Leaders

Randy Wright/FCF President
Northwest Network Royal Rangers

There has never been a time in our ministry that our personal knowledge of Royal Rangers is more important then today!  It is vital to the success of your outpost that you remain well informed and up to date on the latest upgrades.  Are you getting the most out of your charter dollars using your 15% GPH discount when placing orders.  Do you know what TRaCclub is and how you can subscribe online?  What is Ranger Essentials anyway?  Have you stood beside anyone in a Utility Uniform yet and really got to look it over?

April is just around the corner as is the NW Region Commanders Conference and you need to be there.  Trickle down information is lousy, come and get your updates first hand from your Region and Network staff just back from Springfield!

Spend some time with fellow laborers in Christ for boys, and allow yourself some time of refreshing and encouragement.  Here's what you need to do: send the registration form to your printer RIGHT NOW, fill it out, attach the check and drop in tomorrows mail.

The success of Royal Rangers depends on YOU, come let us help you be all God has called you to be.

In service to men and boys,
Ken Gray
NWMN Royal Ranger Coordinator
Mobile 509 961-2268
kengray@royalrangersnw.com

I am very excited to participate in three National Training events this year either on staff or as a trainee!!!

Will you consider joining me? The WCO and the brand new NRMC are critical for every Ranger Leader, and the NCE will just be FUN! I have never been on a canoe expedition and this will the last of it's kind till the new National Adventure Camps are rolled out. Check your schedule and register today. Don't wait till the last minute we need to know you're coming!

Register Today at: http://royalrangers.ag.org/training/nationalcamps/

World Class Outpost seminar is designed to expose the outpost leadership team to a successful set of practices, methods, strategies, and tools that will enable them to develop into a "World Class Outpost". The outpost leaders are encouraged to attend and complete this event together along with their Pastor or Children's Pastor

National Canoe Expedition is designed to give leaders specialized training on how to conduct canoe trips and to provide outstanding adventures in some of the most beautiful canoe country in America.

National Rangers Ministry Camp provides instruction in basic outdoor skills and activities providing leaders with the skills needed to take their Ranger boys on exciting outpost activities outside their normal weekly meeting times. Instruction in effectively implementing the team/patrol method will be offered as a means to facilitate junior leadership development. Also, leaders will be challenged to connect with God and explore spiritual manhood.

In service to men and boys,
NWMN Royal Rangers Coordinator
Ken Gray
509 961‐2268
kenwgray@royalrangersnw.com

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, then education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearances, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company… a church… a home… a team…

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we wil embrace for the day… We cannot change our past… We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable… The only thing that we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you…

We are in charge of our attitudes.

Last years National Council gave us a new charge. The bottom line is what are we going to do for the sake of those boys who need the lord. Are we going to push for our own agenda, or are we going to be a team player for the cause of Christ? The above statement says it all.

Yakima, WA - "Leaving a Legacy" was the theme for the 2008 Regional Commander's Seminar was held Nov 7-8 at Stone Church. The purpose of the Seminar is for Commanders from the 6 Pacific NW states to gather together for sharpening their leadership skills, learning new ideas, getting updates on new information from the National RR Office and encouraging each other as fellow soldiers for the Lord.

Featured at the Seminar were 10 leadership workshops coordinated by Bob Killin (Oregon) with some of the topics involving:

• Classroom Management
• Working w/Boys with Disabilities
• Preventing Child Abuse
• RR and Missions
• Public Relations
• Devotions, and others

The Spirit moved during corporate worship time led by Jim Dawson (Montana), as we sang, praised God and gathered at the altar for prayer and personal encouragement. And as always, there was a huge dose of great fellowship and networking with commanders from across the Region, during our breaks and meal times.

Our hearts were challenged by Keith Elder, long time District Commander of Montana Royal Rangers and new Vice President of Trinity Bible College in North Dakota. You know, our life and ministry is not just about US! We impact so many other people without even knowing it, many times. Let us always be yielded, broken, and pliable in the Lord's hands as we serve Him.

One of the highlights, was the introduction of the boys participating in the Ranger of the Year evaluation. Gary Kirckof (Yakima) and Lloyd Fillis (Spokane) coordinated not only the boys' testing, but also the Friday late-night game time. Everyone goes home happy and tired!

With the upcoming changes from the National Office, the Regional Seminar is being shifted to a SPRING event. The next event will be in 6 months. Mark your calendar for:

We expect the release of dramatic changes and updates from the National Office. One of the National Officers has been invited to come and present the new material. Plan to be there!

Larry Norris III was recently noted for achieving 2008 Network Discovery Ranger of the Year. Both the Stanwood/Camino News as well as the Everret Herald recognized Larry for his outstanding achievement. Its always great to see our boys and leaders recognized for their outstanding achievements. It is a great way to promote Royal Rangers to the community at large.

On behalf of our Network Commander Ken Gray a special "Hats Off" to all the people who came this past Saturday, October 11th to the Network (District) Ranger Of The Year event which was held at the Central Assembly in Yakima, WA. The leaders who helped out are to be commended and were fantastic in their evaluations. But even more so, each Ranger boy who came is especially honored to be our new "Network Rangers of the Year" for 2007 - 2008. In all we had 21 nominations.

We as members of the Network ROTY staff are proud to be part of this great recognition event. These young men demonstrated to us that they have learned much this past year and accordingly impressed us with their many accomplishments. Below are the results of the 2008 ROTY event. Unless noted, each boy below scored in the Excellent category (just below 85%). Boys noted as Outstanding scored 85% or higher.

