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

Gamehaven Council 100 Years of Scouting Celebration on Facebook

The Gamehaven 100 Years of Scouting Celebration is now on Facebook. Scouts, Scouters, and anyone else with an interest in our plans for the 100th Anniversary of Scouting can find us by searching Facebook groups for "Gamehaven Council 100 Years of Scouting Celebration".

"A Scout is Helpful!" - 100 donors for 100 years of service

This is the first characteristic of the scout law. As part of YES (Year of Extreme Service) and to celebrate 100 years of scouting service in the United States, Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center and The Gamehaven Council of the Boy Scouts of American are offering scouts age 16 and up and all adult leaders the opportunity to help save a life! Every six minutes, someone at the Mayo Clinic receives a transfusion of blood. As each whole blood donation can be divided into three blood products, someone donating a single unit of whole blood can impact the lives of up to three people!

From March 12th through April 12th, we are asking all eligible scouts and leaders to participate in the “A Scout is Helpful. 100 donors for 100 years of service” blood drive. During this month, we would like 100 scouts and leaders to donate at Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center in the Hilton Building. The kickoff event will be on March 12th from 4:30 PM until 7 PM. We would like scouts and leaders to schedule appointments to donate during this time and show up at their appointment in their class A uniform. Dr. Jeff Winters, a leader from Troop 21, a blood donor, and a physician in the Division of Transfusion Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, will take those boys in uniform on a tour and talk about the importance of blood donation.

For the remainder of the month, when you donate please be sure to sign in on the tally sheet at the front desk so we can track our goal of 100 donors! Help Save a Life!

FAQ

Where and when can I donate blood?
Hilton Building
Monday through Friday 6 AM to 4:30 PM
Extended hours (6 AM until 7 PM) on March 12 and April 9

How do I schedule an appointment?
Call 507-284-4475 during the hours of operation listed above.

Who can donate?
Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old or 16 years old with written parental consent. During your donation appointment, you will complete a brief health questionnaire to make sure blood donation is safe for you and the recipient of your blood.

How long does it take to donate?
Whole blood donation, from check-in to refreshments, takes 45 to 60 minutes.

What should I do before I donate?
Before donating, you should eat a good meal and drink plenty of fluids.

Does donating blood count as a service time toward rank advancement?
Speak with your scoutmaster for approval but this does represent service to your community and should count as one hour of service.

Would donating blood count toward requirement 10 of the Medicine Merit Badge?
Helping with a blood drive should count. This should include recruiting others to donate. Check with your merit badge counselor. For the Medicine Merit Badge being offered on March 14 at the Merit Badge Fair, helping to recruit others to donate and showing up for the kickoff on March 12 will fulfill requirement 10. Speak with Dr. Winters on March 12 if you are taking the Medicine Merit Badge on the 14t.

Where can I find more information about blood donation?
Call 507-284-4475 or visit http://www.mayoclinic.org/donateblood

Celebrating 100 Years - National Hall of Leadership

The National Hall of Leadership is a one-time opportunity only during the 100th Anniversary to honor and recognize Scouts, leaders and any living person who has served as a Scouting volunteer for the extraordinary difference they have made in the lives of others through their leadership. Nominations will be in the form of stories submitted online for judging. These entries will provide councils an electronic database of stories from individuals explaining how the service of youth and adult leaders in your council made especially meaningful and significant differences in the lives of others. 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 will be submitted online in the form of a story and must be 450 words or less. Nominating period opens February 8, 2009 and closes February 8, 2010. Judging will then begin for the final inductees who will be announced at the BSA National Annual Meeting in Dallas in May 2010. Nominations can be submitted beginning February 8, 2009 at: www.Scouting.org/100years