HEADLINES

• FEATURED -> Joining Night Opportunities for Scouting

  2010-09-08 @ 09:00, Submitted by John Nowak

  Opportunities to join Scouting are being offered in school districts throuout Suffolk County beginning September 13th. To find out about the plans in your community, click here for dates and locations by school district. Or for information about programs and specific Scout units in your neighborhood, go to www.BeAScout.org.

• BeAScout.org - PUTTING SCOUTING ON THE MAP!

  2010-09-03 @ 17:00, Submitted by John Nowak

  The new BeAScout website is now available to give prospective members and families information on joining opportunities in their community.

  When someone accesses the site, they are provided with information on the three BSA programs (Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting and Venturing) and on Volunteer opportunities. By entering their address, information on local units in the program selected are displayed on a Google map.

  UNIT LEADERSHIP KEY TO SUCCESS

  Right now, prospects looking for more information on a specific unit in their area are directed to the Suffolk County Council. Unit leadership can customize and update this information to include unit contacts, meeting information and even a link to your unit website.

  Access to update your unit information is available to the chartered organization representative, committee chair and the top unit leader.

  1. They log into their MyScouting account and select BeAScout from the Unit Tools section on the left. There are two options:
     • Unit Pin Management: Unit leaders use this to edit pin information.
     • Unit Lead Management: Unit leaders use this to manage incoming requests for information from parents interested in Scouting.
  2. The unit leader should first complete the Unit Pin Management screen. They will notice two important items on this view.
     • At the bottom left is the "fields Displayed on Google Pin" area. Unit leaders must select contact person rather than Council information before assigning a unit contact. Also select other information that will appear on the pin. The Pin preview box will only display the information that the unit leader selects in this box.
     • You MUST select three unit contacts with email addresses from the drop down list - without using the same email address twice.
     • At the bottom right in the box outlined in red is a preview of the Google pin. This is what the parent will see.
  3. The important step is that someone from the unit is prepared to follow-up on all contacts in a timely manner.

  BE PREPARED FOR FALL RECRUITING! - UPDATE YOUR UNIT'S BeAScout INFORMATION TODAY!

• Scout Surge 9/11

  2010-08-30 @ 21:00, Submitted by Ed Spear

  Scout Surge 9/11 is being billed as an opportunity for remembering the victims of the attacks nine years ago while also celebrating the patriotism on which this nation was built. Read more about it at Scouting Magazine online edition.

• FEATURED -> BHSC Reservations System

  2010-08-22 @ 16:00, Submitted by Webmaster

  Cabins, campsites, and other facilities at Baiting Hollow Scout Camp can now be reserved online. A new Reservation System can be used to view available sites and submit a reservation request. Here's how it works:

  1. Go to the reservation page and run the Availability Report to see which sites are available for the date you want.
  2. Fill out the reservation form and click Submit. This will send your request to the Camping Office. You will also receive and email acknowledging your request.
  3. The Camping Office will verify that the site is available for the dates requested. If your request is confirmed the reservation will be made and you will receive another email confirming your reservation.
  4. Please note that the deposit amount stated in the confirming email must reach the Council office within seven days or your reservation will be cancelled.
  5. Contact the Camping Office at 631-924-7000, ext. 22 with any questions

• FEATURED -> High Adventure Rally

  2010-08-13 @ 12:00, Submitted by Frank Bailey

  A High Adventure Information Rally will be held on Sunday, September 12 at 2:00 PM at St. Joseph's Church, located on Church Street in Ronkonkoma. Come on down to learn more about joining a Council trip to Philmont Scout Ranch, Florida Sea Base, or Northern Tier Base.

  All Scouts and Venturers 13 years old and up, along with their parents and leaders, are invited to learn more about these treks and how the Council can get them there!

