Digital Duffle Bag

News for Scouting leaders,
parents, and the communities we serve
December 10, 2010
To supplement, not replace, the Duffle Bag newspaper
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.

West County Service Center
11481 Page Service Dr.
St. Louis, Mo. 63146-3529
Phone: (314) 994-9469
FAX: (314) 994-9623
Hours: Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ritter Service Center-Cape Girardeau
3000 Gordonville Rd.
Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63703-5008
Phone: (573) 335-3346 or (800) 335-3346
FAX: (800) 269-7989
Hours: Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Southern Illinois Service Center-Herrin
803 East Herrin St., Herrin, Ill. 62948-0340
Phone: (618) 942-4863 or (888) 942-4863
FAX: (618) 942-2367
Hours: Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
June through August: Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Giving
 
Memorials
 
The Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, is a United Way agency.
United Way

Greetings! 


2009 University of Scouting
Scouts, leaders visit a vendor display at the University of Scouting midway.

Everyone can learn something new or interesting at the University of Scouting on Saturday, Jan. 22, at Fox High School.


Information on all aspects of the Scouting program can be gathered at this one-day conference. Here are a few new classes that will be offered:


-Basic Packmaster software training

-Internet safety for youth

-The 7 habits of highly successful troops

-Social networking online

-PowerPoint workshop


Boy Scouts can attend classes with their leaders. There are separate "colleges" for Venturing (youth and adults), unit commissioners, and for leaders serving Scouts with special Needs. Plus, there are classes on high adventure programs, such as Philmont and the Florida Sea Base.

The cost is $20 for adults, $10 for youth and includes lunch.


Download a University of Scouting Registration Form (PDF)

Download University of Scouting Class Descriptions (PDF)


Thousands of adult volunteer leaders share their knowledge and best methods with others each year to make Scouting stronger. We sincerely appreciate all volunteers who help us provide a strong Scouting program.

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--Greater St. Louis Area Council,

Boy Scouts of America


P.S.: Watch a time-lapsed photography video of the 2010 Scouting for Food Good Turn from Sunset Transportation, the company that provided all logistics and transportation of food in St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis.


Cabins Available For Winter Camping
A great way to keep your troop or crew active in the outdoors during the winter months is to plan a cabin campout. There are a limited number of cabins still available for weekend rental at council camps. Read more...


Unit Incentive Program Returns For

Annual Friends of Scouting Presentations

Friends of Scouting is the council's annual fundraising campaign. It provides 29 percent of the council's funding. Units meeting participation and contribution levels during Friends of Scouting presentations will receive free rank advancement badges for one full year. Read more...


Encourage An Eagle Scout To Apply For
Council's Summer Camp Staff

Eagle Scout BadgeHundreds of Webelos dens, troops and crews experience a life-changing outdoor program each year at our council's summer camps. Many of those experiences are made possible by dedicated Eagle Scouts who serve on the council's summer camp staff. Do you know a Scout who will be 15 years old and an Eagle Scout by June 1, 2011, who would be dependable, energetic and a good role model? Encourage them to spend a summer giving back to the Scouting program and building friendships that will last a lifetime as a member of our camp staff. Staff opportunities are available for female Venturers at the Swift Base.
Download a summer camp staff application (PDF)
Cub Scout Game
Leader Tip:
Bulls-Eye Race For Pinewood Derby Cars
Preparation: Make a track out of one 8-ft. length of 6-by-2-in. plywood board. Use the traditional strip of wood running the length of the board for the lane. Paint 1-in. strips across the board every 6 in. in different colors (red, yellow, blue, green, etc.) before you attach the center strip. Cut a 36-by-36-in. piece of butcher paper. Draw a bulls-eye on the paper using 6-in. wide rings. Give each ring a point value. Tape the bulls-eye flat to the floor. Raise the track a few feet off the floor. (The track could be braced on the seat of a chair.) The race: Boys hold their pinewood derby cars at any starting line they wish (i.e., the yellow stripe) and then let it go. The object is to have the car stop in the bulls-eye. If the car stops short, the boy should start his car higher up on the track. If the car rolls too far, he should start it on a lower stripe. Each boy gets two trial runs and then a scoring run. Points are awarded depending on where the car stops.

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Parent Tip:
Making The Holidays Less Materialistic
The gimmes" are all around us during the holiday season: "Gimme this," "Gimme that," "I want this," "I want that." It can be hard for kids - and parents alike - to look beyond all of the product-driven hoopla and remember what the holidays are really about. Read more...
Source: KidsHealth for Parents

Quick Clicks
Invitations: Scouts are invited to visit attractions or take part in various programs throughout our community. Many organizations offer Scouts free or reduced-cost programs.
Opportunities to Serve: Nonprofit and charitable organizations welcome collaboration on service projects with units.