Table of Contents
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.
International Wear Your Summer Camp T-Shirt Day
November 10
For over ten years, Camp T-Shirt Day has been a time for the international camp community to celebrate camp and show camp spirit. Use hashtags #CampTshirtDay and #TidewaterBSA to post photos of you and your shirt. This special day provides a dynamic way to engage the community about Scouting and the fun you have at camp.
Outdoor Ethics Virtual Conference
November 13-14
The National Outdoor Ethics Subcommittee will hold the 2020 National Outdoor Ethics Virtual Conference, replacing the in-person conference previously scheduled to be held at Camp Durant in Carthage, NC. The virtual conference will have eight Zoom sessions, each approximately 30-45 minutes in duration. Participants can choose to attend one or all of the conference sessions.
This free Outdoor Ethics conference is especially well-suited for all Scouters interested in current science, methods, and understanding in practicing environmentally appropriate behavior in the outdoors. All Scouters are welcome.
Community Service Opportunity: Elizabeth River Project
November 14
The Elizabeth River Project is holding a waterway cleanup on Saturday, November 14 from 9-11 AM at Paradise Creek Nature Park, 1009 Victory Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23702. Click here for more information and to register.
Order of the Arrow Service and Ordeal Weekend
November 20-21
Blue Heron Lodge has scheduled an additional Service and Ordeal for November 20 to 21. Registration is now available in Tentaroo, and closes at midnight on Sunday, November 15. There are no walk-ins.
This event is open to ALL elected Candidates to attend their Ordeal, as well as those seeking Brotherhood, and all current members to provide service. Let us know your skill set and we can match you to a great project. Help prepare Pipsico for the winter months ahead!
Zomboree
It's never too early to Be Prepared for the apocalypse!
December 5-6
A zombie outbreak is threatening civilization as we know it. The inhabitants of Pipsico City are hunkered down and determined to survive…
Scouts BSA, Venturers, and Explorers are invited to Pipsico Scout Reservation for a competitive camporee-style event that will test your teamwork and Scout skills. Gather your Zombie Survival Team of 4-8 youth now – Registration is limited to the first 250 registrants.
Meals are not provided for this event, but there will be a cracker-barrel.
Order of the Arrow Holiday Banquet
December 12
Join us for the Order of the Arrow Holiday Banquet on December 12 at 6 PM. Registration is open in Tentaroo. The location is soon to be determined.
Wreaths Across America
December 19
Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, the mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 1,600 locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad. Find your local cemetery by visiting wreathsacrossamerica.org.
Winter Festival Camp
December 28-29
Join us for this NEW event for Scouts BSA troops, Venturing crews, Sea Scout ships, and Exploring posts at Pipsico Scout Reservation. There will be some awesome activities and some time for service. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, this event will be two days and one overnight. There will be a modification to the budget following. Details and the guide are coming soon on PipsicoBSA.com. Registration is open on Black Pug. Look for more information in the next EK!
Winter Camp
January 15-18, 2021
Winter Camp is held at Pipsico Scout Reservation. Great merit badge counselors are what make this event the best. Volunteer today and make a positive difference in the life of a Scout on their way to Eagle. Email both Kirsten Misfeldt and Brendan Kane to volunteer. In your email, include:
- What merit badge you wish to counsel
- How many 3-hour sessions needed
- The number of Scouts per session
- Materials and costs
- Pre-requisites
Scouts will make their merit badge selections in November.
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 local Scouting community.
With fall weather finally here, it’s important to stay warm and dry on those fun outdoor activities.
Stay Warm
DRESS WARM with jackets and hoodies for the youth. We have Cub Scout jackets and hoodies ($24.99), a few Cub Scout Columbia Fleece jackets ($34.99), and a small stock of the green youth BSA Columbia Fleece jackets with hoods ($34.99). For adults, the red wool shirt jackets ($79.99) never go out of style and are great for layering. We also have a good selection of Frogg Togg rain suits, ponchos, and insulating Thorlos wool hiking socks (which are on SALE). Come in and stock up!
