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Scout Spotlight: James O'Dwyer
Chattahoochee Eagle Scout Picked by Taylor Swift for Outstanding Service Award
James O'Dwyer, an Eagle Scout of Troop 87 at Roswell Presbyterian Church, was selected as one of four teens honored with the 2011 TeenNick HALO award.
O'Dwyer, who is currently a student at the University of Alabama, was in his dorm room when a massive tornado touched down in Tuscaloosa last April. The F4 left a six miles track of destruction across the town.
"When you look at these people, it just seems like our duty to do as much as we can," O'Dwyer told a CNN reporter.
So he took to Facebook. O'Dwyer reached out to his friends and community through the social network and with text messages asking them to bring whatever they could spare. He collected enough supplies to fill a 12-foot painter's van.
O'Dwyer then coordinated with other's trying to help those in need. He was put in contact with a woman who had an 18-wheeler, and filled it up. As more and more people came to support his efforts, O'Dwyer formed Magnolia Disaster Relief, a non-profit dedicated to helping neighborhoods effected by natural disasters by creating "hit kits" that help them "be prepared" in case of future storms.
You can find out more about Magnolia Disaster Relief here.
Because of his outstanding impact, O'Dwyer was chosen by Taylor Swift to receive a TeenNick HALO award. The awards, which stand for "Helping and Leading Others," recognize and celebrate real teens who are agents of change in their communities.
Click here to watch Taylor Swift present James with tickets to the HALO Awards.
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Unit Spotlight: Ship 100
Sea Scouts Bring Home the Bronze
Atlanta Squadron Sea Scouts Ship 100 -TEAM 420, Brandi Graham and Max Thompson brought home the Bronze trophy, with their ship mates, Sophia Parker and Amber McLean taking a close 4th. They challenged some of the best 420 sailors in the south, and experienced keen competition and close quarter fleet racing.
With six boats racing a total of 12 races, the 2nd-4th lead changed hands between Ship 100 and Ship 207 nearly every race. When the final tally of points was done, there was barely 2 points spread between 2nd, 3rd and 4th place! Their finishes have earned Ship 100 an entry at the 2012 William Koch Nationals in San Francisco, where Sea Scout teams from all over the world will be competing next July.
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Become a Fan
on Facebook 
Be sure to sign up to be a fan of the Atlanta Area Council, Boy Scouts of America on Facebook. Be the first to know important information about training, events, advancement and camping updates. We will also have interesting facts and contests on our wall. Back to Top |
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News and Events for All
Don't Miss Out on Scout Days Come and meet acclaimed wildlife sculptor Grainger McKoy at the High Museaum of Art. At 1 p.m., McKoy will answer questions about more than 30 exquisitely detailed pieces in the The Sculpture of Grainger McKoy exhibit. Get special group rates for ten or more. Contact group sales at the High at 404-733-4468 or schooltours@woodruffcenter.org. Click here to see more Scout Days! Volunteer Opportunity - Help Tell the Story of Scouting
The Atlanta Area Council is looking for BSA Alumni, Eagle Scouts and volunteers to help promote Scouting at various events around Atlanta. Every year the Council is invited to United Way events or service clubs and has "Scout Days" at sporting and other public events. We are looking for volunteers to work at information tables as part of the "AAC Ambassador Corps". For more information on the AAC Ambassador Corp, please contact Brad Olecki.
Wanted - Dedicated & Spirited Summer Camp Staff Applicants
Opportunities to serve Scouting as a member of a seasonal camp staff are available to outstanding applicants. Competition for employment is keen; the jobs demanding; the experience exhilarating. If you have Scouts or Adults interested in becoming a part of the Woodruff or Bert Adams Summer Camp Staff, ask them to apply for a position on this next year's camp staff.For further information; please contact Donna Carr.
Staff Updates The Atlanta Area Council is pleased to welcome Zulema Reyna and Jeff Fulcher to the staff. Zulema is joining us from the Sam Houston Area Council where she began her career in 2009. She will serve the communities of the Chattahoochee District. Jeff Fulcher is the Atlanta Area Council's new Marketing & Communications Executive. Jeff has an extensive background in non-profit marketing, social media, and fundraising. He is a graduate of DePauw University. Welcome Zulema and Jeff! Please join us in also congratulating Karmen Thornton, Faye Hammonds, and Katie Gunn on their promotions in the Atlanta Area Council. Karmen is the Senior District Director for the communities in the Sweetwater District. Karmen has a proven track record in Friends of Scouting, strategic planning, volunteer recruiting, and membership growth. Faye is the District Director of the West and South Atlanta Districts where she began her professional career in June 2010. Katie is now the District Director for the Foothills District after successfully serving as an Exploring and Learning for Life Executive and in the Chattahoochee District. Congratulations Karmen, Faye, and Katie!
Holiday Hours
The Atlanta Area Council will be closed December 23-26 for the Holiday Season.
