September 2021, Issue #28 |
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Staffing Update
Rheanna Meier is leaving our professional ranks on September 15th in order to pursue our endeavors. The silver lining is that she will be continuing on as a volunteer. We want to thank Rheanna for all the hard work she has done with the Yankee Doodle district and in developing great programs for the Twin Rivers Council.
Best of luck Rheanna!
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Ruth LaCoss is also leaving us in September as she is retiring after twenty years working for the Twin Rivers Council. To say that Ruth has done a great job over the years is an understatement. We will miss Ruth very much. Ruth will be at the council camporee on Saturday afternoon if you of would like to wish her a great retirement. Ruth is looking forward to traveling the country and plans to have many great adventures.
Happy Trails Ruth!
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Tory Carman has been promoted to District Director and will be in charge of our Membership Department. She will be managing our two new Membership Associates Tyler Henderson and Quintin Ciccolella.
Congratulations Tory!
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Friends,
This has to be one of the best times of the year. Fall is a time of new beginnings, especially when you a child. The new school year, the new opportunities for activities and enrichment, and new friends. This summer went fast and we can certainly expect the next few months to do the same.
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We have had a few months to get ready for the new Scouting year. Is your unit ready? At this point, units are starting to put their plans into action. Fundraising with our new popcorn vendor, recruitment of new families (and maybe a welcomed return of familiar faces), and a robust program calendar that is sure to make a good number of memories. Our team of professionals and volunteers have done their absolute best to make sure you have the resources you need to succeed. I am proud of their efforts and I am excited for your opportunities.
At this point, if there is something that is missing from your "bag of tricks" that will help to ensure your ability to meet your goals, please reach out to us. We can help.
Another resource is your Unit Commissioner and your District Commissioner. They are local volunteers whose sole purpose is to answer your questions, bring tools to the table, and to be there to support you. Please use them. Invite them to your committee meetings and engage their experience so it benefits you.
Big items are around the corner and you will see more information on them below. The big ticket item is the Fall Camporee at Saratoga Fairgrounds. Registration is open and details are starting to come out. There is going to be a lot to digest over the next few weeks. Best things each unit can do is to start lining up their registration information so we can prevent too many last minute entries. This will help us plan better.
There is also much needed outdoor training for both Cub Leaders and Scout BSA leaders this fall. Please share these events so that other leaders can take advantage of them.
Before I say "good-bye", I have one favor to ask of you all. Please, do your best to make sure that each youth in your community has the opportunity to join Scouting, and is asked to join Scouting. That simple invitation will make the world of difference in their life. I promise.
We are here to support you and we are routing for you. Let's "Escape the Great Indoors".
Yours in Service,
Council Commissioner
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Camping and Program
For assistance contact Steven Dunn Assistant Scout Executive
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TWIN RIVERS COUNCIL
FALL CAMPOREE 2021
CUB SCOUTS • SCOUTS BSA • VENTURERS • EXPLORERS
THE BIGGEST SCOUTING EVENT OF THE YEAR!
Join us on October 8-10 at the SARATOGA FAIRGROUNDS for a weekend of FUN FOR SCOUTS OF ALL AGES. Activities to include:
- Games
- Entertainment
- STEM Activities
- Military, Fire and Emergency Services Exhibits
- Scouting Museum
- Shooting Ranges
- And Much, Much More...
PLUS...
Optional field trip to NEW YORK STATE MILITARY MUSEUM!
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Take note of these 11 key changes in the 2021 Guide to Advancement
In Scouting, it’s said that feedback is a gift. It’s also a critical component of the Guide to Advancement, the BSA’s official trail map to the mechanics of advancement in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts.
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Cub Scout Shooting Day at Camp Wakpominee
Grab your Pack and come to camp for a day of open shooting!
Packs will rotate through 3 different stations: BB guns, archery, and slingshots. Every Scout will receive the shooting sports award at the event!!! This event is open to all Cub Scouts with a rank of Tiger and above.
**Please register for only 1 session, morning or afternoon**
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Duty to God Event - Sponsored by the Albany Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting.
Albany Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting – Visiting Houses of Worship in Saratoga Springs – 10/2
“Duty to God” is a requirement for advancement in Scouting. This applies to all Scouts of any faith belief – Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Islamic, or Non-Denominational. The Catholic Committee on Scouting will host a “Duty to God” hike around the City of Saratoga visiting the many different churches and worship sites in the downtown area. This hike will help local Scouts and their leaders fulfill this requirement and is open to all Scouts and youth regardless of faith.
