Good morning, Constellation District.

Here are your Four Things to Know for the middle of January.

• District Roundtable: February 6, 2024 at 7:30 pm
• Call for Awards: due in February
• District First Aid Meet: March 2, 2024
• Hike-a-Thon: Kick-Off Event March 8

Plus, Dates to Know and this month's Safety Minute on Cold Weather Activities.

District Roundtable

Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 7:30 pm

Merion Square Scout House, Gladwyne

The quarterly Constellation District Roundtable is back on Tuesday, February 6 at 7:30 pm at the Merion Square Scout House (355 Conshohocken State Road, Gladwyne, PA), home of Troop 181. Parking is across the street or in the lower parking lot of St. John Vianney Church, also across the street (please do not park in the upper lot). 

Our theme for this Roundtable is Favorite Trips and Activities. Leaders, Committee Members, and other active volunteers from Packs and Troops are encouraged to join us to share their ideas for trips, activities, and service projects:

• Hear about plans for Cub and Scout summer camps in 2024. 
• Discuss great trip and activity ideas with other Units.
• And learn how to raise funds for your Unit just by taking a hike.

Roundtables are at their best when we can learn from each other. So whether you are new to Scouting or a seasoned veteran, we hope you can make a special effort to join us for learning, sharing, and fellowship.

Call for Awards

Due in February

Scouting can succeed only through the efforts of the adult Scouters and other volunteers who help our Packs, Troops, Crews, Ships, District, and Council thrive and provides the best possible Scouting experience to our Scouts. The BSA offers several opportunities to recognize these volunteers. The following award nominations are coming due in February.

• The Silver Beaver Award. The highest national award presented by a local council to individuals for noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth through service given to the council. Due February 16.
• District Unit Leader Award (DULA). The Distinguished Unit Leader Award is an award established by the Cradle of Liberty Council to recognize a Pack, Troop, Crew, or Ship leader who not only performs their duties within their Unit, but frequently goes above and beyond those duties for the benefit of the youth in their Unit. Due February 16.
• District Award of Merit (DAM). The District Award of Merit is a council award presented by the district to show its appreciation to adult Scouters who render service of an outstanding nature at the District level. Due March 2.
• District All-Star Award. The District All-Star Award is given annually by the District. It is intended to recognize Adults who have provided great service to their Unit or District in 2023. Due May 5.

Additional information on these and other awards can be found at colbsa.org/awards/. Or write to our District Recognition Chair, Joe Reitano with questions or nominations.

District First Aid Derby

Saturday March 2, 2024

Join us on the morning of March 2, 2024 for the District's 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. The patrols will compete in practical first aid problems, working together to plan and perform hands-on first aid skills.

The event will be on Saturday, March 2 from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon at St. Anastasia Church in Newtown Square. Registration is open. Every year we have dozens of Patrols compete to get their name on the prestigious Pennypacker Trophy (our very own version of the Stanley Cup); come join us and continue the tradition!

Questions? Contact the District Commissioner, Rob Shillingford

Interested? Need more information? Planning on attending? Space is limited.  

Click here to register and click here to download the event handbook.

Hike-a-Thon

Kick-Off Event March 8

Get your hiking boots on and let's conquer the trails together in our Spring Fundraiser:

The Hike-A-Thon.

The Hike-A-Thon is a great opportunity for Scouts to get active and help fund their Scouting adventure. How? It’s simple. Sign your Unit up for the hike, collect pledges, and then take a hike from March 15 to May 15, Units earn a 55% commission on all funds that they raise during the Hike-A-Thon. This is a great and easy opportunity to support your Scouting adventure. 

Our Kick-Off will be a Facebook Live event on March 8th from 7:00 - 7:30 pm.

To sign-up or stay informed please complete the commitment form at colbsa.org/hike.

Dates to Know

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

University of Scouting: Saturday, February 3, 2024

In-person training opportunities for leaders. Registration and information here.

District Roundtable: February 6, 2024

District Swim Program: postponed for pool renovations

Stay tuned for a rescheduled date

District First Aid Meet : March 2, 2024

Register here and download the event handbook here.

Pilgrimage & Encampment: March 8-10, 2024

Click here for information on joining for the day or camping for the weekend.

Hike-a-Thon Fundraiser: March 15 to May 15

Click here for more information or to sign up your Unit.

BALOO and IOLS Training: April 6 and 7, 2024

Training for adult leaders for Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA

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

Cold Weather Activities

Beyond camping, a number of cold-weather activities present challenges to Scouts and leaders, such as alpine or cross-country skiing, ice skating, sledding, ice fishing, and snowshoeing. Remember that winter activities can be more physically challenging and require special safety equipment, and that Scouts having fun may not realize they are suffering early symptoms of frostbite, dehydration, sun burn, and asthma. Essential ingredients for fun include skill training and an awareness of the hazards unique to these activities. Be prepared!

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.