Table of Contents
Upcoming Events
Many events have been canceled or postponed due to COVID-19, including the November OA Ordeal, Darden Gala, and Order of the Arrow Holiday Banquet.
Click here for a continuously updated list of event changes. Tidewater Council’s official updates and policies can be found here.
Youth Protection Training
In order to make it easier for volunteers to complete Youth Protection Training prior to charter renewal, Tidewater Council is offering online “in-person” Youth Protection Training classes. Contact richard.becker@scouting.org to RSVP and receive the teleconference link.
- Sunday, November 22 at 6:30 PM
- Tuesday, November 24 at 7 PM
- Sunday, December 6 at 6:30 PM
Outstanding Eagle Scout Award Nominations Due
December 17
Applications are now being accepted for the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) Outstanding Eagle Scout Award. More information and the nomination form can be found on nesa.org. Completed applications are due by 4 PM on Thursday, December 17, 2020, either by paper copy submitted to the Scout Shop or electronically to Brendan.Kane001@gmail.com.
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.
News
Vote for Pipsico
Vote for Pipsico in the Diamond Brand Gear Scouting Giveaway, and Pipsico could win new gear and a Friends of Scouting contribution!
Please vote and share: https://woobox.com/fkozco/gallery/DyqrxGMVnrU
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
We will be closed for Thanksgiving weekend (November 26-28).
Sea Scout Marksmanship Awards
One of the many cool things about joining Sea Scouts is that you can earn Sea Scout Marksmanship Awards. These awesome awards can be earned in Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, or all three disciplines. Award levels range from Basic to Expert, and are aligned with the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Award program. If you are interested in improving your shooting skills, consider joining a Sea Scout ship. Contact Kelly Thorp, Skipper of Ship 42, for more information at ship42twc@gmail.com.
Popcorn
Bonus Sale
Tidewater Council has popcorn left in stock. How can you help ensure that the most possible funding goes back to local Scouting?
- Continue selling through November. Ask your district executive how to sign up for a sale. 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. Scouts 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 or alison.harrison@scouting.org 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
- December 1 at 6:30 PM at Haygood UMC, 4713 Haygood Road, Virginia Beach, VA
Princess Anne
- 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 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
Merit Badge Counselor Renewal
During this time of year, Tidewater Council not only renews unit charters, but also district charters. All merit badge counselors renew their registration annually on district charters.
There are qualifications required to be a counselor for certain merit badges, found in the Guide to Advancement, Chapter 7.0.1.1: Qualifications of Counselors. The required qualifications for merit badge counseling and supervision not only assist in managing risk, but also give counselors credibility. Scouts look up to merit badge counselors and see them as people of importance. A well-qualified counselor can extend a young person’s attention span – more will be heard and understood, discussions will be more productive, and true interest will be developed.
Training Awards
You have heard the saying, “All Scouts deserve a trained leader.” Well, “All trained leaders deserve to be recognized.”
The Volunteer Development Team at Scouting U has created a new look and more streamlined version of all the volunteer training awards, while keeping the requirements consistent and meaningful.
Thank you for your commitment to training and delivering the best possible Scouting experience to the youth in our community. Visit the “Training for Adults” webpage and scroll toward the bottom to access the training award progress records and award applications.
Other Awards
You are probably familiar with Cub Scout adventures, Scouts BSA merit badges, and ranks for all programs. But there are many more opportunities to recognize our youth, such as the National Den Award, National Honor Patrol Award, National Summertime Pack Award, Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award, National Outdoor Challenge Unit Award, and Veteran Award. Learn more at Awards Central.
Scout Sunday
Have you started planning for Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath, or Scout Jumuah? It is hard to believe this annual February observation is only a few short months away! Consider:
- What date will your unit choose for this observation? In 2021, Scout Sabbath is February 5-6, Scout Sunday is February 7, and Scout Sunday in United Methodist Churches is February 14. But units and chartered organizations are free to schedule Scout Sunday on any Sunday in February.
- How does your chartered organization or faith leader want to observe the day?
- Are you prepared for contingencies?
- What would a virtual celebration and recognition look like?
- What supplies do you need? The Scout Shop can order special Scouting program covers for your chartered partner.
Support Scouting with AmazonSmile
As we prepare for the holiday season, you can make a difference – at no additional cost to you! When you purchase your holiday gifts at smile.amazon.com/ch/54-0505875, Amazon donates to Tidewater Council.
