Welcome to the homepage of the Long Cane District | Blue Ridge Council

IMPORTANT NOTICE --- EVENT SCHEDULES CHANGE !!!

Please be aware that due to a conflict in scheduling by the Blue Ridge Council, et. al.; there have been some re-scheduling of events by this district and the Blue Ridge Council. The District Pinewood Derby, which was scheduled for Saturday, February 27, 2010 will N-O-W be held the previous Saturday, on February 20, 2010.

The "Clemson - Carolina" Sports Clinic, which was originally scheduled to be conducted on Saturday, February 20, 2010 will N-O-W be offered earlier on either February 13, 2010 for those attending the Carolina Sports Clinic -or- February 27, 2010 for those attending the Clemson Sports Clinic. We apologize for any inconvenience that this re-scheduling of events may have caused. For additional information, contact a member of the Key Three (see telephone numbers below).

NEW SQUARE KNOT ISSUED FOR UNIT LEADERS

The New Unit Leader Award of Merit square knot, which replaces the Scoutmaster's Award of Merit square knot. (c) Copyright 2010. Boy Scouts of America. All Rights Reserved. Image used courtesy of the BSA. Unit Leaders (Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Varsity Leaders, Venture Crew Leaders, Explorer Post Advisors, and Ship Skippers) now have the opportunity to earn special recognition for their leadership positions with a new square knot; which replaces the AWARD OF MERIT square knot. For additional details, visit http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-003_WB.pdf

2009 CENTENNIAL QUALITY UNIT AWARDS

It is time once again to complete the Centennial Quality Unit Award application form for your Cub Scout Pack, Boy Scout Troop, Varsity Team, Venture Crew, or Explorer Post for the 2009 Scouting year. The award, which is now available for the National Scout Shop at the Blue Ridge Council's Service Center in Mauldin (and also available at www.scoutstuff.org/) can be purchased for uniform wear for those units that meet the requirements of this award. The application for the award can be found here. Fill it out and give to your Unit Commissioner or a member of the Key Three (Andrew Reale, Isaac Shaffer, or Gary Stratton) as soon as possible.

TRAINER'S EDGE - SPECIAL CONFERENCE FOR DISTRICT TRAINING TEAM

There will be a very special one-day training opportunity and conference especially designed for members of the Blue Ridge Council and District Training Teams! This training is "brand-new" and uses the E-D-G-E method of instruction.

If you are a member of either the Long Cane District Training team, or a member of the Blue Ridge Council Training Team; then THIS training conference is just for you! The day for this special training conference is set for Saturday, February 20, 2010. The cost is only $3 per participant covers course materials. You may desire to bring a sack lunch. Nearby restaurants offer an alternative to the "brown bag" lunch idea! More more information, contact Matt Kubler at the Blue Ridge Council's Service Center.

NEWS FLASH !!! NEWS FLASH !!! NEWS FLASH !!!

The Newest Training course for all volunteers, "This is Scouting," (replaces New Leader Essentials) is now available on the E-Learning center on http://www.MyScouting.org/

New Policies

Tour Permits are now available on-line at the National Website (www.scouting.org) through your MyScouting account. We encourage you to use this new method for submitting Tour Permits.

Also, the National Office has put into place a new Annual Health and Medical Record. This one health and medical record replaces the Class 1, 2, and 3 forms which will be phased out in 2009. We encourage you to begin using this form now, but you will be required to use the new form effective January 1, 2010. You will also need this form for the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. You can download the form here.

DISTRICT LEADERSHIP CONTACT INFORMATION

Andrew Reale, District Executive

554-3393

Isaac Shaffer, District Chairman

227-0002

Gary Stratton, District Commissioner

223-2013

Dale Moseley, Assistant District Commissioner

227-8464

Michael Kirby, Activities/Civic-Events Committee Chairman

(864) 221-2998

Jay Pendergrass, Eagle Board of Review & Advancement Committee Chair

223-9262

Chris Dunford, District Popcorn Fundraiser Chairman

227-9158

Tim Sanders, Camporee Committee Chairman

344-1415

Richard Turner, OA Machtagen Tulpe Chapter Advisor

554-5543

Debbie Holder, Cub Scout Day Camp Director

not listed

Debbie Turner, Cub Scout Day Camp Program Director

543-5386

CHANGES IN THE COUNCIL / DISTRICT CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Please notice that there have been several changes in the various activities, events, training sessions, and meetings of BOTH the Blue Ridge Council and the Long Cane District.

It would be suggested that you keep checking the CALENDAR OF EVENTS webpage of this district website (http://www.longcanescouting.org/html/calendar/calendar.htm) to see what events, activities, meetings, and training sessions have been changed or cancelled.

The Calendar is divided in to several sections, one dealing with just District Training Sessions/Events; another deals with all of the Council Events; and the third section comprises all of the various activities, events, and meetings held in the Long Cane District.

If you notice any incompleteness or inconsistency, please notify the webmaster immediately so that Dale can make the necessary changes to the webpage!

NEW AWARD: UNIT LEADER AWARD OF MERIT

Attention all Unit Leaders! There is a brand-new recognition award JUST FOR YOU!