SLEEP WARM! The Therma-Rest Tech Blanket is another cozy choice for cold weather camping, as the lightweight layer of insulation provides extra warmth. Made with machine washable polyester, this warm 58”x76” blanket sells for $49.99. We have a few Coleman Silverton Mummy sleeping bags (25 degree) for just $59.99. For those caught off-guard on a cold night, pick up an Emergency sleeping bag for just $4.99. Everyone can sleep warm and comfy, even in cooler weather!
Sock Sale
Thorlos wool hiking socks will again be on sale from November 10th – January 2nd. Buy two or more pairs and get 25% off both pairs. Take advantage of this sale while it lasts!
Scout Uniforms
The NEW Scouts BSA shirts and pants are now in stock in ALL sizes. Made of lightweight cotton, polyester, and spandex, they offer a comfortable fit at a good price. These new uniforms are cut smaller than the previous styles, so feel free to try them on at the Scout Shop. We still have many of the previous uniform items selling at discounted prices. Even though the fall sale is over, you can still save money with the older uniforms. Remember – “Once a uniform, always a uniform.”
Pinewood Derby
It’s not too early to plan one of the most exciting Cub Scout events of the year, Pinewood Derby races! Even though National Supply had only a small inventory of the GIFT editions kits, we were able to get a limited supply for our store. If you want gift kits to give before the holidays, pick them up before we run out. All the kits are the same price ($4.99), only the boxes are different.
Giving Thanks
With November being the month of “Thanks,” it can be a good time to think about thanking volunteers during the holiday season. For Scouting gifts, check the website at ScoutShop.org, or come in and browse. We can order any item from National Supply that is not currently in stock at our store.
Order from Home
We are glad to ship orders by USPS for customers who can’t make it to our store. Call us at 757-497-2688 or email polly.fugate@scouting.org. We will get your order together, determine shipping cost, and call you for a VISA or Mastercard number.
Holiday Hours
Our November holiday closings include Veterans Day (Wednesday, November 11) and Thanksgiving weekend (November 26-28).
Popcorn
Thank you!
Thank you to the awesome team of Popcorn Kernels and volunteers who worked together to help with busy days of popcorn returns, pick-ups, and prize distribution. We’d like to give a special shout out to Katie (Princess Anne Pack 407), Erin (Bayside District Kernel), Tony (Princess Anne Pack 405), Matt & Katie (Bayside Pack 628), Rudy (Three Rivers Pack 212), and Beth (Three Rivers District Kernel). This season has become a great team effort, and we couldn’t do it without you!
Bonus Sale
Tidewater Council has popcorn left in stock. How can you help ensure that the most possible funding goes back to local Scouting?
- Check-out additional product and continue selling through November. Sign up for a slot on Sign-Up Genius. Even units that did not sell earlier can get in on the game!
- Donate popcorn to thank our heroes! We are proud to partner with the USO to recognize our service men and women this holiday season.
- Purchase popcorn for yourself, your friends, your family, your business contacts… the list goes on! When you choose to give the gift of BSA popcorn, you not only give a tasty snack, but you are also contributing 70% of the purchase price back to local Scouting!
Online Sales
Online sales continue through December 7. Families with health concerns during the pandemic can sell online safely. Product is shipped directly to the purchaser, there is no money to handle, and there are no shipping charges.
Online sales are ongoing at prpopcornstore.3dcartstores.com. Contact your unit popcorn kernel for your Scout’s Seller ID.
In-Person Sales
Units that are continuing to sell in November can take advantage of pre-booked Show & Sell opportunities at prime locations! Sign-up on Sign-Up Genius. Units may sign up for multiple slots. Each unit is responsible for bringing their own popcorn.
Thank you to Council Popcorn Kernel Pam Samples for coordinating these amazing opportunities!
