Message from the District Chair

Be sure to check out the District Calendar on Google to keep up to date with any forthcoming events and as a look-forward to the spring (e.g. Pinewood Derby, Awards banquet, training opportunities). We'd love to highlight any unit activities here as well, and we always love to spread the word about our scouts and scouters in their community.

Please take a moment to review the training status for your unit volunteers and ask them to get up-to-date. There is an important Safegaurding Youth Training coming up at the end of May, and with crossovers happening last month, your Pack might need more BALOO-trained leaders. This is the way to ensure that the kids are getting a solid program and the adult volunteers have the skills and know-how to work with confidence and engagement. A lot can be done online easily, too.

We would love to hear your thoughts and what types of activities and support you and your units need. Please reach out to westwinddistrict@gmail.com and help us help you!

Thank you for everything you do for our Scouts and for Scouting!

-Sarath Krishnaswamy, District Chair

westwinddistrict@gmail.com

Awards, Recognition, Dinner and Fellowship

SAVE THE DATE!! Our District Awards Dinner is coming up soon: May 28, 2026.

This is our chance to recognize all of our volunteers that put together the best program possible for our Scouts; this includes YOU!

Use this Nomination Form to submit all of the information needed to present the following award to members of your unit, the District, or anyone that you feel goes over and above to make a difference. Nominations are due by May 1, 2026!

Use the form for these awards:

Spark Plug (one per unit, for an outstanding volunteer)
Training Award or Key (to recognize Scouters for tenure, training, and program excellence)
Unit Leader Award of Merit (to recognize outstanding Unit Leaders)
Veteran's Award (to recognize years of service)
District Award of Merit (outstanding service to the District)
Something Else (you want to propose a special recognition)
You can register for the dinner now! Please share with the rest of your unit (especially those that you’re nominating for awards) – we want to see every unit represented and recognized!

Training & Tips

EveryScout deserves a trained leader.

Are you Position Trained? Does your Pack have enough BALOO trained leaders to go on an outing? Are you a life-long learner and just want to take another training course?

BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation)

Did you know…every Cub Scout unit is required to have at least one BALOO trained leader to hold overnight programs?

BALOO Training is a day+ of fun and learning which will help pack leaders plan and carry out a quality "entry-level" outdoor experience for the Cub Scouts and their families. Participants will better understand the policies of the BSA and camp programming while acquiring the skills and confidence to host a successful campout by increasing their knowledge of available resources and the use of national and local council standards as guidelines.

When: Saturday, April 11, 2026, 8:00 AM - Sunday, April 12, 2026, 12:00PM

Where: Camp 40 Acres, Andover, MA

Check out the Calendar of Events section below for a list of training sessions in the area.

What training do you need to help you help our Scouts? Let us know!

Advancement

The next District Boards of Review are scheduled for
Thursday, April 16th, 2026.
Thursday, May 21st, 2026.

In February 2026 the "CITIZENSHIP IN SOCIETY" Merit Badge was discontinued.
Any Scout that has started this Merit Badge has until December 31, 2026 to complete it.

In February 2026 there were 2 revisions to the Eagle Scout Rank Application,
February 11, 2026 (Marked January 2026 Revision)
All text boxes do not autofit to the entered data.
Added "When entering dates please use the format mm/dd/yy — for example, list the date July 8, 2024, as 07/08/24"
Added "Parent/Guardian name" with text box.
Added "Employer (optional)" with text box.
Added "Parents/Guardians" for a total of five (5) references
Updated "(The project must benefit an organization other than Scouting America.)" to "(The project must benefit an organization other than Scouting America. This organization is called your beneficiary.)".
Added "Beneficiary organization" with text box.
And other text adjustments.
February 19, 2026 (Marked January 2026 Revision) released on February 27, 2026
All text boxes do not autofit to the entered data.
Updated section: "REQUIREMENT 3"
Removed "CITIZENSHIP IN SOCIETY" Merit Badge.

We have an updated List of Merit Badge Requirements for 2026
Presented this to the District Roundtable on January 8th, 2026.
Lots of changes using Leave no Trace.
A modernization of over 80 Merit Badges.
Changes to 8 Eagle required Merit Badges.
Common use of the Scouting America swimmer test, to be found in the Swimming merit badge pamphlet.
Canoeing
Kayaking
Motorboating
Rowing
Small Boat Sailing
Swimming
Water Sports
Note: Part of First Class Scout Rank requirements.

Please use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to complete these forms.

Please use the Eagle Procedures for submitting Eagle Scout Project Proposals or Rank Applications as published on the Council website.

Roundtable Update

April Roundtable

Main Topic: You’ve CROSSED OVER, now what?! How to maintain the pack & welcome new families.

Cub Breakout: What happens to the pack after Crossover.

Venture/Scouts BSA Breakout: Program Features for your Troop. Everything you need to know to utilize these resources, model PLC meeting.

Join us and other local scout leaders to share experiences, ideas and best practices.

If you cannot join in-person, we offer the ability to join online as well via Zoom

When: Thursday, April 9, 2026, 7:15 PM

Where: First Congregational Church, Billerica, MA

Leader's Minute

A prehistoric adventure begins…when you invite our staff paleontologist to your Pack meeting to discuss an issue of enormous proportions!

So I request any adult to ask, beg, plead, pressure or cajole their Committee Chairs and or Cubmasters to use this form to book your big, loud and enthusiastic guest speaker!!!