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. Tidewater Council’s goal is to raise $500,000 through Friends of Scouting in 2024.
All Friends of Scouting donations stay local to support families in northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia.
Campaign Progress as of June 10, 2024
Each district shares a portion of the overall goal:
Upcoming Events
Rick Anoia Scouting Golf Classic
June 20
Gather your team for the Rick Anoia Scouting Golf Classic on Thursday, June 20 at Virginia Beach National Golf Club!
Enjoy 18 holes of golf (Captain’s Choice), longest drive and closest to the pin awards, a hole-in-one challenge, lunch, door prizes, and awards banquet – all while supporting local Scouting! Sponsorships and team registration are available.
If you are interested in volunteering at the golf outing, please contact Christy Cooper at 208-597-6044 or christy.cooper@scouting.org. Lunch and dinner will be provided to volunteers.
Summer Camp at Pipsico
June and 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 23 to June 29, 2024 – FULL
Week #2 – June 30 to July 6, 2024 – REGISTRATION CLOSED
Week #3 – July 7 to July 13, 2024 – FULL
Week #4 – July 14 to July 20, 2024 – REGISTRATION ENDS JUNE 23
Popcorn Training
July 10
Join us to learn about the 2024 Tidewater Council Popcorn Sale!
This training will be offered on Wednesday, July 10 at 6:30 PM at the Tidewater Council Mary Jayne Breeden Service Center. A virtual Zoom attendance option is available as well.
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.
For questions, contact Erin Alford at erin@realresultsva.com.
Arrow of Light / Webelos Summer Camp
July 25-28
New for 2024 and featuring the updated Cub Scout Adventures, Pipsico Scout Reservation invites rising 4th and 5th graders, den leaders, and you to an all-new Arrow of Light/Webelos Summer Camp experience!
Per the Guide to Safe Scouting, these age groups are allowed to camp as dens with leaders.
This 4-day, 3-night program is packed full of activities exclusively for older Cub Scouts, including rappelling, air rifles, fire building, and more! All meals will be provided in our Dining Hall, and campers can sleep on the provided cots in platform tents, just like the older Scouts do at Summer Camp.
Don’t miss the kickoff to Tidewater Council’s Cub Scout theme for 2024-2025, Bug Hunters!
Cub Scout Summer Family Camp
Bug Hunters!
July 26-28
Calling all Bug Hunters!
Cub Scout Summer Family Camp is an opportunity for all Cub Scouts and siblings to participate in some of the new Adventures with the Summer Camp Staff at Pipsico Scout Reservation. Fish with your Scout, climb our rock wall, work on a conservation project, and enjoy our top-notch aquatics program. Enjoy a camp-wide campfire program on Saturday night and all the amenities available at Pipsico Scout Reservation, including our newly renovated Nature Center.
All meals will be provided in our Dining Hall. Families can choose to camp using our platform tents and cots or pitch their own tents.
Scouting for Blood Drive
August 7
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, August 7, 2024
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
2025 Philmont Trek
June 19 - July 3, 2025
Save the date for Tidewater Council’s next Philmont trek in summer 2025! If interested in joining the council contingent or getting more information, contact Bill Lawrence at Bill.Lawrence2@scouting.org. Registration is coming soon.
National Scout Jamboree
July 22-31, 2026
The next National Scout Jamboree will be held on July 22-31, 2026 at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia! The National Scout Jamboree is a gathering of thousands of members of Scouting America from across the nation.
Start early in gauging interest in attending and planning fundraising so Scouts can take advantage of this unique opportunity. For assistance in planning unit fundraising, check out the popcorn sale or contact the district executive.
Reserve your spot for the adventure of a lifetime now with a $100 deposit!
News
Popcorn
Looking for a way to fund an awesome program for your Scouts? The annual Popcorn Sale is here to help!
Seven Reasons to Sell Popcorn
- Fund your unit’s program year and defray costs for Scouting families.
- Tidewater Council offers some of the highest commissions in the BSA.
- Tidewater Council provides great prizes to reward Scouts.
- Teach Scouts salesmanship and the value of earning their own way.
- Scouts build camaraderie and learn communication skills.
- Participation in the Popcorn Sale may help Scouts meet certain advancement requirements.
- It is easy to get started, with no upfront costs and no vendor contracts to negotiate.
Seven Things to Do Now to Get Started
- Read the Popcorn Guide.
- Identify the Unit Popcorn Kernel.
- If you didn’t attend the June training, sign up for Popcorn Training on Wednesday, July 10.
- Sign up for the sale at pecatonicariverpopcorn.com using Council Key 596TWC. Even returning Unit Popcorn Kernels will need to “Create Unit Profile” the first time they access this site for the fall 2024 sale.
- Develop the unit budget and fundraising goals at the unit’s annual program planning meeting.
- Set up Show & Sells.
- Plan and promote the unit kick-off.
Scout Shop
Ready for Summer Fun?
