Smoke Signals - 4.1.20
An online edition of our Apache District Newsletter can also be found @ http://www.mccscouting.org/apache under the Smoke Signals tab
Stay Safe and Stay Healthy
From your Apache District Committee
Canceled --- Apache Roundtable for Thursday, April 9, 2020
https://www.mccscouting.org/apache-roundtables
Normal schedule: 2nd Thursday of every month except none in July
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte, NC 28210
5:00 p.m. Eagle Project Reviews
6:15 p.m. Apache District Committee
7:00 p.m. Cracker Barrel
7:30 p.m. Roundtable convenes, OA Apache Chapter meets
8:15 p.m. Cub and Scouts BSA Breakout Sessions
9:00 p.m. Roundtable adjourns
Canceled --- Eagle Project Reviews, Thursday, April 9, 2020, 5:00 p.m.
https://www.mccscouting.org/eagle-scouts, then Project Review Information, or
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/176532_a901c5127e164caebbb165cb131bb7c7.pdf
New -- Eagle Project Reviews during COVID-19
In lieu of in person reviews of Eagle projects, the districts are following an electronic review of Scouts’ Eagle projects. The Scout is to follow the normal protocol of requesting a review via the online district email address identified on the council website located under the “Eagle Scout Project WB Information-Project Review Information”. These requests will be distributed to Eagle project reviewers. Once a reviewer has been assigned, the reviewer will contact the Scout (with a copy to another adult to maintain 2-deep leadership) and request that the project be sent electronically to their preferred email address.
In addition to the Proposal, the Scout should send copies of emails verifying approval of the Proposal from the Unit Leader, the Unit Committee, and the Project Beneficiary as required on Project Proposal E of the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook. As an alternative, the Scout may send scanned copies of the approval page with the requisite signatures. Note that all of these are required prior to the reviewer’s sign off in accordance with national policy. If there are drawings, pictures or other items that are pertinent, these should be sent to the reviewer as well.
Once these have been provided, the reviewer will review and provide any feedback (or possibly request a video conference). The Reviewer will email the Scout with their current assessment. I.e. Approved, Approved with Recommendations, Not Approved. The reviewer will indicate items that are open to obtain final approval. If the reviewer is unable to scan their signature as approval, their email will serve as approval and a copy of the email should be included in the Scout’s final Eagle project binder as evidence of district review.
New -- Age-Extension Beyond the 18th Birthday for Eagle Requirements during COVID-19
With new national guidelines to adapt to COVID-19, age extensions beyond the 18th birthday for Eagle Scout requirements (and Summit Award requirements) are available for current Life Scouts. These extensions include, but are not limited to, hardships in completing Eagle Projects. Many organizations that are currently the beneficiaries, or may be the beneficiaries of planned projects, may have enacted rules that prevent Scouts from completing their projects before their 18th birthdays. In addition, the Scout may not be able to organize sufficient assistance (or may not be able to enlist the assistance of others due to the social distancing requirements) to allow them to meet the supervisory goals of the Eagle project during this period.
National Advancement Committee has delegated the local council advancement committee and Scout executive permission to approve age-extensions for the Eagle Scout candidate. This applies to Life Scouts who cannot complete Eagle (and Venturing Summit) requirements prior to the 18th birthday because of the corona virus shutdown. Scouts have three months after their 18th birthday to complete any requirements. Extension requests for more than 3 months beyond the youth’s 18th (21st for Sea Scouts and Venturers) birthday must be sent to the National Service Center following the process outlined in the Guide to Advancement. Life Scouts may apply for age-extension approval between now and September 30, 2020, for local approval. After that date, National must grant such approvals. Please email all requests for such local approval to Joel Moser, Council Advancement Chair at
joelmoser@earthlink.net by using Form 512-077, available at https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-077.pdf.
Scouting for Food
Thanks to all Scouts, leaders, parents, neighbors, and donors, for your successful Scouting for Food drive. In this time of crisis, the need is great.
With school out, volunteers are welcome. Go to Loaves and Fishes website for available opportunities. Danielle Moore is the contact.
If you wish to donate money on-line directly or through a Virtual Food Drive, please check out options under the green “Donate” tab at https://loavesandfishes.org/
Canceled or rescheduled as of Tuesday, 3.31.20
Welding Merit Badge
Automotive Maintenance Merit Badge
Rifle Shooting Merit Badge
Landscape Architecture Merit Badge
Apache District Cuboree scheduled for April 3-4-5, 2020, at Belk Scout Camp has been canceled.
