May is a wonderful time of Spring to be outdoors and enjoy a walk through the majestic Coast Redwoods found here in Marin. We are now in the midst of planning for so many great Summer Camp activities, so don't forget to look through our monthly newsletter and find out how you can be involved in fun programs and new opportunities for Scouts and leaders in the coming months!

As a reminder, please forward this monthly newsletter to other people in your unit who may not be receiving it. They can also go to our Council website homepage for calendar links to events or to sign-up for their own Dispatch subscription here!

Please forward this ZOOM link invitation to other Scouters and parents in your local packs, troops and crews to make sure every unit is represented for all the information sharing and Scouting fellowship!

with Commissioners Roger Dickerson, Mike Blum and Sam Guyton!

While there is nothing more we would like to do than gather together as a full Marin Scouting family for our annual Council Recognition Dinner this month, we realize that the date set for May 9, 2022 might not be the right time yet.

Thanks to all the unit leaders who submitted nominations to honor their "of the Year" Scouting youth and adult volunteers! We will be printing "of the Year" certificates for unit leaders to pick-up at the Tradin' Post mailboxes starting Thursday, May 5 should you like to conduct unit award presentations.

Cub Scout Leader-Specific Training: for Cubmasters & Asst. Cubmasters, Pack Committee Members, Den Leaders & Asst. Den Leaders.

Scouts BSA Leader-Specific Training: for Scoutmasters & Asst. Scoutmasters.

Family Fiesta is a weekend family camping experience for Lions through Webelos, together with their family members. This program will introduce the Cub Scouts to some of the fun activities that are offered during our Summer day camp weeks at Camp Tamarancho.  The theme of "Bug Hunters" will help everyone learn about the amazing world of insects. All campers participate in events ranging from field sports to nature hikes, shooting sports, handi-crafts and ourtdoor exploration. The day will close with a campfire program. Don't delay, register now!

It’s true, more youth are joining Scouting! Whether it is outdoor adventures, learning new skills, or just hanging out with friends --- Scouting has it all and families recognize that. We are proud of the growth that we have had over the past year; we were the only Scout Council west of the Rockies to have a membership gain. We want to keep growing because that means more youth that benefit from our programs and more volunteers to help ensure diverse and well-led units.

To support our growing Packs, Troops, Crews, and Posts, we will continue to offer the “Open Door” incentive which will reimburse your unit up to $100 for costs associated with holding a recruiting event. That may be ice cream for an ice cream social, prizes, or whatever works best for your unit. Click on the image above to download our 2022 Membership Development guide, or contact Council staff for more information. And remember --- 60% of families joined Scouting because someone they know and trusted invited them to . . . let’s make sure our doors are open and we include our friends on the Scouting trail!

As has been previously announced, California Assembly Bill 506 (AB 506) was signed into law with an effective date of January 1, 2022. The intent of AB 506 is to improve the safety of all California youth.

AB 506 requires administrators, employees, and regular “volunteers” of all youth serving organizations to:

While many of us are familiar with BSA Youth Protection policies and training requirements, in order to meet the criteria of the new state law there are some additional steps that will need to be taken, including additional online training and fingerprinting of direct-contact volunteers through the Live Scan system.

Together, Marin and other California BSA Councils have developed a consistent statewide plan to comply with AB-506 and created a website California Scouting that can serve as your primary resource. There are 3 major steps that each volunteer needs to complete, which are highlighted in the easy-to-follow instructions shown on the left; just click on the graphic to download your own copy.

Should you have questions regarding this important matter, please reach out to Scout Executive Michael Dybeck (click to email) or by phone at 415-454-1081.

A friendly reminder to complete your BSA Annual Health & Medical Record (AHMR) before Summer. To participate in Scouting activities and campouts, all Scout youth and adult Scouters must complete the AHMR; parts A&B for day or wknd events (for youth it must be signed by a parent), OR parts A/B/C (must be reviewed, completed and signed by a physician) for events longer than 72 hrs including all Summer Camp weeks and high-adventure treks. Download a fillable .pdf copy by clicking the image at left, and don't delay scheduling your physician appointments!

National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is an intensive week-long BSA leadership training course conducted in an outdoor setting. As members of an NYLT patrol, Scouts BSA and Venturing youth learn the tools of leadership, communication, problem solving, ethical decision-making and much more --- experiencing the Patrol Method of Scouting first-hand while they camp, cook, eat, work and learn together.

NYLT is a six-day course held June 12-18, 2022 at Camp Tamarancho.

It is recommended that all youth have participated in Scout camping over one year. NYLT is not an outdoor skills course and it is important that each participant have basic camping and outdoor cooking experience.

