The Latest
January 3, 2020 Issue #12
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Sunday, February 9, 2:00 pm, River Stone Manor, Glenville, NY.
Please come and join us in honoring our newest Silver Beavers and plan to attend the Annual Meeting and Recognition Dinner of the Twin Rivers Council, Boy Scouts of America. The afternoon will begin with:
- Reception for the honorees starting at 2:00 (please do not come early)
- Annual Council Meeting at 3:00
- Dinner will be served at 3:45
- Recognition program at 4:15
This is an opportunity to recognize many of our most dedicated and deserving volunteer leaders. The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the council’s highest recognition for service to others, the Silver Beaver Award. The Silver Beaver is an award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. This year's honorees are:
- Kevin Bulris
- Dave Hoffman
- Kris Kusche
- Kristina Matthews
- Barb Potter
- Randie Sandford
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Upcoming Events
Martin Luther King Day-Office Closed January 20th Albany, NY
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Membership and Unit Service
For assistance contact
Steven Dunn Assistant Scout Executive
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Finding New Leaders
We all need to add more parents as leaders in our units. This can seem like a daunting task, but we can make it easier using a couple of tools. Here are two items that might help. They are a parent survey and the 100 point form.
It is a lot easier to recruit parents to help out when we are asking them to do jobs that they are skilled at and comfortable with. The 100 Point Form assigns some of the common jobs a point value. The idea here is that we are striving to be a 100 point pack and need every family to agree to be a 100 point family. Here is another great article on recruiting we will dive into some of these steps in our next issue.
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Re-Charter - Its the Thing to Do
This year we are re-chartering early and need to get them done as soon as possible. If you need assistance please contact your District Executive or Unit Commissioner. Here is a list of District Executive Contacts and a link to our web page on rechartering.
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Criminal Background Checks to be Updated with Charters
Message on behalf of Steve McGowan Chief Legal Counsel for the Boy Scouts of America...
A number of people have asked questions about the forms sent out. We have tried to answer all questions as best we could. We also sent the most commonly expressed concerns to our lawyers and asked that those concerns be addressed to the extent possible. A revised set of forms is attached. For some who have been reluctant to sign the original version these may address at least some of their concerns. Please be sure to use the forms applicable to your council (California and others)
As stated in our FAQs: (1) We only obtain criminal record and driving checks - not credit checks; (2) We only share data with local councils and Learning for Life; (3) We do not sell or share data with anyone outside of Scouting.
It has been difficult in an era where we are warned about data theft for people to trust anyone who may want access to their personal data. But criminal record rechecks are one of our barriers to abuse and using forms that protect all concerned are essential in obtaining that information. We hope volunteers will understand and trust the BSA to do what it has always done - protect the information they provide and we obtain while ensuring the barriers to abuse are meaningful and effective.
Thanks for your assistance with this important effort.
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Camping and Program
For assistance contact
Steven Dunn Assistant Scout Executive
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OKPIK Winter Camping Skills Training
From time immemorial, man has needed to test himself against "the elements". In the early days it was out of necessity, but oftentimes modern man too has the need to face Mother Nature in all her wrath just to prove that it can be done. Some climb Everest; some venture into the Adirondack High Peaks in wintertime; some pitch tents in the snow. Whatever the level of challenge, a weekend of OKPIK winter camping and survival training is a must!
For More and to Register..
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Cub Scout STEM Day Camp
While the weather outside is cold, bright young minds are going to be heating up at the first-ever Twin Rivers Council STEM Day Camp! Cub Scouts in grades 2 through 5 are invited to spend February Break 2020 discovering, learning, and innovating.
Each day will feature engaging presentations by STEM professionals and numerous hands-on and age-appropriate STEM activities designed to stimulate and inspire. Participants will be guided by adult instructors and youth mentors from the champion Shaker High School FIRST Robotics Team.
Each participant will receive their own Raspberry Pi computer. The Pi is a small, child-friendly device that will enable the Cub Scouts to explore computing and learn basic programming skills. Best of all, each participant will get to keep their Pi, to continue coding and exploring after the camp has ended.
