Scouting e-Bulletin - Building Lifelong Interests Through Merit Badges

Duty to God, service to others, service to the community, and leadership are traits that are especially strong in Eagle Scouts. (Source: Baylor University) Learn more.

Joke of the Week

What couldn't the ghost see his mom and dad?

They were trans-parents.

Read more at www.BoysLife.org.

Thank you to everyone who offered help transporting popcorn. We have someone helping out.

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Building Interest in Trades
Through Merit Badges

"This was one of the best run Scouting events ever. The passion and commitment from the instructors was awesome. They cared deeply for the boys and loved their respective trade." - A parent

Need work done around your house? The 80 Scouts who attended the first annual Building Trades Merit Badge Workshop on October 13 are ready and prepared to fix just about anything. We were proud to partner with the Connecticut's unions to offer this brand new opportunity this year. The workshop at the Plumbers 777 Apprenticeship Training school in Meriden gave Scouts the opportunity to earn merit badges taught by skilled tradesmen using using modern tools and techniques.

We have a saying that boys join Scouting for fire and knives. Boys attended this workshop for blowtorches and power tools. Check out a complete set of pictures here.

We extend our thanks to all the volunteers and leaders who made the weekend possible. Thank you to the following trades and businesses who helped:

Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 777
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 478
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 90
Bl Companies
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 11
Mechanical Contractors of Connecticut
Connecticut Carpenters Apprentice and Training Fund
Sheetmetal Workers International Association Local 40

Continue below to see the other exciting programs and opportunities in our Council.

Behind the Scenes Unsung Heroes of Scouting

Scouting in our Council involves over 4,600 adult volunteers giving their time and talent to ensure that our Scouts have a great program. Many of these adults do so not looking for, or expecting any recognition at all. If you've got a parent or leader in your unit who works behind the scenes to make sure that everything runs smoothly and deserves an "atta-boy", please email us a brief (100 words or less) write-up and picture to be included in a future e-newsletter.

This week's "Behind the Scenes Unsung Hero" is Casie Messina from Southington Pack 8. Cubmaster Donna Funk writes: "I would like to recognize Casie Messina as an outstanding unsung hero of Scouting. Her official title is webelos 2 (Dragon Patrol) den leader for pack 8 Southington, but that really just scratches the surface of what she does for the pack. At pack meetings, she is my right hand organizing room setup and breakdown, greeting new scouts and families, answering questions and thinking of all the things I forget. For our pinewood derby, she prepared hot dogs and snacks and served them all afternoon. While I have not even begin to list the ways she has "helped the pack go", I just want to give her a much deserved THANK YOU!"

Silver Beaver Award Nominations Sought

Do you know a Connecticut Yankee Council Scouter who goes above and beyond in his or her service to youth? Of course you do, maybe you know more than one. Here is your chance to nominate these volunteers for the Silver Beaver Award? The Silver Beaver is an award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. It is given to those who do not actively seek it.

If you have a volunteer you'd like to submit, please click here for complete information.

Youth Protection in the BSA

Youth protection is of paramount importance to the BSA. Recognizing that this commitment requires sustained vigilance, the BSA has continued to develop and enhance efforts to protect youth. There are three key elements of our programs:

The BSA's multi-layered volunteer application and screening process includes local selection and screening, national criminal background checks, and verification that the applicant is not listed in the Ineligible Volunteer Files maintained by the National Council.
Our education and training programs are specifically designed to teach Scouts, parents, and adult volunteers to recognize, resist, and report abuse-in and out of Scouting.
We have established clear policies to protect youth participating in our programs, including our policy that prohibits youth from being alone with an adult in Scouting

If you have any questions about Scouting's Youth Protection programs, please contact your district executive.

Popcorn Sale Wrapping Up

Scouts are out banging down doors and selling popcorn. A quick reminder that Friday, October 26 is the deadline for the Take Order campaign. If you have any questions or concerns regarding popcorn, please contact Jon Pleva at (203) 876-6868, Ext. 286 or jopleva@bsamail.org.

Popcorn accounts for a significant part of the annual operating budget of the Council and extend our Thanks to all the Scouts and leaders who help make it a success each year.

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.

Training for New Leaders is Critical

The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating a safe and secure environment for our youth members. To maintain this environment, the BSA developed numerous procedures, leadership selection policies and educational resources for parents and leaders in each program-Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venturing.

New leaders are required to take Youth Protection Training within 30 days of registering and before serving as a leader with youth. An online course is available at http://myscouting.org. (You do not have to be a registered member or have an ID number to take the training.) Click on the E-Learning link to begin the training.

Visit our New Leader Training page and follow the steps to become prepared to deliver a great program for your Scouts. Please contact your unit leadership, unit commissioner or district executive if you need any assistance or have questions.

National Board Approves One Oath for BSA

On Oct. 17, the BSA's Executive Board approved a resolution to use the Scout Oath and Law in the Cub Scout and Venturing programs. Specifically, the changes approved are as follows:

Cub Scouts:

Adopt the Scout Oath and Law for use in the Cub Scout program, retiring the Cub Scout Promise.
Revise the Core Values of Cub Scouts to align exactly with the twelve points of the Scout Law.
Retire the Law of the Pack, while maintaining the concept of "Akela" as leader.
Maintain the current Cub Scout motto, sign, salute, and handshake.

Venturing:

Retire the Venturing Oath, Code, sign and salute
Adopt the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout sign, and Scout salute
Engage the task force and National Youth Cabinet to determine whether Venturing should have a differentiating motto/slogan or adopt "Be Prepared"

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.