Table of Contents
Friends of Scouting
Friends of Scouting is Tidewater Council’s annual giving campaign. The Friends of Scouting campaign provides 21% of the council’s annual budget – that means more than a fifth of every dollar in the council budget comes from the generosity of Scouting families, alumni, and community supporters. Friends of Scouting keeps the overall cost of Scouting affordable so all families can participate.
Campaign Progress as of April 13, 2023
Each district shares a portion of the overall goal:
Has your unit scheduled its 2023 Friends of Scouting presentation? It is a great opportunity to hear about some of the council’s highlights and accomplishments over the past year, and to illustrate to families how the program is funded. All units that hold a Friends of Scouting presentation will receive a special ribbon for their unit flag. Contact your district executive to schedule your presentation.
Upcoming Events
Princess Anne District Spring Camporee
April 21-23
The Princess Anne District Spring Camporee is coming up soon – sign up now!
- Scout Skills, including camping and cooking, for younger Scouts led by older Scouts
- Trailer Rodeo on Saturday – check out other troops’ designs!
- Youth cookoff on Saturday night with a potluck and judging
- Cookoff for adults
- OA Call Out Ceremony on Saturday night conducted by the Princess Anne Chapter of the Blue Heron Lodge
The Camporee will be held at the Columbian Club of Virginia Beach. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Mike Maruska at mikemaruska1179@gmail.com or 757-641-2373.
NATO Festival Parade of Nations
April 22
The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) is a worldwide youth organization that promotes the development of young people through outdoor activities and other educational programs. Scouting encourages young people to learn new skills, build friendships, and develop leadership abilities.
The International Scouting movement is closely linked to NATO, as both organizations share a common goal of promoting peace, security, and international cooperation. The NATO Festival celebrates the alliance between NATO and its member countries. Volunteering for events like the NATO Festival is an excellent way to get involved in the community and meet new people.
Tidewater Council Scouting units are invited to volunteer for the NATO Festival Parade of Nations through Downtown Norfolk on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 10:00-11:30 AM. Scouts are asked to wear their field uniforms. Bring your flags, Scouts, and families. Please contact Nikki Nieves at nnieves@vafest.org to volunteer.
Immediately following the parade, visit the International Village at Town Point Park from 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM. Explore international heritage with cultural performances, art, cuisine, and more. If you would like to help staff the International Scouting table at the International Village, please submit this interest form.
The event also has community service opportunities. If your unit is interested in assisting with building and repair of parade floats, carrying banners for different nations’ floats, helping with customer relations, or other volunteer opportunities, please contact Nikki Nieves at nnieves@vafest.org.
Participation in this event could help complete requirements for Citizenship in the World, International Spirit Award, and the Arrow of Light Building a Better World Adventure.
Apex Family Fun Day
April 23
Apex Entertainment invites Tidewater Council for a Family Fun Day on Sunday, April 23, 2023 from 2 PM – 5 PM. Play games, drive cars, and putt around for a good cause. Proceeds support Scouting in our community.
Purchase a $20 ticket in advance at https://scoutingevent.com/596-apex23.
The $20 ticket includes:
- One (1) round of Mini-Golf
- One (1) round of Bumper Cars
- Two (2) 30-Minute Non-Redemption Arcade Cards
- Free bowling shoe rentals with the purchase of a bowling lane
$5 of each ticket purchased will be donated back to Scouting!
Capture the Flag!
Albemarle District Spring Camporee
April 28-30
A camporee is many things—camping fun for youth, the thumping of hundreds of feet on the way to an evening campfire, and the blue smoke from fires cooking stew or ham and eggs. It’s the ripple of wind-blown flags in the morning sun. It’s catching the idea of teamwork in a patrol.
This year, Albemarle District will hold its Spring Camporee April 28-30, 2023 at Maple Commerce Park in Maple, NC. The theme is Capture the Flag. Scouts will be challenged while having fun in competitions based upon skills in the Scouts BSA handbook. Come ready for an active and exciting day. Teamwork, physical fitness, sportsmanship, and other skills will be tested by the day’s events.
