Camping offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature, but it also comes with certain risks, including those posed by hazard trees. Understanding and mitigating these risks is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of all campers. No matter your role in Scouting, each of us plays a role in selecting, utilizing and even potentially maintaining safe camping locations.

The council has relocated its Service Center and the Valley Forge Scout Shop to the Cedar Run Corporate Center at 901 E. 8th Avenue in King of Prussia. The new location is 5½ miles and about 10 minutes away from the former building.

We’re excited about our new location and want to invite you to join us to commemorate the opening of our new facility with a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting! The ribbon cutting will be held at 10 AM, but stop by anytime between then and 2 PM.

Cub Scout families - Save the date for this years' Fall Fest at Camp Hart! Join us on October 19, 20, 26, 27, Nov. 2 & 3 for a day of Fall fun at camp!

Cubs will get to carve pumpkins, participate in archery, BBs, bouldering, crafts, nature and MANY MORE fun activities at Camp!

Effective August 1, 2024, the Cub Scout camping policies will be updated in the Guide to Safe Scouting. These changes were made to reflect the program updates that occurred on June 1, 2024. These changes include:

• Separation of policies for Webelos dens versus Arrow of Light den/patrols.
• Updated policies for Webelos den level camping.
• For example, Webelos cannot attend camporees as day visitors or camp overnight with a Scouts BSA troop. But can absolutely still camp as a den following youth protection, GTSS policies, BALOO etc.
• Updated policies for Arrow of Light den/patrol camping.
• For example, Arrow of Light den/patrols may now camp overnight at a camporee, and not just attend as day visitors.

These camping policy changes do not reflect any changes to the Barriers to Abuse or other youth protection policies indicated in the Guide to Safe Scouting. Please review these policy updates and share with Cub Scout leadership in your council. These policy updates will be included in the forthcoming updated BALOO training syllabus.

Beginning September 1, there are several policy changes regarding how Scouts can participate in Range and Target Activities (formerly called Shooting Sports) within the Scouting program. It is important to review the changes to be sure your unit is following the new policies.

While there are limited changes at the Cub Scout level, unit leaders in Troops, Crews, Ships, and Posts should review the changes before your next shooting sports activity is planned.

NYLT – the National Youth Leadership Training – is Scouting’s premier leadership development course for young people in our program. NYLT works to instill core leadership concepts and offer fundamental leadership tools and techniques applicable in a variety of real-work contexts, especially in their home Troop, Crew or Ship. Upcoming courses are:

Sept. 27-29 & Oct. 4-6 (two weekends)

Learn how to take advantage of everything the council has to offer to help you improve your recruiting efforts. Each week, our Membership Specialists will guide you through a topic that will both help you hit your membership goals and “Ring the Bell” for our newest recognition program. Videos will be recorded and posted to colbsa.org/recruit, so if you miss us live on Facebook, you can catch us there! Join us every Monday for a new video with helpful tips and tricks!

Incident Reduction and Reporting training is a free course that provides an overview of our organization’s safety policies, resources, and reporting procedures. This free one-hour training course for Cradle of Liberty Council adult leaders will be offered in-person and virtually starting in October 2024. Registration is required.

The Cradle of Liberty Council is excited to announce the start of a new program at Musser Scout Reservation - the Outdoor Adventure Lab!

The Outdoor Adventure Lab is a subsidiary of the council with the goal of harnessing the benefits of the outdoor education to provide programs such as field trips, weekend programs, and STEM Adventure Day Camp that allow youth and adults to develop character, leadership, and confidence.

Scouting for Food is one of nation’s largest food drives that Cub Scouts, Scouts, and Venturers participate in to support their local food pantries and hunger-relief agencies.

The Scouts of the Cradle of Liberty Council have continuously exceeded expectations and helped fulfil the need.

 DOOR HANGER DROP OFF: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2024

FOOD PICK-UP: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2024

Want to Enhance Your Leadership Skills?

