| | | | | | | Dear Scouter, |  We get an extra day in February this year, and the Cradle of Liberty Council is taking full advantage with a jam-packed month of great Scouting events! From the Pilgrimage & Encampment celebrating its 100th Anniversary, to the Council Recognition Dinner, to special Scout Days sponsored by our Program Partners, as well as Klondike and Pinewood Derbies, we are looking forward to 29 days of Scouting fun! February 8th marks the 102nd Anniversary of the BSA! Help share Scouting's story by inviting a friend to a Scout meeting, wearing your uniform or pin to work, and helping support the next 102 years of Scouting by considering a gift to the Friends of Scouting campaign. Be sure to check out the Council Master Calendar for a full list of events and activities. As always, plenty more information is available on our website. Share your thoughts here. Don't forget, we need YOUR help to bring the most relevant news about the Cradle of Liberty Council to your inbox. Any feedback on this newsletter would be greatly appreciated, as would suggestions for material to include in upcoming issues. Please send any feedback or suggestions to news@colbsa.org |
| | | | Pilgrimage and Encampment | |  This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the Pilgrimage and Encampment at Valley Forge National Park, making it the oldest running event in the BSA!
The P&E highlights events that took place during the Revolutionary War while the soldiers were encamped at Valley Forge. This is a must-see event that draws Packs, Troops and Crews from around the nation. The Encampment is set for February 17-19. For those coming for the day only, the Pilgrimage is Saturday, February 18. For more information and to register for the Pilgrimage & Encampment, check out the Pilgrimage and Encampment page on the Council website. Register before February 6 to avoid paying the late fee! |
| Council Recognition Dinner - Keynote Speaker Announced
| | The Cradle of Liberty Council is pleased to announce that Jack Furst will be the keynote speaker at February's Council Recognition Dinner.
Mr. Furst currently serves as the team leader for developing and programming The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve (site of the National Jamboree) and is the volunteer chairman of the BSA National High Adventure Committee.
As a youth, Mr. Furst was involved in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. As an adult, he is a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, the Silver Antelope Award, the Silver Buffalo Award, the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, and the Order of the Arrow's Vigil Honor Award.
Mr. Furst is a dynamic public speaker, and is looking forward to sharing the exciting initiatives on the horizon for BSA High Adventure!
|
| Council Recognition Dinner
| Online registration is now available for the Council Annual Recognition Dinner! Thursday, February 23, 2012 7:00pm Conshohocken Marriott (Philadelphia Marriott West)
111 Crawford Avenue West Conshohocken, PA 19428 Click here to register. We hope you will join us as we celebrate the last year's accomplishments and help recognize the distinguished service of some of our special Scouts and Volunteers, including our Silver Beaver Award recipients! Nine dedicated Scouters have been selected to receive the Council's highest recognition for service to youth -- The Silver Beaver Award. J.R. Brockman Gary Brownstein Brenda Conallen Bill Giles Bill Hunsberger Michael Matusheski Jeff McFadden Ted McDonald Bill Palmer Please join us in congratulating and thanking them for their dedicated service to the Cradle of Liberty Council and the youth we serve. |
| | In the coming months, a representative from your District will be visiting each Pack, Troop and Crew to deliver a Friends of Scouting presentation. Friends of Scouting (FOS) is the annual campaign where the Cradle of Liberty Council asks Scouting families, businesses and civic-minded citizens to support our mission of providing the Scouting program to thousands of youth in Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties. For more information on Friends of Scouting, click here. |
| Unit Journey to Excellence Awards | |  Did your unit earn the "Gold" status in Scouting's Journey to Excellence?
Please keep in mind that in order to purchase the Journey to Excellence unit recognition patches from the Scout Shop, you must bring a copy of your unit's JTE scorecard with the signature of the unit commissioner or designee.
Click here for further information about purchasing Awards and Badges from the Scout Shop.
