Important Update on COVID-19

Hawk Mountain Council, BSA & the National BSA Statement on Covid-19 – Reaffirmed February 2022

Dear Scouts, Leaders, and Supporters,

The safety of our Scouts, volunteers, employees, and communities continues to be our top priority.  We must continue our vigilance to assure that youth and their families are safe while they enjoy the many benefits of Scouting.

We continue to follow the guidance from expert agencies and follow the measures that have become second nature to many – hand hygiene, masks, distancing, meeting in cohorts and remaining at home if you have symptoms or feel bad.

We encourage everyone to consult with their physician and get vaccinated. It is our best hope for returning to normalcy in our Scouting family.

The critical need of today is for all to understand the rationale for our caution and actions. Because of the pandemic, fewer youth have joined our Movement. To welcome new members and their families, we must demonstrate that we are safe and are concerned with the health of all. The success of the Scouting program depends on conducting regular meetings and activities in a safe and responsible way.

All units must follow their Charter Partners guidelines as it relates to any meeting requirements inside and outside their meeting facility. As always, please be mindful of the Scout Oath and Law as we continue to navigate a safe return to the activities we enjoy.

Hawk Mountain Council encourages you to review the COVID-19 FAQ by the National BSA for additional guidance on In-Person Unit Activities and Advancement. Also, we encourage you to review the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on current practices related to Covid-19.

Submit PA Background Checks and Waivers

Steps to Submitting Your Background Checks and Waivers:

Complete your background checks
Submit your certifications using one of the following methods
1. Preferred Method: If you are a Currently Registered Adult Volunteer updating a clearance, please use our new Clearance Management Portal to upload directly to your profile at https://hmcbsa.act15pa.com or by clicking on the Submit Now button below. Directions for Accessing the PA Clearance Portal.
2. Mail a copy of the certifications to Hawk Mountain Council, Background Checks, 5027 Pottsville Pike, Reading PA 19605.
3. Bring a copy of the certificates to the Council Service Center. We will be glad to make copies and return your original documents.
4. Email a scan or a picture of the documents to [email protected].

IMPORTANT: If you are Registering For The First Time with the Hawk Mountain Council, all clearances and documents will need to be mailed, brought to the Council Service Center, or emailed to [email protected].

A staff member will review your documents within three business days. You will receive an email message from the Council Service Center letting you know the clearances were updated or if additional information is needed.

Additional Information:

Once you receive your certifications for the background checks, please be sure to make several copies of each. Background Checks are good for five years, and other youth-serving organizations you are affiliated with may need them.
Hold onto the originals and make additional copies as needed. Pennsylvania waives the fee for the background checks once every 57 months. If you lose the copies before then, you will need to pay to receive a new set.
Determine who else needs a copy. As per the PA State law, Hawk Mountain Council is required to have a copy on file. Your chartering organization or your unit may also require you to provide them with a copy. Your unit leadership can assist you with this.
Hawk Mountain Council will provide periodic updates to units on Background Check statuses. A unit may also establish policies or procedures for unit volunteers to submit clearances.

Frequently Asked Questions

2022 Fall Product Sale

Welcome to the Hawk Mountain Council’s 2022 Fall Product Sale! This year we will sell tasty popcorn from Pecatonica River Popcorn and delicious nuts from Whitley’s Peanut Factory. We are glad to support the fundraising efforts of our units. Here are some of the benefits of the Product Sale:

No upfront costs: Units keep their commissions. Payment is due to Council by November 30, 2022.
Turnkey program: Training, order forms, marketing materials, online ordering, Scout prize program, and other resources are provided free of charge.
Proven product quality: Pecatonica River and Whitley’s provide superior, high-quality products. Remember, however, we are really selling Scouting adventures – popcorn and nuts are the thank you gift.
Teaches life lessons: Earning your own way, salesmanship, confidence, financial responsibility, and leadership are a few of the lessons that our Scouts learn by participating in the Product Sale. This fundraiser also provides opportunities for Scouts to earn advancements and merit badges.
Support: The Council Product Sale team, made up of volunteers and staff, is ready to assist your unit with a successful fundraiser.
Over 70% goes to local Scouting: Not only does your unit raise the money it needs to fund its program, but a portion of the proceeds benefits the Council. The Council portion helps us serve volunteer leaders and Scouts by providing better programs, training, and camping facilities.

Sign up for the sale here.

New for 2022 – Race to the Finish!

Help us Race to the Finish line for online popcorn sales! Scouts who sell popcorn online at https://prpopcornstore.com/ will earn a ticket for every $100 in online popcorn sales that they make between August 1, 2022 and October 23, 2022. On October 24, 2022, we will draw a ticket and the winning Scout will receive a $50 Amazon gift card. Reach out to family and friends that live outside our area and ask them to help support your Scouting adventures. Let’s Race to the Finish line!

