ICDT Special mid-October 2023 e-DITION / Halloween by Greater St. Louis Area Council

G r e a t e r St . Lo u i s Ar e a C o u n c i l SC O U TI N G

Special mid-October 2023 e-DITION / Halloween

Experiences, Activities, Events and Resources

INSIDE: Youth Safety & General Policy Updates – 2 All Scout Activities - 3 Scouting For Food - 3 Financial Assistance – 3 Cub Halloween Events - 4 Cub Scouts Activities -4 Scouts BSA Activities – 4

Bags are distributed on November 11th and bags are collected on November 18th.

2023 marks the Greater St. Louis Area Council's 38th annual Scouting for Food Good Turn, and it continues to be the largest single-day canned food drive in the United States. During its 37-year history, Scouts have collected more than 53 million cans of food. Bags are distributed on November 11th and bags are collected on November 18th.

2024 Camp Staff Applications are live - 4 Venturing Activities – 5 Youth Training and Advancement – 6 Adult Training – 7 Quick-find resources - 8

The Guide to Safe Scouting Activities An overview of Scouting policies and procedures gleaned from a variety of sources. Registered unit leaders are expected to review the additional reference material cited prior to conducting such activities. In situations not specifically covered in this guide, activity planners should evaluate the risk or potential risk of harm, and respond with action plans based on common sense, community standards, the Scout motto, and safety policies and practices commonly prescribed for the activity by experienced providers and practitioners. https://www.scouting.org/health-andsafety/gss/ Adult leadership requirements effective 9/1 Update to Adult Leadership Requirements – All adults attending overnight Scouting activities must be registered in the BSA. A limited exception exists for Cub Scout Packs.Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required at all Scouting activities, including all meetings. There must be a registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over in every unit serving females. A registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over must be present for any activity involving female youth or female adult program participants. Notwithstanding the minimum leader requirements, age and program-appropriate supervision must always be provided. All adults staying overnight in connection with a Scouting activity must be currently registered as an adult volunteer or an adult program participant. Adult volunteers must register in the position(s) they are serving in. Registration as a merit badge counselor position does not meet this requirement. https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/yp-faqs/ Changes to Cub Scout Pack Overnight Camping effective 9/1 Cub Scout Packs can now camp up to two consecutive nights. Cub Scout packs who are conducting their own overnight camping activity may now camp up to two consecutive nights. Cub Scout packs who are conducting their own overnight camping activities must continue to have at least one registered adult leader who is trained in Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO), oversees the planning and is in attendance for the pack campout. This updated policy also applies to Webelos and Arrow of Light dens who may conduct den coordinated campouts. The policy will be updated in the Guide to Safe Scouting and other resources on Sept. 1. An updated version of the BALOO training will also be released at this time. All camp properties of the Greater St. Louis Area Council are approved for Cub Scout camping. https://stlbsa.org/camps/cub-scout-day-camps/cub-overnight-camp-faq/

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Youth Safety & Policy Updates

MANDATORY Youth Protection Training The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. To maintain such an environment, the BSA developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies and provides parents and leaders with resources for the Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, and Venturing programs. • Youth Protection training is required for all BSA registered volunteers and is a joining requirement. • Youth Protection training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer’s Youth Protection training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be re-registered. Read and know more: https://www.scouting.org/training/yo uth-protection/

Scouting For Food Everyone Council Footprint November 11- bags go out November 18- bag collection day 2023 marks the Greater St. Louis Area Council's 38th annual Scouting for Food Good Turn, and it continues to be the largest single-day canned food drive in the United States. During its 37year history, Scouts have collected more than 53 million cans of food. Bags are distributed on November 11th and bags are collected on November 18th. The 2023 Scouting for Food patch can be ordered here as well. https://stlbsa.org/scouting-for-food/

