Important Update On The Coronavirus (COVID-19)

UPDATED INFORMATION – PLEASE FULLY READ!

May 11 @ 5 PM – New information!

Dear Scouting Families and Volunteers,

First and foremost, we wish you, your family, and your Scouting community well during this unprecedented time. The health and safety of our communities are of the utmost importance, and we encourage you to be safe and stay well.

As discussed in past communications, the Hawk Mountain Council Leadership Team continues to monitor the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) at the local, state and federal levels. Gov. Wolf has ordered all non-essential stores in Pennsylvania to remain closed and has only allowed life-sustaining businesses to remain open. [Read more…]

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Fall Product Sale – 2020

Welcome to the Hawk Mountain Council’s 2020 Product Sale.

This year we will again be selling tasty popcorn from Camp Masters 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 commission and pay in full by November 30, 2020.
Turnkey program: Training, order forms, online ordering, Scout prize program, and other resources are provided free-of-charge.
Proven product quality: Camp Masters and Whitley’s provide superior, high-quality products. Always 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, are 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 fuel its program, but a portion of the proceeds benefit the Council. The Council portion helps us serve volunteer leaders and Scouts by providing better programs, training, and camping facilities.

Key Dates:

October 13 – Show & Sell Returns @HMSR

October 13 – 14 – Show & Sell Returns @Council Service Center

October 16 – Take Order, Prizes, Special Incentives, & 1st Payment Due

November 5 – Take Order Distribution – Reading

November 6 – Take Order Distribution – Pottsville

November 30 – Final Payments Due

Click to View All Product Sale Dates

How to Place Your Order: (Take Orders Due – October 16th)

To place your show & sell order for Popcorn and Nuts by clicking each of the links below.

Place Popcorn Order Place Nut Order

Product Sale Resources:

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

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!

2021 Program Launch Resources

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 meet your unit’s needs.

Frequently Searched Documents. click here

Scouting At Home

Click to learn more about your opportunities to Scout at Home. You can also visit the Virtual Scouting Hub for some of our local options.

Registration, Applications & More

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

Journey to Excellence

Click link then select your program below for the 2021 Unit Score Card. Cards should be reviewed early in 2021 and submitted to the District Key 3 or council in December 2021.

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

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…]

BSA National Criminal Background Re-check

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is committed first and foremost to keeping youth safe. Part of that commitment includes continually updating our youth protection policies to help ensure we are always at the forefront of youth safety.

As you know, one of the BSA’s many barriers to abuse is a mandatory criminal background check during the adult volunteer application process. The BSA will now also perform periodic rechecks of criminal backgrounds to support the continued safety of youth in our programs. Please see these Frequently Asked Questions about the Criminal Background Checks

Please complete the process listed below at your earliest availability to help us continue to provide the safest environment possible for our Scouts and leaders. Please note that these steps must be completed before your 2020 annual registration can be processed.

1. Review the separate disclosure document linked below that is being provided to you separately for your review. It is titled “Background Check Disclosure” and be downloaded here Background Check Disclosure Revised

2. Once you have reviewed that, print the separate document titled “Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization.” Review the additional disclosures on that form, then complete and sign the Authorization using an ink/wet signature. Download form here Disclosures & Background Check Authorization Revised

Note: A print signature is required for this document. Electronic signatures will not be accepted unless through a third-party vendor.

3. Turn in the signed “Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization” form promptly to your unit leader or local council service center. You can email to Hawk.Mountain@scouting.org, fax to 610-926-4965 or mail to 5027 Pottsville Pike, Reading PA 19605.

If you choose to decline the background check, or if you do not complete the Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization form and return it to your unit leader or local council service center, your 2020 annual registration will not be processed.

We are truly grateful for your continued commitment to keeping youth safe and for helping them learn, grow, and thrive through Scouting programs.

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

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

Tentaroo Help

Welcome to Tentaroo Help!

Tentaroo is a system designed for Scouting Councils to manage events such as Boy Scout and Cub Scout Resident Camps, Day Camps, District and Council activities, and more. The Hawk Mountain Council has designed Tentaroo Help as a way to answer your questions about using Tentaroo to help schedule and plan your unit’s camping, activities, and events in the Hawk Mountain Council.

User Video Guide – Tentaroo Website

Tentaroo has a full video on getting started in Tentaroo and you can access the page here or visit their youtube page. A few quick timestamps are listed below for your use.

Getting Started in Tentaroo

Watch the Getting Started video for guidance on setting up an account, logging in, and navigating the Tentaroo system.

Helpful Time Stamps:
Create a New Account (0:18)
Login to an Account or Retrieve Password (1:01)
Event Registration (1:58)
Facility Reservation (2:28)
Cart (3:03)
Account Settings (3:26)

Event Registration Guide

Watch the Event Registration Guide video for a virtual tour of a registration, including all possible registration steps.

Helpful Time Stamps:
New Registration (At 0:22)
Reserve camp spots, group classes, order products, notify council of campsite preferences.
Register Individuals: (At 3:38)
Add participant, choose individual class schedule.
Modify Existing Registration: (At 5:57)
Make changes to existing event registrations including camping spots, group options, registered individuals and products ordered.
Reports: (At 7:33)
Invoices, participant rosters, class schedules, requirements completed and blue cards.

Facilities Reservation Guide

Explore the Tentaroo Facilities Reservation system, learning how to check availability, set up a trip, reserve facilities, and download your itinerary.

Helpful Time Stamps:
Check Availability (1:40)
Start a New Trip (2:29)
Add a Reservation (2:45)
Make a Payment/Place Order (3:50)
Manage a Trip and Reservations (4:24)
Access Past Trips (4:53)
Download Itinerary (6:40)

For more assistance with Tentaroo, please fill out the form below.

Places to go with your Scouts

Have you and your committee been stuck trying to pick out somewhere to take your pack or your den?

Is that Patrol Leader’s Council stumped for ideas on an outing?

Or maybe you just need some ideas of places to take your family for a vacation or a long weekend.

Take a peek through this list of 149 locations that are good for your unit (or family) to visit. The criteria being that it had to be in Pennsylvania, specifically the eastern portion of the state (using Harrisburg and State College as general guidelines), similar to WFMZ’s “One Tank Trips” feature.
The three lists below are the same, but are sorted differently: by the name of the location, by the county where the location is found, and by the general category that the location falls under. Feel free to download whichever you prefer. The location categories are located at the bottom of the page.

[Read more…]

Important Update On The Coronavirus (COVID-19)