Blowin Smoke

In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, please share your memories and old photos for a newspaper article by sending them to Dawn Goodman at dgoodman@observer-reporter.com or call her at 724-222-2200.

Order your Mingo Trails District 100TH Anniversary Patch by 15 March 2010, see the Order Form for more details.

Each year, beginning in January, our district begins its annual Friends of Scouting (FOS) campaign. Friends of Scouting are individuals who include Scouting in their charitable giving on an annual basis. Beginning in January each pack, troop, and crew will be asked schedule a Family FOS presentation. A representative from our district will come to your meeting to present a short informative talk to your parents about their opportunity to support the Family FOS campaign.

Now is the time to consider the best time when a majority of your parents will be in attendance, i.e.; Court of Honor, Blue & Gold banquet, pack meeting. Each parent should have the opportunity to learn about our operations, and why they should consider making a contribution to support Scouting.

For Amore information about Family FOS, or to schedule a Family FOS presentation in your unit, please contact Ward Reighard, at 724-941-8291.

Created specifically for the 100th Anniversary Celebration, Adventure Base 100 will be travelling the country to give people an exciting, hands-on view of the history and future of the Boy Scouts of America. Locally, the Pittsburgh stop will be held at the Three Rivers Arts Festival at Point State Park on June 4-13, 2010.
When people enter the campus, their contact information and other data will be collected. Our hope is to engage them in Scouting beyond the Adventure Base 100 experience. Volunteers and programming ideas for the campus’ stage will be needed, so please contact Amy Franz at (412) 325-7910 or Amy.Franz@Scouting.org to learn how you can be a part of something great in Pittsburgh!

The National Executive Board recently approved a resolution to change the eligibility requirements for Venturing to ensure consistency among Venturing, high-adventure bases, and other core programs. The current age and grade eligibility requirement for participation in the Venturing program is 14 years of age and completion of the eighth grade. Effective May 1, 2010, the minimum age requirement will be changed to 14 years of age, or 13 years of age and completion of the eighth grade. The maximum age for participation remains under 21 years of age. In support of this change, attached is a list of frequently asked questions. This information is posted at www.scouting.org/venturing. If you have any questions, please contact Donald Shepard at the BSA national office at 972-580-2547 or donald.shepard@scouting.org.

Dale Coyne Racing and the Boy Scouts of America Announce Alliance. See the new Boy Scout Race Car and find out more information at http://www.dalecoyneracing.com. Read more with National Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca and Dale Coyne.

For our 100th Anniversary Celebration, the BSA is tapping into the outdoor fun and excitement of geocaching and inviting you along for the adventure! Through Get in the Game! geocaching events, Scouts and non-Scouts alike will search for prizes in this fast-paced, outdoor quest. It's a great way to share interesting and useful Scouting skills — and outdoor adventure — with today's tech savvy kids.

Please see the attached flyer inviting everyone to participate in the annual 4th of July parade in Canonsburg to be held on Saturday July 3rd. Mark your calendar and plan now to join your fellow Scouts and Scouters as we celebrate 100 years of Scouting!!!

FAST TRACKS is a series of den meeting plans (two den meetings per month) designed to be used in conjunction with the youth handbooks. By following the prescribed den meeting plans as written, the boys will fulfill the requirements necessary to earn the badge of rank by early spring.

BSA Alumni Connection is a call to reconnect and engage former Scouts and anyone who has been touched by the Boy Scouts of America — family members of Scouts (both past and present), volunteers, Scouters, community leaders, and the tens of millions of Americans who have benefited from Scouting in their communities.
Visit the BSA Alumni Connection website at: www.scoutingfriends.org

