A Message from our District Chair & District Commissioner

Membership Updates

Program Updates

🦅 River Hawk is Soaring!

Fall is in full swing across the district, and it has been fantastic to see our units out there doing what Scouting does best! From open houses welcoming new families to camping trips, hikes, service projects, and all the adventures in between, our units are showing our communities just how much Scouting has to offer.

A huge thank you goes out to everyone who participated in the Anne Arundel County Fair Ducky Races! This was a great opportunity to meet families from throughout the county, share what makes Scouting special, and invite them to find a unit that's right for their family. We had some great conversations, and we hope many of those families will soon become part of our Scouting family.

And the results are already something to celebrate: since August, River Hawk District has welcomed 98 new Cub Scouts! That's 98 families who now have the opportunity to make new friends, learn new skills, experience the outdoors, serve their communities, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

But we're not done yet! Keep up the great work. Continue inviting families, promoting your unit, hosting activities, and giving prospective Scouts an opportunity to see firsthand what your program is all about. Every conversation and every invitation can make a difference.

🦅 October Roundtable

Join us for our October Roundtable on Monday, October 12 at 7:00 PM Old Mill Middle School NORTH.

Come connect with fellow Scouters, share ideas, hear district updates, and continue building momentum for a great fall.

Please plan ahead: Construction is still ongoing around the school, but Shetlands Lane is open and accessible for vehicles. Give yourself a little extra time to navigate the area.

We look forward to seeing you there—and celebrating all the great things happening across River Hawk!

Yours in Scouting,

Jenn & Kipp

Membership Updates

Catherine Gillies, Vice Chair of Membership

membership@riverhawkbac.org

New Member Coordinators:

What You Need to Know!

A New Member Coordinator (NMC) is a Scouting America adult role dedicated to welcoming youth and their families, promoting Scouting, and ensuring new members feel connected and engaged so they stay in the program. 

The NMC Position Exists To:

• Welcome and engage new families, making them feel a strong sense of belonging.
• Promote Scouting by sharing its benefits and inviting potential members.
• Coordinate recruitment and guide the joining and welcoming process.
• Support retention by ensuring new members know how to get uniforms, when activities are, and how to connect with the unit.

This role is encouraged for packs, troops, crews, ships, and posts, as well as in districts and councils.

Responsibilities

Typical NMC duties include:

• Answering questions and providing information and resources.
• Providing a bridge between new members and unit leadership.
• Helping with smooth transitions between Cub Scout packs and troops.
• Acting as a mentor, coach, and advocate for Scouting.

How It Works

• NMCs attend open house events and other meetings where new members and potential new members may be present. 
• Visibility: NMCs don't wear the regular uniform because that can often be intimidating to new members. Instead, they usually wear the “Welcome” logo on hats, shirts, vests, or scarves to be more approachable.
• NMCs connect with new families to provide resources, help ease their transition into the unit, act as a welcoming committee, help them understand how things work in the unit, and speed up their understanding and comfort with how things get done. 
• Flexibility: Units can tailor responsibilities to their needs and the NMC’s interests 
• Team approach: Multiple NMCs are encouraged to work together, making recruitment and engagement more effective

Who Can Be an NMC?

Anyone enthusiastic about Scouting, who is outgoing, friendly, and willing to meet people is ideal. No extensive Scouting experience is required; in fact, being new to the program can be an advantage.



Training and Support

• Welcome Course: NMCs complete a short online module covering the role’s basics.
• Support network: Unit leadership, district membership chair, and council staff provide mentorship and resources

Benefits to Units

• Improves recruitment and retention.
• Builds engagement and connection for new families.
• Reduces the workload on the other unit leaders!
• Creates a structured, collaborative growth team.

In short: New Member Coordinators are the “welcome ambassadors” of Scouting, making the first impression and ensuring new members feel valued and included, which directly supports unit growth and long-term success.

Program Updates

Eric Hostetler, Vice Chair of Program

program@riverhawkbac.org

LAST CALL!

Get ready for a hauntingly good time at this year’s Spook-O-Ree! This annual event, designed specifically for our Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts is a highlight of the fall, drawing hundreds for a weekend filled with adventure, learning, and spooky (not scary) fun.



Held at Camp Saffran, Broad Creek Scout Reservation, Spook-O-Ree offers a unique opportunity to participate in a variety of skills stations run by Scouts from local Troops, Crews, and Ships. Throughout the weekend, Scouts will have the chance to develop new skills, build lasting friendships, and enjoy the great outdoors.

Saturday evening will culminate in a Halloween-themed campfire where Scouts are encouraged to dress in their favorite costumes. The campfire program will feature skits and songs performed by the Scouts, making for a night of laughter and memorable moments. Don’t forget to decorate your campsite to add to the spooky atmosphere!

Registration closes on Sunday, October 4th at 11:59 PM! 

Congratulations to our September

Eagle Scouts!

_{2 Sep T1983}  

_{Evelyn Elder}

_{3 Sep T422}  

_{Joshua Blackwelder}

_{3 Sep T783} 

_{Oliver Taylor}

_{4 Sep T855}

_{Kaden Huntley}

_{8 Sep T993}

_{James Monahan}

_{10 Sep T441} 

_{Melvin Gill}

_{15 Sep T115} 

_{Ethan O'Sullivan}

_{21 Sep T1214} 

_{Levi Vasek}

_{22 Sep T115} 

_{Jack Mewett}

_{24 Sep T441} 

_{Donald Hornberger}

BALOO at Spook-O-Ree

October 17-18, 2026

Camp Saffran

This one-night training event introduces Den/Pack Leaders to the skills needed to plan and conduct Cub Scout pack outdoor activities, particularly pack family camping. BALOO will give your pack’s outdoor activity leader the tools to conduct a safe and successful overnight including the why and how of Cub Scout camping—planning, equipment, meal preparation, and campfire programs.

Cub Scouters rotate among four round-robin sessions—fire safety, stoves, and lanterns; first aid and sanitation; nature hikes and games; and cooking. Scattered throughout the day are plenty of the four S’s: songs, stunts, stories, and showmanship. One overnight camping is involved.

Registration is open here

Questions?

Contact John Rolek, River Hawk BALOO Director at rolek.pspwii@gmail.com