There’s plenty of fun with summer camping, but what makes it even better is being PREPARED! We have a full stock of camping supplies from backpacks and mosquito netting to mess kits and lanterns. Come in and check out our stock for yourself!
New Cub Scout Program
The new Cub Scout Program has now begun! New awards are out on the floor and available for purchase as of June 1, the official start date of the new program. We appreciate your patience as we are ALL learning this new program.
Any award earned this year that still needs to be purchased must be prepaid if is one that has been discontinued. We will continue to fill those orders while National Supply still has them in stock. The key to getting EVERY award earned this year is to shop as soon as possible.
Celebrate Your Eagle Scouts!
Eagle Scout Table Covers are once again in stock with a slightly new design. These tablecloths ($7.99) measure 54” x 108” and really set off a gift or cake table. We also have the Eagle Scout Graduation Cords ($11.99) to honor the graduates who are Eagle Scouts. Please note that not all schools allow the graduates to walk with them, but they look great in pictures.
New "Sample" Uniform Shirts
New trial uniform shirts ($59.99) are in stock. Pictured here, the shirts are being shown off by KATY, the newest member of our Scout Shop team. Please welcome her when you come in. These performance uniform shirts are currently part of a National Supply trial, being tested as a prototype for new permanent uniform shirts. The polyester blend has vents in the back for breathability, comfort-stretch, and are moisture-wicking and lightweight. These sample shirts are limited to men’s sizes – and some sizes are already sold out since this is a trial run. A QR code on the tag takes customers to a site to express their own ideas for improvements.
Shipping
We will ship orders by USPS if you call (757-497-2688) or email an order to polly.fugate@scouting.org or Staci.vankirk@scouting.org.
Scout Shop Hours
Our one-week summer closing will be Saturday, June 29 through Friday, July 5. We will reopen on Saturday, July 6.
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.
Homesickness
Many of us can feel a bit out of sorts when away from familiar surroundings, and Scouts are no different. Many Scouts experience some symptoms of homesickness during campouts, and identifying these symptoms early and addressing them can help make the event a great experience for everyone.
Registrar's Corner
Unit and Member Renewal Process
There is now a very detailed and informative document online at scouting.org/resources/unit-and-membership-renewal that walks through the renewal processes for both units and members.
Scoutbook Plus
Scoutbook is an advancement tracking tool that also includes messaging, forums, service, hiking, camping tracking, and calendaring features.
Units are not required to subscribe to Scoutbook; it is an optional, free service provided by the BSA. However, many BSA volunteers have found that Scoutbook gives them a valuable tool to accomplish what used to require multiple subscriptions to non-BSA services.
Cub Scout Program Updates
The new Cub Scout program, effective June 1, 2024, is now available in Scoutbook Plus. With this release, all Cub Scout advancement tracking has been moved from the legacy Scoutbook user interface to the new Scoutbook Plus User Interface. Clicking on any Cub Scout advancement link in the legacy Scoutbook user interface will direct the user to Scoutbook Plus.
Advancement for the old Cub Scout Program can be entered with completion dates through August 31, 2024 to allow Cub Scouts the opportunity to complete their current rank if they have an extension from their Pack Committee.
Dens
Leaders can promote/demote/edit dens in Scoutbook Plus. If a den is promoted in error, Scoutbook Plus provides the ability to demote the den without having to create a new den. Click the three vertical dots next to a Scout on the roster, and then select Edit Den.
You can also organize by Dens by clicking the “Den” text in the red banner.
Note: The version of ranks and adventures that have not been started will automatically change to the 2024 version when the den is advanced. If you previously advanced your den, you will need to manually switch all ranks and adventures to the 2024 version.
More Information
To learn more about Scoutbook and the new calendar feature in Scoutbook Plus, see the Scouting Magazine article: “If you aren’t already on Scoutbook, this new feature might change your mind”.
For help with Cub Scout advancement in Scoutbook Plus, see the Scoutbook Knowledge Base: Introduction to Scoutbook Plus for Packs.
To stay up-to-date on changes as items slowly migrate from Scoutbook to Scoutbook Plus, see The Scoutbook Change Log.
Help Needed: Camp Moonyah Improvement Projects
Camp Moonyah has been an integral part of Tidewater Council’s camps for more than 85 years. As such, it has a rich history hosting functions, events, celebrations, and ceremonies encompassing all arenas of the Scouting program. Over the past many, many decades, dedicated volunteers have continually strived to improve the camp to ensure safe and enjoyable experiences for all. Even with past improvements, it is time to bring this facility into the 21st century. To that end, there are two proposals before council:
Introduction of Electrical Power
Working with Dominion Power, bringing power into Camp Moonyah will require several measured electrical wire runs of 250’+ from a transformer located off property to the maintenance shed where the meter base would be located. Because of the distance, a 25kw transformer will be required to maintain a continual, safe load of power. The cost of connection to a power source, running a total of 500’+ of underground cable, the transformer, and other fees associated with this project will run from $10,000 – $12,000.
