September 2018 Newsletter

Scout Law:  Loyal

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Supplemental Theme:  Scout Salute

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Cub Scout Roundtable Blog:  elkhorncubs.blogspot.com

Elkhorn District Blog:  elkhorndistrict.blogspot.com

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LDS Scouting Handbook: https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/english/young-men/35814_scout-handbook_eng.pdf?lang=eng  
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Upcoming Events

Leader Specific Training

Old Juniper District:  Thursday, September 27, 6:30pm-7:30pm, 600 E 120 S, Smithfield

Elkhorn District:  Saturday, October 13, 8am-11am, 110 S Main, Millville (NOTICE the date change)

Old Juniper District:  Friday, November 16, 6:30pm-7:30pm, 451 S 250 E, Smithfield

Wood Badge

Wood Badge is a leadership training course which delivers high quality skills and techniques for leaders in all areas of Scouting. It draws from a wide range of sources within and beyond the bounds of Scouting to model the best techniques for developing leadership and teamwork among both young people and adults.  Cost is $185.  Register at https://www.trappertrails.org/woodbadge

#4:  September 13-15 and 27-29, Hull Valley Scout Reservation

#5:  October 18-20 and 25-27, Camp Fife

Leave No Trace Trainer Course

Learn more about the principles of Leave No Trace, and how to provide leadership and training for others.   Open to any Scout 14 and older and all adult Scouters.  Cost is $35, which covers 3 meals and materials.  Register online at https://www.trappertrails.org/outdoorethics

#3:  October 26-27, 6 pm-6 pm, Ogden Scout Office.  Contact Mike Adams at cradams@allwest.net or 307-679-1433.

Cub Pow Wow  Saturday, November 3, at the stake pavilion located at 360 E 450 N, Millville.  Bring your Bear Den to pass off the Beat of the Drum elective adventure.  We'll be making dream catchers, hearing Native American stories, and learning Native American dancing.

Cub Shooting Sports Event  Wednesday, February 6, and Saturday, February 9.  More details to come!
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District Award of Merit
  The District Award of Merit is a council award presented by districts in the same manner that the Silver Beaver is a national award presented by councils. The award is available to Scouters who render service of an outstanding nature at the district level (a professional Scouter or employee who also serves as a volunteer Scouter may be eligible, based on volunteer service).  

Anyone may nominate, by using the form found at https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33720.pdf and turning it in to the Scout Office.  Please turn in nominations by December 31, 2018.
Let's nominate and recognize the great Scouters in our district!
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The Path Forward:  The BSA and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Dear Scouting Families,

Thank you for your support of and involvement in the Boy Scouts of America. We recognize that for many of you, Scouting is a family tradition that spans many generations.

We are deeply grateful to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for serving as the chartered organization of your Scouting unit as it has for millions of other Scouts over the past 105 years. Because of the Church’s need to provide a global program to its children and youth around the world, the Church has made the decision to restructure its own youth program and to discontinue its sponsorship of your unit after December 31, 2019. This change has left some families wondering how they can participate in Scouting beyond January 1, 2020. Many are also concerned that involvement in the Church’s forthcoming youth program might preclude them from Scouting. Please rest assured that Scouting will continue to be available to all youth and families that desire to participate, and that you may do so with the Church’s blessing. 

At the 2018 National Annual Meeting of the Boy Scouts of America, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles made the following statements, “This isn’t a divorce. It’s growth. We’re not in any way disavowing any of those virtues of Scouting. It is just the charter part that we are separating from…We are friends now and we will be friends forever. In 18 months when our charters are finished, we hope that many LDS youth who wish to do so will still choose to be in Scouting.”

Plans are already in motion to establish new unit sponsors in your community in partnership with, among others, PTAs, PTOs, schools, civic organizations, churches, businesses, and neighborhood associations. Meanwhile, please follow the recent guidance provided jointly by the BSA and the Church in which we were instructed that, “Until that date, to allow for an orderly transition, the intention of the Church is to remain a fully engaged partner in Scouting for boys and young men ages 8-13 and encourages all youth, families, and leaders to continue their active participation and financial support.” In addition, please remember to continue to enroll your incoming 8-year-old Cub Scouts to ensure that they receive the full benefit from the Scouting program and to ensure that registered Scouts are encouraged to continue to be involved in Scouting activities and advancement. 

