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April Is Youth Protection Month
Invest in Scouting and You Will Change the World!  Continuing the March article about my observations of investment in youth in the Chief Seattle Council, I had the privilege of joining with Scott Oki, Council Vice President for Scoutreach to attend one of the first meetings for a new Troop that was started in the International District in Seattle for Chinese boys and families. The new troop is chartered to the Friends of the International District and was beginning with 8 new Boy Scouts with new uniforms, new Scout handbooks and dedicated leaders. Under the leadership of Richard Huie, Rui Cun Li, and Ryan Yee, this troop will thrive and have a life-long impact in the lives of these young Scouts. I was thrilled to hear the boys repeat the Scout Oath, Law, motto and slogan. They conducted the business of the meeting and then practiced the art of packing a backpack and preparing for their first campout. We practiced some "knots" and worked on a few requirements for the Tenderfoot badge. Again, I envisioned boys who someday will be Eagle Scouts and who will live by the Oath, Law, motto and slogan. A great adventure is about to begin. Leaders Hue, Li, and Yee are making an INVESTMENT in the FUTURE LEADERS of tomorrow.Additionally, I received a letter of recommendation from a young Scout, Thomas Crosley, who serves as the Senior Patrol Leader for Troop 550, in Woodinville, Washington. He was making a formal recommendation for his Scoutmaster Dave Wylie to receive the Scoutmaster National Award of Merit. I believe that his letter is worth sharing. "Scoutmaster Dave Wylie has been my Scoutmaster since I joined Troop 550 about 3 years ago. I thought about quitting Boy Scouts, but I knew a few Scouts in Troop 550 that told me that their troop had a really good Scoutmaster (Mr. Wylie). They were right. Troop 550 is a fun troop to be in because of Mr. Wylie's positive leadership and his willingness to help Scouts succeed. Mr. Wylie goes on almost all of the outings and we have a good mix of back packing trips and car camping. Mr. Wylie and his assistant Scoutmasters provide lots of opportunities for rank advancement and they make sure we earn them. Mr. Wylie is probably the main reason I'm still in Boy Scouts. Now that I'm Senior Patrol Leader, I'm learning how to lead the troop and someday if I'm a Scoutmaster, I'll try to lead a troop the way Mr. Wylie leads ours." What an incredible compliment to Mr. Dave Wylie and his leadership as a mentor and role model to young Scouts. Mr. Wylie has made an INVESTMENT in the FUTURE LEADERS of tomorrow. As we approach the 100th anniversary celebration year of Boy Scouts of America, it is my desire that each of you as leaders and youth members will embrace the timeless values of the Scout movement. If you do so they can become a foundation for your life and instill a sense of self worth, confidence, good character traits, personal fitness, leadership development, a commitment for your expression of duty to God and Country and a desire to live a life of service to others. I feel blessed to serve as your Council Executive and express my personal thanks to each of you for all that you do. Enjoy the journey! INVEST IN SCOUTING and YOU WILL CHANGE THE WORLD! May God bless you in your devoted service to others. Annual Meeting Recap
Congratulations to all Silver Beaver Recipients!
Powered By Popcorn! Meet 9/11 Hero at Eagle Banquet
Camping News Cub Scout Day Camp 5th Annual Scoutreach Luncheon and Golf Social A Message From Council Commissioner Kevin Baker
WashJam 2009
Boy Scouts: Cooking, games and challenges, low COPE and climbing wall, obstacle course, conservation, Scoutcraft, shooting sports, and much more
Rendezvous Camp: Mountain Man demonstrations and challenges, archery, tomahawks, shooting, Mountain Man run, and more
Venturing: Wide variety of Venturing activities, including geocache, fly fishing, and shooting sports
Shows: Friday night entertainment show and Saturday night Scouting centennial and fireworks LDS Participation: The following statement by Elder Perrin Walker, Area Authority Seventy, provides direction for LDS units attending WashJam: "Approval has been received for participation by LDS Scout Units in WASHJAM 2009, with activities planned for Sunday in keeping with the spirit of the Sabbath. President Charles W. Dahlquist, the Young Men General President, will be attending and will speak at Sacrament Meeting Sunday morning and at a Fireside program Sunday evening. To minimize travel on Sunday, LDS units will break camp after breakfast on Monday, unless otherwise directed by their Stake President." Advance registration is now available. By registering early, you get:
2009 Wood Badge Training Foothills District to hold NiteHike this Fall 2009 Eastside Breakfast Estate Planning: Are You a Secret Giver?