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Camp
Bert Adams Boy Scout Summer Camp
Summer camp for Boy Scouts at Bert Adams will be running for 3 weeks in summer 2012! New for this upcoming summer are 5 additional merit badges, expanded older Scout programs, and the new "Excursion" programs with trips to Stone Mountain, the Atlanta Motor Speedway, and more! Read more
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Training is here to help! You're a leader. We are trainers. We help you know how to have more fun as you lead your unit. Training is available all over our 13-county area at many different times. Click here to check-out the training calendar to find one that fits your needs and schedule.
CPR Saturday (Dec 10) "Be Prepared" is more than just the Boy Scout Motto. Atlanta Area Council Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are getting ready to participate in and volunteer to help run Scout CPR Saturday in coordination with the American Red Cross on December 10th. CPR Saturday is open to the community. Classes will be held at the Volunteer Service Center running every 40 minutes starting at 8:00 a.m. with the last starting at 11:00 a.m. The cost ranges from $45-$65 per person depending on the course you take. Click here to register. We are looking for 15 volunteers to assist with the training. Please e-mail Wayne Miller if you are interested in helping. Scounters Academy (Jan 28) All On Board the Scouters Academy Express! This train is getting ready to leave the station with a destination aimed at success! There are over 40 classes to choose from that range from the beginning leader/Cub Scout parent to Boy Scout leader/veteran Venture Crew advisor, there are even some classes for the youth leaders in your Boy Scout Troop! You will be riding along the rails journeying for an entire day's event that combines fun with quality instructions to aid you in reaching the success destination. Click here for more information. Registration for Scouters Academy is only $20 so sign up today.
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Cub Scouts
Popcorn Fundraiser
The popcorn payment deadline is Thursday, December 1st. Make your payment by then and your unit will receive an additional 5% commission.
Remember, the Top Seller deadline forms are due on December 1st too! Click here to download the form.
Has your son sold $2,500 or more this year? Has he already been enrolled in the Scholarhip Program but you need to report his 2011 sales? Be sure to submit your scout's scholarship form to Trail's End by Dec. 31st.
For more information, click here.
Don't Miss Out on Scout Days
Be sure to join us at Scout Day at the High Museum of Art on December 11. Acclaimed wildlife sculptor Grainger McKoy will be on hand to answer questions about his work. Click here to learn more.
See more Scout Days here.
Scouting for Food
Scouting for Food is America's largest one-day food drive, and the Atlanta Area Council will be giving focus to this service project in March. Be sure to visit your district's round table in January 2012 to get all the details and be sure your pack, troop, or crew is signed up to participate! Details on Scouting for Food will be updated on the council's website here.
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Boy Scouts
Popcorn Fundraiser
The popcorn payment deadline is Thursday, December 1st. Make your payment by then and your unit will receive an additional 5% commission.
Remember, the Top Seller deadline forms are due on December 1st too! Click here to download the form.
Has your son sold $2,500 or more this year? Has he already been enrolled in the Scholarhip Program but you need to report his 2011 sales? Be sure to submit your scout's scholarship form to Trail's End by Dec. 31st.
For more information, click here.
Don't Miss Out on Scout Days
Be sure to join us at Scout Day at the High Museum of Art on December 11. Acclaimed wildlife sculptor Grainger McKoy will be on hand to answer questions about his work. Click here to learn more.
See more Scout Days here.
Get Excited for OKPIK
Reserve your 2011/2012 Okpik adventure today! Now is the time for troop, venturing crew, and Webelos groups to schedule their winter high adventure trek to Northern Tier's Okpik program.
Okpik offers a wide variety of programs. The 5-day Cold Weather Leadership Training in early January provides hands-on training to leaders and older youth in winter camping. Their popular dog sledding programs, Dog Sled Trek and Musher Camp, are quickly filling up. The 5-day Holiday Stay Program (December 27 - January 1) offers units an opportunity to experience the magic and beauty of winter in the Northwoods. Ski Treks, Snowshoe Treks, the ever popular Okpik Weekend and Ice Fishing are available programs throughout the winter.
Programs are available from December 2011 to early March 2012. Visit the Okpik page at www.ntier.org or give them a call at 218-365-4811 for more information.
Scouting for Food
Scouting for Food is America's largest one-day food drive, and the Atlanta Area Council will be giving focus to this service project in March. Be sure to visit your district's round table in January 2012 to get all the details and be sure your pack, troop, or crew is signed up to participate! Details on Scouting for Food will be updated on the council's website here.
Philmont 2012 (June 12 - June 24)
The Atlanta Area Council Philmont expedition is accepting applications for our Provisional Crew 1. The composition of this crew is targeted towards Boy Scouts from Atlanta Area Council Troops with no crew going to Philmont and who otherwise would not have an opportunity to experience Philmont. Click here to learn more and save your spot for Philmont 2012!
