Friends of Scouting Week of Giving February 6-11, 2012

Dear Scouters, Parent, Alumni, and Friends

The Cross Timbers District in 2011 had 73 units that retained 70% of their youth from 2010. There were 22 Packs serving 699 Cub Scouts with 70% of them advancing one rank and 36% attending Day Camp. The district served 719 Boy Scouts and Varsity members in 38 troops or teams with 47% received at least one rank advancement, with 33 of young men earning the rank of Eagle, in 2011 and 61% attended a week long summer camp or high adventure experience. 2011 also served 196 Ventures in 15 Crews and 18 Youth in the Arlington Law Enforcement Explore Post. In East Arlington the Longhorn Council Urban program serves 600 Cub Scouts in 8 Packs.

All of this couldn’t have been achieved without your involvement and support

Although presentations are being scheduled, we are asking that during Scouting’s Anniversary week, February 5-11th, 2012, be an organized week of giving to the Friends of Scouting Program. During this time the Cross Timbers District would like to have 100 families commit to participating in the 2012 Friends of Scouting Campaign.

Ways to give during this week:

1) Complete the included Pledge Card and turn in to your unit leader or mail to

               Cross Timbers Friends of Scouting 2012 PO Box 54901 Hurst, TX 76054

2) Respond by e-mail to 662crosstimbers@bsamail.org include your

Name, address, phone number, email address, pledge amount, billing option

3) Go to http://aplacetogive.scouting.org/magento/index.php/give-to-your-local-council.html

In the Memory or Honor of box enter your Unit, Cross Timber District, 2012 Friends of Scouting. Please forward e-mail confirmation to the District Executive at 662crosstimbers@bsamail.org to help ensure your unit receives credit for on-line gifts.

At the February 14^th, 2012 Round Table we will collect and report the outcome of the Week of Giving. Thank you again for your support. We would like to leave your with this quote from Sire Robert Baden-Powell, “No one can pass through life, any more than he can pass through a bit of country, without leaving tracks behind, and those tracks may often be helpful to those coming after him in finding their way.”

Yours in Scouting,

Kent Couch

Cross Timbers District Chairmen

Document links:
FOS 2012

Whats new

Boy Scout Memorabilia

Get your Boy Scout coveted memorabilia at the annual Boy Scout Trade-O-Ree at the Grapevine Convention Center, Friday, Jan 20, and Saturday, Jan 21. Buy, Trade or sell what you want or need. Hours: noon-10pm Jan 20; 9am-9pm Jan 21. Admission is $5. More Info? 214-770-3574 or www.scouttrader.org. The Convention Center is at 1209 S. Main St. Grapevine...

Norman Rockwell and the Art of Scouting

    From Todays Star Telegram:

Norman Rockwell and the Art of Scouting

This new exhibit at the National Scouting Museum is an in depth look at Scouting-inspired artwork that includes works by Rockwell, as well as Walt Disney Studios, Joseph Christian Leyendecker, Howard Chandler Christy, Dean Cornwell and Joseph Csatari. The museum also will hold a chess tournament 1-5pm jan 29 and has "FREE FUNDAYS" 1-5pm Sundays and 10am - 7pm Mondays.

10am Friday and Saturday, Monday-Thursday and Jan 27-28, 30-31; 1pm Sunday and Jan 29. National Scouting Museum 1329 W. Walnut Hill Lane, Irving. Free admission Sunday and Monday. Admission $8, $6 seniors and children 4-12, $5 school groups and Scouts/Scouters; children under 4 free. 800-303-3047 or 972-580-2100; www-bsa-museum.org 

Longhorn Council Camp Cards 2012

Longhorn Council, Boy Scouts of America 2012 “Camp Card” Helping Scouts earn their own way! You have heard of them. Many Councils and families are finding the Camp Cards a terrific way to pay for camp or any camping opportunity. They are coming to the Longhorn Council in March. Longhorn Council is developing a Camp Card to give Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers' the opportunity to earn their way to Camp.

Fact Sheet

1.  Longhorn Council, Boy Scouts of America serves over 48,000 Scout families and 2,000 Career Explorers. 
2.  In 2012, Longhorn Council will produce up to 100,000 Camp Cards 
1.  60,000 “Camp Cards” will be produced to be sold in the North Texas Area. 
2.  30,000 “Camp Cards” will be produced to be sold in the Central Texas Area. 
3.  10,000 “Camp Cards” will be produced for some of our rural counties. 
3. The card will be printed on two sides. One side of the card will contain the discounts being offered. The other side of the card will display a picture of a camp scene with bold letters reading “Camp Card”. Longhorn Council will use the front of the card to thank the contributor for supporting the Scouting programs and to share its contact information.
4. Sign-ups will be in FEBRUARY at Round Table
5. Scouts will sell the plastic discount cards from March 1, 2012 to May 15, 2012. 
6. The Card will include 1-one time redemption coupons and 6-yearlong coupons to be used again and again. 
7. There are no costs to vendors providing exceptional valued discounts on the card. Longhorn Council will be responsible for all costs associated to the printing and distribution of cards.
8. The one time use coupons (tabs) will be perforated so that they can snap off the card for one time redemption. The suggested expiration for the tabbed is 6/30/2012 or later. 
9.  Expiration dates for the perpetual coupons should be 12/31/2012. 
10.  The cards will be sold for $5 each with the Scouts earning $2.50 per card, and the Scout office receiving the remaining portion and costs of printing and promotion.

