The Atlanta Area Council has launched a new program called Scouting On Demand. More information about the program is available on the Council's website: https://www.atlantabsa.org/ScoutingOnDemand. The first resources are aimed at Cub Scout families. Currently, the Council hopes to have resources available for Scouts BSA families in early 2021. This is a great resource for families that are not ready to participate in in-person unit activities. Click "read more" for more information, or visit the website linked above.
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.
The Council has announced summer camping opportunities for families, units, and districts and aquatic merit badge opportunities at Camp Allatoona Aquatics base. Click "read more" for details and registration information.
The October Roundtable on Thursday, October 10th is your first opportunity to drop off your unit's contribution to our 2019 Stuff the Turkey Scouting for Food Campaign. Our Order of the Arrow Chapter will be collecting your donation of boxed stuffing as you enter the building for Roundtable. Thanks in advance for helping our district support Cobb Family Resources and local Cobb County families in need. More information about our 2019 Scouting for Food initiative is available at https://www.silvercometdistrictbsa.org/node/1843, including additional contribution drop off events.
Internet Advancement 2.0 (formerly known as "Scoutbook Lite") has been released by BSA and can be utilized by Units effective immediately. Access to Internet Advancement 2.0 is available to Unit Key 3, Key 3 Delegates and designated Unit Advancement Chairs using their existing log on credentials through:
1) Scoutbook for those Units already using that software.
2) My.Scouting.org
The old Internet Advancement program will be available until June 10, 2019 after which that log on page will re-direct to Internet Advancement 2.0.
Many, if not all of you, received an email from National BSA and the Council requesting new authorization for criminal background checks. This form must be completed for all adult leaders and turned in with your unit's 2020 recharter packet. Click "read more" for more information about this new procedure and links to the forms that you'll need to complete.
On April 1, the Tour and Activity Plan was turned off and is no longer required for any Scouting Events. Your unit will still be covered by General Liability and Accident & Sickness Insurance when participating in Scouting Activities that are conducted in accordance with Scouting’s safety guidelines found in the Guide to Safe Scouting. While the Tour Plan form is going away, planning ahead for your tour, outing, or activity is paramount to ensuring a safe and quality program for your Scouts.
Council level news first - I'm sure many of you fondly remember Brandon Dobbins, former Silver Comet and Mountain Lake DE. He has been promoted to Field Director at the Council, so be sure to congratulate him the next time you have a chance! Along with a new Field Director, the Council has rearranged Service Areas. Silver Comet has been moved to Service Area 4, together with Foothills and Appalachian Trail districts, under the direction of George Snipes. Please welcome George to the Silver Comet family!
Now for some district news. We have a new Membership Chair - Leah Briick. Leah is taking over for Chris Voigt, who has moved out of state. Thank you, Chris, for your work on the Membership Committee and as the Membership Chair! Leah has served on the Membership Committee for several years and has already hit the ground running - thank you, Leah, for taking on this role.
We also have a new Advancement Chair - John Keiler has come out of retirement to reprise a role he held many years ago. He is filling some very big shoes. Our long-time Advancement Chair, Ray Swarts, is ready to sail off into the sunset. While many aspects of Scouting slowed down or stopped due to the pandemic, the Advancement Committee could not and did not. Thank you, Ray, for your many years of dedication and service to our Advancement Committee, especially over the past year!
We are still looking for a few good Scouters to take on Training Chair and Camping Chair. While we continue our search, Sharla Stewart and Clint Pope have graciously agreed to fill those roles in the interim. If you're interested in learning more about those district positions, or would like to help out in a smaller way on any of our district committees, email the District Chair at districtchair@silvercometdistrict1.mytroop.us.
