In This Issue

Greater St. Louis Area Council
-  Boone Trails District
-  Cherokee District
-  Egyptian District
-  Grand Towers District
-  Gravois Trail District
-  Kaskaskia District
-  New Horizons District
-  North Star District
-  Osage District
-  Ozark Trailblazers District
-  Pathfinder District
-  River Trails District
-  Shawnee District
-  Sioux District
-  Thunderbird District

Get the quarterly Duffle Bag magazine delivered to your mailbox for only $6 a year. Click here to subscribe

       

The Spirit Within covers the Greater St. Louis Area Council's history from 1976 to 2012 with more than 400 photos and a DVD. Order your copy here.

January 12, 2015

It's a new year and a new look for the Digital Duffle Bag!

2015 is going to be full of fun and excitement. University of Scouting offers more than 100 classes for adult and youth leaders, and Cub Scouting will change to an adventure-driven program. Early discounts make summer camp more affordable than ever.

Be sure to Scout It Out!

Does your troop struggle to keep older youth involved in the program? Do you need ideas on what activities to do with your Cub Scouts after they have earned their rank advancements? Would you like to learn more about BSA High Adventure opportunities but are not sure where to start?

All of these questions and many more can be answered at University of Scouting on Jan. 24. Click here to review the class listing and register. Deadline for early registration at $25 is Jan.22. Register now to secure your classes and save money!

A fun and exciting new Cub Scouting program launches June 1, 2015.  Are you ready? To learn about the coming changes, how to prepare, and when resources will be available, join Cub Scouters from around the country on a webcast Jan. 17. Multiple webcast times are available. Click here for details and login instructions.

The Silver Beaver Award is the highest recognition bestowed upon an adult volunteer by a Boy Scout council. Is there someone in your unit worthy of such an honor? Nominations are due Jan. 31, 2015. Read more or click here for a nomination form.

Every summer, thousands of Scouts from all over the region participate in the biggest event of their Scout year -- summer camp. All four of GSLAC's camp properties come alive with Scouting fun, adventure, and advancement opportunities. Summer camp is where Scouts gather once a year to make lifelong friends and memories while experiencing the great outdoors and developing valuable lasting skills. Sign up today and take advantage of early registration discounts.

GSLAC is once again teaming up with Microsoft to offer a variety of STEM-related advancement workshops. Cub Scouts can choose between Computers, Photography, and Video Games belt loops while Boy Scouts can attend merit badge skill centers for Game Design, Digital Technology, Photography, and Moviemaking. Click here to register.

Scouts, Venturers, and Explorers can reduce their out-of-pocket expense for summer camp through the Camp Card program. Scouts earn 50 percent commission ($2.50) for each $5 Camp Card sold between Feb. 1 and March 31. Camp Cards offer discounts at several local retailers. See the list of vendors.

Units can order cards online. Not sure how many to order? Order 20 cards for every youth participating, or 20 percent more than the unit sold last year.

	ANNIVERSARY MONTH -- February is Scouting's anniversary month. To help celebrate, many of Scouting's faith-based programs hold special services. The Jewish Scouting Committee holds Scout Sabbath on Friday, Feb. 6, at Congregation Shaare Emeth. The Catholic Scouting Committee scheduled Scout Sunday celebration for Sunday, Feb. 1, at the Cathedral Basilica.
	PROTESTANT RELIGIOUS AWARD RECOGNITION DAY -- If you have earned a Protestant Religious Award since January 2013, the council wants to recognize your achievement at Beaumont Emerson Center on Feb. 14, 2015. Read more...
	CAMPERSHIPS -- Lack of funds should not keep a Scout from going to camp. Camperships provide assistance. Download an application here.
	MERIT BADGE SKILL CENTERS -- Upcoming merit badge skill centers include American Labor, Chess, Citizenship in the World, Dog Care, Horsemanship, Law, Pets, Railroading, and Stamp Collecting.
	YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING -- All registered adults in the Boy Scouts of America are required to complete Youth Protection Training every two years. There are three ways to take YPT: (1) Online -- be sure to put your membership ID number in your profile. (2) Check out a Youth Protection Training kit from the MacArthur Service Center. (3) Contact your district executive to arrange a way to complete Youth Protection Training and report your completion. Read more...