District Day Camp Staff Positions Needed
Spend a great summer outdoors helping our Scouts

District Day Camp Staff Positions are needed at Glen Island July 7th to July 25th and Sprain Ridge Park from July 28 to August 15th. The following positions are paid and we are looking for the complete season where possible. We will also need volunteer staff members to help make this a memorable summer for Cub Scouts.

Program Director (1)
Emergency Medical Technicians (2)
**Archery Director (1)
**Life Guard (2 or 3)
Early Arrival Counselor
Late Dismissal Counselor
Volunteer Positions
*Den Leaders (10)
*Kiddy Den Leader (2)
*Nature Director (1)
*Sports Director (1)
*Crafts Director (1)
* **Games & Special Events Coordinators (CIT”S)

Note *volunteer for the week and your son may attend for free (a $180.00 value)
** requires certification and will assume other duties as needed
***CIT’s can have credit towards your fee to attend the Curtis S Read Scout Reservation

Please contact Roger Stewart 914-773-1135 ext 237 or e-mail rstewart

The 2008 Fall Race to Cub Scouting
Over 1,500 local boys will be looking to join our Cub Scout Packs this fall to do one thing - HAVE FUN! The Race to Cub Scouting program in our Council is designed to provide a successful plan for each Cub Scout Pack to implement this fall. The program will work to get boys and their parents to join and to participate as families in a very efficient manner.
The plan is simple. All you need to do is appoint a person(s) in your pack to attend the Race to Cub Scouting Orientation Seminar that will be held at the August 21st Program Extravaganza at Pace University. All the recruiting materials and support will be available to units that night.

There are three ways to promote your pack and recruit new families.
1) Host a Stand-Alone Rally where you utilize all marketing materials combined with a flyer drop or school visit where permissible by your District Executive. A stand alone rally is a critical first step that usually provides the most new families.

The agenda for the recruitment night is part of the owner’s manual. It should be followed by the trained presenter that night to maximize the new families who actually enroll in your pack. Supplies for the recruitment event come in a “Rally Kit” that is supplied by the Council.

2) Utilizing the new Peer to Peer recruiting plan and materials. These new materials will be part of the “Race to Cub Scouting” kit at Program Extravaganza. These items will help existing Scouts share the opportunity of joining them in Cub Scouting with friends. There will also be materials for parents of Scouts to share with other parents about the values of Cub Scouting and how to join the local Cub Pack. The Peer to Peer program can be used before the Stand-Alone Rally and to support the 2nd Chance Opportunity.

3) Holding a 2nd Chance Opportunity which can be an open house or combined with a Pack meeting. Marketing materials as well as flyer drops by your District Executive are available for promotion. This step will ideally round out your dens and pick up families that could not make your Stand Alone Rally.

There are usually a number of parents who were unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict. There may also be parents who attended but were indecisive about joining. You may also have had phone calls from parents who were planning to come to the Stand Alone Rally but were unable to do so. Your Pack meeting night following the Rally Night is a great night to follow-up.

2008 Fall Race Incentives
All Packs that fulfill certain requirements during the Race to Cub Scouting will be rewarded with Pinewood Derby Kits for all youth members in their pack. The pack must…
• Send a representative (s) to the August 21st “Race to Cub Scouting” Seminar session at Program Extravaganza and pick-up marketing materials
• Schedule and conduct their Stand Alone Rally before September 30th.
• Conduct a 2nd Chance Recruitment during October
• Submit new youth applications from their Stand Alone Rally no later than October 15th.
• Re-Charter the pack on or before December 13th with all required paperwork and fees.

PACK LEADER RECOGNITION: A representative of each Pack that attends the “Race to Cub Scouting” Seminar at the Program Extravaganza on August 21st will be recognized with a special baseball cap recognizing them as a Pack Crew Chief.

MY BEST FRIEND IS A SCOUT BADGE INCENTIVE: Each registered Scout who recruits a friend to join their Cub Scout pack will receive the badge. The new application, with proper fees, must be submitted to your District Executive no later than November 15th.

Race To Scouting Owner's Manual  [PDF, 1.7MB]
 

NESA Eagle Scout Search is Underway!
The Eagle Scout court of honor is undoubtedly the proudest moment of a young Scout's life. Years of learning, teaching, and hard work culminate in this special honor that only the most determined Boy Scouts obtain. This is one reason why the National Eagle Scout Association has launched a national Eagle Scout search program.

