Post Spotlight

Grandview Police Explorer Visits with Governor Strickland!

Hilliard Davidson High School student, Britney Bowers, participated in the "Report to the Governor's Day."  Bowers represented the Exploring Program of Central Ohio.  In addition to visiting with Governor Strickland, Bowers toured the Judicial Center including the Ohio Supreme Court and met with Representatives and other legislators for orientation to State Legislature.  Congratulations Britney!

The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Explorer Post experienced a summer field trip to THE WILDS!

Columbus Division of Fire Explorer Post Tours the 121st Air Refueling Wing 

The 121st Air Refueling Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard at Rickenbacker International Airport recently dedicated a day to the Scouting community.  Master Sergeant Ed Starr, Lieutenant Colonel Kathy Lowrey, and wing members organized a base tour and hands-on activities for Scouts and Adult Leaders.  Sixty Scouts, Explorers, and Adult Leaders attended this event. 

Participants received a briefing about the mission and role of the 121st Air Refueling Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard.  Scouts and Explorers rotated throughout various stations in a hangar set up by security forces, the fire department, readiness, life support, pilots, and boom operators.  The youth experienced an overview of field conditions of a deployed, security forces unit, and toured an airfield fire truck and equipment.  A display of chemical warfare detection equipment and a gas mask with a suit was on display as well as an inflated life raft and assorted equipment used during an emergency aircraft evacuation.  The youth toured the interior of a KC-135 "Tanker" and toured the cockpit and boom pod discussing how it all works together during a refueling mission. 

Lieutenant Colonel Jim Jones shared his previous scouting experiences and as it helped shape who he is today as a pilot.  Jones, an Eagle Scout, shared with the youth that achieving every Scouting rank could be a challenge but encouraged the young boys to persevere.  The lessons learned and life experiences are well worth the investment.

The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Explorer Post completes hands-on research in the lab...

The Ohio State College of Engineering and Burgess and Niple Explorer Posts tour ISP in Hilliard

Meet the NEW Delaware Police Explorer Post! 

Columbus College of Art and Design Explorer Post! 
Congratulations to recent scholarship recipients! 

The Ohio State College of Engineering and Burgess and Niple Explorer Posts

Columbus Police Explorers visit with Mayor Coleman during The Mayor's State of the City Address

Mount Carmel East and Mount Carmel West Explorer Posts participate in "A Day in the Life of a Nurse" Activity

Columbus Police Post #120 prepare for the 2008 National Law Enforcement Exploring Conference

Congratulations to the Learning for Life Division! 

Columbus Police Explorer Post Advisor and Learning for Life Advisory Committee Member, Jason Jackson, received the National Centennial Quality District Award.  Jackson received this award on behalf of the Learning for Life Division at The Key 3 Meeting on January 12, 2008 at Pickerington North High School. 

Meet The Columbus Dispatch Computer Programming Explorer Post! 

This Explorer Post meets weekly on Wednesday evenings at the Columbus Dispatch location downtown.  The Explorers learn UNIX, Internet, MUD programming and electrical engineering.  Dennis McNellis, experienced volunteer with the Simon Kenton Council, is the lead Post Advisor.  Ron Mroz, Corporate Director of Technology – Infrastructure at the Columbus Dispatch Printing Company, oversees the program at the Columbus Dispatch. 

Grandview Heights Division of Police Explorer Post

A Grandview Cub Scout Pack learned how to find their finger prints with the help of the Grandview Police Explorers at the Grandview Heights Police Department.  The Explorers, along with Detective Carol Harper and Sergeant Larry Balla helped the Cub Scouts find their finger prints and discussed various safety techniques for children.

OSU Veterinary Medicine Explorer Post

Veterinary Medicine Explorers heard Dr. Stephen Birchard speak at the January OSU Veterinary Medicine Explorer Post meeting.  Dr. Birchard is a small animal soft tissue surgeon at OSU.  Dr. Birchard presented basic principles of surgery followed by a handful of interesting surgical cases to work through as a group.  Alicia Montgomery, lead Post Advisor, arranges monthly meetings for this post.

Columbus Police Explorers in the News.   

It has been a busy year for the Columbus Police Explorers and their Advisors.  The Explorers have been out in the community assisting at Mayors Coleman’s State of the City Address and Assisting the Advance Training Staff, at the Training Academy.  The Explorers participated in the Saint Patrick Day Parade, and Red, White, and Boom.  In April, the Explorers Competed in a State Regional Competition, which was held in Mansfield, Ohio.  The Columbus Explorer teams competed with 25 Explorer Posts throughout Ohio. Columbus Explorer Posts won Six Awards:   1st and 2nd place for suspicious person call, 1st Place in traffic stop investigations,  2nd Place in Traffic Crash Investigations, and 1st Place responding to Bomb Threat Investigations.  After all the scores where counted, the Columbus Explorers won 2nd place for overall top score.  Great Job!

