CYC Volunteer e-Bulletin - February 2, 2012

Get ready! The 2013 National Scout Jamboree is coming and it ain't your father's jamboree. We're talking seriously high adventure! Whitewater rafting, zip-lining, rappelling, mountain biking, hiking, and more - with 50,000 of your closest friends at the brand new Summit Bechtel Reserve in the wilds of West Virginia. Start planning now to be a part of history at the very first jamboree at The Summit -- July 15-July 24, 2013.

Click here to register for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

-- Save The Date --

Council Program Kickoff

Wednesday, May 16

Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard

Bridgeport

Get the tools you need to plan an effective program for your unit.

National Scout Shop

www.scoutstuff.org

60 Wellington Road

Milford, CT 06461

(203) 876-0013

Greetings!

Whether you've heard the story of how Scouting came to our nation or not, it's worth retelling. Like every story, it may have been embellished over time, but its meaning remains the same. W. D. Boyce was an American newspaper man and entrepreneur. On a business trip to London, he became lost on a foggy street when an unknown Scout came to his aid, guiding him back to his destination. The boy then refused Boyce's tip, explaining that he was merely doing his duty as a Boy Scout. Immediately afterward, Boyce met with General Robert Baden-Powell, who was the head of the Boy Scouts Association at that time. He returned to America, and, four months later, founded the Boy Scouts of America. In today's day and age, it's difficult to think of how a movement like the Boy Scouts of America could be founded by such a simple act.

Each year during the first week of February, we celebrate Scouting Anniversary Week. It's a week to celebrate who we are and the broad impact that Scouting has had on our communities and our nation. For 102 years, Scouting has been preparing young men and women to be leaders with a foundation of strong values and character. We take enormous pride in what we have accomplished and look forward with great enthusiasm to the future.

How has your unit celebrated Scouting Anniversary Week? Send us your story or pictures to news@ctyankee.org.

Congratulations to Our Newest Silver Beavers

The Council Volunteer Recognition Dinner Thursday, January 26 was a great success with over 200 Scouters coming out to recognize our newest class of Silver Beavers, and congratulate the recipients of the Venturing Leadership Award. Click here to view photos from the dinner.

Congratulations to Peter Anstett, Arnold Feintuck, Caroline Griffin, Michael Kraus, Dan Marazita, Gordon "Butch" Parmalee, and Roger Williams who were presented the Silver Beaver Award, the highest volunteer recognition a Council can present. Also congratulations to Joyce Ference and Kayla Ruge for being awarded the Venturing Leadership Award. Finally, we also recognized David Elkodsi with his fourth bead as Scoutmaster of the Council's Youth Leadership Training Course.

Unit Program Planning Tools

"Unit Program Planning Tools"

An annual program plan is key to having a successful Scouting unit. Check out these new interactive tools that make unit program planning quick and easy.

Building the Leader Within - Annual Report

The Volunteer Recognition Dinner and Annual Meeting marked the release of the Council's Annual Report, highlighting our successes and growth throughout 2011. With 221 Eagle Scouts, record attendance at Camp Sequassen, a brand new Cub Scout camp opening at Deer Lake, renewed growth in our Urban Scouting programs and a $2 Million estate gift to the Council, it certainly was an exciting year.

Download your copy on the Council website.

Training Corner

Wood Badge 2012 Wants You!

The premier adult leadership training course in the Boy Scouts of America is currently recruiting participants for this fall and we want you to consider making this the year you attend. Corporations pay thousands of dollars for the same leadership and team building principles taught thru Wood Badge, and Scouting offers it for a considerable value and adds in the fun and fellowship that only Scouting can provide. Visit http://www.ctyankee.org/woodbadge today to learn more or contact Course Director John Neary for more information.

For more information on Training, please contact your district executive or email Council Training Chairman Ray Spagnuolo.

-- Read All About It --

Cub Scouts Donate to Food Bank

Cub Scouts in Stamford Pack 11 have partnered with the Lower Fairfield County Food Bank for years, collecting food to fill their shelves. This year, the pack set a new high achievement record with almost 700 pounds of food collected. Check out this story on It's Relevant.com.

