The Knapsack

December 30, 2014

Council News (Note: highlighted items are new)

Time is Running out to Re-Charter Your Unit! Deadline December 31, 2014

Bring your completed Charter and payment, complete with all new applications and proof of training, to either the Rowan Scout Service Center (Westampton) or the Riggins Scout Service Center (Millville). Units that do not Re-Charter by Dec. 31, 2014 will no longer be considered "active" and will not be covered by insurance. This means the unit will not be allowed to: process advancements, make purchases at the Council Scout Shops, or attend Council or District activities (until Council confirms the 2015 Charter has been completed).

Holiday Hours & Closing Schedule: Garden State Council December & January

The following is the Holiday Schedule for the Riggins & Rowan Resource Centers, Stores & Offices

- Closing at Noon: Wed., Dec. 31 (New Year's Eve)

- CLOSED:Thurs., Jan. 1 (New Year's Day)

- Re-Open: Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, 8:30 a.m.

Summer Camp Job Interviews - January 3 & 8, 2015

The Garden State Council is seeking qualified individuals to serve as members of our Camp Staff Team. Two interview sessions will be held:

Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Loren S. Riggins Jr. Scout Resource Center,
4468 S. Main Rd, Millville, NJ 08332
Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015, 6-8 p.m., Rowan Scout Resource Center
693 Rancocas Rd.,Westampton, NJ 08060

For more information, to apply online, or to check the details of the upcoming interview dates, please visit www.GardenStateScouting.org/CampStaff

December is the Time to Designate GSC for Your United Way Gift

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.

Please remind friends and family that they too 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.

Casting Call for Council Video Projects

We are looking for Scouts of all ages, and adults, who are willing to be interviewed for a series of Video projects to promote Scouting for our Council. Candidates must be willing and able to speak positively and enthusiastically on camera about the Scouting program. We are also looking for personal stories about how Scouting has positively impacted or changed your/your child's life.
To participate please send a brief email (no more than 2 paragraphs) describing the positive role Scouting has played in your/your child's life. Include an adult contact name, phone number, rank of the Scout, adult Scouting position (if you are registered), and the Scout Unit (Pack/Troop/Crew/Post) type and number.

Send email by January 15 to: Stacey.Ehling@Scouting.org

Commissioner My.Scouting Tools Webinars - January 12, 13, 20, 2015

The Commissioners Task Force is offering the following webinar trainings on Commissioner Tools:

General Training for All Commissioners and Professionals. Click here to register or go to www.myscouting.org sign in and click on the link. Pre-registration is necessary to participate.

Monday, January 12, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, January 13, 9 p.m.

Tuesday, January 20, 4:30 p.m.

Webcasts Offered on New Cub Scout Program Changes: January 17, 2015

Get Ready for Launch! On Saturday, January 17, 2015 a series of Free webcasts will be offered outlining the changes, resources and how to prepare for the new Cub Scout program launching June 1, 2015.

Cubmaster Webcasts: 8 a.m. or 3 p.m. (Central Time

Den Leader Webcasts: 9:30 a.m. or 4:30 p.m. (Central Time

LDS-Specific Considerations: 11 a.m. or 6 p.m. (Central Time) *Recommendation: LDS participants should try to view one of the role-specific sessions prior to watching LDS specific.

The webcasts are open to everyone, although content will be geared to specific roles (sessions will be recorded for later viewing).

Want to participate? It's easy to attend! Just navigate your Internet browser to: http://www.livestream.com/bsanationalcouncil and you are ready to view the webcast!

As always, for more information on the new Cub Scouting program, please go to www.scouting.org/programupdates, or contact the GSC Cub Scout Advancement Committee at CSAdventures@GardenStateScouting.org

Martin Luther King Day of Service - January 18, 2015

The Garden State Council would like to know what service your unit is performing in observance of Martin Luther King Day. We want to support your projects by making our entire membership aware of the service being performed. Also, there may be Scouts looking to participate in these projects from other units, so if you have a project that could use more "hands" contact the Activities and Civil Service Committee at PSnyder.GSCBSA@verizon.net, and we will make our membership aware and direct efforts to help these projects.

Silver Beaver Nominations are now open - Deadline January 31, 2015

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 can be submitted 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 (flyer). Anyone can nominate a Scouter for this prestigious award. A nomination form may be found here.

