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The Knapsack - Jan. 29, 2015
(highlighted items are new)
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 Silver Beaver Nominations - Deadline January 31, 2015 Last chance to send in your nominations for the Silver Beaver Award. 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. |
Important Date Change:
White Horse District Klondike Derby Rescheduled - February 6-8, Pine Hill Scout Reservation |
February Roundtable Round-Up 
BaySea - Monday, February 9, 7 p.m., Riggins Scout Resource Center, Millville (Dave Lyons and Mark Dienno - Cub Program Changes)
White Horse - Tuesday, February 10, 7 p.m., Glen Landing Middle School, Blackwood (Compassion, Aware & Care, Cultural Diversity)
Old Colony - Wednesday, February 11, 7 p.m., LDS Church, Sewell, NJ
Quakesen/Mahalala - Wednesday, February 11, 7 p.m., Rowan Scout Resource Center, Westampton (Cub Program Changes)
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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 at 7 p.m. at the Rowan Scout Resource Center. For more information about the changes which take effect June 1, 2015 or to view Webinars on the changes visit www.scouting.org/programupdates
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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.
- 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 2/26/15)
- 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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Florida Sea Base Lottery Registration Open until February 15
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
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There is still time to register for Klondike - 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: Feb. 7 (leaders walk-thru at camp). Questions? Send email to: Biged08@comcast.net |
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Area 5 Journey to Excellence Conference - March 7, 2015
Calling all District Committee Members, Commissioners, Scouting Professionals and Scouters - If you are interested in improving the Scouting experience and getting the tools you need to achieve JTE Gold in 2015, don't miss this conference. Topics include: Leadership & Governance, Commissioner Service, Quality Program,Membershi p Growth and Finance and "Best Practices" sessions by area councils. The conference runs from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., at Raritan Valley Community College, Branchburg, NJ. The cost is $30 per person (includes breakfast, lunch & materials). Keynote speaker: Gary Butler,Deputy Chief Scout Executive & Chief Operating Officer, National BSA. Register online by March 5 at www.colbsa.org/area5
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 Save the Date: Old Colony District Dinner - March 25, 2015
Please submit your nominations by March 2. There are many new awards are available, check out the Old Colony web page for details.
www.gardenstatescouting.org/old-colony
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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 |
 "Say What?" Cub-o-Ree - April 25 - 26, 2015
Communication through the ages is the theme for this Quakesen District-sponsored Cub-o-Ree. Join us for food, fellowship and fun at the Pine Tree Education and Environmental Center. This parent/son event includes lots of activities, outdoor fun, BB and archery, in addition to camping.
This event is open to ALL Garden State Council Scouts. Space is limited! Register online as soon as you can!
Visit www.gardenstatescouting.org/quakesen for the flyer, prices and more information and click here to register online. Please register by March 28.
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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.
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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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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 District Award of Merit NominationsDo you know an outstanding volunteer that contributes to the success of Scouting in yo ur 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. |
 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. For more information and to register online go to: www.GardenStateScouting.org/WoodBadge |
 Outdoor Ethics Corner: Land Ethics
Ethics are the rules of behavior in a social context. Ethics are the expression a person's moral values. These rules of behavior are the foundation of social and community living, how individuals interact with the members of the community. The Land Ethic extends the context of the community to include the land, air, water, plants and animals. The values placed on the people of a community should include all the members of the greater community. "We abuse land because we see it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." -Aldo Leopold
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Meet the NEW GSC staff member
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New Development Director
 Joyce Skradzinski comes to the Garden State Council after working for fourteen years with the American Red Cross. Most recently she served as the Executive Director of the South Jersey Chapter and previously held the position of Financial Development Specialist. Under her leadership, the Salem Chapter was recognized as a Highly Performing Chapter for Fiscal Years 2007 and 2008.
Joyce holds a B.S. in Accounting with a minor in Mathematics from Elizabethtown College. As the new GSC Development Director, she will be responsible for overseeing a number of fundraising activities and focus on grant writing to help support the districts and the council.
Joyce became involved in Scouting as a Den Leader when her son Ray was in Cub Scouts, and then remained active as a mentor for several Boy Scouts who pursued Eagle Scout projects with the Red Cross. She loves Scouting and recognizes the positive and powerful impact the program can have on boys. "The most recent experience was when I was at a business to speak and passed a young man who was in my den, he introduced me to his co-worker as "the best leader" he had in Scouting. This really showed me that Scouting can have a lasting impact on each and every Scout and the importance of keeping the future of Scouting alive!"
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Special Offers for Scouts
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 Special Climbing Prices for Scouting Anniversary Week
In celebration of Scouting's 105th Anniversary, Elite Climbing in Maple Shade, NJ, is offering 50% off day passes or family packages from Feb. 2-6, 2015. For more information call (856) 273-1370, or email: contactus@eliteclimbing.com |
 Scout Sunday is almost here! 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-stores 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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