Friday, April 12, 2013

Donate board games and art supplies

My name is Casey Mackay from Troop 22, Las Colinas. For my Life Rank Project I am collecting and donating board games and art supplies for about 150 kids at the Boys and Girls Club of West Valley. Please help me with donations, the board games don't have to be brand new, it has to be in good condition.

Please call me at (818) 388-0584 so I can make arrangements to pick up your donations.

Your donations are tax deductible by the Boys and Girls Club.

Thank you so much for helping me.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

April 25 - Backpack clinic

Find the Pack that Can Carry You through Every Adventure:
Be There April 25!

Finding the backpack made for you means being able to identify the exact fit, features, and function you need. We can help!

We are proud to host a Backpack Clinic at the Van Nuys Scout Shop on Thursday, April 25, from 5:00-6:30 p.m.

So parents, leaders, and Scouts, plan to be there and learn the best ways to pack up for adventure. You'll get all your questions answered. Find optimum solutions to ensure proper fit, balance, comfort, stability, and adjustability with your backpack choice, along with your chance to have your backpack personally fitted. Plus, you'll save 10% when you make a backpack purchase during the event!

Cindy Noriega
Sr. Store Manager
Valley Scout Shop

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Merit badge counselors needed

We're looking for a few good men/women!

We have a serious need for merit badge counselors for 38 merit badges. Some of these have counselors, but they only do it for a given unit. We need counselors for the following, that are willing to do them for any unit/boy.


If you think you would be interested in doing any of these, please contact Frank Casias or Ralph Ward.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

In memory: Herb Apuzzo

To all Scouters,

It is with great sadness that I share the news about Herb Apuzzo, he passed away Feb. 10th. Herb was a long time member of the Cahuenga District. He had been in declining health for a while now. He fell twice and was taken to the hospital with some signs of paralysis. After surgery, he apparently was still suffering from paralysis, he was on a respirator. It was decided to remove the respirator and he passed away 26 hours later.

Many of you may remember him as a long time Scoutmaster, for cooking at many Scout events, Camporee staff and training, just to list a few things he did in Scouting.

His wife, Judy, a Scouter's wife, Scout mom, then later an active member of the district in her own right and still later an employee of the council is in a home and is suffering from dementia. She is doing as well as can be expected.

The district heard the news about Herb last week at its monthly district meeting.

Yours in Scouting,

Kevin Bryan

Thursday, February 28, 2013

March 18, 2013 - Troop 431 Webelos Open House

Troop 431 Webelos Open House

Come see all the great things about Troop 431 and have some root beer floats at our Webelos Open House!

When: Monday, March 18th at 7pm

Where: St. Bridget’s of Sweden - 7100 Whitaker Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406

Our Webelos Open House is designed for Webelos on the verge of joining Boy Scouts and their parents.

Come get to know our Troop and our Scouts. We will show you all the fun things that Scouting has to offer, and what’s so great about Troop 431.

Scouts will enjoy root beer floats as they get to know Troop 431 and the Boy Scout program.

Questions? Please call Scoutmaster Ponch Corona (818) 681-7430 or e-mail at ponch1006@aol.com

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

April 5, 2013 - Anaheim Ducks Scouts Night

Come and join me for:
Jocelyn Reyes Anaheim Ducks Group / Scouts Night

Ducks vs. Dallas
Friday, April 5, 2013
Honda Center

Ticket distribution time: 3:00 - 3:30 pm (please do not be late!)
Meeting place TBA

Cost: $37 - includes hot dog and soda.
Additional hot dog and soda is only $5 (regular $10)

Seat locations: Terrace Main East - corners - Ducks shoot twice

I had reserved the Color Guard experience for Troop 3179.

I am in progress of negotiating and requesting almost the same things I do for the Kings:

  • Photo on Ice
  • Player Meet and Greet
  • Zamboni Ride
  • Penalty Boxes
  • Ice Broomball

They are reviewing availability and will let me know soon.

Please do not request experiences.
I will assign accordingly (in order of payment received).
Experiences can be revised/canceled by Anaheim Ducks without notice.

Spaces for this game are limited - so pay as soon as possible.
Perks or no perks - this game is of great value!

Everyone is welcome to join my group, so invite all your families and friends!

These games are not exclusive to Scouts only.
However, Scouts and youth in my group will receive a special edition Ducks Scout patch.

Payment via Chase QuickPay (only if you have a Chase account)
or cash deposit to my Chase account if you do not have a Chase account.
Troop/group checks will also be accepted for groups of 20 or more.

Thanks and see you soon!
Go Ducks!

Monday, February 11, 2013

May 25, 2013 - Memorial Day flag placement

Scouts will be placing flags again this year on the graves of our veterans at the Los Angeles National Cemetery in West Los Angeles, 950 S. Sepulveda Blvd.

Parking is located in the Veterans Administration Facilities located through a tunnel on Constitution Avenue.  This is the same location as last year.

