Digital Eagle July 22 2013

  

    Greater Alabama Council, Boy Scouts of America


 
 
July 22, 2013
 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION, MEETINGS AND DATES TO REMEMBER
 
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am until 5:00pm
 
Main Phone 205-970-0251 Fax 205-970-0349
 
Northern Area Service Center 256-883-7071 
 
Birmingham Scout Shop 205-967-5954
 
Huntsville Scout Shop 256-880-1488 or 877-880-1488 
 
Scout Shop Hours: M-F: 9-6; SAT: 10-4
 

Digital Eagle Format Changing!

We are very excited to announce that soon we will be changing the way the GAC Digital Eagle looks & works. The first step of this process is moving to a biweekly schedule. 

What's Happening (next four weeks) 
 
 
 
 
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES- Check out the upcoming training at the Training Calendar   on our website.
 
ON-LINE REGISTRATION  -A new page has been added to the council website for on-line registration.  Check it out!     
 
 
 Events, Activities, and Information 
 
New information in this section is indicated by this font color.
 
 
 
 GENERAL SCOUTING
 
 

 UNIFORM GUIDE

For your convenience a Uniform Guide is attached.  Please feel free to share this within your units.  If your unit is fortunate enough to earn the Gold or Silver JTE level, these colored shoulder loops are not part of the uniform.  Gold is used to distinguish National Council-level employees and Silver is for Council or District-level personnel.  If you have any questions, please contact your local Scout Shop or District Executive. Click here

 

DISCOUNT TICKETS FOR SPLASH ADVENTURE WATER PARK - Greater Alabama Council Scouting families can purcgase discout tickets to Splash Adventure Water Park.  CLICK HERE for the on-line ticket store, and use code GACBSA

AMERICAN VALUES LUNCHEON PICTURES - If you were at the American Values Luncheon and would like to purchase pictures from the event please go here  www.zapfoto.com.  Use the password BSAZAP

PRE-PAID SCOUT CARD - A BSA pre-paid Scout card is now available from Discover.  Click here for more information.

JAMBOREE COMMEMORATIVE PATCH -- The Greater Alabama Council is pleased to offer its 2013 National Jamboree flap sets and composite patch to the public. There are two unique sets: "Alabama Then & Now" and "GAC Camps". In addition you may purchase a combo set that includes a special composite super patch of the GAC Camps and one each of the other sets. Each set comes with six different strips and a center patch. These orders will be mailed in early August. Click Here

 

Become a Test Unit for Online Youth and Adult Application Processing

Many units have asked for it and it has arrived! The GAC is serving as a Pilot Council for a project in conjunction with www.BeAScout.org to allow units to sign up youth and adults online. If you wish to become a beta tester for this project, please do the following:

1) Email Brent Pritchard, bpritchard@1bsa.org, and let him know you want your unit to participate. 
2) Update all key unit leadership’s email updated in Scoutnet with their primary email address. This includes your key leaders (Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Crew Advisor) Committee Chairs, and Chartered Organization Representatives. To update this information, please email Penny Griffin, pgriffin@1bsa.org. This is a key component of approving the online applications.
3) Make sure your unit pin is updated on the www.BeAScout.orgwebsite. For more information, click here.

More information will be forthcoming as this feature begins to expand. Please become a beta tester today!

 

 

 

SCOUT NIGHT WITH THE BRIMINGHAM BARONS - CLICK HERE

CAMP JACKSON UPDATE - Take a look at all the progress Camp jackson has made! The Camp Jackson Committee has been working around the clock to make Camp Jackson a truly special place for our Scouts! Great job! Click Here

 Commissioner's Corner 

UNIT COMMISSIONER RATIO - BSA standard is to have a miniumum 1 unit Commissioner serving 3 units. 10 of our 12 Districts are currently below the 1:3 ratio. Every DISTRICT COMMISSIONER should take the time now to begin recruiting and registering new unit Commissioners.

Call on me or any member of the Council Commissioner Cabinet for assistance.

Yis
Tim Smalley

 TRAINING


WOOD BADGE
Wood Badge is Scouting's premier training course for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturing Leaders, as well as council and district leaders. The primary purpose of Wood Badge is to strengthen Scouting in packs, troops, crews, districts, and the council.

Wood Badge aims to make Scouters better leaders by teaching advanced leadership skills, and by creating a bond and commitment to the Scout movement. Courses have a combined classroom and practical outdoors-based phase followed by a Wood Badge ticket, also known as the project phase. By "working the ticket", participants put their newly gained experience into practice to support their local units and strengthen the overall Scouting movement.

The 2013 Wood Badge course for the Greater Alabama Council is right around the corner. It will be held September 12-14 at Sequoyah and October 10-12 at Camp Westmoreland. This is a Thursday,Friday, Saturday Course. Our course still has a couple of openings but will fill up very soon. To register, or to get more information on this course, go to: https://1bsa.org/wood-badge-registration.php. For more information on Wood Badge, visit www.woodbadgealabama.com. 

NYLT Summer Session/2nd Course
On Sunday 21 July 2013, 34 participants braved the rain and began the 3rd installment of NYLT in the GAC this year. Despite the rainy weather, the team spirit is not dampened. Leadership skills,  communication and teamwork are developing, so look for stronger youth led units in the GAC!

