Scouter July-August 2008

BLUE RIDGE COUNCIL SCOUTER

ABBEVILLE* ANDERSON* GREENVILLE* GREENWOOD* LAURENS* NEWBERRY* OCONEE* PICKENS COUNTIES

Boy Scouts of America July-August, 2008
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2008 Popcorn Sale! Plan It! Fund It! Do It!

Why Sell Popcorn?

Why do we sell popcorn? The single word answer is "PROGRAM". People buy your Scouting PROGRAM with a tin of popcorn as their investment in your Scouting unit.

Selling Trail's End Popcorn Can Provide the Ideal Year of Scouting by:

Giving your unit more money to spend on programs for Scouts, Reducing out of pocket expenses for parents, Eliminating the need for multiple fundraisers each year-allowing more time for Scout programs, Teaching Scouts communication and selling skills and helping them earn requirements for badges.

Encourage Scouts to fill up at least 1 take order form-These Scouts will once again

be invited to a Clemson University or a University of South Carolina Sports Clinic with coaches and student athletes; the net result of filling up at least one take order form will be more money generated for your Scouting Unit.

Sell the Scouting Program first-People are "buying" the program for Scouts in their community! Make the sale FUN for the Scouts

The Blue Ridge Council provides all the training, support, and forms you need; and your POPCORN COACH will be there to provide you one-on-one support for making your sale successful. To be elgible for the higher commission rate attend one of the 4 Popcorn Training/Kickoff Meetings:

Thursday, August 21, 2008 @ 6:30 pm - Clinton First Presbyterian Church, 410 E. Carolina St., Clinton, SC 29325
Thursday, August 21, 2008 @ 6:30 pm- Clemson United Methodist Church, 300 Frontage Road, Clemson, SC 29633
Tuesday, August 26, 2008 @ 6:30 pm - St. Mark United Methodist Church, 72 Bypass, Greenwood, SC, 29646
Thursday, August 28, 2008 @ 6:30 pm- Blue Ridge Council Service Center, 1 Park Plaza, Greenville, ,SC 29607

Fill up your popcorn order form and earn fun stuff!!!

1. Sports Day with Clemson Coaches and players or USC Coaches and players

2. Adventure at Carowinds Theme Park

3. Clemson Football Game on the 50 Yard Line!!

Click here for Popcorn Fill-up Flyer. For all important popcorn dates click here for flyer. Click for Popcorn Sale Quick Facts. To receive the highest commission in the popcorn sale, click here.

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William Bradshaw- 2008 Distinguished Citizen

The 2008 Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner honoring William Bradshaw, President and Founder of Bradshaw Automotive Group will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2008 at the Carolina First Center. The reception will begin at 6:30 pm followed by dinner at 7:00 pm.

The Distinguished Citizen Award represents a unique way to gather together and reflect on the importance of Scouting in Upstate, SC, while at the same time paying tribute to a local model citizen. William Bradshaw has consistently lived by the ideals of commitment to family, God and country. Without question, our state and communities are richer because of his involvement and extreme generosity, especillay when it comes to the safety and health of our area's children. The very same ideals William Bradshaw has lived by are the character-building qualities of citizenship that Scouting develops in our youth.

This award is presented by the Blue Ridge Council, Boy Scouts of America. Past recipients include: Former South Carolina Governors Richard Riley and Carroll Campbell, Jr., E. Roy Stone, Jr., Slyvia and Dr. Bill Dukes, John Burgess, Sheriff Johnny Mack Brown, Jon Wilkins, Nap Vandiver, Leighton Cubbage, Frank Pinckney, Mack Whittle, Stewart Spinks, Steve Brandt, Jim Anthony, and C. Dan Joyner.

Please see the attached rsvp forms to attend this Award Dinner and fax back to the Council Service Center at 864-233-2424. ( Form 1 and Form 2) Click here for a complete bio on William Bradshaw.

New Blue Ridge Council Staff and Promotions

Hello my name is Andrew Martin Reale and I am joining the Long Cane District of the Blue Ridge Council as the new District Executive. I was born in Atlanta, Georgia where my parents and older brother still reside. I am a 2008 graduate of Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, North Carolina with a B.A. Degree in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice. I was Dean's list and an Honor Roll Student as where I was part of the emerging leaders program.