Certified Angling Instructor (CAI) Course scheduled for April 17-18-19, 2020, at Belk Scout Camp has been canceled. A CAI Course Directors Conference is planned at Camp Barstow on September 25-26-27, 2020. An Area 5 CAI course is again in the works for the spring of 2021 at Belk Scout Camp or at Camp Grimes.
Merit Badge Information
More information on local courses is available at
https://www.mccscouting.org/around-the-campfire
Information on regional and national courses is posted at
http://www.meritbadge.info/mbn/default.aspx
Spreadsheet sorts by date and by state are recommended.
Current merit badge requirements:
https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/advancement-and-awards/merit-badges/
Scheduled Merit Badge Courses
Discovery Place Science and Discovery Place Nature have closed for the indefinite future. When those facilities open again, we will post an updated schedule for their merit badge courses.
Rescheduled with New Date - Automotive Maintenance Merit Badge
scheduled for Saturday, April 4, 2020, at Charlotte AutoFair at Charlotte Motor Speedway has been postponed and rescheduled with new date of Saturday, June 13, 9:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.
Free entry to Charlotte AutoFair and free parking in the Youth Program area with tickets and parking passes obtained by registration in advance. Scout leaders and parents are welcome to attend.
For updated Merit Badge Guide with information on merit badge homework, optional camping, and registration by email, please click on
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vIpd6yXG6T1rmBE0vNfgZ9w9eFIf2G-G/view?usp=sharing
Mining in Society Merit Badge
Saturdays, June 6, June 20, July 11, July 25, August 8, 2020, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site
9621 Reed Mine Rd, Midland, NC 28107
Website: https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/reed-gold-mine
Cost is $5, which includes ticket for gold panning.
For Merit Badge Guide with information on optional camping, pre-course homework, and registration by phone or email, please click on
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IlEgVzzdaEsyJvOW2ZPEQkPAWINgLmZg/view?usp=sharing
NEW – Aviation Merit Badge
Tuesday, June 16, 2020, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Charlotte–Monroe Executive Airport
3900 Paul J Helms Dr, Monroe, NC 28110
Information and registration: https://www.aviationcamps.org/
For Merit Badge Guide with information on pre-course homework, please click on
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BuhNUzZLciOU3cL41utvPDGCORyVUsUT/view?usp=sharing
NEW – Stamp Collecting Merit Badge Please Save This Date
Saturday, July 25, 2020, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Charlotte Philatelic Society’s Annual Stamp Show
CPCC Central Campus, Worrell Building, formerly Taylor Hall
1228 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
NEW – Aquatic Merit Badge Days at Belk Scout Camp Please Save These Dates
Monday, August 3, 2020
Swimming Merit Badge - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon ($35)
Kayaking Merit Badge - 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ($40)
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
Lifesaving Merit Badge - 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
(includes 30-min BYO lunch break) ($45)
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Swimming Merit Badge - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon ($35)
Canoeing Merit Badge - 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ($40)
Thursday, August 6, 2020
Lifesaving Merit Badge - 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
(includes 30-min BYO lunch break) ($45)
Belk Scout Camp Pool
Friday-Saturday-Sunday, October 16-17-18, 2020 Rail Camp, Railroading Merit Badge
https://www.nctrans.org/Special-Programs---Tours/BSA.aspx
Winter Camp 2020
Friday-Saturday-Sunday, December 18-19-20, 2020 Please Save These Dates
Belk Scout Camp
Snow Sports Merit Badge
Friday-Saturday-Sunday, February 26-27-28, 2021 Please Save these Dates
Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center
91 North Lakeshore Drive, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745
SCHEDULE YOUR OWN MERIT BADGE COURSES
Astronomy, Backpacking, Bird Study, Camping, Environmental Science, Fishing, Geology, Hiking, Insect Study, Kayaking, Mammal Study, Nature, Orienteering, Reptile and Amphibian Study, Soil and Water Conservation, Sustainability, Weather, Wilderness Survival Merit Badges, BSA Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) Award
at McDowell Nature Center and Preserve
15222 South York Rd, Charlotte, NC 28278
and
Backpacking, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Kayaking, Orienteering, Wilderness Survival Merit Badges, BSA Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) Award
at Latta Nature Center and Preserve
6211 Sample Rd.
Huntersville, NC 28078
Patrols or troops may schedule merit badge instruction with minimum group size of 6, up to a maximum of 15, with BSA-registered Merit Badge Counselors. Groups must schedule their programs of instruction at least 3 months in advance.