Please keep in mind that each participant will need to bring a sack lunch and that lunch is not provided.
The Twin Rivers Council Cub Scout STEM Day Camp will run February 18-21, 2020 (Tuesday through Friday) at Shaker High School in Latham, NY. The program runs from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm each day.
For more information about the program, contact Camp Director
Kristina Matthews
(kmatthews@trcscouting.org).
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University of Scouting!
Save the date for the premier leader training event of the Scouting year! The Twin Rivers Council University of Scouting will be held March 21, 2020 at Shaker High School in Latham, NY.
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2020 Camp Staff
If you are looking to fill your Summer with fun and excitement then apply to be on staff at one of your great camps. We have Summer long opportunities at Rotary Scout Reservation and Camp Wakpominee. If you only have a couple of weeks then serving on staff for our Cub Scout Day Camps is for you.
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Registration for 2021 is open!
Starting today, registration for the 2021 lottery for 12-day, 9-day and 7-day treks, as well as Calvalcade, is open. Crews can enter the lottery at any time between now and December 3rd.
Philmont Scout Ranch provides an unforgettable and life-changing adventure along hundreds of miles of backcountry trails. Summit peaks, hike over mesas and enjoy the program put on by our 36 staff camps during your Philmont trek. Program includes horseback riding, burro packing, blacksmithing, fishing, rock climbing, rifle shooting and more. Where will your trek take you?
Download the 2021 Unit Registration Packet
here
.
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2021 National Jamboree “Face the Challenge”
The truth is that young people can achieve more than they believe is possible. Scouting uniquely prepares its members to redefine their boundaries, push past them and emerge from the experience with the confidence that no matter the challenge, they can meet it.
Nothing is impossible for the prepared young person — no future is out of reach for a group of committed people who care.
More..
Jamboree applications are now being accepted at the national website which is linked above.
Registration for the
2021 National Jamboree begins on Dec 1st
. This is Scouting premier high adventure Event. 3 Contingent Troops and half a Crew will be formed for the Twin Rivers Council. Scouts must be at least 12 years old and have earned 1st Class Rank by July 2021. Many adventures await you at the Jamboree.
If you have any questions, please contact
Nick Mitchell
the Council Jamboree Chairmen.
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Development and Sponsorships
For assistance contact
Beth Bush Development Director
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Three Little Letters. One Big Impact
FOS, or Friends of Scouting, is the council-level annual giving campaign.
Contributing to the Twin Rivers Council creates opportunities for youth to gain memorable experiences and become instilled with values, principles, and skills that will help them develop into the future leaders of our nation. Twin Rivers Council uses the funds collected from donors like you to provide things like: new equipment and infrastructure to our camps, support for the units with membership materials and staff assistance, and a service center, among others.
In 2019:
- The Council invested $20,000 in new camp equipment, such as an inflatable bb gun range and new archery and bb gun supplies.
- More than 300 NEW Cub Scouts attended the Twin Rivers Council Rocket Day.
- The Council awarded over 135 Scouts BSA with their Eagle Rank.
- New bathrooms were added to Camp Wakpominee and to Rotary Scout Reservation; and a new ATV program was added to Camp Wakpominee’s activity offerings.
This year’s patch is the 10th in the Scout Law series—BRAVE. FOS Patches are given at the $150, $500 & $1000 levels. For $150+ receive a standard patch, for $500+, receive the standard and silver bordered patches, and for $1000+, receive the standard, silver, and gold bordered patches.
There are multiple ways to make an FOS contribution. Choose what works best for you: Pay by check or credit card on our Scouting Gives site here:
Donations; Call Holly, our fundraising assistant at 518-869-6436 x36; or mail a check to: Twin Rivers Council, Attn: FOS, 253 Washington Avenue Ext., Albany, NY 12205
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Office Closed January 6th through the 9th
Our office will be closed during this week in January as our staff will be attending a 2020 planning conference. Please mark your calendars so that we can all plan accordingly.
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