May 2022

The Digital Eagle

Welcome to the May 2022 edition of the Digital Eagle! This is a monthly publication of the Greater Alabama Council, BSA.


You may notice a new look to the Digital Eagle. Over the next few months, we're going to be working on improving the lay-out and flow of the newsletter. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to make improvements.


{View the Digital Eagle as a Webpage}

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Scouts BSA joining requirements have been updated.


The small but meaningful change introduced on April 18th opens the door to earlier participation in the Scouts BSA program for some youth. Please make sure your unit and families are aware of this change.  To learn more about the Scouts BSA joining requirements change that took effect on April 18, click on the Scouting Blog button below.  

Scouting Blog
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2022-2023 Program Preview Conference!


Make plans to attend your District Roundtable this month for the Annual Program Preview Conference!  You'll be able to get all the information you need to help your unit have a well funded and successful year of Scouting in 2022-2023.  To learn more, click on the button below.   

Unit Program Planning Resources
New Eagle Required Merit Badge

Beginning July 1, 2022, all Scouts BSA members will be required to earn the Citizenship In Society Merit Badge as a part of their trail to Eagle.

Developed by a team of dedicated Scouters, youth members, and professional staff, the Citizenship in Society merit badge pairs Scouts with merit badge counselors who will help guide Scouts on their journey of self-discovery and facilitate discussions as Scouts seek to further understand the diverse world we live in.

To learn more about the badge, please click on the links below.
Requirements
Fact Sheet
Read the November 1, 2021 Press Release

LAST CALL:

SUMMER CAMP STAFF NEEDED!


We are actively seeking qualified Scouts and Scouters to fill critical needs on the Camp Sequoyah staff this summer. We are seeking Scouts, Venturers (ages 14 and up), and adults to share their talent and skills with their fellow Scouts and help make a difference in the life of a fellow Scout. Our areas of critical need are:


  • Camp Medical Officer
  • Archery Staff
  • Water Front/Aquatics Staff


To fill out a staff application use the "Apply Now!" link below. For more information, email our Council Camping Director by clicking on the "Got Questions?" link below.

Apply Now!
Got Questions?
Celebrate 50 years of Camp Sequoyah!

Be sure to mark your calendars for June 18, 2022 as we celebrate Fifty Years of Camp Sequoyah: Land of 1,000 Dreams! Plans are in the works for a day of fun and celebration of one of the legendary Scout Camps of the Southeast. To learn more and reserve your spot at the Celebration, click on the "Celebration Day" link below.

Are you looking for a way to support Camp Sequoyah and help prepare it for its big day? For a limited time, every dollar raised will be matched up to $10,000! We have a list of projects we're working on to refurbish camp, and we need your help! Projects may include refurbishing the dining hall and climbing tower, a new gateway, or a new shower house for our staff who give their summer to help our Scouts. Just click on the "Support Camp Sequoyah" link below.

Support Camp Sequoyah
50th Anniversary Celebration Day
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 Friendly Reminder: Annual Health & Medical Record 


Camping season is upon us! As a reminder,  ALL participants need to fully complete the Annual Health & Medical Record (AHMR) for ALL activities. And yes, the 2019 version is current. 

 

Any questions? You can find the answers on the AHMR landing page or the AHMR FAQ page.  

 

Quick AHMR Basics: 

  • Parts A & B - For all events/all participants less than 72 hours in duration. 
  • Parts A, B & C - For events/resident camps lasting 72 hours or more. 
  • Risk Advisory - Don’t forget the Risk Advisory for each of the High Adventure Bases. This should be reviewed with your healthcare provider at the time of your pre-participation exam.  

 

If you have questions, contact us at Health.Safety@Scouting.org

Eagle Scout Class of 2021 Recognition Day

Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 21 for the Recognition Day for the Eagle Scout Class of 2021! Held at the Eagle Plaza at the Charles T. Clayton Scout Service Center in Birmingham, Eagle Scouts of the 2021 class will be recognized in a special ceremony and will have the opportunity to sit for a digital portrait session before the event. Details and more information coming soon!
Cub Scout Day Camp 2022

Back for 2022, the Greater Alabama Council is hosting three large Day Camps to better serve and promote Cub Scout camping activities across the Council. These camps will be packed with activities, adventures, and opportunities unique to each camp location! Also, these camps will be offering early drop-off and late pick-up accommodations to help with busy schedules.


In addition to the new camps, there will be two, week-long district Day Camps in the Westmoreland and Arrowhead districts, each with their own program opportunities and adventures. There will be a short, two-day Day Camp in Mulberry District as well with some exciting programs and opportunities. Registration is now OPEN for all camps! To register and learn more, follow the link below.
Visit the Cub Scout Day Camp website
Webelos Resident Camp 2022

The 2022 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 when they join Scouts, BSA Troops, and to offer 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 and assisted by Camp Comer Scouts, BSA Summer Camp Staff. We expect that Webelos Scouts who attend Resident Camp will be more confident of their outdoor skills and will have an increased enthusiasm for attending Scouts BSA Summer Camp.

