Klondike Derby is next week!  It is not too late to register your unit!

 

Hosted by the "Great Doug Fir District" of Douglas County, this Gold Rush themed Scouting event is the premier winter activity in the Oregon Trail Council.

 

NOTE:  Open to all Boy Scout Troops, Varsity Teams, Venturing Crews, and Explorer Posts of the Oregon Trail Council, this event will challenge your Scouts and inspire them to do more in Scouting.

 

Date: January 25-27, 2013

Location: Lemolo Junction Sand Sheds near Diamond Lake where it has been held for the past 30 years.  

Chairman Stu Carlson leading the charge in 2012

 In the event of poor weather conditions beyond the control of event organizers, the Klondike Derby will be held on the following weekend of February 1-3, 2013. 

 

Stations will include fire building, first aid, ravine crossing, bear bag, map and compass, and several other challenges that a Patrol or Scouts could expect to encounter while looking for gold in the Lemolo Lake wilderness. 

 

Changes this year from previous Klondike Derby's will include an inspection to make sure participants are adequately prepared, a .22 range, and a geocaching station!

 

If anyone has any questions regarding the Klondike Derby, please contact Klondike Derby Chair Stu Carlson at 541-677-0521 or riversong@dcwisp.net

 

For more information, to download the leader's guide, or to register online, go to the Klondike Derby, go to the OTC website. 

Last year, over 30 volunteers and Scouts manned booths at the Lane County and Douglas County Sportsman Shows.  Through these efforts, hundreds of families were exposed to Scouting and some Scouts even joined because we were there!

The organizers of the Sportsman Shows and our Friend to Scouting, Guarantee Motors, has made these booths available to us once again!

We need helpers to man the booths for 2 hour blocks while the show is open.  The objective is to tell the Scouting story and collect contact information from families interested in joining.

If your Troop has a Tent, Pop up, camp chairs, indoor campfire, or anything else to make for a good indoor campsite, let Chris know as well.  We would really like a Troop to host the campsite if possible.

We need at least one adult and a couple Scouts per shift.  We will provide certificates of service hours to each helper and a helping hand segment!

College of Commissioner Science

February 23, 2013

8:30 am-4:30 pm

Eugene Friends Church

3495 W. 18th Ave.  Eugene 97402

NO COST (bring your own lunch)

 

Commissioners are district and council leaders who help Scout units succeed. They coach and consult with adult leaders of Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, and Venturing crews.

Commissioners help maintain the standards of the Boy Scouts of America. They also oversee the unit charter renewal plan so that each unit re-registers on time with an optimum number of youth and adult members.

 

The Commissioner College is an opportunity for Commissioners to continue their training with more advanced and in depth courses.  New courses, material and content have been developed.  Commissioners can work towards "degrees" in Commissioner Science.

 

Registration is online at www.otcbsa.org, go to the Council Calendar, find February 23 and click the link to the event.  

 

Questions can be directed to your District Commissioner or District Executive .

Now is the time for Cub Scout Packs to wrap up the

 planning for their Blue and Gold Banquets.  This is where most young men cross over into Boy Scouts.

The Order of the Arrow is standing by ready to schedule your cross over or Arrow of Light ceremony into their calendar.  

Rooted in the traditions of American Indian lore, the OA helps packs put on a great show!  Do not pass up the opportunity to share with your Scouts this great presentation that they surely will not forget.

Contact your local OA chapter today to schedule your ceremony.

NOW is the time for your Scout Troop to sign up for Camp Baker or Melakwa!

Campsites are already filling up, so if you want to get your favorite, you should get in your registration in before the new year!

To reserve your favorite campsite today, simply fill out the Summer Camp Reservation Form today and send it in with your deposit.

Please be sure to make sure that EVERY Scouts gets to Camp in 2013!  Every Scout deserves a Summer Camp Experience.

Questions?  Call Chris at 541-673-5305

Melakwa Camp Fire 2012, Credit Forest Chambers

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
Annual Scouting Recognition Dinner
Saturday, February 2, 2013, 6:00pm
The Chinook Room

The Holiday Inn Express, Springfield
919 Kruse Way, Springfield, 97477

PRINT, CLIP AND MAIL OR FAX TO:
OREGON TRAIL COUNCIL / BSA, 

2525 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Eugene, OR 97401

                                   FAX: 541-484-3080
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COUNCIL DINNER RESERVATION

Name __________________________________________

Phone__________________________________________
Address ________________________________________
City Zip _________________________________________
Visa or MC # _______________________________________

Exp. Date ____________

Reservations _______  @ $26.00 = _______ TOTAL Enclosed $___________

To guarantee your reservation, all payments must be received by 

January 29, 2013.  MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Oregon Trail Council

 

Fellow Scouters,

2012 proved to be a banner year for the Oregon Trail Council.  Scoring over 1700 points on the Council's scorecard for its Journey to Excellence garnered an award of Gold Level.

Growing in membership, retention, funding, commissioners, units, and training the Council volunteers really stepped up our outreach to new families and serving their needs.

With these successes, a few areas that we can work on were illustrated as well.  As we know, each and every Scout deserves a Scout camping experience.  That being said, we are down on the number of Boy Scouts attending camp.  So let's get out there and sign up for camp today!

Also we need each unit to report its hours of service and youth advancements accurately and monthly.

Thank you to each and every volunteer who continues to work each and everyday to deliver the promises that Scouting offers.  You are making a difference in the lives of thousands of young people every day!

Yours in Scouting,

Chris McCullough

Trailsmoke Editor

EagleScout@charter.net