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Help us support our Mount Diablo Silverado Council
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 | | Help Wanted | Volunteers are needed to help with a variety of office work, including preparing mailings and filing paperwork.
Please contact you are available to help on an as needed basis during normal business hours (8:30am-5:00pm).
Please note, some of the filing projects require bending and lifting as well as getting a little dirty.
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Words of Wisdom
Council Annual Recognition Dinner
The Mt. Diablo Silverado Council Annual Recognition dinner is our opportunity to recognize those who have made contributions to Scouting throughout the council or attained achievements during the past year.
On Saturday, March 15, 2014, 6:30pm at Boundary Oaks Golf Course, Walnut Creek, we will award our 2013 Silver Beavers (Michael Bolin, Fairfield; Ray Chan, San Ramon; Norman Gee, Walnut Creek; Ed Isely, Moraga; John McBeth, Lafayette; Irwin Horowitz, Kensington; Wendy LaBerge, Napa; Carol Wilson, San Ramon; Patti Young, Orinda). We will recognize Area Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Stakes, Blackhawk Automotive Museum and Pittsburg Unified School District with our Partnership, Civic Pride and Community Service Awards, as well a Hornaday Award, Venturing awards and other recognitions at this year's annual dinner.
Please join us in recognizing these Scouters and Scouts at our Annual Recognition Dinner, Saturday, March 15, 2014, 6:30pm at Boundary Oaks Golf Course, Walnut Creek.
Reservation can be made on-line at www.bsa-mdsc.org/events/all-programs/annual-recognition-dinner or at the Council Service Center.
Thank You,
John C. Fenoglio
Scout Executive/ CEO
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Calling All Shooters
 Are you a hunter or enjoy other shooting sports? Well, join us at the Second Annual Sporting Clays event on Saturday, March 1 at Quail Point Hunt Club in Zamora. This fun event is for shooters of all abilities and will help raise funds to support Scouting in the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council. Have you always been interested in trying to shoot but never had the opportunity? First-time shooters are encouraged to participate; shotguns and instruction will be provided free of charge. So gather a group of four friends to field a team of shooters. Corporate teams are welcome, father/son teams are encouraged and Individual shooters are invited and will be added to a team. The highest scoring teams and the top individual shooters will receive awards but everybody will receive a commemorative item, fond memories and the knowledge that MDSC is stronger because of their participation in this benefit shoot. Contact Suzanne Martin if you would like more information. Register at http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/ |
R. WILLIAM PHELON 
Bill Phelon began his adult Scouting career in 1982 as a WEBELOS den leader, when his wife and son had him Shanghaied into the job. From there, he went on to be an Assistant Scoutmaster, followed by four years as Troop Committee Chair, where he arranged the troop's first outings to Hawaii and Alaska. After spending two years in retirement from Scouting, Bill was approached to become a Unit Commissioner. A year later, Assistant District Commissioner was added to Bill's responsibilities. And, a year after that, Bill became District Commissioner, a position he held for seven years.
After graduating from District Commissioner, Bill became District Training Chair and joined the Tri-District Training Committee (Aklan, Meridian and Iron Horse districts). The training committee position lasted "only" ten years, but was especially rewarding as he watched as new adult leaders become aware of the Scouting Method -- a knowledge they would carry into their Scouting units.
During his years on the Tri-District Training Committee, Bill also became the Assistant Council Commissioner for Training, the position he still holds today. With the recent changes in Unit Commissioner Basic (it's delivered at the district level), Bill's primary responsibilities now lie with the annual College of Commissioner Science.
Along the way, Bill earned the Scouters Training Award (2), Unit Scouter of the Year and the Scouters Key (2). He was awarded his Wood Badge beads, the District Award of Merit, the
Distinguished Commissioner Award three times (unit, district & council) and the Silver Beaver Award.
Bill's Scouting career has continued for over thirty years. His (Eagle) son deserves credit for starting Bill on the Scouting path - spending "only an hour a week!"
