The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 to recognize Scouting volunteers with a record of distinguished service at the council level. Recipients of the Silver Beaver are registered Scouters who have made a tremendous impact on the lives of youth through years of service above and beyond involvement in a single Scouting unit. Daniel Webster Council is now accepting nominations of deserving Scouters who are at least 21 years of age. There are no other specific criteria beyond being a registered Scouter and providing service at the council level, but recipients are selected by a volunteer committee based on their record of service and standing in the community.

If you would like to nominate someone, please fill out a nomination form  and submit it to Daniel Webster Council, care of Dave Roberts, Director of Support Services, no later than January 31, 2013. Please do not inform an individual of their nomination. Recipients will be selected and notified in time to receive the award at the Council Recognition Dinner in the spring.

The 2013 Friends of Scouting campaign is now underway. Friends of Scouting is a critical annual giving campaign that gives Scouters, parents, alumni, and community members the opportunity to financially support Scouting. Investments made through the campaign assist the Daniel Webster Council in offsetting program costs and providing quality service. The true cost of Scouting is much greater than what local dues and event or camping fees cover.

Yearly registration fees directly support the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America and help provide program development and research, literature, and local council support. The Daniel Webster Council uses contributions made through the annual Friends of Scouting campaign to:

• Maintain camp properties and a service center.
• Organize new Scouting units and support existing ones.
• Provide professional support and leader training.
• Distribute program resources and regular communications.
• Organize activities and events.
• Offset general liability insurance costs to chartered organizations.
• Criminal background checks for adult leaders.

Each unit is asked to schedule a presentation date for this campaign during the months of January, February and March. If your unit hasn't scheduled a presentation yet, please firm-up a date ASAP so district volunteers to have enough time to plan for the campaign. Your unit FOS coordinator may schedule a presentation through the council website or by contacting your district Family FOS chair or your district professional.

For more information about Friends of Scouting and to see the 2013 donor recognition patches, please visit www.nhscouting.org/fos

Thank you for your support!

Unit Commissioner Basic Training and Administration of Commissioner Service training sessions will be held at Camp Carpenter on Saturday, January 26 from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. These courses are great for existing commissioners and other interested Scouters that may be interested in becoming a commissioner. Click on the links for more information and to register.

Commissioners are district and council leaders who help Scout units succeed. They coach and consult with adult leaders of Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, and Venturing crews. Commissioners help maintain the standards of the Boy Scouts of America. They also oversee the unit charter renewal plan so that each unit reregisters on time with an optimum number of youth and adult members.

If you missed out on travelling to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico as a Scout or have been longing to return, the Philmont Training Center has countless programs for adults and families and provides the perfect reason to visit in 2013! The conference season at Philmont begins June 9 and continues through September. There are courses for all registered adult Scouters as well as Scouts and all immediate family members. No matter what your role in Scouting, you'll find the perfect program to develop your skills and enjoy the Ranch. Visit www.PhilmontTrainingCenter.org for all the details!

If you didn't get around to renewing your membership in the Order of the Arrow in 2012, it's not too late. Rekindle the fellowship that comes with belonging to the BSA’s society of honored campers! Begin by visiting the Passaconaway Lodge website at www.nhscouting.org/oa and selecting the "Members" tab from the menu on the left. You'll be able to create a profile that will give you access to features like lodge newsletters and the ability to pay dues online, which will renew your membership. You can also register for upcoming lodge events like the Hidden Valley Fun Weekend January 18-20. Don't miss out!

Click on your district for the latest news and events in your area. If you're not sure of your district, please click here

• Abnaki (Central Eastern Region)
• Arrowhead (Greater Nashua)
• Great Northern (Northern New Hampshire)
• Historic (Seacoast Region)
• Massabesic (Greater Manchester)
• Mt Monadnock (Monadnock Region)
• Nutfield (Greater Salem & Derry Area)
• Sunapee (Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee Region)
• Wannalancit (Greater Concord & Lakes Region)
• Exploring Division (career-based programs/statewide)