I hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving and was able to take the time to be thankful for family, friends .... and scouting. Here are your Four Things To Know for the end of November!

• Scouting for Food - Thank You!
• Winter Camping: The Klondike - January 27-29
• Sea Scouts Ship 178
• Remember the Scouts on Giving Tuesday, November 29

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

Scouting for Food - Thank You!

Congratulations and thank you to all of the Units in the District that participated in this year’s Scouting for Food collection. It was one of the smoothest and most successful food drives in recent years. With your help, we filled 400 boxes with over 6 tons of food (roughly 12,000 packages), which was picked up at the end of the day for distribution to 14 food pantries and centers throughout the region (and that’s not counting the contributions of several units that collected for their own local food banks). Through the efforts of our Scouts, many local families were better able to give thanks this year.  

Winter Camping: The Klondike January 27-29

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 28 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.

Sea Scouts Ship 178

Want to join the second oldest branch of the BSA? Look no further than Sea Scouts! Full of adventure and nautical fun, Sea Scouts is for youth 14-20. For over 100 years Sea Scouting has promoted better citizenship and improved members’ boating skills through instruction and practice in water safety, boating skills, outdoor, social service experiences, and knowledge of our maritime heritage. Contact Rhys Wallace for info on how to join our district's Ship 178 in Havertown, or contact the Ship's leadership through BeAScout.org.

Remember the Scouts on Giving Tuesday

Thank you for all you do for Scouting in the Cradle of Liberty Council! We’re over two-thirds of the way toward our 2022 Annual Campaign goal to raise the necessary funds to support Scouting right here locally in Greater Philadelphia. As you consider your "Giving Tuesday" and end-of-year donations, please consider sharing some of your generosity with the Scouts.

How Can You Help?

• Join the Liberty Society - become a monthly recurring donor at colbsa.org/give
• Make a year-end, one-time gift at colbsa.org/give
• Share your Scouting story on your social media:
• Include hashtags: #ScoutsGiving #COLBSA
• Include a link to colbsa.org/give

Dates to Know

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

Wilderness First Aid Training - January 7 and 8

Info and registration here

District Annual Meeting - January 9

Gold Rush Klondike: Weekend of January 27 to 29

Contact Barry Kauffmann to join this annual winter camporee.

University of Scouting: February 4

A variety of courses for Unit Leaders. Save the Date!

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.

District Pinewood Derby - evening of Friday, April 28

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

Canadian Scout Exchange at Resica Falls: May 27 to 28

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

District Safety Minute

It's that time of year when Scouts hope to get some great new camping gear. Looking for an idea for your Scout? Consider a daypack for their Scouting trips, so that they do not need to use their school backpacks. Why is this a safety minute? Scouts will often bring items on camping trips which are inappropriate in schools, such as pocket knives and matches, and can get in trouble at school if they forget to remove them from their school backpacks after a camping trip. So, check those backpacks!   

Fun Fact to Know

Since 1986, 6ABC has partnered with the Boy Scouts of America Cradle of Liberty Council in the Boy Scouts of America Scouting for Food program, which is one of the most massive food drives in the nation. Every year, local Scouts participate in the parade, collecting food along the route to donate to local food banks. Consider having your Unit participate in 2023 and maybe even make it on 6ABC's television parade coverage!  

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.