By Denise Lesniak
SR VP Membership
Spring Recruiting a New Challenge!
Spring has roared in like a lion, as we patiently wait at home, inside, distant from family and friends for the peaceful lamb. The challenges of keeping your pack or troop active are very real; but there are so many resources out there-virtually! “Scouting at Home” is the new theme. Have you checked out Mount Baker Council’s Virtual Campsite? It is loaded with just about everything needed for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA and Parents and Leaders.
How do you recruit new Cub Scouts this spring? Start by taking a step back and pulling out your membership plan and goals. The ones your unit developed at the beginning of the year. This is a great time to meet (virtually) with your leadership to review your membership plan, see where you are and how you want to move forward. You may have to alter some of the school events that are traditionally used for spring recruiting. Check with your school district and see if there may be opportunities to send digital flyers to new kindergartners as part of a welcome packet. You may want to brainstorm with your committee some new ideas for recruiting events for the summer. Don’t forget to sign up your scouts for summer camp and encourage them to invite a friend to register and go to camp, too. Summer camp is a great tool for recruiting, too!
Start thinking about your fall join night. Put together a checklist of things that will need to be completed and share those with your committee. Plan to attend one session of Mount Baker Council’s Spring and Fall Recruiting Webinars scheduled for May 13 at 7:30pm and 16 at 9:00am. Here you will find the latest information on how to host a successful join night as well as information about the August Roundtable Kick Start.
So, what can you do right now to help your unit with membership? Follow up on all leads on My.Scouting. There are families looking for activities for their kids and “Scouting at Home” and your unit activities are a perfect fit. Put a yard sign up, if you have one available. Add a scout neckerchief to the stuffed bear you put in your window.
Make sure your unit is still engaged during this time. It’s important to retain your current scouts and see that they are making rank. If you have newer scout families, make sure they know where to find activities and how to have achievements logged and verified. Have your scouts invite a friend to a virtual den meeting-we are all looking for ways to connect with others.
Be Safe and Scout On!
Now that you have completed your position-specific training for your Scouting role, it’s time to take your knowledge to the next level. Wood Badge is a 6-day advanced leadership training course. Held over 2 separate weekends in September and October, Wood Badge offers leadership skills training that benefits your unit and all of Scouting, increases personal confidence, and forms an enhanced social and professional network.
Private corporations pay thousands for the Wood Badge course content to be presented at a business conference. Scouters pay a fraction of the corporate price for 6 days of food, fellowship, camping, and a ton of fun. Unleash your inner child as you form patrols, build rockets, sing songs, play games, and enjoy late-summer weekends at Fire Mountain.
Early Bird Registration opened March 1 online through the Council Calendar. The Early Bird discounted Fee of $250 will be offered through May 31st. The regular pricing of $275 begins June 1st. The course is limited to only 48 participants. Course dates are Sept 25-27 and Oct 23-25. Participants must attend both weekends.
For more information contact Course Director Colleen Weeks at 503-577-7602 or cncweeks@gmail.com OR Dan’l Adams at danl.adams@scouting.org.
As we have been hearing, “We are all in this together”, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic situation. As Scouting Alumni, we are in this together along with our Scouting families, no matter what our personal alumnus vintage might be, ranging from Neanderthal to Millennial.
The lives of our currently registered Scouting families have been significantly disrupted, if not completely turned upside down. This situation affects not only our youth, but the adults in their lives as well. Be sure to peruse the Council web site to see how we are keeping our Scouting families engaged with Scouting in order to provide them with important stability amid the frequent changes and uncertainties going on around them. mountbakerbsa.org/scouton There you will find terms such as “virtual campsite”, “virtual Scout meetings”, Facebook Live, and other new world terms, all methods which are being used to keep families Scouting while safely sequestered at home pending release per public health recommendations.
Even for those of us in the Neanderthal alumnus vintage, there is no need to feel intimidated by the digital techy terminology. Remember, Scouting provides a safe environment for learning new skills so go ahead and enjoy the website. Better yet, volunteer some of your time to help our families to “Scout On” through the pandemic and beyond. It might be now, or even after we emerge from this “social distancing” constraint that a unit could use an extra set of hands or simply the participation of an alumnus with Scouting experience and wisdom to help the unit “Scout On” toward normalcy.
