Interviews have been held, and Scouts have been chosen as Marin Council Scouts of the Year. Find out who they are on March 16! 

All youth and adults will be recognized at the annual Marin Council Recognition Dinner on March 16. Registration is open online, so sign up today!

For the Recognition Dinner, we are looking for someone to handle the logistics of the dinner for 2016. This year, David White will again do it. One thing to note about this event is that it is a great team effort, and the dinner logistics are not overwhelming at all. David would love to have someone as an assistant this year with the goal to have them take over for 2016. Call or email Tim in the office if you are interested. 

Contact our office if you have any questions.

Roundtable is held the first Wednesday of each month at the LDS Church at 220 N. San Pedro Road in San Rafael. The regular meetings start at 7:30. It is open to all leaders and interested parents. This is a great time to network, learn, and have fun with fellow leaders in Marin.

2015 charters and rosters will be at roundtable for units to pick up.   

The Cub Scout roundtable will be packed with information, particularly on the new Cub Scout program beginning in May. 

Wednesday February 4, 2015 Roundtable: The OA will be at both Cub Scout and Boy Scout RTs. They will answer questions regarding this year's bridging ceremonies (Webelos to Boy Scouts), Pinewood Derby Workshop, and the annual Klondike Derby at Marin Sierra.

2015 Klondike Derby "DIVIDED WE FALL" hosted by Talako Lodge and Marin Council. BSA Dates: February 27- March 1. Location: Camp Marin Sierra. Who: All Boy Scout troops. Cost: $15.00 per participant. The fee includes a hot lunch on Saturday, February 28, camp fees, and the 2015 Klondike patch. Please make checks payable to Marin Council, BSA c/o KLONDIKE or by credit card.

Get Pinewood Derby Cars Cut Free* & Shoot BB Guns for 5$. Lunch is available for $5. Cub Scouts and families welcome. When: February 14, 9am - 1pm. Where: Camp Tamarancho. If your Scout wishes to shoot, upon arriving at camp, and before going up to the workshop, stop to pay and register at the BB gun range for a shooting time. *Remember to bring a smooth rock the size of a grapefruit. These help to line the trails in camp.

100th Anniversary of the National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) is being held at Michigan State University. We have made 2 additional spots available. This is your last opportunity to be a part of the contingent. August 1-8 is the date. If you are interested, contact Kenny Larsen.

No, not baseball: Scout leader training in the spring! Get your unit's adult leaders signed up now for the appropriate courses all being given at Camp Tamarancho over the weekend of April 24-26. Check out the registration pages for all the details.

• Cub Scout Leader Specific Training, Saturday, April 25, 1:30pm to 4:30pm
• Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO), Saturday, April 25, 8am to 1pm
• Scoutmaster/Asst. Scoutmaster Specific Training, Friday, April 24, 6-9 p.m. AND Sunday, April 26, 1-4 p.m.
• Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills, Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26 (given by Golden Gate District, SF Bay Area Council, at Tamarancho). Link will be posted on our web site when it becomes available.

You can come Friday night for BSLST and stay over that night if you want to attend IOLST on Saturday/Sunday, and finish BSLST Sunday afternoon. Continental breakfast will be provided Saturday morning for those that stay over.

Wood Badge Coming Up

Fall 2015 

"Every Scout Deserves A Trained Leader." At Marin Council, we believe this is more than a saying; it speaks to the commitment all our adult volunteers make in providing the most secure and fun Scouting experience for our youth members.  

Wood Badge training provides the pinnacle training program for adults. You'll engage with expert Scouters who will lead you through a proven course that brings the Scouting process into focus, and provide practical knowledge that you will use at every unit meeting, event and outing. Because, every Scout does deserve a trained leader. Join us!

Download Save the Date flyer here. 

Marin Council Shooting Sports Committee presents our First Annual Bunny Shoot on March 21 at Camp Tamarancho. No, we are not actually going to shoot bunnies. Instead, this is a fun competition for Cub Scouts to show their shooting skills and to learn. 

Cub Scouts (Tiger Cubs through Webelos) will be using the archery and BB gun ranges from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. with a lunch break from 12-1pm. Cost is $5 per person. 

In order to allow everyone time to use the ranges, time slots need to be selected. Each slot is 30 minutes. You must register online and pick your time slot. Once a time slot is full, you will not be able to select it. There are 5 morning and 4 afternoon sessions. Here is the link to the registration. Fun prizes will be awarded. Click this link for an information flyer and shooting sports release form. 

Happy 2015, Cub Campers!

We're excited about 2015 and continued opportunities for Cub and Boy Scouts alike to participate in Marin Council's Cub Camping program. With the help of Scouts, Scouters, and volunteers, you made 2014 an outstanding year. Let's join together to make this year even better! Dates for the 2015 weekend camps are below.

Weekend Camps

Family Fiesta, Camp Tamarancho, May 15-17

Webelos Woods, Camp Marin Sierra, Sep 4-6 (Labor Day Weekend)

Cub Scout Adventure Weekend, Camp Tamarancho, Oct 9-11

Tiger Cub Expedition, Camp Tamarancho, Oct 10-11

Read more about Cub Scout Camping. 

Cub Scout Day Camp

For all Wolf through Webelos II Scouts, we will be offering 3 weeks of summer Cub Scout Day Camp at Camp Tamarancho in Fairfax, July 6-10, 20-24, and August 3-7. Webelos II Scouts entering 5th grade in September will participate in an advanced program called Wandering Webelos, which is intended to prepare them for the transition to Boy Scouts. Registration forms are online here. 

