Table of Contents
Upcoming Events
Many events have been canceled or postponed due to COVID-19, including University of Scouting 2021.
Click here for a continuously updated list of event changes. Tidewater Council’s official updates and policies can be found here. The National Council, BSA has COVID-19 Resources available at scouting.org/commissioners/covid-19-resources.
Silver Beaver Nominations Due
February 6
The Silver Beaver Award is the council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered Scouters who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given at the council-level.
To nominate a worthy Scouter, please submit the nomination form to the Scout Shop.
Scouting for Food
February 6 -14
As Scouts, we know how fortunate we are to have a warm meal every night — whether around the campfire or at the kitchen table. And we know that not everyone is so lucky.
That’s the genesis of Scouting for Food, a food-collection drive run by Tidewater Council BSA. It’s another reminder to our local communities that Scouts are here, doing good turns.
Scouting for Food takes place on two consecutive weekends. On the first weekend (February 6-7), Scouts distribute door hangers to let their neighbors know about the drive. On the second weekend (February 13-14), Scouts revisit those houses to pick up canned food, cereal, pasta, peanut butter, juice, and other non-perishable items.
The food is delivered to needy families through your chartered organization’s food pantry or through the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore.
The first step in getting your unit involved in a food drive is to find a Scouting for Food Chair – someone who will organize and promote the project and be a liaison between your unit and district. Once that person is identified, it is easy to enlist your unit’s youth and adult leaders to execute. Please sign your unit up at https://247scouting.com/forms/596-SFF2021.
If you have any questions, you can contact Tracy McGlothian, Scouting for Food Chairperson, Tidewater Council BSA at tracy@mtolivegtgroup.com.
Troop Committee Challenge
February 20
This full-day course introduces Scouts BSA troop committee members to everything they need to know about their roles and responsibilities.
Scoutmaster Specific Training
February 20
This full-day course will cover almost everything you need to know to run a troop. Scoutmaster Specific Training, along with Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills, is required for Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters to be considered trained.
Merit Badge Counselor Orientation
February 20
Join us at the Mary Jayne Breeden Council Service Center to learn the policies and procedures behind being an effective merit badge counselor.
National Celebration Event for the Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scouts
February 21
Mark your calendars for a special event celebrating America’s first female Eagle Scouts. On February 21, 2021 at 8 PM, the BSA will mark this historic milestone.
Members of the Inaugural Class of female Eagle Scouts are invited to share details about their journey that will be used to make a commemorative gift. Visit www.scouting.org/inauguralclass for more information.
Klondike Derby
February 27-28
It is time to get ready for winter camping and practice those Scouting skills. Registration opens January 4 at scoutingevent.com/596-KlondikeDerby21!
In Fond Remembrance
Thomas van Avery
For those who spent a summer at Pipsico during the last several years, you probably came across Thomas’ path. He often helped to serve cereal at breakfast, ran merit badge programs at the waterfront during the day, and would lifeguard at the pool in the evenings. He was passionate about the waterfront merit badge programs. Because of his dedication and skills, he was going to be the Waterfront Area Director this summer, but unfortunately, the effects of COVID-19 shut down summer camp. Thomas was thoughtful, helpful, and a friend to all. He will surely be missed by all and his Scouting family.
Thomas’ family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Pipsico’s Aquatics Program. To donate, you can send a check to Tidewater BSA, or you can give via credit card at https://tidewaterforms.tentaroo.com/tribute. In the Comments or Memo section, please note that the gift is in memory of Thomas van Avery and for Pipsico Aquatics.
News
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
Tidewater Council is excited to announce that it has been selected as the first organization in Virginia and North Carolina to deliver The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. The Award is not a Scouting award. Rather, like World Scouting, the Award is one of the “Big 6” youth organizations. It is an independent program founded in the United Kingdom and now offered in over 130 countries with over 1.1 million active participants.
