Southeastern District Newsletter |
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Hello Southeastern District Scouters!!! 1. Two ZOOM meeting links for April 2. Two requests for volunteers - (please:) 3. JTE - Did you turn yours in?!? If not, just email it and we can pretend you sent it in Dec... 4. Request to turn in the final paperwork/money on recharters (applies to 6%) The next virtual Southeastern District Roundtable is scheduled for April 8, 2021 at 7pm - see the call in information after my signature line. It will also be available for viewing on the Southeastern District Facebook page. CLICK HERE to Join Zoom Meeting - Southeastern District Roundtable - April 8, 2021 at 7pm Please CLICK HERE to download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Rechartering: This is for the 4 units that still need to turn in some stuff... I would like to thank all of the units for working towards getting their recharters fully complete. As of 3/29/21, there are no units that are not started, 1 incomplete, 3 units that have not turned in any paperwork, 3 units in queue and 62 units that are completed. So, if you have something to turn in let me know as signature can be digital and much of the information scanned and sent in. If you need to send money, mail your check to the council with your unit clearly marked and noted somewhere that it is for recharter. I would really like to get that last 6% of our district competed in the next two weeks. JTE: Journey to Excellence Did you turn in your JTE form? Yes? GREAT! No? Please do ASAP. Commissioners: I NEED HELP (Yes, same plea as last month): The district needs more commissioners to service the units. Please consider becoming a unit commission to assist with keeping our units strong. Everyone is encouraged to attend the monthly commissioner meeting: Topic: District 4 Commissioners Time: April 13, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) CLICK HERE to Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 827 6813 0980 One tap mobile +16465588656,,82768130980# US (New York) +13017158592,,82768130980# US (Washington DC COMMISSIONER of SCIENCE INSTRUCTOR WANTED!!! CLICK for Details Southeastern District Pages: CLICK HERE for our resource page on the CT Rivers site. Facebook is “Southeastern District CRC BSA” and please tag us @SoutheasternDistrictCRCBSA will your unit activities. We would love to see what you are doing. Thank you to everyone for their ongoing efforts to keep scouting going and I know that everything is different and sometimes not an easy task at times. I really appreciate your efforts!!
YIS, Jo Cobble Southeastern District Commissioner jocobblebsa@gmail.com (757) 344-4075 (you can call or text) Connecticut Rivers Council BSA is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Roundtable - Southeastern District Meeting ID: 864 0318 1333 One tap mobile +16465588656,,86403181333# US (New York) +13017158592,,86403181333# US (Washington DC) Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) Meeting ID: 864 0318 1333 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdnNiRgr9T
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Advancement News & Updates |
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Advancement News and Updates
Den Leader Tools in Scoutbook: In the March issue, we highlighted resources for Cub Packs and leaders including Cubmaster and Den Leader Awards and Recognition (see here for the March 2021 Newsletter). In this issue we highlight the Nova and Supernova Awards program which incorporates learning with cool activities and exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The program begins at the Cub Scout level and continues for Scouts, and Venturers. Completion of the awards are recorded in Scoutbook. Applications for the Supernova Award and for the Supernova Mentor Position application should be sent to Bill Shea or Marty Snyder. If you interested in starting this program and are looking for some helpful hints, contact Bill or Marty and we will help direct you to some experienced leaders. Den Leader Tools in Scoutbook: Scoutbook offers a Den Leader Experience in a demo environment which provides working examples on how to use this resource in developing your pack program. If you have questions about using Scoutbook for your Pack program including Advancement, contact Marty Snyder or Bill Shea and we will help you get connected to a knowledgeable resource or mentor Merit Badge Counselor (MBC) Reregistration 2021: Annual MBC Reregistration starts April 1, 2021, with a notification email to each Merit Badge Counselor in the council. All MBCs must respond to their notice to continue as a Merit Badge Counselor in the council– no exceptions please. This reregistration process is separate and different than the end-of-the-year program for units and unit leader positions. Be prepared to confirm your current contact information. YPT Training must be completed and up-to-date through August 1, 2021. More information about the reregistration process, the MBC position and key district contacts are provided at the CT Rivers Merit Badge Counselor website. District Award of Merit Keep your eyes out in the coming weeks for details on the District Award of Merit. New Award – 50th Anniversary Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Award: There is a new award that Scouts are able to earn only in 2021. It is the 50th Anniversary Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Award developed in a joint venture between the BSA and the EPA. It requires specific merit badges (which could have been earned in previous years) and an approved service project of 6 hours. (Bryan on Scouting blog BSA Conservation Awards Site) SAFE Service Project Planning Checklist and SAFE Project Tool Use: Check out these updated SAFE risk assessment tools for Scouts and Unit Leaders before you begin any service projects. These are: SAFE Service Project Planning Checklist, and SAFE Project Tool Use, based upon the BSA Scouting Safely, Guide to Safe Scouting. S – Supervision; A – Assessment; F – Fitness and Skills; E – Equipment and Environment. (more info here)