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Sea Scout News -Napa Youth Protection Conference
Join us on February 8, 2014, for our biennial Youth Protection Conference at the Napa Sea Scout Base, Napa, CA. Participants will earn certifications in:
-Youth Protection Training
-Sea Scout Adult Leader Basic Training
-Health and Safety Training
-Safe Swim Defense
-Safety Afloat
-Weather Safety
and other important topics -
We will introduce the BSA's new Fast Start Training for Sea Scout Leaders, discuss recent BSA policy changes, and talk about conflict mediation in your Ship. Our Regional Commodore will present information about exciting opportunities in the region and a national representative will share what is going on in Sea Scouts, BSA.
The $25 fee includes materials, snacks, drinks, and a hot lunch. Please RSVP here today.
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Also, we are offering CPR and First Aid certification Sunday, February 9, 2014. Cost is $25 for both certifications.
Attendance registration for the Youth Protection Conference, Please RSVP here, we need an accurate count for materials and food preparation. Please share this form with anyone you think will be interested in attending. Thanks!
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Highlander Hiking Awards Program
Mt. Diablo Silverado Council h  as an extensive recognition program for enjoying day hikes throughout our council boundaries. Cub Scouts through Venturers can find an outing suitable for their skill level through this series of 14 hikes. Information can be found on our council website at: http://bsa-mdsc.org/events/highlander-program . A center patch can be had at $4.99 for completing your first hike, and a series of rockers at $1.50 each can be purchased for each completed trek. All patches are available through the Pleasant Hill Scout Shop. |
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Applying for a Trail Leader Permit for EBMUD hiking trails
The Bay Area has a wealth of hiking trails, many of them on East Bay Municipal Utility District lands. You may get permission to use these trails for your family and three additional guests through a Trail Use Permit. If you want to take a larger Scouting group (up to 30 people) on a hike, you will want to apply for a Trail Leader permit. The former is a simple on-line process through the EBMUD Recreation site through this link: https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/trail-use-permits/ . If you want a Trail Leader Permit, it is currently more efficient to download a paper application and send in payment as opposed to getting an on-line Trail Use permit and upgrading it. For the Trail Leader permit, please contact Alan, the council Program Director, at programdirector@bsa-mdsc.org for a set of hiking questions that EBMUD has for you. Once you complete that questionnaire, he will send you a partially completed Application for Trail Use Permit with the filled-in Trail Leader endorsement section. You can see the form at: https://www.ebmud.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/Trail%20Permits_0.pdf . You may then finish completing the form and send it in, or take it, with payment to any of the "Locations to obtain EBMUD Trail Permit": https://www.ebmud.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/LOCATIONS_0.pdf .
Take advantage of the warm weather and get outdoors. Happy trails!
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Looking for Summer Camp Staff
We are looking for friendly, organized leaders who work well with youth to help lead our summer camps. These outing start on Memorial Day weekend with our Cub Family Camp and run into August. Staff members must be at least 14 years old. The big adventure is at Camp Wolfeboro for the whole summer with Boy Scouts and Venturers, and paid positions are available if you are 16 years or older. District Cub Scout day camps, Cub Scout resident camps at Camp Herms, and Family Camps at Camp Lindblad last a few days to a week if you need to stay closer to home. If you are interested in being a positive role model, complete the on-line application at: http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/sites/default/files/Staff%20Application%202014.pdf , and return it to the council service center. |
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The BSA's Commitment of Safety
We want you to know that the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. Health and safety must be integrated into everything we do to the point that no injuries are acceptable beyond those that are readily treatable by Scout-rendered first aid.
The Scouting program itself, activities Scouts participate in on a regular basis, and the outdoor classroom used in Scouting have inherent risks. A challenging program and activities help attract youth and retain them in Scouting. Perceived risk during such ventures heightens awareness and builds confidence and discipline vital to building tomorrow's leaders.
There is a place in Scouting for age-appropriate events that push youth beyond their normal comfort level and stretch their abilities. This is appropriate when risks are identified and mitigated. One should not participate in or promote activities when risks are unknown or ignored. We must protect our youth as part of our program. In a sense, safety is our license to operate.
