Welcome to the July 2021 edition of the Digital Eagle! This is a monthly publication of the Greater Alabama Council, BSA.
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2021 American Values Luncheon
Join us on Thursday, August 19 at the Birmingham Sheraton Hotel as we honor the 2021 Recipients of the Heart of the Eagle Award: Mr. Greg Sankey, Commissioner of the SEC, and Dr. Michael S. Saag, M.D. UAB-Division of Infectious Diseases. We will also recognize our 2020 Honorees, Mr. Bill Morton, President/CEO, Robins and Morton, and Mr. Tim Vines, President/CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.
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Now Accepting Nominations for the Silver Beaver Award
The Silver Beaver Award is the highest honor that a Council can bestow on a volunteer Scouter. This award recognizes continuous service to youth over a sustained tenure in the Boy Scouts of America. The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 and is a council-level distinguished service award. The award is given to recognize registered Scouters of exceptional character who have provided distinguished service within a council.
To nominate an individual or individuals for the Silver Beaver, please work with your District Executive, and submit all nominations to the Council through them. The nomination form as well as information on the Districts of the Greater Alabama Council can be found in the links below.
All Nominations are Due No Later than Tuesday, August 31, 2021.
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Popcorn Kickoff time is right around the corner! This turn-key fundraising opportunity enables your Pack, Troop, or Crew to pay for its year of programming and adventure!
Popcorn Kick-off dates:
Huntsville: July 15th
Gadsden: July 29th
Birmingham: July 24th
Birmingham: July 26th
Westmoreland: July 26th
Anniston: July 27th
More information and details can be found on Page 10 of the 2021-2022 GAC Program Planning Guide.
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Beginning August 1, 2021: Membership Fee Increase
The Boy Scouts of America has worked to keep the annual membership fee as low as possible, but with rising operating costs, the fee will be increased to maintain the program.
Starting Aug. 1, the membership fee for Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouting participants will be $72, a $6 increase from the $66 fee enacted last August. The fee for Exploring participants will be $45, up from $42.
The one-time $25 joining fee for new program participants in Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouting will still be required. There is no joining fee for Exploring, participants previously registered in any BSA program, those transferring from one program to another, council-paid memberships or adult volunteers.
Fees for all adult volunteers will be $45, also up from $42. That includes the cost of a background check. Council-paid memberships will remain at $30 and the unit charter fee will stay at $75.
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Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail Program |
The Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail speaks to the valor of both common people and to the spiritual leaders who spearheaded the fight against segregation and other forms of racism. The Trail winds through downtown Birmingham, marking significant locations along the 1963 Civil Rights march routes. Designed as a self-guided tour, the route directs Scouts along this historic pathway by maps at each location. There are multiple sites and routes along the trail an in the Historic Civil Rights District. Only the following 6 sites are required to achieve the award. |
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Flag Retirement Request
As Scouts, we are trusted by our fellow citizens with properly retiring American flags. This solemn trust and responsibility isn't one that we take lightly or for granted. While Coosa Lodge of the Order of the Arrow handles a lot of flag retirements each year, we need your help in properly and respectfully retiring American flags that have been entrusted to our stewardship. To facilitate this, we have developed a request form where you or your unit can request a flag or flags that you can retire. These are available for pick-up at either the Birmingham or Huntsville offices, or you can work with your District Executive to get the flag(s) to retire.
Additionally, we have provided several informative links that you can view to plan your retirement ceremony. We strongly encourage you to read the Scouting Blog link as it contains information on the safe retirement practices for retiring modern, "all weather" flags which are made of highly combustible materials like nylon or polyester.
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Planned BSA System Outage
Beginning July 8 and running until July 12th, the BSA will be experiencing a nation-wide, system-wide outage during a data center migration. This outage will impact all BSA systems and products (except for email services). During this time, access to Scoutbook and My.Scouting will not be affected.
This outage will impact the operations and connectivity of both the Huntsville and Birmingham offices.
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Join Scouting families across the country in a spirited Summer of Service! As we have throughout our history, Scouting families are answering the call to work together in service of the greater good. From public health drives, to caring for the environment, to assisting neighbors in need, Scouts have always been a force for positivity and goodness in our communities.
Want to know more about the Summer of Service? Click on the links below!