The hike will start in Congress Park at 9 AM, on Saturday, October 2nd, and finish back in the park by 1 PM. At each stop the faith leader will welcome Scouts into their worship space, give a brief history of their faith community in Saratoga, share activities of their youth ministry, and their connection with other churches in the area. Each presentation will run between 15 to 20 minutes.
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Membership and Unit Service
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Membership Trainings- Have you done your Unit Recruitment Plan?
A steady flow of youth into a Cub Scouts is essential to maintaining the Pack’s health and helps flow Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA Troops. Plus, new Scouts bring energy and enthusiasm to the program! To avoid the pitfall of shrinking membership, a Pack should add at least 10 new Scouts every year. Having a year-round growth plan in place will help attract new Scouts.
Do you need help with your Recruitment Plan? Well you’re in luck! Your Council & District Membership Teams will be hosting 3 Membership Trainings to help you and your unit have a successful Recruitment!
9/13- Rotary Scout Reservation
9/15- Rexford Fire House
9/22- TBD - Securing a location in Glens Falls Area - Keep an eye out!!
All trainings will be held 6:30pm to 8pm
Look forward to seeing you and helping you have a successful recruitment this fall!
If interested in doing a recruitment event please email Tory Carman.
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Save a Tree, GO DIGITAL!
If your Pack or Troop is not using Scoutbook, we’d like to save the Unit Administrators time and paperwork when it comes to recording your scouts advancements. You’ll no longer need to handwrite Unit Advancement Reports, you can simply login to your My.Scouting.org account and select BSA Web Links from the main menu, then select Internet Advancement 2.0. Your scout roster is already loaded and ready for you to record the earned dates for ranks, merit badges and awards, you can track all the scout activities there too, like camping nights, community service hours and hiking miles. You’ll have access to digital reports that can be printed yearly for Pack and Troop record keeping and history purposes. Posting the earned dates in Internet Advancement 2.0 means the only paper advancement reports our office will see in the future will be from an Eagle BOR. Help us save a tree and let’s all go digital!
(If a Unit Advancement Chair does not have access to Internet Advancement 2.0, unit admins can set-up rights to access in Organization Manager, Position Manager.)
If you have questions or would like to see training on this, please contact Sandy Elkins.
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Development and Sponsorships
For assistance contact Beth Bush Development Director |
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It’s POPCORN TIME!
It’s not too late to sign up your unit or Scout to sell popcorn!.
Camp Masters, our new popcorn company offers:
- Lower prices
- New products and familiar products
- Great support!
Back to the regular sale format (before COVID-19) --Show and Sell (can return unsold items), Online, and Take Order sales
Also new for this year is a choice for commission structure.
Order forms have been mailed to all registered Scouts, so check in with them to see if they are selling.
Visit our popcorn page to learn more...
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Wakpominee Good Scout Award Dinner honoring our COVID-19 Heroes
Glens Falls Hospital Hillary Alycon, MPD, CIC Directory of Infection Prevention & Control
Hudson Headwaters Health Network Dr. William Borgos, CMO
Warren County Public Health Ginelle Jones, Director
~Also to honor~
Linc Cathers Award Honorees
Greenwich Elks Lodge 2223
Queensbury Elks Lodge 81
Saratoga Elks Lodge 161
“Doc” Matochik Award Honoree
Randy Glenn
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It's Back...The Taylor Car Show
The Taylor Car Show is an annual fundraising event to support the Scouts and Scouting programs in the local area.
The event is held for two nights allowing for more guests to enjoy the 30,000 square foot space. Jim gives a tour of the automobiles and memorabilia, sharing stories from his experiences collecting and road rallying his cars. Guests can follow along or can tour the collection on their own.
An Italian dinner of lasagna, salad, and pizza from House of Pizza and a variety of libations, coffee, tea, soda and water are provided. More...
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Join us for our 2nd Annual Oh My Gourd! It's a Virtual 5k October 1 - 15th!
Are you a person of any age from anywhere? Then you are invited!
You don't run??? No worries. You can participate in any form or anywhere -- running, walking, hiking, biking, kayaking, rolling, strolling, swimming or any other way.
Let's give everyone pumpkin to talk about. Do the 5K dressed in costume, carrying a pumpkin, or in team clothing. Regourdless of how you participate, make sure you do 16,404 feet or 3.1 miles and have FUN! More...
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We are proud to announce a new community partner THE COMMUNITY HOSPICE.
They provide guidence, support and specialized medical care from a specially trained team consisting of:
- Physicians
- Social Workers
- Health Aides
- Message Therapists
- Nurses
- Chaplains
- Volunteers
If you know someone that might benefit from their services be sure to pass on their information.
Contact information:
518-724-0242
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