SIMON KENTON COUNCIL, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
Fall/Winter Issue 2017 Volume 25 Quarterly
Fall Recruitment Season Welcome new families! Our fall recruitment efforts will produce almost 4,000 new Scouts and families – mostly in the Cub Scouting program – to the Simon Kenton Council. We welcome you and invite you to enjoy all that Scouting offers. Please take advantage of the many resources our Council provides – newsletters, web and social media, volunteers within your pack and the district- and council-level, council camps and activities, a full-time staff and more! Reach out to us if you have questions or need to be directed to the right person or place to make the most of your involvement. We are all privileged to be a part of our country’s foremost youth development program, serving 2.3 million members across 270 local councils across the US and its territories in 2016. For this privilege, we pay a membership fee. I have heard from many of you, expressing concern over the recent announcement of the increase in the BSA membership fee, to $33 per year, effective December 1. Here is some background information behind this increase. • The BSA has seen 10 fee increases throughout its 107-year history. Since 1969, on average, the fee has increased every 5 years. The last increase was effective January 1, 2014, and, prior to that, 2010. • Local councils keep no portion of membership fees. They are collected locally and forwarded directly each month to the National Council.
• Membership fees support the services that are necessary to provide Scouting programs to our youth. Services include ongoing advances in technology, research and development of new programs, liability insurance costs, and administrative costs at the national level. Dramatic increases in general liability insurance premiums nationally have been the primary driver in the need for a fee increase. Criminal background checks are provided for all adults who register with the BSA and are included in this registration fee.
Honda Nature Education Center opens at Camp Lazarus The Honda Nature Education Center officially opened on Tuesday, September 12. This facility includes a large classroom, an activity lab for hands-on learning, and an attached outdoor pavilion. It is made possible by a grant from Honda of America Mfg. Foundation and a partnership with the Delaware Area Career Center. Many thanks to these partners, and to other generous supporters who made monetary and inkind contributions, including Andrews Architects, Camp Lazarus Properties Committee, Converse Electric, Harmony Homes, Nancy Peto, and WSA Studio.
The timing of the announcement of the fee increase is poor. Many Cub Scout packs have already published joining fees, Boy Scout troops have completed program planning and budgeting over the summer, and have finalized costs. I understand and appreciate what these Scouting units and families have to do to compensate for the poor timing. I ask for your understanding as you and your unit leaders adjust and react to this change. Scouting is still a tremendous value. The athletic association in my neighborhood charges $105 for flag football (grades 1-4) and $210 for tackle football (grades 3-6). Other sports charge a similar – or higher – rate. Per season. Sometimes with multiple seasons per year. Scouting membership fees are on par with other youth program fees if only slightly higher. If you ask me, it’s a great investment: one I sincerely hope you continue to make in your child and our young people. Have a great year! Jeff Moe Scout Executive/CEO
(Left to right) Jay Jacobsmeyer, VP – Properties, Simon Kenton Council; Greg Comfort, President, Simon Kenton Council; Mary Beth Freeman, Superintendent, Delaware Area Career Center; Bobbie Jo Trittschuh, Executive Director, Honda of America Mfg., Foundation; Jeffrey R. Moe, Scout Executive/ CEO Simon Kenton Council, BSA
2
Why Should You Attend
For me, my Thunderbase experience had a far more personal impact. I have a blended family. My wife has three children and I have one. We got our boys involved in Scouting to help teach them purpose and responsibility early on. I was having difficulty bonding with our oldest son. Mostly due to the circumstances regarding the separation and divorce of his parents. I was thinking for sure I could get him involved in outdoor activities and connect, but he never really wanted to do anything with me involved. When Thunderbase was brought up in the Pack, his mother and I were reluctant to sign him up as he really didn’t express any interest in attending. Because our middle son wanted to go, it was decided that I would sign all three of us up for Thunderbase 2014.
