February 15, 2009 - Harlem Globetrotters

Troop 513 (Santa Clarita) invites you to the Harlem Globetrotters 2009

February 15, 2009
10:45 am
Staples Center

Group will meet at the 11th Street main entrance (by Magic Johnson statue)

You and your friends won't want to miss one magical moment of the Harlem Globetrotters legendary high-flying, non-stop fun and excitement!

The actual game starts at 1:00 pm. However, our group is invited to a very special and exclusive session of Globetrotter University at 11:15 am. This is an excellent opportunity to learn from some of the world-class athletes. It is interactive and they request some of the guests to go to the Court and play with them. There will also be picture-taking opportunities with the Globetrotters after the University session. This is not mandatory, but it will be fun for everyone to participate in.

I brought almost 300 guests with me last February 2008 and we all had a great time!

Scouts and their guests will also receive a commemorative Globetrotter Scout Patch.

Cost is only $26.00 per scout/adult. (Includes processing/handling fees charged by Staples Center for every ticket... Seats are priced between $40-$80) This does not include food or parking, please... Carpooling is the best way to go!

Great seats are available to my group on a first-come, first-served basis! (I have a very strong relationship with the Staples Center)

If you are going as a Troop/Pack group - you need to obtain a Tour Permit and email me a copy. No exceptions, please - or I will not issue tickets.

RSVP to Jocelyn Reyes (Scoutmaster - Troop 513)

Please make checks payable to Jocelyn Reyes and mail to:

Jocelyn Reyes - Harlem
23062 Conde Drive
Valencia, CA 91354

I will request and issue seats in batches of 50-100 guests. Remember - first-come, first-served basis on great seat assignments!

Tickets will be distributed on February 15th, 2009 by the Magic Johnson statue on 11th Street entrance between 10-10:30 am.

I will be sending more detailed info to all participants, including consent forms by January 31st, 2009.

Payments are non-refundable after tickets are purchased.

Don't wait until the last minute and avail of the great seats I have!

Cut-off date for ticket sales will be February 2nd, 2009. Payment has to be in my hand by this date.

And remember: The Globetrotter University and the Commemorative Patch are exclusive offers to my group.

New BSA Annual Health and Medical Record form

Boy Scouts of America has a new Annual Health and Medical Record. This form replaces the Class 1, 2, and 3 forms and should be used starting now! If you have the old forms you may use them until January 1st, 2010, but we highly suggest that you use the new form. After January 1st, 2010 only the NEW Annual Health and Medical Record will be allowed. This form is only good for one calendar year. The form is for both youth and adults. For more information you need to go here (scroll down the page to near the bottom to the Forms section) or here. You can download the new medical form and you can review the FAQ's. Be sure to look at this now before your unit has its summer camp and passes out the physical forms. Please share this with other Scouters.

June 28 - August 8, 2009 - BSA Camp Kern

Over the past few months we have formed a camp management company called CampWorks. We're proud to announce that CampWorks has partnered with the Southern Sierra Council in Bakersfield to bring to Camp Kern the same high quality program, staff, and food concepts that have been so successful at Camp Cherry Valley the last eight years.

Camp Kern is a High Sierra Mountain camp located on beautiful Huntington Lake, the best sailing lake west of the Colorado River. The camp rests just outside the boundaries of the Kaiser National Wilderness area which offers a variety of great outdoor activities for your older and younger Scouts alike. There are plenty of activities to keep your troop busy and lots of new skills to master! Enjoy swimming, sailing, rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, rifle shooting and more! The program will include a variety of quality merit badge classes, a top notch Advanced Camper Experience (ACE) program, troop friends, and much more!

The leaders' guide for the 2009 season is now on the camp website. The cost for a week-long experience at Camp Kern is $330.00 per camper. Furthermore, each troop gets to bring two adults for the cost of food only, which is $125.00 per person. We invite you to attend one of the following weeks:

Week One: June 28 - July 4
Week Two: July 5 - July 11
Week Three: July 12 - July 18
Week Four: July 19 - July 25
Week Five: July 26 - August 1
Week Six: August 2 - August 8

We would love to have you and your boys as our guests this summer. Please contact either Dave or Jordan at the e-mail addresses below if you have any questions about the camp. If you are interested in attending Camp Kern and experiencing the adventure of the High Sierra's and Huntington Lake, contact Carolyn Zullo at the Southern Sierra Council by calling (661) 325-9036. Make your reservations now while there is still room!

