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The Knapsack - March 12, 2015
(highlighted items are new)
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Knapsack Sponsor: Trenton Thunder
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Come out with your Scout unit to enjoy a great night of Trenton Thunder baseball under the summer stars at ARM & HAMMER Park! Catch the game, then camp out on the field and enjoy a movie on the scoreboard screen. Sleepover Nights: July 10 & July 24 both at 7 p.m.
Click here for the flyer/registration form. For more information contact: John Bodnar, jbodnar@trentonthunder.com or call (609) 394-3300 ext. 104 |
Campership Deadline: March 16
Last chance to apply for a 2015 Campership. Special funding in the form of a Campership is available to help defray the costs of camp for families in need. To apply for a Campership go to: http://www.gardenstatescouting.org/Camperships
Click here for the application.
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Membership Grants Deadline: March 15 
Does your unit have a great idea to boost membership, but doesn't have the funds to make it happen? 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. For more information go to: ww.gardenstatescouting.org/membership-grants and click here for the application which must be submitted by March 15 and units will be notified by April 1.
Send applications and questions to grants@gardenstatescouting.org
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 Ten Commandments Hike - March 21 The wait is finally over! The 2015 Ten Commandment Hike will be held Saturday, March 21, in Blackwood, NJ. The Hike runs from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., and is open to all Scouts, families and friends. Click here for the flyer, if you have any questions or to register contact Joe Brennan, 856-428-2645, ccos@gardenstatescouting.org. |
Training News & Opportunities 
Cub Scout and Boy Scout Leader Training Day - March 21This is your opportunity to take care of all your training needs in one day! White Horse Distinct is sponsoring a Leader Training Day for Cub Scout leaders, Boy Scout leaders and committee members on Saturday, March 21 from 8:45 a.m. - 4 p.m., at the Mary E. Volz School in Runnemede. Cost is $5. Click here to register.
Venture Leader and Committee member Training Day - April 4For all Venturing Advisers, Associate Advisers and Crew committee chairs and members on Saturday, April 4, from 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., at the Rowan Scout Resource Center, 693 Rancocas Rd., Westampton, NJ. This course will combine material for both Venturing Advisor Position Specific Training and Crew Committee Position Specific Training. The combined program allows attendees to receive credit for both courses. Cost is $10 (includes lunch & program materials - bring your favorite mug). Click here to register.
CANCELLED: ITOLS/OWL - Due to scheduling conflicts, the ITOLS/OWL course scheduled for April 22, 25 & 26 has been cancelled. There will be information coming soon on future courses.
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 What Is Wood Badge and who should take it? You may have read that Wood Badge is the most advanced training that BSA offers; but what does that really mean and how can that help you as a volunteer? Click here to read a personal testimonial about how important Wood Badge has been for one Cubmaster and his entire pack. For more information about Wood Badge and to register visit: http://www.gardenstatescouting.org/woodbadge |
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Open BB Shooting for Cub Scouts - March 21 (filled) & April 18 (slots available)
 Don't miss your chance to participate, only a few slots remain for the April 18 program for Cub Scouts. Parents are required to attend with their son. Cub Scouts can register individually or with their den/pack. Fee: $5 per person, per session. Click here to register |
Shooting Sports Committee Hosts Programs at Camp Roosevelt  Rifle Merit Badge Program - March 28
Attention Boy Scouts! Don't miss this opportunity to work on the requirements needed to earn the Rifle Merit Badge. The program will run from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cost $20 per person, click here to register.
Open Rifle and Open Shotgun Programs - April 11 
Boy Scouts and Venturers are invited to participate in the Open Rifle and Shotgun programs on April 11. Two sessions will be offered for each program but registration is limited to 24 people per session. You can register as an individual or as a patrol, troop or crew by clicking the links below:
Click here Open Rifle Shooting Program. Cost $15 per person/session
Click here Open Shotgun Shooting Program. Cost $20 per person/session
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 Old Colony District Dinner - March 25
Registration is now open for the Old Colony District Recognition Dinner
Wednesday, March 25, 6 - 9 p.m., Gambi Caterers, 595 Princeton Blvd., Oak Valley, NJ. The cost is $27 per person. Click here to see the new flyer for the event and here to register online.
