Table of Contents
Upcoming Events
Fundamentals of Training
September 9
Fundamentals of Training is the first part of the three-part train-the trainer continuum in Scouting. This session introduces new Scouting trainers to teaching techniques and skills.
The next Fundamentals of Training course will be held on Saturday, September 9 at the TCC Joint Use Library in Virginia Beach.
Who Should Attend?
- Adults who will be conducting a training session during a council or district training event
- Youth who are responsible for training other youth, such as instructors and troop guides
High Adventure Trekking Skills Basic Training
September 15-17
The High Adventure Committee is holding a High Adventure Trekking Skills Basic Training at Merchants Millpond State Park in Gates County, NC on September 15-17, 2023.
For Scout leaders and senior youth looking to take a lengthy backpacking or canoe trek, this is the place to learn the required basic skills. This training includes information on formulating a budget, making reservations, sightseeing, meal planning, determining trek routes, developing crew gear, waterproofing, and more.
Participants can choose either the canoeing or backpacking track, and will take an actual mini trek. Very experienced leader Jeffrey Irving, who led the High Adventure canoeing program in Tidewater Council for more than 35 years, will teach trek skills. Likewise, several very knowledgeable backpackers will teach the art of backpacking.
The cost is $20 per person. Participants are encouraged to join one of Tidewater Council’s upcoming contingent treks, and to go on to start or help continue their units’ high adventure program. (More information on the council’s upcoming contingent treks is in the “News” section below.) Come and learn from the best Tidewater has to offer.
For more information, contact Jeffrey Irving at 757-646-5218 or Bill Lawrence at Bill.Lawrence2@scouting.org.
Neptune Festival Grand Parade
September 30
Calling all Scouts – The Neptune Festival Grand Parade needs YOU!
Reserve your positions now to be a part of the Neptune Festival Grand Parade on September 30 and show off your Scout Spirit.
Thanks to the Neptune Festival, the first 120 volunteers to register will receive a free patch!
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)
September 30 - October 1
Outdoor skills are critical to the success of the Scouting program. Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills provides leaders with the basic outdoor skills information needed to start a program right, and the practical skills needed to lead Scouts in the outdoor environment.
Adult leaders work as patrols in this hands-on course. Upon completion, leaders should feel comfortable teaching Scouts the basic skills required to obtain the First Class rank.
Along with Scoutmaster Specific Training and Youth Protection Training, this course is required for Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters to be considered “position trained.”
The next IOLS course will be held at Camp Moonyah on September 30 – October 1.
Pow Wow
October 7
Cub Scout Leaders, join us at Pow Wow Cub Scout Leader Supplemental Training!
Saturday, October 7, 2023
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Centura College Chesapeake Campus
932 Ventures Way
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Pow Wow is an action-packed training event for adult Cub Scout leaders, pack committee members, chartered organization representatives, parents of Cub Scouts, and Cub Scout-interested persons. Spend the day learning new ideas and concepts and talking about experiences that will enhance your ability to deliver and support a fun-filled, exciting program to Cub Scouts.
- Lunch will be served.
- Door prizes awarded!
- Akela’s Academy, a one-day day camp for Cub Scout-aged youth, is available all day. Sign up now – enrollment is limited!
- Tot Lot is available for the day.
- Fun will be had by all!
Registration is now open.
Albemarle District Fall Camporee
October 20-22
A camporee can be a perfect showplace for the Scouting program and, therefore, go far beyond just being a gathering of youth. A camporee starts with the recognition that a patrol is the basic camping unit. The patrol demonstrates its very best camping techniques and shares its experiences with other patrols. The camporee involves the type of equipment that can be carried in a pack by youth and can be set up entirely by them, allowing them to be completely self-sufficient for a self-reliant experience.
This year, Albemarle District will hold its Fall Camporee on October 20-22, 2023 at Maple Commerce Park in Barco, NC. This year’s theme is “Work Hard Play Hard.” We are working hard for the community through service projects in the morning and having fun and fellowship in the afternoon. The day will end with a campfire and cracker barrel.
All Tidewater Council Scouts BSA troops, Venturing crews, Exploring posts, and Sea Scout ships are welcome and encouraged to attend. We hope to see you there!