"We want to find and contact every living Eagle Scout and register his achievements, past and present," said NESA Director Bill Steele. "This effort will culminate in Roll Call: The National Eagle Scout Registry--a publication that will capture the tradition, history, and honor of our nation's Eagle Scouts and will be available only to bona fide Eagles." Steele added that only Eagle Scouts who agree to be listed and who are adults will be included in the directory.

Eagle Scouts for whom the Boy Scouts of America or the National Eagle Scout Association has a current address will soon receive correspondence from Harris Connect, Inc. out of Chesapeake, Virginia. Eagle Scouts receiving correspondence from Harris Connect should respond as requested.

If an Eagle Scout does not receive correspondence from Harris Connect Inc., he can call toll-free, 1-866-753-3506, to submit his information and or to purchase the directory.

The Pathfinder is Going Online!
For more than five years The Pathfinder newsletter has served as a vital communication tool for the Westchester – Putnam Council, first with bi-monthly publications and recently with quarterly publications.

We now live in a world where the timeliest communication is critical to the success of an organization. To that end, the Executive Board of the Westchester – Putnam Council has decided to publish an on-line version of The Pathfinder on a monthly basis beginning May 1st 2008. This will allow us to share the most up-to-date information with our key leaders and parents on a timelier basis, allow us to make available vital funds for our programs and as an added benefit, allow us to be more environmentally conscious. It is still our intention to have periodic mailings to our unit leaders and families for certain events and activities.

The “On-Line Pathfinder” will have links directly to key spots on our web-site and will allow units and parents the opportunity to register on-line for selected reservations, events and activities. We will be piloting online registrations for certain programs during the month of May and plan to provide online registration and payments for most of our programs within the coming year.

If you do not currently receive email correspondence from the Westchester – Putnam Council you will not be on our e-mailing list and will not have access to this new tool. We recently sent an email regarding our upcoming Annual Recognition Dinner; if you did not receive that message you will need to take a few minutes and visit our web site to register. You can sign up for the “On-Line Pathfinder” using the Email List Profile link below below and registering for any of our Council distribution lists or the Pathfinder-only list. We would encourage leaders to register families from your unit, or anyone else you feel would benefit from this correspondence.

Email List Management 
The Westchester-Putnam Council, BSA uses a web service located at Doubleknot.com, a company located in California, to operate an email list server to improve communications with our units, districts and the council.

The purpose of a list server is to simplify sending email messages to groups of recipients and to allow people to add themselves to lists to obtain information regarding a specific type of topic.

You can control the email list(s) to which you are a member of. To do this, you will need to access your "profile" on Doubleknot which is password protected. If you were a member of an email list previously you may already have a profile: use the "Forgot User ID and Password" option on the Doubleknot screen.  Enter the email address that would be on file and your password will be sent to you.   If you believe you are new to our lists use the "To create a new profile " option.

Once logged onto Doubleknot, you will see all the public email lists and those of which you are a member. Note that if you deselect any bolded list you will not be able to rejoin the list without assistance from the council staff.

This list server is designed to keep all of our Scouting family more informed about the activities of the Westchester-Putnam Council as together we serve the youth of our two counties. 

Please note that those subscribing to a List Server must be at least 13 years of age.  Those under 13 must have a parent or guardian subscribe for them. This is a requirement of Federal law.

Email List Profile Management

Council Privacy Statement

Cub Scout Camping Opportunities DVD
We have a new DVD that covers Scout Camping opportunities in our Council. It is designed to cover all questions you may have as a parent, leader or Scout. Let us show this DVD to your Pack or Troop families as we would like to have all Scouts enjoy the camping experience that only Scouting can provide.

Camping programs are offered to Cub Scouts at our three day camp locations – Glen Island Park, New Rochelle; Sprain Ridge Park, Yonkers; and the Durland Scout Reservation (formerly Clear Lake), in Putnam Valley. We also cover very nicely the Cub Scout Camping Programs for Webelos and Cub Scouts at the Curtis S Read Scout Reservation.

