| Dear Steve, With March now upon us, our thoughts turn to outdoor activities. Packs, troops and crews will begin to prepare for their trips to day camp and summer camp. As you well know, attending camp during the summer is an important part of the Scouting experience. It is a time to put skills learned in Scouting into practice and build memories for a lifetime. Make it a point to extend the invitation to attend camp to each and every Scout in your unit. An opportunty to attend summer camp is a chance to fullfill an important part of Scouting's promise of adventure in the great outdoors. Thanks for all that you do. Here are some upcoming events, activities, and resources available for your use. | Boy Scouts at the Big 12! | | Scouts to visit the Sprint Center
We're inviting all new Boy Scouts (this year), potential Boy Scouts and the Boy Scouts who recruited them to join us at the Sprint Center for a NCAA Big 12 Conference Championship Basket Ball Practice. On March 12, 2008, the practice is open from Noon to 6:00 p.m. |
| 2007 Highlights in the Heart of America Council | | Pride Points
Are you curious about some facts and figures about Scouting in the Kansas City area for 2007? You can download a one page file that will bring you up to date. A link to our "2007 Pride Points" is available on our website. |
| Friends of Scouting | | An Investment in Our Future
Friends of Scouting, our annual fundraising campaign, provides the essential funding needed to keep Scouting available at an affordable cost. Our communities generously work together to provided the necessary support that ensures that the Heart of America Council remains among the finest council, providing high quality programs and services to our young people. Families of our Scouts, former Scouts, concerned members of the community, local business and corporations all work together to provide this crucial funding. Throughout the spring, volunteers, will be contacting past contributors as well as new prospects to consider a Friend of Scouting gift. Reaching our goals require the support of the families currently involved in Scouting, Scouting's alumni and interested businesses and individuals in our community. Thanks to the hundreds of volunteers whose commitment makes this campaign possible. And thanks to those of you whose generous financial support makes Scouting a reality for so many young people. |
| Venturing Officers Association Spring Event | | Getting Bigger and Better Each Year
Looking for something new and exciting that will keep your older Scouts involved in your troop? Venturing is an exciting program alternative for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age. Venturing offers activities that will appeal specifically to this age group and help to keep them active and involved. Each year the council events for Venture crews are bigger and better than ever. On April 11 - 13 at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation, the Heart of America Council and the Venturing Officers Association, is holding an outdoor event designed to assist crew members achieve advancement towards outdoor awards. Weekend activities include Backpacking, Mountaineering (Climbing), Wilderness Survival and Rifle and Pistol Shooting. |
| Webelos Transition | | Only 1 Boy Scout in 10 did not have a Cub Scout Experience
Since over 90% of all Boy Scouts were Webelos Scouts, the Webelos-to-Scout transition is one of the most important membership focuses at this time of year. Our challenge is to ensure the transition to the next level of Scouting is readily available for a young man once he meets the joining requirements. By the time Webelos Scouts are ready to cross over to Boy Scouting, they and their families should be comfortable with the youth and adult leaders of the troop, understand their role in the troop and troop activities, and feel excited about beginning this new adventure. |
| A Great Late Winter To-Do-List Item | | | Winter offers the opportunity to catch up on indoor projects. It is a time to make things a priority that may not make it on a to-do list during other times of the year. One of the best things to do this winter season is to think about your estate plan. More than half of all Americans have no plan. Of those that do have a will, many are outdated. Take time this winter to take stock of what's important to you. Consider the places, people, and causes that you depend on and that depend on you. Think about the kind of legacy and impact you wish to have. |
| Scout Designs National 100th Anniversary Logo | | | When the time came to create the extraordinary symbol that would mark the milestone of the 100th Anniversary, we knew there was no one better to create this icon than Scouts themselves. During the latter half of 2007, more than 4,000 Scouts from representing all 50 states - some even overseas - participated in a special contest to craft the logo that will serve as the centerpiece for Boy Scouts of America's 100th Anniversary. To see this logo and learn more about its selection click here |
| National Policy on Scout Participation in Political Events | | | Since we are in a presidential election year, it is a good time to restate the BSA's long-standing policy regarding the participation of Scouts in political rallies and other political events. Uniformed unit members and leaders may participate in flag ceremonies at political events and may lead the Pledge of Allegiance; however, they should retire after the ceremony and not remain on the speakers' platform or in a conspicuous location where television viewers could construe their presence as an endorsement or symbol of support. In addition, photos of candidates or Scouts in uniform or BSA marks and logos are not allowed in political campaign materials of any kind. Volunteers and professionals must be alert to situations that would imply that the BSA favors one candidate over another. Strict observance of our long-standing policy against the active participation of uniformed Scouts and leaders in political events is mandatory. | | |
