Fwd: Suwannee River Area Council e-Scouter for October 2023
West Gregory
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From: "Suwannee River Area Council, BSA" <suwan...@gmail.com>
Date: October 2, 2023 at 10:20:35 AM EDT
To: west_g...@hotmail.com
Subject: Suwannee River Area Council e-Scouter for October 2023
Reply-To: suwan...@gmail.com
SRAC e-ScouterThe Monthly Publication of the Suwannee River Area Council
October 2023
Upcoming Events
Oct 6-8 – Fall Shooting Sports Camporee
Oct 7 – Lion Grrrrrowl
Oct 14 – Tiger Prowl
Oct 27 – Cub Family Weekend
Nov 18 – Wallwood Outdoor Weekend
Dec 9 – Venturing Bonfire
Dec 27-29 – Winter Camp
Jan 6 – OA Banquet
Jan 7 – 10 Commandments Hike
Jan 6 – Camp Card Kick-off
Jan 20 – Wallwood Outdoor Weekend
Jan 27 – Scouting For Food – Distribution
See more on our Events page and our Calendar page on the SRAC Website.
Our Events page has been updated to help you find the events that are geared toward your level of scouting. Check it out today!
SRAC Reaches Major Milestones!
It is with great excitement that we announce that the Suwannee River Area Council has reached our 2023 Friends of Scouting campaign and our membership goals for 2023!!!
Friends of Scouting (Fundraising) - We have raised $325,467 on a goal of $325,000! This is the fourth consecutive year our Council has achieved it’s FOS goal, and this was possibly the largest FOS goal in Council history! FOS, or Friends of Scouting, is the council-level annual giving campaign and represents the council’s largest source of income.
Membership Growth - We are currently serving 1,308 registered youth, which is a 3.4% growth over the end of last year and reaches our 2023 year-end membership goal of 1,300. This marks the second year of membership growth in our Council. And its only early October and we’re not done recruiting yet!
As of the end of August, our council continues to rank highly across both our Service Territory and Nationally.
Membership Growth:
- 14% growth compared to this time last year
- #2 in Territory 16 with a National Ranking of 26!
Retention:
- 72.9% (62% min. standard)
- #2 in Territory 16 with a National Ranking of 26!
Fundraising Performance/FOS:
- 100% of our annual budget
- #4 in Territory 16 with a National Ranking of 24!
Fundraising Performance/Direct Support:
- 88.12% of our annual direct support revenue
- #5 in Territory 16 with a National Ranking of 34!
Nationally, there are currently 272 councils in the BSA. The BSA divides those councils into smaller areas for providing services to those councils. Those smaller groups of councils are called National Service Territories. SRAC is grouped in Territory 16 which comprises 14 councils in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.
Congratulations to our fundraising and membership teams, including all of you that played an important role in making this happen!
Thank you for your leadership and support of the Scouting program throughout our area!
SRAC Centennial Updates
Did you know?
That the Suwannee River Area Council maintains a museum celebrating the history of scouting in our council? The museum is located at Wallwood BSR and is open during all Wallwood Outdoor Weekends, as well as many other events that occur at Wallwood. As we approach the 100th anniversary of the council, come by and take a tour and learn more about scouting in our area.
Along with the physical museum at Wallwood, the museum committee also maintains a virtual museum online. The SRAC Museum of Scouting website traces the history of Scouting and the BSA in the counties of North Florida and South Georgia served by the Suwannee River Area Council through photographs, scans of printed material and memorabilia.
Find information about our collections and programs, or check out the selection of photographs, documents, and other artifacts we have digitized and made available online.
Centennial CSP Design Contest
Now through October 15, 2023
Want to see your patch design on uniforms?
The #SRAC100 Centennial Committee is working hard to plan recognition and celebration events and activities for the coming year, which you will begin to see through this fall in this newsletter, on the Council Website and our Social Media.
But, now is a time that YOU can get involved in the planning! As with any good scouting activity, there must be a patch. And we want you to help us design the patch for this celebration.
Council Shoulder Patches, or CSPs, came into existence in 1972. Each BSA council has individual shoulder patches that identify their council at a glance. The Suwannee River Area Council likes to produce unique designs for its CSP to reflect particular Council events or milestones, such as Jamborees, Friends of Scouting, Anniversaries etc. And this is the biggest milestone yet... our Centennial Anniversary!