Merit Badge Updates - 2021
BSA Merit Badges - 2021 Updates Note: You can find an interesting history of Merit Badges at http://usscouts.org/mb/history.asp
Merit Badge Counselor List in Scoutbook (SB)
Leaders and Troop Admins: Please continue to use Scoutbook for Merit Badge Counselor lists. MBC Key Contacts: for all queries on new applications, updates, MBC list in SB:
COVID-19 FAQ: UPDATED 1/14/2021 (COVID-19 FAQs)
The COVID-19 FAQ is organized for In-Person Unit Activities, Camping this Fall/Winter, Advancement, Advancement - Cub Scouts, and Advancement – Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts including updates on Rank Advancement and Merit Badge Requirements Eagle Package Contacts For submission of Eagle packages – initial Proposals, Q&A, Fundraising forms, Service Project Reports, Eagle Rank Applications, Q&A ... please continue to work with:
- Troops in the former Mattabesett Trail District – Designated District Eagle Advancement Coordinator – Mike Engels, Lianne Rutty, or Tom Jump.
- Troops in the former Mohegan District – Paul Orstad (hogan343@aol.com) or Marty Snyder.
Scoutmasters and Committee Chairs: Please remember that scouts beyond age 18 actively participating and working on requirements in a unit must be registered as an Adult (code UP) with current YPT training. Please notify Bill Shea or Marty Snyder as Southeastern District contacts for extension requests.
Key Advancement Contacts: Southeastern District Advancement Co-chairs
Bill Shea william.shea@sbcglobal.net 860-883-8588 Marty Snyder martys762@gmail.com 860-235-9732 CLICK HERE for BSA Advancement News
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Earth Day 2021
April 22nd is Earth Day and great opportunity to get your Troop or Pack outside and involved.
Plan an event that allows social distancing while being outdoors and cleaning up an area in your community. If possible, get the word out and invite others to let them see the good work Scouts are doing to save our environment EARTH DAY, EVERY DAY: HOW BEING GREEN COMES NATURALLY IN SCOUTING Earth Day has a special place in our organization’s culture– as our members know, responsible stewardship of the planet is key to being a good Scout. Since BSA’s early beginnings, Scouts have been caring for the planet. The organization’s “Leave No Trace” and Outdoor Ethics principles demonstrate how Scouts show respect for the great outdoors. Conservation and Sustainability are Key to Being a Good Scout The members of the Scouting community will be the leaders of the next generation, so it’s essential to teach them how to live more sustainably. We’re challenging today’s youth to take these initiatives to the next level—from stewardship to sustainability, and from “leave no trace” to leaving the world a better place. Through these practices, we’re providing new opportunities for candid discussion, education, and collaboration and are offering activities such as the BSA Sustainability Summit and the annual BSA Sustainability Report. Click on the resources below to get your Troop or Pack involved: Conservation Project Ideas 51 Ways to Restore our Earth Bee Conservation Toolkit Pollinator Garden Toolkit
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Leave No Trace this Mud Season with These Best Practices Spring is in the air. The days are getting longer, the snow is starting to melt, and you know what that means: mud. Lots of mud. Ben Lawhon, Education Director of the Boulder-based Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, says being mindful of spring trail conditions can help prevent long-term damage to our favorite outdoor spaces. Here’s what he keeps in mind before heading out on early-season hikes. 1. Plan your route. Before piling into the car, take a moment to search trail conditions online. Lots of forums, including Facebook and local land manager websites, post updated reports on what shape the trails are in. If your destination is muddy, find an alternative—your favorite trail will still be there in a few weeks. 2. Be prepared. Just because it’s 50 degrees and sunny in town doesn’t mean the weather is as nice in the mountains. Be prepared for mixed conditions including mud, snow, and ice by wearing waterproof footwear and packing foot traction like microspikes. No waterproof boots? No problem. Tie grocery bags over your socks and slide your feet into your shoes. It might look silly, but you’ll be glad your feet are warm and dry. Use trekking poles with rubber tips to maintain balance without poking sensitive surfaces. 3. Walk through the mud. As tempting as it might seem to step off the trail to avoid mud, this tramples trailside vegetation in the early stages of growth. Over time with hundreds or thousands of users skirting muddy sections of trail, not only are the plants robbed of their opportunity to grow, but also the trail widens. Restoring trails and building new infrastructure like boardwalks, stepping stones, and turnpikes requires money and labor that many land management agencies just don’t have right now. 4. Choose south-facing trails with minimal tree cover. These trails get more sun, so they’re more likely to be dry, and dry ground is more resistant to impact. Not sure which way is south? Look at a map online before heading out, or use the compass on your phone. 5. Observe trail closures. Many land management agencies request voluntary compliance with staying off muddy trails, but some like Boulder County Open Space periodically close a trail entirely until the mud dries. Observing these closures and guidelines will get you back on the trails faster and mitigate costly trail repair work. Lawhon says Leave No Trace in mud season is really just common sense paired with a desire to preserve the outdoor spaces we enjoy. Keep these tips in mind the next time you head out for a spring adventure.
