Spring Engagement for Kindergartners!

It's time to build an adventure!

As winter winds down and spring arrives, District Membership Teams are gearing up for Spring Recruitment. It's time to turn boys graduating from Kindergarten into Tigers!

Here's the plan:

• Districts will work with Packs that have a strong summer program, so that newly recruited Tigers will be engaged all summer. What’s a strong summer program?
  • Packs that promote and have a presence at Cub Scout Day Camp
  • Packs that host at least one activity a month during the summer.
• Once those Packs are identified, District will identify the schools from which those Packs typically recruit.
• District Executives will schedule Kindergarten rallies at those schools for late April and early May.
• District Executives will order flyers, deliver them and rally the classrooms.
• Packs and District Membership Teams will host the Sign Up Nights, doing a small, condensed version of what we do in the fall.
• Packs should hand out summer calendars to the new families.
• If the Pack does not already have a Tiger Den leader, recruitment of one is highly encouraged at the sign up. That way, the newly recruited Tiger Den leader can receive training over the summer and be ready for more new Tigers in the fall!

Expected Outcomes:

• By receiving Kindergarten youth who attend Day Camp as Tigers, and by securing Tiger Leaders who are trained prior to the fall, there is a better chance those leaders and new youth will stick with Scouting. This will improve retention!
• Once 1st-grade begins, the new Tigers and their parents will be able to share with friends all about their great summer-time experiences – and invite them to join.

If your Pack wishes to participate in Spring Recruitment, please contact your District Membership Chair or your District Executive.

David Beal of Troop 89 in Fernandina Beach Eagle Project enhances the historic cemetary at St. Peter's Episcopal Church with a new entrance and map of the burial ground.

David sought advise from many parishioners and community members to fulfill his desire to create an updated map and gravesite listing for the cemetary. With the help of local architect, John Cotner, David developed the style and materials for the project. In addition to meeting with Cotner and Rector Stephen Mazingo about his project, he did extensive research in the church archives to gather a list of over 400 names of those interred from 1800's to 2015.

With the help of John Cotner, Rector Stephen Mazingo, many parrishioners of St. Peter's, Scouts from Troop 89, Trey Dennard of Dreamscapes, Inc., Myers Tractor and family friemds at Southern Aluminum Finishing in Atlanta, David was able to see his project completed on February 8th.

Beal admits he was nervous about the project when he first began and had some doubts about his ability to complete it. David says, "The business professionals, church, city and Boy Scouts kept me going. Rex Lester and the City of Fernandina Beach were nice and very helpful for getting the permits and the support give to me by my parents and grandparents has really helped me push through a big project."

David's project took about a year to complete and he says, "Scouting has taught me leadership skills and how to have positive interactions with the people I meet every day. It has shown me that not every outcome is going to go my way."

Working with the Cradle of Liberty Council and funded by the John Templeton Foundation, Dr. Richard M. Lerner and his tema at Tufts University surveyed nearly 1,800 Cub Scouts and nearly 400 non-Scouts to better understand character development of Scouts. After a two-and-a-half-year period, the study proved Scouting builds positive character and prepared young people for life. 

Watch the video and share with your parents, friends and in your social networks.

https://youtu.be/vxtFCmDZJbQ

Scouts who earned their way into the North Florida Council Popcorn "Fill It Up Club" were recognized at the Jacksonville University basketball game on February 21st. Scouts had a fantastic time watching the game and meeting the players! Thank You JU for honoring our Scouts!

The North Florida Council is joining together with Goodwill of North Florida for the
Good Turn for Goodwill Boy Scout Donation Drive

Scouts who collect 13-gallon bags or copier boxes of donations between now and May 31st can earn patches. PLUS the District who brings in the most bags/boxes will receive a patch and a Pizza Party for each Scout who participated. PLUS the individual Scout who brings in the most will recieve a Prize Package consisting of a pizza party, St Augustine Alligator Farm Family 4-Pack, $50 Gift Certificate, Special Letter for Recognition, Certificate of Appreciation, A Gold Patch and Service Champion Patch! 

Go to www.GoodwillJax.org and click on Community tab for all formsm flyers and information.  

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.