100th Anniversary of Scouting Newsletter - November 2009

A Year of Celebration A Century of Making a Difference

We want every Scout, adult leader, and Scouting alum to have the chance to be part of our biggest milestone yet—our 1OOth Anniversary Celebration. We want to fire up the passion for Scouting while giving everyone an opportunity to make a difference—and earn recognition. Individuals can earn awards by demonstrating dedication to five of Scouting’s core values—Leadership, Achievement, Community Service, Character, and the Outdoors. Participants can earn one award in each category. A Year of Celebration will be in effect from Sept. 1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2010. Gamehaven’s 100th anniversary team will be highlighting a different core value ribbon each month, starting with the outdoors ribbon. Go to the scout shop to purchase the starter patch. You do not need to complete any requirements to obtain the starter patch. Then work on the requirements and earn your ribbons. Go to here to print the form to obtain your ribbons. After printing the form take it to the scout shop to purchase your ribbons.

COMMUNITY SERVICE
Scouting’s contribution to society is most visible in the movement’s commitment to community service. Service is interwoven into many of Scouting’s honors and is mandatory for earning the higher rank advancements. Through service, Scouts demonstrate that they provide an essential function to their communities.

The Year of Celebration Community Service Award rewards recipients for providing time and resources at no charge for the good of their local community. More than just engage in service, the award recipient must also share their thoughts about why service is crucial to our society and how Scouts today fulfill a 100-year-old legacy of serving communities.

Over the years, the Boys Scouts of America has partnered with several national organizations to accomplish some great service projects. If you are looking for service project ideas, consider the following options:
Nothing But Nets
Scouting For Food
Habitat for Humanity
Our National Parks
American Red Cross
2010 US Census
Arbor Day Foundation
Take Pride in America
The Salvation Army
Cell Phones for Soldiers
Preserve Our Waterways

Complete three of the five requirements in each category to earn that award. * Make sure that all service hours are recorded online for ―Good Turn For America.

Cub Scouts
1. With your parent or den leader, identify a person who serves the community. Write or tell about what that person does for others. 2. With your family or den, help plan and carry out a community service project. Write or tell about the project. 3. With your family and/or den, clean up your Pack’s chartering organization’s parking lot, a neighborhood park, the school grounds, or other public area. 4. Participate in a nature beautification project such as a tree or natural vegetation planting. 5. Give service to a community organization such as a food bank or feeding station.

Boy Scouts
1. Participate in Scouting for Food or another food drive by spending at least one hour placing bags, collecting bags, distributing food, or spreading the word about food collection. 2. Volunteer to plant trees or landscape an area around a church, synagogue, or other place of worship or a not-for-profit organization that is not the Boy Scouts of America. 3. Provide two hours of service in a group community service project approved by your Scout leader. 4. Recruit one new boy or adult leader into Boy Scouts or Varsity Scouts. 5. Provide two hours of volunteer service at a hospital, senior citizen or veteran’s facility, or another facility approved by your Scout leader.

Venturers
1. Participate in the Venturing National Service Project. 2. Talk to a Cub Scout den about how service benefits the community. 3. Recruit a new member to your crew or ship or assist a pack, troop, or team in its recruiting efforts. 4. Write 200 words on the value of community service. Talk to your adviser or parent about your ideas. 5. Participate in a food drive and/or help at a food bank when Scouts turn in their Scouting For Food items.

Adult Leaders
1. Be an active participant in Scouting For Food or another food drive or help with a Salvation Army service project. 2. Be an active participant in the Nothing But Nets project found on the national 1OOth Anniversary Web site.3. Be an active participant in a Take Pride in America project or a project benefiting the National Parks Stewardship Awards program. 4. Be an active participant in an American Red Cross or a Habitat for Humanity project. 5. Be an active participant in any unit’s service project.

Alumni
1. Team up with a unit to participate in at least two hours of community service. 2. Work with your local Scout service center to help it identify Scouting alumni. Become familiar with all aspects of the BSA Alumni Connection Web site and arrange to speak to at least one community group about the 1OOth Anniversary and BSA Alumni Connection. Distribute BSA Alumni reconnection cards, available at your local Scout service center. 3. Write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper or other publication. Share how Scouting influenced your understanding of service to others and commend local Scouts and leaders for the service they provide each year to the local community. 4. Encourage involvement in a local youth-led food collection drive by personally donating and providing participation information to one or more individuals. 5. Organize a community service project that benefits your community, through your employer or for any social, service, or religious group to which you may belong. Share with the members that you are a Scouting alumnus and distribute a BSA Alumni reconnection card, available at your local Scout service center.


