Eastern Skies District

It is with great sadness, that we note the passing of Jackie Maples on Tuesday, February 7th. Jackie was a Tomahawk District Commissioner, and the head of the Tomahawk District Health and Safety Committee for many years. He was one of those men who served Scouting in thousands of other, unhearalded ways too.

Phil Goodwin, another former District Commissioner, remembers him as a mentor.  Bill Hayden remembers him making a special effort to train him for Cub World so that Pack 103 could use those facilities.

Mr Maples funeral is Monday, February 13, 11:00AM at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (3217 Gutherie, Garland). As he was cremated, the family didn't set up visitation. Burial will be at DFW Veterans.

Attention all units!  If you have not done so already, please contact Ophelia Phillips and schedule a Friends of Scouting presentation as part of your February Court of Honor, or Pack meeting!

Email Ophelia by clicking here.

Annette James, our Tomahawk District Chaplain is offering the God And Country program.  Classes will start on Sunday, Jan. 22, 1:30-3:00 P.M. in the FUMC-Mesquite Educational Building.

God and Me (grades 1-3)—5 weeks

God and Family (grades 4-5)—7 weeks

God and Church (grades 6-8)—8 weeks

God and Life (grades 9-12)—11 weeks

Click here for the flyer.

You can contact Annette by clicking here.

This year's Scouting for food is Feb 11 and Feb 18.

Scouting for Food is the single largest service project in the council. Scouts spend two weekend dropping off food bags in neighborhoods in their district and the next weekend collecting filled bags. Last year Scouts and Scouters collected 444,894 cans of food which were contributed to over 40 local food pantries.  Click here for the flyer.

Find out more at the January and February round table, or contact Joyce Meeker or Marsha Garcia for details.

Please remember to send your service hours to our OA Chapter Advisor: Matthew Curtis.

The Eagle application and project workbook have both been revised and go into effect 1/1/12. The review process will be undergoing changes as well, and I will distribute that information when available. Each unit needs to be aware that council and national will be expecting online advancement records and matching them against their records before a board of review can take place, not afterward as has been done in the past. I hope to have more information to share at the December roundtable.

Click here to download a preliminary verstion of the new workbook.

“Scouting’s Journey to Excellence” is the BSA’s new council performance recognition program designed to encourage and reward success and measure the performance of our units, districts, and councils. It is replacing the Centennial Quality Awards Program as a means of encouraging excellence in providing a quality program at all levels of the BSA.

Click here for more information, and for unit requirements.

The theme for Twilight Camp 2012 is Safari.  Wendi, Dalinda, and Bill are already working on some things for camp, and we want to ask for our units to participate.  We would like for units: Packs, Troops, and Crews,  to consider planning and running an event out at camp.  Wendi has put together a tenative list of events, or a unit can come up with a theme related event.  Download the flyer by clicking here. 

As camp director, I have just 4 requirements for an event:

• Is it safe?
  Is it Scout Appropriate?
  Is it fun?
  Is it budget friendly?

Your youth will get service hours not only for the time spent at camp, but for the time spent planning and preparing the event.  Your unit will be reimbursed for any and all materials and supplies.  This is a good team building and leadership opportunity for the youth in a unit, and helps our district put on the best Twilight Camp possible.  Besides, Troops: you get to hang out with Webelos for a week.  Crews: you get to interact with the youth staff all week.  What better recruitment opportunity could you ask for?

Do to circumstances above and beyond the control of the Council Activities Committee the 2012 Scout Show has been cancelled.  In order to plan the best possible event for 2013, we need your help please.

Click here to download a questionaire.  Once you fill it out, please return it to Marsha Garcia or Joyce Meeker.