2008 Phil Condit Campout
The 10th Annual Phil Condit Campout was held September 23rd-25th at Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, Montana. This three day event is designed to bring community and business leaders together in friendly patrol competition. This year's winner was the Young Buck patrol comprised of Kim Snyder, Tim Garrigan, Kim Nelson, and John Hansen. Funds raised are dedicated to Scoutreach, and continuing to expand Scouting's reach into the inner city. This year's event raised $100,000, and more than $800,000 has been raised in the course of the Condit Campout's ten year history. If you would like to attend the 2009 Condit Campout, please contact Ryan Larson at 206-902-2364 or rlarson@seattlebsa.org.

The Popcorn Sale Has Begun!
The 2008 pack, troop, and crew popcorn fundraiser began Friday, Sept. 26th. Scouts across the Puget Sound area are using their sales skills to raise money for their Scouting activities and to earn cool prizes including electric scooters, tents, 2-way radios, mountain bikes, and more.

Reminder: Online orders for popcorn and prizes are due Wednesday, October 22nd.

Blitz Weekend Results Sept. 26 - 28: The results are in! Reclaiming his title as Blitz Weekend winner for the third consecutive year is Billy Wilkins of North Lakes District with $3,500 in sales. Billy wins a $100 cash prize for his achievement. Great job Billy!

If you would like to learn more about the popcorn fundraiser or download useful forms, visit our council popcorn webpage or check out www.trails-end.com.

We had a great time distributing Show and Sell popcorn. Check out a few photos from Bernard Development in Preston:

Program and Training Conference

Saturday, October 18, 2008
North Seattle Community college

SAVE YOUR SPOT, SIGN UP TODAY! Click here to register now!

The Program & Training Conference is designed as an opportunity for leaders from the entire council to get together and learn. The conference will feature many outstanding opportunities for both leader-specific and supplemental training for leaders in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity & Venturing, as well as district and council committees. It's all at PTC. And as you can see in the name...it's about Program and it's about Training. Registration and additional information is now available online at www.seattlebsa.org. Don't wait, space is limited, so sign-up today! Online registration closes October 14th.

Think Snow!
It's time to sign up for Boy Scout and Webelos Winter Camp
Come join other scouts for a fun weekend in a winter wonderland at Camp Sheppard! Enjoy day hikes, scavenger hunts, snow tubing and snowshoe hikes. Advancement opportunities include both Boy Scout merit badges and Webelos activity pins.

Reservations for the upcoming season will be open until Friday, October 24. A drawing to be held on Monday, October 27 at which time units will be placed in one of their chosen weeks. All remaining camp spaces will then be filled on a first come first served basis. There will be six sessions each for Boy Scouts/Varsity/Venturers, and Webelos.

Cost for 2009 Winter Camp is based on your length of stay. Here are your options:

Plan A
$69 per person for Friday after dinner, Saturday and Sunday morning. Includes 4 meals and two nights lodging.
Plan B
$57 per person for Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Includes 2 meals (dinner and Sunday continental breakfast) and lodging for one night.
Plan C
$57 per person for Friday after dinner and Saturday early afternoon. Includes 2 meals (Saturday breakfast and lunch) and lodging for one night.

Click here for registration materials.

Wolf & Bear Winter Camp is Coming!
The Chief Seattle Council invites Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts and their parents to enjoy winter fun at Camp Sheppard, near Crystal Mountain Ski Resort. Experience activities such as snow tubing, snowshoeing, scavenger hunts, games, crafts, day hikes campfires and Cub Scout advancement. The camp's nine gas-heated cabins each sleep 20 people and the camp lodge provides a warm haven.

Cost for this overnight adventure is $57 per person, which includes lunch and dinner on Saturday, continental breakfast on Sunday, and one night's lodging. Reservations are accepted on a first come, first served basis.

For a brochure, click here.

2009 Wood Badge Training
Scout Training for Real Life

Spring Course: April 16-18 and May 7-9 (Thursday-Saturday)
Course Director: John Hansen, 425.836.4828 or john_j_hansen@msn.com

Fall Course: September 11-13 and 25-27 (Friday-Sunday)
Course Director: Bruce Anderson, 206.842.8416 or brucea@cutler-anderson.com

Wood Badge is a leadership course designed for all adult Scouters who have finished their basic level of training. Participants take part in presentations, discussion, and activities that explore a wide range of leadership philosophies and tools, as well as personal and team development. Participants learn to apply appropriate leadership strategies to enable them to reach their highest level of performance.

For further information contact the course director or visit the council web site here.

T'Kope Kwiskwis Lodge Banquet
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church
Saturday October 11, 2008
Come and celebrate a very successful year for the T'Kope Kwiskwis Lodge.

On October 11th, we will be having our annual Lodge Banquet. The banquet program will recognize and honor all those who have helped T'Kope in the past year. There will be a great dinner followed by presentations, awards, and honors. The event starts at 5:30 PM and will cost $20 if you pre-register, and $25 at the door. It will be a great time for all, and families are welcome!

For more information on our lodge, check out the latest copy of The Marmots Whistle (2MB) or visit our web page at www.tkopekwiskwis.org.

