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.
 

Annually the VFW awards three individuals who are Eagle Scouts, Girl Scout Gold Award recipients, or Venture Summit Award recipients who have risen above their peers in exemplifying the qualities of that rank.  Awards are as follow:
$5,000 1st Place National Scholarship
$3,000 2nd Place National Scholarship
$1,000 3rd Place National Scholarship
 
Deadline to apply is March 1, 2020.  For more information on how to apply, click here to complete the entry form.

​The Green Mountain Council Executive Board, on recommendation from the Council Summer Camp leadership, has approved the fees for the 2020 Green Mountain Council resident camping program. We are pleased to once again be able to offer a complimentary camp t-shirt for all scouts and leaders who pay the full camp fee by May 15, 2020.
 
Here is a summary of the fee structure with a more detailed explanation of each:
 
Frontiers Camp
 
Non-refundable deposit of $75 (Required at registration to secure reservation)
Early Bird Fee – $310 by 4/15
Regular Fee - $350 by 5/15
Full Fee - $385 after 5/15
 
Camp Sunrise and Mt. Norris
Non-refundable deposit of $100 by 3/15
Early Bird Fee - $400 by 4/15 if deposit paid by 3/15
Regular Fee - $460 by 5/15 without initial deposit
Full Fee - $495 after 5/15
Adults - $100 per adult over and above the free leader formula

• 1-4 Scouts: Leader fee is $100 per Leader
• 5-16 Scouts: 2 Leaders Free, all others are $100 each
• 17-24 Scouts: 3 Leaders Free, all others are $100
• 25+ Scouts; 4 leaders free, all others $100

 
The following is a more detailed explanation of each of the rates and discounts for all youth in Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA.
 
Non-Refundable Deposit (Camp Sunrise and Mt. Norris)
A $100 non-refundable deposit must be made for each scout and be received in the Council Service Center no later than March 15, 2020. This fee is included in the total fee of each camp and is a requirement for the early bird reduced fee. Scouts that do not make the $100 deposit by March 15, 2020 are not eligible for the early bird discount.
 
Campership Deadline (All camps)
The campership deadline for all camps is March 15, 2020. The campership application can be found here and must be accompanied by the $100 camp deposit detailed above. An award decision will be made and reported to families no later than April 1, 2020.
 
Early Bird Fee (Camp Sunrise and Mt. Norris)
The Early bird fee for each camp is $400 and must be paid in full no later than April 15, 2020. In order to be eligible for the early bird fee of $400, the $100 deposit must have been paid by 3/15/20 and final balance received in the Council Service Center no later than April 15, 2020.
 
Regular Fee (Camp Sunrise and Mt. Norris)
If the $100 deposit is not made by 3/15/20, the regular fee for those campers is $460 and is due no later than May 15, 2020.
 
Full Fee (Camp Sunrise and Mt. Norris)
The full fee of $495 applies to any scout who did not meet the Early Bird deadline of 4/15/20 or Regular fee deadline of 5/15/20 and applies to any camp fee after May 15, 2020. Due to the impact of late registrations on the summer camp staffs, this fee and deadline is designed to assist the camp leadership with making late staffing and program adjustments.
 
Multi-Camp Discount (All camps)
Any scout who attends more than one resident camp (including Mt. Norris, Frontiers Camp, or NYLT) can receive a $50 discount for each additional camp they attend.
 
Sibling Discount (All camps)
Any sibling scout who registers for a resident summer camp (Camp Sunrise, Mt. Norris, Frontiers Camp, or NYLT) can receive a $50 discount if their sibling has registered and paid for another Green Mountain Council resident camp.
 
New Scout Registrations (Camp Sunrise and Mt. Norris)
Any new scout (registered in Cub Scouts or Scouts BSA after the deposit deadline of March 15, 2020) can attend any Green Mountain Council Resident Summer camp at the early bird rate.
 
Complimentary T-shirt (All camps)
All three camps will continue to offer a complimentary t-shirt for all scouts and leaders registered for a full week of camp and have paid their weekly fee in full by May 15, 2020.
 