SUP at Latta has a maximum class size of 10 Scouts.
Because of requirements which require pre-course and/or post-course activities, partial completions with a one-day course are possible for Backpacking, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Insect Study, Reptile and Amphibian Study, Sustainability, and Weather merit badges.
Cost of instruction is $15 to $40 per Scout, varying by the course request. Each class must have at least one supervising adult present throughout the class for class size of 9 or less, 2 adults for class sizes of 10 or more. Parents are welcome to attend all sessions.
Camping options are available on-site at McDowell Nature Preserve.
Scouts enrolling in Kayaking Merit Badge and BSA SUP Award courses must complete the BSA Swimmer Test before arrival and bring evidence to participate.
Blue card requirement: Each Scout must present to the counselor a separate blue card signed by their Scoutmaster indicating permission to participate in the course. Scouts should fill out the requirement grid portion of the card and have the Merit Badge Counselor initial this section of the card for each completed requirement. When the Scout has completed all requirements, the Merit Badge Counselor must sign and date the card in 2 places. Each Scout is responsible to obtain these signatures and to turn the card in to their Scoutmaster so that the merit badge can be registered and awarded.
Bird Study Merit Badge
Carolina Raptor Center
6000 Sample Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
704 875 6521
http://www.carolinaraptorcenter.org/
Patrols or troops can call to schedule a Bird Study Merit Badge course with minimum class size of 6.
Climbing Merit Badge
Inner Peaks, 10715 Independence Pointe Pkwy., Matthews, NC 28105
https://www.innerpeaks.com/climbing-for-kids/
(704) 844-6677
Mr. Chris Dimatteo of the Inner Peaks staff is a registered Climbing Merit Badge Counselor with Mecklenburg County Council.
Courses are offered for a minimum class size of 6, a maximum class size of 18, on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. with 1/2 hour lunch break or on Sundays from noon to 7:00 p.m.
Courses cover all requirements except for requirement # 1 covering first aid skills, which Scouts must complete through their home troops.
Indian Lore Merit Badge
Town Creek Indian Mound, 509 Town Creek Mound Rd., Mt. Gilead, NC 27306
https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/town-creek-indian-mound
An overnight stay may be available by special permit.
A Troop must have their own merit badge counselor to sign blue cards and to coordinate instruction.
Please call Mr. Daniel Alexi at 910 439 6802 for planning.
Mining in Society Merit Badge
Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site
9621 Reed Mine Rd, Midland, NC 28107
Website: https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/reed-gold-mine
Cost is $5, which includes ticket for gold panning.
For Merit Badge Guide with information on optional camping, pre-course homework, and registration for your patrol or troop by phone or email, please click on
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IlEgVzzdaEsyJvOW2ZPEQkPAWINgLmZg/view?usp=sharing
Scouting Heritage Merit Badge
Hammerstone Scout Museum
2166 Leaflet Church Rd, Lillington, NC 27546
https://www.ourstate.com/theres-a-patch-for-that/
http://www.dunntourism.org/hammerstone-scout-museum/
Tours and/or camping on site are available only by appointment. Troops must schedule their visits by calling Mr. Wayne Farrar at the number above.
Camping is also available Raven Rock State Park 8.8 miles away.
Troops must provide their own merit badge counselors.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/edftUjnBBGyCz8Mz8
Scuba Merit Badge
Lake Norman Scuba LLC, 482 River Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28117
https://www.lakenormanscuba.com/
Phone: 704 660 3483
Mr. Andrew Katsamas is a registered Scuba Merit Badge Counselor with Mecklenburg County Council.
Pre-course requirements:
Completion of Swimming Merit Badge
Completion of CPR training
Course completion requires 6 hours of pool instruction each day for 1 weekend and 6 hours of quarry diving instruction each day for 1 weekend and 1 hour review with the counselor.
SCHEDULE YOUR OWN
Scouts BSA STEM Nova Award Course
Scouts BSA STEM Up and Away Nova Award for Engineering
Patrols and Troops can schedule their own instruction sessions.
