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Friends of Scouting is the Colonial Virginia Council's annual giving campaign and is the largest and most important source of funding. Your support enables Scouting's programs and outdoor adventures to prepare young people for a lifetime of character and leadership.
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In this Issue...
WEATHER RELATED CHANGES:
The weather outside is certainly frightful! In the interest of safety we have a significant number of changes to upcoming events.
- NYLT is postponed and will be rescheduled. Stay tuned.
- Lumberjack is postponed and will be rescheduled. Stay tuned.
- The Winter Service Weekend for the Order of the Arrow will now be held March 27-29th.
- The First Colony District Camporee is now scheduled for March 20-22nd at Bayport Scout Reservation.
- The Heritage District Pinewood Derby is now scheduled for Saturday, March 14th.
- Colonial Trail Scoutmaster's Fundamentals (originally scheduled for March 7th) will be rescheduled. Stay tuned.
The Scout Strong Challenge is underway again! Back by popular demand, we will hold a spring and a fall edition - annually. Walk, run, swim or get moving in your own unique way. This virtual distance race covers 1 mile to 50 miles! Your choice. Open to Scouts, Scouters, and the general public. You will be rewarded with a custom medal - different for each season we hold the event.
Medals from the 2014 Scout Strong Challenge are in the Scout Shop available for pickup!
Order of the Arrow Beaver Days
The Order of the Arrow Beaver Days are now listed as: March 28, April 4, April 11, and April 18.
Please click the below documents to see the jobs needed:
Webelos and Cub Scout Resident Camp
Day Camp - Save the Date
  We have a new blog post up this week and a guest blogger! Check it out!
The following local units have signed up to camp at Bayport Scout Reservation in the summer of 2015:Troops:
10, 16, 17, 27, 29, 43, 75, 94, 96, 124, 132, 103, 414, 501
To register your unit for 2015 Summer Camp or High Adventure Programs, click here.
Information in our newsletter is organized geographically.
Although events across the Council are open to all units, most units participate in events close to home. Each local territory has a specific service area and a name. Find your District below:
- Chesapeake Bay: Mathews, Gloucester, and York Counties and the City of Poquoson
- Colonial Trail: Surry and Isle of Wight Counties and the City of Suffolk
- First Colony: James City County and the City of Williamsburg.
- Heritage: The City of Hampton
- James River: The City of Newport News
- Siouan Rivers: Sussex, Southampton, Greenville and Brunswick Counties as well as the Cities of Franklin and Emporia
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Scouting for Food
Save the Date! April 25th from 9 am to 5pm at Food Lion in Poquoson, Tabb, Grafton, York, Gloucester, and Hayes.
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Colonial Trail District Cub Scout Roundatable
We would like to invite you to the monthly Colonial Trail District Cub Scout Roundtable. A Cub Scout roundtable is a form of commissioner service and supplemental training for volunteers at the unit level. The objectives of the roundtable are to provide leaders with program ideas, information on policy and events, and training opportunities. The roundtable is a forum for sharing experiences and enjoying fun and fellowship with other Scout leaders. The roundtable experience will inspire, motivate, and enable all types of unit leaders to provide a stronger program for their Cub Scouts. Come join us every second Wednesday of the month at 7:30 pm at Oakland Christian United Church of Christ located at 5641 Godwin Boulevard in Suffolk, VA. We'll see you there! Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner: Eric Landreth (eclclandreth@gmail.com)
Did You Know?
Did you know that that about 70 percent of BSA units nationwide are chartered by faith-based organizations? The various Religious Emblems (RE) programs encourage a stronger relationship with your unit's Charter Organization (CO) and helps develop more of a two-way street with regard to involvement and communication. Research also shows that Scouts that work on their religious emblems remain in Scouting longer. In fact, use of the RE programs can also be used as a recruitment tool for your Unit.
Consider the number of kids that may be new to your CO that aren't in Scouts! Think of the kids in your unit and all of the possible different faiths that are assembled there that may not even know about the various RE programs available to them. RE programs are available for Baha'i to Baptist, Morovian to Methodist, and many more in between. You don't have to teach all of them, you just need to let the Scouts know that they are there for them to use! Additionally, use of the RE program by those Scouts who do not claim a particular faith may just spark an interest in learning more about their Creator. Remember, Lord Baden Powell said, "No man is much good unless he believes in God and obeys his law. So every Scout should have a religion." Use of the RE programs could help those Scouts grow into one.
Unit RECs (RE Coordinators), as well as the District RECs, help educate, motivate, evaluate, and facilitate the RE program. Does your Unit have a REC? Need help getting a RE program started? Plenty of good help can be found at www.praypub.org. Want to know if there is a REC for your District and how to contact them; talk to your District Program Coordinator or the Council REC (Yep! We got one of them too!). I would also be willing to assist by answering questions, sharing Lessons Learned or making a presentation to your Unit or CO, regardless of district. I can be reached via email at d.j.willis533@gmail.com.
