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Vol. VI April 14, 2015
Joseph O'Brien, Editor Issue 8
Gwangi Shipp, Staff Advisor
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| FROM THE CHIEF SCOUT EXECUTIVE |
Scouting Experience Goes Mobile with Acquisition of Scoutbook
 There's no question that we live in a mobile world-and not just us adults. More than 75 percent of U.S. children today have access to a smartphone or tablet. Because mobile platforms represent a significant opportunity for BSA to engage with our members and improve their Scouting experience, I am pleased to announce that we are extending our presence in the digital space with the acquisition of Scoutbook a web application designed for mobile devices. Scoutbook delivers a suite of easy-to-use unit-experience and unit-management tools that are helpful to both Scouts and unit leaders. Scoutbook's current suite of Web-based tools enables units to better communicate, update records, track advancement and manage activities. What's more, it can easily be integrated with our membership system, simplifying the way our members can track their advancement throughout Scouting-when, where, and how they prefer to do it. Created independently by an entrepreneurial parent who is an active member of the Scouting community, Scoutbook was introduced in 2013 and currently has nearly 200,000 users who already are benefiting from its helpful tools. The National Council is working hand in hand with Scoutbook creator and Scouter Shawn Jackson to integrate and enhance its features to make its already-great user experience even better. Visit Scouting Wire for more information, including an FAQ, and additional details about the many ways our investment in Scoutbook will help enhance the Scouting experience for units.
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Council Hires Southern Service Area District Director
 I am happy to announce that effective May 8, 2015, Nicholas Long, III Senior District Executive with the Occoneechee Council, BSA will be the District Director of the Southern Service Area and serving WORD District as their Executive living in Onslow County. Nick is an Eagle Scout, Wood Badge recipient, Vigil Member OA and comes from a Scouting family. His father is presently the Council Commissioner for Occoneechee Council. More importantly, Nick has a strong history of success, raising over $85,000 in Moore County last year and has recruited many volunteers to be active on the District Committee. He is well liked by his district volunteers. Nick was well received by those volunteers who met him during his two days interviewing in East Carolina Council. Welcome to Nick Long, III to our East Carolina Council professional staff. 
Lanouette Accepts Job in Old North State Council
Congratulations to Matthew Lanouette who has been hired as the District Director for a district in Greensboro, NC which is the Old North State Council, effective May 1. Matt has served both Caswell and Blackbeard Districts and been the Advisor to the Order of the Arrow Lodge, Day Camp and Popcorn Sales. Council Hires Chef to Manage Boddie Dining Facility I am pleased to announce that East Carolina Scout Reservation has hired Rachael Leopold, New Bern, NC, as the Head Chef for Camp Boddie and Pamlico Sea Base. Rachael is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, NY. She has extensive experience in a variety of cooking environments, including Canal House Café in Harpers Ferry and Apuwanmis C.C. in Rye, NY. She comes highly recommended by East Carolina University where she serves 150 active college students daily. We are working to take an area at our reservation that needs some improvement and elevate it to a level where we are recognized for our superior product. Please welcome Ms. Leopold as part of East Carolina Council team and our summer camp staff. When you have meeting, team building activities birthday parties or other business, personal or family event functions, think about the facilities and services at East Carolina Scout Reservation. East Carolina Council Scores Gold on Journey to Excellence in March At the end of March East Carolina Council scored 1,625 points compared to 1,100 at the end of March 2014. Of the 15 items that were scored in March the council's score increased on 14 of the items compared to last March. The only area of decrease was in the number of endowment dollars contributed. For the first time in a while our density served and membership growth areas both had increases. Congratulations to our volunteers, staff and professionals for contributing to this growth and continue program improvement. Office Staff Is Appreciated One of the groups that I appreciate the most in East Carolina Council is our office staff. Places you can see their quality work includes orders from the Scout Shop. Unlike the National Scout Shops your orders are mailed to you the same day they are received, unless they are received extremely late in the day. They ship them to you at a cheaper rate than the National Supply Service ships to you. Every time the phone rings, it is answered by a human in three rings. Eagle Scout applications, unit earning applications and tour permits are all handled promptly and efficiently. Advancement, membership and facility use permits are all handled quickly and entered into our systems. Training records, whether submitted on the right form or not are always entered into the unit records. Thank you notes for the Friends of Scouting Campaign are quickly mailed out upon receiving the gift. When the right system and approvals have been followed, checks for bills are usually returned to volunteers in the same week they are received. Our office staff are highly knowledgeable about the Scouting program and are willing to search out answers when they do not know the answers. Thanks to those of you that remember our office staff with gifts of biscuits, doughnuts or just your words of thanks. Below are listed our office staff and some of the daily duties they carry out. Teresa Rose - Office Manager, Scout Shop Customer Orders, meeting notices, tour permits, tour permits, central filing system, office staff, covering the scout shop, cash security systems, phone and computer systems, phone coverage, scout executive and director of field service administrative services, Executive Board Meetings, Executive Board records, Saturday Scout Shop coverage, mailings. Sylvia Ward - Accounting Specialist - accounts payable, payroll, budget planning, United Way budget preparation, employee records, district budget tracking, audit, financial statements, Saturday Scout shop coverage. Judy Phillips - Membership, training and advancement records, Philmont and National Jamboree, Eagle, Scoutmaster Merit and Heroism Awards facility use scheduling, tour permits, Silver Beavers, Insurance, Saturday Scout Shop Coverage Julie Sanderson - FOS Clerk - Friends of Scouting administration, summer camp registration, popcorn record keeping, activity registration, Scout Shop coverage, event registration, Saturday Scout Shop coverage. Rebecca Lane - Scout Shop sales, Scout shop order shipping, inventory, ordering. How Can I Support Our Office Staff Order From The Scout Shop - The Scout Shop is not self-supporting. Order first from your local council Scout Shop. It's faster, cheaper and helps the overall budget. Inventory is ordered based on last year's sales. Ordering locally helps us stock what is needed. Several years ago we had to decrease Saturday hours and weekly staff due to failing Scout Shop Sales. We receive less than 2% of on-line sales from the National Scout Shop and none of the sales from Raleigh, Wilmington or local distributor sales. Participate In Family FOS Campaign - We look at Family FOS totals as a reflection of your desire / need for services from the Scout Service Center / Scout Shop. Show your support of their efforts through participating in your District's Family FOS Campaign.
Yours in Scouting Spirit,
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Save delivery charges !
Order Your new Cub Scout Books before April 28
can pick them up at their May Roundtable meeting.
East Carolina Council
Scout Shop
Hours: Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm
Please check for closings due to a holiday
The Kinston Scout Shop is owned and operated by the
East Carolina Council, Boy Scouts of America
Mailing Address: PO Box 1698, Kinston, NC 28503
Phone: 252-522-1521 (fax) 252-522-9707
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So Where is My Popcorn-Selling Prize...? 
We need to offer a huge apology for the delay in the $600 Prizes.
There was a foul up on our part. We will be doing whatever we can
to regain your loyalty to the Popcorn Sale. Next year an experienced professional will be in charge of our Popcorn Sale.
The good news is... the prizes are in!
Between District Roundtables and Unit visits, we will distribute the prizes to the proper units before this school year ends.
So, be sure to attend your District Roundtable!
Again, our sincere apologies and we look forward to an even better sale in 2015... with help from each of you.
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 Scouter Spotlight:
 Jeff Garner
Jeffrey Thomas Garner, 47, was born in Elm City and raised there to age 10 when the family was moved to Georgia for a short period of time and then on to Tampa, Florida. His father worked for Swift Meats and through mergers and changes, the relocations were necessary. His mother did accounting work and raised Jeff and his sister and two brothers. Jeff was second oldest.
Jeff's formative years in Tampa began with Boy Scouts in what ultimately was a weak Boy Scout troop. He recalled that they only went camping once. It did lead him to later discover as an adult leader in Scouting what was missing that he would provide to Scouting many years later - fun, enthusiastic leaders, and how not to prepare for a camping trip. Full Article
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LAST CHANCE - This Thursday!!
