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The Dispatch
Monthly News
for Marin Council Leaders
and Friends
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| Greetings! | |
 We are entering into what many folks consider their favorite time of the year. Not only do we have great weather, but there are endless opportunities to go outdoors.
And, do you know what? They are waiting for us. Scouts aren't waiting to go to another meeting. They are waiting to go outside, to spend the night camping, go hiking, attend a baseball game, go to summer camp, swim, play games, trek through the mountains, travel on new adventures, and laugh with friends.
 Scouts are waiting to do Scouting. Although not exhaustive by any means, below are many activities that you and your Scouts and families can be involved with.
Let's not keep them waiting, but let's take the opportunities before us and involve ourselves in giving them the best years of their lives . . . and ours!
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Cub Scout Camping: Nothing but Excitement!
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 Family Fiesta: Myths & Legends! May 17-19
Time to Sign Up Is Now
Want to experience first-hand why Tamarancho was recognized as a great destination? Join Cub Camping and the troops of Marin Council for a weekend of Scouting fun, May 17-19, at Family Fiesta. This year's theme is Myths & Legends and will feature a wide range of activities to choose from as your entire family travels the path of a hero's journey. Sign up today to secure your spot before they are all gone! Registration forms are available here.
For more information about Cub Scout camping and to get involved, please email or call Committee Chair David Pearce at 415-203-6052 or the council office at 415-454-1081. Cub Scout Day Camp Just a reminder that if you are signing your Scout up for Cub Scout Day Camp, do it soon. These popular camps are filling up quickly. The July session is already full, and the June and August sessions are filling up. You can download the forms on our web site. Camp Tamarancho Voted a Top Camping Destination! Marin Council's own Camp Tamarancho was voted one of Marin County's best overnight camps in the 2013 Pacific Sun "Best of Marin" reader's poll. The Cub Camping Committee and council are extremely proud of this recognition for the efforts of our volunteers and staff and would like to thank all Scouters and non-Scouters who voted! |
Reserve Tamarancho Online
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 Making reservations for unit outings at Tamarancho is now easier than ever. Not only can you make the reservation online, but you can also see what campsites, facilities, or program areas are available for the dates you desire. With the exception of non-Scout groups and campwide rentals, reservations will no longer be made by calling our office.
You can get to the Tamarancho reservation landing page by clicking the button on the left, which is also on the home page of our web site, the Tamarancho page of the site, and also there is a link in the side menu under Camping Programs and Facilities > Camp Tamarancho.
There are some things that are different, so you will want to visit the landing page to read. Also, you will want to download the Payments and Refund policies.
If you have difficulty the first time with the process or have questions, please call our office at 415-454-1081.
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| We Need Your Help |
These Camps Are Your Camps
Great summer camps do not happen without great staff. The staff pictured here continued a long tradition of excellent camp service. Many of them are still involved with camping and Scouting! Having quality staff at both Camp Marin Sierra and Camp Tamarancho today works to ensure our continued success at both of these facilities. Camp Tamarancho being voted one of the best camps by the Pacific Sun was largely due to the excellence of the people working there. Summer camp is proven to be one of the greatest experiences and advancement opportunities in Scouting. Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts who attend long-term camps are more likely to stay in and enjoy Scouting than those who do not.  At Marin Sierra, we are still seeking:
- 3 lifeguards (16 years old or older)
- Medical officer (18 years old and EMT or above)
- Mountain biking adult (21 years old)
Some of the positions to be filled at the Tamarancho day camps are:
- Lifeguards for all three weeks (16 years old or older)
- Staff for July (Den Chiefs and Counselors-in-Training)
- Medical officer (18 years old, minimum training standard first aid)
Don't wait; the time to apply is now. While there is no application deadline, the people who apply early have a better chance of being hired as well as securing the job they desire. Already, many applications have arrived in our office. If you or someone you know would like to apply, you can download the applications from our web site: Cub Scout Camp and Boy Scout Camp. Age requirements are listed on the forms. |
Properties Committee Report for 2012
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The Spring Party Is Here! We often hear people say things like: "Hey, could you get rid of the graffiti in the top of Ibach Lodge" or "I wish you would do repairs in the bathrooms and kitchen at camp." Well, here is your opportunity to do just that! It's a party! Work parties! Hey, they are just that, party time! Could there be more fun than a party with great food, activities, and friends? That's what we do, combined with a little aerobic activity to keep the conversation lively. Please consider helping with these important work parties at your camps. We can used skilled and unskilled labor. Here are the dates: Marin Sierra Camp Power Opening Weekend, May 25-27 Marin Sierra Ibach Lodge party, June 1-2 Marin Sierra commissary roof party, August 17-18 This lists of what you read by clicking the link below is largely done by dedicated volunteers. Come and be a part of the crew! Read more . . .
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| Fishing Derby |
 The Marin Council Fishing Derby returns to Marin Rod & Gun Club on June 22. This is a great opportunity for Scouts and their families to have a great time together.
Expert angler Joe Cilia is again organizing the event. There will be fishing, prizes, BBQ, and plenty of sunshine and fun.
Marin Rod & Gun Club is at Point San Quentin--the last Marin County freeway exit before the Richmond Bridge. The derby is from 10:00-12:30, with the BBQ lunch and prizes following from 12:30-2:00.
Click here to download an informational flyer and registration form.
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Jamboree BBQ
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You're Invited to Join Marin Jamboree 2013 Scouts for lunch and fun!
