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2017 SJAC National Jamboree Patch Sets are now for sale. See below for more information.
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Words From Our Scout Executive
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Hello, Stonewall Jackson Area Council
 I wanted to introduce myself as your new Scout Executive/CEO. First let me say my family and I very excited about becoming part of the Stonewall Jackson Area Council family. We have heard great things about the Scouts and Scouters of this great Council.
I started on September 16, 2017 and have been making my way around the council to meet as many of our folks as I can and look forward to meeting the rest of our family here at SJAC.
I have worked for the BSA for 20 years in many capacities, I started out in Syracuse, NY then onto Buffalo, NY. Yes, I am a northern boy but my wife and I have always dreamed of moving and raising our family in Virginia. They will be joining me shortly.
My wife Tammy and I have two awesome boys, Michael age 11 and Matthew age 9, both are very active in Scouting and cannot wait to get here and join our council.
I grew up in the program and I am a proud Eagle Scout and a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow. I have been a Den leader, Cubmaster Committee Chairman, Scoutmaster and enjoy being an avid outdoorsman while enjoying fishing, kayaking, camping and hiking.
Serving the Boy Scouts of America has never been a job for me, it is a way of life and my passion. I am very lucky to be able do this and to serve our great Council. I look forward to meeting all of you and you have my promise I will work every day to continue and add to the tradition of excellence we have here.
Yours in Scouting,
Jim Battaglia
Scout Executive/CEO
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Scout Shop News
With fall recruitment in full swing we have several sales that will be going on until October 31, 2017. The fall cub scout pants sale is still available allowing 25% off cub scout switchback pants with the purchase of a cub scout blue uniform shirt.
Included with this issue of Saddlebags, you can access a
coupon that you and your family may redeem for 15% off a purchase of $50 or more on Camping Merchandise. (This sale does not include advancement items, uniform parts or items previously purchased. May not be combined with another sale. Coupon valid from 10/23 - 10/31/2017.
We would also like to remind everyone that both our Harrisonburg and Charlottesville drop off points for purchases require 7-10 business days to arrive from the date of purchase. If there is an urgency to get an order, we have FedEx shipping that we can use in order to expedite your order.
We hope everyone had a great summer, and together, let's have a wonderful fall!
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National Jamboree Patch Sets
The Stonewall Jackson Area Council still has their 2017 National Jamboree Patch Sets for sale.
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 $5.00.
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.
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Galaxy Wars.....
Greetings from the SJAC Galaxy!
Have you set up your Scout's online sales page yet? You just need to head to
https://www.trails-end.com/ and click on 'Register' in the upper right corner. Online sales are an easy way to increase your overall sales AND there is the opportunity to earn extra prizes not offered through traditional sales. Also, your Scout's online sales count towards their opportunity to earn the
Trail's End Scholarship!
For more information on prizes, commissions and dates, please visit
www.sjacgalaxywars.org and download our 2017 Guidebook under the FAQ section. If you're in need of more order forms, contact your Colonel for your Sector!
May the Butter be with You,
Grand Moff Obenschain and Admiral Briana Haley
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Ranger Report
The 2017 Summer Camp Season has come to an end.
I would like to thank everyone who helped on the projects this summer. We were not able to finish all the projects, but we did get the big ones accomplished. This included the pool/STEM area, Scout Craft fence, shelving in 2nd bay of maintenance, and sheeting the ceiling in 2nd bay of maintenance. For those who have not heard we have a new John Deere skid steer with a few attachments and two more shipping containers.
At the start of summer camp, the Council rolled out another opportunity to help Camp Shenandoah during the off-season. This program is
Campmaster Corps which entails:
- Acting as the Council/Camp representative to the units for the weekend. Your presence will make a world of difference as to how the scouts and leaders perceive our Camp and Council. Please keep in mind each unit has their own identity and should be encouraged to carry out their own program.
- By relieving the Ranger of unit responsibilities for the weekend, you are freeing him for other work, as well as personal time. The Camp Ranger is responsible for the upkeep, maintenance, and proper use of all camp facilities. The support you give to the Ranger will greatly add to the overall effectiveness of his work and the quality of camping experience for the units.
A reminder of other opportunities for units and individuals to help Camp Shenandoah during the off-season:
- Adopt-A-Campsite - an opportunity for a unit to take a little ownership of camp.
- Ranger Corps - a group of volunteers that assist the Ranger on all projects around camp. They can choose project that fit their skill set or choose projects that will give them an opportunity to learn new skills.
Here is the Top 10 list of things that are needed for Camp Shenandoah:
- Generator - Dewalt DXGN4500 4,500 Watt Commercial Generator with Honda Engine
- Electronic Self-Leveling Horizontal & Vertical Rotary Laser System (model # 40-6559 with Johnson Level)
- Chain Saw
- 1 - STIHL 362 with a 25" bar
- 2 - STIHL 362 with a 20" bar
- 16" bar for MS181C
- Chimney for 2nd wood stove in maintenance.
- Hand held plumbing snake
- 30 Gallon Air Compressor
- Printer with a scanner
- Shovels - long-handle digging
- 25' garden hoses
- Axes
If you would like to donate these items or provide the funds for the Council to buy these items please contact Matt Dale, our Council Program Director, at
[email protected] or by calling the Council Service Center.
With all this work done this summer, more storage, new equipment, and adding another opportunity to help your camp, there are still many things to do! Please consider helping your camp by getting involved with at least one of the programs or donating from our needs list.
If you have any feedback or questions, please contact Ranger Lynn at
[email protected] or 540-910-2009.
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Scuba Live Aboard Adventure
Do you have your scuba certification? Do you want a chance of a lifetime and visit the acclaimed BSA Sea Base in the Florida Keys? Troop 81 from Valley District is looking for a few interested Scouts to attend the Scuba Live Aboard Adventure at the Sea Base -
http://www.bsaseabase.org/Adventures.aspx
. The trip is planned for March 25 to April 1, 2018. Scouts must be 13 years of age and graduated the 8th grade or 14 years old by September 1 of that year. Cost is $1,200 plus travel. Interested? Contact Mike Brown, Scoutmaster at
[email protected]
or call him at 540-578-2588.
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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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