An Attack Dog Demonstration

An Attack Dog Demonstration

Yaw Paw Day Camp Director Henry Hahn volunteered to be the bad guy! This photo appeared in the Bergen Record on April 22. Click on the photo to enlarge it.

The caption: Hasbrouck Heights Police Officer Dave Ciliento handling Bosco as he prepares to put the bite on the "bad guy" played with bravura by Cub Scout Day Camp Director Henry Hahn, during a K-9 unit demonstration Thursday that captivated Scouts. [Photo credit: Viorel Florescu]

How the NY Council Pushed for Gay Scout Leaders

How GNYC Pushed for Gay Scout Leaders

"Taking the Lead" was the headline of a recent article that appeared in the Hoboken Reporter, written by Al Sullivan. Click here for the article. The article was about Richard "Ricky" Mason, current president of the Greater New York Councils, and how GNYC "forced the national Boy Scout organization to change its policies." (Mason lives in Hoboken.)

Sullivan relates how BSA National decided to allow gay youth into the program in 2014, but continued to exclude gay leaders until last year. Sullivan said, "In mid-2015, former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates – president of the national Boy Scouts of America Organization – reversed the organization’s prior policy and allowed the hiring of gay leaders for the first time.

Mason said, "The New York Council was far ahead of the nation on this issue... We hired [someone] for our summer camp. He was an openly gay Eagle Scout." Mason added, "We needed a spokesperson. I became that spokesperson. We started a media tour (in April 2015) and when it became public, we pushed the national organization to make the change."

Camperships For Scouts in North Hudson

Camperships For Scouts in North Hudson

Offered by Grove Reformed Church in North Bergen

The Paulsen Trust announced that they are ready to receive applications from families in north Hudson County that can use help in paying for summer camp. Please let Norman Kasser know if you would like a copy of the application form. In the past, Paulsen has been quite generous. Their deadline is May 15, 2016.
    Norman@TwoKassers.com

Who is eligible: Here are the restrictions as they appear on the form: "The camperships are available to children 16 years of age and younger, who reside in one of the following zip code locations: 07030, 07047, 07086, 07087, 07093, 07094, 07307. We will only provide assistance for children attending overnight camp."

• Instructions for Cubs: Please do NOT use the Camp Lewis online registration system, since the final step will ask you to pay the camp fee. Instead contact Linda Vennik at the council office and ask her to register your son for Lewis, explaining that payment will be made later by the Paulsen Fund.
    Linda.Vennik@scouting.org

• Instructions for Scouts: Let your Scoutmaster know that Paulsen will pay the fee. The Scoutmaster will then inform the Council when he submits his roster along with money for the other paying Scouts.

Some time prior to summer camp, you'll receive a letter from Paulsen with the "award" amount; that is, how much of the camp fee they are willing to cover, hopefully 100%. If it's not 100%, you'll have to write a check to the Northern NJ Council for the balance.

At the end of the summer: Paulsen will contact the Camp Director to verify that your son actually attended and will then mail the award directly to the Council.

2016 Klondike Derby Competition Results

2016 Klondike Derby Competition Results

Tenafly Boy Scout Troop 25 was the big winner, taking both 1st and 3rd places overall, plus finishing 3rd in the sled race. Closter Troop 63 was the 2nd place winner overall.

The Webelos winners were Maywood Pack 1199, River Edge Pack 229, and Tenafly Pack 25. River Edge Pack 95 won the sled race.


A full list of standings can be found on the Three Rivers website.
Scouts:
  http://www.nnjbsa.org/openrosters/DocDownload.aspx?id=161744
Webelos:
  http://www.nnjbsa.org/openrosters/DocDownload.aspx?id=135426

Unusual Sale at the Scout Shop (Apr 30)

Get Ready for Camp Event

Saturday April 30 (and April 23 in NYC)

Save 25% on all regular-priced camp gear!
This is unusual - camp gear rarely goes on sale.


Northern NJ Council Scout Shop - April 30
25 Ramapo Valley Rd.
Oakland, NJ 07436

Empire Scout Shop - April 23 and April 30
48 W 37th St.
New York, NY 10018

Sessions for the Catholic Scout Award

Ad Altare Dei and Sword of St. George Awards

Sessions for Scouts wishing to earn these awards will take place in April through November, one session per month, on the first Friday of each month:
  April 1 ⇐ Ask about a make-up session
  May 5
  June 3
  August 5
  September 9
  October 15 ⇐ During the CCOS Retreat weekend
  November 4

Our Lady of Mercy Church, 6:30-8:00 PM
(Lower gathering space) 
2 Fremont Ave.
Park Ridge, NJ  07656
Workbook available at the first session: $6
This course is designed for Scouts age 13-14.
Dress: Class-A uniform with neckerchief

Plus it is mandatory to also attend a Scout Catholic Retreat weekend, such as October 14-16, 2016.

This will be impressive: Presentation of awards will take place on Scout Sunday in the Newark Cathedral Basilica on February 12, 2017.

Facilitators:
Ed Stoker - Scouter142@outlook.com
Michaelene Mason - Idgunlab@aol.com

Renewal Time for Merit Badge Counselors

Renewal Time for Merit Badge Counselors

Starting this year, each merit badge counselor registered with the Northern NJ Council must renew annually.

