was a welcome site to the end of each day of the road trip. As we followed the long gravel road into Camp Eagle Rock we sat in a short line before the gates opened. What good timing we had made! After deputy district commander Homer Kitchen gave us our camp site directions, we began to set up in a hurry, for two reasons: first, it was HOT and second, there was a storm brewing in the horizon. We just got finished before the rain hit. And by the way that was the only time we had to worry about rain for the rest of the week. As we got up to eat breakfast each morning, we made our plans for the day for what we wanted to
accomplish. For some of us it was the obstacle course or the rappelling tower or the zip lines. Others wanted to do the inflatable course or watch the lumberjack show or race their Pinewood Derby cars. Still others began the all important trading of the hat pins. Each day there was something new and different to do including visiting the Royal Ranger museum, tracking down Doug Marsh (National Commander) to sign your hat, or attending the incredible services held each night. The first night’s service featured an incredible fireworks display that I thought was never going to end. I think it lasted over 30 minutes. Doug Marsh gave a powerful message each night for every Ranger, commander, dad and visitor, basing his messages on his book A Guy’s Journey To Manhood. Many boys (and commanders) had a great time with trading hat pins and collecting some unique pins and sets of pins. Andy Whitman stopped by and had lunch with us to the delight of the boys and was sharing his missionary experiences with them. He also
Ranger
Ninja in the bac k seat?
shared some rare hat pins with them that was a big hit as well. For you shooting enthusiasts, there was plenty of that. They had archery, air rifle, muzzleloader, 22 rifle, and shot gun. There was a competition in all these events and our section favored very well. As the week began to wind down and the hat pins became harder to get, the weather kept getting better. The days never got hotter than 94 degrees. As Friday rolled around and we began to pack up our supplies and say goodbye to our new friends, we began the last phase of our adventure, the ride home! Our first stop was Bass Pro Shop the largest in the United
Cmdr. Timothy O’Maley (left photo, #1724) leads the pack in the 5K run, while Aaron Brandle (right photo) takes aim at the 22-caliber rifle range.
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The Scribe September - October 2012
Individual Awards Micah Brandle
1st Place Archery (DR)
Outpost 48
Glenn Hannold Outpost 361
Caleb Ritchers Outpost 48
Isaiah Padgett Outpost 48
Timothy O’Maley Outpost 186
Air Rifle Competition (ER) 1st Place, Prone Position 1st Place, Standing Position 2nd Place, Kneeling Position 1st Place, Overall 5th Place Pinewood Derby Workmanship (ER) 5th Place Pinewood Derby Speed (ER) 1st Place 5K Run in age group 14th Overall of 233 Runners
Bringing home individual awards from Camporama competitive events were (l. to r.) Cmdr. Tim O’Maley, Expedition Ranger Glenn Hannold, Discovery Ranger Micah Brandle, and Expedition Rangers Caleb Richters and Isaiah Padgett. Their awards are listed in the chart to the right.
States we could have spent all day there but we had to limit ourselves to 3 hours. Our second stop was to Evangel University. What a treat it was to visit 2 of our commanders Alma Maters (Julius Williamson and Curtis Padgett) By the way we had a hard time finding Commander Julius photo back then . My how time changes us!! We were invited on a tour of the campus and the boys had a lot of questions. Several boys took home information about registration ,so some of you parents be ready. Next stop Six Flags of St. Louis. We spent the whole day at the park and just missed a concert with Mercy Me. As we rested that night the commanders prepared for the long ride home. The trip had been uneventful with the vehicles which was a good thing for us, Until! Somewhere in Indiana one of the vans decided it didn’t want
to go any further. I can tell you six years ago we made this trip we did not have all the technology that we have now. We had leaders looking up things in the internet about the van we were calling mechanics back home. So after a couple of
hours and lots of prayer we were able to get the van moving and some where around 1:00 a.m. in Charlottesville, VA the caravans parted to their individual destinations. Camporama 2012 will not be forgotten!
