Digital Duffle Bag



June 17, 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-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-Friday,
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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

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

Thousands of Scouts are enjoying a summer of fun and adventure. They are growing in character, confidence, and values because a dedicated leader helped make the Scouting program come alive at camp or during other activities.
     The fun you and your Scouts are having this summer is a result of last year's program planning. Successful units take time during summer to keep the cycle of quality Scouting programs going in the unit, district, and council.
     The council's Program Guide provides a wide range of information to help your unit assemble a great calendar of activities.
     All volunteers who receive or subscribe to the Duffle Bag newspaper received the new 2013-14 Program Guide earlier this month. Copies are available at the meeting and at all council service centers. Providing a calendar to prospective members and their parents makes a great first impression during School Night to Join Scouting in the fall.
     Keep your Program Guide handy. It's a great reference and planning tool all year long.

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


Cub Day Camps Are Blasting Off!
Day camps are going strong, after having completed the first week. Every Cub Scout wants to go to camp, and there are still openings in some day camps that continue through early August.
     Cubs will find plenty of activities at camp, including archery, BB guns, crafts, games, nature, paintball slingshots, and sports. There are even special activities designed just for Webelos.
     In addition to the 40+ day camps, STEM* camps round out the offerings this summer for Cub Scouts and Webelos. Science and engineering dominate the July 29-Aug. 1 STEM Camp at Cub World, with each evening hosted by a STEM-based corporation. Other STEM camps are North Star July, Egyptian July, and Egyptian August.

Check out other camping opportunities for Cubs and Webelos: Dad & Lad  and Mom & Me | Webelos weeklong or Mini-Camp

* STEM = science, technology, engineering, mathematics


It's A Jungle At Grizzly Camp!
An exciting time awaits Cub Scouts and Webelos ages 7-10 at Grizzly Adventure Camp at Beaumont Scout Reservation. Spaces are still available for both weeks, July 8-12 or July 15-19.
 
Read more...  |  Download a Grizzly Camp Registration Form. 


Try Something New At Specialty Camp
 With traditional camp, you think of swimming, fishing, canoeing, hiking, shooting sports, and crafts. Specialty camps offer much more...
 
Catholic Adventure Week. Boy Scouts grow in their faith during a week at Swift Base, July 14-20. Activities include high adventure, and merit badge time as well as opportunities for prayer, religious instruction, and reflection.

Eagle Trail Camp. New! Allows Scouts to work toward their Eagle rank in an outdoor setting at Camp Gamble, S bar F Scout Ranch, July 21-27.

Horse Camp. Seven days of adventure July 28-Aug. 3 for Boy Scouts and Venturers at Nagel Base, Beaumont Scout Reservation, include horseback riding (of course), swimming, skeet shooting, and rappelling.

STEM camps. Boy Scouts and Venturers do hands-on activities as well as STEM*-based merit badges, compete for NOVA awards, and view demonstrations.
  • STEM & Shooting Sports for Venturers: June 23-29 at Swift Base, S bar F Scout Ranch
  • STEM Week for Boy Scouts is July 28-Aug. 3 at Camp May, Beaumont Scout Reservation
Check out all the summer camp offerings at All About Summer Camp...


Scouts, Venturers: Develop
Leadership Skills At Camp

NYLTNational Youth Leadership Training for age 12 and older takes place during a week of summer camp and helps Boy Scouts and Venturers develop communication, teamwork, planning, and organizational skills. Four courses remain this summer, including a week of Pack & Paddle for Boy Scouts and Venturers age 14 and older. Read more...


Preparing For Camp...
EQUIPMENT LISTS:
Boy Scout Camp, Camp Lewallen | Boy Scout Camp, S bar F Scout Ranch | Swift Base, S bar F Scout Ranch | Webelos Camp, Camp May | Webelos Mini-Camp, Camp May | Webelos Mini-Camp, Camp Lewallen | Webelos Mini-Camp, Pine Ridge Scout Camp | Webelos Mini-Camp, Swift Base

MAPS:
maps TO... S bar F Scout Ranch & Camp Lewallen | Beaumont Scout Reservation | Pine Ridge Scout Camp
maps OF... Camp Famous Eagle, S bar F Scout Ranch | Camp Gamble, S bar F Scout Ranch | Camp Sakima, S bar F Scout Ranch | Swift Base, S bar F Scout Ranch | Camp Lewallen | Camp May, Beaumont Scout Reservation | Cub World, Beaumont Scout Reservation | Pine Ridge Scout Camp

MANUALS:
S bar F Scout Ranch, Boy Scouts | Camp Lewallen, Boy Scouts | Camp May, Webelos | Camp May, Webelos Mini-Camp | Camp Lewallen, Webelos Mini-Camp | Pine Ridge Scout Camp, Webelos Mini-Camp | Swift Base, Webelos Mini-Camp | Swift Base, Venturing

MEDICAL FORMS:
Every Scout and leader who attends a long-term camp must have the required forms completed. Read more...
Medical Form Parts A & B (campers spending fewer than 72 hours at camp)
Medical Form Parts A & B & C (physical required)


National Jamboree Is Weeks Away
The council contingent is making final preparations to attend the 2013 National Jamboree, which opens on July 15 at Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia and runs through July 24.
     To mark the event, special emblems have been designed for participants and staff to wear. The public can buy these emblems too, with proceeds benefiting the Burgheim Campership Fund to support Scouts and Venturers to attend future camporees. To order, click here.

Spots are still available for Venturers.     Register here...
Already registered? Make online payments.


Leader Tip 

Hot Day Sponge Relay           
Equipment: Two large buckets, two small buckets, sponges, water
     Players form two lines. At the head of each line is a large bucket filled with water and sponges. About 20 feet beyond is a small bucket, empty. On signal, the first person in line uses a sponge to collect as much water as possible from the large bucket and transfer it to the small bucket. After taking water to the small bucket, the first person returns to the end of the line; then the next player brings a sponge of water. After every player has had a turn, measure the water in the two small buckets. Whichever team has the most water wins.
Source: Cub Scout Program Helps, August 2010  

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.