National Achievement for Zak Smith, T68 the Gateway
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The Gateway Gateway Area Council, Boy Scouts of America For the latest information and details, visit our website: www.gacbsa.org What’s Inside Commissioner’s Corner 2 Winter Events 3 National Achievement for Zak Smith, T68 Scouting for Food 4 We are proud to recognize an outstanding Scout of the Mall & Trailblazers 5 Gateway Area Council as the newest member of the Program News National Youth Leadership Society. Zak Smith was formally 6 inducted into the Society at Troop 68’s Court of Honor on Family FOS 7 Monday, December 9, 2013. The National Youth Leadership Society recognizes youth members of the BSA Scouts in the News 8 who have learned and practiced outstanding leadership Program News 9 skills- the elite members of our program. As a national honor society, the National Youth Leadership Society calls 2013 Eagle Scouts 10 upon local councils to nominate those individuals who meet From Mary’s Desk certain criteria. Upon acceptance, the National Court of 11 Honor will offer the individual the honor of members into the Program News 12 Society. There are stringent qualifications of membership including various leadership development courses and Office Notes 13 Scouting positions. We are proud to recognize Zak Smith as NYLT News 14 the newest member of the National Youth Leadership Society. From the Scout Shop! Summer Programs Kick-Off As we train the new Greetings Scouters! Only 6 months until the Summer Camping season begins; it Scout Shop Clerk, will be here before we know it! Camp Decorah’s Summer Camp Kick-Off will be January please be patient with 12, 2014 in the Dahl Family Scouting Center at 3pm. The event will include presentations ordered items and try from Summer Camp, Webelos Camp, Cub Scout Day Camp, NYLT, Woodbadge, and to call ahead with many other summer opportunities. Your whole unit is invited to join in the camp large orders. Your fellowship and enjoy a bowl of chili. As always, there will be great prizes awarded to patience is appreciat- those that come out to Camp Decorah. This year’s summer camp programs are sure to ed as we welcome be just what you and your Scouts are looking for: fun, adventure, and challenging Lisa into Scouting! opportunities. Sign-ups are open for 2014 summer camps at Camp Decorah. December, 2013 Page 2 Commissioner Corner Your One Stop Shop for Unit Support What is a Commissioner and how can they help me? Many of us have heard about Commissioners but may not know exactly what a "commissioner" does. One of the Unit Commissioner's (UC) most important duties is to link district and council resources to the units. This includes training, rechartering help, program planning, etc. The UC is a friend and coach to the unit and will help the unit find answers to its questions and program needs. “Break glass in Case of Emergency.” We have seen this sign or similar messages on fire alarms, fire extinguishers or other emergency gear. This message does not apply to our Commissioners. We are not just here for a one time use in case of emergency, we are hear to help 24/7 with what ever needs—big or small— that you may have. We are here to help facilitate the unit leader’s jobs and remove stress and frustration as much as possible. When you are encountering difficulties or just have a question, do not hesitate to contact your UC. We are here to help the units deliver a fun, challenging program to the youth in the Gateway Area Council. The Gateway Area Council Commissioner Staff consists of a Council Commissioner (Terry Smith) and District Commissioners for each district (Cindy Sjolander – Seven Rivers; Ray Purnell – Soaring Eagle; and Alan Abrahamson – Winding Trails). Please contact any of us if you have any questions or concerns, or to find the name of your UC. If you do not know your Unit Commissioner, please contact your District Commissioner. Terry Smith Council Commissioner December, 2013 Page 3 Soaring Eagle Klondike Derby February 8, 8am at Whitehall Rod & 7 Rivers Klondike Derby January 18, 9am at La Crosse County Landfill Winding Trails Klondike Derby February 8 at the Coon Valley Conservation Club JUST FOR THE CUB SCOUTS! January 10-11: Cub Hibernation at La Crosse Children’s Musuem February 15, 8am: Polar Cub Iditarod at Camp Decorah December, 2013 Page 4 March is National Scouting for Food Month! The Boy Scout Slogan of “do a good turn daily” is part of an effort to promote a culture of service in our nation. Scouting provides many lessons to our youth, one of the most valued of these is service to others. This annual food drive is one of the best ways to introduce our Scouts to community service. We have been proud to consistently serve the many area food pantries and shelters in our communities. March 