David Rich, Council President, Earns the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award

On October 10, 2008 the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award was presented to David W. Rich. Since earning his Eagle Scout in 1960, Dave has distinguished himself in all that he has done. Whether it has been in his 27 year career with Browning Arms Company as Vice President, or in 25 years of community and church leadership, education, or in ground breaking research in organizational leadership; childhood development, and or in consulting; David has risen above all others in his field to be a monumental leader in our community.
Professionally, David’s leadership resulted in rebuilt management structure with better production and goal achievement skills. Dave created workshops for managers and employees to identify personal and department goals and the processes to achieve those items more effectively resulting in nearly 1500 corporate goals and initiatives completed ahead of schedule in that time frame. Dave has served as Coordinator for Student Government at Weber State College (1973-1981) which included being the Advisor to Council and Class Presidents and 6 annual Vice Presidents in Student Government for the college. Dave has also been the Director of the Head Start Education Program Ogden City, Utah.

As a nationally and internationally recognized speaker, specialist, and innovator, Dave has researched 500 papers, read 300 books, attended and taught seminars regarding Organizational Behavior Training, Developmental Psychology & Learning Theory and become renowned in this field of study. 20,000 people have attended his trainings throughoutNorthern Utah, Southern Idaho, Southern Wyoming. He has spoken at more than 300 events as either a Key Note Speaker, or with other Panel Members.
Dave's zeal for service in paramount. From his service in US Army reserves during the Vietnam era to serving continuosly in his church in a variety of different service, support, and leadership roles, Dave has been an advocate for youth as an active community organization advocate.

As an active Scouter, Dave has served the youth of the Trapper Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America as: Council President, Council President-Elect, Western Region HR Committee, Council Vice President Field Operations, Council Vice President, Council Treasurer, Scoutmaster, Explorer Advisor, Troop Committee Chair, Council Explorer Training Chair 3 yrs, Camp Staff 10 summers, 2 National Camp Schools, Vice President Program, OA Lodge Vice Chief Logan 514

For his efforts in the Scouting movement, Dave has been recognized with Silver Beaver Award, William H. Spurgeon Award, James E. West Fellowship, District Award of Merit, Scouters Training, Wood Badge, Philmont 3 times (Council key three, LDS Relations, Professional Scouter 1969) (3 Years lake Bonneville) Youth Religious Duty to God, Adult On My Honor, Council Delegate National Meetings (14 years) Participant 1960 National Jamboree Colorado Springs, Council Report to the Governor , runner up for the report to the President of the US, Explorer Leadership Institute Training and Staff, Unit Commissioner, Assistant District Commissioner 4 years.

On behalf of the 46,000 youth and nearly 20,000 adult leaders in the Trapper Trails Council, we congratulate David W. Rich as a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. The Trapper Trails Council extends our sincere appreciation to him, to his wife Betty, their six children and 17 grandchildren.

We have shuffled the deck.

In an effort to better serve our volunteers and youth, the Trapper Trails Council has implemented a few changes with the professional staff.

Steve Bingham has been moved from Director of Support Services to Finance Director.

Philip Eborn has been moved from Program Director to Director of Support Services.

Josh Haacke has been moved from Finance Director to Program Director.

Jason Eborn has moved from the Arrowhead Districts Unit Serving Executive to the Snow Horse District.

Mike Madsen has joined our team once again and is serving in the Arrowhead District.

Bilingual Wood Badge

The Trapper Trails Council is currently conducting its 6th Wood Badge course of the year. This course is a special course because it is the first bilingual English/Spanish course the Council has held. Course Director Andy Ramos has pulled together a wonderful staff that is well prepared and has all the necessary equipment to make this course a success.


We appreciate the efforts made to help all of our Spanish speaking volunteers receive the training they need. We hope that our efforts in the community will continue to grow and help instill values in children and adults.
Andy Ramos addressing his course
If you are interested in attending any of our Wood Badge courses please visit the training page on the Council Website trappertrails.org

First Annual Scoutreach Golf Tournament in Logan

This past Monday, September 15th, the Trapper Trails Council held its first Scoutreach Golf Classic in the Cache Valley. Over100 participants played and enjoyed a wonderful day at the Logan River Golf Course.

(Above) Council President Elect Dave Wadman gives his best effort on the longest drive hole.

(below) The putting was left up to Rick Barnes our Council Scout Executive.

The money raised in this event goes to help provide the Scouting program to underprivileged kids in the Logan area.

The Council would like to thank the many sponsors and participants and volunteers that helped make this event happen for their support.

Powder Horn

Participants on the Dutchman

Sunrise at Camp Hunt Bear Lake

Preparing the bikes for a short mountain ride.

The second weekend of Powder Horn was held at Camp Hunt. Participants enjoyed sailing, canoeing, snorkeling, water skiing, mountain biking, climbing, rappelling, horseback riding, hiking, caving, camping, and backpacking.

Jeff Bybee showing us how its done on the rappell at Paris Ice Caves

Participants recieve instructions before they enter the cave.

Participants spent a day on Bear Lake practicing their water skills, and they spent an overnighter at the Paris Ice Caves learning all of the other High Adventure skills.

