As we continue to transition to a modified district operations model of supporting Scouting units in Samoset, there are a couple items we are working on:
District Names Survey
This survey was emailed on April 30 to provide the opportunity to name the five geographical areas known as districts. The survey will close on Monday, May 15. Once the list of potential names are compiled, another survey will go out to pick the final district names. The five geographical areas are:
Southwest – 100 series units
South – 200 series units
West – 300 series units
East – 400 series units
North – 500 & 600 series units
Building a District Volunteer Structure
We are starting off the district structure with 6 volunteer positions. Each position is being created to provide functional service to the Scout units in the district and represent the district on the council committee. If you are interested in volunteering in one of these roles or would like to nominate someone to be considered for a position, please contact your district executive. Phones & email are on the staff page of our website at http://www.samoset.org/about-us/staff/59634.
Southwest - Eathan Zimmerman
South - Phoenix Bise
West – Phoenix Bise
East – Bob Jacoby
North – Kristin Tobin
Position descriptions area available for each position.
Assistant Council Commissioner – Overall Unit Service
Activities Chair – promote & support Cub and Scouts BSA district/council activities
Advancement Chair – promote & support Cub and Scouts BSA advancement programs
Fund Development Chair – promote & support product sales, Family FOS and Community FOS
Membership Chair – promote & support membership recruitment programs
Training Chair – promote & support adult and youth leadership training programs
We look forward to working with volunteers to increase community-based Scouting into further support and empower Scout units.
Rain & Snow Didn't Stop More than 110 bikers attending Mountain Bay Bike-O-Ree
By Jeff Klein
Activities Committee Member
Mother Nature didn't beat us at the Spring Camporee Friday, April 28 through Sunday, April 30, between biking in the rain Saturday and snow on Sunday! Kudos to all 110 plus who attended, and especially the 12 patrols that biked 10 or 20 miles in the mist/rain on Saturday. You proved once again what a hearty and amazing bunch we Scouters truly are. Weekends like this build character and make memories that will last for a lifetime.
Special guest and avid cyclist Jeff Gau educated the group on bike safety and maintenace, as well as stressing the importance of wearing a helmet. Jeff, a resident of Kronenwetter, is a former Scout from Troop 451.
The Camporee Traveling Trophy went to T435!
Patrol Flag Competition:
1st - T9435 - Ocelots
2nd - T435 - Underdogs
3rd - T409 - Trailblazers
Camp Gadget Competition:
1st - T409 – Shoe Rack
2nd - T409 – Weather Rock
3rd - T427 – Lantern Holder
Tinfoil Dinner Cooking Competition:
1st Youth – T427 - Lasagna
2nd Youth – T435 – Vegetable Casserole
1st Adult – T298 - Joe Polarek – Shrimp Boil
2nd Adult – T435 - Richard Berghahn – Apple Crisp
New Youth Protection Policy Effective September 1
There are youth protection changes that will be effective on September 1, 2023 related to the current policy of all adults accompanying a Scouting unit who are present at the activity for 72 total hours or more - adults must be registered as leaders. The 72 hours need not be consecutive.
This current “72-Hour Rule” will be eliminated on September 1, 2023.
All adults staying overnight in connection with a Scouting activity must be currently registered in an adult fee required position as listed or as an adult program participant. (limited exception for Cub Scout overnight programs – see link below for more info)
All 18+ adults attending a Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scout or Exploring OVERNIGHT event/activity must be currently registered. 18+ adults attending a Cub Scout OVERNIGHT event/activity who are not the parent or legal guardian of a Scout in attendance must be registered in an adult fee required position.
Although early adoption of this new policy is recommended for all Scout units, it DOES NOT go into effect until September 1, 2023. The changes DO NOT impact 2023 Akela’s World summer camp.
Troop 105 Takes First Place in Nut sale!
Believe it or nut, the nut sale has ended!
Thank you to all the units and individual Scouts that participated in the 2023 Spring product sale. We hope you raised enough additional funds to fuel your summer adventures!
Top Unit Seller – Congrats to Troop 105 for selling $1,923 worth of nuts, making them the top selling unit!
Second Top Selling Unit – Shout-out to Pack 540 for selling $1,863 worth of nuts and taking second!