The Award is an independent study-style program emphasizing self-improvement and persistence. There are a limited number of group meetings or scheduled events. Your regular troop activities may qualify for those meetings/events. The Award is available to all 14-24 year-old girls and boys, Scouts and non-Scouts alike. Because this is not a Scouting program, it is as easy for non-Scouts to participate as it is for Scouts.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award covers four separate elements that enable each participant to grow in various ways. Those elements often can be found within the many existing school, Scouting, or other after-school activities. There are three levels (Bronze, Silver, and Gold), all of which include the following elements that vary in the number of months of commitment depending on the level:
- Physical Recreation – One hour per week of physical activity, whether it be on a school or travel team, in the swimming pool or in the hundred other places in which participants can push themselves physically. The participant chooses the activity and, with the help of the program coordinators the (Award Leaders), helps identify an “assessor” to ensure the participant selects realistic objectives that can be achieved in the given amount of time.
- Skill – One hour per week to develop a new skill chosen by the participant, whether this be learning a musical instrument, learning a new language, or improving any other skill or hobby. Again, the participant chooses the skill. Like the physical recreation component, the skill should be something that excites the participant and helps expand his or her knowledge of and experience with the skill.
- Service – One hour per week designed to show the participant the importance of giving back to the community and to help the participant learn more about the organization the participant elects to support.
- Adventurous Journey – A four or more-person excursion (starting as a 2-day, one night excursion for the Bronze level and longer for the Silver and Gold levels) chosen, planned, and led by the participants with adult oversight and appropriate training.
Participation requires a fee, depending on the level. The program offers financial assistance to eligible Award participants toward their participant registration fees and costs through an application.
For general information about the Award, please look at www.usaward.org. For details about the Tidewater Council’s delivery of the Award (whether as a potential participant or as a volunteer to help deliver the program), please contact Joel Nied at joelnied@gmail.com or Jim Manley at jmanley8@cox.net.
Scout Shop
With the holiday season here, now is the time to think of Scout-themed gifts. It’s a short month with the Scout Shop only being open about three weeks, so shopping early is a must! Feel free to call with questions about what we have, or come in and browse for what is in stock.
With a busy holiday season and year-end inventory, we will be closed from December 24 through January 4.
Stocking Stuffers
Check out gifts $10 and under!
- Camper Compass ($5.99)
- 5-in-1 whistle ($3.99)
- Light Bright flashlights ($6.99)
- “Words to Live By” keychain ($6.99)
- Patriotic pins ($4.99)
- Sports bottles ($7.99)
- Fire starters ($4.99)
- BSA Mess kits ($9.99)
- Cub Scout rank T-shirts ($9.99)
- Girls CS leggings ($6.99)
- Travel pillows ($9.99)
- CS book covers ($9.99)
- And more!
Check out gifts $20 and under!
- Camo-Pivot flashlights ($19.99)
- Light weight sleeping mats ($11.99)
- Scout Class-B cotton T-shirts ($10.99)
- Sport Tek Scout T-shirts ($17.99)
- Anodized aluminum mess kits ($19.99)
- Waterproof Dive lights ($19.99)
- Deluxe Scout knives and Cub Scout knives ($19.99)
- And more!
Pinewood Derby
The Pinewood Derby gift kits are still available, as well as plenty of accessories!
Thorlos Sock Sale
The Thorlos sock sale continues throughout December. Buy two or more pairs and get 25% off each pair. These socks are thick, warm, and very insulating. Pick up a couple pairs for the hiker on your list.
Holiday Collection Pieces
BSA was unable to produce new holiday pieces this year, but we still have a few of the ceramic Lighted Climbing Towers ($22.99) left in stock. At almost 22” tall, this makes a good addition to any holiday collection.
Gift Certificates
Not sure what the Scout or Scouter in your life needs? Get a Scout Shop gift certificate – available for any value you want to purchase! They may be used for merchandise or for any event that may be paid at the Scout Shop.
Happy holidays and best wishes for the New Year from the Scout Shop!
