CURRENT NEWS

2009 Boy Scout Leader Training Conference - Jan 11-17, 2009 - Florida Seabase

August 11, 2008

Leaders - Come escape the cold winter weather for a week in the Florida Keys!

Boy Scout leaders will have the opportunity to attend a Philmont-style training conference at the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base the week of January 11–17, 2009. Each conference will be staffed by experienced, informed Scouters. The conference schedule includes ample time to enjoy the mild climate and natural beauty of the Florida Keys.

Courses include: "Strictly for Scoutmasters"; "Boy Scout Advancement"; "Webelos to First Class"; and "Geocache and Scouting".

Click HERE to download the Conference Information

Outdoor Channel Launches 'Scouting For Adventure' TV Show

Aug 7, 2008

Scouting for Adventure is an original series based on the Boy Scouts of America and their flagship magazine, Boy’s Life. This high-adventure show targets young outdoorsmen, teaching wilderness skills with an emphasis on safety and team-building. Episodes feature exciting activities like rock climbing, kayaking, scuba diving, ropes courses, backpacking, horse riding, canoeing, and whitewater rafting; and cover important outdoor Scouting topics, including safety tips, gear reviews, merit badges, conservation, campfire cooking, and knot tying. The show promotes awareness of the Boy Scouts of America and its scouting values and activities.

The series launches on August 13 with airings at at 8:30am and 6:30pm, and will re-air Saturday, Aug16 at 2pm.  For air times and more information on the series, go to the Scouting For Adventure information page on the Outdoor Channel web site.

Spread Scouting's Message Through Your Club or Community Group

August 11, 2008

The Council’s Communications and Marketing Committee has available (for your service clubs and community groups) speakers to present information about the B.S.A.’s past, present and future!

With Scouting’s 100th Anniversary just 2 years from now, it is a good time to share what Scouting has done and is doing to help young people “be prepared.” For more information please contact Paul Garrison at the Hawk Mountain Council, Beaver Family Service Center at 610-926-3406.

BALOO Training - Sept 27, 2008

Aug 7, 2008

BALOO training is a supplemental training for Cub Scout leaders. However, a member of the Pack, parent or leader, will need to take BALOO training to assist the pack in conducting any camping experiences. The overall goal of BALOO is to provide the inexperienced leader with the skills and confidence necessary to venture into the great outdoors with their Cub Scouts and provide them with a great first-time experience. The course focuses on program planning, and health and safety issues.

Click HERE to download the sign-up form.

Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills  - Aug 22-23, 2008

August 6, 2008

To be considered "TRAINED", you need to complete New Leader Essentials Training (conducted by Districts) and Boy Scout Leader Specific Training (conducted by Districts) as well as the "Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills" course.

This training course is designed to meet the needs of Scoutmasters; Assistant Scoutmasters, interested Troop Committee Members, new adults from Webelos dens and Commissioners by helping you master basic camp skills required for Tenderfoot to First Class. The training session will give you the practical skills you need to lead Scouts in the out-of-doors. The course will be held at the Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation, located in Summit Station on August 22-23, 2008. Please plan on arriving at the Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation on Friday, August 22 by 6:00 PM. The training will conclude by 6:00 PM on Saturday.

Instructors will help you learn: how to set-up camp, cook, working with wood tools (knife, camp saw, and ax), about ropes, first aid, planning campfire programs, map reading and compass skills, hiking and packing techniques, nature identification and "Leave No Trace". The outcome of the course is to help you offer the boys in your Troop the best possible program.

Click here to sign up now !

Cub Adventure Days

Aug 3, 2008

All Cub Scouts and adult partners are invited to camp for a fun day of BB shooting, archery, fishing, games and other outdoor fun. Lunch will be provided.  Two separate dates will be provided: October 18 and Oct 25. You must sign up 1 week prior to the date you want to attend.  Click HERE to download the flyer and registration form.   

THE 2008 OFFICIAL SCOUT UNIFORM

August 1, 2008

A newly designed Scout uniform is coming this month. From the internet please go to http://bsauniforms.org.  You will be directed to a site in scoutingstuff.org where you will learn more about the uniform. Click on the "Uniforms Details" button on that page to learn more.

Anything is Possible with Popcorn!

July 25, 2008

The 2007 Popcorn Sale was fantastic!  Now it’s time for your Unit to plan for an even better sale in 2008.  This year you will see more great incentives, products and prize program.  Here you will find a wealth of information to help you have a successful sale.

Click the logo to the right to go to the 2008 Popcorn Sale web page.

Volunteer Criminal Background Checks

May 5, 2008

As dedicated BSA volunteers, you understand the importance of keeping our youth safe in the Scouting program. To ensure Youth Protection, our organization has conducted criminal background checks on all new volunteers since April 2003. Because some volunteers have been continually registered in the program before April 2003, some have not had a criminal background check. In the next few months, we will be communicating with those volunteers on this issue.

