Digital Duffle Bag

News for Scouting leaders,
parents, and the communities
we serve
September 24, 2009
To supplement, not replace, the Duffle Bag newspaper
In This Issue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
National Jamboree Update
2010 Jamboree
The 2010 National Jamboree will be one of the highlights of the Boy Scouts of America's 100th anniversary. The Council will send six troops of 36 Scouts and four adult volunteer Scouters for the event on July 26-Aug. 4, 2010. There are fewer than 35 spaces remaining for Scouts.
Council Jamboree Contingent information...
National Jamboree Website...
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!, 
 
Tiger CubGive newly recruited Cub Scouts and parents their first Scouting experience at "Taste of Scouting."
 
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3
Where: Beaumont Scout Reservation.
Cost: $5 per family.
Cub Scout LogoNew Cub Scouts can spend the day at the archery range, crossing a monkey bridge, building crafts, climbing aboard a pirate ship and participating in many other fun activities. Come and go as you like. You may bring a picnic lunch.
Download a Taste of Scouting Reservation Form (PDF)
Beaumont Scout Reservation is located west of Interstate 270 off Interstate 44 at the Antire-Beaumont exit. Click here for a map to Beaumont...
 
Thanks to all who help fulfill Scouting's promise in our communities.
--Greater St. Louis Area Council,
Boy Scouts of America

United Way--P.S.: Please be generous when asked to participate in your United Way campaign. The Council receives approximately 19 percent of its operating budget from United Way agencies. More...
Cubs Invited To Fall Fright Fest On Oct. 17
This annual event for Cub Scouts and their families is at Cub World at Beaumont Scout Reservation. It's an evening of enjoyable activities with some more frightening than others. Ghosts and goblins provide a safe but scary experience. This popular event is limited to Cub Scouts and their parents. Only 1,000 reservations will be taken and this event sells out each year.
Summer Camp Emblem2010 Boy Scout Camp Lottery Set 
Boy Scout troop leaders received via U.S. Mail the materials for the 2010 summer camp lottery. The deadline for entering is Oct. 1 for the lottery on Oct. 15. More...
Download a 2010 Troop Summer Camp Reservation Form (PDF)
Popcorn-Trails endSelling Popcorn Helps Unit, Council Programs
One of the council's suggested money-earning projects is the annual popcorn sale. With a little imagination, many units have raised sizable amounts of money for unit accounts.

Units that are financially sound can spend more time and resources on providing a fun and challenging year-round program. The popcorn sale also benefits the council by funding services for adult volunteer leaders and members and providing better programs and camping facilities. More...
Help For New, Experienced Leaders
Did you just volunteer to be a Scout leader? Do you Trained Stripwant to be a better leader or learn new methods or skills?
First, take online courses for youth protection, fast-start training and other specialized offerings at the BSA's online learning center: http://olc.scouting.org/
Here are council and district training courses and events offered during the next few months:
Cub Scout Leader Pow Wow: A one-day seminar with dozens of sessions on giving Cub Scouts an outstanding program.
Leader Outdoor Experience: Learn how to deliver a safe and enjoyable outdoor program for your Cub Scouts.
Basic Training: These courses are offered at the district level. Visit your district's web page for more information.
Leader Tip:
Catch Me If You Can
Great Game For Tiger Cubs 
Cub Scout GameMaterials: Stuffed animals, carpet squares or fabric pieces to set stuffed animals on, hoops big enough (about twice-sized) to go over the stuffed animals (large plastic hoops for large animals; plastic coffee-can lids with centers cut out for very small animals; or hoops custom-made to the needed diameters using �-inch vinyl tubing connected with a 1�- to 2-inch piece of dowel rod of a size that fits snugly inside the tubing).
Spread out carpet squares or fabric pieces over the playing area (outdoors or gymnasium recommended). Put a stuffed animal on each carpet square or fabric piece. Have the appropriate hoops laying about 6 to 8 feet from the animals the hoops will catch. Allow the boys to go from one to another, trying to catch each animal with the ring sized for that animal. Encourage the Tiger Cubs to take turns and be considerate of their den mates.
Source: Cub Scout Program Helps, October, 2009 (PDF)
Parent Tip:

Helping With Homework 
There's no need to battle with your child over homework. Far too many parents feel that it's their job to make their kids do all of their work. As a result, they find themselves in un-winnable power struggles with their kids. Even sadder, their children begin to see learning as frustrating and bad thing. More...

Quick Clicks
Invitations:  See the play "Tom Sawyer," march in the Veterans Day Parade,  or learn about snakes. Units are invited to attend a wide variety of events and activities throughout our community. Many organizations offer Scouts free or reduced-cost admission for events and programs.
Opportunities to Serve: Nonprofit and charitable organizations welcome collaboration on service projects with Scout units.