NATIONAL HALL OF LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS

*Gamehaven Council is looking for Nominations to the National Hall of Leadership.
*To be nominated for the National Hall of Leadership, the nominee must be a living Scout or Scouting volunteer who may/may not be officially registered with the BSA.
*They also must have served as an active Scout or Scouting volunteer within Scouting for at least one year. A nominee may be young or old-there is no age limit for nominees.
*Nominations are submitted in the form of a story that is 450 words or less, describing why the person is deserving of this one-time honor.
*The nomination period closes on February 8, 2010, the 100th Anniversary of Scouting. The final inductees to the National Hall of Leadership will total 303-one representing each BSA council and one selected by the National BSA Council-and will be announced at the BSA National Annual Meeting in Dallas in May 2010.
*You can submit as many nominations as you like. Use the attached form or go on-line at National Hall of Leadership.


100TH ANNIVERSARY PARTIES

The 100th anniversary team is looking for leaders in every town to help us with a community anniversary party. You can make it as simple or extravagant as you want. We will have a Mayoral Proclamation available to help celebrate the day! It can be held at your Sponsors location or anywhere you think is needed. Your announcement fliers should be out around the first part of January. We would like to announce a complete list of cities that are participating on the website by Mid January.
Contact us at gamehaven100thanniversary@gmail.com


**The Year of Celebration Patch Program has a new easy to use spread sheet to track ribbons earned by everyone.
Go HERE and click on the scout progress chart, and fill in the blanks.

Gamehaven Council 100th Anniversary Committee
website: http://gamehaven100thanniversary.blogspot.com
Email: gamehaven100thanniversary@gmail.com

100th Anniversary of Scouting Newsletter - October 2009

A Year of Celebration A Century of Making a Difference




We want every Scout, adult leader, and Scouting alum to have the chance to be part of our biggest milestone yet—our 1OOth Anniversary Celebration. We want to fire up the passion for Scouting while giving everyone an opportunity to make a difference—and earn recognition. Individuals can earn awards by demonstrating dedication to five of Scouting’s core values—Leadership, Achievement, Community Service, Character, and the Outdoors. Participants can earn one award in each category. A Year of Celebration will be in effect from Sept. 1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2010. Gamehaven’s 100th anniversary team will be highlighting a different core value ribbon each month, starting with the outdoors ribbon. Click here to print the form to obtain the starter patch. After printing the form take it to the scout shop to purchase your patch. Then work on the requirements, earn and purchase your ribbons.

OUTDOORS RIBBON
From campouts to High Adventure, Scouting happens outdoors. Since its inception, Scouting has centered on teaching values through working and playing outside, and fostering respect and understanding of one’s natural surroundings.
The Year of Celebration Outdoors Award is geared toward getting individuals active in nature. The recipients must participate in outdoor activities and show growth in personal outdoor skills. They must also demonstrate increased knowledge of nature. Scouts must show understanding of the impact humans can have on ecosystems and why one must Leave No Trace when experiencing the outdoors. Adults and alumni are encouraged to share their outdoor Scouting experiences with Scouts, as well as non-Scouts of all ages. The Award centers on principles of stewardship, discovery, and personal fitness. Complete three of the five requirements in each category to earn that award.

