Please welcome Claude Gatlin, Jr. to our Silver Comet family! Claude was most recently the executive for Exploring in the Atlanta Area Council. Now that Exploring will be folded into the districts, Claude has joined us as a District Executive.

Claude is a native of Mississippi where he attended Jackson State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Administration. He has over fifteen years of experience working with nonprofits and youth mentoring programs. Claude enjoys family time with his wife, Tiffini, and four children Jayden, McKenzie, Malikai, and Zoë. They can often be found taking long bike rides on the Atlanta Beltline or Silver Comet while enjoying the community.

Here's a personal note from Claude to all our volunteers: "I am eager to be working with the unit leaders and families of Silver Comet. I hope to meet each of you soon as we work together to keep Scouting thriving and strong."

Claude can be reached at 770-956-5698 or claude.gatlin@scouting.org.

Webelos Open House is this Tuesday at Due West United Methodist Church! Participating troops must fill out the 2020 Troop information form and should plan to be at Due West UMC at 6pm to set up. Webelos and Arrow of Light dens and families should plan to arrive at 6:30pm. The event will take place on the church's North Campus, off Burnt Hickory Road (see the attached map).

More information for troops, including a link to the required form, is available at https://www.silvercometdistrictbsa.org/node/1972. More information for Webelos and Arrow of Light dens and families is available at https://www.silvercometdistrictbsa.org/node/1973.

Masks are required, and please remember to social distance!

The Atlanta Area Council's Scouting On Demand program is doing their best to keep Cub Scout families engaged in Scouting activities throughout the pandemic.

Join leaders and counselors from across the country on October 7th at 8pm EDT to learn how to conduct a P.R.A.Y. program virtually using Zoom or other platform with tools available from P.R.A.Y. This seminar is for church and Scouting leaders across Protestant and Non-Denominational/Independent Christian faiths. Thank you to UMCOS of North Georgia for hosting. You will hear from counselors, leaders, and clergy, who will share their experiences, suggestions and resources for delivering programs in a virtual world. For more information, including registration, see the attached flyer.

Trail's End has extended the free shipping on $30 orders until December 31st, 2020. Take orders must be recorded in the online Popcorn system by Thursday, October 29th. If you need popcorn now, email our District Popcorn Kernel, Tanya Parks at popcorn@silvercometdistrictbsa.org, because the Atlanta Area Council does have some inventory on hand, and she may be able to help you get what you need. Finally, in order for Scouts to get their well-earned prizes, parents or units must enter the paper forms into the app. Don't disappoint your scouts by missing this important step! If you have any other popcorn related questions, please contact Tanya.

Pack 703 gets a shout out for providing some virtual inspiration on how to sell popcorn in a pandemic! If you haven't seen P703's "Breaking News" video, here's a link: http://blog.atlantabsa.org/popcorn-shortage-pack-703-can-help/. Way to go, Pack 703!

The Atlanta Area Council is hosting its annual Youth Protection Seminar next Thursday, October 8th, from 8:30am to 4pm. Join Honorary Chair, Vic Reynolds and Keynote Speaker, Robert Jackson, at this informative event. This year's seminar will be held virtually and the registration fee is only $10! Join the AAC and discover how you can partner in creating a safer community for all of our children. Attendees will engage with experts, learn new ways and tactics to effectively protect children and keep them safe, and network with other youth serving professionals. This event is open to all advocates for children including parents, leaders, and community or business partners. Please share this invitation with family, friends and colleagues! For more information and a link to the registration page, go to https://www.atlantabsa.org/ypseminar.