Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) Virus Information

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced on 8/19/19 that EEE virus has been detected in mosquitos collected from areas within the Mayflower Council boundaries. As a consequence of this detection the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has raised the EEE risk level for many of these areas.

EEE is a rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under 15 years of age or over 50 years of age are at greatest risk for serious illness.

By taking a few, common-sense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant. Avoid outside areas with obvious mosquito activity
• Clothing Can Help to reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin. Sleep with mosquito netting.
• Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin. Wear mosquito repellent when outdoors, especially between dawn and dusk.

The Mayflower Council will continue to work with the Boards of Health, the MDPH and other agencies.

For the most up to date information about EEE and reports of current and historical EEE virus activity in Massachusetts visit the MDPH website at www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito

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If you’re a den leader, you’re going to love the latest update to Scoutbook! The Boy Scouts of America’s online tool for tracking Scouting advancement just rolled out a new update that’s going to make it easier than ever for den leaders to prepare for and lead meetings, track advancement and attendance, and more. 

Please join the Headwaters District Advancement team in congratulating the following Scouts on their achievement of the rank of Eagle Scout with the completion of their Boards of Review in the months of April, May, June and July 2019:

Eagle Boards of Review

April

• William D. – Troop 1 Hopkinton
• McKay C. – Troop 51 Marlborough
• Owen O. – Troop 232 Ashland

May

• Derek L. – Troop 1 Northborough
• Samuel C. – Troop 382 Westborough

June

• Daniel D. – Troop 4 Hopkinton
• John R. – Troop 4 Hopkinton
• Luke B. – Troop 44 Mendon
• Andrew M. – Troop 44 Mendon
• Gregory E. – Troop 51 Marlborough
• Ethan K. – Troop 77 Hudson
• Jack B. – Troop 92 Southborough
• Bradley D. – Troop 100 Bellingham
• Joshua K. – Troop 101 Northborough
• Isaiah B. – Troop 126 Franklin
• Bailey C. – Troop 126 Franklin
• Joseph C. – Troop 126 Franklin
• Max C. – Troop 232 Ashland

July

• Patrick B. – Troop 4 Hopkinton
• Ethan K. – Troop 4 Hopkinton
• Jacob D. – Troop 112 Franklin
• Jordan K. – Troop 232 Ashland
• Monzer K. – Troop 232 Ashland
• Carl D. – Troop 382 Westborough

It is an honor and privilege to congratulate these exceptional Scouts for their achievement. As less than 5% of Scouts become Eagles, these are truly the best of the best, the most dedicated, and the most determined to succeed!

Congratulations!

Once an Eagle Scout, Always an Eagle Scout!

Several requirements along the trail to the Eagle Scout rank seem very straight-forward: demonstrate tying knots, participate in a flag ceremony, sleep in a tent you helped pitch, etc. However, there’s depth to each and every task a Scout must perform.