The Virgin Islands
Council, Boy Scouts of America is
part of a worldwide organization for youth
aged 7 to 20 years old. Some 750 youths
in the Territory (St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix) participate in scouting
in age-divided groups. Tiger Cubs are first-grade
students. Cub Scouts span the grades two
through five, while Boy Scouts are made
up of 6th graders through seniors in high
school. Explorer Posts and Venture Crews are co-ed, at the
high school level and encompass many kids
who had never been a scout at a younger
age. Scouting troops are organized and supervised
by leaders from local community groups
like schools, churches and service organization
that in turn receive guidance and assistance
from the local Boy Scout Council.
The Council offers scouting programs on all three US Virgin Islands and it owns and operates the beautiful  19 acre 'Howard M. Wall' Scout Camp on St. Croix where facilities include a state of the art climbing tower with a ropes course and central pavilion for shelter. The site supports a rifle range and has access to a beach for an array of water sports opportunities.
Anyone
interested in scouting - as a scout, leader
or volunteer - can call the Virgin Islands
Council, Boy Scouts of America office
at: Tel. (340) 774-2752.
Out of the ABMT's 36 year commitment to help fund the youth programs  offered by the Boy Scouts, came the tournament
committee's desire to create additional learning programs that would provide career opportunities
in the marine industry. Because of our strong ties to that industry, the committee decided it was the best
organization to operate a Marine Vocational Program (MVP) for the Boy Scouts.
In late December of 2007 the MVP began with modest strides.  Scouts (girls and boys) were treated to the inaugural field trip
aboard a 76' ocean racing catamaran. They helped pull out the sails, steer the vessel and they dropped anchor on their arrival to the swimming destination. They snorkeled under the watchful eyes of the captain and crew and later on the trip, they responded  eagerly to our offer to provide them with scuba diving lessons. As was promised, we contracted with a local dive operator to provide them with instructions. Importantly, on their part, the students committed to a 10 week course held on consecutive Saturday's. We have since held several courses and 45 students have become PADI certified divers. Two are now Assistant Instructors and four have become Dive Masters and are now earning money in our tourist industry!
Future Plans for the MVP
We picture the ABMT organization as being the hub of the wheel. The wheel will turn slowly at first and then it will gain momentum - the scuba program being the first spoke in the wheel. Plans are to continue offering "fun" activities (sailing, fishing, kayaking and parasailing) as a means to attract new recruits into scouting and towards the MVP's learning center.  As the kids grow and start to focus on their future, we'll offer them structured programs that will teach them the skills that are needed for employment in the marine industry.
Funding of the MVP has so far come from the profits of offshore tournaments and from private donations. There are plans in the future to speed up the MVP's development by the hiring of a Director whose duties will include grant writing and curriculum development. Further down the road we'll establish an endowment fund that will help to sustain the program long term.
The VI Council, Boy Scouts of America is a non-profit, 501c3 Corporation. Donation checks can be made out to VI Council, Boy Scouts of America. Please mail to: MVP, 6616 Estate Nadir, St. Thomas, VI 00802. Office: Toll Free 888-234-7484 or 340-775-9500.
Seeking Financial Support
MVP Structural Flow Chart
See MVP Programs & Information
|
