We are pleased to present our first Virtual Merit Badge Boot Camp!

We have 8 Merit Badges scheduled over the course of 2 weeks (different merit badges each week). Each merit badge class costs $5.  In return for the fee you pay, you will be connected with a qualified Merit Badge Counselor who will guide you through the process to earning your merit badge.  Space is limited, so register today to secure your spot!

We will be using a combination of Zoom conference calls and Google Classrooms to work on these merit badges.

Registration for this event is done online by going to:
                     https://bit.ly/GMC-VMBBC
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After you register, you will receive an invoice for the total amount due and payment instructions.  Credit/Debit cards may be used to pay for registration but there is a minimum $10 charge policy for all transactions.
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You will also receive information on prerequisites, how to connect to your Merit Badge counselor and more via email.

  

​Dear Friends,
 
Since being invited in June to join the Council as your next Scout Executive, I have had the honor of meeting many members of our Scouting family. Through these conversations I have gained a great appreciation for your passion and enthusiasm for Scouting and our outdoor programs. Thank you!
 
As a former Scouts BSA Camp Director and 8-season camper, I share your love for the magic our Scouts are missing at Camp Sunrise and Mt. Norris right now. We’ve made some tough choices this spring. Choices that have remained bitter and hard to square with other state parks and organizations that are beginning to reopen in limited capacities. Nonetheless, the decision to suspend our summer resident camping opportunities has safeguarded our families and volunteers which remains our top responsibility and priority.
 
Permit me to reach out on behalf of our Council Camping and Risk Management Committees to clarify present restrictions on both camping and visiting our properties. While we remain committed to identifying a safe and prudent path to providing access to Camp Sunrise and Mt. Norris, both properties remain currently closed to all youth. This includes district activities that have not been properly preauthorized. Work projects remain limited to adults only and may proceed under the following conditions.
 
Preapproval Checklist for Service Opportunities at Camp (July 21, 2020)

1. All participants must be adults
2. All participants must help ensure the wellbeing of others by observing CDC social distance guidelines and wearing masks when distancing is not possible. A Scout is Obedient, and no exceptions can be granted.
3. Council President Dan Richardson will coordinate all requests through the Properties/Camping Committees. Please email Dan at drichardson@tarrantgillies.com with a description of the project including the timeframe and location, number of adults who are expected and the name and contact of project coordinator who will be responsible for overseeing service and safety on site.

I appreciate that you and your Scouts are no doubt facing Zoom Fatigue and are eager to find opportunities to reinvigorate adventure in your Pack, Troop or Crew. I can assure you that we are working toward the same goal: Safely putting the outing back in Scouting.
 
These steps are being taken because we cannot adequately staff the properties to ensure everyone's safety at this time. We are also working to address the challenges we anticipate in ensuring sufficient pre-screening protocols for all occupants of the property are followed and logged. We are working on overcoming that challenge and remain hopeful we can pull together as a council family to make that happen before the fall.
 
Council leadership and I will be sharing more information as we work through important and practical solutions to ensure we can honor our duty of care for our families and support state and local public health guidelines and practices.
 
In the meantime, I welcome you to direct any questions or ideas you might have to Dave Sem, Dave McAllister or me and refer to https://www.scouting.org/coronavirus for general information.
 
I appreciate your understanding and commitment to supporting our top priority of keeping families safe.
 
Yours in Scouting,

Mark Saxon

Yesterday afternoon the National Jamboree team made the announcement that due to the uncertainties brought forth by COVID-19, the 2021 Jamboree has been postponed. At this time nothing has been posted as to when it will be rescheduled.
 
National did provide an FAQ and more information via its Bryan on Scouting Blog. Here is a link to that site: https://jamboree.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2020/07/NSJ21_Postponement_FAQ_FINAL-003.pdf
 
Green Mountain Council was not notified in advance and we appreciate your understanding as we work through what this decision means for our families.
 
I'm sure this news will generate many questions about the status of the Jamboree contingent.
 
Please give us a few days to determine what is the best way to proceed. 
 
I will follow up with more information by early next week. 
 
In the meantime, you may direct any questions you have to me.
 
Thank you 
Russ Baker
GMC Jamboree Chair 
​

​Several American Legions around Vermont donated a total of just over $3000 to help purchase new tents for Mt Norris Scout Reservation.  Ron Larose, the State Commander of the American Legions in Vermont took on this fundraiser as his project as Commander.  Recently Ron presented a check to the outgoing Scout Executive, Ed McCollin at a small ceremony held at the American Legion in Bristol, VT. 
 