For Boy Scouts, the DVD explains our camping programs at Camp Waubeeka, Camp Buckskin and Summit Base, located at the Curtis S Read Scout Reservation in the Adirondacks.

Please contact your District Executive to schedule this 10- minute presentation, (DVD 7 minutes & 3 minutes for Q and A) or call Roger Stewart 914-773-1135 ext 237.

View Cub Scout Summer Camps Introductory Video
(Requires Windows Media Player and a high speed Internet connection.)

Friends of Scouting
Scouting continues to grow and thrive within our council for many reasons. Long-term partnerships with vibrant community organizations, dedicated volunteer leaders, a small but committed professional staff, a tradition of excellence and a history of fiscal responsibility are all essential elements of our success in providing outstanding programs and facilities for more than 10,000 boys and girls each year.

For each of these Scouts, the Westchester-Putnam Council spends, on average, $179 above any user fees paid by the Scouts’ families. A small price when you consider the lifetime benefits of Scouting…a huge annual challenge when multiplied by 10,000!

This challenge is met each year through the generous support of thousands of individuals and businesses who believe in helping the youth of their community. We want to express, once again, our thanks to everyone who helped financially support Scouting in 2007. Every day of the year a boy’s life is better, because of you!

While we raise funds from several sources, key to our success is the annual enrollment of “Friends of Scouting” (FOS). Friends of Scouting is our yearly request for financial support from Scouting families of current Scouts, alumni, civic minded organizations and local businesses. Through FOS we raise 14 percent of the council budget. It provides vital funding to support our two council camps, training programs for adults and Scouts, liability insurance for adult leaders, unit re-charter materials, newsletters for adult leaders and Scout families, financial assistance “camperships” for summer camp, special recognition for youth and adults, the Council Service Center with Scout Shop and meeting facilities, our office staff and professional staff to support 3,000 volunteers, and much more.

So, as you read this, how can you help us meet this challenge?

First, consider what size gift, if any, your family would be able to make to support your child or another child in Scouting for a year. Many families commit to supporting the full cost of one Scout for a year - $179 - that’s just $15 a month. Some families are able to support multiple Scouts. Other families are only able to support part of the cost of their son while there are some families whose current financial circumstances prevent them from making a contribution at any level.

Second, ask your Cubmaster, Scoutmaster or Committee Chairperson when your unit will have its FOS presentation. Our goal is to visit every unit early in 2008 to make a brief presentation and ask parents to become “Friends of Scouting.” Plan to attend that meeting and be prepared to make a gift at a level you feel is appropriate for your family.

Third, if you work at a business that makes charitable contributions, ask them to consider making a contribution to the Westchester-Putnam Council, BSA. We can provide whatever support material you need. Also, many companies make matching gifts to Scouting. By finding out if your company makes matching gifts and getting the form to us, you can double your impact on Scouting.

As a way of showing our appreciation, all gifts of $179 or above will be recognized with a Special Edition Council Shoulder Patch. Gifts of $360 or more will be recognized with a Limited Edition Cast Brass Drink Coaster. New this year, to show our thanks to units that have participation from 100% of their families, a free weekend cabin rental at Durland Scout Reservation will be offered to help enhance their unit program.

For more information on Friends of Scouting contact your District FOS Chairman or your District Executive or contact our Development Director, Charlie Rogers at crogers or by phone at 914-773-1135 ext. 231.

Medicine Merit Badge at the Westchester Medical Center
Nurses at Westchester Medical Center volunteered their time to help several troops from Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties get there Medicine Merit Badge on January 21. The program was run by Anna Sers, RN of Dutchess and a nurse at Westchester Medical Center, along with other nurses from Westchester Medical Center. They introduced local troops to nursing as another avenue into medicine. The program was well received by local troops. Over 76 boys attended the program. Several male nurses - Sam Caquias, Richard Obregon, Joe Perucci, Peter Kinke, Jack Mace, Richard Vanalstyne, David Long, Bob Zimmerman, George Kepler along with George Crowe EMT, Ann Sers RN, Ginger Bosco RN, Melissa Verdi RN, Cyndi Cuddy RN, Gorete Crowe RN, worked together to bring the experience to the troops. The boys had tours of the ER trauma unit, helicopter and vital signs training. The nurses are talking about doing the program again next year so our Scouts can learn about the exciting field of nursing which is open to both males and females.

