The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) has numerous awards available to Eagle Scouts of all ages but the Pennsylvania Dutch Council NESA committee needs your help in identifying these Scouts and Scouters so they can be recognized.
Do you know of an Eagle Scout who did a project this year that you thought was over and above that of his peers; one that really made an impact on the community? Then maybe you should recommend that scout for the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. Nominations can be submitted through the Council NESA Committee – the deadline for submission is January 24, 2025. Applications can be dropped off or mailed to the Council Service Center. Pennsylvania Dutch Council, 630 Janet Ave Ste B114, Lancaster, PA 17601.
How about an older Eagle Scout who has been working long and hard to make scouting and his community a better place? Maybe the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award or even the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award is something you might consider nominating them for depending on their time and service.
The NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award is a prestigious recognition granted by the local council’s NESA committee to Eagle Scouts who have demonstrated outstanding achievement at the local, state, or regional level. The NOESA recognizes Eagle Scouts whose efforts have made a positive impact in the community. Nominations can be submitted through the Council NESA Committee-the deadline for submission is November 22, 2024. Full eligibility and submission guidelines can be found on the NESA website. Applications can be dropped off or mailed to the Council Service Center. Pennsylvania Dutch Council, 630 Janet Ave Ste B114, Lancaster, PA 17601.
We on the Council NESA Committee cannot do all the heavy lifting to see that those that may be deserving of consideration are nominated and recognized. We need the help of unit leaders, commissioners, committee people and even parents to get those nominations submitted for any and all of these awards. Please check out the websites indicated for submission guidelines and eligibility criteria.
Questions can be forwarded to Neal Galbraith, PA Dutch NESA Awards Committee Chair at ngalbraith22@comcast.net
17TH ANNUAL RIDE FOR CAMPS
A Boy Scout Camp Motorcycle Benefit Ride
Sponsored by: Ephrata Elks Lodge #1933
Sunday October 13, 2024
The ride begins at Bashore Scout Reservation and after a scenic ride through Lebanon and Lancaster Counties it comes to an end at J. Edward Mack Scout Reservation. Both camps are a part of the Pennsylvania Dutch Council Boy Scouts of America. Proceeds of the ride will benefit both camps which are year round for youth ages 7 to 18 and young adults to age 21. Your contribution will help make a difference in the lives of our youth through this life changing program. If you have any questions, please contact please contact Marc Fails at marcafails@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rideforcamps.
Ride For Camps Registration Form
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
9:00 – 10:30: Registration with Coffee and Donuts
9:00 – 11:00: Fellowship & WWII Display
11:00: Riders Meeting & Blessing of the Bikes
11:20: Ride Departs from Camp Bashore
Lunch at Camp Mack after Ride
Hot Meal and Chinese Auction to Follow
DIRECTIONS TO BASHORE
Bashore Scout Reservation
Moonshine Road
Jonestown, PA
Located 14 miles North of Lebanon
Route 72 West to Route 443
2 miles ahead on the left
2023 Overall Editor’s Choice Winner – Finn R.
Announcing the Pennsylvania Dutch Council’s
12th ANNUAL SUMMER CAMP PHOTO CONTEST
Take photos of Scouts participating in activities and events at Summer Camp this year you can win a prize AND be featured on the Council Website, Facebook page, and other publications.
Prizes: One $50 Cabelas Gift Card will be given for the best photo from each camp:Camp Mack & Camp Bashore PLUS one Editor’s Choice Award will be presented to the best overall photo.
Editor’s Choice winner will receive a $100 Cabelas Gift Card.
Suggested categories: Camp is……. Scouts in Action…….. Nature……
Trying Something NEW!…. First Time at Summer Camp with…..
All entries must be submitted by August 31, 2024
Both Youth and Adults Can Enter the Contest
For Full Contest Rules and Contest Info, Download the 2024 Photo Contest Flyer
[bsabutton type=”biggreen” link=”https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/x7f4a8bgbK6eFy“]Submit Your Summer 2024 Camp Photos HERE![/bsabutton]
If the button above does not work, please click here: https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/x7f4a8bgbK6eFy
Join us as we recognize our Eagle Scout Class, Silver Beaver Recipients, and all of our volunteers!
You, your family, and friends are cordially invited to attend the Pennsylvania Dutch Council, Boy Scouts of America Annual Council Recognition Dinner
To be held on Wednesday, August 15, 2024
At Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601
Doors open at 5:00 PM
Dinner served at 6:00 p.m., Program to follow
Cost $30 per person
Eagle Sponsorship $40
Silver Beaver Sponsorship $75
Registration online here
Registration deadline is August 1, 2024
The Pennsylvania Dutch Council is excited to announce that the Aquatics Centers at Camp Mack and Bashore Scout Reservation are available for units to rent!
The Aquatics Centers will be available to use for two-hour blocks, with a capacity of 50 people. The cost to use the Aquatics Center is $150. The Aquatics Centers are available for weekday and weekend rentals.
Camp Mack is available to rent August 9 to early September. Bashore Scout Reservation will be available August 5 to end of August.
To utilize the Aquatics Center units will need to have at least one adult certified in Safe Swim Defense. Safe Swim Defense training may be obtained from my.scouting.org. That person will be responsible for ensuring that the Guide to Safe Scouting and all eight points of Safe Swim Defense are followed.
