2013 Pilgrimage & Encampment   

February 15th - 17th, 2013 at Valley Forge National Historic Park

Join Scouts and Scouters from across the nation as they hike, drive, and fly to the 101st Pilgrimage and Encampment.  The longest running Scouting event in the world, honoring our Revolutionary War soldiers, is hosted right in our backyard at the Valley Forge National Historic Park.  All Venturing Crews and Boy Scout Troops are invited to camp the weekend of February 15th to the 17th at the Encampment.  All Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers are invited to attend the Pilgrimage on the 16th. This year's Pilgrimage and Encampment will be honoring the Women Of The Revolutionary War.

The 2013 Pilgrimage & Encampment will be the "Centennial Pilgrimage," the 101st visit by the Boy Scouts to Valley Forge National Historic Park.  Registration is now open for all Cubs, Webelos, Scouts, Venturers, Adult Leaders, Parents, Friends and Family.

 For more information and to register, visit http://s.colbsa.org/pe.

2013 Council Annual Recognition Dinner  

Upcoming Women in Scouting Event!   

2013 Summer Resident Scout Camps

Resident Camps in 2013

It's cold out! Is it summer yet? Check out this link for details on the dates Boy and Cub resident camp will be offered in 2013.  Also included are prices and contact information for the summer camping team!

Please note that summer camp at Resica Falls Scout Reservation is filling up quickly.  Weeks 1, 3, & 4 are already filled to capacity and are closed.  Openings still remain for Weeks 2, 5, 6, & 7, but get your reservation in soon to secure your spot.  Please contact our Camping Assistant Tracy Launders with any questions or to make a reservation.

Attention all Boy Scout Leaders!  Take a look at the Resica Falls Leaders Guide! This guide has all of the program and administration details for camp this summer.  Not yet signed up for camp?  Bet this gets you excited to come to Resica.  Call Tracy in the camping department at (484) 654-9213. See you at camp!  

Campership Applications

Don't forget, to receive a youth campership (camping scholarship) numerous signatures are required.  The Campership Application can be downloaded here.  Don't miss out. Remember, campership money is limited, so apply on time.

2013 Camp Cards - How does 50% commission sound?

Swing for the Fences!  Send a Scout to Camp!  Don't miss out on the highly successful program taking the Scouting world by storm.  Learn more here!  

Camp Card Coaches and Captains Wanted - Help units earn 50% commission!

Are you leading YOUR unit with its Camp Card sale?  Can you help OTHER units earn 50% commission on an easy to start (and manage) sale?  Step up to the plate as a Camp Card Captain or Coach! 

Cub Pack Camp Promotions - Schedule one now and earn a $50 Gift Certificate to the Camp Trading Post!

Want to know more about Summer Camp, but don't know where to look?  Look no further.  We want to come to you!  Request a Pack Camp Promotion... now!  What are you waiting for?  Click the link!

Cub Camp Promotion Presenters - Earn $100 to send YOUR Scout to camp!

Have you been to camp and seen the magic of Scouting in action?  Would you consider talking with Cub Leaders and Packs near you about their MANY camping options?  Cub Scouts are begging to go to camp.  Help us spread the magic of Cub Camping! 

Resident Camp Staff Application - Share with future staff members in your unit!

Have you always wanted to spend your summer at camp, teaching the youth of our great program?  Do you know a Boy Scout or Venturer who would be a great camp counselor?  Apply here... today! 

Campmaster Training - March 21st  

Calendar Planning Workshop 

Calling All District Leaders and Council Committee Chairs 

Updated Eagle Service Project Workbook 

The National Advancement Team has issued two new versions of the Eagle Service Project Workbook on the BSA web site.

A new "expandable" version has new functionalities including expandable text boxes and the ability to insert images in JPEG, GIF, TIF, and PNG formats.  The National Advancement Team is interested in receiving comments that may further improve the experience with this version, email comments to the National Advancement Team.

