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Chairman's Corner
As the school year wraps up the "Outing in Scouting" moves into high gear. I hope you will all find opportunities to enjoy the nearly endless supply of activities that Scouting has to offer this summer. Let's make this a summer to remember for our sons and daughters! There are Summer Time Activity Awards, Merit Badges, Rank Advancement Opportunities and High Adventure Awards to be earned!
Did you know that graduating Kindergarteners can now join Packs as Tiger Cubs and take part in all the Summer Pack activities and new Webelos can attend the Webelos Weekend at Wolfeboro?
Here are a few activities for you to consider ....
For Cub Scouts we have a great day camp planned for July 7-11 at Pleasant Hill Park, and there are family day camps set throughout July at Camp Herms (in the El Cerrito Hills).
We are asking all Iron Horse District Units to join us at the 4th of July Parade in Pleasant Hill.Packs, Troops, Teams and Crews are all encouraged to come out to celebrate our nation's birthday and 104 Years of Scouting. Bring your unit's flag and Scout spirit. I have registered the district as a single unit...so there is no need to register as a unit unless you plan to bring a float. The goal is to have more than the 200 Scouts and Scouters who participated last year. Assemble at the start of the parade route by 8:45 am along Woodsworth and Cleveland. Cyndi will be sending out the information on the gathering location by mid June.
With all of that, we are already at work on the Fall Kickoff.Please put August 21st on your calendar. We plan to hold the kick-off at the Pleasant Hill Park at about 6:00 pm. More information to come.
We climbed to 96% of our goal or $77513, with 30% of our families donating. Thank you all for all you do for Scouting! You are making a difference in the youth of Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill.
Your contributions are changing lives. Does that sound like an exaggeration? I don't think it is, and you probably don't either. Because of your support, a new Tiger Cub will learn about sharing with others. A Cub Scout will have the thrill of racing his pinewood derby car against other Cub Scouts. A Boy Scout will climb a peak in the Sierra's and watch the earth disappear behind him for a real "mountaintop" experience. A young man or woman will dive to the ocean floor or learn new skills as Venturer.
Every dollar raised goes to serve the youth in our area. It is not too late to consider making or increasing your donation, and you can do so on line at: https://www.kintera.org/AutoGen/Simple/Donor.asp?ievent=1092790&en=4nIxEFNfF3JGIPMiE2JDILMsGeJALPNrEcIPIPOqGnKXE . It is easy and it will make a difference.
Please let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions for our District. I can be reached at (510) 507-4642 or at cesavage@pacbell.net.
Yours in Scouting,
Chuck Savage, Iron Horse District Chairman
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Please Join Us at the
Iron Horse Round Table
Thursday, June 5th
LDS Overlook Chapel
2369 Overlook Dr., Walnut Creek
Cub Scout
Come on out to Cub Scout Round Table!
This is our last Cub Scout Roundtable for the 2013-2014 year and it's hard to believe how quickly the time has gone by. Our Units will begin their summer programs soon and there is no better place to discuss summer program planning then at Cub Roundtable!
Come on out and have some fun and fellowship at our last meeting of the year! We would love to see you! If you're not able to make it this season, Cub Roundtable will resume again in September. As always, we will continue to support your newly recruited leaders, and your more seasoned leaders, work on creating the best program you can give to your Scouts! Remember: Cub Scout Roundtable is the place for all your Advanced Training Topics and is here to support all of your Unit's Cub Scout Volunteers no matter what the position!
See you all at Cub Scout Roundtable!
Boy Scout Theme: Mechanics
Boy Scout Program - Paddle Sports
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Please join us in thanking and supporting Solar Universe Diablo Valley for their generous contributions to Scouting. We invite you to support community organizations that choose to promote Scouting and our values to future generations. In addition to a generous contribution to Iron Horse, Solar Universe is partnering with us to increase your savings, decrease your carbon footprint, and raise money for the Iron Horse District! If you are interested in finding out more information about this INCREDIBLE opportunity, please contact Cyndi Davis.