The resources used at Powder Horn gave participants a better understanding of how they can apply these skills with their home units.

Special thanks to Mike Perkins (Course Director) and his staff for the endless hours of preparation and hard work. We would also like to thank the many consultants throughout the community that help provide expertise to the training.

Bike the Bear

The Trapper Trails Council held the second annual Bike the Bear at Camp Hunt on August 23rd 2008. Bike the Bear is a 50 mile bike ride around Bear Lake. Some of the participants choose to ride around twice topping the 100 mile marker.

One brave scout finished the 50 miles in his hand bike. He has completed the ride both years and has shown a great example to all Scouts on how to be courageous, and set goals and accomplish them no matter how difficult they may be.

This year scouts from the Trapper Trails Council enjoyed a beautiful day completing the 50 mile leg of their Cycling merit badge. The first year (2007) we had 178 riders. This year we had 225 and everyone of them completed the journey. We look forward to holding this event for many years to come.

Special thanks to the Camp Hunt Staff and all those who helped pull this off.

Powder Horn

2007 Participants

The Venturing Spirit is alive and well in the Trapper Trails Council as participants enjoy the 2nd annual Powder Horn Course. This years course is a weekend course that began August 7-9 at Camp Browning and will finish August 21-23 at Camp Hunt.

John Anderson shows the participants how to brave the C.O.P.E. Course

Powder Horn is a resource training for Venture leaders. After this experience they will understand what the possibilities are for thier own Venture Crew. Participants will exprience, C.O.P.E. Climbing, Rappelling, Shooting, Archery, GPS and Land Navigation, Wilderness First Aid, Leave no Trace practices, Hiking, Biking, Scuba, Sailing, Canoeing, Kayaking and much more.

Special thanks to Mike Perkins and his staff for organizing this years Powder Horn

Watch for more picutures of the second weekend coming soon.

Fourth Annual Wood Badge with the Family Camp

The Trapper Trails Council held it Fourth Annual Family Camp Program this year at Camp Bartlett. This unique program is designed around the Advanced Leadership Programs of Wood Badge, and National Youth Leadership Traiing. While Mom or Dad attends Wood Badge and some Scout age boys attend NYLT (Summit) the rest of the family enjoys a fun filled program for their age group. Families eat meals together and attend a few selected campfire programs with each other but for the most part they have the opportunity to get trained, meet new friends and share new experiences. The entire family catches the Scouting spirit and reconnects with nature. It is very common to hear a youngster tell Mom or Dad "this is better than Disneyland"

Participants enjoy the Campfire Program
The 16 to 18 year old Boys and Girls enjoyed the High Adventure ProgamWood Badge participants share a patriotic moment
Play time on Fife Lake
6-7 year old boys testing there paddle boats

A special thanks goes out to all of our many Scouters who volunteer their time and talent to help this program work. There is no way this even could happen without great people behind the scenes who work all year to prepare for Family Camp. The Council is forever in their debt. Thank you volunteers. Your footprint will always be remembered by those you have served.

Please join us next year at Camp Bartlett for Wood Badge and Summit with the Family.

Scout Night with the Ogden Raptors

This year's Scout Night with the Ogden Raptors was a huge success. Over 300 Scouts attended this year's event to promote Scoutreach- Scouting's program to connect with rural and urban boys. America's oldest youth organization and favorite sporting event, baseball, where combined to form a memorable evening.
A local Scout troop from inner city Ogden represented the Trapper Trails Council by presenting the US Flag during the national anthem. The national anthem was sung by local scouter, Bob Peterson. After the game, Scouts were able to get autographs and run the bases on Lindquist Field. Scouts then gathered their sleeping bags and camped on the outfield. Participants enjoyed watching Disney's "The Sandlot" on the big screen- a fitting tribute to the spirit of inner city youth and baseball.

For more information on the Scoutreach program, call Jeremy Bell at 475-7497 or jebell@bsamail.org

Bahamas Adventure

The Trapper Trails Council completed its first ever visit to the Florida Sea Base. The Council contingent of two crews and 12 people spent a week at sea learning how to sail a ship around the Bahamas. We launched out of Marsh Harbor, Bahamas on Monday the 23rd. Our first stop was an island called Man O War, a charming little town of about 300 people. Then next morning we set sail for a different island and different experiences. We spent the second day sailing the open seas until we came to Fowl Cay(pronounced key), a private preserve. There we snorkeled on a great reef for hours. We then set sail for Guana Cay. The following morning we raised the sails and headed for Hope Town on Elbow Cay. Hope Town is home to one of the most historical lighthouses around the world. It is a red and white candy cane lighthouse that is found on many postcards and pictures. It was built in 1863 by the British. This was one of the favorite stops. Several more days and several more cays were visited, each had their own charm.

More important than all the ports, are the skills learned by the boys and leaders alike. As the working crew of the Esperanza and the Lazy Days boats, the sailing was up to the boys. They learned how to navigate, judge depth by mapping, hoist all sails and bring them back down, use sailor knots, anchor the boat, snorkel, and have fun. We all slept on deck, had minimal showers, spent shifts on night watch, washed dishes in the ocean, and any other function needed to stay at sea. They did it all with a smile, gained a few skills, and a lot of self esteem.