To our Scouting community, 

In Scouting, we vow to help other people at all times. Now, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, our Scouting community must do its part to slow the spread of the virus, which will save lives and avoid overwhelming our local healthcare infrastructure. 

The safety of Scouts, volunteers, employees and our communities is our top priority.  

With safety in mind and based on guidance from national health officials, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is strongly advising that in-person meetings, activities, events and gatherings of 10 or more people be suspended through the end of March. Please also follow any restrictions outlined by your state and local health department or other state and local authorities. This applies to youth and adults out of an abundance of caution.  

In accordance with national guidelines, please focus on the following through the end of March: 

• Avoid in-person gatherings; instead, utilize available digital and online resources, such as video conferencing, to continue Scouting meetings, projects and advancement, adhering to the current youth protection guidelines already in place for digital communications. 
  

• If you must meet, limit participants to fewer than 10 people and remain at least six feet apart.
  

• Follow BSA blogs and social channels, as well as #ScoutingAtHome, for great examples and ideas of how to continue Scouting. 
  

• If you or any member of your family feel sick, DO NOT go into the office or attend any gatherings. Contact your health professional to get care and notify your supervisor so they can take the appropriate measures while you focus on recuperating.  
  

We will continue to evaluate the ongoing situation and prioritize the safety of everyone involved in Scouting – youth, families, volunteers, employees and our communities – is our number one priority. 

We realize these decisions are not without their challenges, and we thank you for helping meet the needs of our communities in difficult times.  

The steps we are taking reinforce the many ways – big and small – that Scouting empowers character and leadership today and for generations to come.  

Yours in Scouting, 

Fellow Scouters,

Nominate Your Outstanding Sapona District Scout Leaders and Volunteers!

Each Year the Sapona District BSA is proud to honor our outstanding unit leaders and volunteers. We are currently seeking your nominations for the various awards and recognitions. Attached please find a nomination form for unit level awards plus a form for the District Award of Merit. Please take time now to identify and nominate your leaders for outstanding service during 2019. The deadline for submitting nominations is February 11, 2020 at the monthly roundtable gathering. In the interim, submit all; nominations to our District Executive Dieter Stoelting in person or by email. Forms are listed below.

RECOGNITION BANQUET: The 2019 award winners will be recognized at our Adult Leadership Recognition Banquet in March. The date will be Sunday March 15 at the First Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in downtown Salisbury. Note that this year’s event will be somewhat different than in the past. The date is a Sunday evening beginning at 6:30. Instead of a catered meal we are suggesting a potluck meal where all attendees bring enough food for themselves and two others. We are soliciting sponsors to cover other expenses related to the banquet including Eagle Scout Recognition. Under this new format there will be no charge to attend the banquet but we will need attendees to register (online registration will be available in the very near future.). If you are interested in being an event sponsor or know someone who is willing please let us know. Our goal is $500 total..

EAGLE SCOUTS: As in the past we will recognize our 33 outstanding Eagle Scouts for 2019 at the banquet. Scoutmasters please notify your 2019 Eagle Scouts of this opportunity and encourage them and their families to attend.

Please register as adult leader or 2019 Eagle Scout. No charge to attend but please bring food to share in potluck dinner . Registration open until March 13.

Please make plans now to participate and please nominate your outstanding leaders. If you have any questions or wish to be involved in the Recognition Banquet planning process please let Dieter or the District Committee know.

Yours in scouting,

Marny Hendrick marny@mindspring.com

Linda Bowman scout.bowman@yahoo.com

This free solution will replace the current Internet Advancement platform, which will be retired.

Scoutbook Lite will feature a slick new user interface. It will be optimized to whatever device you use: desktop, tablet or smartphone.

Once Scoutbook Lite is released, the Scoutbook database will become the official record of advancement for the BSA.

Scoutbook Lite, as you might guess, comes from the team behind Scoutbook, the BSA’s advancement-tracking web app that has more than 1 million users. The Lite version of Scoutbook will incorporate key elements of the paid version.

Even after Scoutbook Lite is released, the Scoutbook team will continue to work on and improve Scoutbook as the full-featured application. That means you can expect frequent exciting updates.

Scoutbook Lite will offer optimized functions for almost everything found in the current Internet Advancement platform.

I say almost, because one feature won’t be making the leap to Scoutbook Lite. The system will no longer support the CSV data file import.

The BSA found that less than 10 percent of units used this feature in Internet Advancement. The team focused instead on tools that more Scouters need and want.

