Although the BSA Charter and Bylaws do not allow for youth members
to solicit funds for other organizations, there are many ways
your Scouts can help in the relief efforts.
Print this
flier and distribute it in your community to let
people know where and how to donate.
Contact your local Red Cross, Salvation Army or other disaster
relief agency and find out what help they need. Food drives,
clothing drives, and other services will be needed in the near
future.
Encourage your family and friends to make financial contributions
to their favorite disaster relief agency.
In the near future the councils in the affected area will know
what they will need to re-establish Scouting in their communities.
Check back to this link often to keep up on new developments.
Boy
Scouts can earn this new colorful recruiter patch simply
by inviting a friend to join their troop. Ask for the
recruiter patch at your council service center when
you turn in the new membership application.
President Addresses 2005 National Boy Scout
Jamboree
The
Honorary President of the Boy Scouts of America and President of
the United States, George Bush gives a very well received speech
at the closing assembly of the 2005 National Jamboree on Sunday
night. The President is a very strong supporter of the Scouting
program and talks about his mother's hair turning white about the
time she was his den mother.
Tiger
Cubs, Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts have the opportunity
to earn the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award. Boys may earn the
award in each of the program years as long as the requirements
are completed each year. The first time the award is earned,
the boy will receive the pocket flap award, which is to be worn
on the right pocket flap of the uniform shirt. Each successive
time the award is earned, a wolf track pin may be added to the
flap. Leaders should encourage boys to build on skills and experiences
from previous years when working on the award for a successive
year.
Update:
The patch No. 14235 and pin No. 14236 are available
on the honor system. Once you have completed the requirements
you may purchase the patch. This is no application to submit. More
. . .
GM National Sponsor Cub Scouting
General Motors to Serve as 2005-2007
National Sponsor of
Cub Scouting
The BSA is entering a unique marketing collaboration that
establishes General Motors' Chevrolet Division as the national sponsor
of
Cub Scouting for 2005 through 2007. As part of this sponsorship,
NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon will serve as the honorary chairman of our
Cub
Scout
fall recruitment campaign.
Race to Cub Scouting—It's Fun at Every
Turn!
Additional highlights of this agreement include:
Jeff Gordon will appear in a TV public service
announcement, and we may use his image in a variety of marketing
materials, including posters, fliers, and print ads. Look for
the PSA in your council early this summer.
GM will issue a letter to all Chevrolet dealership
general managers announcing its sponsorship of Cub Scouting,
promoting the long-term benefits of this relationship, and urging
the dealers to participate with local councils in events (such
as holding a pinewood derby at the dealership).
GM will make best efforts to schedule appearances
by local executives and/or dealers at local council board meetings,
roundup meetings, and other activities or events.
The Chevrolet Division will run a minimum of one
advertising spread annually in Boys' Life and Scouting magazines
to promote its association with the BSA. GM will tag select
print ads with "Happy 75th birthday, Cub Scouts" and "Chevrolet is
a proud sponsor of Cub Scouting." They will encourage dealers
to do the same locally.
GM engineers will build the world's largest pinewood
derby car. The car will be on display at locations such as the
BSA's National Annual Meeting, Disney's Epcot Center (GM space),
the national Scout jamboree, and select Chevrolet dealerships,
and will ultimately find a permanent home in the National Scouting
Museum.
Ready & Prepared Award
The BSA
Ready & Prepared
Award was developed to encourage and reward Boy Scout troops, Varsity
Scout teams,
and Venturing
crews that incorporate safe practices while enjoying challenging
activities. The award acknowledges the common sense and judgment,
founded on knowledge and training, used to incorporate risk management
into a unit's decision-making process. It recognizes that the more
responsibility individual members take for their personal health
and safety, the more everyone contributes to a successful activity.
Earning the award helps units focus on areas in which emphasizing
risk management can help reduce fatalities and serious injury,
such as
Driver and passenger safety
BSA Youth Protection
Precautions for aquatics activities
Premises safety and first-aid readiness
Personal fitness and safety
The Award
There are two award levels: Gold and Silver.
To
earn the Gold Award, a Boy Scout troop,
Varsity Scout team, or Venturing crew must complete 10
mandatory requirements and three elective requirements.
Youth and
adult members of a unit earning the Gold
Award are entitled to wear the gold-bordered BSA Ready & Prepared Award
patch and the unit is entitled to display the gold BSA
Ready & Prepared ribbon.