Cub Scouts
1. With your family or den, help plan and carry out an outdoor activity. Write or tell about your experience. 2. Describe to your parent or den leader the different kinds of plants and animals you can find around your neighborhood. 3. Earn Cub Scouting’s Leave No Trace Awareness Award or the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award. 4. Go on a hike with your family or den. 5. Participate in a district or council outdoor experience (day camp, resident camp, etc.).
Boy Scouts
1. Earn Hiking, Camping, Backpacking, Canoeing or Wilderness Survival merit badges. 2. Attend a Scout overnight campout and practice the principles of Leave No Trace. 3. Attend a full session of council summer camp, participate in a council or national High Adventure program, or earn the ―50 Miler Award.‖ 4. Participate for at least two hours in an outdoor conservation project approved by your Scout leader. 5. Participate in a Scout backpacking trip separate from requirement No. 2.
Venturers
1. Become a Leave No Trace crew trainer and teach it to a Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, Varsity Scout team, or other youth group in 2009-2010. 2. Earn the Ranger award, or help another Venturer earn his. Discuss at least one outdoor skill. 3. Learn a new outdoor skill such as scuba diving, orienteering, kayaking, etc. 4. Participate in a district or council outdoor experience. 5. Assist a pack, troop, team, or another crew with one of its outdoor activities.
Adult Leaders
1. Participate in a unit, district, or council outdoor event. 2. Assist a unit in an outdoor conservation project. 3. Attend camp with a unit (Cub Scout day camp, summer camp, Venturer camp, etc.). 4. Attend a professional (major or minor league) baseball game, or another public event, in uniform with a unit.5. Visit the ―Get in the Game Geocaching‖ page on the 1OOth Anniversary Web site www.Scouting.org/100years and participate in a BSA 1OOth Anniversary geocaching activity.
Alumni
1. Start a new, or add to an existing, personal physical fitness regimen that includes an outdoor activity. 2. Contact your local Scout service center and arrange to assist with an upcoming outdoor activity. 3. Volunteer time and/or materials to help a Scouting unit or other family, youth, or adult group with a tree-planting or other conservation project. 4. Visit the ―Get in the Game Geocaching page on the 1OOth Anniversary Web site www.Scouting.org/100years and participate in a BSA 1OOth Anniversary geocaching activity or attend an outdoor Scouting activity in your area as a registered guest. 5. Take your family and/or friends on a hike, campout, or other outdoor experience. Use the Scout Handbook, Fieldbook, or a merit badge pamphlet as a resource to plan with them the proper way to prepare for and safely enjoy the outdoors.

Gamehaven Council 100th anniversary committee website: http://gamehaven100thanniversary.blogspot.com
Email: gamehaven100thanniversary@gmail.com

A Year of Celebration Patch Program

A Year of Celebration – A Century of Making a Difference is an awards program developed especially for the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. The program is open to all Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, adult leaders, and Scouting alumni. There are five awards, each based on one of the five core values of the Boy Scouts of America: one for Leadership, Achievement, Community Service, Character and the Outdoors.

Read the patch requirements to learn more at
http://scouting.org/100years/100years/ayearofcelebration.aspx

Awards may be earned as of September 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010.

Get in the Game - Geocaching

Can You Find the Hidden Treasure?

Geocaching is a sport in which everyone can use a multi-billion dollar satellite system to find a hidden “treasure” (cache). The cache contains a trinket that may be kept as a prize. In Geocaching, one uses a hand held GPS (Global Positioning System) to find a cache hidden by someone else. The GPS really does use information from satellites to tell you exactly where you are, anywhere on Earth. There are caches hidden all over the world. There are also hundreds of caches hidden in Southeastern Minnesota, and now, there are some at Gamehaven Scout Reservation. GPS devices are not only used in this fun sport, they are often used instead of a compass by many hikers. When you learn to go Geocaching, you have fun and you learn a useful outdoor survival skill.

Get in the Game geocaching is one of the 100th Anniversary of Scouting activities. In 2010, Get in the Game will have caches stashed all over the council and will create a local adventure for Scouts of all ages. In the summer of 2009, Cubs Scouts have the opportunity to learn about Geocaching out at Gamehaven Scout Reservation.
The 2009, Get in the Game event is coming up fast so don’t miss your chance for a geocaching adventure! It is a bring a friend, Cub Scout activity in which experienced geocachers can have some fun and new geocachers can learn a new sport. To participate, bring a friend that might enjoy learning about Cub Scouts. Bring your adult partner and/or your friend’s adult partner. Bring a GPS if you have one.(Some GPS’s are available for use at GSR.) You will be taught how to use a GPS unit and how to Geocache. Everyone who attends will be provided with the information needed to find several hidden caches. This activity is a blast.

When: Saturday, August 15, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00, Where: Gamehaven Scout Reservation.

