Scouting Thrives in the Great Smoky Mountain Council

2012 Council Update

Thank you for being a vital part of Scouting in the Great Smoky Mountain Council. 2012 has been a very successful year. As I travel around the 21 counties of the council, I find dedicated volunteers who work diligently to ensure the values of Scouting are taught to the youth of East Tennessee. The results of the hard work are young people making positive decisions, gaining confidence in their abilities and becoming good citizens of our great nation.

As 2012 comes to a close, I am pleased to share some of the positive results achieved by the over 4,000 adult volunteer leaders and the 25 council staff who support the volunteers.

Scouting is Growing in East Tennessee- The Council will end 2012 with over 11,800 youth registered in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing and Exploring programs. Additionally, each of the council programs will have growth. This is more than an 8% increase in membership in 3 years.

• Scouting is for all Youth- The council serves 10% of the total available youth population in our 21 counties. Additionally, we serve 11.6% of the African American Youth population, the highest percentage of any Boy Scout Council in Tennessee, Kentucky and part of Mississippi (Area 6 of the Southern Region).
• Major Redevelopment of the Council’s Camps-The Council owns and operates two year-round camps for Council and District activities as well as weekend camping for individual packs, troops and crews:  Camp Buck Toms on Watts Bar Lake and Camp Pellissippi on Norris Lake. Over $2,800,000 in major capital replacement and camp development projects have been completed at both camps.
• More Scouts are Camping -The Council has a 7% increase in council Boy Scouts attending a week long summer camp or high adventure program and an 11% increase in Cub Scouts camping.
• Eagle Scouts - Over 169 Boy Scouts achieved the prestigious Eagle Scout award in 2012.
• Scouting is Community and Neighborhood Centered -The Council will end 2012 with 421 different Packs, Troops, Posts, Crews chartered to community organizations and civic clubs.
• Fiscally Sound -The council will end 2012 with a balanced budget and no operating debt.

As the Scout Executive of the Great Smoky Mountain Council, I am honored to work with outstanding volunteer leaders and a committed council staff.

Again, thank you for all that you do in support of Scouting and I am looking forward to a very successful 2013.

Yours in Scouting,

Larry Brown

Scout Executive

Registration for Boy Scout Summer Camp at Camp Buck Toms is currently underway!  The weeks are filling up fast with Week 2 already closed.  Over 1300 people are already committed to attend camp in 2013 with more registering each day.  If you are interested in taking your Troop to Summer Camp, it is very important that you register as soon as possible.  For registration information you can contact the Council Service Center or visit the Great Smoky Mountain Council website at http://www.bsa-gsmc.org.  Select “Our Camps and High Adventure Information” tab on the left hand side.

Staff interviews are also currently underway.  If there are youth in your Troop or Crew that are interested in serving on Summer Camp staff in 2013, please direct them to our online application on our Council Website.  We would also like to know of any youth that would make excellent Summer Camp Counselors, who may not have ever considered it in the past.  Remember, Summer Camp will be only as good as the Staff that operates it.  Please contact Camp Director Chris Agee at 865-406-2528 or cbtcampdirector@gmail.com with any recommendations.

Great Smoky Mountain Council, B.S.A.

2013 Camp Card Sale!  Sign Up COMING SOON! 

The Great Smoky Mountain Council would like to introduce you to the third annual CAMP CARD sale!  We are excited about the 2013 Camp Card sale.  The 2012 was very successful with over $112,000 in net income being earned by over 1500 scouts of all ages.  These funds allowed Scout units and youth to pay for scouting trips to Summer camp, Day camp, the USS Yorktown, and even new gear to take into the outdoors.   This is a new fundraising opportunity to sell cards which offers various local merchant discounts.   We have ordered 100,000 cards for 2013 and we are prepared for another great sale. CLICK HERE for complete listing of forms

Over 190 Scout Units sold $959,130 worth of product for their scouting programs! The leadership of council chairman, David Vudragovich and the excellent team of District Popcorn Chairman led the 191 Unit Popcorn Chairman to make it possible to sell an all time record high sales to fund a Year of Scouting for over 6,500 youth.

The Great Smoky Mountain Council and Camp Masters Popcorn Company have teamed together to provide a solid money earning effort for all units! The change in popcorn companies and strategies was necessary to provide the following to our units and to our council.

