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February 2020 Vol. 13, Issue 2
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Dear ,
Hello February! As we dive into this month, there are many, many activities for Scouts and leaders coming up. Just February alone has Roundtable, Scout Sunday/Sabbath, Pinewood Derby Workshop, and several Blue and Gold banquets celebrating the beginning of Cub Scouting.
Then there is March with roundtable, Klondike Derby, Marin Council Recognition Dinner, Cub Scout Bunny Shoot, training, and more!
Next comes April, May, and summertime, all with handfuls of fun and adventure!
Read through the newsletter, and catch up on everything happening around the council.
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Please forward this monthly newsletter to other people in your unit that may not be receiving it. They can also
click here to subscribe if they are not on our mailing list.
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Roundtable
Thursday, February 6, 7:30 p.m.
The regular roundtables are on the first Thursday of every month, September through June. The roundtables will continue to be held at the LDS Church at 220 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael.
Before roundtable at 6:00 p.m., there will be Youth Protection training for all who need it or need to renew. There is no pre-registration required, but be on time because you will not be considered trained if you are more than 10 minutes late.
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Cub Scout Roundtable
This month we'll discuss ideas for Blue & Gold celebrations, and hear about the fun events coming up for your Cub Scouts. The theme is Cubstruction, so come prepared to build something silly that may just save the environment. Fun and fellowship begins at 7:30 p.m. sharp, winding down at 8:30 pm.
Scouts BS Roundtable
There will be a few important subjects. Tim Wells will share the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy units. Then, Chris Cardinal asks: What's the "PC" way of asking "What are you doing with the Money?" The Order of the Arrow will be talking about Klondike Derby and how to prepare for that.
Venturing Rally
There will be a Venturing Rally from 8:00-8:30 immediately following the Venturing Officer's Association meeting at 7:30.
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Explore a Career in Law Enforcement
Marin Explorer Post 350
Open House/Meeting
Wednesday, February 5, 5:30 p.m.
53 San Clemente Drive, Corte Madera
Contact us and join this exciting program!
Main Area Office:415-924-1100
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Pinewood Derby Workshop Coming Soon!
It's almost here! Rain or shine!
Camp Tamarancho on Saturday, February 8, 9:00-1:00, will be the annual Pinewood Derby Workshop, where we ask Cub Scouts, "What do you want your car to be?" The Order of the Arrow will be cutting out cars, providing lots of racing accessories, putting on a hotdog lunch, and running the BB gun shoot!
We sell lots of PW derby accessories.
We cut nearly 120 cars last year.
There will be an optional hot dog lunch for $5.
Also, the BB gun shoot is always a big success, which Cub Scouts can do before or after they work on their cars. The shoot is $5 as well.
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Marin Council Recognition Dinner
Don't miss this opportunity. All Scouts and adults that have been nominated for Of the Year awards will be recognized after their dinner at the
Marin Council Recognition Dinner on March 9. This is a great opportunity to see all the width and breadth of what is going on throughout Marin County and share some food together! Bring your fellow Scouting youth and adult members along with friends to cheer for your nominees--both youth and adults.
Sign up early for the lowest price because it increases after February 28. Registration closes at the end of the day on March 4.
Sorry, but we cannot allow walk-ins due to the fact that we have to give a head count to the caterer.
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Every Scout Deserves a Trained leader!
Are your unit's leaders trained?
Youth Protection Training (YPT)
course offered before roundtable this month! Thursday, February 6, 6:00 p.m. at the LDS Church, 220 N San Pedro Rd, San Rafael. No pre-registration needed, but don't be late. You will not be considered trained if you arrive more than 10 minutes late.
Sign up for one or more of these great courses!
Wood Badge:
New course is shortened to 5 days. If you're a registered leader and have completed YPT, then you're eligible. Dates: September 11-13 and 26-27, 2020 at Camp Tamarancho.
BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation) for Cub leaders: will be offered in the spring. The dates are TBD, so check next month's Dispatch and the Marin Council training web page.
Hazardous Weather training is required to be considered a trained leader and wear the trained patch. It doesn't take long to take it online.
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Cub Scout Camping 2020
Cub Scout Day Camps--Under the Sea
Early Bird discount available through March 31!
