A Message from our District Chair & District Commissioner

ICYMI - Camp Riverhawk Recap

Finance Updates

Membership Updates

Program Updates

Over the past several weeks of summer, our Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers, and Sea Scouts have embraced adventure across Anne Arundel County and beyond. Camp Riverhawk welcomed hundreds of Cub Scouts and their families for another incredible week of fun, learning, and unforgettable memories. Thanks to our amazing volunteers, station staff, den leaders, medical team, quartermasters, and administrative team, we were able to deliver a safe and successful camp experience that truly embodied the spirit of Scouting.

Our Scouts BSA troops have also spent the summer exploring the outdoors at council camps and high-adventure destinations, strengthening leadership skills, earning merit badges, and creating lifelong friendships. Some Scouts and Scouters are also participating and volunteering at National Jamboree!

As we turn the page toward fall, our focus shifts to welcoming the next generation of Scouts. Recruitment doesn't happen by accident—it takes planning, enthusiasm, and every leader extending an invitation to new families. Every unit is unique, but the most successful units are those that consistently share the excitement of Scouting throughout the year. Whether it's participating in a community event, hosting a Join Scouting Night, or simply inviting a friend to a meeting, every conversation can make a difference.

We invite all leaders to join us for our August Roundtable on Monday, August 10, at 7:00 PM at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (1110 Saint Stephens Church Road, Crownsville, MD 21032). We'll share recruitment resources, ideas for a successful fall program, district updates, and opportunities to connect with fellow Scouters. Whether you're a new leader or a seasoned volunteer, Roundtable is the best place to kick off another great Scouting year.

Thank you for everything you do to make River Hawk District a place where Scouting continues to thrive. We look forward to seeing you in August and working together to make this our strongest recruitment season yet.

Yours in Scouting,

Jenn & Kipp

REMINDER

August Roundtable: Monday, August 10th 7pm at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (1110 Saint Stephens Church Road, Crownsville, MD 21032)

Finance Updates

Mike Danko, Vice Chair of Finance

finance@riverhawkbac.org

Don't miss out on selling Popcorn!

Everything you need to know can be found here: https://baltimorescouting.org/popcorn/

Before a unit can do any fundraising, except for Popcorn, a unit fundraising application is to be submitted to council for approval.  

In an effort to make things easier to submit, we have created an online form located at https://forms.office.com/r/jnbnZqRkBX.

An email will be sent to the COR for approval. The COR must approve before approval is provided.

We want to reiterate to you that council does not and will not ask for a percentage of sales, but it's a way to ensure that any fundraising meets the standards set by National as it does reflect on the entire Scouting program.  

If anyone has any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Mike at this contact above.

Membership Updates

Catherine Gillies, Vice Chair of Membership

membership@riverhawkbac.org

As we enter the fall recruitment season, every River Hawk unit is encouraged to develop and actively execute a recruitment plan. Key priorities include ensuring your unit pin on My.Scouting is accurate and up to date, maintaining an active social media presence, engaging in community outreach beyond school events, and hosting one or more dedicated open houses to welcome prospective families. Units should complete the Fall Recruitment Survey to request promotional materials and communicate any support needed from the district. Recruitment is a year-round responsibility and is essential to the success and sustainability of both individual units and Scouting as a whole. The district leadership team is available to provide resources, guidance, and assistance throughout the recruitment season.

Council has lots of resources on their Membership page here: https://baltimorescouting.org/membership/

Fired Up for Scouting!

Our "Fired Up for Scouting" event is on Saturday, August 15th at The Church at Severn Run (8187 Telegraph Rd, Severn, MD 21144) from 9a until 1p. This is a free community event that also serves as a recruiting tool to introduce families to the Scouting program while offering a fun, engaging, and community-centered experience. We are highlighting community partnerships and giving youth the opportunity to interact with local public safety professionals. We have the following community partners committed to running a booth, along with vehicle displays, demonstrations, and general engagement with families: Anne Arundel County Police Department, Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, Rec and Parks, and the Department of Health.  

We need units to run a booth/station such as gaga ball, raingutter regatta, campfire with s'mores, how to pack a backpack, how to set up a tent, etc. I've attached our event flyer that we are going to start sharing in the community and social media.

Units can sign up here: Fired Up for Scouting - Unit Sign-Up

• What do units need to bring? Anything to run your booth, including but not limited to a pop-up for shade, water & snacks for your volunteers, unit recruitment items such as flyers, unit banner sign, etc.

