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Upcoming Events
Giving Tuesday - December 3
Join us on #GivingTuesday to support Scouts who are making a difference in our community!
10th Annual BSA Day at Nauticus - December 7
Tickets are available at the Scout Shop for the 10th Annual Scout STEM Day at Nauticus.
Slimy sharks, roving robots, and a giant battleship are all part of the Nauticus experience. Scouts will participate in hands-on STEM activities while earning award requirements! Explore simple machines aboard the Battleship Wisconsin. Learn about ship communications. Touch a shark or horseshoe crab. Build an underwater robot. Meet local maritime career professionals. Honor the 75th anniversary of the USS Wisconsin (BB 64) and the 78th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day.
Limited-edition commemorative patches are now available in the Scout Shop for $5 each.
Hurry in - the registration deadline is Thursday, December 5!
Connect with the Rovers - December 11
Rovers is a local pilot program for young adults, ages 21 through 34.
Have lunch with us! December 11 at noon at Yard House, 4549 Commerce St., Virginia Beach, VA 23462.
Wreaths Across America - December 14
Each December, Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 1,600 veteran cemeteries in all 50 states, at sea, and abroad. BSA units are invited to participate in this project. To register, contact:
Arlington National Cemetery: Bre Kingsbury, 619-887-9455, bkingsbury@wreathsacrossamerica.org
Suffolk Veterans Cemetery: Dean Gould, 757-869-8622, dean.gould@cawg.cap
Scout Night with the Admirals - December 14
Scouts of all ages and families are invited to come cheer the Norfolk Admirals to victory! Get your tickets in the Scout Shop.
Order of the Arrow Lodge Leadership Development - December 14
Lodge Leadership Development (LLD) is the primary training program for local lodges. Members of the Order of the Arrow learn leadership skills, foster creative thinking, and develop lasting solutions that enable and enhance growth.
Blue Heron Lodge’s 2019 LLD will be held at St. Andrews UMC from 9 AM to 5 PM. It is free to all who are current on their dues, but registration is required.
Order of the Arrow Holiday Banquet - December 14
Members of the Order of the Arrow and their guests will gather at St. Andrews UMC for food, fun, and fellowship. The Lodge will present the Founder’s Award and the Silver Heron Award. Those who received Vigil Honor will also be recognized.
Register by December 7 to get the early bird rate!
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.
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. Contact Kirsten Misfeldt at 757-323-6172 for more information.
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.
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.
Holiday hours:
December 20 – 26: Closed
December 27 – 28: Open
December 30 – January 1: Closed
Happy Holidays from the Scout Shop!
2021 National 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 by December 15, 2019. Applicants will be interviewed by the Jamboree Committee and recommended for selection.
Youth Participants
The online registration portal for youth will open in December 2019. The final event fee should be released by January 2020.
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.
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.
Charter Renewal
Wood Badge 100th Anniversary Patches
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Wood Badge with Tidewater Council’s commemorative patch set. A portion of the sales will go to Tidewater Council’s Wood Badge/NYLT Scholarship Fund. The full nine patch set is only $35!
Outer Banks Historical Trail
Explore OBX with the Outer Banks Historical Trail! Visit sites spanning from the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton. Hike in one of OBX’s national wildlife refuges. Give back with a conservation project. Camp and cook in the great outdoors.
Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year
The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award to recognize valuable service of an exceptional nature by an Eagle Scout candidate to a religious institution, school, community, or other entity through completion of an Eagle Scout project.
An Eagle Scout, their parents, or any registered BSA volunteer (with the Eagle Scout’s permission) may submit an Eagle Scout service project for consideration. A copy of the service project workbook and the nomination form must be submitted to the council’s NESA committee by January 21, 2020.
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.
Free Advancements
Thanks to the generosity of Virginia Outdoor Adventure, Tidewater Council Scouts will receive their rank patches and Eagle kits for free!
*Units must submit advancements electronically through Scoutbook or Internet Advancement and bring a printed report to qualify for free advancements. Replacements and duplicates are not included. Must be redeemed at the Tidewater Council Scout Shop, 1032 Heatherwood Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23455. Free advancement program is valid now through December 31, 2020.
Internet Advancement 2.0
Who can access Internet Advancement?
- Unit Key 3:
- Committee chair
- Chartered organization representative
- Unit leader (Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Crew Advisor, Skipper)
- OR a designated unit advancement chair (The unit advancement chair must be designated by a member of the Unit Key 3 via Security Manager.)
