Colonial Virginia Council
Boy Scouts of America
October 30, 2015 Newsletter
Table of Contents
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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...

New Blog Post  
 
9th Annual Punkin' Chunkin'
Date:  November 13-15
Location: Endview Plantation, Newport News, Virginia
 
Help Wanted
The Colonial Virginia Council is in need of a volunteer to help with lawn maintenance on a routine basis.  This will help to reduce our operational expenses.  Your support is greatly appreciated.  Please email [email protected] if you can assist.
 
Silver Beaver
The Colonial Virginia Council is currently accepting nominations for Silver Beaver.  The form must be completed by December 1, 2015 and submitted to Amanda Wroten at the Council office or [email protected].  Click here to view the form. 
 
Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award
The Colonial Virginia Council is now accepting applications for the Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year.  The form must be completed by January 1, 2016 
and submitted to Amanda Wroten at the Council office or[email protected]  
 
American Legion Eagle Scout Scholarship 
The American Legion Nation Eagle Scout Of The Year Scholarship 
This is a annual program put on by The American Legion where a Eagle Scout can earn a $10,000 scholarship towards the college of his choice. All that has to be done is complete the attached application and submit to your local American Legion Post no later than February 1, 2016. Please read nomination form carefully as there are several requirements that have to be met. You can contact Ronald Feracho Sr. at 757-589-1870 or at [email protected] for more information.
Click here to view the form. 

 
Friends of Scouting Patches
The Colonial Virginia Council, Boy Scouts of America has a limited number of patches from the 15 patch set - "12 Points of the Scout Law" to rerelease.  Each individual patch is available for a $75 donation and a limited number of 6 full sets are available for a donation of $1,000 (includes 15 patches).  You may shop our online storefront and pay online or contact Amanda Wroten at 757-595-3356, ext. 209 to pay via cash, check, or credit card over the phone.  We ask that all donations be above and beyond your current Friends of Scouting gift. 

 
  
Know Your District

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 - Served by Eric Smith, District Executive
  • Colonial Trail:  Surry and Isle of Wight Counties and the City of Suffolk - Served by Zach Oman, District Executive
  • First Colony:  James City County and the City of Williamsburg - Served by Eric Smith, District Executive
  • Monitor Merrimac:  The City of Hampton and The City of Newport News - Served by Amanda Wroten, Field Director
  • Siouan Rivers:  Sussex, Southampton, Greenville and Brunswick Counties as well as the Cities of Franklin and Emporia - Served by Zach Oman, District Executive
Chesapeake Bay District
Chesapeake Bay Cub Olympacks Cub Scout Athletic Games
Date:  November 21
Location:  Bethany United Methodist Church in Gloucester Point, Va.
Registration starts at 9:30 am
Early Bird Fee:$ 5.00 per scout
Fee after deadline on Nov. 12th: $ 7.00 per scout Registration AS PACK ONLY! By Name and RANK!
Questions: email Claudia Clifton: [email protected] or 804-815-8230
Click here to view the registration form.


Quilt Fundraiser
Measures 60 inches by 80 inches.  For more information email [email protected].  Other units can help by selling tickets.
 
Chesapeake Bay Cub Scout Roundtable  
New Ches. Bay Cub Scout Roundtable with new starting time 7 pm.

Pictured are Cub Scout Leaders playing x game that can be used in their Pack or Den Meeting.

Also pictured the  Ches. Bay Roundtable staff from left: Claudia Clifton, Sonya Boyd, Tyrone Simmons and Libby Perdue.