Scout Shop Corner |
 Council Leadership Council Commissioner: Kevin Baker Council Exec./CEO: C. Bradford Allen  District News Alpine - Cougar Mountain, Fall City, Issaquah, North Bend, Sammamish Plateau, Snoqualmie, Renton Highlands. About Us - Calendar - Newsletter Aquila - Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac, Tukwila, Vashon Island, West Seattle, White Center. About Us - Calendar - Newsletter Aurora - Lake Forest Park, North Seattle, Shoreline. About Us - Calendar - Newsletter Cascade - Bellevue, Mercer Island, North Renton. About Us - Calendar - Newsletter Foothills - Auburn, Black Diamond, Covington, Maple Valley, Pacific. About Us - Calendar - Newsletter Green River - Kent, Newcastle, Renton, Skyway. About Us - Calendar - Newsletter Mt. Olympus - Clallam and Jefferson Counties. About Us - Calendar - Newsletter North Lakes - Bothell, Carnation, Duvall, Kenmore, Woodinville. About Us - Calendar - Newsletter Orca - North Kitsap County. About Us - Calendar - Newsletter Sammamish Trails - Kirkland, Redmond. About Us - Calendar - Newsletter Sinclair - Belfair, Bremerton, Port Orchard and surrounding communities. About Us - Calendar - Newsletter Thunderbird - Beacon Hill, Capitol Hill, Central & South Seattle. About Us - Calendar - Newsletter Scout Memorial Fund Scout Memorial Fund gifts recognize special occasions or memories of extraordinary people. Click here to view list  Learning for Life Exploring is part of the Chief Seattle Council's Learning for Life career education program for young men and women ages 14-20. Exploring, a worksite based program, serves 60 chartered partners such as police departments, fire departments and community businesses. For more information about Learning for Life and career Exploring opportunities, click here. News & Information Find out more about community service projects, read the popular editorial "The Right Stuff" by Kent Brooten or gain insight about Scouting from Council Commissioner, Kevin Baker. Click here to view news.  Vehicle Donations Donate your vehicle to the Boy Scouts of America to support more than 48,000 youth in the Scouting program and get an IRS tax deduction! If you have a car, van, motorcycle, boat, truck, or RV that you would like to donate, call the council service center at 206-902-2345 or fill out an online form by clicking here. GOOD TURN CORNER Service projects may include, but are not limited to: planting trees, sending care packages to military units overseas, collecting food in Scouting for Food, picking up garbage around your community, etc. If your Scouting group has participated in a service project and would like to report back to us the details of your service project please click here and fill out this short form. For more Good Turn for America information or community service ideas for your Scouting unit, visit http://www.goodturnforamerica.org Your Volunteer Time is Money Numerous local companies recognize volunteer time through the donation of cash grants to non-profits in which their employees volunteer. This means that for each hour of your volunteer time, your employer may donate money to the Boy Scouts of America. Listed below are companies who participate in this type of program, with a link about their program: Adobe - Volunteer Request Program AT&T Wireless - AT&T Cares Bank of America - Volunteer Grants Program Citigroup - Volunteer Incentive Program Home Street Bank - Community Partner Volunteer Grant Medtronic, Inc. - Volunteer Match Program Microsoft - Employee Engagement Program Motorola - Volunteer Grants Program Nike - Employee Involvement Qwest - Employee Matching Time Safeco - Matching Time Program Travelers - Matching Funds Program State Farm Insurance - Good Neighbor Grant Program If you do not see your employer listed and they participate in this type of program, please notify us at council@seattlebsa.org or 206-725-5200. Check with your human resources department for more information about your employer's program. Help more than 47,000 young men and women who participate in Scouting programs. FORWARD THIS MESSAGE to all Scouting volunteers and families in your district, pack or troop! FOS Update Thanks to the great support of many Scouting families, The Chief Seattle Council completed a record March in Family Friends of Scouting. Total giving was $540,000, up $21,000 from March 31, 2008. Foothills and Orca Districts led the way, each with over 80% of their 2009 goals raised. The Council's total is 53% of its objective. The free badge and Pinewood Derby Car incentive has been extended to April 30th, 2009. Troops who reach their goal and get participation from every family in their unit will receive free rank advancement and merit badges through 12/31/2009. Packs will get one PW Derby car for each registered boy. A few keys to completing your unit's goal are:
