To Our Scouting Family,

We are greatly saddened by the terrible tragedy at the Little Sioux Scout Ranch in western Iowa.  The loss of four young Scouts, and the serious injury to dozens of others, is staggering.  We can not comprehend the pain and suffering this has caused, but we offer our support by keeping the Scouts, their families, and leaders in our prayers.

While no plan can guarantee complete safety, I assure you that the Hawkeye Area Council, in the great tradition of the Boy Scouts of America, is well prepared for severe weather at our camp.

Our response to severe weather last year was recognized by the National Weather Service with a special Severe Weather Preparedness Commendation.  Subsequently, we were named as a StormReady camp...the only BSA camp to have this designation.  This designation was presented by the Tri-state StormReady Advisory Board of the National Weather Service in recognition of our practice of actively promoting severe weather safety awareness, and implementing an effective severe weather strategy. 

Both of these recognitions came as a result of how we handled the near miss by an F-1 tornado at camp last summer.  Rest assured that we have an excellent emergency plan in place, and practice it regularly with staff, leaders and campers to ensure that it is effective.

A key part of our emergency plan is the sophisticated communication network we have established with the local, county, state and federal agencies.  We have direct links via battery radio and cell phone with:  the Linn County Emergency Management system, Central City Fire Department, NE Linn Ambulance Service and the National Weather Service.  Through these agencies, we receive instant notification of any severe weather emergencies.  We train and drill regularly to react instantly to the redundant alerts we receive from these agencies. 

The Hawkeye Area Council is prepared for severe weather.  The safety of our campers, staff and leaders remains our number one priority.

I look forward to seeing you at camp this summer.

Yours in Scouting,

Ed Brandon

Scout Executive