Smiley News Update April 2022

A monthly roundup of Samoset Council news

NEW! Spring Recruiting Campaign

As we continue to rebuild our Scouting programs and units following a very challenging two years, Samoset Council is excited to announce our 2022 Spring Membership Recruiting Campaign! We are distributing a "toolkit" of recruiting materials at the April roundtables. These resource kits include advertising materials and awesome incentive items for all our units to get out there and increase unit membership for improved programming, unit health, and LOTS OF FUN!
Cub scout and Scouts BSA units are encouraged to participate and conduct “join events” in April and May.

What's in the Cub Scouts Kit?

• The Cub Scouts "Rocket into Scouting" kit includes a yard sign with wire H stakes.

• "Passport to Scouting” program with suggested activities for the summer months.

• “Rocket into Scouting” patch for completion of 3 unit/family events with Passport.

• Postcard size recruiting flyer.

• Flyers

• Wristbands

• Posters

• Invite a Friend Incentive - Free Estes Gnome Rocket kit with 3 engines for recruiter Scout and new Scout!

• Scouts who recruit at least one Scout will be eligible to receive the Samoset Recruiter pocket patch and the National Recruiter uniform strip.

• Estes Alpha III Rocket Launch system incentive for qualifying units as well.

• $50 First Time Campership to Akela’s World for Samoset Council Cub Scouts that have never been to Akela’s World before. 

Cub Scout units are encouraged to participate and conduct “join events” in April and May. A "toolkit" of recruiting materials will be distributed at the April roundtables. 

What's in the Scouts BSA Kit?

• The Scouts BSA "Your Adventure Starts Here"  kit includes a yard sign with wire H stakes.

• Flyers
• Posters
• Wristbands
• Stickers
• Invite a Friend Incentive – Free “Albatross” Pocketknife for recruiter Scout and new Scout!
• Scouts who recruit at least one Scout will be eligible to receive the Samoset Recruiter pocket patch and the National Recruiter uniform strip.

Scouts BSA units are encouraged to participate and conduct “join events” in April and May. A "toolkit" of recruiting materials will be distributed at the April roundtables. 

Recruiter Strip and Samoset Patch
Earn these patches this Spring!

Any youth member in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing or Sea Scouts who gets a friend, classmate or relative to sign up for Scouting can receive the red, white, and blue Recruiter strip and the Samoset Recruiter pocket patch. Each Scout unit comes up with their own procedure for awarding the patches. In most packs, troops, crews and ships, the young person receives the strip the first time he or she successfully recruits someone into the unit. 

Earn your recruiter strip and Samoset Council pocket patch this Spring! 

Have You Visited Scouting.org?

It's your one-stop resource guide with a wide range of information on Scouting

Once there, click on the menu bars on the right side of the home page and it will lead you to a ton of great information on topics ranging from:

• Scouting Programs

• Scouting Safety

• Awards Programs

• Information about the BSA organization

• Training

• Scouting Resources for Commissioners, Merit Badges, Eagle Workbook Recruitment, etc.

• Outdoor Programs

• Youth Safety

• The Scout Shop for purchasing Scouting related items

• Much more!

Visit Scouting.org for your one-stop information shop.

102^nd Annual Meeting of Samoset Council  

The Samoset Council Annual Meeting was held in person at Northcentral Technical College on Wednesday, February 23 with the ability for virtual attendance too. Standard annual business resolutions were reviewed and approved as well as the 2022-2023 Samoset Executive Board was elected, the Chartered Partner of the Year Award was presented and volunteers were recognized.

We had a number of Executive Board volunteers change positions or step off the board this year. The changes below took effect at the annual meeting:

• Dave Schult accepted the Council Commissioner position and stepped down from Activities Chair

• Our new Activities Chair is Brian Sackmann

• Mark Wood stepped back from his 7-year role as Camping Chair and will continue as the Family FOS Chair

• Our new Camping Chair is Rick Radloff having stepped down from his role as Council Commissioner for 5 years

• Marcia Tepp stepped down from VP of Administration and will continue as the Enterprise Risk Management Chair

• Our new VP of Administration is Brian Rivet

• Kevin Janis became our VP of Membership in January

• The new Council Treasurer is Jeremy Thompson who was Assistant Treasurer for the past 5 months as well as Strategic Planning Chair since 2018.