Invite all your family, friends and Scouting supporters for a fun day in the sun. We will be offering great Cinco de Mayo carne asada and pollo tacos, delicious salad, rancho rice, and beans for a $10 per person contribution toward our Jambo expenses. Jambo Scouts will be providing lots of fun activities for everyone (especially the kiddies) to enjoy, as well as snow cones, popcorn, and more! JamboRama BBQ is our largest fundraiser for the 2013 Jamboree Troop, so please plan to join us and bring a large group of friends with you! Contact us with any questions by clicking this link or call Anne Adkisson at 415.895.6122. |
Cubs in the Summertime
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May is here, and summer is just around the corner. Many packs are wrapping things up for their Cubs because most packs do not hold meetings or activities over the summer months. Pack leaders may want to consider ways to keep Cubs involved throughout the summer. Den leaders can help Cubs develop personal plans for earning belt loops and other awards. Webelos leaders might want to plan for knocking off some Arrow of Light requirements. Packs can set up challenges for Scouts to meet during the summer. Packs should consider planning simple outings, such as a "bring your own food" picnic at a local park or a day at the beach. Small events take little planning, are not affected by people being on vacation, and are a great way to keep Cubs in touch with each other during the summer months. Attending Cub Scout camp and other council events is another great way to keep Scouting going during the summer months.  There is a Summertime Pack Award for doing these types of activities during the summer.
Keeping Cubs involved in Scouting over the summer is easy to do, is fun for the Scouts, and will help ensure retention when the pack reconvenes in September.
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Slanes Flat: Ideal
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May thru July are ideal times to visit Slanes Flat this year. For those looking for an adventure and/or who haven't been there yet, you're in for a real treat. This is Marin Council's very own high adventure camp. It's a beautiful location providing an excellent opportunity to work on campcraft and pioneering skills, among others. Come one, come all. Contact Tim Wells for more details, including directions and the key to the lock that opens the gate to this unique, remote camping site. |
NRA Basic Muzzle-loading Rifle Training Class
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Have you always wanted to shoot a black-powder rifle? Want to become more knowledgeable in the safe gun handling of the rifle used in the days of Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett? Well here is your chance. This course will give you the skills, knowledge, and attitude to safely use a muzzle-loading rifle as you learn how to safely handle a muzzle-loading rifle, parts of the rifle, sighting, how to load and fire, shooting positions, range commands, safe gun handling, care, cleaning, and storage of muzzle-loading rifles.  This is the perfect class to take for everything you ever wanted to know about muzzle-loading rifles! The class will be offered starting on Friday, June 21 to Sunday, June 23, 2013. Cost is $75 (plus certificate fee--see below). Minimum age is 14. All must be BSA registered. CUT OFF DATE for registering is Friday, June 7. Class size: minimum 4, maximum 14. See Marin Council web site for the registration form. The course classroom time will be offered at the Marin Council Service Center in San Rafael and range time at Camp Tamarancho. If participation is high, we may also offer a Certified Muzzle-loading Rifle Instructor course at the same time. The class portion will be held at the Marin Council Service Center Friday, June 21 from 7-10 PM, Saturday, June 22 from 9 AM-6 PM and will include open book instruction, lecture, PowerPoint slides, student participation presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on handling of muzzle-loading rifles. NRA Manual & binder will be supplied to all participants. Range time will be Sunday, June 23 from 9 AM-5 PM at Camp Tamarancho. Eye and hearing protection is required for the range. Range time is outdoors. Dress for range time according to weather. Muzzle-loading rifles will be supplied by the class. Do not bring firearms or ammunition to class. You will also need to bring a check or credit card to the class in order to register with the NRA for your certificates and processing fees which will be about $40. This is separate from the class fee. You will need to be an NRA member (required). Please register to be an NRA member at www.nra.org before the class. If you have any questions contact Berne Holman. |
Honoring Scouting Religious Awards
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The Archdiocese of San Francisco will be holding a Scouting Awards ceremony and prayer service to honor religious recognitions for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts as well as adult awards. - Saturday June 1, 2013
- 2:00 pm
- St. Phillip the Apostle
725 Diamond St
San Francisco 94114
Click here for details. |
Take Scouts out to the Ball Game!
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 Head for the Pacifics Experience baseball like it used to be: up close, exciting and lots of fun! Marin County's own minor-league team, the San Rafael Pacifics, is ready to start the 2013 season after winning the 2012 North American League Championship. Opening Day is June 11! The Pacifics invite your pack, troop, or crew to come to a game this summer, and we've got ticket discount plans and pre-game party options in one of our fun party areas at Albert Park. We've got lots of great package deals that even include throwing out the first pitch or take batting practice with the team! Book your event by emailing Kim Biss or call 415-640-4504 You can get additional information on tickets, parties, or merchandise on our web site. Oakland A's Scout Day: May 19 The A's are inviting units to come to the game on May 19 against the Royals. Troops and groups of 25 people or more get tickets discounted.
Click here to download the flyer. |
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June is just and around the corner, and with June comes thoughts of SNOW!!! That's right, it's time to mark your calendars for the Marin Council June Roundtable BBQ on Wednesday, June 5, beginning at 6:00 PM with a free BBQ meal for all attendees. The evening will include a 'Town Hall' meeting conducted by Council Key-3, important updates to help you plan for the coming Scout cycle, and of course the lottery for winter camp lodging at Marin Sierra.
This meeting will be following the BSA National Meeting and our upcoming national vote on membership policy. As such we will be prepared to discuss the outcome of that decision and the next steps. As this meeting will likely draw large attendance, unit leaders or committee chairs will be asked in May for an approximate headcount from each unit for meals.
Thank you again for all you do to support Scouting in Marin.
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Marin Council, Boy Scouts of America
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