Leave a Legacy
Scouting volunteers care deeply about Scouting and the lives of the youth it impacts. You can make a lasting impact on those lives by making a planned gift. Planned giving is a special way to ensure that your legacy is forever tied to helping Scouting. As you develop your financial future and estate plans, please consider making Tidewater Council part of those plans. Depending how you choose to support local Scouting, you could also receive tax benefits. Please contact Susan Miley-Petrehn for more details on wills or living trusts, bequests, and beneficiary designations.
Endowment
Most of us have heard the term endowment, but what does it really mean? An endowment is a fund held in perpetuity to provide interest and dividend earnings for the benefit of a charitable cause. That is the textbook definition, but, in reality, an endowment is the life preserver of a charitable organization. To be healthy and stable, Tidewater Council needs to meet its operating budget without exerting 100% of its energy on fundraising. After all, our mission is not to raise funds, but rather to continue our strong movement and build a foundation that provides our youth with a quality, values-based program.
In its gratitude for such support, the Boy Scouts of America nationally offers three distinct endowment recognition awards which are all a part of the Heritage Society. Tidewater Council presents these awards to donors who support Scouting’s financial future through gifts to the endowment.
James E. West Fellowship Award
This award is named after James E. West, the first Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America.
An institution is the lengthened shadow of one man.
Scouting today is the “lengthened shadow” of the farseeing and dedicated leadership of James E. West. Those who are recognized by the James E. West Fellowship Award will cast their own “lengthened shadow” as they help ensure the Scouting legacy for future generations of young people and create the financial stability of the program for Tidewater Council.
The James E. West Fellowship Award is a national recognition for individuals who contribute $1,000 or more in cash or marketable securities to the Council’s Endowment Trust Fund. This gift must be in addition to, and not replace or diminish, the donor’s annual Friends of Scouting support. Many individuals and organizations make these gifts on behalf of someone else, such as in honor of an Eagle Scout, Silver Beaver recipient, Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, a retirement, a special accomplishment, an anniversary, or in memory of a special individual. The James E. West Fellow is recognized with a personalized certificate, distinctive lapel pin, and an exclusive uniform knot patch.
Second Century Society
The Second Century Society recognizes major donors who give an outright gift of $25,000 or more payable over five years or a deferred gift of $100,000 or more to Tidewater Council. The gift may be for operating, capital, or endowment.
Donors making outright gifts of $100,000 or more are designated as “Members with Distinction” and donors making deferred gifts of $500,000 or more are designated as “Legacy Members.” Second Century Society members are recognized with a lapel pin and certificate, and members giving $100,000 or more also receive a framed Rockwell print and a custom Second Century insignia item.
President's Leadership Council
Gifts of $1,000,000 or more payable over five years, as part of an advised fund, designated fund, trust, or other foundation fund structure, allow the giver to become part of the President’s Leadership Council. Gifts may be designated to benefit Tidewater Council, Pipsico Scout Reservation, or other BSA programs. Recognition is personalized and custom at this giving level.
Interpreter Strip
Any Scout or Scout volunteer — any age, any program — can earn an interpreter strip.
The official requirements, below, demonstrate your ability to communicate in a given language:
- Carry on a five-minute conversation in the language.
- Translate a two-minute speech or address.
- Write a letter in the language (does not apply for American Sign Language).
- Translate 200 words from the written word.
You’ll need the approval of two people: your unit leader and another person, perhaps someone who teaches that language or is a native speaker. There is a form to track completion of the qualifications, which you can submit to your unit leader. The form does not need to be submitted to the Scout Shop to purchase the strip.
International Scouting
The Boy Scouts of America is part of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Through both local and global impact, Scouting organizations around the world share the aim to “Create a Better World.”
Tidewater Council’s newly-appointed International Representative is James Manley. He is recruiting a committee to guide and support Tidewater Council’s international Scouting activities, including Jamboree on the Air in 2021 and the next World Scout Jamboree in 2023.
Position Training
Just as teachers and sports coaches take training to learn how to best educate youth, Scouting provides training for its volunteers too.
Please visit My.Scouting.org to take the training for your volunteer position. You will be better equipped to deliver the Scouting program to youth who look to you as a leader. Direct contact leaders also take Hazardous Weather Training as a part of their position training.
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 fee of $1.50 per person/per night for rental of a campsite. The shelter can be reserved for $10 per night. 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.
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.
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