Donations
Throughout the sale, any donations collected are exclusively designated for the Military Donation Program, whether recceived on order forms or at Show & Sell booths. Units receive 40% commission on Military Donations. You can submit the Unit Military Donation Report at the Scout Shop, during your popcorn pick-up, or by email to Alison Harrison. Please do your part to help us honor our heroes this holiday season!
Prizes and Incentives
Scouts can continue earning prizes through the end of the sale on December 7.
For council-level prizes ($1,700 and below), Unit Popcorn Kernels should fill out the online request form. For Winner’s Circle prizes ($2,500 or $4,000), Unit Popcorn Kernels will submit the request through their Scout Boss account. We are fulfilling patches, Scout’s choice prizes, and RC cars as quickly as possible. All gift cards will be delivered after the sale has ended.
Charter Renewal is Now Open!
Access to online charter renewal opened on November 1, 2020. Keep in mind that online applications were shut down on November 1, so all new members must fill out and submit paper applications.
You can access Internet Rechartering through your My.Scouting account or by clicking here.
Submission
Please Note: All charters must be submitted at one of the Audit/Turn in dates. If for some reason you cannot submit your charter in November, you will need to make special arrangements to have it checked. The council office will not accept unit charters. All charters must be submitted through a commissioner or the district executive no later than December 5, 2020.
Upcoming Audit/Turn-In Dates
Albemarle
- November 21 at 10 AM at Kitty Hawk United Methodist Church, 803 Kitty Hawk Road, Kitty Hawk, NC
- December 3 at 6 PM at Van’s Pizza House, 800 Hughes Blvd., Elizabeth City, NC
Bayside
- November 12 at 6:30 PM at Haygood UMC, 4713 Haygood Road, Virginia Beach, VA
- December 1 at 6:30 PM at Haygood UMC, 4713 Haygood Road, Virginia Beach, VA
Princess Anne
- November 14 at 9 AM at Memorial United Methodist Church, 804 Gammon Road, Virginia Beach, VA
- November 21 at 9 AM at Mary Jayne Breeden Council Service Center, 1032 Heatherwood Drive, Virginia Beach, VA
- December 5 at 9 AM at Mary Jayne Breeden Council Service Center, 1032 Heatherwood Drive, Virginia Beach, VA
- December 12 at 9 AM at Memorial United Methodist Church, 804 Gammon Road, Virginia Beach, VA
Three Rivers
- November 14 from 9AM to 1PM at Grassfield Ruritan Club, 920 Shilleligh Drive, Chesapeake, VA
- November 21 from 9AM to 1PM at New Creation UMC, 4320 Bruce Road, Chesapeake, VA
- December 5 from 9AM to 1PM at Deep Creek UMC, 141 George Washington Highway, Chesapeake VA
Camp Staff for Summer 2021
What are your plans for next summer? Are you looking for an awesome opportunity to learn new things, develop new skills, share what you know, meet new people, work an internship, and enjoy Pipsico Scout Reservation?
We are accepting applications for Counselors in Training, Junior staff, Area directors, Commissioners, and administration. Program areas include aquatics, shooting sports, Scout skills for new Scouts and for seasoned Scouts, handicraft, cook-crew, and more.
You must be at least 14 years of age by June 20, 2021 to be considered. Camp staff is composed of youth, young adults, college students, school teachers, bus drivers, professionals who want to get away from the office, and folks who have an open schedule. Fill out the online application at pipsicobsa.com/summer-camp-programs/staffapplication and we will contact you for an interview.
Camp Baker
Camp Baker is open again for unit rentals. Register at https://campreservation.com/596/Camps/503. There is a per person/per night fee of $1.50 each. Registration closes 4 days out from a given date, so plan ahead. This facility has two sites and a shelter for all to share. There are pit-latrines and a hand-washing station. Units must provide their own water and pack out their trash.