Hopefully you received an e-mail from Kathy Wassel at the council office asking for either "confirm" or "delete."

If you didn't get that e-mail, please contact Kathy yourself: Kathy.Wassel@scouting.org

In her e-mail, Kathy also repeated the counselor's contact information as found in the NNJC database and offered to make corrections.

In her e-mail, Kathy also repeated the list of merit badges that the counselor is registered to handle. However, she did not offer to make corrections to that list.

Another Option for Cub Summer Day Camp (Aug 22-26)

Hidden Gem
Cub Scout Day Camp
at Pershing Field, Jersey City

Mon-Fri August 22-26
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM  
$225 


Register: http://www.nnjbsa.org/event/1788462

Contacts:
Camp Director Tom Gingerelli 
201-316-3115
TGingerelli@gmail.com 

Program Director Oliris Ramos
646-334-2875
Oliris.Ramos@scouting.org
  

Good Looking Unit Numerals from Moritz

Get Official Custom Unit Numeral Patches For Your Uniform!

 Moritz Embroidery, an official NNJC Program Partner, can provide these good looking numeral patches for your troop or pack's uniforms.

Colors are either olive-on-tan (pictured) or the prior white-on-red style that old-timers prefer. Available as 2-digit, 3-digit, and 4-digit. You can also add on a small anniversary year, such as "25."

The minimum order is 12, and turn-around will be about two weeks, but they're willing to do a rush delivery at no extra charge if you ask.

Moritz was recently licensed by BSA to sell these patches, with pricing set by BSA. Previously, you had to order custom numerals through BSA Catalog Sales.

http://bsa.moritzembroidery.com/custom-unit-numerals
1-800-533-4183

List of Events in April 2016

Three Rivers Events During April 2016

NOTE: Be sure to register for and attend the District Recognition Dinner on Apr 17 (see below)
2016 District Award of Merit will be presented to:
  Anthony Catalano
  Henry Hahn
  David Mack
  Patricia Regan
  David Tarantino

The Recognition Dinner is also a good opportunity to honor someone in your troop or pack who contributes in a big way. Download an application form from:
  http://www.nnjbsa.org/openrosters/DocDownload.aspx?id=157898

Three Rivers Events During April 2016

Apr 2 - TRD Pinewood Derby
  http://www.nnjbsa.org/event/1760522
Apr 3 - TRD Committee Meeting
  http://www.nnjbsa.org/event/1767140
Apr 9 - Northeast Region Museum Scouter of the Year Dinner
  http://www.nnjbsa.org/event/1856480
Apr 12 - TRD Roundtable for Scout and Cub leaders
  http://www.nnjbsa.org/event/1875694
Apr 13 - TRD OA Chapter Meeting
  http://www.nnjbsa.org/event/1790007
Apr 17 - TRD District Recognition Dinner
  http://www.nnjbsa.org/event/1765373
Apr 19 - TRD Assistant District Commissioners
  http://www.nnjbsa.org/event/1765349

Training Sessions During April 2016

Apr 2 - Den Chief Training
  http://www.nnjbsa.org/event/1886150
Apr 2 - College of Commissioner Science
  http://www.nnjbsa.org/event/1838291
Apr 9 - Trainer's EDGE
  http://www.nnjbsa.org/event/1802195
Apr 9 - District Committee Workshop
  http://www.nnjbsa.org/event/1893495
Apr 12 - Youth Protection Training by Ramapo Valley
  http://www.nnjbsa.org/event/1744587
Apr 14 - Outdoor Skills Pre-Weekend Meeting
  http://www.nnjbsa.org/event/1873400
Apr 22-24 - Outdoor Skill Weekend - Combined Course
  http://www.nnjbsa.org/event/1852530
Apr 29-May 1 - Leave No Trace + Tread Lightly Trainer Weekend
  http://www.nnjbsa.org/event/1826586

Other Council-Recommended Events During April 2016

Apr 9-10 - Liberty Science Center Co-Ed Weekend
  http://www.nnjbsa.org/event/1787972
Apr 15 - NNJC Summer camp early-bird discount deadline
  [not posted]
Apr 16 Camp Turrell Beaver Day
  [not posted] Phone Ranger Bruce: 845-754-7111 Apr 23 - Monster Jam at MetLife Stadium
  Tyrone.Manning@scouting.org
Apr 30 - Last day for Troop OA elections
  LodgeIxElections@gmail.com

Five to Receive the District Award of Merit

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2016 District Award of Merit

• Anthony Catalano
• Henry Hahn
• David Mack
• Patricia Regan
• David Tarantino

Expect lots of family and friends to attend and support the five guests of honor, and you're invited too!

Presentations will be made at the District Recognition Dinner in Paramus.
Sunday April 17, 3:00-7:00 PM. Click here for more details and to register.

More presentations! Each troop and pack and crew is encouraged to nominate one special adult to receive a "Service to Scouting" award. That's the over-and-above parent who can always be counted on to volunteer for some task. Bring your whole unit to give him/her a round of thanks. Click here for an application form.