Boy Scouts Of America

Aiming to boost their sagging numbers, the Boy Scouts are launching a million-dollar campaign to draw more Latinos, a group that has long resisted Scouting's appeal. But the Scouts' national officials acknowledge that it may be a tough sell. Only three of every 100 Scouts are Latino, and some immigrant families see such groups as an indulgence of the well-to-do in their home countries. Some also bristle at the uniforms.

The Boy Scouts of America developed the Angeles National Forest's Silver Moccasin Trail 50 years ago, and today they're returning to spruce it up. As part of National Trails Day, several hundred scouts and other volunteers will swing shovels and axes along a section of the 50-mile trail to repair damage caused by earthquakes, rain, littering and other natural and man-made disasters, said Dianne Cahir, a spokeswoman for the forest.

The Boy Scouts of America is talking with the county about building a swimming pool and complex at O'Neill Regional Park as part of a larger partnership with the county's Harbors, Beaches and Parks Department. The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a cooperative agreement with the Boy Scouts under which the organization will encourage troops to participate in "Adopt a Park" programs and volunteer at local facilities.

When Robert Baden-Powell founded the Boy Scout movement at the turn of the century, he warned against the threat of a condition he called "girlitis." Scouts could have fun, allowed the British cavalry officer, so long as it was manly fun. Katrina Yeaw is a girl. Although she does not consider that to be a contagious condition, the 12-year-old blames the organization's institutional fear of "girlitis" for keeping her out of the Boy Scouts.

Boy Scouts are taught to offer a helping hand to those in need. But in post-bankruptcy, post-Proposition 13 Orange County, an increasing number of Scouts are offering their services to an unlikely group: cash-strapped cities, school districts and other government agencies. Eagle Scout candidates in La Palma, for example, recently restored a campfire ring, inspected trees in parks and traffic medians, and conducted a safety survey of all 127 city stop signs.

Sometimes, to survive in the wilderness, a Boy Scout knows he might have to scale a rock wall. But that wasn't the reason Scott Toro carefully maneuvered his way up a 16-foot imitation rock wall. "I wanted to do it because it seemed like fun, and all the other kids were in line," the 11-year-old Laguna Hills boy said after climbing the plywood wall dotted with fake rocks.

For the second time in about a week, a San Fernando Valley-based Boy Scout troop has topped the national average by having seven members achieve their Eagle rank simultaneously. An awards ceremony for members of Troop 104 of Mission Hills is scheduled at 3 p.m. today at Mission Hills Christian Church, 14941 Devonshire Blvd., Mission Hills. The recipients are David and Stephen Anesi, Joseph Dieguz, David Emch, Randy Iaccino, Richard Jonu and Clifton Stewart.

Orange County Sheriff's Department officials said Tuesday they will ask prosecutors to file additional charges against a Cub Scout leader who was arrested on suspicion of molesting an 11-year-old Dana Point boy. Gary Lee Gephart, 39, of Oceanside, an assistant leader for Dana Point Cub Scout Pack 713, was arrested last Thursday after the boy told his parents he had been fondled by Gephart while the two shared a tent during a camping trip.

To earn an Eagle award, a Boy Scout must develop and supervise a project. He must organize the people, manage the labor, raise funds for its expenses and prepare a 25-page report describing both the initial proposal and how the project ultimately turns out. Only about 2% achieve that ranking. So when seven members, nearly 12%, of a Northridge troop received their Eagle badges at a ceremony Friday, it was considered phenomenal.

When John Farrell's two sons wanted to join the Boy Scouts, he told them to go right ahead. But when the San Fernando Superior Court judge became involved with the troop--car-pooling kids on outings, volunteering to chaperon a hike--he was told by other judges that he was being unethical. When he persisted, his critics added that, for the sake of appearances, it might be best if he quit the bench.