Join the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Yankee Council as we officially open our newest summer resident camp program at Deer Lake Scout Reservation. This camp will provide memories and experiences to more than 300 Cub Scouts and their families this summer and thousands more in the future. Join in our celebration, tour the camp, enjoy the Scouting fellowship and some refreshments. Please RSVP to Karen Caiati at kcaiati@bsamail.org or (203) 876-6868, Ext. 223. 

The Boy Scouts of America released a set of social media guidelines for Scouts and Scouting's adult leaders on how to safely use online social tools. These guidelines are part of the BSA's continuing efforts to enhance and expand its youth protection procedures. 

• Learn more here.

Eagle Scout Alvin Townley has a knack for finding compelling stories. Like Legacy of Honor, his 2007 look at what it means to be an Eagle Scout, told through profiles of some remarkable men. Or Spirit of Adventure, the 2009 story of Eagle Scouts who are shaping America's future every day. The tradition continues in 2011 with Townley's third book, Fly Navy, which debuts today.

In honor of the official Centennial of Naval Aviation, Townley spent much of 2010 embedded with some of the men and women "who have worked together to launch aircraft off carrier flight decks for the past 100 years." The result of thousands of miles, several carrier landings, and conversations with heroes from the past and present? "A more inspiring and more personal story than I'd ever imagined," Townley says.

• View more information about "Fly Navy"

If you're thinking about Wood Badge this year, the Wood Badge Sale ends SOON. Don't miss this opportunity to save UP TO $40. The Early Bird fee of $235 jumps to $260 after May 15, and the late fee of $275 is charged for registrations received after July 31. If you need help with the fees, need-based scholarship funds are available. 

 

The 2011 course will be held over six days, August 26-28 and September 23-25 at Deer Lake Scout Reservation. The course starts each weekend on Friday morning (7:30 a.m.) and ends on Sunday at 5 p.m. Contact  Course Director Jay Lubin, woodbadge2011@gmail.com, or Staff Adviser Tony Vogl at (203) 876-6868, ext. 259 or tony.vogl@scouting.org.

• Register today for Wood Badge.

Effective as of March 1, 2011, what are currently known as local and national Tour Permits will be replaced by a "Tour Plan" and the online tour permit system are longer be available. The tour plan is a checklist for best practices to be prepared for safe and fun adventure. The goal is to ensure that appropriate planning has been conducted, that qualified and trained leadership is in place, and that the right equipment is available for the adventure. In addition, the plan helps to organize safe and appropriate transportation to and from an event, and defines driver qualifications and minimum limits of insurance coverage for drivers and vehicles used to transport participants. 

Based on feedback from volunteers, we have implemented the following internal policies: 

1. When a Tour Plan is received, an automatic message will be sent saying "We have received your Tour Plan and will process within 72 hours." They still need to be submitted at least two weeks in advance to allow time to correct any errors. An additional message will go out if there are any issues to be resolved or a scan of the approved Tour Plan. 
2. Tour Plans will be processed in the order they are received and the approved Tour Plans will be returned to the unit contact (via email) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week. They will be emailed to the Tour Leader. If you need the plan to be sent or copied to someone else, please indicate on the form or via email.  

• Click here to read complete details on the New Tour Plan Guidelines and Procedure.