A Message from our District Chair & District Commissioner

ICYMI - District Dinner Recap

Finance Updates

Membership Updates

Program Updates

Welcome to the inaugural edition of The River Hawk Nest, the monthly newsletter of the River Hawk District!

Serving all of Anne Arundel County, River Hawk is home to more than just great Scouting—we are fortunate to serve a community rich in history, leadership, and outdoor adventure. Our Scouts experience opportunities that help them grow into capable leaders, engaged citizens, and responsible stewards of their communities.

Each month, The River Hawk Nest will serve as your source for district news, upcoming events, training opportunities, volunteer recognition, membership growth, and success stories from our units. Whether you're a Cub Scout parent attending your first pack meeting, a seasoned Scoutmaster, a dedicated commissioner, or a district volunteer, we hope this newsletter helps keep you connected to the amazing things happening across River Hawk.

Thank you for everything you do to make Scouting strong in Anne Arundel County. Together, we continue to provide life-changing experiences for the youth we serve.

Yours in Scouting,

Jenn & Kipp

REMINDER

There are no District Meetings or Roundtable held in July, we will see you in August!

Finance Updates

Mike Danko, Vice Chair of Finance

finance@riverhawkbac.org

Don't miss out on selling Popcorn!

Everything you need to know can be found here: https://baltimorescouting.org/popcorn/

Before a unit can do any fundraising, except for Popcorn, a unit fundraising application is to be submitted to council for approval.  

In an effort to make things easier to submit, we have created an online form located at https://forms.office.com/r/jnbnZqRkBX.

An email will be sent to the COR for approval. The COR must approve before approval is provided.

We want to reiterate to you that council does not and will not ask for a percentage of sales, but it's a way to ensure that any fundraising meets the standards set by National as it does reflect on the entire Scouting program.  

If anyone has any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Mike at this contact above.

Membership Updates

Catherine Gilles, Vice Chair of Membership

membership@riverhawkbac.org

Baltimore Area Council lost a significant portion of its Scouts and Scouters since COVID, and is trying hard to rebuild our membership. A strong recruiting program helps ensure that your unit will stay healthy and your current older youth will have new members to lead as they rank up. It can also bring in new adults to help with those “one hour a day!” tasks. Many hands make light work.

In addition to fun, hands-on and Scout-led activities, potential recruiting activities could involve exciting “bring a friend” events, providing service at events where a lot of families can see you, or hosting an activity at community events like festivals or parades. “Out of sight, out of mind” applies to your recruiting efforts. If families don’t see you and know you are there, they won’t think to visit and join your unit. 

Council has lots of resources on their Membership page here: https://baltimorescouting.org/membership/

Fired Up for Scouting!

Our "Fired Up for Scouting" event is on Saturday, August 15th at The Church at Severn Run (8187 Telegraph Rd, Severn, MD 21144) from 9a until 1p. This is a free community event that also serves as a recruiting tool to introduce families to the Scouting program while offering a fun, engaging, and community-centered experience. We are highlighting community partnerships and giving youth the opportunity to interact with local public safety professionals. We have the following community partners committed to running a booth, along with vehicle displays, demonstrations, and general engagement with families: Anne Arundel County Police Department, Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, Rec and Parks, and the Department of Health.  

We need units to run a booth/station such as gaga ball, raingutter regatta, campfire with s'mores, how to pack a backpack, how to set up a tent, etc. I've attached our event flyer that we are going to start sharing in the community and social media.

Units can sign up here: Fired Up for Scouting - Unit Sign-Up

• What do units need to bring? Anything to run your booth, including but not limited to a pop-up for shade, water & snacks for your volunteers, unit recruitment items such as flyers, unit banner sign, etc.

Anne Arundel County Fair Ducky Races

The River Hawk District is once again running the ducky race at the AACo Fair being held Sept 16-20, 2026. This is a great recruitment activity and we encourage units participating to bring their own recruitment materials and any flair to make our booth pop. Units and individuals can sign up for one or multiple spots. All general materials will be provided, we just need your enthusiasm to promote Scouting! By volunteering, you also have free access to enjoy the fair after your shift.

Sign Up here: Anne Arundel County Fair Ducky Race

• What do units need to bring? Any individual recruitment materials you'd like to pass out. Otherwise, all general materials will be provided, just show up in your Scouting uniform!

Program Updates

Eric Hostetler, Vice Chair of Program

program@riverhawkbac.org

Get ready for a hauntingly good time at this year’s Spook-O-Ree! This annual event, designed specifically for our Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts is a highlight of the fall, drawing hundreds for a weekend filled with adventure, learning, and spooky (not scary) fun.



Held at Camp Saffran, Broad Creek Scout Reservation, Spook-O-Ree offers a unique opportunity to participate in a variety of skills stations run by Scouts from local Troops, Crews, and Ships. Throughout the weekend, Scouts will have the chance to develop new skills, build lasting friendships, and enjoy the great outdoors.

Saturday evening will culminate in a Halloween-themed campfire where Scouts are encouraged to dress in their favorite costumes. The campfire program will feature skits and songs performed by the Scouts, making for a night of laughter and memorable moments. Don’t forget to decorate your campsite to add to the spooky atmosphere!

Congratulations to our May

Eagle and Summit Scouts!

5 May Lenore Amihere, T214 Eagle

5 May Dane Dutchover, T447 Eagle

6 May Benjamin Cook, T712 Eagle

13 May Shane McCollister, C3141 Summit

Advancement Committee

District Advancement Point of Contacts:

Ben Brown, Committee Chair (for any inquiries not listed below): advancement@riverhawkbac.org

Tim Watson, Cub Scout Advancement resource: tawscout@gmail.com 

John Zajic, Dean of Merit Badge Counselors: rhmbdean@gmail.com

Tom Malloy, Eagle/Advancement Training: tjmalloybsa@outlook.com

Tim Mullady, Religious Awards: mulladyt@verizon.net

Eagle Scout Project proposal & Eagle Fund Raising applications: proposals@riverhawkbac.org

To schedule an Eagle or Summit Board of Review: boards@riverhawkbac.org

District Advancement Page: https://baltimorescouting.org/riverhawk/program/advancement/

Council Advancement Page: https://baltimorescouting.org/advancement/

ARROW OF LIGHT DEN LEADERS AND SCOUTMASTERS

As you approach your program year and before your scouts, parents, and leaders head for vacation, day camp, summer camp, and high adventure activities, Arrow of Light den leaders and Scouts BSA Scoutmasters should try to establish contact with each other. Now is the time to schedule unit visits and other combined unit activities so Arrow of Light scouts can complete the Bobcat Adventure in September. Arranging visits in both directions now ensures a quick start for Arrow of Light scouts and lays firm groundwork for recruiting new members for Scouts BSA units a few months later.

REQUESTING EAGLE REQUIREMENT EXTENSIONS

Do you have an Eagle candidate whose 18th birthday is approaching and he/she still has Eagle requirements to complete? It may be possible to get up to a six-month extension on the Eagle requirements. Should this situation be the result of an event or issue beyond the control of your Eagle candidate, review the Extension Request form to see if your scout qualifies under the three required tests. For questions or assistance, contact the River Hawk District Advancement Committee Chair (email address above).