08/26/2026
Scouts and Scouters,
By now, I am sure you have seen the news of the devastating and fast moving wildfire out in Palo Pinto County. The 10 acre fire started yesterday many miles south of the Worth Ranch. The fire grew 100 acres per minute to 50,000 acres overnight. Unfortunately, Worth Ranch Scout Camp was in the path of the fire. Initial reports from multiple news sources and the LHC Ross fire web site - https://www.longhorncouncil.org/rossfireupdate report that many structures on camp were severely damaged or destroyed.
We are very saddened to hear these reports as many scouts and scouters have spent many years of cub pack camping, weekend Troop camping, canoe races, summer camp weeks for 50+ years, volunteered at work days, grown youth to lead as counselors at summer camp and sent many scouts to leadership camps such as NYLT and Aquatic School (as recently as a month ago). There is a spirit at Worth Ranch that resonates with many of us and lives on in our hearts. Despite the heartbreak and devastation, in our sorrow, we realize that the spirit of the land will live on through the people and the scouts that gather there.
If you have the ability, please help us support the fire and recovery efforts. The Ross fire is ongoing and moving north
According to the Longhorn Council site they are delivering donations of the following...
Longhorn Council is currently collecting the following items:
Bottled Water
Gatorade and Sports Drinks
Liquid IV or other hydration packets
Pickles and pickle juice
Meat sticks and high-protein snacks
Granola bars
Pet food
Other sites are asking for items to support fire fighter such as water wipes/baby wipes, eye drops, lip balm, cooling towels, individually packaged snacks, and "small, quick snacks that can be eaten on the go"
You can also donate money to directly to the Worth Ranch recovery fund at "Donate to the Worth Ranch Recovery Fund"
"As Scouts, service is at the heart of what we do. This is an opportunity for our community to support those working tirelessly on the front lines and families facing difficult circumstances."
Please pray that parts of the camp were saved and celebrate that no one was injured. Please join me in prayer for the camp ranger whose home was destroyed and for the frontline firefighters trying to save neighboring communities.
I leave you with the Worth Ranch Grace...
"For food, for raiment, / For life, for opportunity, / For friendship and fellowship, / We thank thee, O Lord. / Amen"
https://www.longhorncouncil.org/WorthRanchRecovery
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