New Boy Scout Rank Requirements
Effective January 1, 2008

The National Youth Protection Committee recommended additions to Boy Scout rank requirements that were approved and will become effective January 1, 2008. These changes will help us advance the importance of Youth Protection training beyond the initial Boy Scout joining requirements, and keep youth informed and actively engaged in understanding the key elements of personal safety and protection.

Tenderfoot Rank
Revised requirement 9:

Explain the importance of the buddy system as it relates to your personal safety on outings and in your neighborhood. Describe what a bully is and how you should respond to one.

Second Class Rank
New requirement 8b:

Explain the three R’s of personal safety and protection.

First Class Rank
New requirement 12:

Describe the three things you should avoid doing related to use of the Internet. Describe a cyberbully and how you should respond to one.

The changes will be represented in the 2008 Boy Scout Requirements book and the revised ninth printing of the 11th edition of the Boy Scout Handbook.

2008 Webelos to Boy Scouts Transition Progress
The passage by 5th grade Webelos from the Cub Scout Pack to the Boy Scout Troop should be smooth, with no time lost in between. By the time Webelos Scouts are ready to crossover, they and their families should be familiar and comfortable with the youth and adult leaders of the Troop, their role in the Troop, and upcoming activities, bringing a feeling of excitement about beginning this new adventure. The Webelos Scout’s graduation ceremony should clearly signify his transition to a new level of Scouting, and could include the presentation of his Arrow of Light Award, a Boy Scout Handbook, and a Troop neckerchief.

A Webelos Scout who has earned the Arrow of Light Award has now completed all the requirements for the Scout badge and may join a Boy Scout Troop. The key factor to improved Webelos transition is the ongoing working relationship of the leaders of a Cub Scout Pack and a Boy Scout troop.

Responsibilities for the transition process:
Responsibilities of the Pack

• Develop a working relationship with the leadership of one or more Boy Scout Troops in the area to work on some combined activities and events in the fall and early winter. These can include a fall camping trip, a community event, or possibly an early winter Boy Scout summer camp information night attended by both the Webelos Scout and his parent.
• Work with Troop leaders to secure Den Chiefs.
• Work with Troop leaders to plan visits to troop meetings.
• Invite the Scoutmaster and Troop youth leaders to special Pack activities.
• Plan a meaningful crossover ceremony at the Pack’s Blue and Gold Banquet. Include Troop leaders to be present to accept Webelos Scout as they graduate to Boy Scouting.
• Webelos leaders should be strongly encouraged to move into the Troop with the boys, either as assistant Scoutmasters or troop committee members.

Responsibilities of the Troop

• Select Scouts to serve as Den Chiefs for each Webelos Scout den and Cub Scout den.
• Serve as a resource for overnight activities. The troop can be of service to provide equipment, leadership and logistics for Webelos parent-son campouts.
• Conduct an orientation in the Bear Cub Scout dens to explain the changing role as boys become Webelos Scouts and then again as they become Boy Scouts. Explain how being a Webelos Scout will help prepare them for Boy Scouting.
• Webelos den/Scout troop campouts should show Webelos Scouts and their parents what to expect when they move into the troop. The troop should cook and camp by patrol, and use skills that the Webelos Scouts can participate in.
• Arrange for Webelos dens to visit a troop meeting. This should be planned several weeks in advance.
• Provide each Webelos Scout a copy of the troop’s activities for the upcoming year.
• Work with Webelos den leaders to encourage them to plan to move into the troop with their Webelos Scouts and to serve either as committee members or assistant Scoutmasters.
• Conduct a Scoutmaster conference under the guidance of the Scoutmaster or the assistant designated by the Scoutmaster.
• Work with the Cubmaster in planning a meaningful crossover ceremony at the pack’s Blue and Gold Banquet. Arrange for each Webelos Scout to receive a troop neckerchief and/or Scout Handbook along with his Arrow of light Award.

