QUICK LOOK AT IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS
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2009 Council
Fly Fishing Event

Featured Video
"Live the Journey - Celebrating 100 years of Scouting"

Scouting's Values

Scouting is a values-based program with its own code of conduct. The Scout Oath and Law help instill the values of good conduct, respect for others, and honesty. Scouts learn skills that will last a lifetime, including basic outdoor skills, first aid, citizenship skills, leadership skills, and how to get along with others. For almost a century, Scouting has instilled in young men the values and knowledge that they will need to become leaders in their communities and country.

Read about the "Values of Americans - A Study of Ethics and Character" and the  "Values of Scouting - A study of Ethics and Character" by Harris Interactive.  The Boy Scouts of America commissioned Harris Interactive to conduct the Values of Americans study to examine the ethics and character of Americans young and old, and to see if values have changed over time. The Boy Scouts also wanted to determine how Scouting has influenced the values of adults over their lifetimes and the lives youth members.

Philmont Fly Fishing & Hiking Fellowship

Waite Phillips, Philmont’s benefactor, was an enthusiastic and accomplished fly fisherman. He spent many days, along with America’s most prominent citizens, fly rod in hand, fishing the small streams and lakes of "God’s Country".

You can enjoy the same quality experience at the Philmont Fly Fishing and Hiking Fellowship held each year in October.  This year, the event is scheduled for October 8-10, 2010.  Guest activities will include a "Welcome" reception and dinner, a tour of the Villa Philmonte, Seton Memorial Library, Philmont Trading Post, and a walking tour of Cimarron. Housing Friday and Saturday will be in cabins at Philmont’s Ponil Staff Camp. Ponil was the original headquarters of Philmont Scout Ranch, and is in a very scenic valley.  Meals will be served at the Ponil Staff Camp Dining Hall. Fish the Cimarron River and streams in the nearby National Forest, complete with a guide.

More information can be found in the Fly Fishing brochure and the registration form found on this web site.  It's not too early to mark your calendar and register for this exceptional event.  We hope to see you at Philmont in October!

Important Changes to the Boy Scouts of America's
Youth Protection Training Policies

Effective June 1, 2010:

• Youth Protection Training is required for all registered volunteers.
• New leaders are required to take Youth Protection Training before they submit their application for registration.  The certificate of completion for this training must be submitted at the time the application is made and before volunteer service with youth begins.
• Youth Protection Training must be taken every two years.  If a volunteer's Youth Protection Training is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be registered.

More information on this policy is availabe on this website.

Venturing Age/Grade Eligibility Changes Effective May 1, 2010 

The current age and grade eligibility requirement for participation in the Venturing program is 14 years of age and completion of the eighth grade.  Effective May 1, 2010, the minimum age requirement will be changed to either:

*  14 years of age
     OR
*  13 years of age and completion of the eighth grade.

The maximum age for participation remains under 21 years of age. 

Cub Scout Pow Wow - Coming Nov 6!

Cub Scout Pow Wow more than just another training course. It is a Leader Training Extravaganza!!! It is an annual get together, a conference, a convention. It’s a big fun-filled experience where Cub Scout leaders increase their knowledge, hone their skills, make new friends and visit with old scouting buddies. A time to get those special tips to help you with Cub Scouts of all ranks!

In addition, there will be training specific for Den Chiefs. The training is designed primarily for den chiefs. Cubmaster, Cub Scout and Webelos den leaders, or other adult pack or troop leaders who register den chiefs should arrange to participate with them.

Who should attend? ALL Cub Scouters; Den Leaders, Webelos Leaders ,Asst. Den Leaders, Tiger Den Leaders, Committee  Members, Cubmasters, Asst. Cubmasters, Committee Chairs, Den Leader Coaches, Den Chiefs, Commissioners, Den Chiefs, AND interested parents.

Pow Wow is schedule for Saturday, November 6.  More information on the Pow Wow can be found in the information flyer.   Registration for the Pow Wow and for Den Chief training can also be found on this web site.