Families needing financial assistance For families needing additional assistance this fall please share this link https://stlbsa.org/resources/membership-fees-faq/ Fall Recruitment Campaign Fall recruitment is underway and we are excited to welcome thousands of new families to Scouting this fall! We encourage all units to get involved in the campaign by checking out our membership recruitment website. There you will find all of the resources you need to successfully recruit and onboard new families to your unit. https://stlbsa.org/membership-recruitment/ GSLAC Recreational Esports All Scouts and parents 24/7 On-Line Mission Control is a platform where players can squad up with their crew or compete against frenemies in local recreational esports leagues! Gathering community through recreational esports TOP GAMES ON MISSION CONTROL: Rocket League, Madden NFL, Mariokart Deluxe, Fidi20 Soccer, Fornite, Super Smash Brothers, NHL20, and more! https://stlbsa.org/stem/upcoming-stem-events/

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ALL SCOUTS

GSLAC Coffee Online Subscription Gateway Traders Love coffee as much as we do? Avoid the grocery store and get 2 bags of ground coffee delivered straight to your door every month. Register for a 3, 6 or 12-month coffee subscription and support the mission of the BSA at the same time. https://gatewaytraders.org/collections/gslac-coffee

Cub Scout Spookoree Rhodes France Scout Reservation - Pana, Illinois 62557 Cub Scouts & their Families October 13-15, 2023 A Cub Scout overnight weekend that is Halloween themed at Rhodes France Scout Reservation! Come do scouting activities, play games and trick or treat with us! Don't forget your costume! Please join us for a weekend of Pirate themed fun at Rhodes France scout reservation! This will be a pirate themed Halloween weekend campout geared for the whole family. There will be activities for all age ranges of cub scouters and their families (including shooting sports, scout skills, and more!). Bring the whole crew!! https://stlbsa.org/cub-scouts-calendar/

Haunted Hayrides Children and adults of all ages Camp Warren Levis - Godfrey, IL 62035 Friday, October 21 / Saturday, October 22 AND Friday, October 28 / Saturday, October 29 Tractors leave on rides about every 10-15 minutes and the ride lasts about 20 minutes, showing the spookier, scarier side of Camp Warren Levis. Keep an eye out for the goblins and ghouls, and be careful about that noise in the woods... https://buff.ly/3LYbZMn

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CUB SCOUTS

Fall Fright Fest Cub Scouts and their families October 14, 2023 Beaumont Scout Reservation -- High Ridge Missouri 63049 Sign up for sessions from 3PM to 8PM! Each session is under 2 hours. Hike the spooky trail, get a goody bag, play on the playgrounds, make slime and more! Bring your costume and get into the Halloween spirit! NEW THIS YEAR: camp overnight with us! For only $5 more, make it a whole weekend adventure. No meals are provided but there will be an evening campfire show Friday night, and activities Saturday during the day before you attend your time slot for Fall Fright Fest! https://stlbsa.org/cub-scouts-calendar/

