Good afternoon, Constellation District.

Here are your Four Things to Know for everybody who

loves Scouting in the Constellation District.

• Annual Campaign Kick-Off: February 21
• Call for Awards: deadline February 16
• District First Aid Meet: March 2
• Wreath Laying (2/17) and Pilgrimage & Encampment (3/8 to 3/10)

Plus, Dates to Know and this month's DEI Nugget on Philadelphia's

Dr. Frank "Tick" Coleman, one of the Nation's first Black Eagle Scouts.

And for more information, follow us on Facebook: Constellation District

Annual Campaign Kickoff

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 7:00 pm

Did you know the Cradle of Liberty Council does not charge any dues to its Scouts and Scouters? Instead, it relies on the Annual Campaign to provide crucial funds for its programs, service, and facilities. The purpose of this kickoff is to share best practices from successful units, 2024 goals, and highlight resources that make this campaign super easy for your unit. By attending you will save time and avoid some of those annoying emails and phone calls about fundraising.

We encourage all Units to have at least one attendee attend this virtual kickoff.

For more information and to register: https://colbsa.org/familygiving/

Units that register and attend the kickoff will have a chance to win one of two door prizes: Either free rank advancement badges for 2024 or one free weekend campsite at Musser Scout Reservation in 2024.

Call for Awards

Scouting can succeed only through the efforts of the adult Scouters and other volunteers who help our Packs, Troops, Crews, Ships, District, and Council thrive and provides the best possible Scouting experience to our Scouts. The BSA offers several opportunities to recognize these volunteers. The following award nominations are coming due in February.

• The Silver Beaver Award. The highest national award presented by a local council to individuals for noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth through service given to the council. Due February 16.
• District Unit Leader Award (DULA). The Distinguished Unit Leader Award is an award established by the Cradle of Liberty Council to recognize a Pack, Troop, Crew, or Ship leader who not only performs their duties within their Unit, but frequently goes above and beyond those duties for the benefit of the youth in their Unit. Due February 16.
• District Award of Merit (DAM). The District Award of Merit is a council award presented by the district to show its appreciation to adult Scouters who render service of an outstanding nature at the District level. Due March 2.
• District All-Star Award. The District All-Star Award is given annually by the District. It is intended to recognize Adults who have provided great service to their Unit or District in 2023. Due May 5.

Additional information on these and other awards can be found at colbsa.org/awards/. Or write to our District Recognition Chair, Joe Reitano with questions or nominations.

District First Aid Derby

Saturday March 2, 2024

Join us on the morning of March 2, 2024 for the District's annual First Aid Meet. Patrols representing Troops and Crews throughout the District can challenge the Scout's abilities to perform first aid in simulated real-life situations. The patrols will compete in practical first aid problems, working together to plan and perform hands-on first aid skills.

The event will be on Saturday, March 2 from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon at St. Anastasia Church in Newtown Square. Registration is open. Every year we have dozens of Patrols compete to get their name on the prestigious Pennypacker Trophy (our very own version of the Stanley Cup); come join us and continue the tradition!

Interested? Need more information? Planning on attending? Space is limited.  

Click here to register and click here to download the event handbook.

Can you help plan this event? Please email Doug Bruhns for more information.

Questions? Contact the District Commissioner, Rob Shillingford

Wreath Laying, Encampment Weekend, and Pilgrimage

WREATH LAYING AT VALLEY FORGE ARCH

February 17, 2024 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM

Scouts and Scouters will gather to honor General George Washington and his soldiers at Valley Forge National Historical Park. The event will be free for participants and staff.

After the Wreath Laying, spend the day in the park and discover the history of the park in winter. To earn the Valley Forge Trail Medal, go to http://colbsa.org/historical-trails and order your booklet to complete the trail.

ENCAMPMENT WEEKEND & PILGRIMAGE (DAY-LONG)

March 8 to 10, 2024

FORT WASHINGTON STATE PARK

After the Battle of Germantown, Washington's Continental Troops set up defenses and an encampment in the Militia Hill (Whitemarsh and surrounding Philadelphia suburbs) area. Cannons were set up on high ground in the area including Militia Hill where the Encampment will be held. Under the protection of cannon troops could have camped on the same land where the Pilgrimage will be held at Fort Washington State Park. We are excited to bring the P&E to Fort Washington State Park and honor General Washington and his troops.

ENCAMPMENT (includes Pilgrimage) – Troops, Crews, Units/Posts, and Ships are invited to join us for a winter camping weekend to share the experience of the Continental Army in the winter of 1777-1778. Arrival at the Encampment begins at 6 pm on March 8th with all units expected to depart before 11:00 AM on March 10th.

PILGRIMAGE – All Scouts are invited to join us to participate in hands-on activities during the day that help connect Scouts with life in the 1700’s and what it was like to be a Continental soldier during the fight for independence. Unlike in years past, program areas will run 90 minutes giving Scouts the opportunity to have a direct interactive experience. Go to the website for the list of expected program areas.

Check out the event website to for information and to register

Dates to Know

And take a look at the Council's Calendar of Events for other opportunities.

District Swim Program: postponed for pool renovations

Stay tuned for a rescheduled date

District First Aid Meet : March 2, 2024

Register here and download the event handbook here.

Pilgrimage & Encampment: March 8-10, 2024

Click here for information on joining for the day or camping for the weekend.

Hike-a-Thon Fundraiser: March 15 to May 15

Kickoff event March 8 from 7:00 to 7:30 pm

Click here for more information or to sign up your Unit.

BALOO and IOLS Training: April 6 and 7, 2024

Training for adult leaders for Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA

District Pinewood Derby : April 12, 2024

Save the Date!

District Cooking Competition : Rescheduled to Sunday, May 5, 2023

Save the Date!

Wood Badge: May 15-17 and June 8-9, 2024

Scouting's premier adult leadership training program. Register here.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Nugget

Philadelphia's Dr. Frank "Tick" Coleman

February is "Black History Month." A month in which Black historic figures and moments can be discovered, taught and information shared, beginning with our very own, Philadelphia Eagle Scout, Dr. Frank "Tick" Coleman. Born Feb. 28, 1911, in Philadelphia, it was Coleman’s mother, Victoria M. Coleman Pendelton, who suggested that he join the Boy Scouts of America. She figured that would give him something to do after school. Boy was she right. Coleman went on to become one of the first Black Eagle Scouts in the nation when he was 15. And to show you how tough he was, he did the swimming portion of his Eagle Scout training, swimming across the Delaware River. Years later, he continued to open up scouting to inner city youth. As a result, and to honor his accomplishments, the National Boy Scouts of America has named an award after him to honor paraprofessional Scouts. Learn more here.

Scouting is for Everyone

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.