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Upcoming Events

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Family Fun Days

Calling all Cub Scouts!  Family Fun Days are right around the corner, and this is a perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy some Scouting activities!  Both Camp Berry and Camp Lakota will play host to a Family Fun Day, both of which will be in October.  Whether you are trying your luck on the archery or bb gun ranges, building a fun Cub Scout craft, or just playing fun games, you are sure to have A LOT OF FUN, so make sure you sign up!  This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, these events will require pre-registration, and have limited capacities.  So don't wait to register you and your Scout!

Camp Berry Family Fun Day - Saturday, October 10th

• Event flyer
• Morning Session Registration
• Afternoon Session Registration

Camp Lakota Family Fun Day - Saturday, October 17th

• Event flyer
• Session 1 Registration
• Session 2 Registration

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/

Spooktacular not to be Held this Year 

Due to challenges of the current health situation, Spooktacular will not be held this year.  Our apologies to the small number of units who expressed an interest.

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]

2022 Philmont Registration Opens Soon!

Philmont Scout Ranch is excited to announce that 2022 Unit Registration will begin on October 5th! Click the link here to download the 2022 Registration information packet.

2022 Florida Sea Base Early Registration Postponed

Due to unforeseen technical issues, Sea Base Early Opportunity Registration will be delayed.

The Early Registration Opportunity has been delayed, and will not take place September 23-30, 2020.

Council contingents will still have the opportunity to register ahead of the general public at a later date. This updated Early Opportunity Registration timeline will be communicated to units as soon as possible.

Order of the Arrow Fall Ordeal #2

Mawat Woakus Lodge has announced that they are offering a 2nd Fall Ordeal this year.  October 2-3 at Camp Berry will be the next opportunity.  Any Scouts and Scouters who were called out in either 2019 or 2020 are eligible to attend.  If you have any questions, please contact Lodge Chief Haden at lodgechief@mawatwoakus.org and Lodge Adviser Larry at lodgeadviser449@gmail.com.  The cost for Candidates is $45, and must be paid at the time of registration.  If you are an Arrowman, and are interested in staffing the Ordeal, contact  the Lodge Chief.  Lastly, due to COVID restrictions, this event will have a capacity of 45 candidates.  Please make sure you go on and register as soon as possible!

For more details, and to register for the 2nd Fall Ordeal, click HERE.

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 (October 23 or 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 October 23rd date, click HERE
• To register for the December 5th date, click HERE

Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) (October 24-25)

• Outdoor training for Scoutmasters and Asst. Scoutmasters that reviews and teaches the outdoor skills needed in conducting FUN outdoor camping experiences for their units.
• Training flyer
• To register, click HERE

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) (October 24-25)

• At least one leader on a pack overnighter must have completed this all day training to properly understand the importance of program intent, youth protection guidelines, health & safety, site selection, age appropriate activities and sufficient adult participation.  Highly recommended for all Den Leaders.
• Training flyer
• To register, 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).

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

Scouting Unit Operations COVID Update 8-20-20

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]

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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ORDER OF THE ARROW