Pinewood Derby
Get your engines ready – we are almost to Pinewood Derby season!
What is a Pinewood Derby? The Pinewood Derby is one of the most popular and successful family activities in Cub Scouting. Cub Scouts design and build their own small wooden cars, with some help from their families. Then they race their cars in competition, down a gravity-powered track.
Win or lose, Cub Scouts will take pride in having done their best. Cub Scouts learn craft skills, STEM principles, the rules of fair play, and good sportsmanship—things they will remember for life.
You can view the 2021 Pinewood Derby Rules & Procedures for Tidewater Council here. Scouts must make a new car each year. Be on the lookout for district derby information coming soon. Scouts who qualify in the top three of their class at the district level will qualify for the council derby. We hope to see you there!
Diamond Brand Gear Scouting Giveaway
Thank you to all who kept the vigil, shared the link with friends and family, voted daily, and reminded the rest of us to vote. We showed everyone how much we support Pipsico Scout Reservation. We jumped back and forth from first to second place with just a few votes between us and Camp Rainey Mountain. The voting ended on Thursday, December 10th at midnight, and we are happy to report that we finished in first place!
We want to thank Diamond Brand Gear for hosting the competition, and for their donation of cash and gear to our camp. It will certainly go to good use. You can watch Diamond Brand’s Facebook Live announcement here.
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.
All Terrain Vehicles
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are defined as “motorized recreational cycles with three or four large, soft tires, designed for off-road use on a variety of terrains.” While all-terrain vehicles—including ATVs, utility task vehicles (UTVs), and side-by-sides—are fun and exciting to navigate through a forest course, they are also under the watchful eye of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and have a reputation of scarring the environment.
With the exception of council-run ATV programs, ATVs, UTVs, and side-by-sides are banned from program use, a restriction that includes their use within units.
ATV programs have been used in council-run programs following National Camp Accreditation Program (NCAP) standards for some time now. When an approved program is offered, the camp provides a safe introductory program into all-terrain vehicle use and operation following the safety training program of the ATV Safety Institute (ASI).
- The course or program must follow the ASI’s RiderCourse program in its entirety. No deviation is permitted from the course outline. Go online at atvsafety.org to review the section they have for parents. It details what you may want to know about riding ATVs safely.
- In the camp program, a qualified staff member will be present at all times that participants are riding. Unsupervised riding is not allowed. Manufacturer restrictions on the age, weight, and height of riders shall be followed, with no exceptions.
- Parents and/or guardians must complete a permission slip, inclusive of hold-harmless language, prior to beginning the program.
- The ATVs may not carry passengers except for the designated rider, and the ATV may not be used to pull anyone or anything.
- Should your council use ATVs, please understand the speed limits and trail conditions at which they are meant to operate, keep your limbs inside of the ATV, and maintain the use of all necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) while riding.
The ATVs are council-owned and used for program. The ATVs may not be leased to third parties during the off-season. Personal ATVs are not authorized for use.
NCAP standards allow for a fun time on ATVs while keeping Scouts safe.
Risk Assessment
The Guide to Safe Scouting asks activity planners to assess risks for activities that are not covered by the BSA program. This begs the question: How do I assess risks? The National Health and Safety Committee has developed the following tools to help:
- The enterprise analysis tool is primarily used to record, assess, and manage councilwide risks. The risks identified using this tool should be serious enough to jeopardize council operations. This tool may cover many areas, such as financial, legal, or liability risks.
- Program hazard analysis is used mainly for program areas within camps or high-adventure bases. It covers specific risks to the program areas. This tool has a defined way of assessing probability and severity of risks.
- Safety checklists are used for small events or campouts. Checklists provide a body of knowledge for running Scouting activities safely. Like an airline pilot reviewing a checklist before takeoff, these tools help to make sure critical safeguards are in place for a specific Scouting activity.
