Good afternoon, Constellation District. Here are your Four Things to Know for early April.

• District Cooking Competition: September 30
• Cub Scout Fall Fest: October 
• Popcorn Sales -- Still Time to Get Started
• Scouting is for Everyone -- Council DEI Initiatives

Plus, Dates to Know and this month's Safety Minute.

District Cooking Competition

September 30, 2023

(Raindate October 7)

Merion Liberty Troop Scout House

625 Hazelhurst Ave, Merion, PA

Who are the top chefs in the District? In the spirit of cooking competitions from Camporees past, join us for our first dedicated outdoor cooking competition. Patrols of up to 6 scouts per patrol will be asked to cook 3 different dishes. The three dishes will include an appetizer, side and an entree. Patrols are to bring a protein for the entree (chicken, beef, fish, tofu, etc.) and your favorite spices, and we'll provide other ingredients, including two secret ingredients which must be used in at least two of the dishes. And the secret ingredient will not be revealed until the cook off begins!

Registration is open and space is limited to 10 Patrols, so sign up now!

Questions? Contact our District Program Chair, Scott Kleeman.

Cub Scout Fall Festival

October 14, 2023

October 21, 2023

October 22, 2023

October 28, 2023

Get excited for the most fun you can have as a Cub Scout this Fall - join us for FALL FEST at Camp Hart!! Cubs will have a chance to carve pumpkins, go bouldering, shoot BB's and Archery, learn about STEM, make crafts, and more! There are 4 days to choose from, but register soon, as dates will sell out.

Best part - bring a friend, because new Cubs attend for free!

Click here for more information and to register.

Popcorn Sales -- Still Time to Get Started

Do you need a great fundraiser for your Unit?  Popcorn sales have begun and will be on-going through November. It isn't too late to get your Unit started! Sales can be done in-person and on-line, creating lots of opportunities to raise the funds to support your Unit's activities. 30% to 40% of every sale goes directly to the Unit.  Last year we had one Cub Scout Pack raise $10,000 for their Scouts to use on activities, awards, and trips.

There are several things you can be doing now:

• Register your Unit to do Popcorn Sales.  Even if you are not 100% sure that your Unit will participate, this will let your District Popcorn team know to contact you with more information about the 2022 Popcorn Fundraiser.
• Visit the Council's Popcorn Fundraiser website.
• Contact our District Popcorn Kernel, Tobie Stallings, if you have any questions.  

Popcorn is a great way to not only raise funds and offset the higher dues from the National BSA, but it also teaches Scouts life skills, including the value of earning their own way.  

Scouting is for Everyone

Council DEI Initiatives

The Cradle of Liberty Council is committed to being a model of diversity, equity and inclusion for all key stakeholders: youth, adult volunteers, and staff. And we want everybody to feel welcomed into the Scouting Family. Follow this link for a printable flyer we encourage all Units to post in their place of meeting. And visit this webpage to learn more about the Council's on-going efforts to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Scouting, including training opportunities for Unit leaders and volunteers.

Dates to Know

And take a look at the Council's Program Update for other opportunities.

BALOO Training:

• September 22 to 23
• November 4 to 5

Training for Cub Scout leaders, held at Camp Musser. Click a date above for information and registration.

National Youth Leadership Training:

Scouting-focused leadership training opportunity for Scouts, at Camp Musser.

• A two-weekend session Sept 29 to Oct 1 & Oct 6 to 8. Info and registration here.

District Cooking Competition: September 30, 2023

What Patrol has the top chefs in the District? Information and registration here.

Cub Scout Fall Festival: Four Dates in October at Camp Musser

Click here for Information and to register.

District Roundtable: October 10, 2023

Join your fellow Unit Leaders to discuss topics of interest. No registration required.

IOLS: Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills: November 4 to 5

Training at Camp Musser for Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, and any Adults who regularly attend camping trips. Information and registration here.

Scouting for Food Collection: November 18, 2023

With Door Tag Drop-Off November 11.

Questions? Contact our District Coordinator, Kate Hiebert, for info.

Scout Night at the Flyers: November 19, 2023

Activities, patches, and photos on the ice. Information and registration here.

District Swim Program (tentative dates)

Swimming and Lifesaving Merit Badges: February 18, 25, March 3, & 10,

Cub Scout Day: March 17, 2024

District First Aid Meet: March 2, 2024

Save the Date!

District Pinewood Derby: April 12, 2024

Save the Date!

District Safety Minute

Every Scout deserves a safe and fun scouting experience. Did you know the BSA offers 93 Safety Moments for you, providing opportunities to prepare for an activity, review safety measures and report incidents correctly. Topics include common needs such as Campfires, Handling Food Allergies, and Weather Emergencies, along with less common concerns such as Generators, Hammocks, and Indoor Bodyflight (don't believe me? follow the Safety Moments link below).

Check out this link to learn more about Scouting's commitment to safety and for a full list of resources. Or follow this link to go directly to the full list of Safety Moments.

And as always, if your Unit has a safety incident or near miss, please report it to Council on a "no fault" basis using this Incident Reporting link. Help us provide a safer program.

Key People to Know

Constellation District Volunteer Leadership (Key 2)

John Cluver, District Chair

Rob Shillingford, District Commissioner

Service Area 2 Professional Team

Ryan Martin, Team Lead and Fundraising Specialist

Rhys Wallace, Membership Specialist

Aaron Munson, Service & Program Specialist

Constellation District Website: Click Here

Constellation District Instagram:  @constellation_district 

Constellation District Facebook page: Click Here

Do you have news or photos on a new Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow induction, or anything else to share on the District's Facebook page? Contact our Public Relations Chair, Rose Sutkowski, to get it posted.