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The Silver Beaver Award is Scouting America’s highest council-level distinguished service award. It recognizes adult volunteers who have provided exceptional service to youth through Scouting and to their communities, demonstrating dedication, self-sacrifice, and sustained service over many years.
Congratulations to Sandy Johnson, John Ponzuric, Lou Schmid, and Jill Wahl on receiving the 2026 Silver Beaver Award! This prestigious honor recognizes their outstanding leadership, dedicated service, and lasting contributions to Scouting and our community. We are grateful for the time, talent, and commitment they have given to helping others and strengthening the Scouting program.
Please join us to celebrate our volunteers at the 2026 Council Recognition Diner being held on November 10 (details/registration link below under Council News). Hope to see you there!
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Council Recognition Dinner
Join us for an evening of fellowship, great food, and celebration as we recognize outstanding service to Scouting. The evening will feature the presentation of the Distinguished Eagle Scout, Silver Buffalo, Silver Beaver, and Veteran Status awards, as well as recognition of James E. West Fellowships.
It will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the dedication and service of those who continue to make a difference in Scouting.
Date: November 11
Time: 6-9pm
Location:
Giuseppe's Pizza & Family Restaurant
990 2nd Street Pike, Richboro, PA 18954
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Renew Early and Keep Your Scouting Adventure Going
Membership renewal opens 60 days before your expiration date. Scouts, families, and adult leaders are encouraged to complete renewal as soon as that window opens rather than waiting until the deadline.
Beginning with December 31 expirations, there will be no lapse period after your membership expires. If you have not renewed, your membership will immediately become inactive and you will lose access to Scoutbook and other Scouting software tools.
Renew early to keep your access uninterrupted and avoid fee increases coming in the new year. Check your expiration date, coordinate with your unit, and get your renewal completed before the holiday rush!
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Don't Forget Your Fall Recruitment Materials!
As you finalize your fall school recruitment dates, don't forget to submit your Materials Request Form to the council office. This helps us ensure your unit has everything needed for a successful recruiting event.
Submit your request here: https://bit.ly/2026RecruitmentMaterials
A complete list of available recruitment materials will be included in the next Membership Blast, so keep an eye out!
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Make Sure Families Can Find You on BeAScout!
Fall recruitment is here, and BeAScout is often a family's first look at your unit! Take a few minutes to review your Unit Pin and make sure your meeting information, fees, contact information, and other details are accurate and up to date.
An updated BeAScout pin makes it easier for interested families to find your unit, know what to expect, and take the next step toward joining.
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Tohickon Popcorn Sales Top $113,000!
Tohickon Scouts have recorded $113,083 in popcorn sales through October 18! Our current top four units are:
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Pack 1: $60,437
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Pack 133: $22,170
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Pack 196: $12,024
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Pack 169: $11,437
Thank you to our kernels, families, and storefront partners! Let’s keep turning popcorn sales into Scouting adventures.
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You're Invited: Webelos/AOL Transition Faire — Thursday, November 12, 7:00pm
For Webelos and Arrow of Light families: Wondering which troop is the right fit? Come shop them all in one night! Troops from across the district will be on hand with displays, activities, and Scouts ready to answer your questions — the easiest way to find your Scouting home before crossover season.
| | For Troops: This is your best recruiting night of the fall. Reserve a table, bring your best Scouts, and put your troop in front of every Webelos and AOL family in the district at once. Space is limited — claim your spot early. | | |
Air Rifle Competition
$10 Cash at the door!
2026 Sessions: November 1, and December 6
2027 Sessions: January 3, February 7, March 14, and April 4
Time: 12:30 - 4pm
Location: Ockanickon Scout Reservation
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Technology Updates Coming to Council Websites and Event Registration Platforms
Over the next two months, our council will be transitioning our websites, online forms and event registration system over to a new product: CouncilWare. After a nine-year relationship with Tentaroo, the vendor has decided to cease operation as of October 31st. We will begin migrating fall event registrations to the new platform. Some events are already live. The goal is to have all October events through the new platform.
Our online giving forms will move to a product from Bonterra called EveryAction provided through the Scouting America national office. This change should occur by September 1st. We are still evaluating alternatives for generic forms which do not require payment processing. The last part of the project will be moving the two websites (www.wccscouting.org and www.ockanickon.org) to hosted WordPress sites. The goal is to launch by October 1st.
What can you do to prepare for the coming change?
In CouncilWare, you will want to create a MyCouncil User Login – This User Login will give you access to various features in the system. It will remember your event registrations and other orders you place and will give you access to those registrations so you can make payments, manage changes and other similar items. It will also give you access to Unit and Event DashBoards if you have a specific role. If you were using Tentaroo previously, you used both unit logins and user/family logins – In CouncilWare, each person uses a single login that can make registrations for both units and individuals. There are no “unit logins”
Create your MyCouncil User Login at https://mycouncil.wccscouting.org – click Create Login – Enter your first and last name, your email address, and your password and that’s all there is to it!
Add more functionality to your User Login… After your login has been created, click the Account button in the top blue bar of MyCouncil and update your profile – Add your Scouting Member ID, phone number, address and other personal information. The system will allow you to pull this information into your registrations so you wont have to type them all out each time you register for an event.