Members of Central Section’s for a grou contingent p portrait at Campo at the Poto rama paus mac Distr e ict entran ce display.
The Scribe September - October 2012
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The Value of Royal Rangers to Me Expedition Ranger Zachary Wile from Outpost 361 became the latest Gold Medal of Achievement recipient in Central Section during an award ceremony on April 29. His GMA essay on the value of Royal Rangers to him is reprinted here. By Zachary Wile
Ranger Patrol, I was expected to obey and carry out the orders that oyal Rangers has taught me I received with my utmost best. many things: obedience, Once the Sectional Commanders responsibility, submission saw that I was capable of the small to authority, integrity, and to nevtasks, they would assign me bigger er give up on anything. My Comand more demanding responsibilimanders always pushed me to do ties. the best, nothing more nothing I learned that the best thing to do less. This type of perseverance in Rangers was to submit to the they taught me is the thing that I commanders. I began to realize at will always remember. a young age that it was in my best interest to just submit and stop trying to buck orders; this led to a many friendships with my commanders. Even to this day when I see my commanders, I always refer to them as “Comman-der” and never just “Mr.” Submitting to my commanders wasn't just for Rangers, but as a whole, submitting to authority would serve me at home, school and church, as well as the rest of life. I really got this tested when I attended JL TC. When I was there, there was no way I was going to try to buck the district staff commanders. My commanders really taught me the importance Zach’s father and outpost senior commander, Glen, observes as Zach’s mother pins on his Gold of integrity; to always do Medal of Achievement. what I say I will do. In orRoyal Rangers has taught me der to have good integrity, I needto be obedient, and when a Ranger ed to start right away and keep shows obedience, more responsistriving for it. They taught that bilities will follow. when I said I would set this tent One of the rewards for winup or have this fire built by the ning Sectional Ranger of the Year time they were back, it had better was to serve on the Sectional Pow be done or I had better have a realWow's Ranger Patrol. That is one ly, really good reason why it wasof my fondest memories of Rangn’t. ers. I absolutely loved working The most important thing Ranger Patrol. When I was on Rangers has taught me was to nev-
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er quit. This point leads me to explain about the best memory I have of Royal Rangers. I was having a hard time staying motivated to earn my GMA when I attended this past sectional pow wow. I knew the speaker would be Brian McCroskey, one the original U.S. Army Rangers that was in Mogadishu, Somalia during the incident that today is known best from the movie “Black Hawk Down” about the incident. He told us that the word CAN'T is not in an Army Rangers vocabulary, and it should not be in ours either. That got me fired to finish Rangers with a strong ending by earning my GMA. That presentation that McCroskey gave has challenged me more than anything in Rangers ever has. In conclusion, I have learned a lot of very important life virtues through Rangers that I will never forget. Obedience, responsibility, submission to authority, integrity, and the will to never give up on something that means a lot to me.
The Scribe September - October 2012
Friday & Saturday October 19-20, 2012 Highway Assembly of God, Fredericksburg, Va. All participants will receive a scholarship toward Pow Wow. Winners will receive a free pass to all sectional events for the year! Don’t miss this opportunity to give your best to the Master Ranger.
