{"id":47779,"date":"2013-06-28T12:00:56","date_gmt":"2013-06-28T16:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=47779"},"modified":"2013-06-28T08:45:12","modified_gmt":"2013-06-28T12:45:12","slug":"spreading-scoutings-message-to-south-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=47779","title":{"rendered":"Spreading Scouting\u2019s Message to South America"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"483532_10200347221658867_847090867_n\"<\/a>\"534218_398013980234207_1054580535_n\"<\/a>\"543318_398010010234604_951870033_n\"<\/a>(Utica, NY – June 2013) While packing for Columbia, Tom Wadnola is anticipating the smiles on the many faces he will see upon his arrival. They have been waiting patiently for him to guide them in Scouting.<\/p>\n

During his first visit to Columbia in 2012, Wadnola noticed Scouts and Scout leaders, such as \u201cel jefe,\u201d needed help implementing the program. He was so touched by how genuine the people were that he decided to stay with \u201cel jefe\u201d for a month visiting children living in the most impoverished and crime-stricken areas. After lending this helping hand, he was inducted into the Scouting group called \u201cYames\u00edes.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked what the most rewarding part was of implementing Scouting to at-risk youth, Wadnola said, \u201cThe smiles that I see from the children. Also, parents saying, \u2018I want to thank you for helping keep our children away from the gangs and violence that surrounds us.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Youth gangs are a problem everywhere. Everyday Scouting is helping to combat this problem through character-building and value-based leadership training. Every year, Tom brings each Scout a little surprise. This year he has patches and neckerchiefs for the 1500 Scouts to decorate on their own. In Columbia, neckerchiefs symbolize the Scouts.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s such a different world down there. They don\u2019t have a lot and appreciate the smallest of gestures and cherish every gift they receive. It makes your heart jump out\u201d said Wadnola.<\/p>\n

Annually, Scouting units from multiple parts of South America gather together at a 4-day convention called “An Exchange of Cultures. \u201c Wadnola gave the welcoming address to 100 Scouts last year when they first gathered.<\/p>\n

This year the event will be extra special because a group of Scouts who have been deaf since birth are attending. Wadnola has already prepared 4 different projects for them. He will give instructions to their leader, Gina, in Spanish that she will translate into Colombian Spanish Sign Language.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter what I do for them, they extend their left hand for a handshake to show gratitude,\u201d said Wadnola.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe saddest part of this whole story is that many families cannot afford $25 to come to the event even though for 4 days we provide Scouts with 3 meals a day, 4 days full of events, nighttime campfires and great new friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cScouting has inspired me to share smiles with these kids. Their smiles are worth a million dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom Wadnola earned the rank of Eagle in 1960. He is also a Silver Beaver Award recipient and is currently an active member of the Rip Van Winkle Council.<\/p>\n

Feel free to contact Tom at (845) 594-6112 for more information or to make donations in the form of monetary gifts, camping supplies, patches or necklaces. All contributions are greatly appreciated. For more information on Yames\u00edes you can visit their Facebook page at https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/exploradoresdeamalfi<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Utica, NY – June 2013) While packing for Columbia, Tom Wadnola is anticipating the smiles on the many faces he will see upon his arrival. They have been waiting patiently for him to guide them in Scouting. During his first visit to Columbia in 2012, Wadnola noticed Scouts and Scout leaders, such as \u201cel jefe,\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22341],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47779","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-regional"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47779","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=47779"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47779\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=47779"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=47779"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=47779"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}