CURRENT NEWS

Revised NESA Scholarship Application - Due by Jan 31, 2009

Nov 20, 2008

The new version is the only application we will accept in 2009. Hard copies should be printed and mailed to the national office. Applications must be postmarked no later than midnight January 31, 2009.

NESA academic scholarship applicants must be Eagle Scouts graduating high school and entering college in the year for which they apply for a scholarship. Scholarships are awarded only to those who graduate from high school in the calendar year in which scholarships are presented.

To learn more about NESA Scholarship, and to download the revised form, visit the NESA Scholarships web page.

International Camp Staff Opportunities

Nov 20, 2008

Each year the Boy Scouts of America invites Scout leaders around the world, through their Scout associations, to participate in the International Camp Staff Program. Both male and female Scouters, ages 18 through 30, may apply.

Download the Brochure and Application.

2009 National Health/Science Exploring Conference (July 22-25, 2009)

Nov 20, 2008

Save the date ! - The 2009 National Health/Science Exploring Conference will be held at the national Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD on July 22-25, 2009. More information will be provided in early 2009. If you have questions, please contact: Peggy Chestnutt, Learning for Life, (972) 580-2428 or

2009 FOS Special Issue CSP

Oct 22, 2008

A special Friends of Scouting CSP has been released for 2009. This will be a "last of series" of special CSPs for contributors or $100.00 to the Friends Of Scouting campaign.   See your unit's FOS Chairman for more information about support Scouting in the Hawk Mountain Council.

Click HERE to view the details

Venturing Administration Conference - Mar 2-6, 2009 - Florida Seabase

October 17, 2008

Venturing leaders will have the opportunity to attend a training conference at the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base the week of March 2–6, 2009. Two courses will be offered—one for volunteers and one for professionals. Both courses will deal with the administration of Venturing on both the district and council levels. Conference topics will include how to conduct a crew open house, new crew training, Venturing leadership training, Venturing advancement, and how to plan and run an exciting program for teens.

Click HERE to download the Conference Information & Signup

2009 Boy Scout Leader Training Conference - Jan 11-17, 2009 - Florida Seabase

August 11, 2008

Leaders - Come escape the cold winter weather for a week in the Florida Keys!

Boy Scout leaders will have the opportunity to attend a Philmont-style training conference at the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base the week of January 11–17, 2009. Each conference will be staffed by experienced, informed Scouters. The conference schedule includes ample time to enjoy the mild climate and natural beauty of the Florida Keys.

Courses include: "Strictly for Scoutmasters"; "Boy Scout Advancement"; "Webelos to First Class"; and "Geocache and Scouting".

Click HERE to download the Conference Information

Spread Scouting's Message Through Your Club or Community Group

October 7, 2008

The Council’s Communications and Marketing Committee has available (for your service clubs and community groups) speakers to present information about the B.S.A.’s past, present and future!

With Scouting’s 100th Anniversary just 2 years from now, it is a good time to share what Scouting has done and is doing to help young people “be prepared.” For more information please contact Sally Trump at the Hawk Mountain Council, Beaver Family Service Center at 610-926-3406.

THE 2008 OFFICIAL SCOUT UNIFORM

August 1, 2008

A newly designed Scout uniform is coming this month. From the internet please go to http://bsauniforms.org.  You will be directed to a site in scoutingstuff.org where you will learn more about the uniform. Click on the "Uniforms Details" button on that page to learn more.

Volunteer Criminal Background Checks

May 5, 2008

As dedicated BSA volunteers, you understand the importance of keeping our youth safe in the Scouting program. To ensure Youth Protection, our organization has conducted criminal background checks on all new volunteers since April 2003. Because some volunteers have been continually registered in the program before April 2003, some have not had a criminal background check. In the next few months, we will be communicating with those volunteers on this issue.