 

SCOUTMASTER LEADER SPECIFIC TRAINING (SMLST)
Vulcan District will host a SMLST at the Birmingham Scout office,Saturday, September 21, More information to come. Visithttp://vulcan.1bsa.org for more information.

INTRODUCTION TO OUTDOOR LEADER SKILLS (OLS)
Vulcan District will host an OLS course November 1-3, at Camp Sequoyah. More information to come. Visit http://vulcan.1bsa.org for more information.

Trainer’s EDGE Course
Thursday, August 8 and 15, 2013 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Huntsville Scout Service Center 2211 Drake Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35805

To register, go to www.tors.cypress-softworks.com create an account if you do not have one already, and then follow the Register for Courses link.

If you have any questions about the course or about registration, contact Eugene Roberts (Eugene-cypress@att.net) 256-679-2349. 

 

 

 CUB SCOUTS

 

 

 

 
BOY SCOUTS 
 

 

CHANGES TO EAGLE-REQUIRED MERIT BADGE LIST -- Effective January 1st 2014, Cooking will be added to the list of merit badges required for Eagle.  A new merit badge, Sustainability, will be introduced in 2013, and Scouts will have the option of earning either Environmental Science or Sustainability for Eagle.  Click here for more information.

 
CAMP JACK WRIGHT - There will be a series of programs and speakers at Camp Jack Wright this fall. For more information, click here.
 

 

 
VENTURING/EXPLORING 
 
 
 
WHITEWATER RAFTING - A whitewater rafting trip on the Ocoee is scheduled for Saturday, August 24th for Explorers and Venturers.  A bus will leave from Comer Scout Reservation at 7:15 AM  (crews/posts may camp at Comer Friday night) and return at approximately 4:30 PM.  Cost is expected to be $60 - $65.  A minimum of 45 participants will be required. More information is available on the council website:  https://1bsa.org/whitewater-rafting.php.
 
 
  
  

District News 

(Click on the District to go directly to that section) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

WHERE TO GO SCOUTING

Are you interested in helping create a cutting-edge Where To Go Scouting Guide for Coosa Lodge? If so,checkoutwheretogoscouting.org or send an email to chris@coosa50.org and join the team! 


KEY 3 CONTACT INFO

* Lodge Chief - Patrick Yim (chief@coosa50.org)
* Lodge Adviser - Mr. Ed O’Neal (adviser@coosa50.org)
* Staff Adviser - Mr. Joey Kiker (staffadviser@coosa50.org)


FIND US ONLINE

Coosa Lodge was recently recognized as the best social media experience in Section SR-9. Get connected with us and find out why!

* http://coosa50.org/
* http://twitter.com/coosalodge
* http://facebook.com/coosalodge

 

ARROWHEAD

- School Night For Scouting:
We will be holding the annual School Night for Scouting Training this coming 
Thursday the 25th of July @ 7:00pm in both Cullman and Athens.

Cullman location:
Cullman Fist United Methodist
320 3rd Ave SE Cullman Al

Athens Location:
Athens First United Methodist
202 W. Bryan St. Athens Al 

We STRONGLY ENCOURAGE that every unit has at least one representative attend this training, even if you have done Fall 
recruitment before.
We will also be holding a training in Decatur at the August roundtable on the 1st for those who could not attend. 
I look forward to seeing you all there, and please let me know if you have any questions, or time and dates of your School Nights 
and School rallies.

Anson Walck awalck@bsamail.org

- Looking for unit commissioners- If you are interested in getting involved on the District level, or becoming a unit commissioner we are always looking for more help, there is a place for YOU, so please contact me. 

UPCOMING EVENTS 
7/21-24/13 WEBELOS RESIDENT CAMP - Leader’s Guide:https://1bsa.org/tyfoon/site/fckeditor/file/2013%20Webelos%20Resident%20Camp%20Information%20Guide.pdf 

8/1/13- Roundtable St. Andrew Presbyterian

9/12-14/13 WOOD BADGE – There will be only one Wood Badge Course offered for 2013. It will be held 9/12-14 at Sequoyah and 

10/10-12 at Camp Jackson. This is a Thursday,Friday, SaturdayCourse. This course will fill up sooner than you think. For more information, go to: https://1bsa.org/wood-badge-registration.php

SPECIAL NOTES: 

EAGLE ADVISOR CONTACT INFORMATION: 
Dennis Quintavalle - 256-654-9384 - Decatur
Charlie Youmans - 256-565-3400 - Cullman 
Joe MacDonald - 256-232-8371- Athens 

Sign up for the Arrowhead Yahoo Group page at:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arrow_web/

Anson Walck 
Arrowhead District Executive 
205-516-0438 
awalck@1bsa.org 

Rich Hayes 
Arrowhead District Director 
256-221-9822 
rihayes@1bsa.org

 
 
PROGRAM PREVIEW CONFERENCE
Program Preview Conference is Thursday, August 1, 2013 at Sixth Ave Baptist Church-6:30PM. This meeting is for all Scout Leaders, parents and those interested in Scouting within the Birmingham District. We will outline all of the programs and activities for the 2013-2014 calendar year and explain new ideas of how we will make Scouting fun for all.