Florida Sea Base 2013 Lottery

Florida Sea Base Lottery Registration Set to Open The registration period for The lottery for 2013 high adventures at the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base opens January 15. Below are key points to remember as you register: ·         The registration period is from January 15 to February 15. ·         Access to the Sea Base lottery is obtained through the Sea Base website, www.bsaseabase.org. ·         A Scout unit leader must create an account to access the reservation site. If the unit already has an account, another one can't be created. Contact Sea Base for additional information if you can't access your account. ·         A unit can request any number of dates and adventures that interest its Scouts. ·         Requests can be prioritized to increase the chances that the unit gets one of its top choices. ·         Requests can be added, deleted, or reprioritized during the lottery period. ·         Multiple crews can be requested for a specific date and adventure. ·         When a date and adventure are awarded to a unit, the unit gets all the crews requested. HOWEVER, units can't mix and match different adventures on the same date. ·         Units will be notified of the lottery results by March 1. ·         Units have 30 days to send a $100-per-person deposit to confirm reservations. ·         All remaining vacancies will be made available on the reservation site on a first-come, first-served basis. ·         All adventure materials will be mailed in the fall after the first-half payment is received. ·         Individuals and small groups may attend Sea Base using Scout Connections on the website.

Florida Sea Sase Lottery 2013

Florida Sea Base Lottery Registration Set to Open
The registration period for
The lottery for 2013 high adventures at the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base opens January 15. Below are key points to remember as you register:

• The registration period is from January 15 to February 15.
• Access to the Sea Base lottery is obtained through the Sea Base website, www.bsaseabase.org.
• A Scout unit leader must create an account to access the reservation site. If the unit already has an account, another one can’t be created. Contact Sea Base for additional information if you can’t access your account.
• A unit can request any number of dates and adventures that interest its Scouts.
• Requests can be prioritized to increase the chances that the unit gets one of its top choices.
• Requests can be added, deleted, or reprioritized during the lottery period.
• Multiple crews can be requested for a specific date and adventure.
• When a date and adventure are awarded to a unit, the unit gets all the crews requested. HOWEVER, units can’t mix and match different adventures on the same date.
• Units will be notified of the lottery results by March 1.
• Units have 30 days to send a $100-per-person deposit to confirm reservations.
• All remaining vacancies will be made available on the reservation site on a first-come, first-served basis.
• All adventure materials will be mailed in the fall after the first-half payment is received.
• Individuals and small groups may attend Sea Base using Scout Connections on the website.

Advancement Guide Overview Presented Jan 10, 2012 to XT Roundtable

Here is the link to the presentation of the advancement guide.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B6jJUq6P1sb-NDc0ZTA3ZWEtM2VlZS00OGIwLWFiNGEtZmUwYzdhMTE2NmU4

Did you know..

You can join the blog and submit content and make comments..

I would really like to see more district members subscribed to the blog. This will help make this the main place to provide events and such for our district..

And what can you post?

Anything related to scouting..

- Training
- Fund raisers
- Special Events
- Scout Friendly Companies and Restaurants
- Events that are open to and may be of interest to fellow scouts.

If you are not sure, please ask..

Robert Blake
817.505.1257
robert.blake@bitxbit.com

March Wood Badge Course Still have 11 Spots OPEN

Cross Timbers Members-

There is still room- See attached application for details.

Please forward the attached WB application to your districts.

The first 2012 course begins in March.  The course must have 30 paid participants by February 2^nd or the course will not occur – we currently have 11.

The WB staff would appreciate your assistance in recruiting.

Tracy Carroll

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B6jJUq6P1sb-MDJjYWI5ZjAtOTJkYi00NmEzLTkxOTQtZDljODEzMjdkYjg4

March 3, 2012 Scout Day At LEGOLand

http://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/dallasfw/en/tickets-and-offers/special-offers/boyscoutsdaylonghorn.htm

2012 Longhorn Council Silver Beaver Award Nomination

In 1931, B.S.A. President Mortimer L. Schiff recommended to the National Board that an award be devised for recognition of distinguished service to youth in the area of a local council and the concept of the Silver Beaver recognition was established.

The Silver Beaver Award is the highest form of recognition that a local council can bestow upon a volunteer. It is made for noteworthy service of exceptional character to boyhood by registered Scouters within the jurisdiction of the Longhorn Council The Silver Beaver recipients will be recognized at the Council Annual Recognition Dinner.
The Longhorn Council has participated in this recognition program since its inception, presenting Longhorn's first Silver Beaver Awards in 1931 to A. L. Shuman and O. K. Shannon. Beginning with these awards, more than 950 adult leaders in our Council have been recognized in this manner. Our Council plans to recognize additional leaders annually who may be nominated for their service to youth.