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Beaver Days 2015 - First Session March 28
Calling Scouts of all ages, Scouting units and volunteers: We need you to join our Beaver Day project crew this spring to clean and spruce-up our camps. Groups and individuals are welcome. Lunch will be served.
- Roosevelt Scout Reservation: March 28, 2015
- Pine Tree Education & Environmental Center: April 18, 2015
- Pine Hill Scout Reservation: May 16, 2015
There is no fee to participate, but registration is required to prepare appropriate projects and get accurate counts for lunch. For more information and to register visit: http://www.gardenstatescouting.org/BeaverDay
Questions? Send email to: BeaverDay@GardenStateScouting.org
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 BaySea District Pinewood Derby Championship Race - April 18
The 2015 BaySea District Pinewood Championship Race Hosted by West Cape May Pack 73 will be held Saturday, April 18, Cape May Convention Center, 714 Beach Ave Cape May. Car registration and inspection will begin at 11:30 and run to 1:30 p.m. Each pack will send one or more Adults with ALL the Pack's cars. Also bring tools for any car that fails inspection. The Pack registration fee is $25.00.
For race details, rules, and the registration form click here. Registration is required by March 30, no walk-ins.
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White Horse Fishing Derby - April 18
Attention all White Horse District Scouts, Scouters & Parents! We have been busy making plans for our first ever Fishing Derby. The event will run from
8 a.m. - 12 p.m., April 18, Haddon Lake Park (known as Audubon Lake). The event is open to all Scouts and you are encouraged to bring a friend that is thinking about joining Scouting! Prizes will be awarded and lunch will be available!! Details and registration will be available soon.
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 Quakesen/Mahalala Spring Camporee - April 24-26, 2015
The early registration deadline has been extended to March 30 for the Spring Camporee. 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 30). Click on registration.
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Order of the Arrow Fundraisers 
This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the Order of the Arrow. You can help the members of our OA contingent attend the National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) in Michigan this summer by supporting these fundraisers:
March 19, 6-9 p.m., The Pop Shop in Collingswood
April 19, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Brunswick Zone, Turnersville
April 28, 5-9 p.m., YoGo night at Millville YoGo
May 20, 5-8 p.m., Pizza Hut Night at Vineland Pizza Hut
June 26, 7 p.m., Scout Night at the Riversharks
June 27, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Arrowtour & Trade O Ree at the Rowan Scout Resource Center
For details and more information go to: www.lenape8.org/noac
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Blue & Gold Placemats are available 
What better way to promote Cub Scout Spring/Summer Camping Opportunities than to have a special 11x17" placemat at your Blue and Gold banquet? Placemats advertise upcoming events: Cub-o-Rees, Day Camp and Webelos Resident Camp. If you are interested, call the Rowan Scout Resource Center at (609) 261-5850 and let us know how many you want and the date you need them. Placemats will be available at the District Roundtables.
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 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
NOTE: Deadline to submit applications for camperships is March 15. Click here for details.
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National Jamboree 2017 - July 15-29 
Attention all Garden State Scouts & Scouters! It seems like we just returned from a super experience at the first ever Jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Reserve, but 2017 is coming fast! We are already working towards the second Jamboree and we'll have more information out soon!
For an overview of the 2017 National Jamboree and the Summit visit http://www.summitbsa.org/events/jamboree/overview/
As information becomes available it will be posted on our council website: http://www.gardenstatescouting.org/national-jamboree
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If you LOVE soccer don't miss the Red Bull's Scout Night
Friday, April 17, 7 p.m., at Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ.
Scouts will be recognized on the in-stadium video boards as they take a lap around the pitch at halftime, and will receive a limited edition Red Bulls patch. The first 1,000 Scouts that take a lap around the pitch will also receive a special recognition Soccer belt loop.
Order tickets at www.NewYorkRedBulls.com/scoutnight or Click here for the registration flyer. For more information contact Ben Norowski at benjamin.norowski@newyorkredbulls.com or call (973) 776-8862. |
Help Support our Shooting Sports Programs
Are you free on March 28? If so, please help support our Shooting Sports program by attending the South Jersey Friends of the NRA Dinner, 6 p.m. at Masso's Crystal Manor in Glassboro, NJ.