5 Ways to Refresh Your Leave No Trace Skills LNT.org - Erin & Brice March 18, 2021 Spring is on the way and with it more outdoor adventures. After a winter of hibernation, many of us are getting back on the trails and into natural spaces. Now is a great time for a reminder on how to protect those places while we are there. Here are a few ways to refresh your Leave No Trace skills this spring. 1. How to Put Out a Campfire A safe and responsible campfire can keep us warm during spring trips, but we need to know how to put that fire completely out. 2. How to Share the Trail We aren’t the only ones getting outside. Our trails are for everyone, and there are some ways to minimize our impacts while sharing these spaces. 3. How to Go to the Bathroom Outside Video for #1 and Video for #2 Human waste can be hugely impactful to natural spaces and those who visit after us. With some restrooms still closed, now is the time to learn about going to the restroom outside. 4. How to Plan Your Trip Planning is a crucial part of any outdoor trip, and things are always changing. Even if it is a place you have visited before, it is still important to plan ahead and prepare. 5. Car Camping 101 Headed out for a mini road trip? Incorporate Leave No Trace with easy to follow 101 tips.
YIS, Michael Dameron Leave No Trace Master Educator michaeldameronbsa@gmail.com 860-917-3965
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Activities and Civil Service
Hi everyone! Hopefully you were able to take advantage of the virtual District Klondike Derbies (East and West) as well as the Cub Blizzard that Council shared. We have a great IN-PERSON Pinewood Derby planned in April. It will be outdoors, so we will be able to offer plenty of space and fresh air. Check out the flyer and Southeastern District PWD Rules. The event is being hosted by Pack 16 in Ledyard at the Ledyard Fairgrounds. There is a pavilion, so the event will be help rain or shine. Each Pack is encouraged to choose up to 12 Cub Scouts to the event. Scouts will be racing by den. Pack 16 will be offering snacks and drinks for sale (following all COVID guidelines). Masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be followed. Registration will open soon. We continue to look for new and exciting ways to keep our Scouts active and engaged. As always, please reach out to me if you have any questions or comments. Yours in Scouting, Dawn DeBrodt Activities and Civil Service Chair dawn_debrodt@hotmail.com 860-303-9380
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Always Be Recruiting Things you should be doing now to prep for the Summer and Fall: 1. Have a public facing Facebook account & post stuff there. Instagram can be in the mix too! 2. Get your local paper to write about your unit. Can be names of scouts who earned arrow of light, or about a recent service project. If you don't have names of publications in your area, let us know and the council can connect you. 3. Plan an event for May and invite the Public. 4. Reach out to families who dropped during COVID. As we start to see the light at the end of the Coronavirus tunnel, we can be thinking about getting more youth back into scouting! With the possibility of doing in-person activities towards the end of spring, we can plan now for those recruiting activities. Each month we'll give guidance on unit level activities and how council can support you. Let us know if you have ideas for other ways we can share with all the units. Thanks for all you do! YIS, Tim Lombardo & Rob Bunger Southeastern District Membership Co-Chairs
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Scouting With Special Needs |
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During this time of unknown that can often leave kid’s feeling confused, unstable and unsettled, it is imperative that our Scouting Leaders aid in setting a routine, presence and a reminder of the expectations being asked of them in both virtual and in-person meetings. It is to be expected that when brought together as a Den, Pack or Troop, that kids will show some signs of regression given the impacts of the pandemic in ways such as acting out behaviors, refusal to engage in the meetings or perhaps a sense of apathy towards scouting in general. Having a tool kit of ideas that infuse fun, play and teamwork are essential for successful meetings. In Person Meeting Consideration:
- Keep it Short-while planning your agenda, it is more important to offer kids a feeling of successful engagement than completion of the task at hand. Plan on your advancements to perhaps take a little bit longer to accomplish
- If you have an established Den/Pack/Troop agenda, stick with it as much as possible. Kids and teens thrive on the expected
- Try out geocaching or letter boxing
- Assign task/appoint volunteers to help leading the meetings
- Create a obstacle course or field day for season or theme
- Make your own ice cream
- Playing structured games such as Red Light, Green Light, Mother May I or Red Rover
- Ask Dens to prepare a small skit or song to present at the Pack to highlight the fun and entertainment aspects of scouting
- Go on a tracking hike
- Consider a Pack or Troop snow tube, snowman building or sledding event
- If a child is struggling with an activity or directive, consider getting closer (closer proximity, more praise, comment on even the smallest positive choice) rather than removing the child completely from the interaction
- Assign Dens by having them taped off or sit at a color coded picnic table
If your local Den, Pack or Troop is remaining in virtual sessions, play is even more necessary to keeping it exciting, the scouts engaged and keeps the family connected to the greater community.
