2010: National Medal for Outdoor Achievement

More news on the new Outdoor Awards.

Now, if those five awards aren't enough, there's the ultimate prize: the National Medal for Outdoor Achievement, which will be the highest outdoor adventure award in Scouting. The requirements for that medal are:

• Complete all five National Outdoor Award badges.
• Earn four additional outdoor merit badges.
• Receive training in Wilderness First Aid.
• Finish the Boy Scout Leave No Trace Trainer certification.
• Plan and lead a unit outing or serve as a youth staff member at a council summer camp.

Requirements will be out in 2010 via myScouting.org.

Follow your Shenandoah Area Council on Facebook!

2010: National Outdoor Award Badges

The Cracker Barrel blog (Scouting magazine) has just posted information about 5 new awards:  the National Outdoor Award badges.  You may have seen an earlier reference in the new Scout Handbook, too.


Details will roll out in 2010, but here is a quote:

...includes a series of five badges designed to recognize a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout who has demonstrated knowledge and experience in performing high-level outdoor activities.

The five categories are:

• Camping
• Hiking
• Riding
• Aquatics
• Adventure

Boys can apply for and earn any or all of the badges during their time in the program.

To earn the award or awards, a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout must complete:

• Relevant merit badges, which vary for each award.
• The First Class rank.
• Leave No Trace requirements.
• Activities measured by nights of camping, miles of hiking, miles of horseback riding, hours on or in the water, and other adventure activities. 

Follow Cracker Barrel on Twitter, and your council, too! 

New BSA Stamp at 2010 Jamboree

This is the new Scouting stamp to be issued at the National Jamboree next July (2010).  Just thought you'd like to see it.

And if you want to read more about it...go here!

A Year of Celebration: Alumni

The Centennial Year of Scouting is here.

Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Venturers and current leaders can earn the ribbons to hang from this 100th Anniversary Commemorative patch.

What about folks who have Scouting in their past?  Were you a Cub Scout or Boy Scout?  Den mother or Scoutmaster?  

All the requirements are here--and any active former Scout or Scout leader can earn all the ribbons in.

Share this with your friends at church or at a civic group's next meeting--print it out or email the link.  There are a LOT of former Scouts and Scouters out there who can participate in Scouting's Centennial Year.

The 100th Anniversary of Scouting will only happen once--don't let it pass you by!

[Use this form to track progress on these awards!]

Scouts on Parade

[Image:  Scoutstuff.org 2009 Parade Emblem]


The 100th Anniversary of Scouting will be celebrated in many ways this year.

The Apple Blossom Festival Parade will feature 100 Scouts--Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers.  If you would like to participate, this is your opportunity!  You will need to complete an application form and participate in an interview and a practice session.

All the details are here.

100th Anniversary Postage Stamp coming soon?

Shhh!  Don't look now, but an anniversary postage stamp might be on the way for the BSA!

Big announcement coming on 12 NOV 2009--stay tuned!

[And if you didn't know, there is a stamp collecting group online you might be interested in:  Scouting on Stamps Society International]

A Year of Celebration: Scouters

The Centennial Year of Scouting is on full blast.

Cub  Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers all have the chance to earn the ribbons to hang from this 100th Anniversary Commemorative patch.

What about Scouters?

All the requirements are here--and any active leader wil earn all the ribbons in short order.

Share this with your Scouts at your next meeting--print it out or email the link.  Challenge them all to earn it.

Set a GREAT example by doing it yourself.

The 100th Anniversary of Scouting will only happen once--don't let it pass you by!

[Scouts and Leaders: form to track progress on these awards!]

Scouting Video

A little Cub Scout humor...and 2 great reasons to join the Cub Scouts!

Bird Study Merit Badge Opportunity

The Northern Shenandoah Valley Audubon Society is having their 9th Annual Birding Festival this Saturday at Jim Barnett Park's War Memorial Building.

They will be offering a FREE Bird Study merit badge unit during the day.

Walk-ins are allowed, but please try to let Judy Hagan know before 03 NOV if you plan on attending (540-667-6778).

Be prepared:
Blue card
Lunch or lunch money
Uniform
IMPORTANT: Bring a field notebook! 5"X8" or 7"X8" spiral bound notebook will work best.

Schedule:
8:30  Sign in, fill in blue card.
8:45  Scouts will be divided into 2 groups

1. First group goes to the Lord Fairfax room for presentations that cover requirements #1, 2, 3 and 4.
2. Second group goes to the Joist Hite room for presentations that cover the preparation of your field notebook and learning to identify birds by their song or call alone

10:15  Groups will switch rooms to complete the other session.

Noon:  Break for lunch.  You can purchase lunch from the Girl Scouts or bring your own.

12:30  Build a bird house in the Arts and Crafts room.

You must sign up for a bird walk on one of the following dates in the Lord Fairfax room:

1. 21 NOV at 9AM
2. 05 DEC at 9AM

Both of these walks will beat the Abram's Creek Wetlands off of Jubal Early Drive in Winchester.  At the bird walk, field notebooks will be checked and talked about.  The walk and meeting will last 2.5 hours.

2:30  There will be a live hawk presentation in the Social Hall.  Please plan to stay and see this exciting program (not a merit badge requirement).

Other events open to the public:

8:00  Bird walk to Abram's Creek Wetlands.  Led by Jim Smith.  Meet at the Children of America Day Care Center's parking lot on Jubal Early Drive in Winchester.

10:00 War Memorial building opens to the public with conservation exhibits and crafts for children.  Vendor hall open.  Educational sessions available.

10:30 Live Hawk presentation.

Noon:  Bird walk led by Jim Smith. 

4:00  Jim will lead a walk to the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center to see Virginia's native woodpeckers.