Yours in Scouting,

Dave Hopkins
Jordan Holloman
Adam Christensen

April 18-19, 2009 - Wilderness First Aid with CPR Certification (meets Philmont requirements)

Getting away from the city?

Be prepared.

This intense 2-day course provides you with the knowledge and skills to handle Delayed Help situations while exploring the outdoors.

The American Red Cross WFAB Course is for those who work, live, or play in remote areas - away from your typical EMS service. Although these EMS agencies are trained for special situations, there may be a delay in the notification of EMS.

As a leader in your group, the guide, or part of a team enjoying remote areas, how will you respond to a situation, where you must wait for help?

Learn how and when to go and get help.

Develop a plan of action, stabilize the patient in your care, and manage the emergency with tact and efficiency.

Whether you're involved with your local scouting group, or other community organization, this course is a must for those situations in which simply dialing 9-1-1 is not an option.

Register for April 18 and 19, 2009

$180.00

Day 1: Location - Near West Van Nuys

Day 2: Location - Stoney Point

This is the full WFA course. 16-hour course includes CPR certification and meets Philmont
requirements. This is the full-course and includes rope work.

• Safety 101 courses

April 17-20, 2009 - RV rally

Get up and get away at the biggest RV event of 2009. Not only can you explore RV travel with the multitude of exhibits, displays, seminars, and activities, but you're also sure to get a kick from two special events planned for the tenth edition of the Greatest RV Rally in the World.

New for the 2009 event, a reception for current and former Boy Scouts will be held on April 19 from 1 - 4 p.m. Scouts and Boy Scouts of America (BSA) alumni as well as their families are invited to attend and are encouraged to bring old memorabilia (e.g., uniforms, badges, handbooks) for display and discussion. Contests and prizes will add to the festivities. Rally guests who are Boy Scouts or BSA alumni should call (877) 749-7122 to RSVP for the reception.

Guests of the Albuquerque Rally will also have the opportunity to experience first-hand just why the host city is touted as the "Ballooning Capital of the World." Conducted by Rainbow Ryders, Inc.^®, hot air balloon rides will be launched from Balloon Fiesta Park during the event with special pricing extended to Rally 2009 guests (use the promo code therally09). After a flight that includes breathtaking views of the Sandia Mountains and Rio Grande Valley, passengers will be treated to a light continental breakfast and champagne toast and receive a certificate and flight pin to commemorate their aeronautical experience. To register or for more information, contact Rainbow Ryders at www.rainbowryders.com or (800) 725-2477.

(Note: Register a minimum of two passengers prior to March 1, 2009, and save an additional $10 per person.)

There will be lots to see and do at this annual celebration of the RV lifestyle so plan to RV west in April for The Rally 2009. If you haven't already registered, sign up today to take advantage of special savings by visiting www.therally.com or calling (877) 749-7122.

Changes to requirements for Boy Scout advancement

When there is a conflict between two published lists of requirements, such as Boy Scout Requirements (BSA Publication No. 33215) and a Merit Badge Pamphlet, the requirements book should be considered to be the controlling document, until a newer edition of Boy Scout Requirements is issued.

BSA issued new editions of ALL of the merit badge pamphlets on August 1, 2008. The primary change to most of the pamphlets was the introduction of color photographs and diagrams, and new covers. The actual text and requirements, in most cases did not change from the previous editions. In some cases, however, the new editions do contain new information, and new requirements. If the copyright date in the new pamphlet is not 2008, the text in the pamphlet, including the requirements, did not change, only the cover and illustrations. In addition, two of the old pamphlets, for the Architecture and Landscape Architecture Merit Badges were combined into a single pamphlet, although the Merit Badges remain separate and distinct from each other. Also, one Merit Badge, Auto Mechanics, was renamed to Automotive Maintenance, (and the emblem on the badge was changed). Although a new edition of the Lifesaving merit badge pamphlet was issued, the requirements did not change. However, the footnote relative to alternative requirements for the Second Class and First Class rank swimming requirements was deleted.

