If you understand that the main thing in Scouting is providing character education to young people... and you know trained volunteers help make that happen... and you know strong units with vibrant program take the time to plan out their calendar and budget... then you understand Popcorn is a tool that equals PROGRAM!

In July, each District will be hosting their "2013 Popcorn = Program" Kickoff. (Check with your District's Popcorn Kernel or DE on date, time and location) Be sure the Popcorn Kernel in YOUR unit is there. This ensures your unit earns its full commission AND you don't want to miss all the new and exciting improvements to the sale! (HINT: new flavors, more lower-priced options and new and improved prizes!)

3-Steps for Success in Your Unit:

1)    The first step to a successful sale is getting signed up! Be sure your unit has filled out their 2013 commitment form, which can be found at http://popcorn.cflscouting.org

2)    Attend your District's "Popcorn = Program" Kickoff in July

3)    Plan and execute a fun and exciting "Popcorn = Program" Kickoff in YOUR unit. (Make sure EVERY family understands your calendar and budget and what popcorn can do for the unit and their Scout/Venturer. Each family's understanding of WHY popcorn exists will make all the difference!)

If you have any questions, please contact our Council Popcorn Kernel, Jodi Peterman, at petermanconsultingservices@gmail.com or our Popcorn Staff Advisor, Patrick Linfors, at patrick.linfors@cflscouting.org.

The Seminole County PAL and Winter Springs Police Department hosted this year's Class 11 of the Central Florida Law Enforcement Explorers Academy. The Posts that participated was the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, Lake County Sheriff's Office, Orlando Police Department, Sanford Police Department, Winter Park Police Department, Altamonte Springs Police Department, Oviedo Police Department, Winter Springs Police Department, Longwood Police Department
and the Orange City Police Department.

 

Orlando Police Explorers that participated in the Central Florida Law Enforcement Academy. Orlando Police Chief and Council Exploring Chairman Paul Rooney

 

The academy was held June 9-21, 2013 at Seminole State College. The Academy is a multi-phase program which caters to first time student, as well as, the more advanced Phases 2 and 3. Instruction is provided by certified law enforcement instructors and support personnel actively working with various law enforcement agencies. The curriculum consists of 100 hours of instruction and may include but is not limited to the following:

Criminal Law, Physical Fitness, Court Testimony, Firearms, Search/Seizure, Self Defense/Defensive Tactics, Crash Investigation, Military Drill, Traffic Stops, Rappelling, Building Searches, Jail or other facility tours, Narcotics Identification, Special Unit Demonstrations, Taser, Ethics, Field Training
Land Navigation, Report Writing, Crime Scene and Surveillance. 

An adventure race like none other... Where second place is the main course!  The race will be held at Camp La-No-Che  located on the North shore of Lake Norris in Paisley, Florida. La-No-Che is 1,480 acres (6.0 km2) and located near the southern border of the Ocala National Forest.

The race is open to Individuals and Teams 13 years of age and older. Participants will run a 5K race and go through 25 obstacles. Team Categories include Law Enforcement, Fire Rescue. Explorer, Venturer, High School JROTC, Youth, Troop and Adult competing for a traveling trophy in each category.

Individuals and Teams will select a wave (time) to run starting at 8:00 am and ending at 3:00 pm There will be a live band, food trucks, and a midway with all sorts of vendors.

When: Saturday, September 14, 2013

Costs:  Individual before August 1st $40.00 

Individual after August 1st $50.00

Individual Walk In September 14th $55.00

Team: Teams of Five $200.00

For more information or to register go to www.x5kblackbearchallenge.com  or contact Jerry Brady at jbrady@lflmail.org or 407-703-0233

Next summer, The Philmont Scout Ranch will be celebrating their 76th anniversary. 

The Central Florida Council still has room for 13 youth and 3 adults for the 2014 trek. The fee is $2,400. The cost per participant includes all Philmont Scout Ranch fees, round trip flight from Orlando to Albuquerque NM, 3 days of touring and exciting activities including white water rafting, & cycling, 3 nights in terrific hotels, meals and attractions, 5 extremely amazing customized Contingent shirts, customized name badge and most importantly - training from two leaders with 9 Philmont treks between them.

