Digital Duffle Bag



February 25, 2013    

News for Scouting leaders, parents,
and the communities we serve   
COUNCIL
SERVICE CENTERS
MacArthur Service Center
4568 West Pine Blvd.
St. Louis, Mo. 63108-2179
Phone: (314) 361-0600 or (800) 392-0895
FAX: (314) 361-5165
Hours: Monday through Friday:
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

West County Service Center
11481 Page Service Dr.
St. Louis, Mo. 63146-3529
Phone: (314) 994-9469
FAX: (314) 994-9623
Hours: Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ritter Service Center-Cape Girardeau
3000 Gordonville Rd.
Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63703-5008
Phone: (573) 335-3346 or (800) 335-3346
FAX: (800) 269-7989
Hours: Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Southern Illinois Service Center-Herrin
803 East Herrin St., Herrin, Ill. 62948-0340
Phone: (618) 942-4863 or (888) 942-4863
FAX: (618) 942-2367
Hours: Monday through Friday:
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
June through August: Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Giving
 
Memorials
 
The Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, is a United Way agency.
United Way
Greetings! 

Scouts and leaders can have fun with fishing and photography during two new programs this spring.

A Fishing and Fly Fishing Merit Badge Center will be offered at the S bar F Scout Ranch on Sunday, May 19. Leaders can attend a weekend workshop to become a BSA Certified Angler Instructor on May 17-19 at S bar F.

The National Council of the Boy Scouts of America will conduct a Visual Storytelling Workshop for Scouters on May 3-5 at Beaumont Scout Reservation. Participants will develop skills to tell the Scouting story through a multimedia presentation. The goal is for Scouters to return to their districts and councils to teach youth members how to produce content.

Attend your March Roundtable and pick up your unit's Boy Scout summer camp manual. It contains information on new merit badges and other programs.

Thanks to all who mentor our Scouts each week throughout our council.

--Greater St. Louis Area Council,
Boy Scouts of America

Thanks To All Families For Supporting
Annual Friends of Scouting Campaign 
The quality of our programs and facilities are due in large part to the financial support of our Scout families and leaders. We appreciate the participation and generosity of so many during Blue and Gold Banquets and other unit events. More than 23 percent of our programs and services are funded by Friends of Scouting.  Read more...  

Selling Camp Cards Helps Scouts Attend
Summer Camp; 50% Commission  
Scouts and Venturers can earn their way to summer camp by selling Camp Cards that offer discounts at many local retailers. This year's Camp Card program is expanded with regional offers for the St. Louis metro area, southeast Missouri area and southern Illinois area. Units receive 50 percent commission, and Scouts have a chance to win an iPad Mini for every 20 cards sold.

Special Summer Camps Offer Fun, Excitement
The council offers specialty summer camps for Boy Scouts, Venturers and Explorers. Click on the links to learn more...
Horse Camp: Spend a week learning everything there is to know about horses. Activities include swimming, skeet shooting, campfires and, of course, horseback riding.
Ranger Program: This is the ultimate experience at camp! Each day, campers backpack to a different location at S bar F Scout ranch where they can blacksmith, take a sweat in a sweat lodge, climb on the ropes course, shoot a black powder rifle and swim in the Little St. Francis River.
Catholic Adventure Week: During this week, campers experience their faith while participating in high-adventure and other activities.
Swift Base: In addition to the standard Swift programs, consider Sailing & Fishing Adventure, Shooting Sports & STEM and Wilderness Survival, Climbing, Search & Rescue.
Eagle Trail Camp: This camp helps Scouts prepare to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. Scouts can sign up individually or as a troop.

STEM Comes To Cub Scout Summer Camps
Your Cub Scouts and Webelos can take part in a variety of outdoor experiences throughout the summer. This year, some camps will focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). Other opportunities include the following:

Cub Scout Day Camp is a day camp experience for Cubs and Webelos to attend with their den. Camps are located throughout the council. Scouts can also enjoy a week at Grizzly Day Camp at Beaumont Scout Reservation's Cub World. Two weeks are available.

Dad & Lad and  Mom & Me are overnight camps. Contact your Cubmaster or den leader to see when your unit is going.

Webelos can enjoy a mini-camp or weeklong experience. Contact your Cubmaster or den leader to see when your unit is going.


Is Your Training Up To Date? 
Training is mandatory for all leaders, and it's important to keep your skills up to date.
National Youth Leadership Training
 is a week-long training course that provides youth leaders with an opportunity to enhance their leadership skills while living by the Scout Oath and Law in an exciting outdoor environment. Scouts who earn the NYLT shield are prepared to meet the challenges ahead and are better prepared to work with adult leaders. Read more...
Download a Boy Scout NYLT Participant Application (PDF)
Download a Venturer NYLT Participant Application (PDF)


Are You All Set For The Jamboree?
The National Jamboree opens on July 15 at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia and runs through July 24. The Boy Scouts of America designed and built this high adventure base to offer whitewater, climbing, zip lines, mountain biking and more. Troop equipment and tents are provided. Take an aerial tour of the Summit.

More than 100 youth members are registered and a few spots remain.
Register for the National Jamboree

Already registered? Make online payments

Leader Tip 

Air Ball   

Parent Tip

Quick Clicks
Invitations: Scouts are invited to visit attractions or take part in various programs throughout our community. Many organizations offer Scouts free or reduced-cost programs.
Opportunities to Serve: Nonprofit and charitable organizations welcome collaboration on service projects with units.