| Greetings!
Welcome to the November 2012 issue of our Council newsletter.
If you have an upcoming event, information, or a special scout story you'd like to include in this newsletter, please, email our editor. |
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BSA Honor Medal awarded to Joshua Gomez
Joshua Gomez, age 19, Eagle Scout, is currently a Unit College Scouter Reserve for Troop 826, Kissimmee, Florida. He, his family, and a friend were staying at a cabin in Black Mountain NC. They were visiting Camp Daniel Boone near Canton NC, where his brother was camping with the Troop.
During the early evening hours of June 12, 2012, a crash was heard from the upstairs area. Both he and his father responded to the noise where they discovered flames in the bathroom area. Joshua,immediately reacting with his extensive Scout training, went back down stairs to retrieve a fire extinguisher and to get the others out of the cabin. He further instructed them to call 9-1-1 for fire support. Upon arriving back upstairs he stopped his father from using water on an electrical fire and he told his father to retreat from the scene. He continued to fight the fire in the attic, the venting, and flooring until the fire was basically out and the fire extinguisher was empty. He then retreated to the yard to recover from smoke and fume inhalation.
By the time the Black Mountain Fire Department arrived Joshua Gomez had virtually saved the home and as the Deputy Fire Chief described, it was basically a mop up incident thanks to the fast and decisive actions by him. |
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Scouting for Food
 Scouting for Food, our Council's largest service project, is just around the corner. This event, which takes place on the first two Saturdays of November, teaches our Scouts a great deal about service to others, as we work together to collect food to feed the hungry of our communities. Scouting for Food is a community event for sure: our Scouts and Scouters, their friends and family, and some great community partners. Florida Hospital is serving as the title sponsor for Scouting for Food 2012. Winn-Dixie is providing our collection bags and Bright House Networks will be producing Public Service Announcements. For your unit to participate, you need to be sure your unit has filled out its commitment form. If your unit has not yet committed, please do so online at http://scoutingforfood.cflscouting.org. You also find some great resources and information about the event on the website. If you have any questions, feel free to send an e-mail to scoutingforfood@cflscouting.org Do not forget to log in your community service hours after the Scouting for Food drive to make certain your Scouts and Scouters receive their recognition. Please click here to log in your community service hours. |
| Register today for the Fall Cub Scouting Events at Camp La-No-Che
Tiger Cub Adventure
Experience the Tiger Cub Adventure for Tiger Cubs and their families at Camp La-No-Che on November 16-18, 2012 (click to register). Your Tiger Cub and family will be able to experience Camp La-No-Che with activities such as bb guns, archery, games, camping, campfire plus more! Tiger Cub Adventure 2012 has a maximum capacity so please mark your calendar.
Cub Holiday Adventure
Bring your Cub Scouts and families Holiday cheer to Camp La-No-Che and experience Cub Holiday Adventure 2012. Make sure to bring plenty of decorations for your campsite as we transform our Camp to a Holiday Central. Your Cub Scout and family will be able to participate in archery, bb guns, play camps and activities, be in a campfire and go camping plus much more! Cub Holiday Adventure 2012 at Camp La-No-Che is available the following weekends (click on the appropriate week to register):
Mark this Holiday delight in your family's calendar because space is limited!
Please click here for an information flyer for Cub Holiday Adventure 2012.
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Winter Camp at Camp La-No-Che
 Camp La-No-Che has a 2012 Winter Camp planned for Boy Scouts on December 27 -30, 2012!
Lots of opportunities to earn merit badges, fun and camping in Winter in Central Florida. This is the third year for our Winter Camp. For more information, please visit the 2012 Camp La-No-Che Winter Camp home page!
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Council Special Events
 The 2012 Sporting Clays Invitational is off to a "blast" of a start with two Title Sponsors: BB&T Bank and David Maus Automotive Group. Richard Haines of R.L. Haines General Contractor, Chairman for the 6th Annual Sporting Clays has energized his team to shoot for the stars... The event is scheduled for November 1 & 2 at the fabulous Quail Creek Plantation in Okeechobee County, FL., boasting a shooting complex  which spans over 1000 pristine acres. Your Team will enjoy the activities of a tailgate reception & BBQ and a course of 14 different stations. Each shooter will take aim at a total of 100 clay targets.
