Vol. IV                                                                                                                                                            December 10, 2013

Gwangi Shipp, Staff Advisor                                                                                                                                        Issue 24

Joseph O'Brien, Editor                                                                                                

Summer Camp Program Committee 

Works to Improve Summer Camp Program

Below this article are the ratings we have received for our summer camp program at Camp Boddie for the past two years. We are happy that the last two years are some of the highest ratings the camp has ever received. I have just come home from our first summer camp program committee meeting to plan for 2014. Tonight 12 volunteers and professional staff members worked together to plan the continued improvement of our facilities and program. The committee has about 20 members who meet four times a year and works as subcommittees between meetings to provide training, facility improvements and sweat equity to make our summer camp program stronger than the year before. At the committee's first meeting they examined the goals set last year, studied the comments made by Scouts and leaders on the surveys and used these to start setting goals to achieve for the coming year. Last year the committee recommended hiring a new cook, purchasing a new salad bar, posting more maps in camp and hiring older staff. They greatly improved the aquatic equipment storage and inventoried all equipment, letting us know what needed to be replaced. The committee gave leadership to building a new fence around the rifle range. They worked with the first year camper and outdoor skills program to provide more hands-on instruction. We appreciate the contribution this committee makes to our council's program. The next summer camp program committee meeting, chaired by Phil Hodges, will be held at the Perry Family Scout Service Center on Monday, February 10, 6:30 p.m.

If you are interested in being part of the committee, please contact me by calling 252-686-1952 or ray.franks@scouting.org .

Summer Camp Fee Increases For Some Units

 The summer camp fee increased for 2014 summer camp at Camp Boddie by $10 for in council units or $15 for out of council units... unless you attended Camp Boddie in 2012 or 2013, whether you are an in council or out of council troop. We wanted to reward troops who attend Camp Boddie on a regular rotation. At the Area VII Meeting in Greensboro there was a survey taken of every council. When you include the fact that we charge no program fees for merit badge classes during the day, every camp in North Carolina is still the same or higher than Camp Boddie summer camp except Tuscarora and Cape Fear Councils. We feel that our camp offers many more activities and program opportunities than these two councils. Register now for this year's summer camp season at Camp Boddie.

Thanks To Our Officers

Thanks to those officers who served last year at the council. Many are active in a local Scout unit, district committee and several committees at the council level. Many of our officers attend many additional meetings including Area and National Meetings. Those serving as officers were / are:

                                                           2013                          2014

President                                          Skip Greene             Russell Proctor

Past President                                  Ben Moore               Skip Greene

Commissioner                                  Norm Belmore         Norm Belmore

Administrative Vice President        Spruill Alexander     Chris Taylor

Vice President Property                  Pat Griffin                  Pat Griffin

Vice President Strategic Planning                                    Ben Moore

Vice President Programs                Dr. Bill Walker          Dr. Bill Walker

Vice President Finance                   Russell Proctor         John Leighton

Vice President Marketing                Don Williams            Don Williams

Vice President Membership           David Monroe           Dr. Brenda Tinkham

Vice President at Large                   Dr. Frank Eagles     Dr. Frank Eagles

Vice President at Large                   Paul Chused            Paul Chused

Vice President at Large                   Bubba Rawl              Bubba Rawl

Treasurer                                           John Leighton           Vinson Bowers

Assistant Treasurer                          Richard Maddux       Richard Maddux

Legal Affairs                                      Stuart Stroud             Stuart Stroud

 Yours in Scouting spirit,

H. Ray Franks

Scout Executive

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New Change to Family FOS Rewards Plan for 2014 

Every unit in East Carolina Council will have a Family FOS goal in 2014 and units that surpass that goal will be rewarded for the combined efforts of the families in the unit.

Friends of Scouting is a vital part of our council operation each year.  It makes up over 25% of our annual council budget.  Many of our Friends are companies, community organizations, individuals and grants that may or may not have a past or current connection to Scouting. $110 per Scout has to be raised to support one scout in this council.

