SPOTLIGHT STORY OF THE MONTH |
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Eagle Scout Project of the Year |
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The Blue Mountain Council would like to congratulate Liam Lozano from Troop 126 for having his Eagle Scout Project being selected as the Eagle Project of the Year. Bravo Zulu Liam! Job well done.
Scout Executive Brett Bybee interviewed Liam about his project. If you would like to learn more about Liam's project please watch the video by clicking on the button below.
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"WHAT'S GO'IN ON" AROUND THE COUNCIL |
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New District Executive Maryelizabeth Garcia |
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The Council is excited to announce its newest staff member, Maryelizabeth Garcia. Maryelizabeth is a Veteran of the US Navy and she lives in Walla Walla. Maryelizabeth is the new District Executive for the Walla Walla region and she is already connecting with Units, Scout Leaders and community members to begin the process of expanding Scouting in Walla Walla and the surrounding communities.
The Council would like to thank Sherwood Trust for their support with the mission to expand Scouting in Walla Walla. Sherwood Trust approved a grant proposal submitted to them by the Council to fund this position for the next three years. Thank you Sherwood Trust for supporting Scouting and for helping the Council accomplish its mission to build-up Scouting in the Walla Walla region.
To learn more about Ms. Garcia please watch the video above.
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Council Partners with Marine Corps Reserve, Toys For Tots Program |
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A Toys for Tots drop box is located at the Scout Service Center. It will be accessible through the month of November [9am-5pm Monday-Thursday and 9am-2pm Friday]. Please consider giving to help make a brighter Christmas for underprivileged children.
Also, if you would like help the Marine Corp Reserves this holiday season, they are needing volunteers to help them unpack, clean and repack toys they receive at their warehouse from the community. If you would like to complete some service hours for a great cause in our community please sign up today. To sign-up: click here
The Toys For Tots warehouse is located at the Benton Franklin fairgrounds and the Marine Corp Reserve Director explained to the Council that they really need the most help on Dec. 1st from 9am-9pm. If you have any questions, contact Sheila Graham.
For more information about the program, please click the button below.
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Scout Night at Middleton Farms |
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Pack 100 and Pack 249 were among the 40 or so Scouts having fun on the farm on a beautiful October evening. When the temperature dipped a bit after sunset, the s’mores fire pit was among the most popular attractions at Middleton Fall Festival. |
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Automotive Merit Badge Clinic a Success |
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A full house of Scouts revved up to learn car care tips from professional automotive technicians Kent and Sean. Thank you to McCurley Subaru in Pasco for once again sponsoring a popular Automotive Maintenance Merit Badge Clinic. Hmm… will roadside assistance now be a thing of the past? |
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Tri-Cities Region Camp Card |
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La Grande Region Camp Card |
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Camp cards are arriving to the Council soon. If you still haven't signed up to sell cards, but are looking for an easy way to make money for your Unit and/or Scout, this program is for you.
50% of card sales goes right back to the unit!!!
Don't wait, the Council ordered a limited number of cards this year, once they are gone, they are gone until next year. Contact Jay Scott or Aga Tashea at the Council office to get connected to the program today.
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Outdoor Program and Properties Fall 2021 Webinar Series |
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The Outdoor Programs and Properties team, in collaboration with Environmental Health & Safety and Youth Protection, are excited to announce the Fall 2021 Webinar Series. Registration is free and required prior to each webinar. Note there will not be a webinar in November – instead, make plans now to attend the National Outdoor Conference! Details on the National Outdoor Conference can be found here. Questions? Email outdoorprograms@scouting.org.
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COPE & Climbing Programs Untangled
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When: Thursday, December 9th at 2pm CT
What: COPE & Climbing programs offer incredible opportunities for our Scouts!
These programs also come with a great deal of inherent risk that our national standards and training programs seek to mitigate. Join us for this deep discussion into what is really required to run COPE and Climbing programs at camps of all types and at unit activities. Topics will include directors vs level II instructors vs COPE & Climbing Program Trainer; what is the ACCT and how does it integrate with the BSA; proven practices to run safer programs.
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National Duty to God Award Nomination Window Is Now Open |
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A Scout is reverent, and some adult volunteers go above and beyond to help Scouts on their spiritual journey.
The award is presented to up to four individuals each year. Recipients receive a handsome blue, white, and yellow medal.
Nomination forms are accepted at the beginning of the first business day in October, and the nomination window closes the last business day in February of the following year.
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New Merit Badge Pamphlet- Healthcare Professions |
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The new Healthcare Professions Merit badge Pamphlet (656241) will be available to order the week of November 1. This pamphlet replaces the Medicine Merit Badge Pamphlet (650733).
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Associated Merit Badge: Please note there will NOT be a new merit badge for this. We will continue to use the current Medicine merit badge (10612), which will be identified on the web as "Healthcare Professions/Medicine" through the end of the year (it will then change to "Healthcare Professions" afterwards).
If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to Brett Bybee @ brett.bybee@scouting.org
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Martin Scout Ranch Fall Camping Reservations Available |
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Fall camping dates are still available for Troops or Packs to camp at the Martin Scout Ranch. If your group is looking for a beautiful place to do another camp out this fall, here's a great opportunity for you. Reservations are open for weekends of November 6 & 7 and November 13 & 14. Contact the Scout office at 509-735-7306 or email lori.miller@scouting.org to reserve your site today. |
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Volunteer Recognition - Diana Anderson
This month we are excited to recognize a great volunteer, Diana Anderson. Diana currently serves on the Blue Mountain Council (BMC) Executive Board and chairs the BMC Advancement committee. She is also a District Merit Badge Counselor, a District Member-at-Large member and a Committee Member for Troop 126.