I attained the rank of Eagle Scout and was a member of Troop No. 298 in Atlanta . Besides scouting, I enjoy fly fishing, photography, camping, guitar, skiing and sports of all kinds.

I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the volunteer Scouters of Abbeville and Greenwood and invite your comments and suggestions on how I can help you make scouting the most rewarding experience possible. I look forward to working closely with you and containing to make the Long Cane District the very best it can be. I encourage you to volunteer, and donate your time and financial support to continue a strong scouting tradition for the youth of our community and help develop tomorrow's leaders.

You can reach me on my cell phone number: 404-213-3024, and email address: areale86@yahoo.com .

The Council also promoted Reedy Falls Sr. Distric Executive Brandon Smith to Field Director for Greenville County,

Anderson Sr. District Executive Jonathan Runge to District Director for Anderson and Greenwood Counties

Long Cane's District Executive Paul Sharp to District Executive for Reedy Falls.

Camping opportunities for our SCOUTS!!

Calling all Scouts!!!

Cub Webelos Resident Camp, August 6-9, 2008

High Adventure Ranger Program -Everyweek at camp!!

2008 Cub Parent Campout Weekend Flyer

Philmont 2009- June 14-29 (click here)

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Leaders, need Training?

Boy Scout Leader Specific Trainingis a one day training event that introduces parents and leaders to the skills needed to plan and conduct Pack outdoor activities, particularly Pack camping. Come to Camp Old Indian for a day full of fun, food, and interaction with other Cub Scout Leaders. To register, Click here.

Webelos Leader Outdoor Training is for all Webelos Leaders. This supplemental training course covers the skills and resources needed to teach the outdoor activity badges and helps to provide good and safe outdoor experiences. For date and registration information, click here.

Baloo Training- A new training program required by BSA. At least one leader from each Pack must be BALOO trained.

2008-2009 BRC Leaders Training Schedule
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Program Kickoff Meetings

Be sure to attend this very important meeting. We will have all program information to hand out for the year including calendars, school night information and upcoming events scheduled for 2008-2009. See you at your District Program Kickoff!!!

Six & Twenty August 7, 7:00 pm LDS Church-Anderson
Pickens August 12, 7:00 pm First Baptist Church - Easley
Oconee August 14, 7:00 pm St. Marks Methodist-Seneca
Long Cane August 14, 7:00 pm Main St. United Methodist
Saluda River August 14, 7:30 pm Broad St. UMC-Clinton
Foothills August 14, 7:00 pm Taylors First Baptist Church
Reedy Falls August 14, 7:00 pm Council Service Center
Scoutreach August 14, 7:00 pm Council Service Center
Southbounder August 14, 7:00 pm Council Service Center
Learning for Life August 14, 6:30 pm Council Service Center
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Criminal Background Checks for Leaders

The Boy Scouts of America has conducted criminal background checks on all new adult leaders since April 2003.

Some leaders have not changed leadership positions since that time, and have not been checked.

Leaders who have not been checked will receive a letter from the national Chief Scout Executive in early June.

The letter will give recipients instructions to visit a website, to "opt in" to a criminal background check.

Recipients who decline to authorize a background check will lose their BSA membership.

For more informaion, view this link.

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National BSA Registration Policies

All leaders must be 21 with the following exceptions:
Assistant Scoutmaster
Assistant Den Leader

Assistant Varsity Coach
Assistant Cubmaster
Assistant Webelos Den Leader
Tiger Cub Adult

These six positions must be at least 18 years old.

All members (youth and adult) must have their full name (no initials) as set forth in the Registrar's Procedures Manual issued by the Registration Services Office, Boy Scouts of America.

Please note that the requirement for a Criminal Background Check is a part of the Scouting Youth Protection initiative, and is for the safety of the youth members. Accordingly, a Social Security Number is required for all adult registration forms (please note that we will keep these confidential).