The Merit Badges listed below had new merit badge pamphlets issued on August 1, 2008, and have totally new or modified requirements listed in the new pamphlets. The requirements below will become official on January 1, 2009, but with their counselor's approval, Scouts may use these new requirements instead of the old ones until that date.

Those Scouts working on any badges using the old requirements and who started before the new books were issued may complete the badge using the old requirements. Those starting work on a badge after the new books were issued, may, until December 31, 2008, use either the old or new requirements, at their option. If they use the old requirements, they may still complete the badge using the old requirements, even after January 1, 2009.

• List of changes
  

Philmont 2009 - Wilderness Aid required, HAT course available

National Council has implemented rules for its national High Adventure bases (including Philmont) which in 2009 required one member who has taken Wilderness First Aid Basic. The simple version:

1. Staff members working in High Adventure Camps who go on treks with units must be trained in Wilderness First Aid.
2. Any unit going on a trek from a High Adventure Camp must have one person trained in Wilderness First Aid. You need to schedule a course for a crew member ASAP to avoid the crisis that some crews faced when the courses were not available in summer.
   

Besides the Red Cross, the HAT teams for several councils have offered Wilderness First Aid Basic for many years.

Make sure the course you are taking is a sixteen-hour course. Be careful because there are other courses offered by the Red Cross and HAT teams with a similar name (Wilderness Aid versus Wilderness First Aid) which do not qualify and do not fulfill the requirement. When you speak to or e-mail the course director or the inspector, make sure that you are taking the 16-hour course.

Verdugo Hills HAT will offer the course on January 31 and February 7, 2009. Contact Marlene Lugg, (818) 413-1578 (pager), (818) 375-3078 or (818) 882-4526. (Note: As of this writing, the Verdugo Hills Council website still lists the 2008 course dates.)

The Wilderness Aid course offered by San Gabriel HAT in March does not qualify for Philmont.

When the WLACC HAT team learns about other HAT courses, we will get the word out.

Be Prepared!

LAPD Youth Programs

The Los Angeles Police Department is dedicated to promoting and ensuring the safety, education, and welfare of all young people throughout the city. Specifically, the LAPD is committed to a number of programs that encourage young people to avoid drugs and gangs, stay in school, and contribute positively to society. For more information on how you can participate in, or volunteer for, any of these programs, please contact your local community police station.

• List of programs
  

Need 14 patches from Granada Hills Holiday Parade

Does anyone have extra Granada Hills parade patches? We need to buy fourteen more. Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce ran out very early.

Thanks,

Wendy

(818) 776-0884

wjsd@jps.net

January 3, 2009 - Malibu Lodge Leadership Development and Banquet

Be sure to attend this amazing once-a-year event!

When:
Saturday, January 3, 2009
1 to 4:30 pm - Lodge Leadership Development
5:30 to 8:30 pm - Lodge Banquet

Where:
Church of Jesus Christ of LDS
15555 Saticoy St. (near the 405)
Van Nuys, CA, 91406

What:
Lodge Leadership Development - An educational learning experience for all Arrowmen!
Lodge Banquet - A fun-filled night for the whole family! including shows, awards, and Vigil Call-out

Cost:
Lodge Leadership Development - free
Lodge Banquet - $15 (catered by Caveretta's Italian Deli)

• Registration form

Edit and print your own certificates and awards

This website has pre-designed certificates and awards at the pack and troop levels.

These are not BSA-approved certificates; they are geared more toward special recognition for Scout occasions such as birthdays, accomplishing a special task, or attending a special event.

Be creative (this would be great for day camp attendees).

They are great for fun things to reward your Scouts within your pack or troop.

Have fun with it ... It's free!

New Unit Organizers and Lifesavers Award - Virtual Plaque

This virtual award is presented by the U.S. Scouting Service Project to the following named Scouters for helping to deliver the promise of Scouting by starting a new Scouting unit or by rescuing a Scouting unit that was in danger of folding.

