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Spokane Service Center &
National Scout Shop
411 West Boy Scout Way
Spokane, WA 99201
(800)-945-4390
(509)-325-4562
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Clarkston Service Center &
Scout Shop
915 6th St
Clarkston, WA 99403
(800)-252-8657
(509)-758-7575
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Hayden Service Center &
Scout Shop
10739 N Government Way
Hayden, ID 83843
(866)-440-5458
(208)-772-2455
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President:
Mike Altringer
Commissioner:
Phil Peck
Scout Executive:
Tim McCandless
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Read Your District Newsletter
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Congratulations to our 2014 Eagle Scouts!
(click picture below)
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The Scoutmaster Minute
(click picture below)
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Have a Scoutmaster's Minute you would like to share? Email your submissions HERE! |
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Scouts from Troop 3 Visit England for their 84-mile Trek to Hadrian's Wall
Built in 122AD by the Roman Empire, Scouts enjoyed many adventures along the trail!
This past July, seven boys (including four Eagle Scouts) and four adults from Troop 3, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, traveled to London, England, for a few days of sightseeing before heading north to the city of Newcastle, where they started off down the 84-mile Hadrian's Wall National Path. Walking from coast to coast (North Sea to Irish Sea) in seven days, the Scouts encountered landscape of all types, from rural to urban, mountainous to coastal.
Each night, they stayed in a different bunk barn or hostel along the trail, and each day walked with full pack at least 10 miles, with the longest day topping out at 18 miles. The trail follows the ancient wall, built by Roman Centurions in 122AD to hold back the northern barbarians and to mark the furthest frontier of the Roman Empire. Each day, the Scouts of Troop 3 walked along in the footsteps of those Romans, traversing some of the remotest countryside of England. The things they saw along the way, and the people they encountered on the trail, made for the adventure of a lifetime.
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Three Cub Scout Trailblazer Days in 2014
Fun for the whole family!
Trailblazer Day is a special one-day event for all Cub Scouts and their families to kick-off a great program for the fall. Trailblazer Days are sponsored by the U.S. Sportsman Alliance and will feature activities such as Archery, BB Guns, Field Games, and much more put on by local volunteers from various outdoor groups and Inland Northwest Council districts.
There are three Trailblazer Day events so choose the day and location that works for you. This is a wonderful way to introduce new Cub Scouts and their parents to the adventure that is Scouting! Make your reservation today. You can register by submitting a completed reservation form with payment to any of the three council service centers.
Click HERE for dates, cost and online registration Click HERE to download the registration form
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19th Annual Turkey Shoot
Saturday, November 22nd
The Turkey Shoot is a fun activity for older Scouts-Varsity, Venture, and Boy Scouts who are 14 years or older-to spend a day at the Spokane Gun Club shooting shotguns, breaking pigeons (hopefully while they're airborne), and stuff themselves on a delicious turkey meal. 
Event Information
Date: November 22nd
Time: Check in at 8am
Location: Spokane Gun Club
19615 E Sprague Ave, Greenacres, WA
Gun Club Phone: 509.926.6505
Cost: $16 per person $10 if you bring your own shells
$4 late fee after November 14th
Register: Online or at the Scout Service Center
Contact: Jim Fox, Event Chair Jim@Foxhill.me
For more information, CLICK HERE
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Please Welcome Our Newest Member to the Inland Northwest Council Team:
Robert Metzger, Associate Development Executive for Service Area "East"
Robert grew up in Huntington Beach, California and is a former Third Class Petty officer of the United States Navy. He is married to his wife Jennifer who he met while in the service and they have an 8 year old daughter name Alexandria. Robert graduated from Eastern Washington University in 2014 with a Bachelor's degree in Government Pre-Law. Robert's favorite hobby is fishing with his wife and daughter. Please help us welcome Robert Metzger to the Inland Northwest Council!
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Please Welcome Our New Council Commissioner: Phil Peck
Phil has been a volunteer for the last 7 years, serving in a wide variety to roles that cover much of the BSA program areas including Committee chair for both a Pack and a Troop, Roundtable Commissioner, District Commissioner, and he currently still serves as Scoutmaster for Troop 141 in Sagle, ID. Phil is also a mighty Bobwhite, participating in Wood Badge in 2010 and has served on Wood Badge staff for the last 2 years.
