Smoke Signals
Camping Kick-Off Events and Fireside Chats

This year we will be having a two-part event. First will be our Camping Kick-Off session. Our camping volunteers and staff will be sharing information on our camping programs for 2019.

Camping topics and programs will include:
  • Scout BSA Resident Program at Camp Henderson.
  • Cub Scout Resident Program at Camp Kingsley
  • Day Camp Program, four locations
  • Family Camp Programs
  • Blizzard Camp, January 2020
  • Venturing / Exploring Program at Camp Henderson
  • National Youth Leader Training
  • Year round rentals at camp properties
The Council Key 3 Needs and Values your input to improve our programs and services we offer in 2019. Please plan to attend one of our Fire Side Chats.


Save the Date:
February 5th - Immanuel Church
9501 Weston Rd, New Hartford, NY 13413

February 7th Elk Lodge
84-86 Chestnut St, Oneonta NY 13820
OA Lodge Annual Dinner
Registration for the 2019 Awards Banquet is open! The event will include an all-you-can-eat dinner at Brooks Barbecue in Oneonta, NY, and a presentation of awards for many people of the Lodge. Support your fellow OA members and join us on February 16th from 5 pm-7 pm. You can register at  https://www.leatherstockingcouncil.org/OALodgeAwardB19 . We hope to see you there.

Powderhorn District Gold Nugget Derby

February 16th 9am - 2PM
Location: Hamilton Masonic Lodge on Wes Road in Hamilton
Cost: $8 + a can of tomato or chicken noodle soup

The Gold Nugget Derby will include about six stations of activities

Station subjects will include First Aid, Animal Track ID, Snowball Toss, and for the Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts Fire Building.


FH/DS Klondike Derby


February 2, 2019
Location Unadilla Rod & Gun Club
Cost: $10 per Scout

The Klondike Derby will have about 13 stations to test the patrol's knowledge, skills, and teamwork.

If you are interested in helping host a station, please contact Brian Danforth.




Cassety Hollow Rod & Gun Club 14th Annual Biathlon
Cassety Hollow Rod & Gun Club will be holding their 14th Annual Biathlon this year on January 26th, 2019. This event is open all local units; space is limited. Please let the Club know you will be attending by Email

Powderhorn Klondike Derby

February 16th, 2019
Munnsville Firehouse
Check- in: 8:00 am
Cost: $10 per Scout

Event Leaders Guide will be online soon




Adirondack Foothills Klondike Derby

DATE CHANGED
February 16th, 2019
Town of Ohio Rec Center
Cost: $15 Per Person

Registration will open at 8 am. Lunch and patch are included in the registration fee of $15. Please review the leaders guide for information about the events.

New York Hunter Safety Course
Location: Trenton Fish and Game

Students must attend all sessions to complete the course. Sessions will be on Tuesdays February 12 and 26, from 5 pm - 9 pm. Then Saturday March 2nd from 9 am - 4 pm. Scouts will be able to work on Shooting Sports Merit badges.

To Register Email - algiardullo10@gmail.com

Overview
Hunter Education is required for all hunting licenses, including bowhunting. This course covers firearms safety, hunting techniques and responsible, ethical hunting practices.
NOTE  All courses require the completion of  homework  prior to attending the course.

MINIMUM AGE FOR COURSE: 12 YEARS  
REQUIREMENT ALL STUDENTS UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE MUST bring a    Permission Slip (PDF) (54 KB) signed by a parent or legal guardian.

You can find more information on the Hunter Education course   here.
Friends of Scouting (FOS):
The 2019 Friends of Scouting Campaign started off last night with a FOS presentation to Troop 4 in New Hartford conducted by volunteer Paul Obernesser. Parents and trained troop volunteers had the opportunity to learn why Paul makes a donation to FOS every year and how the money supports program services across our Council. If you haven’t done so already, please contact your district executive to schedule your Unit’s FOS presentation. If you schedule an FOS presentation before January 28 th , you’ll be eligible to receive one of four $250 Bass Pro gift cards this spring!

STORE NEWS
Pinewood Derby season is upon us. There are a lot of new exciting accessories available for both boys and girls, especially patches.

We are asking our units to use the pre-order form as the shops will be carrying limited stock of the Pinewood Derby car kits. The new accessories will be pre-orders only.

If you need car kits or patches, please call the office to place your order. Utica Scout Shop 315-735-4437 - Oneonta Scout Shop - 607-432-6491
Many thanks to Council President John Devlin for providing  Best Buy  gift cards to Council Registrar  Peter Steiner  and Council bookkeeper Deidra Rankings, as an award for helping our staff and volunteers keep their expenses to a minimum and for making sure our vendors were paid on time. Between the two of them, they saved the Council thousands of dollars! Congratulations Peter and Deidra!!
Scout Store News
Free shipping is only through our local stores. Please call, mail, or email your orders. All orders over $50 will be shipped free to your doorstep! Advancement reports need to be submitted by email or mail before your orders with advancements can be ship. This offer is only valid at the Utica and Oneonta stores.

Contact: Judith Breese :315-735-4437, Email: Judith.Breese@scouting.org