Summer Camp Catholic Week Reminder If you have not yet signed up for Catholic Boy Scout Week at Camp Pigott, you can do so now by clicking here. Camp dates are July 19-25. Don't miss it! Scouts may register as troops or as individuals. Lone Scouts will be assigned to a provisional troop for the week of Camp. Everyone is welcome. If you have further questions, contact Deacon Roy Harrington, the Archdiocesan Scout Chaplain at (206) 817-8815 or rharrington@ollseattle.org Climbing Instructor Training Course If you would like to become a certified BSA climbing instructor, then the Climbing Instructor Training Course is for you! Intended for volunteers with climbing and rappelling experience who plan to be active with their unit, district and/or council, this 4-day course will focus on safe climbing and rappelling, BSA guidelines and supervisory skills. The course is being held April 14, 21, 24-25. For further information or to register, click here for a brochure, or call the Council Camping Department at 206-725-3061. C.O.P.E. Instructor Training Course Experience the fun and challenge of becoming a certified BSA C.O.P.E instructor in the C.O.P.E. Instructor Training Course. Held May 1-3, the course is designed to enhance the Scouting experience and to promote Scouting values and objectives, such as teamwork, leadership and problems-solving. For registration information, call the Council Camping Department at 206-725-0361 or click here for a brochure. Troop 835 to Host Emergency Services Training July 15-17 Buck Creek Starts at 3:00 PM on the Wed 17th Ends at 3:00 PM Friday 19th Day time: training Evening: competition between Troops  Each Scout that passes the training earns the Emergency Preparedness merit badge and a certificate of training on our rig and that Troops can then use the rig and help us out in disasters. Cost per Scout $20 includes meals and training Cost per leader $10 includes meals and training Additionally, participants will share the fixed cost of portable toilet rentals ($205). Each vehicle will need a national Forest parking permit Specific Training: Triage, Preparedness for; Pandemic, earthquake, flood, fire, mud slides, power failure, storms, basic medical services, terrorist attacks, evacuations, networking, meal service, how to distribute supplies, emergency kits, what to stock for your family and your community, communications, and how to work with other agencies. When state workers go to get training on this level they pay about $300 per person. Who: any troop in King or Pierce County. These costs are based on 20 troops. For more information and to register contact: Scoutmaster Jim Brass at (206) 277-5977 or drbrass@msn.com Donations can be sent to: Scout Troop 835, PO Box 77, Pacific, WA 98047 or call Scoutmaster Jim Brass at 206-227-5977 to arrange a time to drop off food. Thank you so much for your help. National Youth Leadership Training August 23-28, 2009 The National Youth Leadership Training conference is an exciting combination of classroom and outdoor activities providing a challenging and rewarding learning experience. Each participant will learn and put into practice leadership skills that will help him in his Scouting activities as well as in every day life. He will also find himself using these skills as an adult. Candidates must attend the entire course. All participants must be at least 13 years old by the date of the course, and be at least First Class. The cost for this event is $200. A $75 per Scout deposit is due with your reservation. There is a $15 discount for those who also attend 2009 summer camp at Parsons or Pigott. To register or for further information please contact the council Camping Department at 206.725.5200 or click here. Leave No Trace Master Educator Course August 23-28, 2009 Leave No Trace Master Educator Courses are the highest level of Leave No Trace training offered. These courses are offered through The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, which administers Leave No Trace on an international level. Students who successfully graduate a Master Educator course will receive a diploma and will be qualified to offer and teach two-day Leave No Trace Trainer and week-long Master Educator Courses. The Master educator course is an extensive, six-day field course designed to train educators and others ways to practice and teach Leave No Trace skills and ethics. The Master Course provides participants with a comprehensive overview of Leave No Trace techniques through practical application in a field setting. This August, at Camp Sheppard, the Chief Seattle Council will host a Master Educator Course. The Course capacity is only ten people and registration will be limited. Candidates for the Master Educator Course should be outdoorsmen and women with a background in Leave No Trace and training. This Course will include several days of coursework at Camp Sheppard followed by several days of field work focused on Mountaineering within Mount Rainier National Park. The Course will be held from August 23rd-28th, 2009. The price is $250. Use the registration form posted at www.campsheppard.org to sign up by June 1st! For more information, email Course Coordinator Ray Sayah at raysayah@gmail.com. 2009 Scouting for Food Results Are In! Many thanks to all the Scouts and leaders that contributed to the March Scouting for Food drive. Reports are still coming in, but to date, there were 68 packs, troops, and crews that participated, who collected more than 44,186 pounds of food! Volunteer hours tallied up to over 2,190 with this one service project, that is much appreciated by the food banks, and those that it serves. Troop 594's collection is pictured below:
