LAFAYETTE E-NEWSLETTER
MARCH EDITION
Lafayette District Calendar Has Been Updated
The Lafayette District Calendar has been updated!!! Check out everything that is going on from now through the Spring Camporee in 2107 here:  Lafayette District Calendar

Membership Grant Information
New for 2016!  The Cradle of Liberty Council will be offering the opportunity for units to apply for membership grants to support unit recruitment and retention efforts. Interested units should carefully review the following guidelines prior to preparing the membership grant application (found here: https://www.colbsa.org/rocket-into-scouting/membership/membership-grants.html), which are DUE APRIL 15TH to [email protected]?subject=Membership%20Grants
  • Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Varsity Scout teams, Venturing crews, and Sea Scout ships are eligible to apply through their unit leader (Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Coach, Advisor, or Skipper) and unit Committee Chair.
  • Grants are to assist with expenses related to membership that might not otherwise qualify for financial assistance.
  • Projects must have measurable outcomes.
  • Units that have their grant applications approved by the council membership committee will be awarded a maximum of $500 per year.
Priority will be given to projects that:
  • Are new initiatives in recruiting and/or retention.
  • Emphasize spring and year-round recruitment.
  • Include collaboration between units.
  • Include a financial contribution to the project from the unit (in addition to the council).
Important Notes:
  • Grant money is not given in advance. The unit must complete the project, submit a final report and receipts for all purchases, and comply with deadlines in order to receive the grant.
  • Units that are recipients of membership grants must agree to provide summary activity reports at the conclusion of their project (or monthly if it is an ongoing effort) until all awarded funds have been accounted for.
  • No grant money will be released without copies of receipts.
  • All awarded funds must be accounted for and submitted to the council no later than December 16, 2016.

Please direct any questions to  [email protected]?subject=Membership%20Grants or call Greg Osborn, Director of Field Service, at 484-654-9239.
Reading Phillies Game on Sunday, August 28
For the past 2 years, Pack 724 attended a Reading Phillies game. We had the pool section and the scouts and their families that attended had a WONDERFUL time!

This year we've contacted the Reading Phillies again and we have reserved the entire pool area for a game on August 28. Again, we'll be in the pool, and we'll have access to the yummy food buffet from 1-3:30pm.  This event is open to any Unit in the District.

Tickets cost $23.00 each and include pool area seats.

We'll have picnic tables to sit on as well as full access to the pool right next to the tables
 
Children under 4 are free
 
Included in the $23.00 is also a yummy buffet from 1:00PM-3:30PM
 
Parking at the Reading Phillies is always FREE!

The Mascots will come to the pool area for photos and visits during the game

You are responsible for reserving and paying for your own tickets. Simply click the link below and sign in using the User ID/Password provided below.  This event is open to all units.

The deadline to reserve/pay for tickets is May 2.  There are 310 tickets available, and after May 2, all unsold tickets will be sold to the public.  
 
Sign-up link:
 
Username - cubscout
Password - pack724
 
  
Reading Fightin Phils
2016 Reading Fightin Phils Season
1900 Centre Avenue/RT 61 South
Reading, PA USA 19605

Contact With Reading Phillies:
Jon Nally 610-375-8469 Ext. 242 or [email protected] 

If calling or e-mailing the Reading Phillies, please mention you're with Becky's Scout Event in the pool area on August 28 so you're sure to get the correct event.

A Special "Thank You" goes out to Becky Adamson for setting up this fantastic event! 
 
STEM NOVA and SUPERNOVA Awards
We all know that there is much more to Scouting than camping. We also know that the emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) today is not new to Scouting.
 
Our founders, most notably Ernest Thompson Seton, understood over 100 years ago that an understanding how of scientific concepts impacted their lives was important to the development of young men. They wove the concepts throughout the program. Among the original 57 merit badges introduced in 1911 there were many that, today, we would include as STEM merit badges. These included Architecture, Astronomy, Aviation, Chemistry, Electricity, Machinery, and Surveying.
 
It has not just been merit badges. Do you remember learning about the food chain, or how to measure the height of a tree using a stick, or how to find north by looking at the stars, or about the Earth's magnetic field, or participating in Project SOAR? Or the hundreds of other things you learned as a Scout that brought Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math into your world in a practical way?
 
Two STEM Awards have been created, NOVA and SUPERNOVA, to encourage Scouts and Venturers to take advantage of STEM activities in Scouting.
 
To find out more about STEM awards and to learn how to become a STEM Mentor contact Brian Wynne, [email protected]

Lafayette District Picnic
The Lafayette District Picnic will be held on Wednesday, June 8 at 6 PM on the lawn at the Cradle of Liberty Council offices in Wayne, PA.
 
The District Committee will provide the hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers and rolls. And you bring the side dishes and desserts. Adult Scouters Recognition Award Ceremony will start at 7 pm.
More details will follow so stay tuned. $5 per aged 10 and up.  Children under age 10 are free.
 
OPPS we do need help. If you want to run a kids game, help with cooking, setup or cleanup please contact Liz Parker at [email protected].
 
To sign up online, use the following link: http://colbsa.doubleknot.com/event/1892048

Troop 406 -First-Time Bob Berger First Aid Meet Participants

The Bob Berger Memorial First Aid Meet was held on March 5th, 2016. Each year Troop 105 plans out the event by thinking of new ways to test the scouts on their First Aid skills. Meaning each year there are different challenges than the year before. This year there were 12 different stations with situations such as a snake bite where the snake was still nearby, car accident where glass was in the victim, a dehydration victim and even a downed snowboarder. Troop 105 did an excellent job with the makeup on the victims-they looked like they were actually injured!
 
