The Knapsack

January 8, 2014

Council News (Note: highlighted items are new)

Summer Camp Job Interviews - January 8, 2015

The Garden State Council is seeking qualified individuals to serve as members of our Camp Staff Team. Interviews will be held tonight.

Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015, 6-8 p.m., Rowan Scout Resource Center, 693 Rancocas Rd.,Westampton, NJ 08060

For more information, to apply online visit www.GardenStateScouting.org/CampStaff

Journey to Excellence 2015 Update

The 2015 Journey to Excellence unit scorecards and spreadsheets are posted on the National BSA Website. A question has been raised about the Trained Leadership criteria since the Bronze category states that direct contact leaders listed must have youth protection and an orientation. National has clarified that an "orientation" would be the appropriate Fast Start course for the leader's position. For example, in a pack a Cubmaster takes the Cubmaster Fast Start while a Den Leaders takes the Den Leader Fast Start.

Do leaders and committee members already trained in their position have to take Fast Start if they never had it? The answer is no. For JTE purposes a leader already trained in their position would be considered to have satisfied the orientation requirement on the scorecard.

For more details about changing positions and the purpose of "fast start" see the full news article on the GSC website or contact the Council Training Chair.

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.

White Horse District Scout Leaders' Roundtable - January 13, 2015
Tuesday, January 13 - Gathering 7 p.m., Opening 7:30 p.m.
Library at Glen Landing Middle School, Blackwood
For Cub Scout Leaders: Big changes are coming to Cub Scouting in 2015-2016! Join guest speaker Dave Lyons for all the latest news about the Cub Scout Adventures program on how you can "Be Prepared."
For Boy Scout Leaders: Come learn about winter camping skills your scouts will need to employ at the Klondike Derby and other unit winter camping experiences.
Network with your fellow Scout Leaders and our new District Executive Janet Boris. You will go home with information you can use right away to make your Pack and Troop programs even better!
All leaders and interested parents are welcome! Bring a friend!

Mahalala/Quakesen Districts Scout Leaders' Roundtable - January 14, 2015

Join us for the January Roundtable at the Rowan Scout Service Center in Westampton on

Wed., Jan. 14, 7 p.m. Start off the New Year with fellow Scout leaders and staff.

CUBS SCOUTS: Day Camp Kick-off/Blue & Gold Planning

SPECIAL ATTRACTION: Meet our Garden State Council's Key-3

BOY SCOUTS/ VENTURING: Climb on Safely

Out of District Scouters are welcome to join us!

The U.S. Flag: History, Proper Handling and Protocol Event - January 14, 2015

Boy Scout Troop 7025 is sponsoring this special program for all youth involved in Scouti

ng programs, Scouting supporters and their families
Wed., January 14, from 7 - 8 p.m., St. Charles Borromeo Church, Sienna Hall -Religious Education Building, 176 Stagecoach Rd. Sicklerville, NJ.
The program will be presented by American Legion Post 521 of Washington Township. Scouts should be in full Class A uniform. Light refreshments will be served.
RSVP by Jan. 11 to Troop7025@gmail.com with the number of people attending.

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

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, and recognized at the Council Volunteer Recognition Dinner, 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.

Outdoor Ethics Corner: Rumor - Is Leave No Trace is being phased out?

There is a rumor that Leave No Trace is being phased out and that it will be replaced by Outdoor Ethics awards. It is TRUE.
For many years the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics has partnered with BSA to develop and enhance programs for using the outdoors wisely and ethically. Leave No Trace is a registered logo to that center. Tread Lightly is a program focusing on the responsible use of motorized vehicles in the outdoors. Recently scouting has accepted the use of motorized vehicles, i.e. ATV's, into the scouting program. Scouting could no longer just refer to Leave No Trace for the name of the program and awards.
The seven principles of Leave No Trace combined with the five principles of Tread Lightly are the foundation of the Outdoor Ethics programs.

Scout Shop News

It's Derby Time!!!!

Garden State Scout Stores are your local headquarters for official Pinewood Derby items. Visit us in Westampton or Millville to pick up everything from cars to weights, decals, trophies and more.

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

GSC Feature: Michael Mahon Farewell Reception

Farewell Reception for Michael P. Mahon - January 22, 2015

Join us to say farewell and wish Mike Mahon, the GSC Deputy Scout Executive & Chief Operating Officer, good luck in his new position as the Scout Executive of Monmouth Council, BSA (Morganville, NJ). The Reception will be held on

Thurs., January 22, 6-8 p.m. at the Cafe Madison - Wine Room

33 Lafayette St. Riverside, NJ

Cost is $50 per person (includes open bar, hors d'oevre

and donation for gift. )

RSVP by Jan. 20. Questions? Contact Melissa at (609) 261-5850 x 216.

Next Issue: Meet the new GSC staff members

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