|
The Knapsack - Feb. 12, 2015
(highlighted items are new)
|
|
|
Knapsack Featured Sponsor
|
Night Flight 2015-A Great Ape Adventure!
This year, Philadelphia Zoo Night Flighters are going on a Great Ape Adventure! Through this overnight adventure, learn all about gorillas, orangutans and other forest dwelling creatures. Night Flighters become great ape detectives, exploring the zoo to find clues and solve the mystery about what's happening to great apes across the globe. Night Flight runs Friday and Saturday evenings through June 30, and then Oct. -Nov. Spaces fill up quickly, call 215-243-5353 to reserve your space today.
Upcoming daytime scout workshops:
March 7 - Mammal Study 10 a.m.; Sustainability Badge 12-4 p.m.
March 14 - Cub Scout workshop 10a.m. - 12p.m.
|
Membership Grants of up to $1,000 Available to Units 
Does your unit have a great idea to boost membership, but doesn't have the funds to make it happen? The Garden State Council is happy to announce the availability of 2015 Unit Membership Grants! The growth of Scouting starts with strong units. We are looking for the most original, out of the box ideas to get families excited about Scouting, and ultimately enroll more youth in the Scouting program. Grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded per unit.
For more information click here or go to www.gardenstatescouting.org/membership-grants.
To download the requirements and application click here.
Applications must be submitted by March 15 and units will be notified by April 1.
Applications must be sent to grants@gardenstatescouting.org
Questions? E-mail grants@gardenstatescouting.org
|
 Time to Register for Summer Camp!
Whether your Scout is into spy games, robots, knights or mysteries, GSC Summer Camps have something for everyone! For more information go to: www.gardenstatescouting.org/SummerCamp
|
Volunteering at Summer Camp: A Special Thank You! 
It has been about 6 months since our 2014 summer camp programs have come to a close. We would like to take this moment to reflect back on the many great experiences and offer a sincere "Thank you!" to all of those who volunteered their time to help make the 2014 summer camp season a great success!
"Volunteering at camp with my sons was a great experience!" wrote one parent who had the opportunity to share in their son's summer camp experience by volunteering at camp.
Planning is currently underway for another exciting summer with many fun, innovative and new programs being developed. We are looking forward to continuing to work with all of you: the parents who plan to volunteer a week of your time to attend camp with your son, and share in the experience that makes a positive, life-long impact on each Scout who participates.
Would you like to volunteer? Be sure to visit the link below and select "Register Today!" This is the same link you can use to register your son for camp as well. At the link below, you will also find information about all of our 2015 summer camp programs and how you can contact us should you have any questions.
www.GardenStateScouting.org/SummerCamp
Thank You!
|
 Lion Patches are here! The Lion patches are available at both Scout Shops for $1.99 each for those units that have an active Lion program. There are only 100 at each store, so please purchase only what you need to serve your current membership.
|
|
BeAScout.org - Checking Leads and Changing Status
Checking Leads: Unit leaders who monitor their Pack or Troop BeAScout.Org accounts are reminded to check for leads (people interested in joining your program) at least once a week and respond to these inquiries within 7 days. Remember, parents who use this service are actively trying to join Scouting and want to know about your program. A quick response shows we care and want their son in our program.
Changing Status: After you respond, please make sure to change the "status" of th e request by
clicking on the green pencil (see image) and using the pull-down menu under "update status." Select either "follow-up needed" - which means you weren't able to reach them, or "contacted" which means you made contact via email or phone. Then click "update." You can also enter notes by clicking on the yellow pencil & paper icon. If you have any questions contact your District Executive or Stacey Ehling.
|
|
Scouting Anniversary Week - February 8-14
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).
