Del-Mi and North Star merge, upcoming events, leader training, and more!

Del-Mi and North Star are now Monon!

It's official! Our merged district has a new name.

We are now, The Monon District!

District Commissioners and Committee members generated a list of names to consider. Those names were whittled down to a few great candidates. Of those, one name received wide support and helped to set the stage for our future.

We picked something that was geographical in nature. The Monon Trail passes through both of the former districts. It is also a green space that is well used by families and promotes fitness. Two things that Scouting also tries to promote.

I personally will miss the Del-Mi name and the history that went with it very much! I know there are similar feelings for the North Star name. As we say goodbye to our much loved Del-Mi and North Star names, let us look forward to the future of a tremendously talented district.

Leaders will start to see the role out of this name. New email lists are being put together as we speak. New communication methods are also being developed and will be made available very soon.

Yours in Scouting,

Bob Bissell and Paul Kovach

Monon District Co-chairs

Hamilton County Road Show Fun Day Cancelled

This is to inform your family that this upcoming weekend’s Road Show Fun Day event hosted by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department and the Crossroads of America Council has been postponed until Spring 2021. The date of this event was Sunday, November 15th. Please communicate this within your Scouting circle. We are sorry for the inconvenience, but this is a necessary precaution given the current rising health concerns of our counties. Our Road Show Fun Day on Saturday, November 14th at Camp Belzer IS STILL ON, as we are able to exercise our ability to socially distance and be in an outdoor environment. Please come out and enjoy some archery, BB Guns, Hiking, and some other activity stations anytime on Saturday from 10:30 am – 1:30 pm. Thank you for your understanding and for empowering your kids to grow and commit to something larger than themselves through the Scouting program. Please stay safe.

Logo Design Contest

It's official! Our merged district has a new name, but we DON'T have a logo!!!  Because of that, we are asking that scouts throughout the district help design it. This is a unique opportunity as it is not often that this type of opportunity arises and the scout whose design is chosen will be able to say, "I designed that!!!"

Rules:
1. Submit on an 8.5 X 11 (will be resized for shirts, mugs, etc)
2. Must have a fleur-de-lis
3. Must have the name "Monon District" in the design
4. Can be hand-drawn or designed via a graphics program
5. The design should have the same height and width
6. The logo must be an original design by a scout

Suggestions: 
The Monon (after which we named the district) is both a trail and a former railroad. Consider using this as inspiration in the design.

Deadline: 
We need this by November 27th, 2020. Please send it to jefflwhite@gmail.com. 

Prize:
TBD - More info to follow

Calling All Merit Badge Counselors

All Merit Badge Counselors are asked to verify their registration status, approved badges, training, and inclusion in the council list by following the instructions in this “MBC in Scoutbook Primer” video.

This will be a council rather than a district position beginning in 2021, and only properly registered and trained counselors may function in the role.

If you are not currently registered and need to fill out an adult application, it can be found here: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/524-501.pdf

If you want to change which merit badges you are registered to council, use this form: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34405.pdf

Winter Camporee

2021 Central Section Winter Camporee

Winter Olympics Central Section Camporee

Saturday, January 23 to Sunday, January 24, 2021

Camp Kikthawenund, hosted by the Monon District

The Winter Camporee is Back!

We are planning to hold the Central Section Winter Camporee on the weekend of January 23-24, 2021 at Camp Kikthawenund. The theme will be the Winter Olympics, so prepare for games of strength, speed, and scout skills.

The Camporee will follow the COVID-19 guidance from the State of Indiana, the BSA, and best practices. The format is slightly different due to logistics arrangements that must be made due to COVID-19.

We will open the camporee on Saturday morning and end on Sunday morning. Troops will have the option to attend the Camporee for the day or to camp on Saturday night. There will also be the option to camp on Friday night but without camporee activities.

Those choosing to camp only on Saturday night will be requested to arrive first on Saturday morning in order to get their trailer and gear to the campsites before the Camporee opening.