For pre-course video homework suggestions, see [attachment]
Scouts BSA members can complete requirements 3, 4, and 5 of the Up and Away Award with a dedicated visit to iFLY Charlotte (Concord).
Website: https://www.iflyworld.com/charlotte/
For Scouts BSA STEM Nova Award Requirements, please go to
For Scouts BSA STEM Nova Award Video Suggestions, please go to
For information on adult registration and training as a Nova Award Counselor and a Supernova Award Mentor, please go to https://www.scouting.org/stem-nova-awards/volunteer-support/
STEM News
Scouts and their leaders from Mecklenburg County Council made news with a feature article “STEM’S Hidden Gem” in Scouting magazine, March-April 2020, pages 28-31, about their adventures at PARI (Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute) in March of 2019.
The article and photos are available on-line at
https://scoutingmagazine.org/2020/03/scouts-earn-merit-badges-at-stems-hidden-gem/
Large-scale Eagle Project Tips
Do you have Scouts in your Unit who have dreams of making a huge impact in their community through their Eagle Scout Project? Does the thought of a multi-location project seem to inhibit them from pursuing this dream? For those looking for helpful hints on how to succeed in areas of planning, fundraising, and volunteer recruiting check out the article below from Bryan on Scouting! In the article, Eagle Scout Peter Livengood - recipient of the 2019 Glenn A. & Melinda W. Adams Eagle Scout Project of the Year Award for the Northeast Region, shares how his city-wide project became a success.
ADVANCEMENT NEWS:
New - Questions and Answers; Cub Scouting/Scouts BSA/Venturing/Sea Scouting Rank Advancement and the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
https://www.scouting.org/coronavirus/covid-19-faq/
New - How to conduct a board of review through videoconferencing
The Mecklenburg County Council Advancement Committee has endorsed and approved Boards of Review conducted through videoconferencing.
NEW - Updated Merit Badges
Scouts BSA has updated requirements for several merit badges for 2020. The full list of 137 merit badges and their current requirements are available at
https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/advancement-and-awards/merit-badges/.
As always, Scouts that have already started working on a merit badge when revised requirements and a new edition of the pamphlet are introduced, they may continue to follow the old requirements and use the same pamphlet to earn the badge. They need not start over again with revised requirements and the new pamphlet.
NEW - Volunteers Needed – Eagle Projects and Eagle Boards of Review
Last year 120 Scouts in the Apache District earned their Eagle Rank. In addition, a similar number of Scouts presented had their Eagle Project Proposals to members of the District Advancement Committee for their review of the projects prior to the Scout’s commencement of their project. As Scouting grows in the Apache District, so does our need for Project Proposal reviewers and Eagle Board reviewers. Project Proposal reviews occur on Roundtable nights on the second Thursday of each month at St. Vincent de Paul Church beginning at 5:00 p.m. Eagle Boards of Review are usually scheduled on troop meeting nights with the respective Scoutmasters. We will provide the necessary guidance and training. For those interested, please email the Apache Advancement Chair, Dean Elledge at apache.advancement@gmail.com.
Eagle Application Packets with Complete Merit Badge Advancement Records Requested Life Scouts and Troop Advancement Chairs: please include a printout of a Scout’s advancement record, including all merit badges earned, in the Eagle Application Packet that goes to Council. These records will allow the Troop and the Council to promptly process recognition of the Scout with Eagle Palms, if he or she qualifies.
For further Advancement information, please contact your Apache District Advancement Chair or visit https://www.mccscouting.org/advancement or https://www.mccscouting.org/eagle-scouts
Eagle Board of Review Questions
https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2012/09/14/20-questions-to-ask-at-your-next-eagle-board-of-review/
Tools for Eagle Projects
Charlotte Community ToolBank provides inexpensive access to tools for group projects.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWqwzlkJWv8
http://charlotte.toolbank.org/
Outing in Scouting
Long distance trails in NC
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article239278463.html?intcid=connatix
Subscribe for free printable USGS Topo maps
https://www.natgeomaps.com/trail-maps/pdf-quads
Scouting at Home
Merit badges for social distancing: 58 badges Scouts can complete at home
https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2020/03/20/merit-badges-for-social-distancing/
Movies that Scouts might watch to fulfill merit badge requirements
Three merit badges include requirements that can be fulfilled by watching movies:
American Heritage
American Labor
Citizenship in the Community
Below are links to lists of movies that may be applicable to requirements from each of these merit badges. Before a Scout watches any of these movies or any other movie, whether for merit badge work or for school or for entertainment, the Scout must receive permission from their parents. Before a Scout watches any movie for merit badge work, the Scout must also have permission from their merit badge counselor.
