Pacific Skyline Council, Boy Scouts of America 
Like Us on Facebook icon Newsletter - Week of November 17, 2014   
News  

null NY Times Book Review on BSA's "Handbook For Boys" From 1940's - Nov 2014 
"A Manual for Life" -- NY Times Sunday Book Review critic, Edward O. Wilson, a Harvard University research professor emeritus and author of "The Meaning of Human Existence" reviews the Handbook for Boys and writes, "If asked to decide who would be both successful in life and exceptionally useful to society, the graduating senior of an elite New England prep school or an Eagle Scout in Kansas, I'd vote for the  Eagle Scout." (Scouting Note: 80% of the Scouting program is learned by the time a boy earns his First Class Rank.) Click here to read the article.


null Join BSA's National Alumni Association 
The Scouting Alumni Association welcomes everyone positively and personally impacted by the Boy Scouts of America-former Scouts, family members of Scouts past and present, volunteers past and present, and the millions of Americans who benefit from Scouting in their communities every day-to join today. Sign up for the FREE Hiker Level to receive the quarterly electronic newsletter - Alumni Alive. Signing up for the $35 Pathfinder Level
includes an Association card, window cling, luggage tag, lapel pin, quarterly electronic newsletter - Alumni Alive, and discounts from major retailers for one full year, and more! $15 of the Pathfinder Level membership fee goes back to Pacific Skyline Council. Click here for more details and to sign up.

null Support Our Scoutreach Program by Picking Up a Holiday Treat! - Dec 13-14 
Our Scoutreach program's young men will be selling popcorn at our warehouse on Sat-Sun, Dec 13-14, 10am-3pm both days. Please come support them by picking up a tasty treat! 1284 Laurel St., San Carlos.



null Eat at BJ's Restaurant to Help Rebuild Boulder Creek Amphitheater - Dec 2 
Funds are being raised to rebuild the amphitheater at Boulder Creek Scout Reservation, one of our three camps. You can help in a delicious way by dining at BJ's Restaurant in San Mateo on Tue, Dec 2, 11am-midnight. You must bring this flyer for us to receive the 15% donation. Email one to a friend or neighbor!


 

Fleur de lis 32 px Eagle Scout Project of the Year Applications Now Being Accepted - deadline Jan 20 

Applications are now being accepted for the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Project of the Year. The award recognizes the top Eagle Scout leadership service project in the country, based on council and regional-level winners. Past Pacific Skyline Council Adams Award recipients have included Samuel A. Moore, who built an outdoor kitchen for a school in Africa; Joseph Farned III, who devised a sailing program for underprivileged youth that involved his troop, sailing club and Big Brothers/Big Sisters; and Christian Bourgeois, who designed and built submersible wheelchairs for Abilities United. Projects should be innovative and distinctive in nature and show exceptional service to a religious institution, a school, community, or other entity. Each year, local councils select a council-level winner, and from that pool, each region selects a region-level winner. A national winner is then selected from the four regional finalists. The project may be nominated by the Scout, his parents or another Scouting volunteer. Deadline for consideration by Pacific Skyline Council is Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015. Information and the application form can be downloaded here. Candidates also will be asked to turn in their project workbooks with their application to either Pacific Skyline Council service center.

 
null Help Wanted sign Please Help with Youth Protection in Pacific Skyline Council
We all know that youth protection is a central part of all Scouting programs, and BSA is recognized as a national leader amongst youth-serving organizations. Not satisfied to stand still, both the National and Pacific Skyline Councils have renewed efforts to formally improve our youth protection programs, and created Youth Protection Committees at all levels of Scouting. Our Council is currently seeking a qualified individual to lead our focus on this vital program, and chair our newly formed Youth Protection Committee. That committee is an Executive Board level committee, with several current board members and volunteers already joining its ranks. The Committee's chair will be a key volunteer, who will steer the group and Council's efforts, working closely with the Council Risk Management and Training Committees, as well as Council Staff. The person selected for this role will also serve as the PacSky Youth Protection Champion and work with their counterparts at the Area, Region, and National levels of BSA on this important effort. We are ideally seeking a volunteer who is youth protection oriented, preferably with expertise in the social services, law enforcement, criminal or civil justice fields, and who is comfortable taking on this high impact and visibility role with our Executive Board and all across our Council. If you are interested, please contact Chris Moropoulos, a committee member and chair of the Council's Risk Management Committee, at [email protected] for more information.

null Mandatory Online Reporting of Advancement Coming - Jan 1, 2015 
Starting January 1, 2015, all rank advancements and awards (such as merit badges) must be entered through BSA's online internet advancement in order to purchase the recognition items at either Scout Shop. This process allows for more accurate record keeping for each Scout and a unit will know if a Scout is not registered. Training in the use of the online reporting can be provided by contacting Elizabeth Thompson [email protected] or Pam Fosnes [email protected]; in addition, a class has been scheduled for January 10 at the University of Scouting - Back to Basics (info to come). Step-by-step instructions are also available in both the Palo Alto and the Foster City Scout Shops and on the council website here .

