Little Sioux Scout Ranch

Infobox WorldScouting
type = campsite
name = Little Sioux Scout Ranch


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location = Little Sioux, Iowa
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country = United States
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owner = Mid-America Council, Boy Scouts of America
website = [http://www.mac-bsa.org/index.php?Itemid=80&id=92&option=com_content&task=view Official website] The Little Sioux Scout Ranch is a convert|1800|acre|km2 Scout reservation operated by the Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts of America. It is located in Little Sioux, Iowa, approximately sixty miles north of Omaha, Nebraska in Iowa's Loess Hills and is approximately 15 minutes east of Interstate 29. [cite book |last=Whye |first=Mike |title=The Great Iowa Touring Book: 27 Spectacular Auto Trips |publisher=Big Earth Publishing |date=2004 |pages=29 |isbn=1931599351]

Hiking trails cover the heavily timbered camp, along with mowed meadows and several remote campsites. There are also four cabin shelters and a convert|15|acre|km2 lake. The Mutual of Omaha Administration Building was completed in 2000, and two years later the MidAmerican Energy Pavilion was finished, seating 300 at picnic tables. Individual packs, troops and posts use the facility, along with Order of the Arrow conclaves, district and council camporees. Pahuk Pride, a weeklong National Youth Leadership Training event, is held annually at this camp. [cite web|url=http://www.mac-bsa.org/index.php?Itemid=80&id=92&option=com_content&task=view|title=Little Sioux Scout Ranch|work=Mid-America Council|accessdate=2008-06-13] The camp was the site of a tornado that killed four Boy Scouts and injured 48 others on June 11, 2008.cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/06/11/severe.weather/index.html |title=Official: 4 dead after twister tears through Scout camp |work=CNN |accessdate=2008-06-13]

June 2008 tornado

At 6:35 p.m. CST on June 11 2008 an EF3 tornado struck the camp during a Pahuk Pride National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT). There were 96 boys and 25 youth and adult staff members in attendance; four boys were killed and 48 wounded.cite news |url=http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1000 |title='We are a family': Vigils honor tornado victims, survivors |date=2008-06-12 |work=Omaha World-Herald |accessdate=2008-06-13] Three Scouts were missing immediately after the tornado, later to be recovered.cite news |author=Tysver, R., Elfrink, T. and Nelson, A.J. |title=4 killed, at least 46 injured at Iowa Boy Scout camp |date=2008-06-12 |publisher="Omaha World Herald" |url=http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10355890 |accessdate=2008-06-12 ] [cite news |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jW-http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jW-BndswWuhgPAPXOK4Q6TCQsANQD9188IT80 |title=4 dead, 40 hurt as tornado hits Boy Scout camp |date=2008-06-12 |work=Associated Press |accessdate=2008-06-13] The tornado was one of 28 reported late Wednesday moving across eastern Kansas and into Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota. [cite news|url=http://www.ajc.com/travel/content/news/stories/2008/06/11/boy_scouts_tornado.html|title=At least 4 killed as tornado hits Iowa Boy Scout camp|date=2008-06-12|work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution|accessdate=2008-06-13] Scouts attending the weeklong Pahuk Pride event at the camp were from eastern Nebraska, western Iowa and South Dakota.cite news| first=Scott |last=Simon | title=Remembering the Boy Scouts | date=2008-06-14 | publisher=National Public Radio |url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91514659 | accessdate=2008-06-14]

The National Weather Service office in Valley, Nebraska, said they issued a tornado warning 12 minutes before the twister hit the camp. People at the camp reported having five minutes between sighting the funnel cloud and touch down at the camp. According to a camp counselor, nearly all the injuries and fatalities happened when a small cabin that some campers took shelter in was destroyed by the tornado. A tornado siren went off at the camp, but the Scouts had already taken cover before the siren sounded. The Scouts were split into two groups when the storm hit, with the groups taking shelter in two different buildings.cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Severe-Weather.html?th&emc=th|title=4 reported dead as tornado hits Boy Scout camp|date=2008-06-12|work=The New York Times|accessdate=2008-06-13] Many of the injuries were reported to have happened when a brick fireplace in one shelter where the Scouts were taking cover was ripped apart by the storm. It is also believed that the fireplace was impacted by an airborne truck that was parked nearby. At least two buildings had been turned into piles of rubble and some trees were severed at ground level. [cite news|url=http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10356198|title=Eyewitness accounts from Little Sioux Scout Ranch|date=2008-06-12|work=Omaha World-Herald|accessdate=2008-06-13]