Steps to enter advancement
- Go to My.Scouting.org.
- Enter your existing username and password.
- Click on the drop-down menu on the left side.
- Select “Legacy Web Tools.”
- Select “Internet Advancement 2.0.”
- Sign in again using the same My.Scouting.org credentials.
- You will see a roster of the Scouts. Select the Scout for whom you want to enter an advancement by checking the box next to their name.
- Select “Record advancement” on the gray bar on the right side.
- Select the type of advancement under the drop-down menu. For example, a Cub Scout belt loop or adventure pin will be found under “Adventures.”
- Select the advancement item you want to enter. If you have multiple awards to enter for the same Scout, click “Save and approve another.”
- After you are done with a youth’s advancement, click “Approve and finish.”
- Once you have finished entering all Scouts’ advancements, click on “Run report” located on the gray bar.
- Select “Advancement report.”
- Click on “Generate report.”
- Print and bring the report to the Scout Shop.
Additional features
- View a Scout’s advancement records. Click on their name and look under the “Approved” tab. This will show everything that has been entered into the system.
- Generate an advancement record report for multiple youth. Select the name of each Scout you want to include in the report. Under the “Run reports” tab, select “Advancement history.” A new window will open. Click the “X” to remove the date. Click “Run report.”
- View a unit roster. Under the “Run reports” tab, click on “Unit roster.”
- Access previous advancement reports. Click on “Reports” on the gray column on the left side of the screen.
For assistance, contact the National Help Desk at 972-580-2489.
Popcorn
Key Dates
December 9: Deadline for popcorn payments. All outstanding balances must be paid by this date.
December 16: Approximate arrival date for the final order. Units with pre-orders will be notified when the product is received.
December 20-26: The Scout Shop is closed.
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.
Development Corner: Life Insurance
Convenience and flexibility in giving
Life insurance is a convenient way to make a future gift to Scouting with a minimum investment. You can give new, paid-up policies or existing ones that are no longer needed.
How can you make a gift of existing life insurance that you own? Simply assign ownership and deliver the policy to Tidewater Council. You receive an immediate income tax charitable deduction for the current value of such a policy. Scouting must be the owner of the policy if you wish to receive an income tax charitable deduction. If you give a policy that is not fully paid-up, you receive a charitable deduction for your annual premium payments.
Although there are no lifetime tax benefits, you also may designate Tidewater Council as beneficiary of insurance you own or receive from your employer. Most designations can be completed simply and conveniently with the help of your agent or employee benefits coordinator. If you have excess group term insurance, you can name Tidewater Council as a beneficiary of the unneeded amounts. You can also designate Tidewater Council as a contingent beneficiary of an existing policy.
You may designate the purpose of your gift, and when Tidewater Council receives the policy proceeds, they will be used as you specified.
8 Ways to Support Scouting
- Check out our AmazonSmile Charity List and share it with your friends. It’s a convenient way to donate needed ideas to Tidewater Council.
- If you shop on Amazon, choose Tidewater Council to receive an AmazonSmile donation. There is no extra cost to you.
- If you participate in the Combined Federal Campaign, designate your gift to local Scouting with campaign identification number 94511.
- Designate your United Way of South Hampton Roads gifts to “Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America.”
- Designate your Albemarle Area United Way gifts to “Boy Scouts of America – Tidewater Council (4004).”
- Donate your birthday to Scouting with a Facebook fundraiser.
- Make a memorial or tribute gift in honor of a loved one.
- Report your service hours. Tidewater Council reports Scouts’ service hours to United Way and other charitable organizations, and this information impacts the amount of their financial gifts. Scouts are already doing a Good Turn daily – it just takes a few minutes more to record their community service.
Scouts in Action
Troop 362 does an annual food drive in the Acredale community to help others during the holidays. This year, they collected 90 bags of food!
Nearly 100 Cub Scout leaders attended Pow Wow on November 16. Every Scout deserves a superhero, and Tidewater Council’s volunteers are ready to answer the call!
A Scout is helpful and kind. Two Scouts were up for their board of review and one shared his neckerchief so the other would be in full uniform. These selfless young men demonstrated teamwork and support in action.
Troop 362 invited Webelos from nearby packs to their troop meeting on November 7. Visiting Scouts BSA troops is a great way for Webelos to make the choice of which troop they want to join when they advance.
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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