BIRMINGHAM DISTRICT SCOUTING BASKETBAL CLINIC
The Birmingham District Scouting Basketball Clinic was held on Friday, June 21, 2013 and Saturday, June 22, 2013. On Friday June 21, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Basketball Coach Jerod Haase spoke on the importance of doing your best. Mo Finely, former player for UAB basketball team fellowship and took pictures with participates. On Saturday, June 22 Tuskegee University Assistant Basketball Coach John Douglas spoke about keeping good grades and doing what it takes to play on the next level. Chris Williams and Jason Smith both oversea professional player also fellowship and spoke a few words of encouragement to the youth. All participants took part in a two hour skills clinic and receive a t-shirt and a regulation basketball. See Pictures Below:


2013 BIRMINGHAM DAY CAMP AT RUFFNER MOUNTAIN NATURE PRESERVE 
I would personally like to send out a "BIG THANK YOU" to all volunteers and staff for a job well done. And a special THANK YOU to all of den walkers. I can't thank you all enough! You sincerely made the camp that much more enjoyable and my hat's off to all of you. All scouts received a very nice patch along with an unforgettable experience! It was super heroes all around for fun and adventure. Day Camp was held at Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve with the third day being a day of swimming at East Pinson Recreation Center. This year we took on a heroes theme, complete with Super heroes characters that brought excitement to all the Cub Scout. UAB Football Coach Garrick McGee, came out to teach our cub scout about respect, listening and accomplish goals in life. The BB and Archery ranges were among the stations where the boys had the opportunity to earn belt loop and pin for both. Wednesday was ‘POOL DAY’ filled with fun and games! The rain came on Friday, it tried to put a damper on our fun, but no way! We endured the obstacle and made the best of it, and persevered – accomplishing everything we set out to do with minimal delays. During the week the Cub Scout completed a service project. See article below by Deborah Huff.
 
BIRMINGHAM DISTRICT CUB SCOUT DAY CAMP 2013 SERVICE PROJECT
The Birmingham District Cub Scout Day Camp was held at Ruffner Mountain Nature Center during the week of June 3-7, 2013. For the Day Camp Service Project, the Cub Scouts agreed to Adopt-An-Animal at Ruffner Mountain Nature Center. There were six animals and the Frog received the most votes. The cost for each animal is $25 so each scout was asked to donate a minimum of fifty cents. The Cub Scouts raised a total of $50 and were able to adopt a Frog and a Snake at Ruffner Mountain. The camp received a certificate and a framed photo for each animal that will be on display at the August 2013 Roundtable Meeting. Congratulations to Birmingham District Cub Scouts! 


 
 
 
Hello Everyone,


I hope everyone had a great 4th, and got to spend it with your families. I know that many of you are just getting back from a week at summer camp either from Seqouyah or Comer, and I hope you had a great time. I saw quite a few of you at Seqouyah this past week, and it looked like everyone was having a blast.


The Cheaha Annual Merit Badge fair sponsored by Troop 4711 will be held Saturday August 3rd. Visit meritbadge.info to find the event, or just follow this link: http://meritbadge.info/mbn/eventdetails.aspx?id=A6AE5D14-7002-41D2-B287-F2316D732D4A . We will also try to offer BALOO at this event, but we would need some one qualified to teach it, please contact me as soon as possible if you can teach the class. Sign up fast, we have a lot of out of council units attend this event, and classes will fill up quick.


Wood Badge, if you have ever been interested in earning your beads, now is the perfect chance. Wood Badge will be held at Sequoyah this fall. This is in our back yard, so it will be easier to make the trip for everyone in our district. Please visit https://1bsa.org/wood-badge-registration.php to sign up for the course, you will be glad you did it.

As for our next meetings we are set for our Program Preview, and Popcorn meetings. We realize that it might be hard for everyone to attend these since this district is so big. Having said that we are going to try something a little different. We are holding two separate meetings hosted by two different troops. The first meeting will be heldAugust 1st at 7:00 p.m., and hosted by Troop 4130 at their Scout House, with a cook out involved. The next meeting will be heldAugust 8th at 7:00 p.m., hosted by Troop 4711, location TBD. So I hope this will make it convenient for everyone to make one of the two meetings.

The first annual 10K, 5K, one mile fun run is on the calendar forOctober 5th at camp Sequoyah. This will be a great event for us to get out in the public's eye. We expect over 200 runners, and not only will this go to support our district, this will also get the public on our property to see what we offer. We are very excited for this event, and it has endless potential not only for this year, but for the coming years. Please promote this to your units, and come out and help where ever you can. Also the race will be open to any registered Scout, adult or youth, to run in any of the races for just $10. We hope you come join us in the first one. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about the event. Check it out at:http://www.annistonrunners.com/event-calendar/?eventID=537&date=10/05/2013 

Click Here

Also if anyone in your troop or pack works at Walmart if you could please get them to visit the website and fill out the volunteer form, Walmart donates money to the Boy Scouts for anyone employee who volunteers. Please help us fund scouting. Also if you are employed by Honda, please do the same. We need to take advantage of these Employers wanting to fund our program. Contact me for any information you need.