Help Desk
The National Council no longer has a volunteer help desk, so please contact us at helpdesk@tidewaterbsa.com for assistance with any help desk issues. In your email, please include:
- Your Name
- Member ID
- Username
- Date Training Taken
- Browser Used
- Contact Phone Number
- Contact Email Address
- What is the issue? (Password reset, a module is freezing, forgot username, etc.)
Due to high volume, we are unable to respond to phone inquiries; please send all help desk issues via email. If your unit has multiple members who need assistance with the same issue (ex. training validation), please send a single email from the unit and include all of them. This will assist us in expediting your request.
How to Find an Alternative Meeting Location for Your Unit
Scout meetings hold everything together and provide a solid foundation to deliver the other elements of a successful Scouting experience. But what do you do when you don’t have a meeting location?
Bryan on Scouting laid out a 5-step plan for finding an alternative meeting location:
- Check the Restart Scouting Checklist
- Talk to your chartered organization and/or local council
- Conduct a safety check/walkthrough of your new meeting spot
- Notify everyone about your new meeting location/time
- Meet and adjust as necessary
Flag Retirement
Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Kempsville Branch 99 has been accepting flags for retirement. With fewer retirement ceremonies occurring due to COVID-19, the FRA now has over 1,000 flags awaiting retirement. If your unit is able to assist, please contact Mike Deon at 757-631-7268 or tgm95@hotmail.com.
Scout Strong - BeMedWise
Fifty percent of teens begin to self-medicate with OTC medicines in their homes as early as age 11. Designed to complement existing Scouts BSA and Venturing program materials, the BeMedWise program consists of four 15-minute exercises that can be led at regularly scheduled meetings.
Religious Awards
In 2019, 42 Scouts earned a religious award, up from 33 Scouts in 2018. That’s an increase of 27%!
Scouts can work on awards for their own religion with a designated mentor. The Scout Shop carries the student and counselor workbooks for several denominations. Adult mentors typically are nominated by the church or religious group for their years of service to youth and their support of the religious awards program.
Philmont
Are you looking for a way to come to Philmont in 2021 but don’t have a crew? There are several individual programs that bring together groups from all across the country. Learn more online.
COVID-19 Assistance
Does your family need assistance due to COVID-19? Tidewater Council is a partner agency with United Way of South Hampton Roads and Albemarle Area United Way, as well as a member of the Unite Us Hampton Roads United Coordinated Network and NCCARE360. North Carolina families, please reach out to NCCARE360 to request assistance. Virginia families, please contact the United Way of South Hampton Roads Coronavirus Response team. For other coordinated care referrals unrelated to COVID-19, please contact us.
The BSA has released tips and videos for Coping with COVID-19.
Scouts in Action
Congratulations to to the newest Eagle Scout in Princess Anne District, Adam C. of Troop 7!
Albemarle District hosted its Highlander Games Fall Camporee on October 23-25 in Maple, NC. The weather was beautiful, and the Scouts and Scouters alike had fun the entire weekend.
All patrols used teamwork to try to lead the way in events including Clachneart, Storming the Castle, Farmer’s Walk, and a Kilt Run. The Scouts even cheered on their leaders in the Caber Toss. Congratulations to the winning patrol: The “Ocean Raiders” of Troop 116!
Princess Anne District Scouts had a fun-filled Gold Rush event at Mt. Trashmore on October 17.
Three Rivers Pack 55 had an awesome campout at Pipsico Scout Reservation. Scouts who reached their popcorn sales goal were able to pie the Cubmaster!
Princess Anne Pack 585 held a family fishing day and pumpkin carving contest. They also used their fall fun day as a recruiting opportunity, by asking each Scout to bring a friend to experience the adventure of Cub Scouting!
Princess Anne Troop 362 had a ghoulishly good time at the Norfolk Masonic Temple Haunted Temple.
While working on the Law Merit Badge, Troop 362 held a mock trial.
Thank you to Doc Thrush and to the Kiwanis Club of Virginia Beach for donating gravel for road improvements at Camp Kiwanis, Pipsico Scout Reservation!
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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