Thursday, October 2, 2014

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

European Camp Staff Programme


Of special interest to older Venturers and young Scouters, aged 18-30 is the European Camp Staff Programme.  The aim of the European Camp Staff program is to assist young people in developing their leadership skills and to encourage intercultural learning. To achieve this aim,the European Camp Staff Program allows you to serve volunteer staff member at a Scout center in another country.  Apply at this link.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Jamboree on the Air + Jamboree on the Internet


The 57th Jamboree-on-the-Air and the 18th Jamboree-on-the-Internet will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18, and Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014. The annual World Scouting events let Scouts and Venturers communicate with Scouts from other cities, states and countries using ham radio, computers or tablets.

Scouts of any age may take part — and take part they do. The 2012 Jamboree-on-the-Air drew 700,000 participants globally, according to the World Scout Bureau.

Participation details, thanks to Bryan Wendell.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

WORLD SCOUT JAMBOREE REMINDER:

  • 30,000 SCOUTS FROM MORE THAN 160 NATIONS
  • BRAND NEW ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES
  • RIDE THE BULLET TRAIN
  • SAMPLE NEW FOOD
  • SWIM IN THE PACIFIC
  • TOUR TOKYO AND YOKOHAMA
  • Learn More: http://www.23wsj.jp

TWO OPTIONS:  Boy Scout Troop (18 spaces remain) or Venturing Crew (male and female participants)

WSJ Scoutmaser:
Chris Geraghty – 847-471-3370
geraghtyc@msn.com

WSJ Venturing Crew Advisor:
Chris Sandberg – 612-747-0705
cksandberg.scouting@centurylink.net

THE FINE PRINT: You must be 14, but no older than 18 at the time of the Jamboree; Registration Deadline is November 30, 2014

Thursday, August 14, 2014

The Jamboree-on-the-Internet

The Jamboree-on-the-Internet, or JOTI, is an annual Scouting event sponsored by the World Organization of the Scout Movement. This event utilizes the Internet and the numerous devices that are used to get online, from your home computer to iPad tablets, to link Scouts from around the world. Last year, JOTI had almost 16,000 Scouts and leaders registered in the worldwide JOTA-JOTI database in 146 countries!

http://www.scouting.org/joti.aspx

Jamboree on the Air


The Jamboree-on-the-Air, or JOTA, is an annual Scouting event that uses amateur radio to link Scouts around the world, around the nation, and in your own community. Held on the third full weekend of October each year, this worldwide jamboree requires no travel, other than to a nearby radio amateur’s ham shack. Many times the hams will come to you by setting up at a Scout camporee, or perhaps they already have a ham shack at your council’s camp. There are many ways to get your Scouts involved in JOTA.

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Scouting/jota.aspx

European Camp Staff Program

The aim of the European Camp Staff program is to assist young people in developing their leadership skills and to encourage intercultural learning. This is achieved by providing the individual with a residential experience as a volunteer staff member at a Scout center in another country.

Scout centers in Europe do not operate in the same way that BSA camps do. The staff members of a typical European Scout center are usually involved in many different aspects of operating the center rather than specializing in one particular area. This is different from the situation in a BSA camp, where staff members are usually assigned to a particular activity or skill with which they work for the majority of their time at camp. In addition, Scouting in Europe normally operates on a coeducational basis, with males and females having the opportunity to be equally involved at all levels.

All participants in the European Camp Staff Program must be between 18 and 30 years of age and must be volunteers registered with the Boy Scouts of America. To ensure that the experience is worthwhile, participants should be prepared to commit themselves to work for a minimum of six weeks.

Interested participants should complete the BSA’s European Camp Staff Program application and submit it to their local council for the Scout executive’s approval. The application should then be mailed to the International Department for processing.

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/International/ecamp.aspx

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Association of Top Achiever Scouts

ATAS is part of the World Scout Bureau, which recognizes anyone who, as a youth, earned the highest award in their scout organization. ATAS is a free for life fraternal association meant to foster recognition and awareness of the achievements of youth across National Scout Organizations.

Anyone who as a youth earned the highest award in their scout organization. For the BSA that would include Eagle, Quartermaster, and Silver (or all previous equivalent Explorer awards), it also includes BSA members who earned Girl Scout Gold (and all previous equivalent awards).

Join now - it's free!

http://atasusa.org/

Messengers of Peace


Launched in September 2011, Messengers of Peace is a global initiative designed to inspire millions of young men and women to work toward peace through personal, community, and relationship service projects. Using state-of-the-art social media, the initiative lets Scouts from around the world share what they’ve done and inspire fellow Scouts to undertake similar efforts in own communities.

www.scouting.org/messengersofpeace

Friday, June 20, 2014

World Scout Jamboree - BSA FAQs:


Q. What are the dates and location of the 23rd World Jamboree?
A. The jamboree will be held in Kirara-hama, Yamaguchi, Japan, July 28 to Aug. 8, 2015.

Q. Will the BSA send only one contingent to the 2015 World Jamboree?
A. A contingent is the entire group BSA sends to this event, and each troop and crew will be part of that contingent. Right now, we are planning on sending approximately 1,600 people as part of BSA’s world jamboree contingent.

Q. Will my Scout's world jamboree leader be from his troop?
A. World jamboree units are formed by region, not council. Therefore, the youth and leaders that make up a jamboree unit will most likely be from various councils in your region. We will not know who the specific leaders are just yet, but your Scout's leaders will also be from various councils in your region....