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2015 Piankatank Nekut Yahakin First Colony Camporee
Date: March 20-22 - PLEASE NOTE THE NEW DATE DUE TO WEATHER
Location: Bayport Scout Reservation
Cost: $10
Click here to learn more.
First Colony District Pinewood Derby
Date: March 28th
Cost: $5.50 per Scout
Registration Due: March 26th
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District Merger and Name the District Contest
The Colonial Virginia Council, along with the leadership of the Heritage and James River District, has made the decision to merge the two districts. This merger will increase efficiency and the effectiveness of BSA services to our area youth. The merger will enhance service delivery to the units, e.g., even better programs, training, and other Scouting activities.
We would like to run a contest to "Name The District." The contest will run from March 1 through June 1, 2015. Submissions can be made by anyone from either district.
Click here to learn about the merger.
Pinewood Derby
Due to the weather, the Pinewood Derby is being moved to March 14th.
Cub Gold Rush - Cub-O-Ree
Date: April 10-12th
Click here to learn more.
Guide to building your covered wagon.
Click here to view the Leader's Guide.
STEM Activity Day
Date: March 21st
Location: Virginia Air and Space Museum
Cost: $16.00
Click here to learn more
God and CountryReligious Awards Program for Youth
Date: Sundays 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., February 15-April 26 (except Easter)
Location: First United Methodist Church Fox Hill
Who: Open to all Scouts
Cost: $30.00
Click here to view the flyer. 10 Commandments Hike
Date: March 21
Time: 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Where: First United Methodist Church Fox Hill
What: A Ten Commandment Hike visits several religious faiths and discusses the com-mandments at each location along with learning about each faith.
Cost: $5.00
Want to learn more? Come to the informational ice cream social on February 15th.
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District Merger and Name the District Contest
The Colonial Virginia Council, along with the leadership of the Heritage and James River District, has made the decision to merge the two districts. This merger will increase efficiency and the effectiveness of BSA services to our area youth. The merger will enhance service delivery to the units, e.g., even better programs, training, and other Scouting activities.
James River District Pinewood Derby
Date: March 28th
Location: Christ United Methodist Church
Cost: $6.00
Newport News One City Marathon & 8K
4th Annual BSA Campsite Cleanup
Date: March 7
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| Send us your news! Email amanda.wroten@scouting.org so we can feature the great things your units, Scouts and Scouters are doing! |
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Order of the Arrow
NOAC (National Order of the Arrow Conference) is the premier event of the Order of the Arrow, and is Scouting's second-largest national event. This year's event is a once in a lifetime experience because it is the 100 year anniversary of the OA and is SOLD OUTwith over 14,000 Arrowmen from across the US!! We will all gather for an inspirational and unforgettable experience full of fellowship, training, adventure, and fun! AND...we currently have an open youth spot!!
Need to know a little more??
During NOAC, Arrowmen will participate in a six-day conference which includes top notch training sessions, cool recreational opportunities, evening shows full of theatrics and special effects, and exciting programs.
NOAC will be held from August 3-8, 2015 at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. Our contingent will be leaving on August 2nd and returning on August 9th.
The cost will be approximately $850 (we are still trying to lock in the final cost)
Conference fee is $475 and includes housing, food, and program activities.
Travel cost is $275 we are going by Train!!
Contingent Packet approximately $100 this will include Polo Shirt, T-shirt, hat, patches and Founders Day supplies. This is what we have not locked in yet and most likely will be less than more.
If you are interested and you want to be one of the lucky Arrowmen who experience this truly AWESOME event, contact Mr. Morris at owl158@verizon.net. We will take the first Arrowman who response and makes the payment of $350. So do not delay $350 is the total payment that is due at this point and the balance can be made in separate payments.
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Environmentally Focused Merit Badges
Date: March 2 and March 16
Bird Study: 5:30 p.m. until 6:15 p.m.
Forestry: 6:15 p.m. until 6:55 p.m.
Location: Tabernacle United Methodist Church - 831 Poquoson Avenue in Poquoson
Contact: Dave Lauther - Davemmc2000@yahoo.com or 757-753-8309.
All requirements can be completed at the Walk in the Forest (See flyer in Newsletter) 21 March 2015. Camping is available 20 March - 22 March 2015 at no cost.
Visit Your National Parks for Free
Visit Your National Parks for Free
America's national parks are offering free admission to all visitors on the following dates: April 18-19, August 25, September 26, November 11: Veterans Day
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Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills
Date: April 17-19
Location: Bayport, with pre-meeting at St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Hampton
Cost: $20/$30
Click here to view the registration form.