It's Klondike Time! February 20-22, 2015

The 2015 Mahalala/Quakesen District Klondike Derby "Operation Polar Bear XV" will be held on February 20-22 at Pine Hill Scout Reservation (note date change). Come for the day or spend the weekend there will be great arctic fun for all! Click here Online registration is open

NOTE: Mayor's meetings will be on the following dates at 7:30 p.m. at the Rowan Scout Service Center: Dec. 16, Jan. 27, Feb. 7 (leaders walk-thru at camp). Questions? send email to: Biged08@comcast.net

Honoring Eagle Scout Class of 2014: Save the Date - March 15, 2015!

Eagle Scout Class of 2014: Congratulations! Having achieved the rank of Eagle Scout is a great accomplishment and you should be very proud of yourself. The Garden State Council will be hosting the Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner on March 15, 2015 at Lucien's Manor, Berlin, NJ.
This event also provides an opportunity for us to pair you with a mentor: someone who works in a career field that you may be interested in as you look towards your future. Scouters are encouraged to serve as mentors. More information to come in early January!
If you have any questions, please email EagleDinner@GardenStateScouting.org

Quakesen District Camporee - April 24-26, 2015

Save the Date: Enjoy a weekend of "Olympian" activities and competition at Rancocas State Park. Merit Badge offerings (partials only) include: Conservation, First-Aid, Communications, and more. Fees: $18 per Scout, $10 per Adult ($5 late fee/person after March 1). Leaders Guide and registration will be available after January 1, 2015. http://www.gardenstatescouting.org/quakesen

Garden State Council Annual Recognition Dinner - April 30, 2015

Come Celebrate the 2015 Silver Beaver Recipients from Bay Sea, Mahalala, Old Colony, Quakesen, and White Horse Districts on Thursday, April 30, 2015: Social Hour 6-7 p.m., Dinner & Program 7 p.m., Adelphia Restaurant in Deptford, N.J. Ticket price: $45.00 per person, $90.00 per couple, $450.00 table of 10. Online registration will be available soon. See flyer for details or click here for the registration link.

Merit Badge Counselor Update

To assure the quality of the program delivered to our youth members, the Garden State Council is attempting to update the contact information for all registered Merit Badge Counselors and provide suggested training opportunities. If you haven't received an email notification please contact Merit.Badge.Dean@GardenStateScouting.org

NOTE: Make sure your Youth Protection Training is current (it only lasts two years), you can take it online at MyScouting.org Be sure your BSA ID number is listed in your myscouting account profile, and print a copy of your course completion certificate to ensure that you receive credit for the training.

How to Access My.Scouting

Go direct by going to www.myscouting.org or for the newer version http://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 MyScouting. Find more information here.

Looking for Advanced Leadership Training? Click here to read more!

Scout Shop News

Scout Shop Post-Holiday Sale

Are there some holiday items that you would still like to get? It may not be too late. Check out these deals while they last: Fiber-optic Holiday stocking (regularly $19.99) is now only $16.99, Scoutmaster Nutcrackers for $19.99, Cub Scout Nutcrackers for $14.99, 2014 Collectible Holiday ornaments for $5.99, Holiday Villages only $79.99, LED color changing Snowman Snow Globe for $12.99, Holiday Tree Sales figure for $9.99, the Village Popcorn Tree for only $5.99, and the Dining Hall for only $16.99. See our Facebook page for our specials (Note: you must be logged into your Facebook account to see the deals when you click on the above link).

Questions? Contact: Alyssa at the Westampton Store (609) 261-5850 x 219 or alyssa.gellman@scouting.org, and Teresa at the Millville Store (609) 327-1700 x 110 or teresa.krus@scouting.org

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GSC Feature Story:
Field Director Nathan Clark Gets New Position

Dear Friends, Scouts, and Scouters,

Holy Buckets! Recently I have accepted a new position in Scouting, as Director of Operations with the W.D. Boyce Council in Peoria, Illinois. I will be starting that role in mid-January and will be departing in a couple of weeks. My time in New Jersey over the last five years has been quite the experience. The various ventures and programs I have worked with many of you on has allowed me to see the same love and commitment to Scouting that I saw as a Scout with the leaders of my own units growing up.

I will deeply miss my Friends in the White Horse District as you are the ones I have known and worked with the most. I can't wait to tell the Scouters and folks I will be working with about the grave of the first Eagle Scout, Courts of Honor on the Battle Ship New Jersey, as well as Pine Hill Scout Reservation, its many legends, and so on. While I may not miss the baked Ziti or won't have the bounty of bagels. I will miss your fellowship.

I wish all Scouts, Scouters, staff, and supporters the best of luck in the future of the Garden State Council. I know that White Horse, Riverfield and the rest of the Garden State Council will be well served.

Yours in Scouting,

Nathan Clark