Eagle Scout candidates or Troops/Packs looking for service project ideas now have a resource with the California State Parks. To find out more about the types of service projects available, download this CA State Park Service Project brochure.
Doran Beach Regional Park, part of the Sonoma County Regional Park System in Bodega Bay has opportunities for community and eagle service projects. There is even the possibility of free overnight campground stay in there group campsite. If your Troop/Patrol or Pack is interested please contact Park Ranger Rich at 707-875-3540. Tell him Gary sent you.
Rental of the Council Climbing Wall
The Council's new climbing wall is available for rental for your next scout meeting or event. To reserve the wall, use these docments:
Scout units who wish to participate in paintball activites should know that this is not permissable for a scout unit. Please see the attached letter from National regarding restricted activities for scouts.
Radio Advertisements Now on the Air
Put away that MP3 player and listen to the radio to hear the latest spots advertising the Boy Scouts. In case you miss them, here are the recordings for the first to spots:
Troop 7 recruits new scouts at the Petaluma Pumpkin Patch by manning the climbing wall.
Share the Friendship!
Become a hero...Become a Commissioner! A commissioner is a friend to the scout unit (i.e. Pack, Troop, Crew, Team, Ship, Post) and an extension of the professional scouting staff. To join a log line of heros who have assisted Scouting units through unchanging values and friendship, read our Share the Friendship brochure.
Questions or comments? Send an email to the Webmaster.
Updated Medical Forms
The BSA has implemented a new medical form for immediate adoption and use. Based on input from individual Scouters, the Order of the Arrow, local councils, health and safety and risk management committees, and high-adventure bases, there was confusion on when to use any of more than 20 different health forms in use across the nation. There was also an immediate need to update a medical form for the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. The Health and Safety Committee took on the challenge and the opportunity to establish one Annual Health and Medical Record for all ages and known risks. It is simple and yet comprehensive enough to be used for both health and wellness evaluations as well as emergency situations.
Everyone should begin using the Annual Health and Medical Record immediately. The existing stock of Class 1, 2, and 3 forms can continue to be used while supplies last in 2009. The only supported form effective January 1, 2010, is the Annual Health and Medical Record. Its use will be mandatory for the 2009 National Order of the Arrow Conference and 2010 National Scout Jamboree.
Further questions can be directed to the Heath & Safety Team at http://community.scouting.org (In the GROUPS area look under the National category for the "Scouting Safely - Health and Safety and Risk Management" Group.
NEW: Popcorn Recalled
Effective January 1, 2009, at least one adult must have completed Planning and Preparing for Hazardous Weather training (click link to go to online training) in order to get a tour permit/and there is a new version of the tour permit to be used. Please update your records as many of the old tour permits are being sent to the office, and they will be returned to you.
New Tour Permit with new requirement
Recruitment Guide
Download this Methods of Invitation recruitment guide for some great ideas on how to get more kids to come to your recruitment evenings.
To order materials for your Recruitment Event, download the
Now is a great time to recruit new youth into scouting because they get to participate in the exciting fall activities, such as Cub Camp. The attached Recruiting Guide (updated for 2009) has many ideas for unit leaders to implement to attact new youth to scouting.
A special Pinewood Derby race was held during Petaluma's American Graffiti "Cruisin' the Boulevard" event.
Chiropractors may not sign medical forms. (Click on link to read more.)
The US Postal Service will be issuing a new stamp design to honor our centennial.
Tour Permit Reminder
Tour permits are supposed to be submitted a minimum of two weeks before your trip. We can not ensure it will be processed prior to your event, otherwise. Tour permits may be emailed to northcoastscouter@redwoodbsa.org, faxed to 707-546-8137, mailed or dropped off at a service center. Thank you for your cooperation.
1000 Apollo Way Santa Rosa, CA 95407 707-546-8137
The Midwest outfitter, Cabela’s, is offering special discounts in celebration of Scouting’s 100th Anniversary--Scout units receive a 25% discount off of their normally priced. They carry a great deal of various and detailed product lines. Follow the instructions in the letter posted here.
Nearly 300 Scouts and Scouters from all over the United States were named to the Boy Scouts of America's 100th Anniversary National Hall of Leadership for making a "significant difference in the life of another by the extraordinary service they have given … and the Scouting virtues they have modeled," according to a BSA release about the event.
Miwok District’s Sonoma-area Commissioner John Neville was named as Redwood Empire Council’s inductee. John’s involvement in scouting spans over 65 years! So he’s been involved in scouting for about 2/3rds of BSA’s history! After raising 15 children of his own, he could have easily retired. But his continued involvement in scouting has been an inspiration to everyone John interacts with. When asked if he has any words of wisdom for the rest of us scout leaders, he says, "It is all about helping young boys to become responsible adults. But, they already know that, which is why they are involved."
NEW: BSA National Hall of Leadership Induction
Youth safety is the No. 1 concern of the BSA.
To increase awareness of this societal problem and to create even greater barriers to abuse than already exist today in Scouting, the Boy Scouts of America is implementing several important changes to further enhance its Youth Protection policies.
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 an 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.
Limited quantity--only 100! Styled in 3D. $100 each with proceeds going to the Council and all their great Scouting programs. Get yours at the Santa Rosa Scout office before supplies run out!
NEW: REC Centennial Patch
The council is pleased and excited to announce that the Redwood Empire Council Centennial Patches have arrived at the Santa Rosa Office!
These patches are numbered 1 through 100. The council has pulled patches #1 and #100. These two patches will be auctioned off at a later date to be announced. The remaining patches can be purchased for $100 each.
The actual patch has a 3-D look to it which is much more impressive than appears in this attachment. This is a limited patch offer – don’t miss out on having one of these special patches!
