Friends of Scouting
Despite the challenges over the last few weeks, our Friends of Scouting efforts are continuing. Tidewater Council has a 2020 Friends of Scouting goal to raise $375,000 by June 4. Reaching this goal will enable us to reduce or eliminate the program fee, making Scouting more accessible for our families.
Our efforts have, of course, been hindered by cancellations of family presentations and the postponement of the Annual Leadership Breakfast. But it is now more important than ever that the families and businesses who have the means to support Scouting continue to give generously. Families who are economically-impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are depending on us to make Scouting more affordable for all.
The recently-passed CARES Act includes a provision for taxpayers who don’t itemize to take an “above the line” deduction for charitable gifts of up to $300 ($600 for a married couple). This means that gifts to Tidewater Council may be tax deductible, even if you take the standard deduction. This is not intended as legal advice; please consult with your tax adviser.
Progress as of March 31, 2020:
Each district shares a portion of the overall goal.
District progress as of March 31, 2020:
Upcoming Events
Many events have been postponed due to COVID-19. Click here for a continuously updated list of event changes. Tidewater Council’s official updates and policies can be found here.
Jamboree on the Internet
April 3-5
Join Scouts from around the world for a one-of-a-kind special edition of Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI)! This is a special version of the yearly JOTA-JOTI event (which is still scheduled to take place in October as it does each year).
JOTI will bring fun and education to the homes of young people around the world during a challenging time. You can learn about safety measures, mental and physical health, and digitally engage as global citizens through a range of different activities. The best part is, you’ll make new friends from around the world!
Virtual Campfires
Every Saturday, starting April 4
Connect with your fellow Scouts with a weekly Virtual Campfire. Hosted by Troop 5212 on Zoom, the Virtual Campfires will occur at 8:30 PM every Saturday night until the COVID-19 isolation is over.
Please invite your unit’s Scouts to join from their backyards, living rooms, or kitchen tables. We look forward to fun and fellowship around the campfire!
To ensure the safety of all youth participants, please contact Scoutmaster Shelley Drisko at scoutmastert5212@gmail.com for log-on information.
Scout Night with the Norfolk Tides
June 12
Take me out to the ballgame! Join us at Harbor Park to cheer on the Norfolk Tides. Just prior to game time, the Scouts and adults in uniform will march around the field for the National Anthem and Scout Oath. Don’t miss the opportunity to camp out on the field after the game!
Tickets and camping vouchers are now available in the Scout Shop.
Day Camps
June and July
All Cub Scouts are invited to attend day camp this summer! There will be six camps throughout the council area.
Each day camp is a full week of adventure. Staffed by a team of volunteers, day camp activities include sports and games, academics, STEM and science activities, nature exploration, crafts, marksmanship, and skits and songs. Registration is coming soon on Black Pug.
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.
With warmer weather and cabin fever increasing, enjoying time outdoors is appealing. Why not plan a backyard campout? Please be sure to follow all current safety guidelines.
Even with home just a few feet away, all-weather campers will find many items at the Scout Shop to brave the springtime rains.
Stay dry with 2-piece Frogg Togg rainsuits – lightweight, breathable, and waterproof. Wear them over your clothes to stay completely dry. These rainsuits, available in youth sizes S – L and adult sizes S – XL, are worth every penny ($19.99 for all sizes). We also have rain ponchos for youth and adults ($3.99) and compact emergency blankets – waterproof, windproof, and just $2.99.
Sleep dry with Weston tents ($89.99), which are made of coated polyester, have a rainfly, waterproof floors, and even sewn-in mud mats. These tents can sleep two adults or four smaller children.
Camp dry with many other waterproof items. We carry waterproof matches ($3.99/160 count), waterproof fanny packs ($9.99), waterproof phone pouches ($8.99), large waterproof pouches ($5.99), 6-litre dry sacks ($15.99), and large collapsible storage bins, 19” high by 14” with a water-resistant liner and Velcro closure lid ($14.99).
We have new patches to celebrate events, like visiting a police or fire station, camping, marching in a parade, hiking, Scouting for Food, flag ceremonies, service projects, learning new knots, and even cake decorating. These fun patches sell for just $1.79 each, and we can always order more.