Solar Universe Diablo Valley is the best alternative to purchasing electricity in the Diablo Valley. As a locally owned business, in the Diablo Valley since 1976, Solar Universe Diablo Valley offers the highest quality installation available, along with world-class service, and a reputation for having customers who are thrilled that they switched to solar. Solar Universe is a nationwide network of locally owned and operated offices with access to manufacturer direct purchasing, financing for all fiscal situations, top tier products, and industry leading installation techniques.
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Annual District Dinner
Thank you to all who joined us for the Iron Horse District Dinner! It was a great evening to celebrate the accomplishments of the incredible volunteers that make Iron Horse the amazing district we are. Thank you for giving your all for scouting and being there to create this memorable program for our youth.
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CAMP CARDS
The opportunity to sell Camp Cards has been extended to June 30. All families have the ability to sell regardless of whether their unit is selling or not. Pinkberry of Walnut Creek has generously offered us space at their storefront to host a table to sell cards. The best part? There is no upfront monetary commitment. On June 30, money and unused cards are turned in. $2.50 from each card stays with the scout and/or unit, and $2.50 comes back to the council. Please let Cyndi Davis know if you are interested (925) 674-6102 or cyndi.davis@scouting.org. |
 If you are interested in joining them going Over the Edge, please contact Cyndi Davis (925) 674-6102 or cyndi.davis@scouting.org. |
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4th of July Parade
The Pleasant Hill Fourth of July Parade is coming up quickly! We are registered as a District so there is no need to register your unit separately unless you intend to bring a float. We would like to show the Pleasant Hill Community that scouting is alive and well! Please join us as we march together through downtown Pleasant Hill. We are in need of volunteers for a booth in Pleasant Hill Park after the Fourth of July Parade! We will be hosting the Raingutter Regatta, sharing information about scouting, and hosting a few games and activities. Please let Cyndi Davis know if you are available to help all, or part of the day on July 4th! |
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Cub Scout Recruiting Contest
Our Cub Scout Membership Contest is off to a running start! As of 5/30, Pack 248 is in first place, Pack 232 in second, and Pack 401 is in third! The best ways to earn points now include hosting a recruiting event at your pack meeting, turning in applications for new youth and adults, attending Cub Scout Day Camp, at,tending Cub Scout Summer Camping and asking your leaders to take online trainings. If you need help with any of these things, please contact Cyndi Davis (925) 674-6102 or cyndi.davis@scouting.org ALL applications are due to the council office by JUNE 20!
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Cub Scout Day Camp
Cub Scout Day Camp offers an incredible chance to spend time getting to know the Cub Scouts of Iron Horse. We are in need of Venturing and Boy Scout Junior Leaders, Adult Volunteers, and Cub Scouts who want to spend a fun-filled week exploring space and the Cub Scout Program. Please help us spread the word to all families so they have an opportunity to attend camp this summer.
http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/iron-horse-pleasant-hill-day-camp
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SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW TLAs
So you are a trained Scouter, and you think you have heard every TLA there is to hear? Well, think again! We have new one coming very soon in our District and our Council! It is TAA.
Click or call me if you cannot wait! Randy Summers, summerslo@comcast.net, (925) 586-9048 cell. Or, if you are "good" at solving puzzles: noitaicossAea\inmulAehT=AAT
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 IRON HORSE EAGLE SCOUTS May 2014
Congratulations
to our newest Eagle Scouts !!!
David Griswell - Troop 239
Nathan Keisel - Troop 492 
We want to recognize your Scouts with pictures of them with their projects. Send pictures of your Scout with their project and they could be featured here! Send it today to Norman Gee normgee50@gmail.com
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Scouting For Uniforms
The Mt. Diablo Silverado Council believes every single boy should have the opportunity to join our Scouting Program regardless of his family's financial situation.
"Scouting is for all boys, and we'd like every potential new scout to be able to afford the process," ScoutReach Program Aide Bobby Clary said. "For some families, purchasing a uniform simply isn't in the budget, and we don't want cost to be a barrier to our young people."
This is where you can help!
