The Creator of this web site is Michael R. Brown.  I have been involved in Scouting since the early 70s when I was a Cub Scout.  I have long had an interest in the history of Scouting and its program.  Because of a lack of information in the area of the various 'senior scouting' programs, I created this web site.  I hope that by doing so others will share with me the information they have about these programs so that I can share them with a large audience.

My background in Scouting is as follows:

Youth:
Cub Scout 3-4 years, 2-3 different Packs
Boy Scout, 7 years as a member of Troop 165, Naples, Florida, achieving the rank of Life Scout.
Explorer, 1 year

Adult:
Adult leader since 1981.  Have served as Assistant Scoutmaster (T165), Scoutmaster (T165), District Committee Member, Associate Explorer Advisor (P564, P1838), and currently an Associate Advisor for Venturing Crew #1838, a living history/re-enactment Crew in Naples, Florida as well as an Associate Advisor for Venturing Crew #2564, which is also my OA Chapter.
I am also involved in Gulf Stream Council and South Florida Council as a Venturing leader at the district/council levels.  I'm currently the Council Venturing Committee Vice-Chair in South Florida Council and the Council Venturing/Sea Scout Committee Communications Chair in the Gulf Stream Council and the Manatee District (Gulf Stream Council) Venturing Chair.  I was recently recognized with a Council Venturing Leadership Award by the Gulf Stream Council.

I completed Boy Scout Leader Wood Badge in 1989 (SE-478-29, an Owl).  I served on Staff for Wood Badge Course SR-596 in 2004.  I'm also a Wood Badge member of the Clan MacLaren Society of North America.

I have been attending Southwest Florida Council's University of Scouting Arts training program, having completed my Doctoral degree.  I turned this site into my Doctoral Thesis for my Doctor of Scouting Arts degree.   I completed our Instructor Qualification program, recently receiving my Teaching Certificate and have started work in the College of Commissioner Science.  I hope to be able to serve as a  faculty member next year.

I completed Powder Horn, participating in the Florida 2002 course put on by the Gulf Ridge and Southwest Florida Councils.  I hope to serve on staff for a future PH course, hopefully the Florida 2005 course being planned.

I recently attend Sea Badge Course SR-23 and completed my praxis.  I would like to be able to serve on staff for a future course.

I have been a member of the Order of the Arrow, Osceola Lodge #564 since 1981.  I am a Vigil Honor Member, and serve as the Historian Adviser for my Lodge.  I have attended National Leadership Seminar, and hope to attend NLATS.

I attended the 1981 National Scout Jamboree as a youth, and returned to the 1989, 1993, and 2001 National Jamboree as a staff member.  Work prevented me from attending the 1997 Jamboree.  At the 2001 National Jamboree, I was on OA Indian Village staff.  For the 2005 National Jamboree, am registered for the APO Exhibit Staff.  Have never been to a World Jamboree, but would love to be on staff for the 2007 WJ in England.

I attended the 1990, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004 National Order of the Arrow Conferences.  I served on Housing Staff at the 2000 NOAC, and on American Indian Activities staff at the 2002 & 2004 NOAC.  Hope to be again on AIA staff at the 2006 NOAC.  I was on AIA staff for Indian Summer in 2003.

I have been to Philmont twice (1982, 1993), once doing the Cavalcade.  I have been to the Florida High Adventure Seabase 3 times.  Have never been to the Philmont Training Center, nor the Northern Tier High Adventure Base.  I recently attended a National Venturing training event at the Florida Sea Base Conference Center.

I have never been to a National Exploring Conference, and would love to go to the first National Venturing events, when they occur.

I am a member of the International Scouting Collectors Assocation, which is a merger of the American Scouting Collectors Association and the National Scouting Collectors Society, both of which I was a member of.  I am also a member of the Scouts on Stamps Society International (SOSSI).

I am also a Life Member of Alpha Phi Omega, the National Sevice Fraternity based on scouting principles.  I received the Chapter Distinguished Service Key, the highest award a chapter may bestow upon a member, from Alpha Delta Tau Chapter at Nova Southeastern University.  I am now the Scouting Advisor of this chapter, and a founding brother of the Southeast Florida Alumni Association (Dade, Broward, Palm Beach counties).  Am also a member of Section 74 Staff as the Southeast Florida Representative. Am the Region IV Chair for Scouting and Youth Services, which makes me a member of that National Committee.  Am also involved with several National-level committees and workgroups, including the National History & Archive Committee and the National Media & Technology Committee, and am an APO LEADS Presenter.  I recently received the Section 74 Distinguished Service Key.

Updated: 04/07/2005mrb