Scouts and leaders attending Camp Sunrise and Mt. Norris must have their full week fee paid in full and registration information (including t-shirt size) uploaded into Tentaroo by May 15, 2020. We can only provide a complimentary shirt for each full week fee (or free leader) so leaders that split a weekly fee will be provided with a single t-shirt. Please enter one leader into Tentaroo with his or her respective shirt size.
 
Scouts attending Frontiers Camp must have the t-shirt size recorded at the time they complete their online registration form.

OKPIK is training to prepare you for winter camping. Whether you are building shelters or sleeping in tents, it is important to be trained how to handle the rigors of camping in below freezing temperatures. A mixture of lecture and hands on training will prepare you to take your unit out in the grips of winter with confidence. Whether it's backyard or backcountry OKPIK is the cure. Also there are some great patches that can be earned within the Council if a trained leader takes Scouts out for a winter camping experience. OKPIK is offered at Mt. Norris the weekend of January 31 - February 2. The cost is $45. This is an adult course, but is also open to Scouts ages 14 and up. If you have any questions, please forward them to me. Here is a link to more information and a registration form:  https://www.scoutingvermont.org/okpik.html
 
Russ Baker
2020 OKPIK Staff member
rusbaker@gmavt.net

The 2021 National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia is an assembly of 40,000 Scouts from around the United States and the world participating in high adventure activities for 10 days. The Green Mountain Council is planning on sending a contingent of 80 Scouts (Boys and Girls, ages 12-17) and 8 adult leaders. The trip will include round trip on a coach bus and visits to Washington DC and Hershey Amusement Park. All meals are included. Scouts will also receive patches, a Jamboree hat, t-shirt, and jacket or vest. The cost of the trip is $2,100 per person. Payments are spread out over the next 16 months. We also have a video presentation for the Jamboree. If you would like us to come and talk to your unit, we would be glad to. Perhaps you would like us to combine it with a camp promotion as well.

There will be more information coming out over the next month. Registration starts in late December. Let us know if you would like a presentation and we'll add you to our calendar.

Russ Baker
2021 GMC National Jamboree Committee Chair
rusbaker@gmavt.net

Let's talk about Mt. Norris Scout Reservation! Over the last 4 years, our only Scouts BSA camp in the Green Mountain Council has been growing.

We have made a huge investment in upgrades to our facility and our program. We operate 5 weeks of summer camp starting on Sundays (first week starts July 5th). Each week runs until Saturday morning. Five full days of earning merit badges and lots of afternoon and evening program. Here is a short video of what you can expect at Mt. Norris:  https://youtu.be/pEf9CrNBdZU

We would be glad to come to a Troop meeting, committee meeting, Court of Honor, or some other activity to do a promotion and answer questions. Our 2020 leaders guide will be available in January. A registration form can be found at the following location: https://www.scoutingvermont.org/uploads/4/7/2/2/47226097/mnsr_reservation_form_2020.pdf

Let us know if you would like us to make a visit.

Russ Baker
2019 MNSR Program Director
rusbaker@gmavt.net

Since 1910, Scouting has helped mold the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes and understands that helping youth puts us on a path towards a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.

​Today's professional Scouters are a diverse group of men and women sharing a dynamic career offering independence, achievement, and stability. This is work that makes a difference, work that calls one to continual learning and challenge, work that offers solid compensation, benefits and advancement.

Desired Skills:

• Strong marketing, fund-raising and program development background is highly desired.
• Non-profit, fundraising or sales experience is a plus.
• Must be comfortable with public speaking and interacting with diverse audiences. Excellent people skills, enthusiastic, punctual, responsible and creative.
• Self-motivated individual with solid time management skills and strong organizational skills in management, budgeting, and planning.
• Committed to personal and professional productivity, while maintaining high ethical and professional working standards.

