Text Your Gift
Text your 2017 Friends of Scouting contribution!
Text your name, unit type & number, and gift amount to (505) 404-1995. Example: John Smith P123 $145
After sending your text, you will receive a web link to complete your gift securely online.
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2017 Friends of Scouting
Friends of Scouting is the largest fundraising effort conducted by the Great Southwest Council each year. As you may be aware, the Great Southwest Council is an independent, 501(c)(3) charity and is entirely self-funded. All registration fees paid annually for your membership is transferred to the National, BSA.
Friends of Scouting funds the Great Southwest Council's Service Center, the district executives and other Council staff, membership growth resources, and much, much more. Contributions made to the annual Friends of Scouting campaign are fully tax-deductible.
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FOS By District
Rio Grande - 90.6%
Sandia - 90.1%
Anasazi - 81.3%
El Valle Manzano - 72.8%
Sangre de Cristo - 65.6%
Zuni Mountain - 64.2%
Mesa Verde - 47.8%
Executive Board - 116.8%
Great Southwest Council - 86.9%
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What's In It For Us?
By supporting Friends of Scouting in your unit/ward and achieving your goal, you will receive 10% off Gorham Scout Ranch/Day Camp fees, or free card and cloth rank advancements at the High Desert Scout Shop.
Your unit's goal is based on your total number of Scouts x $145 x 90%.
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Office Closed
in observance of
Good Friday, April 14
APRIL
1
7 - 8
8 AM - 5 PM
8
12
7:30 - 9 PM
13
4:30 - 5:30 PM
14 - 15
Easter Holiday - Office Closed
17
21 - 23
21 - 23
21
21
24
6 - 7 PM
Great Southwest Council Service Center
29
8 AM - 1 PM
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Use Your Smith's Rewards Card to Give Back to Scouting
Give back to Scouting with the gas and groceries you already purchase every week! Follow these simple instructions to enroll you Smith's Rewards Card and begin earning dividends to help grow Scouting in the Great Southwest Council. Enrollment in the Smith's Community Rewards program will not affect the fuel points you earn while shopping. Don't have a Smith's card? No problem! You can register a digital rewards card when you enroll at www.smithscommunityrewards.com.
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The Official Blog of the Scouting Movement
Visit the Scoutingwire site any time for the latest news from around the United States by visiting
www.scoutingwire.org
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The Little-Known Story of How This Basketball Star Became an Eagle Scout
When Villanova Wildcat Josh Hart steps on the court this March for the NCAA men's basketball tournament, he'll be doing so as a young man who has already achieved something great.
No, we're not talking about how Josh and his team became national champions when they won the tournament during Josh's junior year in 2016. We're also not talking about how he and his team just became Big East Conference regular season champions for the fourth straight year.
Those are definitely commendable achievements, but what many people don't know is that, in addition to being a bonafide college basketball star, Josh Hart is an Eagle Scout.
- Read more by clicking here.
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BSA Seeks to Inspire Next Generation of Explorers with the Launch of the New Exploration Merit Badge
New discoveries are made every day, thanks to technological advancements and the keen curiosity of today's explorers. To encourage future discoveries, the nation's largest youth-serving organization is working to inspire the next generation of explorers by introducing the new Exploration Merit Badge. Created and developed by experts in the field, the Exploration Merit Badge is the 137th addition to the BSA's bank of merit badge programs and is now available to Scouts nationwide.
Read more by clicking here.
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Scoutbook - Online Record Keeping for your Unit
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Tracking the Scouting Experience from Tiger to Eagle Scout
From the first knot tied to final hours of service performed, the Scouting experience is a journey like no other. Scoutbook ensures not a moment is missed - tracking advancement, milestone achievements and all the fun along the way.
Click here to watch a video of how Scoutbook can improve your Scouting experience.
