West Wind Announcements February 2016

February – Turn in completed Charter This year to help units turn in clean charters, our district will offer Charter turn in nights where you can come and have your charter reviewed by the commissioner staff to catch any errors or omissions that will cause processing delays. Please take all the online steps and bring the completed / printed charter / applications / any needed CORI and copy of picture ID necessary for new adults to the turn in night convenient to you. If you need help with this process, please reach out to your Unit Commissioner or Tom Kubik ([email protected] ).

Charter Turn In Night – Thur. Feb 11, 7-9 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, 170 Old Westford Road Chelmsford MA Charter Turn In Night – Tues. Feb 23, 7 – 9 at St William's Catholic Church, 1351 Main Street (RT. 38), Tewksbury, MA,

Haverhill Scout Office Closed, North Andover Scout Shop Closing & Woburn Scout Office Opening The Haverhill Scout Office has closed and the North Andover Scout Shop will be closing by Mid-February. The new Woburn Scout Office should be opening mid-February. Its address is: 600 West Cummings Park, Suite 2750, Woburn MA 01801 (one floor above the Scout Shop). In the near future two satellite stores will have limited supplies in Lowell (All Sports Heroes) and Amesbury (Ben's Uniforms). The Woburn Scout Shop in Cummings Park will remain open. Until the Woburn office is opened, you may turn in your unit’s paper work at the Woburn Scout Shop or at Roundtable.

SPRING MEMBERSHIP WORKSHOP – “Recruiting Tiger Cubs” April 28, 2016 7:30 PM Trinity Lutheran Church, 170 Old Westford Rd, Chelmsford Cub Packs across the country are very successful at recruiting new Tiger Cubs in the spring. A few Packs in our District have also had excellent results. The Spring Membership Workshop will share the ideas and techniques that will make your Pack stronger by getting a full Tiger Den with engaged parents. There will continue to be a Fall Membership Workshop in August that will give tips on how to recruit at every level of Cub Scouts at the start of the school year. Every Pack is strongly encouraged to send at least one leader to these informative workshops.

Klondike Derby The lack of snow did not deter 21 Troops from throughout the West Wind District from showing up to the Ice and Fire Klondike Derby on January 30. Many of the units pitched their tents and sleep out the night before the start of all the activities. Sled of all kinds of designs, many fitted with wheels, spent the day navigating around the Pond in Westford, stopping along the way to show their skills at various challenges. Well over 300 scouts were at this event. Congratulations to all who attended!

Youth Leadership Training

Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) or ILSC for Crews See: http://www.scouting.org/Training/Youth.aspx This training is led by the Scoutmaster / Advisor with the Senior Patrol Leader / Crew President. It should be conducted periodically for the unit’s youth leadership team. It consists of three modules: 1.) Introduction to Leadership (Know), 2.) How to Fulfill Your Role (Be) and 3.) What is Expected of Me (Do). The purpose of this course is to teach Scouts with leadership positions about their new roles and how to most effectively reach success in that role. It is intended to help Scouts in leadership positions understand their responsibilities and to equip them with organizational and leadership skills to fulfill those responsibilities. ILST is the first course in the series of leadership training offered to Boy Scouts. Completion of ILST is a prerequisite for Boy Scouts to participate in the more advanced leadership courses National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) and the National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE). It is also required to participate in a Kodiak Challenge Trek.

National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) for troops and crew youth leadership development It is an exciting, action-packed program designed for councils to provide youth members (13 – 20 year old) with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home troops/crews and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others. NYLT is a six-day course. Content is delivered in a troop and patrol outdoor setting. NYLT integrates the best of modern leadership theory with the traditional strengths of the Scouting experience. Through activities, presentations, challenges, discussions, and audio-visual support, NYLT participants will be engaged in a unified approach to leadership that will give them the skill and confidence to lead well. Through a wide range of activities, games, and adventures, participants will work and play together as they put into action the best Scouting has to offer. Two courses of NYLT will be offered by the Spirit of Adventure Council at TL Storer Scout Reservation (WildGoose), Barnstead, NH. Register and pay in full before June 1 to get the early bird discount. Course 1, July 10 – 15 (Course Director Darren Valentine, [email protected], 617-365-3777) Course 2, July 31 – August 6 (Course Director Chris Gross, [email protected], 617-592-2395)

