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Internet Advancement will be unavailable from 9 p.m. (CT) Friday, June 6 until 6 p.m. (CT) Sunday June 8.

2008 is the "Year of the Volunteer" Boy Scouts of America has designated 2008 as the "Year of the Volunteer".  Read more in the 2006-2010 Strategic Plan.

Roger and Delsie Schrimp Escorted Delegation for Annual Report to the Nation Greater Yosemite Council Executive Board members Roger and Delsie Schrimp escorted a delegation of eight Scouts on a tour of Washington D.C. and the annual BSA Report to the Nation. Roger is an Eagle Scout and a Silver Buffalo award recipient. Delsie serves on the Council Special Events Committee. The tour was March 1-5. Read more and view photos of the activity.

Camp John Mensinger News Launch in external player Camp Mensinger Has Super Summer in 2007! Camp John Mensinger was reborn last summer! The new-look camp has Scouts and Scouters from all over the Council excited. Read about all of the exciting changes at our camp and the positive reports from campers who attended during the 2007 season. [More] Reservations are being accepted for the 2008 camping season. We encourage your troop to "try Camp Mensinger again... for the first time." Submitted photos of the 2007 camping season can be viewed in our Photo Album. High Adventure Program Announced for 2008 Camp Mensinger will host a brand new High Adventure program for Varsity and Venture Scouts this summer. Crews will spend four days and three nights on the trail, camping in a different location each night. Activities include canoeing, backpacking and mountain biking. [Read more]

Apply to Be a National Jamboree Adult Leader Apply to become Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster with the Greater Yosemite Council 2010 National Jamboree contingent. Adult leaders will be selected following an interview process. Complete a Prospective Adult Leader/ Jamboree Committee Member Information form and send it by May 12, 2008 to: Greater Yosemite Council Boy Scouts of America 4031 Technology Drive Modesto CA 95356 ATTN: 2010 Jamboree Upon receipt, a full application package will be sent to each prospective leader. A $150 deposit will be due if selected as a leader. Send no money now.   For more information refer to the 2010 National Jamboree web page.

BSA Announces Eagle Scout Rank Application Changes New!  Greater Yosemite Council has learned that effective May 1 the 2007 version of the Eagle Scout Rank Application will no longer be accepted by the national office. The new form, printed in 2008, includes changes in Requirement 5 and the BSA Local Council Certification. Contact Barbara at the Council Service Center to obtain a current form.

Trails End Popcorn Shipped to U.S. Army Troops in Kuwait The Boy Scouts of America, Trails End Popcorn Company and SupportOurTroops.org teamed up to send popcorn to our troops in Kuwait. Last month 16 tons of Trails End Popcorn was shipped to our military personnel. Each case is labeled with signage saying thank-you from us at home. Last fall, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts across America went door to door and asked customers to support our troops by purchasing $25 of Trails End popcorn products to be designated to the “Support our Troops” program. Greater Yosemite Council supported this program in 2007 and will offer this opportunity during our Fall 2008 popcorn sale.

Laguna Seca Raceway Offers Free Camping to Scouts Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is offering free camping to all troops on the nights of Friday May 16 and Saturday May 17. Free admission to the Monterey Festival of Speed (May 16-18) is included in this promotion. Reservations must be made in advance, by a Scoutmaster. Scouts and troops will only be admitted by reservation. For more details call Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca’s Promotion Coordinator at (831) 242-8201.  [More]

Great America Scout Family Expo - May 16 & 17 Great America is offering a special event for Scouts, their families and friends. The park will be open on May 16th from 3:00 PM until closing, exclusively for Scouting families. They are also offering a breakfast on Saturday morning and Saturday admission to the park. See the flyer/ticket order form for more information. Great America must receive ticket orders by May 2.

Kids' Fishing and Fun Day at San Luis Reservoir The 19th Annual Kids’ Fishing and Fun Day will be held on Saturday, May 17th from 8:00 AM until noon. Children ages 3 to 15 may participate.  Free bait is provided.  Flyer     News Release Pacheco State Park's Seventh Kite Day The Seventh Annual Family Kite Day will be held at Pacheco State Park on Saturday, June 21st.  Everyone who flies a kite will receive a souvenir Kide Day button.  Other activities will be offered.  $5.00 state park Day Use Fee per car. Flyer             News Release

Council Achieves Centennial Quality Council Status for 2007 Greater Yosemite Council attained Quality status for the seventh time in eight years. • Our 6.5% traditional membership growth is second in the nation for 2007 among all councils that are similar size or bigger. • 4.9% overall membership growth, 6.5% traditional membership growth, 2.2% unit growth. • Three districts recognized as Quality Districts: Big Valley, El Capitan and Forty-Niner

Annual Council Recognition Dinner Theme was "Exploring Into Careers" Greater Yosemite Council held its annual volunteer recognition on Saturday, March 1. Over 80 Explorer leaders and Scouts were in attendance from law enforcement and fire Explorer posts throughout the council. Keynote speakers were Modesto Police Officer Jolene Gonzales, Police Explorer Ashley Kennedy, Fire Explorer Kyle Perry, Engineer Ruben Esparza and Sea Scout Heather Chandler. In addition to the Silver Beaver presentations, numerous volunteers received awards and recognitions: Centennial Quality District Awards - Big Valley, El Capitan and Forty-Niner Districts Centennial Quality Council Award - Council Key 3 Distinguished Commissioner Award - Marty Watson James E. West Fellowship Award - Mark Walker and Win Quinley International Scouter Awards - Jim Horner and Astrid Workinger Learning for Life Achievement Award - Robert Luna, Merced Police Department Francisco Santana Award - Noe Perez and Martin Jimenez ¡Scouting...Vale la Pena! – Irma Janzen We offer a special "thank you" to volunteers Eric Handel, Clint Armes and their staff for preparing a delicious tri tip and chicken dinner, and also to Mike Harden Assistant Chief of Police, Modesto Police Department, for emceeing the event. View photos of our 2007 Silver Beaver honorees. View dinner event photos taken by volunteer Jaime Reyna.