Click for more info or to register your Scout, or contact NYLT Course Director Jennifer Masterson by email!

On November 1, 2021, BSA introduced a new merit badge, Citizenship in Society, which is part of the BSA's DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Mission "To promote a culture where every youth, volunteer, and employee feels a sense of belonging and to build communities where every person feels respected and valued." As part of the introduction of this new award, it was announced that the merit badge will become the 14th merit badge required for advancement to the rank of Eagle Scout on July 1, 2022, although the total number of merit badges will remain at 21.

Our Council Training Committee has been very active offering new sessions for all the basic and advanced training courses that you need to become a more effective leader in your unit! We are offering many in-person Adult Leader Trainings this Spring to prepare you for Scouting the trail ahead! Download a flyer to share, or click on the course titles to be directed to the website link for more information or to register today! Also see Leadership Training online.

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO): for all Cub Scout adult volunteers. Saturday, June 4 to Sunday, June 5 outdoors at Camp Tamarancho.

The BSA’s Hazardous Weather Training is required in order to be considered a fully-Trained leader. It is available online at my.scouting.org.

Wood Badge 2022: the pinnacle of adult leader training for all BSA-registered volunteers. A five-day course held over two weekends in September at Camp Tamarancho.

With end-of-school year Courts of Honor and preparing for Summer Camp adventures, it's time to get your complete uniform together! Youth and Men’s Scout Pants are finally back in stock and available for purchase.

STAFF NEEDED for Summer Day Camp Weeks!

Download a flyer, or REGISTER NOW for our Fall events at the links below!

It takes many hands to put on these programs each year, from planning by the committee to staffing the actual events themselves. A BIG thank you to all the dedicated volunteers for their efforts throughout the year, and we could really use your help! Please join by contacting Committee Chair Ron Poggi or District Director Trish Ferenz. Click on their names to email for more details on how you can be a part of this winning team of volunteers!

After a successful Summer reviving the Scout Camp traditions at Marin-Sierra following a year away, we are excited by the opportunities awaiting us in July 2022! The Council website has all the exciting details to plan your best Summer ever at Scouts BSA resident camp!

Click here to apply for your best Summer ever on Camp Staff at Marin-Sierra! We are holding staff interviews via ZOOM in March, so "Be Prepared" to put your best foot forward and secure that special position where you know you can make a difference with our campers! This experience is critical to the delivering the promise of adventure and the mission of the BSA to our Scouting youth and adult volunteers at Camp Marin-Sierra!

The Council Venturing Committee helps guide our older Scouting youth and young adults with the benefits of this co-ed program and fantastic leadership opportunities. More information about our Venture Crews and their special interests has been provided at recent Scouts BSA Roundtable meetings. For further details, please contact Venturing Commissioner Monika Kainz.

Join Marin Scouts on the adventure of a lifetime and visit the amazing International Scout Centre in Kandersteg, Switzerland, founded by Lord Robert Baden-Powell. Next Summer we'll travel to the Swiss Alps, hike trails surrounded by incredibly scenic vistas, and enjoy meeting Scouts from around globe! Depart from SFO and fly to Zurich, then travel by rail though the Swiss Alps to Kandersteg, and return for a fun overnight in Zurich. For more details, check out the Kandersteg website or email Crew Advisor Willy Coronado.

This big event happens every four years at the Summit Bechtel Reserve, but was postponed from 2021 due to the pandemic. This new date was announced, and the BSA registration page is now open and accepting applicants. Sign-up to receive more info by clicking here!

This will be the second World Scout Jamboree for the Korean Scout Association; they also hosted the 17th World Scout Jamboree in 1991. Registration is open to join the BSA Contingent to the 25th World Scout Jamboree; go to 2023 WSJ - Korea. A $500 deposit is due upon registration. Will we #SeeYouIn2023?

ORDEAL:

BROTHERHOOD:

Natalie Lee - T1g Helen Perry - T1g

Our next Lodge meeting will be at 7pm Tuesday, May 10 at the San Rafael Elks Lodge, 1312 Mission Street. We will be discussing plans for all the exciting Summer activities. Please contact Lodge Chief Jamey Schnasse or Lodge Advisor Kenn Moynihan with any questions.

NOAC 2022 is coming: the National Order of the Arrow Conference is scheduled for July 25–30, 2022 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Nearly 20 Talako Arrowman will be traveling this Summer to attend this exciting brotherhood event!

If you have any questions about the National Order of the Arrow organization, NOAC or the local Talako Lodge in Marin, please contact Lodge Chief Jamey Schnasse.

Please check our Council website homepage regularly for the most current information and event calendar, and the frequent social media activity on our Facebook and Instagram pages linked below, as well as those for Camps Tamarancho & Marin Sierra.