For information about Council events go to the Religious Relationships Page on our GSC website.
|
Florida Sea Base Lottery Registration Closes Sunday Feb. 15
The lottery for 2016 high adventures at the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base is open until Feb. 15, 2015. You must register for the lottery through the Sea Base website at www.bsaseabase.org
|
Klondike Online Registration Closes Feb. 19
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 until Feb. 19. Walk-in registrations will be accepted at the event.
|
Celebrating 100 Years of the Order of the Arrow - March 13 & 14
The New Jersey Scout Museum invites all Scouting families and units to a free open house and celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Order of the Arrow on March 13 from 6-9 p.m. and March 14 from 4-7 p.m. at the museum in Morganville, NJ. Please RSVP to 732-862-1282. Visit the website www.njsm.org |
|
Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner - March 15 
Did your Troop have any Eagles Scouts in 2014? Are they attending the Class of 2014 Eagle Scout Career Recognition Dinner? Has your troop submitted a congratulatory ad for the program book? Visit http://www.GardenStateScouting.org/EagleDinner for more information!
|
2015 Camperships are available: Deadline to apply - March 16 at 5 p.m. 
Attending Summer Camp is the pinnacle of any Scouting experience, but for some families the cost might put camp out of reach. The leadership of the Garden State Council recognizes this issue, and offers special funding in the form of Camperships to help defray the costs of camp for families in need. To apply for a "Campership" and for details on the review process go to: http://www.gardenstatescouting.org/Camperships
and click here for the Campership application. |
 Save the Date: Old Colony District Dinner - March 25 Please submit your nominations by March 2. There are many new awards available, check out the Old Colony web page for details. www.gardenstatescouting.org/old-colony
|
World Scout Jamboree - Deadline March 31
The scholarship application can be found on the Registration and Fees page of the site. February 13 is the due date for scholarship consideration.
|
 Quakesen District Camporee - April 24-26
Save the Date: Enjoy a weekend of "Olympian" activities and competition during this Camporee 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/per person after 3/1/15). Click here for the Leaders Guide and to register online. |
 "Say What?" Cub-o-Ree - April 25 - 26
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 event is open to ALL Garden State Council Scouts. Space is limited! Visit www.gardenstatescouting.org/quakesen for the flyer, prices and more information and click here to register online. Please register by March 28. |
|
Garden State Council Annual Recognition Dinner - April 30
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 online registration link.
|
Quakesen District Dinner - May 1
The Quakesen District Committee will be hosting the Annual District Recognition Dinner on May 1 at 5 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 125 Garden St., Mount Holly, NJ. Join us for a night of fun, fellowship, recognition and a great dinner catered by Christopher's. Cost: $25 per person. We will also be recognizing some of the best leaders in our district. Now is your chance to submit nominations for a variety of awards. Deadline for award submission is March 31. Click on these links for the awards list and the nomination form or visit www.gardenstatescouting.org/quakesen
|
|
Feature Story: A Scout is Reverent
|
Scout Sunday
Scouts and leaders marked the 105th birthday of the Boy Scouts of America during a Scout Sunday ceremony at the Protestant Community Church of Medford Lakes, NJ, in the Quakesen District on Feb. 8.
Some 20 Scouts and leaders participated from Troop 48 and Pack 48 in Medford Lakes, Pack 3163 in Audubon, and from Girl Scout Troops 23023 and 24301 in Medford Lakes and one from Audubon.
Thank you to all our Scouts across the council who have and are participating in Scouting Anniversary week celebrations. Thank you to our local religious organizations for graciously hosting so many of these Scout Sabbath and Scout Sunday events. |
|
Special Offers for Scouts
|
The Franklin Institute: Scout Programs
Engineering Day - February 21, A day-long experience designed to help Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts work towards completing Engineering related achievement requirements.
Cub Scout/Boy Scout Weather Day - March 7, Work towards Weather Belt Loop and Pin and Weather Merit Badge.
For details and registration information go to www.fi.edu/scout-days
|
|
Check out this new Scout Mom item!
You don't have to wait until Mother's Day to show that your Mom is the
"Best Scout Mom Ever" with this beautiful T-shirt for only $14.99.
For other great gifts of appreciation please visit us at either our Westampton or Millville stores. To find out about the latest sales and specials check out our Winter 2015 Sale Flyer and our Garden State Council Scout Stores Facebook page.
Questions? Contact: Alyssa at the Westampton Store (609) 261-5850 x 219, or Teresa at the Millville Store (609) 327-1700 x 110.
|
|
|
Don't miss out on the latest Scouting News! 
Do you know someone who is NOT receiving the Knapsack? You can forward this email to a friend using the button below and they can click here to sign-up now. Or scan the qr code to the right and/or click on the following link to the sign-up page... Printable qr code knapsack sign-up flyer
Want to submit information to the Knapsack? Click here for the guidelines and submit information to TheKnapsack@gardenstatescouting.org .
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
