Tamanend

District

September 2025

WASHINGTON CROSSING COUNCIL

Commissioner’s Connection: Volunteer Recruitment

Welcome back to a fun-filled Scouting fall! Fall recruitment is well underway throughout Tamanend District. If it’s not for your unit, please reach out so we can put together a plan for your unit. As you bring in more Scouting families, if you don’t have the volunteer structure to support the influx of new Scouts hoping to benefit from our exciting and impactful program, it can be a real challenge to deliver the program our Scouts deserve.

The saying “many hands make light work” is true in Scouting! Recruiting can be a daunting task to recruit new volunteers. Here are some pointers for recruiting new volunteers:

• As new Scouting families join your unit, you will want to have them complete the Family Talent Survey. The survey is designed for Cub Scout Packs. Scouts BSA Troops can modify the survey to fulfill their needs. As your unit has needs throughout the year, use the survey to help identify those who may be able to fill those needs.
• Plant the seed early and find the right moments to tactfully let parents know the unit is run by volunteers. (I do this too – if I have met you and handed you my Scouting business card, it calls out that I’m a volunteer.) If you have a Scout in the unit, share this when you talk about the program and talk about why you stepped up to help lead the unit. If not, explain why you give back to Scouting as a volunteer. 
• Start with small tasks. “Would you be willing to bring snacks and/or juice to the next den meeting?” is a better starting point than “Would you be willing to be the Cubmaster for the next five years?”
• Ask! Many parents who would help do not simply because they were not asked. Parent orientation nights are great time to expose parents to the unit’s needs. 
• Avoid having the volunteer ask about volunteer opportunities at an open houses or sign-up night. These nights are designed to get new Scouts in the door.
• When asking individuals to fill a formal role, like Den Leader, Assistant Scoutmaster, or Committee Member, have a job description to define the commitment. There are plenty of templates available. The description can be as simple as what Pack 19 has on their website, or it can be a more thorough job description. Encourage individuals taking on formal roles to complete the basic training for the specific role in addition to Safeguarding Youth training (which is required of all volunteers) through my.scouting.org. These courses are provided to help volunteers succeed! Formal roles require an adult application and PA Act 15 clearances, in addition to the training mentioned above, so be sure to complete all requirements prior to registering.
• Always keep an eye out for your replacement. Packs turn over 99% of adult leadership every 4-5 years, so identifying prospective Cubmasters and Committee Chairs early allows you to get prospects trained in time to replace you. Troops and Crews may have a bit more staying power, but it is still important to start succession by planning ahead.

If your unit needs help with volunteer recruitment, please reach out to the unit commissioner or myself and we will connect you with resources. Commissioner teams are here to serve units in Tamanend District and we are happy to help you succeed!

Yours in Scouting,

Joe Donahue

District Commissioner

We are pleased to announce that Greg House has joined the Washington Crossing Council as the Tamanend District Executive. Greg will be responsible for providing leadership in the areas of service to Cub Scout Packs, Scouts BSA Troops, and Venturing Crews and Sea Scout Ship. His responsibilities include support for our youth recruiting efforts and fundraising including Friends of Scouting, the Trail’s End Popcorn Sale, and District Activities. One of his primary roles will be to lead the cultivation and recruitment of volunteers.

Greg graduated from Drexel University with a bachelor’s degree and Carnegie Mellon with a PhD in Electrical Engineering. Prior to his current role, he worked in various roles as Project Manager, Chief Engineer and Chief Technology Officer.

Please join us in welcoming Greg to Washington Crossing Council!

Popcorn Update

New Facebook Group

We’ve launched a new Facebook Group for all things Popcorn in Washington Crossing Council: The Popcorn Kernel Crossing. This is where we’ll post weekly updates, incentive winners, and important popcorn news. Keep an eye on it—another special weekend sales prize will be announced there soon!

Sales Success So Far

Popcorn sales are popping!

• Total Sales: $92,888 – just shy of $100K!
• That’s a 26% increase over this time last year.
• 27 units are selling (5 more than last year).
• Heroes & Helpers: $9,149 vs $7,080 last year.
• Online Sales: $15,243, crushing last year’s $9,000.
• Average per Scout: $673, over $200 higher than last year.

Start the Scouting Year Off on the Right Foot

September is when Packs, Troops and Venturing Crews get into high-gear and get cranking on activities and advancement. Cub Scouts begin working on their next rank regardless of where they left off at the end of the school year. So, it is important that all units report their advancements MONTHLY. For Packs that means Adventures and rank advancement completed.

All units are strongly encouraged to utilize Scoutbook Plus for this. If you do not, then submitting an Advancement Report to the Council Registrar is the next best thing.

We are sure there are new Cub leaders who do not know how to utilize Scoutbook Plus. The District Committee would like to hear from those who may need training or assistance in Scoutbook Plus, as well as any issues you may be experiencing. All inquiries can be reported to Tom DeShields, District Advancement Chair and they will be shared with the overall District Committee for response.

Recruitment Season is Here!

September is the prime time to grow your pack—families are setting schedules, kids are looking for activities, and Open Houses are happening now. Don’t miss the chance to welcome new Scouts!

We’ve got you covered:

📄 Printed flyers

🏡 Yard signs for every family

🙌 Council support to help you succeed

Let’s make this fall our strongest yet!