Day Camp is the highlight of a Cub Scout's year! However, boys and girls who are not currently in Cub Scouts are welcome to attend. Day Camp is open to youth who will be entering the second through fifth grades in the fall of 2020.
- First Day Camp: June 22-26
- Second Day Camp: July 6-10
- Third Day Camp: July 20-24
Bus service is available from many parts of Marin if desired.
Cost for Day Camp is $295.00, with a $20 discount for currently registered Cub Scouts. Bus service is $50 per camp.
There is also an early bird discount of $15.00 until March 31.
Family Fiesta
(Bug Hunters)
May 15-17, 2020
Family Fiesta is a weekend family camping experience for Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos, their families, and Cub-Scout-age friends (it can be a recruitment opportunity!). This event will introduce the Cub Scout and his or her family and friends to some of the activities that can be experienced in our summer day camp programs. Events and activities are run by Scouts BSA troops, Venturing crews and the Order of the Arrow. The Cub Scouts will get an opportunity to meet the summer day camp staff and older Scouts, and as an added bonus, get an idea of all the fun and exciting things that await them when they become Scouts or Venturers.
Events and activities may include: archery, BB shooting, obstacle courses, leathercraft, pioneering, first aid, and a Saturday campfire. Please note that Lion-aged youth cannot participate in shooting sports activities.
For this weekend event, you have the option of arriving Friday night or Saturday morning, giving you the option to camp one or two nights. Cub Scouts or their friends must be accompanied by an adult partner over 18 years old in order to stay the night. Food is included!
Other Cub Scout Opportunities Coming Up
(@ Marin Sierra) Sept 4-6, 2020
Sept 18-20, 2020
As we look forward to 2020, we could use your help. Please consider joining our committee. Contact
Ron Poggi or
Nancy Rozell at the council office.
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Camp Staff
Join the best summer experience a young person can have!
Presently, we have numerous applications coming in for this summer, so now is a great time to apply to insure you get a place on staff and perhaps even the job you desire. There are positions open at both camps.
Marin Sierra
You can download the application for the 2020 Marin Sierra staff by
clicking this link. Important positions we are seeking at this time are program director, food services director, waterfront director, shooting sports director, shotgun director, climbing directors, and many more!
Tamarancho
If you have questions or need information, you can email
Nancy Rozell about Cub Scout camp or
Tim Wells about Scouts BSA camp.
These camps our your camps!
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Cub Scout Bunny Shoot
Register now. This event fills quickly.
Similar to the Turkey Shoot held in October, this fun event is for Cub Scouts (Tigers through Webelos) to enjoy archery and BB shooting. The date is March 14, and it will be held at Camp Tamarancho from 9:30-2:50.
No, we will not be shooting bunnies!
With half-hour periods throughout the day, your Cub Scout will have the opportunity to experience one session of each of these activities.
Click this link for a descriptive flyer and shooting sports release form.
When you click the link below to sign up, you will be given the opportunity to choose one half-hour period of each activity.
THEN, return to the Marin Council web site to pay and download the shooting sports release form if you have not done so already. If you do not return to pay, your reservation will be dropped.
Lions cannot shoot per BSA policy.
Last day to register is March 10.
Click here to sign up.
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Talako Lodge News
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Our February lodge meeting is on February 11, from 7:00-8:30 p.m., at the San Rafael Elks Lodge. We will be planning for the Klondike Derby, so we hope to see many Arrowmen there!
If you haven't paid your dues yet, you still can! Dues are $15. You can either bring a check to the lodge meeting or mail one to the council office. Checks should be made payable to the Marin Council ("Talako Dues" can be put in the memo line).
Talako is excited for the annual Pinewood Derby Workshop this Saturday, February 8, at Camp Tamarancho! From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., you can get your Pinewood Derby cars cut for free. We will help you design your car, prepare it for cutting, and then cut it using professional woodworking tools. This event is free although lunch can be purchased for $5 if desired. The BB gun range will also be open. There is a $5 charge for shooting plus you need to bring y
our shooting sports release. More information on this event
can be found here.
Talako is hoping for great weather for this year's Klondike Derby from March 6-8 at Camp Marin Sierra. Registration for patrols closes on Tuesday, March 3, and the participation fee is $15 per person. More information and registration
can be found here.
Bridging Ceremonies
Make sure to schedule your bridging ceremony with us. It needs to be scheduled at least 2 weeks before your event. It's very easy to do; just
click this link.
