Smiley News November 2022 A monthly newsletter for families and leaders of Samoset Scouting - Where Camping is King!
Council News Read all the latest Council news below
Fall Membership Continues to Rise
A big Scout shout-out to all the leaders, volunteers, and parents whose hard work and commitment has led to a 42 percent increase in new Scouts, compared to the end of October last year. We have 373 new youth who joined from August 1 through October 18, and we are continuing to work hard at signing up more new youth, adults, and volunteers. Let’s keep it going!
Pack 400 (Wausau) almost tripled their number of Scouts since school started, with a majority of those signing up at the Pack’s Join Night Event held at Riverview Elementary in Wausau September 22. They have 31 new Scouts! This Pack will be receiving a lot of rockets!
Get ready for a lot of rocket action! Each new Cub Scout youth receives an Estes rocket, and all new Scouts BSA members receive a pocketknife. Recruiter Scouts receive the rockets or pocketknives as well along with the Samoset and BSA Recruit patches. All new youth members will also receive (if you have not already) a $25 gift certificate for the Samoset Council’s Scout Shop in the mail.
As Scouts we are always working to get ahead – this applies to membership too. Let’s continue to work hard to gain more members and show them what being a Scout is all about.
Pack 400 (Wausau) created eye-catching signs with balloons and additional notes in the yellow starbursts. This Pack almost tripled their number of Scouts since school started, with a majority of those signing up at the Pack’s Join Night Event held at Riverview Elementary in Wausau September 22. They have31 new Scouts!
Popcorn Sale Success!
A Big Scout Shout Out!
We would like to recognize everyone’s hard work and dedication to the 2022 popcorn sale. From youth hitting the streets and selling, to adult leaders and volunteers who have selflessly devoted their time – THANK YOU!
Sales Results
Council-wide, the popcorn sale generated $906,295 – $300,000 of that stays at the unit level to help fund programs, etc. The portion the Council receives goes to provide various services to support the units. If you’re curious the total number of containers sold was 42,220!
Top Selling Unit
The Top Selling Unit of 2022 is Pack 298 out of Stevens Point! This group sold $31,630 worth of popcorn, earning the Pack a spot on the Samoset Council Popcorn Hull of Fame plaque displayed at the Council office in Weston.
Fill-it-Up” Order Form Winners The three fill-it-up winners are Chase E. from Pack 583, Gage G. from Pack 118, and Pierce W. from Pack 118. These three will each receive a $250 Best Buy gift card!
The Unit Top Seller will be announced soon after take order popcorn pickup on November 11-12.
Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle
Samoset Council is forming a National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) Chapter!
We want to bring together our Eagles, young and old, swap stories and be prepared to tell about our experience to today's Scouts. We are looking for several individuals to help us in organizing the chapter.
If you are interested in joining our chapter, please contact John Paprocki at jtpaprocki@gmail.com or call 715-675-4245 to allow us to gather your information and add you to our mailing list. Please feel free to tell your Eagle Scout friends about the chapter and invite them to contact us as well.
We are looking to hold several Gatherings of Eagles throughout the Council across the year. Depending on the response we get to this call to gather, we will schedule our first gathering.
Eagle Court of Honor -Troop 513
Eight Eagles from Troop 513 had their Eagle Court of Honor the weekend of October 22. Congratulations Eagles!
Ian Dreikosen
Zoey Dreikosen
Mason Malone
Jordan Brzoznowski
Nathan Brzoznowski
Christian Candler
Nick Tanck
Dawson Schulz
Unit Charter Renewal Reminders
The annual Unit charter renewal process is fully underway. The Unit completion deadline is December 1. This allows the Council adequate time to correct any issues/defective applications, payments etc. before submitting to the National BSA by December 31.
Thank you in advance for your help and cooperation with this process.
Calling All Veterans now Serving the Samoset Scouts!
In honor of Veterans Day, we are working on a series of social media posts that features veterans now serving the Scouting movement within the Samoset Council.
If you know a veteran who is serving Samoset or are one, please send an email to Lisa.Satayut@Samoset.org. The social media posts will be featured on the Samoset Council's Facebook page.