• Mike Murphy (Community FOS Chair) stepped down from the Executive Board

• Roger King (Nominating Committee), Dale Morehouse (VP of Membership), and Todd Toppen (Treasurer) moved from Executive Board roles to Council Members-at-Large

• We added David Visser from Elcho to the Executive Board.

• We have added a total of 5 other new board members since the last annual meeting when we started a year-round nominating process – Chris Nepper, Karen Rajek, Dave Schult, Jesse Tischer, and Kevin Janis.

THANK YOU again to those that served so well in your previous positions!

We look forward to those that are taking on new leadership roles and those in board leadership roles for the first time, as well as those that are continuing to serve in their positions.

Rick Radloff was recognized for his service at the annual meeting as Council Commissioner for five years. Pictured from left to right are Rick Radloff, Scout Executive John Overland and Council President Thad Brockman. 

Veterans of Foreign Wars Schmitt-Manecke-Donner Post 1638 of Merrill, WI was recognized as the Chartered Partner of the Year. For over 48 years, the VFW has chartered Scouts BSA Troop 503 and has chartered Cub Scout Pack 503 for 45 years.

The VFW Post constructed a new building a few years ago with the vision to support not only all their charter groups that support veterans but the two Samoset Scouting units and a Girl Scout Troop.  The new building has dedicated space for each Scout group for storage as well as meeting space.

The award was accepted by Arnold Vilgevac – Post Commander, Corey Dornbrack – Post Member, and Dennis Berndt – Chartered Organization Representative. Congratulations!

VFW Post 1638 was recognized as the Chartered Partner of the Year for 2021. Pictured from left to right are Arnold Vilgevac, Dennis Berndt, and Corey Dornbrack. They are accepting the award on behalf of VFW  Post 1638 of Merrill. Presenting the award is Order of the Arrow Lodge Vice Chief Daxton Frost.

Tom Heinrichs of Wausau was recognized as an Honorary Life Member of Samoset. Tom first became involved in Scouting as a youth member, he is the first Eagle Scout of Troop 427 in Wausau. He has held various roles in Scouting over the years to include Tesomas Camp Staff, eleven Wood Badge training course experiences including course director.

Tom has a significant background in construction and has led many projects to improve our facilities – he designed and built (with mostly volunteer labor) the Camp Tesomas Program Center and three buildings for housing summer camp staff. He was on the Akela's World Cub Scout Camp development, fundraising and construction committee. He personally raised over $250,000 in cash and in-kind donations for Aklea’s World. In addition, Tom designed and worked with volunteers to procure timber at Camp Tesomas, kiln dry the wood and then construct the dining hall benches and tables in Rotary Lodge. He was intimately involved in the planning and construction of the Wausau Homes Scout Center alongside Marv Schuette.
Tom was on the Samoset Executive board for 10 years and held the position of Council Commissioner for four years. He directly worked with youth as a Scoutmaster for 25 years and many years as a merit badge counselor where he was well known for teaching Swimming and Lifesaving merit badges.

Tom was invited to talk. He focused on the Scout sign and what the three fingers mean for youth in the program… duty to God & Country, duty to Others and duty to Self. For adult leaders it has a different meaning: character development, citizenship, and personal fitness. In Tom’s opinion, the three fingers stand for: Fun, Friends, and Adventure! Tom, thank you for being an excellent role model!

Tom Heinrichs was recognized as an Honorary Life Member of Samoset. Pictured from left to right are Tom Heinrichs, Scout Executive John Overland, and Council President Thad Brockman.

Unit Highlight - Troop 385
Conservation efforts: an ongoing partnership at McMillan Marsh

Six years ago Scouts from Troop 385, based out of Marshfield, started volunteering at McMillan Marsh – a diverse topography of wetlands and grasslands just north of Marshfield.

As these Scouts moved on they wanted to make sure the work they started was continued with the future Scouts in Troop 385. They contacted the Department of Natural Resources to create an ongoing partnership to become an official “friend” of the marsh.