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Advancement Policy Updates
Effective Jan. 1, 2021, local councils will have the authority to grant limited extensions of time to complete Eagle, Quartermaster, or Summit requirements. These extensions are available only to youth members who qualify under the three tests listed in the attached advance copy of topics 9.0.4.0, 9.0.4.1, 9.0.4.2, and forms 11.2.0.0 and 11.2.1.0 from the 2021 edition of the Guide to Advancement (GTA), which will be published early in the year. Advance copies of these topics and forms are also published at www.scouting.org/advancement.
The three tests are laid out in topic 9.0.4.0. The process for requesting and reviewing a time extension is outlined in topic 9.0.4.1. An appeal process has also been established if the council denies an extension. This process is outlined in topic 9.0.4.2.
Though the updated GTA containing these three topics will not be published until after the new year, the authority outlined in topics 9.0.4.0, 9.0.4.1, and 9.0.4.2 will take effect on Jan. 1, 2021.
Council Advancement Committees are advised that after Dec. 31, 2020, there is no plan to authorize COVID extensions as has been allowed during 2020. It is possible, however, that as of Jan. 1, 2021, COVID could become a circumstance that warrants an extension if it qualifies under the three tests listed in 9.0.4.0. Note that existing COVID extensions granted between Oct. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020, will expire three months after they were granted.
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2021 Webelos Resident Camp
The 2021 Webelos Resident Camp is four days and three nights of Scouting fun and adventure! The goal of Resident Camp is to provide Webelos Scouts a taste of the summer camp excitement they will enjoy as a member of a Scouts BSA troop. This camp also offers the opportunity to complete some, if not all, of the requirements for select Webelos Adventures. Webelos Resident Camp is held at Comer Scout Reservation and is led by trained Webelos Leaders, assisted by Camp Comer Summer Camp Staff.
To learn more, click on the link below for the Information Guide.
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Registration forms are found in the back of the Information guide! |
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Religious Emblems Camp
Mark Your Troop or Crew Calendar for September 17-19, 2021. The Greater Alabama Council will be hosting a Religious Emblems Camp at Camp Comer for Scouts BSA and Venturing Scouts. This weekend-long event will help you work towards earning your Religious Emblem award in time for Scout Sunday 2022. To learn more about this exciting weekend at camp or to go ahead and register for the weekend, please click on the button below.
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Calling All Troops!
Join us September 10-12 @ Camp Comer for our Emergency Services Weekend. The event will give Scouts the opportunity to participate in merit badges, activities, demonstrations, and competitions based on first responder skills. The weekend will also feature a Wilderness First Aid course adults can sign up for. More information coming soon!
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Winter Camp 2021
Mark your calendars for Winter Camp 2021! Winter Camp will run from December 27-31, 2021 at Camp Comer. More details to come!
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50th Anniversary Environmental Protection Agency Award |
The Environmental Protection Agency, as part of a public awareness campaign to celebrate its first 50 years, has partnered with the Boy Scouts of America to create an award for members of troops, crews and ships. This new award will recognize youth who research and learn about the subjects of human health and the environment, as the EPA develops its vision for the next 50 years.
The objective of the EPA award is to combine a variety of disciplines to challenge and educate youth; introduce them to the breadth of the EPA’s involvement in environmental protection and conservation; and encourage them to research, investigate, experiment, demonstrate, survey, and study air pollution, water pollution, solid and hazardous waste, and ocean dumping.
To learn more about the award and to access the application form, please click on the links below.
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Powder Horn is a High Adventure Resource Management Course open to all Scouting Adults and Youth age 14 . Participants will learn the necessary skills to oversee a high adventure program and learn of local resources available for your group’s program. For more information and to register, click the button below. |
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New Hiking Award For Scouts and Scouters! |
Scouts and Scouters have an opportunity to earn a new patch and trail medal! Camp Tranquility at Oak Mountain State Park is a one-of-a-kind experience for Scouts. The Camp, originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration, has become a favorite place for Scout troops and Venture Crews over the years.
Troops and Crews have a chance to continue Scouting's legacy of service to the camp and to enjoy the extensive network of trails throughout Oak Mountain State Park by participating in the program.
For details on the patch and trail medal program, and to learn a bit of history of this beloved camp, follow the link to the right.