Potable Water
Working with the City of Chesapeake water department, tapping into an existing water line conveniently located just outside the camp entrance will bring viable potable water into the camp. City connection fees, trenching a water line to a meter and further on to end at a frost-free water spigot similar to those in use at Pipsico will run from $3,400 – $5,000.
What's Next?
To achieve the success of these projects, we are reaching out to you in Tidewater Council to either help fund in full or in part one or both of these projects. By doing so, you will ensure the continued success and growth of Camp Moonyah for decades to come.
For questions or to find out more about how you can support Camp Moonyah improvements, please contact Ron Misfeldt at mustangron@aol.com and Wes Parker at wparker@pipsicobsa.com.
Development Corner
Sponsor a Tent at Pipsico Scout Reservation
Many of Pipsico Scout Reservation’s tents have been in service for 30 years. In order to continue to provide a high-quality camping experience for our Scouts, Tidewater Council is replacing 200 tents between 2023-2027.
Based on the recommendation of our Camping Committee, we are replacing 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 $1,640 each. A contribution in any amount is appreciated, and will be designated to provide new tents at Pipsico.
Thank you for ensuring that our Scouts enjoy their camping adventures at Pipsico!
Leave a Legacy: James E. West Fellowship Award
The James E. West Fellowship Award is a national recognition for individuals who contribute $1,000 or more in cash or securities to the Tidewater Council BSA endowment fund. This contribution is in addition to, and does not diminish or replace, the donor’s annual gift to the council’s Friends of Scouting campaign.
Organizations or individuals may contribute an award in honor of someone — an Eagle Scout, a Silver Beaver recipient, Living Legend, any outstanding Scout or Scouter.
Program Ideas
Pack Meeting Plans
With twelve months in the year and twelve points of the Scout Law, why not choose one value to focus on each month? Scout Law-focused Pack Meeting Plans can be found here.
Meeting plans may be used in any order and can be adjusted to fit the needs of the families in the pack.
June
- National Camping Month
- Attend Cub Scout Day Camp.
- Attend Summer Resident Camp.
- Work on the Camping merit badge.
- Work on the Cub Scout rank-specific Camping Adventure:
- Let’s Camp – Lion
- Let’s Camp – Tiger
- Let’s Camp – Wolf
- Let’s Camp – Bear
- Let’s Camp – Webelos
- Outdoor Adventure (Arrow of Light)
- Go camping!
- Lightning Safety Awareness Week: June 16-22
- Share the Weather-Related Safety Safety Moment.
- Take Hazardous Weather Training on My.Scouting.
- Take the Scouting Magazine Before the Storm Safety Quiz.
- Share the Scout Life article, “Be Prepared for These 5 Common Weather Hazards.”
- Work on the Weather merit badge.
- National Go Fishing Day: June 18
- Work on the Fishing merit badge.
- Work on the Fly Fishing merit badge.
- Work on the Fish and Wildlife Management merit badge.
- Work on the BSA Complete Angler Recognition.
- Work on the Cub Scout rank-specific Fishing Adventure:
- Lion: Go Fish
- Tiger: Fish On
- Wolf: A Wolf Goes Fishing
- Bear: A Bear Goes Fishing
- Webelos: Catch the Big One
- Arrow of Light: Fishing
- Go fishing!
July
- National U.S. Postage Stamp Day: July 1
- Work on the Stamp Collecting merit badge.
- Invite Scouts to write and mail a letter, card, or postcard.
- Independence Day: July 4
- Work on the Citizenship in the Nation merit badge.
- Work on the American Heritage merit badge.
- Have a Scout barbecue.
- Watch fireworks with your unit.
- Plan a patriotic service project.
- National Swimming Pool Day: July 11
- Work on the Swimming merit badge.
- Work on the Cub Scout rank-specific Swimming Adventure:
- Tiger: Tigers in the Water
- Wolf: Spirit of the Water
- Bear: Salmon Run
- Webelos: Aquanaut
- Arrow of Light: Swimming
- Space Exploration Day: July 20
- Work on the Space Exploration merit badge.
- Work on the Sky is the Limit Adventure for Tigers.
- Learn about astronauts who were youth Scouts.
- Learn about the newest Eagle Scout astronauts.
- National Hammock Day: July 22
- Share the Hammock Safety for Camping Safety Moment.
- Share the “Hammock camping, the BSA way” article in Scouting Magazine.
- World Nature Conservation Day: July 28
- Work on the Environmental Science merit badge.
- Work on the Soil and Water Conservation merit badge.
- Work on the Sustainability merit badge.
- Work on the Cub Scout rank-specific Champions for Nature Adventure.
- Work on a World Conservation Award.
- Conduct a conservation service project.
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. You may also visit NC 211 or 2-1-1 Virginia for assistance finding resources.
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
Congratulations to the newest Eagle Scouts!
Distinguished Eagle Scout Channing Zucker delivered the keynote address to the Class of 2023 Eagle Scouts at the Council Recognition Banquet.
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).
