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Trail Signs
June-July 2023
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Service above self! Trail Signs newsletter is our bi-monthly newsletter.
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Unit Program Planning - The Ideal Year of Scouting |
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Providing a year-round, quality Scouting program should be the goal of every Scouting unit. Using our program planning calendar and links below, start planning your Scouting year now!
Now is the time to start thinking about your program for the upcoming Scouting season just a few short months away. This is the start to the Ideal Year of Scouting and creating an adventure for your unit. Hoosier Trails Council would like to help you get things kicked off and give you the materials you need and the support you want. Learn new ways to support your members and leaders, tips on recruiting, fundraising and much more. Please visit our website for your resources to start planning your best year ever!
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Prepared, for Crunch-time! |
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“Prepared, for Crunch-time!” is the Hoosier Trails Council’s plan to help your unit to have ONE fundraiser this year. Trained popcorn staff and volunteers will help your unit to plan and execute the best and most efficient fundraiser that your unit has ever had. Popcorn experts are primed to meet with your unit to determine your needs and to get things rolling.
Mark your calendar to attend a Popcorn Sale Kickoff Event:
Popcorn Sales Training East – Tuesday, August 8th – 6:30 pm
First United Methodist Church, 240 W Poplar St., North Vernon, IN
Popcorn Sales Training West – Thursday, August 10th – 7:00 pm
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 4201 W Third St., Bloomington, IN
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National Summertime Pack Award |
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This award encourages a pack to be active when school is out for the summer, by doing one activity per month. Your pack can qualify for the certificate and streamer by planning and conducting three pack activities—one each in June, July, and August, or during other school vacations if your p ack is in a year-round school.
Dens with an average attendance of at least half their members at the three summer pack events are eligible for a colorful den participation ribbon.
Scouts who participate in all three pack events are eligible to receive the National Summertime Pack Award pin, which they can wear on the right pocket flap of their uniform.
How To Get the Award:
Return completed form to council office; some councils provide recognition at no cost, while others charge a nominal fee for items.
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Join Us for a Year Full of Fun and Activities! |
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Hoosier Trails Council is committed to meeting the needs of Cub Scouts and the entire family by providing exciting programs, engaging education, and life-changing experiences in an incredible outdoor setting where the value of Scouting is best displayed. An exuberant and friendly volunteer staff awaits the opportunity to facilitate fantastic adventures all year long!
Registration fees for these events are included in the Council Program Fee. There will be no registration fees to attend these events, as long as you pre-register (walk-ins will be charged an activity fee, so please reregister). If you choose optional packages that include meals, overnight camping options, etc., there will be an extra fee to cover additional costs. All Cub Scout events are scheduled to happen “rain or shine.” There is a registration fee when the Scout has not pre-registered.
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2023 SUMMER CAMP
We are still taking reservations, but space is filling fast. If your Troop or Scout has not registered for an exciting and fulfilling week of camp at MSR, register today! Week 2 is already full and only one campsite remains for week 1. If a Scout cannot attend with their Troop, we have opportunities for them to come to camp as a provisional Scout where they will camp with an attending unit and still experience all that camp has to offer. Scouts wishing to attend a second or even third week can also register as a provisional Scout and enjoy additional week(s) of camp for 50% off. 2023 Summer Camp Registration
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Webelos Resident Camp
Hoosier Trails Council is hosting an exciting and action-packed Webelos Resident Camp event for all Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts at Maumee Scout Reservation from July 6-9, 2023. This is a “don’t miss event” that is sure to be the most enjoyable experience of the year. Your Scouts often wonder what it is like to attend summer camp like the older Scouts and now is the time that they get a taste. We will have all our program areas open for them and they will enjoy fishing, swimming, shooting sports, Scout Craft, nature, STEM, camping under the stars, and much more! We have waited a long time to be able to provide this opportunity to you and our staff is ready for a great time with your Cub Scouts teaching them the very things that will help them advance to the Scout Rank. Bring your own tent, sleeping bags, and personal gear. All meals will be provided in our dining hall and in your campsite so you are able to enjoy camp life in the outdoors.
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Summer Camp Call-Outs
Summer Camp at Maumee Scout Reservation (MSR) is on and celebrating another great adventure with 50 years of our lodge! Order of the Arrow is our honor camping society that focuses on service and the outdoors. Each week of summer camp Nischa Chuppecat will be conducting call-out ceremonies on sight during family night. Come out and share in the excitement and celebrate the public recognition of the newly elected candidates from your troops. Dates are June 15th, 22nd, 29th, and July 13th.