Responsibilities of the Webelos Parent

• Be engaged in your Webelos Scout’s progress on earning the Arrow of Light. Realize that some of the requirements involved becoming oriented and prepared to join a Scout troop.
• Become familiar with the objectives and the methods of the Boy Scouting program.
• Learn how Scouting builds values and how the 12 traits that make up the Scout Law read like every parent’s wish list for their children.
• Learn how Scouting sets expectations of cooperation, respect and goodwill, all success factors in helping build lifelong personal and family values by reinforcing ethical standards.
• Attend a visit with your son to a Boy Scout troop meeting and meet the leadership of the troop.
• Attend the Webelos Scout parents’ orientation and camp promotion night with your Webelos Scout to learn about the Boy Scout troop, 2008 spring plans, activities, and its summer camp plans so your son will be able to participate.
• Be willing to participate as a Scout parent on the troop committee or to support its programs and activities as needed.

Weekend Camping
At The Durland Scout Reservation & Read Scout Reservation

Reservations are being accepted July 1 for council and district events, August 1 from Cub packs, Scout troops and Venture crews (in-council, September 15 for out-of-council) for short term (weekend) camping at both the Durland and Read Scout Reservations. Cabins and a variety of tent sites are available at Durland, as are the Farmhouse and Handicraft Lodge at Read. Tent site fees are $40 for a weekend. The weekend cabin fees at Durland are $200 for a building with a capacity of 40 people, and $165 for a structure with a capacity of 30 people. The cabins all have electricity, running hot and cold water at the kitchen sink, refrigerator and electric stoves. A $75 damage deposit is required to rent a building. Due to the popularity of the cabins and tent sites, no phone reservations can be accepted. All fees and paperwork must be received at the Council Service Center to complete your reservation. Forms are available below.

Available Cabins in the Next Four Months

	Weekend	Number of Available Cabins
	Sep 5-7, 2008	9
	Sep 12-14, 2008	9
	Sep 26-28, 2008	9
	Oct 3-5, 2008	8
	Oct 10-12, 2008	9
	Oct 24-26, 2008	9
	Oct 31-Nov 2, 2008	8
	Nov 7-9, 2008	9
	Nov 14-16, 2008	9
	Nov 21-23, 2008	9

Weekend programs available for all units at Durland include orienteering, hiking our 16 miles of marked trails and, conditions permitting, snow shoeing and ice fishing. During warmer weather, Scout units with adults currently trained in Safety Afloat can use the canoes and kayaks. Both lakes on the reservation have excellent populations of largemouth bass.

Short Term Camping Application  [PDF, 35K]
View Current Reservations
Durland Scout Reservation Facilities
Read Scout Reservation Facilities

Durland Scout Reservation Needs A Few Good Adult Leaders To Serve As Campmasters
DUTIES INCLUDE:

-Friday 6:00 PM (or earlier) to Sunday 12:00 Noon
-Checking In Units as they arrive Friday night/Saturday Morning
-Checking Out Units Sunday morning
-Assisting Unit Leaders to help make their camping stay enjoyable
-Providing a visible presence to enhance observance of camp policies
-Running the Camp's Trading Post

CAMPMASTERS FACILITIES
Two bedrooms (in one bedroom: sleeping arrangements for two, in the other: sleeping arrangements for four); Kitchen; Living Room with wood stove, TV (DVD/ VCR & Satellite Dish); Shower.
FAMILIES ARE WELCOME

CAMPMASTERS VEHICLE IS PROVIDED

First time campmasters will receive an on-site walk-through of all procedures.

For more information contact Anthony Paterno
914-472-1508 - avpaternoaol.com

Unit Swimming at the White Plains YMCA
The Westchester-Putnam Council is continuing our arrangement with the White Plains Family YMCA to provide a location for evening unit swims for your Pack, Troop or Crew.

The Council is subsidizing the cost to allow your unit to swim for a low fee. The YMCA will provide lifeguards
• Tuesday Evenings
• Two Sessions: 7:00-8:00 PM and 8:00-9:00PM
• Maximum group size of 40 people
• Use of locker rooms is included

The Family YMCA is located at 250 Mamaroneck Avenue. Parking is available at the public garage on Maple Avenue.
Cost Per Hour: $15.00 per session up to 20 participants, $25.00 per session over 20 participants
For Reservations: Contact the camping office at the Council Service Center, camping or 914-773-1135 ext. 233
 

Important Information About Planning A Unit Event!
When a unit needs to use the facilities or property of another entity there is usually a written contract that spells out the duties and responsibilities of each party, along with a request for an insurance certificate. When the unit is planning an event, they should ask the other party for a copy of their contract or facility use agreement before negotiations begin. This should be forwarded to the Council office for review and signature. Unit representatives should not sign the contract. Upon approval, the signed contract will be sent back to the unit with the appropriate insurance certificate, if applicable. This is not something we are able to provide on a walk-in basis; your unit should plan ahead by at least two weeks time to have this process completed. Thank you for your understanding.