1st: Scouts distribute bags and info cards in their community March 8th: Scouts return the following Saturday to collect the donations of non-perishable food items and deliver to food panty Don’t forget to log your community service hours! Need help logging your hours? Call your DE at 608-784-4040. December, 2013 Page 5 2014 Mall Show & 7Rivers District Derby Saturday, April 12th The Mall Show is back! After last year’s success we are excited to again have an awesome day of entertainment, demonstrations, camaraderie and fun. See the flyer for more details for brainstorming and developing your perfect Mall Show setup. What a fantastic way to show the community our Scouting spirit while having a great time seeing what everyone else is up to in the Council. Seven Rivers will be holding their District Pinewood Derby Championships during the event. NEW THIS YEAR: Build your own LEGO car to race!!!! All are invited! There will be races for Pack Champions, Cub Scouts, all siblings, parents, friends, all cub scouts and family from Soaring Eagle and Winding Trails and anyone in the public. There will also be open LEGO car racing! Flyer for 7 Rivers PWD coming soon. Spring Camporee 2014 Gateway Area Council Presents: The Trailblazer Adventure $25 Saturday, May 17, 2014 Cub Scouts, Webelos, and Boy Scouts are invited to scout in the GREAT outdoors and to blaze a trail through the largest outdoor sports program of its kind. There will be mammal, raptor, and search and rescue dog shows! Atlatls, BB guns, games and fishing for the Cub Scouts! Blackpowder, shotguns, trapping, atlatls, and climbing for the Boy Scouts! Look no further, the greatest outdoor program of its kind can be found here at Camp Decorah, on May 17th. December, 2013 Page 6 The Council’s Annual Recognition Dinner will be April 5 at Fox Hollow. We will recognize our 2013 Eagle Class and outstanding volunteers throughout the Council. The Silver Beaver Award recognizes outstanding volunteers who have shown noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth. The recipients are nominated by their peers. Now is the time to submit your nomination. I would like to personally thank each Arrowman who helped in hosting the Section Conclave, run the Oktoberfest parking lot fundraiser, and support the Spook-O-Ree this past September and October. Without your help as lodge members, the Section could not have had Conclave and the council could not have run the Spook-O-Ree. Because of these countless hours given by many of you, I can confidently say that both events were a huge success. Scoutmasters, please promote our two upcoming events to the Arrowmen in your troop. The Annual Banquet is on January 5, and the Winter Wing Ding is on January 31 through February 2. The Annual Banquet, on January 5 at Camp Decorah is $15. As usual, there will be a great speaker, and a great meal to go along with it. There is a $7 discount off the $15 price of the Annual Banquet for anyone who attended Spook-o-ree and helped with the lodge. You must also bring a fellow Arrowman from your troop to be eligible for this discount. Registration will begin at 3:00 pm in the Camp Decorah Dining Hall with carnival games before the dinner. The cost for the banquet is $15, and can be paid in the Scout Office before December 31. The Winter Wing Ding is our winter fellowship event where we help out at the council’s Merit Badge Day. We will have some “Fun in the Sun” during the dead of winter at Camp Decorah! Look forward to snow volleyball, Mini-Weapons of Mass Destruction, and more! The Wing Ding costs $15 for the entire weekend before January 24, while Merit Badge Day is free to all Arrowmen who attend the Wing Ding. I’ll see you at our next event! Yours in WWW, Alex Metry 2013-2014 Lodge Chief Nikki’s Knowledge Nugget- It is that time of year: rechartering is just around the corner. This is the time to check your rosters and take note of any changes. Rechartering packets will be available at the December Roundtables. If you have any questions do not wait to the last minute and contact the Council Service Center or your District Executive today. December, 2013 Page 7 2014 Friends of Scouting Thank you for joining us for the 2014 Gateway Area Council Friends of Scouting (FOS) Campaign! Money raised through FOS provides the operating revenue to carry forth the mission of the Gateway Area Council. With FOS funds, the Council organizes new unites, provides volunteer adult training opportunities, maintains and improves beautiful Camp Decorah, handles advancement and member registration, maintains quality traditional camping programs for Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, develops high adventure programs, maintains a fully stocked Scout Shop, coordinates weekend activities and volunteer recruitments, and much more.