What the Chief has to say about MLK Day

View this email in your browser Scouting Wire Volunteer Newsletter Check out these can't-miss stories for January 12, 2017, and share your favorites with your Scouting network! Happy New Year! If you're like me, the start of the new year is a welcomed reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the holidays. It's a time to hit the reset button... Read more New Boy Scout Requirements Mandatory as of Jan. 1, 2017   Story by Bryan Wendell of Bryan on Scouting: Quick heads up for anyone still using pre-2016 Boy Scout rank requirements. As of Jan. 1, 2017, all Boy Scouts — regardless of rank...    Read more How the New Venturing Website Was Designed By Venturers Have you checked out Venturing.org lately? If not, you're in for a surprise because the website is now completely revamped and optimized to fit the Venturing experience. Even better, the site redesign was...      Read more In Case You Missed It: How to Make This Pinewood Derby Fun for All Cub Scout packs from across the country gather with friends and family to zoom hand-painted creations across their respective tracks. While this iconic event is geared towards Cub Scouts, pack members certainly won't be the only ones joining in on the fun. Learn how to involve everyone on Scouting Wire. Copyright © 2017 Boy Scouts of America, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website Our mailing address is: Boy Scouts of America 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane Irving, TX  75038 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from Scouting Wire Share Tweet Forward

Cross Timbers Training Dates

Cross Timbers Training Dates 

See Cross Timbers Website under Training for registration

February 11 Scoutmaster and Asst, Scoutmaster Specifics combined withTroop Committee Challenge. Take one training get two cards. Great training for anyone wanting to understand the adult side of the troop.8:00 am to 1:30 pm First United Methodist Church of Arlington Scout Building

Scoutmaster Position-Specific Training 

The course will provide Scoutmasters with the basic information and tools they need to lead successful Boy Scout troops. Scoutmasters and assistant Scoutmasters who complete this course, Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills, and Youth Protection Training are considered "trained" for those positions.

Troop Committee Challenge 

This course will provide the committee members of a Boy Scout troop with the basic information they will need to support a troop and ensure a successful boy-led troop program. Troop Committee Challenge has been developed to help troop committee members better understand their roles and responsibilities and help them deliver the promise of Scouting. The Troop Committee Challenge is designed for Troop committees and becomes the course (along with Youth Protection training) troop committee members need to be considered “trained.” 

March 3, 4 IOLS - Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills  

Friday, 6:00 pm to Saturday, 6:00 pm MK Ranch near Waxahachie

Working as patrols, this hands-on course provides adult leaders the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the out-of-doors. Upon completion, leaders should feel comfortable teaching Scouts the basic skills required to obtain the First Class rank. Along with Scoutmaster Specifics this course is required of all direct contact leaders registered in Boy Scout Troops and Varsity Scout Teams, in order to be considered "trained". Venture Crew leaders that do an Outdoor program should also attend.

April 8 Charter Organization Representative Specific Training New World United Methodist Church  9:00 am to 11:30 am 

April 8 Cubmaster and Asst. Specific Training New World United Methodist Church  9:00 am to 11:30 am

April 8 Den Leader and Asst. Specific Training New World United Methodist Church  9:00 am to 11:30 am

April 8 Pack Committee Challenge New World United Methodist Church  9:00 am to 11:30 am

April 22 BALOO - Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation  

2017 Advancement Notice from LHC

Lockheed Martin Volunteers

Lockheed Martin provides a community grant to the charitable organization of an employee’s choice if that employee volunteers 250 hours in the year. They must go on line to the LM website and put Longhorn Council as the organization they volunteer for.  It is a great way.  Typically we have lots of volunteers that are volunteers in our units in Trinity Trails, Silver Star, Brazos Valley and now, Mustang.

 

Other organizations that also do volunteer incentive grants are Exxon Mobile/ XTO, Verizon.  Many others will match the dollar amounts donated by employees, but this is just for volunteering their time.

Join us for Winter Fun!