Don’t forget to bring ingredients to compete in the patrol cook-off. Whip up your tastiest vittles and win the coveted Golden Spatula.
Scout Day at The Adventure Park
May 7
The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium presents Boy Scouts Tidewater Council Day on May 7, 2023!
Members of Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouting, and Exploring, and their guests, are invited to enjoy an “adventure in the trees,” with aerial trails, challenge bridges, and zip lines. Scouts and their guests can register at the discounted rate of $45, and Scouts who bring a uniform item will receive a special patch. Per the Guide to Safe Scouting and the the BSA’s Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities, this event is not for Cub Scout packs.
Each timed ticket will include a 30-minute safety briefing and harnessing session and a three-hour climbing session. Register for your climbing adventure here.
Council Recognition Banquet
May 11
The Annual Recognition Banquet is held each year to recognize Eagle Scouts and the volunteers of Tidewater Council. Some of the highlights of the evening will be the presentation of the George Coker 2022 Class of Eagle Scouts, Silver Beaver Awards, and NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Awards. The evening will start with dinner served by our own Blue Heron Lodge cook crew. This will be a night of food and fellowship you will not want to miss. Join us on May 11, 2023 at 6 PM at the Khedive Shrine Center, 645 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, VA. Registration is open on Black Pug.
Wilderness First Aid
May 13-14
Wilderness first aid, or “WFA”, commonly refers to any training course that focuses on prevention, assessment, and treatment for an ill or injured person in a remote environment where definitive care by a physician and/or rapid transport is not readily available. It is essential to have some basic principles of wilderness first aid and know how to apply them, even under stress. Knowing how to treat minor injuries and keep serious casualties stable until further help is available can make a difference in an emergency situation. Although there are innumerable injuries and ailments, the basic principles of first aid can be applied to almost any situation.
All High Adventure Bases require that at least one person in each crew (Philmont requires two) be currently certified in Wilderness First Aid or the equivalent, and CPR from the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or equivalent. Wilderness First Aid is recommended for any unit that is conducting backcountry hiking or camping trips. Attending this training also meets one of the requirements for the Venturing Ranger Award.
Tidewater Council will be offering a Wilderness First Aid course on May 13-14. Registration is now open.
Scouting for Blood Drive
May 17
Did you know that one donation of blood can save up to three lives? Or that every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood? Tidewater Council is partnering with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive through the Pint-Size Hero program. This program introduces youth to the components of blood and the importance of blood donation. Scouts have the opportunity to demonstrate leadership by recruiting blood donors, hosting drives, and engaging in the community.
WHEN:
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
WHERE:
Tidewater Council
Mary Jayne Breeden Council Service Center
1032 Heatherwood Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
TIME:
1-6 PM
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT:
There are two easy ways to schedule your appointment:
1. Visit redcrossblood.org and use the sponsor code “TidewaterBSA” in the “Find a Blood Drive” field.
2. Make your appointment on the American Red Cross Blood Donor App.
CONTACT:
Nicole Moga
704-564-5565
Nmoga149@yahoo.com
CPR for Professional Rescuers
May 18
CPR for Professional Rescuers is for people who will be serving on Aquatics Staff at summer camp or are registered to take BSA Lifeguard training. You must complete the online session prior to attending the in-person skills demonstration.
As part of our commitment to support safer communities, and support you in all that you do, we are proud to partner with the American Red Cross to offer this course.
The in-person portion of the course will be held at the Mary Jayne Breeden Council Service Center on Thursday, May 18.
Adult First Aid/CPR/AED Training
May 20
The Adult First Aid/CPR/AED course incorporates the latest science and teaches students to recognize and care for a variety of first aid emergencies, such as burns, cuts, scrapes, sudden illnesses, and how to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies for victims about 12 years and older. Successful students will receive a certificate for Adult First Aid/CPR/AED valid for two years. This is a blended learning course; you must complete the online portion before taking one of the skills demonstration sessions.