Discovery Rangers:

• Matthew Cumpston, Zillah, #398
• Larry Norris III, Longview, #168
• Austin Owen, Yakima, #162
• Cutter Wurl, Wenatchee, #150

Adventure Rangers:

• Wyatt Sunkel, Bremerton, #72
• Thomas West, Bothell, #64
• Mathew West, Bothell, #64
• Christian Lundeen, Wenatchee, #150

Expedition Rangers:

• Alex Walter, Port Angeles, #147 "Outstanding"
• John Chau, Vancover, #61
• Neil Gregg, Yakima, #357

In addition, each boy has received an appropriate district medallion and name tag he can proudly wear on his Royal Ranger uniform. The medallions and name tags are indicators that each boy did a terrific job this past year and is justly deserving to wear them.

Finally, the following boys have been invited to go to the Regional Ranger of the Year. This event will be held at Stone Church in Yakima on the 7nd and 8th of November. They are:

• Wyatt Sunkel (Adventure)
• Thomas West (Adventure)
• Alex Walter (Expedition)
• John Chau (Expedition)

To each of them, good luck, keep studying, and God Bless.

Fall is just around the corner; back to school, brightly colored trees, football, and RANGER OF THE YEAR!.

Ranger of the Year is a time where boys come together to show their knowledge and skill in Royal Rangers. It is not a test against other boys, but a measure of progress each boy is making toward the Level of Excellence. All boys can earn the highest award of Outstanding Ranger of the Year based on the points he scores.

Below is an informative document that provides detailed instructions for boys and commanders, application form, point break downs, medals and certificates available.

Levels of evaluation are:

• Outpost - boys complete the application form accumulating points for activities and advancements.
• Divisional - boys gather within a geographical area bringing their application points and through tests and demonstrations, earn more points.
• Network - All boys who score a certain point total may attend the ROTY day in Yakima to again participate in further evaluation areas to earn points

For those who may not have participated in ROTY before, contact your Divisional Coordinator who can answer questions and give advice of how to be prepared.

Divisional Evaluations occur September 27th.

Network evaluation is October 11, Central Assembly, Yakima, WA.

On July 19th, 2008 at Hillcrest Assembly of God in Bremerton, Wa, 5 Rangers from the South Sound Division received their Gold Medal of Achievement (GMA). The GMA is the highest and most sought after achievement a Royal Ranger can earn.

The recipients are:
John Burton - Outpost 330
Robert Holm - Outpost 330
Cody Shaputis - Outpost 72
Justin Shaputis - Outpost 72
Ryan Silva - Outpost 72

Ranger Camp 2008 was again, another great 4 day camp filled with beautiful natural surroundings, challenging events, powerful evening services and overcoming the challenges of nature. Attendance was 520 boys and leaders camped at Stonewater Ranch near Plain, WA.

Outposts traveled from the 4 corners of the Northwest Network bringing a collage of color to the valley floor with tents, dining canopies, teepees, and what have you. The air was full of excited voices as boys "palled" around the camp using sticks for walking, poking things, and for imaginary weapons fending off monsters and would be enemies. (Things all boys have done since the dawn of time). Some brought out baseball mits or soccer balls, and the games began. Others beat the heat by wading the shallow creek finding all sorts of little "critters".

Mealtime brought tantalizing aromas of sizzling bacon, perking coffee, or BBQ burgers to name a few. It pays to walk around with a cup and spoon; you never know what might be offered at the next camp!

Each day had an activity schedule for boys to enjoy. Marksman events included sling shot, BBgun paintball, .22 rifle, and others. In the Field Event area included the popular bottle rocket launch, plus inflatables. The FCF village had frontiersmen showing boys skills of our American pioneer heritage.

When evening came, it was off to the Arena for the evening service. Besides the usual elements like songs, worship, and introductions of new FCF members and JLTA boys, there was the pageant presentation, Start Your Engines". The stage was a car racetrack format with 2 rival teams pitted against each other to win the championship trophy. Each team had a garage to work on their car, then the race announcer would take over while the drivers took the track. In the end, who do you think took the trophy? The honest team, or the one that cheated? Of course! Plus, all boys saw how trusting in the Lord was the most important decision in life. Pastor Shawn Backus of Soundlife Church in Tacoma brought the message each night which powerfully challenged boys to deeper relationship with Christ. This, of course, is one of the main reasons Ranger Camp exists, to see boys make those decisions and experience God in a personal, powerful way! And the Lord did meet us with a fresh outpouring of His Spirit.

Did I mention weather challenges? Not only did the campers need to deal with the usual 90 degree heat, but on Thursday of camp, the wind kicked up a howl knocking over trees and demolishing tents and dining canopies. One 60 foot tall Cottonwood crashed the Concession Tent and tore one door off Commander Ken Gray's equipment trailer. PRAISE THE LORD, injuries were minimal. Just moments before the tree came down, many boys were right where it was going to land. But because of a small mishap, that area was cleared of all people temporarily. Then, C R A S H !!! The Lord protected us from having more serious injuries.

Out in the field, the 40 mph winds wreaked havoc with tents and dining canopies. Most outposts had something that was ripped or damaged. The look of frustration was on the faces of many men as they sorted through the wreckage. It makes us wonder "why Lord"? We don't know the answer, but sometimes there are challenges which test our faith and commitment. This was definitely one of those tests. And our boys and men passed with flying colors!

Thanks goes to the great team of leaders who coordinated the camp, events, and services. The Lord willing we'll be back again for Ranger Camp 2009.