Explorers also worked for CBS Sports Broadcasting during the Memorial Golf Tournament.  This fund-raising event helps the Explorer Post raise funds to attend the National Law Enforcement Explorer Conference that will be held at Ft. Collins, Colorado in July, 2008.  It cost each Explorer and Post Advisors $350 to attend, this does not include traveling Expenses, IE: rental vehicles, gasoline, motels rooms and tylenol!  If you would like to donate to help the Explorers get out to the National Conference you can make your tax-deductible donation “ To Learning for Life Post  221.”  Please mail to: Learning for Life; 1901 East Dublin- Granville Rd, Columbus, 43229, Attention: Alyssa Fry. 

Three Columbus Police Explorers and Post Advisors received Learning for Life Youth, and Adult Leadership Awards.  In May Learning Life held their 3rd Annual Banquet which was held at the Columbus Police Training Academy which Honor’s all Explorer Programs in Central Ohio. Columbus Police Explorers Eric Baker, Stephanie Cumbo, and Jeremy Knowlton received the Youth Leadership Award for their outstanding leadership in the Exploring Program.  Officer William Lang and Jason Jackson received the Adult Leadership Award for running an outstanding Law Enforcement Program for youth in central Ohio. 

Explorers Graduate from the Police Academy:  In June 3 Explorers graduated from the Columbus Police Training Academy and now are finishing their probation period throughout the City.  I want to congratulate Officer Bryan Mason, Nick Mason, and Nick Thatcher.  All three Officers committed themselves to the Exploring Program since they were sixteen years old and now have fulfilled their dreams by being a Columbus Police Officer. 

I get many calls by Officers and parents who want to know more about the The Law Enforcement Explorer Program:  Law Enforcement Exploring is a work site-based program for young men and women who have completed the eighth grade and are 14 years of age, or are 15 years of age but have not yet reached their 21st birthday.  Law Enforcement Explorer Posts help youth to gain insight into a variety of programs that offer hands-on career activities. For young men and women who are interested in careers in the field of law enforcement, Exploring offers experiential learning with many fun-filled, hands-on activities that promote the growth and development of adolescent youth.  Here at the Columbus Division of Police, the Explorer Program maintain two Posts, which are held weekly on Monday nights at the Columbus Police Training Academy and Wednesday at the Columbus Police Headquarters.  Explorers will be trained in: Police radio 10-codes, Physical Training, Crime Scene Search/ Investigation, Bomb Threat Response, Building Search, Arrest and Search Techniques, Accident Investigation, Domestic Crisis Intervention, Hostage Negotiation, Traffic Stop, Inspections, Defensive Tactics Unit, and Crime Prevention.  All Explorers that join may participate in ride along program with the Columbus Police Officers after a three-month probation period. During a ride a long, Explorers will see first hand Officer’s daily duties.  Members will see what happens on the street and assist Officers with task such as paper work, computer operations, and radio operation. Explorers may also aid in investigations, crime scenes, and with traffic and crowd control in certain situations with all necessary training.  Explorers will also compete in the Explorer’s National Conference, which is held every two years.  For more Information, feel free to contact the following officers:

In closing, I want to thank those Individuals that keep the program running by volunteering their free time when I call them with no hesitations:  Officer Jim Tripp, Steven Hungler, Sam Burkholder, Kim Wilkinson, Dana Farbacher, and Sergeant  Brian Bruce, and most of all, Chief James G. Jackson...without his support this program could not exist.

Officer William G. Lang
Columbus Police Explorer Post Advisor   

OSU AVIATION EXPLORER POST HAS LIFTED OFF!

The Aviation Explorer Post sponsored by The Ohio State University Airport has taken off this fall!  An Open House was held at The OSU Airport on September 12th.  Robin Litvay from The Ohio State University Department of Aviation served as a guest speaker.  Litvay’s presentation provided a thorough overview of all of the opportunities available at the Department of Aviation. 

 Kelly Hoffman, OSU Aviation Student and Alpha Eta Rho Officer  (International Aviation Service Fraternity) is the new Post Advisor for the Program this school year.  15 students who represent a variety of high schools throughout Central Ohio signed up for the Aviation Post this year.  For more information about the Exploring Program, contact Alyssa Fry at 436-7200 ext. 234 or afry@skcbsa.org  or visit the Exploring webpage at www.skcbsa.org/exploring.

ENGINEERING:  A POPULAR POST

67 high school students from all over Central Ohio have signed up for The Ohio State University College of Engineering and Burgess and Niple Explorer Post.  The classroom at The OSU College of Engineering was filled with prospective Engineers at the Open House on September 11th. 

John Merrill, Director of the First-Year Engineering Program at Ohio State provided an overview about the College of Engineering to the families and students.  Ron Schultz, Chairman of Burgess and Niple commended the students for pursuing a career in engineering at an early age.  Post Advisors, Brian Moore and Chris Gecik presented information about the activities planned for the coming year. 