The first evening after the Pack set up camp, we watched the OA do their tap outs for new members that would eventually participate in their own ordeals. We found some snack foods and then walked the
grounds before heading back to our camp for the night. The next morning we tried our hand at some “breakfast in a bag” before heading off to check out all of the awesome booths on the midway. I stood back as my boys learned to cross rope bridges, zipped on the zip lines, and learned how to burn wood and make designs on them. I even ran into a great friend of mine I had not seen since high school. I had promised my boys that we would do archery and BB’s last. We walked over to the range and I watched as they went back and forth a few times between the two ranges. When it was time to head back to the camp, my oldest son said something to me that he had never said before, not without being told to at least. He looked me dead in the eyes, and said “Thank you for bringing me to this awesome campout.” He hugged me and ran off. Emotionally bewildered I could do nothing but joyfully cry because a connection was finally
? made between us. As I walked back to the campsite I ran into our Cubmaster, Perry, and his wife. I recounted the event to them which gave me goose bumps the whole time as they do even now as I am writing this. For everyone, Thunderbase is a lot of activities and energy. It is a lot of camping, but mostly, A LOT of fun. To me, Thunderbase is an opportunity to share with your Scout that Scouting is a family thing; and any time you get to be a part of it, you’ll reap an amazing reward. If you haven’t registered I highly suggest you do. We will be there as a Pack trying to continue to make those connections for our families. VonZell Powell
Cubmaster Pack 148 Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 148
Visit skcscouts.org/Thunderbase2018 for all the details and registration!
Share your favorite memories with us! Throughout the year, we try and capture the memories you, your Scouts, and families make, but we can’t be everywhere at once. So, share your memories with us! Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! We encourage you to tag the Simon Kenton Council in pictures whenever you post about your favorite Scouting activities.
/SKCBSA
/SKCBSA
/SKC_Scouts
= Scout Favorites Check out the calendar on our website at www.skcscouts.org/calendar for full details! October, Youth October 14 Webelos – Adventure: Into the Woods – The Dawes Arboretum Trees and plants are uniquely beautiful, but they are also important to life as we know it. Come learn how to plant and protect them. Only $6 per Scout. Reserve your spot at www.dawesarb.org or call 800.44.DAWES. October 14 Free Skate Night at the Chiller! The OhioHealth Chiller in Dublin invites you and your Scout out for a night of skating and fun! Free skating for Scouts and only $7.00 per person for friends and family (includes skate rental). The Chiller is also now offering a version of the belt loop program for Scouts on the free skate nights. Visit thechiller.com/boyscouts for more information and registration.
October 20-22 Buckeye Firefighter Camporee It’s time for the Buckeye District Fall Camporee at the Columbus Fire Training Academy. We will use this great facility to get a glimpse of the life of a firefighter. Activities include fire apparatus, search and rescue, First Aid & CPR, home safety, and much more! Cost is $15.00 per person and covers camping, activities, patch, and ribbon for Units. October 21, 21, 27, or 28 Monster Mash Come out for a fun night of Halloween and Scouting activities! Enjoy haunted (and non-haunted) trails, trick or treating, face painting, pumpkin carving, many Scouting activities, and MORE! Make your reservation before 11:59 pm on Wednesday, October 18 to receive the early bird price of $8 per person. Visit skcscouts.org/MonsterMash
for all the details and registration. October 21 Robotics Merit Badge at Math Plus Academy Boy Scouts will work in small groups as they discuss the Official Robotics Merit Badge Workbook and have fun solving problems with their robotic creations. They will get hands-on, mindson experience designing, building, and testing robots! We provide everything you’ll need including Certified LEGO Robotics counselor, LEGO NXT Robots, Laptop computers, and snacks and refreshments. The cost is $50 per Scout and limited to 10 Scouts. October 22 Environmental Science Merit Badge at Grange Audubon Center Come explore the Whittier Peninsula while working on requirements for earning the Environmental Science Merit Badge! Please pre-register
two weeks prior by contacting aclark@audubon.org or 614545-5482. Cost is $15 per Scout. There is a maximum of 30 and minimum of 10 to hold a session.