 
Requirements:

• Must be willing to accept and meet the Boy Scout of America’s leadership and membership standards and subscribe to the Scout Oath and Law.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (transcript with the date degree conferred stated is required for employment).
• 21 years of age or older.
• Ability to work varied hours when necessary, evening activities and weekend work is frequently required to achieve positive objectives.
• Ability to travel for training at least once a year for one to two weeks.
• A Scouting background is helpful but not required for employment.
• Offers for employment are subject to criminal, reference and motor vehicle background checks.

 
Compensation:
All councils are equal opportunity employers. In addition to offering a competitive salary, Professional Scouting offers benefits to include major medical, prescription coverage, dental, vision, life-insurance, long-term disability, accidental death, a defined benefit retirement plan, plus compensation for authorized and approved business-related expenses to include electronic, phone and mileage reimbursement.  We also offer generous vacation policy and ten paid holiday observances.
 
The District Executive selected will:

• Serve as the CEO of the district and work with a volunteer board of directors and other community and business leaders to identify, recruit, train, guide, and inspire them to become involved in youth programs. 
• Achieve progress towards specific goals and objectives which include: program development through collaborative relationships, volunteer recruitment and training, fundraising, membership recruitment and retention.
• Be responsible for extending programs to religious, civic, fraternal, educational, and other community-based organizations through volunteers.
• Secure adequate financial support for programs in assigned area.  Achieve net income and participation objectives for assigned programs and activities.
• Recruit leadership for finance campaign efforts to meet the financial needs of the organization.
• Ensure that all program sites are served through volunteers, regular leader meetings, training events and activities.
• Collaborate with adult volunteers and oversee achievement of training for their respective role.
• Be a good role model and recognize the importance of working relationships with other professionals and volunteers.  The executive must have communication skills and be able to explain the program’s goals and objectives to the public.
• Provide quality service through timely communication, regular meetings, training events and activities.
• Have a willingness and ability to devote time to achieve objectives.

 
How to apply:
Qualified candidates must submit cover letter and resume with salary history to Ed McCollin at edward.mccollin@scouting.org.  Only the most qualified candidates will be contacted.

Spartan Death Patches came in yesterday! There are only 300 and they are on sale now. HURRAY!

Price $10 each or 10 for $100. 

Contact Scott "General Short Beard" Herring to reserve yours today.  s_j_herring@yahoo.com
......................

To honor the Spartans, there is a Council strip that is individually numbered 1-300.  (see attachment)

Many request the "lowest available number", but the best part is you can ask for your favorite number and hopefully it is still available.  Is there a birthday, unit number, or other number that is special to you?  For example, if you are from Troop 87 that would be the patch you want. 

Other examples on clever patch selection;
If your last name is Valentine - 214 
Math wizard - 123
UFO Conspiracy Theorist - 51 (Area 51, get it!)
Restaurant Owner - 99
Independence Day - 74
Michael Jordan fan - 23
Jackie Robinson - 42
NY Yankee fan - 27 (Championships)
Laugh Out Loud - 101
Marathon Runner - 262
Born on Sept 6th - 96
Drive across America (Route) - 66
Clint Eastwood fan - 44
CB Radio - 104
World Traveler - 80(Around the World in 80 Days)
What percent do you give - 110
Work around the clock - 247
Golfer - 18 (holes)
Ways to leave your lover - 50
Speed Limit - 65
Love potion - 9
Revolutionary War - 76
Number of Grandchildren - ? 
Year of graduation - ?
 
Send an email to Scott Herring with your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice.  And yes........you're welcome.

In faithful defense of Sparta,

General Grey Beard

UPDATE: 1/24/2020 - PATCHES ARE SOLD OUT!! Thank you for your support!

Because the Green Mountain Council Holiday Patches were so well received in the past, we are continuing the set with the third collectible patch . They are just $5 each.   These patches will have button loops so that you can use them as ornaments on your Christmas tree if you desire.  There will only be 100 patches available, so reserve your patches as soon as possible by contacting Judy at the Green Mountain Council Scout Shop.  They are now available in the Green Mountain Council Scout Shop.