Princess Anne District Fall Camporee
October 20-22
The 2023 Princess Anne District Fall Camporee is coming to Camp Kiwanis at Pipsico Scout Reservation this fall!
Get ready for an adventure-filled weekend with:
- Scout skills and puzzles led by older Scouts
- Saturday night cookoff
- Potluck cracker barrel for youth and adults
- Saturday night campfire conducted by the Princess Anne chapter of the Blue Heron Lodge
For questions, please contact Sam Grinvalsky at sgrinvalsky@gmail.com or 757-639-7214.
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)
October 21-22
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) is a one-and-a-half day course that introduces leaders to the Cub Scout outdoor program. BALOO is designed for leaders interested in adding a camping component to their pack activities.
BALOO consists of an online pre-requisite component and an overnight, hands-on practical. The course teaches BSA’s Cub Scout level camping policies and the necessary tools to help units carry out a successful camping experience. When a Cub Scout pack or Webelos den camps, a minimum of one adult who has completed this training must be present on the overnight experience.
Prerequisite
The online component, which contains introductory and basic information, must be completed prior to the practical component. The information learned in the online prerequisite training is the necessary foundation for the overnight, practical part of the course.
Online modules are available at My.Scouting.org in the BSA Learning Center – Expanded Learning – BALOO Prerequisite Training.
Albemarle District Fall Cuboree
October 27-29
This Cub Scout Family Camping Weekend is an opportunity to experience Scouting with others! There will be a variety of activities to include things for nature enthusiasts, fishermen, marksmen (aspiring marksmen), and more. The program schedule is jam packed with activities; however, if a Scout tires out or a program doesn’t interest you, feel free to do your own thing. Please try not to arrive late to sessions, as safety briefings must start on time.
Participants are invited to camp from Friday evening through Sunday, or any portion in between. Families are welcome to arrive on Friday to set up camp and relax (this makes Saturday easier). Likewise, after a day of activity on Saturday, you are welcome to take it easy Saturday night and make your way home on Sunday morning.
The Albemarle District Family Camping event will be held at Currituck County Rural Center for all Cub Scouts and their families and/or leaders to experience together. Non-Scout siblings are invited to participate in activities (some age restrictions may apply).
Bayside District Fall Camporee
October 27-29
Bayside District presents: Bayside’s WHO DUNNIT? Camporee!
- Patrol and individual competitions
- Orienteering challenge
- Lost key mystery
- Camp-wide game
- Puzzle-solving
- Campfire
- Scout-appropriate costumes are encouraged!
Join us at Camp Kiwanis at Pipsico Scout Reservation and see if you can be the first to solve the Who Dunnit? mystery!
Three Rivers District Fall Camporee
October 27-29
Members of Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouting are invited to the Three Rivers District Troop O’Treat Fall Camporee at Izaak Walton League Park in Chesapeake.
- Practice and demonstrate Scout skills
- Show off cooking skills in patrol and unit cooking challenges
- Decorate campsites for Halloween (Decorations are to be fun and spooky, but may not be graphic, violent, or have a horror theme.)
- Enjoy a Saturday campfire and Scouts’ Own Service
- Compete for the Traveling District Trophy
For questions, contact Mike Zemienieuski at mzemienieuski@gmail.com or 757-617-7440.
Three Rivers District Cub-O-Ree
October 27-29
Cub Scouts, Webelos, and their families will have the ultimate Halloween Weekend at the Three Rivers District Cub-O-Ree at Izaak Walton League Park!
- Fun games and activities
- Shooting sports
- Trick-or-treating at the Scouts BSA Camporee
Darden Gala
November 4
Join us for the 2023 Darden Gala on November 4, 2023 at the Westin Virginia Beach Town Center!
The Darden Gala is an annual fundraising event for Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America. Each year, Tidewater Council bestows the “Scouter Citizen of the Year Award” to deserving individuals who exemplify public service in the community.
In 2023, we are pleased to honor Barbara Lewis as our Scouter Citizen of the Year. Barbara is the founder and president of Town Center City Club. She established the Outstanding Professional Women’s Awards to create role models and motivation for women, and hosted the Inaugural Examples of Success Dinner to honor our region’s first female Eagle Scouts. In 2022, the Virginia Beach Jaycees recognized Barbara as the First Citizen of Virginia Beach.