Each crew of 10-12 chooses their own itinerary based on their interests, the distance they want to travel, and the degree of difficulty they want. Philmont offers interpretive programs in gold mining, western lore, logging, mountain livin', homesteading, burro packing, and black powder shotguns as well as contemporary programs like rock climbing, archaeology, challenge courses, astronomy and mountain biking.

This event will sell out, however a $100 deposit will hold available spots, after which a waiting list will be formed. The first Contingent meeting is 8/16 - 8/18/2013. Do not miss this opportunity.

Contact Steve.Eisinger@UniversalOrlando.com.

Northern Tier provides epic wilderness canoeing trips in remote Manitoba Canada. Trips feature a float plane ride, unsurpassed freshwater fishing and hundreds of thousands of acres of virgin wilderness to explore. This is one trip that will change your life.

Every summer, hundreds of Scouts head to the most remote Boy Scout High Adventure base for a once in a lifetime wilderness canoeing expedition. Trips begin by meeting your "Interpreter" who is a trained Northern Tier staff member that will accompany you on your trip. Northern Tier provides full outfitting for your trek. A float plane ride to the canoe cache begins your trip. After that, you can decide which of the less traveled trails you want to follow. Crews typically paddle a mixture of lakes and rivers. It is common for crews in Bissett not to see anyone other than their crew for their entire trip. There are also lots of fish to catch. After your trip, you will return by float plane to the base to enjoy a cleansing sauna.

"Scouts experience a phenomenal wilderness area. I have seen loons, beavers, otters, deer, moose, bald eagles, and more. Brilliant starry nights, Northern Lights, thunderstorms, and picture perfect weather have their place on each voyage. The maturity and growth Scouts gain from pushing past their previously imagined limits is incredible. I can't speak highly enough of this program; it has changed my life."

- Past Participant - Northern Tier

Bissett has been called the most extreme adventure the BSA offers. Come to Bissett and experience "Wilderness Adventures that Last a Lifetime!"

Northern Tier National High Adventure Programs

PO Box 509

Ely, MN 55731

www.ntier.org                   218.365.4811

You and your Pack play a key role in getting new families, adults and youth to join Cub Scouts!!!

A successful recruitment plan requires a team effort!  The District and the Cub Scout Pack need to work hand in hand to promote Scouting within the School, community and church. It is important that the parents and boys who plan to join Scouting this Fall attend the sign-up at their school. Parents who are present at sign-up with the new den are more likely to become leaders than those who join alone.

Council & District Role

• The District Executive will arrange the School Night date with the elementary school.
• The Council support staff will produce a flyer to be distributed to each boy during classroom presentations conducted by the District Executive one day prior to School Night For Scouting.
• A District School Night presenter will be assigned to each school.
• Billboards will be placed throughout Central Florida promoting Scout Sign-Up.
• Radio spots promoting "Join Cub Scouts".
• Join Scouting PSAs ran on Brighthouse stations
• The Council website will have a list of all school night dates, times and locations.
• Peer-to-Peer Incentives at all program events
• Weekly progress reports emailed to all Cub Masters - updates on each school night, 2012 v. 2013 

In July your Pack will receive materials that will help you maximize your Pack's Sign-Up Night Promotions.  Here is what you need to rally your Pack to do...

• Set your Pack's recruitment goal.  How many new Cub scouts will your Pack recruit?
• "Get the word out." - Communicate your Pack's School Night Sign-Up to friends and parents whom with you come in contact.
• Social Networking - Get your parents to use their social networking sites; Face Book, Twitter..., to inform their friends about your Sign-Up Night.  (Have them give a personal testimony of how Scouting has benefitted their family.)
• Make sure you have posters of Scouts in action; in your school, church and other places that will give parents info on when they can sign up.
• Develop an incentive for Peer-to-Peer recruiting.
• Have an impressive presence at Meet the Teacher & Open House.  (Tents, Flag ceremony, Cub Scout greeters, interactive booth...)
• The day before and the day of your School Night, see if the school will allow Cub Scouts in uniform to welcome parents and students in the drop off line.
• Make sure all your Cub Scouts proudly wear their uniforms the day of your School Night.
• Make sure Leaders & Cub Scouts are at your School Night ready to welcome new families.
• Have an organized School Night.  First impressions are crucial.
• Make sure you have a Pack calendar to give to the new families.
• Make reminder calls to all new Cub Scouts to insure they attend their first meeting.
• Update your BeAScout.org pin.