- The Safety PAUSE (Pause, Assess, Understand, Share, and Execute) process stresses the importance of a last-minute safety check in the field. By encouraging each Scout or adult leader to pause and reflect on the tasks at hand just before beginning, you have an opportunity to take necessary precautions to prevent any present or potential hazards. This is not a stand-alone tool. A formal risk assessment should be done first, such as a safety checklist or a program hazard analysis (PHA).
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Merit Badge
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Merit Badge is in the final stages of development. The new merit badge is expected to be released for Scouts to begin earning in January 2021, and to become an Eagle-required badge in May 2021.
NESA Scholarships
The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) is proud to offer scholarships that can help Eagle Scouts continue their educational adventures. Applicants must be an active member of NESA in order to receive a scholarship.
Philmont Training Center
There are many conferences and workshops available for volunteers at Philmont Training Center in Cimarron, New Mexico. Training at Philmont can become a great family vacation, as there are activities for children and families. View the 2021 Conference Brochure for course listings and more information.
National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE)
NAYLE is the ultimate hands-on leadership experience for youth leaders in Scouting. NAYLE emphasizes leadership, teamwork, and selfless service, using the core elements of National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) to help youth strengthen these skills. To participate, Scouts must be 14 but not yet 20 years old, hold a unit leadership position, and have completed NYLT and Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops or Crews (ILST or ILSC).
In 2021, Philmont Scout Ranch plans to offer six sessions of NAYLE and The Summit Bechtel Reserve has two sessions scheduled.
Development Corner
Support Scouting with AmazonSmile
As you order those last few holiday gifts, 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.
Planned Giving: Pledges
Guarantee your pledge through your estate. Some people want to give a major gift, but cannot complete the gift all at once. A multi-year pledge for Scouting is an effective way to do this. In fact, many donors also include language in their will that would fulfill any pledge amounts unpaid during the donor’s life.
The pledge is a simple, written agreement between you and Tidewater Council committing you to an amount to be paid by a date that you choose and may even specify how your gift is to be used. It is not a substitute for a will.
Pledges are commonly used to make a multi-year gift commitment for council endowment, a new service center or camp building, or in support of a specific Scouting program. It is best to record your estate note gift in your will or estate plan, and to alert your executor or personal representative. We encourage you to keep your pledge with your other estate plan documents and to attach a copy to your will. If you have any questions about planned giving, please contact Susan Miley-Petrehn.
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.
Scouts in Action
Congratulations to new Eagle Scout Justin M. of Princess Anne Troop 362!
Bayside Pack 180 spread some holiday cheer! The Cub Scouts made holiday cards for their chartered organization, Wesley Grace United Methodist Church, to hand out with food pantry distribution.
Pack 180 Cub Scouts sang holiday carols for residents of long-term care facilities – and shared them via video to keep everyone safely distanced. Watch their rendition of “The 12 Days of Christmas” here.
Albemarle Pack 116 showed their community support by hosting a donation table for Children and Youth Partnership for Dare County to collect diapers. Through their efforts and the generosity of community members, they were able to donate 40 packs of diapers, along with almost $300, to CYP’s Diaper Bank. Great job Cub Scouts!
Three Rivers Troop 934 Scouts David S. and Joseph B. were featured on WTKR for making a difference in the community. David created the “Black Empowerment Organization” for his peers to discuss Black history and learn from activists, religious leaders, and community members. The group educates and empowers youth in the community.
Two formidable Cub Scout packs competed in the first-ever Black Friday Popcorn Showdown! Princess Anne Pack 405 went head-to-head with Three Rivers Pack 212, to see who could sell the most popcorn on November 27. At the end of the day, Pack 405 emerged triumphant and Pack 212 graciously offered them a can of Cheddar Cheese popcorn as the prize. Both units had fun, and together they sold nearly $5,000 on Black Friday! Great job!
Santa Claus has been visiting Tidewater Council Cub Scouts, at drive-through holiday parties and traveling pack meetings.
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