A Word from your District Commissioner...

That word is "RECHARTER"!  I have a message for three Units - 

The First Unit is the Pack, Troop or Crew that has completed all training and background checks, completed a JTE Score card, completed their online Charter process, printed their Charter Application, obtained all signatures, and has submitted all with payment by November 30th.  The message is a hearty "Thank You", not from me, but rather from the Youth who you serve. Without you there would be no Unit to Recharter for them to be a part of a quality Scouting Experience.

The Second Unit is for the Pack, Troop or Crew who is completing all of the above as soon as possible. I understand the difficulty getting other adults to take training, to obtain and upload background checks, the Institution Head that is out of town and not available when you are ready for their signature, the money isn't in the treasury, or you have personal or family challenges that take priority. Again I "Thank You" for all of your efforts and hopefully you may have learned a lessen we teach the Scouts: "Be Prepared".

The Third Unit is the Den, Troop or Crew that has not yet managed to tie together the loose ends. I sympathize with the new Committee Chair, Cubmaster, or any Leader who has never experienced a Rechartering. Not only for the above reasons but also due to the tremendous amount of information to accumulate, understand, sort and complete in an organized manner in what is a relatively short period of time. I don't condemn you for the lateness. It is a learning experience that hopefully some of which will remain with you for the next time around. (Think October 2017). And again, "Thank You".

If you just didn't bother to act on the Recharter, Shame on you! Hopefully all of you can complete what at this time may be a few minor issues, wrap up the task at hand and deliver everything to Nick Nowak or a Commissioner at your District Roundtable Wednesday December 14th.

With that said, as a District all of you are doing a fine job of completing a process that we need to complete in a timely manner. I'm sure that you, especially the Youth in your Unit and everyone who works so hard volunteering their time and effort to make the Scouting Experience happen, do not want to see even one Unit "Drop" on December 31st. When a Unit drops it is a huge disservice to the Youth we serve.

By all means, if you need help in completing this task, ask for assistance! Your Commissioner Staff is trained and standing by to help. Never feel alone in Scouting!

Yours in Service,

Ken Houseal
Lafayette District Commissioner
Cub Adventure Requirements Adjusted

Effective immediately, National has made some of the Adventure requirements that were previously mandatory now be optional. This is in response to Parent and Leader surveys indicating that Packs were having difficulty completing all of the requirements in a Scouting year, resulting in boys not advancing.

The new requirements have been posted in a free addendum available at

 (Look for the heading, "Cub Scout Advancement Modifications Made")
Scouting for Food

Quite a few Units participated in the Scouting for Food drive this year.  For example, Cub Scout Pack 268 collected 696 items during the the Scouting for Food drive and donated all items to the Patrician Society of Norristown.  And Cub Pack/Troop 724 in West Norriton shattered their record with a total of 5,153 items of food brought to the Norristown Food Bank this year.

Thank you to all Units that participated!
2017 Klondike Derby Cabins

If you have not submitted your request for a 2017 Klondike Derby Cabin, time is running out.  There are 3 cabins left: Pioneer, Spaid Lodge, and Lucien Maxwell.  If you have already made your request, you should have received your cabin assignment along with the invoice for the rental by email.  Payments were due December 10, 2016.  Klondike registration is available on Double Knot here.
Attention all Lafayette District Merit Badge Counselors

Merit Badge Counselor is a DISTRICT position, and to be a Counselor, you MUST be registered with the District. This is in addition to any position held in your unit. Therefore, all counselors in Lafayette District are asked to send an email to:

lauriemeritbadge@gmail.com

to confirm that you wish to remain a Counselor, and be registered on the District Charter. There is no additional fee for this, but if you were not registered with the district in 2016, you will be required to complete a new Adult Application, a Merit Badge Counselor Application, and send both in with current Youth Protection Training.

Once you have been confirmed as a Counselor, I can re-register you each year simply by having you confirm that you want to continue to be registered.

This email address is ONLY for Merit Badge Counselor applications and questions.

Laurie Little
Merit Badge Dean
2017 Spring Camporee

We will be holding the District Spring Camporee from May 5 through May 7, 2017.  We have reserved sites at Camp Hart for the event.  Cost for the weekend will be $12.00 per person, which will include your site rental and a patch.  To take advantage of every Troop's/Pack's unique skill, we are asking every Troop or Pack who attends to have a station where the other Troops can experience a scout skill or game your unit excels at.  Troops should contact Tim Little at trlittle@aol.com with what activity they will sponsor at their station.  We already have a few Troops' commitments, so don't miss out on your Troop's favorite skill or activity.

We are also working to have the rifle and archery areas available for our use that day.  Sites will be assigned based on unit size following registration through Double Knot.  Make your plans to attend and watch for more information.

