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Colonial District August 2023 Newsletter
Latest news and updates from the Colonial District of Central Florida Council BSA.<!–
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August 2023
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Are you ready to welcome new scouts & families into your unit this Fall? Are you excited to see all the smiling faces from your new families/scouts and returning scouting families too?
Well, then you are going to be full of energy because starting August 14th we are getting kids all over East Orange County excited about joining your scouting unit. Please “Be Prepared” to “Do Your Best” when these new families come to Cub Scout Joining Nights at your local elementary schools.
Some items to remember:
Remind your leaders about your sign-up night so you have help
Ask your Troop to attend and help with the activity for the new scouts
Have an activity ready for the new potential scouts while the presenter gets the parents to sign all the kids up
Remind/ask your kids to go in uniform on the morning of your joining night help remind parents how special this program is for all students
Make some yard signs and stand on the carline again reminding the new families to come that night and join your scout unit
Follow up with any potential families who do not sign up that night from the den rosters you will be receiving after the sign-up night
More tips shared in Resources further down this newsletter!
Also, remember to be happy! Smile and get ready for families to join and assist with running amazing programs. This is the best-known secret and we are here to share it with every family in your community.
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We celebrate the following NEW Eagle Scouts in our Colonial District. Congratulations!
Parker Cepregi, Troop 205
John Zanotti, Troop 205
Petros Samuel, Troop 148
Joshua Van Son, Troop 205
Nicholas Van Son, Troop 205
Anesh Jeyasingam, Troop 202
Mika Noorlander, Troop 617
Robert Manieri, Troop 617
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Congratulations to Colonial District Scouter John Rhodes for being one of the eight Scouters honored by the Central Florida Council BSA with the 2023 Silver Beaver Award. John, thank you so much for your service to scouting!
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Big WELCOME to Jeremy West, who will be joining Brian Gorman as a District Executive supporting Colonial District. Jeremy is an Eagle Scout from the Alabama-Florida Council and has been serving as a Scoutmaster in Seminole County. You can contact Jeremy at [email protected].
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Effective August 1, 2023
On May 30, 2023, the National Council, Boy Scouts of America announced a new membership cycle and fee for registration in the BSA.
Beginning August 1, 2023, all new youth and adult members who join the BSA will enroll in a 12-month membership cycle and BSA will cease prorating fees. Both youth and adults will pay the full annual membership fee and will renew their membership on the anniversary month of joining the BSA. Each registered member of the BSA will receive an email notice with a registration renewal link beginning 60 days before the anniversary month they joined Scouting. Unit leaders will receive a copy of the email and must stay engaged in the membership renewal process just like rechartering.
During the upcoming Fall Membership Recruitment season in the Central Florida Council BSA, the newly recruited Scouts will pay $165 for a 12-month membership cycle (includes the National Council’s one-time youth joining fee of $25.00, National membership fees, and the Central Florida Council program fee). Thus establishing their membership anniversary month.
Later in the Fall, Scouts and Scouters currently registered in the Central Florida Council will recharter for the 2024 calendar year in the amount of $140 for youth and $100 for adult leaders (includes National Membership fee and Central Florida Council program fee, the adult fee includes enhanced background checks and general liability insurance).
Please click here for FAQ’s regarding the Central Florida Council’s Program Fee.
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Effective September 1, 2023
Effective Sept. 1, 2023, 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.
Colonial District is hosting BALOO training at Moss Park on 9/30/23 – 10/1/23! We encourage all Cub Leaders to get BALOO-trained! More information and registration: https://scoutingevent.com/083-ColonialDistrictBaloo
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The Central Florida Council ‘Unit Annual Planning Guide’ is a resource for all Packs, Troops, Crews, and Ships to help with planning the coming school/Scouting year. In it, you will find information on fundraising, leader training, upcoming event dates, and more. You will also find helpful links and QR codes for event registration and calendar resources. This guide is best viewed electronically, as it will dynamically lead you to in the information you need to be most successful in your Scouting work!
Download the Council Unit Annual Planning Guide here:
https://www.cflscouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Unit_Annual_Planning_Guide_Master.pdf
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Check out this great flyer with tips for Meet the Teacher events and Open House Recruitment events!!! The link shared in the flyer to BSA resources is https://scouting.webdamdb.com/bp/#/folder/11866377/
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The Central Florida Council is in full swing for a great Popcorn Campaign in 2023.Visit the council popcorn hub at https://www.cflscouting.org/popcorn/ for resources and information. If you have questions or need assistance, reach out to our Colonial District Popcorn Kernel Kathy Vickroy at [email protected].
