Scouter July-August 2009
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Blue Ridge Council
E-Newsletter
Abbeville, Anderson, Greenville, Laurens, Greenwood,Newberry,Oconee and Pickens Counties |
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| Cub Scout Resident Camp- August 5- 8, 2009 |
 Cub Scout Resident Camp " Paradise Island" - August 5 - 8, 2009!!
Join us at Camp Old Indian for this year's Cub Scout Resident Camp! Our theme this year is "Paradise Island" and all of our displays, games and crafts will reflect the tropics theme. Register today!! Click here to print out the registration form and mail it to the Council Service Center at 1 Park Plaza, Greenville, SC 29607! Don't Delay Register Today!!! |
| 100th Anniversary Popcorn Sale! |
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Plan It! Fund It! Do It! 
The ONLY reason we do this sale is for Blue Ridge Council Units to raise additional funds to have a better program for our youth.
This year we will all celebrate 100 Years of Scouting which means the more money we raise the more fun and visibility to the community we are able to create! So if you aren't currently selling Popcorn in your Pack or Troop consider selling this year to get the most out of your 100th Year of a wonderful tradition!
1. Popcorn Sales Support The Scout
I. Scouts learn salesmanship.
II. Scouts learn fiscal responsibility.
III. Scouts learn about starting and following-through a project until completion.
IV. Scouts learn there can be rewards for hard work & effort.
2. Popcorn Sales Support The Unit
I. Popcorn Sales Increases Unit Financial Stability.
II. Popcorn Revenue Helps Units Provide Higher Quality Programs and Activities For Youth.
III. Popcorn Funds Reduce or Eliminate Financial Burden From Unit Leaders And Parents.
IV. Popcorn Dollars Reduce Financial Obstacles, Allowing Units To "Do More" And Youth To "Experience More Scouting".
3. Popcorn Sales Support The Blue Ridge Council, Boy Scouts of America
I. Popcorn Sales helps fund Local Service To Youth through District Executive And Professional Staff Support.
II. Popcorn Revenue helps provide a better camp facility while keeping the lowest cost around.
III. Popcorn Funds Keep ALL Program Costs Down For Youth (Scouting in the Blue Ridge Council is the most affordable after-school activity for youth when compared to baseball, football, soccer, etc.).
IV. Popcorn Dollars Provide Outreach Opportunities For Disadvantage And under-privileged Youth Through The Scoutreach Program (popcorn sale helps generate revenue to fund youth with camp scholarships, uniforms, books, program and activity fees, registration, etc-100% of all financial assistance requests were granted since 2005).
Each unit is asked to send a Leader to 1 of the 4 Popcorn Leader Orientations. The dates of the four orientations are listed on the 2009 Commission Contract (see link below). Units will receive the highest commission by attending one of these orientations. Click here to print Popcorn 2009 Commission Contracts .
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| Distinguished Citizen Dinner, October 22, 2009 |
 The Distinguished Citizen Dinner will be held on October 22, 2009, in which we will be honoring Buck Welling Jr., Chairman and President of Hollingsworth Funds.
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.
Irvine T. (Buck) Welling, Jr. has lived a life that exemplifies the best in commitment, loyalty, and service to his family and community. Achieving the highest rank attainable in Scouting at an early age, Buck has gone on to exercise the principles of the Boy Scout Oath in all aspects of his life. Buck is a man of God, Country, and Character. Please join us on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at the Carolina First Center to honor our own Buck Welling, Jr. Click here to print out sponsorship opportunities for the Distinguished Citizen Dinner. |
| Boy Scout Golf Classic held at Keowee Falls |
 The 3rd Annual Boy Scout Classic was held Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at The Cliffs at Keowee Falls- a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course . The results of the tournament were: Net Winners(Score less handicap) 1st Place: Sun Trust, 2nd Place: Resurgent Capital, 3rd Place: Nachman, Norwood and Pa. Gross Winners (Actual Score) 1st Place: Celligent Diagnostics, 2nd Place: Wachovia, 3rd Place: Capstone Insurance. A Big Scout Salute to Tom Fox, Chair of the Boy Scout Golf Classic, and his committee for a job well done! Thanks to all teams and sponsors for making our 3rd Annual Boy Scout Golf Classic a success!! |
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Council Calendar |
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3-Office Closed
4-Independence Day
5-11 COI Week 4
12-18 COI Week 5
19-24 COI Week 6
26-31 COI Week 7
August
5-8- Resident Camp
6 - Council Executive Board Meeting
7-Resident Camp Inspection
15 - Baloo and Webelos Training
20- Popcorn Kickoff in Clemson (6:30 pm)
20- Popcorn Kickoff in Laurens/Newberry (6:30 pm)
Popcorn Sale Begins
25- Popcorn Kickoff in Greenwood (6:30 pm)
27-Popcorn Kickoff in Greenville (6:30 pm)
28- Show and Sell/Show and Deliver Orders Due
September
7- Labor Day - Office Closed
11-12- Boy Scout Outdoor Skills
12- Show and Sell Units Pick-up Popcorn
14- Program Committee Meeting
15- Council Executive Committee Meeting-Noon
20-27- Popcorn Blitz Week
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Thank you to Wendy's our Round-up Sponsor for Fall Recruiting at our schools.
