Four Things to Know for January 2, 2024

January 2, 2024

Good morning, Constellation District, and Happy New Year.

Here are your Four Things to Know for the start of January.

District First Aid Meet: March 2, 2024
Annual Meeting: January 8, 2024
University of Scouting: February 4, 2024
Good Citizenship Award: Due January 12, 2024

Plus, Dates to Know and this month's Safety Minute on Cold Weather Activities.

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!

Questions? Contact the District Commissioner, Rob Shillingford

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

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

District Annual Meeting - January 8

Virtual Meeting - see link below

Unit Leaders, District Committee Members, Charter Organization Representatives, and anybody interested in the Constellation District are invited to join us at the District's Annual Meeting. You will have the opportunity to meet the old and new members of the Committee prior to 2024 slate being introduced and voted on for approval. And after the vote, you are invited to remain on the call for our monthly District Committee Meeting to hear about and contribute to the planning for the various activities which will be happening in 2024. This meeting will be virtual, use this Zoom link, or the following Meeting ID: 827 2530 4632 and Passcode: 978505.

University of Scouting - February 3

Every Scout deserves a trained leader

The University of Scouting is a supplemental training opportunity for all adult Scout leaders, as well as Troop, Crew and Ship youth. At UofS you can find, all in one place, the widest variety of training opportunities in all program areas (Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouting, District Operations, and Council). Whether you are new to the program or a veteran of many years, the University provides interesting and useful courses. Aside from skill-enhancement courses, we are offering a number of "Position-Required" courses.

All courses are held in-person at Valley Forge Military Academy. Coffee and tea in the morning and cookout for lunch - hot dogs, hamburgers, meatless options and others items.

Please register ASAP. Space is limited for each class and on a first-come, first-served basis. Click her for registration and a description / schedule of courses .

Good Citizenship Award

We have the honor of presenting 25 Scouts the 2024 Good Citizenship Award.

Unit Leaders can nominate Scouts with the following qualifications:

• Is a junior in high school (requirement)

• Is a citizen of the United States (requirement)

• Is a member of the nominating organization in good standing (requirement)

• Demonstrates hard work and fair play

• Has personal attributes of honesty, courage, tolerance, curiosity and loyalty

• Endeavors to follow and uphold the principles of American patriotism

Click here for additional information and the nomination form, Forms must be completed by Friday January 12, 2024 and submitted via Google forms at this link. Questions? Please write to our District Executive, Ryan Martin.

Dates to Know

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

District Annual Meeting: January 8, 2024

University of Scouting: Saturday, February 4, 2024

In-person training opportunities for leaders. Registration and information 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

Pilgrimage & Encampment: March 8-10, 2024

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

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.

District Safety Minute

Cold Weather Activities

Beyond camping, a number of cold-weather activities present challenges to Scouts and leaders, such as alpine or cross-country skiing, ice skating, sledding, ice fishing, and snowshoeing. Remember that winter activities can be more physically challenging and require special safety equipment, and that Scouts having fun may not realize they are suffering early symptoms of frostbite, dehydration, sun burn, and asthma. Essential ingredients for fun include skill training and an awareness of the hazards unique to these activities. Be prepared!

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.