IN THIS ISSUE
  • NEW - SAFETY MOMENT - FOOD ALLERGIES
  • NEW - HOUSATONIC COUNCIL "SCOUTS IN ACTION"
  • NEW - JOIN US TOMORROW AT CAMP STRANG AS WE READY FOR SUMMER 2022
  • NEW - CONNJAM IS TOMORROW
  • NEW - MEMORIAL DAY PARADE NEWS
  • NEW - YARD GOATS SCOUT NIGHT - JULY 30, 2022
  • REGISTER FOR - SPRING CAMPOREE - MAY 20 - 22 AT CAMP STRANG
  • REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE 2023 NATIONAL JAMBOREE
  • APPLY TO WORK ON SUMMER CAMP STAFF IN 2022
  • MEMBERSHIP RECRUITING RESOURCES
  • HOUSATONIC COUNCIL ONLINE STORE
  • NEW - SCOUTING NEWS...
  • 2021 merit badge rankings: Return of summer camps shuffles the list again
  • Scout Coral Reef Rescue Efforts Featured on CBS News Stations Around the Country
  • OTHER SCOUTING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU AND YOUR UNIT...
  • Volunteers Needed for the Wall that Heals
  • Trinity Solar Fundraiser
  • Green Village Initiative in Bridgeport offers programs
  • CVS offering Camp Physicals in CT
  • CT Science Center Events & Programs
  • Annual Catholic Scout Retreat - May 21 & 22
SAFETY MOMENT - FOOD ALLERGIES

According to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), one in every 13 children has a food allergy. Every 3 minutes, a food-allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room. And while the responsibility for management of a food allergy lies with the individual or the individual’s parent or guardian, all of us need to be ready to assist in preventing — or helping in response to — a reaction.

A food-allergy reaction happens when the immune system overreacts to a food protein. A reaction can range from mild to severe. In the U.S., the most common food allergens are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish and sesame seeds. However, any food might cause an allergic response, and many people are allergic to more than one food. Also, initial food-allergy reactions can occur at any time.
A food allergy should not be confused with a food intolerance. An intolerance is when someone cannot digest a component of a food, such as lactose, a sugar found in milk. An intolerance may cause abdominal cramping or diarrhea but is not life-threatening. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

Scouts and their parents expect all Boy Scouts of America activities to be conducted safely. To ensure the safety of participants, the Boy Scouts of America expects leaders to use the four points of SAFE when delivering the Scouting program.
"SCOUTS IN ACTION" HOUSATONIC COUNCIL
TROOP 3, PACK 3, AND CREW 33, DERBY - presented their 96th annual Scout Gang Show on May 7 at the Derby Ghana United Methodist Church. The traditional show is the longest running of its kind and included songs, skits and jokes. The theme of the show was "TV Theme Songs" and featured songs from Sesame Street, Gilligans Island, Cheers, Batman, The Flintstones and others. Scout Gang Shows are performed all over the world, but this is the only one performed in the United States.  

TROOP 101, SHELTON - During Mother's Day weekend, the rain didn't dampen, the wonderful turn out at the Huntington Congregational Church in Shelton. for Troop 101's first Mother's Day Flower Sale.
What has your unit been doing? Did you go on a special camping trip? Work on a community service project? Share your story with us and we will share it with the Council. Share with us photos and stories for "SCOUTS IN ACTION..." This section of our newsletter is dedicated to our units. Submit your stories and pictures of what your unit is doing. Add a contact email so other leaders can contact you, and do what you did in their unit. Submit your stories to John Zseller
Beaver with a white tshirt
CAN WE COUNT ON YOU TOMORROW TO HELP US GET CAMP READY?

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

MAY 14, 2022 - CAMP STRANG WORKDAY #2

It is time to begin the annual Camp Strang Spring Cleaning, and dust off the cobwebs, and prepare Camp Strang for weekend opportunities, Spring Camporee and Summer Camp.

May 14 will be our second workday at Camp Strang. The day will begin at 9:00 AM. Lunch will be provided, or bring your own.

Contact John Zseller if you are interested in assisting and share with him what you are interested in working on, or if your not sure share your skills with John and we will find a project.
MEMORIAL DAY 2022

Is your unit participating in a Memorial Day Parade this year? Need more information on parades in your City or Town?

City of Ansonia Memorial Day Parade - May 29, 2022 - Assembly Location is Nolan Field.