*** We need TWO NRA Certified Rifle Instructors to open the range. PLEASE CONTACT TIM IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS AVAILABLE! *** 
Valley Forge Park Merit Badges

Valley Forge has put together a packet of merit badge requirements that can be completed at the park.  Vicki Detwiler will be distributing these via the Troop mail bins.
Lafayette District Calendar Has Been Updated
The Lafayette District Calendar has been updated!!! Check out everything that is going on from now through the Spring Camporee in 2017 here:  Lafayette District Calendar

Here are some highlights:
  • December District Roundtable - December 14, 2016
     
  • Klondike Derby - January 20 - 22, 2017
  • Lafayette District Merit Badge College - January 28, 2017
  • Lafayette District First Aid Meet - March 4, 2017
  • Lafayette District Dinner - March 8, 2017
  • Lafayette District Pinewood Derby March 25, 2017
  • Spring Camporee - May 5, 2017 to May 7, 2017
Lafayette District Merit Badge College 2017
When: January 28, 2017
Where: Spring-Ford Ninth Grade Center
Start/End Times: 8:00 AM to 3:15 PM
Price:  $8.00 per Scout

Now is the time to get the boys started on EAGLE REQUIRED MERIT BADGE PREREQUISITES.

ADULTS.  If you are interested in offering a merit badge or assisting in a classroom, please contact Laurie Little at: laf.merit.badge@gmail.com with your name and proof of current Youth Protection Training. 

Registration is now open.  Payment MUST be made through DoubleKnot using the District Calendar.

EAGLE REQUIRED BADGES TO BE OFFERED INCLUDE:
  • Citizenship in the Community
  • Citizenship in the Nation
  • Citizenship in the World
  • Communications
  • Family Life
  • First Aid
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Personal Fitness
  • Personal Management

Prerequisites for all badges have been released to the Scout Masters, and boys can begin to work on those. Questions should be asked through your unit leader.
Bob Berger Memorial First Aid Meet

This fun-filled and educational event will be held March 4, 2017 at Perkiomen Valley Middle School West.  Troops, Crews and Packs should come out for the half-day event and find out how good they really are with their first aid skills. This is a patrol competition, with the winning patrol holding the trophy and bragging rights for the year.  Watch for more information and registration from the sponsoring troop - Troop 105.
Unami Lodge
Order of the Arrow Elections

We have begun conducting elections for your unit's OA candidates.  We'd like to complete all of our Unit Elections by March 24th so that those candidates who are elected have the opportunity to register for their Ordeal at the first Spring Service weekend - at Camp Hart on April 7-9.  If you have not already done so, please contact Stuart Bowman at sbowman@veneziainc.com to set up your unit's election.


2017 Lafayette District Klondike Derby

We are in the last critical steps of planning for our district's annual Klondike Derby on Saturday, January 21st. Please send an OA representative from your unit to our meeting on Wed., Dec. 14th.  We will be sharing final decisions on rules, stations, etc. at this meeting.  (These will be announced at the Roundtable meeting.) 

We are still in need of a couple of units to step up and take charge of a station.  Please let us know if you are interested - or if have OA scouts who would be willing to assist.
If you haven't registered yet for our Klondike, please do so as this will enable us to better prepare.  Registration is available online:  2017 Lafayette Klondike Derby.  Keep in mind that registering by Jan. 16th earns those sleds an extra nugget towards their Klondike score.  (Sending a representative to 5 of our meetings within the year earns another nugget.)


District OA Officers

Come out and meet your new Lafayette OA leaders!
Stanley, Bill, and Shaun were elected as that 2017 District OA Chapter Chief, Vice Chief and Secretary, respectively.  Stuart Bowman will be stepping into the role of Lafayette District OA Adviser.  We look forward to working with all of you and hope you will assist the OA in helping you build stronger units.
A note of thanks to Ed Lester for the years of tremendous service to our District!  (He is stepping aside - not away.  We hope his involvement continues.)


The Order of the Arrow holds its monthly meetings in conjunction with the Lafayette District Roundtable.  
Free to a Good Home

Is your Cub Pack in need of a Pinewood Derby track or a Sled for Klondike?  We have an older pinewood derby track (wood, with two lanes) and a sled available...free to a good home.  If you are interested, please email jenschaffer@msn.com.  The items would need to be picked up by the end of December.
Training Sessions being offered at Roundtable?
Course Time Trainer Room Date
Merit Badge Counselor Orientation
7:00pm
 to 8:30pm

Gerry Meyer
 Sales Room, 2nd Floor
 Wednesday,
December 14th, 2016











 
As part of my commitment as Assistant District Commissioner, I've partnered up with the Lafayette District Training Staff to offer some of the much needed training modules at Roundtable. I'm inviting any Adult Volunteer, Committee Member, Merit Badge Counselor or Unit Leader to attend these training sessions.  - Alan Cave, alanthepainter@comcast.net


STAY CONNECTED:
Cradle of Liberty Council, Boy Scouts of America