October 2015
 

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In This Issue:
District Chariman's Minute
Roundtable
Cub Scout Program Changes
Merit Badge College
2017 National Jamboree
Advancement News
DE's Note
Unit News
Dates to Remember:
Quick Links
Conestoga District Leadership

 

District Chair

Robert (Bob) Booth

 302-319-0095

[email protected] 

 

District Commissioner

Dave Zimmerman

484-410-7415

 

District Executive

Jarred S. Barnes

484-654-9232

[email protected]

 
 

District Committee:


 

Advancement Chairman

(& Eagle Project Approval)

Paul Dallatore  

 

Eagle Board of Review

Robert Wetzel

610-328-4429

 

Training Chairman

Jim Foster 

 

Membership Chairman

Barry Walsh

  

Family Friends of Scouting Chairman

Currently Vacant, please inquire if interested

 

District Camp Card "Coach"

Linda Graeff 

 

Scouting for Food Chairman

Frank Dewan 

 

District Dinner Chairman

Judy Neiman

 

District Camping Chair

Richard Blank

 

Day Camp Director

John Thomas 

 

District Camporee Chairman

Jim Fitzgerald 

 

District Cookoree Chariman

Michael DiStefano 

 

Order of the Arrow Adviser

Jamie Flick

 

 
 Roundtable Commissioners:

Cub Scout:
Linda Graeff

Boy Scout: 

Venturing:  
Angela Margavitch

 

 

Unit Commissioners:

 Michael DiStefano 

P54, T54

 

Jim Foster 

P37, P503, T375

 

Jim Fitzgerald 

P44, P355, P485, T43, T44

 

 Joel Jeffries

P92, C32 

  

John Seng

P375, T32

 

Barry Walsh

P240, T503

 

Dave Zimmerman

P111, P339, T2

 

District Chairman's Minute
Hello Conestoga District,
 
October seemed to fly by for me, and we're already into the first week of November. I hope all of our units that sold popcorn hit their sales goals and earned enough to fund your programs for another fun filled Scouting year.
In November we turn our attention to helping others through the Scouting for Food drive. Most units already have their bags, but if you still need some, they will be available at this month's roundtable meeting. Bag drop off day is Nov 14, and pick up day is Nov 21. Please remember to report how many food items you collect to our Food Drive chairman Frank Dewan, we'd like to publish the total numbers in local news outlets. We'd love to see pictures too.
 
November is also important for re-chartering. All Conestoga units must submit their re-chartering and Journey to Excellence paperwork this month, hopefully on our turn in day on Nov 14. All Cradle of Liberty units expire on Dec 31, so it's important to complete and turn in your applications in November so our registrar has time to process them and resolve any questions that might pop up. It is your responsibility to complete this paperwork on time to assure that your unit insurance stays in effect.
 
But never stop recruiting! New Scouts can still join your Pack, Troop, or Crew all year round, and you can add new Scouts to your roster at any time. New Scouts will still get a FREE rocket while supplies last. And Cradle of Liberty is providing a FREE recruiter patch to Scouts who invite a friend to join by Nov 20.
And I will sweeten the deal...I will offer a FREE pizza party to the Conestoga Pack, Troop, or Crew with the greatest percentage increase in new members by Nov 30.
 
Our next Roundtable meeting will be on November 10, at Drexel Hill United Methodist Church. Please invite any new leaders and parents so they can learn more about what's going on. It would be great to have every Pack, Troop, and Crew represented.
 
At this month's roundtable we'll be talking about how we staff the District committee in the general session. The Boy Scouts breakout will include info on the new changes to Boy Scout requirements effective on Jan 1, 2016. And you can get answers to any questions you have on clearances required by PA's new Child Protection law.  
 