To see the Informational Guide and get registration information, follow the link below.
Visit the Webelos Resident Camp website
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Cub Camp

SAVE THE DATE: July 21-23, 2022


The Greater Alabama Council is pleased to introduce Cub Resident Camp from July 21-23 at Camp Comer. This will be an exciting camping program for your Cub Scouts and their families filled with all the great camp activities Cubs love! More information coming soon!

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2023 National Scout Jamboree

July 19-28, 2023


Scouting’s flagship event is one-of-a-kind. It’s a gathering of approximately 40,000 Scouts, leaders, and staff that showcases everything that is great about the BSA and its members. Over the course of 10 summer days, once every four years, the Boy Scouts of America comes together to showcase the adventure and excitement of Scouting. The result is the national Scout Jamboree. The Jamboree will be held in July of 2023 at the Summit in beautiful West Virginia.


Scouts and Scouters will explore all kinds of adventures—stadium shows, pioneer village, Garden Ground hikes, adventure sports, patch trading, and more—in the heart of one of nature’s greatest playgrounds. With 10,000 acres at the Summit to explore, there’s no shortage of opportunities to build Scouting memories.


The jamboree is the best of Scouting rolled into 10 days of fun, friends, and adventure. You won’t want to miss out on this incredible Scouting experience!


To learn more and fill out an interest form, click on the button below.


GAC National Jamboree Website
National Order of the Arrow Conference
Registration ends in May!

Make plans to join more than 6,000 Arrowmen from across the country at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN this summer for the National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC)! NOAC is a week of exciting competitions, interesting training opportunities, fantastic fellowship events, and more!

Once you register, you'll have access to some awesome Coosa Lodge and NOAC swag, and you'll even receive a special, limited edition mystery item as a part of your conference experience!

Coosa Lodge only has 30 spots left in its contingent, so be sure to sign-up today! To register and pay your deposit, just click on the link below!
Reserve your spot NOW!
Updates from the Order of the Arrow!

The National Order of the Arrow Conference is this summer! Join Arrowmen from around the country as NOAC convenes on the campus of The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN! Want to reserve your slot in the contingent? Click here to reserve your slot and make the $100 deposit! Don't delay on this, there are only thirty slots left in our Contingent!

Now that we're in March, it is time to schedule your Troop or Crew's OA Unit Election! Information and guidelines on Unit Elections can be found by clicking this link.

Ready to register for your OA Induction Weekend? Click on the appropriate link below to sign-up and prepare for your OA journey!

 
To stay up-to-date on all the latest with Coosa Lodge, follow the links below!

Induction Candidate Registration
Induction Registration for Coosa Lodge Members
2022 Lodge Dues & Membership Records
Visit The Coosa Lodge website
Request a Unit Election
August 26-28, 2022: Jones Cove Canoe Trek!

Join us for the first ever Jones Cove Trek August 26-28 at Camp Jackson. This high adventure based canoe trek will take Scouts down the scenic Tennessee River for a great day of paddling, fellowship, and fun. 

To register and get more information, click on the link below.

Canoe Trek Webpage and Information
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SAVE THE DATE:

Fish Camp 2022

September 30- October 2


It’s time to get hooked on fishing fun! Headed up by three BSA Certified Angling Instructors, this weekend-long program focuses on preparing Unit Leaders to develop and implement fishing and angling programs within their Packs, Troops, and Crews.


Scouts BSA  and Venturing members, ages 11 and up, will have the chance to not only participate in these informative class sessions, but will also be able to make real progress towards earning the BSA’s Complete Angler Award.  Scouts will also have the chance to earn the Fishing, Fly Fishing, and Fish & Wildlife Management Merit Badges at this event.


For more information, click on the button below.


Fish Camp Website
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.
Follow on Facebook
Join the Email List
Sharable Flyer
Email the Committee
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.
Visit the Civil Rights Heritage Trail Award Website
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National Youth Leadership Training Course

Summer Course 2022


NYLT is a six day, five night course that gives Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, Explorers and Venturers methods, skills and experiences to become better leaders in their unit. The course centers around the concepts of what a leader must be, what they must know, and what they must do – with a clear focus on how to accomplish all this.


The Summer 2022 Course is still accepting applicaitons.  To apply or learn more, click on the button below!

GAC NYLT Website
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NYLT Leadership Academy


Are you a graduate of a National Youth Leadership Training Course?  Are you at least 13 years of age and have completed the 8th grade?  Do you want to deliver the magic of NYLT to your fellow Scouts or Venturers?  If you said "yes" to any of those questions, NYLT Leadership Academy is for you!


Designed to inspire and enable participants to deliver effective, world class National Youth Leadership Training courses in their local councils with special emphasis on improving presentation skills, evaluation skills, and on learning in more depth the NYLT leadership skills.