- Keep the Routine If while in person you sing special pack songs or have a den flag, make sure that you keep those in your virtual meetings
- Play games: Whether it is Kahoot! or Jeopardy Scouting Style, or group Bingo Games
- Have scouts bring a picture of their favorite scouting memory
- Layer in the Adventure or Merit Badge by sandwiching it within an ice-breaking and wrapping it up with a quick game
- Let your Pack and Troop see you having fun. Whether it’s telling a silly joke, telling a tall tale or singing a song, your energy will pull them in
- Assign Scouts to lead the activity: A Bear Den recently shared that they had four parents and children carry out individual experiments to coincide with the Science Everywhere Elective. It not only took the burden off of the leader to present, but allowed the Scouts to feel competent
- Keep them interactive- use video clips, YouTube video, music, to enhance your electives and adventures. While working on Tiger Theater, we not only invited the kids to dress up as their favorite character, we showed them clips from the Sound of Music and The Lion King, to highlight the use of puppets on stage
If you don’t already have a closing, consider introducing one now. It not only helps to shift the children to the ending but it also can be a reflection on the time that you had together as a Pack or Troop but can also help to create a sense of wonder and hope for when you can be together again. Leave with prompts like, “Before we are together again, I want you to pick one person to carry out a kindness act to,” or, “Before we see each other again, I want you to try and find two different animals in your yard to tell me about when I see you next.” These type of questions will only help to inspire kids to keep showing up to future scouting events.
Lastly, in either in-person or virtual sessions, be sure to have someone taking pictures----even if it’s a Brady Bunch still Zoom shot… and then, spread it on Facebook or within your local newspaper! If you have a parent who can put together a short video with iMovie, do it! People are desperately looking for a sense of normal for their children and seeing kids doing things like hiking, fishing, virtual Pinewood Derby races or camping so be sure to tap into the audience. Why not highlight not only have we are Scouting on but THRIVING during these times.
Article written by Scouting with Special Needs Team Member Carolyn Jarvis, LCSW, RPT
Scouting with Special Needs
Connecticut Rivers Council
ctriveraccessibility@gmail.com
Facebook: @scoutingwithspecialneeds
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Activities and Civic Service |
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Greetings and Salutations, fellow Scouters! The weather is finally warming up just in time for some great activities that are coming up The Council is holding Camp-Kinda-Like-A for Cubs during the week of April 12th. The District Pinewood Derby is taking place in Ledyard on April 24th (take a look at the UPDATED flyer here). And if your cubs are not going to the derby, there is a Cub Scout Heritage and Skills Adventure on April 24th.
There is an opportunity for Scouts BSA to earn some merit badges on April 24th as well, ,with the Workcoeman Crafts and Skills Experience. In early May, there is the Barry E. Grant Memorial Fishing Derby at JN Webster (May 8). You can get details and register by visiting the Council Calendar. April is also a great time to work on service projects. To kick this off, our district is having an Earth Day Challenge. Check out the flyer HERE to learn how you can win a prize here. Don't forget to consider all safety aspects while planning your service projects, such as traffic safety, tool safety, and COVID precautions. Yours in Scouting, Dawn DeBrodt Activities and Civil Service Chair dawn_debrodt@hotmail.com 860-303-9380
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Camping Updates |
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Outdoor adventure is a promise made to boys and girls when they join Scouting. Today, the amount of time kids spend outside is alarmingly low…only minutes per day! Through Scouting, our goal is to get our Scouts outside where they have the opportunities to canoe, hike, shoot, swim and just be Scouts.
