Table of Contents
Upcoming Events
Training Courses
January 11
Are you looking for an opportunity to hone your training skills? Join us at Deep Creek United Methodist Church, 141 George Washington Highway North, Chesapeake, VA 23323. Lunch will be provided for those who register for both The Fundamentals of Training and Trainer’s EDGE.
The Fundamentals of Training
Are you a new Scout trainer? Get an introduction to teaching techniques and skills!
Do you have experience training for other organizations? Learn the BSA’s training techniques!
Are you an experienced Scout trainer? Freshen up your skills!
Are you a unit instructor or Troop Guide? Improve your ability to help other youth learn new skills!
Participants learn the tools of good communication and training, including characteristics of good trainers, how people learn, and training methods. Check-in starts at 7:30 AM.
Trainer's EDGE
Leadership training is a major part of Scouting. The Trainer’s EDGE is BSA’s trainer development course, which teaches Scout leaders how to conduct an effective training session using BSA’s preferred training approaches, including the EDGE method. In addition, this course provides Scouters opportunities to prepare and deliver an oral presentation and develop new skills using hands-on experience in methods and media. This course is required for all NYLT and Wood Badge staff and is helpful for all unit leaders to effectively teach and train youth. All Trainer’s EDGE participants should come prepared to give a 10-15 minute presentation on any Scouting topic. Check-in starts at 12:30 PM.
For more information on either course, contact Erich Röetz at 757-679-5580 or Mike Zemienieuski at 757-617-7440.
Connect with the Rovers
January 14
Rovers is a local pilot program for young adults, ages 21 through 34.
Have lunch with us! January 14 at 11 AM at The Dirty Buffalo, 4213 E. Little Creek Road, Norfolk, VA 23518.
Winter Camp
January 17-20
The Winter Camp Merit Badge Guidebook, listing class selections, is available online. Registration for Merit Badge sessions is now available. Winter Camp is full, but we are in need of Merit Badge Counselors and assistance in the dining hall. Contact Kirsten Misfeldt at 757-323-6172 for more information.
Adams Award Deadline
January 21
The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award to recognize valuable service of an exceptional nature by an Eagle Scout candidate to a religious institution, school, community, or other entity through completion of an Eagle Scout project.
An Eagle Scout, their parents, or any registered BSA volunteer (with the Eagle Scout’s permission) may submit an Eagle Scout service project for consideration. A copy of the service project workbook and the nomination form must be submitted to the council’s NESA committee by January 21, 2020.
University of Scouting
January 25
Join us at Hickory Middle School to improve your Scouting knowledge. This all-day event has course selections for all Scouting programs. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for youth. Contact Dave Berger for more information.
Scouting for Food
February 1-8
Scouting for Food is an annual food-collection drive, and one of the many service projects the Boy Scouts of America has conducted since 1910.
Over 13% of residents in our council geography – 154,000 people – are food insecure. Scouts can help make an impact by participating in Scouting for Food.
The plan is simple:
- Sign up online to participate.
- At your district’s January Roundtable, select the area where your unit will distribute tags.
- Distribute tags in your selected area on February 1, 2020.
- Pick up the food left outside homes on February 8, 2020.
- Deliver the food to your chartering organization’s food pantry or to a centralized district drop-off point.
- Remember to report the amount of food collected and your service hours.
Please help us increase Scouting’s visibility and give back to our community!
Coin Collecting Merit Badge
February 8
The Tidewater Coin Club will sponsor the Coin Collecting merit badge at the February Virginia Beach Coin Show. The program takes place at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. Please contact Brian Wierzbicki at 904-607-6973 for registration or additional information.
Award Deadlines
February 8
District Award of Merit
The District Award of Merit honors Scouters who render service of an outstanding nature at the district level. Nomination forms are due to the council by February 8. (You cannot self-nominate.) The recipients will be honored at district volunteer recognition events in March.
Nominees must:
- be registered Scouters.
- have given “noteworthy service to youth,” either inside or outside of Scouting—or both.