Ordeal Weekend
Hoosier Trails Council would like to congratulate all of our Scouts on being elected to enter the Order of the Arrow, Nischa Chuppecat Lodge. It is a great honor to be chosen, as you have been, by your fellow Scouts. In doing so, they have set you apart as one of whom they expect a great deal. Always remember that you were chosen because of your camping ability, and your Scouting spirit.
In order to become a full-fledged member of Nischa Chuppecat Lodge, you must complete your induction in the Order of the Arrow. The purpose of the induction is to gain a greater understanding of the Scout Oath and Law, and the principles of the Order of the Arrow. The induction will be explained to you in full at the Ordeal Weekend, August 11-13, 2023, at Maumee Scout Reservation. Register now for the OA Ordeal Weekend!
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FUNDING AWESOME SCOUTING ADVENTURES |
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Friday, June 9th we will hold our 2nd annual Hoosier Trails Sporting Clays Classic at the beautiful Sugar Creek Sporting Clays and Hunting Preserve. The same as last year, the event will include an attractive gift bag, lunch, fellowship, and trophies to the winning team and top shooter for the day. This year we have decided to increase the shoot a full course of 100 targets over last year’s ½ course, and additional shooting options after the tournament will be offered for those who want to make it a full day. The cost is $175 for individual shooters, or $700 for a team. Please contact Jon Ocheltree with any questions at jon.ocheltree@scouting.org or 812-336-6809.
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Scouting License Plates
These plates can be used as standard vehicle registration plates for passenger cars, recreational vehicles and trucks weighing less than 11,000 pounds. This is not a vanity plate, so special numbers or messages cannot be accommodated. Your plate selection is good until your next registration renewal. When you purchase an Indiana Boy Scout license plate, you indicate your personal support of Scouting and add financially to the Hoosier Trails Council Endowment. How can you participate? When you renew your plates, an additional fee is added on to your basic renewal fees, and that money is contributed to the Hoosier Trails Council endowment fund.
Renew Plates Online: Currently, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles offers Online Registration for your vehicle. Once you create an account, you can choose your specialized license plate. It's fast, easy and best of all - no standing in line!
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The Boy Scouts of America is the recipient of all proceeds from the sale of vehicles donated to One Car One Difference® and specifically designated by the donor to support the BSA. With your help, Scouting will continue providing youth the opportunity to try new things, give service to others, build self-confidence, and reinforce ethical standards. Use the form on the right side of the page to donate your vehicle, and help us ensure the future of America's youth.
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Support the Hoosier Trails Council in Non-traditional Ways
Here are some ways that your family can support Scouting that you may not have thought of:
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One way in which you and your family can help support the work of our council is through registration in the Kroger Community Rewards Program! By simply buying your family’s groceries, you can help contribute to our council’s overall success. Sound easy enough? Get on board today.
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ADULT & YOUTH TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES |
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National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)
Each year the National Youth Leadership Training Course focuses on team building, making ethical decisions, leading others, communicating, servant leadership, and planning. It is all put on by the youth leaders with coaching from some of our most experienced adult leaders. If you are looking for a great opportunity for your older Scouts to learn some advanced leadership skills, this is the training they will need. This training course will take place at Maumee Scout Reservation from July 2-8 and is now open for reservations. Visit our council webpage to learn more information and sign up today for this great training that invests in your youth.
Advanced Leadership Training
Hoosier Trails Council offers Wood Badge, the best advanced leadership training opportunity available in the Boy Scouts of America. Leadership in your unit continuously changes and grows from year to year and it is important to arm your new leaders with the great knowledge, techniques, discipline, and strong habits that exist in some of our most noted leaders. The Wood Badge course centers upon the concepts of servant leadership and leaving a legacy. The key elements are then taught with a clear focus on “how to.” It is all put on by experienced adult leaders with the most up-to-date resources that are provided by the BSA. If you are looking for a great opportunity for your adult leaders to learn some advanced leadership skills, this is the training they will need. Registration will open for the spring 2024 course and you can sign up soon!