In particular, Scout leaders are responsible for the physical and mental well-being of everyone under their supervision. Parents who entrust Scout leaders with their children justifiably expect them to return uninjured.
To achieve that goal, everyone must work together to do the following:
* Know, understand, and comply with all rules, policies, and procedures.
* Model safe behaviors when participating in Scouting events.
* Encourage staff, volunteer leaders, and youth members to share in the management of risk.
* Promote, provide, and, when appropriate, require health and safety training.
* Communicate the importance of incident and near-miss reporting and hold staff members accountable for implementing reporting procedures at unit, district, and council levels.
* Study incidents that do occur to learn from them, and modify risks where appropriate.
* Support enterprise risk management concepts.
Thank you for being part of the Scouting movement and creating an exciting and safe experience for every participant.
The National Key 3: Commissioner Tico, Perez, President Wayne Perry, and Chief Scout Executive Wayne Brock
For questions regarding this program or other scouting safety issues, contact Don Kubik Jr. (dkubikjr@comcast.net), the council's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Chair.
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Want to attend a Philmont trek this year?
We have a few spots open for people to join a Philmont contingent this summer. The troop that is going to attend is starting its teambuilding training hikes now and the earlier you join in, the better. If you are interested, please contact Alan at ayoung@bsamail.org .
Specialized help on MDSC properties projects needed
We are planning to remodel our bathrooms and showers at Camp Wolfeboro and Camp Lindblad to provide more privacy. Is there an architect or other designer who can help draw up plans to transform one-room shower facilities to compartments?
If you, or someone you know, can help with these or other project planning please contact Rodney Mangus, mangusr@comcast.net, or Alan Young, ayoung@bsamail.org .
Ways to improve your Journey To Excellence scores
Is your unit providing a good experience for youth and their families? If you follow the Journey to Excellence program, you are on your way to that goal. Score sheets for 2014 are available now at http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Awards/JourneyToExcellence/scorecards/2014.aspx . Having leaders who know how to effectively and efficiently lead youth, is one of the better ways to insure good programs.
Basic training is an easy for a Cub Scout leader! Modules are available on-line to get you up and running at myscouting.scouting.org: https://myscouting.scouting.org/_layouts/MyScouting/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f_layouts%2fAuthenticate.aspx%3fSource%3d%252f&Source=%2f . You simply create an account to get into the system and take the training appropriate to your registered position. When you link your membership identification number to your account, your records are automatically updated when you complete on-line courses. After you complete your training you may want to learn from other leaders who have had on-hands experience. That's where gathering like roundtables, and L.E.A.D. (leadership education and discovery) http://bsa-mdsc.org/training/adult/leader-education-and-discovery-lead will give you ideas for activities.
More details on training is available at: http://bsa-mdsc.org/training/basic-leader-training . Next time, training for Boy Scout and Varsity leaders.
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Reservation of MDSC facilities and planning
In an effort to improve unit program, we are striving to formalize the reservation process for Camp Herms, Camp Lindblad, the Council Service Center, and Camp Wolfeboro for various activities. In a nutshell, district leaders who are hosting council and district events will be allowed to submit reservation forms in January and February for two years of events. These events will be evaluated and reservations secured by a hierarchy-the most important variable being impact to the Scouting community. These events will be entered in the council calendar and be distributed in April so units can plan their activities without missing out on major training and camping opportunities. The facilities reservation process will also be opened for units and lease groups after the major council and district events are set (March 1). The following paragraphs detail the process.
Proposed Calendaring and Property Reservation Process
This change in process is aimed at balancing:
* The utilization of the Council's facilities
* The impact on the program / event on the Council's Program
* The timing of a request for an event date
* Improved communication of Council and District Events to Units
The suggested process:
1. Council and District Committees would be asked to provide their proposed dates all Events and Activities in 2015 the end of January 2014. This submission would also identify if Council facilities would be requested and their target attendance.