Ranger of the Year Evaluation Includes: Uniform Inspection Ranger Interviews
Oral & Written Tests Award Presentations
Rangers Get Ready! Each outpost will have an opportunity to bring their best Discovery Rangers, Adventure Rangers and Expedition Rangers to compete for the honor of Sectional Ranger of the Year. Prepare yourself NOW . . . . . . Review all material in your Ranger handbooks . . . Practice skills taught in your handbooks . . . Make sure your Class B Khaki or Ranger Utility uniform is in top shape
The Scribe ď ś September - October 2012
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Sectional Event to Determine 2012 Rangers of the Year
W
e will conduct a section- study guide below, which highal Ranger of the Year lights skills and merits each age evaluation on Oct. 19group will be tested on. 20 following a format very similar Boys are naturally competitive, to that used during the past few and they usually respond to a years as a means of encouraging challenge they feel is worthwhile. our boys to continue to strive for Let’s encourage our Rangers to excellence, and to recognize them prepare for and participate in the for their year-long efforts. Ranger of the Year evaluation. As In addition to skills evaluations and written evaluTop finishers in sectional ations, each age group competition will be eligible (Discovery Ranger, Advento compete for Potomac District ture Ranger and ExpediRanger of the Year tion Ranger) will be inspected in their Class B recognition at the Commanders’ khaki uniform or the new Conference in March 2013 Ranger Utility uniform. They will also be given an oral interview in which they will you lead your boys in preparing be asked to speak extemporanethem for this event, you will acously about their personal intercomplish much toward helping ests, hobbies and Ranger activities. them establish focused, productive We have summarized the subgoals as members of your outpost jects highlighted this year in the and as Christian young men.
SECTIONAL RANGER OF THE YEAR STUDY GUIDE Outpost Ranger of the Year Evaluation Form. An Outpost Ranger of the Year Evaluation Form, available from the Navigator records management program (www.rangerdepot.com), must be completed for each Ranger to participate. This evaluation captures all a Ranger’s merits, advancements and achievements in one comprehensive, scored report that becomes part of a boy’s Ranger of the Year evaluation at both Sectional and District levels. Uniform Inspection. Boys will be scored on how correctly they wear their Ranger khaki or utility uniform. Written & Skill Tests. The sectional Ranger of the Year competition will incorporate both written and oral skills tests that will draw on material from age-specific handbooks, skill merits and Bible merits. The focus will be to measure boys’ understanding of basic Ranger principles (e.g. the Royal Ranger Code) as well as key skill sets (e.g. first aid, fire craft, tool craft). In addition, tests may include material from the following required merits for each age group: Discovery Rangers: Bible, First Aid Skills, Global Missions (Blue Merits)
Adventure Rangers: Expedition Rangers:
Bible, Global Missions, Healthy Body (Green Merits) 16 Fundamental Truths, Budget & Finance, Citizenship (Silver Mer-
its) Bible Memorization. Boys will be asked to recite from memory six “salvation scriptures” (John 3:16, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, John 1:12, 1 John 1:9, and Revelation 3:20). They will be scored on how precisely they recite these verses either from a King James or New International Version translation of the Bible. Oral Interview. Boys will be interviewed by a panel of Ranger leaders, and will be asked to answer questions related to their Christian and Ranger experience. The interview is intended to provide boys with practice in a “public speaking” type of experience.
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Guidelines for Commanders The following guidelines are provided to help commanders prepare their Rangers for taking part in our upcoming Central Section Ranger of the Year testing on Oct. 19-20. Registration is from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, at Highway Assembly of God Church in Fredericksburg. All participating Rangers must have a signed parental permission form. A sample form is provided in this edition of The Scribe. Cost is $20 per person. It is recommended that outposts or churches pick up this expense for their Rangers as a way of rewarding their achievements. Checks should be made payable to “Central Section Royal Rangers.” Commanders should bring a manila file folder for each boy containing: Signed parental permission and medical release form Completed Ranger of the Year Evaluation Form (found at www.rangerdepot.com as part of the Navigator program for tracking Royal Ranger advancements. Rangers will be inspected in either their Class B khaki uniform or the newer Ranger Utility uniform. Rangers should bring clothing for informal activities, such as jeans or sweats. They should also bring a sleeping bag, pillow, and necessary toilet articles to remain overnight. Parents and family members are welcome to attend the award ceremony that will conclude the event on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 2 p.m. DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO HIGHWAY ASSEMBLY OF GOD FREDERICKSBURG: The church is located at 2221 Jefferson Davis Hwy. From Interstate 95 in Fredericksburg, exit onto Rt. 3 east. Take right exit onto Rt. 1 south bypass. Turn right at first signal and bear immediately to the left to follow service road parallel to Rt. 1 south. Turn right into church driveway (between Express Auto and Sonshine Day Care). Church is at the bottom of the hill.