2013 National Scout Jamboree
The time is now to be part of the 2013 National Scout Jamboree. This is your opportunity to gather with over 40,000 other Scouts and Scouters from across the Nation to celebrate the 19th National Scout Jamboree. The Jamboree will be held in the new Scout property at The Summit - Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. The dates of the Jamboree will be July 15 - 24, 2013. The Atlanta Area Council will be taking 6 Troops of Boy Scouts (a total of 216 Scouts) and 2 Patrols of Venturers (a total of 16 Venture Scouts) to represent the Council at the 2013 Jamboree. We will need 28 Adult Volunteers to be part of the leadership team of the Council Jamboree Contingent. National will need many more youth and adults to be part of the National Staff for the Jamboree. Read more
NESA Eagle Scout Scholarships
The applications for the 2012 National Eagle Scout Association Eagle Scout scholarships are now available at www.nesa.org. All scholarship applications are due January 31. Read more
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Venturing
Winterfest (Feb 3-5)
Winterfest is an annual competitive event and leadership training weekend held in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Over 3,000 participants from 13 states experience what Venturing and Exploring are really all about. Winterfest brings the opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills, share ideas, compete against other posts and crews, and have fun. Read more
Get Excited for OKPIK
Reserve your 2011/2012 Okpik adventure today! Now is the time for troop, venturing crew, and Webelos groups to schedule their winter high adventure trek to Northern Tier's Okpik program.
Okpik offers a wide variety of programs. The 5-day Cold Weather Leadership Training in early January provides hands-on training to leaders and older youth in winter camping. Their popular dog sledding programs, Dog Sled Trek and Musher Camp, are quickly filling up. The 5-day Holiday Stay Program (December 27 - January 1) offers units an opportunity to experience the magic and beauty of winter in the Northwoods. Ski Treks, Snowshoe Treks, the ever popular Okpik Weekend and Ice Fishing are available programs throughout the winter.
Programs are available from December 2011 to early March 2012. Visit the Okpik page at www.ntier.org or give them a call at 218-365-4811 for more information.
Scouting for Food
Scouting for Food is America's largest one-day food drive, and the Atlanta Area Council will be giving focus to this service project in March. Be sure to visit your district's round table in January 2012 to get all the details and be sure your pack, troop, or crew is signed up to participate! Details on Scouting for Food will be updated on the council's website here.
2013 National Scout JamboreeThe time is now to be part of the 2013 National Scout Jamboree. This is your opportunity to gather with over 40,000 other Scouts and Scouters from across the Nation to celebrate the 19th National Scout Jamboree. The Jamboree will be held in the new Scout property at The Summit - Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. The dates of the Jamboree will be July 15 - 24, 2013. The Atlanta Area Council will be taking 6 Troops of Boy Scouts (a total of 216 Scouts) and 2 Patrols of Venturers (a total of 16 Venture Scouts) to represent the Council at the 2013 Jamboree. We will need 28 Adult Volunteers to be part of the leadership team of the Council Jamboree Contingent. National will need many more youth and adults to be part of the National Staff for the Jamboree. Read more
Don't Miss Out on Scout Days
Be sure to join us at Scout Day at the High Museum of Art on December 11. Acclaimed wildlife sculptor Grainger McKoy will be on hand to answer questions about his work. Click here to learn more.
See more Scout Days here.
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Support Scouting
2012 Friends of Scouting Campaign
Friends of Scouting is the Council's annual campaign that secures funds needed to provide services and support to unit programs, such as training, insurance, program materials, advancement materials, camping facilities and programs. This past month the Council kicked-off the 2012 Friends of Scouting Campaign - "Building Tomorrow's Leaders." This $2.4 million campaign is crucial to the health of our Scouting programs. Thank you to each Scouting family and volunteer for contributing your support!
Peach of An Athlete Role Banquet
 The 28th Annual Peach of An Athlete Role Banquet presented by Wells Fargo will be held Tuesday, March 20th at the Cobb Energy Centre. This year's banquet is chaired by Reggie Walker of PWC. This year's Professional Honoree is Pro Bowl NFL Star Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions. Calvin is a native of Atlanta and was an All-American at Georgia Tech. Sponsorships begin at $2,000 and Individual tickets are $250. For more information please contact William Bryant at 770-956-3177.
Leave a Legacy
It's not too late to honor a volunteer, unit leader or yourself with a James E. West Fellowship before the end of the year. The James E. West Fellowship Award is a national recognition for individuals who contribute $1,000 or more to the Council's Endowment Trust Fund. Many individuals and organizations make these gifts on behalf of someone else such as in honor of an Eagle Scout, Silver Beaver recipient, Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, a retirement, a special accomplishment, or anniversary or in memory of a special individual. For more information please contact William Bryant at 770-956-3177.
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 Boy Scouts of America Scout Stuff
The Guide to Advancement is the official source for administering advancement in all Boy Scouts of America programs: Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, Venturing, and Sea Scouts. It replaces the Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures and Advancement and Recognition Policies and Procedures, which are no longer valid. Available in your Scout Shop!
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The Atlanta Area Council Promise E-newsletter is emailed every month to registered leaders and subscribers. Be sure to encourage your friends to sign up by clicking the "Join Our Mailing List" button or visiting www.atlantabsa.org. If you no longer wish to receive this communication, then click here to update your profile on our website. To unsubscribe from all Council communication, follow the link at the bottom of the page. |
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