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.