In addition to his time served as Commander, Ron is a very active Scouter having served as Scoutmaster of Troop 543, chartered to the Legion in Bristol, and currently serves as the Chartered Organization Representative.  
 
This donation will provide between 7 and 8 new tents for a campsite at Mt Norris which will be up and on display in 2021!
 
The Green Mountain Council Executive Board, Mt Norris Scout Camp Leadership and it's Alumni Association extends their heartfelt thanks to Ron for his efforts and support, as well as to all of the Legions and their leadership for supporting Ron and the Scouting programs.  

IT WON’T SMELL LIKE WOOD SMOKE, BUT IT’S STILL SCOUT CAMP

​Green Mountain Council is excited to join the Cradle of Liberty Council (Philadelphia) for their 2020 Scouts BSA virtual summer camp! While virtual events will never replace what we could have done in a week at Mount Norris, we are enthusiastically endorsing this high-quality experience that includes both virtual and offline camp activities and extensive merit badge offerings.

Virtual Camp @ Resica Falls runs weekly through the first week of August. Registration has to occur two weeks before the session begins, and merit badge class size is limited, so you need to HURRY: last day to register is July 19.

​Access to a week of camp-wide activities, the ability to take up to six merit badges--there are 38 available, many with no prerequisites--and the Camp Welcome Box with patch and program materials, will cost $175. Options include a first-year camper program that balances rank advancement (to first class), merit badges, and the fun of camp.

Register as an individual or as a Troop. For a very nominal fee, there’s even a program of training and camp experiences (and a patch!) for adult leaders.

To register, to view the Camp Guide, and for more details, go to https://resicafalls.org/virtual

The Green Mountain Council, Boy Scouts of America Executive Board is pleased to announce the selection of Mark Saxon as Scout Executive and CEO effective August 1.
 
“We are extremely pleased to welcome Mark to the Green Mountain Council.  He brings energy, experience, and an established track records of success,” said Dan Richardson, the President of the Green Mountain Council.

Mark will succeed Ed McCollin, who is retiring in June following a 42-year career in Scouting – having led the Green Mountain Council since 2010.
 
Mark’s selection follows a nation-wide search which began in March.
 
“My family and I appreciate the opportunity to serve and give leadership to the tremendous volunteers who make Scouting possible for so many Vermont families,” said Mark, who achieved the Eagle Scout rank while growing up in Rhode Island.
 
“Right now, a generation of young people is experiencing its 9/11 moment and looking for a way to respond and support communities working to rebuild from the effects of COVID-19. I believe Scouting’s programs are uniquely suited to help meet this moment and connect girls and boys with a powerful sense of purpose and agency.”
 
Mark began his Scouting career in 2008 as a District Executive at the Old North State Council in Greensboro, North Carolina. He moved on to become a District Director at the Cradle of Liberty Council in Philadelphia, where he has served as the Director of Development since 2015.
 
During his tenure as Director of Development, Mark oversaw many strategic initiatives that led to the council being recognized by the national organization as a leader in fundraising innovation. These initiatives include the expansion of the council’s Development Department to positively impact annual fundraising, major gift cultivation, special events, and donor stewardship efforts, and the implementation of customer relationship management software that transformed the council’s ability to cultivate donors and greatly improved fundraising administrative efficiencies.
 
Throughout his career, Mark has championed diversity at all levels and opportunities for young people living in under-resourced communities to benefit from joining Scouting programs. “I believe Scouting provides a much-needed space for families from all walks of life and backgrounds to come together around the timeless values we hope to instill in our kids,” Mark said.
 
“Social distancing has challenged our volunteers to pioneer innovative ways of continuing our work this spring. I am proud of their efforts and am looking forward to building relationships in the community that can help sustain our mission as we recover from the financial challenges brought on by the pandemic and our prudent but crushing decision to suspend our summer camp season." 
 
While serving in Philadelphia, Mark also gave leadership to the council’s capital campaign and spearheaded the successful effort to secure a $2 million redevelopment grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 
 
Mark received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Walter Cronkite School at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. He and his wife, Bethany, have 2 daughters, Riley and Abigail.
 