Volunteers who have not had a background check will receive a letter from our Chief Scout Executive, Bob Mazzuca, recognizing them as valued volunteers and explaining the need for criminal background checks and our continued youth protection efforts. The letter will explain the need for consent to conduct a criminal background check and direct volunteers to a new web site, http://www.bsacbc.org (which will only be active from June 1 to August 1, 2008), where volunteers can authorize and provide information needed to conduct a CBC.

Camping - Bear Awareness and Safety

April 29, 2008

Spring and its associated camping season are in full swing. In discussions at the Regional Office, it was felt that the article published by the PA Game Commission on bear awareness and safety was well written and relevant for all Scout camps and/or units camping where bears may be present, and should be shared with all units.  For the full article, read Advice On How To Avoid Attracting Bears.

BSA Local Tour Permit Form Revised

April 29, 2008

There is a new printing of the BSA Local Tour Permit.  Please be sure you are using the most current version of the form when you are submitting trip information to the Council Service Center. The newest form is BSA Form #34426 - Revised 2007 - 2008 Printing.

For complete information about Tour Permits and filing requirements, consult the Hawk Mountain Council Tour Permit Policy.  For more general information on safe Scouting, consult the National BSA Scouting Safely web pages.

Roll Call: The National Eagle Scout Registry Project - FAQ

April 25, 2008

Click to read the Frequently Asked Questions about the NESA National Eagle Scout Registry Project.

NESA, the National Eagle Scout Association, is in the process of trying to find all Eagle Scouts.  Part of their effort is to create a National Eagle Scouts Directory.  They have contracted with Harris Connect to do so.  This FAQ will answer many questions about the directory, how NESA will benefits, how Eagle Scouts will benefit, and the process and schedule for the creation of the directory.

I.R.S. Form 990-N and Tax Exempt Status

April 10, 2008

Click to read a letter from the National BSA Office relating to IRS Form 990-N as pertains to Scout units.

NEW - Camp Promotional Videos Now Available On Our Site !

The new Camp Promotional Videos for Cub Scout Camping and Boy Scout Camping at Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation have been added to the hmsr.org web site.  Check them out ! 

NOTE: Revised and updated for the 2009 Camping Year Promotions!

Click a link below to go right to the video:

          Cub Scout Camp Promotional Video          Boy Scout Camp Promotional Video

Eagle Scout Application Changes

The new printing of the Eagle Scout Rank Application, No. 58-728, has a notable change. Now, under Requirement 5, the name of the candidate's Eagle project is required, as well as the grand total of hours devoted to it (from page 10 of the Eagle Scout Leadership Project Workbook). The new application will be required beginning May 1, 2008.

The information about Eagle projects will be entered along with other information from Eagle Scout rank applications, and will be stored on our database and accessed through PAS. Councils will be able to run reports at the district or council level. This new database of Eagle projects will also be available at area, region, and national levels.

MyScouting Portal - Web Services for Scouters

"MyScouting" will be the portal for our members that will provide access to the following resources: E-Learning - which includes Youth Protection Training; Fast Start for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers; Health Safety Training including Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat, Staffing the District Committee, and Boy Scout Committee Challenge. Additional trainings will be added in the future.

Internet Recharter, the annual process of registering all youth and adults will be accessed thru "MyScouting" in 2008.

Internet Advancement will be accessed thru MyScouting in the near future.

Additional resources will be added at a later date.

Click on the MyScouting Logo to set up your account.

National Supply Group Product Recall

The Boy Scouts of America has directed all of its Scout Shops and all retailers who sell the Cub Scout Immediate Recognition Kit (#01804) to remove it from their shelves immediately. We are requesting anyone who may have received the totem badge from this kit to remove it from their children’s possession and, until further instructions are received, keep it in a safe place where only adults will have access to them. Units that have purchased the kits may return them to the Council Service Center. Our highest priority is the safety of our youth members and their families. Boy Scouts of America apologizes for any concern this matter causes parents. BSA is doing everything we can to ensure the health and safety of all those who participate in our programs.  Click HERE to read the recall notice.