As always, the Scout Shop is here to answer your questions about all Scouting merchandise! |
| Venturing Update | |  Attention, Venturers! You won't want to miss these upcoming events:
Venturing Night in the COL - Tuesday, February 7, 7:00pm at the Valley Forge Office. Join us on the first Tuesday of each month for our Youth VOA and Advisors Roundtable. All Venturers, Sea Scouts, and older Boy Scouts are invited for fun, fellowship, and planning Council events! Upcoming Venturing Nights will be held on March 6 and April 3. Council Recognition Dinner - Thursday, February 23, 7:00pm at the Conshohocken Marriott. Join us for a night of recognition and fellowship as we honor the four Venturing Leadership Award recipients: Kate Bode Mike Coates Lara Rosenberg Mr. C., The Council's Venturing Advisor For more information, click here. Venturing Spring Weekend - April 27-29 at Camp Hart. Save the date! Stay tuned for details about the theme and all of the fun activities the committee is planning. | | Summer Camp Deadlines | | Leaders and Parents - Mark your calendar for these important camp deadlines! - March 1 - Campership applications due for all camps. See the 2012 Camperships article below for further information.
- March 1 - Deposits ($50 per Scout) for all resident summer camps due in order to qualify for the Early Bird discounted rate.
- May 1 - Full payment due at the Early Bird discounted rate.
- June 1 - Day Camp payments due.
Resica Falls Summer Camp Fees: Scout: $320 Early Bird (before May 1); $335 after May 1
Adult: $175 or $35 per day
Hart Summer Camp Fees:
Hart Weekends: $50 per person Early Bird; $65 after May 1
Cub Adventures Short Week/Youth: $195 Early Bird; $220 after May 1
Cub Adventures Short Week/Adult: $70 Early Bird; $95 after May 1
Cub Adventures Full Week/Youth: $295 Early Bird; $320 after May 1
Cub Adventures Full Week/Adult: $105 Early Bird; $130 after May 1
|
| 2012 Camperships Available | | 
Camperships are available, based on need and availability, to help Scouts with the financial aspect of attending camp. Funding is limited and we ask that only those with true needs apply for a campership. Youth members are expected to earn their own way in Scouting and each unit should provide an opportunity for Scouts to participate in fundraising activities. Forms are available on the Council Website. Awards will be limited to NO MORE THAN 50% of the cost of attending camp. Please note that the amount of the request IS NOT a guarantee of receipt. Camperships are only available for "in-council" camps. The application must be fully complete - be detailed! Any incomplete applications will be returned. Please follow the guidelines with the application. All applications must be received at the Council Office by March 1st, 2012. Late submissions will not be accepted. The $50 deposit for camp must be submitted with the application. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that units submit all applications from their unit together, after approval by the unit leader, with the required deposit, together with the appropriate camp deposit payment record. |
| Cub Resident Camp & Musser Service Projects | | 
Cub Camp Signups for Cub Adventures at Camp Hart are in full swing! If your group is interested in attending resident camp, don't wait to fill out and send in an "Intent to Attend Resident Camp." If instead your group is looking for a weekend camping opportunity, send in a " Weekend Adventures" form.
Plan now for service to your camps! Units from all around the council often ask us "How can we help camp?!" Combining this question with the recent efforts of our Strategic Planning Committees, check out the Musser Scout Reservation Project List. Are you interested in helping with a project, or have you started one already? If so, please contact Brian Bauer at bbauer@colbsa.org or Rick Christ rchrist@colbsa.org. |
| Summer Camp Staff at Resica Falls and Musser Scout Reservation | | 
The Camp Directors of the Resica Falls and Musser Scout Reservations are seeking top notch Venture, Boy, and Girl Scouts and Scouters from our hometowns. They need your help in identifying team-oriented, self-starting men and women who might have an interest in working on our Council's camp staff this summer. Online applications can be filled out and submitted here. For more information, contact: Resica Falls Scout Reservation
Chris Brenner
215-400-0804 Musser Scout Reservation Brian Bauer 484-654-9239 |
| New Camp Ranger at Musser Scout Reservation | 
Curtis Parker has been selected as the new Musser Scout Reservation Ranger, effective January 1, 2012. Curtis has been an active Scouter for over 15 years, and currently serves as the Service Advisor for our Unami Lodge, Order of the Arrow, where he has gotten to know our camp facilities very well. In addition, he has provided countless hours of service to our camps and the local Scouting movement as an active member of the Roosevelt District.