To this day, Scouts in Troop 385 are carrying on the tradition of volunteering at the McMillan Marsh. The partnership requires 100 hours of volunteer service annually and concentrates on one or two main areas.

The Troop monitors the duck houses that were hung in the marsh along the river in 2020 as part of Shane Bauer’s Eagle Scout project for the Troop.

Earlier this month, the Troop went to the marsh to service the duck houses which involves observing and recording the contents of each house for eggs, shells, feathers, and other nesting materials.

Additionally, they worked on maintaining the houses by cleaning them and resupplying them with fresh mulch to prepare them for the next season.

Scouting connects youth throughout the past and present through programming that teaches lifelong skills and where young people can become leaders in their communities. Troop 385’s important efforts of assisting in conserving the Marsh exemplifies Scouting values through their teamwork, their leadership as positive role models, and service to their community. We are thankful for the hard work of these youth and their leaders and are excited to see the ways they continue to flourish in their personal growth and community involvement in the upcoming years.

                             Troop 385’s work in conserving the Marsh exemplifies Scouting values through their 
                             teamwork, their leadership as positive role models, and service to their community. 

Council COVID March 11 Update - Masks Not Required

The Council Risk Management Committee has reviewed our current COVID Guidelines and has provided the following updates:

As our current areas have declining cases of COVID and are listed in the low to medium levels we will no longer require universal mask usage while indoors on council properties including the Wausau Homes Scout Center.

It is recommended that we continue to follow BSA best health practices and current CDC guidelines and adjust your activities and prevention measures accordingly.

General Expectations

• Individuals may choose to continue wearing masks even when it is not required, especially those who are or live with individuals who are at high risk.
• Surgical or N95/KN95 masks are preferred over cloth.
• Individuals experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and close contacts should follow state guidelines for testing and isolation.
• Continue to use the health screening checklist prior to attending Scout functions.
• Some local and community orders may supersede this guidance.
• Vaccines are strongly encouraged for all who are eligible.
• Proper hand washing and increased sanitation continue to be important tools to prevent spread of illness.

Individual Scout units are chartered/sponsored to various organizations throughout our community and therefore must follow the guidance given to them by their organization when meeting indoors at their locations.

All updates are subject to change as we continue to monitor the status of the pandemic and will make changes as necessary for the health and safety of all. As always, we will continue to keep the most recent information posted on our website. 

Individuals may choose to continue wearing masks even when it is not required, especially those who are or live with individuals who are at high risk.

We Can’t Do It Without You! Please Help Us Hit Our Fundraising Goal

The Friends of Scouting Campaign is the lifeblood of Scouting’s fundraising efforts. Each year parents, volunteers, alumni, friends, and business patrons donate time, energy, and financial resources to this much needed yearly campaign. Annual Giving provides the budgetary support for numerous improvements to our properties, expansion of Scouting programs into new markets and increases the chance that every young person in our community will benefit from the impact of Scouting.

Your generous tax-deductible gift to the Boy Scouts of America provides direct funding for educational initiatives and active learning that other funding sources do not cover – is a statement about your belief in Scouting, our programs, our camps and in our belief in educating the entire mind of young people.

In the last three months we have raised $138,000 which is 52% of our goal of $264,000! If you have not yet given and are interested, please visit: https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/SMILEY or text SMILEY to 71777. Please take the time to share our giving page on your social media! Thank you to everyone that has contributed and volunteered!

How Your Friends of Scouting Gift Changes Live

It's Not Too Late to Participate in this Great Opportunity!
Spring Nut Sale

Samoset Council is partnering with the Virginia Diner to offer a Spring Nut Sale for units interested in earning extra money for summer activities. Units will receive 30% commission on all sales. There will be a prize for the top seller and the top selling unit. The designated unit volunteer should turn in the excel spreadsheet of all unit sales to Amanda Flannery (amanda.flannery@samoset.org) no later than April 25th. The Nuts orders will be delivered to the Scout office in Weston on May 19th and can be picked up by units there or a delivery can be coordinated with your Unit Serving Executive. There is not an online sale option currently. Please contact your Unit Serving Executive or stop by the Scout office to pick up the sales brochures.