The tornado killed Josh Fennen, 13; Sam Thomsen, 13; Ben Petrzilka, 14, all three from Omaha and Aaron Eilerts, 14, from Eagle Grove, Iowa. [cite news|url=http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10356234|title=The Scouts who died|date=2008-06-12|work=Omaha World-Herald|accessdate=2008-06-13] cite web|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080611/NEWS/80611078|title=Scout camp victims were 13, 14|date=2008-06-12|publisher=Des Moines Register|accessdate=2008-06-12] The Scouts' first aid training was immediately used, with one of the youth leaders reporting, "We knew that we need to place tourniquets on wounds that were bleeding too much. We knew we need to apply pressure and gauze. We had first-aid kits, we had everything."

The mayor of the nearby town of Little Sioux told the media that there were 46 boys in the north section of the camp when the tornado struck. First responders had to hike with their gear and backboards across a ditch and field while other rescue personnel sawed a large downed tree blocking access to the area. Two triage areas were set up in the camp, with one in the north section of the camp for the seriously injured and one south of the downed tree for those who had less-severe wounds. An access road leading to a shelter house that was still standing after the tornado was used to transport wounded to hospitals in nearby Sioux City. [cite news|url=http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19766831&BRD=326&PAG=461&dept_id=449012&rfi=6|title=Tornado devastates Little Sioux Scout Ranch|last=Swenson|first=Brad|date=2008-06-12|work=Missouri Valley Times|accessdate=2008-06-13] Medical helicopters took to the sky before the storm passed to pick up two injured boys. At least four of the injured were airlifted from the camp.

According to the local "Omaha World-Herald", the wounded were taken to several locations.
* Four were brought to the Saint Joseph Hopital at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, all in stable and good condition;
* Four were brought to Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa, and were in stable condition;
* Nineteen were taken to Burgess Medical Center in Onawa, Iowa;
* Fourteen were taken to Community Memorial Hospital in Missouri Valley, Iowa. Three of those were transferred to Creighton, and;
* Eight were brought to Memorial Community Hospital and Health System in Blair, Nebraska, including one in critical condition. [cite news|url=http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10356188|title=Update on injuries from Little Sioux Boy Scout Ranch|date=2008-06-12|work=Omaha World-Herald|accessdate=2008-06-13]

After the tornado struck, surviving Boy Scouts were taken to West Harrison High School in nearby Mondamin, Iowa to wait for their parents to pick them up. Some boys reportedly waited up to five hours. The Omaha Police Department helicopter conducted an infrared scan of the camp early in the morning on June 12, despite the fact that as of 12am CST all people have been accounted for. [cite news|url=http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10356198|title=Updates on the Little Sioux Scout Ranch|date=2008-06-12|work=Omaha World-Herald|accessdate=2008-06-13] A police lieutenant suggested it may just be as a precaution. As many as 42 Scouts remained hospitalized the following morning with wounds ranging from cuts and bruises to major head trauma.

Aftermath

Many acts of bravery occurred during and after the storm. Both Nebraska and Iowa governors praised the actions of the surviving Scouts. Governor of Nebraska Dave Heineman said in a statement, "I want to thank the scouts and the scout leaders who helped in the aftermath of the storm. They responded in true Boy Scout fashion." [cite web|title=Gov. Heineman’s Comment from Little Sioux Boy Scout Camp|date=2008-06-12|publisher=Governor of Nebraska (news release)|url=http://www.gov.state.ne.us/news/2008/2008_06/12_Iowa_scout_camp.html |accessdate=2008-06-13 ] Governor of Iowa Chet Culver said at a press conference the following morning, "There were some real heroes at the Scout camp. They set up triage and were taking care of one another and saved many lives before emergency responders arrived". [cite news|title=Scouts praised for response after tornado hits Iowa camp|date=2008-06-13|publisher="Des Moines Register|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080612/NEWS/80612004 |accessdate=2008-06-13 ] Later in the day on June 12, both governors were joined by Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, who toured the devastated camp and afterwards expressed the condolences of U.S. President George W. Bush to the families of the dead Scouts. [cite news |url=http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Tornado-hits-Boy-Scout-camp-Iowa-Boy-Scouts-Homeland-Security-Secretary-Michael-Chertoff-Little-Sioux2C-Iowa/ss/events/us/061208scouttornado/s:/ap/20080613/ap_on_re_us/severe_weather_boy_scouts_10/im:/080612/480/b940e994dd4c4cb7a91332cff3d83417/#photoViewer=/080613/480/57a1f605e5b542f0acacd292940bb599 |title=Tornado hits Boy Scout camp in Iowa |date=2008-06-12 |work=Yahoo! |accessdate=2008-06-13] Chertoff said he was "particularly touched by the finest young people from this region being caught up in the ... terrible tragedy", adding that, "the reaction of the Boy Scouts was in the best tradition of what they're being taught." Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzucca planned to visit the council and help assist families of the Scouts, [cite news|url=http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10357164|title=Boy Scouts' national leader on his way to Omaha|last=Elfrink|first=Tim|date=2008-06-13|work=Omaha World-Herald|accessdate=2008-06-13] and has launched an appeal to fellow Scouts for relief funds. [cite web|url=http://www.scouting.org/Media/PressReleases/2008/20080612.aspx|title=Statement Regarding the Tragedy in Western Iowa|last=Mazzuca|first=Robert |coauthors=Gottschalk, John|date=2008-06-13|work=Boy Scouts of America|accessdate=2008-06-13]