For many, Scouting is a tradition that is handed down generation to generation. Scouting provides the opportunity to strengthen ties between family members, create great family memories, and develop a shared family foundation of worthwhile virtues and values. The Generations Connection encourages Scouts to explore the positive impact of Scouting on families through a program centered around the enduring symbol of the tree. Generations Connection Family Tree Scouts are encouraged to investigate the tradition of Scouting within their families through the Generations Connection Scouting Family Tree. The process of completing the Tree gives pause for important conversations about the shared experience of Scouting with relatives. And, first-generation Scouts – the Tree is for you too! Feel free to include important role models with Scouting experience, such as teachers, neighbors, or Scoutmasters. Be sure to save your family tree in a special place so that you can continue to add future generations. Get the Generations Connection Family Tree. BSA 100th Anniversary Trees: A Partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation As a partner in the Generations Connection program, the Arbor Day Foundation is creating special 100th Anniversary trees for the Boy Scouts of America. The trees will become publicly available on National Arbor Day, April 24, 2009. Stay tuned for more details about ordering your very own BSA 100th Anniversary tree, the exciting events to take place on Arbor Day! BSA Alumni Connection If you are—or have ever been—active in Scouting, we invite you to reconnect. Join us soon as we prepare to celebrate our biggest milestone yet, our 100th Anniversary. Through the BSA Alumni Connection, you can find Scouting friends and mentors, add your story to the growing BSA 100th Anniversary online scrapbook, and find out how you can re-engage with Scouting programs. You were there for the first 100 years. Now, join us for the next century of Scouting. Reconnect with your Scouting friends and mentors at www.BSAAlumni.org. Scouting Hall of Fame...Who Will You Nominate?? The 100th Anniversary National Hall of Leadership is a one-time opportunity to recognize extraordinary individuals for the differences they make though their leadership. It is a simple but high-impact program that demonstrates how leadership changes lives. From Feb. 8, 2009, our 99th anniversary, and continuing through Aug. 31, 2009, people will submit nominations through the 100th Anniversary Web site: www.scouting.org/100years. A total of 305 honored individuals, one national and one for each council, will be inducted into the 100th Anniversary National Hall of Leadership. Robotics Explorer Post to Compete at World Championships Robotics Explorer Post 2036 hosted a league tournament at Redmond High School on March 4, and did very well. Combined with results at two events in Vancouver, BC earlier this school year, four of the five teams are going to the VEX Robotics World Championships in Dallas on April 29. The VRC competition is the final event in the 2008-2009 VEX Robotics Competition season. Winning teams from local and state VEX Robotics Competitions will have the opportunity to meet in Dallas and compete against other top-ranked teams from around the world. Giving students the opportunity to work with the VEX robotics systems promotes education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and teaches critical life skills such as teamwork, project management and problem solving. Best of luck to all participating Explorers! Your Retirement Can Be a Gift to Scouting Like most individuals, you have probably given some thought to what you will do for retirement income. A lot of thought. And again, like most individuals, you probably didn't know how you could make a large gift to Scouting and get extra retirement income at the same time. But you can! A BSA retirement trust is just a form of the popular charitable unitrust. It can be created easily with cash, stocks, bonds, or land that you already own. You place the property into the trust and receive income and tax deductions usually based on the full fair market value of the property. If your gift was appreciated property, you also avoid capital gains tax. You decide who receives the income, the amount of income, when you want to start receiving the income, and how long the trust will last. When the trust ends, the Chief Seattle Council receives the trust property. Of course, these trusts aren't limited to retirement income. They can be created at any time, for any reason. Contact the Scout office for more information about the BSA retirement trust, and about how you, your family, and the council will all benefit. You'll see that these income trusts are a real gift to retirement planning. Changes to United Way Giving to Boy Scouts of America King County United Way has changed its giving policies in regards to the Boy Scouts of America. Our funding was reduced by 53% for the current fiscal year and will be reduced another 48% in the following fiscal year. This amounts to a total reduction of $249,647, or 76% over the next two years. You can still support the Chief Seattle Council through your workplace giving. Many employers give their employees the opportunity to give to the charity of their choice. In addition to the United Way, other workplace campaigns include the Combined Federal Campaign, Employees Community Fund of the Boeing Company, and the Microsoft Giving Campaign. If you do make a gift to one of these campaigns, please consider supporting the Chief Seattle Council with a designated gift. Your continued support is appreciated!