Prior to joining the Cradle of Liberty Council Staff, Curtis worked for home improvement and construction companies, and brings a wide range of skills to the position. |
| Boy Scout Camporee | 
Back to the Falls! Cradle of Liberty Council Boy Scout Camporee June 22-24, 2012
Resica Falls Scout Reservation
Featuring the Grand Opening of the Richards Arena This event will include full Summer Camp set-up, all program areas, Aquatics and Shooting Sports, Scoutcraft, Handicraft and Climbing. All meals are included . Click here for the event flyer.
Space is limited to the first 700 registrations. |
| Health & Safety Tip |  Each issue of the BSA Today features a health and safety tip or reminder selected by members of the Council's Risk Management Committee or Health and Safety Committee. BSA Social Media Guidelines & Youth Protection: As it relates to social media, two-deep leadership means there should be no private messages and no one-on-one direct contact through email, Facebook messages, Twitter direct messaging, chats, instant messaging (Google Messenger, AIM, etc.), or other similar messaging features provided through social media sites. All communication between adults and youth should take place in a public forum (e.g. the Facebook wall), or at a bare minimum, electronic communication between adults and youth should always include one or more authorized adults openly "copied" (included) on the message or message thread. - From the BSA Social Media Guidelines. |
| 2013 National Jamboree | 
ATTENTION: To guarantee your spot in the 2013 National Jamboree, you need to register NOW. We are committed to seven troops and one crew and three are already filled. Don't be shut out; most scouts only get one chance at a National Jamboree. On June 15, 2013, you don't want to say "I wish I had signed my son up so he could go to the Jambo with all of his friends." Spots are filling up, get your registrations in. We're talking serious High Adventure! Be among the first scouts at the first National Jamboree at the Summit! - White Water Rafting
- Zip Lining
- Mountain Biking
- Hiking
- Rappelling
- Climbing
The location for the 2013 National Jamboree is the all new Summit Bechtel Reserve, adjacent to the New River Gorge National River Park in West Virginia. ...And did we mention that it was going to be Outrageously Fun! More Information SCOUTMASTERS/VENTURING ADVISORS Scoutmasters and Advisors have all been selected but we still have a need for a few Third Assistant Scoutmasters so if you will be between 18 and 21 by July of 2013 you are eligible. Leader information is available online. |
| Cub Scout Day at the Please Touch Museum | 
Cub Scout Day at the Please Touch Museum
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Scouts in uniform get in for free!Scout families may purchase discounted tickets to the Please Touch Museum by visiting the Museum website and entering store name Boy Scouts. For more information, call 215-581-3167. |
SPLASHTASTIC Scout Water Park in the Dark Overnight Event! | Saturday, February 25, 2012 at Sahara Sam's Oasis Indoor Water Park INCLUDES: NEW PROGRAMMING DURING OVERNIGHT! - Work towards your Swimming Belt Loop (Cub Scouts) or First Aid Merit Badge (Boy Scouts).
- CPR and AED demonstrations
- Exclusive access to water park and arcade from 8 pm-Midnight
- All U Can Eat Pizza Buffet in the evening
- Continental Breakfast in the morning
- Free parking, $3 Game Card, Sahara Sam's Scout Patch
- ALL SWIMMERS RECEIVE A FREE ticket to come back and splash another day!
SWIMMERS: $59.99; Non-Swimmer Chaperones: $29.99 ADVANCED REGISTRATION REQUIRED. For more information and to reserve your spot, please contact Beth Twisler, Director of Sales, at 856-767-7580x108 or btwisler@saharasams.com. |
| Adventure Aquarium Partnership | 
The Adventure Aquarium is pleased to offer discounted admission to Scouts during 2011-2012 Scout Weekends! Seven weekends are available now through March to experience 2 million gallons of water, two Nile Hippos, multiple hands-on experiences, a walkthrough shark tunnel and MUCH MORE! Workshops and badge opportunities are available. For more information or to book, contact Group Sales at groups@adventureaquarium.com or 800-616-JAWS. Event Dates for Online Calendar 2012: February 11, 12 March 10, 11
|
| Part Time Data Clerk Position Available
| 
The Cradle of Liberty Council Development Department is currently seeking a part-time Data Clerk to assist with clerical duties and record keeping. This proposed position will be responsible for entering pledges and payments into the fund raising software along with assisting the department with filing and other administrative duties.
