Boy Scouts of America Announces Membership Fee Increase

Across the country, millions of Scouts rely on support from the National Boy Scouts of America to provide the world-class programming and training that makes Scouting the nation's foremost youth program.
 
The National BSA is funded directly by the membership fee you pay when you register to be a Scout or leader. In order to maintain their support of local Scouting, the national organization has announced an increase in their annual membership fee from $15 to $24 effective January 1, 2014.
 
These funds are used to:
• Develop program materials and resources.
• Deliver training for professional Scouters and volunteer leaders.
• Provide a safe environment for Scouts with the most effective youth protection policies and systems.
• Maintain infrastructure support for local Council's such as membership and advancement databases.
The annual membership fee is the only direct cost from the National BSA to youth and adult members. All other services from the National BSA are without additional charge. Scouting remains the best value among the many activities your family could choose to take part in. Even with this fee increase, it only costs $2 per month to be part of the once-in-a-lifetime adventures and leadership development programs you can only find in Scouting.
 
As always, our focus is to build the leaders of this country by combining adventure, educational activities, and lifelong values. This fee increase ensures that the National BSA will be able to continue providing the excellent services you and your family count on - and will make sure that we can continue doing great things for the young people and communities we serve.
 
For questions about the National BSA membership fee, please consult with the volunteer Scouter that serves as your unit commissioner or District Professional.
 
Yours in Scouting, 
Larry Brown                                 Don Lee

Scout Executive                           Council Commissioner

East Tennessee Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster is having its annual fair to prepare families for emergencies and disaster on Saturday, September 21st at Cokesbury Church located at 9915 Kingston Pike (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.). 
September is national preparedness month and the fair committee hopes to help families take the proper steps to become prepared for the unexpected.  All individuals and families should have a plan and an emergency kit in their home.  With numerous emergency professionals on hand at this event, community members can get answers from experts regarding any emergency situation.  Booths, classes, demos, and vendors will provide an opportunity for everyone to become more informed and self-reliant.
Children can enjoy activities from water safety classes to a tornado simulator to the fire safety house.  Popcorn, snow cones, miniature golf and a bounce house will help even the youngest child enjoy the day.
With the increase in disasters in our area in recent years, the fair will honor emergency responders during the event.  Responders, many who are volunteers, have played a significant role in helping families during severe storms, power outages, fires, and tornadoes in East Tennessee. 
Some of the participating organizations include:  American Red Cross, Knoxville Emergency Management Agency, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,Cokesbury United Methodist Church, and many emergency management agencies.
The fair is a FREE event for the community.  For more information, see prepfair.org or like us on facebook:  East TN VOAD Emergency Prep Fair. Fun Family Event to Prepare Families and Honor Responders.
 

CLICK HERE  for the Flyer and more information

Troop 555 from First Farragut United Methodist Church will be teaching requirements for the Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge during the 2013 Preparedness Fair being held on September 21, 2013 at Cokesbury Church (north campus) 9915 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN.

CLICK HERE for the requirements being taught and further information.

The Great Smoky Mountains Council for Boy Scouts of America will host their annual clay shoot fundraiser at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 13 at Chilhowee Sportsman’s Club. Guns will blast during the three flights throughout out the day with lunch provided at noon. Teams from local businesses have already started practicing, but slots are still open for other groups to enter the shoot to support 11,000 youths in the Scouting program across East Tennessee.
Registration for the event begins at 8:30 a.m. with three flight times at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., or 3:30 p.m. Each flight will be followed by an award ceremony where first, second, and third place teams will be presented with a trophy.
Sport Dog, Hickory Construction, Chota Outfitters, USI Consulting, Lightening Treads, The Trust Company, and Mary Beth West Communications are signed up to participate. The event also is being sponsored by Sport Dog, Hickory Construction, Land Rover of Knoxville and Dempster, Inc.
Other businesses are encouraged to enter teams or become a sponsor. Newcomers to shooting are welcome, instruction and assistance will be provided. The public and companies can request a sponsorship or a registration form from Jennifer Williams at jwilliams@bsamail.org or add team’s name to the event’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/41318....