Council Announces Change in Advancement Report Procedures Effective March 1, Greater Yosemite Council has implemented new procedures to help units provide awards and rank advancements.  Advancement Reports are now being reviewed by a member of the council staff before the Scout Shop issues awards. Read more.

BSA Announces Boy Scout Rank Requirement Changes Several Boy Scout rank requirements have been updated for 2008. Updated requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class ranks are posted on the national web site.

GREAT AMERICAN CLEANUP™ Keep America Beautiful's Great American Cleanup, the nation's largest community improvement program, takes place annually from March 1 through May 31, involving an estimated 2.8 million volunteers and attendees.  Activities include beautifying parks and recreation areas, cleaning seashores and waterways, handling recycling collections, picking up litter, planting trees and flowers, and conducting educational programs and litter-free events. We invite you to join us in Keep America Beautiful's 2008 Great American Cleanup. Click here to locate a Great American Cleanup participating organization. Please consider volunteering in a participating community near you!

Philmont Double H Ranch Backpacking Trek in 2009 Greater Yosemite Council is hosting a backpacking trek at the Double H High Adventure Base run by Philmont Scout Ranch. The council has secured a slot from June 20 to June 26, 2009. Twenty-four youth or adults participants can reserve on a first-come first-served basis. Seven-day backpacking programs give crews the freedom to hike without trails. A Wilderness Guide (Double H staff member) accompanies the crew for the entire trek. Programs provided at the Martin (backcountry) Camp and the Wilderness Guide include geocaching, GPS navigation skills, challenge/team building events, black powder shooting, archery, astronomy, conservation projects, search & rescue, and more. Flier             Information               Map to Location

James E. West Fellowships Insure the Future of Scouting A James E. West Fellowship is a great way to recognize the accomplishments of a Scout or Scouter in your unit or district. Consider a James E. West Fellowship Award through the Greater Yosemite Council. By making a $1,000.00 contribution to the council's endowment program (in addition to your Friends of Scouting contribution), you can honor a worthy individual and help create a lasting legacy to promote scouting into the next millennium. Contact the Council Service Center for more information.

San Luis Reservoir Offers Service Projects San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area is making their facilities and protected areas available to Scouting units. They are offering use of their recreational opportunities in return for service. [More]

Registration Procedures for Youth and Leaders Council Registrar requests that all adult leaders review BSA’s membership requirements and application procedures. All youth and adult applications must be filled out completely, including required signatures, to be processed. Incomplete applications will be returned to the unit. Registering Members and Leaders

P.R.A.Y. Publishing Offers Patches Promoting Religious Recognitions PRAY Publishing's fourth quarter news bulletin is now available.
Unit Money Earning Application A unit must submit a Unit Money Earning Application to the council prior to their fundraiser. The application is available from the Council Service Center and needs to be submitted to the District Executive at least two weeks in advance of the fundraiser. A copy of the approved form will be returned to the unit. The only exceptions to the above application filing requirements are the council sponsored Trails End Popcorn Sale and the spring candy sale. Whenever your unit is planning a money-earning project, be sure to consult the BSA's "10 Guides to Unit Money Earning Projects" as your guide.  It will be helpful to you as you fill out the application.  If your answer is yes to all the questions in this document, it is likely the project conforms to Scouting's standards and will be approved.
Internet Advancement is available to your unit. Your unit's Advancement person may now record advancement for the following: Add ranks (Advancement Report required!) Add merit badges Add awards (No Eagle Scout Ranks are allowed through the internet) [More Information]  Be sure to print out the Internet Advancement Report or fill one out at the Board of Review, obtain the required signatures and present it to the Scout Shop to obtain advancement recognitions!
Tell us about your Good Turn! All packs, troops, and crews which have conducted any type of community service during 2007, including Scouting for Food, are requested to report their service as part of the Good Turn for America initiative. This also includes service rendered on behalf of Eagle Scout projects. Please take a few moments and record your service by clicking here.
Donate Your Unwanted Vehicle You may donate your car, truck, boat, trailer or RV, receive a tax deduction to the full extent of the law, and benefit Greater Yosemite Council. Contact the Council Service Center for more information. Donation Form       Frequently Asked Questions
BSA Tour Permit Be sure to file a BSA Tour Permit prior to campouts and tours. It is a valuable tool for trip planning. An approved Tour Permit qualifies your unit for BSA's insurance coverage. Here's a form you may complete and submit to the council listing approved drivers for your unit's trips. 2008 Authorized Drivers Form
Training Opportunities
Safe Activities Begin With  Leaders
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) Brownsea - National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is an intense weeklong youth oriented leadership training experience. The training is conducted by highly qualified youth staff under the supervision of adult advisors using the National Youth Leadership Training Course syllabus, as published by the National Council, Boy Scouts of America. Flyer          Registration Form
BSA Introduces Online Learning Center, offering Youth Protection Training, Cub Scout Leader Fast Start, Boy Scout Leader Fast Start, Venturing Advisor Fast Start, Troop Committee Challenge, Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, Venture Crew Orientation, and Venturer Youth Protection Training. BSA offers new supplemental training modules. These training modules are designed to provide orientation beyond the basic training offered in New Leader Essentials and leader-specific training.
Venturing Leader Fast Start training now available through e-learning portal Venturing publishes standards for the use of firearms