Happy New Year and Welcome to the January 2021 edition of the Digital Eagle! This is a monthly publication of the Greater Alabama Council, BSA.
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Friendly reminder that during the first few months of each year our volunteers work together to raise the funds required to provide the Scouting program to our local youth and families. We invite all members of our Scouting family to support us as we strive to provide and grow Scouting throughout Alabama in 2021.
Unit Leaders, please remind your families that they will soon be asked to make a charitable donation to support the Scouting movement, whose mission is to instill in young people the values of the Scout Oath and Law. To all our Friends of Scouting, thank you for helping forward the Scouting movement!
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Adventures of the 49'ers
The Greater Alabama Council invites you to Adventures Of The 49’ers; a three day Scouts BSA camping experience for your troop. Travel back to 1849 as Camp Sequoyah is transformed into the frontier with activities, demonstrations, competitions, and meals all centered around the life of a 49’er. In the spirit of the prospectors of yesteryear we invite you to take up the mantle of the 49’er and engulf yourself in the 49’er lifestyle. You never know? You may strike it rich!!!!!! We hear………. “there’s gold up em them hills!”
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Advancement Policy Updates
Effective Jan. 1, 2021, local councils will have the authority to grant limited extensions of time to complete Eagle, Quartermaster, or Summit requirements. These extensions are available only to youth members who qualify under the three tests listed in the attached advance copy of topics 9.0.4.0, 9.0.4.1, 9.0.4.2, and forms 11.2.0.0 and 11.2.1.0 from the 2021 edition of the Guide to Advancement (GTA), which will be published early in the year. Advance copies of these topics and forms are also published at www.scouting.org/advancement.
The three tests are laid out in topic 9.0.4.0. The process for requesting and reviewing a time extension is outlined in topic 9.0.4.1. An appeal process has also been established if the council denies an extension. This process is outlined in topic 9.0.4.2.
Though the updated GTA containing these three topics will not be published until after the new year, the authority outlined in topics 9.0.4.0, 9.0.4.1, and 9.0.4.2 will take effect on Jan. 1, 2021.
Council Advancement Committees are advised that after Dec. 31, 2020, there is no plan to authorize COVID extensions as has been allowed during 2020. It is possible, however, that as of Jan. 1, 2021, COVID could become a circumstance that warrants an extension if it qualifies under the three tests listed in 9.0.4.0. Note that existing COVID extensions granted between Oct. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020, will expire three months after they were granted.
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We are inviting everyone to join us for a celebration of service, leadership, and the groundbreaking accomplishments of the first female Eagle Scouts during the upcoming “Be the Change” event. This event will be broadcast on Facebook Live on February 21, 2021, at 7pm CT.
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2021 Summer Camp staff Interviews
We are looking for the best of the best to join us this summer to deliver a stellar program at both Camp Comer and Camp Sequoyah. Working on staff at a summer camp is a rewarding experience that offers memories, leadership enhancement, and of course fun!
The Greater Alabama Council will be holding open interview dates January 16 at the Birmingham Scout Office and February 13 at the Huntsville Scout Office. Interview times begin at 9am and will end at 2pm for both locations.
Do YOU have what it takes? Come and find out! Answer the call to serve!
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Its time to get ready for Summer Camp! |
Summer Camp 2021 is right around the corner! Now is the time to start thinking about your Greater Alabama Council summer camping options! To check out the awesome programs at both of our camps, check out the Leader's Guides Below, or go to the Camp's web pages.
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The eKnowledge and the SAT/ACT Donation Project remains in effect for Scout families – both current and former – enabling them to access SAT and/or ACT test-prep computer programs for a reduced rate. The test prep includes multiple hours of video instruction, several lessons and drills, hundreds of practice questions, and numerous automatically graded tests. The 2021 Exam Schedule has just been announced. See the flyer for full details.
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Bushcraft 101
The Greater Alabama Council will be offering a Bushcraft Training January 23 2021 at Camp Sequoyah. Come learn from experienced Scouters across the council in key outdoor skills techniques. Subjects that will be covered include:
Tools and Shelters
Knots and Lashings
Dutch Oven and Campsite Cooking
Fire Building
Wilderness Survival
This course will be beneficial for the new leader or a great opportunity for seasoned leaders to hone their skills and learn of new best practices.
The cost of the event is 25.00 and participation is limited to the first 50 participants.
To register follow the link.
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University of Scouting
Join us for a Virtual University of Scouting March 20th 2021. The 2021 University of Scouting will feature 3 schools:
School of Cub Scouting:
Den Administration
Den Programs and Fun
Pack Administration
Pack Programs and Fun
School of Scouts BSA:
Troop Administration
Troop Programs
School of Outdoor Adventure and Program:
Outdoor Activities and Program
Order of the Arrow
Participants will choose a track to follow within the schools. The University of Scouting will use Zoom as the format to deliver the curriculum in 2021.
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Eagle Scout Scholarship Applications Now Available!
The Greater Alabama Council is pleased to announce that an Eagle Scout Scholarship Award has been established by the Charles Richard Byrd, Jr. family. This award is open to Eagle Scouts of the Greater Alabama Council, Boy Scouts of America. The scholarship is for $1,000 to an accredited 2-year or 4-year school within the state of Alabama.
The Greater Alabama Council is also pleased to announce that two (2) to four (4) Eagle Scout Scholarship Awards have been established by James T. Stephens. These awards are open to Eagle Scouts of the Greater Alabama Council, Boy Scouts of America. The scholarships are for $3,000 yearly for up to four years of college.
