BEAVER VALLEY DISTRICT Serving the Communities of: Aliquippa, Ambridge, Baden, Beaver, Beaver Falls, Brighton Twp., Center Township, Conway, Darlington, Economy Boro, Elwood City, Enon Valley, Fair Oaks, Fombell, Freedom, Georgetown, Harmony, Hookstown, Industry, Koppel, Midland, Monaca, New Brighton, New Galilee, Ohioville, Rochester, Shippingport, South Heights, Wampum, West Aliquippa and West Bridgewater
Join My GPC-BSA Please if you have not already registered at My GPC-BSA, Click on My GPC-BSA in the left column. Then click on the join tab and register. Once you have registered, Log back in on My GPC-BSA and click on Join Groups on the left column and scroll down to District news and Events and check the box next to Beaver Valley and the box next to email. then scroll down to Council Events and News and check the box next to Council calendar and the box next to email, when done scroll down and click Submit change. Please become a member. This will become an even more valuable communications tool as we go forward.                                BVD swim program. May 21st is the last day for the swim program. Scouts need to call and register with Mike Shovlin @ (724-728-2070) like any other merit badge. Please always call him before you leave for the pool to verify it is open. Leaders you are to call 724-728-2070 to registered your scouts for the summer camp swim checks. Snorkeling: As a lifeguard with the BVD swim program I see all your boys from the time they are Webelos through their 2nd & 1st class ranks and then earning their Swimming and Life Saving Merit Badges.  My observation has been that the element they enjoy the most and are most excited about is when they get to put on those fins and masks and go snorkeling.  However, I can't recall the last time that anyone has signed up to earn the Snorkeling patch.  The course is offered at the Beaver High swimming pool each Wednesday evening with the other swim activities. The snorkeling patch is awarded with the completion of the Snorkeling course, which usually takes just one evening.  If your boys are interested please contact John Onuska to schedule a session.  Keep in mind that Mike Shovlin @ (724-728-2070) requests we keep the groups to no more than 15.  Time is running out for this year as the swim program is coming to a close by May 21st.  But there is still time!!!  I’m sure your boys will enjoy this taste of high adventure.           Mall Show Patches and 2008 rockers TO: Everyone who has been waiting patiently for more 2008-2010 Mall Show Patches and 2008 rockers to come in. THEY ARE HERE!!! As you know, they were such a big seller we sold out the day of the Mall Show and several units were not able to buy them. They are a Centennial commemorative patch that will have a center oval patch surrounded by 3 outer ring "rockers" for each of the next 3 years culminating in the 100th Anniversary of BSA. This is definitely a collector's item! I will sell them for the same price as we did at the Mall- $3.50 for a patch and $1 for a 2008 rocker. (however if you ask me for the "mall discount" of $4 per set, I will honor it.) Please bring your cash or checks [payable to: GPC-BSA] to April Roundtable (Apr 3) . We may have to increase the price next year if the manufacturer increases their price, so get them now while they are still cheap. Contact me if you have any questions-- Steve Halavanja halavanja@comcast.net                   BVD ADULT RECOGNITION DINNER THE LEADERSHIP OF BEAVER VALLEY DISTRICT INVITES YOU AND A GUEST TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL DINNER Date: Saturday May 3rd., 2008 (this is the correct date) Place: Monaca Turner's, 1700 Broadhead Rd, Monaca. Gathering at 5:30 PM with opening at 6:00 PM The annual dinner recognizes Scouting volunteers who have made an impact on the Scouts of Beaver County through direct unit service or through district support. The evening will consist of dinner, awards, year in review, and plenty of fellowship. Please complete the Registration form(pdf) and return with a check to: Tony Rogers, address is on the form.                            Scouts Honored! Published: Monday, March 10, 2008 7:16 AM EDT This letter is to recognize the Beaver Valley District Boy Scouts.   Recently, scouts and their scoutmaster, John C. Onuska Jr., held a Winter Camporee at Brush Creek Park. There were 136 scouts who participated in the event.   When the maintenance crew arrived on Monday morning, they assumed there would be a lot cleaning up to do. To their amazement, they could not so much as find one piece of paper on the grounds or the restrooms. The entire area was left in immaculate condition.   Keep in mind that there were 136 camp attendees and not one piece of debris was found.   In direct contrast on another day, an area on one of the bridges in the park had been barricaded by heavy barrels and caution tape to ensure everyone’s safety.   In the morning, when the foreman arrived, he discovered that the barrels and caution tape had been thrown into the creek. This trashing of the creek was probably accomplished by two or so vandals.   