Phil and his wife Bobbie Jo live in North Idaho with their 2 children. Their son Andrew is a 17 year old Life Scout who is working on finishing up his remaining merit badges and selecting an Eagle Scout project. Their daughter Rachel is turning 12 and is disappointed she has to wait until she's 14 to join a Venturing Crew, but plans to start up a Crew with her and her friends. Please help us welcome Phil Peck as the new Council Commissioner!
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We Hosted the 2nd Largest Sporting Clay Shoot in Washington State!
Thank you to all of our sponsors, volunteers and participants who helped make this event possible
150 folks with guns and enthusiasm descended on Double Barrel Ranch for our 7th Annual Sporting Clays Shoot, presented by Clyde/ West. This unique fundraiser helps us bring in financial support for our local Scouting programs, and has grown to be the 2nd largest Sporting Clays shoot in Washington State!
We started the day with shooter games, warm-up station, then started the competition by shooting at 100 clay targets over 18 stations. The day wrapped up with ribs, sides, and a live auction. Every participant received a custom knife from Buck Knives as well.
A fresh feature this year was a paddle raise, for a new archery program at Camp Grizzly. We raised enough to buy a Sporting Arrows trap thrower from LaPorte. Curious about Sporting Arrows and what it looks like? You can see the video HERE. Before summer starts, we'll still need to secure the bows and flu-flu arrows for this exciting program- if you know someone who'd like to help with that, let us know!
Many thanks to our sponsors and participants for making this the most successful shoot we've had- we couldn't have done it without you!
Interested in more info on next year's Sporting Clays Shoot? You can get on the mailing list by contacting Kate Benson or Nicole DeSart.
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Get Ready: Renew Your Unit Charter with Ease!
It's time to renew your unit's charter again. Charters will be handed out in October at your district's roundtable meeting. Make sure that you have a representative at the October Roundtable for most districts. 
Myscouting.scouting.org allows your Charter Representative (CR), Committee Chair (CC), or Unit Leader (UL) to print off membership cards and charter certificates for your charter presentation, (find it under unit tools). If you would like the council to print them off, please call Angela in Hayden at (208) 772-2455 or Colette in Spokane at (509) 325-4562.
Early Bird Deadline: Turn in your finished charter by November 21, 2014 and get a chance to win a Pizza party for your unit! We are going to draw one winner per district so your chances are greater to win!
CLICK HERE to begin your charter renewal training or work on your charter. Remember everyone is a first time user the first time you enter the program this year.
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VOICE OF THE SCOUT: Fall Surveys Are Out, Make Your Voice Heard Today!
Voice of the Scout (VOS) is the BSA's first nation - wide effort to directly to engage, you, our volunteers! VOS is a system of continuous surveys and reports that will capture the value our members, parents and volunteers are associating with Scouting. Through these experiences we can understand what is driving word- of-mouth referrals to Scouting and loyalty to our program. Your response to our surveys, which are sent out twice a year, will help to identify what we can do better as an organization.
Surveys for Voice of the Scout are being sent out now, so make sure you check you inbox and take a few minutes to let us know how we are doing to serve the youth of the Inland Northwest. If you are not receiving a survey in your email inbox do the following: first, check your spam folder, secondly If an email is not in your spam folder please CLICK HERE to enter your current email.
If you have any question please contact Bill Beaumont at bill.beaumont@scouting.org.
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Brass Tacks Program Planning!
Want to know what the next twelve months of events that are being offered by the Council or the districts of Service Area West? Go the Service Area West Program Calendar at:
www.NWScouts.org/Program
This program calendar is a great resource for units during their annual planning process and offers a wider view of programs outside of your district. If an event like your district's Spring Camporee is on a date or location that's not convenient for your boys, take a look at the other Spring Camporees in or area.
The Service Area East Program Calendar is coming soon!