American Heritage, requirement 5a
https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/Merit_Badge_ReqandRes/American_Heritage.pdf
5. Do ONE of the following: (a) Watch two motion pictures (with the approval and permission of your counselor and parent) that are set in some period of American history. Describe to your counselor how accurate each film is with regard to the historical events depicted and also with regard to the way the characters are portrayed.
https://www.scouter.com/topic/10805-movie-ideas-for-american-heritage/?page=2
American Labor, requirement 5c
https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/Merit_Badge_ReqandRes/American_Labor.pdf
5. Do ONE of the following:
(c) With your counselor’s and parent’s approval and permission, watch a movie that addresses organized labor in the United States. Afterward, discuss the movie with your counselor and explain what you learned.
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls031955974/
Citizenship in the Community, requirement 5
https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/Merit_Badge_ReqandRes/Citizenship_in_the_Community.pdf
5. With the approval of your counselor and a parent, watch a movie that shows how the actions of one individual or group of individuals can have a positive effect on a community. Discuss with your counselor what you learned from the movie about what it means to be a valuable and concerned member of the community
http://www.eaglecoach.org/merit-badges/citizenship-in-the-community-movie-list/
https://scoutermom.com/1244/movies-for-citizenship-in-the-community-merit-badge/
http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Citizenship_in_the_Community#Movies_With_a_Meaning
100 movies that every Scout should see, a list published by Boys' Life. (Some suggestions will require parental guidance.)
https://boyslife.org/hobbies-projects/funstuff/18651/100-movies-for-kids/
100 books that every Scout should read, a list published by Boys' Life. (Some suggestions will require parental guidance.)
https://boyslife.org/hobbies-projects/funstuff/18215/100-books-for-kids/
Podcast--Listen to Mecklenburg County Scouting from BrandBuilders on Apple Podcasts
Recorded by Mark Turner, Eric Davis, Jennifer Clutter
Remote Scouting
APACHE DISTRICT NEWS AND EVENTS:
Attention: Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and AOL Dens
Monday through Friday, June 22-26, 2020 Please Save These Dates
Apache Day Camp at Belk Scout Camp – Theme is “Space”.
https://www.mccscouting.org/apache-day-camp
Attention: Lion, Tiger, Wolf, and Bear Dens
Friday-Saturday-Sunday, October 9-10-11, 2020 Please Save These Dates
Apache Fall Cuboree at Belk Scout Camp
Attention: Webelos and AOL Dens and Scouts BSA Troops
Friday-Saturday-Sunday, October 23-24-25, 2020 - Please Save These Dates
Apache Webeloree + Camporee at Camp Grimes
Fall Recruiting is the Beginning, not the End
As a reminder, Units should recruit year-round. Don’t just rely on fall back to school. Use local events in your area, at your Charter Organization, and in the schools.
Share Your Recruiting Success
Did you do something new or take a different approach? Did the Choose your own night work better than one common night? What didn’t work? What could the District/ Council do differently to support your Unit? Share with Andy Waligowski at awaligowski@icloud.com for a chance to win a gift card at November Roundtable!
Membership Committee – WE WANT YOU!
Apache District NEEDS you. As the newly appointed Apache District Membership Chair, my goal is to ensure we cover all available programs – Boys, Girls, Adults, Cubs, Venture, Scouts BSA, Special Initiatives and retention/ cross over.
For more information contact Andy Waligowski – awaligowski@icloud.com
COUNCIL NEWS AND EVENTS:
Webelos Adventure Camp (WAC) 2020 at Belk Scout Camp -- Theme is “Luau”
WAC dates will be:
Session 1: Sunday, July 12 through Wednesday, July 15
Session 2: Thursday, July 16 through Sunday, July 19
Session 3: Sunday, July 19 through Wednesday, July 22
Session 4: Thursday, July 23 through Sunday, July 26
Questions? Please email: Monica Zeleznik at wacdirector@gmail.com
Programming Change for WAC 2020
The “Castaway” Adventure will replace the “Webelos Walkabout” because “Webelos Walkabout” is better suited for cooler spring and fall weather. Units may wish to plan their den or pack programs with this change in mind.
