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SCOUTER FOCUS

Monthly News & Updates

November 2024 |

Issue No.11

In this issue: 2024 Photo Contest Winners Revealed

ExtraGive THIS Month!Toys For Tots,

2025 Klondike & Merit Badge College Dates, and More...!


2024 Summer Camp Photo Contest Winners Announced

Congratulations to the following winners of the Pennsylvania Dutch Council's

12th Annual Summer Camp Photo Contest!

Top Camp Mack Photo - Stephanie B., Pack 439

Top Camp Bashore Photo - Wes A , Troop 142G

Editor's Choice/Top Overall Photo -

Wes A., Troop 142G

Thanks to all who submitted photos to our contest this year - we had 62 great photos of our camps to review! With so many great photos to choose from, you will definitely see many of them on social media in the upcoming months!


Be on the lookout for information about the 2025 Summer Camp Photo Contest in the May 2025 Scouter Focus.

2024 SCOUTING FOR FOOD PATCH


2024 Scouting for Food Patches:

The Pennsylvania Dutch Council has created a custom patch to recognize Scouts and leaders that participated in Scouting for Food this fall. The patches are only available by online pre-order HERE.


Each patch costs $3 and will be available for pick up at the Council Service Center by February 2025.


The order deadline is December 1.


Questions? Contact Sheila Fasig at Sheila.Fasig@scouting.org.

SCOUT EXECUTIVE/CEO

Matt Klutzaritz

matt.klutzaritz@scouting.org

Quick Links

Click each graphic below to go to that web page.


NOVEMBER 2024

COUNCIL SERVICE CENTER CLOSURES


The Council Offices and Scout Shop will be closed:


Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th

for the

Thanksgiving Holiday


If you need assistance, please reach out to Council Staff in advance of the upcoming closure(s).



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Save The Date For The ExtraGive - November 22nd

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd,

ONLY 21 DAYS FROM TODAY!

Set an alarm on your phone now!


Once again, the Pennsylvania Dutch Council is participating in Lancaster County's ExtraGive, the largest one-day, online giving event! Please join us that day and help us reach our goal!


In order to maximize the potential funds that can be earned through the ExtraGive's games and incentives throughout the day, we need as many people as possible to participate!


THE EXTRA-GIVE STRETCH POOL

Besides fun games and incentives taking place during the 24-hours our donors can win for the PA Dutch Council, there is also the... ExtraGive Stretch Pool!! It's all about donors, donors, donors... unique donors that is!


Here's how it works:

The stretch pool of funds will be focused solely on number of unique donors to our organization. The more donors we secure, the more bonus funds we will receive. For example, if your organization’s unique donor count is 1% of all unique donors across the organizations participating in the ExtraGive, then your organization will receive 1% of the stretch pool.


A unique donor is intended to be defined as one individual. The primary method of determining a unique donor is the email address used when donating; however, the Foundation uses other data analysis techniques to ensure fair play. The Community Foundation reserves the right to address discrepancies and makes the final determination regarding the number of unique donors to an organization.


If you have never participated in the ExtraGive please consider joining us this year! Be a "unique donor" and ask your friends to donate to a great cause that supports youth in our community. (Minimum donation is $10.)


Lancaster County's ExtraGive is a 24-hour event and will take place on Friday, November 22, 2024 from 12 am to 11:59:59 pm, Eastern Time.

2024 Fall Product Sale - November Update

Volunteers Needed To Assist

With Product Sorting & Distribution!

The Council is looking for volunteers to help with sorting product on Wednesday, November 6 and distribution on Thursday, November 7.


As a thank you for helping, those that help with the sorting will be able to check out, load and take home theirs orders that night.   


Volunteer to SORT popcorn and nuts on Wednesday, November 6, 2024:


Volunteer to DISTRIBUTE and help load orders into cars on Thursday, November 7, 2024:


Schedule Your Unit's Take Order Pick-Up Time

A link was emailed to all units to schedule a Take Order pick-up time. If you are not volunteering that day, you must schedule a time to pick up your order. Please contact Lauren Bowen at Lauren.Bowen@scouting.org if you would like the link sent to you via email.


Invoices

  • Show & Sell invoices were emailed to all Popcorn Kernels. Payment must be submitted by Thursday, November 7. 


  • Take Order invoices will be emailed Friday, November 8. Take Order payments are due no later than Thursday, December 5.


Payments

  • Checks (payable to the Pennsylvania Dutch Council) or cash will be accepted. If you choose to pay with a credit card, a 3% processing fee will be added.


