August 2026

A Message from our District Chair

The Future of Scouting Starts With Us

Dear Scouting Families, Leaders, Volunteers, and Friends of the Hunterdon Arrowhead District,

As summer begins to wind down and we look ahead to September, I want to ask each of you to do something very important: help us tell the story of Scouting.

Scouting has a tremendous impact on the lives of young people throughout Hunterdon County. Through Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Exploring, young people discover adventure, develop leadership skills, learn responsibility, build confidence, serve their communities, and form friendships that can last a lifetime.

But Scouting's future does not depend on any one leader, unit, or organization. It depends on all of us.

September is one of the most important times of the year for Scouting. Families are making plans for the school year, children are looking for activities, and parents are searching for opportunities that will help their sons and daughters grow. This is our opportunity to make sure they know what Scouting has to offer.

And the most powerful recruitment tool we have isn't a flyer, a website, or an advertisement.

It's you!

You are the person who can share your Scouting story. You can tell a neighbor about the confidence your Scout has gained. You can tell a friend about the friendships your family has made. You can share how camping, service, leadership, adventure, and simply being part of a Scout unit has made a difference.

I am asking every Scout, parent, leader, volunteer, and supporter to invite someone to experience Scouting.

• Invite a friend
• Invite a neighbor
• Invite a family member
• Invite a classmate
• Invite a family you've met in your community.

Ask them to come to a meeting, attend a campout, participate in an activity, or simply learn more about your unit.

Don't assume they already know about Scouting. Tell them.

Our communities need what Scouting provides. We need young people who know how to lead, serve, work as a team, overcome challenges, care for others, and believe in themselves. Whether a young person joins Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, or Exploring, there is a place in

Scouting where they can discover their potential. Every new Scout begins with an invitation. And every invitation begins with someone who cares enough to ask.

As District Chair of the Hunterdon Arrowhead District, I am asking each of us to take personal responsibility for helping Scouting grow here in Hunterdon County. Our future is dependent on each of us sharing the story of Scouting and the difference it makes in the lives of our youth.

Let's make this September a turning point. Let's fill our Cub Scout packs, Scouts troops, Venturing crews, and Exploring programs with young people ready for adventure, leadership, service, and growth.

Most importantly, let's make sure every family in Hunterdon County has the opportunity to discover what Scouting can mean for their child. Invite someone to join you. Invite a friend. Invite a family. Invite them to be part of your unit and part of the Scouting movement.

Together, we can ensure that the next generation of Hunterdon County youth has the same opportunity to learn, lead, serve, explore, and grow that has impacted so many before them.

Thank you for everything you do for Scouting and for the young people of Hunterdon County.

The future of Scouting starts with us.

Yours in Scouting,

Christopher J. Phelan

District Chair

Hunterdon Arrowhead District

Scouting America Washington Crossing Council

From our Selection Committee Chairman

With mixed emotions, I am pleased to announce the Selection Committee has completed its authorized process to select a new Scout Executive/CEO to succeed our retiring Scout Executive/CEO, Magne Gundersen, who will retire on September 30, 2026.

Over the past two months, the committee conducted a comprehensive search process that culminated on July 29, 2026, with a full day of candidate interviews, deliberations, and the final selection. I am pleased to announce that Mr. John Gliot, currently serving as Scout Executive/CEO of the Anthony Wayne Area Council in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been selected as the next Scout Executive/CEO of Washington Crossing Council.

John will join Washington Crossing Council on September 1, 2026. Please join me in extending a warm welcome as he begins this exciting new chapter with our council.

John has dedicated more than 30 years to the Scouting movement. He began his professional Scouting career in 1995 as a District Executive and later Senior District Executive in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where he served until 2001. He then joined the Central New Jersey Council as Program Director before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer/Assistant Scout Executive in 2006. In 2011, John became Scout Executive/CEO of the Anthony Wayne Area Council, where he has served with distinction ever since.

John graduated from Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania with a degree in Secondary Education. He is a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, as well as a recipient of the Founder's Award. He is the proud father of three Eagle Scouts.

As we prepare to welcome John, we also remain deeply grateful to Magne Gundersen for his exceptional leadership and dedicated service to Washington Crossing Council. We look forward to celebrating his many contributions before his retirement at the end of September.

The future of Washington Crossing Council is bright, and I look forward to the next chapter in our council's history.

Yours in Scouting,

Terry McCarty

Chairman of the Selection Committee

Past Chairman of the Board

Scouting America Washington Crossing Council

Technology updates coming to Council websites and event registration platforms.

Over the next two months, our council will be transitioning our websites, online forms and event registration system over to a new product: CouncilWare. After a nine-year relationship with Tentaroo, the vendor has decided to cease operation as of October 31. We will begin migrating fall event registrations to the new platform. Some events are already live. The goal is to have all October events through the new platform. 

Our online giving forms will move to a product from Bonterra called EveryAction provided through the Scouting America national office. This change should occur by September 1. We are still evaluating alternatives for generic forms which do not require payment processing. The last part of the project will be moving the two websites (www.wccscouting.org and www.ockanickon.org) to hosted WordPress sites. The goal is to launch by October 1. 

What can you do to prepare for the coming change?

In CouncilWare, you will want to create a MyCouncil User Login – This User Login will give you access to various features in the system. It will remember your event registrations and other orders you place and will give you access to those registrations so you can make payments, manage changes and other similar items. It will also give you access to Unit and Event DashBoards if you have a specific role. If you were using Tentaroo previously, you used both unit logins and user/family logins – In CouncilWare, each person uses a single login that can make registrations for both units and individuals. There are no “unit logins”

Create your MyCouncil User Login at https://mycouncil.wccscouting.org – click Create Login – Enter your first and last name, your email address, and your password and that’s all there is to it!