• Quality Products with a proven track record of winning taste tests year after year
• Outstanding company service
• Variety in products
• Return to traditional packaging – The Tins Are Back!
• All in one product pricing with multiple delivery points
• Guaranteed product price for three years
• Focused on more value added products and bringing better costs to the council
• Integrated programs and support materials
• Unit Training program for proven sales growth
• Online Ordering System
• Military Donation Program
• Personalized Council Order Forms
• Outstanding Prize Program with GCC partnership

Regal Cinemas presents the
Diary of a Whimpy Kid
(Regal Entertainment Reserves the right to change movie selections)

All Scouts that sold $100 or more during the 2012 Popcorn Sales will receive a pass for two persons
Redeemable on January 12, 2013 (only) at Regal Cinemas
Pinnacle 18, Turkey Creek Shopping Complex
11240 Parkside Dr, Knoxville, Tennessee 37934

      Time Schedule: 
 8:30 AM  Gathering and Check In   

9:00 AM Seating and Awards Program

9:30 AM Movie Begins
 

Disclaimer:
This is a private showing for qualified popcorn sales achievers.
Each Pass entitles the Scout to bring one guest with him.
 Regal Cinemas may change the movie selection based on movie availability and related costs.
Refreshments are the responsibility of the Scout and his family.

The University of Tennessee has extended invitations to participate in three UT sporting events

In early 2013,

They are:

Men’s Basketball VS Missippippi State, Saturday, January 19, 2013

Women’s Basketball VS Vanderbilt, Sunday, February 17, 2013

UT Baseball VS ATM Saturday, May 18, 2013

To purchase your discount tickets: www.uttix.com/voltickets/groupticketwindow

LOGIN: bsa   Password: govols For more information contact Tim Volk at 865-974-9585

Or tim.volk@utk.edu.

Saturday, January 26, 2013.

All scouts and family members can purchase tickets at the special rate

Of $26.48 Events begin at 1:00pm and continue to the show opening at

3.30 pm. Educational program, Popcorn Sales Award Ceremony, Photo opportunities,

And western show are all part of the days events.

Call 800-356-1676 to reserve your place.CLICK HERE for flyer

1. Pick up bags and your distribution location at your January Roundtable.

2. Distribute bags to neighborhoods February 2, 2013.

3. Collect bags from neighborhoods February 9, 2013.

4. Deliver collected food items to a local food pantry or the Council office.

5. Turn in the unit’s collection report by March 2, 2013.

Different Ways to Participate in Scouting for Food

Scouting units can participate in Scouting for Food in several different ways and are encouraged to do so.

- The traditional way to participate is to deliver the Scouting for Food bags to your designated neighborhood and collect the bags the following week. This can be done in a few hours on each Saturday.

- Another way units participate is to set up in front of local stores and ask individuals if they would help out by purchasing items on a list that you can give them. (There is an example of the list below.) This will allow people to purchase a few items while they are in the store and give them to you on their way back out.

- Some units will get their Charter Organization involved especially churches and school PTO’s. The churches can post a notice in their Sunday bulletins and have a day where everyone brings in the food to donate. Schools can announce the food drive campaign and the students can bring in food during the week and the unit can deliver the food to a local food bank.
 
For more information please go to the Council Website www.bsa-gsmc.org.

What has over 136,000 legs, 68,000 heads, spreads itself over 10,000 acres of beautiful West Virginia mountain land and lives wildly for 10 days?  If you guessed the 2013 National BSA Jamboree, you are CORRECT!  During July 15-24, 2013, the New River Gorge will become the third largest city in West Virginia, as over 68,0000 scouts convene for the first ever National Jamboree at its new permanent home, the Summit Bechtel Reserve, near Glenn Jeans, West Virginia.   Don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of this significant moment in scouting history.  If you’ve trekked at Philmont . . . If you’ve paddled at Northern Tier . . . and if you’ve SCUBA’d at Sea Base, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to visit BSA’s newest high adventure base for its grand opening event.

The Great Smoky Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America is sending five troops and two venturing crews to the 2013 Jamboree.  As I write this note, there are still a few open slots available in our contingent.  Troops and crews have already formed and held their first two meetings.  However, there is still time to be a part of the leadership in your troop or crew if you register immediately.  The cost of this adventure is $1150.00 and that price covers all travel, lodging, food and literally unlimited opportunities for high adventure at scouting’s newest national high adventure base.

