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Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner
The Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner is the Council's premier event honoring Eagle Scouts. This year's class is named in honor of long time Scouter, Ron Fuller. Our speaker for the event is John Judge, Eagle Scout and President and CEO of the Appalachian Mountain Club. The dinner on February 1, 2013 is being held at the Wyndham Andover Hotel and honors Scouts who earned their Eagle rank in the 2012 centennial year of the Eagle Scout.
Invitations have been mailed out to this year's Eagle Scouts and their leaders, but all are welcome to attend. To register for this event, please visit the Event Page on the Council calendar.
The Eagle Scouts are guests of the Council for this event, and we are looking for sponsors for each Eagle Scout. If you would like to sponsor an Eagle Scout or become a Centennial Eagle Supporter, please visit our website to sign up.
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Scouts To Observe Scout Sunday & Scout Sabbath
The Scouting movement is unique among non-faith-based youth groups in that it recognizes and expects a belief and duty to a higher power of its members. It's part of rank achievements in Cub Scouts, one of the points of the Boy Scout Law, and the first obligation in the Scout Oath and Venturing Oath.
Each year, during Scouting's anniversary week, we have an opportunity to join with our religious organizations and sponsors in observing Scout Sunday and Scout Sabbath. Scout Sunday falls on the Sunday of the week containing the BSA's anniversary, February 8, while Scout Sabbath is the following Saturday. In 2013, Scout Sunday is February 3 and Scout Sabbath is February 9.
Make plans to observe Scout Sunday or Scout Sabbath with your religious organization sponsor, or encourage your members to do so in their own congregations. |
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WANTED:
SuperNOVA Mentors and NOVA Counselors
With the introduction of the new Nova and Supernova awards comes a fresh opportunity for volunteer positions. A Nova counselor can be any registered adult age 21 or older. Supernova mentors must be 21 or older and are subject matter experts in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) field and be registered under the new Supernova Mentor position. This is a non-unit position and requires no fee. In addition to the BSA Adult Registration form, mentors must complete the Supernova Awards Mentor Information application.
All Nova counselors and Supernova mentors must have current BSA Youth Protection training and certification appropriate for the programs being administered (Cub and Boy Scouts Y01, Venturing Y02).
This training can be taken online by visiting MyScouting.org and creating an account. Your Person ID can be included in your account later.
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Updated Health and Medical Record
An updated Annual Health and Medical Record was made available to Scouts and Scouters everywhere Sept. 3. Its use is mandated by January 1, 2014.
The 2012 AHMR revision included several noticeable changes. In an effort to support the BSA's All Markets Strategy, we have developed a bilingual format. As you know, accurate medical information is vital to keeping Scouts safe and healthy at all Scouting events. This new format will make it easier for councils and volunteers to have a completed AHMR-as required for all participants.
One other feature is a scanner-friendly Part C, a pre-participation physical that will facilitate electronically capturing key data for faster intake at large events and camps.
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NEW Unit And District Tool
As part of the transition to the new National Membership database, unit and district leadership will be pleased to hear that Phase I of the Unit and District Tools system has been released. Unit Tools will eventually give qualified unit leaders and their designees the opportunity to perform a variety of functions from a single launching point, plus send announcements to their members, populate a calendar, review their membership rosters, and update members' contact information.
The address to access Unit Tools is
(note the extra period between "my" and "scouting"). If you have a current MyScouting account, your username and password for this new site is the same as your MyScouting account. Not to worry though, the old
will continue to be accessible until the new membership system is completely built.
Unit Tools will be released in multiple phases. Phase I has been released and is available for use, while Phase II will include more detailed, position-oriented items. Keep checking my.scouting.org for new features!
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Information For Scout Leaders is produced by the Yankee Clipper Council Marketing and Communication Group working with the staff of the Yankee Clipper Council, BSA. Most photographs are of programs and people of the Council. Graphic design and photo archiving by TKF/FStar Productions.
Comments and submissions can be sent to Info@yccbsa.org.
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From The Council President
Take A Moment
 2012 was a challenging year for many of us as individuals, within our families, our nation and our world. While we cannot directly impact much on a national or world-wide basis, we can create change within ourselves and our communities. Each of us in Scouting has had the opportunity to positively influence one or more youth. We have all seen and appreciated the results of Scouting's impact on young people, in a Pack meeting, a Troop overnight or a Crew work project. Personally I saw many positive examples of what we can accomplish through Scouting this past summer at Lone Tree and Wah-Tut-Ca Scout Reservations. Volunteers and staff helping Scouts to learn and grow, Scouts assisting other Scouts to accomplish a task and volunteers and staff working together to make the camping experience a life-changing event. As we pass from one year to the next I think it is very important to take a moment to reflect on all the positives that we have witnessed and experienced in 2012 and to think about how we can personally, and as part of the Scouting community, increase them for 2013. While there is no question we have faced challenges, our overall results in our most important goal, serving our youth, have been outstanding. Your Council leadership is committed, with your help and active involvement, to continuing to make Yankee Clipper Council an exceptional organization. Two areas that we are focusing on as we plan for success in 2013 is increasing the number of youth who participate in and benefit from our programs and improving our financial position to be able to expand our impact in our communities. Together we can continue to build a strong organization that fulfills the Main Thing every day. Thank you for all that you do for Scouting and the youth we serve! Michael Jewell President Yankee Clipper Council BSA |
 Consider Yankee Clipper Council Camps!
