Pacific Skyline Council, Boy Scouts of America 
Like Us on Facebook icon Newsletter - Week of December 29, 2014   
Holiday CLOSED Dates 

(Chart updated 12/15/14, change to Palo Alto Shop New Year dates)  
News  

Cub logo 32 px Cub Scout logo New Cub Scouting Program Launching June 2015 - Webcasts Jan 17 
A new Cub Scouting program is launching June 1, 2015. To ensure you are ready for the transition, a number of webcasts will be held on January 17. To participate, click on  http://www.livestream.com/bsanationalcouncil
For Cubmasters - Sat, Jan 17, 8am CST - or -  Sat, Jan 17, 3pm CST
Den Leader Webcasts - Sat, Jan 17, 9:30am CST - or - Sat, Jan 17, 4:30pm CST

  

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 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
 

Activities

null University of Scouting (Training Event) - Jan 10 
With a Back-to-Basics theme, we'll be offering the basic leader courses to get you on track to improving your skills and your unit! Classes for Cub leaders, Boy Scout leaders, Venturing leaders, and Boy Scouts who want to be Den Chiefs. Click here for more info. See "Activities" tab to view classes offered.


null Scout Night with the Warriors! Kings vs. Warriors - Jan 23 
The Warriors take on the Kings. All Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts will receive a commemorative Warriors Boy Scouts Patch and will be invited to shoot a post-game free throw on the Warriors court! Tickets are limited so buy now.
Deadline to order is Dec 22, 2014. Click here to order directly from the Warriors.

  
Fleur de lis 32 px 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. Click here for more info.

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. 
Training 

null University of Scouting - Jan 10
With a Back-to-Basics theme, we'll be offering the basic leader courses to get you on track to improving your skills and your unit! Classes for Cub leaders, Boy Scout leaders, Venturing leaders, and Boy Scouts who want to be Den Chiefs. Click here for more info. See "Activities" tab to view classes offered.


Fleur de lis 32 px
Merit Badge Midway, A Few Spots Still Open - Jan 31
Merit Badge Midway, to be held Jan 31, 2015 is a 1-day event for Boy Scouts to earn new Merit Badges and to finish incomplete ones. Click here to register.



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.

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Spring Wood Badge - Begins Mar 28
Wood Badge is the culmination of basic leader training for all adult leaders in Scouting - from Cub Scouting and Boy Scouts, to Varsity and Venturing. The course emphasizes development of personal leadership, team-building, and management skills. There are two parts to Wood Badge training: the Practical and Application phases. In the Practical phase, you will live the patrol method and experience the Scout program from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts to Venturing. Along the way you develop a better understanding of Scouting's youth, camping, and have lots of FUN in the process! In the Application phase, you will put to use the skills learned during the Practical phase by working your "ticket" - a personal plan you develop that should take at least 6 months and no more than 18 months to complete. Throughout the Wood Badge Experience, you are mentored by a staff member. Note: Spring Wood Badge is a non-Sunday course. Fall Wood Badge begins Aug 22, 2015. Information to come (not on website yet).

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 

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

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Fleur de Lis (knock out)
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