CURRENT NEWS
 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.
 Field &
Stream Heroes of Conservation Award 2008
March 11, 2008
Field & Stream magazine is looking to honor the conservation efforts of Boy Scouts across the
country. Through their Heroes of Conservation program, Field & Stream profiles the grassroots efforts of everyday
outdoorsman and women to preserve our natural resources.
If you or your troop has performed any conservation work this past year, please fill out the
nomination form
and send it in. The editors of Field & Stream will select three scouts and feature them in the magazine and one
Boy Scout will win the Boy Scout of the Year Award, presented at the Heroes of Conservation Awards Gala in
New York City this September.
Deadline for entry is June 1.
BSA Policy on Political Events Participation
February 28, 2008
Since we are in a presidential election year, 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. View the February 28, 2008 Policy on Political Event
Participation memorandum from the National Marketing and Communications Division Director.
Boy Scout Rank Requirement Changes for 2008
February 27, 2008
There have been changes and additions to the requirements for Boy Scouts rank
advancement. Changes have been made to Tenderfoot requirements 9b and 12a,
and new requirements have been added to Second Class requirement 8b, and First
Class requirement 12. The 2008 Edition of the Boy Scout Handbook
and Requirements Book reflects these changes. Click
HERE to learn more about the changes.
 Venturing Leaders - Powder Horn Training
February 28, 2008
Powder Horn - An intense, hands-on, Venturing Advisor and Boy Scout Leader High
Adventure Resource Course, will be run by PA Dutch Council and Chester County Council on August 15-17
and September 5-7 at Bashore Scout Reservation.
The course is designed to expose all adults involved in Venturing or Scouting
at any level to activities and resources necessary to operate a challenging and
successful Venturing or Scouting program:
- Help Venturing Leaders and Scouters to safely conduct outdoor activities of a fun and challenging nature.
- Provides an introduction to the resources necessary to successfully lead their Venturers through a program of high adventure.
- Familiarizes the Advisor with the Ranger program so that he or she can help the Venturer to meet the requirements of the Ranger Award.
To learn more, click to view the
Powder Horn Course
Brochure.
 Enter the 10th Anniversary of Venturing Photo Contest
February 28, 2008
What images do you think best reflect the essence of Venturing? Capture them with your camera and
then enter your favorite photographs in the “Venturing 10th Anniversary” photo contest. The contest is
open to all registered youth members of the Venturing program. Photos will be judged in four
categories: Wildlife, People, Spirit of Venturing, and Spirit of Patriotism.
Click on the contest logo to read the full details of the contest and how to
enter.
 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 !
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.
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