Brownsea II Leadership Training Program for troops It is a unique and exciting, hands on approach designed to teach youth leadership skills through the actual practice and use of Scout skills. Skills most closely concentrated on are camping, cooking, hiking, nature study, pioneering, orienteering, and wilderness survival. This course closely parallels the first scout camp conducted by Lord Baden Powell in 1907. This program places special emphasis on Scout skills, teaching and practice; the purposes of Scouting; and the role of the patrol method within the troop program. It is not done by classroom lecture, but rather by games of skill, leadership exercise, and patrol competition. Scouts who complete the program will have a better awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses for their personal leadership styles. One course will be offered by the Spirit of Adventure Council at TL Storer Scout Reservation (WildGoose), Barnstead, NH. Sunday July 3, 2016 (12:00 Noon) through Saturday July 9, 2016 (10:00 am) (Course Scoutmaster Ken Reardon, [email protected]). Register and pay in full before June 1 to get the early bird discount.

Woodbadge - Scouting’s Ultimate Adult Leader Training Course Designed for Scouters to learn by doing the skills and methods of Scouting. Members of the course form dens in a Pack and later they become patrols in a troop where they cook their own meals and practice Scouting skills while learning leadership and team building skills. This course strongly parallels the NYLT course taught to youth and listed above.

WoodBadge For the 21st Century is an invaluable Leadership training for all scouters in any position. At this time there is a waitlist for this course. Apr 15-17 & May 13–15, 2016.

WoodBadge For the 21st Century May 6 – 8 & May 21 - 23 (Central Mass, Camp Wannocksett, Jaffrey NH) For information see: http://www.centralmawb.org/

WoodBadge For the 21st Century May 6-7, May 20-21, June 3-4 (, Griswold Scout Reservation) For information see: http://www.nhscouting.org/event/1803747 Training

Feb 9 American Red Cross First Aid, CPR & AED Certification (Knox Trail Council, Nobscot SR, Sudbury) See: http://www.ktc-bsa.org/training/

Feb 10 Life to Eagle Seminar Hosted by Troop 7, Lowell All 1st Class scouts and above and invited to attend with a parent, the Life the Eagle Seminar from 7 – 8:30 at St. Rita Parish, 158 Mammoth Rd, Lowell. Please RSVP with Scoutmaster David St.Louis @ [email protected].

Feb 13 Basic First Aid @ New England Base Camp @ Sayre

Mar 8 American Red Cross First Aid, CPR & AED Certification (Knox Trail Council, Nobscot SR, Sudbury) See: http://www.ktc-bsa.org/training/

Mar 12 - 13 Wilderness Remote First Aid (Knox Trail Council, Nobscot SR, Sudbury) See: http://www.ktc-bsa.org/training/

Mar 19 Trainer’s Edge (Daniel Webster Council) See: http://www.nhscouting.org/event/1745090

Mar 19 Den Chief Training (Nashua Valley Council) See: http://www.nashuavalleybsa.org/cm/index.php/training/youth-training

Mar 26 Commissioner Training (Daniel Webster Council) See: http://www.nhscouting.org/event/1745100

Mar 28 & Apr 4 Scoutmaster Specific (Nashua Valley Council) See: http://www.nashuavalleybsa.org/cm/index.php/training/adult-training

April 2 & 3 Solo Wilderness First Aid (West Wind District, Chelmsford MA, Spirit of Adventure Council) The Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course is a 16 hour course. A fast paced, hands-on training designed to meet the needs of leaders who venture more than a quarter mile away from immediate help. Classroom lectures and demonstrations are combined with realistic scenarios which will challenge what you have learned in the classroom. You will gain a much greater understanding and skills required to deal with emergency situations in remote locations. Cost $115.

