January 23, 2026

Storm Incoming

Due to the anticipated storm this weekend, New England Base Camp and the Woburn Scout Office will be closed on Monday. The Lodge Banquet originally scheduled for this Sunday has been postponed; additional details will be communicated by the OA Lodge.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Spirit of Adventure Council

6^th Basic Hybrid CERT Winter 2026 Class Announcement

The Spirit of Adventure Council and The Preparedness Committee are pleased to announce the 6^th Basic Hybrid CERT training class beginning (on-line) on Sunday February 1, 2026 with the mandatory in person “Hands On” day on Saturday March 14, 2026 at New England Base Camp in Milton, MA. The Basic CERT training teaches basic disaster response skills so you can safely help yourself and those around you when disaster strikes and when professional responders are not available. Learn how to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community.

What You Learn

¨ Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness ¨ Unit 6: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

¨ Unit 2: CERT Organization ¨ Unit 7: Light Search and Rescue Operations

¨ Unit 3-4: Disaster Medical Operations ¨ Unit 8: Terrorism and Hazardous Materials Safety

¨ Unit 5: Disaster Psychology ¨ Unit 9: Course Review and Disaster Simulation

Who can take this course

Any scout between the ages of 14-18

Any Explorer, Venture Crew member or Sea Scout

Any scout leader, advisor or adult affiliated with scouting

Class limited to 30 participants

Online course made available by the National CERT Association and there is no cost to attend this training. What’s covered in the practical portion of the training: https://goo.gl/1p9ggr

For questions, or to register for the upcoming class, please email FEMA-Scouting@Scoutspirit.org or contact Dan Perenick at 978-423-3786. To register: email your name, unit/town or city, phone number and title/position within your unit by Sunday February 1, 2026. All youth members please cc a parent or an adult leader when e-mailing. Also, visit www.scoutspirit.org/fema for more information about our Preparedness Program.

More Information Here

Zoom Link for Information Session

Scouting has something to offer everyone, and everyone has something to offer Scouting. Every child has a right to have an adventure AND a trained leader/mentor.

I came across some informational opportunities and would love to hear how they go if you attend one or sign up for information. Email me at Jennifer.Erickson@scouting.org and let me know!

Upcoming Scouts SA Membership Webinars

Join upcoming Scouts SA membership webinars designed for volunteers and leaders who want to build strong, sustainable Scouting programs in their communities.

“Recruiting Non-Scouts and Older Youth (Beyond Crossovers)” -

February 1 at 7:30 pm Eastern. Register here.

“Empowering the Patrol Leaders Council and Youth Leadership in Membership Growth” - March 8 at 7:30 pm Eastern. Register here.

Program Livecasts

Cub Chat Live (every Friday at 3 pm Eastern) - Facebook and YouTube

Troop Talk Live (second Wednesday of each month at 3 pm Eastern) - Facebook and YouTube

Leading our Adventures (every other Friday at 6 pm Eastern) - Facebook and YouTube

Trek on Tuesday (Tuesdays at 3 pm Eastern) - Facebook and YouTube

Newsletters/Blogs/Podcasts

Scouting Safety - here

Aaron on Scouting - here

Abilities Digest - here

Scouting Wire - here

Exploring is a unique career exploration program for youth ages 10 – 20. The program provides students with an opportunity to learn about a wide variety of career fields and network with professionals already working in those fields. Youth will get hands-on experience to determine whether or not a particular career field is right for them. They develop valuable networking contacts with professionals working in their selected career fields, and they get to know other youth with their same interests and aspirations.

Exploring is the first step in identifying career possibilities while having fun in an exciting and informal environment.

Spirit of Adventure Council has the following exploring opportunities –

· Aviation – Youth aged 14 – 20

· Drones – Youth aged 10 – 20

· Emergency Management – Youth aged 10 – 20

· Fire (Boxford) – Youth aged 14 – 20

· Police (Methuen, North Andover, Westwood, Wilmington, Winthrop) – Youth aged 14 – 20

· Veterinary Science – Youth aged 10 – 14

· Coming Soon – Financial Literacy

And yes! Your child can take part in multiple exploring opportunities for one fee of $85.00 per year.

Contact Jennifer Erickson at Jennifer.erickson@scouting.org for more information on any of the exploring opportunities above. If you are interested in finding out how you can host an exploring program, reach out as well! We are always looking for more opportunities to provide our youth.