2. The Committees would be asked to provide "target dates" for their 2016 events and activities. The 2016 dates would become "hard dates" during the planning process for 2016 (winter 2015)
3. Council facility reservations are not set on a first come / first served but rather a review of the importance of that event / activity to overall council program, utilization of the facility, avoiding conflicts within a Scout program and the consistency of holding an event during the "same dates" from year to year.
4. During February, a meeting of the professional advisors and Committee Chairs would review the Council Events and Activities and agree on the dates for Council Events and Activities calendar.
5. The dates for Districts Events and Activities would then be set during March with input from the District Chairs and District Executives. District training dates would be further reviewed with the Council Training Chair to ensure a distribution of training events throughout the year.
6. Requests made after March 1st
7. In April, the Council Facilities calendar would be opened for unit reservations and an 18 month planning calendar would be published for use by units in planning their calendar (May 2014-December 2015) would be filled on a first come / first served basis.
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Scouting Safely - To Keep Myself Physically Strong
The start of the New Year is a great time to start preparing for another year of great scout activities and getting fit is a key element to being prepared. A great way to get fit is to take the SCOUTStrong PALA Challenge! "PALA" stands for "Presidential Active Lifestyle Award" and this challenge is for everyone associated with the Boy Scouts
 of America, including Scouts, Venturers, parents, volunteers, council staff, board members, Friends of Scouting, and BSA Alumni. To earn the SCOUTStrong PALA Challenge Award, you are required to meet a daily-activity goal-30 minutes a day for adults and 60 minutes a day for kids under 18-for at least five days a week, for six out of eight weeks. The patch can be obtained from the Scout Shop or http://www.scoutstuff.org. For questions regarding this program or other scouting safety issues, contact Don Kubik Jr. (dkubikjr@comcast.net), the council's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Chair.
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The gift of the great outdoors for Cub Scout families in 2014
Warmer weather is just a short time away, and it will be a good opportunity to experience the Bay Area natural sites as a family. Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, insisted that "three-quarters of Scouting is outing" in using the woods as the classroom for his character-building youth program.
The Mt. Diablo Silverado Council has a number of overnight camping opportunities for Cub Scouts hosted at our three camp properties-Camp Herms in the El Cerrito hills overlooking San Francisco Bay, Camp Lindblad in the coastal redwood forest above Santa Cruz, and Camp Wolfeboro in the Sierra Nevada gold rush country.
Family Camp is a relaxed outing at Camp Lindblad where the a little bit of advancement is available along with a lot of fun activities for the whole family. BB gun shooting, archery, wood crafts, nature hikes, and learning how to use and carry a knife safely are part of the round-robin activity stations. Everyone has a chance to participate in songs, skits, and s'mores at the campwide campfire. Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-26 has an Olympic games theme for Monday morning. Our two available fall weekends --October 10-12 and October 17-19 have a Halloween theme that will give kids a chance to try out their costumes (and a chance to make modifications before the big night). Details will be posted at: http://bsa-mdsc.org/events/cub-scouts/cub-scout-family-camp . Resident Camp at Camp Herms is by den and will feature the new BSA STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) NOVA program, http://www.scouting.org/stem/Awards/CubScout.aspx. Cub Scouts will camp overnight by dens, and minimal leadership is required. Completing belt loops in Mathematics, Science, BB gun, Archery, as well as NOVA awards are on tap. A field trip to the Lawrence Hall of Science is planned for the week of July 21-26, and a special Tiger overnight is available July 25-26 for new Cub Scouts who joined during spring recruiting as graduating kindergarteners. A special set of sessions for Webelos will also be available either June 23-25 or June 26-28. For those Webelos who camp the whole week, a field trip to the Exploratorium is planned. The NOVA awards, Engineer, and Scientist activity badges along with BB gun shooting and archery are the featured program elements. Ongoing information appears at: http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/events/cub-scouts/cub-scout-resident-camp. Once again, only Den Leaders are required for supervision. Boys do not need to be paired up with parents/guardians.
