Smiley News 

January 2023

A monthly newsletter for families and leaders of Samoset Scouting - Where Camping is King

January 24-25: Council Office closed for staff conference

January 27-29: Hanna Winter Adventure Period 2 (registration closed)

February 3-5: Scouts BSA Winter Camporee, The Deep Freeze

February 3-5: Polar Cubs Period 2

February 5: Scout Sunday

February 10-12: Hanna Winter Adventure Period 3

February 11: Electricity Merit Badge (registration closed)

February 11: Cub-A-Rama 

February 13: Scouting Heritage Merit Badge (registration full)

February 16: Welding Merit Badge

February 17-19: Polar Cubs Period 3

February 18: Wausau Cyclones Hockey Scout Night 

February 20: Presidents' Day Council Office and Scout Shop Closed

February 24-26: Hanna Winter Adventure Period 4

March 11: Top 50 Popcorn Part

March 13: Veterinary Science Merit Badge (registration full)

March 25: Scouting For Food Door Hanger Drop Off  (except Wisconsin Rapids area)

April 1: Scouting For Food Donation Pickup (except Wisconsin Rapids area)

April 10: Reading Merit Badge (registration opens February 15)

April 15: Scouting For Food Door Hanger Drop Off (Wisconsin Rapids Only)

April 15: Council Pinewood Derby (registration opens March 1)

April 22: Scouting For Food Donation Pickup (Wisconsin Rapids Only)

COUNCIL NEWS CORNER 
Read Below for a Roundup of the Latest

Membership Goal REACHED! 

For the first time since 2017, our Membership/Recruitment effort ended up with the Council achieving and exceeding our year-end Membership total for registered youth!

Great job to everyone who participated in this critical aspect of our Scouting program. We are nearing the completion of the annual unit charter renewal process as well and will be off and running toward another very successful year of providing the opportunity to participate in all the enjoyable and rewarding activities that Scouting here at Samoset has to offer.

This year’s membership theme is “Hooked on Scouting” and is sure to provide a ton of great activities and events this year. Much more to follow in the coming weeks…

Now, let’s get everyone “HOOKED ON SCOUTING!”

Your Friends of Scouting Gift MAKES a Difference

Every year, thousands of Samoset youth take part in once-in-a-lifetime adventures and character-building programs that can only be found in Scouting. In doing so, they discover skills they never knew they had and develop into the leaders we’ll need in the years to come.

Last year, the 69 Scouts who earned their Eagle rank gave 9,556 hours back to our community in service projects to our community saving local communities about $286,000. Hundreds of Scouts also came together to collect 42,000 pounds of food to feed our areas hungry, ran school supply drives to support their community, and rose to the challenge in many other ways.

Scouting makes a dramatic, positive impact on our 13-county area youth, our families, and our communities, but it won’t happen without your support.

Your gift to Friends of Scouting provides trained leaders, program materials, camping facilities, and insurance for safe and fun experiences. The annual Friends of Scouting campaign provides 9% of our Council’s budget. It is because of the generosity of our Scouting families and community supporters that the amazing benefits of Scouting are possible in Samoset.

Your Gift to Friends of Scouting Ensures:

• Every youth in our area has the opportunity to be a Scout, no matter their economic circumstance.

• First-class camping programs at Camp Tesomas, Akela’s World, Hanna Venture Base and our weekend facilities of Flambeau Canoe Base, Four Mile and Camp Phillips.

• Support and training for more than 1,100 volunteer leaders that make the Scouting program possible.

• Materials and program development for the exciting, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that can only be found in Scouting.

• A safe and fun Scouting experience with insurance for Scouting activities.

How You Can Support Friends of Scouting

The success of Friends of Scouting is vital to the success of the Scouting program in Samoset. We hope you will join us in supporting the Friends of Scouting campaign when your Scouting hold hosts a Family Friends of Scouting presentation.  Presentations are held January through March. Your support is needed and greatly appreciated.

Top 2022 Popcorn Seller
Congrats to Daniel B. from Troop 601!

We would like to extend a big Scout shout-out to all the kernels who dedicated their time to the 2022 sale. We hope you raised enough funds to help Scouts in your unit with their 2023 adventures!

Council Top Seller

Congratulations to Daniel B. from Troop 601 in Eagle River for selling $6,300 worth of popcorn, making him the Council’s top seller! Daniel has earned a spot on the Council’s Top Seller Hull of Fame plaque as well as bragging rights for an entire year. Way to go Daniel!

Universal Studios Vacation Winner

Max H. from Pack 548 in Tomahawk is the lucky winner of the Universal Studios vacation in Orlando, Florida! Max will enjoy 4 days/3 nights having the time of his life at Universal Studios. Congrats Max!