City of Derby & City of Shelton Memorial Day Parade - Monday, May 30, 2022 begins at Howe and Wharf Street contact Parade Chair James Tortora at [email protected]

Town of Seymour Memorial Day Parade - Sunday, May 29, 2022 beginning at 11:00 AM assemble at French Memorial Park and will end at the Community Center.

Town of Oxford Memorial Day Parade - Monday, May 30, 2022, beginning at 11:00 AM assemble at the Quarry Walk.
2022 SPRING CAMPOREE, MAY 20 - 22 AT CAMP STRANG
SCOUTING AROUND THE WORLD

The theme for the Spring Camporee will be a “worldwide” experience, contained all at Camp Strang. Patrols will set out with Passports in hand and get them stamped at the countries they compete at. The Activities Committee is looking for your troop to showcase a country; try to tie a station to that country. Provide some Fun Facts about your country and challenge our scouts to know about our world.
CAMP STRANG AND DAY CAMP ARE HIRING

Hello! Strang Scout Reservation and Day Camp is looking to fill some key positions for our Summer Camp Staff! Please share this post with anyone you know who is looking for fun and rewarding summer work! All are encouraged to apply and no prior scouting experience is necessary!

We are looking for the following team members:
  • Food Services Director 
  • Climbing Instructor (18+)
  • Program Area Instructors (Aquatics/ Lifeguards, Outdoor Skills, Ecology, First Year Camper, Field Sports, STEM) 
  • Dining Hall Steward
  • Kitchen Crew
  • Program Staff for Strang and Day Camp
MEMBERSHIP RESOURCES
SCHEDULE YOUR SPRING RECRUITMENT NOW - Spring Recruitment is simply the process of inviting and registering new Scouts and their families in the Scouting program. Spring Recruitment is for kindergarten-age youth going into 1st grade through 4th grade youth going into 5th grade. Spring Recruitment is NOT for youth going into kindergarten. Lion recruitment should start in August.

Why Spring Recruitment? CAMPING, whether an overnight, sleep-away (resident) or a day camp, is a promise that Scouting makes to every new family. For families that join in the spring this is something that we can deliver on right away! To schedule your Spring Recruitment contact Carole Cafaro 


THE HOUSATONIC COUNCIL ONLINE STORE

  • PATCHES AVAILABLE
  • 2022 Klondike Patches
  • 60th Camp Strang Anniversary Patch
  • And other items
SCOUTING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU AND YOUR UNIT...
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE WALL THAT HEALS

The Wall that Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, will be at Veterans Memorial Park in Norwalk, CT from Thursday, June 2 through Sunday, June 5. We are looking for Scouters and mature Scouts to help volunteer during this time.

For more details, please reach out to Karen Caiati at 203-722-9177 or [email protected] if you and/or your troop are interested in helping.
TRINITY SOLAR FUNDRAISER

Is your unit low on funds? The Council is continuing their partnership with Trinity Solar. They have agreed to donate $50 to your unit for every qualified consultation that comes from your unit.
Additionally on an installation by Trinity Solar from the consultation your unit will receive $500.
For more information contact: Lori Scala, Community Outreach Program, Trinity Solar at 203-895-8968 or email at [email protected]

 
The link to sign up and learn more about solar for your home is.
 
GREEN VILLAGE INITIATIVE

Green Village Initiative! GVI is a Bridgeport non-profit that grows food, knowledge, leadership and community through urban farming and gardening. Food justice is at the heart of our mission. My name is Catherine and I manage GVI's 1.7 acre produce farm on land that has been reclaimed from a parking lot! I am reaching out to invite your group to come to the farm this spring and learn about urban farming in Bridgeport and volunteer with us. 
 
This could look like a variety of things including hosting one of your regular meetings in our beautiful outdoor space, setting up educational stations or getting straight to work!.


Upcoming this spring we have a number of events, seedlings sales and our weekly farmers market starts in June.
SUMMER CAMP PHYSICALS AT CVS

Scouts can schedule their Camp Physicals at a local MinuteClinic® at CVS®. Each year, MinuteClinic provides thousands of camp physicals for Scouts, either in clinic or at an on-site event.
 
MinuteClinic is open every day, including evenings. We are currently in Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland and Windham. . Find a local clinic.
CONNECTICUT SCIENCE CENTER EVENTS