• 2008 - 2009 awards
  

To add a name to this virtual plaque recognizing the efforts of dedicated Scouters to give youth the opportunity to enjoy Scouting, send an e-mail with the following information:

• Scouter's Name
• Council Name
• District Name
• Type of Unit - Pack, Troop, Crew, etc.
• Unit Number
• Whether the unit was newly started or rescued
  

It's okay to nominate yourself too! We are always happy to add names to this online recognition award plaque.

Hospice Bereavement / Grief Support Volunteer

TrinityCare Hospice is a non-profit agency assisting terminally ill patients and their supportive loved ones through the final journey of life.

Following the loss of a loved one, the Hospice team provides bereavement care for the family for up to 13 months.

Bereavement volunteers assist the Bereavement Team by providing a friendly and compassionate ear to listen to the surviving family or friend share memories and feelings about their loss through periodic telephone calls.

Volunteers help to normalize the feelings the bereaved individuals may experience, provide resources to support groups or alert the hospice bereavement staff if there are signs of more complicated grief issues.

There is also a special need for bilingual Spanish/English volunteers to provide outreach to the Hispanic community.

Volunteer training provided by TrinityCare Hospice at one of our centralized hospice offices (Cerritos, Torrance or Van Nuys) must be completed with special emphasis on compassionate communication and empathetic listening skills for bereavement support.

Phone calls are then conducted from the hospice office or independently after a period of direct supervision by the Bereavement Team.

Contact Ida Vernay, Volunteer Coordinator via email or visit the TrinityCare Hospice website.

Popcorn close-out sale - 40% off

Calling all top sellers! Popcorn was returned to the Council, and we need your help to move it out... the Council cannot return this leftover product to Trail’s End.

40% off on popcorn! Re-sell it at full price and keep the money... no waiting for a commission check!

Take advantage of this limited opportunity and make last-minute sales to holiday shoppers and repeat customers.

Earn a few dollars more for next year's program.

The following products are currently available at the Van Nuys Scout Office:

Number of cases	Product	Purchase at (per case)	Earn (per case)*
101	9.5 oz. Caramel	$72	$48
13	15-Pack Butter Light	$54	$36
15	15-Pack Butter	$54	$36
22	18 oz. Caramel Light	$72	$48
4	24 oz. Chocolate	$72	$48
11	20 oz. Trail Mix	$90	$60
3	5-Way Chocolate	$30	$20

^*when re-sold at recommended retail value

Product will be made available at other offices by special arrangement only.

Terms and Conditions

• This sale is open to individuals or units.
• This sale is limited to stock on hand (first come, first served)
• Popcorn is to be paid for at the time of receipt.
• No additional prizes or commissions are offered.
• The individual or unit keeps all of the resale money.
• No refunds - no returns (take a few cases, then come back for more after it has been sold)
  

To pre-arrange for purchasing larger quantities, or if you have any questions, please reply to David Melton at dmelton@bsa-la.org.

Thank you for your participation in completing the 2008 Popcorn Campaign.

Yours in Scouting,
David Melton

Western Los Angeles County Council
16525 Sherman Way, Unit C-8
Van Nuys, CA 91406

Troop 921 Wish List

(excerpt from the Chatsworth Roundup, the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council newsletter)

As a result of our house burning down in the Sesnon fires, all of our Scout Troop's camping gear was destroyed.

I personally paid for the majority of the gear so that no child would be left behind due to financial hardship of the families.

Both the Councilman and the Mayor have offered to help us replace some of the items, and this is the best way for us to continue our outdoor learning program for the kids.

I have set up a "Wish List" in partnership with the Wal-Mart store in Porter Ranch. Your continued support of the Boy Scouts of America is truly appreciated.

On behalf of the kids of Troop 921, I send you my advance thanks for all you could do to help.

To buy a gift from this Wish List:

1. View the Wish List.
2. Choose an item from the Wish List.
3. Add the item to your cart.
4. Check out, and have the item shipped to the recipient, or to yourself for in-person events.
   