Cub Halloween Adventure Weekends

Oct 4-6, Oct 11-13, Oct 18-20, Oct 25-27

Join Cub Scouts and their families from throughout Central Florida during Cub Halloween Adventure Weekends this October at our Camp. Participants will be spooked by our Haunted Trails, startled by our famous Haunted House and dazzled with our other great Halloween activities. As always BB guns, archery and craft making will be available too.

Please click here to download the information / registration flyer 

Tiger Growl 

November 18-20, 2013

Join Tiger Cubs from Central Florida as they prowl our camp to complete activities such as BB guns, archery, craft making, enjoy an amazing show plus much more! Tigers will enjoy our camp with their families during Tiger Growl 2013.

Please click here to download the information / registration flyer 

Be a Boy Scout of America - Central Florida Council Volunteer

Opportunities are abundant within the Boy Scouts of America and in the Central Florida Council to be a volunteer. You can be a Seasoned Scouter or someone just beginning their Scouting Journey. Volunteer positions are available in both the Leadership of Units or in District/Council Scouting Program Areas.  

Winter Camp and Legacy Quest are two Scouting Program Areas where your volunteerism is directly a benefit to our 26,000 Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts/and Venturing Scouts within the Council.

The Boy Scout/Venturing Scout Programs - Winter Camp - Winter Camp is a volunteer staffed camping program for our Boy Scouts and Venture Scouts held at Camp La No Che during the dates of December 26th through December 30th 2013 and January 2nd through January 5th 2014. Your volunteerism would be a great assistance in performing duties including Merit Badge Counselors, Unit Service, Adult Training, and Administrative Tasks. Please see Winter Camp on the Camp La No Che website or contact Pam Falconer (pam@camplanoche.com or 352-669-8558) at the Camp Office for further information.

Cub Scout/Boy Scout/Venturing Scout Programs - S3.1 (Scouting Service Squad) - S3.1 (Scouting Service Squad) is a volunteer staff who performs the duties of providing the Scouting Programs held at Camp La No Che. The tasks include developing and executing the activities enjoyed by over 22,000 Scouts and Scouters that visit Camp yearly. Please see Legacy Quest on the Council Website or contact Pam Falconer (pam@camplanoche.com or 352-669-8558) at the Camp Office for further information.

Make the difference in Scouting for our Council's Scouts by volunteering to be part of their Scouting Journey.

Greetings, Central Florida Scouters and Scouts.  

I am honored to serve as your Council President.  I have been involved with Scouting here in Central Florida for many years from serving as an adult leader in Troop 234 to venturing out west to experience Philmont.  During the Council's fundraising drive, I have assisted with the Golden Eagle Dinners and have been there with my Troop in selling Popcorn and Camp Cards.  I would like to extend my thanks to our immediate Past Council President, Bill Sublette.  Under Bill's leadership our Council has reached the Gold level for the BSA's Journey to Excellence for the past two years and I look forward to continuing this benchmark of quality service to the Scouts and Scouters of the Central Florida Council.

Over the past few years one of our challenges has been a decrease in recruitment of new Cub Scout families.  I would like to ask every adult leader and parent in our Council to join me and our Council's Vice President of Membership Carlos Palenzuela to lead the charge to get more families into Scouting here in Central Florida.  As your Council President, I am here to serve and therefore if you need assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

Over the past 6 weeks, I have had the privilege to visit with our adult leaders at Summer Camp and hear suggestions on how we can better serve our youth at Camp La-No-Che located in the Leonard and Marjorie Williams Family Scout Reservation.  While our Summer Camp Staff continues to provide excellent service to Troops and Crews from throughout our country and other countries, we always look for ways to better the Scout's experience.  With this being said, perhaps you have heard that we have received a commitment to build a second pool at our camp.  This will allow the completion of our Aquatic Complex comprised of two pools to better serve our Scouts and Scouters that visit our camp. 

As I write this article seven Boy Scout Troops and one Venturing Crew comprised of 320 Central Florida Scouts and Scouters are on the way to the 2013 National Jamboree at the Summit.  Our Council's contingent, one of the largest in the country, will experience whitewater rafting, a mile long zip line, mountain biking, mountain boarding, exciting arena shows plus much more!  

Yours in Scouting,

Robert Utsey   

Council President

Central Florida Council