#BeCalmScoutOn
Contact me and we can figure it out. Remember, we are in this together.
Yours in Scouting service,
Sue Rhodes
The Mount Baker Council is offering a special commemorative award to remember this unique time in Scouting and the world.
All youth and adults will have the ability to earn this patch which will be sold exclusively through the Mount Baker Council Trading Post.
To earn the patch complete the activities in the Council provided matrix by June 30, 2020.
Dear Friends and Family of Scouting,
We hope you and your family are healthy.
We are writing to you as the Mount Baker Council urgently needs your help.
Scouting has never been more important to our youth and communities. We are committed to the mission . . . actively planning service projects and our character-building youth programs.
But, we need your help!
Like you, we have been deeply affected by the Coronavirus.
We temporarily closed our stores, asked our employees to work from home, and advised our members, volunteers and staff to heed all public safety recommendations.
Our traditional fund-raising activities, including our Community Fund Raising events and our annual Family Friends of Scouting (FOS) campaigns have always been held in groups and provided the opportunity for personal connections. As we do our part to participate in social distancing we have had to delay or cancel these events.
It cost $205 per registered Scout to continue providing a quality Scouting experience for the youth of the Pacific Northwest. You have supported us in the past, can we count on you to help today? Your recurring contribution of $20.00 per month will make a big difference for youth in our area. Please go to mountbakerbsa.org/giving/friends-of-scouting/ or text mountbakerbsa to 41444 to make a gift today.
Thank you for your continuing support of the mission of the Mount Baker Council. With the support of our volunteers and people like you, the mission will continue.
Mount Baker Council, Boy Scouts of America
Steven Davis, Council President
GaryBazzell, Senior Vice President of Development
Kevin Nichols, Scout Executive
The Mount Baker 2020 Camp Cards are here!
Let’s use this opportunity to test our online sales skills. These cards hold great value, especially the restaurants that have take-out and delivery. Who doesn’t want a discount on their pizza while stuck at home?! And with most vendors, the new expiration date of March 2021 allows for plenty of time to use the card. We have also extended the campaign through the end of June to give units more time to sell. Please be in touch with your District Camp Card Captains for distribution details.
Good luck with your sales and always remember – Do Your Best!!!
From the National Boy Scouts of America.
The following questions regarding advancement have arisen as we deal with closures, cancellations, or other issues caused by the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Although there are difficulties and constraints, advancement can continue. Youth, parents, and leaders should work together to implement creative, common sense ways to facilitate advancement while adhering to the Guide to Safe Scouting and following the rules of Youth Protection training.
Please follow this link to the Guide to Advancement (GTA), which remains the primary source for information related to Scouts BSA advancement. It is referenced throughout the answers provided here.
Please send additional questions to advancement.team@scouting.org
Q: How can advancement be tracked remotely?
A: Scouting units should use ScoutBook* to record and track advancement.
To track advancement remotely, parents should:
Go to https://help.scoutbook.com to learn more about how to start using ScoutBook and how to connect parents to their Scouts.
Q: May parents sign off on Webelos and Arrow of Light requirements?
A: Yes. Through July 31, 2020, parents and other adults in the Cub Scout’s family, may sign off on Webelos and Arrow of Light requirements. We strongly encourage that parents use the Scouting App or ScoutBook to record completion of their child’s requirements.
Q: If my den is behind in advancement due to COVID-19, can my Cub Scout continue to work on advancement through the summer?
A: Yes. Cub Scouts can continue to work on their current den’s advancement through July 31, 2020. This is to provide any additional time a Cub Scout needs to complete their badge of rank; if they earn their badge of rank prior to July 31, 2020, they may advance to the next rank.
Q: May merit badge requirements or rank requirements be modified?
A: No. All requirements must be completed as written. If meetings or activities are canceled or limited, youth should continue to work on requirements as far as possible. By employing common sense and creative solutions, many requirements–even Scoutmaster conferences–can be fulfilled through videoconferencing or telephone calls.