ScoutBotics All Scouts October 21, 2023 Saint Louis University SCOUTBOTICS returns and offers Cub Scouts and Scouts the opportunity to design, program, and race a robot. This event is for those youth interested in robotics and looking for an engaging and challenging opportunity to exercise their STEM legs! Participants will leave with their own robot and the memory of a fantastic day of robot fun! https://stlbsa.org/stem/upcoming-stem-events/ 2023 Fall S-F Ranger Program Scouts BSA Members 14 and Older, Venturers, and Adults October 27, 2023, 5:00 PM to October 29, 2023, 1:00 PM S BAR F SCOUT RANCH - Farmington, MO 63640 Come experience the Ranch in the Fall by taking part in the Fall Ranger Program. This weekend will provide participants with the opportunity to backpack in the backcountry of S-F during a time of year that gives a whole new perspective on the scenery and wildlife that includes this Scouting paradise. Participants will try their hand at the High Ropes Challenge Course, trail cooking, backpacking, and more, which are all activities that Scouts and Venturers may do during the week-long summer Ranger program. https://stlbsa.org/scouts-bsa-calendar/ 2023 University of Scouting Webster University Saturday, November 4, 2023 Registration starts at 7:30am University of Scouting is a training event that offers the widest variety of training opportunities in all program areas, all in one place! Youth may register to attend courses and merit badge sessions https://stlbsa.org/training/university-of-scouting/ Scouts BSA / Venturing MERIT BADGE SKILL CENTERS Various Location The purpose of Merit Badge Skill Centers is to offer Scouts an opportunity to meet with highly qualified professionals to learn and foster the development of lifelong interests. Particular emphasis is given to career and hobby-oriented Merit Badges especially those with limited availability of counselors. Click Here for the list GSLAC Recreational Esports All Scouts and parents 24/7 On-Line Mission Control is a platform where players can squad up with their crew or compete against frenemies in local recreational esports leagues! Gathering community through recreational esports TOP GAMES ON MISSION CONTROL: Rocket League, Madden NFL, Mariokart Deluxe, Fidi20 Soccer, Fornite, Super Smash Brothers, NHL20, and more! https://stlbsa.org/stem/upcoming-stem-events/

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SCOUTS BSA & VENTURING

2024 Camp Staff Applications Are Now Live! All Scouts BSA Youth, All Adults Join the team and have the best summer ever! Paid staff must be at least 15 years old as of June 1, 2024. However, Counselors-In-Training applicants may be 14 years old. https://stlbsa.org/camps/work-at-our-camps/

Cub Scout Advancement Workshops Beaumont Scout Reservation -- High Ridge Missouri 63049 Cub Scout Advancement Workshops to help supplement dens to achieve their rank advancement. December 2nd | Cast Iron Chef (Webelo) |Sign Up HERE December 2nd | Germs Alive (Wolf) | Sign Up HERE 2023 University of Scouting Webster University Saturday, November 4, 2023 Registration starts at 7:30am University of Scouting is a training event that offers the widest variety of training opportunities in all program areas, all in one place! Youth may register to attend courses and merit badge sessions https://stlbsa.org/training/university-of-scouting/

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YOUTH TRAINING AND ADVANCEMENT

Scouts BSA / Venturing MERIT BADGE SKILL CENTERS Various Location The purpose of Merit Badge Skill Centers is to offer Scouts an opportunity to meet with highly qualified professionals to learn and foster the development of lifelong interests. Particular emphasis is given to career and hobby-oriented Merit Badges especially those with limited availability of counselors

NEW Den Leader Tips and Tricks Videos Looking for help with meeting ideas or how to plan Den Meetings? Scoutbook Hacks? Scoutbook is the BSA’s online unit management tool and helps Scouts, parents and leaders track advancement and milestones There are videos covering; Rank Overview | Den Leader Tips | Scoutbook Hacks https://buff.ly/3OVIdZg Leader Outdoor Experience/BALOO Cub Scout Leaders October 14-15 @ Beaumont Scout Reservation Looking to take your Cub Pack out on a camp out this fall? Attend one of two Leader Outdoor Experience/BALOO training this fall to learn the basic of Cub Scout camping to make your camp out fun and safe! Packs are required to have at least two adult leaders trained in BALOO to have a pack campout. https://stlbsa.org/training/cub-scout-leader-outdoor-experience/