Whether you enjoy whitewater rafting, rock climbing, zip lines or mountain biking, you will find something that will excite you at the Summit . . . and of course there are the things you’ve grown to love during past Jamborees, including patch trading, SCUBA, the Arena Shows, and Technology Quest.

Contact Jennifer Williams at the Council Service Center (865/588-6514) as soon as possible to guarantee your participation in this once in a lifetime experience, or feel free to contact me (RGWaters_home@yahoo.com) if you have questions.

Randol Waters, Council Contingent Leader

Knoxville, TN ---January 12, 2013--- EAA Chapter 17 Banquet--- featuring Jeff Skiles, Copilot and First Officer of the "Miracle on the Hudson"

The local Chapter of the EAA (which sponsor several Aviation Merit Badge Orientation Flights) have invited all Scouts, Parents and Leaders to participate in their banquet featuring Jeff Skiles, Copilot and First Officer of the "Miracle on the Hudson"

Area young people ages 8-17 who have either flown or would like to fly with EAA 17 Young Eagle Program ---you and your parents are invited to hear Jeff Skiles, Copilot and First Officer of the "Miracle on the Hudson", speak at the our Annual EAA 17 Banquet.

Jeff is the son of two pilots, started flying at age 16 and has logged over 15,000 hours to date. Jeff's early days were spent flying over the Alcan Highway in Alaska with his father. He went on to become a flight instructor, flew cargo and worked for a commuter airline.

Jeff is also National Chairman of the EAA Young Eagles Program and brings special excitement to our local Young Eagles. CLICK HERE for full flyer

Come join us:

            January 12, 2013 from 12:00--4:00

            Bearden Banquet Hall

            5806 Kingston Pike

            Knoxville, Tn 37913

            865-588-0051

If you are a Scout, please wear your uniform for recognition.

For more information and registration, visit our website www.eaa17.org or email youngeagles@eaa17.org . For information about the national Young Eagle Program visit www.youngeagles.org .

Gordon Meyer glmeyer00@comcast.net

Young Eagles Chairman, EAA 17

Youth members from Crew 0101 (L&N STEM Academy) receive their NOVA LAUNCH Award and their Founder’s Bar at their Court of Honor at the Scout Service Center on December 20, 2012. Adult Crew members include Advisor April McMillan, Associate Advisor Trent Nichols, and Associate Advisor Brenda Koch. (Youth, left to right: Veronica Spaulding, Eric O’Reilly, Austin Monk, Savannah McMillan, Hugh Koch, and Ryan Gardner)

Wood Badge Staff is Getting Ready

Adult Leaders Wanted
for
Great Smoky Mountain Council (GSMC), BSA
High Adventure Program Contingents, 2014

GSMC is accepting applications from registered adult volunteers who wish to serve in leadership positions in 2014 for Philmont, Canoe Base, Sea Base and/or Bechtel Summit.  If you wish to attend, call Tracy at GSMC at 865-588-6514 to provide name and contact information.  For more information call BSA volunteer Dave Johnson at 865-482-3577 (6AM-8PM) or email at Johnsondh2@aol.com

Adult Leaders Wanted

If you aren't going to Jambo and would like to try Philmont, I am taking two crews (up to 24 people) and I still have openings for both youth and adults.  If you like backpacking and want more, Philmont is what you have been waiting for.  The time frame is June 12-24, 2013.  The projected cost is $1500 per person.  Cost includes everything except souvenirs.
There will not be a council contingent next summer due to the Jamboree, but I still have room for a limited time. Firm commitments must be in place before the end of September, so you need to contact me soon with questions.  I am available to make presentations to Scout troops if needed.
For more info, contact Eric Manneschmidt (ASM, Troop 45) at manofhg@gmail.com or 865-694-2069.
 

When I was in Cub Scouts, my elementary school — just down the street — was the perfect pack meeting place. The gym was spacious, the location convenient, and the closet full of equipment for games and activities.

These days, not every pack, troop, or crew has it so lucky. Many school districts have essentially banished all Scout units and told them to meet elsewhere. That’s frustrating, but instead of complaining, let’s act.