The older "fillable" version has been updated with some minor changes.

Links to both versions of the workbook and other information for the final steps on the Trail to Eagle are available at https://www.colbsa.org/eagle-scouts/life-to-eagle/life-to-eagle-packet.html

Troop 358 to March in the 57^th Presidential Inaugural Parade

PA Speech Contest to Mark 150th Anniversary of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address 

Venturing Update

Rechartering News   

Recharter Nights 

Does the thought of rechartering your unit make your head spin?  Have you been asked to help with the recharter process and are unsure what you got yourself into?   

Our professional staff is here to help!

The Cradle of Liberty Council will be hosting six Recharter Nights to answer your questions and provide a more efficient way to complete and submit your unit's charter.  Remaining dates are:

Monday, February 4th -- Firestone Office

Wednesday, February 6th -- Marks Building

Time slots will be available from 4:30pm to 8:00pm each night.  To make an appointment or for any questions, contact Kerri-Ann Buchanan at kerri-ann.buchanan@scouting.org.   

Unit Charter Fee Increase 

In addition, the Unit Charter Fee and Post Participation Fee will now be called the Unit Liability Insurance Fee. 

Trying to recharter and can't decide what to do with those 18-20 year old Scouts who are away at college and can't complete training?

Well we have an answer for you!  Have them fill out an adult application and list position code 92 which happens to be College Scouters Reserve. This is a Council position not a unit position and it will keep them active so they can be with you during the summer, or breaks, or whenever they are at home. But it does defer their obligation to complete Position Specific and IOLS Training until they finish school.  

Training Corner - Every Scout Deserves a Trained Leader!   

Range Safety Officer Class - (needed by one Scouter to open Rifle Range) January 19, 2013 at the Firestone Office. This class is for adults 21 years of age or older and will cost $90.00.  To register go to nrainstructors.org and look for the RSO Class in Wayne, PA. If  you have questions or need help Contact Lambert Liebel Jr. at cliebel@aol.com or 610-899-0130.

Trainer's EDGE -- February 23, 2013 at the Firestone Office.  Click here for more information.  

Venturing Leader Specific Training - There are two upcoming opportunities for this training.  Saturday, February 23, 2013 at Aldan Union Church, Aldan, Delaware County (Contact Jim Foster) and Saturday, March 2, 2013 at the Firestone Office (Contact Janet Hunter). 

National Youth Leadership Training 2013 -- June 23-28, August 11-16, September 27-29 & October 4-6.  Click here for more information.

Wood Badge 2013 -- September 7-9 and October 12-14

It's never too early to start thinking about Wood Badge!  Registration will be online soon, including the option of making monthly payments.  As a special offer for the holidays, a limited number of Wood Badge Gift Certificates will be available at a discounted fee.  Click here for a flyer with more information.

Philmont Training Center 2013

The conferences at Philmont Training Center (PTC) are conducted each summer and fall by the various departments and committees of the National Council.  The beauty of Philmont and the outstanding program offered to family members make a PTC conference a tremendous atmosphere for learning, sharing, fellowship, family togetherness, and Scouting spirit.  Volunteers who attend return better trained and further motivated to serve their local Scouting programs.

For a full list of 2013 conferences, visit www.philmonttrainingcenter.org.  To register, visit www.myscouting.org and click on "Event Registration."  

Mandatory Training Update:

• Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmaster Specific Training - Now required for all Scoutmasters, and by the end of 2013 for all Assistant Scoutmasters.
• All Unit Committee Chairs are to be fully trained by the end of 2012.
• Venturing Committee Chairs are exempt from position-specific training because the training will not be available until 2013.

Health & Safety Tip of the Week:  Outdoor Safety in Winter 

USA Scouter Tour 2013  

COL Eagle Scout Alumni Association 

The Gentleman's Merit Badge Series    

Announcing the kickoff to the Gentleman's Merit Badge Series and Young Professional Networking Group for Scouting Alumni in the Greater Philadelphia Area

Join us Feb. 27th from 6:30- 8p.m. at The Duke Barber Co., The Piazza at Schmidt's, 1001 N 2nd St  Philadelphia, PA 19123.

