Scouting e-Bulletin - Training Leaders To Provide Mountaintop Experiences

Eagle Scouts are more likely than other Scouts and men who were never Scouts to treat people of other religions with respect. (Source: Baylor University) Learn more.

Joke of the Week

Why did the man run around his bed?

To catch up on some sleep.

Read more at www.BoysLife.org.

Training Leaders to Provide Mountaintop Experiences

Over 40 Scouters from Connecticut, New York, Vermont, and even as far as Washington (state) and Hawaii gathered this past weekend for Powder Horn training. Powder Horn exposes the leaders to the high adventure programs of Scouting that they can then take back to their home units. The course puts leaders on a cliff face, exposes them to activities like caving and SCUBA, and gives them a taste of the fun of star gazing and shooting sports.

Certainly not every training is as hands on as Powder Horn, but getting trained as a leader is critical to ensuring that every Scout who joins our programs this fall has the promise kept. They and their families are expecting a strong, safe and well-planned program and it's our role as volunteers and professionals to exceed that expectation.

Many of Scouting's introductory training's are available online and accessible 24 hours a day. A "MyScouting" account is all you need to get started. We've got monthly leader workshops known in the Scouting world as "Roundtables" which give leaders an opportunity to share best practices and exchange new ideas. Of course, there's evening and weekend in-person skill trainings. Finally, there's trainings like Wood Badge and Powder Horn which provide the skills and resources necessary for an absolutely mountaintop experience.

Whether you're a leader who just completed the application or a veteran leader whose been around the block a few times, a refresher course on Scouting's latest programs and guidelines is vitally important. Thank you to the volunteers who share their talents in training our leaders, and thank you for the commitment you've made to the youth we're privileged to serve.

For detailed information about all the trainings available in the Council, visit our training website at http://www.ctyankee.org/program/training.

Sell Popcorn This Fall

The 2012 Connecticut Yankee Council and Trail's End Popcorn Sale is a win-win-win for everyone. Your Pack or Troop earns money to carry out their activities, it provides income to the Council to serve our Packs and Troops, and your Scouting families get a great product at a great price.

For more information or to sign up your unit to earn money for your program this fall, contact Jon Pleva at jopleva@bsamail.org or (203) 876-6868, Ext. 286.

Last Chance for Scout Day at Lime Rock

Start your fall off right by bringing your family or unit to the annual Scout Day at Lime Rock. This day or overnight activity is just about the easiest and most fun event we've got. Car camping is okay, and even encouraged at Lime Rock! Prepare your own meals or buy them at the track concessions stand and enjoy an all-day program of amateur racing by some of the top rated drivers in stock sedans and open wheeled race cars.

Scouts of all ages enjoy this annual event. Camp Friday night and watch the races Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is the perfect way to spend a fall weekend. It doesn't get any easier.

Learn more or register by clicking here.

Sweet 16 - Skill Level Limits, Weather Check, Planning

Skill Level Limits - There is a minimum skill level requirement for every activity, and the supervisor must identify and recognize the minimum skill level and be sure that no participants are put at risk by attempting an activity beyond their ability. A good example of skill levels is the venerable swim test, which defines conditions for safe swimming based on individual ability.

Weather Check - The risk factors in many outdoor activities vary substantially with weather conditions. These variables and the appropriate response should be understood and anticipated.

Planning - Safe activity follows a plan that has been conscientiously developed by the experienced supervisor or other competent source. Good planning minimizes risks and also anticipates contingencies that may require emergency response or a change of plan.

For questions on Scouting Safety, please contact John Braddock from the Council's Risk Management committee at john.braddock@cox.net.

BSA Unveils Discover Card Partnership

The Boy Scouts of America is excited to share a new partnership with Discover Card. The BSA Discover credit card is designed to be used by adults as a responsible financial tool that will benefit the BSA and cardholders alike. The cards will include many of the same features as a typical credit card, but with ties to Scouting.

To learn more about the BSA Discover credit card program, please visit www.BoyScoutCreditCard.com. While there, be sure to sign up for ongoing notifications as the cards draw closer to launch.

Unit Charter Fee Changes

Two big changes are coming in 2013 that will impact every registered Scout unit:

What is now known as the "unit charter fee" will change its name to the more descriptive "unit liability insurance fee."
The cost of this fee will increase from $20 a year to $40 a year.
There is no increase in the annual registration fee for individuals.

Every Scout unit -- packs, troops, crews, ships and posts -- must pay the fee each year, and every penny of this fee goes into the general liability insurance program, providing coverage for claims alleging negligent actions that result in either personal injury or property damage. Click here to learn more about what your unit can do now to prepare.

Go High Tech in Your Recruiting This Fall

At a conference recently, we learned that the old adage that it takes seven "touches" for someone to react to a message just doesn't cut it any more.In today's fast paced society, it's becoming more and more like 10 "touches" at least. What that means is that the old method of distributing flyers in the school folders and expecting parents to show up for the recruiting night isn't going to cut it any more.

Following along with our fall "Badge of Honor" recruiting theme, National BSA has developed a series of downloadable posters, web banners, e-mail templates and other tools that you can use in your recruiting efforts. They're available at the click of a mouse.

For more recruiting ideas or to share your best practices with others, contact your district membership chairman or your district executive.

The Ultimate List of Scouting Apps

Once upon a time, we used maps printed on paper to find our way. We studied laminated sky charts to identify constellations. We counted seconds after thunder strikes to locate storms. What were we thinking?

Today, thanks to the ubiquitous smartphone, we can do all that and more with a few taps. As Scout leaders, we can now carry a library, GPS, weather radio, compass, map, camera, and field guide in our pocket. But which apps are worth downloading or - in some cases - paying for? Click here to read the must-have apps on your mobile device.

Scout Night at the Sound Tigers

Join us as we cheer on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at our annual Scout Night on Friday, Nov. 23. This is the first time we're offering an overnight option. The package includes VIP Post Game immediately following the Sound Tigers game,free patch for all Scouts in attendance, special post-game autograph session, and a light continental breakfast for those who camp overnight. Follow the link for a detailed registration form.

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

Connecticut Yankee Council

60 Wellington Road

Milford, CT 06461

P (203) 876-6868

F (203) 876-6884

www.ctyankee.org

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.