  • Check payments by mail, send to: Pennsylvania Dutch Council, BSA, 630 Janet Avenue, Suite B-114, Lancaster, PA 17601.


For more information about the 2024 Fall Product Sale, please go to: http://padutchbsa.org/popcorn/


2024 TOYS FOR TOTS

2ND ANNUAL TOY DRIVE


Please help us collect new and unwrapped toys!


Current Needs:

Toys for boys and girls, 0-2 years old and 9-12 years old.


The collection box is located in the lobby of the PA Dutch Council Offices and is available during business hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm. To make arrangements to drop-off your toys at some other time or place, please contact zena.korba@scouting.org.

Scout Shop News

On ExtraGive Day, Friday, November 22nd...

Donate, Get a Discount, a Donut, and a Drink!

Meet our new Scout Executive, Matt Klutzaritz!

November 2024 Roundtable Topics

District Roundtables

Open to all Unit Members and Volunteers, roundtables are held the first Thursday of each month, from September through May. The goal of these meetings is to provide leaders with information that will help their units thrive.


  • The next Iron Forge District Roundtable meeting will take place on November 7th at Camp Mack, 7 pm. We hope to see you there!
  • Hot topic: Holidays and Inclusion
  • Breakout Sessions:
  • Cub Scouts: Advancement Policies
  • Scouts BSA/Crews: High Adventure Opportunities in 2025


  • The next Susquehanna District Roundtable will take place on November 7th at the First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg, 7 pm. For more info, Click Here. 
  • Hot topic: Flag Etiquette
  • Breakout Sessions:
  • Cub Scouts: Getting Parents Involved
  • Scouts BSA/Crews: ILST Training in your Troop


To learn about upcoming meetings, celebrations, and exciting activities

your District has planned, please go to your District's Activities Page:


Iron Forge Activities (padutchbsa.org)


Susquehanna District Activities Page (padutchbsa.org)


Follow Your District on Facebook:

Iron Forge District, PA Dutch Council, BSA

Susquehanna District, PA Dutch Council, BSA 

Frosty Fun For Cub Scouts At Camp Mack Next Month!

Join Us For Some Frosty Fun on Sunday, December 15th &

Bring a Friend!


Cub Scout Packs, put this event on your schedule and make sure to invite friends (and their parent)! Participants will enjoy games, crafts, cookie decorating, songs, a campfire, and most importantly... have lots of FUN!


Two sessions will be offered. Sign up for either the 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. session, or the 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. session. The cost is $10 per person. A parent or guardian must attend with their Scout.


Registration Required

All registered participants will receive a goody bag and patch. To register, click on the following link: Frosty Fun | Pennsylvania Dutch Council BSA


Does Your Unit Need Service Hours?

Volunteers are needed to help out at this event. Individuals or Troops can join in the fun to deliver a great program for all Cub Scouts to remember. Help is needed to run the activity stations. Instructions will be provided, along with all supplies required to run the station.


If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie at stephu72@yahoo.com


Click on the following link for the Frosty Fun Flyer.

Trivia Night at the Millersville VFW - January 10th

What’s better than an evening with your Scouting friends? Competing with, or against them, at Trivia Night! Come with a group, play solo, or form a team when you arrive at the Millersville VFW on Friday, January 10th for the Susquehanna District's Trivia Night. 


Click here to download and share the Trivia Night Flyer. 


Please note this event is for adults (+21) only.

2025 Klondike Derby Dates

Iron Forge District Klondike Derby,

January 24-26


Due to popular demand, three treks will once again be offered to participants: Webelos/Arrow of Light (AOL), Scouts BSA sled, and Iron Will. Troops are welcome to camp for the weekend. Cub Scouts Packs planning to participate can sign up for Saturday only. More information will be available soon at Iron Forge Activities.


Susquehanna District Zombie Survival Klondike Derby, January 31-February 2nd


Get your unit ready for the Susquehanna District Zombie Survival Klondike Derby. The Susquehanna District is putting the finishing touches on the Leaders' Guide which will be available by mid-November. See the Susquehanna District Klondike Flyer for additional information and how to register.

Both Klondike Derby events at Camp Mack

are open to all Units from either District!

2025 Council Camporee

Save the Date for the 2025 Council Camporee,

May 2-4 2025!


Units, you will want to make sure to include this event in your activity calendar! The theme for this highly anticipated event is "Explore Your World." A few of the activities planned for Scouts to participate in include: Flat Earth Maps, an Amateur Radio Station, and getting a close-up look at first responder vehicles. More information will be available soon!