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WILDERNESS FIRST AID COURSE
Training Corner
Greetings to All!! Here is a rough outline of planned trainings for the upcoming year: IOLS/BALOO: May 1st 8-4 Camp Kitchtau, Stonington, CT (REGISTRATION OPEN) & Oct 1st & 2nd (Location TBD) Scouts BSA Posn Spec Trng: April 17th 8-12 VFW Post 3263 Mystic, CT & Sept 18th 8-12 (Location TBD). Merit Badge Counselor Trng: May 2021 (Date TBD). Train the Trainer: June 2021 (Date TBD). Cub Scout Posn. Spec Trng: April 17th 1-5 VFW Post 3263 Mystic, CT & Sept 18th 1-5 (Location TBD). Den Chief Trng: Nov 2021 (Date TBD) There may be some adjustments, but I’m pretty confident these events will happen!! IF YOU HAVE NOT COMPLETED YOUR YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING, PLEASE COMPLETE ONLINE, OR REACH OUT TO ME, AND WE WILL LOOK AT COMPLETING IN PERSON. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW INDIVIDUALS FROM WITHIN OUR DISTRICT THAT THIS APPLIES TO. PLEASE REACH OUT!!! EVERY TROOP IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE TRAINED LEADERS TO BETTER SERVE OUR YOUTH!!! TRAINING AWARDS Please take a look at the Leader Training Awards available and fill out the appropriate form and send back to myself at the e-mail address provided below. DISTRICT TRAINING E-MAIL ACCOUNT: An e-mail account has been set up for the Training Section of the District. Please direct any training related questions and or correspondence to the below. If you would like to become part of our training team, please reach out to me at the e-mail address below.
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There will be a Wilderness First Aid course the weekend of May 22nd, 2021.
For details please email
Paul Kanfer
swimdoc@netzero.net
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Exciting times around the Order of the Arrow. Just as the Districts have merged so have the Order of the Arrow Chapters. What were once Mohegan and Wahquimacut have now become “Nautilus”. As of now we do not have set meeting times we are taking a new approach to how the OA meets being more Lodge Centric than Chapter. Meetings/events will be announced via email, social media platforms and the Lodge calendar this can be found along with a link to pay dues. We are currently working on getting our “Sea legs” with the new chapter we recently held our first Chapter meeting via Zoom. Youth officers are needed if you know of a Scout involved in the OA that would make a great OA leader please encourage them to step up. Currently looking for a Chapter Chief and Vice Chief of the West and East along with other positions. I would like every unit to have an OA Rep (It is a position of responsibility) who can report back to your unit. If you are interested in holding OA Elections, please use this Google Form Link to request a Virtual Election. The First Ordeal for 2021 will be held on the weekend of April 16-17 at JNW more information can be found on the OA section of the counsel website. John Whittel Nautilus Chapter 4 Advisor jwhittel@gmail.com
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Important Dates!
April Roundtable: 4/8 at 7pm ~ Please CLICK HERE for the ZOOM link
March District Commissioners Meeting: 4/13 at 7pm ~ Please CLICK HERE for the ZOOM link.
There will be a Wilderness First Aid course the weekend of May 22nd, 2021. For details please email Paul Kanfer swimdoc@netzero.net
The annual Southeastern District elections will be held April 22, 2021 at the District Committee Meeting, We will be electing the New District Officers (Chair, Vice Chair, District Commissioner, and all district committee members at large. If you are interested in running for a district position or would like to join the district committee or stay on as a committee member of the Southeaster district committee please contact Ken Lee the District Nomination Chairman. All Existing committee members must confirm with Ken Lee that they would like to stay on as a committee member and will be included on the slate of committee members at large. All South Eastern District Charter Organization Representatives (COR) are voting members and will be invited to the District committee meeting. I hope to hear for the existing committee members so we can continue to grow scouting and rebound from last years pandemic.
Ken Lee can be contacted by E mail at leeskkkm@sbcglobal.net of by hone 860-942-3117
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If you haven't checked out our district page on Facebook click HERE! Also check out the district page on the website where you can find contact info and the district calendar. To get to the page click HERE
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