WAC Email Contact List
Please help to keep the WAC email contact list current. If you have moved on from your position and someone else should be receiving WAC information, please send email to
WAC Camp Director Monica Zeleznik at WACdirector@gmail.com
WAC Staff Registration is now live!
https://www.mycampgrimes.org/wac/staffapp.phtml?apply
WAC Council Web Page
https://www.mccscouting.org/webelos-adventure-camp
WAC Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/WebelosAdventureCampMCC/
Adult Volunteer Registration and Renewals
BSA National now requires an updated Background Check Form to be submitted with each new Adult Application (along with BSA Youth Protection certificate) and with each adult registration renewal for rechartering units, merit badge counselors, districts and councils. Here are links to information and forms:
https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/se-packet/2019-09-30/Background-Check-Disclosure.pdf
https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2019/10/14/rechecks-of-criminal-backgrounds-explained/
Attention: AOL Dens, Scouts BSA Troops Camp Grimes Dates and Deadlines
https://www.mycampgrimes.org/dates.phtml?ver=5
January 15, 2020: Troop Camper Deposits Due - $20.00 per Scout
January 30, 2020, 6:30 pm: Camp Grimes Program Kick-Off, AKA, Burnt Hot Dog Supper at the Council Service Center
March 27, 2020: Online Merit Badge Registration begins @ 8:00 am
April 17, 2020: Campership Applications Due
May 1, 2020: Balance of Camp Fees Due
May 6, 2020: OA Beaver Days Registration Deadline
May 15-16-17, 2020: OA Beaver Days
Week 1 June 14 - June 20
Week 2 June 21 - June 27
Week 3 June 28 - July 4
Week 4 July 5 - July 11
Week 5 July 12 - July 18
Join the Fun, Join the 2020 Camp Grimes Summer Camp Staff !
Staff applications for the 2020 summer camp at Camp Grimes are now being accepted. Scouts 14 years old and older as of June 8, 2020, may apply for non-paying camp staff counselor-in-training (CIT) positions. Scouts 15 years old and older as of June 8, 2020, may apply for paid camp staff counselor positions. Go to www.mycampgrimes.org, scroll down to Camp Staff Information, click on Online Application, fill out your application, and hit submit. For fun, for pay, for a rewarding and memorable summer, then Camp Grimes is your place to be. For more information, please contact Camp Director Alan Keiger at grimescampdirector@gmail.com
April 15, 2020: Goal for completing full staffing.
May 1-2-3, 2020: Summer camp staff training at Camp Grimes
May 6, 2020: OA Beaver Days Registration Deadline
May 15-16-17, 2020: OA Beaver Days
May 29-30-31, 2020: Summer camp staff training at Camp Grimes
June 13, 2020: Camp inspection by Council representatives
NEW – 2021 National Scout Jamboree (NSJ)
Council Recruitment is now OPEN for Scouts and unit leaders and for Jamboree Service Team (JST) youth and adult staff !!!
July 19-30, 2021
Council fees $1,695 for Youth participants and $950 for adult leaders.
All youth and adults must register online at https://jamboree.scouting.org/
For more information on participation through a Mecklenburg County Council unit, see link posted at https://www.mccscouting.org/around-the-campfire
Chair of the 2021 MCC Jamboree Committee is Courtney Miller (cmiller@cplanning.com).
Jamboree Service Team (JST)
JST have options for 1-week and 2-week sessions of service.
Jamboree Service Team Session 1 – 7/17-7/24 – $500
Jamboree Service Team Session 2 – 7/24-7/31 – $500
Jamboree Service Team Session 3 – 7/17-7/31 – $895
Ages 16-25 - regardless of session - $450
JST fees are paid directly to Scouts BSA.
All youth and adults must register online at https://jamboree.scouting.org/
NEW - Attention Key-3 Unit Leaders: Organization Security Manager - Expiration Dates
Organization Security Manager is a module within my.scouting.org. Only Key-3 leaders have access to this module. With this module, Key-3 leaders can assign roles to other unit leaders to give them access to training reports, online registration, advancement, and other functions. Within Organization Security Manager, the default expiration date of the assigned role is the unit’s charter expiration date. This means that as a unit’s charter is renewed, all unit roles must be renewed in Organization Security Manager and those roles must be re-assigned or extended. If the roles expire, volunteers will no longer have access to the tools in my.scouting.org that help them with their position. For example, if the advancement chair role expires, the person who reports a unit’s advancements in Internet Advancement 2.0 will no longer have access to advancement reports. (Please note: these roles do not apply to Scout Book – only my.scouting.org.)