Registration is now open. There will be three sessions on May 20, limited to 12 students per session.
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)
May 26-29 and June 2-4
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is an exciting, action-packed program designed to provide youth Scouts with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home troops and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others.
The NYLT course centers around the concepts of what a leader must BE, what they must KNOW, and what they must DO. The key elements are then taught with a clear focus on HOW TO.
The skills comes alive during the week as the patrol goes on a Quest for the Meaning of Leadership. Content is delivered in a troop and patrol outdoor setting with an emphasis on immediate application of learning in a fun environment. Interconnecting concepts and work processes are introduced early, built upon, and aided by the use of memory aids, which allows participants to understand and employ the leadership skills much faster.
The 2023 course will be held over two weekends: May 26-29 and June 2-4. Scouts must attend both weekends to complete the course.
Portsmouth Memorial Day Parade
May 29
Scout groups are invited to participate in the historic 139th Anniversary of Portsmouth’s Memorial Day Parade. Thousands of spectators, dignitaries, and elected officials are expected to watch from the viewing stand and along the parade route.
Decoration Day began in the 1860s. It was an opportunity to honor fallen soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers. Most celebrations occurred around May 30, as it is the date plants are flowering in every part of the country. Decoration Day gradually came to be known as Memorial Day and, in 1971, the United States Congress recognized the day as a National Holiday honoring all fallen soldiers.
Parade units should remember the reason behind Memorial Day and incorporate something patriotic into their display, such as carrying United States flags, carrying a banner honoring fallen soldiers, or playing patriotic music.
The parade is a rain or shine event. It departs from I.C. Norcom High School (High Street side) at 10 AM and travels down High Street to Water Street, disbanding at the Water Street lot.
To participate, please return the entry form to Renee’ Spratley by May 1, 2023.
Popcorn 101 Training
May 30
Designed for new Unit Popcorn Kernels, Popcorn 101 training lays the groundwork for a successful popcorn sale.
- Great resource course for new Unit Popcorn Kernels!
- Gain fundamental knowledge BEFORE the popcorn arrives!
- Chock-full of helpful tips!
- Entry-level information to help form a successful popcorn fundraiser, from start to finish!
- Networking opportunity that shouldn’t be missed!
- Come join us for a popping-good time!
This training will be offered both in-person at the Mary Jayne Breeden Council Service Center and virtually. For questions, contact Tony Montemurno at kerneltbaloney@gmail.com.
Three Rivers District Recognition Banquet
May 31
Scouters and their families are invited to attend a special evening of recognition for Three Rivers district adult leadership. The event will take place at New Creation United Methodist Church in Chesapeake.
To nominate worthy Scouters for district awards, please download the awards packet and submit nominations by April 26, 2023.
Scout Night with the Norfolk Tides
June 16
Join us for Scout Night with the Norfolk Tides: Friday, June 16, 2023 at Harbor Park!
Back for 2023: Uniformed Scouts and leaders will have the opportunity to participate in a pre-game opening ceremony.
Ticket vouchers and camping vouchers are now available at the Tidewater Council Scout Shop!
Beaver Day
June 17
OA Summer Camp Workday, also referred to as Beaver Day, is a chance for everyone (not just OA members) to help get Pipsico ready for summer camp. Help make camping areas and structures useful to everyone for years to come.
On Saturday, June 17, work will begin at 9 AM and end around 4 PM. There will be projects for everyone, skilled and unskilled alike. Whether you are a master carpenter, an amateur gardener, or a lawyer, everyone can be a “Busy Beaver” on a project of their choice. More information on specific projects is coming soon.
As a thank you to volunteers, camping will be available at no cost on Friday and/or Saturday. Save the date – registration is coming soon.