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2008 Cub Scout -Recruiting Plan

1. Your Pack should have a "Back to the Pack" meeting sometime in August, preferably before the School Night. This can be a simple meeting such as a picnic or pool party. The purpose of this meeting is to reorganize the pack by confirming the leaders and reorganizing the dens if needed. Emphasis should be put on the dens where new leaders are needed.
2. A member of our staff will contact the school principals to schedule the School Night. Cubmasters will be notified when the date is set. Please do not contact the Principal. We have agreements with the school districts that must be honored.
3. During the first week of school a parent's flyer will be delivered to the school for distribution to the boys. The flyer explains the benefits of Scouting and announces the School Night date.
4. One day prior to the school night a member of our staff will visit the school. They will personally talk to the boys and give them a reminder notice to take home.
5. Our Scout staff will conduct the actual School Night meeting. It will be helpful if your Pack is represented to answer questions specific to your Pack.
6. New leaders are recruited at the School Night. They need training and the sooner the better. Cubmasters are asked to schedule a Den Orientation with parent and new leaders within one week of the School Night. Your Pack Trainer should conduct the Den Orientation. New leaders will be given the Program helps booklet at the School Night

If you have any questions about this plan, please contact your District Executive. Thank you for all you do in Scouting!!
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48 Scouts Complete NYLT Course

It was a long hot week at Camp White Pines, but regardless of the heat and obstacles 47 Scouts from the Blue Ridge Council and 1 Scout from North Carolina completed the 2008 National Youth Leadership Training Course. The course that replaced the old JLT Course incorporates a wide range of activities, events, games, and adventures to teach participates to work and play together as they put into action the skills and knowledge need to return to their troops as leaders. NYLT also models a month in the life of a troop by using the patrol method, Patrol Leaders Councils and troop meetings to allow scouts to participate in techniques that they can take back to their home troops.
This year's course was lead by Scoutmaster Bill Mulligan and Senior Patrol Leader Lee Mitchell with a staff of 3 adult leaders and 15 youth leaders. The entire course was conducted by the youth staff following the national course guideline and is truly a boy lead course.
After the first day of getting to know each other the patrols worked together to complete numerous activities and projects over the 6 day period. It was amazing to watch them go from disorganized patrols to 6 highly motivated patrols working as a team to compete with each other for the Patrol of the year. While all the patrols and participates came out as winners the Yellow Patrol won the over all patrol for 2008 under the guidance of their Troop Guide Chandler Fleck.
If your troop has not taken advantage of this valuable youth training program, then you need to start planning now to participate in the 2009 course. For more information on NYLT contact Program Director Matt Kubler at the Council Office.

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National Jamboree 2010

July 26- August 4, 2010

Don't be left behind. Blue Ridge Council is taking applications for the 2010 NATIONAL BOY SCOUT JAMBOREE Council Contingent. We only have 180 Scout positions available. The first 180 Scouts to get in their deposit will be able to go. This is a ONCE in a life time event. The 100th year Anniversary of Scouting only occurs once. Make YOUR plans to attend, NOW. Do not be left behind. Ask any leader who has attended in the past about their experiences and you will hear about the great time that is available for the few that go.

To sign up for the Jamboree go to myscouting.org and create a log-in user id and password. You must have your BSA member ID# to create a user account. This is on your membership card, or check with your Scoutmaster. You may also call your Council for your number. There will be a window on the log-in screen informing the user of the BSA member ID number requirement. Create a user account. Then you can create an online application. When submitting, the applicant will be asked to pay a $10 processing fee payable by credit/debit card. This fee is non-refundable. Once completed, print your confirmation, have your Scoutmaster sign it and take it along with the Council registration form, (form is on link located below this article) along with your $100 deposit to the Council Service Center located at 1 Park Plaza in Greenville. If there are any questions about the 2010 National Scout Jamboree, contact Staff Advisor Matt Kubler at 864-233-8363.

To sign up for Jamboree 2010, click here for registration form.

For more information on the 2010 Boy Scout National Jamboree, click here.

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Scouts have fun at Fitness Fest

The Blue Ridge Council would like to thank Jim Anthony and The Cliffs Communities for their program and financial support of FitnessFest.