Agenda for November 5, 2015, at new time, 7:00 pm:
  • Info on Youth Protection plus how to handle a "Situation"
  • Recharter
  • Samples of a game/ ceremony/opening and closing to be used at your Pack Meetings
  • Breakout sessions: Den Leaders: Tigers: Sky is the Limit, Wolves: Germs Alive, Bears: Fellowship on Duty to God, Webelos: Duty to God in Action; And for all Leaders : Den Discipline.
  • Cub masters and Committee: Pack Annual Program Meeting and Maintain Order at your Pack Meeting. We will have 3 door prizes. Also if you have any scouting item you no longer want or need please bring it to our trading table. You can have any item for free but need to bring something "to the table!" We will have the Salvation Army Christmas Stockings for you to fill available. This is a great community service for the holidays. Everybody will get a raffle ticket for attending but if you bring a new person you will get an additional ticket, so double your chances to win!
Also please come and pick up your Recharter Packets they will be available at your local Ches. Bay Cub Scout Roundtable! 
We hope to see you on the 5th! Gobble gobble, Claudia Clifton Ches. Bay Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner
Colonial Trail District
Tiger Fun Day - RESCHEDULED TO OCT. 31 AT NIKE PARK!!!
Click here to view the flyer.

Scout Law Lessons
How are your Scouts learning the Scout Law?  With wood supplied by Web I Den Leader Dan Boehning and under the craftsmanship of Web II Den Leader John Lassiter Pack 73's Webelos II Den put together this great sign to help everyone in the Pack with the Scout Law.

Peer-to-Peer Recruiting Opportunity

Religious Emblems Program 
My name is David Willis and I am the Colonial Trail District Religious Emblems Coordinator (REC). My job is to ensure all Units are aware of the opportunities within the District for Scouts and Scouters to earn the Religious Emblem (RE) of their faith, recruit Unit RECs, and to enable others to promote classes of their own.

My vision is for all Scouts to truly understand what "Duty to God" means in order to fulfill the Scouting Values and "prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes". "Duty to God" is the basis for Scouting's Mission Statement and is the foundation upon which Scouting was built. All Scouts and Scouters need to understand that there are boys with different faiths and beliefs. However, instead of focusing on the differences we can unite in our similarities since we share the same Scouting Values. For when we focus on our similarities and work together, we all win in the game of life.

Over the course of the year I will be working to educate everyone at District Roundtable on the ways Scouts and Scouters can earn the RE of their faith, through displays, presentations, and handouts. In the meantime, if you want more information or if you would like me to make a presentation to your unit or charter organization about the various Faith Based Initiatives available, please email me at [email protected]. Perhaps you currently have scheduled your own classes that others might be able to attend? Please let me know that, too, so that I can get that information out to everyone!

I am organizing a Religious Emblems (non-denominational) program to assist those of various protestant faiths in earning the RE of their faith, as well as meet rank advancement requirements. The goal is to be completed by Scout Sunday (February 7th, 2016). The classes are set to begin at 4 pm on Sunday, November 1st at Beech Grove UMC in Driver and are open to Scouts and Scouters in the BSA and GSUSA; non-scouting siblings are also welcome! Deadline to register is Wednesday, October 28th. Other RE programs are also available for Roman Catholics, Muslims, Mormons, and many others. I would also be willing to help you or your charter organization promote your own class. I look forward to working with you and assisting you in the future!

Colonial Trail District Cub Scout Roundtable
We would like to invite you to the monthly Colonial Trail District Cub Scout Roundtable!

Roundtable is exactly what it implies - an equal opportunity for Scouters (leaders and other interested adults), as a group, to exchange ideas and discuss relevant issues in our packs today. 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 various training opportunities.
  • To provide a forum for sharing experiences and enjoying fun and fellowship with other Scout leaders, fostering a great deal of camaraderie.
  • To inspire, motivate, and enable all types of unit leaders to provide a stronger program for their Cub Scouts through their roundtable experience.
We meet the second Wednesday of every month at 7:30 pm at Oakland Christian United Church of Christ, located at 5641 Godwin Boulevard (Rt. 10) in Suffolk, VA. The Cub Scout program change is here! Are you working the new program without problem? Need help? Join us as we do our best to help each other be prepared to deliver the best program we can! We hope to see you there!

 
Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner: David Willis ([email protected])

First Colony District

Troop 414 Philmont Trip!
 