October, Adult October 14 & 28 Okama 27 Training: Session 1 Okama 27 is an interactive, indoor and outdoor learning experience. This enhanced course allows parents, Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, Committee Chairmen, Chartered Organization Representatives, Committee Members, Webelos Leaders, and Den Leaders to “live” Scouting and learn by doing. It helps Webelos Leaders, Cub Leaders, and parents prepare early for their sons’ “Crossing Over” into Boy Scouts. Must attend all three sessions: October 14, October 28, November 11-12. October 14 & 25 Cub Scout Leader-Specific Training Every Cub Scout deserves a trained leader! All leaders must have current Youth Protection Training (YPT) in addition to their positionspecific training to be considered “trained” for their position. There are three position-specific courses: Den Leaders and Assistant Den Leaders (Tiger/Wolf/Bear/ Webelos) (C41), Cubmasters and Assistant Cubmasters (C40), Pack Committee Challenge (includes Pack trainers) (C60). The cost is $5. No walk-ins accepted, registration is mandatory. October 31 Thunderbase 2018 Early Bird Registration Ends Register your Unit before the early bird deadline. Price is only $35 per
5
November, Youth
programs in three different programming languages. We will provide everything you’ll need including certified programming instructor, laptop computers, and snacks and refreshments. Cost is $50 per Scout and is limited to 10 Scouts.
November 3-5 Darby Creek Webelos Weekend in the Woods A weekend of camping and skills for all Webelos Scouts. Enjoy camping with your Webelos Den at Camp Otter Run. A hot lunch will be provided on Saturday. Participate in a Saturday evening campfire and Dutch oven Dessert competition. The cost is $10 per Webelo, $6 per adult (leader or parent).
November 4 Buckeye District Tiger Day Celebrating our 27th year! Join us for the Tiger Theater Adventure! Come with your whole Den or attend as an individual Tiger Cub/Adult Partner team. You will complete all the requirements for the Tiger Theater Adventure loop. Pre-registration is required for either the morning or afternoon session and the cost is $10 per youth.
November 4 Programming Merit Badge at Math Plus Academy Boy Scouts work individually to create and modify
November 4 & 5 Railroading Merit Badge Class This event is sponsored by the Miami Valley Division of
Continued.
registrant before October 31, 2017. Visit skcscouts.org/ Thunderbase2018 for full details and registration.
the National Model Railroad Association. Will run from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM each day. Each class is limited to 25 Scouts. November 11 Environmental Science Merit Badge Come explore the Whittier Peninsula while working on requirements for earning the Environmental Science Merit Badge! Please pre-register two weeks prior by contacting aclark@audubon.org or 614545-5482. Cost is $15 per Scout. There is a maximum of 30 and minimum of 10 to hold a session. November 11 Merit Badge Super Saturday Save the date for the next Merit Badge Super Saturday! Looking to have over 20 different merit badges. Please check the website as registration will open at 5PM on October 22.
November, Adult November 10 Silver Beaver Nominations DUE All Silver Beaver nominations must be received by 11/10/2017 at 4:30 PM. The Silver Beaver Award is the highest recognition our council may bestow on a volunteer and we are looking for worthy candidates! The nomination form can be found at skcscouts.org/SB.
December, Youth December 9 Breakfast with Santa Join us at Camp Lazarus and have your holiday pancakes with Santa! Enjoy BB shooting and archery, crafts, make a bird feeder for the winter, take family holiday pictures, and much more. The event runs from 8AM to noon and costs $5 per person. December 16 Ohio State Men’s Basketball Scout Night Watch as the Buckeyes take on Appalachian State for
Scout Night! Game starts at 6 PM at The Schottenstein Center. Tickets go on sale on October 18! December 26 Free Skate Night at the Chiller! The OhioHealth Chiller at Easton invites you and your Scout out for a night of skating and fun! Free skating for Scouts and only $7.00 per person for friends and family (includes Skate rental). The Chiller is also now offering a version of the belt loop program for Scouts on the free skate nights. Visit thechiller.com/boyscouts for more information and registration. December 28 Harlem Globetrotters are coming to Columbus! The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theater, and comedy. If you haven’t seen them perform, now is your chance! Discounts are being offered to Scouts and their families for the December 28 games at 2PM and 7PM. Each Scout will receive a patch! Also, the first 25 Scouts to purchase tickets to the 2PM show will have the opportunity to participate in a pregame Meet & Greet! Visit skcscouts.org/ Harlem
December, Adult December 1 Recharters are due! Leaders, please make sure your Recharters are in by December 1, 2017. For questions and details, please visit skcscouts.org/Recharter
January, Youth January 6 Mad River Mountain Family Ski Day Join your fellow Scouts and their families for our days of skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing fun at Mad River Mountain! Register by Wednesday, January 4. All
Scouts will receive a patch for attending Family Ski Day! Also, save the date for round two of Family Ski Day on Sunday, February 25. January 6 Webelos First Responder Join us for the Buckeye District Webelos First Aid Meet! This event will be held from 8:30am-3:00pm at Northwest Christian Church with a cost of $12 per Scout. January 20 Owl Night Hike – The Dawes Arboretum Enjoy a guided hike over the hills, through the trees and around the water in search of owls. As the light of day fades, notice how other senses are sharpened. All participants will receive a patch. This event will be held 5:30pm-7pm and costs $6 per person. Register at dawesarb.org or call 800.44. DAWES.