The Darden Gala will feature Monte Carlo games, live and silent auctions, live music, and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Join us for a night of elegance under the City Lights!
Veterans Day Parade
November 11
All packs, troops, crews, ships, and posts are invited to participate in the annual Tidewater Veterans Day Parade and ceremony at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
Event Details
- This year, the parade will begin at 16th Street and Atlantic Avenue, and proceed to the Tidewater Veterans Memorial on 19th Street, across from the Virginia Beach Convention Center. This is a different route from previous years.
- Check-in and line-up begin at 8:00 AM, with exact location to be determined.
- Scouts will get to see the entire parade and then step off as one of the last units in the parade.
- All units are requested to bring their American and unit flags.
- Scouts and leaders should be in uniform.
- Scouts are invited to remain for the 11:00 AM Memorial Service.
Registration
- Registration is required. Please register by unit.
- Registration closes on November 9, 2023.
- Patches are available by pre-order only. The deadline to pre-order patches is November 9, 2023.
- Patches will be available after the event for pick-up at Roundtables or in the Scout Shop. Units that order patches will be notified when they arrive, so pick-up can be coordinated.
Trainer's EDGE
November 18
Trainer’s EDGE is the Boy Scouts of America’s trainer development course designed to help Scouts and Scouters:
- Put into practice the EDGE training model
- Gain self-confidence through hands-on training experiences
- Develop the platform skills of a trainer
- Raise the level of skill a trainer brings to the learning experience
- “Train the trainer” on behaviors and resources while offering hands-on experience in methods and media
This course is part of a continuous process of updating trainers with the latest training methods, principles, and technologies.
Trainer’s EDGE is ideal for:
- District and council trainers
- Merit badge counselors
- Summer camp staff, including both youth and adults
- Winter Camp staff, including both youth and adults
- Roundtable staff
- Pack trainers
- Commissioner trainers
- Youth troop guides and instructors
- Unit leaders
- Staff for Wood Badge and National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)
The course will be offered on November 18 at United Way of South Hampton Roads in Norfolk.
Scoutmaster Specific Training
December 2
Scoutmaster-Specific Training introduces adult leaders to everything they need to know about running a Scouts BSA troop.
In Scouts BSA, adult leaders serve in more of a “mentor” position, where their job is to help youth members learn and practice leadership. While this training will not answer every single question about being a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster, it is a great introduction.
Along with Youth Protection Training and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS), this course is required for Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters to be considered “position trained.”
Troop Committee Challenge
December 2
Running a Scouts BSA troop is a little like running a business: there’s a budget and a calendar, there’s money coming in (fundraising and dues), there’s money going out (activities, equipment purchases, registration fees), there’s a “workforce” (adult volunteers), and there are goals and evaluation of whether the troop reached its goals. And, of course, all this occurs within the unique context of Scouting with some special rules and requirements.
At Troop Committee Challenge training on December 2, get the foundational training with the tools and best practices to succeed.
Wood Badge
April 12-14 and May 4-5, 2024
Wood Badge is an exciting, action-packed program designed for councils to provide adult members with leadership skills and experience they can use in their Scouting positions and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others. Lord Baden-Powell originally designed it so that Scouters could learn, in as practical a way as possible, the skills and methods of Scouting. It is, first and foremost, learning by doing.
Wood Badge has evolved over the years into the core leadership skills training course for the BSA. The Wood Badge course focuses on strengthening every volunteer’s ability to work with and lead groups of youth and adults and is less focused on outdoor skills, which are more effectively addressed in other courses.
News
New Three Rivers District Executive Sam Batton
Please join us in welcoming our new Three Rivers District Executive, Sam Batton!
Sam is a biology graduate from Morgantown, WV. Her partners in crime are her fiancé, Corey, and her tiny chihuahua, Tiddlywinks. Sam loves spending time with them while doing all her favorite hobbies, like going to the beach, reading, watching movies, and finding the best food around!
Sam loves to solve problems and find efficient ways to minimize effort. Her dad always taught her to think smarter, not work harder. That being said, Sam does not shy away from a tough job!