Q: Can merit badge counseling or Nova/Supernova counseling be done using digital technologies like Zoom or WebEx?
A: Yes, registered merit badge counselors or Nova counselors/Supernova mentors may work with youth using digital platforms, ensuring that all youth protection measures noted in the Guide to Safe Scouting and BSA’s social media guidelines are in place. In addition to youth protection, the advancement guidelines in GTA Section 7 are required.
Q: May time missed due to canceled unit meetings count toward active participation requirements?
A: Yes. If youth are registered and in good standing, a disruption from COVID-19 virus can be the “noteworthy circumstance” that prevents participation. This policy has been in place for many years and is explained in GTA Topic 4.2.3.1.
Q: May time missed due to canceled unit meetings count toward position of responsibility requirements?
A: Yes. If youth are registered and unable to meet the expectations of their positions because of COVID-19 disruptions, then units may need to waive or rethink the expectations. Just as youth must not be held to unestablished expectations, they must not be held to expectations that are impossible to fulfill. See GTA Topic 4.2.3.4, “Positions of Responsibility,” with its six subtopics.
Q: Does the National Council grant extensions of time to complete rank requirements beyond the 18th birthday for the Eagle or 21st birthday for Summit or Quartermaster?
A: Yes, but only for the Eagle Scout rank as described in GTA Topic 9.0.4.0 or for Venturing Summit or Sea Scout Quartermaster as described in GTA Topic 4.3.3.0. Unit leadership must become familiar with the five tests under 9.0.4.0. The tests were designed to accommodate such obstacles as those presented by COVID-19 disruptions.
Q: Will youth who are not yet Life Scouts be allowed to apply for an extension to earn the Eagle Scout rank?
A. Extensions are considered only for Scouts who are Life rank. If, once a Scout achieves Life rank, it turns out that COVID-19 disruptions along the way have left them with insufficient time to complete Eagle requirements, then this may be cited when the time comes to submit an extension request.
Q: If youth have already received an extension, can they request additional time due to COVID-19?
A: Yes, at the Council’s discretion.
Q: What should be done while an extension request is being considered?
A: Youth should continue to work on advancement in so far as they are able—e.g., independently, or over the phone or videoconference—and at Scouting activities once they resume.
Q: Are extensions required when an Eagle/Summit/Quartermaster board of review must be delayed?
A: No. Councils may grant Eagle/Summit/Quartermaster boards of review up to six months after the youth’s 18th/21st birthday. See GTA Topic 8.0.3.1, “Eagle Scout Board of Review Beyond the 18th Birthday.”
See also, GTA Topic 8.0.1.6, “Boards of Review Through Videoconferencing.”
Q: Are electronic or digital signatures acceptable for rank advancement or for the Eagle/Summit/Quartermaster packets/applications?
A: Yes. Electronic or digital signatures will be accepted through September 30, 2020.
Q: How can a youth continue to work on advancement requirements if they don’t have internet or high-speed internet for videoconferencing?
A: Youth may take a picture of their completed activity/requirement and share the work with unit leaders. In keeping with Youth Protection Training policies, all communications from youth should be sent to at least two adults. Parents or guardians may send advancement work on behalf of their child. We encourage the child to write the message and utilize the adults email to send the communication when the youth doesn’t have their own email.
*If your unit is not using Internet Advancement 2.0 (not Scoutbook) then your parents can use the Scouting app requirements for their Scout. (iPhone) (Android). For units using Scoutbook, which is free to all units, follow the directions above.
April 03, 2020 Update – Council Service Centers and Trading Posts are closed through May 4th.
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March 13, 2020 Announcement
Dear Scouting Family,
As always, your safety and the safety of all our members, volunteers, and employees is our top priority. We know there are questions and concerns about how COVID-19, commonly known as the novel coronavirus, could affect local Scouting programs in Mount Baker Council. Please know that we are monitoring developments along with our Council Enterprise Risk Management committee regarding COVID-19 including information from our Local County Health Departments (please review their websites), the State of Washington and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). First and foremost, the decision to participate in Scouting is voluntary, and each family should make a personal decision for what level of participation, if any, it will have in Scouting meetings and activities during this outbreak.