As Steve Jobs used to say, there’s “one more thing.”

Scouters experienced in the development of apps or web platforms will be excited to learn that the BSA will roll out a number of APIs (application programming interfaces).

The BSA will release a selection of specific, read-only APIs to Scouting volunteers in the first half of 2018. There are no current plans to roll out APIs to third parties.

The BSA Launches Historic ‘Scout Me In’ Campaign Inviting Girls and Boys to Experience Adventures Through a Cub Scout’s Point of View

Irving, Texas – May 2, 2018 – The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) made history today by unveiling the new Scout Me In campaign that features girls, as well as boys, in its iconic Cub Scout program for the first time. Starting this summer, all kids are invited to say, “Scout Me In,” as they join the fun, adventure and character-building opportunities found in Cub Scouts. The campaign presents an energizing Scouting experience that speaks to kids by putting them in the middle of the action. It also engages parents who are looking for ways to make the most of the time they have with their kids and help them to be Prepared. For Life.

The Scout Me In creative shifts the perspective by showing what it’s like to be a Scout from a kid’s point of view. Instead of simply showing Scouts participating in activities, the campaign brings the young viewer into the middle of the action – from fishing, biking and canoeing to launching rockets and making slime – where they get even closer to the experiences that Scouting brings to life.

“Cub Scouts is a lot of fun, and now it’s available to all kids,” said Stephen Medlicott, National Marketing Group Director of Boy Scouts of America. “That’s why we love ‘Scout Me In’ – because it speaks to girls and boys and tells them, ‘This is for you. We want you to join!’”

The Scout Me In campaign celebrates the BSA’s expansion to serve families and welcome girls and boys into Scouting in communities across the country. It reinforces that the mission and core values in the Scout Oath and Scout Law are welcoming, inclusive and foundational for both young men and women. Since announcing the BSA’s historic decision to welcome girls into Scouting, more than 3,000 girls across the nation have already enrolled in the BSA’s Early Adopter Program and are participating in Cub Scouts ahead of the full launch later this year.

“As we enter a new era for our organization, it is important that all youth can see themselves in Scouting in every way possible. That is why it is important that the name for our Scouting program for older youth remain consistent with the single name approach used for the Cub Scouts,” said Michael Surbaugh, Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America. “Starting in February 2019, the name of the older youth program will be ‘Scouts BSA,’ and the name of our iconic organization will continue to be Boy Scouts of America.”

The new Scout Me In recruitment campaign and creative approach was created by award-winning Dallas agency Johnson & Sekin, who also led efforts in the naming process supporting Scouts BSA. The Cub Scout and Scouts BSA program launch, led by Golin, will encompass a fully integrated strategy that spans paid, owned and earned channels.

“Scouting is deeply woven into the fabric of American life,” said Chris Sekin, Managing Partner of Johnson & Sekin. “It is a privilege to work with the organization to usher in its newest era that now includes all of our country’s youth and families.”

“We are excited to partner with the BSA to expand its impactful programs that are relevant to all families,” said Caroline Dettman, Golin’s Chief Creative and Community Officer. “We are thrilled that the mission and goal of the BSA’s programs to instill character and leadership is now a powerful promise for boys and girls alike.”

About the Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®” The Scouting organization is composed of nearly 2.3 million youth members between the ages of 5 and 21 and approximately 960,000 volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, please visit www.scouting.org.

BSA Today

• Cubmaster of the Year  82-85, 89, 2000, 02, 03, 04, 06, 07, 08
• Assistant Cubmaster of the Year (If Awarded) Before 1992, 94-2008
• Den Leader Of the Year 89, 97, 98, 2000
• Webelos Leader of the Year 85, 89, 91, 97, 98, 2000, 02, 03, 04
• Tiger Leader of the Year 1988-2014
• Scoutmaster of the Year 97, 99, 2000, 03, 04, 07
• Assistant Scoutmaster of the Year 89, 91, 97, 98, 2000, 02, 03, 04, 06, 07
• Venturing Adviser of Year All Years
• Assistant Adviser of Year All Years
• Female Scouter of the Year 89, 91, 94-2000
• Male Scouter of the Year 89, 91, 94-2000, 02, 03, 04
• District Award of Merit 81-86, 89, 97, 2000, 02, 03, 04, 06, 07, 08, 11, 12, 14

This was done for several reasons:

1.  To encourage each Scouting Unit in Sapona District to be aware of and implement the JTE program as a means of strengthening their unit finance, programming, membership and service;

2.  To ensure all Scout Units in each BSA program are measured against consistent standards and measured against their own unit’s previous year’s results to drive continuous improvement;

3.  To eliminate any advantages of larger units versus smaller units and/or new units versus longer tenured units; and

4.  To ensure all units have equal access to the information and standards of our Sapona District  & BSA Recognition.

JTE Scoring is done by each Scout Unit’s leadership and committee with assistance by their Unit Commissioner.  The JTE  Scorecard is turned in with your Unit’s annual re-charter in December.

