Buy a patch to help rebuild Puerto Rico Council’s Guajataka Scout Reservation
Scouts help other people at all times, and the Puerto Rico Council needs our help at this time.
Concilio de Puerto Rico de los Boy Scouts of America, one of the BSA’s nearly 280 local councils, suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Maria in September.
The powerful storm hit the council’s service center as well as the beloved Guajataka Scout Reservation.
While most of us won’t be able to make it down to Puerto Rico to help with relief efforts, there is something we can do with a few taps or clicks.
In true Scouting fashion, this bit of relief comes in the form of a commemorative patch. The Northeast Region, of which the Puerto Rico Council is a member, has created a set of limited-edition patches. Proceeds from the sale will rebuild Scouting on the island.
How Hurricane Maria affected Scouting
Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico hard, causing damage, flooding and mudslides. Power was knocked out, and fresh water became a commodity.
BSA facilities in Puerto Rico were similarly affected.
The council office in Guaynabo, just south of the capital of San Juan, was damaged in the storm. The roof and air conditioning system need repairs. Inside the building, water damage is rampant. Fixing everything will take a long time. The council has reopened its office, but it will be many months before they’re back to normal.
The beautiful Guajataka Scout Reservation also took a hit. Campsites were flooded with more than 3 feet of water. Trees were toppled, with some covering important roads. The camp has no power and must use generators on an island where diesel fuel is now an expensive commodity.
The camp’s buildings were damaged by flooding, and most if not all of the equipment stored in the campsites — bunks, mattresses and more — were damaged.
While the council tries to recover, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers in Puerto Rico have stepped up for their fellow Puerto Ricans. You can see photos of their service projects on the council’s Facebook page.
Buy a patch to help
The patch idea was devised in part by the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s service society.
The Northeast Region’s OA chief (a youth) and OA chairman (an adult volunteer) worked with the Northeast Region Area 5 Director (a professional) to create the patches. Arrowmen from OA Section NE-5 (of which Puerto Rico’s OA lodge, Logia Yokahú, is a member) helped with the design.
Proceeds will help get the Puerto Rico Council back on its feet.
The patch comes in three flavors — a blue border for $5, a blue mylar border for $10 and a limited-edition chenille for $25.
You can order the patch here by following these steps:
- Click the blue button marked “Order Here” at the top of the page.
- On the next page, click “Order Here” again. It will show $0.00, but you’ll actually add patches to your cart in Step 4.
- Sign in (if you have an existing MyRoster account with the council), or register as a guest by putting in your first name, last name and email address.
- Order your patches. You may also make an additional donation at the bottom of the page.
What to do with questions
Contact Frank Caccavale by email at frankcacc (at) yahoo (dot) com.
Buy a patch to help rebuild Puerto Rico Council’s Guajataka Scout Reservation