To earn the Silver Award, a Boy Scout
troop, Varsity Scout team, or Venturing crew must complete
10 mandatory
requirements and six elective requirements.
Youth and adult members of a unit earning the Silver Award are
entitled
to wear the silver-bordered BSA Ready & Prepared
Award patch, and the unit is entitled to display
the silver BSA
Ready & Prepared Award ribbon. Units
earning the Silver Award also will be acknowledged
in Boys' Life magazine.
Apply for this award at the time of rechartering. More
. . .
New
Square Knot
for
Volunteer Unit Organizers By David Richardson, associate director
Relationships Division
The new William D. Boyce New-Unit Award recognizes volunteers
who organize one or more new traditional units. Celebrating Boyce's
organizing spirit, the award consists of a silver square knot on
a background of yellow, green, and red—representing the traditional
Scouting programs' colors.
Award Requirements
With the approval of the district committee chair,
serve as the organizer and complete the successful organization
of one new traditional unit.
Organize the unit by following all procedures
as published in the New Unit Organization Process, No.
34196, ensuring that new unit leadership is trained, program
is organized and begun, the new unit committee is functioning,
a unit commissioner is assigned, all paperwork is processed,
and the unit charter is presented to the chartered organization.
Only one volunteer can be recognized as the organizer
for each new unit.
Three program devices can be earned and worn on
the new-unit organizer knot for each additional new traditional
unit organized. Each program device represents the type of unit
organized. Multiple program devices from the same program may
be earned and worn.
The new-unit organization award recognizes volunteers
for organizing traditional units after March 1, 2005.
Recognition items in addition to the square knot
include a new-unit organizer certificate and lapel pin.
Venturing
Unveils Variety of New Resources
By Keith Walton, associate director
Venturing Division
Venturing and Your Youth Ministry, No.
25-326 Do you need to reach Christian-based churches?
This promotional brochure introduces the Venturing program to youth
ministries. It focuses on enhancing churches' young adult program
and offers a brief insight into Venturing and how prospective organizations
can get started.
Venturing New Adult Leader Fast Start
Orientation, AV-0321CD
This colorful, interactive, self-guided training session is designed for the
new Venturing adult. It covers basic information about how a crew begins and
what Venturing is, as well as Venturing methods, resources, leadership roles,
advancement, uniforming, and much more. Viewing this CD will get leaders off
to a good start and on to the next step, New Leader Essentials and Venturing
Leader Specific Training.
Sea Scouts Brochure, No. 25-353 This recently updated brochure
gives a young person a glimpse into the wonderful
activities of
Sea Scouts, communicating the opportunities of joining,
traditions of Sea Scouts, and the development of leadership
skills.
Quest—Venturing Sports and Fitness Award,
No. 25-888 This promotional flier expands on one of Venturing's
challenging advancement programs. The Quest Award provides Venturers
a variety of practical, hands-on sports-related activities while
having fun and encouraging the development of the whole person.
Selling and Supporting Venturing DVD,
AV-03DVD20 Are you looking for support in selling Venturing
to a Scoutmaster? Do you need to reach out to a religious organization?
This DVD includes several videos to help you. The first two videos
are ideal for Scoutmaster gatherings, roundtables, or one-to-one
selling: Venturing for Scoutmasters—Selling the Program and Venturing
for Scoutmasters—How It Works With Your Troop. The video Venturing
for Religious Organizations focuses on explaining the program
to religious organization representatives and how it can benefit
their organizations.
Venturing Web Site Do you want to know what's new? In addition to
numerous links to the latest Venturing activities and information,
the Venturing Web site includes a link to the official Web site
for Sea Scouting, details on our National Venturing Youth Cabinet,
and information about Nature of Leadership training with VLSC,
Kodiak, and Kodiak X.
Campsite Displays Help
Recruit Boy Scouts
By Joe Glasscock, Associate Director Boy Scout
Division
Boys join Scouting for the fun and adventure of the outdoors.
An interesting outdoor display can be an effective way to attract
boys to Scouting.
Many councils successfully recruit youth by setting
up model campsites complete with outdoor gear such as mountain
bikes,
canoes, backpacks, scuba gear and something cooking on the
camp stoves for guests to sample. A display of photos of the troop’s
past outdoor fun activities is also an effective tool to capture
a boy’s attention. In many cases, boys will recognize
friends in the photos having a good time. The photos will speak
for themselves
as boys consider joining Scouting.