Off to the Races
Day Camp 2023
June & July
Start your engines – Cub Scout Day Camp is Off to the Races this summer!
On your mark, get set … GO REGISTER!
Early bird registration is OPEN now until April 30. Pack Coordinators should start signing up Cub Scouts now to get the best registration rate!
Princess Anne Day Camp: June 19-23
Registration is now open for Princess Anne Day Camp at Tabernacle Baptist Academy in Virginia Beach. Work with the unit day camp coordinator to sign up now.
For questions, contact:
- David Montoto (Camp Director) at totodope@yahoo.com or 757-575-8880
- Ted Green (Program Director) at greentn83@gmail.com or 724-931-0224
Albemarle Day Camp: June 19-23
Registration is now open for Albemarle Day Camp at Forest Park Church in Elizabeth City. For questions, contact Tiffany Bounds at tnt8953@yahoo.com.
Bayside Day Camp: June 19-23
Registration is now open for Bayside Day Camp at Bayside Masonic Lodge #218 in Virginia Beach. For questions, contact Amy DeVault at konshak@yahooo.com.
Great Bridge Twilight Camp: June 26-30
Registration is now open for Twilight Camp at Great Bridge Baptist Church in Chesapeake. For questions, contact Kirsten Misfeldt at kmisfeldt62@gmail.com.
Covenant Twilight Camp: July 10-14
Registration is now open for Twilight Camp at Covenant UMC in Chesapeake. For questions, contact Kirsten Misfeldt at kmisfeldt62@gmail.com.
Summer Camp 2023
June & July
Pipsico Scout Reservation offers Scouts and Scouters the opportunity to immerse themselves in a positive camping environment, at a beautiful property, with a friendly camp staff. Tidewater Council is proud to offer quality programs for everyone.
Week #1 – June 25 to July 1 – FULL
Week #2 – July 2 to July 8
Week #3 – July 9 to July 15 – FULL
Week #4 – July 16 to July 22
Popcorn Training
July 12 & July 17
Join us to learn about the 2023 Tidewater Council Popcorn Sale!
There are two training dates available, and both trainings will be offered both in-person and virtually. The same information will be covered at each session, so pick the date that is best for you!
- Wednesday, July 12 at 6:30 PM
- Monday, July 17 at 6:30 PM
This popcorn training is designed for both new and returning popcorn kernels. We will focus on what is new for this year’s sale, best practices, and opportunities that can benefit your unit.
This training will be offered both in-person at the Mary Jayne Breeden Council Service Center and virtually. For questions, contact Pam Samples at popcorn@tidewaterbsa.com.
2023 National Scout Jamboree
July 19-28
Contingent registration for the National Scout Jamboree has ended, but visitor passes are still available!
Spend the day with your Scout or come see what the Jamboree is all about! Visitors will have the chance to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime experience, explore the Summit Bechtel Reserve, and have access to a variety of exciting high-adventure activities!
Things to know before purchasing a visitor ticket:
- The National Scout Jamboree will be held at the Summit Bechtel Reserve, located in the mountains of West Virginia. The topography is challenging, with many hills and valleys. Some of the activities may require a 20-minute walk up and down hills. Visitors need to be physically prepared for walking.
- Safety is a top priority, so there may be activities that visitors will be prohibited from experiencing due to safety or other concerns. Screening is needed for some of the more physical activities.
- Take lots of photos! Tag social media posts with #NatJamboree23.
Visitors can purchase day pass visitor tickets to visit the National Jamboree on the following days:
- Friday, July 21: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday, July 22: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Monday, July 24: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Tuesday, July 25: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Wednesday, July 26: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
NOTE: Due to location and transportation concerns, visitors cannot attend the National Jamboree on days with large extravaganzas (shows).
News
Spring Popcorn Sale
The Pecatonica River Popcorn online store is open for a special spring sale from April 1 – May 31, 2023. Scouts who are interested in selling can use their existing Seller IDs from the Fall 2022 Popcorn Sale. Just like with the fall online sales, units earn 30% commission, and there is no money or product handling required!