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Colonial District
8/17/23 Colonial District Roundtable—August
9/21/23 Colonial District Roundtable—September
9/23/2023 Colonial District Cub Scout Family Fun Day
9/30/23 – 10/1/23 Colonial District BALOO Training
10/28/23 – 10/29/23 Colonial District IOLS Training
Central Florida Council
8/26/23 Cub Scout Range Master Training
9/8/23 – 9/10/23 Wood Badge Fall Course Weekend 1 (of 2)
9/23/23 – 9/24/23 Wood Badge Fall Course Weekend 2 (of 2)
9/23/23 CFC College of Commissioner Science
9/22/23 – 9/24/23 Wilderness Survival Outpost at Camp La-No-Che
9/29/23 – 10/1/23 Leave No Trace Trainer Course
10/06/23 – 10/07/23 CFC Sunshine Trade-O-Ree
10/06/23 – 10/08/23 Scouts BSA Halloween: Curse of the La-No-Che Kraken
10/13/23 – 10/15/23 Cub Halloween (1 of 3)
10/20/23 – 10/22/23 Cub Halloween (2 of 3)
10/27/23 – 10/29/23 Cub Halloween (3 of 3)
Order of the Arrow
See Lodge Hadjo Chapter updates and other OA updates in the Tipisa Lodge Order of the Arrow segment at the end of this newsletter.
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Next Roundtable: Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 7:00pm
We would like to invite you to the Colonial District Roundtable, which is typically held on the 3rd Thursday of every month at Centre Point Community Church (9580 Curry Ford Road, Orlando, FL 32825). Doors open for gathering at 6:30pm, and opening flag is at 7pm. Roundtable is a great way for Scout leaders to share ideas, network and get information about our Council and District. Ideally, every unit in our Council should try to have at least one leader attend every month so that you can take what you learn to your Units!
This month’s August Roundtable will be held on Thursday 8/17/23! We hope to see you there!
If you have any announcements or messages you would like to present or convey at Roundtable, please contact Mike Hockman, Roundtable Chair, at [email protected]
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Colonial District Cub Scout Family Fun Day is 9/23!
Colonial District will be hosting Cub Scout Family Fun Day on Saturday, September 23rd at the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) located just off South Orange Avenue. Cub Scouts will be able to participate in shooting sports (archery, bb’s), fishing, arts and crafts, and more!
This is a FREE event covered by the Central Florida Council Program Fee. However, registration is required. The registration link is not live yet, but will be available through the Council Calendar soon! We will keep you posted.
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Camp La-No-Che is offering a NEW Wilderness Survival themed campout September 22—24, 2023. Scouts throughout the weekend will engage in experiences centered around Wilderness Survival. Instructors from multiple disciplines will be incorporated into this weekend experience for Scouts to learn from in classroom, outdoor, and scenario activities. This program will feature sessions where multiple topics including opportunity to complete the Wilderness Survival Merit Badge, most of the requirements in the Search and Rescue Merit Badge, and Leave No Trace Awareness.
More information and registration: https://scoutingevent.com/083-WSO
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Scouts BSA Halloween The Curse of the La-No-Che Kraken is coming for one weekend only, October 6-8, 2023! This event is for Scouts BSA Troops, Crews, Ships, and Posts.
More information and registration: https://scoutingevent.com/083-ScoutsBSAHalloween
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Cub Halloween is THE Cub Scout Event of the Year! It’s a SPOOKY good time for the Entire Family! Three weekends! October 13-15, 20-22 & 27-29
More information and registration: https://scoutingevent.com/083-CubHalloween
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Online Training Opportunities. Here is how to get caught up with online training
• Take the online course for your registered position via https://my.scouting.org/. Remember that if you change positions, you need to register for the new role and take the training for that role to be considered “TRAINED.” Visit my.scouting.org for all your online training needs!
• Every leader must be Youth Protection trained. Don’t let it expire!
In-Person Training Opportunities. Trainings offered via online courses are also sometimes offered as in-person trainings. There are other courses (e.g., BALOO, IOLS, etc.) that are ONLY offered in-person. You may attend trainings hosted by Colonial District or any of the other Districts in the Central Florida Council. Training opportunities within Central Florida Council available in the next few months are listed below. Visit the Council Training Calendar to see all the training opportunities available within our Council. When you visit the calendar website, click ‘Apply Filter’ and check the box for ‘Training’.
BALOO and IOLS Training Opportunities
BALOO hosted by Colonial District
Sat. 9/30/23, 8:00am – Sun. 10/1/23, 12pm
Moss Park in Orlando, FL
More information and registration: https://scoutingevent.com/083-ColonialDistrictBaloo
IOLS hosted by Riverside District
Sat. 10/21/23, 7:30am – Sun. 10/22/23, 12pm
Camp Chance in Cocoa, FL
More information and registration: https://scoutingevent.com/083-RiversideIOLS
IOLS hosted by Colonial District
Sat. 10/28/23, 8:00am – Sun. 10/29/23, 12pm
Moss Park in Orlando, FL
More information and registration: https://scoutingevent.com/083-ColonialDistrictIOLSTraining
BALOO/IOLS hosted by Challenger District
Sat. 10/28/23, 8:00am – Sun. 10/29/23, 10am
Camp Chance in Port St John, FL
More information and registration: https://scoutingevent.com/083-ChallengerDistrictBalooIOLSTraining#
Cub Scout Range Master Training
Sat 8/26/2023, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Camp La-No-Che
Want to be a Cub Scout Rangemaster!?!? Then this training is for YOU! Come to Camp La-No-Che and learn how to run a safe and fun Cub Scout Shooting Sports program at District events like DISTRICT Cub Family Weekends and Cub Scout Day Camp. Topics will include learning to set up BSA approved BB Gun, Archery, and Sling Shot ranges; range commands; and how to help cub scouts with shooting sports.
