Overland Trails Council Merit Badge University

Attention Troop Leaders:

The Grand Island, Nebraska, Overland Trails Council is sponsoring a 2008 Merit Badge University, Aug. 1 – 3, 2008. Merit Badge and Registration information is attached for your review. The Early Bird Registration due date is May 1, 2008.

If you would like additional information about the event, please visit the Overland Trails Council website at www.overlandtrailscouncil.org

This is the first ever Merit Badge University in Nebraska and you are invited to attend! A wide variety of teaching, non-teaching, and group merit badge classes will be available both on-campus and off-campus. Scouts will have access to Merit Badge classes, many of which they normally would not have the opportunity to complete.

Again, if you have questions, please refer to either website listed above or you may contact the Overland Trails Scout Office at 308-382-3717 or the Program Coordinator, Dave Scoggins, at 308-381-8173.

Adult Leader Scout Training

To all Adult Leaders of Troop 42:

Whether you are a new to Boy Scouts or a veteran, Leader Training is vital to the success of any unit. There are several resources available to you to become a trained leader. The first step is to visit the HOAC (Heart of America Council), Thunderbird District website on training: http://hoac-bsa.org/TB_BS Training.cfm. This page outlines each step of training and provides links to online courses offered.

To get started, the Boy Scout Fast Start Training will give you an overview of the program. It is available online and only takes 15-30 minutes. Here is the link: http://olc.scouting.org/info/bsfs.html. You will be asked to create an account so certificates can be printed and have the ability to save your progress if you need to suspend the course.

My goal is to have every adult leader that is actively participating in troop activities trained in the following areas: Fast Start, New Leader Essentials, Youth Protection and Troop Committee Challenge. Two other courses would be a bonus: Scoutmaster/Asst Scoutmaster and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills.

I've attached a flyer for Spring Training dates for your consideration. Specifically the New Leader Essentials and Troop Committee Challenge on Tuesday, March 25th. There is no cost for this class, however, registration is required. It is held at the Council Service Center at I-435 & Holmes.

Please let me or Craig Brandon know when you complete training courses so we can update our records, even if you have completed a course in the last year or two.

Thanks in advance for investing in our boys' future and let me know if you have any questions.

Don Dyer