Skymont Summer Camp

Make your 2016 Skymont Summer Camp reservation today!  We have a lot of weeks that are close to capacity! We are continuing to make improvements throughout the year to provide an awesome experience for your Troop. This year will include an ATV program and allow Venture crews to participate in the fun. Questions? Contact Scott Martin, Camp Director at ScottT.Martin@scouting.org. More information can be found at www.skymont.org.  Reservations can be made online or with Karon Arnold at 423-892-8323 or Karon.Arnold@scouting.org. Don’t miss out!

Looking for Troop Service Projects? Get Involved at Skymont!

Skymont Scout Reservation is YOUR Council camp and we are always looking for a few extra hands around camp to assist with projects.  With the winter weather now here, we will need help cleaning up debris in the early Spring and with many other continuous projects around camp!

Troops and leaders may contact Ranger Buford Campbell at rangerbuford52@gmail.com to inquire about service opportunities.

2017 National Scout Jamboree

July 19-28, 2017 @ The Summit in WV. 

Now is the time to prepare. A once in a Scout's lifetime, the Jamboree brings Scouts together from across the country for 10 days of extraordinary experiences!  The Cherokee Area Council will take one Troop and ¼ Crew to the 2017 National Jamboree! Scouts should have received an interest letter via mail. Visit the National Jamboree website, http://www.summitbsa.org/events/jamboree/overview/ for more information including participant qualifications.

Questions? Contact Scott Martin at ScottT.Martin@scouting.org . Deposits are due to the Scout Shop as soon as possible to reserve your slot.

Join the Skymont Staff!

We are accepting applications for Skymont Summer Camp Staff NOW!  If you are interested in working at Skymont go to skymont.org for more information. You must be a minimum of 15 years old and some positions require applicants to be at least 21 years old.  Those interested in working on staff contact Scott Martin, Camp Director, at ScottT.Martin@scouting.org or submit your application to: Cherokee Area Council, BSA, 6031 Lee Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37421.

12th Annual Friends of Scouting Luncheon

March 2nd @ Chattanooga Convention Center

The 12th Annual Friends of Scouting Luncheon will take place on Wednesday, March 2nd at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Over 130 community leaders, many of whom are Scout alumni, are serving as Table Hosts for the event. The keynote speaker will be Scott Parazynski. Scott is an Eagle Scout and is the only person who has walked in space and on the summit of Mt. Everest. 

Event partners: TVA, Ace Hardware, Elliott Davis Decosimo, Enviromental Solutions Group, First Tennessee Foundation, Keller Williams, Mauldin & Jenkins, Mountain View Auto Group, RCS Contruction, SmartBank, and Trail's End. Media partners: Chattanooga Times Free Press, Gault & Associates, and  Buddy Ratley Signs.

If you have not received an invitation and would like to attend, contact Angela McAllister at Angela.McAllister@scouting.org or 423-892-8323.

2016 Friends of Scouting Luncheon Flyer

Chattanooga State STEM Merit Badge College

March 19, 2016, 7:30 AM @ Chattanooga State Community College

This event is an incredible opportunity for your Scouts to earn merit badges that they may not have the opportunity to earn anywhere else. We are offering 21 merit badges that are divided into four categories: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. All merit badges are taught by professors from Chattanooga State; because of their commitment, our Scouts receive first class exposure to a variety of merit badges. Thanks to Jim Barrott for developing the STEM curriculum and chairing the event.

Click here to register online or click here to print registration. For more information, please email Bryan Hensley at bryan.hensley@scouting.org or Jeff Sisk at jeff.sisk@scouting.org, or call them at 423-892-8323.

John Ross District

GruMa Pinewood Derby Day

February 20, 2016 8:30 AM @Tracy City Elementary School

Come join packs from the Grundy and Marion county side of the John Ross District on beautiful Monteagle Mountain to see if you can keep pace with the fastest Pinewood Derby Cars on the Cumberland Plateau! Parents and older siblings not in the pack can join in the fun by entering the GruMa, “No rules on the Mountain” Outlaw race. Registration is $5.00 for all participants.

Click here to register online! For more information, please contact Bryan Hensley @ (423) 892-8323 or bryan.hensley@scouting.org

John Ross District Pinewood Derby Race

March 12, 2016 8:30 AM @ Battlefield Elementary School

Think you have what it takes to keep up the pace in the John Ross District? Come test your grit and speed in this all out "Pine-Eat-Pine" race. Adults and older siblings wanting to test their skills on the track can enter the "No Holds Barred Outlaw" race. Registration is $5 for all participants.

Click here to register online! For more information, please contact Bryan Hensley @ (423) 892-8323 or bryan.hensley@scouting.org

Mission District

A HUGE Thank You to the Hamilton County STARS (Search & Rescue team) for putting on and awesome winter camporee!  Boys learned a lot of important skills as well as participated in a mass search exercise.

District Pinewood Derby, Saturday, March 12 at Christ United Methodist church. More details coming.