Visit the Knoxville Scout Shop for our Fall savings on Uniforms. This sale includes Boy Scout and Venture Scout Uniforms. Don't forget to check out the Clearance Area and see what is new from our summer line and Jamboree Items!

Cub Scout Leaders!
BALOO & OWLS will be offered one more time this fall.  Don’t miss out on this chance to be trained by other experienced Cub and Webelos leaders.
 

BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation) is for leaders of Tigers, Wolves, and Bears.  This class is an essential course in all that is involved in taking your young Cubs out into the field for a fun and enjoyable time.  You can never have too many BALOO trained leaders in your Pack.  On any campout, your pack must have at least one BALOO-trained leader in the field with you. 

OWLS (Outdoor Webelos Leader Skills) is an essential course for any leader of Webelos.  Once your Scouts become Webelos, the outdoor program changes in many ways from when they were younger Cubs.  Be sure you know how to take full advantage of the Webelos program for the older boys in your pack who are looking for even more adventure in their program.

BALOO and OWLS are great trainings for the leaders of Cub Scouts and Webelos.  By making sure your Cub Scout Pack has as many trained leaders as possible in these areas, you are ensuring quality program for your Scout families.  This is what keeps your Scouts involved and excited.

The next session of BALOO is October 25 at Camp Buck Toms and also at Noe’s Chapel UMC in Morristown.  The next session of OWLS is October 25-26 (Overnighter), also at Camp Buck Toms and Noe’s Chapel in Morristown.

Go online now to secure your spot in one of these trainings.  www.bsa-gsmc.org Click the ‘Trainings’ tab.

As you know well, Scouting has impacted many of us and our lives. Hopefully, the knowledge we gained and the skills we learned along the trail to Eagle have had a positive influence in our lives.
 

The Service Center has created an “Eagle Walk” where you can mark and help build the future of Scouting. Along the walk, your name, troop number and date you earned your Eagle will be created in the art of brick relief carving. This process was used over 2000 years ago by King Nebuchadezzar as he rebuilt Babylon. Thousands of years later the brick relief carvings are still visible.
Just as bricks lay a foundation, Eagle Scouts can lay the foundation for future generations of young people to join the fun and adventure of Scouting.
 

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to present the “Eagle Walk” program for you.
 

CLICK HERE to view brochure and order form

Do you have what it takes to be a WILD WINTER WARRIOR? Come, challenge yourself and brave both nature and the elementsat the 2013 Great Smoky Mountain Council Winter Camp. The dates are December 30, 2013 thru January 4, 2014. This trial of both mind and body will be held at CAMP PELLISSIPPI. For more details (fees, registration packets, etc.) contact Anthony Ingram at Anthony.Ingram@scouting.org (865-566-0644) or Camp Director Mike Reano at MichaelReano@gmail.com (865-482-3574).

You better BE PRERPARED!!

We cannot believe we have been here over a year already! It has flown by! We have met some great people and it is finally starting to feel like home. Summer camp went really well and is but a memory now.
We have been extremely busy here. If you have been out here hopefully you have seen an improvement. Signs are being painted and some new ones made. Areas in camp have been cleaned up. We made some improvements at the waterfront.
While there are two of us, we just cannot do it all on our own. With that in mind, the Council would like to start a volunteer group to assist us with maintenance and new projects. We are looking to have a work day at camp once a month to begin with. Some electrical, plumbing, carpentry and mechanical skills are needed but there will be something for anyone and everyone to do. We have some great projects that we need to complete before 2014 summer camp. The OA Conclave is just around the corner in 2015 and we need to start preparing for that also.
If this sounds like something that you would like to help with, please send an email with your contact information to Bruce Van Cleve at brucea.vancleve@scouting.org or Bruce Quillen at butch_quillen@email.com. We will add you to the list that we currently have and advise you of the work date, tools needed, and the projects we will be working on. Thank you for your willingness to help!
Fall is just around the corner and as in any other season here it is beautiful. Consider a weekend outing here with your troop or pack! Contact Jennifer Williams at the Council Office to make your fall reservations!
See you at Camp Buck Toms soon!

