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The Knapsack - Jan. 23, 2015
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 Council News (Note: highlighted items are new) |
Scouting Anniversary Week - February 8-14, 2015 
February 8, marks the 105th Anniversary of the founding of the Scouting Movement. Celebrations often begin with the observance of Scout Sunday (Feb. 8) and end with Scout Sabbath (Feb. 14). Check with your local religious organization to arrange a special Scout Sunday/Sabbath event for your unit, this provides a great opportunity to present religious awards and medals, and bring public attention to Scouting in your community. For information about Council events go to the Religious Relationships Page
on our GSC website. For ideas about creating your own celebrations see
http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Scout_Sunday
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Religious Relationships Committee Events for Scouts 
The Religious Relationships Committee is offering a number of "Duty to God" events:
- Visit to St. Katharine Drexel Shrine, Jan. 31, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., 1663 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, Pa. (must register by 1/26/15)
- Scouting Youth Ministry Retreat "Keep the Lamp Burning," Feb. 28, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Battleship New Jersey, Camden, NJ. (must register by 2/216/15)
- Scout Sunday Mass, March 1, 2:30 p.m. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 632 Market Street, Camden NJ
- Mission: Possible - Diocese of Trenton-Catholic Committee on Scouting 60th Annual Retreat, March 13-15, Pine Tree Scout Reservation, Tabernacle, NJ
- Annual 10 Commandments Hike, March 21, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
For an updated schedule of all activities and flyers for these and other events go to http://www.gardenstatescouting.org/religious-relationships
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 Wood Badge Training - Spring 2015 Calling all Scouting volunteers and leaders! Wood Badge Training is a great opportunity to learn and put into practice many great leadership skills that not only benefit Scouting, but also can be applied to your personal and work life. Part of the course will be for the participant to write a ticket: a vision with a series of goals and a plan for how to achieve that vision. As district and council volunteers, your ticket will focus on your specific roles. The training directly helps each participant and can influence positive change to improve Scouting in your districts and across our council. For more information and to register online go to: www.GardenStateScouting.org/WoodBadge |
Philmont 2016 Registration Open - Spaces are limited! 
High Adventure Gold - Experience the adventure of a lifetime
GSC's next Philmont expedition: July 9 - July 24, 2016.
The sign outside Baldy Mountain Camp states "There's gold in them thar hills," referring to the opportunity for Scouts to pan for real gold in the creeks around Baldy Mountain and descend deep into Cypher's Mine or French Henry, actual gold mines back in the day! Adventurous Scouts will feel they "struck gold" with the exciting program opportunities in the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains. Philmont is back-packing, rock climbing, horse riding, black powder rifle shoot, spar pole climbing, mountain biking, 12 gauge shotgun shooting, burro packing and racing, archaeology, ropes and challenges, fishing, conversation, blacksmithing, geology and so much more!
Do you think you are Scout enough for the ultimate Scouting challenge?
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Florida Sea Base Lottery Registration Is Open
The lottery for 2016 high adventures at the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base is open from Jan. 15 - Feb. 15, 2015. You must register for the lottery through the Sea Base website at www.bsaseabase.org here are some tips:
- A Scout unit leader must create an account to access the reservation site. If the unit already has an account, another one can't be created.
- A unit can request any number of dates and adventures and prioritize their top choices
- Multiple crews can be requested for a specific date and adventure.
- When a date and adventure are awarded to a unit, the unit gets all the crews requested. HOWEVER, units can't mix and match different adventures on the same date.
- Lottery results announced by March 1; 30 days to send a $100-per-person deposit.
- Individuals and small groups may be able to participate using the Scout Connections tab on the Sea Base website.
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NEW 2015-2016 Council Calendar Available
Pick up the NEW 2015-2016 GSC Council Calendar. The calendar is FREE. Two calendars have been placed in each Unit mailbox and extra copies are available at both the Rowan and Riggins Scout Resource Centers. Special thanks to the local businesses who supported Scouting by participating in this project and to our printer McKella280 in Pennsauken for the wonderful job!
Please check the online calendar for any future changes. |
 District Award of Merit NominationsDo you know an outstanding volunteer that contributes to the success of
Scouting in your District?
Now is the time to recognize their efforts by nominating volunteers for the District Award of Merit. Candidates are reviewed by a committee in each district and then awarded during the District annual dinner. Contact your District
Executive for nomination deadlines and submission information.
Click here to download the nomination form. |
Live Information Session on Cub Scout Program Changes - February 11, 2015
 Leaders, parents and interested volunteers from all Scouting Districts are invited to attend a live, in-person information session at the February Quakesen/Mahalala Roundtable. Don't miss this informative and lively presentation by a highly qualified speaker on February 11, 2015 at 7 p.m. at the Rowan Scout Resource Center.
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Commissioner My.Scouting Tools Webinars - January 20, 2015
The Commissioners Task Force is offering a webinar training on Commissioner Tools on Tuesday, January 20, 4:30 p.m. Click here to register or go to www.myscouting.org sign in and click on the link. Pre-registration is necessary to participate.
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 Silver Beaver Nominations - Deadline January 31, 2015It 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 on 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. 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 Resource Center: Jan. 27, Feb. 7 (leaders walk-thru at camp).
Questions? Send email to: Biged08@comcast.net |
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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 soon at http://www.gardenstatescouting.org/quakesen
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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. Click here for the flyer and here for the online registration link.
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Meet the NEW GSC staff member
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New Mahalala District Executive
Joe Blazejewski has been actively involved in Scouting for over 45 years. He started as a youth in Philadelphia and achieved the rank of Life Scout. He went on to volunteer as a Assistant Scoutmaster and Committee member for his son's troop, served as a District Committee member, and a member of the Musser Scout Reservation camp staff in Pa. He is still active as a Unit Commissioner in the Cradle of Liberty Council in Pa. He also served as a member of the Advisory Council for the Burlington County and Garden State Council's. He earned the Silver Beaver Award, District Award of Merit, numerous training awards and is Wood Badge trained.
In addition to his vast Scouting experience, he brings tremendous skills and leadership experience to GSC after spending 40 successful years with the American Red Cross. He has held many positions, both volunteer and professional, including serving as Executive Director of the Red Cross of Burlington County. Joe, a longtime resident of Philadelphia, is married and has four children. One of his son's is an Eagle Scout and his daughter earned the Silver Venturing and Quartermaster Awards. He is thrilled to share his tremendous Scouting knowledge and professional skills and experiences to help grow the Mahalala District.
Next week: Meet our new Development Director
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 February is Scouting Anniversary Month Scout Sunday is February 8th. Garden State Council Scout stores in Westampton and Millville are your headquarters for program covers (only $10.99 for a pack of 100) and awards ($2.49 for patches or pins) for celebrating your faith. Click here to view our winter celebrations ad. For more information visit our website at www.gardenstatescouting.org/scout-shop. 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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