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| Michael Thompson, 2009 Silver Antelope Recipient |
 Blue Ridge Council Commissioner Michael Thompson is a 2009 Silver Antelope Recipient for the Southern Region. Michael was awarded the Silver Antelope at the 2009 Boy Scouts of America National Planning Meeting that was held in May in Orlando, Florida.
First awarded in 1943, the Silver Antelope Award is presented for outstanding service to youth within one of the four regions of the BSA. The criteria are similar to those for the Silver Buffalo, with one major difference: A recipient must be a registered adult member of the Boy Scouts of America.
The awards are presented in connection with regional meetings or at other public functions within the region. The National Court of Honor bestows Silver Antelope Awards on the basis of the number of registered volunteers in a region. The Silver Antelope Award is the regional distinguished service award and recognizes volunteers who have made a SIGNIFICANT contribution to the Scouting program at a Regional or Area level. There are no tenure requirements, but the competition is heavy and usually there is only one presented per Area. The committee usually looks for several years of service within one of the four regions of the BSA. The award is made by the National Court of Honor. |
| Philmont 2009 |
On June 12-26,2009, 22 Scouts and Scouters from the Blue Ridge Council went on a high adventure trip to Philmont Scout Ranch. Contingent Leader Lee Lewis of Greenville led the group by plane to El Paso, TX (then by bus to Albuquerque, NM), where the group then toured Bandelier National Monument near Los Alamos, NM, and rafted down the Rio Grande. On June 14, the group presented itself to Philmont Scout Ranch and encountered hail almost immediately. The contingent split into two crews, each exploring the southern half of Philmont. The group returned by plane to Greenville on June 26. Highlights of the trek included archery at Philmont's Apache Springs Camp, hiking to the top of Mount Phillips, and returning to base camp via the Tooth of Time.
Leaders of the trek's two Crews (614 D1 and D2) were: Lee Lewis, Mac McLean, Rev. Harrison McLeod, Dr. Graham Parker, Ron Cotterman, and Dr. Neil Kao. Participating scouts were: Mark Boozer, Nathan Cotterman, Turner Cotterman, Chris Houck, Matt Houck, Eric Kao, Crawford Lewis, Macon McLean, Jack McLeod, John Menges, David Moore, Ted Parker, Jay Rex, Ryan Sassi, Joshua Speer, and Ben Wade. |
| Camp Old Indian - Reservations, Camping Opportunities , Leader Training |
 Reservations for Boy Scout Summer Camp 2010 are well underway! Click here to view our 2010 Boy Scout Summer Camp reservations.
UPCOMING CAMPS FOR SCOUTS:
 LEADER TRAINING: Are you a trained leader?
Upcoming Events- MARK THOSE CALENDARS!!
2010 National Scout Jamboree- July 26-August 4, 2010 "100 Years of Scouting" REGISTER NOW!!! SLOTS ARE FILLING QUICKLY!!! Don't let your son miss out on a great Scouting opportunity!! |
| Sporting Clays Tournament, October 10, 2009 at McConnell Hall Preserve |
 Join us for a Sporting Clay Competition designed by Lars Magnasson of the West London Shooting School. This 16 Stand Competition gives the Shooter a true simulated "Wing Shooting" challenge, supported by the Promatic Super Huntsman Clay Machine. Click here for Registration and Sponsorship Opportunities. For additional information contact Matt Kubler at the Council Service Center at 864-233-8363 x. 213. All proceeds from this event support our Blue Ridge Council. Save the date!!! |
| Learning for Life Co-Ed Character Camp |
 The Learning for Life Division of the Blue Ridge Council will be offering their 1st Annual Co-Ed Character Camp beginning the week of July 27-31. The 2nd Session of Character Camp will be held August 10-14. Character Camp will focus on helping students develop personal traits that hold to the highest standard of "good" to direct his or her life, actions, and relationships. Click here for additional information on Character Camp and to print the registration form. The fee for Camp is $50 for each week/session. For additional information please contact Tia Pendleton at the Council Service Center at 864-233-8363 x.204. |
| BSA 100th Anniversary- National Hall of Leadership Nominations |
 Do you know of an outstanding Scout or Scouter in the Blue Ridge Council? Nominate them for the BSA's 100th Anniversary National Hall of Leadership.