While attending the NYLT Leadership Academy, you will be engaged in a full program with a wide variety of activities including:

  • Understanding, using, and evaluating your use of the NYLT Leadership Tools
  • Making presentations on Leadership topics (you will make 5 presentations)
  • Living and learning about the concepts of Leading Yourself, and Servant Leadership
  • Learning how to prepare for and effectively evaluate a presentation
  • Remarkable evening Guest Speakers sharing their life leadership lessons
  • Quest for the meaning of Teaching Leadership
  • Participating in effective model NYLT activities such as realistic first aid, geocaching, instructional campfires, instructional inter-faith worship services.
  • Exceptional hike experience at your respective course location.


To learn more about NYLT Leadership Academy and reserve your spot, click on the button below.


NYLT Leadership Academy Website
Sons of the American Revolution Eagle Scout Scholarship Competition

All Alabama Eagle Scouts, ages 18 and younger, are invited to compete for our chapter and state society’s Eagle Scout Scholarships. Winners at the state level will go on to the national level competition in the Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Contest. The winner at the chapter level receives cash and a medal. All participants receive a pocket patch. Awarded to the state winner is $750 and a trophy, and the national winner is awarded a $10,000 scholarship. Second and third place also receive awards.

Applications are accepted year-round, with cut off dates established at the local chapter level for processing. To apply for the award, applications must be submitted through one of the seven SAR Chapters in the GAC's Service area. For more information, click on the link buttons below for documents or to email your local chapter.
Alabama SAR Flyer
Eagle Scout Contest Application
Birmingham Chapter, SAR
Cahaba-Coosa Chapter, SAR
Cheaha Chapter, SAR
Etowah Chapter, SAR
Little River Chapter, SAR
Shoals Area Chapter, SAR
Tennessee Valley Chapter, SAR

Volunteers Needed


Our friends at the Alabama Wildlife Center are in need of volunteers for daily husbandry (cleaning, food prep, laundry, etc.) and other tasks as needed. The ideal volunteer is able to come at least once a week on a consistent shift schedule. To begin your volunteer journey with the AWC, make plans to attend a Volunteer Orientation session. To learn more, follow the link below.

Volunteer Orientation Information
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.
Flag Retirement Request Form
American Legion Flag Ceremonies
Bryan on Scouting Blog Article
Dept. of Defense Flag Retirement guidelines
FlagUSA.com FAQs on Flag Retirement
Flag Retirement Ceremony Script
Scout Night with the Trash Pandas!

Mark your calendars for Friday, May 6, 2022! The Huntsville Trash Pandas will take on the Chattanooga Lookouts at Toyota Field. All Packs, Troops, Crews, and Ships are welcome to join in the festivities of the evening including a pre-game parade around the field, fireworks show post-game, popcorn and a movie after the game, and camping out on the field! For more information or to book your Pack, Troop, Crew, or Ship's seats, contact Emma Martin with the Trash Pandas at 256-517-3734, or you can email her by clicking on the link below.
Email Emma Martin
Download the Flyer
Read the Leader's Guide
Scout Night with the Birmingham Barons!

Mark your calendars for Friday, May 20th for Scout Night with the Birmingham Barons! Gates open at 6pm and first pitch is at 7:05 as the Barons take the field against the visiting Rocket City Trash Pandas!

Scouts will be treated to a post-game fireworks show, and for those who choose, Scouts will also be able to camp out in the outfield and have a movie night on the big screen! For more details, click on the link for the Leader's Guide below, or you can email Kevin Piotrzkowski with the Barons.
Read the Leader's Guide
Download the Flyer
Email Kevin Piotrzkowski

Scout Day at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center


Mark your calendars for Scout Day at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. on September 10, 2022! Scouts will have the chance to meet with NASA Eagle Scouts and learn about their past or current projects, discuss educational preparations, and more! Scouts will also get to design, build, and test a model space craft for scientific exploration!


To reserve your spot, follow the link below. Be sure to check out the flyer, too- it has a lot of good information on it!

Visit the website
Download the Flyer

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 and Big #1 Power Sports, 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.


  • July 23
  • August 6
  • November 12


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 questions, email the Education Department at the Barber Museum by clicking the link below.

Email Barber Museum
Registration Page
Guide to Safe Scouting updates for February 2022

As a a part of its commitment to ensuring a safe Scouting program for all participants, the BSA routinely reviews, revises, and updates the Guide To Safe Scouting.

The February 2022 update includes information on the BSA's Vaccine and Immunization Policy. For more information, click on the links below.
Download the Guide in PDF format
The Guide Online
Annual Health and Medical Record FAQs
Prohibited Activities FAQs
The BSA Has Launched a New Site for Recruiting Resources and Information

It’s time to help families discover Scouting, and this new landing page has resources to share with anyone who will be recruiting. The page offers easy access to recruitment marketing materials, social planning tools, details and registration information for upcoming webinars, and much more! 
BSA Recruiting Resources Website
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.
Visit our Scouting at Home website
National Scouting at Home Resources
Scout Days!
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.
Scout Days website