Webelos Weekend at Wolfeboro gives a Webelos Scout and parent a chance to see what it's like to attend a Boy Scout summer camp. Program areas like nature, Scout skills, swimming, air rifle, archery, and handicraft will all be open. The friendly staff at Camp Wolfeboro will ensure that you have a good time in this picturesque granite valley that has been carved by the Stanislaus River. It's just like the Yosemite Valley, without the crowds! This is a great escape from the city for a weekend-your choice of either July 4-6 or July 25-27. More information is on the council website: http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/events/cub-scouts/webelos-weekend. Webeloree is a one-night weekend event at Camp Herms for parent and Webelos Scout. The emphases are work on activity badges and preparing for bridging into a Boy Scout troop. This popular outing fills up quickly, so keep checking the information page for updates: http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/events/cub-scouts/webeloree.
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Volunteer Empowerment - Fostering Strong Units
MyScouting Tools
By now, many of you have heard about the new MyScouting Tools. For those who haven't, here's a brief summary:
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MyScouting Tools was developed and designed back in November 2012 to empower volunteers by providing easy-to-use, intuitive tools they can use to manage virtually all aspects of the programs and unit information. It was designed to make their job less time consuming by simplifying the administrative tasks of Scouting. For the first time, unit and district Key 3 were able to directly update BSA membership records in the field. Registered adults were also able to update their own profile information as well as view their training, access calendars, announcements, and print their membership cards.
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In August 2013, MyScouting Tools version 2.0 (6th release) was launched providing more intuitive functionality and improved navigation. It's fast and dynamic to fit on any mobile screen allowing volunteers to update information anytime, and anywhere they have an Internet connection. This helps free the council staff to focus on other council goals and opportunities, like membership growth.
Current Tools Available
Below are tools available to Key 3 organization administrators (click on link to download instructions):
For questions regarding MyScouting Tools, please email us at MySTsupport@scouting.org
Thank you,
John C. Fenoglio
Scout Executive/ CEO
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Engage Your Unit Membership Chair with Ideas and Tools
Units that have membership growth and retention have three key components: a strong, vibrant Scouting program; engaged volunteers; and someone on the unit committee who is responsible for membership. The unit membership chair is the unit committee member who will focus on membership growth and retention of the unit. This new position is similar to the district or council membership chair that is responsible for growth in the district or the council.
Membership volunteers are the backbone of our efforts to recruit more youth into the BSA. To impact the lives of youth in each unit, volunteers must be more engaged. Easy to say, but how do they do it?
There are new online resources for the unit membership chair and council membership/relationship chair designed to assist those with this new responsibility in areas that include community projects, membership analyses, marketing, Webelos-to-Scout transition plans, and much more. Other resources to assist your council with membership can also be found at www.scouting.org/membership
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Conservation Corner
New!! Tread Lightly! Trainer course will be taught on March 22, 8 am to 5 pm, at the council service center at 800 Ellinwood Drive in Pleasant Hill. The new outdoor ethics awards include not only Leave No Trace but also outdoor ethics and Tread Lightly! Master Educator, Bill Nay of Redwood Empire and Piedmont Councils will be leading this course which is new for Mt Diablo Silverado Council. If you would like to become a Tread Lightly Trainer, this is your opportunity. Details and on line registration coming soon.
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- Week at a Glance
Upcoming Schedule of Events
2/8 - Wilderness and Remote First Aid Training
2/11, 2/22-2/23 - OKPIK Cold Weather Camping Awareness
2/14 - Camp Wolfeboro Scout Deposits Due
2/15-2/17, 2/21-2/23 - Winter NYLT
2/22 - Commissioner's College
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Special Deals at the Scout Shop
Check out all that the Pleasant Hill Scout Shop has to offer at www.scoutstuff.org!
See you at the Shop!
Store Address:
800 Ellinwood Way
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Phone: (925) 674-8500
Store Hours:
Mon-Tues: 9:00am - 6:00pm
Wednesday: 9:00am - 7:00pm
Thurs-Fri: 9:00am-6:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Click on the Link Below to Check out New Items!
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Thank you very much for taking the time to catch up with our weekly newsletter. Sincerely,
Mt. Diablo Silverado Council, Boy Scouts of America |
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