To help celebrate the formation of the Suwannee River Area Council and the intervening 100 years, the committee is hosting a Council Shoulder Patch design contest! All submissions are welcome from any Scout or Scouter. We are looking for an original design that captures the spirit, energy and excitement of Scouting in our Council over the past 100 years,
To participate, follow this link for the official flyer for the contest. All submissions are due by 11:59pm on Sunday, October 15, 2023.
Welcome to the Fall Camporee. The Tallahassee Rifle and Pistol Club (TPRC) and Troop 44 have worked hard on this event. This weekend you will learn Firearms Safety, Experience 22 Rifles, Shotgun (Trap and Sporting Clays), Black Powder Rifles and Cowboy Action shooting on Saturday morning and generally have a Shooting Good Time. Other Competitions will be Best Campsite Gateway, Best Campsite and Best Dutch Oven Dessert (Scout and Adult categories). The Absolute Deadline for registering is September 29, 2023. There will be no refunds after this date since supplies will have been ordered.
The Camporee Leaders Guide and TRPC waiver can be found on the Registration page. There are several forms that need to be filled out for each person attending. Please take time to do so and have the paperwork ready to turn in upon arrival.
Note: This event is for Scouts BSA and Venturing only. NO Cub Scout shooting will be available at this event.
Check in: 4:00 pm –8:00 pm Friday, October 6th, 2023Check out: 2:00 PM Sunday, October 8th, 2023Cost is $15 per Youth and $10 per Adult
Registration is open at: https://scoutingevent.com/664-SSC23
Please contact Dale Austin for questions at austi...@gmail.com
Lion GrrrrrowlKilleqarn UMCOctober 7, 2023
Lion Grrrrrowl 2023 will be Saturday, October 7 at Killearn United Methodist Church. Check-in for the day will begin at 8:30 am. We will offer stations where Lion Scouts will participate invarious activities toward the completion of Lion Adventures.
Lion Grrrrrowl activities will take place from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. There will be a snack break (part of the Fun on the Run Adventure) at the halfway point for the morning. We asked that all Lion Cubs attend the event with a water bottle and fun-loving, can-do attitude. This event serves as a wonderful introduction to Scouting for our new Lion Cubs and their families. If you have any question or if you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to me, joseph.ge...@gmail.com.Watch https://scoutingevent.com/664-Lion23 for more information and to register, when available.
October Roundtable
In this newsletter are some upcoming events and information you should be aware. These and other topics will be discussed at the Suwannee River Area Council Roundtable on Thursday, October 12th at 7:00 pm.
This Roundtable is open to all Scouters and all programs will be touched on. We will be holding this Roundtable as a HYBRID event, meaning it will be both in person at Faith Presbyterian Church and online via zoom. We will be in the parlor (as opposed to the fellowship hall) this month, as there is a music practice in the fellowship hall. Feel free to join us either location!
As always, to join via zoom there is no driving required and you can join from anywhere. Click the button below for the link. If you have any issues with the joining the meeting, please reach out to Jonathan Hutto at jonatha...@scouting.org or 850-498-8086.
Tiger ProwlWallwood BSROctober 14, 2023
Tiger joke:What's the difference between a lion and a tiger?(Find the answer at the end of this message)Calling all Tiger Cubs (first graders) and parents for the Tiger Prowl on October 14, 2023. This is a great event for all Tigers (first graders) and their parents.Come and get to know your Suwannee River Area Council’s home camp while connecting with many of our local BSA Scouts volunteers from around our council. Come out for a fun-filled morning from 9 am to 1 pm, where you and your Tiger Cub (first grader) will travel around stations doing fun hands on activities and learning about the Cub Scouting programs such as shooting sports with BB guns, fun BSA opportunities to give back to the community, and learning about Pinewood Derby while getting their Tiger Prowl passport stamped. Lunch and snacks will be provided.Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and your water bottles to hydrate. Scouts should wear their Pack’s Cub Scout t-shirt to show off their scouting spirit. Please bring some non-perishable items for early donations for our council’s Scouting for Food event on February 4th to Second Harvest Food Bank.Register online on the Suwannee River Area Council website. It is $20 for Tiger scout and $20 for adults. Please no siblings allowed.Tiger joke answer:A tiger always tells the truth, the other one is always lion.Please see https://scoutingevent.com/664-Tiger23 for more information and to register.