The Sapona District Cups will be awarded annually utilizing the highest Unit JTE Scores for each Scouting program.  In the event of a tie between two units within the same Scouting program, the tie-breaker for that  program’s Sapona Cup Award will be presented to the unit with the highest percentage of Adult Scouters (all or any registered unit leader-i.e. Scoutmasters & Assistants, Cubmasters & Assistants, Den Leaders, Crew Advisors, Post Advisor, Unit Committee Members & Chartered Partner Representative) who have completed their role specific training. 

Additional resources can be found on the www.Scouting.org website and by clicking on this link to the Journey to Excellence landing page on Scouting.org: https://www.scouting.org/awards/journey-to-excellence/ .  Please be sure to use the Guidebook for your Unit’s Scouting program which are available by clicking on this Scouting.org link: https://www.scouting.org/awards/journey-to-excellence/guidebooks/

Be prepared to spend less time filling out forms and more time having fun.

The Boy Scouts of America has eliminated its Tour and Activity Plan, shifting the focus away from paperwork and toward creating a safe space for Scouts to enjoy the program as designed.

The Tour and Activity Plan was a two-page document submitted to your local council for approval at least 21 days before longer trips. As of April 1, 2017, it is no more.

Richard Bourlon, team leader for Health and Safety, encourages unit leaders to instead use a “flexible risk-assessment strategy” when planning outings.

“We looked at how the old plan was being used, how many people were using it, how many calls we received about it, and how much time this took staff and volunteers, versus the return – did it create a safer environment?” Bourlon says. “There wasn’t a correlation, so we’re giving them that time back.”

What’s replacing the Tour and Activity Plan?

The old method: One adult leader filled out the form and submitted it to his or her council.

The new method: Have a plan. Get everyone on the same page. For Cub Scouts, that means the pack leadership. For other units, that means adult leaders work with Scouts/Venturers to plan a trip that’s safe, fun and engaging. No forms required.

“Getting everyone on the same page is a beautiful thing,” Bourlon says. “And then we also know you are using a handbook or other program literature consistent with BSA rules, regulations and policies.”

Going to do an activity that supports Scouting’s values but isn’t in any book? Consult the flexible risk-assessment tools in the Guide to Safe Scouting and the Enterprise Risk Management Guidebook when planning.

This change has added significance in Boy Scouting, Sea Scouting, Varsity and Venturing, where older youth should be doing most of the planning anyway.

“Before, this was only available to adults,” Bourlon says. “Our materials are now publicly accessible and appropriate for youth to use.”

What about Tour Permits?

Though you might find some still floating around, tour permits (local and national) were eliminated in March 2011 and were superseded by tour plans — and then by the Tour and Activity Plan in 2012.

All have now been eliminated.

How does insurance work in the post-Tour and Activity Plan world?

The Tour and Activity Plan wasn’t a determining factor in insurance coverage. (Neither, by the way, is wearing a uniform. You’re covered whether in or out of uniform.)

Registered volunteers have primary coverage for official Scouting activities, and nonregistered volunteers are provided excess coverage for official activities.

If an automobile or watercraft is used, the BSA provides additional excess auto coverage.

To be official, the activity should be consistent with the values, Charter and Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, the operations manuals, and applicable literature of the Boy Scouts of America.

Do I need to file any forms or notify the council of any trip we take?

No. But you should use the BSA planning tools available here. In most cases, this doesn’t include forms to complete and submit. These tools are meant to prompt discussions and conversations about risks.

What about Exploring?

The manual process Learning for Life and Exploring used in the past for outing permits is discontinued, too.

How does this change affect the safety of BSA outings?

It doesn’t. The Scouting program, as contained in our handbooks and literature, integrates many safety features. But no policy or form will replace the review and vigilance of trusted adults and leaders at the point of program execution.

Moreover, the program hasn’t changed. For example, parents still must give permission for leaders to take youth on a trip. Cub Scouts should only camp at council-approved locations. Etc.

Where can I find more information about BSA Health and Safety?

As always, this page is your best source.