Key Dates:

October 12-13 – Show & Sell Returns at Council Service Center
October 18 – Take Order, Prizes, Special Incentives, and 1st Payment Due
October 24 – Race to the Finish drawing
November 10 – Take Order Distribution – Reading
November 11 – Take Order Distribution – Pottsville
November 30 – Final Payments Due

Click to View 2022 Fall Product Sale Key Dates

Take Orders and Prizes Due – October 18th

Place your Take Order for Popcorn and Nuts and your Prize Order by clicking the link below:

Click Here to Place Popcorn & Nut Order

Product Sale Resources:

If you have questions about the sale please contact your District Executive or District Kernel. We are happy to help as we all Go Nuts for Scouting!

2022 Unit & Program Resources

If you would like to check out the Fall 2022 Recruiting PowerPoint click the link below

National-Recruiting-Campaign-Kit-PowerPoint.pdf

Watch the 2022 Membership Kickoff Video

Watch the 2022 Program Launch Video

As part of the Hawk Mountain Council Annual Program Launch, we have compiled a list of resources that can assist your unit as you plan your upcoming Scouting year. Most of these resources are located on the Scouting.org website to provide the latest information.

Please visit the tabs below that will help you have a successful and safe Scouting year.

Scouting At Home

Click to learn more about your opportunities to Scout at Home.

Cub Scout Summer Passport

The Cub Scout Summer Passport is a way to keep Cub Scouts and their families engaged throughout the summer. Within the passport, Cub Scouts and their families be given opportunities to explore four different themes. Each theme is meant to give Cub Scouts a better understanding of themselves and their local surroundings. We have worked hard to develop a program that is as engaging as it is fun!

Cub Scouts are encouraged to complete as many activities as they can to receive a FREE patch after the summer. Although we encourage Cub Scouts to do as many of the activities as they can, like the Cub Scout motto says: “Do Your Best!”

The program runs from June 1st to August 31st. If you would like physical copies, please contact Cole Mitchell at the Council office.

Click HERE to download a copy and start the adventure!

Registration, Applications & More

Click to download the latest registration forms, Eagle Scout materials, and Unit Resources.

Journey to Excellence

Click the link below and then select your program for the 2022 Journey to Excellence Unit Score Card. Cards should be reviewed early in 2022 and submitted to the District Key 3 or Council Office in December 2022.

https://www.scouting.org/awards/journey-to-excellence/unit/

Budgeting & Planning Resouces

Below are links to budgeting and planning tools for your unit.

Pack Unit Budgeting & Planning

Troop Unit Budgeting & Planning
Troop Annual Planning Conference

Crew Unit Budgeting & Planning

Creating a Budget

Unit Money Earning Applications

ScoutBook

Click Here for ScoutBook

Here are some online help options for ScoutBook

ScoutBook help

Den Leader Experience FAQ – Video

Advancement

Click for Advancement and Awards Resources

Membership & Recruiting Resources

Scouting Wire Articles & Resources. A one stop shop for creating PROMOTIONAL Materials.

Volunteers

Marketing-Membership

Facebook – Geofencing to reach more families

Facebook – How to use Geofencing to recruit

Internet Rechartering

Our Annual Recharter Cycle opened January 1, 2023 and below we have important resources for all of our units in support of the recharter process. Any blue or purple words that you see are active links.

Access Internet Rechartering System Here

Continuing in 2023

Online Recharter System
- Digital upload for youth and adult applications
- Digital upload for Criminal Background Check Authorization
- Digital upload for PA required background checks
- No physical copy of the charter to turn in
Units will need to upload a Unit Recharter PA Required Background Check Affirmation Statement.
Charter Codes are no longer needed.
Recharter must be completed by a Unit Key 3 member or a Unit Key 3 Delegate (with My.Scouting.org access).

NEW in 2023

Council Service Fee replaces the Insurance Fee
The $15 insurance fee has increased to $55/youth and $30/adult

Logging In

Units will no longer receive an access code. Units can directly access the system through Internet Advancement.

Recharter Website Unit Key 3 members (Committee Chair, Chartered Organization Representative, and Key Leader) will automatically have access to the recharter system. If someone outside of the Unit Key 3 will be completing the recharter process, then the unit will need to assign them as a Unit Key 3 Delegate.

Tutorial – With a brand new system there have been a number of resources produced to help you navigate this process. Here are links to those resources.

Additional Training Resources:

Recharter Turn In Process – The New Recharter Process DOES NOT require the unit to turn in a paper copy of the charter. There will not be a recharter turn-in day. We ask that all charters be complete and submitted online ON or BEFORE March 3. Volunteers and staff will review all recharter packets between March 3 – March 17. Units will receive notification within a week of being submitted as to whether their recharter has all of the necessary documents needed to post. Units needing corrections will have until March 27th to resolve any of these items.