The best potential new Boy Scout is a boy completing
the fifth grade and entering the sixth grade. Surveys tell us that
most
boys in this age group are interested in Scouting and will
consider joining if asked. Include the “high adventure survey form” at
your campsite display for all visitors to complete. The information
provided on the form can serve as your reason for calling boys
and their parents to invite them to a recruitment meeting or
troop open house for more information on the outdoor activities
offered in Scouting.
Schools are the best locale for outdoor displays, but anywhere
boys gather can be an effective venue. If a school is not accessible,
consider staging displays in malls, retail store entries and
parking lots, churches, parks, and other places youth gather.
The Language of Scouting
A new resource from the BSA web site, the Language
of Scouting provides information about the terms and style associated
specifically with Scouting and grammar, spelling, and style norms
used by the Boy Scouts of America.
What does TAY mean in Scouting? capitalization? Should Scout
or Scouter be capitalized? What is a commissioner? What is ScoutNET?
The Language of Scouting provides answers to these questions
and so much more. The Language of Scouting is a great resource
for those new to Scouting and even the more seasoned Scouters.
So I guess you can define the Language of Scouting as a great
place to get your Scouting definitions. More
. . .
Support
Our Scouts Act of 2005
IRVING, Texas (March 16, 2005)—The Boy Scouts
of America is grateful to Senators Bill Frist, Lamar Alexander,
George Allen,
Sam Brownback, Jim Bunning, Conrad Burns, Saxby Chambliss,
John Cornyn, Larry Craig, John Ensign, Michael Enzi, Lindsey Graham,
Chuck Grassley, James Inhofe, Ben Nelson, Bill Nelson, Rick
Santorum,
Jeff Sessions, Gordon Smith, Jim Talent, and David Vitter for
introducing the bipartisan Support Our Scouts Act of
2005. More . . .
BSA Cribbage Board Available
A
truly unique gift! Personalize this wooden BSA cribbage
board with up to two etched BSA logos and your message of up to
three lines. Logos available are Cub Scout, Eagle Medal,
Eagle
Badge, and Universal Emblem. Board measures 12.5" x 4.75" and
comes with three gold-colored and three silver-colored
brass pegs. More . . .
Conducting
a Webelos-Ree
A district or council Webelos-ree enhances the outdoor program of Webelos
dens. This guided experience emphasizes outdoor skills for Webelos Scouts
and their parents.
Parental involvement enhances the activity for
the boy and his parent and provides an additional source of adult
supervision for events. Events should be planned to include skill
training as needed, especially if the skill is unfamiliar to
the participants.
A fun, interesting, and exciting experience at
this event fulfills the purposes of Cub Scouting. A Webelos-ree
may boost retention in the den and pack, and help create and
bolster a Webelos Scout's desire to move into a Boy Scout troop. More
. . .
Online
Training Now Available
"Safe
Swim Defense"
and
" Safety Afloat"
training is now available on line at:
There's no reporting mechanism to the council (like the on-line
Youth Protection Training)
-- but a certificate will print after successful completion of the test
at the end.
Spanish Language Web Site
The Scoutreach Division of the Boy Scouts of
America launched the official Spanish-language Web site of the
Boy Scouts of America. Check it out! at: http://www.scoutingvalelapena.org
The
world's best-loved board game now celebrates 95 years of
strong Scouting values, leadership, and fun! Monopoly®: Boy
Scouts of America is played just like the original game,
but now features
a custom board, cards, money, and pewter playing tokens,
including a campaign hat, pocketknife, Scoutmaster cup, Boy
Scout sign,
flashlight, and Yucca backpack. This officially licensed
Monopoly game is great fun for the pack, troop, team, family,
and friends.
A perfect gift for anyone in Scouting. A fun game to play
or keep as a collector's treasure! Printed in the United
States. For ages 8 and up, two to six players. WW14218 $35.95
By Bill Evans, associate director
Venturing Division
The
National Venturing Leadership Award knot, No. 14220, is now available.
The square knot has a green, blue, and red background representing
the three different award levels, while the actual knot and border
are pewter gray, matching the presentation medal.
The Venturing Leadership Award is presented by
councils, areas/regions, and the BSA National Council to Venturers
and adults who have made exceptional contributions to Venturing
and who exemplify the Venturing Code.