We’ve built a fantastic weekend for you and your scouts. Join fellow Cub Scouts from all over the North Florida and South Georgia at Wallwood Scout Reservation, October 27th - 29th for a weekend of spooky but family friendly games, activities, food, fellowship and fun!
Here are just some of the awesome activities in store at Cub Family Weekend 2023:
- Enjoy a trip around camp on the Hay Ride
- Try your hand at Pumpkin Decorating
- Challenge your physical fitness on our ghostly Obstacle Course
- Show your pack can get in the spirit in the Campsite Decorating Contest
- Get into your costume (or group) and compete in the Costume Contest!
- Enjoy Fishing and Shooting sports
- Get jumpy in the Bounce House!
A full schedule, additional information regarding check-in, and tips & tricks for a successful Cub Family Weekend experience will be sent out to all participants closer to the event. We look forward to seeing you all at Wallwood, October 27th-29th for Spook-O-Ree!
Learn more about how to register here: https://scoutingevent.com/664-CFW23
Lifeguard Training
Wallwood BSR
October 28-29, 2023
The Suwannee River Area Council is offering Lifeguard Training at Wallwood Boy Scout Reservation.
Lifeguards should plan to arrive no later than 9:00am on Saturday, October 28th and to be done by 6:00pm on Sunday, October 29th. Food is included in registration price.
This training can be used at the council or unit level and you can find full details and register at this link. Registration closes on Wed, October 25th!
This is a great chance to get trained as a lifeguard for Summer Camp staff! If you are considering working this year, this is the perfect opportunity.
Silver Beaver and District Award of Merit
Nominations Being Accepted
thru December 1, 2023
It's time to submit nominations for the Silver Beaver and District Award of Merit.
Do you know an adult leader who has provided exceptional service to youth over a period of time at the Council or District level ? If so then consider nominating them for an adult leader service award. The Suwannee River Area Council is accepting nominations for the Silver Beaver and District Award of Merit. Nominations are due at the Scout Service Center by December 1, 2023.
Nomination forms are available at the Scout office or online at the following links:
· Silver Beaver Nomination Form
· District Award of Merit Nomination Form
The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 and is the highest service award that may be presented by a council to a registered adult leader. This award is presented to registered leaders who have distinguished themselves by providing noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth within the area served by the council. Nominations are reviewed by a committee and recipients are selected from those nominated. The Council is limited in the number of awards it may present each year based on the number of units in the council.
The District Award of Merit is presented to registered adult leaders who have provided exceptional service at the district level. It is also awarded based on nominations from volunteers and the number that may be awarded is limited by the number of units within the district. For purposes of the award, the former District geographic service areas will be used to determine the number available and recipients will be recognized by District
The Awards will be presented at the Annual Council Banquet
2023 Popcorn Sale
Our Council’s Popcorn sale for this fall is in high gear! Here are some important reminders.
We are now well on our way into our sells, and we have 17 units selling either online, storefronts, or via wagon sales. The Council has ordered extra popcorn with the initial order that is available for units to get from the Council office. Looking ahead, our 2nd show and sell order (full cases only) is coming due on Sunday, October 1st. This may not be needed as there is popcorn available at the Council office. This popcorn will be available for pickup at the Council Scout Office on Thursday, October 12th. If you have any questions or any way, we can help please reach out to either Tony or BJ.
We already have 5 units selling with total sales of over $5,000. Keep up the great selling. A special shout out to those units new to selling popcorn, they are well on their way to reaching their goals for this year.