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The 2012 Boy Scouts Golf Classic
 The 2012 Golf Classic was a wonderful event held at Lake Nona Golf & Country on October 1st. The sponsors and participants were treated to a spectacular day of golf on one of Central Florida's finest courses. Many compliments were received about this outstanding Golf Classic. The tournament was well run under the leadership of co-chairs Attorney Todd Miller of Greenberg Traurig, P.A., and Central Florida Market President, Toby Peabody of BBVA Commercial Bank, along with a hard working dedicated committee. The title sponsors in Fields Automotive and Greenberg Traurig contributed to the success of the tournament by their generous investments in time and resources. This year's Pairing Party was hosted by Fields BMW of Winter Park and sponsored by TD Bank which added to the overall quality of this first class event. Special thanks and consideration to all of the sponsors for their participation and support to the "Scoutreach" program for at-risk youth throughout Central Florida. Thanks to the staff at Lake Nona for their hospitality and top notch operations. For future Special Events, please check the Council's website for additional information or contact Kirk Clark Development Director at (407) 703-0230 e-mail: kirk.clark@cflscouting.org |
Scout Day at SeaWorld
 SeaWorld and the Central Florida Council are excited to announce "Scout Day" at SeaWorld on Saturday, December 8th.
SeaWorld has graciously offered a special price (1/2 of the general admission price) for Scouts and their families to enjoy SeaWorld. |
| Facebook and Twitter
Please consider following the Central Florida Council, Boy Scouts of America on Facebook and Twitter. This will allow you and your scouts to get the most up to date information on council / district activities.
In addition, your family will be able to gather the tools necessary to enhance your child's Scouting experience.
 Please click here to be directed the Central Florida Council Facebook page
Please click here to join the Central Florida Council on Twitter.
Thank you for your commitment and leadership to Scouting here in our community.
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Training
 Looking for the latest information on BSA Training Classes being held in the Central Florida Council? The Council Training Calendar is your one-stop shop for all training classes, when they will be held, who is conducting the class, and how to register. |
Online Charter Renewals (re-charters) are due at your November Round Table
 Re-charter is the annual opportunity for charter organizations to recommit to operating a scouting unit as part of their youth programs. It is the time that leaders and scouts renew their membership for the upcoming year. All returning members pay a $15 annual membership fee and can also select Boys' Life Magazine, for a $12 fee.Re-charter packets were handed out at the October Round Table and are due at the November Round Table. If you have a question regarding re-charter, contact your unit commissioner. Complete a Unit Inventory (call all inactive youth):
Call ALL inactive youth on your roster and ask them if they would like to continue their registration in the Scouts. Just because a Scout hasn't been active lately does not mean that they want to end their association with Scouting; every kid deserves a second chance. Take a minute to invite them back.
After recharter, district volunteers call all youth who do not re-register; what they usually find is that the Scout wasn't around during recharter time. They had no idea that they were not included. Some kids were in sports and planned to come back to Scouting in the spring. A thorough Unit inventory will prevent this.
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One Car Helps Scouts
There's a new way you can help out the Scouts of Central Florida! One Car One Difference™ is a vehicle donation program conducted by Insurance Auto Auctions, and benefits the Central Florida Council.
The process is simple:
So, the next time you have an old vehicle that you need to get rid of, think of the Scouts! And, although not every "vehicle" is a car, every donation helps! One Car One Difference™ also accepts: trucks, boats, motorcycles, snowmobiles, personal watercraft, and heavy equipment.
To learn more, check out OneCarHelpsScouts.com or call 855-BSA-1CAR.
Remember, your charitable donation is tax deductible and helps provide funding to local scouting programs, providing character development, citizenship, and leadership skills in our youth.
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On-line Advancement
 Now that Summer is over and the Fall is here, it is time to make sure that all of our youth get recognized for all the cool activities they participated in by making sure they get their patches and awards! So make sure that you are logging in to the Online Advancement System and adding in the awards your boys have earned over the past couple of months, you will need the Online Advancement Report to purchase the awards anyways! Not sure how to use the Online Advancement System, check with you Unit Commissioner or District Advancement Chair they will get you started.
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2012 New Scout Recruitment
 Fall is in full swing and our new Scouts are getting plugged in to the wonderful world of Scouting!!
By now most new families should have been to at least a couple of meetings and well on their way to earning belt loops and patches. Every new Scout should have earned his Bobcat Badge. Your Pack should have attended a Cub Family Campout and be signed up to attend at least one of our fantastic events at Camp LaNoChe.
One key indicator to a strong and healthy Pack is the number of leaders they have that are trained. Training is key to a successful Pack program!! Attend your District's Roundtable and take advantage of a wealth of resources.
We are part of the greatest youth organization in the world! By the end of this year over 7,000 more families will have joined our organization for the first time.
Thank you for helping make Scouting grow!!
