FROM THE COUNCIL KEY 3

The Connecticut Rivers Council would first like to say we hope you and your family are staying safe during this unsettled time. We want to let you know that we are with you and we are doing our best to do a good turn daily during this national crisis. 

As kids are at home, and many normal spring Scouting activities have been suspended, our staff, and many awesome volunteers are making efforts to provide remote access to programming. We’ve seen cub scout packs offering virtual den meetings, troops holding regular meetings via Zoom and PLC meetings through Skype. As a council, we have offered a variety of merit badges over the past two weeks thanks to the willingness of fantastic merit badge counselors helping us navigate these uncharted waters. We have another outstanding slate of badges scheduled for the next few weeks as well. 

In the community, we are trying to do our part as well. As you may have seen via Facebook, our council camps have donated medical supplies from the health lodges to local healthcare providers. In addition, the 3-D printers at camp are working around the clock making respirator masks that are also being donated. We will work diligently to continue to “answer the call.” 

This work does come at a cost. Our council has made added investments in IT equipment, such as laptops, wireless hotspots, web meeting accounts, and the like. Additionally, revenue has been impacted by the cancellation of programs this spring. We have taken appropriate actions to ensure the long-term viability of the council and continue to monitor the expenses and potential government aid. 

However, fundraising and the generosity of our donors and Scouting families are essential to maintain the organization. We understand these are challenging times, however, if your family is able to make a financial contribution at this time, regardless of the amount, it will have a major impact on our ability to continue services. Ultimately, it will help our Scouts continue their journeys while keeping everyone safe.

Please take a moment and watch the video below. You can give securely via our website by clicking here. There are also several additional, fun opportunities to give outlined in the remainder of this email, and we hope you will consider being a Scouting Champion for 2020.

Yours in Scouting,

Eric, Dave & Steven

Saturday, April 18 – 11:00 AM

Are you or your Scout getting cabin fever?! We know we are! Please consider joining us for our first ever virtual 5K. On Saturday, April 18^th, we will host the race kick-off via Facebook Live. It’s going to be a lot of fun, and we’ll be holding a drawing for some special prizes. As soon as the kick-off wraps up, the starting gun will sound. You and your Scout, using all the best practices of social distancing, will run, jog, or walk 3.1 miles around your neighborhood or on a treadmill.

Back at your finish line, have someone snap a photo. Then you will upload your photo and time to Facebook with #Scouting5k – it’s that easy!

Let’s take an hour and focus on our physical and mental fitness, and enjoy seeing the efforts of your fellow Scouts, leaders and parents.  

The cost to participate is either $10, $20 or $25. All registered participants will receive a patch after the Stay Home order is lifted, and there are special gifts for those who participate at the $20 and $25 levels.  Please visit our race portal in the button below and sign up today

Do Scouts in your unit rely on Spring fundraising to help pay for summer camp? Are your normal fundraisers being cancelled or postponed? We want to help!

We have negotiated the ability to conduct a Spring online popcorn sale with our friends at Trail’s End. Jay Messier (our popcorn guru) is still working out the final details, but we wanted to let you know the opportunity is coming. Your unit will earn 50% of all sales, and all items will be shipped FOR FREE by Trail’s End directly to the consumer.

You don’t have to make a firm commitment now, but please take a moment if you think there may be interest in your unit to fill out this quick web form here and let us know. We will use that info to keep you informed as the details shape out.

If you have any questions about popcorn, please don’t hesitate to contact Jay Messier, Kevin McClelland or Sean Fogle for assistance.