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Upcoming Events
Training Courses - January 11
Are you looking for an opportunity to hone your training skills? Join us at Deep Creek United Methodist Church, 141 George Washington Highway North, Chesapeake, VA 23323. Lunch will be provided for those who register for both The Fundamentals of Training and Trainer’s EDGE.
The Fundamentals of Training
Are you a new Scout trainer? Get an introduction to teaching techniques and skills!
Do you have experience training for other organizations? Learn the BSA’s training techniques!
Are you an experienced Scout trainer? Freshen up your skills!
Are you a unit instructor or Troop Guide? Improve your ability to help other youth learn new skills!
Participants learn the tools of good communication and training, including characteristics of good trainers, how people learn, and training methods. Check-in starts at 7:30 AM.
Trainer's EDGE
Leadership training is a major part of Scouting. The Trainer’s EDGE is BSA’s trainer development course, which teaches Scout leaders how to conduct an effective training session using BSA’s preferred training approaches, including the EDGE method. In addition, this course provides Scouters opportunities to prepare and deliver an oral presentation and develop new skills using hands-on experience in methods and media. This course is required for all NYLT and Wood Badge staff and is helpful for all unit leaders to effectively teach and train youth. All Trainer’s EDGE participants should come prepared to give a 10-15 minute presentation on any Scouting topic. Check-in starts at 12:30 PM.
For more information on either course, contact Erich Röetz at 757-679-5580 or Mike Zemienieuski at 757-617-7440.
Robotics Workshop for Adults - January 11
Nauticus is hosting a workshop to familiarize Scout leaders, teachers, and team mentors with Remotely Operated Vehicles. The workshop will teach the skills needed to help youth earn the Robotics Merit Badge.
The workshop runs from 9 AM – 3 PM and costs $25 per person plus tax. The cost includes breakfast, lunch, and lots of hands-on activities. Registration is open now.
Connect with the Rovers - January 14
Rovers is a local pilot program for young adults, ages 21 through 34.
Have lunch with us! January 14 at 11 AM at The Dirty Buffalo, 4213 E. Little Creek Road, Norfolk, VA 23518.
Winter Camp - January 17-20
The Winter Camp Merit Badge Guidebook, listing class selections, is available online. Registration for Merit Badge sessions is now available. Winter Camp is full, but we are in need of Merit Badge Counselors and assistance in the dining hall. Contact Kirsten Misfeldt at 757-323-6172 for more information.
University of Scouting - January 25
Join us at Hickory Middle School to improve your Scouting knowledge. This all-day event has course selections for all Scouting programs. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for youth. Registration and the course catalog are coming soon. Contact Dave Berger for more information.
Scouting for Food - February 1-8
Scouting for Food is an annual food-collection drive, and one of the many service projects the Boy Scouts of America has conducted since 1910.
Over 13% of residents in our council geography – 154,000 people – are food insecure. Scouts can help make an impact by participating in Scouting for Food.
The plan is simple:
- Sign up online to participate.
- At your district’s January Roundtable, select the area where your unit will distribute tags.
- Distribute tags in your selected area on February 1, 2020.
- Pick up the food left outside homes on February 8, 2020.
- Deliver the food to your chartering organization’s food pantry or to a centralized district drop-off point.
- Remember to report the amount of food collected and your service hours.
Please help us increase Scouting’s visibility and give back to our community!
Coin Collecting Merit Badge - February 8
The Tidewater Coin Club will sponsor the Coin Collecting merit badge at the February Virginia Beach Coin Show. The program takes place at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. Please contact Brian Wierzbicki at 904-607-6973 for registration or additional information.
Award Deadlines - February 8
District Award of Merit
The District Award of Merit honors Scouters who render service of an outstanding nature at the district level. Nomination forms are due to the council by February 8. (You cannot self-nominate.) The recipients will be honored at district volunteer recognition events in March.
Nominees must:
- be registered Scouters.
- have given “noteworthy service to youth,” either inside or outside of Scouting—or both.
- have gone beyond the duties of their volunteer position.
- maintain a positive attitude and work in cooperation with the district and council.
Silver Beaver
The Silver Beaver Award is a council‐level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. Silver Beaver recipients implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. It is given to those who do not seek it. (You cannot self-nominate.) Nomination forms are due to the council by February 8. Recipients will be honored at the council recognition event on March 31.
Nominees must:
- be registered Scouters.
- have given “noteworthy service to youth,” either inside or outside of Scouting—or both.
- have gone beyond the duties of their volunteer position.
- maintain a positive attitude and work in cooperation with the district and council.
