Who says anniversaries have to come in 5’s and 10’s?
Next summer, Fire Mountain will be hosting Scouts for its 48th year in a 
row! Camp is taking reservations now and is already more than half full for this exciting summer season. Don’t miss out on the adventure of a lifetime!
A week spent at Fire Mountain is a legendary scout camping experience that will create a lasting impact in the lives of your Scouts. Our facilities, programs, and leadership constantly exceed the expectations of our guests.
Here’s what a few scout leaders said about their experience in 2019:
“We had an awesome experience, thanks for helping our Scouts!”
“This was one of the best camps I have attended as an adult, if not the best!”
“Campers had fun, learned, made friends, and were kept safe. Brilliant!”
Camp at Fire Mountain THIS SUMMER!
Visit the Mount Baker Council webpage at
to learn more, or to register today!
It is time again for all Scouts, adult volunteers, and charter organizations to renew their membership with the Boy Scouts of America and pay their annual registration fees. All units in our council must complete and turn in their Charter renewal no later than December 31, 2019.
All though all our districts have already held their first Charter Turn In nights there is still time if you didn’t get yours in. There are several things to remember to make this process easier to handle and here are a few:
Your Districts Commissioner staff and all the volunteers in the District appreciate your assistance and they stand ready to help. Getting all Charter Renewals completed and turned in as soon as possible lets us begin the new year with Program rather than Paper Work.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and for the very important work that you do to deliver the values of the Scout Oath and Law to our young people.
Who We Are:
For nearly 50 years, Fire Mountain Scout Camp has served the Scouts of Mount Baker Council and beyond. Our premier facilities, dynamic programs, and world-class camp staff allow us to deliver a legendary scout camping experience.
Serving as a staff member is more than just an incredibly fun summer in the outdoors. Working in the camp environment cultivates Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Interpersonal and Leadership Skills, and Creativity; all 21-st century skills that you will carry with you far beyond the camp setting.
Who You Are:
If any of these people are you, you might belong on the Fire Mountain Scout Camp Staff. Apply now to serve on our staff in Summer 2020!
To apply, scan this QR code, or visit:
https://247scouting.com/forms/form.php?OrgKey=BSA606
From my chairs in Everett and Bellingham, I can see through the window that the pace of the world is steadily increasing as the holidays approach.
It is always one of my favorite times of the year. Not so much because of food, gifts and merriment, but significantly because – in my work in helping the instill the values of the Scout Oath and Law in our young people – it is an opportunity to reflect on our successes and the volumes of work that is accomplished on behalf of our shared cause.
It is also an opportunity to say “thanks” – not that we don’t always feel thankful because we do. It is simply a great opportunity to remind everyone just how thankful we truly are.
It should come as no surprise to you that I believe, and I know, that the Scouting program is one of the most significant movements of our history as a Nation.
Scouting does so many things that simply cannot be replicated without.
It is also one of the most demanding personnel resource organizations in the world. It takes an army of volunteers to grease the gears of Scouting. I am always impressed and humbled when I see someone volunteering for a few hours to help others this time of year.
That, however, is a mere candle to the inferno that is a Scout Volunteer. The hours, the miles, the preparation, the caring, the support and the excitement that surrounds our volunteers, donors and involved parents is beyond inspiring. You are amazing.
While many of you will never fully comprehend the business side of Scouting (fundraising, management, employees, administration, support, marketing, oversight) I can promise you this: They too deserve thanks – the team works very hard every day to keep up with that side of the house.
The old adage, “It takes a village to raise a child,” is perhaps no better suited than it is to Scouting.
All of us, working together makes Scouting work. The proof is the in results of the kinds of youth we raise. An additional reason to give thanks.
As the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I hope the holiday finds you surrounded by family and friends and, despite all the craziness in the world around us, you also find a reason to be thankful.
I am thankful for all our Scouts, our Volunteers, our Donors and our Friends. I wish all of you a very happy and safe Thanksgiving.
Kevin Nichols
Scout Executive
A follow-up to Steven Davis’ thoughts from the October Mountain Echo.
As Steven so well described, “Scouting matters.” It matters to each of us for different reasons, and we all have our own stories to tell. Reflecting on these stories can help us remain involved in Scouting over time and/or help us later on to reconnect in Scouting as alumni.