  Informational Flier

  Directions to St. Joseph's Church

  • Heading West: LIE to Exit 60, at light turn right onto Ronkonkoma Ave., turn left onto Church Street
  • Heading East: LIE to Exit 60, at light turn left onto Ronkonkoma Ave. (going over LIE), turn left onto Church Street

• FEATURED -> 100th Anniversary Camporees Announced

  2010-09-01 @ 22:00, Updated by Webmaster

  UPDATE - SCOUTHAVEN CAMPOREE AT SOUTHAVEN PARK ON SCHEDULE

  Recent reports in the news media of West Nile Virus problems at Southaven Park have not deterred planning of the Scouthaven 100th Anniversary Camporee scheduled for October 15th-17th. Working in concert with Suffolk County officials, the Camporee staff continues to plan for the Southaven Park event. At this point - early September - expectations are that Southaven Park will be fully available to us by October 15th.

  BUT, WE BELIEVE IN THE BOY SCOUT MOTTO: BE PREPARED!

  Should problems persist at Southaven Park, we have a Plan "B". The Camporee staff has made arrangements with Suffolk County to use Cathedral Pines Park in case of Southaven Park closure. Cathedral Pines Park has been surveyed by the Camporee staff who report that field size and camping facilities are equivalent to Southaven, so space will not be a problem. We continue to view Southaven Park as our Plan "A" since Cathedral Pines has no aquatics area. Additionally, we would be unable to provide a shotgun range and the Long Island Steamers at Cathedral Pines.

  CAMP HERO CAMPOREE

  The Camp Hero Camporee scheduled for October 22nd-24th at Camp Hero, Montauk, has not been affected by the West Nile Virus outbreak and the Camporee staff continues its planning apace.

  ACT NOW!

  Rest assured that both Camporees will take place. The staff for both Camporees continue to work with government officials to provide outstanding Camporee experiences at both Southaven Park and Camp Hero. If you have already registered your unit, we look forward to sharing an exciting Camporee experience with you! If you have not yet registered, be sure to complete the SCOUTHAVEN REGISTRATION FORM and/or the CAMP HERO REGISTRATION FORM and get it to the Council Office as soon as possible.

  ---

  

  To celebrate the 100th year of Scouting there are two exciting events scheduled this Fall in Suffolk County - a "Camporee Double Header". These are Council-wide events starting with the Council event at Southaven Park in Yaphank on October 15-17, followed by the Trailblazer District sponsored event at Camp Hero at Montauk Point the following weekend, October 22-24.

  More than 2,500 Suffolk Scouts are expected to attend the Southaven County Park program. Units from other districts are expected to join the Trailblazer units at Camp Hero where 1,500 attendees are anticipated. Both events celebrate Scouting's 100th anniversary and will have connected elements so units attending both events will have additional opportunities to commemorate this anniversary of the Scouting Movement.

  This dual program allows an opportunity for all Scouts to participate in a 100th anniversary event. Please add these events to your unit's schedule and register now by filling out the attached applications and sending them to the Council Service Center.

  Please contact Cliff Locks or Dot Young if you would like to serve on one of the Council Camporee (Southaven Park) committees. Volunteers are welcome!

  Council Camporee Documents:

  • Council Camporee at Southaven County Park Registration Form
  • Council Camporee at Southaven County Park Leader Guide
  • NEW - Cubmobile Plans
  • NEW - Camporee Map

  ---

  Please contact Ellen Gherardi, Gerard Buckley, John Giordano or Jim Grimes if you would like to serve on one of the Trailblazer Camporee (Camp Hero) committees. Volunteers are welcome!

  Camp Hero Documents:

  • Camp Hero Registration Form
  • Camp Hero Health & Safety Form
  • Camp Hero Stations Explanation
  • Camp Hero Site Inspection Guide
  • Commemorative Mugs and Ornaments
  • NEW - Commemorative Mugs and Ornaments Order Form

• Jump Into Scouting!