Troop 414 sent a crew to Philmont this summer. One of the attendees, Geo M., assembled the attached video that captures the Philmont experience quite nicely.
Monitor Merrimac District
Monitor Merrimac Webeloree
A good time was had by all at the Monitor Merrimac Webeloree. 





Barnes and Noble Mini MakerFair - Solar Cooking
The Barnes & Noble Mini Maker Faire is scheduled for the weekend of November 6, 7, and 8th.  This faire is designed to encourage creativity and inventiveness.  There will be drone demonstrations, robot demonstrations,LEGO activities,3Dprinting,and more.
 
Scouts are needed to help welcome people into the store and direct them to the events taking place. If is for that reason,we are more interested in the scouts that are in middle and high school to help.
Events on Friday begin at 3:00 p.m. and last until 8:00 p.m.  Saturday and Sunday events begin at 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated.  Help is also needed on a solar cooking project.  Please contact Jane Lockhart at 757-827-1162, [email protected].

Recharter
The Council Recharter Packets are now available at the Service Center/Scout Shop.  We will also bring them to the next Committee Meeting and Roundtable.  The turn in date will be December 5th at the Council Service Center.

13th Annual Archery Day 

Date:  Saturday, December 13th

Time:  9:00 am
Location:  Wilcox, Newport News
All participants will receive a patch (ordered after the event) and a participant's recognition item.
Holiday in the Woods 
WEBELOS Is and WEBELOS IIs are invited to attend the Troop 368's annual "Holiday in the Woods'.  You are invited to Camp out with the Troop. If you do not want to camp, join the troop for its Saturday activities to include a Holiday Dinner and Campfire. Or just come out for the Dinner.  
Date:  December 5
Time:  7:00 p.m.
Location:  Endview Plantation
Click here to view the flyer. 
Click here to view the invitation 

Monitor Merrimac Patch Design Contest - DEADLINE EXTENDED 
It is time to design a Monitor Merrimac District patch!  Adults and Scouts alike, send in your ideas, concepts, and sketches for consideration.  Submit a detailed written description of what the patch should look like, or submit an image in .JPG or .PDF format before November 1st.  Send submissions to Dennis Camp at [email protected]
T
he district committee will vote on which design to use.  The Scout or adult with the winning idea will receive special recognition and the very first of the patches to be produced, and of course, the honor of having his or her patch design worn on the uniforms of Scouts and leaders across the district!
 
The Patch Must Include: A solid BSA Fleur-de-lis as well as the text "Monitor Merrimac District" and "Colonial Virginia Council".  Please do not use any more than nine colors.
 
Limited to Scouts and Scouters of Monitor Merrimac District


Rifle Merit Badge
Superior Pawn and Gun is excited to offer the opportunity for Boy Scouts to earn their rifle shooting merit badge. Our professionally trained staff includes several former scouts, Eagle Scouts, scout leaders, and merit badge counselors that love helping the scouting community. For more information or to set up a class contact Steve at 757-723-6033 or [email protected]      
Siouan Rivers District
What did you do Last Camporee 
This month Siouan Rivers had its largest joint Camporee/Cuboree/Zomboree with over 200 participants.  Scouts and Cubs took on Scout Skills, Survival Skills, Relays, showed off their skills, and topped it off with our world class haunted barn.  Join us next October for even more fun.
Council Events & News
Woodbadge Association Reunion Dinner
Date:  Sunday, January 31
Location:  Benns Church, Smithfield, VA
Time:  3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Sons of the American Revolution Essay Contest
The Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution, is soliciting applications for the 2015 Eagle Scout Scholarship award.

Winning submissions will be recognized at three levels: The local scholarship award winner will receive a Bronze Eagle Medal and $100 in cash: the winner of the State Competition will receive a Trophy and $500 in cash; the winner on the National level will receive an $8000 cash scholarship. The first runner-up at the National level will receive a $4000 cash scholarship; and the second national runner up will receive a $2000 cash scholarship.