Although presentation is made by the Council, all nominations submitted must be approved by the National Court of Honor before the award can be presented. Only those persons who have been nominated by their Scouting peers are considered by the local council and the award may not be personally applied for. The selection process in our Council involves a Silver Beaver Selection Committee.

Link to download form: http://www.longhorncouncil.org/Info/Awards/Silver-Beaver-Award.aspx

Merit Badge News

The Welding Merit Badge is still in the works – now projected for release in early to mid-February.   Also, two other merit badges, Kayaking and Search and Rescue are now scheduled for release at the end of May, beginning of June.  Keep your eyes open!

We are still in need of District Counselors for five merit badges.  They are:

Fingerprinting          Oceanography           Plant Science            Sculpture                                              Small Boat Sailing

If you have someone in your unit that can counsel one of these badges, please have them fill out the required forms and get them to me.  If they are already a MB Counselor, have them call me.

Check this out!

Another updated version of the MBC Listing, dated 1/4/12, is posted at crosstimbersdistrict.org/documents/badge.pdf.                                           The username is tiger and the password is Eagle29.  Both words are case sensitive.  Three new updates this year!!

Charlie Oliver

817-467-5418

ceoliver@swbell.net

2012 Journey to Excellence Forms Available

"Scouting's Journey to Excellence" is the BSA's new council performance recognition program designed to encourage and reward success and measure the performance of our units, districts, and councils. It is replacing the Centennial Quality Awards Program as a means of encouraging excellence in providing a quality program at all levels of the BSA.

Attached you will find the District, Pack, Troop, Team, and Crew 2012 Sheets. Please review your unit and district achievement goals for 2012. Please take some time to share and review these forms with your adult leaders, parents, and youth if appropriate. At the March Round Table there will be a special Journey to Excellence presentation.

Journey to Excellence Web-site: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Awards/JourneyToExcellence.aspx

Journey to Excellence Service Hours Information: https://scoutnet.scouting.org/gtfa/ui/security/login.aspx

January Cub Scout Roundtable

All Right Cubscouters! It is 2012 and time to start going to Roundtable! December attendance was a little weak.  Okay, non-existent.  Let's get our act together for this year and really get motivated to pump up our leaders and our Cub Scouts. Tuesday, 7:30 pm at Pantego Christian Academy start the new year right with good attendance, good attitude, and good feelings. Ron Ronalder, Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner ninaron#sbcglobal.net

BSA- TXTING AND DRIVING CAN WAIT

When you take just a minute to look at the last text message on your wireless device, consider whether it would be worth causing a serious accident, possibly one that could take a life … or several lives. When you look at it this way, there's no text that can't wait.

To drive this point home, the BSA and AT&T have teamed up to offer Scouts and leaders the opportunity to take the "It Can Wait" pledge to not text and drive. And, by encouraging at least 10 friends to do the same, they can earn a limited-edition "Txting & Drivng" patch (while supplies last).

To participate, have your Scouts go to the main BSA Facebook page and click the "It Can Wait" app in the left column.

Learn more about this initiative (and watch an "It Can Wait" video) on Scouting magazine's Bryan on Scouting blog.

Yours in Scouting

Kelsey Clark

District Executive

Cross Timbers District

Longhorn Council, BSA

817 231 8529

662crosstimbers@bsamail.org

Mailing

PO Box 54901

Hurst Texas 76054

Recruitment Materials at the ready

Whoever said half the fun is getting there had to be a Scout. Because the only thing more exciting than being awarded a badge is the unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience that went into earning it. These memorable moments of Scouting achievement that are an invaluable part of the journey to being Prepared. For Life.™

In scouting we as youth to beacout.org. To help in making the ask please follow this link to the national resources. If you see anything you link to use you can download or ask and we can work at getting it for you.



http://scouting.org/scoutsource/Marketing/Recruiting.aspx

Yours in Scouting
Steve Willey
Cross Timbers Membership Chair
steve@sdrwilley.com

Kelsey Clark
662crosstimbers@bsamail.org

1/10/2011 Boy Scout Round Table

Thank you all for making the December Roundtable an enjoyable event. The upcoming Scout Roundtable is sure to advance your knowledge about the changes to the advancement rules. Our own District Advancement Chairman, Mikel Shelton, will inform us all about the new trail to Eagle including the changes made to the Eagle service project requirements. Mikel will be able to provide answers all your questions. Some of which may even be accurate and helpful! So come to the Scout Roundtable next Tuesday, January 10th at the Pantego Christian Academy, 2201 West Park Row. The meeting begins promptly at 7:30pm. I would encourage you to also bring your unit’s advancement chairperson, Eagle coaches and mentors, plus any other Scouter that is involved in helping your Scouts move through the ranks. Also if you know of someone who can provide a future Roundtable program, please let me know. See you Tuesday!