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