A century of the finest outdoor and leadership experience a boy could have! This tradition lives on at the pinnacle of the 100th Anniversary of Scouting—the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. Yesterday merges with tomorrow at the greatest Scouting event of the century. It is the opportunity of a lifetime, one you will never forget. DON’T MISS OUT on this special moment in time! In a video, Boys’ Life’s own Pee Wee Harris is talking to his friend about the jamboree while video highlights of the 2005 Jamboree are being shown. We are experiencing much interest in our Boy Scouts and leaders signing up for the 2010 National Scout Jamboree at Ft. A. P. Hill, Virginia. With our commitment of 8 troops nearing completion in the weeks ahead. 215 youth and 32 leaders are registered with only 9 spaces per troop remaining. These spots will go quickly. For more information contact David Koltash the Contingent Coordinator 412-854-1645. You may also want to visit the GPC-Jamboree Website.

Due to a recent contact by the PA Department of Agriculture to visit one of our camps to test for Emerald Ash Borer, The Greater Pittsburgh Council camping and properties committees have enacted the following policy as it relates to hauling of firewood into any of our camping facilities. It is a temporary policy to enforce that the movement of firewood of all types and species into our camps is prohibited. Butler and Allegheny counties currently have additional quarantines to prevent the spread of plant pests. Each of our camps does have a limited amount of fallen trees and this can be gathered and burned while in camp. The cutting of standing timber is not allowed on any of our facilities. Pallet wood has been allowed and we will continue to permit this as long as all nails have been removed from the fire pit area. You must haul all pallet wood home that you bring or burn it: it can not be left when you leave the site. Please feel free to visit http://paemeraldashborer.psu.edu for additional information. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Persons felling trees more than three inches in diameter by any means must be approved by the camp ranger or camp director. All tree cutting must be properly supervised and a minimum of two individuals must be present. Any person who operates a chain saw must be approved by the camp ranger. Chainsaw operators must be at least 18 years old meet one of the following requirements: (1) be a professional forester. (2) be a certified arborist. (3) have received training in these techniques from the Ranger section of National Camping School (4) have written documentation of having other training in these techniques that is recognized by the state or federal government. (5) have successfully completed the BSA Chainsaw Safety Training Course.

Come join us. Chapter Meetings are held in conjunction with Roundtable at Fairhill Manor Church on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30. Please have your O.A. Troop Representative attend. For more information please see the OA Webpage. If you have any questions, you can e-mail Chapter Chief, Shawn Geiger, at scouterangela@hotmail.com or call 724-229-8535.

New adult leader applications are now available at Flag Plaza-Scout Center. Please dispose of all old adult applications that have been issued to date.

In 2010, the Boy Scouts of America will celebrate 100 years as an organization. Founded as an outlet to prepare every eligible youth in America to become a participating citizen and leader, BSA has more than fulfilled its mission. Today, as we celebrate our first 100 years, we not on only reflect on our rich history, but lay the foundation for a strong future, as well. Please immediately share this news with your Scouts. To get details about the 100th Anniversary, visit the BSA 100th Anniversary web site.

Now you can order your scout stuff online at The Greater Pittsburgh Council Scout Store. Order everything from Uniforms & Insignia New items listed. Check out this great shop at home opportunity. Contact the Pittsburgh Scout Shop at(412) 642-7695 or Fax: (412) 642-6623.

For Amore information about Family FOS, or to schedule a Family FOS presentation in your unit, please contact Ward Reighard, at 724-941-8291.

Mingo Trails District - District Roundtable Meeting
Fairhill Manor Church
Montgomery Street
Washington, PA

Mingo Trails District - District Committee Meeting
First United Methodist Church
161 West Pike Street
Canonsburg Pa 15317 

7:30 PM
 The list of District 
Committee - Members-At-Large

Mingo Trails District - District Commissioners Meeting
Chartiers Hill United Presbyterian Church
2230 Washington Rd Canonsburg, Pa
Cross Roads Rte 519 / Rte 19.
A complete schedule

Mingo Trails District - Advancement Committee Meeting
7:00 PM
2 different locations
First United Methodist Church
Abundant Life Baptist Church
A complete schedule