Connecticut Scouting e-Bulletin

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.

Dear ,

Nearly three months into 2012 and it's already been an incredibly active year in Scouting. Registered Cub Scouts should be seeing the Cub Scout Day Camp registration packet in their mailboxes this week and we've got an incredibly fun program planned under the leadership of Captain Dan.

Along with Day Camp, resident camp at Camp Sequassen and Deer Lake, there are always a ton of other opportunities for Scouts and families to participate in our programs. You've got the Harlem Globetrotters game, Scout Night at the Bluefish, the Cub Scout Fishing Derby, and of course ConnJam 2012! A committee of volunteers under the leadership of Michael Card has been working tirelessly for over 9 months to make ConnJam the best event our Council has ever had. If it's not already on your calendar, this is an event that every Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Venturer and Explorer will not want to miss. Second only to the National Jamboree, it's the largest activity your Scouts will be involved in.

How do you find out about all the great programs and opportunities in our Council? It's easy. Every two weeks, we try to highlight some of the upcoming programs in this newsletter, but there's a complete catalog with lots of great information on the Council website. You can also visit your district's monthly Roundtable meeting which brings together leaders from throughout the area to share ideas, solve problems and plan great programs. Or you can come to the Program Kickoff on May 16.

Scouters in Sleeping Giant District already got a head start on their program planning with an awesome Scouting Expo organized by Barbara Perry Marek and Donna Funk. 200 Scouters, youth and adults jammed Meriden's Maloney High School on March 12 for cool new ideas of places to go and things to do. They were met by over 80 exhibitors from museums, nature centers, sports teams, state parks and more. Hats off to Barbara, Donna and the Sleeping Giant team for this great activity.

We are also pleased to share that the Council has formed a National Eagle Scout Association committee to build a network of adult Eagle Scouts past and present to support Scouting programs. Their first project is organizing the Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner on Sunday, June 10 in the Good Turn Dining Hall at Deer Lake. Make sure to mark this event on your calendars now because this is an opportunity to salute our newest Eagle Scouts for their remarkable achievement. More details will be released soon.

There's always a ton of great opportunities for Scouting in the Connecticut Yankee Council. Check our website at http://www.ctyankee.org, forward this email to everyone in your unit or contact your unit commissioner to get involved.

Support Scouting Through Local Businesses

The Connecticut Yankee Council is partnering with a new local website called Charideal to bring you great deals and support our programs at the same time. Think Groupon with a community conscience. Sign-up is free and you will receive a daily deal in your inbox. About five percent of each transaction goes directly back into Scouting. Check out an upcoming deal from Mark Krom, a Scoutmaster of Troop 1 Milford and owner of Harborside Electric. www.ChariDeal.com is helping to build stronger community bonds. You can also friend them at www.facebook.com/ChariDeal. When you register, be sure to select Connecticut Yankee Council as your charity of choice.

Training Corner

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

Ray Spagnuolo.

Wood Badge 2012 Wants You!

Is 2012 your year to finally take Wood Badge, Scouting's premier adult leadership training program? Created by Lord Robert Baden-Powell in 1919, Wood Badge focuses on preparing adults to be better leaders and deliver the promise of Scouting. Plus it is the most fun that adults can have in Scouting.

August 24-26 and September 28-30 at Deer Lake.

We have assembled an awesome staff under the leadership of Course Director John Neary. All that's missing is you. Every Scout deserves a trained leader.

For more information, visit http://www.ctyankee.org/woodbadge or contact John Neary.

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.

NESA Committee News

It's official. The Connecticut Yankee Council's National Eagle Scout Committee has formed and is meeting on the third Thursday of each month to build a network of adult Eagle Scouts. The first project is the annual Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner scheduled for Sunday, June 10 at Deer Lake Scout Reservation. This event will recognize the newest Eagle Scouts in the class of 2011-2012 and pair them up with mentors in their field of interest. For more information on the Dinner, visit our website or contact Dinner Chairman Bob Cloutier at mrgctct@aol.com.

For more information on NESA, please contact Dr. Bob Sherman at footdoc7@optonline.net or visit http://www.ctyankee.org/program/nesa.

Health & Safety Corner - A Guide To Safe Scouting Part 2

Continuing on the information from Guide to Safe Scouting, other topics include:

First Aid
Fuels and Fire Protection
Guns & Firearms
Sports and Activities including Caving, Judo, Tai Chi, Akido, Climbing and rappelling, Rope monkey bridges, Unit fundraisers, Bike safety and Skating Guidelines.
Transportation safety
Unauthorized and restricted activities which include: abandoned mines, all-terrain vehicles, flying in various types of flying machines including hot air balloons, rodeo events including sponsorship, motorized personal water craft, parasailing, bungee cord jumping and tree climbing.

This book is especially useful to those units who may run their own events away from Council supervised camps and facilities. The Guide is available on line at Connecticut Yankee Council Home Page under the Health and Safety tab or click here. All volunteers participating in official Scouting activities should become familiar with the Guide to Safe Scouting.

Properties Strategic Plan 'Open House'

The Connecticut Yankee Council is in the middle of developing its next five-year strategic plan and the properties subcommittee would like your input. An open house to show the current plan is scheduled for March 27 at the Council Resource Center from 7:30 to 9 p.m. This will be an opportunity to preview the Properties portion of the plan, give feedback and get your questions answered about the direction we're heading. Please RSVP to tony.vogl@scouting.org.

Second Chance to See Harlem Globetrotters

Did you miss seeing the Globetrotters in Bridgeport? Here's another chance to catch the high-flying action and non-stop excitement. With blazing ball-handling wizardry, mesmerizing gravity-defying dunks, side-splitting comedy and crowd interaction, the Globetrotters captivate both the young and the young at heart. Treat your group to a wholesome family entertainment experience that will create lifelong memories and always leaves fans smiling and cheering for more

The Harlem Globetrotters 2012 World Tour, Thursday, March 29 at 7 p.m. at the O'Neill Center at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury. Special pre-game meet and greet available for first 50 scouts to purchase tickets!.

Follow this link to download the registration form and get more information.

Advertise Your Business and Support Scouting

Each year, the Council publishes its annual Scouter's Directory and Council Calendar. It lists all the dates of upcoming meetings and activities, camp maps, leadership directories, resources, and ads for businesses who support Scouting. Need to get your car washed or repaired? Looking for a great new program to bring to your meeting? Wouldn't you like to spend your money on a business that supports the programs for your son?

Encourage the businesses you regularly do business with to support Scouting by advertising in our Council Calendar. Rates are reasonable and the calendar is distributed to over 4,000 volunteers. Visit the Council website to download a brochure.

OA Section Conclave June 8-10

Are you ready for the best that the OA has to offer? Get ready to experience: the Founder's Fair, training cells, competitions, special guests, fellowship, patch trading, awesome food, displays, the patch auction and much, much, more! Register before May 1, and get the early bird price! Beat the lines at the trading post and place your pre-order by March 31, 2012.

Follow this link for more information.

Cast Your Line For a Weekend of Fun

The 26th Annual Fishing Derby will take place April 7 & 14, 2012 at Deer Lake. Grab your fishing pole and join us for a delicious pancake breakfast and a morning of fishing. What better way to spend a Spring morning!

Follow this link to register.

-- 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.

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.