Troops coming only for the day competitions will have a later arrival time on Saturday morning. Those troops camping on Saturday night will receive a dinner and also have a Klondike sled race after dinner. Awards and Camporee closure will occur on Sunday morning.

The target cost is $15 per scout or scouter. Registration will open mid-November on the CAC calendar.

Nova/Supernova

Do you have a Nova Counselor in your Pack, Troop, or Crew? The time during rechartering is a great time to recruit a volunteer for this exciting program. The only prerequisite is they need to have a passion for STEM, a desire to bring the excitement of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to your unit. A short, 41-minute training video will tell them how to implement this program. There is no registration fee.

For the Nova/Supernova awards, potential counselors need to submit an adult application specifying position code 58, including a background check release. They must complete Youth Protection training as well as Nova Counselor training. Supernova mentors must also complete this form: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/stem/pdf/514-017_WB.pdf. Applications and Supernova forms for this council position are submitted to Bob Considine (rconsidi@iu.edu), STEM coordinator for the Crossroads of America Council, who will review them and forward it to the council registrar.

Why Nova?

Our young people need STEM skills to compete in tomorrow’s world, where most jobs will require at least a basic understanding of math and science. And in our increasingly complex society, basic STEM literacy is required to understand complicated issues and to be an informed citizen. To remain competitive in the world economy, we must cultivate the next generation of thinkers and innovators. Educating Scouts about STEM is part of our mission. And it’s fun!

Here are the requirements to earn the Nova/SuperNova Awards. 

Social Media

Join us on our Monon District Scouting Units Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/group...

Check out our new Monon District Page at https://www.facebook.com/Monon...

Recharter

Turn In Dates:

Tuesday, November 10th, 6:30 pm-9 pm
St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic - Crucifixion of the Lord Room
1870 W Oak St, Zionsville, IN, 46077

Thursday, November 12th, 5-8 pm
St. Luke’s United Methodist Church (Back Cabin)
100 W 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46260

Wednesday, November 18th, 5-8 pm
Noblesville First United Methodist Church
2051 Monument St, Noblesville, IN 46060

Monday, November 23rd 5:30-8:30 pm
Geist Christian Church
12756 Promise Rd, Fishers, IN 46038

Please check your calendars and sign up for a date and time using this SIGNUP GENIUS

Registration Relief Program for Packs and Troops

As previously announced, the Crossroads of America Council’s Executive Board has approved a registration relief program. For Cub Scout packs, the fund offsets $40 of each Cub Scout youth member’s registration fee at the time of recharter. For Scouts BSA troops, $50,000 has been earmarked for youth member registration fees if their family requires additional assistance (up to $40 per youth member). There is no approved assistance for adult registrations.

Cub Scout Pack Registration Relief Form
Scouts BSA Troop Registration Relief Form

Reporting Service Hours

Please record your unit’s service hours through the Internet Advancement platform Scoutbook for all projects except Eagle Scout or Exploring. This site will use my.Scouting username and password for access. Information on the new site is available at http://help.scoutbook.com. Unit service hours history has already been moved to the new platform.

Recording your service projects is required to fulfill the Journey to Excellence criteria for service

For Eagle Scout or Exploring service project entry, units should still use the old website servicehours.Scouting.org and the same username and password previously used for the logon.

November 14th Marksmanship Morning

Parents need to complete the registration here by 11/11/2020 so I can send them a waiver to complete for the Conservation Club prior to the event. No youth under 11 years old (or 10.5 years with an Arrow of Light completed,) as we’ll be following Troop and Crew shooting regulations.

Masks will be required and social distancing will be observed. Guns and other equipment will be wiped down between uses.

If you’re considering Woodbadge next year, reach out with any questions. This event is part of my Woodbadge ticket, which was designed to boost membership and awareness of Scouting’s impact. Woodbadge will change your life for the better, in ways you never dreamed possible!