Fill-It-Up Winners

As previously announced, the three fill-it-up winners are Chase E. Pack 583, Gage G. Pack 118 and Pierce W. Pack 118. These three each received a $250 Best Buy gift card!

Looking to raise more for Summer Activities?

If your unit is looking to raise more funds for summer activities, we are again partnering with Virginia Diner Nuts for a Spring sale. Details coming soon!

Ron Stange Celebrates More than 20 Years of Service! 

On most days you can find him working on the grounds at Camp Phillips in Weston, but on this cold January day, Camp Phillips Caretaker Ron Stange is taking a short break.

Ron and his wife Cathy are looking at a faded and slightly wrinkled piece of paper as they sit inside the Council Office and reminisce about the past. That piece of paper is a work contract that Ron signed May 1, 2000 when he started working at Samoset Council.

“Todd Sackmann approached me in the Spring of 2000 to be the ranger at Phillips Scout Camp,” Ron said.

At the time, Ron had been working full-time at WAOW News Channel 9 as an engineer. Ron is now celebrating 22 years of service with the Council.

“During my time here, I’ve seen many changes over the years,” he said.

Some of those include the bouldering wall, a new totem pole, steel roof on the cabins and main shelter, new shelters in various area of camp, soccer nets and a new garage with a maintenance shop.

But, the one change that sticks out in his mind is the removal of a sign that read “Think Like a Boy” to a new sign that currently reads “Think Like a Scout”. This change happened after girls were welcomed into Boy Scouts in 2019.

Ron first became involved with Boy Scouts when his son joined Pack 438. “I moved up to Troop 438 where I eventually became Scoutmaster…a position I held for 20 years,” he said.

During that time, he became a member of the Order of the Arrow, Brotherhood and eventually Vigil. After his son aged out of Scouts, Ron continued on.

“It’s a passion, you get attached to it,” he said.

Ron and his wife Cathy have also been involved in Crystal Lake construction projects as well as worked on projects at Camp Tesomas, Akela’s World and Hanna Venture Base.

To this day, Ron still keeps in touch with past Scouts he has mentored. He even travels to see them and their families.

“Life is good as a Scouter!” Ron said.

Congrats to more than 22 years of service!

Volunteer Recognition Nominations Due February 15

Each year, recognition is given to those Scouters who have shown outstanding service to the Scouting program within their unit or with the council. Recognition of a person’s time and contributions are very important. Click below for more information on award categories and to nominate.

Last year's Silver Beaver Award recipients are pictured from left to right. Tim Wooldridge, Dr. Marjorie Miller, Lee Huckbody and Brian Sackmann.

Spring Product Sale – Gourmet Nuts from Virginia Diner!

We're offering an additional opportunity for those units looking to raise more funds for summer activities! Again, we are partnering with Virginia Diner. If you’ve never tasted these specialty nuts, they are LEGENDARY!

Save the Date - Sale starts March 23 and ends April 27.

·        Earn a 30 Percent Commission on Every Sale!

·        Prizes for Top Selling Scout & Top Selling Unit

This is an in-person selling opportunity, no online sales. Please contact Assistant Development Director Lisa Satayut for more information and sales materials at lisa.satayut@samoset.org or (715) 409-9526.

More details to come! 

Your Safety Moment - Winter Sports Safety 

Beyond camping, a number of cold-weather activities present challenges to Scouts and leaders, such as alpine or cross-country skiing, ice skating, sledding, ice fishing, and snowshoeing. Essential ingredients for fun include skill training and an awareness of the hazards unique to these activities.  Learn more here.

SCOUT SHOP NEWS
Read Below for the Latest Shop Happenings 

New Scout Shop Associate 
Mark Moser

Let’s welcome Samoset Scout Shop associate Mark Moser to the team! Mark started in early January and holds a Scouting background. He earned Eagle Scout rank in 1969.  In addition, he earned three palms, God & Country award and Order of the Arrow Brotherhood.

Mark is a lifelong resident of Rib Mountain. His previous career was as a social worker and mental health therapist. Mark has one daughter and enjoys boating, fishing, hunting and spending time working on his farm. Say hi to Mark the next time you are in! 

Hours:  The scout shop is open from 10-5, M-F for your Scouting needs. The operation of the store is shared between the customer support team and a part-time sales associate. Orders can be placed ahead of time by phone or using our new online form. Orders must be placed by noon in order to be available the same day.

Placing an Order: To improve the customer experience, an online form has been created for submitting orders for mail or pick up.  Please use this new form instead of emailing your orders. The form can be found on our website on the Scout Shop page.