Respectfully Yours,
Les Salay
Scoutmaster
Troop 921

Silver Beaver Class of 2008

It is with great pride we announce the Silver Beaver Award winners for the Western Los Angeles County Council for 2008. These folks have demonstrated outstanding and wonderful service to Scouting and the WLACC. We dearly appreciate their service.

Please make a point to celebrate their awards with them at the Council Silver Beaver Banquet on Thursday evening January 29, 2009. More info on that soon.

Antelope Valley

• Kenneth Broda
• Joseph Pizzo
  

Balboa Oaks

• Tanadet Itsarpakdetam
• Jonathon Orlick
• Thomas Wood
  

Bill Hart

• Mark Renner

Cahuenga

• Francisco Ramirez
• Wynnewood Ritch

Crescent Bay

• Eric Singer

Las Colinas

• Gary Bishop
• Eliot Brown
• Thomas Cantarine
• Brian Compton

January 31, 2009 - Pow Wow / University of Scouting / College of Commissioner Science

To: All Scout leaders

From: Janice Druez, VP Program (volunteer!)

Re: An exciting, fun day of Scout training

For Cub Scout leaders - it's Pow Wow!

For Boy Scout and Venturing leaders - it's University of Scouting!

For Commissioners - it's College of Commissioner Science!

For all - it's a day where you get to choose what to attend. Pick what you want!

Great 50-minute sessions! 3 in the morning - 3 in the afternoon!

Fantastic lunch!

A CD full of resource material - some covered in the classes - some not!

A commemorative patch!

And the result: You will save yourself time! You will have more tools to provide a great program for the Scouts!

You will get to talk with others who share your passions! and who encounter the same challenges!

The training is for adults only! Come join us for a fun day!

The specifics:

• Date: Saturday, January 31, 2009
• Time: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Location: Pinecrest School, 5975 Shoup Ave., Woodland Hills, CA (corner of Shoup Ave. and Oxnard Ave.)
• Cost: $15 - includes lunch, snacks, Resource CD, commemorative patch, and a day of fun and information
• How to register: Register online at www.bsa-la.org
• What to wear: Wear your uniform if you have one - come anyway if you don't!
• What to bring: notepad, pen, tote bag, your enthusiasm and Scout spirit

• General information - Please distribute this to all the leaders in your unit / district
• Course descriptions
• College of Commissioner Science registration form
  

Some frequently given answers:

1. Yes, the event will happen, rain or shine! Come prepared!
2. No, you don't have to register for specific sessions - just for the day. On the day of the event, you go where you want to go!
3. No, we don't send out confirmation of your registration (but we'll have it!)
4. Yes, you should pre-register, as early as possible! Those who have pre-registered will completely bypass any registration line!
5. No, we generally don't give refunds if you have to cancel - but we will mail you the CD and patch if something comes up and you can't make it!
6. Yes, this event is for adults only. Please make other arrangements for your children that day.

See you on January 31, 2009!

January 27 - March 12, 2009 - Crisis Response Team volunteers

Make a difference in the community at the times of greatest need.

Some of the most inspiring acts of heroism during the recent Chatsworth train disaster and the wildfires that shook the San Fernando Valley were performed by the volunteers of the city's Crisis Response Team (CRT).

The city is recruiting community members to volunteer for the CRT.

At the request of police and fire departments, CRT members provide immediate on-scene crisis intervention, attend to survival and comfort needs, act as liaisons between victims and emergency personnel, and give referrals to victims and their families affected by a death, a serious injury, a violent crime or other traumatic incidents.

New member training will take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, Jan. 27 through March 12, 2009 at the L.A. Police Academy in Westchester.

Bilingual volunteers who speak Spanish or Korean are especially needed.

For more information or to register for the training, call (213) 978-0697 or email LACRT@lacity.org.

Free Child Safety Package

This free child safety package includes:

1. Ebook "The 4 Biggest Mistakes Parents Make That Put Their Children at Risk".
2. "Child Identification Kit" that could save your child's life.
3. "Child Safety Tips" Newsletter.
4. "Just Yell Fire!" DVD to prevent abduction and teenage date rape.
5. "Child Safety Blog" entry updates as they happen.