- have gone beyond the duties of their volunteer position.
- maintain a positive attitude and work in cooperation with the district and council.
Silver Beaver
The Silver Beaver Award is a council‐level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. Silver Beaver recipients implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. It is given to those who do not seek it. (You cannot self-nominate.) Nomination forms are due to the council by February 8. Recipients will be honored at the council recognition event on March 31.
Nominees must:
- be registered Scouters.
- have given “noteworthy service to youth,” either inside or outside of Scouting—or both.
- have gone beyond the duties of their volunteer position.
- maintain a positive attitude and work in cooperation with the district and council.
Klondike Derby
February 28 - March 1
Are you ready to work as a team, experience cold weather camping, hone your basic outdoor skills, and escape the Klondike? Find your teammates and fill your sled with gear so you can meet the four challenge areas throughout Camp Lions at Pipsico. Friday night, you will have your sled inspected for safety and being prepared. Saturday morning, your first challenge is to prepare breakfast for your team with the ingredients given you. Then, after heading out on the trail, you will be served lunch. The other meals are all for the teams to bring. You will continue on to finish the Klondike Trail and earn your points. On Sunday, we will recognize the team that earned the most points. Everyone receives a cool patch, just for giving the challenge a try.
Start building that sled – you can find some concepts and plans on the Pipsico Klondike Derby webpage.
Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner
May 14
Save the date to honor the 2019 class of Eagle Scouts and Summit Award recipients. This event will take place at 7 PM at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Virginia Beach.
News
Scout Shop
Shop Local! The Tidewater Council Scout Shop is the only place where you can purchase official BSA merchandise and have the proceeds stay in our Scouting community.
HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Scout Shop! As we begin 2020, we look forward to serving all your needs from Pinewood Derbies to crossovers, Scout Sunday to Blue & Gold, and anything in between!
Pinewood Derby – We still have plenty of cars in stock. Buy 10 or more cars and get a 25-cent discount on each car (regular price $4.49 each, discount price $4.24 each). Need advice on speed or design? We have books to help you get the best of both. Stay “tuned” to some new and exciting accessories and add-ons! We also have the Pinewood Derby “wedges,” blocks of wood cut at an incline (for those who prefer not to use a saw), for $3.49 each.
Winter Camping – We have a variety of cold weather sleeping bags, pads, jackets, and caps all for colder weather! Keep your feet warm and dry with our wool Thorlo socks. Come in and browse our camping section so you can be prepared for winter camping.
Journey to Excellence (JTE) patches – Units may use the 2019 JTE order form to order the patches for which they qualify, which come in bronze, silver, and gold ($1.99 each). Units that qualify may order the ones with 100% Boys’ Life. Patches are NOT automatically ordered based on the unit qualifying. The council will provide JTE ribbons. Orders are placed weekly and must be PREPAID, so the sooner your order is received, the sooner your unit can begin proudly wearing JTE patches.
A big THANKS to our wonderful volunteers who came to help with inventory: Mike & Sharon Scott, Tim & Nancy Roisen, Mary Jo & Daniel Robins, Georg Dahl, Kathy Lull, Michelle Barrett, Elena Kaneta, and Gene Hoffman. These folks make a long and tedious job much easier!
As always, we are glad to ship orders by USPS for the amount of the order plus shipping (never any handling fees). Feel free to call us (757-497-2688) with an order using Visa or Mastercard (a 3% fee is charged with any debit/credit transaction).
Our next holiday closing is Monday, January 20, 2020 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
2021 National Scout Jamboree
National Scout Jamboree – the ultimate Scouting experience – is coming to The Summit in West Virginia on July 21-30, 2021. We are looking for volunteers like you to lead our contingent and experience this unbelievable Scouting adventure.
Contingent Leaders
Adults interested in serving as contingent leaders should complete the leader application and submit it to dale@daleward.com. Applicants will be interviewed by the Jamboree Committee and recommended for selection.
