Dear Brothers,

This is a reminder our annual community service project at the NYS Fairgrounds reflecting pool will be on Saturday, August 3, 2024, with a rain date of August 10, 2024. (Please be aware the event date was changed at the request of the NYS Fairgrounds due a conflict with their on-site events.)

Annually, the Lowanne Nimat Lodge provides this service to this historic community attraction by helping to clean up, paint, and mulch the area around the reflecting pool. If you have visited the reflecting pool during the New York State Fair, a plaque in front of it recognizes the lodge for its annual contribution to its care and maintenance. The Lodge has always taken great pride in this well-known attraction, and we ask our members to continue to cheerfully serve and support this project.

The start time for both dates is 8:00 a.m. and we usually finish before 3:00 p.m. If you have to arrive a little later or leave a little earlier, still please come and participate.

ALL SUPPLIES WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE NYS PARKS DEPARTMENT AND NYS FAIRGROUNDS STAFF.

Lunch and drinks will be provided by the lodge.

We recommend volunteer members bring older clothes and shoes, i.e. clothes that you don't mind getting paint on and also work gloves.

This is a no uniform event, but please bring your OA Sash for a picture at our lunch break.

This service project is open to all Lodge members, their families and scouting unit members. This is a great opportunity to earn some service for rank advancement or school honor societies or just to provide some cheerful service to our community.

Please email Lodge Advisor Mark Walker at lowannenimatlodgeadvisor@gmail.com to register for this event.

Looking forward to see you there.

Yours in Brotherhood,

Brother Matthew, VC of Operations

Lodge Chief Richard

Brother Mark Walker, Lodge Advisor

Based on feedback from BSA Aquatics personnel at camps across the country, the revised Mile Swim BSA award is now focusing on improving swimming stroke effectiveness and efficiency, especially for individuals looking to enhance their skills. Most Scouts who can walk or bike on level ground for about an hour without stopping will likely have enough stamina to swim a mile. There are also many other Scouts BSA programs that encourage and develop regular exercise. The purpose of the Mile Swim BSA award is to boost confidence and enhance water competency.

UPDATED BSA Mile Swim Award Requirements:

1. Successfully complete the BSA swimmer test: Jump feet first into water over the head in depth, level off, and begin swimming. Swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and must include at least one sharp turn.

2. Learn through discussion and application how skill, stamina, stroke selection, and pace influence distance swimming.

3. Pre-qualify for the mile by either swimming continuously for ¼ mile or otherwise demonstrating ability to the satisfaction of a counselor approved by the local council.

4. Swim one mile under safe conditions over a course approved by the counselor supervising the swim.

This year, we will be offering one week of Day Camp at Camp Woodland, August 12 - 16.



A variety of merit badges including Eagle-required badges will be offered for Scouts to further their advancement journey.

Camp is $350 per Scout, or $300 if paid in full by June 15.

Contact Camp Director Brendan Flaherty, brendan.flaherty@scouting.org, for more information.

• Effective April 1, BSA National eliminated the $25 new member joining fee. 
• Effective May 1, BSA National has increased membership fees for youth and adults. Longhouse Council has also increased our Council resource fee.

The new fees effective May 1, for new and renewing members are:

• $170 for youth in traditional programs
• $130 for adults in traditional programs
• $100 for youth and adults in Exploring programs
• $25 for merit badge counselors

Youth and adults can also subscribe to Scout Life Magazine for $15 per year.

Please contact your district executive for more information. 

National Youth Leadership Training

Announcing official partnership with Leatherstocking Council.

Joint partnership to bring the premiere youth training program to CNY

Camp Kingsley 8/4/24 - 8/9/24

Griffin’s Guardians needs an enthusiastic, carpenter or group of young carpenters to construct (45) wooden house structures. Each house will be made with 1x3 board. Each house needs to be structurally sound and stand on a flat surface table. The houses need to be sanded down so there are no sharp edges.



The houses will be used for the upcoming Eighth Annual Gold Tie Gala, a formal fundraising event at the Marriott Downtown Syracuse where over 500 guests attend to help support our mission. 

Please contact Christine Dallmann at christine@griffinsguardians.org or call her at (315)415-2689 for more details.

The items will need to be finished by August 15th, 2024

Looking for a part time employee to join our team.

Looking for someone who knows the scouting program, can sew/hem and has some retail experience. Hours would be between 8 to 20 hours per week, and Store hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 10am-5pm, Wednesday 11am -6pm and Saturdays 10am-2pm.

Please contact Dan at the Scout Shop with any questions or inquires at (315)455-6540. 

Other Dates of Interest