We Know You Have Choices... 
As a Scout Leader, we can be sure that you value the programs of the Boy Scouts of America. Some of our best programs happen during the summer months. Getting children and young adults outside and active in meaningful activities has been the bedrock of the BSA for over 100 years. For a Cub Scout, Boy Scout or Venturer, the annual highlight of that experience is often the summer camp. Creating the fun and adventure of a Scout summer camp is what the Yankee Clipper Council does best.
We know you have choices and we want you to consider the outstanding and affordable summer programs offered to Cub Scouts, Webelos, and Boy Scouts offered by the Yankee Clipper Council. The council provides meaningful programs for you to choose. From multiple Day Camp options, Resident Camp, and weekend camping for Cub Scout age youth and their families to Resident Camp, Extreme Camp, and High adventure for Boy Scouts and young adults.
Look for our Summer Camp Program Launch announcement on January 14th, 2013! Be Prepared to register your Scouts!
CLICK ON TOMMY TURTLE
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT
YANKEE CLIPPER COUNCIL CAMPS
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The Glen A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award
 The National Eagle Scout Association has established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award to recognize valuable service of an exceptional nature by a Scout to a religious institution, a school, community, or other entity. The award recognizes the Scout for his Eagle Scout leadership service project, which is part of the requirements for earning the Eagle Scout award. Each local council chooses a council-level winner, and from that pool, each region will pick a region-level winner. A national winner will then be selected from the four regional finalists.
Council Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award: On or before January 31 of each year, an Eagle Scout, his parents, or any registered BSA Volunteer (with the Eagle Scout's permission) may submit the Eagle Scout's leadership service project for consideration. The Scout must have passed his Eagle board of review in the prior calendar year (January 1 to December 31). The council NESA committee will choose one winner from the nominations received, who will receive a certificate and a bronze device for the Eagle Scout square knot. In addition, the winner's name will be added to a perpetual plaque located in the council service center or other prominent local council facility.
Please submit a completed nomination form signed by the Eagle Scout.
Send this filled out form plus a hard copy of the Scout's Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, and supporting documentation to the Haverhill Scout Service Center to the attention of Sam Plouffe.
All nominations must be received by January 31, 2013. The Council award recipient will be selected by the end of February, and the award will be presented at the Council Recognition Banquet in June. |
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Scouting for Food
 The Yankee Clipper Council's Scouting for Food program in the past has made an impact in fighting hunger in the communities our units are a part of. This year the Yankee Clipper Council is encouraging all of its units to participate in this fun and important event.
At the February and March Roundtables there will be Scouting for Food door tags available to take back to your unit. They can also be picked up at any time at the Yankee Clipper Council Service Center. The week of February 8th is the Boy Scouts of America's anniversary week. By doing Scouting for Food during this time what a great way to bring good will and service to the communities that do so much for us.
 Running a Scouting for Food drive is easy! First put out the door tags on all the door handles in a neighborhood. On the door tag mark when you will be coming to pick up the food and then pick up and deliver the food to a local food pantry. This is a great opportunity to have your Scouts participate in a meaningful community service project.
Yankee Clipper Council is currently working with other Area 1 councils to put together a large eastern Massachusetts Scouting for Food drive. This idea is still in the developmental stages, but could include a large advertising campaign to encourage people to donate food as well as inform communities about the positive impact Scouting has on today's youth. More information to come.
