Four Things to Know for March 5, 2023

March 5, 2023

It's starting to feel like Spring! Here are your Four Things to know for the beginning of March

Last Call - District First Aid Derby - March 11
District Pinewood Derby - April 28
Roundtable - April 11
Leadership Lessons from Scouting

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

District First Aid Derby

March 11, 2023

Join us on the morning of March 11, 2023 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. And new this year, we will have two divisions, allowing Patrols to complete scenarios that appropriately challenge their skill levels.

The event will be on Saturday, March 11 from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon at St. Anastasia Church in Newtown Square. 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's Activities Chair, Scott Kleeman.

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

Click here to register and to receive additional information.

District Pinewood Derby

April 28, 2023 at 6:00 pm

Cub Scouts, start your ~~engines~~ Pinewood Derby kits!

I hope all of our Cub Packs have made plans for their Pinewood Derbies this Spring. All Constellation District Cub Scout Packs can send up to 5 cars to compete in the race portion of the event to race for the glory. In addition, each Pack can send one car to compete in the non-racing “Best in Show” competition.

The registration fee is $30 per pack to cover the cost of track rental and awards. Trophies will be awarded to the top five race finishers and the best in show.

The event will be on Friday, April 28 at St. Anastasia Church in Newtown Square. Registration starts at 6:00 pm, with racing to being at 7:00 pm.

Click here for additional information or to register your Pack

District Roundtable

April 11, 2023 at 7:30 pm

We’re looking forward to meeting with the adult leaders and other volunteers from our Packs and Troops in April for our quarterly Roundtable. This month, we’re going to be talking about Fundraising. Some units have this all figured out; others struggle every year. We want to get everybody together to help all of our Units to succeed by discussing what works, what doesn’t work, and the various opportunities provided by Council to support our Scouts.

Join us at Marple Presbyterian Church, 105 N. Sproul Road (Route 320), Broomall, 19008

Leadership Lessons from Scouting

Scouting Magazine recently highlighted a recent column for Psychology Today, written by Robert Evans Wilson Jr., an author, speaker, humorist and Cub Pack leader based in Atlanta, Georgia, who has done about as good a job of putting the Scout leader experience into words as you’ll ever see. He talks about how he reinvigorated a dying pack, set it up for long-term success, and learned valuable leadership lessons along the way. Read the article in Scouting Magazine, or the original in Psychology Today. This is a great read for leaders and volunteers at Packs, Troops, Crews, and even non-Scouting organizations.

Dates to Know

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

Constellation District First Aid Derby: Saturday March 11

Test your First Aid skills in our annual competition.

Click here for information and to register.

Pilgrimage and Encampment: March 10 to 12

A full weekend of the Pilgrimage and Encampment returns in 2023 with a visit to Fort Washington State Park! Click here for registration and information.

STEM Scouts - Chemistry Merit Badge: Saturday March 18

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!

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

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

Why does the Constellation District host a First Aid Derby every year? While it is a fun, competitive event, it also emphasizes the importance of basic First Aid skills. You may not ever need to splint a leg or fireman carry somebody to safety, but having the confidence of knowing how to respond in an emergency provides the ability to keep a situation from getting worse. A Scout knows that the first steps to handling an emergency, such as assessing the situation, calling for help, and approaching the scene safely are just as important as providing urgent treatment, and makes them an invaluable help in any emergency. Be prepared!

Fun Fact to Know

A month ago, we mentioned the Constellation District has 6 Troops which have been in existence for 100 years or more. We were wrong, it is actually 7, or almost half of all the active boy Troops in the District. Congratulations to Troop Bala1 (1908), Merion Liberty Troop 71 (1910), Troop 19 Bryn Mawr (1912), Troop 284 Radnor (1920), Troop 176 Narberth (1921), Troop 181 Gladwyne (1921), & Troop 315 Newtown Square (1922). Congratulations to our Centennial Troops.

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.