Policy on Scout Participation in Political Events
With the presidential election now upon us, it is a good time to restate the BSA’s long-standing policy regarding the participation of Scouts in political rallies and other political events.

Uniformed unit members and leaders may participate in flag ceremonies at political events and may lead the Pledge of Allegiance; however, they should retire after the ceremony and not remain on the speakers’ platform or in a conspicuous location where television viewers could construe their presence as an endorsement or symbol of support. In addition, photos of candidates or Scouts in uniform or BSA marks and logos are not allowed in political campaign materials of any kind.

Volunteers and professionals must be alert to situations that would imply that the BSA favors one candidate over another. Strict observance of our long-standing policy against the active participation of uniformed Scouts and leaders in political events is mandatory.

Westchester-Putnam Council accepts and adopts recommendations for the future of Scouting in our area
On June 12, 2006 the Executive Board unanimously adopted the 2006-2010 Strategic Plan as an outstanding roadmap for the Council to actively consider and present individually for implementation. The recommendations and goals of the plan are summarized below. For a complete report with detail from each study group, please contact Marc Andreo, Scout Executive, Westchester-Putnam Council, Boy Scouts of America, 41 Saw Mill River Road, Hawthorne, NY 10532.

Strategic Plan of the Westchester-Putnam Council, BSA 2006-2010  [PDF, 22K]

Make Sure Your Volunteers Are Registered!
When training entries are being made in the Westchester-Putnam Council’s records and in Scoutnet, the BSA national database, it is being discovered that there are many persons who are not registered in Scouting. While the training provides excellent preparation for adult leaders, the training cannot be recorded or acknowledged if you are not registered.

Additionally, when a volunteer is not registered they are not receiving the full benefits of service from the Westchester-Putnam Council. These benefits include, the Pathfinder and important communications on upcoming Council/District activities as well as notice for training opportunities. It is important that each adult who is working with young people be registered in Scouting and that their appropriate registration be the role that they primarily serve.

Please help us insure that all adults are registered. The quality delivery of Scouting is enhanced when this step is taken.

God and Country Awards for Protestant Youth
Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (PRAY) is a not-for-profit organization whose national board of directors includes representatives from Protestant and independent Christian churches and the national youth agencies including the Boy Scouts of America. PRAY is best known for the God and Country religious awards program. This program helps young people to develop a deeper relationship with God and to understand how God is active in their lives and in the world around them. It is a Christian education resource that uses Bible lessons paired with service projects to help young people not only to grow in Christian faith but to also express their faith by reaching out in love and in service to others. PRAY encourages families, youth agencies, and protestant congregations to use the God and Country series to foster spiritual growth in children, youth and families.

The God and Country series of programs and awards are available to youth whether or not they are involved in a Scouting program. 

The series is comprised of:
God and Me (grades 1-3) God and Family (grades 4-5) God and Church (grades 6-8) and God and Life (Grades 9-12) The God and Country program is recognized by over 20 different Protestant denominations and independent Christian churches.

Starting the Program is Easy!
• Order the appropriate program booklet based on your grade.
• Meet with the pastor of a church and show the pastor the God and Country booklet and then together choose a counselor.
• Present your work to the pastor for final approval. Order the recognition items by sending the application form to PRAY
• Plan a special ceremony in church to receive your award.

There are resources for promotion at the Unit level including brochures and a power point presentation. For further information about the God and Country program and additional resources please contact PRAY by calling 1-800-933-PRAY or by email at praypraypub.org.

Conservation Resource Guide
Conservation is a basic part of the BSA mission. Scouting embraces Leave No Trace, requires conservation-related activities for rank advancement, and encourages conservation service projects to the community. The new Conservation Resource Guide identifies Westchester-Putnam agencies engaged in nature and conservation activities. Organized by District, the Guide is intended to enable ‘one-stop’ access for any Westchester-Putnam Scouts and Scouters seeking sites for troop conservation projects, nature-related advancements, or outdoor activities (including William Hornaday Award, Leave No Trace Award, Boy Scout Rank Advancement Nature Requirements, and Eagle Service Projects).