We are also partnering with the National BSA Alumni Association on their similar social media projects and hope one of our Samoset Council veterans gets a spot on one of their social media callouts!
Veterans have been crucial to the success of Scouting, and this is one way to honor them for their service.
Our very own Field Director Jeffrey Ogurek is a retired Navy Captain. His interest in aviation stems from his Scouting adventures as a youth. He returned to where his passion started when he joined the Samoset Council in 2021.
During his career, Captain Ogurek, known better as “Ogre” by his fellow aviators, accumulated over 3500 flight hours and 375 carrier arrested landings flying jet aircraft for the Navy. He is one of a very small group of aviators who has earned both his “Naval Flight Officer” and “Naval Aviator” wings and has operated off of seven different aircraft carriers all over the world.
Jeffrey Ogurek earned the rank of Captain (O-6) and retired after over 29 years of active-duty service.
Our very own Field Director Jeffrey "Ogre" Ogurek is a retired Navy Captain. His interest in aviation stems from his Scouting adventures as a youth. Pictured above, he is flying a TA-4J Skyhawk.
Giving the Gift of Adventure on #GivingTuesday
What comes after Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
After two days devoted to getting deals, Giving Tuesday, November 29, is a global day that’s all about giving back. This new tradition of generosity is a nice antidote to the consumerism invading our holidays. Giving Tuesday also presents a great opportunity to help grow Scouting in your community.
Stay tuned for the Council’s Giving Tuesday campaign!
Scout Shop Closed for Thanksgiving
The Scout Shop and Council Offices will be closed Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25 for Thanksgiving. We will reopen Monday, November 28.
Training News Read all the Latest Training News Below
Keeping Your Youth Protection Training Current
Safety in Scouting is always a top priority. Scouting is playing a leading role in combating child abuse, but we all need to work together to deal with what is indisputably an unacceptable public health and safety problem.
If you are a registered adult leader, your youth protection training (YPT) should never expire.
The National BSA sends reminder emails on a time schedule as your expiration date approaches starting at three months from expiration. When you receive a National BSA or Samoset Council reminder about you’re expiring YPT, please ensure to take the training before the expiration date.
The training is consistently updated with the latest youth protection policies and about 75 minutes in length. It’s also good training for parents to take for general safety awareness, you can do so by going to www.my.scouting.org and creating an account to access the online training. Using Google Chrome as a web browser is best when taking youth protection training.
Youth Protection training is required for all BSA registered volunteers and is a joining requirement. It must be taken every two years.
Your Safety Moment – The Buddy System
In a crowded pool full of raucous Scouts splashing and swimming, the justification for frequent buddy checks appears self-evident.
But do Scouts really need to get a friend for a quick trip to the latrine or when they meet with a merit badge counselor? Simply put, yes.
Scouting’s buddy system calls for Scouts to pair up with a friend or two for all activities. This helps ensure safety and accountability, and teaches Scouts to have responsibility for others. The buddy system is a key part of Scouting’s Barriers to Abuse.
Camp News The latest from Crystal Lake Scout Reservation
Register for Summer Camp Now!
Summer camp will be here before you know it and space is filling up quickly! Join us as we explore The Kingdom at Camp Tesomas and take on the role of super spies at Akela’s World.
Scouts have the opportunity to jump in Crystal Lake, climb one of our awesome climbing walls, hike their way through the woods, and create friendships that will last a lifetime.
Camp staff hiring season is here and we are excited to build our 2023 summer team! If you or someone you know has a passion for making a difference in the world, like to be outside, and are willing to put in some hard work, please click HERE for more information.
Working at Crystal Lake Scout Reservation is a one-of-a-kind experience you can’t get anywhere else. We provide food and housing, access to WiFi, trading post discounts, and memories you will never forget.
Who wants to sleep outside this winter in a snow structure?
