Now that we are well into the summer, we hope that Scouts have been having a great summer attending camp at Resica Falls, Philmont, and other exciting locations; enjoying Cub adventures at Musser and other local parks; and participating in community service projects. But that also means it is time to be planning out your Unit's activities for the 2024-2025 Scouting year.

To help your planning, here is a summary of activities you can expect in the Constellation District. Make sure to get these on your calendars, and see below for more information.

• September 15 -- District Cooking Competition
• November 16 -- Scouting for Food Collection
• February 16 to March 15 -- District Swim Program
• March 1 -- District First Aid Meet
• April TBD -- District Pinewood Derby

Plus, some Dates to Know

this month's Safety Moment on Safety Afloat, and

Council's DEI Nugget on Scouting with Disabilities

Membership Recruiting at National Night Out

August 6, 2024

Communities across the nation celebrate National Night Out, strengthening the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. This is a great opportunity for our Packs and Troops to band together and promote Scouting in each of our Townships. Interested in being a part of this? Please contact our volunteer coordinators, Maria Cengel and Al Bianchi for more information, including how to participate in the Havertown National Night Out.

District Cooking Competition

September 15, 2024

One of the highlights of every District Camporee has been the Patrol Cooking Competition. There is no Camporee this year, but the cooking competition will be held as a free-standing event this Fall. Patrols will be challenged with a "Chopped" style contest, where everybody will be given secret ingredients and a limited amount of time to create a special meal to impress our judges.

Registration is open; sign up your Patrols here.

Interested in helping? Please contact our Cooking Competion Chair, Scott Kleeman.

Scouting for Food Collection

November 16, 2024

Door Tag Drop-Off November 9

Every year, the Constellation District helps collect food for families in need in our communities. Last year we filled close to 400 boxes with over 6.5 tons of food (roughly 13,000 packages) at our collection site, which was supplemented by other Units who organized their own collections directly. Be a part of Scouting's national service project this year.

District Swim Program

February 16, 23, March 2, 9, & 16, 2025

We will again be offering our District Swim Program. Opportunities include:

• Earning Swimming or Lifesaving Merit Badges (first 4 days).
• Passing BSA Swim Test and Scout Rank Requirements (March 9).
• Earning Cub Scout belt loops and adventures (March 16).

District First Aid Meet

March 1, 2024

Join a tradition with a history that dates back at least a half-century, as the District will once again be holding its annual First Aid Meet. Patrols representing Troops and Crews throughout the District can challenge the Scout's abilities to perform first aid in simulated real-life situations. What Patrol will capture the Pennypacker Trophy (our District's own version of the Stanley Cup), which was first awarded in 1964?

District Pinewood Derby

April, 2024

One of the highlights of the Cub Scouting year is the Pinewood Derby, and once again the District will provide the opportunity for the top cars from each Pack to race head-to-head. We're hoping to see every Pack at the races next year!

Other Dates to Know

Unami Lodge Memorabilia Show Aug 23 & 24

Join us to trade, buy, or sell patches and other Scouting memorabilia, and learn more about Scouting history!

Musser Work Day - September 14

Help us make improvements to camp!

National Youth Leadership Training - Sept. 27-29

Learn from excellent trainers at Scouting's top leadership training for youth!

Unami Lodge Fall Fellowship - Oct. 4-6

Calling all OA Members - join us for a weekend of service and fellowship at Resica Falls! This is a great opportunity for elected Ordeal candidates to take their Ordeal!

Cub Scout Fall Fest - October 19, 20, 26, 27, Nov. 2 & 3

Cub Scouts and their families are invited to join us for a day of Fall-themed fun at Camp Hart!

Check out these events and others at the Cradle of Liberty Council calendar.

District Safety Minute

Safety Afloat

Summer is the prime time for water-based events, but swimming, kayaking, or any aquatic activity will have potential hazards, even for advanced participants. Lives can be saved with proper supervision and training; lives can be and have been lost by not following Safety Afloat practices.

Safety Afloat training is designed for all authorized boating activities and can help Adults leaders create a safe environment for these activities that are always enjoyed by Scouts. Make sure you have an Adult leaders supervising those activities who has completed their Safety Afloat training within the previous two years (you can do this at my.scouting.org).

Follow this link for a summary of the Nine Points of Safety Afloat (and for a great photo of Scouts enjoying a whitewater rafting experience).

Council DEI Nugget

Scouting with Disabilities

The basic premise of Scouting for youth with disabilities is that all youth want to participate fully and be respected like every other Scout – and Scouting provides that opportunity. Scouting can make accommodations so that Scouts can participate to their ability and enjoy the rewards of the program. There is a process to allow a Scout with a disability, when appropriate:

• to participate in a program beyond the age of eligibility
• to modify advancement requirements

To provide the best opportunity for success, leaders need to engage parents and set realistic expectations. Leaders need to discuss recognition and advancement. Parents need to educate leaders about their Scout and consider becoming a leader. The key is to start early and for leaders and parents to talk early and often. This partnership will provide the best environment for the Scout to thrive.

Disabilities are just different abilities. We all have them. Scouts who are differently abled want the same opportunities as any other Scout. They have similar dreams and desires. It is our challenge to help them achieve them. It is a rewarding experience for all.

Learn more here.

Key People to Know

Constellation District Volunteer Leadership (Key 2)

John Cluver, District Chair

Rob Shillingford, District Commissioner

Service Area 2 Professional Team

Ryan Martin, Team Lead and Fundraising Specialist

Rhys Wallace, Membership Specialist

Aaron Munson, Service & Program Specialist

Constellation District Website: Click Here

Constellation District Instagram:  @constellation_district 

Constellation District Facebook page: Click Here

Do you have news or photos on a new Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow induction, or anything else to share on the District's Facebook page? Contact our Public Relations Chair, Rose Sutkowski, to get it posted.