To avoid disruption of access, a Key 3 person should follow these steps:
Log in to my.scouting.org. Click the Menu button in the upper left. Click the Unit you need to assign roles for from the drop-down menu. Click Organization Security Manager. Beside each role there will be a name listed (if the role has been assigned). Click the person’s name to edit that role. Click the person’s name again to edit their Effective and Expiration dates. You can choose any expiration date you would like, however; you should make sure it is a date that you will remember. Recharter time is a good option for most units. Click Save. Do this for each person assigned to a role.
For more information about how Organization Security Manager works click here:
For questions please contact Michelle Roberts at Michelle.Roberts@Scouting.org
BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (AHMR)
BSA has revised the AHMR set for health forms with Parts A, B, and C. The new forms are available here:
https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/ahmr/
BSA does not permit a website to host any version, even a blank version, of the AHMR; rather, websites must show the link to the current form.
Frequently Asked Questions are available here:
https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/ahmr/medical-formfaqs/
Other questions may be directed by email to the Health & Safety Team at Health.Safety@scouting.org
Information on How to Review the AHMR is available here:
https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/how-to-review-the-ahmr/
AHMR Safety Moment:
https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/annual-health-and-medical-record/
Bryan on Scouting
ORDER OF THE ARROW – APACHE CHAPTER
Greetings Brothers,
Just a few things I'd like to draw to your attention for April.
IMPORTANT - Troop Elections - POSTPONED
The Lodge Executive Board will be meeting on April 1, to discuss logistics involving Virtual Unit Elections. Once a decision and plan is agreed upon, the Chapter will contact all Unit leader’s still requiring a unit election with arrangements. Apache’s Vice Chapter Chief, Kevin Easley will be the primary contact for election based questions @ easley.kevin@hotmail.com
IMPORTANT - April Chapter Meeting - CANCELED
Our next Chapter meeting is Thursday, April 9th at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church (6828 Old Reid Road) @ 7:30 pm is canceled due to Covid-19 meeting and gathering restrictions.
Contact Information
If there are any Arrowmen that should be included in these notifications that are not currently, please let Mr. Roux or myself know so we can add them to the database. We hope to expand the Apache database even more in this new term of officers.
Link your Lodge Email to your Personal Email
I'm aware some of you may not know how to access your Lodge email account, or are unaware that you have one. Therefore, I put together a set of instructions on forwarding all of your Lodge emails to your personal email account! Please see the following Google Drive link for instructions- https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwrGkVVw08OudS1xSHZlb1RSS1U/view?usp=sharing Please follow these instructions to keep up on Lodge Events.
Thank you for reading!
Ryan Coverston
Chapter Secretary
TRAINING:
SEALS and IOLS courses at Belk Scout Camp are planned for the second weekend in November on an ongoing basis.
https://sites.google.com/site/bsamcctraining/
National Youth Leader Training (NYLT, AKA “Top Gun”) at Belk Scout Camp
Sunday-Friday, June 28 (noon) - July 3, 2020
Registration opened January 1, 2020.
http://topgun.mcc-bsa.org/home-1
National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE) at Philmont
June 21-27, 2020
June 28-July 4, 2020
July 5-11, 2020
July 12-18, 2020
July 19-25, 2020
July 26-August 1, 2020
For information and link to online registration and payment, please go to
https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/ptc/nayle/
National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE) at Summit
Session 1 Staff Training: June 14 – 20, 2020
Session 1: June 21 – 27, 2020
Session 2 Staff Training: June 28 – July 4, 2020
Session 2: July 5 – July 11, 2020
For information and link to online registration and payment, please go to
https://www.summitbsa.org/programs/training/seven-day-conferences/nayle/
MCC Wood Badge S5-415-20 at Belk Scout Camp
Friday, July 31, 2020, 7:00 am through Sunday, August 2, 2020, 5:00 pm and
Saturday, August 22, 2020,7:00 am through Sunday, August 23, 2020, 5:00 pm
For those seeking to participate in Mecklenburg County Council’s 2020 Wood Badge course:
Please submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the Course Director to consider you for invitation to this Premier Leadership Development Course. Please register online at https://www.mycampgrimes.org/woodbadge/program.phtml?register
OR by submitting the LOI form to the Council office. Here is the link to the LOI form: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxzNTQxNXdvb2RiYWRnZXxneDo3ZDY0NTgzZTgxMDFmNg
BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation) [for adults]
Friday-Saturday-Sunday, September 18-19, 2020 Please Save These Dates
BALOO is an introduction to the Cub Scout outdoor program.