Ranger's Moment
Pipsico Scout Reservation: Beaver Day and Camp Needs
It has been a busy start to 2023 at Pipsico Scout Reservation. District events, unit camping, training events, and recreational activities have been occurring in the midst of exciting construction on the James River and project progress all over the property.
We would like to take this opportunity to invite our Scouts and Scouters to help chip in. There are five ways, in particular, that we would like to invite you to help out at this time.
1. Beaver Day
First, please take a moment to check your calendar to see if the weekend of June 16-18 is available. If so, please consider joining us for “Beaver Day” on Saturday, June 17 (9 AM – 4 PM) to make final preparations for summer camp before the staff check-in on Sunday, June 18. While “day-only” help is welcome, units that volunteer are invited to camp on Friday and/or Saturday at no cost. Black Pug registration is coming soon.
There will be a variety of projects for skilled and unskilled help. Projects will be posted closer to Beaver Day. Units may use these service hours for their Journey To Excellence (JTE) scorecard and for youth rank advancement.
2. Passenger Vans
Second, summer camp at Pipsico this year is in another year of growth. Many thanks and congratulations to our past campers and staff. This summer, summer camp has grown more than 30% over last year. In preparation for our offsite summer programs, we are looking for at least one, hopefully two, 15-passenger vans to use from June 25 through July 22. If you can help in this way or can provide us with a lead, please contact Bill Lawrence at 828-582-6955 or bill.lawrence2@scouting.org.
3. Marsh Plants
Third, we are in the middle of construction of approximately 750-feet of living shoreline off the Camp Lions beach to help with cliff erosion. At the time of this article, two of five breakwaters have been completed, and the progress is truly exciting.
In the next two or three weeks, we will begin advertising an opportunity for Scouts to help plant marsh plants on the new construction to help hold the soil together and give a start to some new natural habitats. This will be a great opportunity for some conservation service hours, and will be a great help toward the maintenance of Pipsico.
4. Maintenance and Program Supplies
Fourth, we could use some help gathering supplies for pending projects and ongoing needs. Brooms with dustpans, 25ft+ garden hoses, and pressure-treated lumber always come in handy. If you would like to coordinate a supply drive for camp or purchase some maintenance or program supplies, please contact Ranger Evan to see what the latest needs are (ranger@pipsicobsa.com).
5. Tents
Lastly, Pipsico Scout Reservation’s current tents have been in service for 30 years. In order to continue to provide a high-quality camping experience for our Scouts, Tidewater Council will replace 250 tents between 2023-2027.
Based on the recommendation of our Camping Committee, we will replace the current wooden platforms and ridge pole system tents with new platforms and Diamond Brand tents with aluminum-mounted frames. In addition to housing Scouts and keeping them dry, the new tents will exponentially decrease the time needed for tent setup and takedown.
The cost of a new tent, platform, and frame is approximately $1,250 each. To contribute to the tent replacement fund, click here.
Thank you all for your continuous kind and generous support. We are blessed indeed.
Kind Regards,
Evan Sommerfeld
Ranger, Pipsico Scout Reservation
Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America
Scout Shop
April Showers
While April showers bring May flowers, all they bring to camping are wet socks, wet gear, and a complete “washout” if not prepared. To help Scouts Be Prepared, check out the “Scouting Essentials” display on the end cap in the Scout Shop! You will find the main camping essentials plus additional items especially for wet weather camping. Waterproof matches ($9.99) and waterproof fire sticks ($4.99) can be a handy solution for getting a campfire started. Frogg Toggs and rainsuits sell for $19.99 (youth and adult sizes). You can get a simple poncho for $3.99 (all sizes).
Our camping section on the back wall has a few other waterproof items. The waterproof smartphone pouches are $11.99, the waterproof strap pouches are $9.99, and waterproof dive flashlights sell for $19.99. Stay dry and enjoy your camp-out!