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Training Manager
Did you know that your unit Key 3 (Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Coach or Advisor; Committee Chair; and Chartered Organization Representative) can not only see all training recorded for the adults in your unit,
but also ADD TRAINING to records?! It's not very hard - just follow these instructions:
1. Log in to my.scouting.org
2. In the upper left corner, click the down arrow
3. From the list, click on your unit
4. One of the tools available should be "Training Manager" - click there
5. This will open your unit's dashboard with two pie charts, one for basic training and one for youth protection training.
6. Click on the certificate icon with a plus sign to add training
7. From the drop down menus, select the program level (Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, etc.), select the course (BALOO, This is Scouting, etc.), select the completion date
8. This should open a window to the left where you will search for the leader whose training you are updating
9. Complete your search and select the appropriate leader
10. Click "Submit"
11. You're done!
Your unit Key 3 can also select a "Training Manager Delegate" who can then manage and enter training for your leaders.
There are a few more steps to that process. Give us a call at 505-345-8603, ext. 100 and we'll help you through it.
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Join Our Spring
Popcorn Sale
This Spring, Scouts will have the opportunity to sell popcorn online and earn 40% commission!
Incentives for the sale include:
- 40% commission back to your unit
- Scouts who sell $1,000 or more will receive a free Drone!
- All sales count towards the Trail's End Scholarship Program
- 30% of your Unit's total sales will count towards your Unit's Scouting Partnership Goal for 2017
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Won't selling now interfere with my Fall sales?
A: Online Sales made during the Spring will count the same as they do in the Fall. Selling now allows our Scouts to utilize funds for summer camp and other things earlier in the year.
Q: Why is selling online better than Show & Sell or Take Order sales?
A: Online selling isn't better, but it is easier! Why? You don't have to touch any money, or any product! The order is placed and paid online, then shipped by Trail's End directly to the consumer. Your Scouts advertise via email, and then watch the sales roll in!
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Fundraiser for ScOutReach - Juvenile Diversion Program
Moji will be hosting Family Picture Day as a fun fundraiser for ScOutReach - JDP Council programs!
Simply by giving $10, your family will receive a 10 minute portrait session and ONE free 10x14 print, a $70 value!
Your complimentary 10x14 will be made available three weeks after the shoot. Additional prints will also be made available for purchase at that time.
Available for these dates and times only:
Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7, 9am-4pm
Please contact Violeta Lopez-Unzueta at (505) 604-7892 for more information today!
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Cub Scout
Day Camp
Is
Buggin' Out
Day Camps occur in June and July throughout the Albuquerque Metro area and in Los Lunas, Farmington, Durango, Los Alamos, Gallup, and Santa Fe. This summer's theme is Bug Hunters! Cub Scouts can attend any Day Camp and as many Day Camps as they wish.
Cub Scouts are invited to attend Day Camp with their Packs and enjoy all of the exciting activities and programs in store. For more information, dates, and locations of Day Camps, visit www.gswcbsa.org/daycamp.
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2017 National Jamboree Patch Sets Available for Ordering
2017 National Jamboree Patch Sets are now available!
- The patch set costs $25.00.
- The Jamboree Uniform CSP is $5.00.
- A Limited Edition framed set of all of the patches is $125.00.
Click
here to purchase your patches today!
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2nd Annual "C.L.A.W."
Camp Leader Adventure Weekend
Saturday & Sunday, July 15 - 16
All Adult unit leaders are invited to come to Gorham Scout Ranch for a fun-filled and exciting weekend, it's a "try it before you buy it" opportunity, and did we mention that it's FREE??
Some of the weekend's activities will include:
COPE
Climbing
Shooting Area (archery, shotgun and rifle)
Swimming
Scoutcraft Area
Gorham Scout Ranch is located on 2,650 acres in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains 45 minutes north of Santa Fe. Take this opportunity to experience Gorham and its programs. Then, as an attendee to this event,
you are eligible to receive discounts for the 2018 camping season fees
!
*Please note that this event is for adult leaders 18 years of age and older.*
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Cub Scout Advancement Modifications
Read about changes that have recently been made by the National Office to Cub Scout Advancement
here.
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What is Journey to Ex
cellence, and Why
Should You Care?
