Spring is here; I hope everybody has laced up the hiking boots and taken advantage of a beautiful day. And while you are hiking, why don't you raise some funds for your Pack, Troop, or Crew....

• Hike-a-Thon 2023
• A Call for District Volunteers
• Recognition Dinner - April 24
• Annual Scout Mass - April 15

Plus, Dates to Know, this month's Safety Minute, and a new Fun Fact.

Hike-A-Thon

March 15 to May 15, 2023

We have a new fundraiser for 2023 -- the Hike-A-Thon. 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 6, 2023 or your Unit can organize its own hike anytime between now 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.

Units are signing up fast! Join in today to make sure your unit doesn't miss out on this fundraiser!

Want more information? Click here.

Want to sign up your Unit? Click here.

A Call for District Volunteers

The Constellation District is one of 11 Districts in the Cradle of Liberty Council, and it is run by a volunteer Committee that helps our three dozen Packs, Troops, and Crews with ideas and events for membership, fundraising, and activities. And we could use your help. We are looking for adult volunteers who can help in a wide range of ways, especially as a Unit Commissioner to serve as the liaison between our Units and the District and Council. Are you looking for a way to be more "in the know, " or to "give back" to the Scouting program that provided great experiences to your child, or to help grow Scouting in our area?

Please reach out to the District Chair, John Cluver, if you are interested in helping, would like more information, or have any questions. Thanks for all you do for Scouting!

Annual Council Recognition Dinner

April 24, 2023 at 6:00 pm

Please join us as we celebrate Scouting in the Cradle of Liberty Council and recognize the distinguished service and achievements of some special Scouts and Volunteers, including this year's class of Silver Beaver recipients.

Click here to Register to attend or click here to help Sponsor the event.

The event will be held at the Crowne Plaza King of Prussia, 260 Mall Boulevard, King of Prussia, PA 19406.

Annual Scout Mass

Saturday, April 15 at 11:00 am

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia Catholic Committee on Scouting is celebrating its Annual Scout Mass on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Cathedral Basilica of SS Peter and Paul. The Most Rev. Nelson J. Perez, D.D. will be the Celebrant.

This Mass is offered in gratitude for, and for the intentions of, all of our seminarians, faculty, staff and alumni of The Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, and at the conclusion of Mass, Archbishop Perez will present all Cub and Scout religious emblems earned this year – Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei, Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII.

Advanced registration is not required, but emblem recipients should register in the vestibule of the Cathedral at 10:15 a.m.

The Cathedral is located at 1723 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (18th and the Parkway)

All scouts, family, neighbors, and friends are invited.

Dates to Know

For an additional list of Council events, check out the Council Program Update.

Ideal Year of Scouting: Saturday April 1

Register here for a free, virtual event with ideas on running at strong Scouting program.

Quarterly District Roundtable: Tuesday, April 11 at 7:30

Join us at Marple Presbyterian Church (home of Pack and Troop 151)

No registration needed; just show up ready to discuss Fundraising ideas!

Annual Scout Mass: April 15 at 11:00

No registration required. Click here for more information.

Family Adventure Fest: April 15

Scouts and non-Scouts are welcome at this first-time event. For Info and To Register.

BALOO and IOLS Training: April 22 & 23

Every Scout deserves a trained leader. Info and register for BALOO (Cub Scouts) or Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (Scouts BSA).

COL Annual Recognition Dinner: April 24

Register here to celebrate the past year of Scouting accomplishments and recognize our volunteers with top-level council and district awards!

Constellation District Pinewood Derby: evening of Friday, April 28

Register Here to have your Pack's top cars go head-to-head with others in the District

Eagle Scout Recognition Luncheon: Sunday, April 30

Honoring the classes of 2020, 2021, and 2022. Register here.

Canadian Scout Exchange at Resica Falls: May 26 to 28

Share a weekend of Scouting adventures with Canadian Scouts. More info here. 

District Safety Minute

Accidents happen. But how you respond to them can be critical. The BSA has an Incident Reporting Program to allow Unit Leaders to report incidents and near misses to Council. Timely and complete incident reporting provides the Council with an opportunity for analysis of incidents that occur, promotes continuous improvement of our programs, and can provide you with guidance on how best to respond. Reporting an incident is not a "knock" against a Unit; conversely, it shows your commitment to providing a safe program.

For more information on Incident Reporting, check out this article.

To report an incident or near miss, please contact one of our District professional team (Ryan, Rhys, or Aaron) listed at the bottom of this newsletter.

Fun Fact to Know

The National Jamboree takes place every four years, and 45,000 Scouts, leaders, and staff will be gathering this July at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in gorgeous West Virginia. Started in 1937, this will be the 20th edition, and the 3rd at the Summit. But twice this event was held nearby in Valley Forge, in 1957 and 1964.

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.