Thank you all for everything that you do, and I look forward to seeing everyone out and about this summer.
 
 
ROUNDTABLE and DISTRICT COMMITTEE MEETING has now switched back to the FIRST THURSDAY of the month. Mark you calendars!

The DISTRICT WEBSITE is being updated. If you have announcements or great Scouting stories, please contact me and I will get them up on the website.

WOOD BADGE There will be only one Wood Badge Course offered for 2013. It will be held 9/12-14 at Sequoyah and 10/10-12 at Camp Jackson. This is a Thursday, Friday, Saturday Course. This course will fill up sooner than you think. For more information, go to:https://1bsa.org/wood-badge-registration.php

Day Camp is just around the corner! This is an important part of the Cub Scout program. There is still time and room to sign up your Cub. You can register online at www.1bsa.org! 





UPCOMING EVENTS:

6/24 -28/13 CHEROKEE DISTRICT DAY CAMP - Tannehill State Park. 8:00am - 4:00pm. Contact Rick Timmonsrimit1954@yahoo.com or 205-382-2102 for any questions or to volunteer. 

7/4/13 DISTRICT COMMITTEE MEETING - Bessemer LDS Church.6:00pm-6:55pm. All District Scouters are invited to attend.

7/4/13 ROUNDTABLE - Bessemer LDS Church. 7:00pm-8:00pm. Roundtable is a great way to receive free training and information from fellow Scouters and from the Council.

7/21 - 7/24/13 WEBELOS RESIDENT CAMP - Camp Comer. Registration due by 7/5/13.

9/12-14/13 WOOD BADGE – There will be only one Wood Badge Course offered for 2013. It will be held 9/12-14 at Sequoyah and 10/10-12 at Camp Jackson. This is a Thursday, Friday, SaturdayCourse. This course will fill up sooner than you think. For more information, go to: https://1bsa.org/wood-badge-registration.php

Will McIntyre
Cherokee DE
205-541-4292
wmcintyr@1bsa.org
 
 

Scouts and Scouters,

Hope everyone is having a great Summer! The sun's shining, the weather is warm, and the pool is open. Summer camp was a great success and I hope everyone had a blast.

In this issue of the Digital Eagle we have two submissions from Choccolocco District Scouters. Thanks to them for sending in these great stories and if you have anything you'd like to submit, please do.

Yours in Scouting,

Jacob

...........................................................................

Choccolocco Teen CERT and SAR Merit Badge Class

On June 20th Choccolocco District, working with Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency and Calhoun County Citizen Corps, put on a Youth Preparedness Camp to teach our youth how to better prepare when faced with an emergency of disaster situation. This camp was focused on Scouts in our district, with over 40 Scouts and Venturers attending. There was also about a dozen other youth who participated.

Teen Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a FEMA developed course that teaches emergency preparedness, triage, first aid, the do’s and don’ts of response. After completion of the 6-hour course, the youth become members of the County’s Teen CERT program. The photo shows Michael Wiedeman, an Anniston firefighter and Eagle Scout from Troop 10, Oxford, AL, teaching the students how to assess a fire emergency before responding.

The Scouts in the course received an additional three hours of Search and Rescue Training from actual first responders and County SAR team members. This extra training has given them a good head start on the SAR merit badge, which we will help each troop to complete in the coming months.
If your district is interested in Teen CERT training, you should contact you city or county emergency management agency to see what programs they have to offer. 


...............................................................................

Troop 19 Scouts help with Lt. Dan Band fundraiser

On Sunday, May 19, 39 Scouts and adult leaders from Troop 4019, Jacksonville, volunteered at the Ben Tomlinson Benefit Concert at Jacksonville State University. Sgt. Ben Tomlinson was wounded twice in Afghanistan. The second wound put him permanently in a wheelchair. 

Upon returning to his home in Jacksonville, Ben needed special accommodations to resume his life. In stepped Gary Sinise (Lt. Dan from the movie Forest Gump). Teaming up with the Stephen Stiller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the Gary Sinese Foundation/ Lt. Dan Band presented a benefit concert to raise money to build Sgt. Tomlinson a smart house. Donations and gate receipts from the concert raised over $400,000 to make this a reality. 

Scouts and adult leaders helped set up seating prior to the concert, then manned the gates to collect tickets and hand out American flags to concert-goers. After enjoying the concert, volunteers helped tear down seats and clean up the stadium (Leave No Trace). In all, the Troop donated nearly 200 service hours. This was a great opportunity for the Troop to show their support and respect for this injured war veteran, and see someone who truly represents all of those values in the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.


..........................................................................

Upcoming District Events:

District Committee Planning Conference - July 18, LDS Church Saks,5:30 p.m.

Cub Scout Day Camp, JSU - June 17-21. Register here:https://1bsa.org/article.php?cn=814&account=

...........................................................................

If you have any questions or concerns please contact:

Jacob Probus
Choccoloco District Executive
jprobus@1bsa.org
256-438-0274

 
 
“The real way to gain happiness is to give
it to others.”Lord Baden-Powell

Hope everyone had a safe and happy July 4th!!