Add Saved Registrants for even more convenience… In your profile, you can also add “Saved Registrants”. Are you a parent and have children in Scouting? Add their information as a Saved Registrant and you will be able to pull this information into registrations without having to type all the data out each time.
Unit DashBoards… Currently each unit in the council has been setup with the unit leader (i.e. Cubmaster, Scoutmaster) set as the key leader. We will be adding youth rosters shortly. The key leader will be able to add additional adults to the unit and grant permissions such as “Unit Administrator”, “Registration Manager” and “Membership Manager.” We will cover in more details in a future newsletter.
Questions? Reach out to events@wccscouting.org
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Making Memories at Camp Ockanickon 2026!
- Approximately 1500 scouts from more than 122 units enjoyed camp
- More than 50,000 meals were served
- More than 5,000 merit badges were earned
- Adult training for IOLS, Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, Paddle Craft Safety, Swimming and Water Rescue and CPR/AED were offered and well attended
- 80+ Merit Badges offered
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2027 Summer Camp Reservations
Plan Ahead for Summer Camp 2027 at Ockanickon
Planning for Summer Camp 2027 at Ockanickon Scout Reservation is now underway. Troops are encouraged to begin considering Ockanickon Summer Resident Camp (OSR) as their destination for an outstanding summer camp experience.
With approximately 80 merit badges available, Scouts will have a wide range of opportunities to pursue advancement, develop new skills, and participate in the many programs and activities offered at camp.
The 2027 Theme: Spy
The 2027 summer camp theme will be Spy. Scouts can look forward to a summer centered around adventure, teamwork, challenges, and a variety of spy-themed activities designed to make their camp experience both memorable and engaging.
Six Weeks Available
OSR will offer six different weeks of summer camp in 2027, providing troops with flexibility when planning their summer schedules.
Troop deposits are now being accepted. Troops are encouraged to select their preferred week and reserve their place as early as possible.
Make plans now to join us at Ockanickon for Summer Camp 2027 and give your Scouts an experience they will remember for a lifetime.
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COPE & Climbing Weekends
The weekend COPE 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.
Registration opens 6 months in advance. Click link below for dates and registration.
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Reminder: Safeguarding Youth Refresher Training Has Launched
The new Safeguarding Youth Refresher Training has launched to help you renew this annual required training.
If you have completed the full Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) course and it is currently active or has expired within the last 7 days, you are eligible to take the Refresher Training.
If your full SYT training has been expired for 7 days or more, you will need to complete the full Safeguarding Youth Course again before receiving credit.
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If you have not taken the full 90-minute Safeguarding Youth Course, you must take that before taking the 20-minute refresher. If you take the 20-minute refresher but don’t take the full course, you will not get credit for SYT.
Participants taking the Refresher Training must successfully pass the exam on the first attempt to receive credit for the Y01 training code. If the exam is not passed, the system will automatically route you to the full Safeguarding Youth Course to ensure a complete review of the material. Once the refresher exam is failed, the refresher course cannot be relaunched, and the full course must be completed.
The Safeguarding Youth Refresher Training will be available in English and Spanish in the Volunteer Learn Center under the following course titles:
• Safeguarding Youth Refresher
• Curso de actualización SYT
Thank you for your continued commitment to safeguarding youth and helping ensure a safe environment for all.
| | RANGE & TARGET ACTIVITIES | | Throughout the year, the Council 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. | | |
Slingshot Adventure:
November 1
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BB Gun Adventure:
December 20
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Click links below for more details and to register:
| | Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) on Saturday, October 24 | | |
Scouts - are you ready to become a stronger leader? The Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) course provides Scouts with the tools and confidence to lead themselves and others toward achieving common goals.
Participants will learn essential leadership concepts including:
- Creating a vision and setting goals
- Effective communication skills
- Planning and organization
- Delegation and teamwork
- Anti-bullying strategies
- Developing realistic and achievable plans
Why Attend? ILST is the foundation of youth leadership development in Scouting and is required for Scouts who plan to attend National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT). Note: ILST may also be completed within your troop.
Adult leaders are also welcome to register and audit the course. If your troop does not currently offer ILST but is considering it, this is an excellent opportunity to observe the program in action. While adults will not participate in the activities, they will have the opportunity to observe older Scouts as they teach younger Scouts the principles and values that form the foundation of leadership development through ILST. Adults will have an opportunity to speak with those running the course and go over where to find the syllabus/program in the scout handbook. Adults will be charged the same price as the youth and will be supplied lunch.
| | PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND THE DISTRICT | | |
Don't miss out on some great Scouting events beyond your District!
- One World Observatory, NYC - offered Saturdays & Sundays at 9am
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2027 World Scout Jamboree
- Snipes Farm - Check website for dates
- Eastern State Penitentiary - Halloween Nights
- Crayola Experience - November 13
- Trenton IronHawks - December 11
- Sesame Place - through December 31
For more information regarding these Events please refer to the Council newsletter.
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Stay connected with the latest updates, events, and Scouting news — join us on Facebook!
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Looking for a previous newsletter? Archives are now included on our Council website!
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Supporting Tohickon District helps our Scouts thrive!
Your support strengthens the programs, camps, training, and resources that give our Scouts the best possible experience—building confidence, leadership, and lifelong skills. When families support the Council, we ensure every Scout has the opportunity to grow, explore, and succeed.
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