Dates to Remember
Oct. 1 Replenishment Order Due Tentative (Full Cases) if needed
Oct. 12 Replenishment Order Pick-up Tentative (Scout Office)
Oct. 29 Last storefront sale
Oct. 30 Final orders due (Take Order)
Oct. 30 Payment due to Popcorn Kernel and Patch Order
Nov. 9 Final order Pick-up, including Chocolate (Scout Office)
Don’t Forget about you Bonus Commissions
Traditional (Wagon/Storefront):
· Sales Commission = 33% Base
· +1% Bonus Commission = Participate and conduct a storefront sale (Show N Sell) w/$100 minimum sale
· +1% Bonus Commission = 75% Participation Club (75% of active membership makes at least one sale)
· +1% Bonus Commission = Attend Council Kickoff (Kernel or Designee)
· +1% Bonus Commission = 15% increase in Unit Sales or unit is new to selling
· +1% Bonus Commission = Conduct Unit Kickoff (using the provided agenda)
Total Commission Available: 38%
Online Sales Commission: 30%
Camp Card Vendors per CountyIt is time to start thinking about vendors for Camp Cards for 2024! We are starting the process of building cards for 2024, and we are planning a total of four cards, up one from last year’s three cards. We are continuing the Leon, Decatur/Gadsden/Leon, and Wakulla Cards, and we are hoping to as Thomas to the offerings! We will need help in building a card if we do want a county specific card in a new area, and we will need volunteer assistance to help secure what restaurants and locations are most wanted on your local card, so your input is key in making this happen.Vendor Commitments are starting to be collected as of September 1st and are due December 1st. We have 12 reusable and 11 one-time use vendors per card, and only the one-time use vendor amount is fixed. We can also combine any new and old locations making your new card usable in both local and other counties. Please see here for a fillable participation letter that you can take to a local business.The sale will begin February 8th, 2023, and ends April 26th, 2023. The cards themselves are good throughout the calendar year of 2023. The council will issue each unit cards at the February Roundtable.Units have been very successful selling these cards. Through working with local businesses to have them participate and then allowing scouts to sell in front of the store. Some scouts have even reported they were able to earn enough to cover registration and camp fees for the entire year. Last year, units sold $49,365 in Camp Cards, earning almost $25,000 in support for themselves or their unit. This was a huge increase from just over $32,000 from 2022, and we hope to make this year even better!Please reach out to Jonathan Hutto at Jonatha...@scouting.org or 850.498.8086 with any interest or questions regarding Camp Cards.
Upcoming Training
BALOO for Cub Scout Leaders and IOLS for Scouts BSA and Venturing Leaders will be offered November 17 and 18, 2023 in conjunction with the WOW Weekend. Please note that while it is offered at the same time as WOW for convenience, leaders will still need to devote themselves to training. If you’re attending training at WOW, you will need to provide proper adult supervision for your child just as you would if the training were elsewhere.
Remember that online training is available 24/7 in the BSA Learn Center at my.scouting.org. If you have training questions, please contact Elaine Hebenthal at ehebe...@comcast.net.
Crucial Update Regarding Scouts BSA Training
We are delighted to inform you about some significant updates to our Scouts BSA training program. Specifically, the courses on "Introduction to Merit Badges" and "Understanding the Role of a Merit Badge Counselor" have undergone recent enhancements. These two modules play a vital role in fulfilling the position-trained requirements for Merit Badge Counselors.
Furthermore, "Introduction to Merit Badges" forms an integral part of the position-trained prerequisites for Troop Committee and Committee Chair roles, as well as Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster positions.
We strongly urge every member to engage with these updated modules, tailored to your respective roles, ensuring that you possess the latest insights into this critical facet of Advancement.
To access these new modules, please visit the Volunteer Learn Center. You'll find them integrated within the diverse Learning Plans for various positions, or you can effortlessly locate and explore them through the Catalog Search Function.
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Save 10% on matching uniform bottoms with purchase of a uniform top from through October 29, 2023! Not valid on previous purchases or wholesale orders. May not be combined with any other offer and cannot be redeemed as cash. Uniform top and bottom must be from the same program and purchased together.
Wallwood Outdoor Weekend
Wallwood BSR
November 18, 2023
November 18, 2023, from 9 to 3 at Wallwood BSR with check-in beginning at 8:30
On the schedule for this WOW we have BB gun shooting, archery, pool activities, games, cooking, paper rockets, a pinewood derby track (we supply the cars) and a new activity presented by the Cheminoles organization from FSU. The OA will be there with the dance and drum team and the rope bridge will be set up. In addition, the SRAC Museum will be open and it is well worth a visit .
Registration is open on line at https://scoutingevent.com/664-WOWNov23. New scouts and those interested in joining scouts do not pay a registration fee for this WOW but for other attendees the fee is $10.00/person. Cub Scouts should be accompanied by a parent or guardian Units are welcome and if your unit wants to camp at Wallwood you are welcome to do so with prior arrangements.