For eligibility requirements and application procedures, please click on either button below.
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Winter Camp 2021
Mark your calendars for Winter Camp 2021! Winter Camp will run from December 27-31, 2021 at Camp Comer. More details to come!
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Announcing the BSA's Distinguished Conservation Award!
For more than a century, the BSA has encouraged and honored conservation work with an award that recognizes youth, adults and organizations who have demonstrated tremendous effort and commitment to the environment. This award, which until now had been known as the William T. Hornaday Award, is being discontinued, and the new BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award is being introduced to underscore the importance of encouraging everyone to participate in environmental stewardship. To learn more about this new award, click on the button below.
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Go Camping in "God's Backyard" |
The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama is welcoming Cub Packs, Scouts BSA Troops, and Venturing Crews to spend a weekend camping at Camp McDowell, a historic camp that has been in operation for nearly 100 years. Situated on 1,140 acres adjacent to the Bankhead National Forest in Winston County, Camp McDowell is open year round with a variety of programs and opportunities. To learn more, click on the links below. |
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Powder Horn is a High Adventure Resource Management Course open to all Scouting Adults and Youth age 14 . Participants will learn the necessary skills to oversee a high adventure program and learn of local resources available for your group’s program. For more information and to register, click the button below. |
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Summer NYLT Course: June 20-26
NYLT is a six day, five night course that gives Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, Explorers and Venturers methods, skills and experiences to become better leaders in their unit. The course centers around the concepts of what a leader must be, what they must know, and what they must do – with a clear focus on how to accomplish all this.
To learn more and register for the course, you can visit the page at https://1bsa.org/nylt/ or click on the button below.
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Engineering Merit Badge
Sign up to participate in the Engineering Merit Badge Program at the Barber Museum! This program is on the move from start to finish and includes a hands-on Build-a-Bike activity, a tour of the largest motorcycle collection in the world, and a short film. With stunning views of the Barber Motorsports Road Course, vehicle exhibits, and restoration shop, the museum offers a thrilling environment in which to learn about the field of engineering.
The opportunity costs $18 per Scout, and it includes all materials needed for the program, including the Barber Museum BSA Patch. We ask that Scouts be prepared by reading the Engineering Merit Badge book prior to their troop’s scheduled visit. To show pride in your troop and demonstrate your participation as a Scout, we ask that Scouts wear their uniforms.
Reserve a spot for your Scout or their whole troop today!
The Engineering Merit Badge Program, sponsored by Yamaha, will be offered at the Barber Museum on the following Saturdays, at 9:30 am. Spaces are limited, so please contact us to reserve your spot.
Register to attend our Engineering Merit Badge Program. When you arrive at the registration link close the login box to enter your information. The form on the first page is where you'll enter parent information, and the form on the second page is where you will enter the Scout's information. You can register multiple attendees/scouts at one time.
If you have any questions, please email Jennifer Nelson or call her at 205-702-8713.
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You’re invited to attend Wood Badge!
Wood Badge is advanced Scout leader training that began in 1919 by Lord Baden-Powell, founder of Scouting and Wood Badge’s first director. It came to America in 1948 and has been updated to reflect current BSA policies and programs. Incorporating the best techniques available, Wood Badge has become the most advanced leadership training course in Scouting!
The Spring 2021 Course will be hosted at Camp Comer on April 9-11 and April 24-25, 2021. To learn more and register for the course, click on the button below.
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Soaring into Spring with the OA!
Spring time brings new opportunities and adventures with the OA! With fun events such as Spring Pow-Wow and SR-9 Section Conclave coming, the opportunities for adventure abound! Also, if your Scout wants to take part, now is the time to enroll in the OA's High Adventure Program. This program provides a unique experience for your Arrowman to explore and contribute to the legacy of the BSA's High Adventure Bases. To learn more about the OA's High Adventure Program, click here or on the link below.
To make sure you are in the loop, be sure to make sure your OA Dues are paid and that the Lodge has your most current email address so you can receive the Lodge's digital newsletter. Also, once you pay your Lodge dues for the year, you'll receive a "Member in Good Standing" patch! The artwork for the patch is below. Need to update your mailing address or email address? Please take a moment to submit the form below!
To stay up-to-date on all the latest with Coosa Lodge, follow the links below!
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Are you looking for ways to keep Scouting while you're at home? We have compiled a resource page for you to keep the adventure going! You'll be able to find 30-Day Challenges and more on our resource page. To access the page, just click on the button below. |
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Scouting is a global institution– there are National Scout Organizations representing their home countries and delivering the promise of Scouting in virtually all areas and regions globally. The BSA International Department works to help Scouts and Leaders from the BSA to experience the bigger picture of Scouting and connect with it through our involvement in the World Organization of the Scout Movement. To learn more about Scouting around the world, including exciting events like the upcoming World Scout Moot in Ireland in 2021, click below. |
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The CDC has produced a series of fact sheets for young adults, ages 15-21. The fact sheets cover a variety of topics, including what test results mean, how to stay safe at the pool or beach, how to wear a face covering and other preventive measures. To learn more and access the sheets as well as those regarding the Alabama mask mandate and resources from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, click on the links below. |
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Stay up-to-date on Scout days |
One of the best parts of Scouting is the outing! We're actively building a list of Scout Days at various events near and far that you and your Scouts will love to attend! For more information, click on the Scout Day image, or the button below. |
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