January, Adult January 20 University of Scouting Whether you are a current leader, a volunteer with your Unit, a parent or
grandparent, or looking to get more involved, you need to attend University of Scouting. Over the course of a day, University of Scouting provides adults with program specific training to improve attendees’ knowledge of many aspects of Scouting. The event is arranged into four different colleges and each college has a catalog of classes that attendees may sign up to take. We encourage attendees to take the classes that they are interested in and that would be the most beneficial to them. Visit skcscouts.org/ UniversityofScouting
February, Youth February 3 Stories in Shapes – Tiger Scouts at Franklin Park Conservatory Hey Tigers, did you know that the Conservatory is a great place to view art and practice your art skills? Take a walking tour through the Conservatory’s art collection and create your own art piece to take home and enjoy. Tigers will complete all steps of their Stories in
Shapes Elective Adventure. This event will be from 1011:30am and will cost $10 per Scout/Leader/Participant. February 3 Compass Challenge – The Dawes Arboretum Navigate with a compass to find your way. Count your steps to spell out the answer to riddles. This event will be held from 2-4pm and costs $5 per child. Register at dawesarb.org or call 800.44. DAWES. February 25 Mad River Mountain Family Ski Day Join your fellow Scouts and their families for our day of skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing fun at Mad River Mountain! Register by Wednesday, February 8. All Scouts will receive a patch for attending Family Ski Day!
March, Youth March 3-4 Maple Syruping Tour – The Dawes Arboretum Travel along the maple trail to discover the many ways of making syrup. Then warm up in the Log Cabin and taste
a sample of this all-natural treat! All participants will receive a patch. This event will be held from 10-11am or 11-12pm and will cost $5 per person. Register at dawesarb.org or call 800.44. DAWES. March 31 Free Skate Night at the Chiller! The OhioHealth Chiller North invites you and your Scout out for a night of skating and fun! Free skating for Scouts and only $7.00 per person for friends and family (includes Skate rental). The Chiller is also now offering a version of the belt loop program for Scouts on the free skate nights. Visit thechiller. com/boyscouts for more information and registration. Identification Statement: Publication’s Name: The Scouter Issue Date: October, 2017 Statement of Frequency: Quarterly Authorized Organization: Simon Kenton Council, BSA, 807 Kinnear Rd., Columbus, OH 43212 Issue: No. 25 Subscription: Free
Roundtable Meetings. Why are they important? For those new to Scouting or new to a leader position, Roundtables are one of the best resources for Cub Scout and Boy Scout adult leader education and information within your local district. These monthly meetings provide a forum for adult leaders to learn and share information. Roundtables provide information about upcoming district and council events, ideas for Den and Pack meetings, information on advancements, training opportunities for adults and youth, and much more. Most importantly, Roundtables provide a place to have your questions answered and to meet other adults within your Scouting community. Visit skcscouts.org/Roundtables for all the details! First Sunday of Every Month at 5:00PM Venturing - Maize Manor United Methodist Church First Tuesday of Every Month at 7:00PM Chief Tarhe - First Presbyterian Church Licking - First United Methodist Church Tri-Creek - Bishop Hartley High School First Wednesday of Every Month at 7:00 PM Chief Logan (Jackson/Vinton County) Hope United Methodist Church
First Thursday of Every Month at 7:00 PM Arrowhead – Quest Community Church Buckeye - Northwest Christian Church Capital City - Quest Community Church Chief Logan (Highland County) - Hillsboro Church of Christ Darby Creek - Plain City Presbyterian Church Delaware - LDS Church Ohio Valley - First Presbyterian Church of Grove City Quarterly Tecumseh - Camp Oyo