And many more:

http://www.scouting.org/WorldJamboree/faq.aspx

Thursday, June 19, 2014

From the World Scout Shop: Contest Announced

Can you design a T-shirt that Scouts worldwide will love, shows the fun and educational Scouting experience and promotes the sense of belonging to a worldwide Scouting movement?

We have just launched a contest to design a special T-shirt to be sold worldwide! The theme for the T-shirt is “Creating a Better World” and the winning design will be sold through World Scout Shops website. Submit your designs below by attaching your logo as a file before 13th July but make sure that you read and understand the rules before you do!

You can view the full details of the rules for the contest and how to enter from the link below.

If you like a design, remember to like it as it will contribute to judging the winner! The winner will be announced in August!

http://scout.org/node/31046

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

New World Scout Headquarters

Today the World Scout Bureau opened its new office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. See comments below from Scott Teare, Secretary General of WOSM.


"Beginning in early 2013 with my new assignment as Secretary General, I visited Kuala Lumpur for the first time in this new capacity for me in Scouting. Since then, I have been returning regularly to what has now become my home. Each time I commute from the airport, the city center, the office, or from my apartment… I am struck by how welcoming, diverse and vibrant this city is. With every trip, I cannot resist making the connection between World Scouting and Kuala Lumpur. Because you see KL and World Scouting both are welcoming, diverse and vibrant. Both embody a unique representation of modern life, driven by young people who are engaged and animated by strong values.

"So let me warmly and officially thank His Excellency, the Prime Minister of Malaysia and the whole Government of Malaysia for fully supporting the Grand Opening of this new office. We are delighted to be here in Brickfields, in a modern office connected to easy and fast moving means of transportation to the city and to the KL International Airport. This is very important for us as we will welcome our volunteers and staff from across the globe more or less on a daily basis. On this note, I extend a warm welcome to the representatives of the World Scout Committee who have been extremely supportive during this transition period of setting up the new office. As you know, the Scout Movement is a volunteer-based movement and volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization. Your dedication is incredible and we need more people like you, especially adult volunteers, to ensure that we grow this vibrant movement from 40 million members today to over 100 million members in less than 10 years’ time. And I know that we are all connected in sharing this vision of better scouting for more young people.

"When I said that Kuala Lumpur and Scouting were both diverse and inclusive, just look around you at the World Scout Bureau staff present that I also welcome warmly. The diversity of our staff is a key strength to ensure that we best support our 162 National Scout Organizations with respect, integrity, trust and excellence in service. These are the values, based on the Scout Promise and Law, that I would like each and every one of us as staff members to live by each and every day. If we live these values in our daily work, we will achieve our mission and my vision of better support to our customers."

Scott A. Teare
Secretary General, World Organization of the Scout Movement

http://scout.org/node/31168

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

23rd WORLD SCOUT JAMBOREE INFORMATION SESSION
The next World Scout Jamboree (WSJ) will be held in Japan, July 28th – August 8th, 2015 (next year)!  Our Area 7 in the Central Region is forming a troop.  Boys must be at least 14 years of age prior to the Jamboree starting and not yet turned 18 through the end of the Jamboree.  In addition, girls (same age restrictions as the boys) are welcome to register and will be placed in the Central Region Venturing Crew.
Registration is now open, so log into the BSA national site below and click on the “Register Now” button to be a part of this amazing international scouting experience! The direct site link is:  http://www.scouting.org/worldjamboree.aspx

The troop leaders listed below will be at the Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg at the new BSA Discovery Outpost (1st floor outside Macy’s) on Wednesday June 25, 2014 from 7-9 pm.  Stop by, and we can answer any questions you have about this 15 day adventure of a lifetime.
Don’t miss out, and sign-up now as only 36 slots are available!
2015 World Scout Jamboree -Japan Troop Leaders

Monday, June 16, 2014

World Friendship Fund

Do you know how to get World Friendship Fund brochures, coffee can labels, or posters for your next collection? Well, let us tell you! Contact your local council, and ask them to order the items from the National Distribution Center via bin inventory. You will need these item numbers:
Brochure, No. 130-159
Label, No. 22620
Poster, No. 22609
DVD, No. 22611
Our supply of World Friendship Fund DVDs is limited, so be sure to order one today before they are gone! We also can accept World Friendship Fund donations online!

To donate online or to download the brochure, please visit www.scouting.org/international/worldsupport

Saturday, June 14, 2014

International Spirit Award

The International Spirit Award is a temporary emblem that is awarded to registered Scouts and Scouters who have completed the necessary requirements, have gained a greater knowledge of international Scouting, and have a greater appreciation and awareness of different cultures and countries. This award serves as a replacement for, and therefore eliminates, the International Activity emblem and the Youth Exchange emblem. International Spirit Award emblems are $4 each and are purchased from the International Department.

Please visit www.scouting.org/international/applications to see the requirements and apply for this new award.
Scouting began in England in 1907, based on the ideas of founder Sir Robert S. S. Baden-Powell and his book Scouting for Boys. The book and program proved to have universal appeal for boys and quickly spread worldwide. The Scouting program spread around the world until it became what it is now—the largest voluntary youth movement in the world, with a membership of more than 25 million.

This site provides updates of interest to Scouts and leaders in the Three Fires Council.