November Scout Shorts

Camp Coker Receives Huge Boost

We are honored to inform our Scouting family of a donation of one-million dollars for Camp Coker in Society Hill, South Carolina, from The Bea and Ray Norwood Family Foundation.

This transformational gift will be granted and used starting immediately and over the next four years for major improvements to the historic Scout camp, founded in 1928. The upgrades will enhance the camp's vintage atmosphere while upgrading its facilities and programming to better meet current and future needs of our Scouting family.

Priorities include critical infrastructure improvements at the Lake Westwood dam, the dining hall roof and West Bridge. Major facility upgrades are also planned throughout camp, as developed by The Camp Coker Revitalization Task Force. That group is seeking volunteers, vendors, and contacts to donate time and talents to leverage this incredible opportunity. If you are interested in helping at Camp Coker or know others who may be, please click here to send an e-mail to the task force chair, Bill Eisele.

We are deeply appreciative of The Bea and Ray Norwood Family Foundation and are excited for the future of Scouting and Camp Coker!

Membership Continues to Grow Strong

Fun Fact: With 18 consecutive months of growth, the Indian Waters Council is among the BSA's top national leaders in growing its membership, highlighted by an annual gain of +11.2% in October. Key to success has been a rigorous fall recruitment campaign throughout our 19 counties and quality outdoor activities that keep kids engaged. Thanks to all our volunteers for growing the Scouting Movement and for putting the "outing" in Scouting!

Annual Council Awards Reception & Ceremony

Join us at the USC-Sumter Campus (Nettles Auditorium) on Sunday, February 25, 2024, 3:30 PM for the Indian Waters Council's Annual Awards Reception & Ceremony.

We will present the Silver Beaver Award (the highest volunteer honor at the council level), the BSA Alumnus of the Year, the Eagle Project of the Year, and many others. We will also recognize our 2023 Class of Eagle Scouts!

Register here for the event. Nomination forms for the Silver Beaver Award and others can be found at the online awards portal here, where nominations can be submitted and a list of all past Silver Beaver recipients can be found. The deadline for Silver Beaver nominations is December 10, 2023.

2023 Eagle Scouts to Be Recognized

All who achieve Scouting's highest honor in our council in 2023 are encouraged to attend the Annual Awards Reception & Ceremony (noted above) on February 25th as our guest! Sponsorships are also encouraged for those who wish to support an Eagle Scout.

Registration & information about the event can be found here,

Volunteers are needed to assist with placing wreaths at Fort Jackson National Cemetery with Wreaths Across America.

In addition to wreath-laying, guests are invited to attend a formal ceremony that will be held at Noon on December 16, 2023.

To register or if you have questions, please click here to send an e-mail to Ron Williams, the Scout Coordinator for this program at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. The registration deadline is November 25th.

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve

Toys for Tots Program

If your Scouts wish to help children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas, consider donations of new and unwrapped toys. Toys for Tots collections are being accepted (by December 14th) at both the Columbia and Florence Scout Service Centers and at your next District Roundtable meeting.