| News for Scouting leaders,
parents, and the communities
we serve |
July 9, 2009
To supplement, not replace, the Duffle Bag newspaper |
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Jamboree
Contingent Filling Fast
The Council will send six troops, each consisting of 36 Scouts and four leaders, to the 2010 National Jamboree. This event will be the pinnacle of the Boy Scouts of America's 100th Anniversary celebration.
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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
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The Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, is a United Way agency.
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| Greetings!
We hope you and your Scouts or Venturers are enjoying summer programs. Cub Adventure Camps and resident summer camps are the annual highlight for many youth members. Summer activities also can influence parents as much as the Scouts.  A summer camp or day camp might be the first opportunity a parent experiences Scouting at its best and at full speed. These parents are often impressed by the quality of the programs, educational opportunities, character building experiences, leadership development exercises, and--most of all--FUN. Savvy leaders encourage or invite parents to get more involved with Scouting after they experience a successful summer program. There's no better time to ask for help with a den, for assistance with a unit fundraiser or to consider becoming a unit leader than at the conclusion of an enjoyable and memorable Scouting experience. More information on engaging parents can be found at scoutparents.org. As always, please contact us if we can assist you in providing the highest-quality Scouting program for our young people.
--Greater St. Louis Area Council,
Boy Scouts of America
P.S.: The St. Louis Scout Shop located at the MacArthur Service Center, 4568 W. Pine Blvd., will be closed for inventory on July 30-31. |
 Planning Resources
Available For Units
Planning and organizing helps keep quality Scouting programs going in your unit, district and the council. All volunteers who receive or subscribe to the Duffle Bag newspaper received the 2009-10 Program Preview Guide in June. The publication helps units schedule activities and make reservations for camps and facilities.
Download a 2009-10 Program Preview Guide (PDF).
All successful Scouting begins with people. Inviting people to join your Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop or Venture crew is an important part of your unit's life cycle.
School Night to Join Scouting is the annual fall membership drive. Help your unit welcome new members and leaders by planning your recruiting. Read more...
Download the 2009-10 Parent's Orientation Guide (PDF)
Membership Fee Increases To $15 From $10 Effective Jan. 1
The Executive Board of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America unanimously passed a resolution at its business meeting on May 22, 2009, to increase the traditional membership registration fee for all youth and adults to $15 from its current $10, effective Jan. 1, 2010. The last fee increase -- from $7 to $10 -- was in 2003. Read more... |
Take A Virtual Tour Of Summer Camp
Click on the button above to begin a virtual tour of all the Council's summer camps.
Cub Adventure Camp
It's not too late for your pack to attend an Adventure Camp or Grizzly Adventure Camp. Read more...
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 Merit Badge Make-Up Day
Merit Badge Make-Up Day is an annual event that helps Boy Scouts who need to complete a few requirements to earn a merit badge that was started at summer camp. The Eagle Scout Association will hold this event on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Beaumont Scout Reservation. More... |
 August Wood Badge Course
Wood Badge is an advanced training course is for all Scout leaders. There are openings for the course in August at Pine Ridge Scout Camp. Download A Course Application (PDF). National Youth Leadership Training Camp Spots Remain
 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 challenges and work effectively with adult leaders. Read more...Download an NYLT application (PDF) | |
| Leader Tip:
Tail Toss Game  Equipment: Knee-length tube socks, tennis balls
Preparation: Create "tails" by dropping tennis balls inside tube socks; tie a knot at the edge of the ball.
To play: Boys hold the end of the sock and toss it to their partner. Boys catch the tail (grabbing the tail part, not the ball part). After practice, the boys compete as pairs by tossing and catching the ball back and forth from lines 10 feet apart. Count the number of catches. The team with the most sequential catches wins.
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Parent Tip:
Having The 'Tattoo' Talk
With tattoo images everywhere, how can a parent stop their emerging adult child from participating in this traditional act of teen rebellion, and, more importantly, should a parent stop a child from taking a trip to the tattoo parlor? No matter what you or your teenager decides, good parenting requires a discussion -- not an argument. Read more...S ource: St. Louis Kids Magazine |
Quick Clicks
Invitations: Scouts are invited to explore caves, go to the St. Louis Zoo, see a Rams game, go to the St. Louis Science Center or the Missouri History Museum. Many organizations offer Scouts free or reduced-cost programs. Opportunities to Serve: Nonprofit and charitable organizations welcome collaboration on service projects with units. | |
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where to start? Click on the links below for complete lists of items you need to bring for a fun week of camp.
Make sure your Scouts, leaders and parents know how to get to camp. Here's a directory of maps showing how to get to each of our camps that will have summer camping programs: