Come celebrate the holiday season with fellow scout leaders & staff! There will be holiday crafts, special scout cookies and beverages. All leaders are welcome to attend. The fun starts at 7:00pm on Wednesday, December 10th at the Rowan Scout Resource Center. We hope to see you there!

Once again the Riggins Resource Center is participating in the Marine Corp Toys for Tots campaign for the Holiday Season, New, unwrapped gifts for a child in need can be dropped off at the Riggins Resource Center between now and December 15th.  Thanks and Happy Holidays!

Go direct by going to www.myscouting.org  or for the newer version www.my.scouting.org

From www.scouting.org (website of the National Council)--located at the upper right corner of the national council's home page is a log in area for My Scouting. Find more information here.

It is that time of year where Garden State Council is seeking the best of the best for the Silver Beaver Award.  The Silver Beaver is  a council level award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. It is given to those who do not actively seek it.

Nominations will be received starting December 1, 2014 through January 31, 2015.  The award recipients will be named on February 15.  They will be recognized and receive their Silver Beaver Award at the Garden State Council Volunteer Recognition Dinner on Thursday, April 30, 2015.  Anyone can nominate a Scouter for this prestigious award. 

A nomination form may be found here.

Council Commissioner Jim Reynolds, reminds all December Units to re-charter "On time" or close your scouts out of programing in January. 

Recruiting for the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Kirara-hama Japan, is proceeding at a fever pitch. Seven Scouts from the Garden State Council are signed up to attend, and with only 6 slots in our NY/NJ/PA Troop still available, the time to sign up is running out. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to tour Japan, meet Scouts from over 100 countries, and participate in the pinnacle event in World Scouting.

To sign up and for more information: http://www.scouting.org/worldjamboree.aspx

Contact Tom Soszynski, 609-284-0718, for additional, local unit information

This is a friendly reminder that local United Way Campaigns are being conducted throughout our council's service area. While we are not a United Way Direct Supported organization, Donor Designated gifts can be made to the Garden State Council, Boy Scouts of America.

As your companies and those of your spouse and friends conduct United Way Appeals at the office, please remind them that they can Donor Designate a gift to Scouting by listing the Garden State Council, BSA on their United Way card as Donor Designation. 

The Garden State Council's United Way code is 966.

Scouting for Food 

Be sure to report your Scouting for Food results by clicking here.  The reporting window will be open from 11/21 thru 11/30.  It takes less than 3 minutes to fill out the form and it helps us to plan for next year to better help those who need our assistance this time of the year. 

Once we have gathered all of the unit data we will share the results with you so you can see the impact the Scouting for Food drive makes.  Remember to report your individual service hours at www.my.scouting.org 

If you are in the White Horse District, you can see your drop-off locations here.

Playground Clean Up

Join us for a morning of community service on November 29, 2014, from 9AM to Noon, as we beautify Northgate Park and Playground, 600 Elm Street, Camden, NJ. The Scouts have been working at the Park and Playground for several years, and because of your efforts, the boys and girls of the area have a nice place to play and have fun! All are welcome to attend. Scouts will not only earn service hours, but more importantly will also exemplify the true meaning of Scout Spirit.

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The Mahalala District will be holding our 4th Annual Comedy Night & Basket Auction at the Crescent Shriners Hall, Westampton, NJ on Friday, December 5th from 6 pm to 10 pm.   Come joins us for a night of laughter, fun, and fellowship.  Your tickets entitle you to a hot buffet, refreshments, and a comedy show featuring four comedians.  This year's comedians are National Headliner Keith Purnell, Larry DeFelice, Mike Casey, and Vince Valentine.  

For more information or to register for the event click here.

Are you ready for advanced leadership training designed for you? Well, then mark your calendars, and go here to read more!

All new Cub Scout applicants in November will receive a free Bobcat Rank badge when they complete the requirements for Bobcat.

• The Garden State Council will issue a coupon for a free Bobcat badge for the number of completed applications received in the month of November.
• After the Scout completes the requirement for Bobcat, the unit can turn in a Unit Advancement Report and coupon to one of the Council Offices to redeem for the badges.
• All coupons must be redeemed by December 30th.

The Rowan Scout Shop & The Riggins Scout Shop will both be closed for inventory beginning Saturday, November 22nd at 1:00pm until Monday December 1st at 8:30am

Please plan your November award shopping for the beginning of the month so you wont be disappointed. Don't forget to get your Derby Days orders in!