Here are some upcoming events for all Conestoga Pack, Troop, and Crew calendars:
Nov 10 - Conestoga District Roundtable meeting and OA, at Drexel Hill UMC
Nov 11 - Veterans day
Nov 14 -turn in re-chartering and Journey to Excellence paperwork
Nov 14 - Scouting for Food bag drop off
Nov 21 - Scouting for Food bag pick up and report totals
Nov 26 - Thanksgiving day
Dec 1 - Conestoga District Commissioners & District Committee meetings
Dec 5 - University of Scouting at Valley Forge Military Academy
Dec 6-14 - Hanukkah, a Scout is reverent
Dec 8 - Conestoga District Christmas and holiday party, at Drexel Hill UMC
Dec 25 - Christmas day, a Scout is reverent
Dec 31 - all Cradle of Liberty unit charters expire
Jan 22-24 - Alaskan Goldrush, joint event with Baden Powell District at Musser S.R.
Feb 12-14 - Valley Forge Pilgrimage and Encampment
Apr 22-24 - Conestoga District Spring Camporee at Musser Scout Reservation
May TBD - Conestoga District dinner
 
In October, our district had five Eagle Scout Boards of Review. Please join me in congratulating Conestoga District's newest Eagle Scouts, RJ Garrish and Alex Lowry, both from Troop 2, Doug Leake from Troop 44, David Yingling from Troop 512, and Zach Thornton from Troop 32. Congrats to our newest Eagles and their families.
 
Yours in Scouting,
Bob Booth

Roundtable

Tuesday, November 10th  

 

Drexel Hill United Methodist Church

600 Burmont Rd, Drexel Hill, PA

 

Joint Session 7:30-8:00 pm 

Program announcements in regards to Scouting for Food, Recruiter incentives, Rechartering, Voice of the Scout Survey and much more!

 

Program Breakout 8:00-9:00pm

Program-specific discussions and presentations relevant to you.

 - Cub Scout

 - Boy Scout

 - Order of the Arrow

 

All Scout leaders and interested adults are welcome to attend Roundtable.  Every Unit should have at least one leader attend. 

 

Yours in Scouting, 

 

Dave Zimmerman

District Commissioner

Cub Scout's at the Air Force Base
Check out this cool link in which you can see all our Scouts in action at the Horsham Air Force Base!

Our own Pack 240 had 27 involved with this event including friends and family and Pack 39's Nicholas B. made the photo roll!  Check it out!

 Flag Ceremony Glenolden American Legion Post 566 11/5/2015
The Boy Scouts of Troop 44 conducted a flag ceremony on Thursday, November 5, replacing the worn American Flag outside the American Legion Murray Stuart Post 566 on Glenn Avenue in Glenolden.
 
Senior Patrol Leader Sean Serpico leads the flag ceremony at Murray Stuart Post in Glenolden Thursday evening.
Senior Patrol Leader Sean Serpico leads the flag ceremony at Murray Stuart Post in Glenolden Thursday evening.
 
Assisting with the ceremony were members of Troop 44, Cub Pack 44 and Venture Crew 566. The flag was donated to the American Legion by the Boy Scout Troop as a thank you for the use of the building for its weekly meetings. American Legion Murray Stuart Post 566 is the Chartering Organization for Venture Crew 566, Cub Scout Pack 44 and Troop 44.

 Join Venturing!
Venturing Banner
 
Join in on the Venturing Carnival Night!
December 1, 2015
Cradle of Liberty Office, downstairs room
Enjoy yourself for a night with games, activities, and excellent company!
 
December 29, 2015
9:00am - 3:00pm; Cradle of Liberty Office
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crew MEMBERS training!!
Come join us for an exciting and fun day of youth training.  Topics covered include teambuilding and crew leadership.
Cost $5 and includes breakfast, lunch, and snacks
 
For more information about Venturing, click here!
 

University of Scouting
Come out December 5th all information and links can be found here:

2017 National Jamboree!
 
 
Calling all Troops! 
 