Many current Scouts, and former Scouts, still have an old uniform in the closet or packed up in a box somewhere. If you are willing to help, then that uniform can be ready to serve another Scout!
During the next few months the Mt. Diablo Silverado's ScoutReach Program will be collecting donated uniforms.
"There is a great need in some of our communities, and as Scouts we always try to respond to where the community has needs," Bobby added. "It makes you feel good to be able to help. It's also a form of recycling which further reinforces the stewardship principles that are so important in Scouting."
If you have the ability to put a Scout in uniform, please contact Bobby Clary at(707) 869-9040, or by e-mail at bobbyclary@gmail.com and have it picked up! We need Cub Scout Uniforms most of all!
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NYLT
MDSC will conduct two more 2014 National Youth Leadership Training Conferences at Camp Lindblad in June (16th-21st and 23rd-28th). Details can be found at the Council website and in the 2014 NYLT Flyer. Registration for the June Courses will be available through the Council website soon.
The BSA NYLT Conference presents what a leader must BE, what a leader must KNOW and what a leader must DO, by applying modern leadership and team development theories. Youth camp, work, play and learn - living a month in the life of a model unit condensed into an intense two weekend Conference. They experience the stages of team development, practice from a "toolbox" of leadership skills and learn that youth unit leadership requires vision, goals, and planning. They learn how to be a leading influence in their own unit; discovering resources, methods, games and new skills to make unit meetings, treks and other activities more exciting and worthwhile; skills that also help youth emerge as leaders outside of scouting - at school and in the community...
With Unit leader approval, Boy Scouts, Varsity and Ventures (minimum 13 years of age) that are interested in the June NYLT programs should register as soon as possible. As in prior years, the June courses are limited to 32 participants and it tends to reach capacity early.
Each unit is limited to three participants per course.
Also, we are looking for adults that are interested in serving in NYLT program and quartermaster supporting roles. Interested Scouters should contact Bruce Arms.
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We are currently working on updating the Iron Horse Page on the council website. Now you are able to find the current and past editions of the Iron Horse Express in the Iron Horse Page. Click here to find the contact information for the Iron Horse District Committee. For input and contributions to future editions of the Iron Horse Express contact Norman Gee
**If you know someone that would benefit from receiving this newsletter please forward them this email so that they can subscribe by clicking the "Join our Mailing List" button. Thank you.
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Our Community Donors
 We welcome and thank Mancini's Sleepworld for being another of our community donors. 
Matthew Rinn
State Farm Insurance
We want to thank Matt Rinn for his company's contribution to the Iron Horse District. Contact him at 925-671-0222 for your insurance needs! Please thank these firms for their support of the Scouting program within the Iron Horse District by patronizing them! Click on their highlighted names for links to their websites.
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Important Dates This Month - June 2014
Life to Eagle - Wednesday 4th - Northgate Chapel, 100 North Gate Rd.. in Walnut Creek @ 7:30 pm
Eagle Scout BOR Binder Review - Wednesday 4th, Northgate Chapel, 100 North Gate Rd. in Walnut Creek @ 7:00 pm
Eagle Rank Board of Review - Wednesday 11th - Northgate Chapel, 100 North Gate Rd. in Walnut Creek
Eagle Project Board of Review - Wednesday 18th - Northgate Chapel 100 North Gate Rd. in Walnut Creek at 7:30pm
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Ajapeu Chapter Meeting
This month's chapter meeting will be Thursday June 5th at the Overlook Chapel at 2369 Overlook Drive in Walnut Creek at 6:30 p.m. Pizza and drinks will be served for $3.00. Contact Andrew Zucker for more information agzucker@yahoo.com.
OA Elections
We have finalized this year's round of elections. If your unit is interested in having an election contact Norman Gee as soon as possible!. Contact Norman if you are interested in learning more about the Order of the Arrow.
Camporee
Save the dates April 17-19, 2015 Sugarloaf Open Space in Walnut Creek. Contact Lee Palmer for more information.
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Training Corner
Every Scout deserves a trained leader. Click here
to see what it means to be fully trained. Check the MDSC website for more information and registration details. Click on any of the blue highlighted fields to get more information or register.