We will start at 8:00 am.  You must be there by 7:30am in order to get signed in and receive your location map.  Sign-in starts at 7:00 am.

Rules of conduct are the same as before.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Salvation Army shoe drive fundraisers

Raise Funds!
Host a Shoe Drive!

The Salvation Army can help facilitate a shoe drive fundraiser for your school, church, organization, or team.

You collect shoes, tie pairs together, and get a check for 75% of the proceeds. 25% will go back into Salvation Army services.

We drop off and collect shoe boxes at your location.

Tips to maximize your drive:

  • Start letting people know early!
  • Offer an incentive like an iPod, pizza party, or celebration for the top donors of the drive.
  • Make it a competition!
  • Flyers and banners are highly encouraged.
  • Ask families, neighborhoods, and friends to support your drive by donating shoes.
  • Be creative and plan for success!

Start organizing your shoe drive today! Call Glen Kovacs (818) 449-4616

The Salvation Army
Canoga Park ARC

21375 Roscoe Blvd.
Canoga Park, CA 91304
(818) 449-4616
(818) 883-3136 fax
(818) 414-1256 cell

The Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers (ARCs) form the largest network of rehabilitation programs in the nation.

glen.kovacs@usw.SalvationArmy.org

Monday, January 7, 2013

In memory: Bernie Maillet

Many of you will remember Bernie Maillet as the Shooting Sports Director at Camp Whitsett.  He would run the rifle range while making sure that the archery range and the shotgun range were in good hands.  Bernie wasn't at Camp Whitsett last summer so he could spend his vacation with family.  It would turn out to be Bernie's last summer.  Bernie died on New Year's Eve.

July 2-16, 2013 - Troop 22 Philmont trek crews

Troop 22 in Woodland Hills has two trek crews going to Philmont from July 2-16, 2013.  One crew is comprised of 14-15 year old Scouts and will do a 50-60 mile trek and the other crew is comprised of 16-17 year old Scouts and will do a 60-75 mile trek.

We have a couple of youth spaces available in each crew.  The older Scout crew has an opening for an adult, which would be ideal if a troop had an adult with a couple of Scouts who would like to join in.

We are beginning our training this month.  We would like to add additional Scouts now so that they can integrate into the crew from the beginning.  If you have a Scout or Scouts who would like to go on a trek this summer, they can call Jeff Feldman at (818) 535-9494 for more information.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Spread the Good News Bulletin

Attention Balboa Oaks Scouters,

Scouting provides great life learning skills and experiences for our youth and volunteers such as you.  The one thing we don't do well is letting others know the achievement of our youth such as receiving the Arrow of Light as a Cub Scout, Eagle projects and Eagle Court of Honors, community service, special awards for life saved or bravery, etc.  Even as volunteers, we do things of valor based on what we have learned as a Scouter.

Let's change this for 2013.  Below is a “Spread the Good News Bulletin” from Bob Levey who is an Eagle Scout and district volunteer who is willing to help with this endeavor.  Bob and I have recently been working with the council in upping the exposure of the positive side of Scouting.  I will be sending additional information regarding how each unit and volunteer can submit Scouting newsworthy stories to be provided to news organizations for publishing.

But until then, please take Bob up on his offer to get your Scouts' or volunteers' stories published and in the news.  The spreading of Good News will support our goal of having more boys join Scouting and adult volunteers to help our quest of developing academic skills, self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills, and citizenship skills that influence their adult lives.

Yours in Scouting,

Paul Brown
Balboa Oaks District Chairman



Spread the Good News
News Bulletin

Balboa Oaks District - Western Los Angeles Council
Boy Scouts of America

Story line: Develop stories about activities in your unit that have a positive impact on the communities you represent. Feature stories about outstanding Scouts - how they perform in school, athletics, Scouting, etc. Make certain media attention is given to Scouts in your units who attain the rank of Eagle.

Make contact with journalists at the newspapers serving your area, including the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Daily News (covering the San Fernando Valley), and other newspapers exclusively for your particular area. Continue to submit positive newsworthy items to these journalists, if possible every month.

If you are unable to make contact, or if you are pressed for time, please feel free to e-mail the newsworthy information to boblevey@pacbell.net, and I will do the submissions for you.

Other options: Channel 7 ABC features a "Cool Kid" spot every Thursday evening at 6:30 (check the station for the exact time in your area). Consider nominating one of your outstanding Scouts as a Cool Kid. Other events may be interesting to the visual news media. Be sure to make contact as often as you have special events worthy of publicity.

Expectations: To spread the Good News that occurs day in and day out, every day of every year, that Boy Scouts do for their communities, and for the leadership training it offers to young men between the ages of 11 and 18.

Bob Levey
Unit Commissioner, Troop 431 and Troop 328
Balboa Oaks District
Boy Scouts of America
boblevey@pacbell.net
(818) 986-4547
(818) 970-7233 cell