The OSU College of Engineering and Burgess and Niple were recognized at the 2007 Learning for Life Awards Banquet with the William H Spurgeon Award which honors the most outstanding Explorer Post of the year. For more information about the Exploring Program, contact Alyssa Fry at 436-7200 ext. 234 or afry@skcbsa.org  or visit the Exploring webpage at www.skcbsa.org/exploring.  Visit www.eng-exploring.blogspot.com for more information about the Engineering Explorer Post. 

Detective Carol Harper (Grandview Police Explorer Advisor) and Grandview Police Explorer, Matt Scott, were in charge of the Grandview Police booth at the Franklin County Fair for the Cops and Kids Day.  26 law enforcement departments participated in this event on Monday, July 16^th at the fairgrounds in Hilliard.  Detective Harper and Explorer Scott helped young visitors find their finger prints and gave tours of the Grandview specialized police vehicle.  “I really enjoyed giving tours to people,” Scott said.  Scott will be a freshman at Grandview Heights High School in the fall.  

EXPLORERS EXPERIENCE FIRE SCENES  FIRST HAND

51 high school students attended the week long Ohio Youth Fire Academy.  Students traveled from all over Ohio, Indiana, and Northern Kentucky to participate at Hocking College July 8^th through the 14^th for the exploratory week.  Columbus Division of Fire Explorers Avery Blanton, Cory Hutchison, Steve Little, and Travis Bullock were participants of the Academy.  Greenfield Township Fire Explorers Sierra Blevins, Justin Richardson, and Josh Richardson attended the Academy, along with Violet Township Fire Explorer, Brandon Hill. 

Other participating youth represented various Explorer Posts, Cadet Programs or Junior Fire Fighter organizations.  Activities offered ranged from automobile extraction, search and rescue in buildings and a mobile home, ladder and hose drills, hazardous materials training, medical emergencies to class lectures.  A medical flight helicopter visited the students, the Nelsonville Fire Department, and even the State Fire Marshall, Mike Bell, made an appearance to provide words of wisdom.

Seventeen of the students completed a 36 hour class which enabled them to receive certification to serve as volunteer firefighters.  Brandon Hill of the Violet Township Fire Post took advantage of this opportunity.  Approximately 30 adult volunteers took time out of their summer schedule to visit the students at the Academy this year.  Brett Bowen (Violet Township Fire Explorer Advisor) and Jim Urzykowski (Columbus Fire Explorer Advisor) both volunteered for the week.  “The kids are serious when they’re here and they enjoy it,” Urzykowski said.  This is the 4^th year for the Academy.  The Ohio Youth Fire Committee coordinates the entire Academy experience. 

COLUMBUS POLICE EXPLORERS…

 REPORTING TO DUTY

The Columbus Police Explorer Post was “on duty” the first weekend of June for the Memorial Tournament in Columbus.  Ten Explorers were on-hand to assist with parking and secure the media booth for CBS Sports.  This is the third year the Columbus Police Posts worked the Tournament.  Their help was rewarded with a $3,000 gift from CBS Sports.  They will use this money to assist the Post in traveling to the summer 2008 National Law Enforcement Conference which will take place at Colorado State University July 21-28.

MOUNT CARMEL EAST EXPLORERS

 VISIT SURGERY UNIT

Students in the Mount Carmel East Explorer Post experienced a unique opportunity at the February meeting.  Students dressed up in the hospital scrubs and visited the surgery department.  The Explorers learned about the equipment in the surgery room and the role of the surgeon, nurse, anesthesiologist and medical assistants. 

The medical Explorers even played a computer game which took them through a knee surgery.  Students from the Mount Carmel West Post joined students from the Explorer Post sponsored by Mount Carmel East during their March meeting to learn what it is like throughout a day in a life of a nurse at Mount Carmel East Hospital. 

Eight nurses volunteered their evening to educate the Explorer students.  Each nurse set up a station in the Siegel Center with equipment, pictures, and literature to share with the students.  Explorers who represent a variety of high schools in Central Ohio attended the meeting and rotated to each station to view the different aspects of nursing.  The students walked away with an entire new wealth of knowledge.  Many students expressed a deeper interest in being a nurse after this activity. 

Thanks to Pam Welshon and Amber Bates from Mount Carmel East Hospital and Rachel Winn from Mount Carmel West Hospital for coordinating this outstanding event!  The intent of the Mount Carmel East and West Explorer Post is to educate high school male and female students on the various aspects of the medical field. 

Other areas the students will observe include:  labor & delivery, the emergency room, impatient rehabilitation, respiratory therapy, clinical educators, radiology, sterile processing, and clinical dietetics.  Explorers will also be given the opportunity to take a thorough hospital tour.