Quick Links Calendar of Events River Legacy Parks River Legacy Living Science Center   Learn With Us Wedding/Event Venue Birthday Parties Volunteer Acorns Gift Shop Rent a Pavilion Thanks to our  Annual Partners! Consider a sponsorship of one of our 2017 Special Events.  Call 817.860.6752 or e-mail beckyn@riverlegacy.org.  Upcoming Events Beginner's Adult Yoga Series 10 am, Oct. 1-Dec. 17, River Legacy Living Science Center. Beginner's yoga with a forest view, led by a certified yoga instructor. Bring your own mat and water bottle. Cost is $5 per class; $20 for 5 classes or $44 for all 11 classes. Call 817.860.6752 to register. Remaining classes: Dec. 10; Dec. 17 Nature Adventurers: Adventures With Woodpeckers! 10 am-11:30 am, Dec. 8, River Legacy Living Science Center. Children ages 2 years 6months to 5 years old with a parent/caregiver will participate in a hands-on lesson, classroom activities, story and song time, and go on a guided nature walk. Cost is $15 per child/adult pair per class with $5 for 1 additional child. Space is limited. RSVP to 817.860.6752, ext. 102. Next Nature Adventurers: Jan. 12 for Adventures with Snakes! Artini Hour 5:30 - 7:30 pm, Dec. 8, River Legacy Living Science Center. Create reusable gift boxes just in time for the holidays. Instruction, supplies and a tasty adult beverage provided. This month's featured drink is a Salted Caramel White Russian. Wine and light appetizers will also be served. Cost is $15 per person. Ages 21 & up only; driver's license required.  Register online here. For more information, call 817.860.6752.  Scout Badge Day 10 am - 2 pm, Dec. 10, River Legacy Living Science Center. Naturalists will help Scouts complete some or all of the necessary requirements to achieve the certain badges or journeys listed here. All materials are provided, however badges are not supplied by River Legacy Living Science Center. Cost is $10 per scout/sibling; parents/chaperones are free. No refund available. Great Raffle Prizes from REI! Register online here.  Saturday Story Time 11 am, Dec. 17, River Legacy Living Science Center. Children of all ages are invited to listen to fun, seasonal stories presented by a librarian from Arlington Public Libraries. Stay after for related activity. FREE. Space is limited. RSVP to 817.860.6752. Dec. 23-26 - River Legacy Living Science Center closed for Christmas holiday. On the Border Gives Back to River Legacy! 11 am - 11 pm, Dec. 27, On the Border, North Copeland Road. Take a break from holiday leftovers and enjoy a delicious meal at On the Border on North Copeland on Dec. 27. Show this flier, either printed or on your mobile device, and River Legacy will receive 20% of the day's sales. Next On the Border Give Back Night: Jan. 31. Check out our full calendar of events at www.riverlegacy.org. Contact Us River Legacy Foundation & River Legacy  Living Science Center 703 NW Green Oaks Blvd. Arlington, TX 76006 reply@riverlegacy.org www.riverlegacy.org December 2016 See Nature Education in Action  through this 360 Video!   Our friends at 900lbs of Creative filmed this interactive 360 video to highlight the nature education programs at River Legacy Living Science Center. Check it out to see what your gifts help support and please consider supporting nature education with your year-end donations. Donate online today and your gift will be doubled thanks to our $25,000 matching challenge grant! Join us for FUN Winter Break Activities! Connect with nature and enjoy some fun family activities at River Legacy Living Science Center over the Winter Break! Magnificent Mammals - Wednesday, Dec. 28 Join River Legacy Naturalists this winter to explore a few of the Magnificent Mammals that live in and around the Science Center! Learn all about some of our Animal Ambassadors and make a fun animal craft. Radical Reptiles - Thursday, Dec. 29   Join River Legacy Naturalists this winter to explore a few of the Radical Reptiles that populate our River Legacy woodlands! Learn all about some of our Animal Ambassadors and make a fun animal craft. Guided Hikes - Friday, Dec. 30  Join River Legacy Naturalists this winter to explore the trails around River Legacy Living Science Center! Learn and explore the plants and animals who call our trails home and make a craft to use on your next hiking adventure!  Cost for each activity is $2 per person. Choose from one of three available times of 11:30 am, 1:30 pm or 3:30 pm for each day's activity. Registration for the activities will begin at 9 am the day of the event. Recommended for children 2 and up with a responsible adult. For more information, call 817.860.6752. Give the Gift of Nature from River Legacy! Looking for some unique gift-giving ideas this holiday season? Consider the following options for everyone on your list (including our own Animal Ambassadors!): Acorns Gift Shop Find unique nature-related gift items, jewelry, home decor & more at Acorns Gift Shop located inside River Legacy Living Science Center. The gift shop is open 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday and is a great way to find wonderful gifts without the hustle and bustle of the mall. Acorns Gift Shop is also the only North Texas authorized retailer of Wee Forest Folk miniature collectibles. All proceeds from gift shop purchases benefit River Legacy's environmental education programs at River Legacy Living Science Center. Give the Gift of a Summer Camp Experience or Nature School Year Have a special child in your life who loves learning about and exploring nature's wonders? Purchase a gift certificate for a Summer at the Science Center program in June & July or for our 2017-2018 Nature School preschool program. To purchase your certificate, stop by the Science Center or call 817.860.6752, ext. 102. Animal Ambassador Adoption Adopt a Wildlife Ambassador for that special animal lover in your life! Adoption packages start at $25 and include a photograph of your animal, wildlife fact sheet, adoption certificate and more. Download the sponsor application or stop by the Science Center to pick one up. An Honorarium Donation Donate to River Legacy Foundation in honor of a family member or friend! We will send your honoree a special acknowledgement letter and will send you a tax receipt. Donate online and select Tribute Gift as the donation type or stop by the Science Center to make your donation in person. Animal Gifting Tree Our animals created a gift wish list this year! If you would like to fulfill an animal wish, stop by River Legacy Living Science Center and pick a tag from the giving tree. Fill out the form on the back of the tag and bring back the item or monetary donation. Make Purchases Through Amazon Smile Make your gift purchases through Amazon Smile and select River Legacy Foundation as your charitable organization. You can do this by going to Amazon Smile, logging into your account or creating a new one. You can also support River Legacy just by shopping at Tom Thumb and Kroger! Visit our Community Rewards Page to learn more. Storybook Studios Portrait Book a Storybook Studios photo shoot for $45 per child and the studio will donate the fees to River Legacy Foundation. You will receive a complimentary woodland fantasy photo shoot and one 8 x 10 fantasy portrait (a $250 value). To book your fantasy photo shoot in support of River Legacy Foundation, schedule your appointment online at www.storybookstudiosdfw.com. Future environmental stewards start here. Make a difference. Support the work of River Legacy Foundation and Double Your Donation during December!

River Legacy Foundation, 703 NW Green Oaks Boulevard, Arlington, TX 76006

Cub Scout Program Changes ASAP

Breaking News

Cub Scout Advancement Modifications Made The BSA has announced modifications to adventure requirements in response to feedback from den leaders who have run the new Cub Scouting program for a year. Dens may begin using the modified requirements immediately as they begin working on their next adventure. Click here for the complete list of modifications.