Digital Duffle Bag
News for Scouting leaders,
parents, and the communities
we serve
 January 10, 2008
To supplement, not replace, the Duffle Bag newspaper
In This Issue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trained 
 
Help Your Leaders Get Trained: Visit the BSA's new Online Learning Center (http://olc.scouting.org) for Fast Start Training and Youth Protection Training. Visit the Council's Training section of the website for upcoming courses, or contact your unit commissioner, district training chairman or district executive for assistance.
COUNCIL SERVICE CENTERS
MacArthur Service Center
4568 West Pine Blvd.
St. Louis, Mo. 63108-2179
Phone: (314) 361-0600 or (800) 392-0895
FAX: (314) 361-5165
Hours: Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
Click on the links below for service center information:

West County Service Center

 
 
Make a Donation to Scouting.
 

The Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, is a United Way agency.

United Way
Greetings!
What is Friends of Scouting and why is it important?
 
Friends of Scouting is an annual opportunity for Scout families and others to give financial support to the Council's Scouting program. 
  • Friends of Scouting provides 29 percent of the Council's funding.
  • 81 cents of every dollar is spent on programs and services to units. (The not-for-profit standard is 75 cents.)
  • More than 67,000 children benefit from Council programs.

The Council is grateful to all units who committed to a Friends of Scouting presentation at an upcoming Blue & Gold Banquet or Court of Honor. If your unit would like to participate and help our Council continue to succeed, please contact your district executive or Brian Sens, finance director, at (314) 256-3012 or bsens@stlbsa.org.

Thanks for all you do to make Scouting possible in our community.
 
--Greater St. Louis Area Council,
Boy Scouts of America
Merit Badge SashMerit Badge Centers
Community organizations offer many opportunities for Boy Scouts to learn about various topics and earn merit badges. More than a dozen merit badge centers are offered annually. Read more...
Need a merit badge counselor? Visit our online directory.
University of Scouting
Scout College

The University of Scouting is a one-day conference that provides a variety of presentations and gives leaders a wealth of knowledge on all aspects of the Scouting program. Here's a random sampling of class titles:

  • Building Stronger Packs (Cub Scouts) 
  • Recruit and Retain Quality Volunteers In Your Unit (all)
  • Backpacks, Sleeping Bags and Sleeping Pads (Boy Scouts)
  • What You Always Wanted to Know About Venturing But Were Afraid to Ask (Venturers)
  • ABC's of Attention Deficit Disorder (Special Needs)

Join us at FoxHigh School on Saturday, Jan. 19, and learn how to better succeed in your role in Scouting. More...

Download University of Scouting Course Descriptions (PDF)

2008 One Day of Service
Service Project At Johnson Shut-Ins
On April 4-6

Service to others is one of the principles of the Order of the Arrow, the Boy Scouts of America's national honor society. The Order of the Arrow's Shawnee Lodge is organizing a program called One Day of Service during the weekend of April 4-6 at Johnson Shut-Ins State Park. More...

Click here to register.

rappelSpecial Summer Camps
The Council offers specialty summer camps for Boy Scouts, Explorers and Venturers. Horse Camp, the Ranger Program, the River Ranger Program and Order of the Arrow Summer Camp provide members with a special week of programming. Click on the links below to learn more:
Leader Tip:
Chopstick Relay 
Cub Scout Game

Equipment: Chopsticks, plastic bowls, two or more identical sets of small objects such as cotton balls, jingle bells, dice, gumdrops, etc.

Separate boys into two or more groups. Line them up at one end of the room with a bowl filled with various objects. At the other end of the room, place another bowl on a chair for the boys to carry the objects to. The first boy on each team uses chopsticks to pick up one object out of the bowl. He may only use one hand to pick up the object. He then races to put his item in the other bowl. If he drops the item, he goes back and the next boy gets his turn.

Note: Boys might have a hard time handling chopsticks. If that's the case, consider using only cotton balls in the bowls, as they will be easier for the boys to pick up.

Source: Cub Scout Program Helps, February

Parent Tip:
Does Your Child Need A Cell Phone?

Cell phones are communication tools, not toys. Can children who crave them understand the difference and treat them appropriately? Read more from Scouting Magazine...

Source: Scouting Magazine, January-February 2008.

Quick Clicks
In the news...
Boy Scouts Mandate Anti-Bully Tactics: Associated Press story on new Boy Scout rank requirements.
Quest For Fire: Find A Boy Scout: Suburban Journals of South St. Louis County story on starting a fire without matches.
Fun stuff to do...
Invitations: Click on the link and view the Invitations page on the Council website for information on St. Louis University Basketball, the St. Louis Science Center, City Museum, Magic House, and more.