National BSA Encourages Youth and Adults to join a Scouting Research Panels

Would you like to give feedback regarding new Scouting programs and proposed changes to existing Scouting programs? If you are a youth member 14 years of age or older, a volunteer, or a parent of a Cub Scout or Boy Scout, click on this  link  to become a member of a Scouting research panel and receive surveys (no more than three per year) on a variety of topics related to Scouting programs.  

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 

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.

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.

New White Horse District Executive

Janet L. Boris, of Tabernacle, N.J., is the new White Horse District Executive.  She looks forward to serving the units of the White Horse District.  A recipient of the 2011 Silver Beaver Award, the 2008 District Award of Merit and Wood Badge trained ( NE-II-178 - Fox), Janet is no stranger to Scouting. She was a leader for Pack 439 and is now actively involved in Troop 439 where her son is a Life Scout. Janet has served as a unit commissioner, assisted the district training staff, served on NYLT staff, served as the Quakesen Popcorn Kernel, runs the district Cub-o-Ree, helps with the Quakesen Roundtable, and has helped with many district and council events.  Janet is also the Camp Director for the Pine Tree Education and Environmental Center, and has previously served as a camp program director, and worked
part-time at the Rowan Scout Resource Center for the past 7 years. 

Janet graduated  from Drexel University with a B.S. (Summa Cum Laude) and an M.S. in Information Systems.  She is active at her church, teaching religious education, being a Eucharistic minister and being the head of the Interfaith Hospitality Ministry which provides meals for homeless families.  

New Quakesen District Executive

Brian Domzalski, of Blackwood, N.J.,  is the new Quakesen District Executive. Brian grew up in the Cradle of Liberty Council where he earned the  Arrow of Light as a Cub Scout and then moved to New Jersey and went on to earn the rank of Eagle Scout in 2004 with Troop 177 of the Big Timber District (now White Horse District).  Brian hails from a Scouting family, his father and two brothers are both Eagle Scouts.  His father is also extremely involved in the White Horse District.  

Brian earned a B.A. in Mathematics from Rowan University in 2011.  Brian is very excited to have found an avenue back into Scouting and is happy to be a part of Garden State Council.  He looks forward to a successful career in Scouting. 

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. 

Click here to see the new Winter Sale 2015 flyer. 

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