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Den Leader Tips and Tricks

Leaders and families who want to get a first hand look into activities can watch the 6-8 minute videos of youth doing the activities. Now while at home or at a den meeting, you can participate along with your child and complete the activity for your advancements.  Over 60 councils partnered together and crowd-sourced activities from Lions – Webelos. More videos are continuing to be uploaded, so you can follow along through out the year to complete your ranks. A big shout out to Mazza Museum and Tiffin University for partnering with us in completing the lion videos. 

https://www.scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/den-meeting-resources/den-leader-tips-tricks-video-series/

Scouting Unit Operations COVID Update 9-29-20

Here is an update on operations including unit camping. In addition to the guidance that was previously published, the council has developed an updated Restart Scouting Safety Planning Guide. This was created after input from our local health departments in locations that the council has camping facilities...[Read more]

Popcorn Sale Continuing with Online Direct to Customers

Scouting's Popcorn Sale continues with online Direct Sales. Scout units continue to receive credit and participating Scouts receive double the Trail's End Rewards for each sale...[Read more]

2021 Unit Renewal & Recharter beginning November 1st

We are getting to that time of year for recharter.  This is when your yearly Scouting membership is to be renewed.  Families that are registered with a local unit, your leaders will be in contact with you for renewing your membership for the 2021 year.  We know the benefits the Scouting program has on youth and encourage you to continue down the Scouting trail to hone in your son or daughter's leadership, character and citizenship development.  Undoubtedly, 2020 has been a speed bump for many of us navigating programming with social distancing and limiting numbers.  One thing is for certain, this will pass and we look forward to seeing you in 2021 as we 'Escape the Great Indoors' together!

Each unit key 3 (Cubmaster/Scoutmaster, Committee Chair, and Charter Organization Leaders) will be emailed access codes to begin your unit's recharter.  The first day to log in is November 1st.  Recharters are scheduled to be due on December 10th.  You may turn these into your unit commissioners or district executive.

Community Service Hours Program

You may wonder why scouts do Community Service hours. If you think about the words of the Scout Oath, Law and Slogan community service go hand in hand. Read more about community service in the Black Swamp Area Council, service hour patches and the Community Service Award...[Read more]

It’s the Great Pumpkin #TrekAt2: Get carving and tune in October 30!

You’re invited to the #TrekAt2 Halloween and pumpkin-carving party Friday, October 30, at 3 p.m. Eastern...[Read more]

Scouting is Safer than Ever Before

Learn about the BSA’s expert-informed policies and barriers to abuse that help keep kids safe in Scouting today...[Read More]

Adult Leader Training Opportunities

We are incredibly excited to inform you that we are planning some in-person training opportunities over the next few months.  We highly encourage adult leaders to mark their calendars and set aside some time to come get trained.  Remember that every Scout deserves a trained leader!

Scoutmaster / Assistant Scoutmaster Training (December 5)

• Provides an active, fun, and positive learning experience for new and experienced Scoutmasters and Asst. Scoutmasters to learn and apply proven techniques for running an effective Troop
• Training flyer
• To register for the December 5th date, click HERE

Cub Scout Leader Specific Training (December 5)

• Training for Den Leaders & Cubmasters to conduct successful meetings, and for Committee Members to learn the basic information they need to support a Pack and conduct a successful program.
• Training flyer
• To register, click HERE

Youth Protection Training - take online anytime at my.scouting.org.  Remember that this training must be renewed every 2 years!

Klondike Derby 2021

Mark your calendars and save the date! We are tentatively planning to hold the Klondike Derby on Saturday, January 16, 2021, at Camp Berry (11716 CR 40, Findlay). We are working through the health and safety requirements so that we can have a successful event.

More details, including the leader guide and the registration link, will be available in early-mid November.

Advancement Process Updates
We have recently made some changes to our Advancement recording process. Check out the changes that are happening...[Read more]

NEW Join Cub Scouts Web Page

With being in a more virtual setting these days, we have created a new web page to tell prospective families all the great things about Cub Scouts! Feel free to use this a resource when recruiting new kids and families to join Scouting. To view the new web page, click here or the Learn About Cub Scouts banner at the top of this email.

Scouting's Cyber Chip program beneficial for all
Online Youth Protection Training is more important now than ever as we are spending more time online for learning opportunities and socializing. Make sure you and your children are familiar with online safety. Cyber Chip is a must-do for all...[Read more]

Coping with COVID-19

Throughout the last few months, we heard from parents in our Scouting family who are navigating the challenges of parenting through the COVID-19 crisis. We posed these questions to independent experts on matters related to youth development to help provide some answers to our community.

Importantly, these answers are designed to provide information and should not be used to diagnose health conditions. Please reach out to a professional health provider for support in addressing concerns you may have...[Read more]

Membership Recruitment Resources

View the 2020 membership leader guide to ensure your unit has as successful recruitment season.  One key item we want all units to do is update their BeAScout pins.  In a work-at-home environment, online registration and communication is essential to ensure a successful recruitment...[Read more]

Scoutbook Video Resources

The Council is making a series of videos to help units navigate Scoutbook. The first video talks about advancement...[Read more]

Cub Scout virtual Den Meeting programming online

Cub Scout Virtual Den Meetings designed to help families continue to learn, grow and explore on their Scouting Adventure...[Read more]

Newsletter Archive

Did you miss an edition of E-Signals, Salute to Scouting, The Eagle or Extraordinary Explorer? View our newsletter archive and never miss out!...[Read more]

AmazonSmile helps Black Swamp Area Council

With AmazonSmile, Black Swamp Area Council can benefit from your purchases online...[Read more]

Expeditions: High Adventure News

See the high adventure base news from the Boy Scouts of America...[Read more]

Safety Moment

Communicable Disease Prevention Reminder

With news of Coronavirus (COVID-19) around the globe, now is a good time to review some safety info. We’ve all caught some kind of infection, or sickness, from someone else. These illnesses are known as communicable or contagious diseases because they are spread from one person to another...[Read more]

SCOUT EXECUTIVE MOMENT

DISTRICT NEWS

GEARING UP

Findlay National Scout Shop

The National Scout Shop at the Findlay Service Center will be switching to its Fall hours on September 8. Their new hours will be as follows:

You are encouraged to call or e-mail prior to your visit, so your order can be pulled in advance.  The Findlay Scout Shop can be reached at (419) 423-7174 or FindlayScoutShop@scouting.org

Lima Scout Shop

The Lima Scout Shop's hours are Monday: 9am-1pm, Thursday: 2pm-6pm, Friday: 9am-1pm. You are encouraged to call or e-mail prior to your visit, so your order can be pulled in advance.  The Lima Scout Shop can be reached at (419) 227-2107 or Nancy.Rex@scouting.org.

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