Friday, June 29, 2012

September 2012 - The Trainer's Edge

The purpose of this course is to provide and help develop the platform skills of a trainer.  This is for all district trainers, unit trainers, Wood Badge and NYLT staff members.  The Trainer's Edge replaces the Trainer Development Conference (BSA 500) as the required train-the-trainer course for Wood Badge, NYLT staffs and trainers in the council.  This is a one day course that will include lunch and materials.  Class size is limited to 32 participants per session.

Pre-course preparation:  Please prepare a 10 to 12 minute presentation on a topic of your choice from any BSA material.  Your presentation should allow you to demonstrate the skills of a trainer.  You will receive constructive feedback on your presentation from the other participants.

When:
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Sunday, September 16, 2012
(Please pick which day is the best for your schedule!)

Time: 8 am to 5 pm

Where:
Santa Clarita Valley Charter School
28060 Hasley Canyon Road, Suite 200
Hasley Canyon Commerce Center
Castaic, CA 91384

Cost:  $15 per person

Contact Hamlet Shirvani at (818) 785-8700 or Arthur Pinkers at (661) 263-3896 or e-mail arthurtscout@socal.rr.com to reserve your spot.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

August 5-11, 2012 - Faith Based Initiative (FBI) training at Philmont

Want/need to improve your Council/District/Unit Journey To Excellence score? Enroll in Faith Based Initiative (FBI) training today!

Did you know that BSA membership has shown growth in the area of faith based organizations in April and May 2012 over 2011?

The Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana recently reported that after receiving the FBI training in January 2012 they were averaging 4 new troops in AME congregations per month for 3 months!

Did you know BSA research shows that units chartered to Faith Based Organizations:

  • Have better Unit Retention by 10%
  • Have better Rank Advancement by 10 to 30%
  • Constitute 66% of all Charter Partners

Did you know:

  • 70% of all current Chartered Partners only have 1 Unit or one member of the Scouting family
  • The average age of a member of the United Methodist Church is 58

Whose goals are these?

  • Membership growth
  • Membership retention
  • Program
  • Money
  • Trained volunteers

If you answered both BSA and Faith Organizations, then you are pre-qualified to excel in the FBI Course at Philmont, August 5-11, 2012 (Week 9), and you will return from Philmont with a membership plan for your council/district.


Here's how to register for the Philmont FBI course:

  1. Go to www.myscouting.org
  2. Sign in to your account.
  3. Click on "Event Registration" in the left margin near the bottom of the page.
  4. A window will open which reads: "Philmont Training Center - Register for 2012 Philmont Training Center Courses"
  5. Click on it.
  6. Follow instructions to complete the application.

If you need more information, please feel free to contact me at markp@praypub.org or (800) 933-7729.

Thank you,

Mark Hazlewood
CEO, PRAY
Building Faith in Youth
(800) 933-7729
(314) 845-3318

Friday, June 22, 2012

Valley Scout Shop is looking for a few good men and women

Do you or someone you know want to be the friendly face of Scouting?

The Valley Scout Shop located in Van Nuys, California at the Anna Ruggieri Service Center is looking for Scouters to join their team.

As a Scout Shop employee, you will:

  • Be the friendly face of Scouting
  • Enjoy the proven rewards of working with the BSA
  • Enjoy flexible hours
  • Have great opportunities for advancement

If you or someone you know is interested in being part of the team, please visit the Valley Scout Shop and ask your Scout Shop Associate for an application:

Valley Scout Shop
16525 Sherman Way #C-8 Rear
Van Nuys, CA 91406
(818) 781-1296

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Visit the Scout Shop for some great deals!

Van Nuys and Antelope Valley Scout Shops

May 25 to August 1: Centennial shorts 25% off

June 29 to July 5: Americana Tee

July 7, 10:30 am to 1:30 pm: Come in and join the Van Nuys Scout Shop for the 2nd Annual Regatta Event. Bring your regatta and come race, or make a regatta at the store.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

August 25, 2012 - Coin Collecting merit badge workshop

The Numismatic Association of Southern California (NASC) and the American Numismatic Association (ANA) are jointly sponsoring a free Coin Collecting merit badge workshop

Saturday, August 25, 2012
12 noon - 3 pm
at the Golden State Coin Show
Arcadia Masonic Center
50 West Duarte Road
Arcadia, CA
(Exit 210 Fwy at Santa Anita and go south to Duarte; right turn; center is on your left)

Troop/Scout check in begins at 11 am
Workshop starts at 12 noon!