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Now Accepting Nominations for the Silver Beaver and other Council-level Awards
Nominations due by December 15th, 2014
The Silver Beaver Award, presented annually is the highest award that a council can present to a volunteer. This award is for outstanding service to youth at the council level or for outstanding longtime service to youth by a registered Scouter residing within the Inland Northwest Council.
To nominate an outstanding Scouter for this prestigious award or for these others:
Submit nomination forms to the Inland Northwest Council by December 15, 2014. Awards will be presented at the council Volunteer Recognition Dinner on March 8, 2014.
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Philmont: Your Next High Adventure Base
Did you know Philmont has many different activities? Most youth are aware of the back country treks while some adults are familiar with the Philmont Training Center (PTC).
What kinds of activities are available at the two different Philmonts?
The Philmont back country treks, for which Philmont is most well-known for consists of a "crew" - 7 to 12 members (including 2 to 4 adults) hiking 7 or 12 days in Philmont's back country which consists of almost 250,000 acres. For 2014, you had a choice of 35 different treks ranging from 52 to 106 miles participating in 45 different activities at over 100 back country camps. No one itinerary will visit all camps and participate in all activities. Part of your trek planning involves deciding which activities you want to participate in.
Each year the treks are updated so one year's treks may not be the same as the next year's treks.
The Philmont Training Center activities consists of 10 weeks of summer conferences plus a week of fall conferences covering just about any scouting-related topic. But wait, there's more! While you are in your conference, family members can take advantange of Philmont's long list of activities for families.
At the Philmont Camping HQ, there are several other back country opportunities - such as:
l Rayado trek (20 days)
l Ranch Hands (16 days)
l OA Trail Crew (14 days; OA members only)
l ROCS (Roving Outdoor Conservation School; 21 days)
l STEM Trek (12 days)
l Trail Crew Trek (15 days)
l Cavalcades (8 days)
l NAYLE (7 days)
l Philmont Leadership Challenge (6 days)
l Philmont Scout Ranch Autumn Adventure
l Winter Adventure (3 days)
l Philmont Seasonal Staff
The most important thing to remember is - if you want to attend any of the back country activities at Philmont, you need to plan ahead - sometimes way ahead! For example, reservations for the 2016 back country treks begins with the lottery opening on October 29, 2014.
For more information on anything Philmont, contact your Philmont Ambassador. Don't know who your Philmont Ambassador is? Contact Paul Yelk at scouter@dog-walker.org.
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Earn the 2014 Summit Award and Save 10% on Summer Camp Fees!
Recruit a Unit Friends of Scouting (FOS) Coordinator
Summit Award: Reach the unit FOS goal and receive FREE cloth advancements for a year, 10% off camp fees and FREE camping at Council camps (off season)
Job Description: Primarily acts as a liaison between the Friends of Scouting presenter and the Pack, Troop, or Crew.
Duties:
PRIOR TO THE FOS PRESENTATION:
- Confirm the date, time & place of the event with the Presenter 2 weeks prior
- Request a short bio from the Presenter for use in your introduction at the FOS presentation
- Provide families with the introductory letter/email
- Inform unit families and friends of the approaching presentation
AT THE PRESENTATION:
- Arrange for scout helpers to distribute materials to families & introduce the Presenter (Presentation should only take 10 minutes)
- Remind families to turn in pledges & donations before leaving
- Thank the Presenter for his/her time and efforts
AFTER THE PRESENTATION:
- Provide Unit families with follow-up information regarding the presentation.
- Contact personally families not attending to gather their pledges & donations
- Transfer pledges and donations to Presenter.
Questions? Contact your local Scout Service Center. CLICK HERE for contact info.
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2014 Scouting for Food Campaign
November 1st-8th
Scouting for Food is a fun, dynamic, and meaningful opportunity for Scouts to make a difference in their communities by collecting large amounts of food from our neighborhoods for those in need. Food collected from this drive goes directly into the shelves of our local food banks and just weeks before Thanksgiving.
Be sure to contact your local coordinator to claim your area as well as learn about additional ways to can do more good turns before, during, and after this event. Units that participate in each phase of this activity will be eligible for a special prize drawing.