You have to wonder why anyone would do this and what a distinction in the youth. One hundred thirty-six scouts — no clean up required; two or so vandals — extensive cleanup and total disregard for public safety.   GayeAnn Ice Beaver County Department   Ted Krzemienski of Public Works              BOY SCOUT RIFLE SHOOTING ACTIVITY or                                 BSA Rifle Merit Badge   Goal:  To provide beginning shooters with an introduction to the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to responsibly use a bolt  action .22 rifle. Please see the Boy Scout Rifle Shooting Activity page for more details.       BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA SPECIALITY PLATE Show your Scouting Spirit by purchasing a new BSA plate! The Boy Scouts of America specialty plate is designed to raise community awareness. You can show your support of the Boy Scouts of America by replacing your current PA state license plate with this special Boy Scouts of America plate.  Eligibility: Specialty plates are restricted to passenger vehicles, light trucks and motor homes with a registered gross weight of not more that 9,000 lbs. Motorcycles and trailers do not qualify for specialty registration plates Costs: There is a one-time fee of $35.00. The total $35.00 payment should be made out to the Greater Pittsburgh Council, B.S.A. The Greater Pittsburgh Council will take care of the distribution from each plate fee: PennDOT will receive $20.00 (as indicated on page two of this form), the balance is used for plate production and a contribution to Scouting.   Application form>>>                         What is Wood Badge ? Click here to find out ! (Here)                             Venturing Web Site! Here is the link to the Greater Pittsburgh Venturing Web Site Click (HERE) The Venturing also has a web site: www.gpc-venturing.org		District Key Three Chairman:               John Carr               H: (724) 775-3505 Commissioner:       V. William Smith      H: (724) 775-0754 District Director:     Dave Maudie            (412) 325-7975 District Executive:  Tony Rogers            (412)-325-7976 BVD Web Content: Roy Shumaker                    Roundtable Location !  Roundtables are held at Park Presbyterian Church in Beaver. The church is located directly across from the Beaver County Court House Parking garage and leaders are encouraged to park in the garage as space is limited in the church lots.                      Directions To Camps !     Directions to Camp Baker and other camps are found on the Fare Left Column Camping and then Camping Facilities & Maps, then scoll down to the camp you are looking for.                             Spring Roundup! Beginning March 1, Beaver Valley District will be running our annual Spring Roundup. In many districts, the spring roundup is used primarily to recruit Tiger Cubs. In the BVD this year, we are going to try and focus on recruiting not only Tigers but boys of every age into the Scouting program. The Beaver Valley as well as the Greater Pittsburgh Council, B.S.A. offers premiere camping opportunities throughout the summer season and it's important when recruiting to know that you will have the ability to ,deliver the promise to those new Scouts.           Summer Camp Leader Orientation Meetings  Summer camp is almost here and we are sure that your Scouts are looking forward to the fun, sun and adventure. The Camp Promotion and Outdoors Committee has arranged for two leader orientations to be held. At least one camp leader is strongly urged to attend one of the two key meetings. Thursday, April 17, 2008 – at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, Steubenville Pike, Robinson Township. Registration & crackerbarrel begin at 6:30 p.m., the program begins at 7:15 p.m. (Crackerbarrel provided by Enda Lechauhanne Lodge #57, Order of the Arrow)  Saturday, May 10, 2008 – Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., the program begins at 9 a.m. at Heritage Reservation. Lunch will be provided.  We strongly recommend that leaders who are attending camp for the first time attend the orientation at Heritage Reservation on May 10. A tour of camp would be advantageous. The program will include details on Cub Scout camp and Boy Scout camp, with an emphasis on advanced planning, medical forms, leaders guide books, programs offered, advancement, and plenty of time for questions and answers. As the summer nears, please remember these important dates and procedures. Troops with less than 15 Scouts in camp may be required to “double up” in a campsite. If the troop has not submitted its deposits by the Early Bird date of April 1, for the minimum campsite capacity of 15 Scouts, the camp reserves the right to reassign the troop to another campsite. For Cub Scout camp, the individual deposit fees must be submitted by April 1 to hold the number of spaces that your pack has reserved. Beyond this date, your space will be made available to other packs.                      Boy Scout Spring Camporee! This year the Boy Scout spring camporee will be held April 25-27. The theme for this year is First Aid and Emergency Preparedness. Come out practice and display your Scouting skills with a weekend of fun, fellowship and Scouting. And always remember the Boy Scout motto: BE PREPARED!                                              