Trail Notes
February 2013
In this Issue...
Register for Summer Camp Now to Claim Free Monarchs Tickets!

Information about Daniel Webster Council summer camp programs was recently mailed to all registered Scouts and Venturers. If you would like to see a digital version of either the Cub Scout Camping or Griswold Scout Reservation brochures, click here. Online registration for all summer camp programs is available at www.nhscouting.org/camping.

If leaders from your unit are planning to attend a camp program with a number of your Scouts, one representative from your pack, troop, or crew (the "camp coordinator") should register your group as a "chartered unit." Scouts who plan to attend a camp program separate from their unit (e.g. Cub Scout Akela Camp or resident camp as a "provisional" camper) can be registered by their families. In either case, campers should have space reserved for them with an online registration and a paid deposit by March 15 in order to secure the lowest possible camp fee!

As an added incentive to register early for summer camp this year, every Scout that is registered for summer camp with a paid deposit by March 15 will be eligible for a FREE upper level ticket or a $5 lower level ticket to the April 6 game. Tickets can be claimed by placing an order for the April 6 game (vs. Providence Bruins at 7:00 PM) at www.nhscouting.org/monarchs.

Camp Card Sale - Raise Money for Summer Camp!

Camp Cards have returned for their third year! Camp Cards have been available at district roundtables, but can also be ordered through www.nhscouting.org/campcards.

This year's cards feature discounts from Tire Warehouse, Dick’s Sporting Goods, The Common Man Restaurants, New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and Subway. The cards retail for $5.00, with units keeping $2.50 for each sale. The card has a value of nearly $70.00 and is a great way for family members, friends, and others in the community to support local Scouting.

The highlight of the 2013 sale is the Scout incentive: Any Scout who sells 200 Camp Cards by May 15 will earn a week at a Daniel Webster Council summer camp for the cost of the March deposit! That means that a Scout that sells 200 Camp Cards earns a $500 commission and gets to go to camp for $50!

Friends of Scouting

February and March are critical months for the Friends of Scouting campaign. Presentations are happening at Blue and Gold Banquets and Courts of Honor across the state. As we celebrate our great past during the anniversary of Scouting, let's ensure its strong financial future. If you have not scheduled a presentation, please contact your district Family Friends of Scouting Chair or professional today. Our annual giving campaign needs everyone's participation to ensure the success of Scouting in New Hampshire. 

Friends of Scouting provides Scouters, parents, alumni, and community members with the opportunity to financially support Scouting. Investments made through the campaign assist the Daniel Webster Council in offsetting program costs and providing quality service. The true cost of Scouting is much greater than what local dues and event or camping fees cover.

Yearly registration fees directly support the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America and help provide program development and research, literature, and local council support. The Daniel Webster Council uses contributions made through the annual Friends of Scouting campaign to:

  • Maintain camp properties and a service center.
  • Organize new Scouting units and support existing ones.
  • Provide professional support and leader training.
  • Distribute program resources and regular communications.
  • Organize activities and events.
  • Offset general liability insurance costs to chartered organizations.
  • Criminal background checks for adult leaders.

For more information about Friends of Scouting and to see the 2013 donor recognition patches, please visit www.nhscouting.org/fos.

Thank you for your support!

Ski with the Eagles at Mt. Sunapee - March 10

Come join the Eagle Scouts of the Mount Sunapee Resort Ski Patrol for a day of skiing or riding! Special discounts on lift tickets and rental packages are available for Scouts, Venturers, or Explorers and their leaders, parents, brothers, and sisters. Skiers or Snowboarders of all ability levels are welcome to take advantage of this group-rate offer, and Scouts or Venturers who are strong, intermediate skiers or riders will have the opportunity to work on Snow Sports Merit Badge with the Eagle Scouts of the Mt. Sunapee Ski Patrol. For more details, visit www.nhscouting.org/skiwiththeeagles. Registration ends March 6.

Cub Scout Summer Camp Rally

If you will be attending Camp Carpenter Cub World this summer as a leader or a parent volunteer, or you are serving as "camp coordinator" for your pack, you'll want to attend the Cub Scout Camp Rally on Saturday, March 23, from 10:00 to 11:30 AM at Camp Carpenter.

This will be your chance to meet key camp staff and learn about what you should be doing between now and camp to be prepared. All your questions about paperwork and the summer camp program will be answered!

There is no cost to attend, but please RSVP at www.nhscouting.org/cubrally.

Camp Carpenter Cub World Staff Positions Available

Interviewing for Camp Carpenter staff positions begins February 23. If you or someone you know is interested in working at camp this summer, visit www.nhscouting.org/camping and click on "Employment Opportunities" to download a staff application and learn about the process of applying for a camp staff position.

Wood Badge Fellowship Dinner

Wood Badge course alumni are invited to Camp Carpenter on Saturday, March 23 for an evening of food, fun, and fellowship. No matter when you completed Wood Badge, this is your chance to reconnect with peers who have worked their ticket. Reception begins at 5:30 PM with appetizers, followed by dinner at 6:00. Cost is $20. Please pre-register at www.nhscouting.org/WBdinner. Be prepared; walk-ins will not be allowed!

EDGE Training

Training is the key to effective leadership and providing a fun and exciting Scouting program! All adult leaders in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing are encouraged to take EDGE training to develop their teaching skills, and this course is required to serve as a Pack trainer or Wood Badge staff. The next class will be Saturday, March 23 from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM at Camp Carpenter in Manchester. Cost is just $10. The course uses patrol method and is therefore limited to 36 participants. Register now online at www.nhscouting.org/edge to reserve your space!

University of Scouting: Igniting the Spark!

A training extravaganza so big it only happens every two years! Saturday, April 20 will be the 2013 University of Scouting at Bow High School in Bow, NH. Eighty different classes will be offered on a huge variety of topics related to Scouting. Pick-up new outdoor skills, learn tips and tricks for working with youth and adults alike, and discover ways to add fun and excitement to your unit program!

You'll be able to take up to five classes and visit a resource midway during the day. Pre-registration is necessary to select your classes and make the most of the day, and you can avoid a $5 late fee if you sign up before April 5. Visit www.nhscouting.org/UofScouting for more information and registration.

District Award of Merit Nominations

The Award of Merit award is a council award presented by districts to select adult Scouters who have rendered noteworthy service of an outstanding nature to the youth in the district. 

This nature and value of "noteworthy service to youth" may consist of a single plan or decision that contributed vitally to the lives of large numbers of youth, or it may have been given to a small group over an extended time. In addition, the nominee should have contributed some type of service to youth outside of Scouting as well.

If you know of a Scouter in your district that is deserving of consideration for this recognition, be sure to complete and submit a nomination application  with supporting information to your district professional ASAP. Those selected for this special recognition will be honored and presented their recognition at your District Recognition Dinner to be held later this spring. Recipients will also be recognized at the Council Recognition Dinner in April.

District News

Click on your district for the latest news and events in your area. If you're not sure of your district, please click here.

Webelos-to-Scout Transition

The Webelos-to-Scout transition should be well underway at this point in the year. If your pack or troop is behind in the process, there's still time to make sure Webelos are given the opportunity to transfer to a Boy Scout troop in order to continue and broaden their Scouting experience.

The transition should be as seamless as possible. By the time Webelos Scouts are ready to cross over, they and their families should be familiar and comfortable with the youth and adult leaders of the troop, their role in the troop and troop activities, and feel excited about beginning this new adventure.

A key part of the transition process is the pack/troop relationship. For more about this and other information and resources, please click here. Your district membership chair and professional are available to help guide your unit through this very important process.