Did you think that camping was just for summer….   The Polar Bear Awards was established to provide those few hardy souls who brave the freezing winter weather elements of Mother Nature to participate in the camping experience.  It is the purpose to have youth prepared to live in the out-of-doors in any season and any weather.  Scouts and their leaders camp between December 1st 2019 and March 31st, 2020.  The Green Mountain Council Scout Shop offers the Polar Bear Award Emblem. 
For more information and application click here.

You can also email Judy at the Green Mountain Council Scout Shop to order the emblems.  Judy.dodge@scouting.org

This is a full day of training for all adult leaders in the Green Mountain Council.  Whether a brand new leader, a leader moving from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA or a moving from a unit level to the district or Council level committee, University of Scouting has a course you can and will learn by attending.  Early bird registration fee deadline is March 1st.  So don’t delay, sign up today!   Spread the word to all adult leaders and committee persons in the unit or other you may associate with in the Scouting family.  Great courses, great staff, great food and really fun and heartfelt fellowship.  Hope to see everyone there!  To register click here for the registration form.

TR Day Camp is moving to Camp Johnson and will run June 22-26. Join us "DOWN ON THE FARM" - in addition to the old favorites (archery, bb's, games, crafts, cooking, scout skills and more) we are going to meet farm animals, learn about farming in Vermont, visit a working farm, and have a ton of fun. A big THANK YOU to Camp Johnson for hosting Three Rivers Day Camp!

Registration forms and the Parent and Staff Guides are available here:

https://www.scoutingvermont.org/three-rivers-day-camp.html

Since the 1930's when it was first introduced by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Silver Beaver Award has been the highest award a Council can give to its Scouters. It is presented for outstanding service to youth within the Council by a registered Scouter.
 
Nominations are due by March 20, 2020 at the Green Mountain Council Service Center.  If you wish to nominate someone, click here for the most recent nomination form:
 
 
This is a modifiable PDF.  Registration information required can be obtained from Janet Ruggles-Power at the Green Mountain Council Service Center, 802-244-5189 or email janet.ruggles-power@scouting.org.
 
If you are thinking of nominating someone, you can click here to see if they already have the Silver Beaver
 
If you nominated someone and they did not receive the award, they may be re-nominated.   If you plan to do this, please submit a new updated nomination form.
 
 
Yours in Scouting,
The Green Mountain Council Advancement Committee

The University of Vermont's College of Engineering and Mathematics is partnering with the Green Mountain Council, Boy Scouts of America to offer Merit Badge opportunities for registered Scouts and Venturers (Not Cub Scouts), ages 11-17.  Participants will enjoy lunch and merit badge instruction from counselors from across the. 

When:         February 15, 2020
Where:        University of Vermont Campus
Costs:          $10 (Lunch Included). There is NO ON-SITE Registration

Here is the link for registration and additional details:
 
http://www.cems.uvm.edu/scouts/

The Criminal Background Check (CBC) form required this year from ALL registered adults is proving to be a huge stumbling block to successful recharter. As of January 3, only 20% of Green Mountain Council units have completed this task. Many units who otherwise would be renewed are prevented from doing so for lack of a signed CBC form from every registered adult.
 
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 (every 5 years) of criminal backgrounds to support the continued safety of youth in our programs. In order to do so and conform with existing State and Federal laws, every registered adult must review the new CBC Disclosure and sign the Authorization.
 
An ink/wet signature is required. Original paper or a scanned copy must be filed with the Council Service Center (Janet.Ruggles-Power@scouting.org).
 
Adults who do not submit a signed Authorization will not be registered. (This includes merit badge counselors.) Units whose adults have not submitted the form cannot be rechartered until all forms are in, or until noncompliant adults are dropped from the roster.
 
This form is available HERE.

​The National Scout Jamboree Committee has just announced that the link for youth and adult leader to register to attend the National Scout Jamboree is now open.  Go to https://jamboree.scouting.org/ scroll down and click on Jamboree Participants, Apply Now. 
 
The Green Mountain Council Jamboree Committee is in the planning stages anticipating having at least two full troops (36 youth and 4 adults per troop) attend this once in a lifetime experience. Please share this information with the parents and Scouts in the troops and spread the word.  For more information on this event, contact Council Jamboree Chairman, Russ Baker at rusbaker@gmavt.net.  

Good Day fellow Scouters!

Just a reminder that early bird registration of $45 for OKPIK (winter camping training) is due by 1/10.
So if you want to save yourself $5 get your registration in soon!
This training is open to all Scouters and Scouts age 14 and up.
A great way to beat cabin fever and learn some valuable skills.
Whether you want to do some winter camping with your unit or just have some survival skills under your belt. OKPIK is it!
Here is the link to the registration flyer:  
​https://www.scoutingvermont.org/uploads/4/7/2/2/47226097/2020_okpik_registration_form.pdf
Hope to see you at OKPIK,
 
Russ Baker
OKPIK Staff member
 
ps.  I've got a turkey and a trashcan. Plus a new stand a friend just built me. Looks like I will need to try it out. I can't eat the whole bird myself.