“Amazing transformation.” “Best camp facilities I have ever seen.” “I am amazed by all of the positive
changes in such a short time period.” These are just a few of the positive comments regarding the
capital improvements at Camp Buck Toms and Camp Pellissippi. We are proud to present this camp
improvements update to you and to thank you for your generous support of Scouting programs
for over 15,000 youth and adult volunteer leaders in the twenty-one counties of the Great Smoky
Mountain Council.

Since the Capital Campaign began in 2011, numerous development projects have been completed
at both camps. The cost of these projects account for the total dollars raised to date. To complete
the planned camp development projects, another $500,000 is needed. These future projects include
renovating and expanding the Training Center and completing shelters in the campsites at Camp Buck
Toms. Additionally, raising $500,000 more will allow the council to build a floating dock and parking
area at Camp Pellissippi.

CLICK HERE to learn more on these Great Changes

In case you missed the August Scouter, the following articles are reminders of upcoming activities and events.

Come to the Tennessee Valley Fair on

Saturday, September 7th 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm

to participate in the "Mini-Merit Badge College",

get credit towards multiple badges all in one place!

All boy scouts wearing scout attire will be admitted into

the fair at no charge on Scout Day!

For more information contact Shanna at (865) 215-1480

Space is limited, Registration Dealine is August 30, 2013

Scout Day at Tennesse Valley Fair

All Cub Trainings throughout the Council are $10 unless otherwise indicated below

(INCLUDES:Trained Patch, Trained Card and Cub Leader Resource Guide)

If you already own your Resource Guide then the training is only $3

(INCLUDES: Trained Patch and Trained Card)

•Sept. 7- 8:00 am First United Methodist, Seymour, TN
•Sept. 14- 10:00 am Broadway United Methodist Church, Maryville, TN
•Sept. 17- 6:00 pm Memorial United Methodist Church, Clinton, TN
•Sept. 19- 6:00 pm Grigsby Chapel LDS Church on Grigsby Chapel Road, Farragut, TN
•Sept. 21- 8:00 am First United Methodist, Seymour, TN
•Sept. 21- 8:00 am CST First United Methodist Church, Crossville, TN
•Sept. 28- Unaka University Training Event $12 8:00 am Mars Hill Presbyterian Church, Athens, TN
•Oct. 1- 6:00 pm First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, TN
•Oct. 5- 8:00 am Fountain City Presbyterian Church, Fountain City, TN
•Oct. 15 6:00 pm Memorial United Methodist Church, Clinton, TN
•Oct. 19 8:00 am First United Methodist, Seymour, TN
•Oct. 24 6:00 pm Grigsby Chapel LDS Church on Grigsby Chapel Road, Farragut, TN
•Nov. 5 6:00 pm First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, TN

Model Den Meetings for New Cub Scout Leaders

There will be two new "Model Den Meeting" trainings this fall.  These brief sessions will provide a great opportunity for new Cub Scout Den Leaders to be exposed to the process and structure of a normal Den Meeting.  There are two chances to encourage your new leaders to attend:

1.  Thursday, September 12, 7:00 PM, Grigsby Chapel LDS Church in Farragut

2.  Thursday, October 10, 7:00 PM, Grigsby Chapel LDS Church in Farragut

If there are any questions please contact Paulette Lownsdale at 865-386-6355 or lownsdale63@aol.com.

The Cub Scout Growl Family Camp is coming up in September. There will be two sessions held at Camp Buck Tom's.