24th Annual East Carolina Council, BSA - Wild Game Feast & Auction
Thursday, April 16, 2015 Doors open at 5PM - Pitt County Fairgrounds
 Tickets are: $50 per person or $400 per table of Eight (8)
Check the sponsor levels (below) and be eligible for select prizes
Previous fare has included: alligator, quail, dove, rabbit, buffalo, deer, elk, bear, crab cakes, catfish, oysters, shrimp, shark, cobia, soft shell crabs, shellfish, and more!!!
An exciting auction and raffle featuring: rifles, shotguns, handguns, golfing, fishing, boating and hunting equipment will follow dinner.
For information, tickets, to volunteer, or donate game contact:
Richard Bogan at 252-560-8635 richard.bogan@scouting.org
Matt Compton at 252-495-3908 matthew.compton@scouting.org
Wild Game Feast FLYER Sponsor Levels/Application Wall of Guns Raffle
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Free Meal For Venturing, Sea Scout And Explorer Advisors
and Presidents / Youth Representative
 On Tuesday, May 5, 6:30 P.M. at the Pizza Inn located at 3750 S. Memorial Blvd, Greenville, NC, the council is hosting a meeting with youth leaders and adult advisors from each Venture Crew, Sea Scout Ship and Explorer Post in East Carolina Council, BSA The meal is free for up to four youth and adult representatives from each Post, Ship or Crew. After that the price is $5.00 each.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss with the youth and adults from our senior programs what type and how much program you would like for the council to enable you to participate at the council level.
Full Article
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Record-Setting Attendance at 2015 Barton Merit Badge College !
430 Scouts descended on Barton College's Campus on Saturday, March 28th to earn merit badges. 28 different Merit Badges were being taught.
This year Journalism, Wilderness Survival, Moviemaking, Digital Technology, and Scouting Heritage were offered for the first time in a long while at the college. Thanks to Dave Sharpe we were able to have another successful year!
Among the 32 Merit Badge counselors were Camp Director Mickey Whitehead, Art Professor Susan Fecho, Scoutmaster/Fire Marshall Byron Kilpatrick, Officer MJ Harris of the Wilson Police Department, Bruce Harper, Information System Manager, City of Rocky Mount, and Bo Shirling of Carolina Systems Tech. We thank them and all who contributed to make the Merit Badge College such a productive day and memorable success. Full Article / Photos
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Multicultural Outreach Program Shows Scouts How to Learn, Grow, Succeed 
 I would like to conclude with the testimony of a single parent of one of our Scouts that has been in our program for two years that sums up the reason why we have the ECC Multicultural Outreach Program:
"As a parent who teaches their child or children to focus and succeed in life... it gives me such a pleasure to say 'THANK YOU!'
"Thank you for such a wonderful and knowledgeable Boy Scout Program that demonstrates to young men how to become a leader in life and overcome obstacles they may face. This program, I guarantee you, will open their eyes beyond the mountain tops only to find themselves looking beyond their dreams as it has my son, Michael.
"I encourage all parents to get their child into the Boy Scout Program!
It is an adventure your child will enjoy, as mine already has!"
- Michelle Williams Full Article / Photos
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2015 East Carolina Council CAMPOREE
Wild Scouting, May 1st - May 3rd, 2015
Camp Bonner, 978 Harvey Rd Washington, NC 27889
Camporee Updates:
The East Carolina Council Camporee is quickly approaching and there are a few changes and things to note:
1. If you plan on arriving prior to cut your site, please call Nelson Medford at 252.947.0008 before doing so. Otherwise it is trespassing.
2. In the shelter building section the rules have been changed to allow FOR bamboo.
3. The signal tower that needs to be a part of the unit's gateway does not need to be functional. Each sub-camp will vote on the top three gateways respectively and a prize will be given to those units.
4. Early registration is pre-April 24th, which is quickly approaching. Please note that if people are added the day of they do not get the early registration price even if others from the unit are registered. Also the only way to be guaranteed a patch is to preregister.
