Footprints of Scouting

May 6, 2021 by Mark Francis No Comments

Last weekend I traveled from Okinawa, Japan to Fukuoka, Japan to attend some church meetings. During our time in Fukuoka, President Spencer and Sister Jane Mack, mission leaders of the Japan Fukuoka Mission, hosted my family and me. When we arrived at the mission home, the Mack’s gave us a tour. We walked into President […]

A Minute With Mark: Scouting Skills

January 23, 2019 by Vanguard Contributor No Comments

I have recently had the opportunity to serve as a Scoutmaster in a local troop. Once again, I am so impressed and encouraged by the SKILLS that youth learn through Scouting. As I interact with the Scouts in my troop, I am constantly observing SKILLS that they are required to use in their Scouting activities. […]

A Minute with Mark: Scouting Friends

December 13, 2018 by Vanguard Contributor No Comments

Friends we are, and friends we’ll ever be. The words of this familiar Scout song—often sung at the close of a campfire—echo the future of the LDS-BSA Relationship. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said during his remarks at the May 2018 National Annual Meeting, “This is not a divorce. We are friends now and we […]

A Minute with Mark: Scouting in Skagway

September 19, 2018 by Vanguard Contributor No Comments

The value of Scouting is OUTING. There is no way around this simple truth. When a boy gets out into the world—on an adventure—he experiences GROWTH, real growth that doesn’t necessarily happen sitting in a classroom. The most successful units go on outings every month. This doesn’t mean that all leaders and all boys go […]

A Minute with Mark: Back to the Basics

August 9, 2018 by Vanguard Contributor No Comments

Zion’s Camp at Cumorah was held in July at Camp Dittmer of the Iroquois Trails Council near Palmyra, New York. This annual event is hosted under the direction of the Buffalo, New York Stake. President Nathan Pace and Brother Mark Collette—the local LDS-BSA Relationships chair—do a wonderful job of planning and organizing the camp. This […]

A Minute With Mark: Looking Ahead to the LDS-BSA Changes with 20/20 Vision

May 14, 2018 by Vanguard Contributor No Comments

Last week The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that it will no longer sponsor Scouting units beginning in 2020. (Read the joint LDS-BSA statement here.) This change sparked a series of reactions across our nation. Some Church members were thrilled. Others were saddened. As the LDS-BSA Relationships Director, I was immediately submerged […]

A Minute with Mark: GAME ON!

February 5, 2018 by Vanguard Contributor No Comments

Yesterday was Super Bowl Sunday—a day when the entire nation (and much of the world) had their eye on an historic game of football. Chips, parties, wagering, commercials, celebrating—many of us were caught up in the fun furor in some way or another. On a smaller but perhaps more meaningful scale, yesterday was also Scout […]

A Minute with Mark: Remembering President Thomas S. Monson

January 8, 2018 by Vanguard Contributor No Comments

On Tuesday, January 2nd 2018, President Thomas S. Monson, our beloved Prophet, passed away. The next morning the Boy Scouts of America released the following statement through Chief Scout Executive Mike Surbaugh: The Boy Scouts of America is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Thomas S. Monson, the 16th president of The Church […]

A Minute With Mark: SIMPLE SCOUTING

December 13, 2017 by Vanguard Contributor No Comments

Last month I had the opportunity to attend and support an Aaronic Priesthood Leadership training conference on Scouting involving five stakes. Cub Scout, Primary, Aaronic Priesthood and Scout leaders were invited to attend. During my presentation one of the five stake presidents raised his hand to ask a question. He then spontaneously joined me at […]

A Minute with Mark: Takeaways from Top Hands

September 1, 2017 by Vanguard Contributor No Comments

Last week I attended the annual Top Hands conference for professional BSA leaders from across the nation. We gathered in Dallas, Texas, for five days of learning and collaboration. One of the significant things that Mike Surbaugh, Chief Scout Executive, discussed with us was Youth Protection. Mike was passionate and adamant in his remarks. The […]

A Minute with Mark – Thoughts from the LDS-BSA Relationships Director

August 24, 2017 by Vanguard Contributor No Comments

This summer I spent time at the 2017 National Scout Jamboree held at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia. The Jamboree was an incredible experience in many ways. Young men and women had exciting and challenging outdoor experiences. Adult leaders served in selfless and amazing ways. People from across our nation—and […]