U.S. Scouting Service Project Updates

On June 2nd we announced that Bugling Merit Badge would be discontinued next January.

I'm happy to announce that, on Augst 4th, BSA posted a note on their blog stating that that decision has been reversed, Here's their announcement:

Bugling reinstated as separate merit badge

Have your guys start practicing "Taps," because Bugling is here to stay.

In early June, we reported that the Bugling merit badge was to be discontinued and its requirements merged into Music merit badge.

That's no longer the case. Responding to concerns from hundreds of Scouters, the BSA's Youth Development team has decided to reinstate Bugling as a separate merit badge.

Oddly enough, this means that Bugling will never have officially been part of Music merit badge, because the changes were never reflected in a Boy Scout Requirements book.

Bugling and Music will continue to share a merit badge pamphlet. Requirements and information for both of the badges will be contained within that single booklet.

Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com

Don't be surprised to see Ask Andy wandering around the grounds of the Jamboree today.Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com

Come check out the first edition based on the new delivery system!!

Comments from Bob Scott at National about RT and Den Meetings

Lots of Cooperative games.

Lots of FUN things to do

A new feature on RTs by Bev at Capital Area

And ideas from Wendy at Chief Seattle

Plus Alice, Jim, and others.Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com

Amanda VogtJuly 26, 2010 at 8:58pmSubject: National Venturing Event- Early Registration Date ApproachingThis is to remind everyone that registration for the National Venturing Event-Fall Fun Rally is open, and the deadline for the earliest registration cost is August 2nd. The current cost for the event is $14 (includes events/t-shirt), you can also sign-up for the meal plan which is an additional $18. You must have your paperwork into the Greater St. Louis Area Council by August 2nd, for this pricing to take effect. To register head over to http://www.facebook.com/l/34797xFkB5uhQLm86yq0txgL5cg;www.fallfunrally.org/ and click on ‘Register for the Event’ to get your crew, ship, or post registered for this event.

Registration Information: http://www.facebook.com/l/34797E2s4LQpl__Zx06mpX0iiCQ;www.fallfunrally.org/files/FFR2010Registration.pdf

With units from around the country coming, t-shirts and food orders; the registration this year will be partially online. You’ll fill out your paperwork online and then print out payment ticket and mail, fax, or bring that into the Greater St. Louis Area Scout Office. This should help cut down on the confusion, and will allow you to get your roster up to date and hopefully cut down any confusion on what your unit needs for the event.

The Venturing Officers’ Association of the Greater St. Louis Area Council is proud to invite you and your crew to the BSA Centennial Year National Venturing Event! This year we have over 50 events planned, promising a great weekend for all to attend.

Date: September 24-26, 2010

Location: Beaumont Scout Reservation, High Ridge, MO (Just 45 minutes SW of downtown St. Louis)

Who can attend: Venturers, Explorers, Sea Scouts, and Boy Scouts, between the ages of 13.5-20 years of age, along with their adult leadership

Check out our websites now and down the road as more events are announced.
Websites: http://www.facebook.com/l/34797G4nQFX4hg_ZSmKihwktE5Q;www.nationalventuringevent.org/ or http://www.facebook.com/l/34797xFkB5uhQLm86yq0txgL5cg;www.fallfunrally.org/

If you are not a member of the National Venturing Event Facebook Page please join to keep yourself informed. We are sending out messages at least once a week to keep everyone up to date on things happening at the event.
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Fall-Fun-Rally-2010-BSAs-Centennial-Year-National-Venturing-Event/103544269695560

Mark your Crew’s calendar now to attend the first National Venturing Event. We look forward to welcoming you to St. Louis and the Fall Fun Rally.

Andrea Lane, Greater St. Louis Area Council VOA Vice-President of Program and Youth Chairperson for the Fall Fun Rally

Amanda Vogt, Greater St. Louis Area Council VOA President and 2008-2009 National Venturing President

Jennifer Lowe, 2010-2011 National Venturing President

P.S.: If you are an administrator on another Venturing Facebook Group, please feel free to post this message to your group.Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com

KANSAS – Amateur Radio Special event stations WØB, WØS, and WØA will be operating from the Boy Scouts of America, Heart of America Council’s Centennial Celebration located at the Theodore Naish Scout Reservation in Kansas City, Kansas. The event is to be held on September 24th, 25th and 26th, 2010, to commemorate the 100th birthday of the BSA. Operations will be on the suggested Scout frequencies on all bands. The event will also feature four high altitude balloon launches, equipped with amateur radio.There will be a certificate for working each of the stations and a special certificate for working all three stations. QSL via Doug Roberts, NEØA, 4415 NW Normandy Ln, Kansas City, MO 64116.

Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com

Posted by Amanda Vogt to facebook:
Registration for the National Venturing Event-Fall Fun Rally is officially open at http://www.facebook.com/l/b7646BXvKUf5p4Zgdi1YOEvOcTA;www.fallfunrally.org/registration. Early registration is due August 2nd, so get your information turned in as soon as possible.

Registration Packet Information: http://www.facebook.com/l/b7646YY4JrYysKPDJIvJiTKx5LA;www.fallfunrally.org/files/FFR2010Registration.pdf

With thousands of people, t-shirts and food orders; the registration this year will be partially online. You’ll fill out your paperwork online and then print out payment ticket and mail, fax, or bring that into the Greater St. Louis Area Scout Office. This should help cut down on the confusion, and will allow you to get your roster up to date and hopefully cut down any confusion on what your unit needs for the event.

The Fall Fun Rally is the largest Venturing event held each year in the country. The Venturing Officers’ Association of the Greater St. Louis Area Council is proud to invite you and your crew to the 37th Annual Fall Fun Rally, the BSA Centennial Year National Venturing Event! This year we have over 50 events planned, promising a great weekend for all to attend.

Date: September 24-26, 2010

Location: Beaumont Scout Reservation, High Ridge, MO (Just 45 minutes SW of downtown St. Louis)

Who can attend: Venturers, Explorers, & Sea Scouts along with their adult leadership

Events from the Fall Fun Rally:
Volleyball Tournament, Tug-of-War Competitions, Rifle Range, Shotgun Range, Archery, Climbing Tower, Slacklining, Wild Caving, Mountain Men Village, Blacksmithing, , Helicopters, , Kickball, Crab Soccer, Wiffleball, Dodgeball, Hillbilly Golf & Washers, National Venturing Fencing Competition, Pool Noodle Jousting, Police & Military Demonstrations, Table Top Competitions, Dutch-oven Cooking Competitions, Skit/Talent Competition, Fear Factor Event, Horseback Riding, Adult Venturing Training, Venturing Officer Association Elections, Game/Trivia Night, Movie Night, Twister for 50, Karaoke Night, Award Show, Dance, Model Rockets, Backyard Games, Obstacle Course, Frisbee Golf, Sea Scouting Activities, Drunk Driving Simulator, All Star Sports Challenge, Crazy Building Competitions, Dunking Booth, and much more.

Check out our websites now and down the road as more events are announced.
Websites: http://www.facebook.com/l/b7646ZAfP9pcgSeESibzBYN1o4g;www.nationalventuringevent.org/ or http://www.facebook.com/l/b7646dSY5mCneomxjGYMwHzyExQ;www.fallfunrally.org/

Join our National Venturing Event Facebook Page/Group to keep yourself informed:
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fall-Fun-Rally-2010-BSAs-Centennial-Year-National-Venturing-Event/103544269695560
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=207652002378&ref=ts

Mark your Crew’s calendar now to attend the first National Venturing Event. We look forward to welcoming you to St. Louis and the Fall Fun Rally.

Andrea Lane, Greater St. Louis Area Council VOA Vice-President of Program and Youth Chairperson for the Fall Fun Rally

Amanda Vogt, Greater St. Louis Area Council VOA President and 2008-2009 National Venturing President

Jennifer Lowe, 2010-2011 National Venturing President

P.S.: If you are an administrator on another Venturing Facebook Group, please feel free to post this message to your group. Also feel free to send out a message once the registration is open.Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com

The July issue for "WAVES of FUN" is on line in adobe.pdf and word.doc!!



This may be the ultimate source for water related games, skits, songs, and such!!

Lots of detailed info on the new delivery method for Cub Scouts, too!!!
Check it out.

Plus Alice, Scouter Jim's thoughts and Joe ("Webelos Willie") C. on Webelos.Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com

Boy Scouts and Lemelson-MIT Program introduce Inventing merit badge

The inventive spirit of young people burst onto the scene today in Cambridge, Mass., as hundreds gathered to see the first awarding of the Boy Scouts of America's new Inventing merit badge to 50 Scouts from the Boston area.

The ceremony was a part of EurekaFest, the Lemelson-MIT Program’s annual event at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Part of the program's mission is to inspire young people to pursue creative lives and careers through innovation.

“Throughout the Boy Scouts of America’s rich, 100-year history, merit badges have given Scouts an opportunity to experience and learn about a variety of hobbies and professions," he said. "We are very excited about the Inventing merit badge and what the future holds as Scouts use the tools learned while working on the requirements to help make the world a better place."