To reserve the Aquatics Center please contact Robin Kotzmoyer, robin.kotzmoyer@scouting.org, at least one week before your desired date. Units will also need to provide the following information electronically to Robin Kotzmoyer, robin.kotzmoyer@scouting.org, at least one week before using the Aquatics Center:
- Name and contact for the person who is filling the role of Qualified Supervisor. This person must be 21 or older who understands and knowingly accepts responsibility for the well-being and safety of those in his or her care, and who is trained in and committed to compliance with the eight points of BSA Safe Swim Defense. It is strongly recommended that all units have at least one adult or older youth member currently trained in BSA Aquatics Supervision: Swimming and Water Rescue or BSA Lifeguard to assist in planning and conducting all swimming activities.
- Name, contact information, and qualifications for people filling the role of response personnel (lifeguards.) The qualified/adult supervisor must assign at least two rescue personnel, with additional numbers to maintain a ratio of one rescuer to every 10 participants.
It is the unit’s responsibility to submit the required information at least one week before their scheduled date. If the information is not provided one week in advance, then the unit’s reservation will be cancelled. No paperwork/information will be accepted at camp when the unit arrives.
The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 and is the most significant, council level distinguished service award for adults in the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered Scouters who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. The Silver Beaver is an award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. It is given to those who do not actively seek it.
Application are due to the Council Service Center, c/o Matt Klutzaritz or by email matt.klutzaritz@scouting.org by May 31, 2025. The awards to be presented at the Annual Council Dinner – Date TBD
Click here for the Silver Beaver Application
Please fill out the Application completely (more info is better) The Silver Beaver selection committee also recommends one letter of recommendation be include in the application submission.
If you have any questions please contact the Scout Service Center. 717-394-4063
With Halloween around the corner, here are some great recruiting ideas for your Cub Scout Pack to use to recruit new Cub Scouts and families to join the Scouting program.
These can be great ways to reach those families who missed your Join Scouting Night, Open House, or just want to be part of Scouting, but simply don’t know how or who to call.
Let’s help them join the fun and adventure of Cub Scouting!
- Attach “Join Scouting” stickers to candy.
- Hand out Join Cub Scouting Flyers or business cards when handing out candy.
- Have current Cub Scouts hand out business cards to other boys and girls about Scouting.
- Put a “Join Scouting” lawn sign in your yard.
- Make a special invitation to invite potential Scouts and families to your next Pack meeting or Halloween event.
- Hang a Cub Scout Poster on your door.
- Participate in local “Trunk or Treat” events in your community.
- Invite prospective new Scout families to your Pack’s Halloween event or Pack Meeting.
Here are a couple of resources you can use and share to help invite more families to join Scouting.
Halloween Business Card Template 1
Halloween Business Card Template 2
The Pennsylvania Dutch Council will provide business cards and stickers for units that request them. Please provide at least one week for items to be printed from the date of request. Contact your District Executive to request items.
Earlier this year the Pennsylvania Dutch announced a council program fee that will take effect January 1, 2024, and paid with your yearly membership fees. To support families in need we have established an assistance fund to help offset up to 50% of those fees for youth. To receive assistance the form below will need to be submitted either with your unit recharter or by December 31, 2024. No applications will be accepted after December 31, 2024. The form is completed by families. If a family is registered in multiple units, they will need to submit one form for each unit. The form is available online as a fillable PDF and we ask that families type their information in the form before printing it. Forms can be submitted by the unit with their unit recharter paperwork. Families can also drop them off or mail them to the Council Service Center.
More information about the council program fee can be found here
Program Fee FAQ Updated 9-1-2023
2025 Program Fee Assistance Fund Application
The Pennsylvania Dutch Council is excited to offer our packs the opportunity to earn $100 for their pack, by participating in our Fall Recruitment Campaign. It is important that we bring the Scouting program to more youth in in the Pennsylvania Dutch Council area and we need every one of our Packs to be a part of this mission. We have put together five steps to help your pack grow this fall. When your pack completes all five steps, it will receive $100 to use in the Pennsylvania Dutch Council Scout Shop.
The five steps are:
- Develop a Unit Annual Program Calendar prior to recruitment night.
- Update Unit Be A Scout pin with online applications enabled.
- Geofence an open recruitment night night by October 15, 2024 & turn in applications within 1 week of event.
- Utilize Social Media Posts to create TWO posts on your Pack public Facebook page. You can use content provided here to create your posts or share recruiting posts on the Council Facebook page.
- Follow up on all BeAScout leads and applications within 5 days.
If your pack already has plans for a recruitment night, please provide that information to your District Executive, so it can be posted on the Council Facebook page. Your District Executives are happy to support you with your unit’s Fall Recruitment Plan. Email or call to set up a time that works for both of you to discuss your Fall Recruitment Plan and needs. Working together we can bring the Scouting Program to many more youth in the Pennsylvania Dutch Council.
See more membership recruitment resources here
Campmaster sign ups start August 1st. Go to http://padutchbsa.org/camping/campmasters/ to review the list of weekends available and events going on. On the page is a description of each campmaster cabin with pictures! Both cabins have had recent upgrades. On the page is also a link to the Campmaster guidebook which you will need to review before being able to sign up for a weekend. We use Sign Up Genius and your email must already be on file. Contact Matt Stewart, once you have reviewed the guidebook to have your name added. His contact info can be found at the link above.
We will be holding in person trainings for Campmasters, at the cabin, at 9AM, and will be about 2 hours. Camp Bashore will be on the 14th, and Camp Mack will be on the 7th. You can go to either one no matter what camp you sign up for. Speaking of sign ups they start August 1st, and we are asking all to pick 2 weekends if you can at first. That gives everyone a chance to get a weekend. After about a week, it will be unlimited. If you have questions after reading the guidebook, email Matt, or see you at the in person training.
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