For All Your Scouting & Camping Needs Lend an Arm, Save a Life For more information about hosting a blood drive as an Eagle Scout service project, please click here. 'This is Scouting' Training "This is Scouting" was recently added to the BSA's on-line Learning Center. This new training module replaces New Leader Essentials as a required course for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing volunteers to earn the "Trained" leader emblem. While the primary delivery method for "This is Scouting" is on-line, a DVD . No. 36118, will be available soon for areas where internet access is limited or where group presentation is desired. All Scouters are encouraged to create a MyScouting account and access this training through the MyScouting portal. Credit for this training will be recorded on the BSA registration system for each individual completing the module. Boy Scouts & Saudi Arabia  They work through their government's Department of Education. Some are government officials, some teachers, some even doctors, but all are Boy Scout leaders in Saudi Arabia. Peter Wang, Boy Scouts leader, Cascade District, invited them to the Jubilee Reach Center in Bellevue, WA as part of a tour, sponsored by the US State Department and the Saudi government's Department of Education, to collaborate on world peace and religious tolerance. They also attended the District Committee meeting and exchanged information about Scouting in Saudi Arabia. The Saudis are traveling the United States and visiting with various districts and councils. "I feel welcomed and accepted in America. I didn't know this until my visit," one leader said.
Eastside Earth Day 5K Scouts are invited to an Earth Day walk in Bellevue on Wednesday, April 22nd! Click here for information. Chief Seattle Council |
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Pay for your whole year of Scouting with just one fundraiser: POPCORN! The 2009 pack, troop, team, and crew popcorn fundraiser will be taking place in the fall, but now is the time to sign up to sell. Scouting groups can earn commissions up to 38% of all popcorn sales, in addition to weekly incentives, great prizes, a Scholarship program, and a $1,500 Club party! If you would like to learn more about the popcorn fundraiser, visit the 
Scott Strauss, an Eagle Scout and 9/11 hero is the keynote speaker at the Eagle Banquet. A member of the Emergency Service Unit of the New York City Police Department, Strauss and others risked their lives to rescue two Port Authority Police officers from the rubbles of the World Trade Center during the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Day Camp registration is now open! Cub Scout Circus is for Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and 1st and 2nd year Webelos along with their leaders and/or parents.
Please click here 
he Golf Club at Newcastle
Commissioner Convention: Our 2009 event was a huge success! Many thanks to everyone who attended and helped make it such a great day. We had very good representation from throughout the council. Those attending had an exceptional opportunity to learn more about commissioner service, advance their training continuum and interact with fellow commissioners and professional staff. Commissioner service is dedicated to helping units succeed. Thanks for all you do for Scouting and the Commissioner Service in the Chief Seattle Council.
Co-sponsored by the Chief Seattle Council and Pacific Harbors Council, WashJam will attract youth and leaders from all over the Puget Sound region and features entertaining activities and unforgettable shows for Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Venturers.
Foothills District is gearing up to conduct its second-annual NiteHike event Sept 18th-19th, 2009. Our theme for this year's event is "Scout vs. Wild" and will feature challenges based on emergency preparedness, wilderness survival, and "Be Prepared".
