September 2026

Membership Mixer

At the September Membership Mixer, we will continue this conversation by focusing on the role of the Patrol Leaders’ Council in recruiting. Recruitment is not just an adult responsibility. When youth leaders are involved in planning activities, welcoming visitors, sharing what makes Scouting fun, and helping new families feel connected, recruiting becomes more authentic and more effective. Join us as we discuss how to connect the PLC, youth leadership, and unit recruiting efforts into one stronger membership plan.

This mixer is for Scouts BSA and Cub Scout leadership as well as youth leaders.

Date: September 29

Time: 7:30

Location: Mercer Community College, West Windsor, NJ

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!

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.

Come Visit Our Table at the Peace Fair!

STAY INFORMED

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

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.

High COPE returns to OSR Fall 2026!!

Registration opens 6 months in advance. Click link below for dates and registration.

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. 

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. 

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. Fall registration opens September 1.

Archery Adventure:

October 4

Slingshot Adventure:

November 1

BB Gun Adventure:

December 20

Venturing Camporee

"Shoots, Ladders and Paddles (SLP) III, is an event for Venturing Crews, Ships and Explorer Posts. Range and target activities, the climbing tower and the lake will be available. Participants can bring their own tents or use the adirondacks in a campsite. You will be sharing a campsite with other units. A communal Saturday dinner will be provided and we ask each unit to bring a dessert to share. Bring a game to play after dinner. This a great opportunity for recruitment."

Lens on Litter Photo Contest

Both Scouts and adult leaders are welcome to participate! What a great way to tie in with conservation projects.

Exposure Leads to Prevention

Enter to win cash prizes

Deadline: October 31

Click links below for more details and to register:

• BALOO - October 10-11 - registration opens May 1
• IOLS - October 10-11 - registration opens May 1
• NYLT - November 6-8 & November 20-22
• NRA - October 16
• ILST - October 24
• University of Scouting - February 27, 2027

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
• 2027 World Scout Jamboree

For more information regarding these Events please refer to the Council newsletter.

ANNUAL GIVING

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.