|
Benefits youth through programs of character development and values-based leadership training.
|
|
|
Greetings!
Welcome to the new version of our council E-news for 2017. This is a companion communication piece to our newly launched website www.HoosierTrailsBSA.org. There are a lot of exciting things happening in Scouting and this resource will help keep you in the loop and prepare you for some awesome Scouting adventure!
|
|
|
|
|
The Cub Scout Fish-O-Ree is a day-long event for Scouts and potential Scouts and their families. Scouts are invited to attend this activity and bring a fishing pole to learn the fundamentals of fishing, have fun, enjoy fellowship, and meet new friends. We will have many fishing related game and activity stations close by for some fun while your bait is in the water. Just sign up for one of the 4 scheduled fishing time slots and enjoy a day on the lake. Outside of your designated fishing time, you may participate in any of the exciting stations at your leisure. You may stay as long as you want and play as many games as you choose. Please be sure to pack a sack lunch or you are welcome to purchase a lunch at a reasonable price from our Order of the Arrow Cafe'. Weekend camping will be available upon reservation through the Council Service Center.
|
|
|
Go to Summer Camp for Free!
|
|
Pay your way to summer camp by selling popcorn online this spring. Start today and earn your way to your summer adventure.
- No product to deliver
- No money to collect
- Less of a commitment
- Ability to reach more customers
|
|
|
|
Boy Scout Recruitment Incentive
|
|
You and your Scouts love the adventure of Scouting. Whether it is skimming across the surface of Lake Tarzian in a canoe or trekking to the peak of Mt. Baldy at Philmont, we know how to have fun! We know how to provide the experience of a lifetime to a young man or woman involved in our Scouting programs - and we know how to change lives. Don't you want to share these exciting experiences with even more friends?
During the months of April and May, we challenge all Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers to invite a friend to be a part of Scouting. Whether you hold an Open House for new members, conduct a special "Bring-a-Friend" campout, or just ask someone to check out your weekly meeting, we want you to share your Scouting story and invite someone new to join us on the Scouting trail!
.
|
|
|
Support HTC via Non-traditional Ways
|
|
Presently, the Hoosier Trails Council is working towards fulfilling our 2017 Friends of Scouting need to fund our life-changing programs. Here are some ways that your family can support Scouting that you may not have thought of:
- One way in which you and your family can help support the work of our council is through registration in the Kroger Community Rewards Program! By simply buying your family’s groceries, you can help contribute to our council’s overall success. Sound easy enough?
- AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from nearly one million organizations to support.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wood Badge is an exciting, action-packed program designed for councils to provide adult members with leadership skills and experience they can use in their Scouting positions and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others.
The Wood Badge course centers upon the concepts of servant leadership and leaving a legacy. The key elements are then taught with a clear focus on “how to.” The skills come alive during the week as the patrol completes a patrol project based upon what they have learned.
|
|
|
National Youth Leadership Training
|
|
The National Youth Leadership Training Course focuses on team-building, making ethical decisions, leading others, communicating, and planning. This is accomplished by the use of presentations, games, simulations, and other activities that reinforce the content of the course. It would not be unfair to say that the Scouts also have some fun along the way.
|
|
|
|
LaSota 5K Race & Get Outdoors Day
|
|
|
National Get Outdoors Day is annual event to encourage healthy active outdoor fun. June 9th will be the day that STEM activities will be offered for the entire family at West Gate Academy, more information is available via the button below. June 10th is the 5K Run to honor our former Council President, Chuck LaSota. Join the fun!
|
|
|
|
|
There are three open slots for the Hoosier Trails Council's National Jamboree contingent. This will be a world-class Scouting event that participants will never forget. Signup today!
|
|
|
Chief's Take on Technology
|
|
|
It’s no secret that I’m an outdoor enthusiast. Lately, I’ve been thinking about the reasons why Scouting provides fun, life-changing outdoor experiences young people can’t get anywhere else.
I recently saw a news story about how kids and teens are spending time with friends through video chat on their smartphones rather than in person. It’s interesting to me because it shows how technology has changed the experience, but not the fundamentals of childhood. Young people want to build friendships and spend time with their peers in settings where they can have some independence. Some of that can happen on their phones now, but I’ve seen in Scouting that there is no better opportunity for kids to gain confidence than experiencing the great outdoors with their peers.
Activities like camping, rock climbing and sailing are all pathways to becoming a good leader and a person of good character. These experiences teach Scouts that they can overcome obstacles and challenges, work with others to achieve common goals and can take their own lead while they explore places they’ve never been. Experts agree that spending time outdoors builds self-confidence, improves physical fitness and enhances kids’ social interactions. It’s something we see in Cub Scouts all the way up to Scouts at the High Adventure Bases.
While we innovate to bring the benefit of Scouting to life through technology, through new merit badges or even new programs, like STEM Scouts, outdoor activities are still one of my favorite aspects of Scouting. I hope all Scouts get to experience the personal growth that comes with spending time experiencing adventures – big and small – in the outdoors.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you are helping Scouts find a balance between using technology and experiencing adventures in the comments below or on Twitter @BSAChief.
Mike Surbaugh, Chief Scout Executive
|
|
|
BSA Tour Plan No Longer Needed
|
|
|
Effective April 1, the BSA has eliminated the Tour and Activity Plan, shifting the focus away from paperwork and toward creating a safe space for Scouts to enjoy the program as designed. For more information, you can read about this development in
Scouting magazine's "Bryan on Scouting" blog. The answers to many of your — and your volunteers' — questions also can be found on the
Tour and Activity Plan FAQ.
|
|
|
Summer Camp is right around the corner and awesome program additions are being finalized. A great camp staff is being developed and we are preparing for a tremendous camping season.
|
|
|
Construction began today on the Marchant Ecology Lodge at MSR and it is scheduled to be completed in time for summer camp. Additionally a new Adirondack Cabin is being constructed and $18,000 worth of new Dining Hall tables have been ordered. Come to camp and see for yourself all of the improvements that are being made.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
