Save the Date: Scouting Adventure Con
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Scouting Adventure Con is a new event aimed at helping units plan their next year of program. The name is inspired by events like "comic con". It will be an expo of Scouting and local activities that leaders can learn about and incorporate in their annual planning. More details soon, but save the date! | |
Scouts BSA Summer Camp at OSR | |
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Being a Leader at Summer Camp Just Got Easier! New Admin Tool!
OSR has implemented a new service portal called Tentaroo. This tool will be used for roster creation, making payments, and merit badge sign up. Also, completed merit badge requirements will be recorded into the Tentaroo system for easy access by unit leaders and import into ScoutBook.
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Merit Badge List Now Available!
OSR’s Scouts BSA camp merit badge listing, though tentative until March 1, is available at the link below. Over 80 different merit badges will be offered during the 2024 season!
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Camp Staff Opportunities
Join over 100 Scouts and Scouters that call Ockanickon home for the summer as a member of the OSR summer camp staff. Being part of the camp staff offers an exceptional opportunity to lead, teach, meet new people, and make new friends. Camp staff members engage with and impact over 2,000 plus Scouts helping them along their Scouting adventure.
Paid positions are available for Scouts who are 15 years old or older. Scouts who are 14 can be CITs.
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Cub Scout Adventure Camp at OSR | |
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Cub Scout packs have the opportunity to experience three days and two nights of camping at Ockanickon Scout Reservation. This will be an easy and turn-key experience with everything provided by the camp. Campers will sleep in canvas tents provided by the camp, meals will be served in the air-conditioned dining hall, and the program will be run by the OSR camp staff.
There are two sessions being offered: July 28 – July 30 and July 31 – August 3. The Cub Scouts fee is $300 per session now through May 15 after which the cost will be $325.
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BONUS OFFER: Packs that register with a $100 deposit by April 1, will receive a free pizza party for the entire pack on the second night of the camp session. For more information, contact Todd Warner. | |
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OSR Team Will Visit Pack Meetings!
The OSR team is willing to visit pack meetings to share information about this new camp program! The format can be tailored to suit pack needs, but typically one team member will present to parents while another team member has fun with the Scouts. This is a great opportunity to learn about camp and to get potential campers excited for the summer!
For information or to schedule a meeting, reach out to Scott Gift.
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Get ready to blast off for an "Out of this World" experience at the space-themed day camps this summer! Packs are encouraged to pick a session that suits them and sign-up! | |
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2024 Day Camp Schedule
Core Creek Park, Langhorne, PA
Mercer Park County Park East, West Windsor, NJ
Rosedale Park, Pennington, NJ
Sauerland Outdoor Center, Lebanon, NJ
Ockanickon Scout Reservation, Pipersville, PA
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Free Promo Placemats Available Now!
The Washington Crossing Council is offering printed placemats for packs to use at their Blue and Gold banquets. These placemats are great tools to promote Cub Scout day camp. Additionally, arrangements can be made for the day camp staff to promote day camp at a pack meeting or Blue and Gold banquet and answer any questions families may have.
To reserve placemats and/or schedule in-person camp promotions, click the button below.
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Important Change to Approval Process for Adult Volunteers | |
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As the BSA national organization continues to evaluate areas that can enhance youth safety, a change to the process and flow of registration for new adult volunteers has been made.
Beginning Monday, March 4, new adult volunteers will be required to complete the criminal background check (CBC) check before functioning in a leadership role. The CBC is part of the BSA’s adult application process.
Here is the new process:
- Once an adult application is processed, the applicant is considered “pending.”
- The new adult leader will get an email notice informing them that their registration is being processed – and they are not to assume any leadership role until the completion of the CBC. The unit key 3 will also get an email.
- If the CBC comes back as “red”, then the normal process needs to be followed for the clearance of the person or the denial & refund.
- If the CBC comes back as “green”, the system will finish registering the person and send an email to the person and unit key 3 that they can now be an active leader.
KEY TAKE-AWAY: New adults should not take an active role as a volunteer leader until their CBC/registration comes back as "green".
TAKE NOTE: It will be important for units to consider the CBC processing time and the impact that may have on unit programs and activities. For example, a new adult completing an application and submitting it expecting to attend a meeting or event as a leader the next day or the next weekend will not be able to do so until they’ve received the notification email that they can begin working with the Scouting youth.
The Washington Crossing Council is evaluating some process changes that will make the process easier for new adults to submit their applications. Additional details will be shared soon.