Join us Feb 21-23 & March 8-9, 2025 for a fun, exciting, and action packed program! Wood badge is designed to provide members with leadership skills and experiences they can use in Scouting, business, and life. The course teaches the best in modern leadership theories in the context of traditional Scouting activities.

We are partnering with Washington Crossing Council, and this course will be hosted at Camp Ockanickon.

Are you planning now for next summer? Looking for a summer camp that offers exciting program in addition to nearly 70 merit badges?

Registration for 2025 Scouts BSA Resident Camp at Resica Falls is LIVE - Sign-up now to take advantage of our early bird rates and join us for all of the adventure ahead next summer!

Nearly three years ago, the planning began for a project to honor longtime Resica Falls Camp Director Christian “Chris” Brenner. Fundraising efforts and construction plans are now in their final stages, and we are excited to share the great progress. Take a look at the Brenner Lodge website to learn more about the project and consider supporting the effort!

We have two beautiful camp properties for your unit to use throughout the year! Stay at camp for a weekend and enjoy the beauty of Resica or Musser in every season! Rent a cabin or campsite, go for a hike, enjoy some fishing, or teach Scout Skills - our camps are a great place for all of it!

Save the Date to join us for the 113th Pilgrimage and Encampment - help at Fort Washington State Park March 7-9!

Troops, Crews, and Ships interested in camping can attend all weekend, and Scouts of any age are welcome to attend for the day event, named the Pilgrimage, on March 8!

More information and registration will be coming in the Fall, but save the date now so you don't miss the fun!

The next National Jamboree will take place from July 22-31, 2026 at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. The theme for the 2026 National Jamboree is "Elevate." This theme is focused on preparing Scouts for a life of purpose and impact as they participate in the once-in-a-lifetime experience of the Jamboree.

We plan to send atleast six troop again as part of the COL contingent, and more information will be coming in the Fall! If you have have any questions before then, reach-out to COL Jamboree Contingent Chair Steve Perrone

The COL STEM/Nova Committee is happy to offer monthly Nova Award programming for both Cub and Scouts. These awards are great opportunities for scouts to explore STEM within the scouting program.

The cost for each Nova Award session is $10 per scout and all of the requirements will be completed during these sessions, except for the Merit Badge requirement for Scouts BSA.

We are fortunate to have two beautiful Scout Reservations, and we need your help to keep them maintained and ready to welcome Scouts! Both Resica Falls and Musser have work days scheduled this Winter and Spring, and we'd love to have you join us! If you are helping for the day Saturday, ask about how to get a campsite for free that weekend!

To help at Musser this Fall, contact Ranger Lynn

Sept. 14, Oct. 12, Nov. 9

To help at Resica Falls this Fall, contact Ranger Nick McKee

Sept. 21, Oct. 12, Nov. 9

Looking for a way to help us make improvements at Musser Scout Reservation? Want to find a project that your unit can work on together that you and others can enjoy?

Consider joining the Adopt-a-Cabin/Campsite program at Musser! Units who adopt a cabin or campsite help us to revitalize camp, and get free camping weekends as a thanks for their service.

To learn more and get involved, contact Ranger Lynn

The Jewish Committee on Scouting is proud to share about their upcoming programs and financial aid opportunities for 2024. There are several opportunities for Jewish Scouts to participate in excellent religious programs such as Kinnus, religious awards, and many financial aid opportunities.

Learn more about the Jewish Committee and these programs here.

Conservation and the Boy Scouts of America have been partners for a long time. The fundamental purpose of the BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Awards program is to encourage learning by the participants and to increase public awareness about natural resource conservation. Understanding and practicing sound stewardship of natural resources and environmental protection strengthens Scouting’s emphasis on respecting the outdoors.

Learn more about the Distinguished Conservation Award

Training opportunities abound this Summer and Fall! Whether you are looking for position-specific training, outdoor skills training, shooting sports training, or others, we have the courses to help you provide a great experience for your Scouts!

Interested in getting trained in range and target activities (formerly called shooting sports) disciplines so you can provide a safe and fun program for Scouts? Learn more about the many range and target activities trainings we are offering!