I once was asked during a Commissioner meeting to describe what Scouting had done for me. I think it was an attempt to help me to reflect on why Scouting mattered to me. At the time, I was a fledgling Unit Commissioner, and obviously had not been a Boy Scout as a youth. My sons were still young Scouts and I could already see what Scouting was doing for them in terms of their character and leadership development. But other than the interesting opportunities provided to me for donating my time as a Scout Mom, I was really perplexed about the question of what Scouting had done for me. That meeting ran late into the night, and I went straight to bed when I got home after I checked on my sleeping family. As I drifted off to sleep next to my snoring husband, I realized that I had my answer right there beside me.
Like many little girls, I dreamed of being a bride someday so that I could wear a beautiful long white dress. I repeatedly pestered my mother with the question of how would I know when I wanted to marry someone (it was all about that dress). She usually would tell me that I would somehow just know and that would be the end of the conversation until the next time I asked. Eventually, she said that I would know because it would be a person who I knew that I could trust. I don’t remember ever asking her again, but Mom was right.
During college several years later, an Eagle Scout landed in my life and I realized that he was different from other people I had ever known. Forty five years ago, while wearing a beautiful long white dress, I married him because, among many reasons, I knew that I could trust him. Scouting had helped to develop a young man who I wanted to share the rest of my life with.
Scouting definitely matters. Why does Scouting matter to you?
~Sue Rhodes
Hypothermia
With winter just around the corner, we suggest going over Hypothermia (and First Aid for it) with your Scouts this month.
Hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature that is dangerous, and potentially fatal if not properly cared for. Hypothermia most often occurs when individuals are exposed to extremely cold temperatures for extended periods of time. However, it can also occur in warmer environments in situations such as wearing wet clothing in windy conditions, becoming chilled from being in the rain for an extended period, or submersion in cold water.
Sweating leads to wet clothing, which increases the possibility of becoming chilled. Dressing in layers that are easy to put on or take off will help you to avoid becoming chilled, or becoming too warm and sweating heavily in your clothes. Planning is essential before a trek or outing to make sure you are prepared for possible changes in environmental conditions.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can be generated. A person is experiencing hypothermia when the body temperature drops 2 degrees Fahrenheit or more below that individual’s normal body temperature. Normal body temperature is usually considered to be 98.6 F (37 degrees Celsius), but many people have a normal body temperature below that level.
Once the body temperature begins to drop, the heart, brain, and other organs start losing the ability to function properly. Left untreated, these vital organs will begin to fail, eventually leading to death. A person experiencing hypothermia often isn’t aware of their condition because the onset is gradual and, as hypothermia progresses, they become confused and agitated.
To prevent hypothermia, be aware of your environment and dress accordingly. Cover all exposed skin surface possible to help prevent heat loss. Avoid activities and clothing that will cause you to sweat a lot. The combination of wet clothing and cold temperatures will cause more heat loss. Wear multiple layers and stay dry.
Signs/Symptoms of Hypothermia
As hypothermia progresses, the person will exhibit
Care of Hypothermia
Prevention of Frostbite
How does the body lose heat?
RESOURCES
Fire Mountain Scout Camp
What Project is up next?
With the completion of the new Staff Shower House and the Fire Eagle’s Nest (Staff and training building) we have moved our time, energy, and resources to the new Ranger’s Shop. The building can be seen as you drive into camp on your right hand side (the Southeast corner of the parking lot). Here are some pictures of the Shop/Storage Building under construction.
This building should be completed by the end of November. The storage end of the building will be a secure and climate controlled building for program storage. There will be storage for Order of the Arrow, Day Camp, Summer Camp, NYLT, Wood Badge, and the Properties Committee. This building will also include an Armory for all of the Shooting Sports. The Ranger’s Shop will be a secure and climate controlled work and storage space for the Camp Ranger. It will have two large bay doors, so that vehicles, tractors, and other motorized equipment can roll into the shop for repairs, maintenance, or to simply store out of the weather. Another feature of this building will be two electrical hook-ups for RV use.
Way more to come over this winter and next spring. If you have not been up to Fire Mountain Scout Camp recently you will be very surprised at all the improvements. The Master Plan for Fire Mountain Scout Camp improvements can be found on the Mount Baker Council website.
Scott Suchan
SVP Properties Committee