2023 University of Scouting Webster University Saturday, November 4, 2023 Registration starts at 7:30am University of Scouting is a training event that offers the widest variety of training opportunities in all program areas, all in one place! You will find just about anything to do with Scouting at University of Scouting, whether you are a Scout, leader, commissioner, or parent! Courses will include some of your favorites from years past, merit badges, and some fantastic new content. Youth may register to attend courses and merit badges, while adults can enjoy many training courses as well as our newly added Parent Courses to help new parents get a jump ahead in Scouting. https://stlbsa.org/training/university-of-scouting/ 2024 Camp Staff Applications Are Now Live! All Scouts BSA Youth, All Adults Join the team and have the best summer ever! Paid staff must be at least 15 years old as of June 1, 2024. However, Counselors-In-Training applicants may be 14 years old. https://stlbsa.org/camps/work-at-our-camps/ 2024 Scouts BSA and Venturing Summer Camp Reservations Open Scouts BSA Troops can choose their camp, reserve their week, and list their campsite preferences https://stlbsa.org/camps/scouts-bsa-venturing-summer-camp/ Youth Safety & Policy Updates Please review the articles below: • Adult leadership requirements effective 9/1 • Changes to Cub Scout Pack Overnight Camping effective 9/1CLICK HERE

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ADULT TRAINING

Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) Camp Lewallen - Silva, MO 63964 November 4, 2023 - 7:45 am - 8:30 pm This hands-on program gives adult leaders a practical introduction to the patrol method of a Scout-led troop by teaching many of the practical outdoor skills they need to lead scouts in the out-of-doors. In addition, the teaching methods, activities, and games model the variety of teaching used in effective and engaging Scouting programs. Some prerequisites do apply. https://stlbsa.org/training/

Quick find - Resources

MANDATORY Youth Protection Training Direct Link

The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. To maintain such an environment, the BSA developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies and provides parents and leaders with resources for the Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, and Venturing programs. • Youth Protection training is required for all BSA registered volunteers and is a joining requirement. • Youth Protection training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer’s Youth Protection training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be re-registered.

Guide to safe Scouting

The Guide to Safe Scouting is an overview of Scouting policies and procedures gleaned from a variety of sources.

Work At Our 2024 Camps

We are looking for dedicated and passionate individuals to serve on 2024 summer camp staff who can help provide a fun, positive experience for campers. Camp Staff also have the opportunity to earn a college scholarship worth up to $1,250.

Serving Scouts W/ Disabilities

Many units have at least one Scout with Special Needs, which includes autism, attention deficit disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, asthma, diabetes, hearing or visual impairment and many others. Find support, training, and resources to help your Scout and unit be more successful.

2024 Summer Camp Experiences

Advancement and Awards

Whether you’re looking for information regarding the many Advancement opportunities or Awards that may be earned, you’ve come to the right place! Explore the opportunities that are available to leaders, parents, and youth. CUB SCOUT WORKSHOPS | MERIT BADGE RESOURCES | EAGLE WORKSHOPS

Training Opportunities

Learn more about the training opportunities that are available to leaders, parents, and youth. You will find training for REQUIRED FOR ADULT LEADERS | YOUTH | SUPPLEMENT & OUTDOOR SKILLS

Submit your Scouting Story

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

Parent/Leader Resources

Check out the toolbox and helpful links for parents and adult leaders.

Volunteer!

Looking to volunteer? Let us help match you with the perfect volunteer experience using skills, talents, and resources to wish to share with the Scouts and their families!

Reconnect w/ Scout Alumni

Alumni, like you, are passionate voices that strengthen the program, promote alumni accomplishments, and celebrate the Scouting spirit and traditions. Love Scouting and want to tell the world…. well, at least your family and friends?? Check out the toolbox and helpful links for parents and adult leaders. You’ll find LOGOS | INFOGRAPHICS | PHOTOS | SOCIAL MEDIA PHOTOS | VIDEOS

Marketing Resources Shop Outdoor Gear

The Greater St. Louis Area Council has six Scout Shops to serve its members. Scouts and volunteers can also shop online at any time at ScoutShop.org or fill out an Order Request for their local store for pickup or shipping.

Camp Sponsorships

Here’s a variety of affordable opportunities to develop a positive image of your business and be associated with Scouting and our camps. Discover the possibilities!

Merit Badge Sponsorships

Market Your Business While Helping Youth By participating in the Merit Badge Sponsorship Program, your company is choosing to make a positive investment in the lives of the young people in our community.

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