Employment Opportunities SUMMER CAMP The Simon Kenton Council is looking for qualified youth and adults to assist in providing Boy Scouts from around the region with a life-changing summer camp experience for our 2018 summer camp season. There are many open positions in programming and operations. With both categories, Scouting experience is preferred, but not required. PROGRAM POSITIONS Minimum Age Archery Director 18 Athletics Director 18 Scoutcraft Director 18 Handicraft Director 18 High Adventure Director 21 Shooting Sports Director 21 Waterfront Director 21 Assistant Area Director 18 Program Staff (Waterfront, High Adventure) 16 Program Staff (Other program areas) 15 OPERATIONS POSITIONS Minimum Age Commissioner 18 Office Manager 18 Health Officer 18 Quartermaster 18 Assistant Ranger 18 Trading Post Manager 21 Assistant Trading Post Manager 18 Trading Post/Dining Hall Staff 15 Dining Hall Steward 18
Camp Lazarus Trading Post Update
The Camp Lazarus Trading Post is back open and your local store for Scouting apparel. From uniforms to handbooks and sleep bags, we can help you and your Scout get prepared for any adventure Scouting brings your way.
Camp Lazarus Trading Post 4422 Columbus Pike Rd. Delaware, Ohio 43015
Store Hours: Friday 6:00pm - 8:00pm Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pm
Holiday Office Closure Dates
The Simon Kenton Council offices in Columbus, Portsmouth, and Chillicothe will be closed on the following dates: • Thursday, November 23, 2017 • Friday, November 24, 2017 • Friday, December 22, 2017 • Monday, December 25, 2017 • Monday, January 1, 2018
Are your auto and home rates
To fill out an application, visit www.skcscouts.org/campforms PROGRAM SPECIALIST The Program Specialist is responsible for implementing and supervising the Scouting Program in an in-school and after school setting. Program Specialists will work directly with youth in our most atrisk areas of central Ohio to deliver the Scouting program and to teach them life skills including physical fitness, environmental conservation, active citizenship, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) awareness.
Get a rate from PINKY Witch Kate Leaver. Come see her at Monster Mash at Camp Lazarus from October 20-21 and 27-28!
Must be 18 years of age or older and have a high school diploma. This is a part-time position based in Columbus, Ohio. For the full description and how to apply, please visit skcscouts.org/About-Us and click on the Job Openings tab.
8
Contact Kate Leaver at (614) 764-1255 or Kate@leaverins.com
New look for fall recruiting, but same great partners. The Columbus Blue Jackets continue to help recruitment efforts again this year with Blast Into Scouting... Light the Fuse! We’re so pleased to continue to partner with the winning team of the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation, and OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rinks. These great partnerships support our continuous
Membership Fees Increase
Announced on our website on September 5, 2017, the BSA membership fee will increase to $33 for all registered youth and adult leaders, effective December 1, 2017. As with every major decision affecting the BSA, this decision has been made at the national organization level with feedback from volunteers and staff. Scouting remains an incredible value where young people can acquire hands-on leadership skills, experience nature, learn to make ethical and moral decisions, and prepare themselves for the future. That is available to youth for only $2.75 a month. This change will affect Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Venturing crews, Sea Scout ships, and Exploring posts/clubs. All November and December 2017 charters will renew at this new rate. November is included because November charter renewal actually spans from December 1, 2017, to November 30, 2018. With the help of all of our volunteers and Scouting parents, we will continue accomplishing incredible things for young people and the communities we serve. For more on this update, please visit skcscouts. org/MembershipFees.