Leave No Trace - Walk in the Forrest
Date: Saturday, March 21
Time: 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Location: New Kent Forestry Center
Click here to learn more.
BALOO Orientation
2015 Commissioner Conference
Date: March 7
Time: 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Click here to view the flyer.
CONFERENCE VENUE AND COST CHANGE
The conference will be held at the Scout Service Center. Coffee, juice, doughnuts and muffins will be provided. Cost to attendees is $0. Please pass the word. Let Mike Fry (mivanfry@gmail.com) know approximate attendees for your district by March 5th for planning purposes.
2015 College of Commissioner Science
The FUNdamentals of Training - Train the Trainer
Date: March 14 (date changed)
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $5.00/$10.00
Location: Magnolia United Methodist Church, Suffolk
Click here to view the flyer
Training Awards
Your youth work hard to earn advancements and awards AND so do your adult leaders. Be sure they are recognized appropriately. Please remember to use the Progress Record Forms with the 2012 requirements for the Adult Leader Training Awards. The old forms will no longer be accepted.
CPR and Basic First Aid
This course covers adult and child/infant CPR with AED, how to respond in an emergency, and render basic first aid. This meets and exceeds the requirements for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts Level 1 Provider.
Click here to view dates, times, and locations.
Contact: Al Materia, sales@emta.net or toll free at 1-877-235-3682
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Advancement and Registration
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Keeping your Scouts' Records current has never been easier with Internet Advancement Reporting!
Units that are using it love that their scouts' records are up to date immediately and that Packmaster and Troopmaster are easily uploaded to Scoutnet when they use the myscouting.org porthole and click submit.
Did you know? Only ONE copy is needed to be turned into council. Keep a copy for unit records. Please do not turn in another report because you were not able to purchase all your awards the first go-round. The Scout Shop Manager will mark your copy of the report annotating which items were issued. Bring the report back in to purchase the awards you were lacking. Reporting the awards again only causes confusion, especially when the award has a different date earned for the same Scout.
Did you know? Reporting advancements is the primary responsibility of your unit Advancement Coordinator. Your Advancement Coordinator is the "processor" on the Internet Advancement Report (IAR).
The Pack Adv Coord collects the pack advancement and awards from the dens to enter, then signs report.
The Troop Adv Coord collects awards from the scouts verifying requirements are signed off, enters data, signs report, and obtains the two additional signatures required from Board/committee members for rank advancement, as has been the rule with the past reports. (The acceptable variant to the three signatures are: Option1) Complete a fillable advancement report for BORs to obtain the signatures the day of the Board of Review, then attach it to their Internet Advancement report. www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34403.pdf Option 2) Attach a signed Troopmaster Advancement Report with the three committee signatures to the IAR. Option 3) Attach EACH Troopmaster BOR sheet that has the Board members' signatures.) SM/ASMs should NOT be a board member nor
sign for BORs as their responsibility is the Scoutmaster Conference.
Did you know? Award Applications must accompany the IAR- e.g. Eagle Palm Applications - must have the three required BOR members signatures- middle of right column. SM signs bottom left. Use this form http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/58-709_WB.pdf or you can use the Palm Application that Troopmaster generates. Boy Scouts world_conservation_application.pdf or Cub Scout World Conservation Award LNT, CS Outdoor Activity, Nat'l Outdoors Awards, to list a few more. Be sure all requirements are completed, dated, and the required unit leaders' signatures are on the form before submitting to council for executives' signatures. For the 50-Miler Award Application ; please include an advancement report with the scouts' and leaders' names attached to it with the full date earned.
Most everything the scout earns, with the exception of small things like Tiger beads, compass points, arrows points past 9 arrows, can be recorded. Most of the NOVA awards are even listed. Be attentive to awards that are similar - e.g. Communications belt loop vs communicator activity pin; Geology vs Geologist pin; Geology MB; Geocaching MB; Genealogy MB; Woodworking vs Woodcarving.
A few award that you are not able to enter - religious knot, recruiter, Natl Honor Patrol, Natl Outdoor Badge-Gold. The Religious Knot and Recruiter can be entered in Scoutnet using a different area of the program at the office. So report the Religious knot, and the specific award earn. (God and Life Light of Christ, God and Country, etc.) For these awards that are not available for you to enter online, Please submit a report http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34403.pdf orprint a report from your Scout Management program so we have all awards earned in your unit file.
Advancement Reports that are turned in at to Heart of Virginia Council (Richmond) or Tidewater Council (VA Beach) have a high probability of not getting to YOUR council and if it is NOT a IAR may not ever be entered. So remember to turn in your reports to your council shop on Jefferson in Newport News.
Log on. Try it out. Start using it. CVC Goal is to have every unit on line by March 31, 2015.
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Monday through Friday: 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
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Next Newsletter Deadline: March 11th
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