Woodbadge Training.  This fall, our council will offer a unique and hands-on training called Woodbadge for the 21st Century.  This course will give you organizational, management, leadership, and practical skills that will help you be a better Scout leader and will help you at home and on the job.  You can even earn college credits for this training.  While many councils are charging well over $200 for this course, our course director, Chris Taylor, has managed to keep our fee to $140.  The program runs over two weekends of 3 full days.  The first is September 25-27 and the second is October 9-11.  More information and the registration form are on the training page of the council website, www.peedeescouts.org.  You can also contact Chris Taylor at pdacwoodbadge@line.com or 843-665-7356.

New On-line Training.  The National BSA council has introduced a new on-line training to replace New Leader Essentials.  It is called “This is Scouting.”  This training is required for all leaders to be “trained” for their position.  To access it, you must go to www.scouting.org, click MyScouting at the top of the page. At that point you will log in if you have a MyScouting account or register.  To ensure you receive credit for completed on-line training in the BSA record system you will need your BSA membership ID number from your membership card.  If you do not have your card, check with your unit leader or contact Diane Wheeler at 843-662-6306.  You now have access to a number of necessary and useful training programs.

Centennial Council Shoulder Patch Design Contest.  In celebration of the 100th birthday of the Boy Scouts of America, the Pee Dee Area Council is conducting a patch design contest.  We want a special CSP to honor this historic milestone.  More information about how to submit a design is included in the latest Smoke Signals and is on www.peedeescouts.org under Camping and Activities on the 100th Anniversary page. 

Summer Camp.  Your boys deserve the “Outing” in Scouting.  Boys join Boy Scouts for the adventure and fun of the outdoors.  They expect to go to summer camp.  If you have problems getting two-deep leadership to go for a week, we can arrange for you to share a campsite with another troop or the camp staff can help find you leadership.  You can also have parents and leaders rotate through.  Each person stays for 1 or 2 days.  If money is the issue, be pro-active.  Talk to your chartering organization.  Many churches or members will “sponsor” a Scout if they knew of the need.  Local civic clubs like Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions will often sponsor a Scout.  But you have to ask!!!  Your troop may have some extra funds that you could share among those interested boys.  If your Scouts helped raise the money, shouldn’t they benefit from it?  Finally, the Pee Dee Area Council has a limited amount of Campership money to help boys attend camp.  We usually can go up to 50% of the camp fee if there is a real need.  The Campership application form is on our website on the Resources page.

Summer Camp Leader’s Information.  The 2009 Summer Camp Leaders Guide and Program Guide are now available on the council website under Camping and Activities on the Boy Scout Summer Camp page.

2010 Jamboree Staff Openings.  If you ever dreamed of attending a Jamboree with 45,000 other Scouts and Scouters, you still have a chance.  The 100th Anniversary Jamboree, and the last one at Fort A. P. Hill, is the one to go to.  There are hundreds of staff positions still available.  This is your best chance to be part of this historic event.  To apply, go to www.bsajamboree.org, on the left click “Staff” and read about the qualifications and available positions.  After reading that, click on “Register Now” in the red block next to the countdown clock near the top of the page.

Youth Protection Training for Youth.  Did you know there is Youth Protection training for your Scouts, Venturers, and Explorers?  There is.  You have heard for a long time how important it is for you to get the adult training, well it is just as important for our young people to receive their training.  It is video training that is available through the council service center.  It is age appropriate so don’t combine Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts to do it together.  You must also notify parents before conducting it to get their permission.  Parents should have an opportunity to view the video before their children or with them.  The training is explicit but not graphic.  Contact the service center at 843-662-6306 or kklatt@bsamail.org to find out how to check out a copy.

2010 Philmont Contingent Available.  The Council has a Philmont contingent available next June to give to a troop or crew that would like to take it over.  It begins on June 23 and is for 12 participants.  The first deposit of $600 will be due to Philmont in May.  Anyone interested must contact April Smith immediately at apsmith@bsamail.org or 843-662-6306.

2009 Silver Beavers.  Congratulations to the 2009 class of Silver Beavers!  They were Becky Lewis of Sumter, Andy Clendenin of Florence, Jim Hill of Florence, Bob Reinhardt of Myrtle Beach and Joel Richardson of Galivants Ferry.  The Silver Beaver is the highest award a local council can give to a volunteer.  These recipients have proven over many years their commitment to the development of young people and the values of Scouting. 

We Need a Geek Squad.  The Council is trying to expand its electronic communication capabilities.  To do that, we need a number of computer savvy volunteers to help design and maintain websites, host blogs and Facebook pages, and develop other forms of “electronica.”  If you have the skills and desire to help the Pee Dee Area Council put on a good digital face, let us know.  Email Ed Huyer at ehuyer@bsamail.org.     

V-Force = Volunteer Office Help.  Would you like to be part of the V-Force?  We are developing a group of volunteers who have free time during the week to provide office assistance.  Occasionally, our office staff of Mary Lou, Diane, and Karen, get overwhelmed with the work and need help.  We need folks who can come in to the service center occasionally to do things like prepare mailings, run copies, and do data entry on a computer.  There are no great rewards for this service other than the satisfaction of knowing you are really appreciated.  If you are willing to lend a helping hand at times, please call Mary Lou Hord at or 843-662-6306 or e-mail her at mlhord@bsamail.org.