Applicants should be efficient in Microsoft Office, specifically Microsoft Excel and have a secretarial/clerical skillset. If you are interested in applying for this position please send a resume and cover letter to Jennifer Warren at jwarren@colbsa.org. |
| Take the SCOUTStrong PALA Challenge!
|  Be prepared to take the challenge:
The Boy Scouts of America have now partnered with the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition to present the new "SCOUTStrong" program. By joining with the Presidents Active Lifestyle Award (PALA), this new program integrates exercise with healthy lifestyle changes in an effort to bring about positive life changes, and an increased awareness of the significance of everyday lifestyle choices in contributing to an overall health and fitness of Scouts and Scouters of all ages. This new program is for everyone associated with the Boy Scouts of America, which includes Scouts, Venturers, Parents, Volunteers, Commissioners, Council Staff, Board Members, Friends of Scouting, and even BSA Alumni. How it works:
To become involved and earn the SCOUTStrong/PALA Challenge Award, each participant is required to meet a daily goal of activity and fitness, for at least five days a week, and for six of eight weeks to start. Faithful fulfillment of your individual goals will result in earning the ScoutStrong award in about two months. Participants track their progress by entering the activities that they complete on a daily basis, and tracking their healthy eating goals on a weekly basis. The tracking is completed on-line through the PALA website, or can be recorded on a paper tracking chart.
No matter what method participants use to record their progress, the results will be the same: Healthier, more physically prepared Scouts and Scouters, who are more ready to meet the challenges of the Scouting program, as well as living healthier, more active lives. How to sign up:
Visit the SCOUTStrong website and select "Pennsylvania" as your state/location, then select "Cradle of Liberty Council - 525" as your council, then click "Start Your PALA Challenge!"
Scouters of the Cradle of Liberty Council can make a real commitment to improving their health and level of fitness by accepting the Commissioner's Challenge to take part in the SCOUTStrong program and help our Council lead the way to healthier Scouting in 2012! |
| Raise Your Hand in Support of Scouting |  Dollars for Doers is a program where companies donate money to a charitable organization based on the time donated by volunteers to that organization. In other words, you can help Scouting at no cost to you. Many dedicated Scouters in the Cradle of Liberty Council work for companies that support this program. This program requires no extra time OR money from individual Scouters. It is designed to reward those nonprofits to which a volunteer has ALREADY given his or her time. Click here to see more and find out how to help, along with a partial list of participating companies. |
| Journey to Excellence Service Hours |  It's pretty certain that your unit has participated in some really great service projects this year; most likely more than one! Did you know that service hours are all part of your unit's Journey to Excellence? (which replaced the Unit Program)
If you have yet to enter your unit's service hours online to count toward the Journey to Excellence, now is the time. Head over to the National Council Site, where you can enter those hours right from your computer! Enter Your Hours Here |
| | Recruiting - How Did Your Son Join Scouting? |  How did your son join Scouts? Likely it was because he had a friend, sibling or cousin in a unit already who told him about all the fun he was having. Here's your son's chance to give back! Below you will find easily fillable and printable cards for your son to give to his friends or family in school, church, baseball or anywhere they may be.
Please print these out, fill them in and let your son run wild telling others how much fun Scouting can be! Cub Scout Recruiting Cards Boy Scout Recruiting Cards For other resources check out these great sites Cub Scout Materials Boy Scout Materials So, why did your son join Scouts? Tell us on our Facebook Page! |
| Highlight: Your Journey to Excellence | |
How is YOUR unit's journey progressing? Are you planning your calendars and budgets for the upcoming year? Crossing over Webelos or welcoming new troop members? Gearing up for camping in the warmer weather?
As you continue improving your unit, take some time to check out the Journey to Excellence website. It's being continually updated with new resources and information, including a great resource sheet for pack budgeting that's just been added.
|
Thank you for being a part of the Scouting movement and the Cradle of Liberty Council! If you have news or information you'd like to see in upcoming issues of the BSAT, please don't hesitate to e-mail news@colbsa.org. Sincerely, |
| Cradle of Liberty Council |
Thank you for taking the time to read The Cradle of Liberty Council's online newsletter, The BSAT. If you have a newsworthy article that you would like to see published in The BSAT, please send all of your information, including contact name and email address to news@colbsa.org |
| | | |