Eagle Scouts who have not reached their 19th birthday by January 1, 2015 and who are still actively registered in a scouting unit are eligible to apply. Eagle Scouts may apply annually if the scout continues to meet the age requirement.

The application requires a short essay relating to the Revolutionary War and a completed ancestry chart. Applications can be downloaded at http://www.sar.org/Youth/Eagle_Scout  
Completed applications should be mailed to _R .Bruce Meyer 15242 New Towne Haven Lane, Carrollton, Virginia, 23314 or e-mailed to [email protected] . They must be received not later than December 15th, 2014 to allow time for review and further submission. 

Click here to learn more.
 
The Gathering - Merit Badge Clinic
There are 29 of the 100 Boy Scout merit badges available to work on during The Gathering Oct. 30 - Nov. 1 at the Clarke County Fairgrounds in Berryville, Va.  This is one of those 'once in a life-time' opportunities for youth in our community. 
Training
Every Scout Deserves a Trained Leader!
If you had a magic wand, would you use it to  make the Scouting program better and more fun for youth so they stayed in Scouting longer, so it had a larger impact on their lives? What if the same magic wand made leadership roles easier, more rewarding, and led to better retention among adult leaders? Would using that magic wand be a top priority?

Well, such a magic wand does exist-in the form of the learning programs for leaders in the Boy Scouts of America.  The Colonial Virginia Council has a policy that all direct contact leaders must be trained in their position. If you still require any training to be considered "Trained" in your position, we encourage you to complete the training as soon as possible.
 
Common sense tells us training is important, and research shows the importance of trained leaders. A trained leader  is knowledgeable and more confident  in the role being performed. Trained leaders exhibit a knowledge and confidence that is picked  up by people around them. Trained leaders impact the quality of programs, leader tenure, youth tenure, safety, and a whole lot more. A trained leader is better prepared to make the Scouting program  all it can be!

National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience
Philmont Scout Ranch 

Leave No Trace Trainer Training 
Date:  December 19-20
Location:  Murphys Mills Cabin, Suffolk, VA
Click here to view the registration form. 
 
University of Scouting 
Date:  January 9th
Location:  Bruton High School, Williamsburg, Virginia
Click here to view the registration packet 

Training Awards Update
Effective August 17th a new policy concerning training awards will be implemented.  Any request for a training award will be checked by the council office for completion of all requirements.  If all requirements are met, the council will issue a certificate but it will be up to the unit to buy the medal, device, and knot.  Currently the cost for all three is $13.99.  Please see the attached document for the current prices for the various training awards.  A copy of the certificate will need to be presented to Scout Shop to buy the items.
 
Any training award that does not meet the requirements will be returned to the unit, through the District Executive, with a note of which requirement(s) have not been met.
 
As a reminder, the Scout Shop does not keep a large number of awards on hand and they may need to be ordered.
 
   

BALOO/OWL - RESCHEDULED TO NOVEMBER 7th, NOW TAKING NEW REGISTRATIONS 
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.
Contact:  Al Materia, [email protected] or  toll free at 1-877-235-3682

Commissioner Basic
Date:  November 7th
Location:  Emporia Airport
Time:  9:00 am
Cost:  Free
Using the new syllabus
Order of the Arrow
Wahunsenakah Lodge is actively working to schedule an opportunity for our Ordeal brothers to seal their membership with a Brotherhood ceremony. When a date, time and location are set, we will let all Brotherhood eligible members know.
Kiskiak Summer Camp Open House 
Kiskiak Chapter of the Order or the Arrow will host an open house at their Chapter meeting on November 19th for those interested in going to summer camp.  Representatives from summer camps such as Rock Enon and others will be in attendance.

Pipsico Fall Fellowship 
Blue Heron Lodge has invited our lodge to enjoy their Fall Fellowship October 23-25.