We look forward to having everyone out at this camporee. A big thanks to our volunteers and professional staff that have worked on this event!
Matthew T. Compton, Reservation Program Director
Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training to be held during Council Camporee
During the Council Camporee on May 2nd, Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training will take place at Jack's Café near HQ, behind the health lodge. This is a great time to get "TRAINED" and learn about all the great resources available. Free to those registered for Council Camporee, the training will take place during program hours Saturday 1:00-4:45pm. To register or if you have questions,
contact Dee Goliwas at turbo4000@suddenlink.net or 252-227-4358 FLYER
Calling all performers! You can be a Scout Idol !
Have you ever had the dream to have your name in lights, to headline on Broadway, to replace Mick Jagger in the Rolling Stones? Well then this is for you!
We are looking for an opening act(s) for this year's campfire at camporee. Auditions will be held at the Green Area HQ all day Saturday and the announcement will be made at the snack booth by 6pm. Solo artist, groups, scouts, scouters, musicians, magicians, comedians, give it a go! Who knows this may be the night you open for the big time producer who is there with the band!
You will be limited to a single song, and 5 minutes max. Tryouts will be at the green area, you will perform on the stage before the concert Saturday night. Contact: Scoutmaster Avery Moore.
TheTroop11Scoutmaster@gmail.com FLYER |
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Aquatics Committee Looking for a Few Good Volunteers
 We are looking for a few volunteers Scouters who want to make a difference in the aquatic program in East Carolina Council. We want to contribute even more to the council program than we presently are. We need volunteers who can teach. We need volunteers who can fix and repair. We need volunteers who are persistent, who won't give up when things do not always go their way, who will strive for perfection but are not perfect, who care about our summer camp aquatic program and want to make it better a little at a time. We know it will not happen overnight but if we take the program one step at a time, we'll see progress.
Our goal is to have one or more volunteers from each District represented on the Aquatic Committee. If you are interested, you may contact:
Steve Redgrave redgrave58@yahoo.com, Tony Zito lfawolf43@gmail.com,
Steven Barbe smb726@gmail.com, or Richard Zablocki ricknriver@gmail.com. Full Article
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2015 Camp Boddie Summer Program Shaping Up - Applications Still Being Accepted
Staffing for Camp Boddie for summer 2015 is going well, although we still have openings for any youth interested in joining us this summer. We are still looking for a Backwoodsman director and instructors for all areas. Interested youth should complete a Camp Staff Application and mail it in.
Check out 2015 Summer Camp availability -
only a few weeks left !!!
Camp Boddie Availability Pamlico Sea Base Availability
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2015 Cub Scout Resident Camp Aug. 6-9 at Camp Boddie 
The Cub Resident Camp is for all Cub Scouts and family members.
Activities include archery, BB guns, sports, nature, swimming, climbing, science, hiking, carving, fire building, fishing and more !
Camp Fees: (includes all meals Fri. breakfast through Sun. breakfast
$86 per Cub Scout/Webelos
$46 for first Adult partner
$26 per additional non-Scout sibling or adult
After July 23 additional $10 late fee
All participants, including adults, are required to bring a completed
(does not require doctor's examination or signature).
Location: Camp Boddie, 419 Boy Scout Rd., Blounts Creek , NC
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East Carolina Scout Reservation Hiring! 
The East Carolina Scout Reservation still has positions available at both Camp Boddie and Pamlico Sea Base. The opportunity to not only be a Scout but also serve other Scouts is a tremendous one. Each summer the ECSR runs over 1500 participants through our Scouting programs, as well as over 100 through Camp Needles in the Pines and other events. Scoutmasters, Advisors, and adult leaders are encouraged to promote youth in their units to apply that they feel will live the Scout Spirit and be great additions to our awesome staff. All general areas are still open, as well as CIT positions. For more information please visit our website at: http://eccbsa.org/Summer%20Camp/Camp%20Staff
For Camp Boddie please contact Mickie Whitehead at mickiewhitehead1@hotmail.com and for Pamlico Sea Base please contact Matt Compton at matthew.compton@scouting.org
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Unique Individually Numbered Collectable
East Carolina Council Shoulder Patch
A limited edition numbered version (one through 500) of the council strip featuring all the council camps. To enhance the collectability of this large Jamboree size council strip, the border is red but with gold Mylar, the background is beige instead of white and patches are individually numbered.