Klondike Derby - February 28 - March 1
Are you ready to work as a team, experience cold weather camping, hone your basic outdoor skills, and escape the Klondike? Find your teammates and fill your sled with gear so you can meet the four challenge areas throughout Camp Lions at Pipsico. Friday night, you will have your sled inspected for safety and being prepared. Saturday morning, your first challenge is to prepare breakfast for your team with the ingredients given you. Then, after heading out on the trail, you will be served lunch. The other meals are all for the teams to bring. You will continue on to finish the Klondike Trail and earn your points. On Sunday, we will recognize the team that earned the most points. Everyone receives a cool patch, just for giving the challenge a try.
Start building that sled – you can find some concepts and plans on the Pipsico Klondike Derby webpage.
Seabadge - April 3-5
Are you prepared to support Sea Scouting? Join us in Carthage, NC for Seabadge!
Seabadge is advanced leadership and management training conducted primarily in a classroom setting. The course is interactive with opportunities for networking and discovering new resources. The focus is on how adult leaders can work with older youth to enable them to successfully run their own program. Along the way, you will also learn about Sea Scout traditions, practical ship management, and function as a member of a crew to complete a project.
All Scouters are welcome, including those with no boating or previous Sea Scout experience. Participants must complete Sea Scout Adult Leader Basic Training (SSALBT) and Youth Protection Training (YPT) prior to attending Seabadge.
The course fee of $150 includes all course materials, meals, berthing in cabins with AC/heat, and a chance to enjoy a beautiful spring in North Carolina. Register through Occoneechee Council.
Robotics Competition - April 25
Are any of your Scouts interested in the Robotics Merit Badge? One of the requirements is to attend or participate in a robotics competition. A popular option among Tidewater Council patrols is the MATE Mid-Atlantic ROV Competition. The 2020 competition will take place at Old Dominion University.
Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner - May 14
Save the date to honor the 2019 class of Eagle Scouts and Summit Award recipients. This event will take place at 7 PM at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Virginia Beach.
Scout Shop News
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 Scouting community.
The HOLIDAY SEASON is just around the corner and we have some great gift ideas for Scouts and Scouters. For starters, ANY Scout-related item makes a wonderful gift! But for customers wanting something special, come in and browse the Scout Shop for some amazing stocking stuffers! Don’t forget we sell gift certificates for any amount.
THORLO SOCK SALE! Now through January 4, buy two pairs of any Thorlo socks and get 25% off each pair. What a convenient time to stock up! These socks reduce blisters, pressure (and pain), and are moisture-wicking too. We have crew style, ankle, “light” hiking, and the new high-performance “Outdoor Fanatic.” Any of these socks will be a welcome gift under the tree!
PINEWOOD DERBY “GIFT EDITION” cars are in full stock. This coming year will welcome a new assortment of accessories, but there are only a few weeks left before the holidays. The regular price is $4.49 each. If 10 or more are purchased, each car is discounted by 25 cents. Come in NOW for your pack’s stocking stuffers!
CHRISTMAS VILLAGE pieces have been discontinued by BSA; however, we still have a few of these rare collectable items left. At the low prices of $12.99 – $14.99, they won’t last long. We also have a few lighted towers left in stock ($22.99). Collectors, these pieces are no longer available through BSA, so get ‘em while you can!
THE GOOD TURN TREE located in the front lobby will stay up until we close for Christmas. Every ornament on the tree represents a personal request for a Scout in need. Take an ornament from the tree, purchase the item listed in the Scout Shop, then take the ornament with the item and place it under the tree. Each item will make it to the intended Scout by Christmas. This is truly the spirit of giving at work!
We will continue to ship any orders needed. All orders are shipped by USPS, but don’t forget to order early and beat the holiday mailing rush.
Scout Shop Holiday Hours
Happy Holidays from the Scout Shop!
Charter Renewal
Charters are usually issued for a period of one year; hence, chartered organizations must submit an application to the council annually to renew their charters. Renewing a charter is an annual process because it fosters a formal, timely plan for regular dialogue between chartered organizations and BSA, and it ensures that membership is current so Scouts can participate in Scouting activities and advance in rank. The 2020 recharter season officially began October 1, 2019 with the opening of the online recharter system. Recharter paperwork was due to the Tidewater Council by December 14, 2019. Thanks to all who have submitted their recharters!
If you haven’t yet, please turn in all charter renewal packets to your unit commissioner (UC). PLEASE DO NOT take packages directly to the Tidewater Council Service Center! Commissioners conduct a detailed review of all packages to ensure they can be processed expeditiously by the registrar. The UC needs the complete Renewal Application, not merely the E-Z Report, to conduct the review. After the UC’s review, packages are submitted to the district executive to turn into the registrar. When the registrar processes charters for the new charter year, unit and member expiration dates are updated in Organization and Member Manager respectively.
Contact your unit commissioner or district commissioner with any questions or concerns.
A Scout is Reverent
On Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath, and Scout Jumuah, Scouts show appreciation for their faith-based chartered organizations and houses of worship. If your unit is chartered by a faith-based organization, ask your institutional head or chartered organization representative how you can get involved. Special program covers and patches will be available at the Scout Shop.