She excited to work with the wonderful volunteers and families in Three Rivers District!
Popcorn
Looking for a way to fund an awesome program for your Scouts? The annual Popcorn Sale is here to help!
Six Things Your Unit Should Be Doing in September
- Plan to help with the popcorn delivery on Thursday, September 7. Sign up here.
- If your unit placed an order and cannot help with delivery, sign up for a pickup time on Friday, September 8 or Saturday, September 9.
Sign up for Friday, September 8.
Sign up for Saturday, September 9. - Pay for the unit’s first order by the second order pickup or by Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 2 PM, whichever comes first.
- Place the unit’s next popcorn order by Wednesday, September 20.
- If planning to return any Cheese Lover’s or Classic Trios, make the return no later than Wednesday, September 20.
- Sell, sell, sell!
Getting Started
It is not too late for your unit to participate in the 2023 Popcorn Sale! To get started:
- Read the Popcorn Guide.
- Sign up for the sale at pecatonicariverpopcorn.com using Council Key 596TWC.
- Set sales goals.
- Hold a unit kick-off. Contact your district executive to get sales materials and a tasting kit.
- Watch the recorded Popcorn Training at TidewaterBSA.com/2023popcornsale.
- Contact your District Popcorn Kernel for help getting started.
Resources
Did your unit miss Popcorn Training? You can view the recording on the Popcorn Sale webpage. Make sure to review the 2023 Popcorn Guide while you’re there too!
Do you need help with any aspect of the sale? We have a great team of District Popcorn Kernels who are here to help you! You can find their contact information here.
Scout Shop
September = Back to School, a return to meetings, new recruits, and many fun adventures. The Scout Shop has everything you need and many “extras”!
Fall Uniform Sale
The fall uniform sale is in full swing, with many customers taking advantage of the savings. Buy a shirt and bottoms (from the same program) and save 10% off the bottoms. Bottoms refer to pants, shorts, and skorts for Cub Scouts, Scouts, and Venturing. For the Lions program, the T-shirt is the uniform top and will qualify as the shirt. The sale goes through October 28, 2023. Clearance items are excluded from the sale.
Cub Scout Rank T-Shirts
The Cub Scout rank T-shirts are stocked once more and are still just $12.99 for youth sizes. We do have a few of the Tiger Adult T-shirts for $14.99, which are great for Tiger partners. Besides being convenient for den meetings, these T-shirts are a good way to advertise Scouting when worn to school or other events.
Water Bottles
Water bottles are required in most schools with filling stations. The Boy Scouts of America offers the CamelBak Tritan, a leak-proof Scout-themed bottle. These bottles are eco-friendly, BPA/BPS/BPF free, have a big bite valve made from medical grade silicone, and may be used with a straw. The Scout and Cub Scout 16 oz. bottles are $16.99, and the smaller 14 oz. Cub Scout bottles are $15.99. These lightweight bottles come with a handle for easy carrying.
New Recruits Need Your Help!
New recruits need help! It’s the new-to-Scouting parents who do the shopping, and they often do not have the information needed to purchase the correct items. Please help us help them by providing the following information:
- Unit number
- Den number (if used)
- Patrol patch (if used)
- Color of neckerchief (for Scouts BSA troops)
- Items to NOT purchase if unit is providing books, neckerchiefs, numbers, etc.
Shipping
We continue to ship orders by USPS on Wednesdays and Fridays. Call us at 757-497-2688 or email polly.fugate@scouting.org. We can take your order, calculate shipping, and call you back for a Mastercard or VISA number. We no longer charge a fee to use a credit card for Scout Shop purchases.
Scout Shop Hours
Our next holiday closing is September 2-4 for Labor 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.
Guide to Safe Scouting
Few youth organizations encompass the breadth, volume, and diversity of physical activity common to Scouting. The Guide to Safe Scouting (GTSS) is an overview of Scouting policies and procedures, gleaned from a variety of sources and designed to make the program safer.
When it comes to the safety guide, here are some important points for you to remember:
- Know the Guide – All participants in official Scouting activities should become familiar with the document and applicable BSA program literature or manuals. The guide is a resource as well as a summary of the materials provided by the BSA.