New uniform pants in youth sizes are now available at the Scout Shop. This new style is made of stretch canvas with 66% cotton, 32% polyester, and 2% spandex. They zip off at the knee and youth sizes (8-20) are $44.99. We still have stock on the previous styles, and they are selling for $5 OFF the original price while they last.
While many people are staying in these days, the Scout Shop is open with modified hours. The new hours are:
Tuesday – Friday: 11 AM – 4 PM
Saturday: Noon – 3 PM
Sunday – Monday: Closed
As always, we accept orders by phone (757-497-2688) or email (polly.fugate@scouting.org) with USPS shipping.
Our next holiday closing is April 6-11 for the week of Easter.
Scouting at Home
There are many resources to help you continue your youth’s Scouting program while at home. Some units are doing virtual campouts, meetings, and merit badge sessions. Packs are holding den meetings online.
Despite current challenges, it’s still a good time to invite friends to experience Scouting. Send a link to your virtual meeting or event to a family that is not involved in Scouting. Ask a friend to complete one of the Scouting 30-Day Challenges with you. Give them something new to read by ordering a handbook or merit badge pamphlet and having it shipped to them. Tell friends the innovative ways you’ve found to continue the fun of Scouting while practicing social distancing. You can use Scouting’s resources to connect with homebound friends.
If your friends are having fun and want to join, you can invite them to your unit through Be-A-Scout. Parents can even fill out an application and pay fees online.
Advancement
Many questions regarding advancement have arisen as we deal with closures, cancellations, or other issues caused by the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Although there are difficulties and constraints, advancement can continue. Youth, parents, and leaders should work together to implement creative, common sense ways to facilitate advancement while adhering to the Guide to Safe Scouting and following the rules of Youth Protection training.
Religious Awards Extension
Recognizing that church and Scout meetings have been suspended, Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (P.R.A.Y.) aims to ensure that young people do not miss the opportunity to earn their P.R.A.Y. emblem, while maintaining eligibility for the Four-Star Award. P.R.A.Y. has adopted the following policy:
At the request of clergy and counselors, a special eligibility extension is in effect until December 31, 2020. This means that students who are eligible for a program based on their current grade level in March 2020, will still be eligible to earn that award until the end of this calendar year, December 31, 2020. Instead of aging out of a program in the fall when starting a new grade at school, the P.R.A.Y. extension will allow young people to complete their requirements until December 31, 2020.
With time at home for spring breaks and self-quarantines, there is a good chance youth will be battling cabin fever. This may be a good time for families to work on the appropriate religious awards. The Scout Shop has workbooks for several denominations for sale.
Camp Cards and Nuts
Camp Cards
The 2020 Camp Card Sale is continuing, with sales dates from April 6 – June 15. There are several local deals that can be used now, including Harris Teeter, Firehouse Subs, and Wendy’s. Many of the other deals that you’ll be able to enjoy after this time of social distancing do not expire until March 2021. Contact your district executive to see a sample card.
In addition, each card comes with a unique code to access special deals nationwide. This means that you can sell to family and friends across the country with a phone call or email.
The 2020 Camp Card Sale is a RISK-FREE fundraiser. Each cards costs $10, and the unit receives a 50% commission ($5 per card sold). Unsold cards will be accepted in their original condition if returned by June 15, 2020.
Since the Scouts can’t use traditional sales methods, like show and sells, it’s time to get creative!
- Call or email family and friends nationwide – sell them on the national electronically-accessible deals.
- Parents working remotely may be able to tell their coworkers about the sale on their next conference call or via email.
- Post on Nextdoor or other neighborhood social media.
- Ask your chartering organization, church, civic league, or homeowners’ association to publicize your sale in their next email.
- Deliver cards by mail or send the nationwide discount codes electronically.
- Share your creative ideas with Bill Lawrence to be included in our next newsletter!
When Scouts are able to gather in person once again, they will be eager enjoy the great outdoors. This risk-free fundraiser is an opportunity for Scouts to earn their way to those adventures. Make sure to follow recommended COVID-19 policies and be mindful and considerate of families who are facing financial strain. Ensure card delivery is done in a safe manner, such as setting staggered times for card pick-up and delivery.
What’s next?
- Fill out a camp card contract and email it to Susan Miley-Petrehn by April 3.
- Schedule a pick-up time online. Due to COVID-19, we will be staggering times from April 6-8. Contact your district executive for additional options.
- Sell the cards and check out more cards.
