2011 will be the year that the Earth Scouts becomes the flagship program and focus of the Earth Charter U.S.!
Over the years the "Earth Scouts" has gone from Jan Robert's dream (Earth Charter U.S. founder) to first groups forming, then listserves all across the country getting started, to now having a solid base of families and facilitators who have been anchoring and developing their Earth Scout groups with a solid online network. The new network was created and sponsored by Earth Charter loyalists, the 'team' from SeThInk Media in 2010 as a part of the EC+10 Celebrations. You can read more about the Earth Scouts history here.
In 2011 the Earth Scouts will be featured, supported, and promoted as the flagship program of the Earth Charter U.S. and the board of directors is working to be able to provide vital resources to the growing network of Earth Scout families and groups. The Earth Charter U.S. annual board meeting is happening this month and a full update will be posted soon.
Some areas that are being discussed include:
- Non-profit tax exemption for groups doing fundraising activities
- Insurance for groups
- Earth Scout badges and other merchandise availability
- Publications and resource manuals
- Earth Scout festival resources
- Expanding Facilitator resource base
- Building solid alliances with supportive/complementary organizations
In 2012 it will be one decade since Jan's dream so let us all help make that dream fully manifested in 2011 so that when the Rio+20 happens in 2012.2012 is the 20th anniversary of the Earth Summit in Rio where an Earth Charter was originally to be adopted. Rio will host a UN Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012. Our goal is to have the Earth Scouts story told at this conference! You are invited to join the Earth Scouts in this effort!