The pricing is included on the Order Form.
Add $1.00 for shipping.
Order Form / List of Numbers Still Available
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Croatan Trails Cub Scout Family Campout Hits New Heights at Camp Sam Hatcher
  When it comes to excitement, it doesn't matter if you're 3 or 73 when you're experiencing a rocket launch, learning about space exploration, gazing into the heavens to identify planets or even watching as the International Space Station (ISS) passes overhead. All this and more was part of the Cub Scout Family Campout at Camp Sam Hatcher this past weekend April 10-12. The theme: "Blast-Off to New Adventures" gave a hint of what was in store for the 300 campers made up of family members along with Leaders and Scouts from Pack 61 Newport, Pack 130 Morehead City, Pack 252 Davis "Down East", Pack 334 Beaufort, Pack 446 Cape Carteret, Pack 460 Havelock and Pack 551 Havelock. One measure of success in an event like this is the eager participation, the excited pitch of young voices, and the rush to find the very next activity. Another measure of success is the found in good leadership coupled with advanced planning and utilizing the talents of many qualified volunteers. [Due to size and the number of photos, the story is in two parts] Part A Part B |
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Blackbeard District Holds Boy Scout Pre-Camporee and Cub Scout Spring Cub-O-Ree
 During the weekend of March 27-29th Blackbeard District held their annual Boy Scout Pre-Camporee and Cub Scout Spring Cub-O-Ree led by Wes Ball and Pack 218 respectively. First, Blackbeard District would like to thank Wes Ball, Andy Holliday, and Patrick Sutton for planning and implementing these two District events. The Pre-Camporee for the District gave us the opportunity to work together to both learn and teach the skills needed to be successful at the Council Camporee. To help promote Unit attendance at District Camping Events, Blackbeard District started assigning stations to Troops. What we have noticed is that the Troops bond more easily because they are working together and all have a stake in making the event a success. Huge kudos to Patrick Sutton for stepping up to the plate and leading the Cub-O-Ree for all of Saturday and Sunday morning, after Andy Holliday fell ill. Patrick Sutton (the new Cubmaster for Pack 218) valiantly ran the rest of the event, pushing through the wet weather, and leading the attending youth to fun and educational adventures! Full Article |
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Caswell District Honors Distinguished Citizen Ben Rayford, past SM, Troop 74
 On April 1st Brent Andrews led a Greene County Committee to a successful Fundraising Distinguished Citizen Event. The event honored Ben Rayford, past Scoutmaster of Troop 74 from 1950 - 1960. During this time period Ben Rayford had 10 Scouts earn the rank of Eagle; one of them being long-time Scouter Dr. Jack Harrell who, fittingly, was the Master of Ceremonies for the event. The Greene County community honored the service Ben Rayford has performed not only for Scouting, but the community as well. Full Article
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 Pitt District Events
"The Amazing Race" Spring Cuboree is coming up on April 17-19th at Camp Boddie.
Hats off to Joshua Armstrong for chairing this event again!!! This is in many cases the first time a Cub Scout will go camping.
If you haven't had a chance to sign up, take a minute today.
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 APRIL EVENTS
For information or for registrations contact ATFS through the website (www.atimeforscience.org), through email at (atfs@atimeforscience.org), or by phone at 252-746-4470. (ATFS) is located off Highway 11 between Ayden and Grifton in Contentnea Creek Estates.
Address: 949 Contentnea Lane, Grifton, NC
Wednesday, April 15 - Third Wed Family Night
(Chick-fil-A, Winterville, NC Location)
5:00 pm to 7:30 pm, Cost - No Charge
Join us on the third Wednesday of the month in a hands-on experience and learn about some facet of science/technology in a relaxed, family setting. Make "pin-less pinwheels" for outdoor fun in the wind.