April 9 Introduction to Leadership Skills (IOLS) (Great Eastern District) The outdoor camping component for SM and ASM training. See: http://scoutspirit.doubleknot.com/event/1778760

April 9 Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Position Specific Training (West Wind District, Chelmsford) See: http://scoutspirit.doubleknot.com/event/1786580

Apr 22 – 24 Introduction to Leadership Skills (IOLS) (Nashua Valley Council, Camp Split Rock) See: http://www.nashuavalleybsa.org/cm/index.php/training/adult-training

April 23 Introduction to Leadership Skills (IOLS) and Outdoor Leadership Skills for Webelo Leader (OWL) (West Wind District) The outdoor camping component required for trained SM and ASM (IOLS). Webelo Leaders will learn how to conduct den outdoor programs. See: http://scoutspirit.doubleknot.com/event/1786593

April 23 Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) (West Wind District) Required training for pack family camping. See: http://scoutspirit.doubleknot.com/event/1786593

April 30 – May 1 Introduction to Leadership Skills (IOLS) and Outdoor Leadership Skills for Webelo Leader (OWL) (Northern Light District, Lone Tree SR, Kingston NH) The outdoor camping component required for trained SM and ASM (IOLS). Webelo Leaders will learn how to conduct den outdoor programs. See: http://scoutspirit.doubleknot.com/event/1851005

May 7 Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)(Nashua Valley Council) See: http://www.nashuavalleybsa.org/cm/index.php/training/adult-training

May 14 Cub Leader Specific Training (Nashua Valley Council) See: http://www.nashuavalleybsa.org/cm/index.php/training/adult-training

General Skill Training available at New England Base Camp @ Sayre, Milton MA

Feb 6 Intro to Snow shoeing (Adults) Feb 13 Winter Cooking (Ages 11+) Feb 13 Intro to Winter Camping (Adults of Youth in Grades 1 – 5) Feb 27 Developing a STEM Program for Youth Apr 15 – 17 BSA Climbing Instructors Course

Activities, Events, Etc.

A Scout is Reverent Sun. Feb 7 Scout Sunday, Sat Feb 13 is Scout Sabbath, Fri-Sat Feb 12 – 13 Scout Shabbat

Feb 8 Scout Shabbat hosted at two local Jewish Synagogues See: http://boston2.forward.com/ee/jewishjournal/index.php/component/fullstory/20130124_A01_art_3/area- synagogues-host-scout-shabbat

Feb 15 – 19 Ice Climbing / Mountaineering Trek A five day program of instruction and climbing adventures available to Boy Scouts and Venturers. See: http://scoutspirit.doubleknot.com/event/1838552

Feb 27 - 28 Museum of Science Overnight See: http://scoutspirit.doubleknot.com/event/1788969

Mar 5 and Mar 19 Math, Science Technology Merit Badge Expo The Expo is full. The classes will be held on Mar 5, and the Field Trips on Mar 19.

Mar 5 Merit Badge University Session 1 of 2 (Cambridge MA, Spirit of Adventure Council) Registration for the event will open on January 23, 2016 through the council web site. See: http://scoutspirit.doubleknot.com/event/1717938

Mar 11 – 12 Museum of Science Overnight See: http://scoutspirit.doubleknot.com/event/1788970

Apr 2 West Wind District Start your engines for the West Wind District Pinewood Derby, it will take place on Saturday April 2nd 2016, at the Marshall Middle School in Billerica, MA. Registering and impounding starts at 9am. Registration fee is $10 before midnight on March 24th, after that date there is a late registration fee making the cost $15. Registration will be online through the Spirit of Adventure website. All Cub Scouts that run in their Pack PWD and place are welcome to register, please note that District Rules apply. There will be a need for 5 tracks at this event, please let Jan ([email protected]) know if you can loan your track and a team to set up & run it.

Apr 8 – 9 Museum of Science Overnight See: http://scoutspirit.doubleknot.com/event/1788972

Apr 9 Merit Badge University Class Session 2 (Cambridge MA, Spirit of Adventure Council) Registration for the event will open on January 23, 2016 through the council web site.