Reminder: The Newest Tool to Help Den Leaders is Now Here! 

The Den Meeting Deck makes planning a den meeting fun, simple, and easy. There is a deck for each badge of rank and contains all the activities needed to earn all six required Adventures and four or five elective Adventures. 

Be sure to stop by the WCC Scout Shop to purchase your Den Meeting Deck!

Air Rifle Competition

Air Rifle Competition: walk-in registration, $5 paid at the door.

Time:

12:30-4:30pm (arrive no later than 3pm)

Location:

Ockanickon Scout Reservation Foster Hall

Dates:

October 5

November 2

December 7

The weekend COPE & Climbing program offers the opportunity for your Troop, Crew, Ship or Post to experience a team building program like no other. Low COPE consists of warm-up activities and initiative games in the field before moving on to the Low COPE course. This course includes 12 elements low to the ground, ranging from the Archimedes Bridge to the 12-foot Wall. Adults are invited to participate.

Upcoming dates:

October 4-5 & 18-19

November 8-9

Join us for "Invention Convention"

STEM and Scouting collide at the Fall 2025 Cub-a-rama! "Invention Convention" invites Cub Scouts and their families to spend the day at Kuser Park playing the part of a mad scientist. Cub Scouts will design and build their own inventions, make crafts, play games, and participate in range & target activities!

Date/Time: September 27 9am to 3pm

Location: Kuser Park, 390 Newkirk Ave,

Hamilton, NJ 08610

Registration fee: $20/Cub Scout, $10/Adult

Can We Count on You to Lend a Hand?

We are in need of Scouts BSA, Venturers, Sea Scouts, and Scouters alike to help run stations, staffing the medical tent, checking Packs in, and helping Cub Scouts and their families throughout the event. If you and/or your unit can pitch in, please reach out to Alex Fritz.

New for this year

Event location, pushcarts can be filled with any rank Cubs, and the entire Pack can participate!

Date/Time:

October 4 8am-12 pm

Location:

Moravian Tile Works

130 E. Swamp Road, Doylestown, PA 18901

Registration fee:

$30 per team of 4 on or before 9/29

$35 per team of 4 after 9/29

Registration closes 10/2.

Don't miss out!

Join us at "Camp Skippy" for an unforgettable camping experience! This event is tailor-made for all AOL/Webelos Scouts, offering a sneak peek into the exciting world of a Scouts BSA Camp. It's the perfect opportunity to delve into the Scouts BSA adventure featuring the patrol method while focusing on achieving AOL/Webelos requirements.

Stations include First Aid, BB Range, Sports, Fire Building, Knot Tying and Knife Safety and are taught by Scouts and Leaders featuring team building with a hands-on experience. 

We will take a ride to the Tylersport Haunted Hayride (optional) for an additional cost of $10. A Cookie Dough & Ice Cream Truck will also visit camp on Saturday evening after the hayride. Be sure to bring some extra money to enjoy a tasty treat!

Who is invited to attend? Both AOL/Webelos Scouts, their adult partner, and leaders are welcome to join in on the fun.

Date: October 18-19

Location:

312 Simons Road, Sellersville, PA 18960

Registration fee: $25

Includes: Saturday breakfast, lunch & dinner, Sunday breakfast, and event patch with a pocket dangle.

Range & Target Activities

Throughout the year, The Council's Range & Target Committee offers several different activities for Cub Scouts. For all activities, an adult is required to be present to satisfy the 1-to-1 adult participant ratio.

Archery Adventure

October 5

Slingshot Adventure

November 2

BB Gun Adventure

December 7

Do you have a Scout that has a partial Rifle or Shotgun Merit Badge from summer camp?

The annual Klondike Derby will be hosted by the Mercer Area/Tamanend Districts. Join your fellow Scouts in this skills-based competition as your sled will race around Camp in challenging activities that could include Pioneering, Orienteering, Cooking, Emergency Preparedness, Fire Building and First Aid to name a few. Is your Unit ready to have fun and demonstrate that you are Prepared? Come and join the fun, cannot wait to see you all there!

Date/Time:

January 30 6pm to February 1 11am

Location:

Ockanickon Scout Reservation

5787 State Park Road

Pipersville, PA 18947

2026 Reservations

Troops can start planning now for Summer Camp 2026 at Ockanickon! With over 80 merit badges to choose from, every troop should consider OSR as a summer camp option. Troop deposits are now being accepted!

The theme for 2026 will be based on America’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. 

Troops can choose from six different sessions.

Troops that sign-up with a $150 deposit by October 31 will lock-in a special discounted rate guarantee allowing Scouts & families to have until April 30 (two extra months) to qualify for the deepest discounts in camp pricing.

Campbuilder Days

September 20 & October 18

Chainsaw Work Day

October 11

Don't miss out on some great Scouting events beyond your district!

• Eastern State Penitentiary - Saturday, November 15 (in-person) & Sunday, December 7 (virtual)
• 2025 Jubilee Pilgrims of Hope
• 2026 National Jamboree - July 22-31

Looking for a previous newsletter? Archives are now included on our Council website under the ABOUT tab.

Commissioner Meeting

October 8

District Committee Meeting

September 25

October 23

Roundtable

October 8