Since 2006, Southwest Michigan Council and Southern Shores Field Service Council have been under the direction of a true leader; Daniel V. Busby.  He has been a friend, mentor and a true Scout, and, it is with mixed emotion that we announce his leaving but, wish him great things on his new Scouting journey.  Below is a welcome announcement, written by Fred Wallace, Deputy Regional Director.  Thank you Dan, for your service to the Scouts, Scouters, parents and donors of southern Michigan, we will miss you.

I am pleased to announce that Daniel V. Busby has accepted the position of Director of Development for the new council (Chicago).  He will begin his new position on October 16th. Dan has served the Boy Scouts of America for over 20 years.  He is an Eagle Scout and a lifelong Scouter.  He currently volunteers as a Den leader for 19 Webelos! 

Dan is a graduate of Muskingum University with degrees in Art and Business.  He began his career in Akron Ohio in 1994.  He was promoted to Senior Exploring Executive, District Director and Finance Director in Topeka Kansas in 1997.  He joined the WD Boyce Council in Peoria, Illinois as the Assistant Scout Executive in 2001.  In May of 2006, Dan was promoted to Scout Executive of the Southwest Michigan Council in Kalamazoo, MI.  As a result of his accomplishments and skills, Daniel was appointed to the role of Field Service Executive in November of 2011 for the Southern Shores Field Service Council (SSFSC) when the Michigan Crossroads Council was established.

Questions about popcorn and not sure who to call?  

Here are the contacts that have dedicated themselves to being the experts. Your first "go-to" expert is the District Kernel!

Next year the Cub Day Camps will be "taking flight" and they need your help putting together a patch and t-shirt design for the occasion!  Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts and Webelos are invited to submit their artwork to be considered for the graphic for next year's Day Camp T-shirt, Day Camp Patch, and Twilight Camp Patch.  

Don't delay though...submissions must be received by Friday, October 24.  Both physical and digital submissions will be accepted.  Click here to download the flyer with all of the specifics.

October 7th, thousands of Scouts, parents, volunteers, and chartered organizations will receive the fall edition of National's Voice of the Scout Survey.  The purpose of the Voice of the Scouts is to listen to your feedback and learn how they can ultimately deliver a Scouting experience that surpasses the expectations of members.

For the fall 2014 release (October 7 - 22) those Unit leaders who see a response rate of at least 50 percent for Cub Scout parents, Boy Scout/Venturers, or Boy Scout parents will be entered into a drawing to win $500.  Read more...

BSA & the BillofRightsInstitute.org are offering this special Boy Scout Contest.  Write about the Bill of Rights (in no more than 800 words), and you could win up to $1,000 for yourself, and $500 for the Troop!   No Kidding!

Go to the website above to read the requirements and essay prompt.  All essays need to be received by January 30th, 2015, so get writing! 

A note from Dan Lok:

Click here to read Dan's entire article

On September 26th-28th, Southern Shores FSC hosted the Emergency Services Weekend Camporee at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds in Marshall, Michigan.  The event was organized for Scouts to have fun, and learn about the occupations within Emergency Services.  With 560 in attendance, Scouts and Leaders from all over the state participated in many activities sub-themed as Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services, Search and Rescue, and Community Emergency Response.  While Scouts participated in the activities, Adult Leaders worked with the multiple Emergency Service agencies to run them.  

The Camporee had two different awards: The Patrol Participation Award, and The Troop Participation Award.  Patrols raced against each other to achieve points at different activities, where Troops gained points by being exemplary in their campsite set up, event registration, and adult participation in running activities.

Winners of the Patrol Participation Awards: 

1st:    ALL Patrol, Troop 294, Richland, MI, SSFSC
2nd:   Goofy Goobers Patrol, Troop 287, Portage, MI, SSFSC
3rd:    Blue Banana Patrol, Troop 161, Mattawan, MI, SSFSC

Winners of The Troop Participation Awards:

1st:    Troop 373, Marshall, MI, Southern Shores FSC
2nd:   Troop 1701, Troy, MI, Great Lakes FSC
3rd:    Troop 223, Comstock Park, MI, Gerald R. Ford FSC

Congratulations to the Patrols and Troops who took the
top three places!

The city of St. Joseph has a tradition of honoring their Eagle Scouts with a personalized street sign to recognize their accomplishments of earning the highest rank in Scouting.  However, the surprise at this council meeting was the check for $650.00 that the city received from the Eagles of Troop 623. 

Eight Eagles; Gavin Ales, James and Jacob Jungblut, Kearri Myrick, Ryan Rush, Matt Orsillo, Nathan Rich and Alex Jeske presented the city Mayor, Michael Garey with a check to help with the restoration of the lighthouses in the city of St. Joseph.  The money raised was a combination between the boy's Scout accounts and a challenge to the Troop to match the donation.

Congratulations Scouts on your Eagle rank, and for giving back to the community in such an unexpected way.