Program will feature:

• Networking with up and coming professionals
• Complimentary Straight Razor Shaves
• Refreshments Courtesy of Yards Brewing Co.
• Fine Grooming and Shaving Technique presented by Master Barber William Brown

Please RSVP if you would like to attend.  This event is open to all Scouting Alumni ages 22-40 who are looking to develop themselves professionally and enhance their careers at extraordinary networking events.  Registration will open online soon at www.colbsa.org.  For more information about this event or information about joining our young professional alumni group, contact Development Director Mark Saxon at mark.saxon@scouting.org.

Philadelphia Soul Scout Night    

Join the Philadelphia Soul for this year's Soulful Scout Night.  The Soul have put together an inexpensive, and let's not forget fun night, and yes your Scouts can also earn a badge.  Tickets are just $15 and includes an event patch.  The post-game event just for Scouts has 3 speakers to help the Scouts earn sportsman badges - coach, player and personal trainer for the team.  Also there will be a fun filled obstacle course.  Call John Tabourn, Manager of Group Sales, at 215-253-4900 X176 or email him at jtabourn@philadelphiasoul.com now to book your troop.

Scout Events at the Wells Fargo Center & Tower Theatre   

Scout Activities at The Franklin Institute

BSA Discover Credit Card -- Now Available!

The Valley Forge Scout Shop and the Philadelphia Scout Shop wish to thank all those who helped with our special event on December 1st or 8th. The Santa Scout Shop event was fun and full of holiday spirit. The volunteers from Valley Forge Scout Shop, pictured on right, were from Packs 1918 and 170 and are Keegan Fonder, Timothy Launders, Benjamin and Evan Holladay, and Cameron Musser. We thank our Holiday Helper Scouts who helped make crafts, play music and play games. Everyone had a great time.

Even though the holidays are over, the fun never ends and there are many events yet to come for the Scout Shops and all Scouts. Scout Sunday will be here before you realize it. Blue and Gold Banquets and Courts of Honor will be gearing up. Camporees and Klondikes will be happening. The council and district dinners will be on the calendar soon. Many days of training for all kinds of things from leadership positions to staff positions are planned. Then of course, the National Jamboree is moving in fast and is the biggest event of the year. Your Scout Shops are here for all your needs for any event.

Right now the Scout Shops are celebrating Pinewood Derby season. January 12th was Pinewood Derby day when you could bring in your built car, weigh it to see how close you are to the correct weight, and run it down a practice track to see how you would do and what adjustments you need to make. We also had free decals to give to anyone who came in and weighed their car. We will have those decals for anyone who weighs their car through January 31st so you still can your decals to decorate your entry. At the shops you can find and learn about all the tools available to make your derby car look cool and go fast. There are display cases, pennants, scales, several decals, sanding tools, boring tools, presses, straighteners, adjusters, extra pieces, weights, and books to tell you how available in both Scout Shops. You have to see it to believe it. Don't miss out, bring in your assembled car, weigh it, visit the Pinewood Derby section to see everything waiting for you, and get your free decals.

Did you know that the Scout Shops have email addresses? What an easy convenient way to get information on items, sales, and what is happening. In addition, you can place orders through the email to make it easy for you to get what you want without leaving your home and still help your council out by purchasing through the shops. You can place your order by sending all the details of what you are looking for, advancements must have a completed signed advancement form attached. You can have your order shipped for a shipping fee or you can visit the store to pick up the order. Please do not send any personal payment information over the email for security reasons, call the shop to provide the necessary information to complete your order. Include a phone number in case there are any questions about your order, we want to be sure it is correct. The email addresses are valleyforgescoutshop@scouting.org and philadelphiascoutshop@scouting.org.