Several months before the charters end, you will have the opportunity to select a new unit from among available sponsors. You will then be allowed to multiple register your son—at no charge—in both units for the balance of 2019. On January 1, 2020 you will simply begin meeting with your new Scouting unit.

We will stay in touch with you at each step along the way.

With deepest appreciation,

Michael Surbaugh                                   Charles W. Dahlquist, II
Chief Scout Executive                            Chair, Transition Task Force

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Training Highlight:  Flag Etiquette
See the attached handout.
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Resource Highlight:  Your Flag
Learn the proud history and etiquette of the American flag.  The book includes information on proper display of the flag, flag ceremonies, and situations to avoid.  $10.99 at the Scout Shop or scoutshop.org.

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Award Highlight:  Emergency Preparedness

From its beginning, the Scouting movement has taught young people to do their best, to do their duty to God and country, to help others, and to prepare themselves physically, mentally, and morally to meet these goals. The basic aims of Scouting include teaching young people to take care of themselves, to be helpful to others, and to develop courage, self-reliance, and the ability to be ready to serve in an emergency.

The Emergency Preparedness BSA Award, first introduced in 2003 and updated in 2014, was designed with the aims mentioned above in mind. By developing these lifelong skills, Scouts have been instrumental in helping their communities recover from emergencies. 

When an emergency does occur, it can affect every BSA youth and adult member in the immediate area. Earning the award teaches participants to respond first, as an individual; second, as a member of a family; and third, as a member of a Scouting unit serving their neighborhood and community. This award will allow all Scouts and Scouters to become informed, be prepared, and act promptly and appropriately in the event of emergencies, whether they are natural or man-made.

Scouts and adult leaders can earn the individual Emergency Preparedness Award. Meanwhile, units, districts, and councils can work toward earning the bronze, silver, or gold achievement level. The awards are available at local Scout shops once specific requirements for each rank or achievement level have been met. See http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/Publications/EmergencyPreparedness/award.aspx for requirements for the Unit and above levels.

Individual Emergency Preparedness Award Requirements

Tiger Requirements

1. Cover a family fire plan and drill, and what to do if separated from the family.
2. Discuss a family emergency plan with the family.
3. Create, plan, and practice summoning help during an emergency.
4. Take a nationally recognized first-aid course geared toward children such as American Red Cross First Aid for Children Today (FACT).
5. Join a safe kids program such as McGruff Child Identification, Internet Safety, or Safety at Home.
6. Show and tell your family household what you have learned about preparing for emergencies.

Wolf Requirements

1. Create a checklist to keep your home safe.
2. Discuss a family emergency plan with the family.
3. Create, plan, and practice summoning help during an emergency.
4. Learn emergency skills and care for choking, wounds, nosebleeds, falls, and animal bites. The emergency skills should include responses for fire safety, poisoning, water accidents, substance abuse, and more.
5. Join a safe kids program such as the McGruff Child Identification program. Put on a training program for your family or den on stranger awareness, Internet safety, or safety at home.
6. Make a presentation to your family on what you have learned about preparing for emergencies.

Bear Requirements

1. Create, plan, and practice summoning help during an emergency.
2. Learn how to shut off utilities to your home in an emergency.
3. Learn simple rescue techniques.
4. Learn emergency skills and care for choking, wounds, nosebleeds, falls, and animal bites. The emergency skills should include responses for fire safety, poisoning, water accidents, substance abuse, and more.
5. Put together a family emergency kit for use in the home.
6. Organize a safe kids program such as the McGruff Child Identification program. Put on a training program for your family or den on stranger awareness, Internet safety, or safety at home.
7. Make a small display or give a presentation for your family or den on what you have learned about preparing for emergencies.

Webelos Scout Requirements

1. Learn rescue techniques.
2. Build a family emergency kit, with an adult family member participating in the project.
3. Take a first-aid course.
4. Learn to survive extreme weather situations.
5. Learn about stranger awareness, Internet safety, or safety at home.
6. Give a presentation to your den on preparing for emergencies.

When a member has fulfilled the requirements, a completed application (http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pubs/pdf/680-602.pdf) is submitted to the council. Upon approval, an Emergency Preparedness pin is awarded. The pin may be worn on civilian clothing or on the uniform, centered on the left pocket flap. The award may be earned more than once; for instance, as a young person advances through the ranks and is capable of more complex preparedness activities, but only one pin may be worn.

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