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Upcoming Changes to National BSA Fees | |
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Some changes to the national BSA membership fee structure have been planned for 2024. These will be formalized later in February. So, there is some possibility of further change. However, since early drafts of this plan have been widely circulated on the internet, WCC wanted to share an update.
Effective April 1, the Boy Scouts of America will no longer charge the one-time joining fee of $25 for new program participants. However, the yearly membership fee will increase by $5 for Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scout participants - to $85 for youth and $65 for adults. The annual fee to become a merit badge counselor will remain at $25.
Please note that when a youth or adult registers for the first time, their membership will be valid for twelve months from the date of registration, providing a full year of Scouting.
There will not be any changes to the WCC service fee at this time.
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Webelos Scouts Joining Scouts BSA Troops This Spring | | |
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As soon as possible after joining, Webelos/Arrow of Light Scouts moving to a Scouts BSA troop should officially transfer their membership from their current pack to the new troop.
The process to do this is fairly simple using the my.scouting website. The transfer can be initiated by the Scout's parents as well as the departing or incoming unit. Instructions are available for each of these scenarios at the button below.
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WCC Scouts Selected for Good Citizen Awards | |
Each year, the Union League of Philadelphia's recognizes selected local high school juniors with the Good Citizen Award. Troop leadership had the opportunity to nominate eligible Scouts, and eight were selected to represent the Washington Crossing Council. | |
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Scouts BSA & Venturing
Air Rifle Competition
February 11,12pm-4pm
March 17,12pm-4pm
- At Ockanickon Scout Reservation. $5.00; no pre-registration required.
Klondike Derby
Februrary 16-18
OA Lodge Banquet
February 24
National Youth Leader Training (NYLT)
March 8-10 & 22-24
2024 Ockanickon Staff interview Weekend
March 16 & 17
OA Induction Weekend
April 12-13
Cub Scouts
BB Shooting Sports Event
February 11
Slingshot Event
March 17
Cub Scout Campout
April 6
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Adult Leaders
Campbuilder Days
February 17
March 16
April 20
Chainsaw Work Day
February 10
March 9
April 13
NRA Rifle Instructor Course
April 12-14
Wilderness First Aid & CPR (Ages 16+)
April 19-21
Cub Scout Baloo Training
April 20-21
Scouts BSA IOLS Training
April 20-21
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Upcoming Training Courses | |
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BALOO: Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation
For Cub Scout leaders wanting to lead packs on an outdoor adventure
April 20-21: Ockanickon Scout Reservation
https://wc.tentaroo.com/baloo
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IOLS: Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills
For Scouts BSA leaders wanting to deepen their outdoor skills
April 20-21: Ockanickon Scout Reservation
https://bsawcc.org/event/iols/
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University of Scouting
University of Scouting provides valuable training for Scouters of all levels. There are courses in Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and general studies. All adult leaders will want to take advantage of this opportunity to learn, share ideas, and network with other Scouters.
The course will take place on March 2, at Fisher Middle School in Ewing Township, NJ, with classes running from 9am-4:20pm. Registration is open now.
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National Youth Leader Training | | |
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National Youth Leader Training (or NYLT) is a 2- weekend course that helps young people learn the concepts of leadership and how to apply these skills in their unit. The course centers around the concepts of what a leader must BE, what they must KNOW, and what they must DO.
The spring course will be held in March (8-10 and 22-24) at Ockanickon Scout Reservation.
Registration closes on February 18. This course is limited to 48 participants.
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Cub Scout Program Revisions - Effective June 2024 | |
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Reminder: As previously announced, there will be some significant changes to the Cub Scout advancement program in 2024. These updates will go into effect on June 1, 2024, for the next school year.
The four areas of change are the Bobcat badge, Cub Scout Adventures, Webelos, and Cub Scout Awards. Pack leadership will want to be familiar with these changes in order to help their members with transition.
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Work continues on building the council’s new website. Watch for an announcement in the next month or so. | |
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Scout Shop Regular Hours
- Monday - Thursday: 10am-6pm
- Friday: 10am-3pm
- Select Saturdays: 10am-1pm
Upcoming Select Saturdays
Council Service Center & Scout Shop Special Closure
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Monday, February 19: Closed in observance of Presidents’ Day.
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District Newsletters from January 2024 | |
Find copies of the most recent (January) district newsletters by clicking below: | |
The Washington Crossing Council has a number of special newsletters. Scouters may self subscribe to any of them by using this subscription link. | | | | |