Session 1: September 27, 2013 6:00 pm till September 28, 2013 12:00 pm (Saturday morning breakfast included)

Session 2: September 28, 2013 1:30 pm till September 29, 2013 10:00 am (Saturday evening dinner included)

The cost for each session is $25 for a Cub Scout with adult. Additional people will be $15 each.

Activities for the sessions include:

BB Shooting, Archery, Catapult Building, and Campfire

Tents are optional. Adirondack shelters (3 sided bunk cabins) are available for use. Please bring your sleeping bags, pillows, toiletries, snacks, water bottles, and appropriate clothing for the weather.

To register and for more information click HERE!

Southern Appalachia

Railway Museum

Presents

Railroading Merit Badge Program

Location: East Tennessee Technology Park (formerly K-25 plant), Oak Ridge, TN

Date: September 21, 2013

Time: Registration will begin at 7:00 am with classes starting at 8:00.  The course will wrap up around 5:00 pm

Cost: $15.00/Scout or adult leader.  Cost includes all materials and excursion train ticket.

All requirements necessary to earn the Railroading Merit badge will be covered and the Scouts will receive their badges at the end of the day. 

The best way to learn about something is to explore it.  Scouts will be allowed to fully explore track and rail equipment as part of their learning experience.  An Operation Lifesaver representative as well as several railroad industry employees will be on hand to help the Scouts complete their requirements for the merit badge.  They will take a ride on the excursion train, and be challenged by a model railroad switching layout.

If you have questions, please contact Kevin Centers at 540-977-2144, or at klcenters@verizon.net.  Be sure to include Merit Badge Program in your subject line.

For more info click here

Exciting News! The Great Smoky Mountain Council is pleased to announce the “New Cub Scout Bobcat Plan” for all new boys that join the Cub Scouts this fall. All new Cub Scouts who work with their parent(s) and complete the 8 requirements to earn their Bobcat badge, will receive their badges at no cost to the Pack. The badges can be picked up from the receptionist at the council office. An advancement report must be submitted with the request. Contact your District Executive for more information.

CLICK HERE for Bobcat Plan

James M. Stewart Good Citizenship Award

This award has been established by the James M. Stewart Museum Foundation with the consent and cooperation of the Boy Scouts of America, Penn's Woods Council and the family of James M. Stewart. The purpose of this award is to introduce Boy Scouts to the life of a great American, James Maitland Stewart. The Jimmy Stewart Museum is offering this award to a Boy Scout or Scouter who has exemplified the characteristics necessary to live the life of a Good Citizen. To earn the award, Scouts are required to complete the Jimmy Stewart Museum quiz, write an essay of not less than 500 words, and do a good citizenship project in their community in honor of James M. Stewart.

http:/ /www.jimmy.org/scoutaward

BSA  ANTARCTIC SCOUT PROGRAM

The Antarctic Scout will join teams of scientists conducting research during expeditions scheduled for the Antarctic summer season. The focus of this assignment is to add value to the different research teams by providing the positive assistance required to accomplish their mission. As a support member, the candidate will assist the scientists in the daily activities required to successfully conduct their field research projects. These assignments may be as simple as helping to cook the daily meals and doing camp chores to the more challenging tasks of gathering and analyzing samples for testing—and even wrestling seals!

The candidate contributes to the National Science Foundation goal of providing students with opportunities to participate in research activities outside the college or university setting and involving students at all levels with pioneering research.

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AntarcticScientificProgram.aspx

The Great Smoky Mountain Council is requesting nominations for Scout of the Year Award
Each year the Great Smoky Mountain Council searches for Scouts with great stories of bravery, dedication and service. These Scouts are recognized at the Council’s Distinguished Citizen Event in February. If you know of a Scout that you feel should be considered for recognition, please contact your District Executive or Larry Brown at lbrown@bsamail.org or 865-566-0617. We look forward to recognizing one or more Scouts to represent the Great Smoky Mountain Council during the Distinguished Citizen Dinner on February 27.