SWAMPFIRE  March 2010

 

Southern Region • Area 4     OKEFENOKEE AREA COUNCIL      Council Number 758

Quality Council 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006

100th Anniversary Celebrations Continue

SCOUTING FOR FOOD

We wanted to give you the statistics from the campaign, but some units are still working on it and others have not turned in their tally forms.  We’ll give you an update in the April Swampfire.

BIRTHDAY BASH

In March we will be celebrating with a BIG Birthday Bash!  Each District will have its own event on March 13th.  There will be games and activities, the Pinewood Derby, and refreshments, including a BIG Birthday cake! 

DISTRICT PINEWOOD DERBY

NOTICE: THE RACE SCHEDULE PUBLISHED IN THE LEADER’S GUIDE IS FOR THE OSPREY DISTRICT…THE OTHER DISTRICTS MAY BE USING A DIFFERENT SCHEDULE FOR THE ACTUAL RACES – CHECK WITH YOUR DERBY CHAIRMAN FOR YOUR DISTRICT’S SPECIFIC DETAILS.  SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION!

All three Districts will hold their Pinewood Derby in conjunction with the Birthday Bash on March 13th.    Here are some links for you: more infoofficial rulesregistration form

What every parent needs to know about Summer Camp

…and other important info about our 2010 camp.

2010 GOLDEN EAGLE DINNERS

The Friends of Scout campaign for 2010 is in full swing.  Again this year, there will be 6 Golden Eagle Dinners where we expect to raise over $270,000 to support Scouting in the Council.  The dinners planned for this year are:

March 2 in Jesup: Chair – Joe Ierardi, Honoree – Jimbo Boykin

March 9 in Folkston: Chair – Bill Gay, Honoree – Jack Mays

March 16 in Baxley: Chair – Jimmy Hardin, Honoree – Bill Bowers, Jr.

March 23 in Waycross: Chair - , Honoree – Moi Monroe

April 13 in Camden: Chair – Gary Willis, Honoree – Coach Jeff Herron

April 27 in Glynn: Chair – Tony Sammons, Honoree – Woody Woodside

Explorer Post 100 gets trained…click here.

SCOUT SAVINGS CARDS KICK-OFF

Scout Savings Cards will be available at the March Roundtable in groups of 50.  Be sure your unit sends a representative to sign for your cards. It’s 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.  Great prizes are being offered for the boys, and units earn 30% of the unit’s total sales.  The Scout Savings Card link will be active on the website after the March Roundtable.

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 THIS MONTH

Spring Fun With Son is March 26-28th at Camp Tolochee.  Come join the games, crafts, fishing, climbing, shooting and camping! Check in starts Friday at 4:00 p.m. and we will also have check-in for late arrivals on Saturday morning.  Stay the whole weekend or just come for the day. All are encouraged to attend as a great time will be had by all!  Volunteers are still needed for this event too, so please contact Randy Buck (912-614-7575), if you would like to help.

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 at Etowah Park on the Navy Base.

Satilla: June 7-11 at Southside Baptist Church

Coastal: June 28 – July 2 at Camp Tolochee.

Congratulations to OAC’s Newest Eagles: Class of 2010
Trevor Q. Todd – Troop 211

Alexander Monreal – Troop 218

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 SUMMER CAMP

AT CAMP TOLOCHEE

     If you haven’t made reservations for summer camp, you are behind the curve.  Week 1 (June 13-19) is almost full!  Plenty of room left for Week 2 (June 20-26). Here are your reservation forms for 2010.  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.

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.

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.