Casting For Recovery

Casting for Recovery is an opportunity for women whose lives have been profoundly affected by breast cancer to gather in a beautiful, natural setting and learn fly-fishing, "a sport for life."  Just as importantly, to meet new friends and have fun.

Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico is sponsoring a Casting for Recovery retreat on October 8-10, 2010.

Space is limited.  Register today for a chance to participate in this retreat.  Participants for the retreat will be selected at random from all eligible applications received by July 30, 2010.

Registration is easy and secure. You can register for a chance to participate either online or print out and complete the application form.Follow 3 easy steps:
   1.    Visit: www.castingforrecovery.org
   2.    Click on “Retreats” in the top navigation bar.
   3.    Click on “Apply for a Retreat” button in the middle and at the bottom of the page.

Please note that to be eligible to attend a retreat, you must be a breast cancer survivor(at any stage).If you have any questions, you can contact us before the sign-up deadline at (802) 362-9181.  Apply by July 30, 2010.  More information can be obtained by viewing the Philmont Scout Ranch Casting for Recovery flyer, or by visiting the Casting for Recovery website - www.castingforrecovery.org.

Attention all Scouts and Scouters!

Join the excitement!  Celebrate Scouting's Centennial by attending the 2010 Jamboree Arena Show by satellite at Isotopes Park!  The specifics are: 

Saturday evening, July 31, 2010; Gates open at 5:00 pm;  Campfire Program starts at 6:00 pm

ADMISSION IS FREE

See all the action on the Scoreboard Screen.  Entertainment! Inspiration!

Join hundreds of thousands of Scouts at the Jamboree and across the country!  Bring all your Scouts in uniform along with their families!  Details are included in the flyer on this website.

Rank Requirements Change - Effective January 1, 2010

Along with the Year of Celebration marking Scouting’s 100th anniversary comes a real collector’s item: The centennial edition of The Boy Scout Handbook, which carries several rank requirement changes that go into effect Jan. 1, 2010:

• TENDERFOOT: A scout must teach another person how to tie a square knot using the EDGE model (explain, demonstrate, guide, and enable). He also must be able to discuss four specific examples of how he lived the points of the Scout Law in his daily life.
  
• SECOND CLASS: A Scout must discuss the principles of Leave No Trace and explain the factors to consider when choosing a patron site and where to pitch a tent. He must explain what respect is due the flag of the United States. He must again discuss four examples of how he lived four different point of the Scout Law in his daily life. He must earn an amount of money agreed upon by the Scout and his parents and save at least 50 percent of it.
  
• FIRST CLASS: An additional requirement to the 10 separate troop/patrol activities state he must demonstrate the principles of Leave No Trace on these outings. He must discuss four more examples of how he lived the remaining four points of the Scout Law in his daily life.
  
• LIFE: A Scout must use the EDGE model to teach a younger Scout a specified skill.
  
  STAR, LIFE, AND EAGLE: Troop Webmaster and Leave No Trace Trainer are two new leadership positions.

NOTE: If a Boy Scout is working out of the old edition of the handbook, he may continue using those requirements until he completes that rank. Then he must move to the new edition.

Colorado Also has a License Plate to Commemorate the Boy Scout Centennial!

Here is a great piece of news for Scouts and Scouters that live in the Colorado area of our council!  Governor Bill Ritter signed HB-1151 into law on June 5, 2008 and the new Boy Scout License Plate will officially be available at all Colorado Department of Revenue locations beginning July 15, 2009. The license plate was designed in honor of the Boy Scouts of America, commemorating 100 years of Scouting in the United States as the centennial approaches in 2010.  More information is available on the Denver Area Council's  website.

2010 Commemorative Belt Buckle

As everyone knows, 2010 is the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.  What better way to remember this occasion than by obtaining one of these limited edition commemorative belt buckles?  The belt buckle is made of pewter, and has the entire Scout Law on the buckle!

Don't be left out on this once-of-a-lifetime (this is the one and only 100th anniversary!) collector's edition belt buckle.  Just click on the picture on the left to be taken directly to the on-line store to purchase this truly awesome belt buckle!!