WEEBILOS RESIDENT CAMP JULY 21-24

CUB FISHING RODEOS COMING UP SEPT 21 AND SEPT 28
GADSDEN WILL BE HELD AT GADSDEN STATE FISHERY
FORT PAYNE WILL BE AT CAMP COMER

PROGRAM PREVIEW CONFERENCE SET FOR AUGUST 13TH, WAITING ON CONFIRMATION OF PLACE.

SCHOOL NIGHT FOR SCOUTING TRAINING SET FOR AUGUST 1ST THURSDAY NIGHT 6 P.M. WILL CONFIRM PLACE AND LET YOU KNOW IN NEXT DIGITAL EAGLE ALONG WITH EMAIL.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO IN SCOUTING,

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL YOUTH AND LEADERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN OUR DAY (TWILIGHT CAMPS) EVEN WITH RAINY WEATHER, YOU STILL MADE IT SPECIAL, THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO!!!

YOURS IN SCOUTING,

JESSICA MILLICAN
205-902-1577
JMILLICA@1BSA.ORG
  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 

For scouts who need Eagle Scout project approvals or Eagle Boards of Review, Dr. Norman Johnson has had to step down to deal with a serious health issue. We wish him a speedy recovery. From now on, to schedule project approvals or boards of review, please contact Charlie Grider: eaglescout1983@yahoo.com or 256-609-1685. 

We will be putting on a Cub Scout Fishing Rodeo at Camp Jackson onSeptember 28. Adults, if you are interested in volunteering at this event, please let me know (brreeves@1bsa.org). We will need a lot of help to make this activity a success. Registration information will be forthcoming soon.

During August Roundtable, we will be doing our popcorn kickoff. Please have an adult representative from your unit attend to get the latest on this year's popcorn sale. This will be on Thursday, Aug. 1 at 6:30 PM. The location is Henryville First United Methodist Church in Claysville. We will also discuss this year's fall recruitment drive.

Please see the following message from Troop 71 of Albertville:
Need of Meritbadge counselors for Meritbadge day, Troop 4071 in Albertville will be holding a MB day on Sept 28th at Albertville High, we are in need of counselors to teach classes. If you have a special skill and would like to share please contact Mike Lewis at 256-506-3871 or email at mysonisascout@yahoo.com Thank You.


I hope all of you that attended the National Jamboree had a blast! I heard it was great.
Brian
brreeves@1bsa.org

 
 
 

SHELBY

SHELBY

**MARK YOUR CALENDARS**

•OFFICIAL POPCORN KICKOFF PARTY - Calling all unit popcorn kernels, cubmasters, scoutmasters, interested scouters, and popcorn aficionados. Mark your calendars now to attend the Shelby District Popcorn Kickoff Party July 29th 7pm Fellowship Hall at Helena United Methodist Church. Very important to have a representative or two from ALL units to hear about all the great new improvements to the 2013 Popcorn lineup… Several items priced at $10 ( yes several not just 1 J), great new prize program. great new flavors. One stop shopping…Get everything you need to get your units primed and ready to sell and raise the money so your units can continue delivering a great action packed program to your scouts. We love popcorn yes, we do, we love popcorn how about you!!! See you there. Shelby District Popcorn Kernel Julie Decker Julie@uab.edu, (h) 620-4312, (w) 975-7096

•*Thursday, July 25, 2013 – District Committee Meeting, Location TBD, 6:30 PM.

• ALL PARENTS AND LEADERS OF THE SHELBY DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO 2013-2014 PROGRAM PREVIEW!!!!! COME FIND OUT WHAT FUN ACTIVITIES WE HAVE IN STORE FOR THIS NEXT YEAR! IT'S MAKES PLANNING YOUR YEAR OF SCOUTING SO MUCH EASIER. 

• ****MARK YOUR CALENDAR**** - Program Preview Meeting onAugust 1, 2013 at 7:00PM at Riverchase Church of Christ.

• Personal Fitness Merit Badge through the Alabaster YMCA. Each individual Scout, troop or patrol that wants to work on the merit badge through the Alabaster Y can simply contact Carol Hamilton (Membership Director) at (205)663-7240orchamilton@ymcabham.orgto set up a schedule and make the necessary arrangements. 

A. J .Smith, Dist. Relations Chair

• SCOUTING OPPORTUNITY - The members of the Tannehill Wood Carvers Club would first like to extend a special invitation to you to join us at the Cane Creek Schoolhouse in Tannehill State Park to make some chips. We meet on the second Saturday of each month from8:00 am until 4:00 pm. Our meetings are informal and the membership is a laid-back group who like nothing better than helping someone get started in a hobby that we all love. Visit our website at “Tannehillwoodcarvers.org” and pack a brown-bag lunch and make plans to join us.

Second, we’d like to explore the possibility of providing a bit of wood carving mentoring for you and your Scouts at our June 8, July 13, andAugust 10, 2013 meetings. While we are not prepared to counsel the Woodcarving Merit Badge (only a couple of our members are registered Scouters), we can help you improve your carving skills to provide a better experience for your Scouts, assist you or your Scouts complete projects that they’ve already begun, or to get them started on new projects which would provided by the members at no cost to your Scouts. If you or your Troop would like to participate in this program, please contact Don Self (334-295-4376ordonaldself@att.net).



