WAYNE, PA (October 8, 2013) - The Cradle of Liberty Council of the Boy Scouts of America has been awarded a federal conservation grant through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to create and improve the habitat for the golden-winged warbler, an at-risk species, at its Resica Falls Scout Camp in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

     The golden-winged warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) is a migratory species that breeds in the Northeastern United States, preferring early successional habitats for nesting. The vast forested lands, grasslands, and forb-rich landscape of the Appalachian Mountains was once considered a population stronghold for the golden-winged warbler. Today, however, the population is at risk to be listed as an endangered species. Recently-abandoned farm fields and clear-cuts are ideal habitats; however, they do not last long, and the warbler often quickly disappears from an area. 

     To read more, click here

Young Professional Scouts invites you to connect with Scouting Alumni this fall

 If you are interested in attending any of the following Gentleman's Merit Badge Series networking events or other opportunities please contact Mark Saxon at mark.saxon@scouting.org for details about how you can join the more than 100 engaged young alumni living and working in the Greater Philadelphia Area.

Camp Staff Alumni Gathering - December 30^th, 7pm

All Camp Staff Members Past and Present are invited to attend the Annual Camp Staff Alumni Gathering. This year, the gathering will take place on Monday, December 30 at the Council Office starting at 7pm. Join us for an evening of Food and Fellowship with other staff members. Please RSVP your attendance by December 27^th HERE so we know how much food to purchase. An initiative we are starting this year is to have an Alumni Camp Improvement Project that each Alumni can donate towards. This year, our project will be outfitting both camps with Genesis Bows. When you register, please consider donating so we can continue to improve our Shooting Sports opportunities for the Scouts!

Hot Off the Press - Boy Scout and Venturing Specialty Summer Opportunities

Are your Boy Scouts and Venturers looking for more excitement this summer? Have they been to summer camp, but want to try something new this summer? Make sure you get them signed-up for one of our Specialty Programs:

Fawn Run at Resica Falls - Enjoy a week of hiking in the beautiful Pocono Mountains and participating in exciting program along the trail.

Specialty Camp at Musser - Enjoy a week working on Merit Badges or exploring career opportunities in the Medical and STEM Fields. Boy Scouts will have the opportunity to earn four merit badges, and Venturers can explore four career paths.

Paddlerama at Resica Falls -  Enjoy a week of Canoeing on the picturesque Delaware River. The Trip is approximately 70 miles, and the Scouts will have the opportunity to earn parts of Whitewater Merit Badge.

Cub Scout Medieval Adventures in 2014

He re Ye, Here Ye! The King and his court invite you to Medieval Adventures for Cub Scout Summer Camp in 2014. Cubs and their pack will have the opportunity to attend camp for half-week resident session, full week day camp! If you want EXTRA fun, stay two sessions! To schedule your packs Camp Promotion, click here! 

Resica Falls Summer Camp 2014

Make sure that your troop has Resica Falls on its' radar for your 2014 Summer Camp! With over 60 merit badges in more than 12 program areas, and a High Adventure program second to none, Resica offers something for everyone! New this year will be a program area for welding merit badge and othe r Mr. fix-it badges. Sign-up today at www.colbsa.org/camping 

Camp Promotion Presenters

We are looking for some energetic presenters in each district to help promote all of our Summer Camping opportunities. If you are interested in serving as a Camp Promotion Presenter, please e-mail John Bickel

SPARK Lodge Fall 2013 Merit Badge Courses - Radio and Electricity

SPARK Lodge merit badge courses for this Fall are already filling up. Radio merit badge will be offered on Saturday, November 23, 2013 and Electricity merit badge will be offered on Saturday, December 14, 2013.  Both courses will begin at 9:00 a.m. sharp.  These are provisional courses and limited to no more than three Scouts from one troop or crew per badge. For more information and to register for one of these courses can be found at: http://www.k3bsa.org.     

Christopher Limbert of East Greenville Troop 108

Luke Mingioni  Pack 260

This incident occurred outside of Luke's home.  Luke was outside his house and his mother was working in the garage.  Luke and his mother both heard a loud noise.  Luke ran into the garage and told his mom that a man had fallen off of the roof of a nearby house.  Mom at first did not believe Luke who was six years old and a Tiger Cub at the time.  Luke persisted in telling his mom what he had seen and she decided to go with him to check out his story.

They found the man on his deck.  Mr. Till was unconscious.  Mom sent Luke to tell his older brother and older sister to call 911.  Luke again had to persuade his brother and sister that he was telling the truth.  They called 911.  The police and EMS arrived shortly thereafter.

Luke knew from his scouting experience that Mr. Till should not be moved and should be immobilized.  He assisted his mother in bandaging the man's head and in immobilizing him until emergency help arrived.

Luke told the emergency team that Number 27 in his Cub Scout book is to have an Emergency Plan.

The man was treated at the medical facility for traumatic head injury.

I would encourage all unit leaders to review the newly revised "BSA Guide to Advancement" link below. The summary of changes in the beginning is helpful.  While it's a blog, it is written by Bryan Wendell, who is the Senior Editor for Scouting Magazine.  

http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2013/07/11/five-big-takeaways-from-todays-release-of-the-2013-guide-to-advancement/

HUNTING IS NOT AN AUTHORIZED ACTIVITY IN CUB SCOUTING AND BOY SCOUTING

Hunting is not an authorized Cub Scout or Boy Scout activity, although hunting safety is part of the program curriculum.  The purpose of this policy is to restrict chartered packs, troops, and teams from conducting hunting trips. However, this policy does not restrict Venturing crews from conducting hunting trips or special adult hunting expeditions provided that adequate safety procedures are followed and that all participants have obtained necessary permits and/or licenses from either state or federal agencies. While hunter safety education might not be required prior to obtaining a hunting license, successful completion of the respective state voluntary program is required before participating in the activity.  Source: BSA's Guide to Safe Scouting. 

During 2012 more than 3,000 Scouts received $100 grants for their Eagle Scout service projects through the generosity of the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation. The Boy Scouts of America is pleased to announce that the foundation has offered to continue its support with a similar number of grants beginning in July 2013. 

For more information, click here

The Cradle of Liberty Council Eagle Scout Alumni Association is pleased to announce 

the release of a special limited edition Eagle Scout Council Shoulder patch that can be worn by Eagle Scouts. The se special edition Council patches will support the Annual Eagle Scout Scholarship fund. For more information please contact Mark Chilutti at chilutti2000@aol.com or click here to download order form