Happy New Year from the North Florida Council and thank you for choosing Scouting for your family! 

As a parent, family member and/or volunteer, the time, talent and treasure you provide Scouting truly make a difference in the lives of young people. 

Thanks you you, thousands of Scouts get to build an adventure by experiencing thrills, overcoming challenges and helping others in meaningful ways. 

May the New Year bring you and yours, peace, prosperity and happiness - and lots of great Scouting adventure. Thank you!

Thanks to all of the units who have already turned in their Recharter for 2016!

We appreciate all of the volunteers who have worked to ensure their unit is chartered on time and error-free. 

If you are still working on completing the process, please ensure your charter is turned in error-free before the end of January. No unit should lapse in membership. We don't want youth and leaders to lose access to the privileges of membership. 

Reminders:

• The first step to a strong recharter is calling all inactive youth and inviting them to remain in Scouting.
• All recharters are done online at www.nfcscouting.org, however it is not a paperless process. The recharter is not complete without the proper signatures
• Questions? Please contact your District Commissioner or local District Executive. 

Character is under construction in Scouting as we work together to build adventure! 

Thanks to all of the units who have signed up for their 2016 Family Friends of Scouting presentation. If you haven't yet, please do so today at www.nfcscouting.org/FOS 

What is FOS? This is our annual opportunity to share with every family the story of Scouting's impact and to invite families to consider financial support in 2016.  

It is critical to the growing success of your North Florida Council that every unit hosts a presentation between now and April at a Pack Blue and Gold and Troop Court of Honor. 

As you know, Scouting continues to make a positive impact on the lives of young people. 

Thousands experience life-changing thrills, overcoming challenges and helping others in meaningful ways - and FOS helps make that happen. 

Gifts to FOS support: low-cost local activities for all Scouts in your area, scholarships for those in need, training of volunteers, camping facilities, insurance, as well as, field, camping and support staff who provide direct customer service to your unit.

Some of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) earliest ties to the community involve youth groups and few are stronger than the long lasting relationship between the VFW and the Boy Scouts of America. The relationship dates back to 1915 when VFW Post 2100 helped to establish Troop 1 in Everett, Washington. 

Each year the VFW selects three young Scouts who have displayed outstanding citizenship in school, Scouting and the community, patriotism and love of country. The winners are rewarded with college scholarships of up to $5,000. 

Scouts who are at least 15 years old, are enrolled in high school and are currently registered active members of a Boy Scout Troop, Venturing Crew or Sea Scout Ship AND have received the Eagle Scout Award, Venturing Silver or Summit Award or Sea Scout Quartermaster Award are eligible to enter. 

Scouts need to submit a completed VFW Scouting Scholarship Form along with a resume of high school activities, Scouting record, community service record and letters of recomendation to a local VFW Post by March 1, 2016. (A Scout can enter through ONE VFW Post ONLY)

For more information and to get a list of local VFW Posts CLICK HERE