Diana works hard year round to support and promote Scouting in the Blue Mountain Council. She also pours a large amount of her time into developing, promoting and hosting the Merit Badge Extravaganza that Scouts benefit from every year.
We are so thankful to have Diana as a dedicated Volunteer in the Blue Mountain Council. Below you will see some photos of Diana receiving her Silver Beaver award. Thank you Diana for your years of commitment to Scouting in the Council.
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Have a volunteer you want to recognize? Share their Scouting story below and please be sure to include pictures of the Volunteer in Action! |
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Scoutbook Tip - Calendars
If you aren't using your Pack/Troop/Crew and Den/Patrol Calendars on Scoutbook to keep scouts, leaders and families in sync you are really missing out! You can track attendance, get everyone to RSVP (really nice to have when needing a headcount for food), generate permission slips for parents to approve scouts for activities, as well as set up automatic reminders for events. Here's how to do that:
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How to Subscribe to Your Unit's Scoutbook Calendar
Click below to learn how to subscribe to your Unit's Scoutbook Calendar and/or your Den/Patrol. You'll need to signed into Scoutbook and click on the Calendar page first then follow the instructions at the link below.
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Presenters: TBD
When: First Saturday in December
Check-in: 8:30 am - 9:00 am
Training: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Topics Covered:
TBD
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It takes all of us to ensure Scouting remains strong. Please consider donating by clicking the button on the right to help the Council continue to build future leaders of tomorrow. |
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Want to keep up on events happening in the Council and be informed about important Scouting information. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss any Scouting news. |
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NRA Basic Instructor Training Class |
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The Blue Mountain Council is happy to be able to offer NRA Basic Instructor Training for our leaders. It is being offered to registered Scouters only at a discounted rate of $265.
This training takes place over three days. November 18th 3pm-9pm and November 19th from 7:30am to 5pm at the Scout Office on Gage.
November 20th training will be held at the Rattlesnake Shooting Range from 11am to 4pm, weather permitting.
This instruction meets one of the two optional certifications for being a Merit Badge Counselor for any of the firearm merit badges.
Only 12 spots are available for this fall. Please register on or before November 12th.
Please forward this information to anyone in your Units who may be interested in attending. If you are unable to make it this Fall we are hoping to offer it again next Spring. Watch for an announcement here in the newsletter or on the Council website for upcoming events.
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Message from Your Scout Executive |
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November of 2021 marks the rollout of a new merit badge, one that starting in July of next year will be required for achieving the Eagle Scout rank. However, Scouts do not need to wait to begin working on this new Citizenship in Society merit badge. Some counselors have already been approved to begin working with Scouts on this important topic, although we encourage troops to help identify additional counselors especially equipped with the skills and experience to help guide Scouts through this unique journey of self-discovery, ultimately concerned with creating a society that is more welcoming and inclusive, while celebrating our many unique differences. Through Scouting, we can help society lead the way to increased peace, unity, and collaboration, no matter our backgrounds, experiences, or any number of descriptive categories. Check out the requirements for the new merit badge, and consider how you might help make our world more inclusive and welcoming, beginning with your own pack or troop. Find details about the Citizenship in Society merit badge through
THIS LINK on Scouting Magazine's website. See you soon along the Scouting trail.
Yours in Scouting,
Brett Bybee, Scout Executive
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Hiking is a great way to spend your time in the outdoors. It’s also a good way to get your heart pumping for some exercise or to test your limits. Some hikes are just a few hundred feet while others are many miles, but all can pose potential hazards if not carefully considered. Take some time to research your destination and its terrain so you can better prepare to have a memorable experience and fun while exploring. |
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BMC Mobile App Available
Visit our local site at bmcbsa.org and become a site member by clicking the site member link on the right side of the home page under the Give icon. By becoming a site member, we will send you a link to the Wix mobile app that connects you with the Blue Mountain Council. Through the app, you will have immediate access to Council Blog announcements, calendar updates, Forum discussions, and lots more. Check it out.
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Put Your Eagle Project on the Map
If you know someone that has just completed their Eagle Service Project, encourage them to visit www.bmcbsa.org and fill in the form on the home page to put their Eagle Scout Leadership Project on our local map. Help us show the community some of the best work done by our amazing Scouts.
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Uh oh, that Mr. Development Director guy botched it....In the October Newsletter, it was stated that the Council hosted the Merit Badge Extravaganza, that information was not accurate. In fact, this semi-annual event has been sponsored for many years by Troop 126 in Kennewick under the dedicated leadership of Diana Anderson and Kyle Davis as key volunteer organizers, along with dozens of volunteer merit badge experts and a remarkable venue host in Kennewick's First Presbyterian. Thanks again to everyone who helped make it a huge success again this fall. |
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Support Future Leaders of Tomorrow Today!!!
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Scouting is made possible throughout our region only because of the generous support provided by our Community members, Parents, Volunteers, Board Members and Businesses.
Scouting is a vital program that is needed now more than ever before in our communities. Please consider donating today to ensure that Scouting Never Stops in the Blue Mountain Council. Thank you so much for your generous support.
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Nov. 03: Online Applications and Unit Management Training
Nov. 04: Three Rivers District Meeting
Nov. 11: OA Three Rivers Chapter Meeting
Nov. 21: HAM Radio Testing
Nov. 25: Thanksgiving
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