Venturing Leadership Award candidates must be registered
and involved in Venturing as a Venturer or an adult for at least
one year. They must hold a leadership position or office on the
unit, district, council, area, region, or national level (as
appropriate for the level of award presented). The candidate
must show exceptional dedication and give outstanding leadership
and service to Venturing and to Venturers on the level appropriate
for the award.
Venturing youth and adults may be recommended at
the council, area, region, or national level by completing
the Venturing Leadership Award candidate information form, available
at www.scouting.org/venturing. An additional sheet with
200 words
or less explaining why the candidate should receive the
award and letters of recommendation from school, church, clubs,
etc.,
must be provided with the information form.
Guide to Safe Scouting
The online version of Guide to Safe Scouting was
initially identical to the printed version of the publication
of the same name (BSA Supply #34416D) when that item was printed.
Updates made since the printing of that item to reflect recent
changes in policy are documented on the http://www.scouting.org/
web site. Please update your copies of the Guide to Safe Scouting
to reflect these updates. Recent updates include:
When a Cub Scout unit submits a tour permit for a pack overnighter
at least one adult on a pack overnighter must have completed
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO, No. 34162A).
On the tour
permit (new version is 34426D) they must include the name,
age, and date of BALOO training for the BALOO trained leader
that will
be accompanying the unit. Pack overnighters must be conducted
at BALOO approved campsites. A list of council approved BALOO
campsites
can be found on the "Camping" page
of the council web site.
Two
New BSA Awards
Two new BSA awards honor
volunteers and organizations
The BSA Scoutreach Division has introduced two new recognitions
to honor volunteers or organizations for service that directly
benefits Hispanic-American/Latino and Asian-American young
people.
The ¡Scouting...Vale la Pena! and the Asian American Spirit
of Scouting Service Awards are modeled after the Whitney
M. Young Jr. Service Award and share similar council procedures
and criteria. More
. . .
NESA Scholarship
Apply
now for NESA scholarships
Eagle Scouts who are graduating high school seniors
and will attend an accredited college or university
that awards at least a bachelor's degree may qualify
for a scholarship awarded by the National Eagle Scout
Association (NESA).
Candidates must have received the Eagle Scout Award
before applying, demonstrated leadership ability
in Scouting and strong participation in activities
outside Scouting, and achieved an SAT and/or
ACT score acceptable by the standards set by the review
committee. More
. . .
Risk Zones!
Be
Risk Ready With
Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat
It’s
true that the number of serious injuries and fatalities in water-related
activities is small relative to the number of Scouting activities
every year, but Scouting loses lives and dollars from aquatics
injuries and fatalities—second only to those lost
in vehicle accidents.
To reduce aquatics accidents, we must know and follow Safe Swim
Defense and Safety Afloat. Chapter 2 of the Guide
to Safe Scouting is dedicated to aquatics safety. Give
yourself a refresher course before going on your next water
activity.
The life you save or the injury you prevent may be your
Scout’s.
Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat save lives!
To
Be Physically Fit is
To Be Risk Ready
Two important challenges for us in Scouting are
physical fitness and good health. Every adult leader should set
the example and contribute directly to the health and fitness
of today's Scouts by completing requirements for the BSA Physical
Fitness Award.
The award's objectives developed by the National Council and the national
BSA Health and Safety Committee, are as follows:
Encourage
youth fitness in the BSA by providing positive role
models and by enhancing youth awareness and understanding of
fitness parameters, health risks, and personal circumstances.
Encourage physical fitness among Scouters by enhancing
their awareness and understanding of fitness parameters,
health risks,
and personal circumstances.
Reduce the rate of stress- and fitness-related incidents
throughout Scouting
For more information go to The
BSA Physical Fitness Award or call 972-580-2448 for
a copy of the To Be Physically Fit, BSA brochure (Bin
No. 19-327) and Leaders Fitness Card (Bin No. 19-326)
Eagle Scout Mentor Pin
The new Eagle Presentation Kit that includes your Eagle Scout
medal, patch, Mom pin and Dad pin now also includes a Mentor pin.
This is a new item and you might be the first Scout in your troop
to get to present this item. The Eagle Scout should discuss with
their Scoutmaster and other leaders working on planning the Court
of Honor who they might recognize by presenting this recognition.
It might be a leader in the troop who worked with you through the
Eagle Scout process, or it might be someone from the organization
you were doing the service project for who was very helpful to
you in the planning and preparation. There is no requirement that
it has to be presented to anyone.