November 1st-7th: disperse door hangers to your assigned neighborhoods
November 8th: pick up non-perishable items and deliver to local food banks
For more information check out the event webpage at: www.nwscouts.org/event/1521930
Scouting for Food Coordinators:
Brian Rubright (Chinook)
berubright@msn.com
Marie Sprecher (Grizzly)
marie.6496@hotmail.com
Jim Carter, (Stevens)
newmanal@plix.com
Jim Harston (Thunderbird)
recycledscience@gmail.com
Angela Hills (Service Area East)
angela.hills@scouting.org
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The Safety of our Scouts is Our #1 Priority:
The Sweet Sixteen of BSA Safety
Few youth organizations encompass the breadth, volume, and diversity of physical activity common to Scouting and none enjoy a better safety record. The key to maintaining and improving this exemplary record is the conscientious and trained adult leader who is attentive to safety concerns.
As an aid in the continuing effort to protect participants in a Scout activity, the BSA National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the BSA National Council have developed the "Sweet Sixteen" of BSA safety procedures for physical activity. These 16 points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities.
1. QUALIFIED SUPERVISION
2. PHYSICAL FITNESS
3. BUDDY SYSTEM
4. SAFE AREA OR COURSE
5. EQUIPMENT SELECTION AND MAINTENANCE
6. PERSONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT
7. SAFETY PROCEDURES AND POLICIES
8. SKILL LEVEL LIMITS
9. WEATHER CHECK
10. PLANNING
11. COMMUNICATIONS
12. PLANS AND NOTICES
13. FIRST-AID RESOURCES
14. APPLICABLE LAWS
15. CPR RESOURCE
16. DISCIPLINE
For the full content and explanations of each of the Sweet Sixteen of BSA Safety, please click HERE.
In addition to these general rules, safety concerns in certain BSA activities, including most of the aquatics programs, have been specifically addressed in more detailed guidelines. All leaders should review and comply with such guidelines in the respective activities. Examples can be found in publications such as the Guide to Safe Scouting, Chemical Fuel and Equipment Policies, Safe Swim Defense, etc.
One additional resource that is available for Scout Leaders is the BSA Health and Safety Newsletter. CLICK HERE for the link to the Spring/Summer 2014 Issue.
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BeAScout.org Find a Unit Near You |
Get the Survey | 
JTE Tool Box |
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On the Horizon
Upcoming Events |
2014 Journey to Excellence Conference (JTEC)
Saturday, December 6th
 
On September 13th 300 Scouts began the first half of their classes at the third annual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Merit Badge University. STEM Merit Badge University is a program that gives youth opportunities to earn STEM-related merit badges that traditionally are difficult to obtain a counselor for. This year courses included merit badges like Chemistry, Engineering, Game Design, Programing, Robotics, Weather, and Welding. Merit Badges are taught by industry professionals from various companies, government agencies, and associations such as: Ag Energy, Uncle's Games, Minds-I, the National Weather Service, OXARC, Dukes Auto Club, and many more.
One of the largest benefits delivered from STEM Merit Badge University comes from the quality of the courses. Phil Appel (pictured above) instructs Scouts in Sustainability. Phil has a PhD in mechanical engineering, was a member of the team that designed General Motor's first electric car, was a physics professor and the founder of the Sustainability Club at Gonzaga University, and is currently the owner and CEO of Ag Energy here in Spokane.
If you missed out on STEM MBU this year, be sure to mark your calendars now for next year, the most popular classes fill up fast! STEM MBU will most likely be held on September 12th and November 21st in 2015 (mark both dates, Scouts need to attend both).
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Takin' Care of Business!
Training Opportunities |
October & November Training Dates
Every boy deserves a trained leader!
For all volunteers, not only is your training required, it's a great idea! Trained leaders are more likely to:
- Do more in less time than their non-trained counterparts
- Deliver a higher quality of program to their youth
- Attract and retain more youth in their units
- What: All Leader Specific Training (Hosted by Old Missions) REGISTER HERE
- Who: for all registered Adult Leaders
- When: October 18, 2014, 8am-4pm
- Where: LDS Church, 409 E Honeysuckle Ave., Hayden, ID (Corner of Honeysuckle and Maple)
- Please bring a sack lunch, your Leader Book, a pen and wear your uniform
- Contact: Angela Hills or call 208-772-2455.