Rockefeller State Park Preserve
Westchester-Putnam Council Webelos and Cub Scout dens are encouraged to contact Mike Rogers, Environmental Educator at the Rockefeller State Park Preserve, on Routes 117 and 9 in Tarrytown, to arrange visits to fulfill various Cub and Webelos rank requirements. He can be contacted at 914-631-1470, x14, or mark.rogersoprhp.state.ny.us. 

Mr. Rogers suggests that Boy Scouts who need to participate in approved Second Class, Star, Life and Eagle service projects should also contact him.

Unit Rechartering Now Available Online
Your unit can recharter on-line now. Please contact the council service center for your password.

On-line Rechartering

Invitation Methods for Cub Scouting
As leaders, you are Cub Scouting’s best sales force. This guidebook has been created to assist leaders by offering a series of quality invitations methods to reach each and every young man in our communities. Our goal is to give every boy in Westchester and Putnam Counties the opportunity to join Scouting. This collection of invitation ideas will help us ensure that no young man is left out of the fun and excitement of Cub Scouting, the opportunity to “Do His Best”, the opportunity to carve a pinewood derby car, to experience the thrill of attending the Thunderbird Games and the opportunity to build lasting friendship from his den and pack.

Invitation Methods for Cub Scouting  [PDF, 113K]

National Jewish Committee on Scouting Scholarship Awards
Chester M. Vernon Memorial Eagle Scout Scholarship Program. The recipient of the Chester M. Vernon Memorial Eagle Scout Scholarship will receive a $1,000 scholarship per year for four years. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.

Florence and Marvin Arkans Eagle Scout Scholarship Program. The recipient of this scholarship will receive a one-time $1,000 scholarship. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.

Frank L. Weil Memorial Eagle Scout Scholarship Program. The recipient of the Frank L. Weil Memorial Eagle Scout Scholarship will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Two second-place scholarship awards will be given in the amount of $500 each.

Gideon Elad Scholarship Program. The recipient of this scholarship will receive a one-time $1,000 scholarship.
 

Eligibility Requirements

Vernon, Arkans, and Weil Scholarships
The eligible applicant must:

• Be a registered, active member of a Boy Scout troop, Varsity Scout team or Venturing crew.
• Have received the Eagle Scout Award.
• Be an active member of a synagogue and must have received the Ner Tamid or Etz Chaim religious emblem.
• Have demonstrated practical citizenship in his synagogue, school, Scouting unit, and community.
• Be enrolled in an accredited high school and in his final year at the time of selection.
• Submit at least four letters of recommendation with the nomination application. One letter is required from leaders of each of the following groups: religious institution, school, community, and Scouting unit.

Gideon Elad Scholarship
The eligible applicant must:

• Be an active member of a Boy Scout troop or Varsity Scout team.
• Have received the Eagle Scout Award.
• Be an active member of a synagogue and have received the Ner Tamid or Etz Chaim religious emblem.
• Have demonstrated practical citizenship in his synagogue, school, Scouting unit, and community.
• Be enrolled in an accredited public high school and in his final year at the time of selection.
• Submit at least four letters of recommendation with the nomination application. One letter is required from leaders of each of the following groups: religious institution, school, community, and Scouting unit.
  
  

The National Jewish Committee on Scouting (NJCS) will award a national scholarship to the Eagle Scout who best meets the qualifications outlined in the nomination application. Applications are available at the Council Service Center.

Attention All Eagle Scout Candidates
Members of the Westchester-Putnam Council Executive Board would like to have representatives at as many Eagle ceremonies as possible. Therefore, please send an appropriate invitation to members of the Westchester-Putnam Council Executive Board to the attention of Marian Post @ Westchester-Putnam Council, B.S.A., 41 Saw Mill River Road, Hawthorne, NY 10532. Invitations/information received will be communicated to Executive Board members, and RSVP’s will be made if they plan to attend. Congratulations on the achievement of Scouting’s highest rank and best wishes for a wonderful ceremony and Eagle Scout presentation.