SWAMPFIRE February 2010 Southern Region • Area 4 OKEFENOKEE AREA COUNCIL Council Number 758 Quality Council 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006
CUBSCOUTS 2010	In pilot programs, this new Cub Scout method has boosted retention by 24%! The Council is planning a major kick-off in May for this fundamental change in Cub Scouting. Watch for details.
100^th Anniversary Celebrations Begin Our Scouting for Food Campaign kicks off at the February Roundtable. If your unit has not signed up to participate, contact your District Executive to get on the list. You can download the forms and flyers you need at the website, or… Click here for more info.
District Pinewood Derby All three Districts will hold their Pinewood Derby in conjunction with the Birthday Bash on March 13^th. We encourage all Packs to hold a Pack Pinewood Derby before that date and send the top 3 qualifiers in each level (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos) to represent their Pack at the District race. Here are some links for you: more info…official rules…registration form
SPRING FUNDRAISER KICK-OFF For the past several years, the Council has provided Scout Savings Cards as the Spring fundraiser. This year, the cards are better than ever. This is a great way for units to bring in some extra program funds for activities, or an opportunity for boys to earn their way to Boy Scout Summer Camp or Cub Scout Day Camp. There are great prizes being offered for the boys, and units will earn 30% of the unit’s total sales. Cards will be distributed at the March Roundtable in groups of 50. Be sure your unit sends a representative to sign for your cards.
Commissioner’s College on May 8, 2010 The Southeast Georgia College of Commissioner Science is a joint venture between the Coastal Empire Council and the Okefenokee Area Council. You do not need to be a commissioner to attend. The Commissioner’s College is a supplemental training opportunity for all adult volunteer Scouters. All Scouters are encouraged to attend. For more info click here.
FUN WITH SON COMING UP IN MARCH Spring Fun With Son is just around the corner! Program dates are set for March 26-28^th. We will have check in on that Friday starting at 4:00 p.m. and we will also have check-in for late arrivals on Saturday morning. We have a great program developed for all of the Cub Scouts and their families. All are encouraged to attend and join in on the spring fun! Volunteers are still needed for this event too, so please contact Randy Buck (912-614-7575), if you would like to participate. Registration Form
CUB SCOUT DAY CAMPS SCHEDULED All 3 districts have scheduled their Day Camps for 2010. Watch upcoming announcements for details on registration. Here are the dates: Osprey: June 7-11 Satilla: June 7-11 Coastal: June 28 – July 2
Congratulations to OAC’s Newest Eagles Chandler McGee...........Troop 304 Wilson Elias.................Troop 227 Robert Barney..............Troop 211 Mitch Roser.................Troop 222 Jake L. Kutrufis............Troop 227 Christopher Paschal.....Troop 227 Jensen D. Palmer...........Troop 211 Robert Blackwell, III....Troop 202 Jonathan C. Morris.........Troop 304 Dominic M. Clarke.........Troop 211
NEW CSP’s ARE NOW ON SALE! “All aboard!” Ride this Scout train into the new decade in the OAC. TRAIN THEME REPEATED THROUGH 2010 ACTIVITY PATCHES Trains are an important part of life throughout the Council so it’s a very natural and appropriate theme. Each event or activity will be represented in a train car. The engine and caboose are sold separately to complete your Scouting train for the year. Click here for more info.
SUMMER CAMP STAFF APPLICATIONS Serving on Summer Camp staff is a great way to “give back” to Scouting and a fun way to earn money over the summer. Click here for more details.		2010 BOY SCOUT CAMP AT CAMP TOLOCHEE Think it’s too early to be planning next year’s summer camp? Think again! We have already received reservation forms for 2010. As of this printing, we are anticipating offering 2 weeks of camp: June 13-19 and 20-26. The 2010 Leader’s Guide is available for download by clicking here.
DISTRICT NEWS – CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE DISTRICTS PAGE Check out the entire Council Calendar
SCOUTING HAS A PRESENCE ON FACEBOOK What better way for Scouts and Scouters to stay connected than thru Facebook? If you have a Facebook account, look up our pages for Camp Tolochee, the Okefenokee Area Council, and the Pilthlako Lodge. Become a fan to stay in touch. Upload some of your favorite Scout pictures. Leave your opinion. All in good taste, of course!
2010 National Jamboree IT’S STILL NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER! This is one of those once in a life-time chance to be part of BSA’s 100th Anniversary Celebration of Scouting and attend one of the "BIGGEST" and "COOLEST" Scouting events that you'll ever have. There are many activities, spectacular shows, interactive displays, a merit badge midway, many more adventures, and a life-time of great memories. July 2010 seems like it’s a long way off, but it’s not! We are accepting applications for youth and adult volunteers to be part of our Council Contingent now. Click the link above for instructions on how to register.
Newsletter Subscription	If you are getting this newsletter “second hand” from someone else and would like to be on our distribution list, please send an email to ospreydistrict@yahoo.com with “subscribe” in the subject line and I will add you to the list. Conversely, to stop this newsletter from coming to you (from the Council), send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line.