¬Scouting Spotlight

•If you are interested in having a “Scouting Spotlight” in the Shelby District, please submit write-ups and pictures to Terri Gregson (tgregson@1bsa.org) by 9:00 AM on Monday mornings to be included in that week’s Digital Eagle. Thanks!
 
 
 
 Curtis Hunt Team Leader:
chunt@1bsa.org or cell phone 256-361-7303



Hello Everyone, 

We had a wonderful Day and Twilight Camp this year. Twilight Camp was a first in Madison County and it was fantastic! The staff for each camp was great and the youth had a great a time. Hear are some events that are upcoming 


Popcorn:

There will be a unit popcorn kickoff meeting at the LDS church on Sparkman Drive July 18 starting at 5:30pm. Every unit will need to send a representative to this meeting. Changes! Changes! Changes!!! Trails-End additions / Council changes and tools for your unit to utilize to have a successful popcorn fundraiser will be addressed. Your unit WILL want to be in the know of these changes. One potential money maker is the addition of an Alabama and Auburn tins filled with Cheddar Buffalo popcorn--- taste tested and given two thumbs up in June. 

If you have any questions please contact Cindi Purinton @dixiechick4u6@yahoo.com 



PPC: 

Will be the first Thursday of August, more information to come with the location and time.


School Nights:

Yes, its that time of the year again! We will be have a training coming up soon, for school night training. Please start to identify your School Night Chairman so they will be present at the training.

District Committee Meeting:

The last Thursday of Each month at Lockheed Martin located off of Bradford Drive in the starting at 6:00 p.m.
 
Jay Elliott
Three Rivers District Executive
205-482-5930
joelliott@1bsa.org

Robert Smith
Three Rivers District Director
205-936-6866
rosmith@bsamail.org

District Website: threerivers.1bsa.org

UNIT COMMISSIONERS NEEDED - The Three Rivers District is actively recruiting Unit Commissioners to serve Packs, Troops, and Crews. Unit Commissioners serve a maximum of three units, and provide a vital link between the units and District Services/Support. Those interested please contact Aaron Tews at 205-854-8509, or by email at atews@bellsouth.net.

THREE RIVERS IS ON FACEBOOK! The facebook group link is Three Rivers District, GAC. If you are on Facebook, please go to our page and like our page. In addition to our great website,threerivers@1bsa.org, Facebook is another great asset to keep everyone informed on the latest District news.

THINGS HAPPENING IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS

For a full list of things happening in the Three Rivers District, please see the Calendar of Events on the district website atthreerivers.1bsa.org

July 29, 2013 – POPCORN KICKOFF AT TRUSSVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AT 6:30 TO 8:00 PM. Please have a popcorn kernel or cubmaster from each unit there. We will be serving pizza for dinner. For additional information please contact Charlotte Stanley atcreavtive@alabamastanleys.com

August 1, 2013 – 2013 PROGRAM PREVIEW CONFERENCE AT ROUNDTABLE AT JEFF STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE. Please bring a dessert and bring someone with you. We will have a large amount of information on things happening in 2013-2014. PLEASE HAVE AT LEAST ONE ADULT OR LEADER FROM EACH UNIT THERE. 

August 6, 2013 – SCHOOL NIGHT FOR SCOUTING TRAINING at MT. VERNON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN GARDENDALE at6:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Every unit should have someone in attendance. 

August 9, 2013 – Popcorn-Show and Sell Orders Due to Council

August 13, 2013 – Order Popcorn Show and Sell

August 20, 2013 – Popcorn Show and Sell Delivered

August 21, 2013 – Popcorn Show and Sell Pick up

August 24, 20013 -- WHITEWATER RAFTING - A whitewater rafting trip on the Ocoee for Explorers and Venturers. A bus will leave from Comer Scout Reservation at 7:15 AM (crews/posts may camp at Comer Friday night) and return at approximately 4:30 PM. Cost is expected to be $60 - $65. A minimum of 45 participants will be required. More information is available on the council website:https://1bsa.org/whitewater-rafting.php.

August 26, 2013 – Popcorn Sale Begin/Unit Kickoffs Begin

August 30, 2013 – Scout Night at Regions Field 

September 12-14, 2013 -- WOOD BADGE – There will be only one Wood Badge Course offered for 2013. It will be held 9/12-14 at Sequoyah and 10/10-12 at Camp Jackson. This is aThursday,Friday,Saturday Course. This course will fill up sooner than you think. For more information, go to: https://1bsa.org/wood-badge-registration.php
 
 
*PROGRAM PREVIEW CONFERENCE**
AUGUST 1, 6:30pm, Canterbury United Methodist Church. 
If you have a youth active in the Vulcan District, you should be here. ALL ADULTS ARE WELCOME. We will have a Cornucopia of information for packs and troops, including a district calendar, and initial information on Scoutfest 2014.
100% Attendance Challenge. We would like to see at least 1 adult from every unit. The unit with the most adults will win the Vulcan Spirit Stick, and a special prize. We will have Door Prizes.