On September 8, 2008, Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Rick Sheehy presented the first–ever "Be Prepared Local Hero" award to the Mid-America Council Pahuk Pride Class of 2008 because of their preparation for and taking care of each other during and after the tornado struck.cite web|url=http://www.ashland-gazette.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20112190&BRD=2712&PAG=461&dept_id=556239&rfi=6|title=Boy Scout leadership group wins Hero award |last=Stoddard|first=Martha|date=2008-09-09|publisher=Suburban Newspapers|accessdate=2008-09-29] On September 14, 2008, those who died in the storm were presented the Spirit of the Eagle Award, a posthumous award from the Boy Scouts of America.cite web|url=http://www.ktiv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9006680|title=Scouts Honored For Heroism|last=Klos|first=Michael|date=2008-09-14|publisher=KTIV News|accessdate=2008-09-29]

Controversy

While most praise the actions of the Scouts in the aftermath of the tornado, many question the absence of a tornado shelter on the grounds. In a press conference on June 12, 2008, Lloyd Roitstein, Scout Executive with the Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts of America is quoted as saying, "Absolutely not" to a question about whether or not the camp grounds had a tornado shelter.cite web|url=http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2008/06/12/news/nebraska/doc485078a956f93080617518.txt|title=Officials ID Boy Scouts Killed in Iowa Tornado|last=Jackson|first=Henry|coauthors=Funk, Josh|date=2008-06-13|publisher=Journal Star|accessdate=2008-06-14] On June 13, 2008, The Omaha World Herald quoted Roitstein as saying "One of the things you learn in Scouting, one of the skills you learn is what happens when you're out in the wilderness and severe weather. "And we teach them of course to go to the lowest-lying area, go into a ditch and get down as low as you can. Because when you're out hiking in the mountains or canoeing down a river or whatever, there's not storm shelters." The lack of tornado shelters is a topic of debate. Bryan and Arnell Petrzilka of Omaha, whose son Ben was killed in the storm, are heading a project to add tornado shelters to the Little Sioux Ranch and possibly others in the area. A fund for donations has been set up with the Omaha State Bank.cite web|url=http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1000&u_sid=10357527|title=Scouts had nowhere to go when tornado hit|last=Funk|first=Josh|coauthors=Webber, Tammy|date=2008-06-13|publisher=Omaha World-Herald|accessdate=2008-06-14]

Reconstruction

FEMA has declared Monona County along with the Little Sioux Scout Ranch a disaster area. On 26 July, 2008 volunteers from the Shelby County Rescue and Recovery Team along with 22 professional loggers helped to clear out damaged and destroyed trees at the Ranch. The Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts of America have announced plans to rebuild the ranch and as of late July 2008 had raised $225,459 of the 1.8 million dollars estimated to rebuild. There is also plans to construct a memorial at the site. The Ranger's House was the 1st building to be reconstructed. [cite web|url=http://www.mac-bsa.org/|title=Mid-America Council Tragedy at Little Sioux Scout Ranch|date=2008-07|publisher=Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts of America|accessdate=2008-07-30/] cite web|url=http://www.hci-omaha.com/Default_files/LittleSiouxScoutCampRebuilding.htm|title=Rebuilding the Little Sioux Ranger’s House|date=2008|publisher=Huntel Communications|accessdate=2008-09-17]

References

External links

* [http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/19814229.html Camp photos and video] from WOWT-TV, Omaha, Nebraska
* [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91514659 Remembering the Boy Scouts] at NPR.org