Around the Campfire

Around the CampfireOccasional items of interest that you can search, discover, share, or toss in the fire.

 Upcoming events and nearby places to visit

 Fun and interesting for the entire family - Great opportunities for Cub Scout belt loops, arrow points and Boy Scout merit badges.
 

 

Be Prepared!

Now is the time to double check your hurricane/home emergency supplies and make sure you have a plan. Better still, now is a great time to involve your scout with the family planning.  Give him some tasks so that he is invested in the process.

Some ideas of 'scout appropriate' tasks
- Print a checklist of supplies for your emergency kit (see link below)
- Make sure the Emergency kit is fully stocked; make a list of items you need to replenish
- Clean up the yard of things that can fly around in a windstorm.
 
As a family, talk about what you will do if the hurricane approaches, when you will evacuate and to where, or what to do if you are staying home and the storm intensifies unexpectedly.  Most important, emphasize that while a hurricane sounds scary, it's manageable, and to stay calm.
 
Be Ready (kids site)   http://www.ready.gov/kids
 
 
Crossword Puzzle related to emergency planning  http://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/crossword.pdf
 
North Carolina Department of Public Safety https://www.ncdps.gov/Index2.cfm?a=000003,000010,000019
 
 
Many Cub Scout rank achievements are satisfied by emergency planning.
 
Tiger Cub Requirements
 
Complete Tiger Cub Achievement 3—Keeping Myself Healthy and Safe. This achievement covers a family fire plan and drill and what to do if separated from the family.
Complete Tiger Cub Elective 27—Emergency! This elective helps a Tiger Cub be ready for emergencies and dangerous situations and has him discuss a family emergency plan with his family.
With your parent or guardian’s help, complete one of these three activities.
Take the American Red Cross First Aid for Children Today (FACT) course.
Join a safe kids program such as McGruff Child Identification, Internet Safety, or Safety at Home.
Show and tell your family household what you have learned about preparing for emergencies.
 
Wolf Cub Scout Requirements
 
Complete Wolf Cub Scout Achievement 9—Be Safe at Home and on the Street. This is a check of your home to keep it safe.
Complete Wolf Cub Scout Elective 16—Family Alert. This elective is about designing a plan for your home and family in case an emergency takes place.
With your parent or guardian’s help, complete one of the following activities that you have not already completed for this award as a Tiger Cub:
Take American Red Cross Basic Aid Training (BAT) to learn emergency skills and care for choking, wounds, nose bleeds, falls, and animal bites. This course includes responses for fire safety, poisoning, water accidents, substance abuse, and more.
Make a presentation to your family on what you have learned about preparing for emergencies.
Join a Safe Kids program such as McGruff Child Identification program.
Put on a training program for your family or den on stranger awareness, Internet safety, or safety at home.
 
Bear Cub Scout Requirements
 
Complete Bear Cub Scout Achievement 11—Be Ready. The focus of this achievement is the best way to handle emergencies.
Make a small display or give a presentation for your family or den on what you have learned about preparing for emergencies.
With your parent or guardian’s help, complete one of the following activities that you have not already completed for this award as a Tiger Cub or Wolf Cub Scout:
Take American Red Cross Basic Aid Training (BAT) to learn emergency skills and care for choking, wounds, nose bleeds, falls, and animal bites. This course includes responses for fire safety, poisoning, water accidents, substance abuse, and more..
Put together a family emergency kit for use in the home.
Organize a safe kids program such as McGruff Child Identification program. Put on a training program for your family or den on stranger awareness, Internet safety, or safety at home.
 
Webelos Scout Requirements
 
Earn the Readyman activity badge from the community badge group.
Build a family emergency kit, with an adult family member participating in the project.
With your parent or guardian’s help, complete one of the following that you have not already completed for this award as a Tiger Cub or Wolf or Bear Cub Scout:
Take a first aid course conducted by your local American Red Cross chapter.
Give a presentation to your den on preparing for emergencies.
Organize a training program for your Webelos den on stranger awareness, Internet safety, or safety at home.
 

Districts News!!!!

Highlights from the 2013 Council Recognition

 

Mecklenburg County Council and Apache District Receive Gold Level Journey to Excellence Award

 

Both Mecklenburg County Council and the Apache District achieved the Gold Level Journey to Excellence Award.  Journey to Excellence is BSA’s new council performance recognition program. It is a replacing the Centennial Quality Awards Program as a means of encouraging excellence in providing a quality program at all levels of the BSA.

 

Scoutmaster Tim Morgan Awarded the Silver Beaver

 

Congratulations to Tim Morgan, Scoutmaster of Troop 119 for being awarded The Silver Beaver, the highest recognition awarded to Scouters within a local territory by the National Court of Honor.  The award is made of noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth by registered volunteers.   Eagle Scout Tim Morgan was one of six Scouters in Mecklenburg County Council, and the only one in Apache District) to receive the Silver Beaver in 2013.  

