Craig Starkey Campership Award...

The Craig Starkey Campership Fund was established by Craig’s parents to honor his memory and to recognize the important role that scouting and its outdoor program played in the life of this exceptional young man. The Troop Committee has determined to award up to three Campership Awards each year. Awards may be made at any of the three Troop Courts of Honor, which are typically held in September, January and May. The award may be used for summer camp, high adventure trips or other Scout /Crew sponsored outdoor activities. Awards will typically be in the amount of $200, but maybe more depending on such factors as the worthiness of the scout, financial need and the cost of activities planned in any given year

The beginning and ending point for evaluating any Scout is the way in which he reflects the Scout Oath and the Scout law in his daily life. The first is a promise made by every Scout to fulfill his duties to God and Country, to others and to himself to the best of his ability. The second is a list of twelve qualities that every scout must strive to exhibit not just in Scouting but in his everyday life. All of the components of the Oath and Law are important, and Craig certainly applied all of them in his daily life. For those who remember Craig’s special contributions to Troop 128, however, certain parts of the Oath and Law especially come to mind: those involving service to others. Accordingly, in awarding a Campership, special consideration will be given to the following components of the Oath and Law.

Criteria
From the Scout Oath: “to help other people at all times.”

Craig gave unselfishly of his time and talents to others, particularly younger scouts. Special consideration will be given to those scouts who go out of their way to fulfilling the duty to help others.

From the Scout Law: “A Scout is . . .

Loyal - There are many things in life that deserve out loyalty. Among them is loyalty to those who have been our mentors and teachers in Scouting and in life. Scouts must keep faith with those who took the time to teach them scouting skills, scouting ideals and the qualities of leadership by passing this knowledge on to others.

Helpful - This part of the scout Law corresponds to the commitment in the Oath to help others at all times. The birth of American Scouting can be directly traced to the helpfulness of an unknown British Boy Scout who helped an American through the fog and then refused to accept any tip or reward. An observed pattern of being helpful, particularly in situations where no reward or recognition is expected, will be regarded as particularly significant in awarding a Campership.

Friendly -- As Scout who is friendly creates an environment in which all feel welcome and included. He encourages others to participate and contribute to the benefit of all.
Kind-- Too often in our society we observe how cruel adolescents can be to one another, particularly those who are younger, smaller or different in some way. While cruelty is perhaps seen as an easy way to win favor among peers, being kind is the way to win the respect of all. It may involve simply comforting a homesick scout or helping rather than taunting when mistakes are made. Those who, in essence, live the Golden Rule will be given special consideration.

Cheerful -- In many cases how a Scout does his duty is as important as the duty itself No one wants to be around a Scout who complains about his duty no matter how good a job he wind up doing. In awarding a Campership, consideration will be given to those who perform their responsibilities with the proper spirit of cheerfulness.

Process
Nominations for Camperships can be made at any time by anyone with firsthand knowledge of the nominee’s activities within the Troop. This includes Scouts, Scouters, Committee Members and parents. Nominations should be received by the Troop Committee Chair by September 1, January 1 and April 1 to be considered for the Campership that is to be awarded at the Fall Winter and Spring Courts of Honor, respectively. Nominators should remember that this is not a popularity contest, and should only nominate those who have demonstrated a pattern of worthy behavior, particularly in situations that might otherwise go unnoticed. Nominating forms will be available beginning November 2004. Award will be based on a vote of all registered Committee Members and Scoutmasters at the final regular Committee meeting before the Court of Honor or at a special Committee meeting called for that purpose. The first award will be made at the January 2005 Court of Honor.

Craig Starkey Campership Nomination Form