Journey to Excellence (JTE)
Need JTE patches? Supply still has several hundred in stock but once they sell out, they will not reorder until next year. The orders are prepaid and may be placed over the phone by credit card or store account.
Tidewater Council Polo Shirts
The Tidewater Council polo shirts have been restocked in all the main colors: black, white, maroon, navy, and dark green. The sizes now go up to 3XL. Prices are $26 for sizes adult medium – XL, $28 for 2XL, and $29 for size 3XL. They sell out quickly, so pick one up the next time you are in!
Store Accounts
As a reminder, please make sure your unit store account is updated with appropriate authorizations and emails. Our new Black Pug POS system is now married to the online system for signing up for camp and other events. This means you may use your store account remotely to pay for any event on the Black Pug site, but to do this you must have an email address attached to the store account. If you need a new form, just email Polly Fugate at polly.fugate@scouting.org or ask for a form when you come in.
Shipping
We continue to ship orders by USPS if you call (757-497-2688) or email (polly.fugate@scouting.org).
Scout Shop Hours
Our next holiday closing will be May 27-29 for Memorial Day weekend.
BSA Safety Moment
It is recommended to include a BSA Safety Moment during meetings to inform Scouts and parents and keep everyone safe. Numerous downloadable BSA Safety Moments are available here.
Hazard Trees
According to the U.S. Forest Service, our nation’s forests are experiencing declining health conditions. Broken tops, widow-makers (broken or hanging limbs), and root rot in many tree species along with insect infestations, lightning, wind events, drought, and abundant moisture have led to the creation of abnormally high numbers of “hazard trees.” Hazard trees include dead trees, live trees with dead parts, and live trees that are unstable due to defects and are within striking distance of people or property.
These hazard trees do not just affect our Scouting family during storms. They can fall—and have fallen—at unpredictable times, even when weather conditions are favorable.
Awards Spotlight
National Summertime Pack Award
The National Summertime Pack Award encourages Cub Scout packs to be active over the summer.
Packs can qualify for a certificate and streamer by planning and conducting three pack activities—one each in June, July, and August.
Dens with an average attendance of at least half their members at the three summer pack events are eligible for a colorful den participation ribbon
Cub Scouts who participate in all three events are eligible to receive the National Summertime Pack Award pin, which they can wear on the right pocket flap of their uniform.
Keep Scouts engaged with:
- Day camps
- Scout Night with the Norfolk Tides
- A pack picnic at a local park
- A Cubs vs. parents softball game
- Summer ceremony to recognize Scouts for the awards they earn over the summer
- Fall program kick-off event: share the pack calendar and get everyone excited to be back.
- Popcorn sale kick-off party
National Outdoor Challenge
The National Outdoor Challenge Unit Award encourages Scouts BSA troops to do more outdoor trips and long-term camping, have an annual program plan, have an activity with a Webelos den, conduct a Leave No Trace program, and teach outdoor-related merit badges.The recognition item for this award is a troop flag ribbon.
Complete Angler Recognition
The BSA Complete Angler Recognition honors well-rounded youth anglers. To earn the award, Scouts must earn the three fishing-related merit badges (Fishing, Fly Fishing, and Fish and Wildlife Management) and complete one of four fishing-related projects.
For more information on Scouting’s fishing programs, visit scouting.org/outdoor-programs/fishing.
Order of the Arrow High Adventure
Each summer, the Order of the Arrow offers high adventure treks for Arrowmen. Participate with Arrowmen from across the country and make a difference with service, including shoring up trails.
- OA Trail Crew: Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico
- OA Wilderness Voyage: Northern Tier Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota
- OA Canadian Odyssey: Northern Tier Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada
- OA Summit Experience: The Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia
Camp Cards
Want an easy NO-RISK fundraiser that offers 50% profit? Do you have Scouts who haven’t raised enough to attend day camp or summer camp? Does your unit have new members? Then the Camp Card fundraiser is for your unit!