A Message From Council Commissioner Kevin Baker
We have had our "first of the year" roundtables throughout the council and with that comes an enthusiastic renewal of our fall recruitment and getting the youth involved in a quality program. I visited the North Lakes Roundtable and really smiled as I watched a brand new Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner do a great job. Her comments to the group summed it up...(paraphrased)... "I want to do my best to provide a (RT) program that will help your units succeed. And I want it to be fun. And I want you to keep coming back for more." School nights, PTA socials and neighborhood events for Scouting are scheduled to bring more Scouting to the youth. Commissioner Service plays a significant role in helping units and unit leaders succeed. So let's make October our "Meet Your Commissioners Month". How well do you know your Commissioners? Make a point to do these two things. Attend your district roundtable...2nd Thursday of the month...October 9th. Check your district web site for time & location. Introduce yourself to your RT Commissioner. Thank them for the job they do to support you and your program. Next...Invite your Unit Commissioner to a unit activity. Do you have a Court of Honor coming up soon? How about a pack meeting or a parent meeting, Blue & Gold, hike or outing? A personal invitation can go a long way in helping to build a positive and lasting relationship with your commissioner. They are a valuable resource and are there to help you be successful.

Sammamish Trails Rocket Launch

Trainer Development Conference
To be held February 7th, 2008
When James E. West, the first Chief Scout Executive, was asked to identify the three most important needs of the Scout organization he responded, "Training, more training, and still more training!" This conference is designed to improve the skills of beginning and advanced trainers, both adult and youth. Additional information is available on the council website, or contact West Niver at cw.niver@comcast.net.

Exchange Student Hosting Opportunity Available
The organization, Azumano International, has been coordinating educational programs for Japanese students visiting Oregon and Washington for over twenty years. Azumano would like to extend the opportunity to Washington area Boy Scout troops to experience Japanese culture in their own homes, and also to help a visiting Japanese student feel at ease during his or her time in the United States.

Specifically, a group of high school students will arrive for 2 weeks in late July of 2009. Tentative dates are July 22 - August 4. The students will be taking ESL classes in the morning at the University of Washington, and taking part in various field trips and activities in the afternoons.

They are looking for supportive families who can volunteer to host a student and show them about American family life. Host families receive a small per diem to help meet the extra costs of hosting a student, as well as round-the-clock support from our bilingual staff. This is a great experience for families and Boy Scouts to broaden their own horizons, and to help strengthen the relationship between Japan and the U.S.

If interested in learning more about this program or other hosting opportunities throughout the year, please contact Carrie Numata at seattle@azumano.com or
206-623-7060.

Silver Beaver Award
The Silver Beaver Award was established in 1931 and is presented for distinguished service to young people within a local Boy Scouts of America Council. It is the highest award which may be presented by a local council. A recipient must be a registered adult member of the Boy Scouts of America.

Annually, volunteers nominate men and women who are doing an outstanding job as Scouters for the Silver Beaver Award. These nominations are reviewed by the Silver Beaver Selection Committee and the most outstanding men and women are selected to receive this special recognition. The Silver Beaver award is presented to recipients on March 10, 2009, at the Annual Council Meeting and Recognition Celebration.

The committee welcomes all nominations and encourages you to recommend those Scouters you believe worthy of this high honor at any time. Nominations must be received by your local district executive no later than November 7th 2008. Nomination forms located here.

Our New Director of Finance, Patrick T. Craven
It is our pleasure to announce the employment of Patrick T. Craven as the Director of Finance Services for the Chief Seattle Council, effective August 21, 2008. Patrick brings a tremendous background in council leadership, administration and fund-raising. He has served successfully for nearly twenty years in various assignments in five different Scout councils. Pat served as the Council Scout Executive for the past seven years in Charleston, South Carolina and Galveston, Texas. Prior to his service as Scout Executive Pat was the Director of Finance in Indianapolis, Indiana where he was successful in directing a 23 million dollar capital and endowment campaign. Additionally, Pat served as an Assistant Scout Executive in Mansfield, Ohio and as an Endowment Director and District Executive in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Pat is a graduate of Xavier University with a B.S. in Communicating Arts with a major in Public Relations and a minor in Marketing. He is an Eagle Scout, Vigil member of the Order of Arrow, and an active member of his church.

Please take the opportunity to welcome Pat and his wife Debbi to the Chief Seattle Council.

Venture Crew 898 at Denny Creek

2010 National Jamboree
Celebrating the Adventure - Continuing the Journey

July 19, 2010 through August 3, 2010

Scout Shop Corner
Introducing new Cub Scout Switchbacks!
Last year, the Boy Scouts came out with the Cub Scout Switchbacks. These have been met with a huge increase of popularity compared to the old Cub Scout Trousers. The Cub Scout Switchbacks are made out of a durable poly-cotton canvas that will meet the challenges of young Scouts. They zip off below the knee allowing for quick changes between pants and shorts when the weather changes. They have an adjustable waistband so they will grow with the boy instead of being obsolete after a year. Best of all, they are only $24.99, a bargain for great pair of pants that can be worn inside and outside of Scouting events.