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Service Hours on Journey to Excellence

From Linda Baran-Voyageur Trace Service Hours Coordinator

Hard to believe, but we are 2/3 of the way through 2018. Service Hours numbers continue to come in, but not at the rate we'l like to see them. So many points of our program come back to giving back to those around us, and so many do it, we just want to brag about it!!

I recently reached out to all the Troops and am working on contacting the Packs and Crews regarding Service Hour Reporting.

With many scouts having gone on summer adventures either with their units or families, there may be a lot of service hours sitting out there that you may not be aware of. Ask an adult volunteer or one of the scout leaders to talk with the scouts to see if any adventure included Service Hours.

Ask your Advancement Coordinator to check the records too and if any scout has ranked up from 2nd Class on, find out what they did for their Service Hour requirement.

I am usually (not always) as smart as my computer, so if you need some help recording the hours, please feel free to let me know. I will do my best to be available to help either at your location or mine.

Please reach way down and consider making 2018 the best year ever in terms of each and every Unit recording as many hours as possible.

Also, here’s service hours instructions on how to record hours. If you have any questions, feel free to email me:

troopmom15@gmail.com

Thank you

Linda Baran

VT Service Hours Coordinator

Community Service
Your unit is missing out on community support if service hours are not being reported…

Get recognized-

•Units reporting their service will receive a certificate from the council officially stating the number of service hours they have contributed to their community.
•Units that register an average of 4 hours per Scout or more will get patches for each of their Scouts.

Starting in 2018 the competition begins-

•Monthly bragging rights – Best or most impactful project submitted by the 15th of each month will be featured in the council newsletter. Submit two to three sentences and up to four pictures to be considered.
•The 10 best projects will be selected in November of 2018 to be featured in the 2017 Annual Report.

Click here for more info

Dear Leader,

The Boy Scouts of America volunteer-led national board of directors voted unanimously last week to welcome girls age 5-10 (including Lions) into Cub Scouts in Fall 2018 and will deliver a program for girls age 11-17 in 2019 that will mirror the Boy Scout program right up and through Eagle.

The values of Scouting as outlined in the Scout Law — trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent — are relevant and important for both young men and women. We are excited to partner with you to provide Scouting’s life-changing experiences to even more young people and their families.

Please read the applicable section below and view the infographic and program model. Feel free to contact your local district executive with any questions.

Cub Scout leaders

As a Cub Scout leader, you and your chartering organization will have the opportunity beginning in Fall 2018 to:

Establish a new all-girl pack
Establish a coed pack that consists of girl dens and boy dens
Remain or establish an all-boy pack

Dens will remain single gender in all scenarios. This hybrid model builds on the benefit of a single-gender program while also providing character and leadership opportunities for both boys and girls. The choice for what type of pack you have in Fall 2018 is up to you in consultation with your chartering organization.

Education experts have evaluated the current program content and activities and confirmed the relevancy of the program for girls and young women. Activities, rank advancement requirements and Youth Protection policies will not change. As is current policy for a Scouting activity that includes both boys and girls, there must be both female and male leaders present. At least one of those leaders must be registered as an adult member of the BSA.

Uniforms will also stay the same, although the fit and styling may change.

Boy Scout leaders

A program for girls age 11 to 17 will be announced in 2018 with a projected introduction in 2019. It will use the same curriculum as the current Boy Scouts program, which will give participating girls the opportunity to earn Scouting’s highest rank: Eagle. Eagle Scout requirements will be the same for young women as they are for young men.

Girls who are in the fourth grade in Fall 2018 will likely want to continue their Scouting experience once they complete their time in Cub Scouts. An outstanding program will be in place for them when that time arrives.

All leaders

If contacted by a member of the media, please direct them to our Marketing and Communications Director Kate Jacobs who may be reached at Kate.Jacobs@Scouting.org or at (630) 796-4256. Please understand that only Council officers may speak for the Council or BSA.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with you as Scouting embraces all members of our communities. Thanks for all that you have done and will continue to do for Scouting. Additional information is available at http://www.scoutingnewsroom.org/family-scouting/. For questions, please contact your local district executive.

Voyageur Trace has created a patch to recognize the generosity and dedication of its volunteers. This round, limited edition patch incorporates all the elements of the Voyageur Trace emblem: pack, moccasins, canoe paddle, and wagon wheel.

There are three rockers that encircle the patch:
Volunteer - for those who give of their time serving on a District Committee, on the District Commissioner staff, or as a District Member-at-Large.
Recruiter - for those who bring new volunteers to serve at the district level.
Benefactor - recognizing individuals who contribute $1,000 or more to our district over the course of four years or less.

We greatly appreciate the work and dedication of all of our district volunteers. This first-ever Voyageur Trace patch set is intended to highlight and promote the generous contributions of time, talent, and treasure made at the district level.

