Official newsletter of the Stonewall Jackson Area Council!
Featured Article

2017 SJAC National Jamboree Patch Sets are now for sale.  See below for more information.
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Jamboree Patch Sets
2017 Cub Scout Camps
Summer Camp Tax Credit
Webelos Resident Camp
Scout Shop Hours
Popcorn & Peanuts
Breaking Clays 2017
Scouters In Need
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Words From Our Scout Executive
Dear Parents, Leaders and Supporters,

Summer is here, school is out and Camp Shenandoah will open in just 12 days!  Lots of exciting things are happening as we prepare for another season as we enter our 67th year of operation.  Our staff at Camp Shenandoah is exceptional and six of our senior members just returned from National Camp School with lots of enthusiasm!  I am proud of the new additions this summer - Year-Round Cabins for female staff, outside walk-in refrigerator, two new storage buildings for STEM and Timber Mountain Program area and a new Polaris Ranger!  I am also excited about the partnership with Department of the Navy and Office of Naval Research's SeaPerch program where Scouts will design, build and pilot their own underwater robot.  There is a cool video at   www.campshenandoah.org .

  
Craig Family Year-round Cabins                   New Dining Hall Walk-in Refridgerator


New Polaris Ranger donated by Elm Foundation



I hope your Scouts are signed up for a summer experience and if they miss your troop's week due to vacation or other obligation, don't forget about our Provisional Camper option which allows a Scout to attend our camp and stay with a host troop.  Go to   www.campshenandoah.org and click the Provisional Camper form for further information or call our office at 540-943-6675.

I am proud to announce that Jay Fox was awarded the highest National BSA Regional Award - Silver Antelope at the recent National Annual BSA meeting in Orlando.  SJAC was recognized several times for earning the Gold Journey To Excellence, earned the OA Invocation Award for the third year in a row and achieving the Major Gifts Award for 2017.

Jay Fox (left) and Doc Miller attend Silver Antelope Reception.  Jay is the new Antelope from SJAC. Very proud of the hard work and dedication to Scouting at all levels! Doc Miller is also a Silver Antelope and Silver Buffalo, the highest award given by the National BSA!


Lastly, I am very proud to announce that Stonewall Jackson Area Council is in a growth position for overall traditional membership and participation for the 15-consecutive month!  Congratulations to Valley and Monticello District for leading the way!  Thank you to VP of Membership David Bean and his District Team of volunteers!  I am looking forward to a great fall!

Thank you!  

Hope to see you on the trail at Camp Shenandoah.
 
Yours in Scouting, 

Jim Milham
Scout Executive
 
National Jamboree Patch Sets



The Stonewall Jackson Area Council is releasing their 2017 National Jamboree Patch Set which honors our Virginia gentleman and those of our council.

Virginia is known as the "Mother of Presidents" with 8 presidents being born in our great state: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and Woodrow Wilson.  SJAC will honor 4 of these presidents; one from each District.   Southern District:  George Washington, Father of our Country.  Massanutten District: James Madison, the Father of the Constitution.  Valley District: Woodrow Wilson, right to vote amendment to the Constitution.  Monticello District: Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence.

The National Jamboree set is a tribute to each of these great gentlemen plus two other well-known Virginians.  The center patch honors Stonewall Jackson who is our council's namesake.  The top patch (the collectors patch) pays tribute to General Robert E. Lee, whose home was seized by the Union Army and turned into Arlington National Cemetery. 

This brief history and more is included with the Jamboree set.  The metallic Royal Blue set is $50.00. 

Our 2017 Silver Metallic Set, which is numbered, retails for $150.00.   The numbered sets range from 1 to 100.  Each patch is numbered, for example set number 1 will have 1 on each of the 5 shoulder patches.  The center patch featuring Stonewall Jackson will show 1 of 100.

The Order of the Arrow will also have a Jamboree flap that will retail for $10.00.

To purchase a set of the SJAC Jamboree Patches, contact the Council Service Center at  540-943-6675.  

Shipping is available.  Call today - don't miss that number that is a milestone in your scouting life.
 
2017 Cub Scout Camps


        

The 2017 Cub Scout Camps are approaching fast and you will not want to miss them.  If your Cub Scout loves bugs and overnight camping, sign them up.  Pre-registration has started. Please see flyer for Day Camps information and flyer for Cub and Friends Overnighter.

Summer Camp Tax Credit

Here's a Summertime Tax Tip directly from the IRS. 
 