Registration is now active for the 2017 National Jamboree which will take place from July 19-28 2017 at The Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia, which is the fourth National BSA High Adventure Base. Cradle of Liberty Council intends to take ten contingent troops and one crew to the Jamboree. The cost for youth is $1,545 which includes transportation, food, equipment, and just about everything you will need. Campership money for those in need of assistance is available. The two step registration process to sign up for the Jamboree is described below:
 
First utilize this link http://www.summitbsa.org/events/jamboree/jamboree-registration/ to sign up on the National site. This will require a My.Scouting user name and password, go to www.my.scouting.org to create a password if you do not yet have one. Remember the account needs to be in the name of the person attending the Jamboree, not the parent, and the account has to be linked to the scout's membership id number. Chrome or Firefox may be the best browsers to sign up.
 
After you have signed up on the National System, then submit a Request to Attend Form, which can be found on the Council website, to Cradle of Liberty Council, 1485 Valley Forge Road, Wayne, Pa 19087, with all signatures and an initial payment of $245. You will need the Jamboree Registration Code that you receive from National once you sign up on their site. Further payments of $100 per month can be made by credit card through Doubleknot on the Council website.
 
Conestoga District has always had a large contingent of scouts attend the National Jamboree and we want to make sure that all of our scouts end up in the Conestoga Troop with Steve Perrone as their Scoutmaster.
For questions please contact Steve Perrone [email protected]
 
Advancement News
 
-As a reminder, all units are required to report all advancement via the internet by June 1, 2016. Based on records held at Council, most of the troops and packs are currently reporting via internet advancement. If anyone needs assistance, please contact me, Paul Dallatore: [email protected]
 
The Council Advancement Committee is searching for assistance in two areas:
-Religious Emblems Coordinator for each district. If you would be interested in this position, please let me know. Responsibilities include encouraging all youth to earn the emblem of their faith and establish relationships with potential religious chartered organizations.
 -I am also looking for anyone who would like to become an Eagle Coach, which would help boys that are currently Life Scouts continue on to Eagle. This would mostly include helping them with the paperwork
 
-For all Life Scouts, requests for approval of your Eagle Project must be completed via a telephone call - please do not email. Those in the district that are able to approve projects are:
Robert Wetzel - 610-328-4429
James Gardner - 610-626-8158
Paul Dallatore - 610-888-4298
 
-All Eagle Scout Applications should be turned in to the Council office as soon as possible after the scout turns 18. The goal of the Advancement Committee is to schedule and complete the Board of Review as soon as possible.
 
-Any scout wishing to request an extension of time to complete the Eagle Requirements must send a request to the District Advancement Committee. This request will need to include the name of the scout, the reason for the extension and approximately how much time will be needed.

Merit Badge College
Cradle of Liberty Council will present a Merit Badge College on Saturdays March 19 and April 2, 2016 at the Valley Forge Military Academy. A scout will be able to earn up to four Merit Badges by completing pre requisites in advance of the first session, completing additional requirements between the two sessions, and of course by attending and participating in the two Saturday class events.
 
Fifty badges are being offered including seven Eagle Required Badges, many STEM badges, and other seldom offered badges. There will be a limit of 600 scouts so continue to monitor BSAT and the Conestoga Express for further information. The badges being offered and sign up instructions will be forthcoming shortly.
 
Registration will begin on February 1, 2016. The cost is twenty six dollars per scout which will include your lunch for both days and a patch. Last year was limited to 500 scouts and was sold out in eleven days.

 For additional information or a flyer contact Steve Perrone at [email protected]  

DE's Note
Coming up on the four month mark as your DE and we have done a lot of great things here in Conestoga: Popcorn, Service Hours, Scouting for Food on the horizon, Trips to various meetings and all types of fun.  I went through an Ordeal and became an Arrowmen, seen some great work and I cannot wait for the next bunch of events for me to help out at.  Please let me know what I can do for you!

Thank you all and take care!
JSB
  
Unit News
What has your unit been up to?  Anything you want to share with the rest of the district?

Send article submissions and photos to Jarred S. Barnes by the end of each month to be included.