Don't miss this great opportunity to learn and interact with other Scout Leaders. This program is open to anyone interested in learning more about the Scouting program, whether you are a first-year Scout or a seasoned adult Scouter. Classes are being offered in a variety of areas including: Cub Scout Studies, Scouts BSA Studies, General Studies, Cub Scout Activities, and Scouts BSA Merit Badges.
Effective April 1, 2024, the BSA will eliminate the $25 one-time joining fee for new program participants in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouting. Additionally, the BSA will implement the following national membership fees:
$85/yr for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouting participants ($5 increase)
$65/yr for all adult volunteers ($5 increase)
$25/yr for Merit Badge Counselors (No change in fee. This fee is for Merit Badge Counselors who are not already registered volunteers)
$50/yr for Exploring participants youth & adults (No change in fee)
$100/yr unit renewal/affiliation fee (No change in fee)
$15/yr for Scout Life magazine (No change in fee)
There is no change to the 12-month membership cycle that was implemented on August 1, 2023. Members will renew their membership during their anniversary date. The Council Program Fee of $28/year for youth and adult leaders that took effect on October 1, 2023 information is here for your reference www.samoset.org/fees.
SAMOSET CAMPING
Akela's World Summer Camp 2024
Summer camp is believed to be the highlight of the year. Our program is designed for each cub scout rank in mind. Scouts will spend the weekend immersed in the theme with fun costumes, characters, and skits. This summer theme will have Scouts on a quest to discover the great treasure hidden at camp. Units are encouraged to reserve space now.
Tesomas Summer Camp 2024
We are happy to share the release of the advancement schedule for 2024. You can find a link to this schedule on the website. Please share this with your Scouts and help them begin planning their schedules. In the coming week we will be releasing the full leader guidebook which will provide further details and information about this summer’s program. Campingisking.com/tesomas
Camp Scholarships
Camp scholarships are available for those in need. In fact, first time campers to Akela's World are eligible for a $65 scholarship just for attending. Please use the campership request form on our website to request help (samoset.org/aid).
Important Dates
March 15: Advancement signup opens (Tesomas)
April 15: $75 camper deposit due per youth and adult attending camp (Tesomas & Akela's World)
April 15: Camp Scholarship applications due (Samoset.org/aid)
May 10: Custom Tshirt Orders Due
June 1: Balance Due
SCOUTING FOR FOOD
Scouting for Food has been a Scouting tradition in Samoset Council for over 40 years. This important community service event helps make a healthy difference for those in need! As you already know, the need for food is in high demand right now, and we have found many of the food banks and pantries we partner with really do need our help.
Now is the time to deliver on Scouting’s “Good Turn” motto, by participating in the annual campaign. Please review the unit guide and signup to participate.
The NYLT course centers around the concepts of what a leader must BE, what a leader must KNOW, and what a leader must DO. The key elements are then taught with a clear focus on HOW TO. The skills come alive during the week as the patrol goes on a Quest for the Meaning of Leadership.
NYLT is a six-day course. Content is delivered in a troop and patrol outdoor setting with an emphasis on immediate application of learning in a fun environment. Interconnecting concepts and work processes are introduced early, built upon, and aided by the use of memory aids, which allows participants to understand and employ the leadership skills much faster.
The Samoset Council budget is comprised of several pieces, one of which is our annual Friends of Scouting (FOS) campaign. Last summer the Samoset Executive Board approved a council program fee of $28 per registered youth and adult member. This fee replaces the past practice of a Family FOS unit presentation campaign. The program fee only accounts for 33% of our of Friends of Scouting budget. The remaining 67% still needs to be raised.
Your gift to FOS ensures:
Every youth in our 13-county area has the opportunity to be a Scout, no matter the economic circumstance. Families can request assistance for the National BSA membership fee, Samoset Council program fee, Scout Handbook, and Scout uniform assistance online (https://www.samoset.org/aid)
First-class camping programs at Akela’s World, Tesomas, and our winter camping programs.
Support and training for more than 1,000 volunteer leaders that make the Scouting program possible.
Materials and program development for the exciting, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that only can be found in Scouting.
A safe and fun Scouting experience with insurance for Scouting activities.
Become a sustaining supporter of Samoset Scouting by joining the 1920 society. This program honors the year Samoset became a BSA Council. Each donor who makes a minimum donation of $230.40 will receive a limited edition coin featuring one of our Scout properties. The 2024 coin features Akelas World, our Cub Scout camp property in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.
There was a significant drop in youth recruitment during the pandemic. The lack of AOL Scouts to cross over into troops is lower than normal. In an effort to help troops increase their youth membership, there will be a spring Scouts BSA recruitment campaign. Troop leaders should start talking to their patrol leaders’ council to engage them in initial planning since a significant part of past success in new Scouts BSA youth recruiting is peer-to-peer recruiting.
By April 1 recruiting materials and a recruiting best methods guide will be available. We anticipate having a training session for troop leaders at the April District Roundtables. April – May will be the main recruiting period, however if you want to conduct a recruiting event in March, we will support your unit.
Generally speaking, grades 5-8 are the primary audience for youth that have never been Scouts or perhaps there were in Cub Scouts but chose not to cross over into a troop. Council staff are preparing flyers and peer to peer recruitment materials which will be primary ways to recruit new Scouts BSA youth.
A few simple things you can do now to be successful:
Appoint an adult leader in the troop to coach/advise a troop Scout (preferably in the PLC) to lead the effort.
Determine if you should partner with other local troops to maximize efforts since there are usually fewer middle schools than elementary schools. These middle schools will have youth from multiple troops in more densely populated areas.
Set a date/time and location to plan your joining event. Ensure there are some interesting displays and activities for prospective Scouts to excited about including summer camp plans.
Communicate with your district membership chair or district executive for any questions you may have or support that is needed.
YOUTH PROTECTION AWARENESS
Youth-on-youth abuse and problematic behavior can occur in Scouting during any activity, but especially where observation or adult supervision is limited. Be aware and recognize areas in your program that need your focus and attention to prevent youth on youth abuse!
Facts about Youth-on-Youth Abuse:
Serious Sexual Abuse – 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 6 boys experience sexual abuse before they turn 18.
More than one third (1/3) of serious sexual abuse incidents are committed by youth.
Targets of Youth Sexual Abuse tend to be 3-5 years younger than the perpetrator.
Peak ages for when youth abuse other youth is ages 13-16.
Over the course of their lifetime 28% of US youth ages 14-17 have been sexually targeted.
Nearly one out of every four students report being bullied during the school year.
SAFETY MOMENT
Very likely, someone in your unit has diabetes—a medical condition that disrupts the body’s ability to control blood sugar. Potentially life-threatening problems might occur if and when their blood sugar gets too high or too low. Check out the link below to learn more.
