Greater St. Louis Area Council November Newsletter

November 2024 e-DITION

2024 marks the Greater St. Louis Area Council's 39th annual Scouting for Food Good Turn, and it continues to be the largest single-day canned food drive in the United States. The 2024 campaign begins on Saturday, November 16, with Scouts going door-to-door distributing custom-made plastic grocery bags. On Saturday, November 23, Scouts will return to those neighborhoods to collect the bags filled with canned goods. The timing of the campaign coincides with the spirit of giving and appreciation associated with the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday season.

Scouts in the Greater St. Louis Area Council rely on the generosity of individuals, sponsors, organizations and charitable donors to help them grow into the next generation of leaders. Give the gift of Scouting and invest in tomorrow.

2024 Scouts BSA Winter Camp

NEW PROGRAM!! Units have asked - so we listened! Join us for GSLAC Scouts BSA Winter Camp at Rhodes France! Registration is open now!

STEM University – Offered at 5 Universities

Scouts can earn a multitude of merit badges and Nova awards. Participants will take part in state-of-the-art classrooms with leaders guiding Scouts through hands-on activities.

STEM University UMSL - Cub Scouts College

December 7, 2024

STEM UNIVERSITY UMSL – Scouts BSA College

December 7, 2024 Check out the badge and award offerings!

STEM University SEMO

January 4, 2025

2025 Camp Staff

Exciting news! Camp staff applications open! If you're passionate about the outdoors, love working with kids, and want to make unforgettable memories, this is your chance! Apply early and join our awesome team for the adventure of a lifetime! Must be at least 15 by June 1, 2025. Counselor in Training applicants must be at least 14 by June 1, 2025.

2025 Summer Camp Registration Open (For Scouts BSA and Venturing at Swift)

The Greater St. Louis Area Council offers exciting Summer Camp opportunities for every Troop! Each camp provides unique programs designed to meet the needs and interests of Scouts. Choose from a variety of exciting options:

• Camp Gamble – Where Wilderness Awaits!

Immerse yourself in a patrol-cooking experience, building self-reliance and teamwork in a true wilderness setting.

• Rhodes-France Scout Reservation – Aim for Excellence!

Enjoy a small-camp atmosphere with unique range and target activities that offer a personalized experience.

• Camp Lewallen – Explore the Ozarks!

Located on the banks of the St. Francis River, Camp Lewallen offers scenic floats and backcountry treks through the natural beauty of the Ozarks.

• Camp Famous Eagle – Modern Comforts, Wild Adventures!

Experience the best of both worlds at S-F Scout Ranch, where modern amenities meet exciting outdoor adventures.

No matter which camp you choose, adventure and memories await this summer!

2024 Virtual Eagle Trail Winter Workshop

A unique virtual experience where Scouts work with counselors on three Eagle required badges, Monday Dec.30 and December 31 from 8:45am to 1:30pm. First Class and above Scouts.

Scoutbook Upgrades: What You Need to Know!

We’ve heard your questions about the recent Scoutbook updates, and we’re here to clarify. Here’s a breakdown of the three programs you’ll see referenced:

1.Scoutbook: This is the official Scouting tool for tracking youth members’ achievements, such as campouts, service projects, merit badges, and Cub Scout adventures. Scout leaders use it to manage unit finances, schedule events and handle permission slips, and communicate with families. Parents can monitor their Scouts’ progress, and Scouts can connect with merit badge counselors. Simply put, it’s a comprehensive platform every unit and Scout family should be using! However, the technology underpinning it is outdated.

2.Internet Advancement: This separate tool was developed a few years ago using updated technology. It allowed for the introduction of new features that couldn’t be added to the older, outdated Scoutbook infrastructure.

3.Scoutbook Plus: InternetAdvancement has now been renamed Scoutbook Plus, and it hosts all the latest features using modern technology. Most functions from the original Scoutbook have transitioned to Scoutbook Plus.

Both Scoutbook and Scoutbook Plus are currently active and fully synced. You’ll use the same login credentials for both, and they work seamlessly together, so there’s no risk of using the wrong program.As development continues, all features will eventually move to Scoutbook Plus, which will become the one-and-only Scouting platform. Learn more in the Knowledge Center.

Submit your Scouting Story

We know you are snapping away and taking lots of videos when out doing Scouting activities, and we want to see them so we can share all the great things our Scouts are doing!

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