Cost: Free. For more information or for advanced registration contact Tony at tonymueller@charter.net, tell him you
are coming, how many of you will attend, and if you need to use one of Gamehaven’s GPS units.

Century of Values hits the Road!

The 100^th anniversary touring lodge is coming to Gamehaven Council on September 8^th. It is scheduled to arrive at between Noon and 2 pm at the Peace Plaza in downtown Rochester. This uniquely decorated RV is traveling to over 300 councils across America. The trip started in Michigan on February 8, 2009 and will end in Irving Texas on February 8^th, 2010. It will cover 45,000 miles along the journey.

The touring lodge will present each Council Scout Executive with a specially designed 24”x36” mural depicting important individuals, events, and symbols in Scouting history.

“The Century of Value visits are designed to say Thank You to local officials and volunteers for their commitment and dedication to the community’s youth while highlighting the positive impact that Scouting’s traditions have had during the past 100 years” according to Advisor Frank Millon.

Gamehaven council would like to invite all scouts to this event. There is more info on the Century of Values at www.acenturyofvalues.org including a ten minute video and details for ordering special patches and copies of the centennial mural.

Celebrating 100 Years - A Year of Celebration

For 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America has created a strong foundation of leadership, service, and community for millions of America’s youth. Through A Year of Celebration, A Century of Making a Difference, the BSA and Gamehaven Council will demonstrate the incredible impact of a century of living the Scout Law.

Program participants will earn recognition for making a difference in their communities due to their dedication to five of Scouting’s core values: Leadership, Character, Community Service, Achievement, and the Outdoors. Participants will be able to earn our 100th Anniversary commemorative patch.

A Year of Celebration will take place from September 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010. The program is open to all Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, and Scouting alumni. Read the patch requirements to learn more by clicking on this link: A Year of Celebration program.

Additionally, the BSA has also teamed up with some great organizations to offer unique 100th Anniversary service projects that can apply towards your Year of Celebration Service award. These national opportunities will truly show what Scouts can do when they band together towards a shared goal.

For 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America has created a strong foundation of leadership, service, and community for America’s youth. Through A Year of Celebration, we celebrate this legacy and commit ourselves to inspire and prepare future generations.

Gamehaven Council BSA Centennial Proposed Timeline - May 2009

Clicking on the underlined links in the timeline will direct you a BSA website with further details on that centennial celebration program.

2009

January 1
Natl. “BSA Alumni Connection” continues (began Aug. 2008)

February 8
Natl. “Hall of Leadership” nominations open (ends 2/8/10)

February 8
Gamehaven Year of Extreme Service (YES) (ends 2/8/10)

March 12
Gamehaven YES “A Scout is Helpful” Blood Drive (ends 4/12/09)

April 24
Natl. “Generations Connections” program (ends 12/10)

August TBD
Natl. “Get in the Game” Geocaching Recruitment program (ends 12/10)

September 1
Natl. “Year of Celebration” patch program (ends 12/10)

September 8
Natl. “Celebrating the Adventure, Continuing the Journey” Touring experiential lodge

November TBD
Scouting for Food/100 Years of Scouting

2010

January TBD
Gamehaven "A Scout is Helpful" Blood Drive (ends 4/10)

February 6-7
Scout Sabbath/Scout Sunday/100 Years of Reverent Scouting

February 8
Natl. BSA 100th Anniversary

February 8
Gamehaven "100 Years of Scouting/100 Hours of Service" Program (ends 12/10)

February 8
Gamehaven Mayoral proclamations for BSA 100 Years of Scouting

March TBD
Gamehaven 100 Merits Badges for 100 Years of Scouting (ends 12/10)

April TBD
Gamehaven 100 Years of Scoutcraft Patch program begins

May TBD
Natl. “A Pitch for Scouting” Baseball/Scouting program (ends10/10)

May-June TBD
Gamehaven “100 Year Supercelebration”

July TBD
Gamehaven Council-wide Scouting community parades

July 26-Aug 4
BSA National Jamboree
Natl. “Shining Light Across America”

November TBD
Scouting for Food/100 Years of Scouting tie-in


We need volunteers, from program leaders to anyone willing to commit an afternoon of assistance! If you are able to help in any capacity, contact us at: gamehaven100thanniversary@gmail.com