FALL RECRUITING - SCHOOL NIGHT FOR SCOUTING
AUGUST 8, 6:30pm. Birmingham Scout Office (Clayton Center). We will be recruiting Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. Every unit should have a Membership Chair, who needs to attend this meeting.

VULCAN DISTRICT POPCORN KICK OFF
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 6:30pm. Crestline – Saw’s Juke Joint, on the Patio. 1115 Dunston Ave, Birmingham, 35213. Bar-B-Que and Popcorn Samples. New Products, new Tins (including Alabama and Auburn Tins) Fill out the Commitment Form and send it in, or bring itTuesday Night. CLICK HERE for commitment form.

CAST IRON CHEF CHALLENGE
Troops, mark your calendars. Saturday, September 28, Trinity United Methodist Church Parking Lot. 1:00pm. Cooking Competition. Come to the PPC and get more information.

SCOUT STRONG 10K/5K/1MILE FUN RUN
Greater Alabama Council’s 1st Annual Scout Strong 10k/5k/1 Mile Fun Run. Come join us on October 5, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. for the 1st Annual Scout Strong Running event at the beautiful Camp Sequoyah, located on Hwy 431 in Delta, AL. To guarantee shirt size, you must register bySeptember 16th. For more information and registration form. CLICK HERE.

WOOD BADGE
Wood Badge is Scouting's premier training course for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturing Leaders, as well as council and district leaders. The primary purpose of Wood Badge is to strengthen Scouting in packs, troops, crews, districts, and the council.

Wood Badge aims to make Scouters better leaders by teaching advanced leadership skills, and by creating a bond and commitment to the Scout movement. Courses have a combined classroom and practical outdoors-based phase followed by a Wood Badge ticket, also known as the project phase. By "working the ticket", participants put their newly gained experience into practice to support their local units and strengthen the overall Scouting movement.

The 2013 Wood Badge course for the Greater Alabama Council is right around the corner. It will be held September 12-14 at Sequoyah and October 10-12 at Camp Westmoreland. This is a Thursday,Friday, Saturday Course. Our course still has a couple of openings but will fill up very soon. To register, or to get more information on this course, go to: https://1bsa.org/wood-badge-registration.php. For more information on Wood Badge, visit www.woodbadgealabama.com. 

VULCAN DISTRICT WEB PAGE WATCH FOR CHANGES
http://vulcan.1bsa.org.
We are working to continuously update information on the Vulcan District Website. Please visit the website, and click on “Email Us” to give us feedback. Check back periodically as we work to improve our communication avenues.
A wide range of Scouting information is available to all volunteers by looking at www.Scouting.org. From training to definitions on Scouting and other information on a national level can be attained from this website. Everyone is encouraged to go to www.Scouting.org to attain more information on Scouting you might need along with the Greater Alabama Council’s website at www.1bsa.org. 

UNIT COMMISSIONERS NEEDED
The Vulcan District is actively recruiting Unit Commissioners to serve Packs, Troops, and Crews. Unit Commissioners serve a maximum of three units, and provide a vital link between the units and District Services/Support. Those interested please contact Peter Bosworth at205-837-9195, or by email at pabosworth@aol.com. 

SCOUTMASTER LEADER SPECIFIC TRAINING (SMLST)
Saturday, September 21, GAC Office.

INTRODUCTION TO OUTDOOR LEADER SKILLS (OLS)
November 1-3, Camp Sequoyah.

JOURNEY TO EXCELLENCE (JTE)
This is a great tool to use in planning the year and to support your units development . Use this to evaluate your program, and identify opportunities for improvement. The new 2013 Journey to Excellence scorecards for packs, troops, teams, crews, ships, posts, districts, and councils are now available online. There are also great tools to aid your program and tracking. For the latest information and tools, gotowww.scouting.org/jte, and look for the box labeled “2013 Scorecards.”

VENTURING IN THE VULCAN DISTRICT
There are several opportunities for growing new units in the Vulcan District. Currently, we only have a couple of Active Venturing units. Venturing and Sea Scouting Programs, which can be all Girls, all boys, or Co-ed, ages 14 to 20 are a great opportunity to develop the Values and Leadership Skills in youth of this age. If you are not familiar with the programs, or if you know of any interested groups, or want to work with a current charter partner on starting any new units please get in touch with Michael Wells, miwells@1bsa.org.

ORDER OF THE ARROW – NUNNE HI (VULCAN) CHAPTER
Vulcan OA is on Facebook - “Nunne-Hi Chapter of the Coosa Lodge”
Nunne Hi Chapter meetings will begin again on August 29, 2013.
District OA Meetings are held the last Thursday of each month at6:30PM at the Briarwood Scout House. Both former and current arrowmen of any lodge are invited to attend.

VULCAN DAY CAMP
A great time was had by all at the Vulcan Cub Scout Day Camp. Thank you to all the adults who volunteered their time to make this a Safe, Fun, and Exciting week for all the boys. The theme was heroes, and we even got to meet some real heroes, including LifeFlight rescue helicopter. 
Get ready for a great Day Camp in 2014. 