Volunteers who have not had a background check will receive a letter from our Chief Scout Executive, Bob Mazzuca, recognizing them as valued volunteers and explaining the need for criminal background checks and our continued youth protection efforts. The letter will explain the need for consent to conduct a criminal background check and direct volunteers to a new web site, http://www.bsacbc.org (which will only be active from June 1 to August 1, 2008), where volunteers can authorize and provide information needed to conduct a CBC.

Camping - Bear Awareness and Safety

April 29, 2008

Spring and its associated camping season are in full swing. In discussions at the Regional Office, it was felt that the article published by the PA Game Commission on bear awareness and safety was well written and relevant for all Scout camps and/or units camping where bears may be present, and should be shared with all units.  For the full article, read Advice On How To Avoid Attracting Bears.

BSA Local Tour Permit Form Revised

April 29, 2008

There is a new printing of the BSA Local Tour Permit.  Please be sure you are using the most current version of the form when you are submitting trip information to the Council Service Center. The newest form is BSA Form #34426 - Revised 2007 - 2008 Printing.

For complete information about Tour Permits and filing requirements, consult the Hawk Mountain Council Tour Permit Policy.  For more general information on safe Scouting, consult the National BSA Scouting Safely web pages.

Roll Call: The National Eagle Scout Registry Project - FAQ

April 25, 2008

Click to read the Frequently Asked Questions about the NESA National Eagle Scout Registry Project.

NESA, the National Eagle Scout Association, is in the process of trying to find all Eagle Scouts.  Part of their effort is to create a National Eagle Scouts Directory.  They have contracted with Harris Connect to do so.  This FAQ will answer many questions about the directory, how NESA will benefits, how Eagle Scouts will benefit, and the process and schedule for the creation of the directory.

I.R.S. Form 990-N and Tax Exempt Status

April 10, 2008

Click to read a letter from the National BSA Office relating to IRS Form 990-N as pertains to Scout units.

BSA Policy on Political Events Participation

February 28, 2008

Since we are in a presidential election year, it is a good time to restate the BSA’s long-standing policy regarding the participation of Scouts in political rallies and other political events.  View the February 28, 2008 Policy on Political Event Participation memorandum from the National Marketing and Communications Division Director.

Boy Scout Rank Requirement Changes for 2008

February 27, 2008

There have been changes and additions to the requirements for Boy Scouts rank advancement.  Changes have been made to Tenderfoot requirements 9b and 12a, and new requirements have been added to Second Class requirement 8b, and First Class requirement 12.  The 2008 Edition of the Boy Scout Handbook and Requirements Book reflects these changes.  Click HERE to learn more about the changes.

NEW - Camp Promotional Videos Now Available On Our Site !

The new Camp Promotional Videos for Cub Scout Camping and Boy Scout Camping at Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation have been added to the hmsr.org web site.  Check them out ! 

Click a link below to go right to the video:

          Cub Scout Camp Promotional Video          Boy Scout Camp Promotional Video

Eagle Scout Application Changes

The new printing of the Eagle Scout Rank Application, No. 58-728, has a notable change. Now, under Requirement 5, the name of the candidate's Eagle project is required, as well as the grand total of hours devoted to it (from page 10 of the Eagle Scout Leadership Project Workbook). The new application will be required beginning May 1, 2008.

The information about Eagle projects will be entered along with other information from Eagle Scout rank applications, and will be stored on our database and accessed through PAS. Councils will be able to run reports at the district or council level. This new database of Eagle projects will also be available at area, region, and national levels.

MyScouting Portal - Web Services for Scouters

"MyScouting" will be the portal for our members that will provide access to the following resources: E-Learning - which includes Youth Protection Training; Fast Start for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers; Health Safety Training including Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat, Staffing the District Committee, and Boy Scout Committee Challenge. Additional trainings will be added in the future.

Internet Recharter, the annual process of registering all youth and adults will be accessed thru "MyScouting" in 2008.

Internet Advancement will be accessed thru MyScouting in the near future.

Additional resources will be added at a later date.

Click on the MyScouting Logo to set up your account.

National Supply Group Product Recall

The Boy Scouts of America has directed all of its Scout Shops and all retailers who sell the Cub Scout Immediate Recognition Kit (#01804) to remove it from their shelves immediately. We are requesting anyone who may have received the totem badge from this kit to remove it from their children’s possession and, until further instructions are received, keep it in a safe place where only adults will have access to them. Units that have purchased the kits may return them to the Council Service Center. Our highest priority is the safety of our youth members and their families. Boy Scouts of America apologizes for any concern this matter causes parents. BSA is doing everything we can to ensure the health and safety of all those who participate in our programs.  Click HERE to read the recall notice.