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Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award Luncheon
 The annual Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award Luncheon was held on Friday, October 26th at the Sheraton Orlando Downtown. More than 300-people were in attendance and more than $42,000 was raised to support Central Florida's Scout-Reach efforts. Scout-Reach is our program that strives to bring Scouting to our harder-to-serve areas. The program supports young people in need with leaders, uniforms, books, membership fees, camping fees and camperships. Luncheon Chairman Doug Hollis of Hollis Enterprises led the proceedings, along with a team of 25-volunteers. Hollis' company owns and operates five local McDonald's restaurants and they served as the event's title sponsor.  At the luncheon, four Scouting leaders were recognized for their achievements in serving at-risk youth with the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award:
- Ben Chisolm - Scoutmaster of Troop 836, chartered by Midway Safe Harbor Center in Sanford
- Alvin Cowans - CEO of McCoy Federal Credit Union - a longtime supporter of Scout-Reach
- Thomas Johnson - Committee Chair for Troop 924, chartered to Rejoice in the Lord Ministries in Apopka
- Gerrille Robinson - Cubmaster of Pack 603, chartered by Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Eatonville
Also at the luncheon, the eight African-American young men who earned their Eagle Scout award together earlier this year were recognized. The boys are from Troop 603 in Eatonville. |
New Scouts, New Parents and Popcorn
 What message do you send to your new Scouting families about popcorn? Often times, we forget that our new scouting families are NEW. There are so many things about Scouting that we take for granted, and it has become such a part of our lives that we forget that our new families are lost and trying to figure this whole "Scouting" thing out. Between Den Meetings, Campouts, Uniforms, and Badges, Popcorn may seem overwhelming unless it is properly explained. Remember that parents sign their boy up for Scouting to be a Scout, not to be a popcorn salesman. But with the right message, you can show them how popcorn makes your Scouting program run. The articles in this newsletter will focus on the three steps to bringing new families into popcorn in a positive way as well as welcome them to your Scouting program. 1. Be Positive Sounds simple, doesn't' it? You would be surprised how many people skip this very important step. Parents are looking towards you and your other leaders for guidance. If you or another leader is negative about anything (Popcorn, campouts, or other leaders) they are going to follow your lead. If they think you don't like popcorn then they aren't going to like popcorn. If they don't like popcorn they aren't going to sell it. If they don't sell in your program won't have the funds it needs to put on all the GREAT activities you have planned. 2. Focus on the Program (the FUN) Scouting is fun. That's why boys join. That's why parents volunteer. If they aren't having fun, then they aren't going to stay very long. What does this have to do with popcorn? EVERYTHING!!!! Parents need to see their boy having fun. They need to see all of the fun events that their son is going to participate in over the next few months. They need to know that the time they spend in Scouting with their son and other parents are going to be enjoyable. Once they see the fun that their new Scout will have, then they will be very open to paying for that fun by selling popcorn. 3. Make it easy Have a good popcorn plan that involves: - A Goal
- Sales Opportunities
- Unit Prizes and Incentives
Parents don't know how to sell popcorn. But they can learn quickly if you have a well-organized plan. First, have a goal for your Pack, Troop or Crew, that you can share with the families. Is it that every Scout goes to Day Camp or Summer Camp? Is it buying new tents or a pinewood derby track? Set a goal that the boys and parents can be excited about. Next provide scheduled sales opportunities like Blitz Weekends and Show & Sells. Selling in a group makes it fun and helps the boys (and parents) share in the success. Asking them to sell on their own won't work, so weave the sales dates into your program calendar, and give the new parents a chance to give back. Finally, highlight Unit Prizes and other incentives. Have prizes ready for immediately after the sales day. Give out prizes and Blitz Weekend Patches at your Pack or Troop meetings. Prizes are a good reinforcement that the Scouts (and families) are being successful. |
What is Friends of Scouting (FOS)?
The Central Florida Council has over 27,000 youth members in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Volusia, Lake and Flagler Counties. A budget of over $5.7 million is needed to provide the facilities, support materials, programs, activities and professional leadership for our community. The annual Friends of Scouting Campaign focuses on raising a significant portion of this budget through families who participate in Scouting. Funds are raised by coordinated presentations made by volunteers to families of Scouts at Blue & Golds and Courts of Honor. In order for Scouting in our community to grow, we need your continued support. We are asking you to schedule time for an 8-10 minute presentation to the parents of your Scouts about our 2013 fundraising campaign, called the "Friends of Scouting (FOS) Campaign." The Friends of Scouting Campaign will kick off at your November District Roundtable. Please bring the date, time and location of your next Blue & Gold and/or Court of Honor. Thank you for being a part of "Making Heroes"!