- Know the Law – Be aware that state or local government regulations supersede BSA practices, policies, and guidelines.
- Know the Risks – The Guide to Safe Scouting does not cover every possible activity, but it provides guidance on how to evaluate risks and proceed safely if explicit requirements do not exist. Check out the Activity Planning and Risk Assessment.
- Know the Restrictions – The document includes a list of restricted or prohibited activities.
- Know the Limits – The document contains age-appropriate guidelines for activities. Find out which and when certain activities are appropriate for particular age groups.
- Know the Program – The guide points to other BSA program documents such as Safe Swim Defense, the National Shooting Sports Manual, and additional program materials.
Race into Scouting
To help Scouting grow, Tidewater Council encourages every pack, troop, crew, ship, and post to Race into Scouting and recruit new Scouts!
Recruiting Steps to Build Membership
- Recruit a New Member Coordinator.
- Complete a Unit Marketing Worksheet with the district executive or District Membership Chair.
- Update the unit’s BeAScout pin.
- Make a Unit Information Sheet.
- Have a table or booth at Meet the Teacher Nights and Open Houses at nearby schools.
- Hold at least two recruiting events or open houses. Talk to the district executive about participating in recruiting events.
- Have a joining opportunity for the unit within seven days of school starting.
Unit Support Materials
Be sure to share information on unit joining nights with the district executive, so they can provide free resources to support recruitment. Support materials can include:
- Electronic and paper flyers going into schools and to parents.
- Council-paid advertising for recruiting events.
- Yard signs.
- Use of banners.
- Appearances by Scoutcar Driver Bobby Katz or Baloo the Bear.
- Hot Wheels and stickers for new Scouts.
- New Parent Guides, event flyers, and other handouts for new families.
- Additional Cub Scout recruiting resources are available on our website at TidewaterBSA.com/cub-scout-membership/.
Contact
District executives, membership chairs, and the Assistant Scout Executive are eager to work with units to help more families Race into Scouting! Tidewater Council’s Staff Directory is available here.
Bats, Bats, and More Bats
With Halloween approaching, bats are a common feature in movies, costumes, and decorations.
The Army Corps of Engineers lease Camps Baker and Moonyah to Tidewater Council. They have reached out to the Scouts of Tidewater Council to help them with a… well, a bat problem.
A property they possess recently has been overrun with bats, and they would like help from Scouts in providing a more suitable home for bats. They are seeking 9-15 bat houses to be constructed and placed in the area. To ensure uniformity, a simple set of plans will be provided to construct a suitable bat house.
If your unit has Scouts needing service hours, this is a great opportunity to earn service time, as well as help out the community. For further information, contact Ron Misfeldt at 757-646-1384 or mustangron@aol.com.
Camp Service Weekends
Attention all Scouting units!
If you have Scouts who need service time, your unit is needed at Camp Moonyah or Camp Baker. The ongoing need for grounds maintenance, mowing, trimming, site-clearing, clean-up, and more is never-ending. We are seeking units that can dedicate a full day or a weekend of service time to these two camps in Chesapeake.
As an added incentive, Scouts and Scouters can work towards earning the highly sought-after and much-desired camp service patch. Contact Ron Misfeldt at 757-646-1384 or mustangron@aol.com for additional details.
Camp Baker Temporary Closure in 2024
In an effort to bring additional electric power to the region, Dominion Power will engage in a 12-month project at Camp Baker, erecting 50-60 new power line towers in the area east of the camping areas. Project construction plans involve camp road impacts, which include the widening and reinforcement of the ground to accommodate large semi-trucks bringing in construction materials and equipment. The work will be continual (seven days a week).
As a result, from February 15, 2024 through December 2024 (and possibly into spring 2025), Camp Baker will be closed to camping to allow for construction activities. Although unfortunate, this action is necessary to avoid putting campers in an unsafe environment. As soon as the project in Camp Baker concludes, even if earlier than planned, the reopening will be announced.
Short-term camping will still be available at Camp Moonyah, located in the Deep Creek area of Chesapeake, or at Pipsico Scout Reservation. Make camp reservations early, as the fall through spring/early summer months are peak camping times in these camps.