One of those merit badges from the BSA's 100-year history was the similarly named Invention merit badge. The badge was discontinued in 1915 after only 10 boys had earned it. The reason for its low popularity? The main requirement told boys to "Invent and patent some useful article." Receiving a product patent is not an easy feat in any generation.

Even though an official merit badge recognizing invention has been dormant for 95 years, the idea of innovation has been fully alive in the Scouting program over the past century. Whether it's a Boy Scout creating a useful camp gadget out of wood and rope or a Cub Scout tuning the aerodynamics on his pinewood derby car, Scouts never stop innovating.

Ready to introduce Inventing merit badge to your troop? Start with the official requirements, available here.

Note: The numbering of the requirements as listed on BSA's web site is incorrect (each subsection is numbered as a separate requirement). The link above, to the version on the US Scouting Service project web site, shows the correct requirements numbering.

Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com

Recently, the Boy Scouts of America announced important changes to its Youth Protection policies. The purpose of these changes is to increase awareness of this societal problem and to create even greater barriers to abuse than already exist today in Scouting.

Effective June 1, 2010:

Youth Protection training is required for all BSA registered volunteers, regardless of their position.

New leaders are required to take Youth Protection training before submitting an application for registration. The certificate of completion for this training must be submitted at the time the application is made and before volunteer service with youth begins.

Youth Protection training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer's Youth Protection training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be reregistered.

To find out more about the Youth Protection policies of the Boy Scouts of America and how to help Scouting keep your family safe, see the Parent's Guide in any of the Cub Scouting or Boy Scouting handbooks, or go to http://www.scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection.aspx .

Questions and Answers
The following are answers to some of the questions we have received about these important changes. To read more, visit www.scouting.org/youthprotection.

Q1: When does the change go into effect?
A1: As of June 1, 2010, all registered adult volunteers--no matter what their position entails--must complete Youth Protection training prior to beginning their volunteer service.

Q2: Why a new training policy on such short notice?
A2: Youth safety is the No. 1 concern of the Boy Scouts of America. It is important to implement this training at all levels of the organization. The BSA is always reevaluating and reassessing its policies to ensure the safest youth program and the best training are offered. The BSA's Youth Protection training has been in existence long enough for it to be understood and accepted as a mandated training for all registered BSA adult volunteers.

Q3: What is the deadline to meet the new Youth Protection training standard?
A3: All registered leaders should take or renew their Youth Protection training so that it is current as of today. A unit will not be able to recharter without its key registered adults being up-to-date on their Youth Protection training. No individual leader will be able to register without being up-to-date on his or her Youth Protection training.

Q4: Is there a grace period to get all adults trained?
A4: No. If a leader's Youth Protection training is not current, the volunteer must take or renew this training immediately. Every effort should be taken so that all adults involved in Scouting have a current certificate of completion of the Youth Protection training.

Q5: Will the system be able to handle the overload of people taking training at the last minute?
A5: The system platform that houses e-learning is expected to be able to handle
the high volume.

Q6: Does "all volunteers" mean all volunteers -- even board members and council presidents?
A6: Yes. The goal is to have all registered volunteers Youth Protection-trained. This is an important statement for the Boy Scouts of America as a youth organization and reinforces the BSA's commitment to the well-being of all youth members and volunteers.

Q7: I am sure I know all there is to know about youth protection. Can I "test out" by only taking the Youth Protection online quiz?
A7: No. You must complete the entire online training in order for your Youth Protection certificate to be valid. This ensures you receive the latest information on BSA Youth Protection.
Important: Please note that the quiz has been removed from the e-Learning Center because the content did not reflect the new changes in Youth Protection policy.

Q8: Does the executive officer (institutional head) of a unit need to take Youth Protection training?
A8: If the executive officer is not a registered leader, he or she is not required to complete Youth Protection training, although it is strongly recommended. If the executive officer is a registered member of the BSA, then he or she must complete Youth Protection training.

Q9: I am a Tiger Cub adult partner and ScoutParent. Do I need to take Youth Protection training?
A9: The Tiger Cub adult partner and ScoutParent designations are not registered adult positions; therefore, mandatory Youth Protection training is not required. It is strongly recommended, however, that all adults involved in Scouting take Youth Protection training. All registered adults are required to take Youth Protection training.

Q10: I am an Explorer post Advisor. Does this new policy apply to me?
A10: Yes. All registered adults are required to take Youth Protection training.