Read More Here

2025 Summer Camp News And Resources

2025 Summer Camp Registration is Open for Bashore Scout Reservation!



If your unit had a great time at Summer Camp, why not "seize the day" and sign up for 2025. It's never too early to make sure you secure your spot!


To make a reservation for the 2025 Summer Camp Season at Bashore Scout Reservation, CLICK HERE.

Upcoming Training Courses

UPCOMING TRAINING COURSE SCHEDULE:


The Pennsylvania Dutch Council Training and High Adventure Committee will be offering training courses this fall to help leaders to

"Be Prepared" to offer the best Scouting Program possible.  


Click HERE to view the current

training course schedule on the PADutchBSA.org website.

UPCOMING EVENTS

NOVEMBER 2024

  • November 22: ExtraGive - largest, one-day, online giving event in Lancaster County!


DECEMBER 2024

  • December 15: Frosty Fun at Camp Mack - Open to all Cub Scouts and their non-Scout friends! Click here for more information and to download the flyer.



JANUARY 2025


FEBRUARY

  • February 22: Merit Badge College*


MARCH

  • March 22: Basic Rifle Course, click here for the course flyer.


APRIL

  • April 5: Camp Mack Open House, Camp Mack Open House Flyer
  • April 5: Merit Badge College at Camp Bashore*
  • April 12: Susquehanna District Pinewood Derby*


MAY

  • May 2-4: Council Camporee at Long's Park*
  • May 3 & 4: Rifle Instructor Training Course, click here for the course flyer.


*More info coming soon!


To find out about additional events, please click on the

Council Calendar button below.

Council Calendar

Order of the Arrow - Wunita Gokhos Lodge 39

Upcoming Lodge Events and Deadlines:

  • November 2: Fall Service Day at Camp Mack
  • November 16: Joint Chapter Meeting
  • November 30: Membership Dues Payment Deadline, CLICK HERE for the payment portal.


For additional information about the Wunita Gokhos Lodge, please go to: https://padutchbsa.org/programs/order-of-the-arrow/

Scholarship Opportunities for Eagle Scouts

Outstanding Eagle Scout Award (DEADLINE THIS MONTH!)

The NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award is a prestigious recognition granted by the local council’s NESA committee to Eagle Scouts who have demonstrated outstanding achievement at the local, state, or regional level. The NOESA recognizes Eagle Scouts whose efforts have made a positive impact in the community. Nominations can be submitted through the Council's local NESA Committee. The deadline for submission is November 22, 2024. 


Full eligibility and submission guidelines for the NOESA can be found on the NESA website HERE. Applications can be dropped off or mailed to the Council Service Center: Pennsylvania Dutch Council, 630 Janet Ave Ste B-114, Lancaster, PA 17601.


Glenn A. & Melinda W. Adams Service Project of the Year Award

Do you know of an Eagle Scout who did a project this year that you thought was over and above that of his peers; one that really made an impact on the community? If so, please recommend that Scout for the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. 


Nominations for the Glenn A. & Melinda W. Adams Service Project of the Year Award can be submitted through the Council's local NESA Committee. The deadline for submission is January 24, 2025. Applications can be dropped off or mailed to the Council Service Center: Pennsylvania Dutch Council, 630 Janet Ave Ste B-114, Lancaster, PA 17601.


Full eligibility and submission guidelines and the Adams Award Nomination Form can be found on the NESA website HERE.

Friends of Scouting 2024 - Make Waves for Scouting!

Friends of Scouting

Annual Campaign


There is still time to...

"Make Waves For Scouting!"


To make your 2024 pledge,

please CLICK HERE.


You can also use your checking account for automatic payments and spread them over the remaining months in 2024. To set up a payment plan,

please contact Lauren Bowen at lauren.bowen@scouting.org or call 717-553-4210.

General Information


In-Store shopping hours are:

Monday to Friday 10:30 am - 4:30 pm

Scout Shop Associates and Support Staff will be available by appointment

Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 10:30 am.

 

Can’t make it into the store? Call 717.553.4200 or email BOTH tanya.hanna@scouting.org AND robin.kotzmoyer@scouting.org


DID YOU KNOW... Your order can be filled and shipped directly to your home or business. A shipping and handling fee will be applied to your purchase.

A credit card is required for payment.


3% Credit Card Processing Fees

Apply To The Following Transactions:


  • Registrations
  • Fall and spring product fundraisers
  • Camp related events or training programs
  • Replenishment of unit accounts


Thank you for understanding that as a nonprofit we cannot continue to incur these additional banking surcharges associated with credit card transactions.

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