OA   The Order of the Arrow will be having their Spring Ceremonial weekend at Heritage Reservation the weekend of May 16- 18. For any brothers of the lodge, this is an important weekend where you witness the progress and culmination of your fellow Arrowmen. Please come and support your fellow honored scouts.                                            FOS   The Family Friends of Scouting season is once again upon us, many of you have your presentations coming up real soon, if your unit has not yet scheduled your date, please do so ASAP. We would like to have all presentations completed -by the end of April if possible. Please contact Jack Boyde 724 775-4623. This is a large part of our $82,000 goal for Beaver County with a goal for Family of $28,000. Thanks for your continued support in Beaver County.                                 Are you trained!   Troop leaders, have you been trained in the Boy Scout Program? Webelos leaders and Cubmasters, are you prepared to make the transition in the world of Boy Scouts? If you answered no to either question, then you should attend the weekend long Integrated Boy Scout Leader Training (IBSLT), at Camp Baker on May 16-18. The weekend will help Scout leaders perform their volunteer roles more efficiently, which' translates to a better program for the boys. If interested, contact the district training chair Alan Hazelwood razzle1@earthlink.net  or see Senior Patrol Leader John Chickless.                                    Day Camp ! Day camp season will soon be here and the staff is making sure that the Cub Scouts of our district receive the best possible experience we can give them. Day camps offer memories that lasts a lifetime and your help will make a difference. To serve on staff, please contact Carol Frear.   Also, make sure that you pack has registered for Day Camp. Forms were available in the Cub Scout Summer Parents' Guide, on the internet, or at Flag Plaza. Don't let your Scouts miss an opportunity of a lifetime.                                Spring Roundup ! Although summer is just around the corner, units should still be recruiting new youth. Now is the perfect time to get new Scouts excited about the program.   Summer camp, day camp, and Cub resident camp are great ways to entice youth to join the Scouting movement and have them participate in the best summer experience right from the start. Remember, the sooner a boy gets to camp, the longer he will stay in.                            Annual District Meeting !  Mark your calendar for Thursday, May 29 for the District Annual Meeting. All district committee members and chartered organization representatives are invited to attend.   Unit level volunteers are invited as well to see how the processes of selecting the top district leaders are selected. The meeting will be held at Park at 7:00 p.m. right before the district committee and commissioner staff meetings.                                    Program kickoff !  Make sure that someone from your unit is present at the June 5th program kickoff at Camp Baker. Program packets for the 2008-2009 year will be available along with other material to help your unit plan its annual program during the summer.   This is one the most important meetings the district has during the year, so make sure your unit is represented.                       Greater Pittsburgh Council, BSA 2008 Webelos Outdoor Weekend Course Announcement Location: Camp Anawanna in Amity, PA Date: June 6th - 8th, 2008             What is the Purpose of WOW?  The purpose of WOW is to provide both current and future  Webelos Leaders with an understanding of the Webelos Outdoor Program, to provide them with current information and hands-on skills training they can use to plan, organize and conduct an exciting and interesting outdoor program for Webelos Scouts that is consistent with the policies and health and safety guidelines of both the National Council and the Greater Pittsburgh Council, and to demonstrate that activities in the outdoors are FUN! Why Should I Attend?  The information and skills presented will help both current and future Webelos Leaders, as well as other adults interested in assisting in outdoor activities and advancements, put on an active and informative outdoor program that your Webelos Scouts will find both FUN and challenging, and help prepare them for Boy Scouting!   How Does WOW Fit With Other Webelos Training?  The WOW program is designed to support the Webelos Program by providing information, guidance and teaching skills that will improve the knowledge and ability of Adult Leaders to conduct outdoor programs for Webelos Scouts.  It’s also an awesome chance to go camping with your son! What Topics will be covered at WOW?  The following is a partial list of the topics that will be covered at WOW; Webelos Outdoor Activities Camp Site Selection and Tenting Bedding and Weather Sanitation Fire Building Outdoor Cooking Use of Woods Tools Safe Swim Defense Knots and Ropes First Aid for Outdoor Activities Planning Campouts Planning Campfires Geologist Naturalist Forester Outdoorsman Showman Plan now to attend!  registation form Any Questions contact Tony at: anrogers@bsamail.org

7:55:05 AM