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Wilderness First Aid Training
Going to Philmont? Going on a 50 miler? Doing some righteous backpacking with your troop? If you have ever suffered an injury or seen an injury on the trail--deep cuts, some unfortunate sprains--you are keenly aware of what happens when someone gets hurt far from help. You deal with it yourself.
It only takes a little knowledge to make the difference between panicked helplessness and confidently treating the injury. You've likely spent plenty of time learning how to navigate, how to pitch a perfect camp, and how to cook great food in the Great Scoutdoors. Now, make sure your wilderness first-aid skills match.
Marin Council will once again offer the Wilderness First Aid training required for Philmont trips (2 people trained, in fact!), and a great idea for anyone going deep into the wilds like Scouts BSA do! The course being offered is also inexpensive compared to REI, NOLS, and other offerings!
Join me, Jesse Barnett, and Bobbie Foster of Foster Calm as we study and Be Prepared for all sorts of Wilderness 1st Aid events. The class will be held on March 28-29, along with the option to earn a CPR certificate (also required by Philmont). Go to the council web site, and sign up today!
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The Marin Council Fishing Derby will be on Saturday, May 9. This is held at the Marin Rod & Gun Club in Point San Quentin. The MR&GC donate the use of their pier and BBQ area every year for this event!
The day will start with fishing and tackle instruction (if you need it) from 9:30-10:45. The derby part of the day begins at 11:00 and runs until 1:00. After that, there is a BBQ with loads of prizes.
A $6 donation per person covers the costs of bait, BBQ, prizes, and incidentals. However, if a Scout brings a Scout-age friend who is not already in Scouting, the friend and the Scout do not pay.
You can find out more information and register by
clicking this link to the Marin Council web site. Everyone must download and bring the release form on the day of the event (don't send it in earlier).
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One of the ways we can show our appreciation to the Marin Rod & Gun Club is to participate in their cleanup day at the Club on the morning of March 28. If you would like more information about the time, email the Club by
clicking this link. Let's show our appreciation to them for the years of generous donations!
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Staff Changes at the Marin Council
After nearly fifteen years of professional service, the time has come for us to congratulate Mr. Tim Wells on his retirement from the Marin Council effective February 29, 2020. During his professional tenure with our council, Tim has provided support to hundreds of volunteers, delivering a quality Scouting program to tens of thousands of young people. He has served as advisor to council committees ranging from properties, shooting sports, camping, marketing, to commissioner service. He has been a tireless supporter of our camp improvements and mentor to camp staff. During his tenure, he has served as camp director to both Cub Scout day camps, resident camps, as well as 13 years as the Camp Marin Sierra summer camp director. He has been an integral member of our team and will be missed.
Over the last few months, we have been conducting a search to fill this position. We are pleased to announce that we have extended employment to Michael Andrews, who will be our newest Marin Council staff member beginning on February 16, 2020. Michael has served as a camping director and program specialist for the San Francisco Bay Area Council for the last five years. In that role, he has provided leadership to Cub Scout camping and family camping programs, resident camp business management, NYLT, Jamboree contingents, along with other council activities as well as web site and e-newsletter coordination. Before his employment with BSA, Michael was an active volunteer serving in a variety of unit, district, and council positions and has been recognized with the District Award of Merit as well as the Silver Beaver. His professional background of twenty years in retail management prior to working for Scouting has helped develop his focus on serving customers and developing teams.
During the coming weeks, we'd hope you take a moment to thank Tim for his service to our council and wish him well in retirement and also welcome Michael to the staff.
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Marin Council Pinewood Derby Race
Every year, the Marin Council conducts a council-wide pinewood derby race representing derby winners from every pack. This is held at the Marin County Fair on the day when children under 12 years old can get in for free. Typically, the race is from 1:00-3:00; however, the date has not been set yet.
For now, we are seeking volunteers to check in cars on two different days before the race and then to run the actual race. We need people to set up, run the race, and clean up. We also need a track and software.
Please
let us know if you can volunteer and even take the lead on the great Cub Scout event. We can't do it without you!
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What's Tradin' at the Tradin' Post
The Marin Council offices and store will be closed on Monday, February 17.
It's Pinewood Derby season!
Click this link to discover how to make your derby cars awesome.
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