This was the first year that Troop 406 Royersford participated in the event. The boys did not know what to expect and spent a few troop meetings prior to the event practicing their skills. They really had a blast at the event and felt that it was not only a great experience in showing what they know of their first aid skills, but also a great bonding and teamwork experience!   At the end of the day they scored a 381 out of 450 points-earning them 4th place.   Not bad for first timers! They plan on attending again next year on March 4th, 2017.... and hope to see more packs/troops participating.






Lafayette District Pinewood Derby Race Results
The Lafayette District Pinewood Derby was held on March 19, 2016. The top ten standings from the race are shown below. We hope that all racers had a great time at the Pinewood Derby!





Hiking Merit Badge Changes

Attention Scoutmasters and Hiking merit badge counselors!
National has published a change to the requirements for this Eagle required badge, effective 1/1/2016. The important changes are to old requirements 4, 5, and 6. Here's the changes, with deleted text shown in red, and added text shown in green:
 
4. 
[***DELETED***Make a written plan for a 10-mile hike, including map routes, a clothing and equipment list, and a list of items for a trail lunch.***DELETED***]
Take the five following hikes, each on a different day, and each of continuous miles. These hikes MUST be taken in the following order:
 
    • One 5-mile hike
    • Three 10-mile hikes
    • One 15-mile hike
You may stop for as many short rest periods as needed, as well as one meal, during each hike, but not for an extended period (example: overnight). Prepare a written hike plan before each hike and share it with your Scoutmaster or a designee. Include map routes, a clothing and equipment list, and a list of items for a trail lunch. *

5.
[***DELETED*** Take five hikes, each on a different day, and each of at least ten continuous miles. You may stop for as many short rest periods as needed, as well as one meal, during each hike, but not for an extended period (example: overnight). Prepare a hike plan for each hike.*
6. ***DELETED***]
 Take a hike of 20 continuous miles in one day following a hike plan you have prepared. You may stop for as many short rest periods as needed, as well as one meal, but not for an extended period (example: overnight).*
 
So now instead of five ten mile hikes, there must be one 5 mile hike, three 10 mile hikes, and one 15 mile hike taken in that order.

If a scout has already started the badge (i.e., has a signed blue card and has met with a counselor), he can continue under the old rules. Otherwise, he must complete the new requirements.

As a reminder, the latest requirements can always be found at www.scouting.org  .

If you have any questions, please contact Vickie Detwiler, Lafayette District Advancement Chair, at [email protected] .


Eugene Holladay Award Winner

Eugene Holladay was Lafayette District Chairman many years ago. He was thought of very highly by all that came in contact with him. He passed away suddenly and we had asked if we could do something to remember him by and so came the Eugene Holladay Award for a youth that shows the ideals of scouting and leadership. Gene loved woodworking and would present wooden tops along with a poem to top scouters, and to him there were a lot of top scouters.




The winner of the Eugene Holladay Award is William Shumaker from Troop 7155. William will be awarded a scholarship to attend National Youth Leadership Training. Congratulations  William!

Cub Adventures Open House at Camp Hart
Excited for camp? Unsure what to expect? Join us at our Open House where you will be able to get in some practice before the "summer games" begin.

When: May 14, 2017

Doors Open at 8:30 AM.  Please remember to bring your ticket.

You can pre-purchase lunch ($5) or bring your own brown bag lunch.

 

Baden-Powell District Training Day

The Baden-Powell District Training Day will be held on April 2nd. We are offering quite a few basic training programs for Troop and Pack leaders, as well as a Life to Eagle seminar, and several other very good programs. Although Baden-Powell District is hosting this, we are glad to say that this has been a joint effort with several districts for the past few years; and we welcome participants from all over our council and beyond.


 
When: Saturday, April 2, 2016
 
Where:
Saint Peter's Lutheran Church
3025 Church Rd.
Lafayette Hill, PA 19444
 
Cost: $ 5.00 per person
 
Beverages and breakfast will be available.
 
Lunch will be on your own (feel free to bring your own lunch or go out to eat locally).
 
Time: 8:15 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.: Sign-in
          8:45 a.m.: Opening Ceremony
 
Sessions will be done by 3:30 p.m. or earlier
 
A great training opportunity for Adult and Youth Leaders. Sessions include:

  • Life to Eagle Seminar
  • Youth Protection (Y01)
  • Scoutmaster / Assistant Scoutmaster Specific
  • Bullying Prevention
  • Den Leader Specific
  • Cubmaster Specific
  • Pack Committee Challenge
  • Troop Committee Challenge
  • Fundamentals of Training (Train-the-Trainer)
 
For questions or more information, please contact:
Barry Kauffmann: 215-880-5488 or Mike Matusheski: 610-292-0946 or
 via email: [email protected]
 
To register, send an email to: [email protected]
Please include names of those attending, session(s) requested for each, and your Pack/Troop/Crew/Team number. No online registration. Payments will be taken in CASH at sign-in. .
 
What to bring:
  • Note taking materials.
  • Your membership ID number (to ensure you get credit for courses)
  • A positive and learning attitude full of Scouting spirit.
 

You Are Invited To Attend Roundtable!


JP Mascaro  Audubon Office Building on the 2nd floor.
2650 Audubon Road, Audubon, PA 19403
Meet and Greet starts at 7:00pm; Program portion starts at 7:30pm
Got Questions? CONTACT: Alan Cave (610) 960-5507 
Roundtable Commissioner

Cradle of Liberty, Boy Scouts of America
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