January 2016 Issue 
Upcoming District Events
Washington District Roundtable
January 13th
7:15 pm - 8:45 pm
Ardsley Community Center:
2828 Spear Avenue, Ardsley, PA 19038
District Iditerad
January 29-31, 2016
Camp Hart

Earlybird discount ends 01/11/16.

District Pinewood Derby -

Sunday, April 3rd, 2016
at the Willow Grove Mall.
Contact PWD Chair, Lester Blum at [email protected]Early registration discount ends February 13, 2016.  Deadline for entries is March 13, 2016.
Washington District Dinner

Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 5 pm

Units should start to give thought to who they would like to recognize as their Unit Honored Scouter and Silent Strength Award nominees.  Nomination forms will be available at the January Roundtable.
Washington District Nominating Committee and Annual Meeting

Wednesday, April 6. 2016 at 7pm.

Washington District Nominating Committee Chair:  Mark Kenney

[email protected]

Nominations may be submitted to the nominating committee for consideration no later than March 23rd.  Committee members will be announced in the February newsletter.

Who can vote? 

Chartered Organization Representatives

2015 Registered District Members at Large

Registered Council Members at Large
Upcoming Training Opportunities
  • Trainer's Edge February 6th at council offices or May 7th at Nelson Training Center
  • SM/ASM Leader Specific March 5, 2016 at Bryn Athyn Scout Cabin.
  • Sea Scout Adult Leader Basic Feb 12-14 at Pine Hill Scout Reservation. 
  • VenturingLeader Specific and Crew Committee Challenge April 23 at Musser Scout Reservation
  • Wood Badge April 29-May 1 and June 4-6 at Musser
  • Also see the recent BSA Today Newsletter for the numerous range training opportunities that are available from our council shooting sports committee.

Unless otherwise indicated, registration is through colbsa.org (event registration) 

Upcoming Community Events/Opportunities
Abington Township Martin Luther King Memorial Service and Recognition Ceremony; January 18th at 12, p.m.  For information: http://abington.org/home/showdocument?id=2260

Briar Bush Winterfest - Saturday, Feb. 7th. , 1-4 pm.
 
Cheltenham Government Day for Youth (ages 6-14) February 12; for information: http://www.cheltenhamtownship.org/calendarView.aspx?cid=62132&id=0&catid=0
 
OA News
Congratulations to the following Washington District Scouts and Scouters!:

2016 Council Vice Chief of Program - Jeromy Hafer - Crew 39

2016 Council Vice Chief of Administration - Joshua Sirken - Troop 208

2015 Vigil Honor - Collin Henry - Troop 72

The Centurion Award Dr. David Sirken - Troop 208

Matthias Hausman - reelected Washington District Chapter Chief
Journey to Excellence
If your unit did not submit your JTE Scorecard along with your charter, please do so as soon as possible.  Questions, contact Rudy Tellmann.
PA Child Abuse Law Clearances
Thank you for your cooperation in completing your clearances to ensure the safety of all of the youth in our local Scouting Programs. We encourage each individual to upload your clearances here, if you have trouble or do not know how to upload your clearances please contact Ryan Martin at 484-654-9217 or at [email protected].

*Please note all registered adult leaders must upload their Clearances before or with their Units Recharter application.
Washington District Committee
The Washington District Committee is here to serve you, if you have a question about a specific topic contact the corresponding chair. For example if you have a questions about training, contact the Washington District Training Chair.

For a complete list of the Washington District Committee Members here to serve you, click here!
Key 3 Contact Information:

District Executive
Ryan Martin 
484-654-9217

District Chair
Sherry Sutton 
[email protected]
215-828-7418 
 
District Commissioner
Rudy Tellmann
[email protected]
267-240-6940




IT IS IMPORTANT TO LINK YOUR  BSA ID NUMBER TO YOUR MY.SCOUTING TRAINING ACCOUNT!!  Here is how:

When your volunteer application is approved, you receive a BSA membership card which includes your member ID number. After you receive your ID number, log back into MyScouting, click on "My Profile," and update the system by inputting your member ID number. This will link your Youth Protection training records, and any other training, in MyScouting to your BSA membership record.