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| Summer Camp 2013
Experience Scouting as it should be with high adventure, merit badges galore and the one and only Native American program village plus much more!
 Camp La-No-Che's summer camp adventures for Boy Scouts and Venturing youth include the ATV and Personal Water Craft experiences, a Native American village where scouts learn "hands on" about the Native American culture, High Adventure programs which include the Alpine Tower, high & low courses in COPE plus the Climbing tower, great program areas for scouts to earn merit badges in aquatics, ecology, scoutcraft skills, health fields, shooting sports and trailblazers (designed for new scouts).
 Summer camp 2013 at Camp La-No-Che will be the best ever. We already have over 160 Troops who are attending so please put your reservation in today. Please contact Pam Falconer (352-669-8558 or pam@camplanoche.com) at Camp La-No-Che located in the Leonard and Marjorie Williams Family Scout Reservation to put in your Troop's or Crew's reservation.
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BSA Pre-paid Discover Card Launched
 We are proud to announce a brand new tool for the Scouting program: The Boy Scouts of America Discover® Prepaid Card. It is the first of many tools being offered to Scouts and their families. It's designed to help Scouts become more educated when it comes to managing their money. Designed for Scouts 13 and older, this new tool will undoubtedly make a positive impact in the lives of Scouts and families throughout our council.
Now remember, this is NOT a credit card, but a prepaid, reloadable card that parents can replenish from their own bank accounts. It's a great way to manage their Scout's daily spending, and it's safer and more convenient than carrying cash. Scouts may use the card everywhere Discover is accepted (like the Summer Camp Trading Post!) and it's also a helpful tool Scouts can use to budget for upcoming trips or campouts, or for spending from week to week.
You may visit www.ScoutsAreThifty.com to see a short video about the new card and place your order today! This prepaid card is available NOW! But, also be on the lookout for more information regarding the new Boy Scouts of America Credit Card. In addition to all of the existing rewards and benefits Discover offers, the credit card will offer a Scouts Rewards section where cardholders may donate their points to a council or purchase Scout Shop products with their points. This card will be available later this month for anyone to apply, so visit www.BoyScoutCreditCard.com and stay tuned for additional information. |
| What's Going Around: STREP THROAT
Strep Throat is What's Going Around this week. Since bacteria are usually to blame, Strep cases are most often combated with prescription antibiotics. Besides leading to serious complications, if left untreated, a person with Strep can remain contagious for upwards of three weeks - even if symptoms no longer remain.
Symptoms of Strep usually begin suddenly. The sore throat can range from mild to severe and may be accompanied by other symptoms including:
- Fever that begins suddenly
- Red throat, sometimes with white patches
- General discomfort or ill feeling
- Loss of appetite
- Tender, swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Difficulty swallowing
- Stomach ache
- Nausea
- Chills
- Headache
So how do you know if your sore throat warrants a trip to the doctor? According to the Centers for Disease Control, you should seek medical care if you or your child has:
- A sore throat that lasts longer than 1 week
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Excessive drooling (young children)
- Temperature higher than 100.4° F
- Pus on the back of the throat
- Rash
- Hoarseness for more than 2 weeks
- Blood in saliva or phlegm
- Symptoms of dehydration
- Recurring sore throats
Only a physician can diagnose Strep by examining you and conducting a Strep test. Treatment with antibiotics not only clears the infection, but also helps to reduce complications.
Centra Care will be offering free flu shot clinics during the month of November - they will be held from Noon to 5:00 p.m. at the following locations:
- November 1st - Centra Care at the Winter Garden Village
- November 12th - Colonial Town Center Centra Care (Orlando)
- November 19th - Orange Lake Centra Care (Kissimmee)
Did you know ... Centra Care offers discounted physicals for Scouts and Leaders? Scout physicals are available for $25 and Leader physicals are only $40. Check with your local Centra Care for your next annual physical.
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Legacy Quest
 We're the Predecessors of Scouting's Future The future is built on the past by the people who create the lasting accomplishments of today. We the present day Scouts and Leaders are needed to lead the way not just to our own futures but the future for all in Scouting for the many years to come. Program, Membership, and Finance are Scouting's fundamentals and also the cornerstones of its growth. We the Membership are the building blocks of this growth, the future. We expand Scouting's horizons creating adventure and structures never before considered. For us to accomplish these huge tasks we must be - active - volunteers. We must join in this creative production of change and growth. We must work in unison as the masses we total as Scouting's membership.
