October 6, 2012 - Stamp Collecting merit badge workshop

There will be a Boy Scout Stamp Collecting merit badge workshop on Saturday, Oct. 6 from noon to 4 pm at the LAX Hilton, 5711 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Scouts will learn about the different types of postage stamps, where to find stamps, what to collect, tools of the hobby, types of albums, and other useful information. They will work with historic U.S. postage stamps as well as colorful stamps from around the world. Scouts will also have a chance to see lots and lots of interesting and valuable stamps during a tour of the SESCAL 2012 Stamp Exhibition.

$20 materials fee and pre-registration is required. Due to space restrictions, seating is limited to the first 10 Scouts who sign up.

• Flyer

I would appreciate it if you could please spread the word!

For more information, feel free to call me at (818) 903-4451.

Thank you,

Don Schilling
Registered Scout Merit Badge Counselor

October 23-31, 2012 - DEA Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week
October 23-31, 2012

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts can earn a free patch from the DEA!

Dear Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts Leaders,

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) created a Red Ribbon Week patch to encourage and support Scouts who wish to learn about Red Ribbon and participate in local efforts to educate youth about the dangers of drug abuse.

Red Ribbon Week was established in memory of the sacrifices made to help keep our communities drug-free and encourage youth to lead healthy lives, free of drugs. Observed annually from October 23-31, Red Ribbon Week is a national celebration to promote youth education on the dangers of substance abuse.

The DEA encourages all Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups to participate. Patches will be given to the first 25,000 qualifying Boy Scout and Girl Scouts.

All Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are eligible to participate in the program. To earn the DEA Red Ribbon Week Patch, Scouts must complete the following:

• Each Scout leader or designee must submit the Intent to Participate form by Friday, October 5th, 2012.
• Each Scouting unit or troop must coordinate or support a Red Ribbon Week activity.
• Each Scout must attend a drug prevention education session.
• Each Scout must take the DEA Drug-Free Pledge.
• The Scout leader must submit the Activity Report upon completion of program requirements, no later than Friday, December 14th, 2012.

Please review the Implementation Guide. Many of your questions will be answered in the guide.

For questions or comments on the program, please send e-mail to Demand.Reduction@usdoj.gov or call (202) 307-7981.

For more information and employment opportunities, visit us at www.DEA.gov.

November 23, 2012 - Order of the Arrow and Operation Gratitude packaging

The Achoicominga Chapter OA and Operation Gratitude invite all Scouts, Scouters, and friends of Scouting 12 and older, to help with a packaging event at the National Guard Armory, 17330 Victory Blvd. in Van Nuys on Friday, November 23rd, starting at 9 am. Afternoon volunteers are also welcome.

As a part of our effort, we are also encouraging the donation of new or gently used Beanie Babies for the troops to use in foreign community relations. To attend, you must have a signed Operation Gratitude release form. Please RSVP.

Steven Engstrom
Chapter Advisor
Balboa Oaks District
(818) 891-0761

October 2, 2012 - Hi-Tech Explorer Post 1337 open house

Hi-Tech Explorer Post 1337
Combining Engineering and Business

Interested in a career in engineering or business?
Interested in getting hands-on experience?

The Engineers' Council is partnering with the Learning for Life Exploring Program to bring you this unique opportunity.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012
6:30 pm

Boy Scouts of America
Anna Ruggieri Service Center
16525 Sherman Way C-8
Van Nuys, CA 91406

Let us know you'll be attending, please RSVP to Brenda Bradford at (818) 933-0121

The requirements for this Explorer Post include:

1. Open to young men and women ages 14-20
2. Interest in learning more about career choices within the engineering field
3. Must attend monthly meetings and activities
4. Participate in community service

Benefits include:

1. A safe, positive, energized environment to learn hands-on skills
2. Prepare young adults for transition from school to work
3. Leadership, communications, and teambuilding
4. Awards and recognitions

Cost to join: $20 annual membership fee
(Please note: No one will be turned away due to inability to pay.)

October 6, 2012 - Robotics merit badge workshop

Robotics Merit Badge Workshop

When:

Saturday, October 6th
9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Where:

CSUN
18111 Nordhoff St.
Northridge, CA 91330
Engineering Bldg.

Scouts wishing to earn their Robotics Merit Badge are welcome to sign up for this event. Space is limited, so sign up early. Scouts will be required to bring prerequisites in order to complete the badge at the event. Details will be provided as Scouts sign up.

Scouts will be responsible for their own lunch.

Sign up by contacting:

Tarek Shraibati
Scoutmaster, Troop 224
lavexrobotics@gmail.com
Subject: Robotics MB
Include your name and troop number

Outing report: Jethawks baseball game

Unit: Troop 550
Leader: Assistant Scoutmaster Steve Engstrom

Date of outing: July 29, 2012
Name of camp / trail / waterway: Jethawks Baseball Game

How did your unit's trip go?

Boys had fun. They were invited to participate in several of the entertainment activities. So were the adults.

Attended: 10 youth, 2 adults
Campsites used: field
Max camping: unlimited
Max parking: unlimited

Type of outing: Other (Baseball game and camping on the field)

Distance to start: 40

Conditions

Weather: clear
Site: clean

Facilities

Water: Piped
Toilet facilities: Flush
Tables: no
Fire rings: no
Type of fires allowed: none
Permits/fees: $13.00 per person. You can bring your own food in after the game

Recommend return visit?: Yes
Recommendations: Most of the boys were more comfortable sleeping under the stars rather then in tents.
Scouts had fun?: Yes
Highlight: the side activities. Every seat in the stadium is good

Outing report: Buckhorn

Unit: Troop 550
Leader: Assistant Scoutmaster Steven Engstrom

Date of outing: August 11, 2012
Name of camp / trail / waterway: Buckhorn campground

How did your unit's trip go?

Went up for the August meteor showers. Could have been a bit clearer, but at least we didn't get hit with an afternoon rain. Recommend sending a couple of people ahead early to reserve a spot, as campsites are on a first-come basis and need to be physically occupied to hold. Buckhorn is probably the prettiest site in the Angeles Forest and relatively cool at 6500 feet. It's nice to see it open again. Brand new bear lockers, but it's still hard to get them to go in them.

Attended: 13 youth, 3 adults
Campsites used: 2
Max camping: 8 per site
Max parking: 2 per site

Type of outing: Camp

Distance to start: 26

Conditions

Weather: Afternoon thunder clouds / clear nights
Site: clean and well maintained. primitive toilets
Trail: Hiking trails nearby

Facilities

Number of sites available: 38
Water: Piped
Toilet facilities: Kybo
Tables: yes
Fire rings: yes
Type of fires allowed: fire ring conditions allowing
Permits/fees: fire permit recomended

Recommend return visit?: Yes
Recommendations: send an advance party to reserve spots
Scouts had fun?: Yes
Scout's Own highlight: August Meteor Showers