How to Tie Outdoor and Camping Knots

In this free video series learn how to tie knots from our knot tying expert and outdoor enthusiast. He will demonstrate how to tie the bowline knot, double bowline knot and the bowline on a bight, as well as how to tie the trucker's hitch; how to tie the marlin spike hitch; how to tie the constrictor knot; how to tie the pile hitch; how to tie the icicle hitch, the clove hitch, and the slippery hitch; how to tie the jug knot and create an eye splice; as well as how to tie square lashing.

Operation Gratitude to send 400,000th care package

Operation Gratitude Hits Unprecedented Milestone December 13
Will Send Last Batch of Packages to Reach Troops in Time for Christmas

Van Nuys, CA - December 3, 2008 - Following the assembly of over 50,000 care packages in just seven days, Operation Gratitude Director of Operations, Charlie Othold, announced today that the organization will reach a major milestone on Saturday, December 13, 2008: The shipment of its 400,000th care package!

• Full article
  

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recognition Certificates

This Web site is for formal and non-formal educators. It includes links to Boy Scout and Girl Scout recognition certificates, curriculum resources and activities, community service projects, professional development opportunities, and background information.

Boy Scout and Girl Scout recognition certificates available online (This is VERY cool!)

A new procedure allows Boy Scout and Girl Scout recognition certificates to be downloaded in PDF format and printed on-line. This procedure replaces the necessity of requesting recognition letters or certificates from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in Washington, DC and Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

These certificates are meant to honor Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who completed all the work required along their journey to achieve these awards. Only adult advisors or council staff are to complete these certificates for presentation ceremonies recognizing the accomplishments of these individuals.

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Educating for Conservation

All the instruction on the prerequisites are on that page and also include directions and links to several "Scouting Approved" programs available to earn the Certificate, which can be downloaded and printed Online.

First Aid and CPR Instructors Needed

I am checking to see if there is a First Aid and CPR instructor that could help 10th grade students at my high school. The high school is in northeast Los Angeles, Woodrow Wilson High School. I need an instructor who can come in several days to teach, and maybe even certify the students. Please ask anyone who can help to contact me at kbryan@wilsonmules.org

Thanks,

Kevin Bryan

Shofar Award nominations

• Original post

Two changes:

1. The period for submissions of nominations has been extended to December 31, 2008.
2. You may send your submissions as an attachment (.wpd, .doc, .pdf) via email addressed to me at david@karpmediation.com

Want to be a Santa's Helper?

For those of you looking for a great program to get involved with this holiday time for your Scouts and you, it is Santa's Helpers. The post office gets hundreds of letters addressed to Santa written by children. Many are from very needy homes. Often their requests of Santa are for food and clothes for their family. You can pick up a letter or 2 and answer it by purchasing gifts/gift cards, clothes, food etc. for the family and delivering it. You would be one of Santa's Helpers. This is an activity that your Scouts and you will never forget. The looks of amazement and joy on the kids and parents faces are indescribable. Your presents could likely be all these families receive this holiday season. Plus it teaches a life-long lesson of generosity and gratitude to your Scouts.

If you wish to find out more about the program call Glenn "Santa" Sartain at (818) 681-8999. Or call Tina at (661) 775-6688. You will be overjoyed you did. HO HO HO

Troop 104 Christmas trees

Boy Scout Troop 104, Mission Hills

We are continuing our 50 year tradition of selling fresh Christmas trees!

Noble and Douglas Fir Trees delivered fresh on December 4th and 11th

All profits help support the activities of our local Boy Scout Troop 104 and Cub Scout Packs 104 and 77.

We offer flocking, fire retardant, tree stands and buckets. We will also be selling survival kits and first aid kits. Cash, checks, credit and debit cards accepted.

Our tree lot is located at:
15305 Devonshire St., Mission Hills
next to the Post Office near Sepulveda and Devonshire

We open Friday, December 5th at 4pm
Weekends: 10am - 10pm
Weekdays: 4pm - 9pm

Two big weekends!

Print this out and show it when purchasing your fresh Christmas Tree and receive a $3 discount

Thank you for supporting Boy Scout Troop 104