Good evening, Constellation District.

Here are your Four Things to Know for the start of December.

• District Annual Meeting: January 8
• Hike-a-Thon 2024
• Wood Badge - May 15-17 and June 8-9, 2024
• Winter Camping: The Klondike - January 26-28

Plus, Dates to Know and this month's Safety Minute.

District Annual Meeting - January 8

Virtual Meeting - see link below

Unit Leaders, District Committee Members, Charter Organization Representatives, and anybody interested in the Constellation District are invited to join us at the District's Annual Meeting. You will have the opportunity to meet the old and new members of the Committee prior to 2024 slate being introduced and voted on for approval. And after the vote, you are invited to remain on the call for our monthly District Committee Meeting to hear about and contribute to the planning for the various activities which will be happening in 2024. This meeting will be virtual, use this Zoom link, or the following Meeting ID: 827 2530 4632 and Passcode: 978505.

Hike-A-Thon

March 15 to May 15, 2024

The Hike-A-Thon is back in 2024. It is an easy way to fundraise for your Unit and the Council. Sign-up, get pledges, and take a hike! Participate in a council-organized hike at Musser Scout Reservation on Saturday, May 4, 2024 or your Unit can organize its own hike anytime between March 15 and May 15.



Units earn a 55% commission on all money raised to support your Scouts' adventures like summer camp, high adventure experiences, equipment, or anything Scouting-related. That's a better commission than most fundraisers! The Council portion supports camp maintenance and other projects, as well as covering the costs of items like patches and prizes.

The Kick-off Event is on March 8, but start planning now.

Registration information to come in the new year.

Want more information? Click here.

Wood Badge

May 15 to 17, 2024 and June 8 to 9, 2024

Wood Badge is Scouting’s premier leadership training program for adults! It is a fun, exciting, and action packed program designed to provide members with leadership skills and experiences they can use in their home troops and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others. Wood Badge incorporates the latest leadership ideas and presents fresh, vital and meaningful training for today’s Scouters. The Wood Badge course teaches the best in modern leadership theories in the context of traditional scouting activities. Dynamic presentations and videos help keep your attention focused on learning while providing hands-on opportunities to apply what you’ve learned and gain confidence in your abilities.

The Wood Badge experience is ideal for training unit leaders, and it can also be a valuable experience for use in the workplace.

Any Scouter currently registered with the Boy Scouts of America who has completed the basic leadership training for their registered position is encouraged to attend. And this year's course is being led by the Constellation District's Training Chair, Chaudhry Manzoor of Troop 284.

Registration is open and spaces are limited.

Get full details and register at: https://colbsa.org/training/woodbadge/

Winter Camping: The Klondike January 26-28

Every year, the Troops of the Constellation District are invited by the Baden Powell District to participate in their Klondike. What is a Klondike? Basically, it is a winter-themed Camporee, consisting of stations where patrols/units must test their Scoutcraft skills and their leadership abilities, earning points towards a total score. The unit transports their gear on a homemade sled pulled by the Scouts. This event will be held at Camp Delmont on Saturday, January 27 and happens rain, shine, or snow; units can join for the day, or camp overnight to make it a full weekend event.

For more information or to register, contact Barry Kauffmann.

Don't delay, campsites fill up fast.

And need a sled? Don't let that stop you; contact John Cluver.

Dates to Know

And take a look at the Council's Calendar of Events for other opportunities.

District Annual Meeting: January 8, 2024

University of Scouting: Saturday, February 4, 2024

In-person training opportunities for leaders. Save the Date!

District Swim Program (tentative dates)

Swimming and Lifesaving Merit Badges: February 18, 25, March 3, & 10.

Cub Scout Day: March 17, 2024

District First Aid Meet : March 2, 2024

Save the Date!

Pilgrimage & Encampment: March 8-10, 2024

Save the Date

District Pinewood Derby : April 12, 2024

Save the Date!

District Cooking Competition : Rescheduled to Sunday, May 5, 2023

Save the Date!

Wood Badge: May 15-17 and June 8-9, 2024

Scouting's premier adult leadership training program. Register here.

District Safety Minute

Think C-O-L-D to stay warm.

We are entering cold-weather camping season; remember these key ideas to stay warm.

C = Clean: Keep insulating layers clean. Dirt and perspiration can mat down air spaces in the material and reduce the warmth of a garment.

O = Overheating: Avoid overheating. Stay hydrated by drinking water and avoid caffeinated drinks acting as diuretics.

L = Loose Layers: Wear loose-fitting layers of clothing and footgear that allow maximum insulation without impeding circulation. Wear a hat.

D = Dry: Sweaty, damp clothing can lead to rapid heat loss and possible frostbite or hypothermia. Avoid clothes that absorb moisture. Loosen clothing around the neck so body heat/moisture can escape instead of soaking through layers.

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.