Earn the BSA Coin Collecting merit badge or GSA Collector patch

Learn fascinating facts about coins in a fun interactive hands on program

Space is limited to 60 Boy and Girl Scouts. Pre-registration is required!

To RSVP for Scouts or for more information, contact:
Walt Ostromecki, Counselor
(818) 342-6304 (home), evenings and weekends
(818) 317-6966 (cell), days 8am - 6pm
drwaltomfl1@earthlink.net or ostromecki@money.org

Before the workshop - Prerequisites

  1. Be familiar with all the information printed in the 2008 BSA Coin Collecting merit badge pamphlet as it will be discussed during the class.
  2. Requirement 6 - Collect and bring 5 different examples of US Statehood quarters. Be prepared to talk about what is depicted on each one.
  3. Requirement 7 - Collect and bring a current US type coin set in circulation, which shall include cent, nickel, dime, quarter, half and a dollar coin. The dates do not have to be the same.
  4. Requirement 9 - Collect and bring a date set of US Cents beginning with your birth year through 2011 for 9D, or do option A, B, or C.

At the workshop

Class handout worksheets will be provided to all Scouts and must be completed in class and turned in at the end of the workshop. Scouts are asked not to bring their entire coin collection from home, but encouraged to bring along one special item for a show-and-tell during the workshop. Parents and adult leaders are welcome and encouraged to attend. Check in begins an hour before the workshop. Class begins promptly at 12 noon. Scouts will have time to tour and explore the coin show and exhibits (free of charge) at around 2 pm, in order to complete Requirement 10B. The show closes at 5 pm.

Free BSA Coin Collector album and numismatic goodie-bag to all Scouts upon badge completion, courtesy of both the NASC and ANA.

Scoutmasters

Please provide Scouts with signed blue merit badge cards and ask them to complete all the personal information before the workshop begins. Remind all Scouts to wear their complete uniform, less the merit badge sash.. Encourage the Scouts to study the badge pamphlet and be prepared to interact in the workshop discussions.

Counselors

Walt Ostromecki is a certified counselor for the Balboa Oaks District, Western Los Angeles Council. Current ANA VP and youth numismatic educator. 1966 Eagle Scout. He's a coin hobbyist, author and educator of over 40 years.

Albertus Hoogeveen is a registered Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 93 in Fullerton. He's a 47-year veteran Scouter and leader. ANA life member and a coin collector since he was 10 years old. Dutch and US type coins are his specialty.

Cole Schenewerk is a young numismatist from San Diego and intern with Heritage Coin Gallery. He has assisted with many a BSA Coin Collecting merit badge workshop. He was the ANA's 2009 Numismatic Youth of the Year.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Outing report: Kern River white water rafting / kayaking

Unit: Troop 415
Leader: Paul Brown

Date of outing: May 5-6, 2012
Name of camp / trail / waterway: White Water Rafting

How did your unit's trip go?

The Troop signed up with Sierra South Paddle Sports (800) 457-2082. We did the Combo Package ($130 under 12 yrs., $140 over 12 yrs. old). We did two white water rafting runs in the morning and two kayaking (two man kayaks) runs in the afternoon. We went from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. They provided rafts, kayaks, paddles, wet suits, helmets, PFDs, trained guides, and lunch. If requested, they will have a White Water Merit Badge counselor to complete the other requirements for the Scout's MB. Do this before the end of May to avoid the crowds. Pictures are taken and cost $30 for the first set and $10 for each additional set. We made camping reservation at Headquarters Campground ($27 a night, 8 people) which is approx. 5 miles from the Sierra South Paddle Sports. The Scouts had a great time and gave this outing two thumbs up.

Attended: 8 youth, 5 adults
Campsites used: 2
Max camping: 8
Max parking: 4

Type of outing: Other (Rafting)

Conditions

Weather: Perfect, warm 78 degrees and clear
Site: Headquarters Campground

Facilities

Number of sites available: 44
Water: Piped
Toilet facilities: Kybo
Tables: yes
Fire rings: yes
Type of fires allowed: wood, charcoal, propane
Permits/fees: $27 per night

Recommend return visit?:  yes
Scouts had fun?: yes
Scout's Own highlight: Scouts loved using the kayaks

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

July 15-24, 2013 - National Scout Jamboree

The 2013 Jamboree will be here before you know it! Don't miss out on this great experience! Get your Scouts signed up now! Though there are still spaces available in all the Troops, they are filling up fast.

Please note: A new, lower priced tour has been announced.

See the newsletter for information on the Jamboree and all the tours.