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Engineering Merit Badge
Sign up to participate in the Engineering Merit Badge Program at the Barber Museum! This program is on the move from start to finish and includes a hands-on Build-a-Bike activity, a tour of the largest motorcycle collection in the world, and a short film. With stunning views of the Barber Motorsports Road Course, vehicle exhibits, and restoration shop, the museum offers a thrilling environment in which to learn about the field of engineering.
The opportunity costs $18 per Scout, and it includes all materials needed for the program, including the Barber Museum BSA Patch. We ask that Scouts be prepared by reading the Engineering Merit Badge book prior to their troop’s scheduled visit. To show pride in your troop and demonstrate your participation as a Scout, we ask that Scouts wear their uniforms.
Reserve a spot for your Scout or their whole troop today!
The Engineering Merit Badge Program, sponsored by Yamaha, will be offered at the Barber Museum on the following Saturdays, at 9:30 am. Spaces are limited, so please contact us to reserve your spot.
Register to attend our Engineering Merit Badge Program. When you arrive at the registration link close the login box to enter your information. The form on the first page is where you'll enter parent information, and the form on the second page is where you will enter the Scout's information. You can register multiple attendees/scouts at one time.
If you have any questions, please email Rachel Landers or call her at 205-702-8713.
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Make the Summer of 2022 legendary! Go to the Moot!
Make summer 2022 the stuff of legends and join the BSA Contingent to the Moot! The BSA will be sending a National Contingent to the 2022 World Scout Moot hosted by Scouting Ireland. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you definitely are not going to want to miss! To learn more and register to go, click on the button below!
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Updates from Coosa Lodge!
The National Order of the Arrow Conference is next summer! Join Arrowmen from around the country as NOAC convenes on the campus of The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN! More details coming soon, but to see an FAQ and other information, you can click here to learn more!
To make sure you are in the loop, be sure to make sure your OA Dues are paid and that the Lodge has your most current email address so you can receive the Lodge's digital newsletter. Also, once you pay your Lodge dues for the year, you'll receive a "Member in Good Standing" patch! Need to update your mailing address or email address? Please take a moment to submit the form below!
To stay up-to-date on all the latest with Coosa Lodge, follow the links below!
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The History Committee of Coosa Lodge Invites you to join them on the 4th Thursday of each month for a Virtual Cracker Barrel! Beginning at 8pm CT, join members of the Lodge for a brief information session focusing on some historical aspect of Scouting across North and Central Alabama and a roundtable discussion following the featured topic.
The Virtual Cracker Barrel is open for all who wish to join in. To keep track of the sessions, you can follow the History Committee online on Facebook or by joining the email list. Just click on the buttons below to get set up. The only requirement is that you bring your best Scout Spirit, and your own snacks.
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Are you looking for ways to keep Scouting while you're at home? We have compiled a resource page for you to keep the adventure going! You'll be able to find 30-Day Challenges and more on our resource page. To access the page, just click on the button below. |
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Scouting is a global institution– there are National Scout Organizations representing their home countries and delivering the promise of Scouting in virtually all areas and regions globally. The BSA International Department works to help Scouts and Leaders from the BSA to experience the bigger picture of Scouting and connect with it through our involvement in the World Organization of the Scout Movement. To learn more about Scouting around the world, including exciting events like the upcoming World Scout Moot in Ireland in 2022, click below. |
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Pre-commit today for the new Protect Our Birds tag—for free!
Alabama Audubon needs your help to launch their new PROTECT OUR BIRDS specialty license plate! We need 1,000 pre-commitments by 31 October, which are required by the state before our tag can go into production. Learn how you can help on our website at alaudubon.org/tag, or visit alaudubon.org/sponsored-tag to sign up for FREE! Good news—you don't have to wait until your current registration is due to pre-commit! Once we reach 1,000, the tags will go into production and anyone in the state will be able to choose this tag at their time of renewal, which will provide a steady stream of income to help us protect our birds for years to come.
Already signed up? Invite five of your friends to complete and send us their forms!
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Stay up-to-date on Scout days |
One of the best parts of Scouting is the outing! We're actively building a list of Scout Days at various events near and far that you and your Scouts will love to attend! For more information, click on the Scout Day image, or the button below. |
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