There are many venues or avenues for us to venture to become part of Scouting's perpetual movement in its growing future. We the Council, Districts, and Units comprised of the Scouts, Adult Leaders, Parents, and Community Partners are a force that is unstoppable in its hunger for the success of the Scouting Program now and into the far reaches of its future. We satisfy this never ending hunger for success by giving generously of our time and also by developing the resources for our financial stability and growth. We, Scouting's membership are leaders, innovators, we are Scouts and Scouters who are "Prepared. For Life" now and in the future.
Become involved, join the team, your realm of options are as limitless as your imagination. Direct Contact Unit Leadership, Council/District Leadership Roles, and Support Services are all requirements and in need of your assistance to assure the endless growth of Scouting.
Legacy Quest a support services team consisting of S3 (Council Office Support Services), C4 (Camp and Council Office Facilities Services), Campmasters (Camp Operational Services), and Blackshirts (Council Event Services).
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New District Executive for Riverside District
 Riverside District has a new District Executive. Stephanie Regalia will be working with the volunteers of Southern Brevard County serving as your District Executive. She recently graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, and during her last semester served as a Programs and Policy Intern with the American Lung Association in Central Florida. She is from Kansas City, Missouri as well as the state of Kansas in general growing up in a military family. She met and married her husband, TJ, in Kansas City, and they will celebrate their sixth anniversary on Christmas Eve of this year. They have no children, but do have two beautiful and spunky dogs. She is wholly devoted to serving the best interests of our community, and is going to ensure we have lots of fun while doing so!
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New District Executive for the Tuscarora District
 Taneka Mallory joins the Tuscarora District after spending the past five years as the Executive Director as Orlando Police Athletic League. She comes with much experience in leading, and is a welcomed addition to our team. With her experience, positive attitude and eagerness to succeed she has already helped the district tremendously. She and her husband live in Debary. Welcome Taneka Mallory to the Central Florida Council Team! |
From the Council Commissioner
As we enter the new school year, units are busy getting back into their programs and activities with a near term focus on recruitment and the all-important re-charter process. During the October Round Tables all units will receive their re-charter packets along with a tutorial that explains exactly how to conduct and prepare your re-charter. Follow this tutorial and it will take the anxiety out of the re-charter process. If you have problems or questions regarding the process, call on your Unit Commissioner, as they are all well versed in this process and stand ready to assist you.
Let me change topics now and talk about training for adult volunteers. The requirement this year for adult leader training requires that every adult be trained. As a minimum with the basic skills they need to do their "chartered" position. BSA has made major improvements in the area of training that is available on-line as well as updating training materials for use in face-to-face training. The districts continue to do an excellent job of putting together training courses for their unit leaders and the council training chair does an excellent job of posting this training to ensure it is promoted and available to everyone in the council. So, if you need training; first check to see if the specific training that you need is available on-line at Myscouting.org, or contact your District Training Committee or Unit Commissioner and they can assist you in the best way to accomplish your required training.
While I'm on the subject of training, let me talk about another training course available to adults. Over two weekends during the last month and a half, I had the opportunity to attend the 21st Century Wood Badge course and I have to tell you it is probably the best adult training I have had in the past 30 years. Now, let me state that this course does not take the place of the basic and position specific training required, this course is for that adult leader who wants to sincerely be the best leader they can be. This course is truly structured to provide adult leaders with the tools to help them be successful in not only today's Scouting programs, but life! The curriculum covers things as team building, problem solving, project planning, conflict management, etc. This training is done in a no stress environment that uses the patrol method where you foster team work, friendship and fellowship. Initially I had no intention of taking this course as I earned the Wood Badge award (the coveted Wood Badge beads) over 20 years ago, however, at the invite (and a little prodding) from a fellow Scouter, Amy Iennaco, I finally gave in and enrolled. THANK YOU Amy, words can't do justice to what I got out of the practical portion of the course and it has rekindled my desire to do more to make Scouting better in Central Florida via working my ticket over the next year. Here in the Central Florida Council we provide two opportunities a year to receive the Wood Badge training. We conduct a spring and fall course. Every adult volunteer should take the Wood Badge course; trust me you will never regret it. These courses are planned, developed and executed by volunteer staffs that are consummate professionals and passionate about ensuring that your Wood Badge experience is worthwhile and memorable. OK, you get the point; go to Wood Badge!
In closing, work your re-charters, get your training and continually recruit both youth and adults to be a part of the Scouting movement.
Stay safe.
Yours in Scouting!
- Bo Terry, Council Commissioner
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