Anne Arundel County Fair Ducky Races

The River Hawk District is once again running the ducky race at the AACo Fair being held Sept 16-20, 2026. This is a great recruitment activity and we encourage units participating to bring their own recruitment materials and any flair to make our booth pop. Units and individuals can sign up for one or multiple spots. All general materials will be provided, we just need your enthusiasm to promote Scouting! By volunteering, you also have free access to enjoy the fair after your shift.

Sign Up here: Anne Arundel County Fair Ducky Race

• What do units need to bring? Any individual recruitment materials you'd like to pass out. Otherwise, all general materials will be provided, just show up in your Scouting uniform!

Program Updates

Eric Hostetler, Vice Chair of Program

program@riverhawkbac.org

Get ready for a hauntingly good time at this year’s Spook-O-Ree! This annual event, designed specifically for our Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts is a highlight of the fall, drawing hundreds for a weekend filled with adventure, learning, and spooky (not scary) fun.



Held at Camp Saffran, Broad Creek Scout Reservation, Spook-O-Ree offers a unique opportunity to participate in a variety of skills stations run by Scouts from local Troops, Crews, and Ships. Throughout the weekend, Scouts will have the chance to develop new skills, build lasting friendships, and enjoy the great outdoors.

Saturday evening will culminate in a Halloween-themed campfire where Scouts are encouraged to dress in their favorite costumes. The campfire program will feature skits and songs performed by the Scouts, making for a night of laughter and memorable moments. Don’t forget to decorate your campsite to add to the spooky atmosphere!

Congratulations to our June

Eagle and Summit Scouts!

17 June, T840, Nathan Laughton, Eagle

22 June, T40, Myles Blake, Eagle

24 June, T815, Alexander Millis, Eagle

Advancement Committee

District Advancement Point of Contacts:

Ben Brown, Committee Chair (for any inquiries not listed below): advancement@riverhawkbac.org

Tim Watson, Cub Scout Advancement resource: tawscout@gmail.com 

John Zajic, Dean of Merit Badge Counselors: rhmbdean@gmail.com

Tom Malloy, Eagle/Advancement Training: tjmalloybsa@outlook.com

Tim Mullady, Religious Awards: mulladyt@verizon.net

Eagle Scout Project proposal & Eagle Fund Raising applications: proposals@riverhawkbac.org

To schedule an Eagle or Summit Board of Review: boards@riverhawkbac.org

District Advancement Page: https://baltimorescouting.org/riverhawk/program/advancement/

Council Advancement Page: https://baltimorescouting.org/advancement/

ARROW OF LIGHT DEN LEADERS AND SCOUTMASTERS

As you approach your program year and before your scouts, parents, and leaders head for vacation, day camp, summer camp, and high adventure activities, Arrow of Light den leaders and Scouts BSA Scoutmasters should try to establish contact with each other. Now is the time to schedule unit visits and other combined unit activities so Arrow of Light scouts can complete the Bobcat Adventure in September. Arranging visits in both directions now ensures a quick start for Arrow of Light scouts and lays firm groundwork for recruiting new members for Scouts BSA units a few months later.

REQUESTING EAGLE REQUIREMENT EXTENSIONS

Do you have an Eagle candidate whose 18th birthday is approaching and he/she still has Eagle requirements to complete? It may be possible to get up to a six-month extension on the Eagle requirements. Should this situation be the result of an event or issue beyond the control of your Eagle candidate, review the Extension Request form to see if your scout qualifies under the three required tests. For questions or assistance, contact the River Hawk District Advancement Committee Chair (email address above). 

BALOO at Spook-O-Ree

October 17-18, 2026

Camp Saffran

This one-night training event introduces Den/Pack Leaders to the skills needed to plan and conduct Cub Scout pack outdoor activities, particularly pack family camping. BALOO will give your pack’s outdoor activity leader the tools to conduct a safe and successful overnight including the why and how of Cub Scout camping—planning, equipment, meal preparation, and campfire programs. Cub Scouters rotate among four round-robin sessions—fire safety, stoves, and lanterns; first aid and sanitation; nature hikes and games; and cooking. Scattered throughout the day are plenty of the four S’s: songs, stunts, stories, and showmanship. One overnight camping is involved.

Registration is open here

Questions?

Contact John Rolek, River Hawk BALOO Director at rolek.pspwii@gmail.com