Scouting e-Bulletin - Your Commitment Makes Great Programs Possible

2013 marks 103 years of adventure, community service, and a strong commitment to preparing America's youth to be competent and prepared leaders of our future. From its very beginnings, Scouting counted on our members for support to continue to positively impact the lives of youth through our time-tested programs. There is simply no better program out there that does what Scouting does.

We are first and foremost steadfastly committed to ensuring that Scouting delivers quality programs to kids. The reasons our communities have supported Scouting -- our ability to help children develop self-confidence, leadership skills, and to learn and grow into productive adults in a safe environment -- never change. Your own support, through time, talent or treasure, helps us continue to inspire youth with our message of always doing your best, learning by doing, and making good choices over one's lifetime. With opportunities to work with adult mentors and make positive friendships, we look to extend this experience to those who have never been exposed to our programs.

This time of year gives us an incredible opportunity to breathe new life into our movement through spring recruiting efforts and of course through your generous support of Friends of Scouting. It's easy to lose focus of our mission by the news we hear on the television, but our mission of changing young people's lives with high quality programs supported by great adult mentors has never been more important to the fabric of our community.

Scouting only works because of the dedication and commitment of our volunteers and families. You can make an incredible difference in the life of a boy through a gift to Friends of Scouting right now. (If you've already given, Thank You!) You can also forward an email to a friend who is not involved in Scouts and direct them to beascout.org to sign up. Don't let anyone miss out on the opportunities we have available. It's too important not to pass the message along.

See you on the trail ...

Cast Away for a Day at Fishing Derby

Usher in spring at the 27th annual Fishing Derby at Deer Lake in Killingworth. A hearty pancake breakfast followed by a morning of fishing in the freshly stocked lagoon is the perfect way to spend a Saturday in early April. Choose from April 6 ot 13, or both. Fishing Merit Badge is offered April 5-6, and Fly Fishing Merit Badge is offered April 12-14.

Follow this link for complete details and registration information.

Program Kickoff May 15 at Bridgeport Arena

The annual Program Kickoff is Wednesday, May 15, 6 p.m. at the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport. Well organized units do their annual planning over the summer and the program kickoff is designed to give you all the dates, details and programs to plan an outstanding program for your Scouts. Walk through the midway, network with other leaders, learn what's new in the Council and leave with an armload of information to bring back to your unit.

Don't miss this opportunity to join fellow Scout leaders from all over the Council in an informative evening of fun and fellowship!

Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner - Save The Date

The Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner, recognizing the class of 2012/2013 is Sunday, June 10 in the Good Turn Dining Hall at Deer Lake Scout Reservation. Expect an invitation to go out shortly. This dinner serves as a salute to the Scouts for their accomplishment, and also a way to recognize the parents and Scoutmasters too. We are finalizing the details on a special keynote speaker and will be sending out the invitations soon, so stay tuned.

Enjoy Coffee & Support Local Scouting

Do you enjoy a steaming cup of coffee in the morning? When you order your beans through locally-roasted SOLUDE coffee you can know that your cup is supporting Scouting programs right here in our Council. 20% of every purchase helps us provide programs and opportunities to thousands of young people each year. Visit www.soludecoffee.com/boyscouts and begin your orders today. With their incredible blends delivered to your doorstep, you won't look back. Share this link with friends.

Summer Camp Feature

Cub Camp at Deer Lake -
A Parent/Son Experience You'll Never Forget!

Check out this video of Cub Scout & Webelos Resident Camp!

Time and memories are some of the most important things we can share with our children, and there's simply no better way to do it than at a session of Cub Scout or Webelos resident camp at Deer Lake. The entire camp is designed with the Cub Scout in mind with inside facilities, a beautiful new dining hall, lean-tos, flush toilets and hot showers. It is a perfect place for an introduction to the outdoors. Do not miss an incredible opportunity to spend quality time with your son at camp this summer.

Check it out at www.ctyankee.org/camping/residentcamp/cubscout.

Friends of Scouting 2013

When you maintain five properties, support over 4,600 volunteers and have over 14,000 young people enrolled, it takes a good amount of money to support it all. The Connecticut Yankee Council strives to be good stewards of our $4.6 million annual operating budget, and each year, we ask our families to make a pledge, or investment in the development of the next generation through Scouting. The council invests $180 in each of our members, all of which is raised and spent locally. A volunteer presenter will soon be visiting your unit to talk to you about Friends of Scouting and how your personal, tax-deductible contribution can make a huge difference.

If your unit has not yet scheduled its presentation, please contact your district executive immediately. For more information right now, please visit www.ctyankee.org/support/fos or visit investinscouting.kintera.org to make your gift today. Thank you for your generosity.

Spring Badge Bonanza at Connecticut Audubon

The Connecticut Audubon Society is hosting two weekends of Badge Bonanzas for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. Visit their center at 2325 Burr Street in Fairfield on Saturday, March 23 or April 27 to participate. CAS teacher-naturalists lead Scouts on a hike through the sanctuary and satisfy badge requirements. Some of the badges they'll address are: Tiger Cubs - Let's Go Outdoors; Bear - Sharing Your World With Wildlife; Webelos - Naturalist; and Boy Scouts - Bird Study Merit Badge. For more information or to register, contact Jane Guenther at (203) 259-6305, Ext. 109 or email jguenther@ctaudubon.org.

Click here to download a detailed flyer.

Building Trades Merit Badge Workshop

The Connecticut Building Trades Merit Badge Workshop returns Saturday, June 22 with an opportunity to earn two of ten trade-oriented merit badges. All badges are taught by Master Tradesmen and give Scouts a hands-on opportunity to earn badges that are often hard to earn at your home troop. Registration is online only and opens for CYC Scouts April 1.

Click here for complete details and a link to online registration.

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.