efforts of recruiting new Scouts into the program. Each organization also offers great opportunities for Scouts and their families to attend games, learn to skate, and enjoy Scouting in their communities. A couple activities to mark on your calendar: •
Free Skate Night at OhioHealth Chiller Dublin Saturday, October 14, 2017
•
Free Skate Night at OhioHealth Chiller Easton Tuesday, December 26, 2017
•
2018 Scout Night with the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday, March 17, 2018
•
Free Skate Night at OhioHealth Chiller North Saturday, March 31, 2018
•
Free Skate Night at OhioHealth Chiller Ice Haus
Youth Protection Training Update
Effective September 1, 2017, Youth Protection Training will be required for all adult leaders at the time of registration. Paper applications from new leaders must be accompanied by a Youth Protection Training completion certificate, which must be filed with the application. With the upcoming renewal cycle, the Internet Rechartering system will be updated so that units cannot submit the registration renewal of any adult who does not have current YPT as of the effective date of the renewal. Completion of YPT as part of the online registration system will be required in a future update. Effective for the 2018 BSA summer camp season, any adult accompanying a Boy Scout Troop to a residence camp or other Scouting activity lasting 72 hours or more must be registered as a leader, including completion of a criminal background check and YPT, even if they are the parent of a youth on the trip.
Saturday, May 12, 2018
The Recharting Process Can Begin
It is that time of year again to renew your charter and all your youth and adult membership for your Unit! The Internet Rechartering system makes the process easy, allows you to renew your Unit’s charter online, to select members from your existing charter roster, add new members, update member information, and print a summary of membership and costs associated with the new charter. Each Unit will receive their recharter packets at October Roundtables. Recharters are due by December 1, 2017. For questions, please visit www.skcscouts.org/Recharter.
Scouting for Food Helps Feed Local Families in Need Each November, Scouts can be seen leaving bags at local residents’ doors and boxes at local organizations and businesses to collect nonperishable food donations. Scouting for Food is a “Good Turn” initiative by the Boy Scouts of America to help local food banks around the holidays. How can your Unit participate? Visit skcscouts.org/ ScoutingForFood to commit to participate. Each Unit must commit online to receive the collection bags and boxes. Bags and boxes will be available at the Columbus, Chillicothe, and Portsmouth offices beginning the week of October 23 and will also be available at your November Roundtable meetings. We would also like to welcome Moo Moo Car Wash as a partner of Scouting for Food this year! Their 13 central Ohio Moo Moo Car Wash locations will act as collection locations all November long and donate the items collected to local food banks. We are excited that Moo Moo Car Wash has joined the Scouts in our effort to help local families in need.
Enhance Your Scouting Knowledge at University of Scouting Over the course of a single day, the University of Scouting provides program specific training to help improve attendees’ knowledge about many areas of Scouting. Please mark your calendars for Saturday, January 20, 2018. The event is arranged into four different colleges including Cub Scouts College, Boy Scouts College, Venturing College and Commissioners College. Each college has a catalog of classes that attendees may sign up to take, but attendees are not limited to one specific college. We encourage attendees to take the classes that they are interested in and that would be the most beneficial to them. By design, it is an event packed with fun, ideas and fellowship. In 2017, more than 600 attendees participated and over 100 volunteers made the event possible. If you are currently a leader, parent, long-time Scouter or just interested in learning more about Scouting, we want you to attend! Register today at www.skcscouts.org/UniversityofScouting. Cost to participate (including lunch) is only $25 if you register by January 3, 2018. Registration after that is $35/ person.
10
Annual SKC Popcorn Sale Off to Strong Start It took 12 full semi-trucks of popcorn to kick-off the SKC popcorn sale in style. The fundraiser, which annually raises nearly $2 million for local Scouting programs, started on September 16th and runs until November 6th. The retail value of the popcorn currently on the streets of Central and Southern Ohio? How about over $2.4 million! A new microwavable product highlights sale changes. Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper takes the place of the much maligned Butter Lite and features some of the same nutritional stats that made Butter Lite enticing to some. We are anticipating it will be a huge hit! We are happy to announce the continuation of our partnership with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Scouts selling $1,500 or over will earn two free tickets to the CBJ game on Saturday March 17, 2018, which includes seating in a special section, a commemorative patch, and the opportunity to take a postgame slap shot on the ice at Nationwide Arena. Speaking of partnerships, the SKC popcorn sale would simply not be possible without the generous donation of warehouse space from Prologis, Inc. Their donation of space for our metro Columbus warehouse makes it possible to have a sitting inventory for in-sale restocks and generally makes our distribution plan work. Thanks so much!