Any questions regarding Camp Baker or Camp Moonyah can be directed to Ron Misfeldt, Camps Baker and Moonyah Ranger, at 757-646-1384 or mustangron@aol.com.
Thank you for your cooperation and patience.
Youth Protection Training
Members who are renewing their registration this fall for 2024 must have Youth Protection Training (YPT) that does not expire until 2025. Please log on and complete the training now to beat the fall rush of new adults taking the course.
Eagle Application Tip
Several Eagle Scout Rank Applications recently have come in with the same error. The start date for Requirement 4 (leadership) cannot be before the Board of Review date for Life Rank. The Eagle Scout Rank Application states:
While a Life Scout, serve actively in your unit for a period of six months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility. List only those positions served after Life board of review date.
Changes to Cub Scout Pack Overnight Camping
Effective September 1, 2023, Cub Scout packs who are conducting their own overnight camping activity may now camp up to two consecutive nights. Cub Scout packs who are conducting their own overnight camping activities must continue to have at least one registered adult leader who is trained in Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO), oversees the planning, and is in attendance for the pack campout. This updated policy also applies to Webelos and Arrow of Light dens who may conduct den coordinated campouts. The policy will be updated in the Guide to Safe Scouting and other resources on September 1. An updated version of the BALOO training will also be released at this time.
Remember that Cub Scout camping is limited to the council’s designated locations with appropriate facilities. Find locations approved for Cub Scout camping at TidewaterBSA.com/approved-cub-camping.
For additional information regarding Cub Scout camping, including required youth protection policies, please review the Guide to Safe Scouting.
Supporting Scouts with Special Needs
The BSA has a planning resource for families and leaders to use to jointly map out the future for a Scout with special needs. The Individual Scout Advancement Plan (ISAP) is modeled after Individual Education Programs (IEP) and 504 plans used in public schools. Unlike an IEP or 504 plan, the ISAP does not create legal rights or legal status.
The ISAP and the IEP are not interchangeable. While some of the information and supports contained in the IEP may help to develop the ISAP, it is important to include only the relevant portions.
The ISAP is developed by the BSA leadership familiar with the Scout, their parent/guardian, and, as applicable, the Scout themself. To protect private and personal information, the Scout’s family should select only the pertinent parts of the IEP to share with leaders who are helping develop the ISAP. An ISAP should only be about four pages in length.
Keep in mind that the ISAP is a road map to success. Knowing the Scout, their strengths and weaknesses, and how to encourage growth are important to developing the plan. The ISAP can be updated as a Scout matures and moves through the Scouting program.
Get Ready to Recharter
Next month, in October, the window will open for units to recharter.
Seems early? There are things units can do now to make sure the rechartering process goes smoothly and finishes on time. The first step is meeting with the unit commissioner.
Remember, rechartering on time keeps advancements, training, and BSA online access running smoothly!
Scoutbook
Feature Assistant Extension
There is a Feature Assistant Extension for Scoutbook that can be downloaded separately to help build reports. This extension is available for Chrome and Firefox desktop browsers. Please note: This tool is volunteer created and maintained, and is not maintained by the BSA.
Den Rollover
Did all dens roll over to the next rank in Scoutbook? If not, find a quick video with instructions for fixing the problem here.
Unit Transfers
Transferring Scouts is not done via Scoutbook. When a Scout transfers to a new unit, the transfer must be processed in My.Scouting. Prepare for the upcoming program year by double checking that the unit’s Scouts are all listed in the correct unit.
Scoutbook Calendars
Scoutbook has a calendar feature that allows units to schedule events. Click here to learn how to use it.
The Value of Training
Studies have shown that units with all of their leaders trained have a better retention rate. The average increase in retention rate is 5%.
Taking position-specific training for Scouting is just like the onboarding process for any job. The training teaches the basics of what is expected in that role.
The largest group of untrained leaders are committee members. 29% of pack committee members and 45% of troop committee members are untrained.
When a customer sees a business where many people are untrained for their roles, they lose confidence. In the same way, new and inexperienced Scouting families are looking for knowledgeable leaders to guide them.
