Scout to Attend Forum in Japan

NEW ATHENS — Paul Starcher, a 19 year-old Venture Scout from New Athens, has been selected to represent the United States in the 2005/2006 Scout Association of Japan International Scout Forum from March 2-13 in Japan.

He will be one of 32 boys and girls and nine leaders from the United States to make the trip.

The International Scout Forum is a joint program of the Scout Association of Japan and the Boy Scouts of America. About 200 youth from 26 countries, mostly in the Asian/Pacific Region, will be attending the event. Japan is expected to have 47 scouts and 41 leaders attend.

The theme will be ‘‘New Century-New Beginning.’’ The objective of the forum will be the promotion of international understanding and friendship among the participants. It will feature speakers and discussion groups and is intended to enhance the enrichment of the Scouting program through sharing of information and experiences among the participating countries, as well as deepen the participants’ knowledge of Japan.

‘‘This is an honor,’’ said Starcher, who will represent the Venturing program at the world youth conference. He explained Venturing is the co-ed high adventure program for Scouts between the ages of 14 and 21. He holds a national position in the program as president of the Central Region Area Four, which covers all of Ohio and West Virginia. He has held that position since last September after applying for the job last summer.

The selection of those who will make the trip was made by the International Division of the Boy Scouts of America. The trip will also include traveling around the country, sightseeing and staying three days in Tokyo with a Japanese host family. Prior to leaving for Japan, he will visit the National Boy Scout Headquarters in Irving, Texas, near Dallas, where he will take a tour and meet national and international Boy Scout officials.

Starcher is an Eagle Scout and a member of Venturing Crews 2690 in Cadiz and 530 in the Greater Pittsburgh Council. Both specialize in high adventure activities.

‘‘I’ve done a lot in Venturing,’’ Starcher continued. ‘‘It has a lot to offer. The organization gives kids a chance to challenge themselves. It builds character.’’

He pointed out the program also offers girls high adventure opportunities.

In Venturing, Starcher has earned a Silver Award, which is the equivalent to Eagle in the Boy Scout program.

‘‘I like to earn the awards,’’ he said, ‘‘but you don’t have to work toward them. Some do some don’t. It’s the activities that make it fun.’’

He also noted he has earned a Bronze Outdoor Award.

Also during his Scouting career, Starcher has attended the National Boy Scout Jamboree in 2001, served as a guide at the Venturing underground mine exhibit at last year’s National Boy Scout Jamboree and taken a trip to Hawaii. Starcher is currently a freshman at Bethany College, where he is serving as the freshman class vice president. He is treasurer of the outdoors club and involved with the Alpha Phi Omega national service fraternity.

According to Starcher most of his expenses will be paid for by the Ministry of Education and Scout Association of Japan. He knows of only one other Scout and leader from Delaware, Ohio, who will be attending the event. The rest will be selected from all over the country.

Other Scouts attending the event will be from Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burunei Darussalam, China, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.