Thursday, April 16 - Third Thursday Planetarium Show, Chia-yu Li Planetarium
7:00 to 8:00 pm, Cost - $5.00/person
The full dome video "Two Small Pieces of Glass" presents the history of the telescope from Galileo to the present as well as the discoveries these wonderful tools have made. See how telescopes work and how the largest observatories in the world use these instruments to explore the mysteries of the universe. See our page here to register and pay online.
Friday, April 24 - Statewide Star Party, Our Solar System - No Place Like Home
4:00 pm and 7:00 pm Events (See website), Cost - No Charge
A Time for Science and the Carolina Skies Astronomy Club would like to invite you to a FREE Star Party on the campus of A Time for Science. As a Participating Partner in the N.C. Science Festival,ATFS will provide a variety of hands-on activities, for all ages to learn all about our Solar System, including a thousand yard model to walk. Telescopes will be available for sky viewing after sunset. See our flyer for all events and times and our website for registration.
Saturday, April 25 - Earth Day Everyday - 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Cost - No Charge
A fun-filled day of events celebrating "Mother Earth." There will be speakers, games, hikes, hands-on activities, all to bring you to a closer appreciation of the natural world. Flyer
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Contributions to East Carolina Council benefit Scouting and are always appreciated.
To Donate in Memory of a Loved One, or to Honor an Individual,
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 ENDOWMENTS
Gifts to an endowment are placed in an interest earning account.
Your gift is never spent, and the interest earned is used to support Scouting forever.
In Honor of:
Eagle Scout Dee Warner
From: Ford & Vickie Coley
Eagle Scout Bryant Lee Cox
From: Ford & Vickie Coley
Eagle Scout Harper Rhodes
From: Ford & Vickie Coley
Eagle Scout Joseph John
From: Ford & Vickie Coley
In Memory of Betsy Flanagan
From Marty, Jordan and Jennifer of Coastal Fog
For a gift equal to $1,000, the individual being honored or contributing the gift receives a framed certificate, pin for civilian wear and a Square Knot for their Scout uniform.
For Charles Kralick
From ABC Phones
For Norman Belmore
From The Order of the Arrow
For William Mercer
From Anonymous
For Nelson Medford
From Camp Staff Listing of Donors (to date)
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Special Needs Scout Overcomes Challenges, Becomes First to Earn Eagle in Troop
 "Nicholas has touched so many lives, not just in Scouting," said Nicholas' father John Heuchan to The Avenue News in Baltimore, Md. And he's right - not only is this Scout making a difference in his community, he's also breaking boundaries for other children across the US who are battling Juvenile Batten Disease, a fatal genetic disorder.
But despite his condition and subsequent blindness, Nicholas Heuchan earned the first Eagle Scout rank in Troop 117 and did it all a month before his 18th birthday. Nicholas is a member of a special needs troop were members are not restricted to earning Eagle within the usual time frame of 18 years old. Yet he did it anyway, with the help of a strong support system and a little creativity. Read the Full Story on this incredible new Eagle Scout and learn how Nicholas made a difference in his community and made his dreams come true.
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 Eagle Scouts make great firefighters 
Firefighters are brave, helpful and always prepared. So are Eagle Scouts.
Men who are members of both groups are an impressive bunch indeed, and they're more common than you might think. If you're a firefighter and Eagle Scout, you should consider joining the National Eagle Scout Association's Firefighters Affinity Group. You'll network with fellow Eagle Scouts, learn ways to better your career and the Scouting movement, and get a special decal for your helmet (seen here).
Why am I telling you this news now? Because next week, nearly 40,000 firefighters from across the United States and around the world will meet to take classes, learn about new firefighting innovations and network with their peers. Full Article
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Body-sliding poses risk of paralysis in teens, adults 
Sunny summer days at my house growing up most definitely included a Slip'N Slide. My dad would carefully unroll that yellow strip of plastic, and my sister and I would take turns running, leaping and sliding. As we got older, though, the appeal of the Slip'N Slide diminished.
Good thing, because so-called "body-sliding" - diving onto and sliding across a wet sheet of plastic on the ground - is extremely dangerous for teenagers and adults.