- What: Fundamentals of Training REGISTER HERE
- Who: For youth and adult trainers and is designed to introduce Scouting trainers to teaching techniques and skills
- When: November 11, 2014, 7:30am-12pm
- Where: Gonzaga University, check-in at Cataldo Hall (same location as STEM MBU)
- Contact: Cindy Wilmoth
- What: Outdoor Leadership Skills (OLS) Training
- Who: for all registered Adult Leaders
- When: November 14-16th, 2014, check in 5pm Friday evening
- Where: Cowles Scout Reservation
- Contact/Questions: Rich Kendall
Don't know what training to take for your position? Click HERE to find out!
Don't see a training listed? Click HERE to find more information.
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2015 North Idaho High Adventure Base
Experience the thrill of rafting the lower Salmon River!
Are you man enough to experience the thrill of rafting the Lower Salmon River gorges!? Ride Class II through IV rapids on more than 53 miles of the Salmon River, "The River of No Return." Pass through stunning canyons, camp on white, sandy beaches, and be prepared for the adrenalin rush of a lifetime! 
Jet boat back! An incredible twist on a phenomenal summer high adventure trip. Our float trips are half the price of local outfitters! Fee includes all necessary rafting equipment.
Qualifications: Must be at least 13 years of age by January 1st and be in good physical condition. Cost is $650 per person. Click Here for current availability, don't wait to make your $50 dollar per person deposit as we have limited space left for 2015.
Click here to download the 2015 North Idaho High Adventure Base Reservation Form.
Click here for more information on the North Idaho High Adventure Base white water rafting program.
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2015 Reservations for Camp Easton & Camp Grizzly
 
Inland Northwest Council Units are already able to make reservations for 2015 summer camp at Camp Easton and Camp Grizzly! Out-of-Council units will be able to begin making reservations for 2014 camp beginning July 16, 2014. That is nearly a six-month head start for Inland Northwest Council units. In order to make a camp reservation, units will need to mail or bring the $150 deposit and a reservation form to your local service center. Camp Easton and Grizzly will fill up fast so take advantage of the opportunity to reserve the week of camp your troop wants.
Click here to download the 2015 Boy Scout Camp Reservation Form.
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| Council & Event Registration
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District News
Read Your District Newsletter for the Latest News in Scouts |
- Volunteer to be a merit badge counselor in your vocation or avocation. Contact Colette Erickson, Registrar, at 1-800-945-4390.
- Volunteer on a district or council committee. Contact Gerry Granum, Director of Field Services, at 1-800-945-4390.
- Send a Scout to camp by donating a campership. Click this link to make an online donation or mail your gift to Campership Fund, 411 West Boy Scout Way, Spokane, WA 99201.
- Donate gently used uniforms to our uniform bank so we can provide uniforms to families with financial hardships. Drop off at any of our three Scout Service Centers.
- Support One Scout for One Year as part of our iSupport1 campaign. Click this link to support one or more Scouts this year for $182 each. Your gift will provide volunteer training, programs and activities, camps, leader support and more for one or more Scouts.
- Donate your Car to Support Scouting-whether it runs or not! We'll even haul it away! Click the link above for more details.
- Support the future of Scouting with a gift to the Inland Northwest Council Endowment Foundation. Make a Memorial Gift in memory of a friend or family member, a Tribute gift in honor of an Eagle Scout or other outstanding individual or join the James E. West Society with a gift of $1,000 or more.
- Support improvements at one or more of our camps by clicking here.
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| Thank You to Our Sponsors: |
The Inland Northwest Council is a partner with and a member of the United Way of Spokane County, Twin County United Way, United Way of Moscow/Latah County and the United Way of Pullman.
We Proudly Recognize the Following Merit Badge Sponsors for their Support: Truck Transportation: Inventing: Welding: Geology: Forestry: Textile: Citizenship in the Community: |
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Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.
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