The Latest
March 31, 2020 Issue #15
Scout Shop

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Scout Shop will be closed to the public until further notice. We appreciate your patience through this difficult time and look forward to seeing you all as soon as we can reopen the doors. Happy Scouting. 

- Chris Smith, Store Manager
Membership and Unit Service
For assistance contact Steven Dunn Assistant Scout Executive
Advancement
Q: How can advancement be tracked remotely?
Scouting units can use  Scoutbook  to record and track advancement.
To track advancement remotely, parents should:
  • Connect with their child’s member profile via an invitation that the unit leader sends within Scoutbook. You may also connect to your youth via the Scouting app “Add a Parent connection.”
  • Once a connection is made, the parent should use the Scouting app, found in both the App Store and on Google Play, to stay connected with their unit.
  • The Scouting app provides parents the ability to report any advancement that was completed at home.
Learn more about how to start using Scoutbook and how to connect parents to their Scouts  at Scoutbook.com .

Advancement — Cub Scouts
Q: May parents sign off on Webelos and Arrow of Light requirements?

Yes. Through July 31, 2020, parents and other adults in the Cub Scout’s family, may sign off on Webelos and Arrow of Light requirements. We strongly encourage that parents use the Scouting App or ScoutBook to record completion of their child’s requirements.

Q: If my den is behind in advancement due to COVID-19, can my Cub Scout continue to work on advancement through the summer?

Yes. Cub Scouts can continue to work on their current den’s advancement through July 31, 2020. This is to provide any additional time a Cub Scout needs to complete their badge of rank; if they earn their badge of rank prior to July 31, 2020, they may advance to the next rank.

Advancement — Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts

Q: May merit badge requirements or rank requirements be modified?

No. All requirements must be completed as written. If meetings or activities are canceled or limited, youth should continue to work on requirements as far as possible. By employing common sense and creative solutions, many requirements–even Scoutmaster conferences–can be fulfilled through videoconferencing or telephone calls.

Q: Can merit badge counseling or Nova/Supernova counseling be done using digital technologies like Zoom or WebEx ?

Yes, registered merit badge counselors or Nova counselors/Supernova mentors may work with youth using digital platforms, ensuring that all youth protection measures noted in the  Guide to Safe Scouting  and  BSA’s social media guidelines  are in place. In addition to youth protection, the advancement guidelines in  Guide to Advancement (GTA) Section 7  are required.


Unit Meeting Resources
Customizable virtual meeting templates editable through PowerPoint
These templates are credited to our friends in the Michigan Crossroads Council, PFFSC. Thank you! 




Fun Activites for our Cub Scouts to Do at Home

Special Thanks to Hawkeye Area Council for sharing these resources.





Keep our Scouts working on those requirements with these great Challenges

Special Thanks to Hawkeye Area Council for sharing these resources.

The basic aims of Scouting include teaching young people to take care of themselves, to be helpful to others, and to develop courage, self-reliance, and the ability to be ready to serve in an emergency.

Camping and Program
For assistance contact Steven Dunn Assistant Scout Executive
CHOOSE YOUR NEXT 
CUB SCOUT CAMPING ADVENTURE  
REGISTER ONLINE AT TRCSCOUTING.ORG/CALENDAR
CUB SCOUT RENDEZVOUS 
FAMILY CAMP 

Cub Scout Family Camp Weekend is fun for the whole family! Families will camp together along with others from their home pack, or in merged dens of other individual families. Family camp will be offered in a beautiful Adirondack location, at Camp Bedford (Malone, NY) in July. 
This year's program will a Hometown Carnival theme. Activities are designed to be fun for all ages! Play games, learn skills, and complete advancement opportunities together.
CUB SCOUT DAY CAMP 

Close to home and just as fun! Day camp is the one of the first steps in the Scouting outdoor program. It's a week of fun, advancement, and adventure at a camp or park close to home. Each day's program is filled with a variety of exciting activities including water activities, archery, BB Gun shooting, nature, crafts, games, and sports all designed to enhance the Cub Scout's experience. Program activities vary by location. Not every location will offer every activity. (BB Guns not available at Glenville location) 
"Down on the Farm" ls this year's theme. 
Day camp is organized for Cubs to attend with their pack, or as a provisional Scout with a parent. 
Discount pricing ls available for parents who wish to volunteer, or for families with multiple attendees.
CUB SCOUT RESIDENT CAMP 

"Great Scott!" Travel through time to explore the past and the future while earning Cub Scout advancements. 
Twin Rivers Council Cub Scout Resident Camp gives packs and families the option to choose the program that fits best for them. 
Scouts may register for a 4 day/3 night camp experience or stay an extra day for a 5 day/4 night resident camp packed with 1.21 gigawatts of Scouting energy! 
The resident camp program features aquatics, archery, crafts, BB guns, and much, much, more - all built around an exciting time travel theme! Advancement opportunities will be tailored to each rank of Cub Scouts and Webelos. 
Packs are encouraged to register for Cub Scout Resident Camp. Provisional scouts may attend accompanied by a parent. 
Campership Deadline Extended. Online Form Now Available.
Thanks to the generosity of individual supporters and community foundations the Twin Rivers Council is able to offer partial camperships to attend council summer camp programs. These camperships assist families who could not otherwise send their Scout or Scouts to camp. All Scouts attending a Twin Rivers Council summer camp are eligible to apply. This includes Scouts BSA resident camp, Cub Scout resident camp, and Cub Scout day camp. More...