Has your pack, troop or crew been in the news? Send us a link and we'll share it in an upcoming edition.

Scout Night at the Globetrotters

The deadline for purchasing tickets to the Scout Night with the Harlem Globetrotters has been extended to Friday February 10th. Tickets are $17 each ($8 off the box office price). Please note - If you already purchased tickets and are now interested in additional tickets, the seats will not be together.

Don't miss out on this fun evening of entertainment by the world famous Harlem Globetrotters.

Follow this link to download a registration form.

Scout Night at the Bluefish June 16

Mark your calendars and spread the word. The annual Scout Night at the Bluefish is Saturday, June 16 and as thousands of Scouts, siblings and families have said over the years, this is one event your Pack or den can't afford to miss. It's affordable, simple and most importantly ... FUN!

The Scout Night begins with a parade around the outfield, then an always fun baseball game, a campout in the outfield with a movie on the jumbotron and of course an incredible patch. You're on your own for breakfast Sunday morning though. There's simply no better way to celebrate Father's Day weekend than an evening at the ballpark with your son.

Follow this link to download a registration form so you can reserve your tickets now.

FREE Placemats Available for Blue & Golds

Bright, colorful placemats displaying information on the 2012 Cub Scout Summer Camp programs (Resident Camp on one side, Day Camp on the other) are available for your Blue & Gold Banquet at no charge.

To request some for your Pack, call Carolyn Cruson at (203) 876-6868, Ext. 273 or email ccruson@bsamail.org. Include your name, phone or email, Pack number and the number of placemats you need. Give us at least 30 minutes notice and your placemats will be bundled and ready for pick up here at the Council Resource Center.

Join The Scottish Patrol Jamborette 2012

The bi-annual Troop 36 trip to Scotland is preparing to depart on July 13 and they'd like you to come along. This trip is open to Scouts and Leaders across the council. We have received an invitation to the Scottish Patrol Jamborette to be held on the grounds of Blair Atholl Castle in Perthshire Scotland. This is a small International Jamboree with about 1,000 Scouts. Each patrol of 6 international Scouts is matched with a patrol of Scottish Scouts. The Scots bring all the equipment for the international Scouts. Follow this link to learn more about the event.

For more information on dates, cost, etc. please contact Scoutmaster Jack Berry.

Have We Met Your Expectations? Let Us Hear Your Voice

The Boy Scouts of America is launching its first nation-wide program to ensure that we are delivering what you expect out of our programs. We can't do that without listening to you about your experiences in Scouting. When you receive the survey, please take a few minutes and tell us what you think and encourage your parents and Scouts over the age of 14 to do the same. We must stay connected to your experiences so we can provide the best possible Scouting experience for you and your Scout. We promise your time will be well spent.

For more information, please follow this link.

Scouts and Scouters from the Connecticut Yankee Council attend the annual NESA Jamboree at the US Naval Academy in Anapolis, MD. They are standing in front of Bancroft Hall.

Welding Merit Badge Almost Here

Hot news: Welding merit badge is almost here! The BSA turned to the American Welding Society to help create a new merit badge that will teach Scouts about a real-world field where demand for workers exceeds supply. The image of Industrial Age welders toiling away in dimly lit factories is long gone. Today's welders must learn cutting-edge technology to create the products we use every day - cars, buildings, bicycles.

Scouter Gone Home - Richard Beach (1911-2012)

We are saddened to share the passing of Richard Beach, father of longtime Scouter Gordon Beach. Richard was a veteran Scout leader as well, having, over fifty years ago, been a founding member of both Pack and Troop 177 in Stratford. Calling hours will be held this Sunday, February 5, 1 - 3 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Additional information is available at www.abriola.com/obits/obituaries.php/obitID/445429/obit/Richard-Booth-Beach.

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

Connecticut Yankee Council

60 Wellington Road

Milford, CT 06461

P (203) 876-6868

F (203) 876-6884

The Connecticut Yankee Council will carry out the mission of the Boy Scouts of America in every community in our Council by providing leadership opportunities for all youth through quality programs, mentoring from trained adult volunteers and ongoing learning and personal development through outdoor experiences.

For more information, please visit www.ctyankee.org.