You think you're making all the right moves for your Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts or Venturers, but do you really know?
With the BSA's Journey to Excellence scorecards in hand, you can answer that question with a satisfying yes.
Journey to Excellence, often shortened to JTE, is a self-evaluation tool that lets unit leaders see, quantitatively, how well their unit is meeting the goals of Scouting. Think of it as a progress report. You can check in regularly to make sure you're delivering the best possible program for our Scouts and Venturers.
Visit
this site to learn more about Journey to Excellence and download the 2017 scorecard for your units.
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Level I
Basic Climbing Instructor Training, First Half of Level II Certification
May 5, 6 & 7, 2017 at Gorham Scout Ranch
This basic course is for adults (18+) interested in becoming a Trained Level I Climbing Instructor and will take place at Gorham Scout Ranch's Climbing facilitates. You must be a registered Scout or Scouter and at least 18 years old to take this course. This is a three-day course per BSA regulations. Time and facilities for worship will be provided on Sunday morning. The course fee includes materials, and food (except for Friday breakfast and Friday lunch). The instructor training card is good for 1 (one) year. This course is a prerequisite for the BSA Level II Climbing Instructor Course.
The deadline for signing up for this course is April 30, 2017.
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Outdoor Equipment Exchange
April 29 at the GSWC Office
Don't miss out. We already have many items in the inventory: backpacks, stoves, lanterns, sleeping pads, water jugs, snow disks, rain gear, & cooking items.
How it works:
- Troops earn "exchange dollars" for items they add to the inventory.
- Troops get to "buy" items using their "exchange dollars".
- Troops can earn "exchange dollar" credit for helping with the event setup.
Bring your items to the GSWC office no later than April 21st.
GSWC Point of Contact: Dawn Kristensen, 505-845-8609
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Uniform Exchange
We have new and used cub and boy scout uniform items available. These have been generously donated, most are gently used, some are new - ALL need a new home. We have pants, shorts, shirts, hats, neckerchiefs, socks, and patches. There are a variety of youth and adult sizes, including some women's items.
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Brownsea
June 4-10, 2017
Gorham Scout Ranch
Brownsea is a great summer camp opportunity for your Scouts. Although any Scout can benefit from Brownsea, it is most beneficial for Scouts that are in the first 1-3 years of their Boy Scout career and are First Class or lower in rank.
Individuals are placed into patrols of six to eight Scouts from many different troops who are of varied backgrounds and experience levels. The program is carefully organized and led by a staff of experienced adult Scouters and a youth leadership corps of older Scouts selected because of their experience and dedication. During the week, each Scout will learn the Patrol method, along with the history of Scouting and some of the original games, skills and stories that provided the spark that became the largest youth movement in the world.
Click
here to view the Brownsea promotional video.
Click here for more information and to register.
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NYLT - National Youth Leader Training
June 4-10, 2017
Gorham Scout Ranch
National Youth Leadership Training is a six-day outdoor experience for youth leaders. It supports the Scout leader responsibility to train youth leaders. Participants sleep in tents, prepare their own meals by patrols, learn life skills, and live by the Scout Oath and Law. This is the pinnacle course for youth leaders in Scouting. You will not be disappointed!
Click here for more information and to register.
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Scouting
Partnership Plan
Join us in this new Partnership!
If you have not yet had an opportunity to review the letter from the Great Southwest Council Executive Board, please review it by
clicking here
.
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Cub Scout Camping
at
Gorham Summer 2017
There are several opportunities for Packs, Dens and Cub Scout families to go camping at Gorham Scout Ranch this summer. More information, including registration procedures, is available on the camp's website
www.gorhamscoutranch.org
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Cub Scout Family Camp May 27 - 29 and Sept 2 - 4
Cub Scout Family Camp is a weekend full of activities, fun and adventure. This camp is open to families of boys who have just completed the kindergarten, first, second, third, or fourth grades. Each individual family makes its own reservation and payment. Meals are provided by our camp dining hall staff, beginning with lunch Saturday through breakfast Monday. There is no cost for children who are age four and under. Camp fees are: Youth (ages 5-17) $45 and Adult (ages 18+) $35.