Q11: The new policy indicates that a Youth Protection certificate of completion must be submitted "at the time of application." What does that mean?
A11: A BSA application should be collected from a prospective leader only with the fully completed form, with a copy of the individual's Youth Protection certificate of completion. Both documents should be submitted together to the council service center.

Q12: Do leaders need to wait until they have final clearance on the background check to meet with youth?
A12: No. As long as their application is fully completed, submitted to the council service center, and approved, their fee is paid, and their Youth Protection training has been received by and acknowledged by the council, they will be able to interact with youth members while the criminal background check (CBC) is still pending.

Q13: Do merit badge counselors need to take Youth Protection training?
A13: Yes. A merit badge counselor is a registered volunteer position.

Q14: Can units that have some adult leaders who have not completed Youth Protection training be rechartered?
A14: In order for a unit to be rechartered, it must have all the required positions filled with Youth Protection-trained adults. Adults who do not have current (within the past two years) Youth Protection training will not be reregistered.

Q15: Will the new adult applications have this information?
A15: Yes. All new applications will reflect these changes.

Q16: Can a council or district organize Youth Protection group training for its adults?
A16: Yes. It is encouraged that adults take the training via the online module, but the instructor-led model is still acceptable as long as the most current version of the Youth Protection DVD (item No. 610327 or 36121) is used and the end-of-course quiz is proctored by the trainer at the end of the training session. Reminder: It is critical that training completion certificates be issued after successful completion and that a formal training record roster be submitted to the council registrar so proper credit can be recorded in the profiles of each participant.

Q17: Will both the regular and Venturing leader versions of Youth Protection training meet the requirement?
A17: Yes, as long as the most current versions of the DVDs are used for group training. The online version is the preferred method, as it allows for those taking the training to get one-on-one training and take all the time they need for review. The individual is issued an immediate certificate of completion, which allows for the updating of the volunteer's ScoutNet record.

Q18: If a person is not a registered leader, how can he or she log in and take the Youth Protection training?
A18: A person does not have to be a registered volunteer to take Youth Protection training. To take the training, log in to myscouting.org and click on create an account. After you have confirmed your new myscouting account user name and password, log in to myscouting.org and click on e-training to begin the Youth Protection training. Upon completion, print a certificate to submit with a completed adult leader application to the unit leader or your local council representative for processing. Remember to keep a copy for your records.
Once the application is approved, the new leader will receive his or her membership card with their member ID. It is important that new members log back in to myscouting.org and update their profile with this member ID to receive credit for completing this and any other training.

Providing Scouters with clear and helpful information is a priority of the BSA. This blog post was adapted from an E-mail received from BSA on my "My Scouting" E-mail.

If you have additional questions, please contact your council or please let BSA National know by sending your questions to youthprotection@scouting.org. They will review all inquires and post updates to www.scouting.org/youthprotection.Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com

Bugling merit badge is being discontinued as of next January, 2011.

Bill Nelson, a Scouter in the Grand Canyon Council (and former member of the USSSP team) wrote to BSA's "Ask the Expert" as follows:

The Bugling merit badge is no longer on the scouting.org site, and it looks like the Music merit badge requirements have changed to absorb Bugling. What's happening there?

Here's their reply, which confirms the guess I made a week or so ago:
-------------------------------------
That's a great question, and it's one that a lot of Scouters are asking. Diane Leicht of the BSA's Youth Development team tells us that the Bugling merit badge will be discontinued in 2011 and its requirements will be merged into Music merit badge. Here's her full response:

The revised merit badge pamphlet that merged Bugling into Music was released earlier this year. It won’t be official until the 2011 Boy Scout Requirements book is released in January 2011.

Scouts may continue to earn the Bugling merit badge using the old pamphlet until that time. If Scouts have a copy of the new merit badge pamphlet with Music only, they can choose to earn the Music merit badge and complete the new bugling option as part of the requirements for the Music merit badge.

The two merit badge pamphlet covers illustrate this change. Previously, Music and Bugling were two separate merit badges that shared a pamphlet. With the new pamphlet, Bugling is no longer a separate badge, and bugling-related requirements become an option for Scouts seeking the Music merit badge.
-----------------------
I've posted the revised requirements, including what specifically changed, and including an image of the new pamphlet cover.

Most of the requirements from Bugling were incorporated into Music, with a few changes and some of the less well known and less frequently used bugle calls eliminated.