  2010-08-19 @ 12:00, Submitted by Michal Dluginski

  This Fall, encourage your Scouts to recruit their friends and neighbors into Scouting. In partnership with Jump Parties of Ronkonkoma, the Suffolk County Council is offering a free play pass to the Jump Parties facility for every boy and every new Scout he recruits. These passes have a face value of $16.95. To receive a Free Pass, a unit leader needs to bring in a completed youth application, along with the name of the Scout who recruited him, to the Council Service Center. Passes will not be handed out without an application, and will only be distributed from the Council Service Center. These Free Passes may be used at Jump Parties in Ronkonkoma when accompanied by a paying customer. This promotion is only good between August 31, 2010 and October 31, 2010. Supplies may be limited, so act quickly. This promotion does not apply to youth who are signed up at recruiting nights or who are walk-ins.

  See the Promotional Flier for more information.

• Boy Scouts Seek a Way to Rebuild Ranks - NYTimes.com

  2010-08-20 @ 14:30, Submitted by Gerri Alfano via Barry Kopeloff

  This NY Times article looks at the BSA effort to reverse a declining enrollment trend.

• Rudy Santoro is National Leadership Hall of Fame Inductee

  2010-07-26 @ 15:00, Submitted by BSA National

  

  Council President Rudy Santoro has been inducted into the BSA 100th Anniversary National Hall of Leadership. Rudy, currently serving his second tour as Council President, has provided leadership to both Suffolk County Council and the Northeast Region for many years. He is the most active long-term board member in Suffolk COunty Council.

  From the BSA Press Release:

  While not a hall or building in the traditional sense, the purpose of the National Hall of Leadership is just as significant. From each council, one individual was selected to represent all of the nominees of their council and the gift of leadership given by the Scouts and scouters of that council to the communities they serve every year.

  Our country will never outgrow the need for thoughtful leadership, and will never outgrow the need for individuals who choose to live their lives by the Scout Oath and Law ... and teach others to do the same. As we head into our next century, our Scouts and Scouters will still be there to lead the way. Just as we have for the past 100 years!

• Stony Brook Seawolves Host Scout Day on September 25, 2010

  2010-07-16 @ 10:00, Submitted by Lauren Vlachos

  Stony Brook Seawolves meet the UMass Minutemen on Scout Day at Ken LaValle Stadium on September 25. Download the information flier for more information on the event. All Scouts attending in uniform will be on the field for the game opening. Discounted ticket information can be found at this link.

• August Navigator is now Available

  2010-07-28 @ 10:00, Submitted by Pat Dimauro

  The August Navigator is available for your viewing and can be found at this link.

• Grand Centennial Parade Report

  2010-07-26 @ 15:00, Submitted by Rocco Prichinello

  Check out the Troop Photos from the Grand Centennial Parade Troop.

  The Grand Centennial Parade was a great success.. our scouts performed admirably, without incident, and in the finest tradition of Scouting despite record breaking heat and impending storms. A truly unique and wonderful group of young men to represent our council in this history making event...

  We arrived early Saturday morning and had an opportunity to visit Arlington National Ceremony to observe the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Wreaths were being presented on behalf of BSA councils across America. It was impressive to watch as scouts participated in this solemn ceremony. A thousand or so people around and you could hear a pin drop.... From there, we visited the United States Capitol Building where we were shown a short film on the history of the building and then given a private tour of the crypt, rotunda and north meeting room.... From there we headed to the Smithsonian Air and Space museum to spend a few hours among some truly spectacular displays, then on to our hotel for some R&R before dinner. At the hotel we caught up with the SCC Jamboree Contingent, already enjoying the pool!

  After a short leaders meeting on Sunday Morning, our two Senior Patrol Leaders organized and conducted a Scouts Own service (with song!) and then we were off to the Parade... (as we were concluding our leaders meeting in the hotel restaurant, we were approached by an older gentleman who wanted to compliment us on the behavior of our scouts..He said the scouts he observed and interacted with in and around the hotel were respectful and polite and were a compliment to their families and the Boys Scouts... A great statement considering there were about 275 SCC scouts there in total!

  
  
  

  And then there was the Parade... About 10,000 marched in total. There were Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, Explorers, marching bands, floats, giant balloons, a 30' American Flag. We marched with other scouts from the North East in the 50th element of the parade proudly carrying our Council Flag. We were then able to watch the balance of the parade pass-by for another 3 hours or so.... the longest parade I have ever seen.