Cub Scout Family Camp begins on Saturday morning at 11:00am and ends Monday morning by 10:00am.
Webelos Week in the Woods July 17 - 21
Webelos Week in the Woods is a top-notch experience available for dens of Webelos Scouts. It is a five-day/four-night adventure for boys who have just completed the third or fourth grades. Webelos Scouts will work on a variety of adventures. Camp fees are: Early Bird (Before May 15) Youth $220 and Adult $180; On-time Youth $255 and Adult $215.
Webelos Week in the Woods begins on Monday after-noon at 1:00pm and ends on Friday morning by 10:00am.
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Paul Smith's College, set in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, is offering a new scholarship for Eagle Scouts in the amount of $1,000. The Eagle Scout must be accepted into Paul Smith's College to receive the scholarship, which will renew each year he is enrolled at Paul Smith's and will be offered in addition to other scholarships or grants from the college. For more information, please contact Keith Braun at Paul Smith's College at
kbraun@paulsmiths.edu or (518) 327-6072.
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Register Online
From Your Phone
The online registration process utilizes www.beascout.org, where the family can join, and
my.scouting.org, which notifies the appropriate leader to take action on the registration.
The Online Registration system through BeAScout is mobile-friendly. New families can join right from their smartphone!
For more details, FAQ sheets, and instructional videos, please click here.
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Cub Handbooks & Leader Guides:
SAVE through GSWC
We are now offering all Cub Scout Packs the opportunity to save money on purchasing Cub Scout handbooks and Leader books!
The following handbooks and leader guides are available from the Council office. The prices are listed below, and represent a 30% - 35% discount compared to the Scout Shop. We have a limited quantity of these items, they are available while supplies last, and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis.
- Tiger Handbook $8.50
- Wolf Handbook $8.50
- Bear Handbook $8.50
- Webelos Handbook $8.50
- Bear Den Leader Guide $6.25
- Cub Scout Leader Book $7.00
This special pricing is not available at the High Desert Scout Shop. Order can be placed in person at the Great Southwest Council Service Center or by calling 505-345-8603
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Wood Badge 2017
It's time to sign up for the 2017 Wood Badge Course!
September 8-10, 2017 AND
September 15-17, 2017
Gorham Scout Ranch
What is Wood Badge?
Wood Badge is advanced leadership training provided by experienced Scouters from throughout the Great Southwest Council. This amazing six day experience will challenge you but more importantly inspire you. Please
click here to learn more about the benefits of Wood Badge.
For more information about this year's course and to sign up, please
click here
.
For questions about this year's course, please contact Course Director Jeremy Conlin.
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Join the Gorham Scout Ranch Staff Today
Looking for a way to earn money this summer while having fun? Is one week of summer camp not enough? Let Gorham Scout Ranch be your home this summer! A camp staff position at Gorham Scout Ranch is an experience that you will always remember.
For more information about being on the Gorham Scout Ranch staff and available positions,
click here
.
To download this year's staff application,
click here.
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Powderhorn 
Powder Horn is a hands-on training opportunity for Venturing and Boy Scout leaders, designed to showcase the activities and resources necessary to operate an amazing, successful high adventure and Ranger program for our Scouts. Myriad activities will be provided featuring accomplished, certified and experienced consultants to answer questions and guide you.
This nationally accredited course is co-ed & open to registered youth and adults, ages 14 & up. The course runs 3 1/2 days, and is scheduled to start the evening of August 3 and run through early afternoon on August 6.
Click
here for more details and to sign up.
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Send in Your Ideas for Future Newsletters
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We want this monthly e-newsletter to be valuable for you! If you have article ideas, or items you believe would be helpful to you and your Scouter colleagues, please contact
Amy Cliser via email.
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| PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO LEADERS AND PARENTS IN YOUR UNIT BY CLICKING THE Forward this email LINK BELOW. If you wish to be removed from this mailing list, please click "SafeUnsubscribe" below.
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