For details see:Bugling requirements
Music requirements changes

Yours in Scouting,
Paul S. Wolf, P.E. pwolf@usscouts.org
***********************************************
Secretary, U.S. Scouting Service Project, Inc.Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com

Baloo's Bugle for June RTs and July's Theme, "Celebrate Freedom" is on line

Check it out -

Lots of classic patriotic stuff

Articles by Scouter Jim about honoring veterans and

Bill Smith, the Roundtable guy, about the new delivery method, CS 2010.

Have a great summer and get those Cubs - OUTSIDE!!!!!

Info and links Youth Protection Training UpdateCopyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com

We've been informed of a major change to the Youth Protection Training Requirements, in a letter from the Assistant Chief Scout Executive.

Effective June 1, 2010:

• Youth Protection Training is required for all registered volunteers.
• New leaders are required to take Youth Protection Training before they submit their application for registration. The certificate of completion for this training must be submitted at the time application is made and before volunteer service with youth begins.
  
• Youth Protection Training must be taken every two years.
  
• If a volunteer’s Youth Protection Training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be reregistered.

For further details see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Boy-Scout-Talk/files/Youth Protection Training Policies.pdfCopyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com

After we posted the information and pictures of the damage supposedly caused by a Brown Recluse Spider bite, we were informed that the pictures are of the damage caused by a MRSA infection, which followed a probable spider bite, which in turn may or may not have been from a Brown Recluse.

We've removed that page and the pictures.Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com

We've added a page to our safety area with information about the Brown Recluse Spider. The page includes some graphic photos of the skin damage caused by bites from these spiders, so some caution should be used in showing them to younger Scouts.

We've included a prominent disclaimer, and a large white area above the photos, so the text can be seen without viewing the photos.

The page can be viewed from our safety index page http://usscouts.org/safety.asp, or directly at http://usscouts.org/safety/recluse.aspCopyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com

Webinars: New Cub Scout Delivery Method



National is rolling out the NEW Cub Scout Delivery Method and is inviting CS Leaders to attend one of 22 webinar sessions to learn how to use the new method and resources.

Beginning Monday, May 3rd and ending on Friday, May 14th, National is hosting webinars that will detail and discuss the new method and resources. They have varied session times to try to accommodate as many of your schedules as possible.

To register for one of these webinars, please click on the following link and follow the simple instructions. http://programimpact.kintera.org/cubscoutsnewmethod . You will receive a confirmation email once you've completed your registration. (If you do not receive a confirmation, you have not completed the registration process. Be sure you have received a confirmation.)

Webinars are limited to the first 100 registrants per session. If the sessions during this two-week period are filled, additional sessions will be added to support the demand.

The webinar links and teleconference information will be sent to you in a separate email within 24 hours of the start of the webinar session.

We hope you will all be able to make this very important webinar so that you can help us get the word out about this terrific new delivery method that is sure to support advancement and retain our youth in Cub Scouts!

--- And....

In support of local councils, a series of webinars will be hosted this fall, in the August/September/October timeframe to train any interested den and pack leadership on the use of the new method and the resources to support it. (Specifics regarding these dates and times will be communicated to you at a later time and posted on www.scouting.org/cubscouts .)



In addition, on www.scouting.org we will post a list of resources that will aid local councils in the rollout of the new delivery method. Some of these resources include: a YouTube video link for new den leaders on conducting a den meeting, overview brochures and PowerPoint slides and scripts to deliver training on the new method.Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com

The new Den and Pack Meeting Resource Guide is now available on-line and in stores.
Check it out on line at http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Home/CubScouts/Leaders/DenLeaderResources/DenandPackMeetingResourceGuide.aspx (Link is also in the title of this post)



This Guide has the complete meeting plans for all levels (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos Badge , and Arrow of light)

Plus, Pack Meeting plans for all 12 Pack Meetings using a different Core Value for each Pack Meeting.

The Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide is designed to help prepare you for your den and pack meetings and to provide you with the tools necessary to advance your boys along the Cub Scout advancement trail while having fun. Below you will find the contents of the Resource Guide in an online form.

Also, available (at least at the Wilmington, DE, store) and at www.scoutstuff.org
Ceremonies (Cover Change only), Position Specific Training (revised syllabus), CS Roundtable Planning Guide and CS Leaders' Book(But Del-Mar-Va Council bought out the initial supply of both of these. I have pre-paid for the first one of each in the next shipment.)



Keep Scouting!!Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com

Baloo's Bugle for May RTs and June's Theme, "Hoop-De-Do" is on line

Check it out -

Articles by Scouter Jim and Bill Smith, the Roundtable guy.

Lots of good material from Alice in Golden EmpireCopyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com