Training for many positions, including committee members, is available online through My.Scouting. In-person training is also available.
To make it easier for units, ask the district training chair about arranging an in-person training session for the unit committee. When trained together, the committee will better understand each person’s area of responsibility and how those areas interact with each other.
High Adventure Treks in 2024 and 2025
Many units regularly pack yearly schedules with outings and activities that keep youth coming back and wanting more. Units provide many different activities which appeal to a variety of age groups. Youth ages 11-13 crave and need activities that deliver basic skills, such as camping. Youth ages 14-17 are looking for more robust adventures that challenge their physical abilities, as well as their minds. Additionally, older Scouts are looking for activities which become available as they mature.
To help older youth keep their interest in Scouting, the Council High Adventure Committee has produced a long-range calendar outlining longer (5+ days) high adventure activities. To assist units, the council offers these longer treks on a council contingent basis. The High Adventure Committee is soliciting youth and units’ interest in these treks for 2024 and 2025. Units and individuals with an interest in these activities should contact Jeffreyirving@cox.net or bill.lawrence2@scouting.org for more information. The first two treks are:
Okpik Winter Program at Northern Tier: December 2024
Okpik is the premier winter camping program in the Boy Scouts of America. The Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base in Minnesota is the site of the Boy Scouts of America’s National Cold Weather Camping Development Center. All trips are fully outfitted and provisioned, including almost all the personal gear necessary to stay warm in the winter. A highly trained staff member, called an Interpreter, accompanies all crews on their trek.
This activity is scheduled around winter break (December 2024). Northern Tier has a wide range of winter treks. Crews can choose cabin stay programs, cross country skiing (which could include sleeping one night on a frozen lake), or dog sledding (which includes living with and caring for the sled dogs).
Learn to never fear the cold again while experiencing all the Great North Woods have to offer. The cost varies with the activity the crew chooses, but is estimated around $2,000 per person.
Backpacking at Philmont Scout Ranch: Summer 2025
Philmont Scout Ranch, the Boy Scouts of America’s largest National High Adventure Base, challenges Scouts and Venturers with more than 214 square miles of rugged northern New Mexico wilderness. Backpacking treks, horseback cavalcades, and training and service programs offer young people many ways to experience this legendary country.
Tidewater Council is planning a trek to Philmont during summer 2025. Costs for 2025 are not yet available, but, for reference, the fee for the 2022 council contingent trek to Philmont was around $2,300 per person.
Participants who sign up for either trek must make a $250 deposit.
In succeeding years, Tidewater Council-offered contingents will include Sea Base in Florida and The Summit in West Virginia.
Members of the High Adventure Committee are available to assist individuals and units in developing and conducting long (5+ days) high adventure treks. Contact Jeffreyirving@cox.net or bill.lawrence2@scouting.org.
Program Ideas for October
- National Book Month:
- Schedule a library tour
- Invite a local author to a unit meeting
- Work on the Reading Merit Badge
- National Bullying Prevention Month: The idea that a Scout should treat others as they want to be treated—a Scout is kind—is woven throughout the programs and literature of the Boy Scouts of America. When a Scout follows the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law, bullying and hazing situations should never occur.
- 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.
- Review the BSA’s Social Media Guidelines for valuable information on internet safety and youth protection when using social media.
- National Fire Prevention Month:
- Visit a fire station
- Present the Campfire Safety Safety Moment at a unit meeting
- Present the Behavior Around Campfires Safety Moment at a unit meeting
- Work on the Fire Safety Merit Badge
- Earn the Firem’n Chit
Community Engagement
2023 NAS Oceana Air Show: September 16-17
Tidewater Council is planning to have a membership recruitment table at the 2023 NAS Oceana Air Show. Save the date – details on times will be announced as they become available.
International Coastal Cleanup Day: September 16
International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICCD) is one of the world’s largest annual preservation and protection events and volunteer efforts for the ocean, waves, and beaches.
If interested in participating in a cleanup event at the 17th Street Oceanfront Entertainment Park on Saturday, September 16, visit virginiaaquarium.com/support/one-day-volunteering.
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
Congratulations to Timothy Z. of Crew 824 on earning the Venturing Summit Award!