Green Mountain Council, Boy Scouts of America delivers programs that have been shown to promote pro-social values, leadership and resilience in youth. Headquartered in Waterbury, the Council serves all 14 counties in the state of Vermont. Annually, nearly 3,000 girls and boys participate in local Scouting programs that are made possible by more than 1,400 trained volunteers. For more information about the Green Mountain Council, please visit www.scoutingvermont.org.

Calvin Coolidge & Ethan Allen District are excited to bring to you another virtual camping weekend!  If you haven't already signed up - please take a moment to register (this will help us make sure you get any information changes hot off the presses!)  There will be flag ceremonies, activities, campfire program and possibility for some impromptu live streams!
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Register for the event here: bit.ly/2YXlEcA
Upload skits for the closing campfire (by 2 PM on Saturday) here: www.dropbox.com/request/hs1NjEr7StwKpvRr9xfD
Join the GMC Virtual Scouting Facebook Group here:  www.facebook.com/groups/gmcvirtualscoutingevents
Read all about the event in our Event Guide!

POW WOW is a Council-wide adult training for everyone interested in Cub Scouting. A Scouting “convention” and learning extravaganza. It’s a time for parents as well as experienced, new, and prospective leaders to learn, share ideas, and see what other packs are doing. Spread the word, get a gang together, and start your fellowship early by carpooling.
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POW WOW is designed to help leaders learn and understand their specific positions in the pack. In addition, it provides resources to improve your unit’s programs by providing a broad range of ideas, as well as address some of the problem areas that arise when working with young Scouts and their parents. ​

This year’s PowWow will not only have classes aimed at the Cub Scouting level but classes as well for the older Scouts BSA leaders as Univ of Scouting did not occur.   
 
This event is also FUN!  Too many times we, as leaders, take Scouting a little too seriously.  While we all know how important it is to deliver the Scouting program to the youth we serve, we as adults, must keep in mind that Scouting is and can be fun for everyone.  The Leader Pow Wow is no different; FUN, FELLOWSHIP and a full day of learning how to instill values in young people through the Scout Oath and Law. 
 
We are planning to have Cub Care for Wolf Scouts up to AOL Scouts.  
Registration Starts 7:30 AM
          Opening Ceremony 8:30 AM
          Closing Ceremony 4:00 PM

Please block the day and join in the festivities!   ​

At the June meeting of the Lodge Executive Committee, a unanimous vote was cast to donate $5000 to the Green Mountain Council Endowment Fund.   These funds will be placed in the endowment fund with the interest earned to help support the overall operations of the Green Mountain Council.  In addition, the Lodge Officers voted to support the summer camp maintenance with their annual gift of $1250 per camp despite the cancellation of the summer programs.

This is a tremendous boost to the endowment fund and a sign of loyalty and support to the Council operations and its properties, stated Scout Executive Ed McCollin.  Based on all the rather grim news we have had in the past 3 months; this vote was fantastic and a big lift to those who will benefit from these gifts.
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McCollin expressed his sincere thanks to Lodge Chief, Nate Quesnel for leading the discussion and for the long-time and positive support given by Lodge Advisor, Marc Poulin.  It says a lot about the Order of the Arrow and its relationship with the Council and camp leadership.”  

​Scouts and Scouters:
 
I wanted to send out a quick note to let you know that the 2021 Jamboree is still on. 
Plans are being made to send a contingent to the Summit in West Virginia next year. 
40 Scouts are registered to date and there is still room for more, many more! 
Our committee has been meeting for the last 8 months, putting together a fantastic trip with some excellent leaders to enable our Scouts to have one of the most memorable trips that will stay with them forever. 
 
The trip includes:
 

• A stay in Washington D.C., with a visit to the Mall
• Hershey Park
• 10 action packed days at the Jamboree
• All travel, food, and lodging
• Each Scout will receive a duffel bag, day pack, 2 baseball caps, rain jacket, neckerchief, cool patches, and more. 

 
This will be an event Scouts will never forget.
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Here is a link to the GMC flyer: https://www.scoutingvermont.org/uploads/4/7/2/2/47226097/2021_jamboree_brochure.pdf
 
It includes how to sign up and a payment schedule. 
 
Please spread the word. This will be a trip of a lifetime.
 
Feel free to send me any questions about the Jamboree.
 
 
Thanks,
Russ Baker  rusbaker@gmavt.net
 
2021 GMC Jamboree Committee Chair