Geocaching Merit Badge Update

http://www.facebook.com/BoyScoutsofAmerica
According to The Boy Scouts of America's facebook page, Geocaching Merit Badge is now official!  You can download the requirements by clicking here. 

BSA Historical Merit Badge Program Update

The historical merit badges are now listed on BSA's national website!  You can go there now and download all the requirements for Carpentry, Pathfinding, Signaling and Tracking Merit Badges!
So, what are you waiting for.  Go find a merit badge counselor and start on them today!

Today’s the day! Grab your BSA Centennial Silver Dollar from the U.S. Mint.

From http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/

Beginning at noon Eastern time, collectors across the country can order the $39.95 proof version (pictured) or $33.95 uncirculated version of the coin.

Once the order window opens, click either link above to go directly to that product page. Then select how many of each coin you want—up to the limit of 100 per household.

Only 350,000 of the coins have been minted, so don’t delay. And those who order now will save some coin, too. At 5 p.m. (EDT) on April 21, the prices of the proof and uncirculated coins increase to $43.95 and $35.95, respectively.

You can feel good about adding to your collection of BSA memorabilia. Surcharges from the sale of this coin will go to the National Boy Scouts of America Foundation, which helps Scouting reach hard-to-serve areas.

Credit cards ready? Go!

Update: BSA Historic Merit Badge Program

From http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2010/03/update-bsa-historic-merit-badge-program.html

You may have heard rumors that the Historic Merit Badge Program has been canceled. Not true.

What is true is that the BSA is putting finishing touches on the program now, and the end result will be well worth the wait.

The Youth Development team plans to release the program soon, and once that happens, it will consist of much more than just adding Signaling, Tracking, Pathfinding, and Carpentry to 2010’s list of available merit badges.

The team wants today’s Scouts to get a sense of what Scouts in the 1910s experienced. They want Scouts to earn the merit badges in ways similar to those used by Scouts back then. The world has changed drastically in 100 years, but the fundamental lessons of these merit badges have not.

In the spirit of being green and making the program accessible, you won’t be able to get printed materials for the merit badges. Instead, have your Scouts go to scouting.org.

They’ll have access to scans of the original pamphlets for each of the four historic merit badges. However, because the language and techniques used in those badges comes from the early 20th century, the BSA has been hard at work crafting supplements that will help put the requirements in a modern context.

The site also offers program implementation guide, a camporee guide, a Boy Scout resident camp guide, a training session guide, press releases, and other materials that councils, districts, and units can use to promote the program.

Stay tuned to Cracker Barrel for additional news as we get it.

Venturing Age/Grade Eligibility Change

The National Executive Board recently approved a resolution to change the eligibility requirements for Venturing to ensure consistency among Venturing, high-adventure bases, and other core programs.
The current age and grade eligibility requirement for participation in the Venturing program is 14 years of age and completion of the eighth grade.
Effective May 1, 2010, the minimum age requirement will be changed to 14 years of age, or 13 years of age and completion of the eighth grade. The maximum age for participation remains under 21 years of age.
In support of this change, there is a list of frequently asked questions posted at www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Venturing/EligibilityChange.aspx.
If you have any questions, please contact Donald Shepard at the BSA national office at 972-580-2547 or donald.shepard@scouting.org.

Looking to Start a Unit Website?

SMDScouts.com offers a free solution to the huge problem of efficient communication between leaders and parents/scouts.

This is a free site, not a free trial. It is honestly free. There are no gimmicks, no space limitations, no ads.

Check it out, Pack 308 already has!

Boy Scout Active Definition Changes Effective January 1, 2010

A Scout will be considered "active" in his unit if he is

1. Registered in his unit (registration fees are current)
2. Not dismissed from his unit for disciplinary reasons
3. Engaged by his unit leadership on a regular basis
(informed of unit activities through Scoutmaster conference or personal contact, etc.)
4. In communication with the unit leader on a quarterly basis.

(Units may not create their own definition of active; this is a national standard.)

If the Scout does not initiate communication, the unit leader is to contact the Scout and ask if the youth wishes to remain in Scouting. If the answer is negative, then the unit leader should no longer communicate with the Scout. If the answer is affirmative, the unit leader should provide the unit calendar. After six months of nonparticipation, the unit leader may cease to contact with the youth and drop the Scout from the unit at recharter time.

The Scout may return to the unit at any time while on the unit charter. At any time a Scout is dropped from a charter, the youth may re-apply to a unit for readmission; the acceptance of the application is at the discretion of the unit. The youth would be reinstated at the rank and level that can be documented by either the Scout or the unit.

For a complete list of Boy Scout Advancement Requirement Changes that took effect January 1, 2010 visit http://usscouts.org/advance/changes/advchanges10.asp#active