DRAWING FOR FREE WEEK OF WD DAY CAMP WILL BE HELD AT JANUARY ROUNDTABLE!
If you registered your Cub Scout or Webelos Scout for day camp by December 31st, his name will be included in the drawing for one Scout to win a free week at the Washington District Day Camp.
Give the Gift of Camp: 2016 Washington District Day Camp
The Washington District 2016 Day Camp
is July 18-22, so mark your calendars! You will not find a better Camp at a better price then the Washington Day Camp!!

This year's theme will center around the Olympics. Day camp is once again in Bryn Athyn We are going to allow drop offs as early as 8:30 with pick up at 3:30. please take the time today register your son!

To register to be a part of this awesome adventure please go to: 

Remember to register your son for the next rank, if he is a tiger register him as a wolf, if a wolf then register him as a Bear, Bears as Webelos and Webelos as Arrow of Light or Webelos 2. if your son is currently and Arrow of Light scout, the odds are he will have advanced and will be going to summer camp with his troop, and is no longer eligible for cub Scout day camp.

One note about youth volunteers - we are once again requiring that all youth volunteers be registered and active with scouts. They must be 14 years old and first class, and be recommended by their scoutmaster.
 If they are younger than that they must have an adult in camp who will be responsible for them, and as directors we reserve the right to turn away any scout who is not serving in the best interest of the camp. Our goal is for all scouts in attendance and the volunteers to have a fun week.

Washington District Scouts Doing Great Things!
Congratulations to Colin Henry who was presented his Eagle Scout regalia on Sunday, December 28th!
CONGRATULATIONS TO ABINGTON TROOP ONE ON THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY!!
On January 7th Troop 1 reached a significant milestone, the 100th anniversary of the unit's chartering.  Many thanks to all who supported the troop throughout its first century.  We wish you the best as you begin your second century with the BSA.
Abington Pack 1 recently celebrated a successful popcorn sale.  Scouts who sold a specified amount of popcorn were given the opportunity to present Cubmaster Tom Mesko with a whipped cream pie at their most recent  pack meeting.
Roundtable
Why your Unit Needs to Attend Roundtable?
Roundtable is your Unit's opportunity to learn about the latest news and events affecting your Unit. Roundtable is where you can learn from your fellow Washington District Unit Leaders how to recruit new leaders, find new program ideas to take to your Units, and most importantly you learn how other Unit Leaders are facing the challenges we all face as we strive to provide the best possible Scouting program to our youth members.

Each month features a opening session highlighting the timely information you need to know to make your Unit successful. This is followed by a Boy Scout Leader Breakout session and Cub Scout Leader Breakout session, covering information pertaining to each individual level of Scouting.


January Roundtable

From our Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner:

Happy New Year all Washington District Leaders!!! As warm as it was on Christmas day, 
Rudolph did not have a bright red nose, but rather surfing shorts and a polo shirt.  As the year is now in full swing, the winter freeze has finally caught up with us. This month we will go over some cold weather "camping" basics, but with a twist.
Find out how to set up some simple shelters to survive the cold. Learn how to go out in the cold with some inexpensive DIY ways to enjoy this time of year. See you then!

Cub Scout Breakout Topics:
  • Helping Webelo Families Transition to Boy Scouts: Troops to visit? Who to Contact?
  • Pinewood Derby: What you need to know to put on a great Pinewood Derby for your Unit.
Washington District Iditerod
Come join in on the fun for the day or the weekend!!!  The planning team has included several new activities at stations this year.

The Washington District Iditerod is January 29th - 31st, at Camp Hart 1125 Camp Road, Pennsburg, PA 18073. Troops, Crews, and Webelo Scouts do not want to miss out on this great event and are encouraged to participate.  Contact event chair, Jim Swan to get a registration packet if you have not received one.  Early registration discount ends January 11, 2016.

If your Unit has not yet registered please contact event Chairs Jim Swan Jim Swan ([email protected]) and Ed Trauffer ([email protected]) this week. 
We Want You! For Commissioner Service
WE WANT YOU for Commissioner Service.  In fact, we NEED YOU. You've been a great Scouting Leader; how about becoming a COMMISSIONER?

Service to Packs, Troops, Crews, Ship and District Roundtable has never been more important. Join our District Commissioner Corps TODAY!
Please contact Washington District Commissioner  RUDY TELLMANN  267-240-6940 - or hatcon1@verizon.net
Ryan Martin, District Executive | 484-654-9217 | [email protected] | http://www.colbsa.org 

1485 Valley Forge Road
Wayne, PA 19087