Full Article 

Curt Hendrix to Direct PotashCorp ECO Lodge & STEM Programs

Curt Hendrix, Outdoor Educator for River Park North in Greenville, NC has been hired to be the director of PotashCorp ECO Lodge located at East Carolina Scout Reservation in Camp Boddie, located at Blounts Creek, NC.  As director of the PotashCorp ECO Lodge, Hendrix will provide programming to both the Scouting family and the public, related to nature, sustainability, environmental science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Curt Hendrix will be directly involved in school and after school programs, especially the Minority Outreach STEM program launched in November through a press conference attended by 50 people. The Minority Outreach program is designed to reach out to 500 minority and at-risk youth within the next two years.

FULL BIO 

Update on STEM/Multicultural Outreach

Director Gwangi Shipp: "Our focus has been on developing STEM/Scouting units with the Boys & Girls clubs after school program in eastern North Carolina. The Boys & Girls Club in Belvoir was a huge success and we are mirroring that with other clubs. By the end of January we plan to have about 150 youth participating in PITT County. We will also have Scout units developed in Wilson, Lenoir and Washington at the beginning of next year."

End of Season SALE: 60% OFF Remaining Popcorn Inventory

The official popcorn sale for 2013 is over, but we do have some remaining inventory.  As a thank you for your hard work during this year's Popcorn sale we are offering a huge sale on the leftover popcorn inventory.  You can buy any of the popcorn for only 40% of the retail cost, while supplies last, on a first come first serve basis.  A $20 box of the Butter Light would be only $8.

DETAILS

 at "A Time for Science - Nature and Science Learning Center"  

(Address: 949 Contentnea Lane, Grifton NC)

Register early for your choice of day and time slot at the ATFS website

or by phone 252-746-4470 (Leave clear message). Donation $10 per child.

While waiting for Santa, listen to stories and participate in holiday crafts. Then visit with Santa, have a picture taken, enjoy a snack of "reindeer food" and stroll where the deer play.     Santa Flyer                               

Gather your Boy Scouts for a fun filled long weekend (Friday - Monday) 

while earning some of the Merit Badges they missed at Summer Camp. 

 We are looking for great volunteer Merit Badge Counselors as well 

(attend at no cost plus ½ off the registration for 1 youth).  

If interested, please email Jon Garn - jon.garn@scouting.org

First come first served so hurry and sign up today!

Great for Packs, Troops, Crews and Posts!

Why do you want your unit to sell Camp Cards?

RISK FREE! 50% unit commission, Sells Scouting based on Camp, Low Price Point- $5, Older youth don't mind selling, Spring Sale- (even GS cookies are gone!), Logistically Easy and No Inventory Issues, Perceived Value instantly by consumer!

2014 Camp Card Key DATES                Additional Businesses To Be Targeted

40th Anniversary Winterfest, Feb. 7-9, 2014

Northeast Georgia Council will be hosting "Winterfest," the largest Exploring and Venturing event in the nation.  2014 is the 40th anniversary of this great event held at Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

About Winterfest        Leader's Guide       Cover Letter

2014 Trip to Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico

Spots available for the 2014 ECC Philmont Council Contingent ! 

Please come & join the adventure!!!

Dates: June 19th/20th - July 4th, 2014, Round-trip flight from Raleigh, NC

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

Peter Wagner (252) 439-4390   docwagner@embarqmail.com

Also, check out more information on the  ECC Website  

"Scoutmaster Specific Training" will be offered 0900-1600 Saturday, January 25, 2014 at the Havelock campus of Craven Community College. Cost: Free (lunch will be on your own) 

You must register no later than January 14th

 "Introduction To Outdoor Leader Skills" (part 2 of required training)

during Winter Camporee February 21-23, 2014 at Camp Hatcher.

Must register no later than February 15th  Cost: $10 per person

(This is NOT included in your Camporee fee; please send separately)

Flyer / Registration Form 

                                2nd weekend: Saturday to Monday, March 8-10, 2014

Contact Information 

          East Carolina Council

   PO Box 1698  

           Kinston, NC 28503

           252-522-1521