Family Den Pilot Program

Since the inception of the Family Pack concept, Cub Scout packs and Councils throughout the nation have requested BSA consider adding a Family Den option for Family Packs that would allow both boys and girls to participate within the same age/rank dens. Additionally, the recruitment of girls into Cub Scout packs has resulted in, on average, 1-3 girls in a family pack. Often, the girls are in different grades, making the formation of an all-girl age/rank den a barrier to joining or having a quality program experience.

 With a great deal of encouragement from members nationwide, the BSA will be testing the Family Den concept in councils for the 2022-23 program year.  Palmetto Council applied and was accepted as a pilot Council.  We are now offering the opportunity to participate in the pilot to all of our Family Cub Scout Packs.  Requirements for a pack to participate are as follows:

  1. Charter Partner and Pack Committee must agree to the pack’s participation

  2. Agrees to use ScoutBook to set up all dens

  3. Assign a registered adult leader in the pack as the representative to the council for the pilot. This representative agrees to participate in the Pack Pilot Kick-off Webinar on June 30th and if unable to attend the live webinar, to watch the recorded session by July 8th

  4. 5th grade dens (Arrow of Light) will remain single gender to properly prepare youth to join a single-gender Troop in Scouts BSA

  5. Agree to have a registered adult leader as the den leader for each den

  6. The pack must sign a memorandum of understanding by no later than June 24th

Please note that this change ONLY applies to the Cub Scout program. The BSA remains committed to the single-gender program design of our Scouts BSA program, and the Scouts BSA program will continue to only allow single-gender Troops. Chartered organizations always have the option to select from the numerous BSA program offerings; no single program or format is mandatory. The option for Cub Scout family packs to utilize family dens builds on the experience Scouts have had in our organization while at the same time ensuring every girl can participate in our time-tested programs with fewer barriers to participate.

If your pack is interested in participating please contact me at  (Taylor.Thomas@Scouting.org; 803-519-8262).

2022 Popcorn Sale Training

Unit Key 3 members & past Kernels,  

 As your unit plans your Ideal Year of Scouting this summer, one of the key components is raising the necessary funds to operate your adventures.  We believe the popcorn sale can raise the funds you need to fund your unit.  However, to be successful you need a couple of key ingredients (a strong leader who is trained).  If you are not the right contact, please share this with the correct person.   

  1. Identify the right person to be your unit popcorn kernel. We have created position descriptions to help you identify the right person. This should be someone who has a positive attitude, is organized, who believes in setting families up for success and has the ability to motivate/engage scouts and families. Once you have this person identified, have them register on the Trail’s End Website.

  2. Have the kernel register for kernel training. We will be offering training on June 9th in Rock Hill and June 23rd in Spartanburg. Attend the training most convenient to you. During the training we showcase any of the new Trail’s End features along with our new council programs. All kernels who attend training receive extra commission for their unit. The training is so key because it is the launch point for you planning your sales, gives you all of the tools (several new this season), connects you with other kernels in the area AND this year will feature a time of fellowship. We know kernels work hard and we want to show them a good time for their hard work!

A couple of stats from our 2021 sale:

  • On a per Scout average, our top unit averaged $1,467/Scout. This was a Scouts BSA Troop with 27 registered Scouts!

  • The top Scout over $9,000 ($3,200 in his Scout Account). He was a 5th grader from Boiling Springs, SC.

  • The top unit sold $48,000 and earned over $17,000 in commission.

  • One Scout had a customer give a $1,000 donation to our American Heroes program last year during a Show-N-Sell.

  • On average, Scouts sold $250+ per hour at store fronts.

  • Unit Commission Received Council-Wide: $165,000

  • Council Commission that was invested into our local programs: $154,000

 

Please let us know if you have any questions. 

Ruth Davis Selected as SCF Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership & Community Change

Congratulations to our very own Mrs. Ruth Davis for being named 2022 Award Recipient of the Spartanburg County Foundation Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership and Community Change. She is the 14th awardee, recognized for her impact on children, youth, and families over the last year and beyond. “Scouting is the tool, Ruth makes it work” was a highlight for the film segment featuring Mrs. Davis. She has been using her work with Scouting to impact her community for nearly 40 years, serving in Spartanburg through the Palmetto Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Mrs. Davis was recognized during the Spartanburg County Foundation’s Annual Meeting.  Take a moment to watch this tribute video of her impact and join us congratulating her on this well deserved recognition!  

Ike Family to be honored as our 2022 Distinguished Citizens

The Ike family has been making a difference in the Spartanburg community since 1990. During the 2022 Palmetto Council Distinguished Citizen Dinner on April 19, 2022, we will have the opportunity as a community and Scouting program to recognize their dedicated service and financially support local Scouting programs of the Palmetto Council. To learn more about the event, click HERE!

2022 Camperships Announced

As we approach the Spring, summer camp is just around the corner! Did you know that the Palmetto Council provides nearly $5,000 in camperships each year to help scouts attend a BSA Council summer camp, day camp, or a National High Adventure Base? All camperships are awarded based primarily on financial need and in keeping with the Scouting philosophy of youth helping to “pay their own way,” no campership can exceed more than 50% of the total registration fee. The campership request form can be completed by either a scout’s unit leader (Committee Chair, Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, or Advisor) or parent/guardian. The deadline to submit a campership application this year is Friday, April 1. Campership requests received after that date will only be considered if funds remain. To submit a campership request: https://palmettocouncil.org/camperships

Palmetto Council NESA Committee Announces 2021 NESA Outstanding Eagle Class

Spartanburg, SC – The Palmetto Council National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) Committee is proud to announce our 2022 NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Recipients:  John Gordon & Larry Fann.  This award, popularly known as the NOESA, is granted to Eagle Scouts who distinguish themselves in their life work and who share their talents with their communities on a voluntary basis.

About John Gordon:  John is a native of Clover, SC where he earned his Eagle in Troop 38.  His organizational expertise is driven by more than 15 years of operational and leadership experience at some of the area’s most respected conservation and recreation facilities including the U.S. National Whitewater Center, YMCA Camp Thunderbird, and YMCA Camp Cherokee. This experience prepared him to assume his responsibility as the Executive Director of the Anne Springs Close Greenway, solidifying his position as a regional leader in outdoor education and recreation. In 2021, John was selected to be a Liberty Fellow, an incubator for exemplary leadership in South Carolina.  Fellows make a lifelong commitment to use their creativity, network, and energy to move South Carolina forward.

About Larry Fann: Larry is a native of Spartanburg, SC where he earned his Eagle in Troop 19.  Larry, is an electrician by trade and owns his own business, Fann Electric Company, Inc.  Larry has always been a great supporter of Scouting and offers his time and talents to work with scouts and other youth to teach them many skills and trades. Larry is such a firm believer in the principles of scouting that he has the 12 points of the Scout Law painted on his company truck.  Larry goes above and beyond to make sure all youth have the opportunity to be a Scout regardless of their background.  For many years he supported a predominately Hispanic unit that worked with youth from the Lone Oak Community as well as students at the SC School for the Dead & Blind.  In addition to Scouting, Larry is active in his church, the American Legion & VFW.  

The Palmetto Council NESA Committee will award the NOESA recognitions, along with honoring the Palmetto Council 2021 Eagle Class, during the NESA Recognition Event on March 6, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Grace Lutheran Church in Rock Hill.  Register to attend as we recognize these Eagles at https://scoutingevent.com/549-nesa

Source: https://scoutingevent.com/549-nesa