The problem is that Slip'N Slide and its clones are for children only. Says so right on the box.
But when teens and adults - that is, older Boy Scouts, Venturers and Scout leaders - use these backyard water slides, serious injury could result. Keep that in mind as you plan your next summer activity - as part of Scouting or not.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has highlighted multiple cases of spinal cord injury and permanent paralysis in teenagers and adults resulting from body-sliding. The CPSC noted that injury can occur because the "slider's forward momentum drives the body into the neck and compresses the spinal cord." Teens and adults are, of course, larger and taller than children. So they "may hit and abruptly stop in such a way that could cause permanent spinal cord injury, resulting in quadriplegia or paraplegia," according to the CPSC. Full Article CPSC Warning
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National Outdoor Awards Program
(updated Jan. 2015)
If you are a Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer and think you are tough and disciplined enough to hike or ride the miles, camp the nights, run the rivers or lakes or do the work to conserve the land, then the National Outdoor badges - Camping, Aquatics, Conservation, Hiking, Riding, and Adventure - or the National Medal for Outdoor Achievement could be for you!
When a youth excels in outdoor participation, there are awards to show for it! This program, conceived by the BSA National Camping Task Force consists of up to six emblem segments positioned around the perimeter of a beautiful center emblem. All are embroidered in full color. The segments represent six areas of emphasis: Camping, Aquatics, Conservation, Hiking, Riding, and Adventure, with rigorous requirements to earn each segment. The center emblem features an outdoor scene with fleur-de-lis and the words "National Outdoor Awards." Information Page
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Here's how Cub Scouts will earn Nova Awards under the new program
 How will Cub Scouts earn Nova Awards once the Academics and Sports belt loops go away?
Richard Stone, the education and training leader of the STEM/Nova Committee who has contributed to other STEM posts on my blog, has the answer in this Ask the Expert.
Effective June 1, 2015, the rank requirements for Cub Scouts are changing. (See the new Cub Scout rank requirements here.) Cub Scouts currently working on any of the Nova awards or one of the Supernova awards have two options:
- Complete the award not later than Dec. 31, 2015, using the requirements as published in the current Cub Scout Nova Awards Guidebook (No. 34032). These "old" requirements include the earning of the soon-to-be retired activity pins and belt loops. Cub Scouts may still earn those awards after their retirement from the advancement requirements on June 1 and may receive the pin or belt loop while they are still in stock at your local Scout Shop. The retired awards may not be applied to the new Cub Scout advancement requirements, of course.
- Or complete the award using the requirements published in the new Cub Scout Nova Awards Guidebook. Look for the updated Cub Scout Nova award and Supernova Award requirements at this page on scouting.org and in the updated guidebooks available at your Scout Shop this summer.
UPDATE: To be clear, this is the link to the new Cub Scout Nova Award requirements.
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2015 National Youth Leadership Training Class at Camp Sam Hatcher:
July 24-26; July 31-August 2, 2015
 
The following units have pre-registered Scouts to attend NYLT: Troops 215, 11, 41, 816, 4, 370, 12, 87, 129, 197, 9 and 597. Troop 5014 from Ohio is also sending a Scout to attend!
In the past, the class has SOLD OUT every year that East Carolina Council has held the course. Now is the time to register your Scout for the opportunity to change his/her life. Do not miss your chance to send your Scout to an awesome opportunity that will enhance his ability to navigate through his Scouting career, school and life. NYLT is not summer camp but FUN is an integral part of this learning environment. Boy Scouts must be aged 13 at the start of the class, be a First Class Scout, have completed Troop Leadership Training and have their Scoutmaster's approval to attend. Cost is $200 if paid in full by March 31, 2015. After March 31, 2015, the price goes up to $215.
The application form can be found HERE or below.
National Youth Leadership Training is an exciting, action-packed program designed for councils to provide youth members with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home troops and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others. Check us out on Facebook.
