Digital Duffle Bag

News for Scouting leaders,
parents, and the communities
we serve
 April 9, 2009
To supplement, not replace, the Duffle Bag newspaper
In This Issue
 
 
 
 
 
 
Leader Outdoor Experience

Leader Outdoor Experience is a supplemental training for all Cub Scout leaders. They receive instruction in providing a well-rounded program for youth members both indoors and outdoors. It teaches leaders to take their dens and packs outdoors with confidence in their abilities to provide a meaningful and memorable experience. More...
Download A Course Registration Form (PDF)

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

 
 
Giving
 
Memorials
 
The Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, is a United Way agency.
United Way
Greetings! 
 
Twenty-two adult volunteer leaders will be recognized for their outstanding contributions to Scouting and their Silver Beaver Awardcommunity during the Council's Annual Meeting and Recognition Dinner. The Silver Beaver Award is the highest honor a Boy Scout council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader. Click here to view the list of this year's recipients...
 
Please save the date and plan to join us:

Thursday, May 28, 2009
St. Charles Convention Center
6 p.m. Fellowship
6:30 p.m. Dinner
7:15 p.m. Program
 
Invitations will be mailed next week. Eagle Scout Josh Sundquist will be our special guest. Plus, a special announcement will be made regarding the Council's camping programs.
 --Greater St. Louis Area Council,
Boy Scouts of America

Friends Of Scouting Wrapping Up
The Council's annual fundraising campaign concludes in late April. Friends of Scouting provides 29 percent of the Council's funding. A six-minute Friends of Scouting video is available that simplifies your unit's presentation and tells the Scouting story. Your presenter can assist you with audio/visual resources to play the DVD. (Click here to watch the video on YouTube.)
St. Louis CardinalsHold A Unit Open House,
See A Cardinals Game
The St. Louis Cardinals baseball club, 10-time World Champions, is recognizing units that recruit new Scouts throughout the year. Your unit can attend a select game by holding an open house. Here are the available games:
  • Tuesday, April 21 at 7:15 p.m. vs. the New York Mets
  • Tuesday, May 5 at 7:15 p.m. vs. the Philadelphia Phillies
  • Tuesday, June 2 at 7:15 p.m. vs. the Cincinnati Reds
Download Cardinals and Spring Recruiting Form (PDF) for more information.
 
Combine Cub Scouts, Bugs
For Guaranteed Fun 
09 Adventure Camp LogoWhat does nearly every Cub Scout like?  Creepy, crawly creatures! The theme for Cub Scout Adventure Camps is "Bugs, Slugs and Venus Flytraps!" Two- and three-day Adventure Camps are $45 per Scout. Four- and five-day Adventure Camps are $50 per Scout. Scouts can save $5 if fees are paid before Camper Savings Day, May 1.  Packs are encouraged to register as a group instead of submitting many individual registrations. Read more...
 
Grizzly Adventure Camp is a Council-sponsored adventure camp for Cub Scouts at Cub World at the Beaumont Scout Reservation.  This year's theme is "Historical Happenings." Two sessions will be held, July 6-10 and 13-17.Read more...
 
 
Summer Camp
 
Take A Virtual Tour Of Summer Camp
Click on the button above to begin a virtual tour of all the Council's summer camps. 
 
Summer Camp Downloads
Webelos, Boy Scout and Venture leaders can download manuals from the website at the following links:
 
 
Plan to attend the preview meetings:
Boy Scout summer camp: Saturday, April 18, at Camp Lewallen and Beaumont Scout Reservation.
Webelos Camp and Mini-Camp: Saturday, May 9, at Beaumont.
 
Ranger, Horse Camps Offer
High-Adventure Opportunities
The Council offers specialty summer camps for Boy Scouts, Explorers and Venturers. Horse Camp, Ranger Program and River Ranger Program provide members with a special week of programming. Click on the links below to learn more:
Download a 2009 Ranger Program Application (PDF)
Download a 2009 River Ranger Program Application (PDF)
 
Visit the camping section of the website for more information. We're committed to making our summer camp experiences the highlight of your Scout's summer. Contact us if we can be of any assistance. 
 
NYLTBring Out The Best
In Your Boy Scouts
National Youth Leadership Training is a one-week course that provides youth leaders with an opportunity to enhance their leadership skills while living by the Scout Oath and Law, in an exciting outdoor environment. Scouts who earn the NYLT shield are prepared to meet the challenges ahead and are better prepared to work with adult leaders. Requirements:
  • Be currently registered as a member of the Boy Scouts of America who has attended long-term Boy Scout camp for a minimum of two years
  • Be First Class rank or higher.
  • Be the minimum age of 12 years.
  • Be a member of a troop whose Scoutmaster has completed the adult Boy Scout Leader Basic Training Course.
  • Be a current or prospective youth leader recommended by his Scoutmaster.

The Pack and Paddle section of NYLT is an outpost adventure program that follows the same syllabus as the land-based course.  Nims Lake and the surrounding wilderness at S bar F Scout Ranch provide an outstanding classroom. Scouts will practice low-impact camping, learn how to use a compass, develop leadership skills, hike and canoe. Read more...
Download an NYLT application (PDF)

Wood BadgeAccelerate Adult Leadership
Wood Badge is an advanced training course is for all Scout leaders. Two courses will take place this summer, one in May at Beaumont Scout Reservation and the other in August at Pine Ridge Scout Camp. Download A Course Application (PDF).
Leader Tip:
Worm Farm
Program HelpsMaterials: Container such as large bucket or plastic box, non-colored newspaper torn in 1-inch strips, small screened wire, fruit and vegetable scraps, piece of burlap, earthworms (found at bait shops). Create a bed of materials for worms to digest by layering shredded newspaper, handfuls of soil and table scraps (lettuce, eggshells, and coffee grounds work nicely). Cover with more layers of newspaper. An 8-inch layer of material is a good start. Place a piece of burlap on top to keep the light out and the soil moist. What happens? The worms eat through the material you prepared in the bucket. The by-product is enriched soil you can use in your garden. You are also finding a good use for kitchen waste as you recycle.
Source: Cub Scout Program Helps, May 2009 (PDF)
New Content! The full 2008-2009 Cub Scout Programs Helps is available in PDF for download. Click here...
Parent Tip:

Focus On The First-Time Camper

If your child is attending camp for the first time this summer, you can help them build confidence and dispel worries beforehand. Read more...
Source: Scouting Magazine, March-April 2004
Quick Clicks
Invitations: Scouts are invited to various indoor and outdoor events. More information from the St. Louis Zoo, Science Center, Powder Valley Nature Center and Wetlands For Kids Day at Busch Wildlife can be found on the Invitations page on the website. Many organizations offer Scouts free or reduced-cost programs.
Opportunities to Serve: Nonprofit and charitable organizations welcome collaboration on service projects with units. View the Opportunities to Serve page on the Council website for more information.