Youth Protection Update
The BSA has adopted the following policies for the safety and well-being of its members. These policies primarily protect youth members; however, they also serve to protect adult leaders. All parents and caregivers should understand that our leaders are to abide by these safeguards. Parents and youth are strongly encouraged to use these safeguards outside the Scouting program. Registered leaders must follow these guidelines with all Scouting youth outside of Scouting activities.
Adult Supervision: Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required at all Scouting activities, including meetings. There must be a registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over in every unit serving females. A registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over must be present for any activity involving female youth. Notwithstanding the minimum leader requirements, age- and program-appropriate supervision must always be provided.
All adults accompanying a Scouting unit who are present at the activity for 72 total hours or more must be registered as leaders. The 72 hours need not be consecutive.
[(Effective September 1, 2023) Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required at all Scouting activities, including all meetings. There must be a registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over in every unit serving females. A registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over must be present for any activity involving female youth or female adult program participants.
Notwithstanding the minimum leader requirements, age and program-appropriate supervision must always be provided.
All adults staying overnight in connection with a Scouting activity must be currently registered in an adult fee required position as listed or as an adult program participant. Limited exception below for Cub Scout overnight Programs.
Cub Scout Programs – Overnight Exception: Cub Scout parents or legal guardians taking part in an overnight Cub Scout program with their own child or legal ward are not required to register as leaders. All adults must review the “How to Protect your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide” that can be found in the front of each Cub Scout Handbook. In addition, the parent or legal guardian must be accompanied by a registered leader at any time they are with youth members other than their own child/ward. All other overnight adults must be currently registered in an adult fee required position. One-on-one contact between adult leaders and youth members is prohibited both inside and outside of Scouting.
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Scouting is one of the safest youth programs available!
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SUMMARY
Many of us can feel a bit out of sorts when away from familiar surroundings, and Scouts are no different. Many Scouts experience some symptoms of homesickness during campouts, and identifying these symptoms early and addressing them can help make the event a great experience for everyone.
GENERAL INFORMATION
According to the American Camp Association, most campers report at least some homesick feelings during one day of their camp stay. Common symptoms include mild depression, anxiety, withdrawn behavior, somatic—or physical—complaints, and misbehavior.
Homesickness Risk Factors
Younger Scouts usually are those affected the most. Those who experience homesickness typically have little experience with separation, are anxious or depressed before camp, and may feel they have little control over their situation. They may have no camping experience, feel forced to attend, have insecurities at home, or have overheard their parents express anxiety about them leaving.
Helpful Pre-Camp and Camp Strategies
Adult leaders can mitigate many of the potential problems of homesickness by planning ahead and taking the following steps:
- Take campers for a visit prior to camp starting. If not possible, show them material from the camp so that they can become more familiar.
- Address any fears of hazing or bullying.
- Make everyone feel a part of the group.
Once everyone is in camp, there are additional steps that can help minimize feelings of homesickness:
- Immediately get everyone integrated into the camp routine and inform them of what to expect.
- Provide social support to normalize their experience, e.g., asking an older Scout to help mentor a younger Scout who exhibits homesickness and to empathize with their feelings.
- Promote an appropriate connection with home, e.g., have them write a letter home.
- Assess the Scouts’ needs and provide positive coping outlets. Some of these strategies might be to get them involved in fun activities, encouraging them to talk with other Scouts or a leader about their feelings, reminding them of the fun things that they have done or will do at camp, and providing special fun tasks to do each day.
- Encourage them and follow up regularly.
RESOURCES
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Congratulations, Recent Eagle Scouts |
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Jacob Dean Fields, Troop 588
Landon Dale Saylor, Troop 631
Gabriel Albert Lorenz, Troop 557
Alexander Xavier Phillips, Troop 557
Kolsyn Elijah Hatton, Troop 518
Leo Allen Lykins, Troop 557
Elijah Alon Boscia, Troop 717
Myranda Harper, Troop 1472
Tristan Anderson Searcy, Troop 219
Rebekah Turner, Troop 1148
Sibella Roze Tate, Troop 1472
Ian Robert Rothenbuhler, Troop 231
Jacob Ayden McCullen, Troop 231
Avery Peterson, Troop 231
David Allen Manifold, Troop 343
Aaron Miskuf, Troop 332
Nicholas Scott Gilmore, Troop 495
Brody Joseph Ennis, Troop 190
Eagle Scout Sophia Kent earned the Venturing Summit Award
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