Cub Day Camp also offers excellent employment opportunities for youth 14 and older. Youth 15 and older can apply for a number of positions on the camp staff. Youth who will be 14 in June 2015 are eligible for Counselor in Training (CIT) positions. Download the staff application here.

As announced at the fall roundtables, there is a drive to re-introduce an annual Boy Scout Camporee as part of the Marin Council program. It has been soooo long since one was last held, that it is ALMOST a foreign concept.

What is a camporee? Much like the Klondike Derby, it is a chance for troops to send their patrols for a weekend of competition in traditional Scout skills, demonstrations of Scout spirit, and in the words of Scoutmaster Del Secco, enjoy the camaraderie of inter-troop activities.

I've met with, and heard from, a number of troops, and so far, we have the following intent on participating: 1, 15, 59, 76, 101, 200, and 2000. There are a few more that we will be speaking with in the next few weeks. Thank you all for your response and feedback!

2015 is off to a roaring start.

Troops are registering for the 2015 summer camp at Marin Sierra. A program director as well as a commissioner have already been secured along with a business manager.

We have need of a new food services director as Mike Morrison will not be returning this year. This is a major position to fill; however, we are hoping to build a strong team in that area. Along with that position are the numerous other positions to fill from medical officer to area directors-many of them in age-restricted and certification-restricted areas. Please let Tim Wells know if you have interested applicants.

Members of this committee will be contacting troop leaders to schedule a time to meet with PLCs to discuss what some of their interests are in outdoor and camping activities.

Please remember to add information to the survey web site regarding some of your favorite outdoor and camping activities that you'd recommend to other units. This questionnaire is designed to be very quick and easy to fill out--literally will take no more than 3 minutes per outing. In order to enhance the outdoor and camping program in Marin, we request that you please get this done ASAP!

It is definitely time to be thinking about having your Scouts or adults participate on camp staff this summer. We have two camp properties that are awesome, and the programs we run there are priceless in effecting growth in our Scouts.

There are three Cub Scout day camps at Tamarancho this summer and six weeks of Boy Scout resident camp at Marin Sierra. Both are opportunities to give back to camp, grow in leadership and people skills, develop a strong work ethic, and earn some money. Along with that, the experience often reignites a Scout's interest in Scouting, and it is common for staff members to form life-long friendships with the people they work with. You can believe that the difference they make in the lives of the Scouts they teach and work with at the camps leaves a legacy in those Scouts lives.

At Camp Marin Sierra, we are looking for a number of over-21 and over-18 people to fill age-restricted positions. We are seeking a new food services director, medical officer, shotgun director, COPE director, climbing director, and numerous other director positions. For under-18 positions, we still need lifeguards and food services staff. 

Here is an interesting individual opportunity for Boy Scouts that are interested. You are invited to Environmental Forum of Marin. See your Scoutmaster for a blue card or get some ideas for your William T. Hornaday Awards or your Eagle Scout service project and bring a buddy.

Changes, Challenges and Choices

Lecture Series 2015 will take a close look at issues including Drought, Threatened Oceans, Climate Disruption, and Building Community. This is education for action. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the environmental changes we are facing, feel inspired to meet the challenges presented by these changes, and leave with greater confidence in making choices which benefit the environment.

Featured lecture series speakers will discuss the science underlying these topics and explore what we can do as individuals to meet the challenges facing us. Eight sessions will run from January through April. 

Location: Canoles Hall, San Rafael Presbyterian Church
1510 5th Ave., San Rafael

Threatened Oceans - Tipping Points

Wed., February 11 | 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Climate Disruption - Vulnerable Marin

Wed., March 11 | 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Building Community - Food Security

Wed., April 8 | 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Building Community - Strengthening Marin on Earth Day

Wed., April 22 | 7:00 - 9:00 PM

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Location: Bay Model Visitors Center

2100 Bridgeway Sausalito, CA

Threatened Oceans - Damaged Habitat & Plastic Pollution

Sat., February 28 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Climate Disruption - Is 100% Renewable Energy Possible?

Sat., March 28 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Discounted group tickets begin when you reserve 25 or more tickets. The A's only require a 10% deposit to get started. To reserve the best seats, please give Jason Haines a call soon at 510-563-2328 to get the ball rolling.

If you have any questions on group tickets or Scout Day in general, please feel free to give Jason a call. I look forward to working with you! Go A's!

For information, click here.

Penguins & Pajamas at the California Acadmey of Sciences 

Attention Scouts!

Saturday night Penguins+Pajamas

March 7 and March 21

Why count sheep when you can count penguins? Explore the magic of the California Academy of Sciences during the wildest sleepover ever! Enjoy the aquarium after-hours, catch a late planetarium show, enjoy milk and cookies during story time, and sleep just steps away from the lions in African Hall.

The sleepover package includes:

• Overnight stay in an exhibit area
• Live animal demonstrations
• Private rainforest access through 8pm
• Planetarium showings
• Late night snack and continental breakfast
• Next day admission to the Academy
• Overnight parking in concourse garage

* For children ages 5+ and their adult chaperones

* Admission is $89 per person for groups of 10 or more

Space is limited! Reserve tickets for your Scout group today!

More information. 

U.S.S. Iowa

We are so fortunate to have a fast array of sea-going vessels in our area to tour and explore. The U.S.S. Iowa battleship is now open for tours and sleepovers. You can find out more information about it by clicking this link.