Upcoming Training:
Adult and Youth
N.Y.L.T. - June #1
June 16-21, 2014
Wilderness First Aid
June 21-22, 2014
N.Y.L.T. - June #2
June 23-28, 2014
KodiakJune 22-28, 2014 Camp Wolfeboro
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FOS Goals
Unit goals for FOS are based upon the number of youth in each unit for 2014. 2014UNIT GOAL PledgesPack 210 $ 3,900 $ 1,725 Pack 215 $ 2,223 $ 1,160 Pack 232 $ 2,145 $ 0 Pack 235 $ 1,833 $ 840 Pack 239 $ 1,794 $ 0 Pack 248 $ 1,248 $ 1,326
Pack 282 $ 3,003 $ 3,420
Pack 302 $ 2.028 $ 700 Pack 401 $ 2,028 $ 955 Pack 403 $ 858 $ 0 Pack 405 $ 1,794 $ 540 Pack 464 $ 2,184 $ 2,500
Pack 529 $ 2,106 $ 1,600 Pack 813 $ 858 $ 0 Troop 202 $ 2,067 $ 1,200 Troop 221 $ 1,248 $ 2,675 Troop 226 $ 1,521 $ 0 Troop 227 $ 760 $ 2,950
Troop 239 $ 2,691 $ 2,542 Troop 277 $ 3,237 $ 5,335
Troop 282 $ 1,287 $ 3,770
Troop 302 $ 2,262 $ 3,875
Troop 401 $ 1,560 $ 520 Troop 405 $ 2,000 $ 1,155 Troop 810 $ 1,794 $ 3,150
Troop 818 $ 1,365 $ 1,500
Troop 832 $ 1,365 $ 700 Troop 1811 $ 1,600 $ 1,132 Crew 1 $ 429 $ 0 Crew 122 $ 273 $ 1,575
Crew 405 $ 468 $ 0 Post 229 $ 200 $ 0 LDS 20 $ 273 $ 0 LDS 168 $ 1,638 $ 2,425
LDS 367 $ 2,535 $ 1,185 LDS 372 $ 1,872 $ 0 LDS 492 $ 3,510 $ 4,715
LDS 494 $ 2,535 $ 2,915
Units with their pledges in green have exceeded their 2014 FOS goals! Great job! Let's keep it up!!!
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Scout Day
Hiller Aviation Museum
Earn the aviation or weather merit badges at one of their special one-day programs at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos. Click here for more information and reservation form. |
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Online Training
Youth Protection
Troop Committee Challenge
Chartered Organization Representative
Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Den Leader
Cubmaster
Climb On Safely Hazardous Weather Physical Wellness Safe Swim Defense Safety Afloat This is Scouting Trek Safely
Anyone can take this online training; you do not need to be a registered leader. All adults (registered or not) are encouraged to take Youth Protection Training online. All registered leaders are required to update their YPT every two years.
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ARF
ARF's Animal Compassion Tour is a perfect opportunity for your troop or pack to learn about compassion and responsibility through hands-on activities.
ARF's volunteer programs are a great way to earn community service hours and help animals in need.
Community Service (grades 6-12)
Junior Volunteer Club (grades 6-8)
Teen Volunteer Training (grades 9-12)
Our programs meet badge requirements; however, troop leaders need to obtain the badges from official scout sources.
Kaitlin Lewis
People Connect Specialist
Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation
2890 Mitchell Dr,
P.O. Box 30215
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
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Iron Horse List
In addition to the Iron Horse Express the Iron Horse District also uses the Iron Horse List to communicate important information to the volunteers. The Iron Horse List sends out information throughout the month when information needs to be distributed on a timely basis. To be added to the Iron Horse List please send your name and email to ironhorselist@gmail.com.
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Join Us On Facebook
Stay connected and join the Iron Horse District Facebook group and share your unit's stories, photos, videos and more with the rest of the Iron Horse District. To  view the Iron Horse District Group click the facebook logo and join today!
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