  We had our own Grand Marshall of sorts, veteran scouter Stu Meade marched with the Eagle Scout Contingent which was the final element of the parade. All of the Eagles in our contingent doubled back to join him and finish the parade together. No small task given the 100 degree heat and excessive humidity. As soon as the parade finished, the winds came and the sky opened and a torrential rainstorm came though and cooled the evening air for a pleasant bus trip home.... I think God must like Boy Scouts, he apparently was aware that the air conditioner on our bus didn't work!

  We should be very proud of all the scouts that participated in this event and parade. If this is what the first 100 years produced, I can't wait to see what we get for the second!

• Troop 303 Scout Reports at the Jamboree

  2010-08-01 @ 07:45, Submitted by Al Brownley

  

  Jon Ingram, a scout with Jamboree Troop 303, was published in the Subcamp 3 daily newsletter.

• Jamboree and A Shining Light Videos and Photos

  2010-07-24 @ 00:00, Submitted by Webmaster

  Photographs and videos from the Suffolk County Contingent can be found here and will be updated as they are received over the next two weeks.

• Scouts Help Neighbor With Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

  2010-06-23 @ 14:00, Submitted by Bill Dunn

  Suffolk County Council Scouts and leaders are busy building bird houses as part of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition project for the Lutz family of East Setauket. Kathleen Lutz is the older adopted daughter of the deceased Jack and Grace Lutz and cares for seven of her brothers and sisters, six of whom have Down syndrome. Their new home is expected to be complete by Sunday.

  Check out the photo gallery of Suffolk County Scouts at work on the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition site.

• Youth Protection Training - Policy Change

  2010-05-28 @ 15:30, Submitted by John Nowak

  A new national policy from the Boy Scouts of America is effective June 1, 2010:

  • Youth Protection Training is required for all registered volunteers.
  • New leaders are required to take Youth Protection Training before they submit their application for registration. The certificate of completion for this training must be submitted at the time application is made and before volunteer service with youth begins.
  • Youth Protection Training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer's Youth Protection Training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be reregistered.

  Here is an Online YPT Tip Sheet for new leaders.

• New York Post Jamboree OpEd Piece

  2010-07-02 @ 14:00, Submitted by Gerri Alfano

  Special thanks to Gerri Alfano, Benjamin Tallmadge District Commissioner, for submitting this link to a fine OpEd piece in the July 2 edition of the New York Post. Thanks Gerri!

• Cub 2010 Webinars by National

  2010-05-05 @ 23:30, Submitted by Bill Dunn

  The US Scouting Service Project has reported that National will be conducting webinars on the new Cub Scout Delivery Method.
  
  Click here to find out how to register.

• Scouting Prompts Religious Awakening

  2010-05-25 @ 21:30, Submitted by Several Local Scouters

  The news article in A New York Jewish Week describes a local Boy Scout's religious awakening and growth prompted by his Scouting experience. This is a compelling read and prominently mentions several well known local Scouters.

• OA Eagle Flap

  2010-03-09 @ 07:00, Submitted by Rich Wollenstein

  The Executive Committee of Shinnecock Lodge 360 is pleased to announce that a special flap has been created to honor the members of the lodge upon the occasion of their Eagle Court of Honor. If you know of a member of Shinnecock Lodge 360 who will be obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout, please make sure to invite the Lodge Adviser to their Eagle Court of Honor, so we can present them with the flap.

  In addition, those lodge members who have achieved the rank of Eagle and would like to do so, can contact the Lodge Adviser at rwobject@optonline.net. One patch per Eagle Scout is available for a price of $5.00.

  

• Shinnecock Lodge Museum

  2009-12-01 @ 00:01, Submitted by Jim Grimaldi

  Attention All Brothers (Past and Present)
  Shinnecock Lodge is beginning the process of creating a Lodge Museum to be on display at Baiting Hollow Scout Camp. If you have any lodge memorabilia that you would be interested in donating to the museum, or would like to contribute in some other way, please call the council office (Jim Grimaldi 631-924-7000, ext. 21).

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