Apr 16 NEOC Annual Scout-O “Training Day” (Hale Reservation, Westwood) NEOC invites Scouts and adults to its annual Scout-O "Training Day". This is great day to learn and refine your navigation and orienteering skills on multi-level cross-country courses that will be available throughout the day. Rank and Merit Badge advancement are available. If you have never enjoyed the sport of orienteering, NEOC will have instructors available to help your unit. Please go to www.Scout-O.org for more information or contact Bud O'Leary at [email protected]

April 30 – May 1 Museum of Science Overnight See: http://scoutspirit.doubleknot.com/event/1788973

Jun 12 Minutecub Muster at the Sudbury Wayside Inn. (Knox Trail Council) The program starts at 9 AM with a Church service conducted by members of the Black Robe Regiment. The day will end with the world’s largest marshmallow food fight. The price is $45 per Minutecub, which includes T-shirt, patch, Pocket Declaration and Constitution, and a history booklet. Tricorn hats ($15), extra T-shirts ($10) and patches ($5), and Muskets ($20) are available. Information for the air powered marshmallow firing imitation smooth bore flintlock muskets, vests, haversacks and other items can be found on www.westfordminutecub.com. The registration link on the Knox Trail website is http://ktc-bsa.doubleknot.com/event/minute-cub-muster- 2016/1811246 This is a family event. There is too many things to see, siblings are free to tag along as long as they are supervised by a parent.

Jun 18 At the Water’s Edge – Cub Scout day event at Lone Tree Scout Reservation If you are planning to recruit new Cub Scouts this Spring, West Wind District will be hosting this event at Lone Tree Scout Reservation Saturday 18th June 2016. Come and see all the fun that can be had at one of our great camps. Fishing, and lots of other fun activities. Questions? Jan Kohnstam [email protected].

Meetings

Mon. Feb 29 West Wind District Meeting The West Wind District will hold its next committee meeting on Mon. from 7 – 8:30 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 170 Old Westford Rd in Chelmsford. All scouters are invited to attend. The district has many opportunities for volunteers. If you’re interested or know someone who may be, please contact District Chairman, Jerry Cross ([email protected])

Thur. Mar 3 West Wind District Commissioners Meeting The West Wind District Commissioner’s staff will meet Thur from 6:30 – 7:15 pm prior to the start of the Roundtable. All commissioners and those interested in becoming a commissioner are invited to attend. For more information contact Tom Kubik at [email protected]

Thur. Mar 3 West Wind District Cub Scout & Boy Scout Roundtables All Scout leaders are encouraged to attend the monthly meetings from 7:30 – 9 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 70 Concord Rd, Billerica MA.

Community Service Adopt a Senior Program Annette Cerullo, Westford CoA Director made request for Westford Scout Troops to participate in the new “Adopt a Senior Program” for the winter to check on them through the season and shovel their walkway as needed. If interested, contact Annette at [email protected]. Interested units from Other Towns can contact Cathy Jewell.

Lowell National Park Assist Lowell National Park Service Activities in 2016 in Celebration of NPS 100th Anniversary. Much help is needed. Boy Scouts and Crew have opportunity to do service at Lowell NPS and earn NPS Scout Ranger Certificate and/or Emblem. Many High Schoolers are needed to assist children with crafts at NPS Visitor Center during February and April Vacation Week. Boy Scouts/Crew are needed to help clean canals April 16, 9 am – Noon and then have an opportunity to take a 1 hour tour at Boott Cotton Mills 1pm-2pm. Opportunities to clean canals exists the first Saturday each month through September. To sign up contact Cathy Jewell at [email protected].

Advancement Committee News

New Position of Responsibility: Outdoor Ethics Guide The new Boy Scout requirements introduce a new position of responsibility. Out-door Ethics Guide will replace the Leave No Trace Trainer position.

The following job description is provided by the BSA Outdoor Ethics task force: The outdoor ethics guide helps the troop plan and conduct an outdoor pro-gram that emphasizes effectively practicing the Outdoor Code, the Leave No Trace Principles, and the Tread Lightly! principles. The guide works to help Scouts improve their outdoor ethics decision- making skills to help minimize impacts as they hike, camp, and participate in other outdoor activities. In particular, he should support Scouts who are working to complete the relevant requirements for the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks.