Point of contact: Barbara Parker (910) 455-7266 (no phone calls after 9pm please)
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NAYLE, Now Offered at All 4 High-Adventure Bases 
National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience is to youth leadership training what the Eagle Scout and Summit awards are to Boy Scouting and Venturing, namely, the pinnacle of achievement. Now's the time to get your Scouts and Venturers thinking about NAYLE. The course is intended for youth who have completed NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training) and are ready to take the next step. NAYLE participants make new friends, learn new skills and experience an epic adventure - all in an awesome location. Beginning in summer 2015, NAYLE will be offered at all four national high-adventure bases. That means there's a course within  driving distance of most Scout families. I asked the top NAYLE volunteers for the courses at Northern Tier, Philmont, Sea Base and the Summit to share details about the NAYLE courses there Full Article |
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Creating Organizational Excellence: June 8-12, 2015
  Philmont Scout Ranch is considered a center of excellence for the delivery of outdoor programs and training in the Boy Scouts of America. This unique session will blend training on four disciplines that build healthy organizations, with the opportunity to see and experience those principles in action at Philmont. This course will provide you access to see behind the scenes of Philmont. Observe how Philmont uses customer surveys to create a continuous improvement program that creates organizational excellence. Experience the magic of a back country camp and learn how staff are prepared and trained for their role. FLYER |
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No crew? No problem with Philmont's individual programs
Pretty much everyone knows about Philmont's epic treks. You form a crew of seven to 12 people and hike Philmont's' challenging and exciting backcountry. They're so popular there's often a waiting list to snag a spot.
Fewer people, though, know about Philmont individual programs.
These are perfect for a young man or young woman who wants to experience Philmont as an individual or with a smaller group. And good news: 2015 spaces are available. everyone knows about Philmont's epic treks. You form a crew of seven to 12 people and hike Philmont's challenging and exciting backcountry. They're so popular there's often a waiting list to snag a spot. Fewer people, though, know about Philmont individual programs.
Philmont individual programs:
- Order of the Arrow Trail Crew (OATC)
- Trail Crew Trek (Coed non-OA version of OATC)
- Roving Outdoor Conservation School (ROCS)
- Ranch Hands
- Rayado
- STEM
- NAYLE (National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience) Full Article
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 Learn: Online Scouting Knots
These animated knots are described for scouts, but most of them have critical uses in other environments. Select the knots from the Scouting Requirements page which provides details of the knots expected for advancement and different activities.
The selection of knots is based on consultation with many scouting leaders and a review of the requirements by some national organizations.
Instructions:
Go to the Online Scouting Knots webpage. Move your cursor over the picture of each knot. Look at the description to find out what it can be used for. Click on the knot you wish to see. On the new page wait until the selected knot starts to tie itself. You can set the speed of the demonstration and the repeat function
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Changes in 2015 : Missed the Cub Scout Webcasts? Here's how to Get up to Speed
Thousands of your fellow Scouters watched the Cub Scout webcasts last weekend, and in doing so they left with a greater knowledge of the incredible changes coming to Cub Scouting this year.
Couldn't tune in? No worries. Use the links below to view the webcasts at your convenience. In half an hour, you'll get up to speed on the new Cub Scout program and learn some recommended next steps.
I thought the webcasts were enjoyable and informative. They kept the focus where it belongs: Making the Cub Scout experience meaningful and fun for boys. Full Article
Here's how to watch the webcasts and what to do after you watch.
Click on these Cub Scout webcast links: Cubmasters
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Latest official BSA Program Updates page:
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/programupdates.aspx
Find your closest Scouting Unit www.beascout.org
More Online Scouting resources below...
Can you suggest your favorite ?
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Did You Know: Your Amazon.com Purchases Can Now Support ECC BSA
 Through its new AmazonSmile program, Amazon will donate 0.5 percent of your eligible purchase to your chosen charitable organization. Setup takes a couple of seconds (see below) but now you're helping Scouting every time you buy. Full Article / Instructions
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Contact Information
East Carolina Council
PO Box 1698
Kinston, NC 28503
252-522-1521
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Send comments, suggestions, stories w/ photos, or story ideas to: tarheelscouter@gmail.com |
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