Cub Scout Leader Pow Wow

WHEN: January 27, 2007 9am-4pm

WHERE: Concordia University

WHY: to help registered adult leaders (Tiger Cub & Den Leaders, Webelos Leaders, Cubmasters and assistants, committee members), potential adult leaders and parents new and exciting information to make your Cub Scouting program be the best it can be

HOW: Registration forms are being created now. Check back here at ScouTalk Online for more details.

Wilderness First Aid, Climbing Instructor Course updates

The pages on the council website for the Wilderness First Aid and DOK's Tower Instructor Training Courses have been updated with information for the upcoming fall courses. To see the Wilderness First Aid fall course information, CLICK HERE to access the page under the site's "Training" tab. To see the DOK's Tower Instructor Training fall course information, CLICK HERE to access the page also under the site's "Training" tab.

Tiger Cub advancement change

Effective immediately, the National Office is changing the Tiger Cub advancement requirements. Now, Tiger Cub Scouts must first earn the “Bobcat” rank, after joining a pack. The Tiger Cub badge will now follow Bobcat. However, Tiger Cubs will still earn the Tiger Cub Immediate Recognition Emblem prior to earning the Bobcat badge. Also, in a move to fully align Tiger Cubs with the rest of the Cub Scout program, they will now learn the Cub Scout motto rather than the Tiger Cub motto. While "Search, Discover, Share" is being phased out as the Tiger Cub motto, it will still be used as the basis for Tiger Cub den meetings. The new requirements should be reflected in the new Tiger Cub handbook.

Spots Still Open for 2007 World Jamboree

Yes, you can still go to the 2007 World Jamboree in England, but time is running out. Scouts who apply in the next two months stand a good chance of being placed in one of the troops organized by the Southern Region of the Boy Scouts of America. NOTE: you might not wind up in a central Texas-based troop, but instead could be placed in a troop from around Texas or the southern U.S. Don't miss this chance to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Scouting at its birthplace, England. To learn more and download an application, CLICK HERE. If you need answers, please contact
Jim Morriss, Scoutmaster, Troop 30 at his office (512-469-6130), home (512-329-9235) or on his cell (512-657-3350).

Griffith League Hiking Trails Opening

Adventure awaits central Texas Scouts on miles of new hiking trails at the Capitol Area Council’s Griffith League Scout Ranch near Bastrop. More than ten miles of new trails will debut on September 13, on a property rich in natural beauty and Texas history. Two trails will make up the introductory trail system: an “easy” trail of less than five miles, and a more advanced trail covering about six miles. But those aren’t the only improvements being unveiled during the fall grand opening. There will be a new pavilion near the parking lot, as well as a new gateway to identify the Griffith League Scout Ranch. Future plans include side trails to better explore the Griffith property, as well as a mile-long extension of the water line to make drinking water more convenient for units.

Georgetown troop in Scouting Magazine

Troop 405’s commitment to community service is being highlighted as part of the November-December issue of Scouting Magazine, in a spotlight on the success of the Good Turn for America initiative. The Georgetown unit has supported the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, for the past nine years. The event raises money, celebrates survival and remembers victims of cancer. Nationally, more than 3.8 million hours of service have been recorded on the Good Turn for America website, www.goodturnforamerica.org, since it went online in 2004. To record your service hours on the Good Turn website, you’ll need your Good Turn for America ID and local unit number. If you don’t have that information, contact your District Executive.

Council announces "Keep Texas Fed": 2007 Scouting for Food

All of Central Texas will see the power of Scouting’s community service this spring, as the Capitol Area Council teams up with the Capital Area Food Bank for the “Keep Texas Fed” 2007 Scouting for Food drive.
The April 14 drive will involve Scouts and Scouting units over 15 counties, representing the entire council service area. It’s important to note that all food raised in a community will stay in that community. In other words, food collected in Bastrop will stay in Bastrop; Food collected in Hutto will stay in Hutto, etc. The Keep Texas Fed drive will be the largest volunteer food drive in Central Texas, benefiting thousands of families and children during a time of great need.
The committee for the Keep Texas Fed 2007 Scouting for Food drive is putting together the final details of the food drive plan, but here are some important dates to put on your calendar now: April 7 and April 14. April 7 is the day Scouts will distribute grocery bags to homes in their communities. April 14 is the day Scouts will return to those homes to collect bags full of food, and take them to a collection point for delivery to the local food pantry or community organization.
The Keep Texas Fed 2007 Scouting for Food drive was introduced during your district’s Program Planning Conference in August. By now, your district should have named a Food Drive Chairman. If you need more information, contact your District Chairman. Or, contact the council’s Food Drive Chairman, Rich Wegner, at (512) 851-4295 or rich.wegner@cirrus.com.

Volunteer Recognition Award Nominations

The Capitol Area Council is now seeking nominations for the Silver Beaver, Whitney M. Young Jr., and William H. Spurgeon III Awards. The nomination deadline is October 1, 2006. Completed nominations should be delivered or mailed (in a sealed envelope) to: Council Awards Committee, Capitol Area Council, BSA, 7540 Ed Bluestein Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78723. Nominations must be on an approved nomination form. You can find the forms at the council service center, or on the council’s website, http://bsacac.org/Forms/Index.asp (under the “Forms” section).