How to Participate
Contact the district executive to register and pick-up cards. Cards are usually delivered at district Roundtables, but district executives will make arrangements for units that cannot attend Roundtable.
Training and resources are available online at TidewaterBSA.com/2023campcardsale. Review these resources for deadlines and important information.
And then – simply sell. This is a super easy fundraiser that scores Scouts some serious bucks toward camp.
Contact
For questions, please contact the district’s Camp Cards Chair:
Albemarle: Julie Roasa at rjnkroasa@centurylink.net
Bayside: Cory Van Kirk at eelyroc@yahoo.com
Princess Anne: Jen Conway at jflores87@gmail.com
Three Rivers: Liz Schwegel at lizschwegel@icloud.com
Camp cards are in limited supply, so don’t miss out!
Spring Recruiting
Families can join Scouting at any time during the year, and spring is a great time to focus efforts on inviting new youth to join the adventure.
- Showcase the Adventure: Tell prospective members about the unit’s upcoming outdoor activities. Seeing a calendar of upcoming events gives families a more concrete idea of the opportunities available, and makes them more excited to join.
- Collaborate: Packs should invite nearby troops to their joining events. Spring recruiting is the ideal time for troops to recruit fifth graders.
- Be Strategic: Do a membership inventory before planning the recruiting event. If some ages or ranks are light, target recruiting to those grades.
- Ask for Help: The district executive wants to help! Contact them for assistance with printing and delivering flyers, arranging a youth talk, geofenced advertising on Facebook, event planning, or any other advice needed.
- Dropped Members: Reach out to families who did not renew their membership with the unit’s recharter and ask why. Maybe they needed a personal invitation to come back. Maybe they have moved or have a scheduling conflict – if so, offer for the district executive to contact them to help find another unit. If they have suggestions or complaints, their feedback may help to improve the Scouting program.
- Peer Recruiting: One of the most effective recruiting methods is a personal invitation from a friend. Encourage Scouts to bring a friend to a fun event. When the friend joins Scouting, the Scout qualifies to earn the Recruiter Strip.
- Please note that it is too early to recruit pre-kindergarteners. The Lions program does not start until August 1 each year.
Special Awareness Months
Autism Awareness Month
April is Autism Awareness Month, a time to celebrate awareness and provide the support, connection, and collaboration to create a more inclusive world. Meet some Scouts who are on the autism spectrum and learn about the impact Scouting has had on their lives – and that they in turn – have had on others.
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and there are several things Scout units can do to participate:
- The “Protect Yourself Rules” Adventures for Cub Scouts help children recognize, respond to, and report abuse.
- For youth in grades 6-12, the Cyber Chip helps keep youth safe while online. Topics include cyberbullying, cell phone use, texting, blogging, gaming, and identity theft.
- Review and share the BSA’s Bullying Awareness resources with Scouts and families.
- For adults, take Youth Protection Training.
- For families, review “How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide.”
- Review the BSA’s Social Media Guidelines for valuable information on internet safety and youth protection when using social media.
National Wildfire Awareness Month
May is National Wildfire Awareness Month. The responsibility to be aware and alert, and to prevent and prepare for wildfires, belongs to all of us.
The National Interagency Fire Center provides information on fire safety, wildfire prevention, how to prepare homes and communities in case of wildfires, and how to take shelter when a wildfire event occurs.
Lyme Disease Awareness Month
May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month. It is an opportune time to teach Scouts to take precautions and learn the signs of Lyme disease.
With the spread of the disease to all 50 states, Lyme disease awareness, education, and early intervention are critical. Recent estimates of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that 476,000 people may contract Lyme disease annually.
Community Engagement
YMCA at JT's Camp Grom
The YMCA at JT’s Camp Grom in Virginia Beach is a unique location designed to serve people with varying physical abilities, Wounded Warriors, and Gold Star families.