 

Peter Olynick Awarded the Earle. J. Gluck Award

 

Congratulations to Peter Olynick for receiving the Earle J. Gluck Award.  This award is sponsored by the Charlotte Kiwanis Club annually in memory of an outstanding Kiwanian and Scout trainer, to recognize exceptional services in adult leader training within Mecklenburg County Council.

_____________________________________________

 

Pictured left to right. 

 

Robert E. Coughlin Jr., Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 777,  S. Stern Dixon, Committee Member Troop 118 and Council Vice President, Michael L. Hastings, Unit Commissioner-Etowah District,  Rick Monroe,  Scoutmaster Troop 72,  and Tim, Morgan, Scoutmaster Troop 119. 

 

Not Shown,

Alan Simonini, Chartered Organization Representative, Troop 82 and Council Executive Board Member


 

Congratulations to our four new 2012 Apache District Award of Merit recipients

 

Pictured above from left to right are:  Joanne White (Troop 8 and Cub Scout Roundtable Coordinator), Cyndi Murdock  (Troop 715 and Apache District Day Camp Director), Thomas Gauch  (Troop 174 and Eagle Board of Review member), and John McLean (Troop 119, Assistant District Commissioner and Apache District Friends of Scouting Coordinator) along with Stuart Tucker, Apache District Chairman.

Upcoming Events

 

MCC 2013 Recognition Banquet -  Please mark your calendars and save the date of April 27, 2013 for our 2013 Mecklenburg County Council Annual Recognition Banquet that will be held at Myers Park United Methodist Church starting at 6:30 PM with the social and dinner; and followed by our program at 7:00 PM.  Lets support members of our district who will be recognized.

 

Southeastern Fly Fishing Festival is being held on May 17 and 18 at the Ramsey Center Western North Carolina University, Cullowhee NC.  While not a merit badge class, it great opportunity for scouts and scouters to learn about fly fishing.   Admission for Scouts and Scouters in uniform is free.  For further details please visit: http://southeastfff.org/

 

 

 

Nearby Places to Visit!!!

Looking for some neat things to do this summer?  Here are a few.  Some are free, while others have a small admission charge.   Consider connecting them to Boy Scout Merit badges (such as American Heritage, and Indian Lore), or to the Cub Scout belt loop and arrow point electives.

Andrew Jackson State Park

Andrew Jackson State Park combines history, art and community activities into a setting that has made it one of the S.C. State Park Service’s most popular attractions.

Popular features of the park include living history programs, an Andrew Jackson museum that details his boyhood in the South Carolina backcountry.  Great opportunities for picnics, boating, hiking and fishing.
http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/andrewjackson/introduction.aspx

Lansford Canal Park

Stretched along the Catawba River on the South Carolina fall line, Lansford Canal State Park is home to the well-preserved remains of the canal system that made the river commercially navigable from 1820 to 1835.

Favorite activities in this Piedmont Park include picnicking, nature watching and studying the canal structures. Fishing is permitted along the Catawba River, and a paddling trail runs through the park for canoes and kayaks.
http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/landsfordcanal/introduction.aspx

President James K. Polk Historic Site

This site is located on land once owned by the parents of James K. Polk, the 11th U.S. president. The state historic site commemorates significant events in the Polk administration: the Mexican-American War, settlement of the Oregon boundary dispute, and the annexation of California. Reconstructions of typical homestead buildings—a log house, separate kitchen, and barn—are authentically furnished. The visitor center features a film on Polk's life and exhibits on his family and tumultuous presidency. http://www.nchistoricsites.org/polk/polk.htm

Cowpens National Park  

A pasturing area at the time of the battle, this Revolutionary War site commemorates the place where Daniel Morgan and his army turned the flanks of Banastre Tarleton's British army. This classic military tactic, known as a double envelopment, was one of only a few in history. http://www.nps.gov/cowp/index.htm

Kings Mountain National Park

Kings Mountain State Park has miles of forested trails perfect for supreme Kings Mountain hiking, two fishing lakes, and sits adjacent to Kings Mountain National Military Park,  one of many national park Revolutionary War sites. Local crowds flock to the park during regularly scheduled special events, especially every November when living history demonstrations are held at the park’s replica 1800s Piedmont farm. http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/kingsmountain/introduction.aspx

Latta Plantation Nature Preserve

The Latta Plantation Nature Center has an active program of advancement and camping programs for Cub Scouts at all levels.  If your den or pack does not have access to a critical skill, or if your Cubs are seeking adventure not far away, please check out the opportunities on Latta Plantation Nature Center and Preserve.

Please call Latta Plantation Nature Center well in advance to work out scheduling details.

A nominal fee is charged.  Please see attached pricelist.

Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department operates 3 Nature Centers:  Reedy Creek, McDowell, and Latta Plantation.  You can link to these Centers from
http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/ParkandRec/StewardshipServices/Pages/default.aspx


Rankin National History Museum

The Rankin Museum is fun for all ages. Take yourself away from your everyday world and explore faraway places and times past in our exhibits. Imagine what it would be like if you were there! Take a walk in the jungles of Central America, in the backwoods of the Carolinas, or go on a safari in Africa and encounter animals closer than you could ever get in the wild. http://www.rankinmuseum.org/

Town Creek Indian Mound

Located in Mt. Gilead, NC, Town Creek, has been the focus of a consistent program of archaeological research under one director for more than half a century.  It is one of the most popular State Historic Sites in North Carolina.  http://www.nchistoricsites.org/town/

Indian Rock

In Charlotte an Indian landmark in the Big Rock Nature Preserve - South Charlotte
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3342269
http://www.cmhpf.org/S&Rs%20Alphabetical%20Order/Surveys&rbigrock.htm

Walking and driving tours in Charlotte

http://www.historiccharlotte.org/

Cane Creek Park – Waxhaw, NC

http://www.co.union.nc.us/QualityofLife/ParksRecreation/CaneCreekPark.aspx

Fishing, swimming and hiking.

Waxhaw Museum

The museum's permanent exhibit is focused on the rich history of the Waxhaws region.  Beginning with its Native American roots, the exhibits trace the history of the region to the turn of the twentieth century. Particular attention is given to Scots-Irish immigration and the rural life of these early settlers to the Waxhaws.

In addition there are exhibits interpreting the American Revolution in the region, as well as exhibits on agriculture and important crops and the Civil War. The turn of the century exhibit gives a unique look at the town of Waxhaw as it existed around 1900. http://museumofthewaxhaws.com/

Charlotte Nature Museum

Located in Freedom Park, not far from up town Charlotte, the museum offers nature-based fun and learning for the family. There is a modest admission fee for non-members. For further details please visit: http://www.charlottenaturemuseum.org/

Other Resources:

Insiders Guide- Fun with the Family North Carolina – Hundreds of ideas for day trips with the kids.  by James L. Hoffman

City and county, and state web pages offer great information about parks and upcoming activities.

Resources for hikers

Jesse Brown Outdoors   http://www.jessebrowns.com/categories/Climbing/
REI  http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/caring+hiking+boots.html
Sierra Trading post http://www.sierratradingpost.com/lp2/hiking-footwear-guide/
Backpacker Magazine http://www.backpacker.com/
http://h1ker.com/hiking-boot-guide/

Have Fun – Be Safe, and Have a Great Summer!!!!!
 

2012 Apache District Silver Beaver Recipients

The Silver Beaver Award is the highest recognition, which may be awarded to Scouters within the jurisdiction of a local council territory by the National Court of Honor, based upon research and nominations by the local council. The award is presented for noteworthy service with exceptional character on behalf of youth to registered Scouting volunteers.  

Silver Beaver RecipientsCongratulations to all of our 2012  Mecklenburg County Council recipients, especially to  George MacBain, Dwayne Thomas, and Mark Spisak from Apache District.

Pictured here are Dwayne Thomas,  George MacBain, and Miriam Olynick, a Silver Beaver recipient in 2010.  

 

 

 

Potential Eagle Service Projects!!!

 

Hemby Program  Center – affiliated with the Siskey YMCA

The Hemby Program Center is located at 9760 Happy Valley Drive in Charlotte.  It is   a 21-acre site housing a Preschool, Afterschool Program and Eagle Rock Day Camp.

 

There are several opportunities for Eagle Scout Service projects.  For further details, contact Mr. Chris Goodrum School Age Program Director  (704) 716-4329  chris.goodrum@ymcacharlotte.org


James K Polk Masonic Lodge

Scouting and the Masonic Fraternity have a long history together.  The James K. Polk Masonic Lodge 759, located in Pineville, has a potential Eagle Scout Service project.  They are looking to make a nice memorial garden with lighting and benches around the lodge flagpole.   For further details, please contact Randy Richardson, the lodge secretary at  (704) 910-3628.   For further information about the Lodge please visit http://www.jkpolk.com

 

President James K. Polk Historic Site

While several projects have already been completed, there is a continuing need for more projects at the President James K. Polk Historic Site.   Wow, what a great opportunity to do a service project at the birthplace of the eleventh President of the United States. For further information, please call Mr. Robert Dreher at (704) 889-7145. He is usually there Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. After hours you can leave a message. 

 

Reed Gold Mine

Located in nearby Midland, NC, not far from the Belk Scout Camp, and just a 30-minute drive from the Ballantyne area, this is the site of the first gold mine in the United States. For information about merit badges and Eagle service projects call Mike Scott at (704) 721- 4653. 

Comments, suggestions and potential Eagle Service Projects

 

If you have comments, suggestions or potential Eagle Service Projects, send an e-mail to:   w.kalbas@gmail.com.

 


 

 

 

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