Click here to register. 
Advancement and Registration
The Council has created a new email address for Advancements.  If you need to email us you can reach us at [email protected].
For general questions about advancement, please contact your district advancement chair:
Chesapeake Bay
Vacant
 
Colonial Trail
Jim O'Briant
First Colony
G Riesbeck
Heritage
Gary Bergtholdt
James River
Tim Ewing
Siouan Rivers
Mark Drumheller
Council Advancement Chair
Rob Kutz

Internet Advancement Reporting
- Which option are you using?

UNIT Advancements and Awards Coordinators -
Myscouting.org has changed. Internet Advancement Reporting- IAR  is no longer accessible through the myscouting.org website.  IAR is now located on https://my.scouting.org/  website. Log in using your same user ID and password; you will be asked to update your profile. Do so. Then click Home to view a drop down menu. Click on Legacy Web Tools. Click on Internet Advancement. Continue as normal for some. OR start using itfor other units.
Great News - The supported browsers are Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer 9, 10, and 11. In Internet Advancement, units may choose Option 1: Enter information manually or Option 2: Upload advancement files generated from PackMaster�, TroopMaster�, or ScoutSoft�.
You need to have your Unit ID and your unit number handy. (The number you use for recharter IS NOT the same number you use to set up your internet advancement profile.)  email your DE or [email protected] if you don't know what your number is.
Option 1.  Click download council files from scoutnet.
This temporarily allows you access to your unit file while you are logged onto this site. The data you'll see is what is currently in scoutnet. It either has been input manually at the office or it was previously  "submitted" to scoutnet by your unit advancement processor.  Awards are entered manually by your processor with this option.
What this option doesn't do by clicking download: it does NOT download the scoutnet records to your unit's program whether it be troopmaster, packmaster or scoutbook. It does not track camping nights, service hours, nor individual requirements toward ranks and merit badges.
Option 2.Click upload from your browser.
Before doing this, you MUST input new advancement data into your unit's program - troopmaster, packmaster or scoutbook. Then generate your normal  advancement report; but instead of just printing it, you need to additionally save it on your computer. It MUST be saved as an ADVxxxx.cvs file.  (The xxxxs are your unit.)  You can find  instructions on how to save a troopmaster file at http://www.troopmaster.com/scoutnet.html .    View your report.If a scout does not upload, enter his data manually then find out why - his name, birthdate, etc. must match exactly with what was on the application when he/she registered.  Avoid using nicknames. One wrong entry with personal information fromeither side of the fence will cause a mismatch.
Your session is not complete and will not update into council's Scoutnet system until you confirm your entries by clicking "Submit to Council".  Please print your copy and a copy to turn into Council to enable you to purchase the awards. If your printout has "DRAFT"on ityou have not completed the process.
Please remember required signatures.

Did You Know?
Scout Shop

Monday through Friday:  11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Saturday:  11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Sunday:  Closed
 
Fellow Scouters,

It is my pleasure to introduce to you " Notes from the Scout Hut ". Each newsletter I will give you updates on current items featured in the store, provide you with reminders on what items you can purchase at the Hut that you will need for upcoming training and events as well as other pertinent information that relates to scouting merchandise.
 
Pinewood Derby is almost upon us and in preparation I have a few hundred cars in stock with more on the way. I also will have lots of Derby accessories this coming week. The Derby will be featured as the " Event of the Month " for November as many packs distribute them as holiday gifts. If you need more than 50 cars at one time please let me know ahead and I will special order them for you.
 
Scoutmasters should be aware that the 13th Edition of the Boy Scout Handbook will be released in January 2016. I am waiting on National to release the information in order to place my order, which will hopefully be in December. Also, Volumes 1 and 2 of Programs Features for Troops, Teams and Crews are now available at the Hut and will be used in future training so plan ahead and purchase yours now.

I also plan on having drawings soon at the Hut to have some fun as well as adding a suggestion box as to what items you would most like featured in the store, as well as a place to give ideas on how I can make the Hut the best it can be.
 
Thank you again for all your support since I came on board in July and I look forward to seeing you in the Hut soon!
 
Yours in Scouting,
Jennifer 
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Next Newsletter Deadline:  November 3rd
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