JT’s Camp Grom is currently hiring summer camp counselors and lifeguards. Training and certification is available.
National Park Week
National Park Week is April 22-30, 2023. Enjoy the great outdoors at any of the more than 400 national parks around the country, including several in North Carolina and Virginia.
ParkRx Day: April 22
ParkRx Day is a fee-free day in US National Parks so everyone can get out and enjoy the health benefits of the outdoors. Get a dose of nature!
National Junior Ranger Day: April 29
On National Junior Ranger Day, participants of all ages are invited to a one-day celebration of the year-round Junior Ranger program.
Earth Day Recycling Zone: April 29
Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation will hold a recycle zone for Virginia Beach residents at Larkspur Middle School on April 29 from 9 AM – 1 PM. The recycle zone will accept selected hazardous household waste and documents for shredding. In partnership with AAA, car batteries and children automobile safety seats will be accepted as well.
For information on volunteering with this event, please contact Pam Samples at pasamp42@gmail.com.
Clean the Bay Day: June 3
Thousands of volunteers participate in Clean the Bay Day annually. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation coordinates this united effort to remove harmful litter and debris from the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
The 2023 event will take place on Saturday, June 3. Registration is required; please visit cbf.org to sign up. Registered volunteers will receive assignment details via email approximately one week before Clean the Bay Day. For questions, contact ctbd@cbf.org.
JDRF One Walk: May 6
JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) is holding the JDRF One Walk at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront on May 6 to enable research, advocacy, and support for Americans with type 1 diabetes. Volunteers are needed to assist with setup, water stations, and breakdown. Please contact Pam Samples at pasamp42@gmail.com to volunteer or for more information.
Service Opportunity with Feed My Starving Children
Feed My Starving Children is a worldwide hunger relief organization. This non-profit partners with community organizations nationwide to fund and host Mobile Pack events.
Scouts BSA Troop 824 will participate in a Mobile Pack event at Hope Lutheran Church in Virginia Beach, and invites other local Scouts to join them.
Scouts are not asked to fundraise nor to collect food, but instead to volunteer two hours of their time to package food for shipment worldwide. The goal is to pack 100,000 meals. Over the two-day event, a total of 500 volunteers are needed. Families are more than welcome, but children must be at least five years old to participate.
Please register online to participate.
Event Details
Location:
Hope Lutheran Church Virginia Beach
5350 Providence Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Available Shift Times:
- Friday, May 5 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday, May 6 from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Saturday, May 6 from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Community Care Assistance
Does your family need assistance accessing community resources? 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. For coordinated care referrals, please contact us.
Help Wanted
District Executive Job Opening
Since 1910, Scouting has helped mold the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes and understands that helping youth puts us on a path towards a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.
Today’s professional Scouters are a diverse group of men and women sharing a dynamic career offering independence, achievement, and stability. This is work that makes a difference, work that calls one to continual learning and challenge, work that offers solid compensation, benefits, and advancement.
If you or someone you know is interested in making a difference through a career in Scouting, please contact Bill Lawrence at bill.lawrence2@scouting.org.
Additional Volunteer Opportunities
Visit our Volunteer with Local Scouting webpage for information on additional volunteer opportunities.
Scouts in Action
For his Eagle project, Scott S. of Troop 63 designed and constructed a picnic table, planter boxes, and benches for an outdoor space at Lynnhaven River Now. Scott gave leadership to a team of six Scouts and five adults from his troop to complete the project. In addition to creating a welcoming space, the project was environmentally friendly, using primarily reclaimed wood.
Great job, Scott!
Congratulations to all the Scouts who raced at the Council Pinewood Derby on April 1!
The overall Council Champion was Bodie S. of Pack 374! Bodie, an Arrow of Light racer, fell in love with the Pinewood Derby as a Wolf, and it has been his goal to win overall at the council level ever since. Congratulations!
Find the full race results at tidewaterbsa.com/derby.
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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