February 24, 2003 - Camp Yawgoog: Neil Ross was a Peace Corps Volunteer in that nation in 1962-64, when he first became involved with the Dominican Scouting as a Troop leader and on the national level

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Dominican Republic: Peace Corps Dominican Republic : The Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic: February 24, 2003 - Camp Yawgoog: Neil Ross was a Peace Corps Volunteer in that nation in 1962-64, when he first became involved with the Dominican Scouting as a Troop leader and on the national level

By Admin1 (admin) on Monday, February 24, 2003 - 1:59 pm: Edit Post

Neil Ross was a Peace Corps Volunteer in that nation in 1962-64, when he first became involved with the Dominican Scouting as a Troop leader and on the national level



Neil Ross was a Peace Corps Volunteer in that nation in 1962-64, when he first became involved with the Dominican Scouting as a Troop leader and on the national level

Yawgoog Begins Exchange with Dominican Republic Scouts

For immediate release: July 23, 1999

Providence - Two Scouts from the Dominican Republic will begin three weeks in a new international exchange program with the Narragansett Council Boy Scouts of America.

Dominican Republic Scouts Larissa Paniagua and Emmanuel Gonzalez will serve as members of the Camp Yawgoog staff, in Rockville, RI, starting August 1st for the last three weeks of the camping season. They will help teach about their country's Scouting program, merit badges and camping skills to the American Scouts while learning how this summer camp program is organized. When they return to the Dominican Republic, they will hopefully be able to help organize the first summer camp program in their nation.

Anthony Gibbs, Director of Field Service for the Narragansett Council, said, "Camp Yawgoog is one of the oldest, largest, and most successful Scout Camps in America. Each year, we traditionally invite Scouts from other nations to teach American boys about other nations and cultures. Larissa and Emmanuel are the first Scouts invited from the Dominican Republic. We will do everything to make this a great international learning, teaching, and fun Scouting experience."

Both of the Dominican Scouts are 18 years old, earned the highest Scouting rank of Enriquillo [equivalent to Eagle], and are completing their freshman year as university students in the Caribbean Island Nation.

Larissa Paniagua comes to Rhode Island from Santo Domingo-the Dominican Capital City on the south coast. [She will be celebrating her 19th birthday at Yawgoog]. She has been a Scout for 9 years and is considered one of the top in that nation. She is active as the Scoutmaster of Troop 7 Santo Domingo, and also works part time in the National Scout Association Office.

Emmanuel Gonzalez is from Santiago-second largest city in the DR. He has been active in Scouting for the last decade and was Patrol Leader in his Troop and currently secretary to his Rover unit #49 Santiago. In 1997 he attended the Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree in Virginia as a Dominican patrol leader, and visited relatives in Providence during that trip. He works part time as a tourist guide in Santiago.

Coordinating the exchange program is Scouting volunteer Neil W. Ross of Kingston, RI. "This is an exciting first step between linking the Dominican and our Scouting programs, " said Ross. "Next February I will lead 8 local Scouts for a 10-day visit to the Dominican Republic where we will be staying with Scouting families.

Ross was a Peace Corps Volunteer in that nation in 1962-64, when he first became involved with the Dominican Scouting as a Troop leader and on the national level. "During recent visits to Santo Domingo, the national Scout leaders talked with me about establishing an exchange program," Ross explained, "in recognition of both the large Dominican population living in the Greater Providence area and the strength of our Council's programs. Both organizations will benefit. Narragansett Council hopes this will help us reach out to the thousands of Dominican youth living in Rhode Island." Last year Ross became the President of the new Friends of the Dominican Republic incorporated to encourage former Peace Corps Volunteers and staff to reestablish links between the two countries.

Dominican Scout Troops first began in 1914, just 4 years after starting in Rhode Island. Scouting there is open to both girls and boys until age 21, and includes 5,000 registered youth in Cub, Scout and Rover [Explorer] programs. The Dominicans are clearly in a growth mode and seek to improve their programming.

Writing to Larissa Paniagua and Emmanuel Gonzalez, Dr. Pedro Luis Castellanos, President of the Dominican Scout Association said, "We hope you will be able to build strong relationships with our brother Scouts at Camp Yawgoog. My only recommendation for you is: Be yourself. It will be an important experience for you. Learn all you can. Share your knowledge, experiences and your own culture, with our brother Scouts there. Be open minded, as you already are. Hopefully, this will be the first step to a more structured exchange program between Rhode Island and Dominican Scouts."

For more information about the exchange program, contact Anthony Gibbs, Director of Field Service for the Narragansett Council at 351-8700 or Neil Ross at 782-2116.



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Story Source: Camp Yawgoog

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Dominican Republic; Boy Scouts

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