Patch Order Form

The following is a listing of live training course which are being offered. New leaders or those who have changed positions are strongly encouraged to complete their training within 60 days. Training requirements for each position can be found on the training page of the council website. All basic leader training courses can also be completed online at my.scouting.org. Unit committee chairs should work to ensure that 100% of the unit’s adult leaders are fully trained.

To register for any of these courses, click the Calendar tab above.
For a listing of upcoming dates click here. Training Dates

Youth Protection Training – Y01 (available only on-line at my.scouting.org) True youth protection can be achieved only through the focused commitment of everyone in Scouting. It is the mission of Youth Protection volunteers and professionals to work within the Boy Scouts of America to maintain a culture of Youth Protection awareness and safety at the national, regional, area, council, district, and unit levels.

Youth Protection Training is required for all BSA registered volunteers.
Youth Protection Training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer’s Youth Protection Training record is not current at the time of re-charter, the volunteer will not be re-registered.
Volunteers with expired YPT will not be allowed to participate in BSA activities until their Youth Protection Training has been updated.

Cub Scout Leader Training

Den Leader & Assistant Position Specific Training – C42 (also available on-line at my.scouting.org) This course provides Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelos Den Leaders and Assistants with the information and tools they need to run a successful den meeting.

Cubmaster & Assistant Position Specific Training – C40 (also available on-line at my.scouting.org) This course provides Cubmasters and Assistants with the information and tools they need to successfully lead a Cub Scout Pack.

Pack Committee Member Position Specific Training – C62 (also available on-line at my.scouting.org) The purpose of this course is to familiarize pack committee chairs and committee members with the various responsibilities of the individual members of the committee as well as the committee as a whole.

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) – C32 This overnight Cub Scout leader training is required for any Cub Scout den or pack outdoor event, including pack camping overnighters and Webelos den overnighters. This course also replaces the previous OWLS Course.

Boy Scout Leader Training

Scoutmaster & Assistant Position Specific Training – C42 (also available on-line at my.scouting.org) Scoutmaster & Assistant Specific Training provides Scoutmasters and Assistants with the basic information and tools they need to lead successful Boy Scout troops. This course along with Introduction to Outdoor Leaders Skills is required training for all Scoutmasters and Asst Scoutmasters to be considered trained for their position.

Introduction to Outdoor Leader’s Skills (IOLS) – S11 This training introduces the adult Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, or Crew Advisor to the outdoor skills learned by scouts through First Class rank. This includes interactive sessions on cooking, fire building, orienteering, knot tying and much, much more! All Scouters are invited, including Committee members and any other interested adult leaders.

Troop Committee Challenge – WS10 (also available on-line at my.scouting.org) This course provides committee Chairs and members with the tools they need to support a Boy Scout Troop.

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation – D76 (also available on-line at my.scouting.org) This course, required of all Merit Badge Counselors, gives you the confidence and consistency needed to counsel Boy Scouts in Merit Badges.

Venturing Leader Training

Venturing Leader Specific Training – P21 (also available on-line at my.scouting.org) This course is intended to provide Venturing Crew Advisors with the basic information they need to help youth leaders manage a crew.

Crew Committee Challenge – WS12 (also available on-line at my.scouting.org.org) This course will discuss the roles and responsibilities of a Venturing Crew Committee and how to keep positively engaged in the functions of a successful crew.

Supplemental Adult Training

Wood Badge – A90 Wood Badge is advanced leadership training for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing adult leaders at the unit, district, council, and professional levels. It is taught by living the experience of a Boy Scout Troop, utilizing the patrol method, over two weekends.

The Trainer’s Edge - H96 The purpose of the Trainer’s EDGE course is to provide and help develop the platform skills of a trainer. The course uses contemporary training techniques and emphasizes the importance of experiential learning, or "learning by doing." Only practice can polish these skills, but this course is intended to “train the trainer” on behaviors and resources while offering hands-on experience in methods and media for delivering excellent presentations to groups

Training the Chartered Organization Representative – D72 (also available on-line at my.scouting.org) This course is designed to familiarize the Chartered Organization Representative (COR) with the Scouting program. The presentation will help to orient the new COR’s and serve as a review for those with Scouting experience.

Wilderness First Aid Training – N02 This class meets the requirements for Wilderness First Aid established by Boy Scouts of America.

Religious Emblem Counselor / Facilitator

Youth Training

Den Chief Training – C31 The Den Chief is a critical member of the Cub Scout leadership team. To be successful, he must realize the importance of his job. Den Chief Training is intended to build enthusiasm for the position, develop high morals, and teach the skills the Den Chief will need to be successful.

National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) - S78 National Youth Leadership Training is an exciting, action-packed program designed for councils to provide youth members with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home troops.

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