The Scribe September - October 2012
POTOMAC DISTRICT CENTRAL SECTION ROYAL RANGERS PARENTAL PERMISSION & MEDICAL RELEASE FORM for 2012 CENTRAL SECTION RANGER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION October 19-20, 2012 Please print or type all information. All signature blocks must be completed. RANGER’S NAME
BIRTHDATE
STREET ADDRESS
OUTPOST PHONE
CITY
STATE
ZIP CODE
PARENTAL/GUARDIAN PERMISSION I hereby authorize my son (named above) to attend the Central Section’s 2012 Ranger of the Year Competition at Highway Assembly of God in Fredericksburg, VA on Oct. 19-20, 2012. I give my permission for my son to be transported to and from Shenandoah National Park in order to participate in the hike. I understand that adequate preparations for my son’s safety have been made and that there will be emergency first aid provisions on location. In the event of any accidents, I will not hold the local church or its leaders, nor the Central Section staff, nor the Potomac District responsible. PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE
DATE
AUTHORIZATION FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT I do hereby give my consent for any licensed physician, dentist, or emergency personnel to administer treatment deemed necessary for the physical health and well-being of my son while participating in the Royal Ranger-sponsored event specified herein. PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE
DATE
HOME PHONE
WORK PHONE
FAMILY PHYSICIAN
PHONE
CHILD’S MEDICAL HISTORY Is your child in good health?
(
)
Yes
(
)
No
List any allergies: List any physical impairments: Specify any medications that must be administered: Date of last Tetanus shot: List any special instructions needed to properly care for your child: The Scribe September - October 2012
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CENTRAL SECTION STAFF CHARTERS DUE It is that time of year again when we need to charter all our commanders and boys. All chartering is done on-line through the National Royal Ranger office website at www.royalrangers.ag.org. Please note, that the only way the district is able to capture contact information on your commanders is through the chartering process. Please include all contact information that is asked for, especially updates to addresses and emails. Once you charter with the National Royal Ranger office, then the district will be able to update its database and contact lists using your charter information.
Sectional Commander Ken O’Maley ................................... (540) 937-6139 Email: kenomaley@aol.com
FCF MEMBERSHIP FEES
Highland Area Commander Royce Rollins ................................. (540) 522-8653 Email: roycerllns28@gmail.com
If you are a member of the Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship, your membership fees are now due for the 2012-2013 year. You may update your membership at the Fall Trace/ Great Adventure on Sept. 28-30 or mail to Dennie Daniels, 523 West Virginia Ave., Martinsburg, W.Va. 25401. Please make checks payable to Royal Rangers. For additional information, please contact the District Royal Ranger office.
GMA INTERVIEWS Northern Region - Nov. 3 -Trinity Assembly of God, Lutherville, Md. (CA, EA, NC, NE, NW, WE). Southern Region - Nov. 16 - Location TBD (CE, ES, SO, TN, TS). All GMA packets are due prior to the interviews. Mail packets to the district Royal Ranger office once essays have been approved. GMA requirements will change after Jan. 1, 2013. For more information please contact district Royal Ranger office.
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
Rappahannock Area Commander Gary Wagner .................................. (540) 898-7415 Email: garywagner54@aol.com Training Coordinator Sam Linn ......................................... (540) 635-7497 Email: solinn@shentel.net 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 .................................................................... (Vacant) Public Relations Coordinator Gary Wagner ................................. (540) 898-7415 Email: garywagner54@aol.com Boys’ Representative ............................... (Vacant)
CENTRAL SECTION ROYAL RANGERS 11042 Settletown Pl., Rixeyville, VA 22737 Phone: (540) 937-6139 Email: kenomaley@aol.com
Central Section Royal Rangers on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/CentralSectionRangers
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The Scribe September - October 2012
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