Michael Wells
Senior District Executive
Vulcan District
Office: 205-969-4269
Cell: 205-540-2302
miwells@1bsa.org 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel Giles
256-810-8170
dagiles@1bsa.org

I hope that everyone is having a great summer so far. Just wanted to catch up on a few items. I will be
out visiting school principals at our elementary schools the next two weeks, just to talk with them about upcoming
school rallies, so be thinking about dates for your signups!

On Thursday, August 1, we will be having our annual Program Preview Conference and Popcorn Kickoff. This will be
on our Roundtable meeting. We will meet 6:30 PM at Florence Boulevard Church of Christ .

Also of note we will have training on Thursday, August 8 at 7:00PM for our school rallies and sign up nights, even if
you have been involved in Scouting for a while please plan on attending to offer a helping hand, share best practices and
getting excited about offering the program to new boys!

Here is the Westmoreland District Calendar of Events : Click Here

If you note on the calendar that we have 3 dates scheduled for Adult Training opportunities, if you have not gone through training please consider it and please promote training within your units. Remember every Scout deserves a Trained Leader!
Here adult volunteers with Crew 104 attend an Adult Leader Basic Course at Camp Westmoreland this past weekend.


The Westmoreland District has 6 boys attending the National Scout Jamboree at the Summit in West Virginia for the
next 10 days. These boys will have an opportunity to enjoy some great Scouting events along with 30,000 others from
across the country. For more information and to check out the Jamboree : http://jamboreetoday.org

This past Saturday the Westmoreland District's newest unit Venture Crew 104 chartered with Tuscumbia First United Methodist Church had their first weekend camping experience at Camp Westmoreland. Here are a few photos of the crew and welcome to Scouting Crew 104!


Here is another interesting event coming up involving an Eagle Scout from the Westmoreland District. Eagle Scout Alex Richey is performing with the Madison Scouts which is a unit with Drum Corps International. The Madison Scouts which formed as an all-Scout Drum and Bugle Corps in 1938 in Madison, WI. Alex is one of 16 Eagle Scouts that are members of this competitive unit. The Madison Scouts will be practicing in Madison, AL this week from Wednesday, July 24 through Saturday, July 27. If you or your Scouts would like to see the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, please call Missy Richey at256-577-7174.


Noah Latham of Troop 75 in Florence earned the Rank of Eagle Scout on June 6, 2013
Congratulations Noah!

If your unit conducts any Community Service Projects or has a Special Outing or Event, please let me know and
send me your photos!

EAGLE BOARD of REVIEWS and EAGLE PROJECT REVIEWS
Each Scout should email the Eagle Board at eagleboard@westmorelanddistrict.com. This email address will deliver his
Request to several Board Members.
To schedule a Project Review or Eagle Board, the Scout should tell the Board their Name, Troop #, Email address and
Phone number that they may be reached at. Also, state if it is a Project Review or Eagle Board and give a brief
description of the proposed or approved Project including the Sponsor's Name and the physical work Location.
All requests are due by the Friday (at 5:00 P.M.) prior to the firstThursday of the month (Roundtable night). A Board
Member will send the Eagle Board's Monthly Schedule out by theMonday night prior to Roundtable. The Schedule will
be sent to each Scout, his Scoutmaster, the D.E., Roundtable Chair and Eagle Board.
 
Request for scout staff for camporee---It is Camporee Planning Time again:The Westmoreland Fall Camporee needs Scout Staff.
Staffing camporee is a great way for older scouts to learn and stay involved with their troop. We are looking for star scouts and above who wish to staff camporee.
This Fall Camporee will be held Oct 18, 19 - 20 at Camp Westmoreland. 


Search and Rescue Merit Badge Workshop at Camp Westmoreland
When: Sept 6 and 7 2013
What: The SARTEC K-9 Unit: an all-volunteer unit based in Madison County, North Alabama has put together a hands on workshop for the New Search and Rescue merit badge. This is an amazing one day training that will qualify the scouts for the S&R merit badge, but better yet it will challenge and teach the boys what it takes to find a victim, this means that if they ever become lost they will have a better understanding of how to be found. This is a great event not to be missed. 
http://www.sarteck-9.org/
The Merit Badge: http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Search_%26_Rescue
What is Involved: 

1. All Boys and participants will have to complete the online course at:http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=is-100.b This material is going to be used in the training and is a prerequisite to the workshop. It is a short course and can be done at any time prior to the Workshop. Please bring the email sent by the site as proof.

2. The troops will arrive at Camp Westmoreland either Friday evening or Saturday morning before 7:45, this is a full day of events and will start promptly at 8:00am Saturday morning.

3. Saturday morning will be hands on training clinics. 8:00am till 12:00 noon

4. Bring Lunch for the Field. Noon to 1:00pm

5. Saturday Afternoon will be Field Training Exercises 1:00pm to 5:00pm

6. Events end at 5:00pm but troops are welcome to camp oversaturday night.

Registration and Information: 
Contact Kelly Kutz Email: kkutz@kutztraining.com

Fees: There will be a fee of 15.00 for the event. this covers Camp use, Insurance and expenses for the SAR team. To volunteer or get more information please contact Kelly Kutz Email:kkutz@kutztraining.com

District Email- I would like to ask everyone to encourage your parents to sign up for the district email by going to:
westmorelanddistrict.com to get the latest and greatest with our District.
 
 

 

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