If you have any questions about the turn-in process please contact your District Executive, Field Director, or Registrar.

Recharter Packet – The items listed below are supplied to each unit. Additional copies may be downloaded here, and they can be shared with unit personnel working on the recharter.

Unit Recharter Booklet 2023 – Step-by-step instructions
Leader Roster with PA Background Check dates, YPT dates, and training validation information (contact your District Executive if you need another copy)
2022 Journey to Excellence Scorecard – Scorecards can be uploaded with your charter or turned into the council service center.

Websites & Support

Recharter Website – This is the link for Internet Advancement, which is where the RECHARTER PROCESSOR WILL LOG IN.
Youth Protection – This website has a Q&A about Youth Protection Training and links to the online course.
Scouting Tools (my.Scouting.org) – This site allows units to view and update training records. Note: BSA My.Scouting login required; this is separate from the recharter processing system.
Instructions for downloading unit Youth Protection Training and Position-Specific Training and for updating training (only available to registered Unit Key 3 members.
Printing BSA Membership Cards instructions.
Printing Charter certificate instructions.
Fees Calculator – this is an interactive Excel spreadsheet to assist in calculating unit fees. When your charter renewal is reviewed by a staff member, they will also use this spreadsheet. Clicking the link will automatically download the spreadsheet. Check your downloads folder if you do not see it appear. Spreadsheets include both a fillable version and the printable version that is in your recharter packet.

Scouting for Food

Thank you for an Outstanding Good Turn

This year our Scouting For Food Annual Good Turn brought in more than 102,000 lbs of food to help families in Berks & Schuylkill Counties.

We greatly appreciate all the service by our youth, volunteers, and Units who participated this year.

Did you realize that one of every three people served by food banks are children? In Berks and Schuylkill counties, over 100,000 people qualify for food assistance. The Hawk Mountain Council, through SCOUTING FOR FOOD, is proud to be a major supporter of the effort to help those in need.

Scout Wire

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Scout Wire Archive

Cub Scout Recruiting Resource Sessions

CALLING ALL CUB SCOUT LEADERS!

Membership season is almost here and we want to ensure you have the resources needed! We will be offering 4 online Zoom Recruiting Sessions and we ask that at least two leaders from each Pack attend ONE of these sessions.

Topics Include:

Online Promotions, Sign Up Night Mechanics, Online Registration, Be A Scout.org, QR Codes, Peer to Peer Recruiting Patches, Setting Adult Volunteer and Youth Recruitment Goals, BSA Brand Center, FREE Summer Cub Scout Activities, NEW BSA Fees

Session Dates & Times:

Monday, July 13, 6:30PM
Tuesday, July 14, 6:30PM
Wednesday, July 22, 6:30PM
Thursday, July 23, 6:30PM

How do we sign-up?

Contact your District Executive via email or by calling 610.926.3406

Who can/should attend?

Every Cub Scout pack is asked to have two leaders attend. We encourage the leader that handles membership or sign-up event to attend one of these training events!

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Hawk Mountain Council, BSA – Effective 3/8/2021

Unless otherwise stated in writing in a flyer, brochure, or other promotional materials for a specific event, activity, camp program or product the below-stated refund policies shall be in effect:

You can download a copy of the policy – HMC Cancellation & Refund Policy 3/1/2021

Event or Activity Fees — Indoor
(University of Scouting, STEM/merit badge college, banquets, indoor training, etc.)

Prepaid event or activity fees for an indoor event/activity are refundable in full if the request is received in writing at the Scout Service Center more than 30 days prior to the start of the event/activity. Event or Activity fees for an indoor event are also fully refundable if the Council cancels the event/activity.

Refund requests received at the Scout Service Center 30 days or less before the start of the event or activity and more than 72 hours before the participant’s scheduled arrival will be refunded 50% of the paid fee. No fees will be refunded less than 72 hours before the start of any event or activity. All Event or Activity fees collected on-site are non-refundable

If an event or activity is restricted to a limited number of participants, and the event/activity is sold out and there is a waiting list of approved applicants, then the prepaid event or activity fee will be refunded, or transferable to another qualified, Council approved participant.

All Refunds will be made in the form of a check within 30 days of the cancellation of the indoor event/activity.

[Read more…]

Tentaroo Login

The Hawk Mountain Council is now using Tentaroo as our event and camping registration system.

Click on the link below to access Tentaroo or use the link in a specific event to register.

For Unit Registration you will need your Tentaroo login information sent to the Unit Leader and Committee Chair via email. If you are registering as an individual for an event you will need to create an account.

Tentaroo Login – To Be Disabled August 1 2021

For Tentaroo Help Click Here or fill out the form below.

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Important Update on COVID-19

Submit PA Background Checks and Waivers

Steps to Submitting Your Background Checks and Waivers:

Frequently Asked Questions

2022 Fall Product Sale