If you do a Scouting for Food drive please log the service hours on www.myscouting.org. If you have any questions on how to log onto this system or how to use it please get in contact with your District Executive. For any questions regarding Scouting for Food please contact Sam Plouffe at splouffe@bsamail.org or (978)-478-5082. |
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Cooking Merit Badge to Become Eagle-Required
 Effective Jan. 1, 2014, the Cooking merit badge will be required to obtain the Eagle Scout rank. Here are some details. What about Scouts who started working toward Eagle before 2014? Regardless of when a Scout earned the Life rank or began working toward Eagle, unless he fulfills all the requirements before Jan. 1, 2014-with the exception of his board of review-he must earn the Cooking merit badge to become an Eagle Scout. Will the Cooking merit badge requirements change? Yes. During 2013 the Cooking merit badge will undergo a major revision. The process for implementing changes to merit badge requirements is covered in the Guide to Advancement, topic 7.0.4.2, "What to Do When Requirements Change." The changes to Cooking will first appear in a revised merit badge pamphlet to be released sometime in 2013. Once the revised requirements are released, which version will count?  The new requirements become effective Jan. 1, 2014, with the release of the 2014 Boy Scout Requirements, No. 34765. The Guide to Advancement then allows the following options for the period of time between the release of the revised pamphlet and the Jan. 1, 2014 effective date: - If Scouts have already started on the merit badge, they may switch to the new requirements (using the new merit badge pamphlet) or continue with the existing ones (and using the existing pamphlet) until the badge is completed.
- Scouts who have not already started on the merit badge may opt to use the new requirements and the new pamphlet.
- Scouts who begin work on the merit badge before Jan. 1, 2014, may use the existing requirements and pamphlet until the badge is completed.
- Under the same topic, the Guide to Advancement goes on to say, "There is no time limit between starting and completing a badge, although a counselor may determine so much time has passed since any effort took place that the new requirements must be used." This will apply to Scouts working on the Cooking merit badge as well.
Let's say a Scout has already earned Cooking. Will he have to re-earn it with the revised requirements to obtain the Eagle rank? No. Scouts who complete the requirements for the Eagle Scout rank after Jan. 1, 2014, must earn the Cooking merit badge under either the existing requirements or the requirements as revised during 2013. Scouts are not required to earn the badge under the new requirements in order to qualify for Eagle. |
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New Sustainability Merit Badge an Eagle Option
 Upon its release set for summer 2013, the Sustainability merit badge becomes an Eagle-required merit badge as an option to Environmental Science. This means once the Sustainability merit badge and pamphlet become available in 2013, Scouts may choose to earn the Sustainability merit badge in place of the currently required Environmental Science merit badge. Here are some additional facts.
If a Scout earns both the Sustainability and the Environmental Science merit badges, do both count toward Eagle?
Scouts who have already earned Environmental Science may also earn Sustainability, but only one of the two merit badges would count as "Eagle-required." The second badge may be counted among his electives to reach the total of 21 required merit badges.
Can you give me a general description of what the Sustainability merit badge will cover?
The Sustainability merit badge, in essence, takes conservation and environmental science to another level. The protection, preservation, and management of wildlife and natural resources involved in conservation provide a foundation for what we call environmental science. It integrates physical and biological sciences such as ecology, biology, soil science, atmospheric science, and others in order to generate solutions to environmental issues. Sustainability takes it a step further by emphasizing responsibility for balancing long-term environmental, social, health, and economic needs with progress and development. It further suggests that development, while meeting the needs of the present, cannot compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
 What subject areas will Scouts be studying?
- Ecology
- Air, water, and land pollution
- Endangered species
- Pollution prevention, resource recovery, and conservation
- Ecosystem-living and nonliving
- Environmental impact
What are the requirements for Sustainability?
The requirements for Sustainability have not yet been finalized, but initial discussions include the following topics:
- What is sustainability?
- Examining our current needs and our choices in meeting them, with attention to extraction, production, distribution, consumption, and disposal
- Impact on our natural resources
- Problems we must address, including plastic, electronic, and medical waste; species extinction; and climate change
- New habits to adopt, including green chemistry, recycling, zero waste, and sustainability conscious citizenship
- Careers related to sustainability.
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Powered By Popcorn
 This past fall, 102 Packs and Troops participated in the annual popcorn sale and earned a total commission for their programs of $193,475. The YCC $300 Club had 353 entries, and our Grand Prize Winners of a $500 Best Buy Card were: - Jared F. of Pack 19, Middleton
- Ayden D. of Pack 15, Rowley
- Charlie N. of Pack 95, Westford
Our Online Sales drawing winner was John F. of Pack 41, Boxford who will receive two tickets to an upcoming Celtics game.
Our Top Selling Unit sold $27,981. We know what you are thinking; this had to have been a Cub Scout Pack with some 60-80 boys all selling. Well, you would be wrong: Our top selling unit this year is a 24 member Boy Scout Troop!
 | | Troop 7, Lowell MA |
CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL DONE TO THE BOY SCOUTS, LEADERS AND PARENTS OF TROOP 7 LOWELL!
Top selling units by district:
- Great Eastern, Pack 35 Hamilton.
- Northern Light, Pack 15 Rowley
- West Wind, Troop 7 Lowell
Special congratulations and thanks go out to all the boys, parents, leaders and popcorn kernels of our selling units: you make the difference!
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