How about taking a hike across Crystal Lake to go sledding? You’ve found the right place! Polar Cubs and Hanna Winter Adventure feature activities for Scouts and their units to enjoy the winter up at Crystal Lake Scout Reservation. Each weekend includes meals, cracker barrel, and a warm cabin ready and waiting for you. Activities range from skiing, snowshoeing, STEM projects and snow tubing! If that isn’t enough, Hanna Winter Adventure will also have your choice of 4 Merit Badges: Snow Sports, Digital Technology, Basketry, and Chess.
What is Hanna Winter Adventure? Hanna Winter Resort aims to provide everything Scouts BSA Members and Venturers need to have an incredible outdoor winter experience. Enjoy the pristine winter northwoods environment around the Hanna Venture Base and the freedom to do nearly any winter activity you want whenever you want.
What is Polar Cubs? Polar Cubs is a unique winter program for Cub Scouts and their families. Campers are grouped into "Super Dens" keeping those from the same pack together. Super Dens rotate through various activities led by staff members. The program focuses on outdoor winter adventure.
Hang on tight! Activities range from skiing, snowshoeing, STEM projects and snow tubing! If that isn’t enough, Hanna Winter Adventure will also have your choice of four Merit Badges: Snow Sports, Digital Technology, Basketry, and Chess.
First Annual Conservation Camporee at Camp Tesomas Brings in 80 Scouts!
Around 80 Scouts and Scouters came to camp for our first annual Conservation Camporee and made some beautiful improvements to camp. They helped protect our watershed, created fish habitat structures, and helped protect the Tesomas Waterfront from further erosion.
Thanks to all of them for helping us protect and preserve our wonderful camp and all the creatures that call this home. If you’re interested in helping our Conservation efforts in Samoset Council please feel free to reach out and join our Samoset Council Conservation Committee. Contact Elvis Bauman, Facilities Director at elvis@samoset.org
Events & Happenings A Roundup of Events
Samoset Council Scouts BSA Winter Camporee is set for February
Are Your Ready for the Deep Freeze? Samoset Council Scouts BSA Winter Camporee takes place February 4-6. Registration opens January 3.
Guest article By Dawn Kerske Chairperson, Chuckwagon 2022
The 2022 Chuckwagon Skills Day held on Saturday, October 15 was a huge success with 121 Cub Scouts and parents attending. The event was held at Camp Fletcher, just East of Stevens Point.
The Cub Scouts could use a simple wagon or make a homemade one. There was a combination of both types of wagons. The theme for the wagons was Rocket into Scouting. The Cub Scouts visited 8 different stations throughout the day. BB Guns, Potato Slingshot, and the 2lt bottle rocket were some of the favorite stations. New Cub Scouts were able to earn the Bobcat Badge by participating in a fun obstacle course.
At the cooking station, the Cub Scouts made an apple cobbler in a Dutch Oven. A mock Troop camp site was located at this station to allow the Cub Scouts to see how a BSA Scout camp is set up. At the knot tying station, the Cub Scouts learned the square knot while playing a fun game.
First Aid and Fire Building skills were also taught to the Cub Scouts. It was a chilly day, but that didn’t seem to affect the Cub Scouts eagerness to have fun. There were Cub Scout Packs from Almond to Wausau and Marshfield to Birnamwood. It was great to see such a good turnout of Cub Scouts for this event. A big Thank you to the 25 volunteers that helped make this event happen.
Last Chance to Register - Trades Day Merit Badge Day Camp
We're really excited to showcase some not-so-well known merit badges on November 5 at Hanna Venture Base in Rhinelander. Trades Day offers four merit badge opportunities for your Scouts to choose from:
Inventing
Landscape Architecture
Drafting
Automotive Maintenance.
The cost is $35 per participant and includes lunch and all program supplies. If you or your unit would like to camp for the weekend, it’s an additional $5. Last day to register is November 3.
Please note registration opens one month prior to the day of these events.
Last Chance to Register- Wood Badge & NYLT Banquet Registration ends November 3!
Wood Badge and NYLT are considered the premier training courses for youth and adults. We had a successful course for each this year and we'd like to celebrate!
Join us on November 12 from 5-8pm at the Rib River Ballroom.