Important Dates

March 28th-Nut Sale begins

April 24th-Nut Sale ends

April 25th-Nut Sale orders are due

May 19th-Nut Sale order distribution

June 9th-Checks will be cashed

All sale resources including an instructional video is available at:

http://www.samoset.org/support-us/spring-product-sale/75000

There's still time to participate in this fundraiser for units interested in earning extra money for summer activities. 

Now is the Time to “Do a Good Turn”!

Scouting for Food has been a Scouting tradition in Samoset Council for many 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 and count on our donations every year.

Scouts participated in the Scouting for Food Drive by distributing bags and flyers throughout their communities on Saturday, April 2. They will return to pick up food donations the morning of Saturday, April 9. Collected donations will then be taken to a local Food Bank or Pantry.

Unit leaders please remember to weigh the food you are donating and send the number to Amanda.flannery@samoset.org. Please take photos of your Scouts in action and share with Lisa Satayut at lisa.satayut@samoset.org.

Now is the time to join Boy Scouts of America, as they deliver on Scouting’s “Good Turn” motto, by participating in the annual campaign in north central Wisconsin. Thank you!

DONATION PICK-UP: April 9, 2022

                                                   
                                                 Cecil Bacon from Troop 419 hangs a grocery bag on a door on
                                                 Saturday, April 2. 

                                     Christian Rhoden from Troop 419 is interviewed by Channel 7 (WSAW) as part
                                     of Scouting for Food.

Together We "Pull for Scouting"

June 10th, 2022 at Wausau Skeet and Trap Club

The Sporting Clays is a premier shooting event that raises funds for Scouting programs. It is open to all levels of shotgun shooters from beginner to advanced. It's a perfect way to have a fun day of shooting, fellowship, and the opportunity to network with other business and community leaders.
Click the link for more information on the event.

Wood Badge 2022!

Would you like to improve your leadership skills and have fun doing it?  Then join us at Wood Badge in 2022!  We will help you identify the skills you are good at as well as those you know need work and give you the tools to make them stronger.  All done at Akela’s World in the beautiful northwoods of Rhinelander.  This is for all Scout volunteers that are registered trained in your role in Scouting, whether in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Exploring, STEM, or Council.

The course runs 5 days over 2 weekends, August 26-28, and September 10-11. The cost is just $285 which includes all program materials and meals. There is an early registration discount and camperships are available.  

See you at Wood Badge!

Merit Badge Registration is open NOW!

You’ve all been waiting for this moment. Summer is right around the corner and your Scouts are eager to know what merit badges they will be taking each day. Login to your DoubleKnot registration and assign each Scout their daily schedule.

Please note: Some programs like MicroTrek and Shotgun Shooting will fill up quickly. There is a waiting list if it fills up and you will be notified by DoubleKnot if/when your Scout is removed from the waiting list and put into the course.

If you have any problems signing up, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Brit Burmeister: (715) 383-5201 or camp@samoset.org

Campership opportunities are available

Campership opportunities are available to Scouts and the deadline for turning those in is quickly approaching! If you are in need of a campership this summer, please make sure to fill out the application and have it emailed or postmarked by April 15, 2022. 

If you are a new Cub Scout this year, you qualify for a $50 discount to visit Akela’s World this summer! This applies to any new Cub Scout that joined anytime this last fall, winter, or spring. This discount cannot be used in conjunction with a campership.

                           
                            New Cub Scouts qualify for a $50 discount to visit Akela’s World this summer! 

The 2023 Reservation Gates have Opened!

The campsite reservation system is live. If you accomplished your Friends of Scouting goal, you receive priority and then we enter reservations by time stamp after that. Starting April 7^th, the system will open for all Out of Council units.