Quality unit leadership is the key to a quality unit program—and it leads to better Scout retention. Statistics show that if young people stay engaged in the program for at least five years, the BSA’s influence likely will stay with them for the rest of their lives. A quality Scouting experience will help keep Scouts in the program, and the Boy Scouts of America created the Unit Leader Award of Merit to recognize the quality unit leaders who make that happen.

The Unit Leader Award of Merit replaces the Scoutmaster Award of Merit, the Varsity Team Coach Award of Merit, and the Venturing Crew Advisor's Award of Merit programs. This new recognition has revised requirements and may be earned by Cubmasters as well.

Requirements

The nominee must:

Be a currently registered Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Coach, or Advisor who has served in that position at least 18 continuous months.
Meet the training requirements for the registered position.
Distribute a printed or electronic annual unit program plan and calendar to each family in the unit.
Have a leader succession plan in place.
Effectively use the advancement method so that at least 60 percent of the unit’s youth have advanced at least once during the last 12 months.
Cultivate a positive relationship with the chartered organization.
Project a positive image of Scouting in the community.

Nomination Procedure

The unit committee chairman completes the Unit Leader Award of Merit Nomination Form on behalf of the unit committee. Nominations for a Scoutmaster or crew Advisor must also include endorsement from the senior patrol leader or crew president.
The unit or district commissioner certifies that the form is complete.
The unit submits the nomination form to the council for approval by the Scout executive and council commissioner or president.

The Award

Upon receipt of the approved nomination form, the council may present the Unit Leader Award of Merit, which includes a certificate, square knot with the appropriate device, and a gold-bordered unit leader emblem. Recognition of this achievement may be presented at appropriate district or council events, such as district or council leader recognition dinners, training events, and board meetings.

The award may be presented for each program, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity, and Venturing, if the individual meets the requirements in each program. Only one knot is worn with the devices of each program that the award was earned in.

2009 - 2010 DISTRICT AND COUNCIL TRAINING DATES

January 23, 2010

Boy Scout Leader Specific Training (Indoor Session). Blue Ridge Council Service Center, Mauldin, SC. Registration Fee: $7 per participant. Registration begins at 8:30 am and class begins at 9:00 am. For additional details, please visit http://www.blueridgecouncil.org/brcic/resources/13/Boy%20Scout%20Leader%20Specific 20Training%20Flyer.pdf.

February 20, 2010

Trainer's Edge. Use to be known as "Train The Trainer" and "Trainer Development Conference." Required training session for all District/Council Training Team members, to be held at the Blue Ridge Council Service Center. One Day Training. Registration Fee is $3 per participant. The Trainer's Edge program is for those who are on the District or Council Training Team and need to be certified as a Trainer to help teach programs at the District or Council level.

March 13, 2010

CPR Saturday. A One-Day session with various locations in Abbeville and Greenwood Counties. For those who need to know CPR. Completion of the session will certify you in Basic Red-Cross CPR. More information will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

March 19 - 21, 2010

Boy Scout Outdoor Leadership Skills Instruction (Outdoor Session). Conducted at Camp Old Indian. For more information, visit the Council website at http://www.blueridgecouncil.org/brcic/resources/13/BS%20outdoor%20March%202009.pdf. Cost is $40 per participant.

BRING: Mess Kit with cup and utensils, Sleeping bag, Bed pad, Clothing for two overnights, Scout Handbook, Flash Light, Rain gear, and Scout Spirit. (Check Scout handbook for a complete list of necessary camping equipment)

This course is intended for every adult leader in every Boy Scout Troop. It is designed to provide a working knowledge of the basic outdoor skills necessary to succeed as a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster. Outdoor skills are critical to the success of the Scouting program, and Outdoor Leader Skills will provide leaders with the basic outdoor skills information needed to start or maintain a quality program.

Outdoor Leader Skills is the required outdoor training for all Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, and Varsity Coaches. The skills taught are based on the outdoor skills found in The Boy Scout Handbook. The course is also ideal for Venturing leaders because it focuses on skills that build confidence and competence in leaders conducting outdoor camping experiences.

April 17, 2010

BALOO Training for Cub Scout Leaders/Packs. BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation) is a one-day training session held at Camp Old Indian twice a year (one in the spring, the other in August). It is required that every registered Cub Scout Pack have at least ONE person in the pack who is BALOO-trained. The BSA prefers that the BALOO-trained individual NOT be the Cubmaster. The Registration fee is usually $15 and covers materials, breakfast, lunch, and a snack. Bring notebook/pad, pen/pencil and something to drink. Dress accordingly to the weather (which may be cold and rainy). Training is usually held in the Camp's Dining Hall facility.

April 17, 2010

Webelos Training. Use to be called "Webelos Outdoor Leader training, and "OWL" training (Outdoor Webelos Leader) training. Training especially designed for the Webelos or Assistant Webelos Den Leader. Held at Camp Old Indian. Registration Fee is usually $15 per participant and covers a breakfast, materials, handouts, and a lunch/snack. Bring notebook/pad, pen/pencil and something to drink. Dress accordingly to the weather (which may be cold and rainy). This training will most likely be taught in the great outdoors.

August 21, 2010