Youth Participants
Sign up now to experience the best of Scouting, all in one place! Enjoy treetop canopy tours, rock climbing, ATVs, zip lining, stadium shows, and much more. Youth applications are now available.
Be Prepared
Participation in the National Scout Jamboree is a physically demanding experience. The layout, grade, and elevation of the site requires substantial walking. Activities like climbing, rappelling, rafting, mountain biking, and skateboarding require fitness and stamina. Prepare yourself now for the physical demands of the Summit. Keep physically strong so you are ready to Face the Challenge.
Pinewood Derby
Packs, districts, and the council each are planning their Pinewood Derbies. The 2020 rules are finalized and the Scout Shop is fully stocked with car kits. Are you ready for the races?
What is a Unit Commissioner?
A unit commissioner is a volunteer Scouter who works with units and leaders to help them provide the highest quality Scouting program possible.
Unit commissioners:
- Are friends, teachers, and counselors to unit leaders
- Represent the ideals, principles, and policies of the Boy Scouts of America
- Provide the units they serve with the resources of the district and council
- Help units succeed
Tidewater Council is looking for adults with a passion for Scouting who are willing to help one or more units provide a quality Scouting program for their youth. Prior Scouting experience is helpful but not necessary. A friendly personality, a desire to help others succeed, the ability to listen, and a willingness to learn are “musts.” Former Scout unit leaders, local business and community leaders, retired adults, and others who desire to support Scouting are great candidates for this position.
Those interested should contact their district commissioner:
Albemarle: Frances Creel
Bayside: Ralph Ingraham
Princess Anne: Joe Perry
Three Rivers: Amanda Warren
Journey to Excellence 2020
Journey to Excellence (JTE) is a unit planning tool and year-round checklist of fun activities for the Scouts. By using the workbooks and guidebooks, you can help ensure that your unit delivers a high-quality Scouting program to the youth.
Using the concept of continuous improvement, units can measure their success using standardized and simple measurements. You track how many campouts or outdoor activities your unit has, how many youth are advancing, and how your unit is growing in membership.
Every year a group of volunteers from across the country review the data for each criterion. Benchmarks are adjusted as needed so everyone is challenged to improve. The philosophy from the start of JTE has been for 10% of councils, districts, and units to achieve gold status, the next 40% to achieve silver status, and the next 30% to achieve bronze status.
Help Needed
Service Projects at Pipsico
During the winter months, there is opportunity to work on certain areas of camp while the vegetation is dormant. We are looking for adults who are willing to take the lead and coordinate the work parties to accomplish the projects. There is an area on the way into Camp Kiwanis where unwanted items have been deposited over the years. Please help us clean that area and dispose of these items properly. Several other larger projects will require coordinated work groups. Please contact Ron Misfeldt at mustangron@aol.com or 757-646-1384 to volunteer or for more information.
Summer Camp Staff
With the cold weather settling in, are you dreaming of those warmer summer months? What you will be doing next summer? Join the staff at Pipsico and be part of an awesome team.
We are interviewing for all program areas, including Scoutcraft, Handicraft, Climbing, Aquatics, Shooting Sports, Huskanaw, and Kitchen Crew. For more information, contact Kirsten Misfeldt.
Scouts in Action
Local Scouts volunteered with wreath-laying ceremonies at veteran cemeteries with Wreaths Across America on December 14. Wreaths Across America is an annual event coordinated with over 1,600 locations across all 50 states, at sea, and abroad.
Pack 127 of Maple, NC participated at New Hollywood Cemetery in Elizabeth City, NC and Moyock Cemetery in Moyock, NC.
Pack 496 of Virginia Beach, VA went to Albert G. Horton Jr. Cemetery in Suffolk, VA. In a ceremony following the wreath-laying, the Scouts met the Mayor of Virginia Beach and the son of the cemetery’s namesake veteran.
We want to hear from you! Send stories, photos, and videos of your Scouts in action to alison.harrison@scouting.org (with parental permission, of course).
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