All funds raised go to firearm training and safety and half of all funds stay in NJ. Our council will receive over $4,000 in ammunition and equipment this year for our shooting program thanks to attendance at these dinners. The state committee wants to see that groups receiving the grants attend the dinners. So come out and join us for a night of fun and good food with other shooting enthusiasts. Individual tickets and sponsorships are available. Click here for the flyer.
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Community Service Opportunities
*Don't forget to log your service hours!
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Flag Installation Day - May 16 
Cape May County Veteran's Bureau is seeking volunteers to participate in the Flag Installation Day on May 16 at Cape May County Veterans Cemetery in Cape May Court House, NJ. The program will begin at 9 a.m. If you are interested, please contact the bureau between 8:30 a.m. -4:30 p.m. Monday -Friday at (609) 886-2762. |
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Relay For Life - Volunteers Needed 
Learn how you can provide your Scouts the opportunity to save lives while changing their own! Getting involved with The American Cancer Society's Relay For Life is a great way to earn community service hours and join the fight against cancer! To find out how your troop can get involved with Relay for Life log onto www.RelayForLife.org and search for an event near you. Questions? Contact Debbie Cooney at Debbie.cooney@cancer.org
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Are you friendly? Customer Service Oriented? Looking for some part-time work? 
Then the Garden State Council is looking for you!
Customer Service: We are currently accepting applications for a part time customer service representative in our Millville location. Responsibilities would be answering phones, assisting callers and interacting with customers in the Scout Shop.
If you would like to apply please click here for the application. Contact Melissa Rozecki at (609) 261-5850 ext.216 or Melissa.rozecki@scouting.org with any questions.
Cub Scout Program Para-Professional: We are looking for a part time person, 18 years or older, to assist with the Adventure Clinic, a new program to introduce families to Cub Scouts. Clinics will be held in Westampton (Thursday's) and Haddonfield (Monday's). Applicants must be able to work at both locations from 6:30-8:30 p.m. from April 13 - June 8, and be available 2-8 p.m. on April 26 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on May 9. Knowledge of the Scouting program and prior Cub Scout experience is a plus but not mandatory. Must have reliable transportation, pass a background check, be enthusiastic and love working with children. Contact Stacey Ehling if you are interested at (609) 261-5850 ext. 217, or stacey.ehling@scouting.org.
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Congratulations to all the winners and participants at the White Horse Pinewood Derby held on  Sunday the Voorhees Town Center! 101 cars flew down the track from 21 packs for a great day of racing and scouting fun. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this event possible. Overall Winners: 1st - Ean Steidle, P179 Westmont; 2nd - Brandon McFadden, P136 Pine Hill; 3rd - Miles Allen, P184 Erial; 4th - Spencer Westover, P65 Haddonfield; 5th Brian Bogina, P96 Barrington; 6th Joey Sandor, P136 Pine Hill.
Coolest Car winners: Webelos - Asher Conrey, P65 Haddonfield; Bear - Lucus Colon, P177 Blackwood; Wolf - Steven Fox, P96 Barrington; Lion/Tiger Vinnie DiSabatino, P64 Haddonfield.
*Media Release forms were signed allowing GSC to release the names of these winners.
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 Get the message with the newest Merit Badge Pamphlet: Signs, Signals and Codes for only $4.99. For other sales click on our flier Winter 2015 Sale Flyer and visit the 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 (856) 327-1700 x 110.
To learn more about the Signs, Signals and Codes Merit Badge click here.
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Want to submit information to the Knapsack?
We want to feature your unit in our Spotlight section and your news in our distribution. Click here for the guidelines and submit information to TheKnapsack@gardenstatescouting.org
 **Remember - In order for us to be able to use your photos we need to have a media release form signed by the parents of the youth, and the adults in the photo. A best practice is to have all your unit members sign these forms when they join or renew their membership. Media & Talent Release forms are available at www.gardenstatescouting.org/marketing or click on Youth and Adult to download the forms.
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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
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