2021 National Jamboree
July 21-30, 2021

Summit Bechtel Reserve
Glen Jean, West Virginia

SCOUTING’S PREMIER NATIONAL EVENT, HELD AT
A WORLD-CLASS HIGH ADVENTURE FACILITY!


The Twin Rivers Council will be sending troops and a crew to
the 2021 National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia.

Scouts must be at least 12 years old and have earned First
Class by the start of the Jamboree.

EXPERIENCE THE BEST PROGRAM SCOUTING HAS TO OFFER:
• 5 miles of zip lines and challenge courses!
• 36 miles of mountain bike trails and BMX tracks!
• 13 acres of shooting sports ranges (shotgun, rifle, pistol, and archery)!
• Whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and waterfront activities!
• Rock climbing and rappelling!
• Skateboarding!
• Technology areas, patch trading, and service projects!
• World-Class entertainment and stadium shows!
• Summit Center Exhibits and Garden Ground activities!
• Merit Badge opportunities!

TWIN RIVERS COUNCIL CONTINGENT
• All-Inclusive Contingent Fee: $1,900 per participant. Participants who stay on track with the
contingent payment schedule will be eligible for a $100 credit.
• Fee includes registration, bus transportation, and limited edition contingent patches and
merchandise.
• Scoutmaster and Crew Advisor applications available upon request.
• Register online today at www.trcscouting.org

TWIN RIVERS COUNCIL CONTINGENT CONTACT
NICK MITCHELL
jamboreenick@trcscouting.org
(518) 461-6818
Development and Sponsorships
For assistance contact Beth Bush Development Director

TRC Special Event Updates

Some of you may be wondering about the special events that you would traditionally be attending soon. In our effort to be sensitive to the current situation, and in following the guidelines set by the state, we have made some changes with the events. The following are the special events and their updates:

  • Wakpominee Good Scout Award Dinner honoring Good Scout Dianne Shugrue, CEO and President of Glens Falls Hospital; “Doc” Matochick Awardee, Randy Glenn; and “Linc” Cathers Awardee, Glens Falls Elks Lodge #81 to be held at the Great Escape Lodge will be postponed. Date to be determined.

  • Adirondack Friends of Scouting Breakfast featuring keynote speaker Rowena Ortiz-Walters, Dean of the School of Business and Economics at SUNY Plattsburgh to be held at the Butcher Block is canceled. We will combine efforts with the Adirondack Good Scout Award Dinner to be held in the fall.

  • Saratoga County Good Scout Award Dinner is postponed and will be held in the fall.

  • Columbia County Good Scout Award Dinner honoring Chris Gibson, Stanley Kaplan Distinguished Professor at Williams College & President-Elect of Sienna College (July 1) to be held at Birch Hill Catering on June 11 is still yet to be determined. We will be deciding by April 15th.

All other events are being held in the fall.

  • Taylor Car Show: September 31 & October 1. To register visit: www.trcscouting.org/car
  • Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner: October 2020
  • Adirondack Good Scout Award Dinner: November 2020

If you have questions, please contact Beth Bush: Beth. Bush@scouting.org              


Council Administration
For Assistance contact Ruth LaCoss Office Manager
Scout Island Available for Overnight Camping by Scouting Units

The Hudson River – Black River Regulating District has issued permit #111074 to the Twin Rivers Council granting Scouting Units permission to use Scout Island.

Scout Island is located on the Great Sacandaga Lake in Mayfield, NY.

Scouting Units wishing to use the island for overnight camping may do so, at no cost, by:
  • contacting Ruth: ruth.lacoss@scouting.org, with their expected dates of use.
  • Approximately 4 units can use the island on any weekend depending on the size of the unit.
  • Once we receive the unit’s request, we will issue a temporary use permit for the dates specified and mail it to the unit.
When deciding or planning to use the island, Scouting Units should keep in mind that:
  • This is primitive camping
  • There are NO sanitary facilities or drinking water on the island.
  • Units must remove all refuse which cannot be destroyed by burning, particularly metal, foil, bottles, cans etc.
  • Units will need to provide their own transportation to and from the island.
  • Units should not plan service hours around this overnight opportunity unless they have coordinated and been approved for a service project by the Twin Rivers Council.
Message from the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War on their Eagle Scout Recognition Program

The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), Department of New York is dedicated to promoting patriotism, and one way we do this is through our Eagle Scout Recognition Program. A beautiful, multicolor certificate, suitable for framing, can be obtained from the SUVCW and may be presented to any registered Scouts BSA upon the attainment of the rank of Eagle Scout.

Certificates may be requested by going directly to the Department website: https://nysuvcw.org/ , click on Services then, Eagle Scout, and follow “How to Request a Eagle Scout Certificate”.

If there are any difficulties reaching SUVCW camp to arrange an Eagle Scout Certificate mailing, you may reach out to the Eagle Coordinator for the New York State Department, Brian Castler CC, 518-624-2780, eaglebsa@gmail.com to make arrangements. Please have ready the Scouts Name, Troop number, date of Eagle BOR, and an appropriate mailing address.