How does a Scout get position of responsibility credit if he is in the middle of his tenure as Leave No Trace Trainer on Dec. 31, 2015? The unit should simply credit him with time served in that position, and then begin his tenure as Outdoor Ethics Guide on Jan. 1, 2016.

For Frequently Asked Questions on the Outdoor Ethics Guide position of responsibility, as well as on the Outdoor Ethics Awareness and Action awards, see www.outdoorethics-bsa.org/FAQs.shtml

District Dinner – A night of fellowship and recognition – Thur May 19, 2016 John Cuddy is once again chairing and championing the Annual District Dinner. He is looking for a committee to assist with finding the venue, caterer/menu, guest speaker for this event. If you are interested, please contact him at: [email protected]. Units are encouraged to find ways to recognize their members with awards, including training knots, service recognition, religious awards, and the district created spark plug award. Each unit is encouraged to award the Spark Plug Award to a member of your unit. Then as a unit, come to the dinner, join in the celebration, annual meeting (brief business meeting) and fellowship. Roy Corbeil is the master woodworker who makes all the sparkplug wards. He is looking for donations of cherry, oak, walnut, maple or ash. No plywood, pine or poplar. The finished plaque size is 5” x 7”. Please contact Roy directly to arrange pick up: [email protected]

Wed Feb 10 Life to Eagle Seminar Hosted by Troop 7, Lowell All 1st Class scouts and above and invited to attend with a parent, the Life the Eagle Seminar from 7 – 8:30 at St. Rita Parish, 158 Mammoth Rd, Lowell. Please RSVP with Scoutmaster David St.Louis @ [email protected].

To Hold a Life to Eagle Scout Session Contact Jim Shea at [email protected] to sign up your troop to host a Life to Eagle Scout training session.

Eagle Project Proposal Eagle Project Proposals that have been approved by the beneficiary, unit leader and unit committee and are ready to be reviewed by the District Advancement Committee should be emailed to [email protected].

Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook Scouts should use the latest version of the Eagle Project Proposal Workbook released in October, 2015. This version can be found at http://www.scouting.org/Home/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/EagleWorkbookProcedures.aspx.

Eagle Application Process Changes Effective January, 2016 the procedure for submitting an Eagle Rank Application and requesting a board of review will be changing. Once the requirements for Eagle Rank have been completed the Eagle Candidate should submit their Eagle Rank Application to the West Wind District Advancement Chair. Applications should no longer be submitted to the council office for verification.

Scouts can submit an application prior to (7:00 PM – 7:30 PM) the West Wind Roundtable held on the first Thursday of the month at the LDS Church on Concord Road in Billerica, or during (7:15 PM – 7:45 PM) the monthly Eagle Boards of Review held on the third Thursday of the month at the LDS Church on Concord Road in Billerica. Before submitting their application the Eagle Candidate should send email to Jim Shea ([email protected]) to insure availability. Additionally, Eagle Candidates requiring an alternate time to submit their application should contact Jim Shea ([email protected]).

To submit their application, the Eagle Candidate must provide the following:  Completed Eagle Application including signatures of scout, the unit leader and the committee chair;  The Eagle Candidate’s statement of ambitions and life purpose (Eagle Rank Application Requirement #7);  Completed Eagle Scout Project Workbook including all signature pages;  Scout’s Advancement Report from Internet Advancement;  Ten (10) stamped envelopes (for references).

Once the application has been submitted and accepted as complete, the Advancement Committee will verify the application with the Council, will solicit the references for the scout, and notify the troop and scout when a Board of Review can be scheduled.

Upon completion of the Board of Review, the application will be submitted by the West Wind District Advancement Committee to the Council for processing. Additionally, the Council will mail the Eagle Rank Certificate and other paperwork to the Unit Leader upon receipt from national. The Troop will no longer be responsible for submitting the application to the Council after the Board of Review, or picking up the Eagle Rank Certificate from the Council.