Scouter Success Training [for adults]
Saturday, September 26, 2020 Please Save This Date
CPCC Levine Campus
SEALS - Scouts Excited About Leadership Skills [for youth] at Belk Scout Camp
Friday-Saturday-Sunday, November 13-14-15, 2020 Please Save These Dates
https://sites.google.com/site/mccseals/home
IOLS - Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills [for adults] at Belk Scout Camp
Friday - Saturday-Sunday, November 13-14-15, 2020 Please Save These Dates
https://sites.google.com/site/outdoorleaderskillsmcc/home
COPE & Climbing Training
Calling All Adult Scouters (18 years & older) and Scouts BSA Youth (16-17 years old who have completed the Climbing Merit Badge)
COPE [Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience] & Climbing Instructors are always needed to help support our year round activities including summer and day camp programs.
The MCC COPE & Climbing Committee is excited to offer the following training courses:
COPE & Climbing Foundations Level I Instructor Courses at Belk Scout Camp
Friday-Saturday-Sunday, May 1-2-3, 2020
Friday-Saturday-Sunday, September 11-12-13, 2020
Online registration is open by following links at https://sites.google.com/site/bsamcctraining/
For more information please visit our COPE & Climbing Program page at
https://www.mccscouting.org/cope-climbing
You may also reach out to Rob Seate (rseate@carolina.rr.com) or
Sasha Timkovich (timkovich@gmail.com) with questions.
Wilderness First Aid
Wilderness First Aid courses at Camp Grimes are planned for the last weekend of March and for the last weekend in September on an on-going basis. Please check often at
https://sites.google.com/site/bsamcctraining/
for information on course dates and registration.
Online Training
Earning the Trained patch for your left sleeve requires being “Trained to Position”, often including online modules available at https://my.scouting.org
If you have any questions, please contact Joanne White, Apache Training Chair @ Ioanamw@carolina.rr.com
Spread the Word About Scouting.
Please don’t keep us a secret
With all the new parents coming into our Scouting family, please don’t keep Smoke Signals, and the Apache District Web page a secret. We welcome new subscribers and it is easy to do. Also, please help us by sharing these links:
Apache District Webpage
http://www.mccscouting.org/apache
Like the Apache Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/ApacheDistrict
Apache Twitter Account
Be sure to follow us on twitter @ApacheDistrict
Mecklenburg County Council
Mecklenburg County Council Backpack monthly e-newsletter
Go to https://www.mccscouting.org/
Scroll to the bottom of the page, fill in your “Name” and “Email Address”, then
Click on the blue “Subscribe Now” bar.
Like the Mecklenburg County Council STEM Facebook page
https://b-m.facebook.com/MCCBSASTEM/?ref=page_internal&mt_nav=0
BSA National
Scouting Wire Volunteer Newsletter - The Official Blog of the Scouting Movement.
Bryan on Scouting is the official blog of Scouting magazine, a Boy Scouts of America publication. The blog post is sent as one email per weekday. To subscribe, please go to https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2019/
Smoke Signals. To subscribe, just send a blank e-mail to: smokesignals-subscribe@apachemcc.org from the e-mail address you want subscribed and the rest is automatic.
To Submit a Notice:
If you have any information you would like to share with the district, please send that information to stutucker@aol.com and it will be forwarded to the team to be added. Please make sure you have your contact information included should there be any questions.
To Subscribe or Unsubscribe:
Subscribe: If this E-Newsletter was forwarded to you and you are not on our list, but would like to be added, then please send a blank e-mail to: al@nedrich.com from the e-mail address you want subscribed and the rest is automatic. We do not need any additional information.
To unsubscribe just send an e-mail with unsubscribe in the subject line to: al@nedrich.com from the e-mail address you want unsubscribed and the rest is done automatically.