Add more functionality to your User Login… After your login has been created, click the Account button in the top blue bar of MyCouncil and update your profile – Add your Scouting Member ID, phone number, address and other personal information. The system will allow you to pull this information into your registrations so you wont have to type them all out each time you register for an event.

Add Saved Registrants for even more convenience… In your profile, you can also add “Saved Registrants”. Are you a parent and have children in Scouting? Add their information as a Saved Registrant and you will be able to pull this information into registrations without having to type all the data out each time.

Unit DashBoards… Currently each unit in the council has been setup with the unit leader (i.e. Cubmaster, Scoutmaster) set as the key leader. We will be adding youth rosters shortly. The key leader will be able to add additional adults to the unit and grant permissions such as “Unit Administrator”, “Registration Manager” and “Membership Manager.” We will cover in more details in a future newsletter. 

Questions? Reach out to events@wccscouting.org

As a reminder, all adult leaders in PA Units must have a current copy of their PA Clearances on file at the Council office. Reports are valid for five years from the date on the report. WCC is required to “suspend” registrations for leaders with expired clearances until a current report is received in order to be in compliance with PA-15.  

If you know your clearances are about to expire, you can access the necessary links to renew them at https://www.wccscouting.org/pa-act-15. 

Unit Key 3 members should remind new Leaders who are registering through the online portal to submit their clearances prior to registering. If clearances are not received, the new Leaders registration will be suspended until clearances are received.  

If you have questions regarding the status of your clearances please contact our Registrar, Anna Marie Pepper.

Popcorn is Here. Get Ready to Sell!

Popcorn pickup is this week! Make sure your unit signs up for a pickup time and is ready to get product into the hands of your Scouts for the first big weekend of selling.

Once you have your popcorn, hit the ground running with storefronts, wagon sales, and your online store. A strong first weekend can set the pace for your entire sale!

Haven’t ordered popcorn yet? It’s not too late! We have product available and can help your unit get started. Reach out to your Popcorn Kernel or Alex Fritz and they will help you get what is needed to join the sale.

Fall recruitment is here, and BeAScout is often a family's first look at your unit! Take a few minutes to review your Unit Pin and make sure your meeting information, fees, contact information, and other details are accurate and up to date.

An updated BeAScout pin makes it easier for interested families to find your unit, know what to expect, and take the next step toward joining.

Don't Forget Your Fall Recruitment Materials!

As you finalize your fall school recruitment dates, don't forget to submit your Materials Request Form to the council office. This helps us ensure your unit has everything needed for a successful recruiting event.

Submit your request here: https://bit.ly/2026RecruitmentMaterials

A complete list of available recruitment materials will be included in the next Membership Blast, so keep an eye out!

Membership Rally

Join fellow Scouting volunteers for an evening focused on building successful recruitment campaigns for Cub Scout programs. This rally will cover community marketing strategies, school and event recruitment, presentation techniques, joining night structure, and methods to improve family engagement and retention.

Date: August 20

Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Location: Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville, 2688 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrence Township, NJ 08648

Membership Mixer Recap

At the September Membership Mixer, we will continue this conversation by focusing on the role of the Patrol Leaders’ Council in recruiting. Recruitment is not just an adult responsibility. When youth leaders are involved in planning activities, welcoming visitors, sharing what makes Scouting fun, and helping new families feel connected, recruiting becomes more authentic and more effective. Join us as we discuss how to connect the PLC, youth leadership, and unit recruiting efforts into one stronger membership plan.

This mixer is for Scouts BSA and Cub Scout leadership as well as youth leaders.

Date: September 29

Time: 7:30pm

Location: Mercer Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor Township, NJ 08550

Thank a Volunteer!

The Silver Beaver is Scouting's award for distinguished service. Recipients of this award must be registered Scouters who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given at the council level. All Scouters are encouraged to think of someone deserving of this honor.

Completed nominations are due to the council office by September 11. They may be submitted by email to Anna Marie Pepper or submitted to Washington Crossing Council, 1 Scout Way, Doylestown, PA 18901, Attention: Silver Beaver.

Cub Scouts

Reserve your 2027 spot at Ockanickon now and save!

Venturing Camporee

"Shoots, Ladders and Paddles (SLP) III, is an event for Venturing Crews, Ships and Explorer Posts. Range and target activities, the climbing tower and the lake will be available. Participants can bring their own tents or use the adirondacks in a campsite. You will be sharing a campsite with other units. A communal Saturday dinner will be provided and we ask each unit to bring a dessert to share. Bring a game to play after dinner. This a great opportunity for recruitment."

Click links below for more details and to register:

• BALOO - October 10-11
• IOLS - October 10-11
• NYLT - November 6-8 & November 20-22

Click links below for more details and to register:

• Farm to Table - September 19
• Swing for Scouting - September 29
• Sporting Clays Classic - October 28

Program Opportunities Beyond the District

Don't miss out on some great Scouting events beyond your District!

• One World Observatory, NYC - offered Saturdays & Sundays at 9am
• Dine to Donate for Scouting! - Bacco Centro in Richboro, PA - September 15
• Peace Fair - September 26
• Sesame Place - September 7 through December 31
• Snipes Farm - Check website for dates
• Eastern State Penitentiary - November 14
• 2027 World Scout Jamboree

For more information regarding these events please refer to the Council newsletter.

Don't Miss Out

Annual Appeal

Supporting Hunterdon Arrowhead District helps our Scouts thrive!

Your support strengthens the programs, camps, training, and resources that give our Scouts the best possible experience—building confidence, leadership, and lifelong skills. When families support the Council, we ensure every Scout has the opportunity to grow, explore, and succeed.

Upcoming Meetings

Commissioner Mtg.

August 24

District Committee Mtg.

September 2

Roundtable

September 9