Red Jacket District Newsletter

News and information for the volunteers serving in the Red Jacket District of the Greater Niagara Frontier Council, Boy Scouts of America

Fall, 2014

Medal of Honor Award

Samuel McNeil II Receives National Medal of Honor

During First Aid training, we teach our scouts the importance of calling for help, treat the patient and staying calm.  All these things came into practice for 6 year-old Samuel McNeil II in November of 2013 when his grandmother took a bad fall and severely cut one of her fingers, causing significant blood loss.  Samuel, who had very recently joined Tiger cubs and had his first-ever First Aid training session did exactly what he was trained to do.   With some instruction from his grandmother, he quickly called his father on the telephone, found a cloth that was used to slow the bleeding and stayed calm while waiting for help to arrive.   Doctors told the family that the quick response significantly helped their efforts, and without it, Samuel’s grandmother very likely could have lost some or all of her finger.

Thanks to his quick action, Samuel was recognized with the National Boy Scouts of America Medal of Merit, for outstanding service in implementing scouting skills and ideals.  Samuel was also recognized by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office with the Certificate of Commendation.  The awards were presented by Sean Costello, Red Jacket District Chair during the monthly District Roundtable, held in Hamburg.  Surrounded by his father, den leader and friends, Samuel was all smiles as he received his awards and applause.

The story ends well, with Samuel’s grandmother having recovered completely and only a long scar on her finger as evidence of her injury.


Pinewood Derby Racing

Pinewood Racing Takes Center Stage at Erie County Fair

Everybody loves a good race and the youth of Western NY were treated to a special day of Pinewood Derby racing that the 2014 Erie County Fair.   During the event, youth were invited to build a car, then join into a series of practice races, testing, tuning their cars.  Once everyone was ready, the scouts raced head-to-head with a large audience of on-lookers at the final heats took place.

Check out the video of one of the final heats:

Pinewood Derby Racing at the 2014 Erie County Fair

A recruiting and awareness event for the Red Jacket District, participants were invited to find a Cub Scout pack using the BeAScout.org web site and other sources.


Camporee

Come and test your preparation skills at the Red Jacket Fall Camporee at Camp Schoellkopf!

How prepared is your patrol?

Come test you preparation skills at the Red Jacket Fall Camporee, October 17th - 19th at Camp Schoellkopf!

With 12 different competition events for Boy Scouts and Webelos, there is something for every patrol at this action-packed event. 

Full event details, see:  Fall Camporee Program

Register online through September 30th; 

Any questions contact:
Gretchen Fetzer at: gretchen_fetzer@yahoo.com
Melissa Schreiber at Melissa.schreiber@scouting.org
Greg Voyzey at Greg.voyzey@scouting.org


First Aid Rally

First Aid Rally / Explorer Challenge

and

Webelos Readyman Training

Saturday February 7, 2015

West Seneca West Middle School
395 Center Road, West Seneca
(Between Union Rd. and Seneca St.)

All participants will be broken down into 6 skill levels : Webelos - Novice - Junior - Senior - Venture - Explorer

Schedule of Events:

8:30 AM - Noon

Webelos First Aid Redyman Training

12:30 PM - 3:30 PM

First Aid Rally Competition and Explorer Challenge

3:30 PM

Awards

• A natural team has 6 members, Please bring all the Scouts that are able to attend from your unit. Additional Scouts will be placed with other teams.

• Each Unit muat provide it’s own first aid equipment.

• Readyman Training is designed to prepare Webelos Scouts for completion of the Readyman badge requirements & allow them to compete in the First Aid Rally. We will NOT be signing off on these requirements the day of the event.  All participants are encouraged to stay for the First Aid Rally

• There is an optional Hot Dog Lunch available for purchase or you may bring your own bag lunch, Lunch time is scheduled between the Training and the Rally.

For additional information and to register your unit, visit the First Aid Rally Event Page

 

 


Halloween Fun Day

Cub Scout Halloween Fun Day

Saturday, October 11, 2014
9am-3:30pm

Come join the fun for the whole family at Camp Scouthaven: 
Bobbing for body parts, Fishing, Crafts, Pumpkin Bowling, Face Painting, Hayride to the Haunted House, and much more!!!!

Presented by Greater Niagara Frontier Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Cost: $10.00 per person, under 5 free (includes lunch) Hot Dog, Carrot Sticks, Chips & Apple

For more information, see the Halloween Fund Day Event Page


Membership

Boys Life Mini-Mag Drop-off

Want to help recruit new scouts into the program?  One way you can help is by spreading the word with Boys Life Mini-Mags.  These miniature Boys Life magazines are available at the GNFC Council Service Center.  Keep a supply in your car and drop off a few anywhere youth and their parents may be found:

  • Doctors office waiting room
  • Dentist
  • Day care centers
  • School events

Anywhere parents and school-age youth would congregate.

Help grow the program and spread the word of Scouting in WNY!


High Adventure

Birchbark Expeditions 2015 Information Night

Looking for high adventure in our own back yard?

GNFC’s Birchbark Expeditions offers fully guided one and two week back country canoe expeditions in the serene waters of Canada’s Algonquin Provincial Park. One of the best values in high adventure camping and an excellent way to keep older scouts engaged. 

Sound interesting? Join us for the Leader Information Night on Monday, November 17th from 7-9 PM in the GNFC Council Service Center.  A complete overview of the program can be found at:  www.wnyscouting.org/birchbark

Registration for the 2015 Season is now open and are sure to go fast - don't delay!


Popcorn "Pop-cast"

Get your unit featured in a "Pop-cast"

Help motivate your popcorn selling with video

Video is a very powerful medium for getting a message across (especially when you are selling something - just ask Ron Popeil, famous seller of the pocket fisherman) 

Check out the video that Troop 578 did sharing their passion for popcorn.

How about using video to help promote your unit's popcorn sales with a "Pop-cast"?  A Pop-cast is a short video of your scouts explaining why they are selling popcorn, where your unit is selling popcorn and how the viewer can order some from your unit.  Simple, passionate and with a clear call-to-action.    

An example script:
"The scouts of Troop 123 are selling popcorn this year to raise money for our trip to Washington DC.  We'll be at Tops Markets on Saturday and Sunday and every scout meeting.  Stop by and order your popcord today.  Thanks for your support!"

No fancy technology needed, just a smartphone and a YouTube account to record your own Pop-cast, then spread the word on Facebook, Instagram or even via email to the network of friends and families associated with you unit.

For help or advice on how to produce your own Pop-cast, contact:
Melissa Schreiber at Melissa.schreiber@scouting.org or
Greg Voyzey at Greg.voyzey@scouting.org


Sabres Drawing

Sell your way to Sabres Season Tickets

Two pairs of Sabres Seasons Tickets are up for grabs

Need a little extra motivation to help get your scouts out there selling popcorn?  How about a chance at winning a pair of Sabres seasons tickets?

For every $600 of popcorn your scout sells before December 15th, they will get one change in a drawing for one of two pairs of Sabres Seasons Tickets.  Sell $1,200 of popcorn, and your scout gets two chances!

To enter, you must submit your popcorn order forms before December 15th.

To learn more, contact:
Melissa Schreiber at Melissa.schreiber@scouting.org or
Greg Voyzey at Greg.voyzey@scouting.org


More exciting activities and information on the district can be found on the Red Jacket District Web Site