Welcome to the New Year. I hope everybody had a safe and enjoyable holiday season, and is ready for some great Scouting adventures in 2023. Here is your first Four Things To Know for 2023!

• 2022 Was a Great Year to be a Scout
• Annual Meeting - January 9
• University of Scouting - February 4
• Outdoor Adventure Lab

Plus, Dates to Know, this month's Safety Minute, and a new Fun Fact.

2022 Was a Great Year to be a Scout

The Council's Scout Executive, Dan Templar, is known to always say, "It's a great day to be a Scout." And 2022 was a great year to be a Scout in the Constellation District.

• Membership is up from 2021, with over 1,100 Scouts in the District.
• Popcorn sales increased over 2021, including two Packs that sold over $20,000 worth of product!
• Our District's contributions to the Annual Campaign in 2022 were up 12% over last year's.
• We held an exciting in-person Pinewood Derby, simulcast on the Main Line Network (you can see it here!).
• We had 16 Patrols from 9 Troops compete for the Charles Pennypacker Trophy in the annual District First Aid Meet.
• This Fall's Service Area 2 District Camporee was a sold-out success!
• Our Scouts participated in many community service activities, including Eagle Scout projects, 4th of July Parades, and Memorial Day ceremonies.
• The District's Scouts collected over 6 tons and 12,000 packages of food during November's Scouting for Food campaign.

Thank you to everybody who volunteered their time and treasure to help make our Scouting year a success, and we look forward to even more great stories in 2023.

District Annual Meeting - January 9, 7:00 pm

Unit Leaders, District Committee Members, and Charter Organization Representatives are invited to join us at the District's Annual Meeting. You will have the opportunity to meet the old and new members of the Committee prior to 2023 slate being introduced and voted on for approval. Stay for the Committee Meeting to hear about our accomplishments for 2022 and goals for 2023. This meeting will be virtual, use this Zoom link, or the following Meeting ID: 827 2530 4632 and Passcode: 978505. 

And we can always use help with supporting our local Packs and Troops with membership, fundraising, and activities. If you would like to help Scouting grow and succeed, please contact District Chair John Cluver to discuss how to do so.

University of Scouting - February 4

Every Scout deserves a trained leader

The University of Scouting is a supplemental training opportunity for all adult Scout leaders, as well as Troop, Crew and Ship youth. At UofS you can find, all in one place, the widest variety of training opportunities in all program areas (Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouting, District Operations, and Council). Whether you are new to the program or a veteran of many years, the University provides interesting and useful courses. Aside from skill-enhancement courses, we are offering a number of "Position-Required" courses. 

All courses are held in-person at Valley Forge Military Academy. Coffee and tea in the morning and cookout for lunch - hot dogs, hamburgers, meatless options and others items.

Please register ASAP. Space is limited for each class and on a first-come, first-served basis. Click her for registration and a description / schedule of courses.

Outdoor Adventure Lab

The Outdoor Adventure Lab is a new opportunity from the Cradle of Liberty Council with the goal of harnessing the benefits of the outdoor education to provide programs that allow youth and adults to develop character, leadership, and confidence. The Outdoor Adventure Lab at Camp Muuser offers programs for everyone (Scouts and non-Scouts). Whether you’re a teacher looking for field trips to reinforce your lessons or a group looking for professional development opportunities; we’ve got options for you! Escape to the outdoor as we harness the power of nature to build character, confidence, and lasting memories.

Check it out at www.outdooradventurelab.org.

And remember we are offering summer Day Camp opportunities for everyone age 6 to 14: www.outdooradventurelab.org/daycamp

Dates to Know

For an additional list of Council events, check out the Council Program Update.

District Annual Meeting - January 9

Join us at 7:00 pm to meet the District's slate of committee members for 2023.

District Roundtable - January 10

Join us at 7:30 at Merion Square Scout House, 355 Conshohocken State Rd, Gladwyne

Cold Weather Training for Adults - January 14 and 15

Info and registration here

Gold Rush Klondike: Weekend of January 27 to 29

Contact Barry Kauffmann to join this annual winter camporee.

University of Scouting: February 4

A variety of courses for Unit Leaders. Save the Date!

Constellation District First Aid Derby: Saturday March 11

Test your First Aid skills in our annual competition. 

Click here for information and to register.  

Pilgrimage and Encampment:  March 10 to 12

A full weekend of the Pilgrimage and Encampment returns in 2023 with a visit to Fort Washington State Park! Click here for registration and information.

Constellation District Pinewood Derby - evening of Friday, April 28

Register Here to have your Pack's top cars go head-to-head with others in the District

Eagle Scout Recognition Luncheon - Sunday April 30

Rescheduled from January; Save the Date

Canadian Scout Exchange at Resica Falls: May 27 to 28

Share a weekend of Scouting adventures with Canadian Scouts. More info here. 

District Safety Minute

I'm sure many of you saw the videos of motorists stranded on the highway for hours back in December week due to the heavy blizzards in part of country. While our area was spared, we still have a lot of winter to go. Be prepared with these easy steps! Of course you all have a flashlight in the car, but also keep an emergency kit in your car with blankets, hat, boots, gloves, and some hand warmers. A shovel and kitty litter can help if you get stuck in snow or ice. Always keep at least half your gas tank full, and you can get a portable jump-starting kit in case your battery gets drained in the cold. And, the best idea of all, stay home with a mug of coffee or hot chocolate if the forecast calls for snow or freezing rain. 

Fun Fact to Know

Scouting is growing. After a membership dip due Covid, 2022 saw a nationwide 3% increase in the number of Scouts, to over 1,042,000 Scouts. #ScoutMeIn.

Key People to Know

Constellation District Volunteer Leadership (Key 2)

John Cluver, District Chair

Rob Shillingford, District Commissioner

Service Area 2 Professional Team

Ryan Martin, Team Lead and Fundraising Specialist

Rhys Wallace, Membership Specialist

Aaron Munson, Service & Program Specialist

Constellation District Website: Click Here

Constellation District Instagram:  @constellation_district 

Constellation District Facebook page: Click Here

Do you have news or photos on a new Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow induction, or anything else to share on the District's Facebook page? Contact our Public Relations Chair, Rose Sutkowski, to get it posted.