Nominations to the National Hall of Leadership are now being accepted and close on February 8, 2010. The final inductees to the National Hall, a total of 303 - one representing each BSA Council and one selected by the National BSA Council -will be announced at the BSA National Annual Meeting in Dallas during May 2010.
The 100th Anniversary National Hall of Leadership is an opportunity for anyone to recognize outstanding leadership by a Scout, registered Scout leader, or Scouting volunteer who made a significant difference in the lives of others by the extraordinary service they have given and the Scouting virtues they have modeled.
A nominee must be:
* A living Scout or Scouting volunteer, who may or may not be currently registered with BSA. However, all youth nominees must be a registered member of the BSA.
* Must have served as an active Scout or Scouting volunteer within Scouting for at least one year. Those nominees recommended to the Blue Ridge Council do not have to be individuals involved with our Council but must currently live within our boundaries. Otherwise, they should be nominated in the Council where they now reside.
* Nominees may be young or old; there are no age criteria.
Nominations will be submitted using a form available online and consists of a story that is 450 words or less describing why the person is worthy of induction into the National Hall of Leadership. Through a panel of judges, the Blue Ridge Council will choose 12 local nominees. Those 12 persons selected by the Council will then be considered by the judges of the National Council who will select one inductee from the Blue Ridge Council for the BSA's 100th Anniversary National Hall of Leadership. Just being nominated is an honor!
If you have any questions in this regard, please contact Michael Thompson at Thompson1994@msn.com .
Beginning now, nominations are entered through the National Hall of Leadership section of the 100th Anniversary website at http://ww2.scouting.org/100years/100years/NHOL_NominationForm.aspx |
| 100th Anniversary of Scouting |
 In February 2010, the Boy Scouts of America will celebrate 100 years as an organization. Founded as an outlet to prepare every eligible youth in America to become a participating citizen and leader, BSA has more than fulfilled its mission. Today, as we celebrate our first 100 years, we not on only reflect on our rich history, but lay the foundation for a strong future, as well. Click here to view the Blue Ridge Council's Calendar of events celebrating 100 years of Scouting!! Click here to view the National website 100 Years of Scouting. |
| District Program Kickoff Dates Scheduled for August |
 Be sure to attend this very important district meeting. We will have all program information to hand out for the year including calendars, school night information and upcoming events scheduled for 2009-2010. See you at your District Program Kickoff!!!
District Date Time Location
Six & Twenty August 6 7:00 pm LDS Church-Anderson
Pickens August 11 7:00 pm First Baptist Church - Easley
Oconee August 13 7:00 pm St. Marks Methodist-Seneca
Long Cane August 13 7:00 pm Main St. United Methodist
Saluda River August 6 7:30 pm Broad St. UMC-Clinton
Foothills August 13 7:00 pm Taylors First Baptist Church
Reedy Falls August 13 7:00 pm Council Service Center
Southbounder August 13 7:00 pm Messiah Lutheran Church
Learning for Life August 13 11:30 am Council Service Center |
| 2009 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. |
| Troop Open House |
 Troop Open House The Boy Scout Troop Open House allows a Troop to swing open its doors and roll out the red carpet to welcome guests. It provides a forum to show off Scouting activities and the Troop's accomplishments. It is an effective tool to reach youth who have never tried Scouting.
Hosting a Troop Open House is a five-step process that has been tried and proven in Troops throughout the nation. Each of the following five steps is vital to the event's success:
1. Present a school rally to fifth- and sixth-graders
2. Mail the parents of interested youth a personal invitation to the Troop Open House
3. Follow the invitation with a telephone call to the parents
4. Host the Troop Open House for youth and their parents
5. Organize a Troop or district activity to involve new Scouts right away
Youth join Scouting for the fun and outdoor adventure. Parents want them to join for completely different reasons - character building and leadership training. Following this plan for conducting a Troop Open House will help you address the wants and needs of both youth and their parents. |
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Blue Ridge Council, Boy Scouts of America
1 Park Plaza
Greenville, SC 29607-5851
864-233-8363 (office) 864-233-2424 (fax) |
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