The Summit rank represents Venturing’s highest honor. To achieve this ultimate recognition, a Venturer serves their crew as a leader— both formally and informally— and as a mentor to others. In addition, the Venturer strengthens their community by designing and leading a service project to benefit others. The experience gained in earning this rank helps the Venturer mature as a member of a team and as an individual.
Timothy, who earned the Eagle Scout rank in 2019, is the eighth Venturer in Tidewater Council’s history to earn the Summit Award. Congratulations!
For his Eagle Scout project, Josh M. of Troop 504 led a team of Scouts to create an Outdoor Learning Space at Diamond Springs Elementary School.
Thanks to Josh and his team, the “Eaglets” of Diamond Springs will have the opportunity to learn and explore in the outdoor environment. Great job!
On August 16, Will T., a Life Scout from Troop 364, received the National Certificate of Merit from the Boy Scouts of America.
Will was recognized for using his first aid skills to aid another youth who suffered a traumatic hand injury. Will responded quickly, assessed the situation, took control, directed others on how they could assist, and helped the injured youth to remain calm.
Will was supportive, helpful, and made the injured individual feel safe. Great job, Will!
On August 11-13, four Scouts undertook a Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award “Adventurous Journey.”
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (DofE) is, like the World Organization of the Scout Movement, one of the international “Big Six” youth organizations. The Boy Scouts of America and the DofE established a national partnership in 2017, facilitating collaboration between the two organizations. Although the DofE is offered in 130 countries around the world, Tidewater Council is the first and only Award Center in Virginia, as well as the only Award Center serving youth in Virginia and North Carolina.
The DofE is largely an independent study program, requiring participants to accomplish personal goals in four categories:
- Voluntary Service: Community service to a charity of their choice
- Skills: Improving a skill of the participant’s choice, or trying something new
- Physical Recreation: Participation in a physical activity that promotes health, team skills, self-esteem, and confidence
- Adventurous Journey: A low-impact excursion that requires participants to work as a team, getting to and from their campsites under their own power
While Adventurous Journeys are often backpacking trips, Tidewater Council’s Award Center is the only one in the country that undertook a bike-camping trip. The participants biked the entire 51.7-mile Capital Trail, from Jamestown to Richmond, VA, over three days and nights, while carrying all their supplies on their bikes and backs.
Three of the participants are on track to earn their DofE Bronze Award, and the fourth participant has completed her requirements for the Silver Award with this Adventurous Journey.
The second day of the Adventurous Journey (August 12) fell on International Youth Day. To celebrate, the participants took a photograph to represent all six of the Big Six youth organizations:
- World Organization of the Scout Movement (all participants are members)
- World YMCA (YMCA/YWCA arm gestures)
- World YWCA (YMCA/YWCA arm gestures)
- World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (some participants are members of this organization as well)
- International Red Cross and Red Crescent (first aid kit)
- The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (all participants were on a DofE Adventurous Journey)
Scouts who are interested in participating in the DofE program can contact:
- Joel Nied, joelnied@gmail.com
- Laura Bussiere, laura.bussiere.2016@gmail.com
- Brandy Schlossberg, brandyschlossberg@gmail.com
Cub Scout Pack 490 held an Ice Cream Social and Scouting Kick-Off Event. The pack’s theme for the month was Thrifty. The Scouts recycled water bottles and popsicle sticks for their upcoming raingutter regatta.
45 returning Scouts and nine new families came out to enjoy the adventure of Scouting!
Three members of Tidewater Council’s Troop 179 have achieved the Grand Slam of High Adventure by attending all four BSA High Adventure Camps! Congratulations to Scout Micah L., Scout AJ M., and Assistant Scoutmaster Tom Lundquist!
Micah, AJ, and Tom’s achievement is even more special because they attended all four bases together:
- In 2020, they completed a Northern Tier High Adventure Okpik Winter Trek and earned their “Zero Hero” badges.
- In 2021, they hiked more than 100 miles at Philmont Scout Ranch.
- In 2022, they sailed the Florida Keys at Florida Sea Base.
- In 2023, they completed the Marksman Experience at Summit Bechtel Reserve.
Congratulations to Micah, AJ, and Tom on your journey of adventure!
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).