null Part-Time Sales Associate Position Available
The Peninsula Scout Shop (Foster City) has an outstanding opportunity for a motivated, experienced Sales Associate in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment. Job Overview: Contribute to the successful daily operation of the Peninsula Scout Shop by transacting sales, accurate and on-time ADI records, receiving orders, stocking shelves, and maintain a clean customer friendly environment. Job Description: Provides excellent customer service in the store and on the phone, Processes customer orders through the POS system, maintains a stocked, organized, and clean store, opens and closes the store as directed by management using the prescribed policies and procedures, safeguards BSA monies and merchandise. Qualifications/ Experience: Prefer retail experience, knowledge of Scouting program, good communication skills. To Apply: Qualified applicants should apply in person at the Peninsula Scout Shop 1150 Chess Drive Foster City, CA. Please contact Irving Willis, Store Manager, with questions: (650) 358-0588 

  

null  Scouting For Food 2014 
   
                               Troop 327, Redwood City                                          Pack 65, San Carlos 
Training 

Fleur de lis 32 px Muzzle Loading Rifle Instructor Course - Dec 5-7
This course is for training Muzzle Loading Rifle instructors and requires a minimum of 1 year shooting experience with a muzzle loading rifle to be eligible to take this class. This course gives the students the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to become a muzzle loading rifle instructor who can teach the basic muzzle loading rifle shooting program. Course description. Register here.

 

Fleur de lis 32 px Introduction to Snow Camping and Winter Safety - Starts Jan 31
Conduct fun and safe snow trips for your Troop! Learn about Appropriate Clothing & Equipment, Cooking techniques, Weather considerations, Shelter construction and much more! Bring back to your Troop the experience of both "hands on" winter outdoor training and a weekend camping in the snow! Click here for more info and to register.

Fleur de lis 32 px National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) - June 13-19, 2015
An exciting, action-packed program provides youth with leadership skills and experience they can use in their troops and in other situations. Key concepts focus on what a leader must BE, what he must KNOW, and what he must DO, and are taught with a clear focus on HOW TO. The skills come alive during the week as the patrol goes on a Quest for the Meaning of Leadership. Click here for more info and to register.


MONTHLY TRAINING

Fleur de lis 32 px Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - monthly
Stanford District - Second Tuesday of each month - 7:30pm - Palo Alto
Redwood District - Second Thursday of each month - 7:30pm - Redwood City
Discovery District - held on an "as-needed basis" in a group setting, usually at Roundtable.
Click here for further details.

Cub logo 32 px Fleur de lis 32 px District Roundtables - first Thursday of every month
Do you want to know more about what's going on and where to go for information? Go to your monthly District Roundtable for Cub Scout Leaders or Boy Scout Leaders! These are open to all leaders and interested adults. Here you will find all the information about upcoming events and program, and there is usually a short training topic and lively discussion with your peers from other Packs and Troops. Click here for locations (then scroll down).


OTHER TRAINING
(Not run by our council) 

 

nullPhilmont Training Center - Cimarron, NM 

The Philmont Training Center (PTC) is the only national volunteer training center for the Boy Scouts of America. Since 1950, PTC has provided a unique environment for training volunteer and professional leaders, and a fun family program for every member of the family. Each year, more than 6,000 Scouters and family members attend PTC. Each conference features the latest tools and techniques, audiovisuals, discussions, idea sharing, and activities led by a faculty of experienced Scouters. All registered Scouters are invited to attend training center courses; council approval is no longer required. Click here for more info. 


Looking for more training courses?
Check with our neighboring councils Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council (previously the Santa Clara County Council) and San Francisco Bay Area Council 
Activities
 
Fleur de lis 32 px Klondike - building shelter Klondike Derby Winter Camping and Competition! - Jan 24-25 
This Winter-themed Camp-O-Ree is COOL, man! Join your fellow Scouts for a fun weekend in and on the snow! Featured events include - Sled Race, Jumbo Ski, Snowshoe Relay, Spear Throw, Fire Building, Snowball Toss, Ice Rescue, and Moon Ball. The Klondike Derby will be held snow or no snow.

Fleur de lis 32 px 1-Day Aviation or Weather Merit Badge Programs at Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos - various dates
Boy Scouts can complete their requirements for the Aviation or Weather Merit Badge through special 1-day programs at Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos. This is not a council event, it is run by the Hiller Museum. Click here  and scroll down for more info. 


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Looking for more? These are links to our website, www.pacsky.org:  

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Pacific Skyline Council, Boy Scouts of America
Foster City Service Center - 1150 Chess Drive, Foster City, CA 94404 - (650) 341.5633
Palo Alto Service Center - 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301 - (650) 327.5900