AUTHOR

The Creator of this web site is Michael R. Brown.  I have been involved in Scouting since the early 70s when I was a Cub Scout.  I have long had an interest in the history of Scouting and its programs.  Because of a lack of information in the area of the various "senior scouting" programs, I created this web site.  I hope that by doing so others will share with me the information they have about these programs so that I can share them with a large audience.

My background in Scouting is as follows:

Youth:
Cub Scout 3-4 years, 2-3 different Packs
Boy Scout, 7 years as a member of Troop 165, Naples, Florida, achieving the rank of Life Scout.
Explorer, 1 year

Adult:
Adult leader since 1981.  Have served as Assistant Scoutmaster (T165), Scoutmaster (T165), District Committee Member, Associate Explorer Advisor (P564, P1838), Associate Advisor for Venturing Crew #1838, a living history/re-enactment Crew in Naples, Florida as well as an Associate Advisor for Venturing Crew #2564, which was also my OA Chapter at the time.
Currently I am involved in Gulf Stream Council and South Florida Council as a Venturing leader at the council levels.  I'm the Council Venturing Chair in South Florida Council and help the Council Venturing Committee in the Gulf Stream Council.  I was recognized with the Council Venturing Leadership Award by the Gulf Stream Council in 2005.

I’ve tried to get involved with Venturing at the Area/Regional levels with little success. I was supposedly appointed to the Regional VOA in 2006, but nothing came of it and attempts to take on a formal role at area/regional levels have been unsuccessful. I have no involvement on the National level, either, despite my desire to assist there as well. [I state this because some assume I do hold a position, which is not so]

I completed Boy Scout Leader Wood Badge in 1989 (SE-478-29, an Owl).  I served on Staff for Wood Badge Course SR-596 in 2004.  I'm also a Wood Badge member of the Clan MacLaren Society of North America.

I used to attend Southwest Florida Council's University of Scouting Arts training program, having completed my Doctoral degree.  I turned this site into my Doctoral Thesis for my Doctor of Scouting Arts degree.   I completed the Instructor Qualification program, and receiving my Teaching Certificate.

I completed Powder Horn, participating in the Florida 2002 course put on by the Gulf Ridge and Southwest Florida Councils.  I attended the PH Course Director Course in Feb of 2007, and am currently working to bring another PH course in my area.

I attended Sea Badge Course SR-23 and completed my praxis.  I would like to be able to serve on staff for a future course.

I have been a member of the Order of the Arrow, Osceola Lodge #564 since 1981.  I am a Vigil Honor Member, and now serve as the Leadership Adviser for Aal-Pa-Tah Lodge #237.  I have attended National Leadership Seminar, and NLATS. I would like to be able to serve on staff for one of these courses, but have never been given the opportunity.

I attended the 1981 National Scout Jamboree as a youth, and returned to the 1989, 1993, 2001, and 2005 National Jamboree as a staff member.  Work prevented me from attending the 1997 Jamboree.  At the 2001 National Jamboree, I was on OA Indian Village staff.  At the 2005 National Jamboree, was part of the APO Exhibit Staff.  I was at the 2007 World Jamboree as part of the International Service Team, working in the ‘adult restaurant’. I plan on attending the 2010 National Jamboree, as part of the APO staff. It will probably be my last National Jamboree.

I attended the 1990, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2009 National Order of the Arrow Conferences.  I served on Housing Staff at the 2000 NOAC, and on American Indian Activities staff at the 2002 & 2004 NOAC, and on APO Exhibit Staff at the 2006 and 2009 NOAC.  I was on AIA staff for Indian Summer in 2003. I hope to attend future NOACs, atleast thru the 2015 one.

I have been to Philmont twice (1982, 1993), once doing the Cavalcade.  Have been to the Philmont Training Center in 2008, where I attended the Delivering Venturing to your Council/District course. I have been to the Florida High Adventure Sea Base 3 times.  Have never been to the Northern Tier High Adventure Base.  I have attended two National Venturing training events at the Florida Sea Base Conference Center, the most recent being the Kodiak/Kodiak X Course Director Course in 2005. While I would certainly like the opportunity to staff a training event at either PTC or Sea Base, have never been given the opportunity.

I have never been to a National Exploring Conference, and would love to go to the first National Venturing event, when they occur.

I am a member of the International Scouting Collectors Association, which is a merger of the American Scouting Collectors Association and the National Scouting Collectors Society, both of which I was a member of.  I am also a member of the Scouts on Stamps Society International (SOSSI).

I am also a Life Member of Alpha Phi Omega, the National Service Fraternity based on scouting principles.  I received the Chapter Distinguished Service Key, the highest award a chapter may bestow upon a member, from Alpha Delta Tau Chapter at Nova Southeastern University.  I am now the Scouting Advisor of this chapter, and was a founding brother of the Southeast Florida Alumni Association (Dade, Broward, Palm Beach counties), now defunct.  Was a member of Section 74 Staff (Florida) as the Southeast Florida Representative, and was the first Section 71 Vice-Chair (Southern Florida). Was the Region IV Chair for Scouting and Youth Services for many years, and am now the Region IV Extension Chair. Am also involved with several National-level committees and workgroups, including the National Extension Commitee (a subcommittee of the National Membership & Extension Committee), the National Scouting and Youth Services Committee, the National History & Archive Committee and the National Media & Technology Committee, and am an APO LEADS Presenter.  I am also part of the APO IMPACT training group, having created and delivered two on-line training seminars so far. I received the Section 74 Distinguished Service Key in 2005, and the Herbert G. Horton APO Service to Youth Award in 2005. The Horton award is recognized by the BSA as a Community Organization Award. I received the Region IV Distinguished Service Key in 2006.

Updated: 10/22/09mrb