Have Breakfast with Santa at Camp Lazarus Camp Lazarus will welcome Santa and Scouting families on Saturday, December 9 from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm. Come and have your holiday pancakes with Santa, enjoy BB shooting and archery, crafts, make a bird feeder for the winter, take your family holiday pictures, and much more. Visit www.skcscouts.org/ BreakfastWithSanta for full details and registration!
Nominate a Scout Volunteer for the Council’s Highest Honor The Silver Beaver award is the highest recognition our council may bestow on a volunteer. The award is made for noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth by registered Scouters. We are looking to you to nominate a Scout volunteer who is worthy of this award. Do not delay on this process. Nominations are due by Friday, November 10, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. to Allison Cramer at allison.cramer@scouting.org. Forms can be found at www.skcscouts.org/SB Please stay tuned for the date and location of the 2017 Council Court of Honor in 2018.
Staying Safe Means Keeping Your Promises By Paula Strauss, Director, Regulatory
Strategy & Support, NiSource, Inc. and Scout Parent
The Boy Scout Oath is comprised of three promises – Duty to God and country, Duty to other people and Duty to self. When representatives from Columbia Gas of Ohio visited two Simon Kenton Council camps this summer, they stressed two important safety rules that tie directly back to those three promises. The Columbia Gas of Ohio demonstrations reminded campers to always “smell and tell” and “call 811 before you dig.” First, if you smell the “rotten egg” smell of natural gas, tell a parent, teacher or Scout leader that you smell something unusual and remind them to call 911 and Columbia Gas of Ohio immediately. If you smell natural gas, it’s an emergency. Second, if you plan to do any digging as
part of a project or adventure, parents or Scout leaders should always make the free call to 811. You don’t want to hit and damage underground utility lines when you dig. By upholding these two simple natural gas safety rules, Cub Scouts and Boys Scouts are doing their duty to country by obeying the law. They are doing their duty to other people by helping them to be safe and protect their property. And finally, Scouts are doing their duty to self by doing the right thing and calling 811 before digging or alerting officials to the smell of gas.
Council Annual Business Meeting & Elections Please save the date for the Council Annual Business Meeting and Elections. Chartered Organization Representatives and Members at Large of the Simon Kenton Council may make recommendations of possible nominees to the Council Nominating Committee for consideration and are eligible to vote at the Annual Business Meeting. Thursday, February 15, 2018 5:00 PM Leadership Development Center 807 Kinnear Road Columbus, Ohio 43212 Please check skcscouts.org/ AnnualBusinessMeeting for more information.
CALLING ALL
BOY SCOUTS Don’t miss out on the World Famous Harlem Globetrotters on December 28th! To Redeem your exclusive Boy Scout discount click here and
Use Promo Code BOYSCOUT You can also save by contact Liz Spencer at 678-497-1879 or Spencer@harlemglobetrotters.com
Simon Kenton Council, Boy Scouts of America 807 Kinnear Rd. Columbus, OH 43212 The Scouter is owned and published by the Simon Kenton Council, Boy Scouts of America The Scouter is provided thanks to Friends of Scouting!
COSI’S ULTIMATE INDOOR CAMPING EXPERIENCE! PERFECT FOR GROUPS, SCOUTS AND FAMILIES! For more information and to reserve your spot,
visit cosi.org/campin
Your CAMP-IN experience includes: Live Shows
COSI’s Classic Exhibits
Including Rat Basketball, the Gadgets Stage and the Electrostatic Generator
Including a scout guide to exhibits that assists with advancements
NEW
American Museum of Natural History
DINOSAUR Gallery
NEW
Motion Simulator Dancemania
A Camp-In favorite...every bit as fun as it sounds!
PLUS
every camper receives two days of admission to COSI, a snack, breakfast and a souvenir patch that may be redeemed for one free youth admission to visit COSI again, all for just $50 per person.
A Giant Screen Film in the National Geographic Giant Screen Theater
COSI’s Planetarium Travel out of this world with a show in COSI’s state-of-the-art Planetarium
2018 DATES: Girls:
Co-Ed:
April 6 April 14 May 18
February 16 March 10 April 26
333 West Broad Street | Columbus, Ohio 43215-2738 | 614.228.2674 | cosi.org
June 16 July 7 August 17