This course is FREE of charge, but you must register by 8/24/2023. You MUST also be 18+ years of age and provide a current Youth Protection Training Certificate to take this course.
More information and registration: https://scoutingevent.com/083-CubRangemaster
Leave No Trace Trainer Course
Fri. 9/29/23, 6:30pm – Sun. 10/1/23, 2:30pm
Camp La-No-Che
Open to youth 14 and older and all adult leaders, this BSA / Center for Outdoor Ethics Leave No Trace Trainer Course will you an understanding of the impacts that we make when we are camping, hiking and using the outdoors. It will also give the youth the necessary tools to fulfill their duties in the NEW Outdoor Ethics Guide Troop Position of Responsibility.
More info and registration: https://scoutingevent.com/083-LNTFall
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Did you hear from your Scouting friends what an amazing time they had on Spring Wood Badge? Do you want to see what it’s all about?
Registration is open for the Fall Course – click here to sign up: https://scoutingevent.com/083-WoodBadgeFallCourse2023
Dates are September 8-10 & September 23-23, 2023
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So far this year we have had 31 Eagle Scouts with a total of 3,400 service hours reported. At this time we have 7 approved applications pending their Eagle Board of Review. Our District currently has 47 approved Eagle Scout service projects pending completion. Three projects are pending final updates for approval. The current average time between Project approval and Application verification from Council is over 220 days of project time. The average age of scouts working on their eagle project in our District is 16.9 years old.
Please note the following information for Life scouts working on their Eagle Rank:
1. The Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook has been recently updated. All earlier versions of the workbook need to be copied over to the new 2023A before district review. Download the NEW Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook PDF from the National website at:
https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/advancement-and-awards/eagle-scout-workbook/
Please note that the “Signature Page” (Page H) has not changed in the NEW Workbook Project Proposal section. If you have approval signatures already, you do not need to get them again. Just attach a printable image of that page with the NEW Workbook.
2. Life scouts who are ready for their Eagle Project Workbook review and District approvals have the option of personally meeting with a District Advancement team member by appointment. The Life Scout can still opt to do this process electronically, if preferred.
3. Eagle Boards of Review (EBOR) will be held by appointment at a location coordinated by the District. While the District will be coordinating the location, Troops are still encouraged to send their own representatives for their EBOR. If the Troop is not able to provide representatives, district representatives can be available.
Stan Richards is the Colonial District Advancement Chair. Please reach out to Stan at [email protected] for advancement related questions and requests.
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Michelle Adamick has assumed the role of Colonial District Merit Badge/Nova/SuperNova Coordinator. All relevant requests to become a Merit Badge Counselor or Nova/SuperNova mentor should be submitted to Michelle at [email protected].
If you are unsure of the status of your application to become a Merit Badge Counselor or a Nova/SuperNova Mentor, please send Michelle an email and she will advise.
Also, with recent system updates to Scoutbook, it has come to our attention that for some Merit Badge Counselors, Merit Badges were dropped; and there is not an easy way to know what was previously listed but is now missing. In order to restore Merit Badges that have been dropped (or to add new ones), please email Michelle a Merit Badge Counselor application along with a copy of your current YPT certificate. On the application “Add” the merit badges that are missing in Scoutbook.
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Tentative Dates 2023-2024:
August 12, 2023 Tipisa LLDC & Banquet
September 15-17, 2023 Fall Fellowship
November 3-5, 2023 Section Leadership Summit @ Camp Flying Eagle
January 2024 Ordeal Weekends
February 16-18, 2024 Tipisa Native American Weekend (TNAW)
March 1-3, 2024 Spring Conclave
April 12-14, 2024 Section Conference @ Camp Elmore
May 17-19, 2024 Service Weekend
Check out the Tipisa Lodge OA website for more news and information: www.tipisa.org
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The Colonial District Monthly Newsletter is published on the first Sunday of each month. If you have announcements to be included in the newsletter, please email your request to [email protected] no later than one week after the previous month’s Roundtable (the fourth Thursday of each month).
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Colonial District BSA · 1951 S Orange Blossom Trl · Apopka, FL 32703-7747 · USA
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