Along with the lazy, hazy days of summer come some extra expenses, including summer day camp. But, the IRS has some good news for parents: those added expenses may help you qualify for a tax credit.
 
Many parents who work or are looking for work must arrange for care of their children under 13 years of age during the school vacation.
 
Here are five facts the IRS wants you to know about a tax credit available for child care expenses. The Child and Dependent Care Credit is available for expenses incurred during the summer and throughout the rest of the year.
 
  • The cost of day camp may count as an expense towards the child and dependent care credit.
 
  • Expenses for overnight camps do not qualify.
 
  • Whether your childcare provider is a sitter at your home or a daycare facility outside the home, you'll get some tax benefit if you qualify for the credit.
 
  • The credit can be up to 35 percent of your qualifying expenses, depending on your income.
 
  • You may use up to $3,000 of the unreimbursed expenses paid in a year for one qualifying individual or $6,000 for two or more qualifying individuals to figure the credit.
 
For more information check out IRS Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses. This publication is available at www.irs.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
 

 
Webelos Resident Camp

                           



Our Council's Cub Scout Camping Committee would like to personally extend an invitation to your Pack to attend Webelos Resident Camp with us this summer! All information regarding our 2017 camp can be found in the 2017 Webelos Resident Camp Leader Guide.
 
This year we are again offering two sessions of Webelos Resident Camp:
                Session #1 - 23 - 26 July, 2017 (Sunday afternoon through Wednesday morning)
                Session #2 - 26 - 29 July, 2017 (Wednesday afternoon through Saturday morning)
 
 All information regarding Webelos Resident Camp can be found on the Stonewall Jackson Area Council website at:   http://bsa-sjac.org/Camping/CubScoutCamping/ResidentCamp
 
 
How to get started
 

1.       If you have already sent in your Hold A Site form and payment that's great! We'll be in touch soon.
 

2.       If your Pack is planning on attending, please fill out the the Hold A Site Form and mail to the Council Service Center along with the $50 reservation fee.

 

3.       You can mail the completed form and payment to:


Stonewall Jackson Area Council, Webelos Resident Camp
801 Hopeman Parkway
Waynesboro, VA 22980

OR

E-mail the completed form to [email protected] and call the Council Service Center at 540-943-6675 to make payment over the phone either via credit card or as a charge to your unit's Scout Shop account

 
What will happen next
 
Registration has changed this year!  Once we have received the Hold A Site Form and payment, registration for Webelos Resident Camp will continue through an online system called Tentaroo, which we have been using with great success for the Boy Scout Resident Camp since 2011. 
 
You will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to login.  Then, beginning on May 1st, you can follow the steps found in the 2017 Webelos Resident Camp Leader Guide to add Scouts to your roster and schedule classes.
               
I, along with the Summer Camp Staff and the rest of the Cub Scout Camping Committee, look forward to seeing you at Camp Shenandoah this summer!  If you have any questions or need assistance please contact our 2017 Camp Director, Matt Dale, at [email protected] .
 
Yours in Scouting,
 
Karen Hostettler |   Vice President of Cub Scouting  
 
Scout Shop Hours


A FRIENDLY REMINDER ABOUT THE SCOUT SHOP HOURS FOR SUMMER!

The office and shop hours changed effective May 22, 2017:

-  Monday, Wednesday, Friday   9:00AM - 5:00PM

-  Tuesday and Thursday   9:00AM - 7:30PM


 

Saturday hours will resume on August 12, 2017
 
Galaxy Wars.....

 

Have you heard about our Galactic-wide kickoff on July 29th?  Make sure to save the date as we will have training for everyone including our Pilots (Scouts)!  Register here:
 http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07ee91odnxj3ll7llo/start

   Haven't had a chance to register you Unit to sell?  Do so here:
 http://scouting.trails-end.com/tools/recruit/signup?council=cfda88e9-f21c-11e5-a5eb-0632e198f0a5&campaign=11fbffa8-1ac7-11e7-a5e5-12a0d168e510

Breaking Clay for Scouts


If you would like to join us by becoming a Sponsor or by coming out and shooting with us, you can obtain the flyer here.
 
Scouts In Need!
We are currently running a drive to collect used Cub Scout and Boy Scout uniforms. With these uniforms, we will be able to supply units necessary patches and shirts for scouts who need them. If you are able to donate any items, please drop them off at the Stonewall Jackson Area Council Office in Waynesboro.

If you would like to make a monetary donation, you can click on the DONATE NOW picture.
 
Thank you for your support in Scouting. 
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