Here are your Four Things to Know

in April for everybody in the Constellation District.

• District All-Star Awards: nominations due May 5
• Summer Camp Opportunities for Cub Scouts
• District Pinewood Derby Recap
• Wood Badge: May 15-17 and June 8-9

Plus, some Dates to Know

this month's Safety Moment on Anaphylaxis, and

Council's DEI Nugget on Autism Acceptance

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

District All-Star Awards

For all Adult Volunteers - due May 5

Do you know a leader or parent who makes your Pack, Troop, Crew, or Ship a great place to be a Scout? Or makes a special event a success? Or helps the Constellation District support our Units? If so, nominate them to be a District All-Star.

The District All-Star Award is given annually by the District. This Award recognizes Adults who have provided great service to their Unit or District in 2023. We make an effort to recognize recipients from different unit types, geographic areas, and volunteer types. Our goal is to recognize 13 recipients each year (for the 13 stars in our District badge) at our Annual Picnic in June. This award can be received multiple times by an individual.

Do you want to nominate a volunteer from your Unit? Send their name and a brief summary of how they contributed to Scouting this year to our District Recognition Chair, Joe Reitano, by Sunday, May 5, 2023. Please includes "BSA All-Star Candidate" in the email subject.

Summer Camp Opportunities for Cub Scouts

Summertime is camptime for Cub Scouts, and we offer a range of weekend and full-week activities for Scouts, their families, and their friends. Registration can be as individuals or units. Are you interested in attending but worried about getting there; contact our District's Cub Camp Coordinator, Jack Garrett, to discuss options.

• Cub Scout Community Day Camps: Day Camp is one of the best opportunities provided to Cub Scouts and provides a full week of program and activities that are both fun for the kids and educational! We are proud to offer 10 weeks of camp at 5 different locations throughout the summer, including Media and Springfield. You can register as a Pack, a Den, or an individual Scout for one or more weeks.
• STEM Adventure Day Camp: We're offering 6 weeks of dynamic and fun day camp programs at Camp Garrison for any youth ages 6 to 14. Train to be a spy, blast rockets into the atmosphere, explore natural habitats and more with the our STEM Adventure Day Camp. Scouts and non-scouts are welcome, and all are guaranteed to have fun with our hands-on nature exploration, recreation, and more! We have something for everyone with six fun-filled themed weeks; come for just one or stay for all six.
• Webelos Week: An opportunity for 4th and 5th grade Cubs who are looking for a week-long camping experience starting July 30. Parents are welcome, but not required. Register as individuals or come as a Den for a week of outdoor fun.
• Family Adventure Weekends: Looking for an opportunity to get outdoors for some camping and fun with your family this summer? Join us at Camp Garrison for our Family Adventure Weekend July 28 to 30! You bring the family (and friends), and we’ll bring the program food, and FUN to make for a great time in camp. Our goal is to help your family enjoy the outdoors without the normal fast-paced schedule of typical Scout camp. Scouts, siblings, and non-Scouts of ALL ages are welcome.

Click any of the program links above to learn more and register!

District Pinewood Derby Recap

This year’s Constellation District Pinewood Derby was a great success with 60 finely crafted Pinewood Derby Cars from 12 different packs across our district. The competition was tough for both speed and creativity and the experience was a great time for the Scouts, their families, and leaders. This event continues to be one of the highlights of the year for Cub Scouts.

For every car that made it to the District race, meant that the Scout’s car was one of the fastest or was the best in show for their pack and that is a great accomplishment!

Congratulations again to all racers and winners and thanks to all of you for helping make it such a memorable evening!. A special hanks our District Pinewood Derby Chair C.J. Stefano and Pack 315 / St. Anastasia Church for organizing and hosting the event.

Wood Badge

May 15 to 17 and June 8 to 9, 2024

Musser Scout Reservation, Pennsburg, PA 18073

Wood Badge is Scouting’s premier leadership training program for adults! It is a fun, exciting, and action packed program designed to provide members with leadership skills and experiences they can use in their home troops and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others. Wood Badge incorporates the latest leadership ideas and presents fresh, vital and meaningful training for today’s Scouters. The Wood Badge course teaches the best in modern leadership theories in the context of traditional scouting activities. Dynamic presentations and videos help keep your attention focused on learning while providing hands-on opportunities to apply what you’ve learned and gain confidence in your abilities.

The Wood Badge experience is ideal for training unit leaders, and it can also be a valuable experience for use in the workplace.

Any Scouter currently registered with the Boy Scouts of America who has completed the basic leadership training for their registered position is encouraged to attend. And this year's course is being led by the Constellation District's Training Chair, Chaudhry Manzoor of Troop 284.

Registration is open and spaces are limited.

Get full details and register at: https://colbsa.org/training/woodbadge/

Dates to Know

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

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

It isn't too late to sign up!

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

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

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

Limited spots remain and registration closes soon.

District Recognition Picnic: June 12, 2024 (note the new date)

Save the Date!

A thank you for the volunteers that make our Units & District a success.

District Cooking Competition : Rescheduled for September 15.

District Safety Moment

Anaphylaxis

We have all seen those movies or TV shows where somebody gets stung by a bee or eats something they are allergic to, with subsequent visual jokes about swelling, itchiness, etc. But allergies are no laughing matter; for many people with them, they can be life-threatening. They often cause anaphylaxis, a dangerous condition with a variety of symptoms, including the complete constriction of airways. Common causes are foods including peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, wheat, soy, shellfish, fish, sesame seeds. Treatment is epinephrine (EpiPens) followed by professional medical treatment. But the best treatment is Prevention. Know which Scouts have allergies, if they carry EpiPens, and teach your Scouts about the dangers of cross contamination while cooking.

For additional information, check out this Scout Safety Moment.

Council DEI Nugget

Autism Acceptance

April is “Autism Acceptance Month”, a month in which we stress acceptance/inclusion of a person with Autism in our scouting activities. Scouting is a place for autistic youth to develop strong character, just as it is for any youth. Let’s debunk three commonly held myths of Autism and we hope you see the fit with Scouting.

Across the Cradle of Liberty Council, we have autistic youth participating in many of our units. Development of character and the sense of belonging that scouting provides for these autistic youth is life changing, no different than that of all of our youth.

Here are some common facts about youth with autism:

• Social interaction for autistic youth is challenging. However most crave social connections and find unique ways to develop their friendships!
• Many autistics experience and express emotions deeply, but they may express them in non-traditional ways. Friends understand this, especially Scouts!
• If you’ve met one autistic person, you’ve met only one autistic person. All people and all Scouts are unique.

Want to learn more? Check out this 5 minute video .

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.