Interested in helping plan district activities or helping units get better?  The Mission District is beefing up with planning committees and commissioner programs.  Contact jeff.sisk@scouting.org for more information.

Ocoee District

Ocoee Winter Camporee

February 19-21, 2016, 6:00 PM

I know that you know the Ocoee Winter Camporee will be the best camporee in all the land. This year the camporee will be held at Skymont Scout Reservation and you will be able to prove your accuracy with the first ever Ocoee Shooting Sports Challenge.

The patrol with the highest score in each shooting event will be awarded as well as the overall highest scoring patrol. This time, the individual with the highest single score of the day will be honored in front of the camp and awarded a prize that you will have to read about in the flyer.

Due to ammunition purchasing and range limitations, registration for this event is LIMITED to 200 spots for Scouts. Sign up as soon as possible to ensure you and your patrol will have the chance to WIN!

To request a flyer or if you have any questions, please contact Ryan Naegele at ryan.naegele@scouting.org

Wilderness Remote First Aid

February 20th & March 5th, 8 AM @ Red Bank Presbyterian Church

Part 1:
Wilderness Remote First Aid part 1 will take place Saturday, February 20th at Red Bank Presbyterian Church at 8:00am.
Part 2:
Wilderness Remote First Aid part 2 will take place Saturday, March 5^th at Red Bank Presbyterian Church at 8:00am.
For more information contact Phil Garrett at the Council Office at 423-892-8323 or phillip.garrett@souting.org.

Leadership Training

Leadership Specific Training: If you’re a new leader or you’re stepping into a new position, now is the time to start off on the right foot! Join us for our in-person trainings. This is an excellent opportunity to ask questions and network with both new leaders and “seasoned” veterans.

BALOO Training: Want to take your Cub Scout Pack camping? Make sure you are BALOO certified. Come together with other Cub Scout leaders and parents to learn how to plan and conduct pack outdoor activities in a fun and safe manner.

Trainer’s Edge: Interested in becoming a trainer? Join us for Trainer’s Edge where you will learn the skills necessary to train other leaders!

Upcoming Trainings Include:

Unable to make the trainings? You can complete most training online @ www.myscouting.org.

Questions? Contact Ryan Naegele at Ryan.Naegele@Scouting.org

Cherokee Area Council Ligon Memorial Scholarship

Attention all Scout leaders!

 If you know an Eagle Scout who is graduating from high school in 2016, please make him aware of the Cherokee Area Council's very own college scholarship for college freshmen.

The applicant must be an Eagle Scout and be registered in the Cherokee Area Council. Applications are available at the Scout Service Center or on our website, www.cherokeeareabsa.org. In order to be considered the applications must be turned in to the Scout office before February 26, 2016. The applications must be filled out completely, following the directions included in the application, to be considered.

Have Questions? Contact Ryan Ivey at ryan.ivey@scouting.org or 423.892.8323 x114

Eagle Scouts & NESA

All Eagle Scouts are invited to learn about and be part of organizing Cherokee Area Council's NESA Chapter, which is open to all who have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout as youth. Those who seek to reconnect with fellow Eagle Scouts to promote camaraderie and networking among the membership while also supporting Scouts and Scouting through NESA sponsored events and mentoring opportunities are welcome to join.

Our first organizational meeting will be on Tuesday, March 15th at 6:00 PM at the Council Office.  The focus of this one hour meeting will be to explore the opportunities for the chapter and to plan future NESA events.

Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming NESA sponsored Eagle Scout / Volunteer Banquet scheduled for May 6, 2016.  All 2015 Cherokee Area Council Eagle Scouts and Volunteers will be invited to attend.

If unable to join us, please drop an email of your interest to Warren Diegel at wdiegel@gmail.com or Ryan Ivey at ryan.ivey@scouting.org.

Scout Shop

Business Hours:    Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm

Saturdays 2/20/16 through 4/2/16: 10am-2pm

Holiday Closings:  3/25/16 and 3/26/16

Pinewood Derby season is here!   We have all your official derby cars, wheels, weights, and anything else you might need to create the best car!  We also have books to help you with car ideas and tips, as well as ribbons, medals, and patches.

The new Boy Scout handbooks have arrived and are available for purchase.

We want to be your Scouting headquarters. If we don’t have what you are looking for, let us know and we’ll try to order it for you.  Regularly shipped items may take up to 2 weeks for delivery and up to 8 weeks for factory orders.

Have Questions? Contact Ginger at ginger.farmer@scouting.org

Order of the Arrow

OA Elections:

The OA can enhance your troop by keeping your older Scouts engaged and active. The time for OA elections is upon us. Don't miss this once a year opportunity! Scoutmasters, please schedule your troop election via www.tali293.org or contact your Chapter Chief. Upcoming events include Spring Fellowship March 12th and Conclave April 15th. Stay current through the website for more information.  Contact Nathan Goza Chief@tali293.org with any questions.