2010 Paying It Forward CSPs available

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow. That's the old saying, meaning that great things often come from small beginnings. We hope that will be what happens with this new program.

Our district has gotten permission to design and sell a CSP to benefit the Council Endowment Fund. They are now in our hands and available for sale. Since this is the first year of the program, the patch has that little acorn in the middle of it. As the series continues, we will watch that acorn grow into a mighty oak, just like the Endowment Fund will grow.

Each patch sells for $10, and the profits from the sale will be rolled into the Council Endowment Fund. This is a great way to not only add to your collection, but support scouting - not just for our children, but also our children's children.

I will also point out that these are fully authorized CSPs, which means they are fully legal to wear on your uniform to show your pride in our Council and in OUR district. That's right, each of these CSPs also sport a silver arrowhead representing our district. How many people do you know that have a District CSP?

I also need to point out that this is a limited edition! There were only 200 of these patches made. As they say on TV, once they are gone - they are gone! They have been on sale for less than a week, and we are close to a quarter of them being sold already.

These are NOT for sale at the Council Service Center. I will have them available at the 10 Commandment Walk in Mt. Vernon this coming Friday morning. I will also have them available at the District Roundtable next week. If you want me to hold one or more of these for you, drop me a reply and I will set them aside with your name.

10 Commandment Hike in Mt. Vernon

There will be a 10 Commandment Hike in Mt. Vernon this Friday. Registration starts at 8:00 and the hike will begin around 9:00. We will be meeting on the Public Square in Mt. Vernon and will end at the Salvation Army in Mt. Vernon. All participants will need to bring a pack lunch for the day and should be in uniform. The event will be over in the early afternoon. There is a small charge for all participants to cover patches and insurance.

This is open for all scouts from Tiger Cubs to Venturing Scouts. It looks like it's going to be a beautiful day. So I hope to see you there.

BSA Monument at OUZ

This last Saturday at the University of Scouting, we dedicated this monument to recognize the 100 trees that were planted last fall.

District Pinewood Derby - April 10th

2010 Arrowhead District Pinewood Derby
Saturday, April 10th – East Knox High School
23227 Coshocton Rd., Howard, Oh 43028
Hosted by Pack 344

8:30 AM - 10:00 AM ~ Doors Open
Registration 10:30 AM ~ Racing Begins for Tiger Cubs, Wolves, Bears, Webelos (there will be 4 tracks)
Finals Race to Follow

Qualification: The top 4 finishers of each Rank (Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos) in each Pack in the Arrowhead District are eligible to participate in the Arrowhead District Pinewood Derby event.

Entry Fee: $ 7.00 entry fee per car

Registration, Check-in: Each scout may enter one car. Scouts must be present, in uniform, to register and for the car to compete. Registration closes promptly at 10:00am. Please arrive well before the deadline to get your car weighed-in in time for racing.

Format: Double Elimination format will be used during racing. Top 4 finishers of each Rank and Finals Round.

Rules: All cars must comply with 2010 Arrowhead District Rules.

Best of Show: Cars may also be entered in the Best of Show competition. You must indicate at registration time that you wish to be considered for the judging.

Awards: Each participant will receive a patch. Awards will be given to the top 4 finishers of each Rank and Finals Race. Food & Drinks: Troop 344 will have food and drinks available for purchase in the Commons area outside the gym.

REI Outlet 20% off one item

Through March 11th, REI is offering 20% off one item. There are a lot of good deals on CamelBak hydration packs, Kelty and Eureka Tents and other camping gear. If you have some scouts in the market for a good pack or sleeping bag, here is a chance to get some top of the line gear at around half off.

REI Outlet 20% Sale

Venturing Age Requirements are Changing

Effective May 1, 2010, the minimum age/grade requirement will be changed to 14 years of age or 13 years of age and completion of the eighth grade. The previous requirements mandated that participants be 14 years of age and have completed the eighth grade.

The change was made to accommodate boys and girls who have late birthdays, usually from June to September. Under the previous requirement, these boys and girls were not able to immediately join a Venturing crew with their friends when their class graduated from the eighth grade. Now that's no longer an issue.

The new requirements do apply to Sea Scouts, who are part of the Venturing program. But Explorers and Venturers who are part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints won't be affected by the change.

Still have some questions about the ramifications of this decision? Check out the detailed FAQs outlined on this Web site.