There will be plenty to do, so pack a lunch, bring water and have a fun time at Wallwood.
Venturing Bon Fire
Lafayette Presbyterian Church
December 9, 2023
Venturing Officers Association of SRAC invites you to the Annual Venturing Bonfire. This year's Bonfire will be held on December 9, 2023 from 5:00-10:00pm at Lafayette Presbyterian Church, 4220 Mahan Drive in Tallahassee.
This is a Free Event for all Venturers and Crews, and those that want to learn about Venturing. Venturing is a youth coed BSA program for ages 14-20.
The VOA will supply the s’mores fixings (bring your stick for your marshmallows) and all paper goods. Crews will be having a Dutch oven desert contest (must be made at Bonfire) and Crews & friends will bring a main dish.
VOA Officers will be providing Fun and Games. Bring your camp chairs to sit around the magnificent fire!
Watch for registration to open soon at: https://scoutingevent.com/664-Bonfire23
More information contact: gails...@gmail.com
Semialachee Lodge News
Don’t forget to pay your 2023 OA Dues! You can pay your annual dues or signup for an "All Access Pass" which covers not only your dues, but also covers the cost of most Lodge activities for the entire year. You don't won't want to miss out on this great deal. Follow this link to pay your dues today! https://scoutingevent.com/664-OADues23
2024 Semialachee Lodge Executive Committee
A huge congratulations to the below youth scouts on their election to office:
Lodge chief - Darla F
VP of Program - Savannah B
VP of Inductions - David S
VP of Finance - Carter R
VP of Communications - Christian K
VP of History - Iain R
OA Ambassador - Matthew G
Recharter season is almost here! What is recharter? It is the annual time of the year when our Packs, Troops, Crews, and Posts renew their membership and commitment to BSA.
Annually, a unit pays a recharter/registration fee for each scout. This year, we will be using the Internet Recharter.
Here is some information about Rechartering and what is new with Internet Recharter 2.0:
- Rechartering allows you to update of your unit's roster (including adding/subtracting members, updating contact information for individuals or your unit's chartering organization)
- Rechartering helps to make sure that your unit is insured
- Internet Rechartering may be accessed by the Unit Leader, Charter Org. Rep, Committee Chairman or Key 3 Delegate by logging into their Scoutbook.com or My.Scouting Account.
- A guide on how to recharter online can be found here
- Internet Recharter will become live around the 2nd week in October.
- SRAC requires that all direct contact unit leaders (CM, SM, VC, NL, SK, DL, WL and all assistants to these positions) and committee chairs (CC) to have completed BSA required basic training for their position prior to recharter.
- SRAC and the BSA also require that all leaders being rechartered be current for their Youth Protection Training (YPT). There are no exceptions to this requirement.
If you need any assistance, be sure to reach out to Dean or Tony.
Hope you are all enjoying the Scouting year! And remember, SCOUT ME IN!
Did you know that as a registered member of the Suwannee River Area Council, tent camping at Wallwood Boy Scout Reservation is free of charge all year long? Yep! You read that right. In addition to unit camping, individuals can also make reservations to use Wallwood.
Individuals and Units must make prior arrangements and have a reservation to use WBSR, including any of the additional amenities available for rental through the camp. Reserving facilities is a process that begins by contacting Dennis Whisenant at Dennis.W...@scouting.org or 850-498-8087.
- Reservations are taken on a first come, first served basis, so be sure to make your reservation as early in advance as possible.
- There may be times when multiple units have requested to camp during the same time. We will do our very best to ensure accommodations can be made so that as many units possible are able to camp at the same time.
- Tent camping is the only free option available – all other assets within camp have a rental fee associated with them and must be reserved in advance.
- There may be additional requirements to use facilities or amenities available at or through camp.
- Please note that use of the waterfront, pool or shooting sports ranges require certified personnel to run those areas. You must make reservations for those personnel as far in advance as possible to ensure coverage is available. We will do our very best to ensure those amenities can be used but cannot guarantee that reservations made with short notice will be able to proceed.
- Check-in protocols must be followed by all participants, upon arrival.
The complete list of measures can be found in the WBSR Campsite Check-in / Check-out Report.
Comic by Scott Nickel via Scout Life
Go by and check them out.
Suwannee River Area Council, BSA | 2032 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308
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