Third Top Selling Unit – Way to go Troop 445 for selling $1,745 worth of nuts, making them the third top selling unit!
Important dates:
May 18: Order distribution at Council office in Weston from 3pm-7pm. Please bring one unit check.
June 12: Unit checks cashed.
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
Read Below for the Latest
Webelos to Scout Transition
As the school year ends, we are getting to the end of the Webelos to Scout Transition timeframe.
Arrow of Light Scouts have been visiting troops and signing up to join them since January/February.
Troops – ensure all new Scouts are registered and reach out to your partnered pack to encourage any other 5th graders to join their friends in the troop.
Packs – if there are still 5th graders looking for a troop, you can help them by encouraging the parents and Scout to go to www.BeAScout.org to find a troop near them or call the Scout Office at 715-355-1450.
Parents of Arrow of Light Scouts that have not joined a troop yet – if your Scout would like to visit prospective Scouts BSA troops in the area, reach out to the Scout office if you need some assistance to connect with some. The Scouts BSA program is youth led and adult leader guided. Scouts work at their own pace on advancement and often encourage each other as peers to progress to the next rank or take a merit badge. Summer camp is just around the corner, so now is the time to join a troop to get ready for camp and continue on the Scouting trail!
Signs Are In- Show Your Scouting Pride!
We started distributing the “Proud Scout” yard signs at May District Roundtable Meetings. The goal is to have these out in Scout families’ yards over the summer to show your pride in Scouting and get a little publicity going before fall recruitment begins. You can reach out to your district executive to get a sign or next time you are at the Scout Office just ask us.
Preparations for Fall Youth Recruiting
The Fall Join Scouting Night date is Thursday, September 21. A little preparation now will help your Scout unit be successful for fall recruiting.
Some initial planning steps are:
Are there adult leaders that are moving on from their position? Adult leader succession planning is a good step to ensure your Scout unit knows what positions will be vacant or not prior to the next Scouting program year starting in August.
How is the relationship with the school(s) your unit recruits from? Conducting service projects for the school will help keep a positive relationship. Give the school leader an update on local Scouting. Your district executive can help with school relationships.
Partnered packs and troops should start initial coordination for fall youth recruiting…do the associated school(s) allow a Scout table during the August meet-the-teacher/back to school event? Are there summer opportunities to promote Scouting – festivals, parades, etc.?
If there is limited school access, discuss with parents how to improve relationships. How can Scouting help the school? Is there a service project we can do to support them? Can the parents help in recruiting by sharing the opportunity to join through their own parent network?
If you need assistance in planning for the fall, please reach out to your district executive. We are here to help each unit become successful!
TRAINING NEWS
Check out the Latest in Training News
Your May Safety Moment
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are defined as “motorized recreational cycles with three or four large, soft tires, designed for off-road use on a variety of terrains.” While all-terrain vehicles—including ATVs, utility task vehicles (UTVs), and side-by-sides—are fun and exciting to navigate through a forest course, they are also under the watchful eye of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and have a reputation of scarring the environment. With the exception of council-run ATV programs, ATVs, UTVs, and side-by-sides are banned from program use, a restriction that includes their use within units. Please review the link below to learn more.
This seven-day course is an exciting, action-packed program designed to provide youth members with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home troops and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others. Sign up now for 2023 June session!
The Tesomas Alumni Camping Trust is graciously providing a $50 discount to any NEW camper at Akela’s World this summer. This is available to brand new Cub Scouts OR Cub Scouts that have never attended Akela’s World before. Leaders: you can apply this discount to your unit bill through the “What are they doing?” tab in your Doubleknot registration. If you have any questions, please email camp@samoset.org.
EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
Read below for a roundup of events and don't forget to check the Online Council Calendar
Annual Sporting Clays
Together We "Pull for Scouting"
Friday, June 9 Wausau Skeet and Trap Club
Get your team together and spread the word! We're preparing for our annual Sporting Clays, a premier shooting event that raises funds for our Scouting programs. It’s open to all levels of shotgun shooters from beginner to advanced. It's a perfect way to have a fun day of shooting, fellowship, and the opportunity to network with business and community leaders.
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