We are really excited to have updated capacities on some campsites that reflect the hard work our properties and construction groups have been doing over the last year!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Brit Burmeister at Brittany.Burmeister@Samoset.org or (715) 383-5201

Now Hiring Summer Camp Staff

Working at Summer Camp is one of the most rewarding life-experiences one can put on a resume. There are days you laugh so hard until you cry and there are other days where you get to change a life. Crystal Lake Scout Reservation is looking for a few members to add on to our 2022 Dream Team. If you are interested in shooting sports, rock climbing, ATVs, or whitewater rafting, please reach out to Brit Burmeister: Brittany.Burmeister@Samoset.org.

We also have a few spots left for Counselors-In-Training! This is a great opportunity for Scouts and Youth who are between the ages of 14 and 15 and are looking to test the waters of camp staffing. You can spend a few weeks at camp, rotate through different areas as staff, and find out what you might want to do down the road as a full staff member. If you know someone that might be a fit, send us a message or give us a call! (715) 383-5201.

Cub Scout Elective Adventures to be Retired

Effective May 31, 2022 these Elective Adventures will no longer be considered part of the Cub Scouting program and the Adventure Loops and Pins for these Cub Scout Adventures will no longer be available for purchase. Earned adventures will be archived in Scoutbook and Internet Advancement and will appear as earned but will no longer be able to be marked as completed after May 31, 2022.

Can Cub Scouts still wear the Adventure Loops and Pins after they retire?

Absolutely! In Scouting once an adventure is earned it is never taken away. These adventures are still considered official program and may continue to be worn after they retire on May 31, 2022

Crystal Lake Construction

“Volunteers Building The Future”

Calling adults of ALL skills and abilities! Join us throughout the year for fun and fellowship as we work on a multitude of various projects to improve our camps. From trail work to facility construction and everything in between, no matter your skill level or experience, we welcome your help!
Sign up today! Contact Facilities Director Elvis Bauman for more information.

Join our email list to keep up to date on monthly projects at our Council camps.
And, follow Crystal Lake Construction (CLC) on Facebook for updates and photos of past and current projects.

Now Accepting Nominations – Silver Beaver Award!

The Samoset Council is now accepting applications for the highest volunteer award given out by a council. The award was established to recognize registered Scouters of exceptional character who have provided distinguished service within a Council.
“We want to recognize those volunteers who shine, who give their time and who make a difference,” said Kristin Woller, Senior Unit Serving Executive.
Nominations are due April 30. Click the link for a form. https://tinyurl.com/yypkbfa2

Please submit nomination forms to Kristin Woller at kristin.woller@samoset.org.

Last Year's Silver Beaver Award Recipients
Eric Wangen
Steve Lorang
Dave Schult
Dan Symmank
Cary Alft
Terry Gibbs

Annual Council Recognition Nominations!
We are seeking nominations for the following awards

• Rookie Leader of the Year
• Scoutmaster of the Year
• Cubmaster of the Year
• Advisor of the Year
• Lab Manager of the Year
• Den Leader of the Year
• Distinguished Service
• Council Award of Merit
• Silver Beaver

 Nominations are due April 30. 

Nominations are open! Please submit your nominations by April 30.

SAVE THE DATE!

Scout Office & Scout Shop - Closed Friday, April 15

The Samoset Council Offices and Scout Shop will be closed on Friday, April 15 in observance of Good Friday.

Please plan accordingly for your unit’s needs. As a reminder, our Scout Office is open Monday – Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Scout Shop is open Monday – Friday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Your unit can submit Scout Shop orders by email to scoutshop@samoset.org. Orders can then be pulled for you to pick up or can be mailed out to you.

New Assistant Development Director
Lisa Satayut

We're excited for Lisa to join the Samoset Council team! Lisa worked as a journalist in Michigan for 10 years before moving to Wisconsin in 2015. Since then, she spent time as a copywriter for Footlocker and most recently a marketing specialist for a chain of grocery stores. Lisa loves everything outdoors from backpack camping to fishing, spending time with her family, adventure, strong coffee and reading. She is afraid of sharks and swimming in the ocean…mostly due to the sharks. Please send news or photos to Lisa so she can share on Facebook! Lisa.Satayut@scouting.org. 

                   
                    Lisa Satayut was hired as the new Assistant Development Director. She is pictured with her son Cooper and fiancé Mark.