- Submit payments and return unsold cards by June 15.
Nuts for Camping
Tidewater Council partnered with Whitley’s Peanut Factory to go “Nuts for Camping,” offering ten products for Scouting units.
- Sales brochures are available in the Scout Shop lobby.
- The deadline date for orders is Monday, April 20.
- All orders are prepaid. Units drop their orders off by/before the deadline dates with payment.
- Delivery will be approximately one week after the order deadline. We will call the unit contact on the order form when the order is available for pick up at the Scout Shop.
- We will not accept returns.
- Nuts for Camping offers units a flat 40% commission for all nut products sold.
- Units are responsible for their own incentive plans.
- Nuts for Camping, as any Boy Scouts of America unit earning opportunity, is a unit fundraiser. Families may not operate outside of their unit for fundraising.
Summer Camp Staff
Are you going stir crazy and dreaming of summer fun? We are hiring summer camp staff for Pipsico Scout Reservation. Make new friends, learn new skills, enjoy the great outdoors, eat really good food, earn a little money (or get service hours), develop your leadership skills, and be part of an awesome team. We are looking for self-motivated folks who can work independently and handle personal responsibility.
We are interviewing for all program areas, including Administration, Scoutcraft, Handicraft, Climbing, Aquatics (Lifeguards), Shooting Sports, Huskanaw, and Kitchen Crew.
Know someone who is looking for an internship for school or work? Encourage them to apply!
For more information, contact Kirsten Misfeldt.
Interviews
Interviews will be conducted by phone or teleconference. Please email Kirsten Misfeldt to set an appointment.
Leader Training
While you are social distancing, it’s a good time to update your Youth Protection Training. Youth Protection Training must expire on or after the charter expires. Taking this training now will help you to be ready for the charter renewal this fall.
With hurricane season coming up soon, take a few moments to check your Hazardous Weather training. This training must be renewed every two years and be valid at charter renewal. Hazardous Weather training takes about an hour to complete.
Are you changing positions in the next year? Online position training is available for most positions.
National Scout Jamboree
Character is created when you achieve more than you thought possible.
Young people can achieve more than they believe possible. Scouting uniquely prepares its members to redefine their boundaries, push past them, and emerge from the experience with the confidence that, no matter the challenge, they can meet it.
Participants in the 2021 National Jamboree will learn that perceived limits are self-imposed, and no future is out of reach for a group of committed people who are prepared to face the challenge.
The 2021 National Scout Jamboree will be held July 21-30, 2021 at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. Registration is now live at jamboree.scouting.org and payments are made to the council office. Information on the council contingent can be found online. Contact TWCNSJ2021@gmail.com for a presentation at your unit.
Scouts in Action
COVID-19 is not stopping Pack 117, as they laid out plans for the coming weeks. They announced the “Pack 117 Challenge” for Cub Scouts to win prizes, stay engaged, and continue enjoying Scouting.
Livestream videos led by unit leaders included:
- Peach Cobbler Dutch Oven Recipe
- Marble Monday Madness
- Adventures in Coins
Cub Scouts were challenged to:
- Cook dinner for their family using only ingredients they already had at home
- Create a new outdoor game with their family
- Collect foreign or U.S. coins from around the house and make a coin rubbing
- Pitch a tent indoors or outdoors – and sleep in the tent all night!
The pack kept families coming back for more with fun, engaging activities and prizes. Prizes included a pack hoodie, pack t-shirt, Wendy’s Frosty coupons, and a free future camping trip, including site rental and food.
Cubmaster Alex LeFevre said, “I think it is important to keep our Scouts engaged in the Life of Scouting.”
Scouts from Troop 934 continue working on advancement, despite the challenges of social distancing. During the week of March 22-28, several Scouts began working on merit badges including Art, Citizenship in the Community, Reading, Scholarship, and Traffic Safety.
Troops 67 and 5067 got creative! They invited Scouts from both the boy troop and the girl troop to participate in a series of weekly challenges.
For Week 1: Firebuilding, the Scouts were asked to build a fire and roast a s’more above it. They received bonus points for creative s’mores. The Scouts shared photos and videos with each other.
The troops encouraged the Scouts to, “Have fun and Scout on!”
Thank you to Chris Adler, Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 212, for donating landscaping services and mulch for the Mary Jayne Breeden Council Service Center!
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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