The following information regarding events and prevention measures is based on the latest available guidance. As this is an evolving situation, this information is subject to change. We will continue to update you on relevant developments, and we appreciate your understanding of any necessary adjustments in the interest of health and safety.
Status of Council Events
Last week, the Mount Baker Council announced the following Council events and activities have been cancelled or postponed through March 31st, 2020.
Any of these events that required payment will be refunded or funds transferred to another council event. If you were registered for an event that has been rescheduled your registration has automatically been transferred to the new date. Please contact the Everett Service Center for assistance or with any questions.
As we monitor this situation, we will continue to review and make the needed decisions on activity and events in the month of April and update our communications based on those actions.
Status of District Events
District level volunteers are currently evaluating all district level events. Please be on the lookout for further communication from your District Executives on status of those events.
All District Roundtables in March have been cancelled.
Unit / Den Meetings and Activities
Decisions about unit meetings and activities should be made by unit leadership and chartering organizations based on the unit’s individual circumstances, current CDC and local health department guidelines, and common sense. The chartered organization may have policies or protocols that have been put in place in response to COVID-19. Remember that the Chartered Organization “owns” your Scouting unit and has ultimate authority in these decisions.
If your unit’s meeting place is a different entity than your unit’s Chartered Organization, the unit leadership should consult with the meeting place as to any policies or protocols that they have put in place in response to COVID-19. For many Cub Scout Packs, this will be a school campus. Arrangements for alternate meeting locations may be needed.
For any outside activities, contact the facility’s management to determine if that facility has put any restrictions or policies in place in response to COVID-19.
If units cancel or postpone large group meetings and continue to meet in small groups in dens or patrols, it is encouraged that all participants understand the everyday preventive measures that are reviewed in this communication and the county health department web pages. Any den, patrol, or other Scouting related gathering, regardless of size, must adhere to the two-deep leadership rule and Safe Scouting Guidelines.
After consulting with the Chartered Organization, unit committees should determine the most appropriate path forward in delivering the Scouting program for its families. The unit leadership should respect any family’s decision not to participate during this outbreak and make plans to help Scouts that do not participate re-engage after it is complete.
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) continues to have policies and procedures in place that help protect participants from contracting an illness at large Scouting events. These include the Annual Health and Medical Record and the Pre-Event Medical Screening Checklist.
Additionally, Scouting families and leaders are encouraged to share this Safety Moment to help prevent the spread of illness.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR SCOUTING UNITS
Even with those important policies in place, it is critical that we all take these everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases:
This summary is provided as an update to MBC families, staff, and other stakeholders on preparations being considered by the Mount Baker Council. This is not a replacement for self-education through access to current information from sources such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Washington Department of Health, or your own physician.
Should you have any questions or concerns about a specific upcoming event or activity, please reach out to our local Service Centers. We will do everything we can to answer your question using the information available to us.
We encourage you to share this message with your Scouting families and parents through your communication channels.
With all of this, keep in mind the Scout Oath and Law. The values there ultimately will help you do what is right for our Scouts, KINDLY letting families chose, or HELPFULLY postponing. Also, remember that a Scout is CLEAN, and that proper hygiene should be practiced for all.
Please be sure to stay educated and informed as you continue your Scouting adventures.
Yours in Scouting,
Mount Baker Council’s Key Three
Did you know about the Mount Baker Council Text to give program? It is an easy and quick way to make an FOS donation with a credit card!
Fast and easy way to support Mount Baker Scouting!
So how does it work? It is just filling out a form.
A Simple Three-Step Process:
A text is sent to you with a link with the FOS Donation form. Just click the link sent to you.
Donors can select a preset amount for a one-time gift or choose a monthly recurring gift.
For a recurring gift, select Other, put in the monthly donation amount and select Monthly. Remember to fill out the form in its entirety in order for your Unit to get credit for the donation.
If you want the Council to receive your entire donation amount, do nothing. The box is already selected for you to pay the credit card processing fee. If you would like the council to pay the fee, just unselect the box. The amount at the bottom of the screen is how much you will be charge monthly.
This program is another useful tool to help our council reach our FOS objectives. Submit your Friends of Scouting donation today!
