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Welcome to The River Hawk Nest, our Monthly Newsletter!
SEPTEMBER 2026
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River Hawk Swag
Did you know you know we have a River Hawk Trading Post where you can purchase apparel with the District Logo as well as personalize with name embroidery? These can make great gifts to say thank you! There is some lead time so order early!
River Hawk Apparel Store
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A Message from our District Chair & District Commissioner
Recruitment Opportunity: Ducky Races!
Membership Updates
Finance Updates
Program Updates
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🍂 River Hawk is Ready for Fall!
As units settle into their fall routines, now is the time to make the most of your open houses, community events, and recruiting opportunities. Fall is when families are looking for activities that help their children make friends, build confidence, learn new skills, and have fun. Make sure your unit is ready to welcome them! A great open house doesn't have to be complicated—show families what your Scouts do, let them experience a little Scouting, and most importantly, invite them to be part of the adventure.
Remember, every Scout started somewhere. Sometimes all it takes is one leader, one Scout, or one family saying, “Come check it out!” As we move into the heart of the Scouting year, let's continue to support one another, share what's working, and celebrate the great things happening throughout River Hawk.
🦅 Join Us for September Roundtable
Come connect with fellow Scouters, share ideas, get updates, and pick up resources to help your unit have a successful fall season.
Monday, September 14, 2026
7:00 PM
Old Mill Middle School
Please plan ahead: Construction is still ongoing around the school, but Shetlands Lane is open and accessible for vehicles. Give yourself a little extra time to navigate the area and get settled.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Yours in Scouting,
Jenn & Kipp
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Recruitment Opportunity!
Anne Arundel County Fair Ducky Races
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The River Hawk District is once again running the ducky race at the AACo Fair being held Sept 16-20, 2026. And we need your help!
We have the following slots that need to be filled:
- Friday, 9/18, 5p - 7p
- Friday, 9/18, 7p - 9p
- Saturday, 9/19, 9a - 11a
- Saturday, 9/19, 7p - 9p
- Sunday, 9/20, 9a - 11a
- Sunday, 9/20, 3p - 5p
- Sunday, 9/20, 5p - 7p
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
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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!
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You might not be aware, but recruiting right now is critically important. Scouting America’s numbers have been on a steady decline since 2020, and if the current trend continues, the organization we all know and love will soon no longer be sustainable and some very difficult decisions will have to be made. We have already seen it in the form of sharply increasing membership fees to help make up for the difference.
In membership meetings one year ago, we were told Scouting America could be defunct in 7 years. Our district staff has tried all sorts of things over the past year to help us grow, but we are not seeing a lot of growth yet. We now only have 6 years to save us. It is that serious.
So, how can you help? Recruit! Grow your unit! Get the word out in your local community! Tell everyone you know about Scouting and the awesome benefits of Scouting to our youth, our leaders, and our community! Take your unit out into the community in uniform more and let everyone see your youth providing service. Bring more fun to the meetings and events to keep them coming back. Work on retention, because every youth you save is one we do not need to recruit right away. If someone does not show for a few weeks, reach out and let them know you miss them. Every youth matters right now.
If we do not turn up the heat on what we are doing, we will not be doing it for much longer.
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Scouting America now waives the $85 national youth registration fee for new and renewing children of active duty, National Guard, and Reserve military service members. The initial application contains a setting where you can easily find that section to apply for the discount, but some renewing families are having a hard time finding that option. If this applies to your family and you are having problems with it, please reach out to Katie or MacKenzie for assistance. | |
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Welcoming New Cub Scout Families:
First 90 Days Guide
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The first 90 days can make all the difference for a new Cub Scout and their family. A great Cub Scout experience starts with a great welcome. The First 90 Days Guide offers simple steps to help new Cub Scouts and their families feel welcomed, connected, supported, and part of the Pack from day one. Let’s make sure every new family knows they belong, has the support they need, and feels excited about their Scouting journey.
First 90 Days Guide
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Finance Updates
Mike Danko, Vice Chair of Finance
finance@riverhawkbac.org
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It's not too late to fund your program through popcorn!
Everything you need to know can be found here: https://baltimorescouting.org/popcorn/
Please reach out to Michael Danko for details on how to get started, tips for running a successful sale, and how to NOT get stuck with extra inventory!
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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.
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Program Updates
Eric Hostetler, Vice Chair of Program
program@riverhawkbac.org
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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!
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Congratulations to our August
Eagle and Summit Scouts!
6 Aug, T192, Jordan Autry, Eagle
14 Aug, T214, Lillian Horning, Eagle
17 Aug, T454, Grant Davenport, Eagle
25 Aug, T441, Aiden Stevenson, Eagle
26 Aug, T382, Ezra Barbour, Eagle
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Advancement Committee
DISTRICT ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE EMAIL ADDRESSES
advancement@riverhawkbac.org: Ben Brown & Tom Malloy, Committee Co-Chairs (for any inquiries not listed below)
proposals@riverhawkbac.org: for all Eagle Scout Service Project proposal and
Eagle Fundraising application approvals
boards@riverhawkbac.org: to schedule an Eagle or Summit Board of Review
tawscout@gmail.com: Tim Watson, Cub Scout Advancement resource
rhmbdean@gmail.com: John Zajic, Dean of Merit Badge Counselors
tjmalloybsa@outlook.com: Tom Malloy, Eagle/Advancement Training
mulladyt@verizon.net: Tim Mullady, Religious Awards
SUBMITTING EAGLE SERVICE PROJECT PROPOSALS
Email proposals to proposals@riverhawkbac.org
IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A MESSAGE THAT PROPOSAL WAS RECEIVED,
CONTACT ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR at advancement@riverhawkbac.org
IF A SCOUT SUBMITS THE PROPOSAL, THE MESSAGE MUST INCLUDE a “cc:”(of a unit leader or parent)
Proposal Registrar: Andrew Huppert 1017 Tudor Dr, Crownsville, MD, 21032
410-923-1534
NEW EAGLE SCOUT APPLICATION
Make sure that your Eagle candidate uses the January 2026 Revision (512-728) Eagle application when preparing to submit it to Council for verification or it will be rejected.
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BALOO at Spook-O-Ree
October 17-18, 2026
Camp Saffran
This one-night training event introduces Den/Pack Leaders to the skills needed to plan and conduct Cub Scout pack outdoor activities, particularly pack family camping. BALOO will give your pack’s outdoor activity leader the tools to conduct a safe and successful overnight including the why and how of Cub Scout camping—planning, equipment, meal preparation, and campfire programs.
Cub Scouters rotate among four round-robin sessions—fire safety, stoves, and lanterns; first aid and sanitation; nature hikes and games; and cooking. Scattered throughout the day are plenty of the four S’s: songs, stunts, stories, and showmanship. One overnight camping is involved.
Registration is open here
Questions?
Contact John Rolek, River Hawk BALOO Director at rolek.pspwii@gmail.com
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