Eagle Board of Review February 18 Eagle Boards of Review are normally held on the 3rd Thursday of each month. To schedule an Eagle Board of Review contact Jim Shea at [email protected]

Merit Badge Counselor Registration The Spirit of Adventure Council has adopted a new Merit Badge Counselor registration process that allows each individual unit to designate Merit Badge Counselors and only requires Counselors to register in an adult position with their unit. Please see http://www.scoutspirit.org/2015/09/25/counselors-are-mentors-simplify-the-process/ for more information on these changes.

New Boy Scout Handbooks are at the Scout Store – Link for Insert for old Handbooks For your scouts who are far enough along on their trail to Eagle that they do not what to purchase a new Handbook here is a link to the Scout Handbook insert that contains the new rank requirments which they can print out and insert into their current handbook. The link to the Scout Handbook insert is http://www.scouting.org/filestore/boyscouts/pdf/524- 012_BS_Requirements_Insert.pdf

New Boy Scout Rank Requirements The BSA has released Boy Scout Rank Requirement changes that will go into effect January, 2016. The new requirements along with a comparison of the current requirements can be found at http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/2016BoyScoutRequirements.pdf.

Scouts may transition to the new requirements as follows: Joined Working on Transition On or After January 1, 2016 Must use new requirements for all ranks Prior to January 1, 2016 Scout Badge  May complete Scout Badge using existing requirements.  Must transition to new requirements upon completion of the Scout Badge. Prior to January 1, 2016 Tenderfoot  May complete Tenderfoot using the existing requirements  May complete Second Class using the existing requirements  May complete First Class using the existing requirements  Must transition to the new requirements upon completion of First Class Prior to January 1, 2016 Second Class  May complete Second Class using the existing requirements  May complete First Class using the existing requirements  Must transition to the new requirements upon completion of First Class Prior to January 1, 2016 First Class  May complete First Class using the existing requirements  Must transition to the new requirements upon completion of First Class Prior to January 1, 2016 Star  May complete Star using the existing requirements  Must transition to the new requirements upon completion of Star Prior to January 1, 2016 Life  May complete Life using the existing requirements  Must transition to the new requirements upon completion of Life Prior to January 1, 2016 Eagle  May complete Eagle using the existing requirements  Must transition to the new requirements upon completion of Eagle

All Scouts must convert to the new requirements by January 1, 2017. If a scout has not completed a rank they have been working on using the existing requirements by that date, they must complete the new requirements to achieve the rank they are working on.

Advancement –West Wind District’s Newest Eagle Scouts (Pending National Approval) It is with great pleasure and pride that the West Wind Advancement Committee has recommended to National BSA the following Scouts for the Rank of Eagle during the month of January, 2016: Nicholas Wayne Akers Troop 159, Westford Tim Burns Troop 30, Billerica Kenny Carr Troop 77, Chelmsford Josef Livingstone Troop 79, Andover Steven O'Brien Troop 30, Billerica Carter Schuh Troop 73, Andover Willie Swift Troop 11, Billerica Steven Wink Troop 322, Tewksbury We offer our congratulations and applaud their achievement. Well Done!

Eagle Scouts are encouraged to extend an invitation to their Eagle Scout Court of Honor to the Scout Executive (Chuck Eaton, [email protected]) and the District Executive (Paul Gendreau, [email protected]).

West Wind District Contacts

District Chair Jerry Cross [email protected] District Commissioner Tom Kubik [email protected] Senior District Executive Paul Gendreau [email protected] Activities Jan Kohnstam [email protected] Advancement Jim Shea [email protected] Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioners Mark Bergeron-Naper [email protected] Judy Dedinsky [email protected] Aric Tillson [email protected] Cub Roundtable Commissioner Tom Savage [email protected] Finance Chair Jerry Cross [email protected] Membership Jim Ray [email protected] Nominating Mike Puleo [email protected] OA Lodge Chief Justin St. Louis [email protected] Popcorn Chairs Stefanie Anderson Holly Prees Religious Awards John Cuddy [email protected] Roundtable Announcements Judy Dedinsky [email protected] Secretary Chris Jenkins [email protected] Service Cathy Jewell [email protected] Training Dave Ripplinger [email protected] Merit Badge Counselor Training Chris Ferraro [email protected] Youth Protection Champion Phil Heffernan [email protected]