Ideas for Engagement
- Wear your uniform.
- Assist in the worship service by serving as ushers or collecting the offering.
- Conduct a flag ceremony.
- Award religious emblems.
- Perform an act of service, such as cleanup or landscaping.
Dates
Units and chartered organizations are free to schedule their observations throughout February. Suggested dates are:
- Scout Sunday: February 9
- Scout Sabbath: February 7-8
- Scout Jumuah: February 7
Pinewood Derby
Packs, districts, and the council each are planning their Pinewood Derbies. The 2020 rules are finalized and the Scout Shop is fully stocked with car kits. Are you ready for the races?
Updated Annual Health and Medical Record (AHMR)
Every few years, the BSA updates its Annual Health and Medical Record after consulting with health care professionals, Scout executives, council and camp health officers, and other experts to ensure it is up-to-date and helpful. This was one of those years, meaning a new form is available for everyone to use for 2020. Your AHMR is valid through the end of the 12th month after it was administered by your medical provider. For example, if you got your physical on November 3, 2019, it’s valid until November 30, 2020.
Next year will be a transition year, so you can use either the old or new form. Everyone in all Scouting programs must use the updated AHMR form starting January 1, 2021. The BSA recommends using the new form on your next physical exam or if you’re a new participant in 2020. The Annual Health and Medical Record is required for Scouts and adult leaders who want to go on Scouting events, campouts and high-adventure trips. Note that there are different parts to the AHMR:
- Part A is an informed consent, release agreement, and authorization that needs to be signed by every participant (or a parent and/or legal guardian for all youth under 18).
- Part B is general information and a health history.
- Part C is your pre-participation physical exam completed by a certified and licensed health care provider.
Parts A and B is for all participants for all activities, day camps, local tours and weekend camping trips less than 72 hours. These are kept by your unit leader.
Part A, B and C. A pre-participation physical is needed for resident, tour, or trek camps or for a Scouting event of more than 72 hours, such as Wood Badge and NYLT. The exam needs to be completed by a certified and licensed physician (M.D. or D.O.), nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
The High Adventure bases (Florida Sea Base, Northern Tier, Philmont, and the Summit Bechtel Reserve) have provided a supplemental risk advisory that explains in greater detail some of the risks inherent in their programs. Please review these, as some Scouts or leaders may not be physically or mentally able to handle the trek. Others arrive at a high-adventure base without discussing that base’s risk factors with their health care provider, meaning they have missing info at check-in that can slow down the process.
More information can be found on the AHMR webpage.
2021 National Scout Jamboree
National Scout Jamboree – the ultimate Scouting experience – is coming to The Summit in West Virginia on July 21-30, 2021. We are looking for volunteers like you to lead our contingent and experience this unbelievable Scouting adventure.
Contingent Leaders
Adults interested in serving as contingent leaders should complete the leader application and submit it to dale@daleward.com. Applicants will be interviewed by the Jamboree Committee and recommended for selection.
Youth Participants
Sign up now to experience the best of Scouting, all in one place! Enjoy treetop canopy tours, rock climbing, ATVs, zip lining, stadium shows, and much more. Youth applications are now available.
Be Prepared
Participation in the National Scout Jamboree is a physically demanding experience. The layout, grade, and elevation of the site requires substantial walking. Activities like climbing, rappelling, rafting, mountain biking, and skateboarding require fitness and stamina. Prepare yourself now for the physical demands of the Summit. Keep physically strong so you are ready to Face the Challenge.
Northern Tier Lottery
Northern Tier offers wilderness canoeing expeditions in Northern Minnesota, Northwestern Ontario, and Northeastern Manitoba through three canoe bases. Northern Tier is also the Boy Scouts of America’s National Cold Weather Camping Development Center, offering programs in Ely, MN and Twin Lake, MI. All trips (summer, autumn, and winter) are fully outfitted and provisioned. A highly trained staff member, called an Interpreter, accompanies all crews on their trek.
Since demand often exceeds availability, Northern Tier will hold a reservation lottery for units interested in 2020-21 winter trips and 2021 summer trips. The lottery opens January 7, 2020. For more information on trips and to keep updated on lottery happenings, visit www.ntier.org/lottery.
Philmont Sneak Peak
Backcountry Sneak Peak is a progressive, challenging backpacking expedition that provides the opportunity to experience the Philmont backcountry in preparation and training for a full Philmont Trek experience. This is a five-day experience in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in New Mexico.
Participation in the Backcountry Sneak Peak program is designed for Scouts ages 13-18 and their advisors. Participants must be registered in a Boy Scouts of America program. Groups are placed under the supervision of two highly qualified Philmont Rangers who plan the trek to meet the abilities and experience of the crew.