Tooth of Time Traders
Philmont Scout Ranch — the
Boy Scouts of America's premier high-adventure base — challenges
Scouts and Venturers with more than 200 square miles of rugged
New Mexico wilderness. Backpacking treks, horseback cavalcades,
and training and service programs offer young people many
ways to experience this legendary country.
Adults have opportunities of their own at the Philmont Training
Center. World-class courses and seminars cover all aspects
of Scouting — all amid Philmont's dramatic scenery
The
Honorary President of the Boy Scouts of America and President of
the United States, George Bush gives a very well received speech
at the closing assembly of the 2005 National Jamboree on Sunday
night. The President is a very strong supporter of the Scouting
program and talks about his mother's hair turning white about the
time she was his den mother. 
Tiger
Cubs, Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts have the opportunity
to earn the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award. Boys may earn the
award in each of the program years as long as the requirements
are completed each year. The first time the award is earned,
the boy will receive the pocket flap award, which is to be worn
on the right pocket flap of the uniform shirt. Each successive
time the award is earned, a wolf track pin may be added to the
flap. Leaders should encourage boys to build on skills and experiences
from previous years when working on the award for a successive
year. 
The BSA
Ready & Prepared
Award was developed to encourage and reward Boy Scout troops, Varsity
Scout teams,
and Venturing
crews that incorporate safe practices while enjoying challenging
activities. The award acknowledges the common sense and judgment,
founded on knowledge and training, used to incorporate risk management
into a unit's decision-making process. It recognizes that the more
responsibility individual members take for their personal health
and safety, the more everyone contributes to a successful activity.
Earning the award helps units focus on areas in which emphasizing
risk management can help reduce fatalities and serious injury,
such as
Driver and passenger safety
The new William D. Boyce New-Unit Award recognizes volunteers
who organize one or more new traditional units. Celebrating Boyce's
organizing spirit, the award consists of a silver square knot on
a background of yellow, green, and red—representing the traditional
Scouting programs' colors.
Boys join Scouting for the fun and adventure of the outdoors.
An interesting outdoor display can be an effective way to attract
boys to Scouting.
A
truly unique gift! Personalize this wooden BSA cribbage
board with up to two etched BSA logos and your message of up to
three lines. Logos available are Cub Scout, Eagle Medal,
Eagle
Badge, and Universal Emblem. Board measures 12.5" x 4.75" and
comes with three gold-colored and three silver-colored
brass pegs. 
The
world's best-loved board game now celebrates 95 years of
strong Scouting values, leadership, and fun! Monopoly®: Boy
Scouts of America is played just like the original game,
but now features
a custom board, cards, money, and pewter playing tokens,
including a campaign hat, pocketknife, Scoutmaster cup, Boy
Scout sign,
flashlight, and Yucca backpack. This officially licensed
Monopoly game is great fun for the pack, troop, team, family,
and friends.
A perfect gift for anyone in Scouting. A fun game to play
or keep as a collector's treasure! Printed in the United
States. For ages 8 and up, two to six players. WW14218 $35.95 
The
National Venturing Leadership Award knot, No. 14220, is now available.
The square knot has a green, blue, and red background representing
the three different award levels, while the actual knot and border
are pewter gray, matching the presentation medal.
Two new BSA awards honor
volunteers and organizations 
Apply
now for NESA scholarships
It’s
true that the number of serious injuries and fatalities in water-related
activities is small relative to the number of Scouting activities
every year, but Scouting loses lives and dollars from aquatics
injuries and fatalities—second only to those lost
in vehicle accidents.
To
Be Physically Fit is 
Encourage
youth fitness in the BSA by providing positive role
models and by enhancing youth awareness and understanding of
fitness parameters, health risks, and personal circumstances. 
The new Eagle Presentation Kit that includes your Eagle Scout
medal, patch, Mom pin and Dad pin now also includes a Mentor pin.
This is a new item and you might be the first Scout in your troop
to get to present this item. The Eagle Scout should discuss with
their Scoutmaster and other leaders working on planning the Court
of Honor who they might recognize by presenting this recognition.
It might be a leader in the troop who worked with you through the
Eagle Scout process, or it might be someone from the organization
you were doing the service project for who was very helpful to
you in the planning and preparation. There is no requirement that
it has to be presented to anyone.