CubCast and ScoutCast
Whether you are a new leader or a seasoned Scouter, the Scouting Magazine podcasts have something for everyone.
CubCast and ScoutCast will start the year with a special crossover episode to discuss everything you need to know about chartered organizations and the role of the chartered organization representative.
In February, CubCast explores all the wonderful features of Scoutbook, while ScoutCast uncovers the secrets for Cultivating New Leaders. Come back in March for Bridging on CubCast and on ScoutCast, you’ll discover how Venturing units can be beneficial to your Scouts BSA troop. Each podcast also features a timely Safety Moment to keep everyone Scout-safe. You can find these and archived podcasts at podcast.scouting.org.
Online Registration Unavailable
In order to streamline the recharter process, online applications are unavailable during the month of December. Please use paper applications to register any new members this month. Remember to include new members on your recharter.
Help Needed
Service Projects at Pipsico
During the winter months, there is opportunity to work on certain areas of camp while the vegetation is dormant. We are looking for adults who are willing to take the lead and coordinate the work parties to accomplish the projects. There is an area on the way into Camp Kiwanis where unwanted items have been deposited over the years. Please help us clean that area and dispose of these items properly. Several other larger projects will require coordinated work groups. Please contact Ron Misfeldt at mustangron@aol.com or 757-646-1384 to volunteer or for more information.
Summer Camp Staff
With the cold weather settling in, are you dreaming of those warmer summer months? What you will be doing next summer? Join the staff at Pipsico and be part of an awesome team.
We are interviewing for all program areas, including Scoutcraft, Handicraft, Climbing, Aquatics, Shooting Sports, Huskanaw, and Kitchen Crew. For more information, contact Kirsten Misfeldt.
Journey to Excellence
Journey to Excellence (JTE) scorecards are due with your charter renewal package. You can pre-order patches for your unit with this form.
Important Dates
December 31
- All 2019 advancements must be submitted.
- All 2019 service hours must be entered.
January 3
- 2019 commissioner visits must be entered.
January 15
- All JTE scorecards are due.
Failure to meet deadlines will reduce your unit’s JTE score.
Scouts in Action
Zomboree
A record-breaking number of folks braved the zombie apocalypse at Pipsico. Teams of Scouts honed their survival skills with knot tying, fire building, pioneering, climbing, brain power, and a variety of shooting sports. The Fire Breathing Ducks proved to be the ones most likely to survive. Of 220 participants, 14 maintained human status during the zombie run. We all know that the one thing zombies dislike the most is “Fast Food!”
All were able to partake of the cracker barrel and enjoy some fingers, eyeballs, brains, intestines, and so much more.
Thank you to all who came out and made the weekend a success, from the Scouts to the troop leadership to the volunteers who cooked, cleaned, and ran the activities. See you next year!
Scouting was founded on the premise of Do a Good Turn Daily. Thank you to Pack 117 and Pack 125 for sharing their good turns!
Pack 117 took part in sea grass planting on beaches in the Outer Banks. The planting helps to lessen the impact of erosion by holding sediment in place. We love our beaches!
Pack 125 also did their daily good turn by volunteering as bell ringers for the Salvation Army and sharing the holiday spirit with passersby.
Making Scouting visible in the community is a great tool for recruiting and getting youth excited to be a part of Scouting. Some units in Albemarle District did just that by participating in community Christmas parades. Looks like they had fun!
The City of Virginia Beach and Mayor Bobby Dyer expressed their appreciation of local Scouting and proclaimed December 3, 2019 as Boy Scouts Day in Virginia Beach!
650 Scouts and Scouters attended the 10th Annual Cub Scout/Scouts BSA STEM Day at Nauticus.
Blue Heron Lodge celebrated an amazing year during the annual OA Holiday Banquet, with awards, food, and Blue Heron games.
Over 400 Scouts and family members attended Scout Night with the Norfolk Admirals.
Two Scouts from Troop 182 in Currituck, NC, Donovan H. and Zander H., were selected to drop the first puck for their quick reaction to a multi-vehicle accident that occurred near their popcorn sale.
At the Three Rivers Roundtable on December 12, the district celebrated Sam Kowalski’s 30 years of outstanding service to Tidewater Council with fellowship and refreshments. Sam has selflessly devoted so much of his time to the success of our youth through Scouting. He has had the privilege of mentoring his former Cub Scouts as they progressed through the ranks and became adult leaders themselves! Thank you for all you do for Scouting, Sam!
Even though Santa is very busy, he took some time to come to the Princess Anne District Roundtable to spread Scouting joy on December 10.
This was the last Roundtable to be held at the LDS Church. Roundtable participants shared messages of gratitude to the church for many years of being wonderful hosts.
We want to hear from you! Send stories, photos, and videos of your Scouts in action to alison.harrison@scouting.org (with parental permission, of course).
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