Schedule your Family FOS Presentation Early!

Providing a premiere Scouting program requires significant planning and the key is scheduling your unit's Friends of Scouting presentation. Setting a date now allows for planning of presenters and materials. Please include an FOS presentation in your unit's plans between December and February. Contact Family FOS Chair, James Dudash, with your proposed date at (419) 348-6804. or James.dudash@sanoh-america.com

March 2016

1      AW Commissioner Meeting

3      AW District Committee Meeting

10    AW Roundtable at National Machinery in Tiffin

Scouting for Food

Is your unit interested in participating in Scouting for Food?  You earn service hours and the food banks receive food!

We are now accepting sign-ups for Scouting for Food in Findlay and I am able to assign you an area.  If you have participated in the past, you may keep your last assigned area BUT I need to know that you are signed up and confirm the area so we do not have overlaps.

This year we will NOT be taking the collected food to Lowe's but your unit will be taking it to your assigned food bank.  Once I have all the participating units signed up I can assign a food bank to your unit.  This will eliminate the food bank's problem of transporting the food to their locations and waiting out in the cold for hours.

If you want to participate or have participated last year just Email or Call Carol Little at glittle@woh.rr.com (419) 722-3770 and let her know you will need bags this year. 

Carol Little
AW Scouting for Food Coordinator

Spring Recruitment

The Spring District Join Scout Night will be on April 21.  Please contact Vicki Rosengarten and let her know the location of your roundup will be, what time and how many fliers you would like printed.

Seneca County Community FOS Kick-off

A top-flight Boy Scout program doesn’t happen by accident.  It requires hard work, committed volunteers, earnest Scouts – and funds to cover the necessary facilities, training, local staff, insurance, and needs to put on the best-possible program for the youth being served.

The annual Friends of Scouting campaign helps to provide for these local requirements. The local FOS campaign has a kick-off breakfast for Tiffin and Fostoria communities.

The breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, February 25th, 2016, at Camden Falls Reception and Conference Center, 2458 Ohio 231, in Tiffin.  To reserve a spot at the breakfast, contact District Executive, Vicki Rosengarten at (419) 889-8373 or vicki.rosengarten@scouting.org by February 24.

The effort encourages donations from those who believe in Scouting’s mission and want to support it locally. Friends of Scouting dollars directly fund our Scouts’ activities and is tax-deductible. 

Personnel Update

Vicki Rosengarten-Arrowwood District Executive

Vicki Rosengarten will be leaving the Black Swamp Area Council effective March 31^st.  Adam, Vicki’s husband was recently recruited by a company in northern Alabama.   The Council put Vicki in for a priority move within the BSA.  I am happy to announce that Vicki will be joining the Greater Alabama Council as a District Director.  It’s bittersweet as we lose a great member of our council team, but are excited for her new adventure and that she will be staying within the BSA. 

The council will be hosting a farewell gathering.  Details to follow.

Please wish Vicki good luck on this next step and advancement of her professional Scouting career. 

The council is currently interviewing a replacement for Vicki.

We need your Blue and Gold and Court of Honor Dates

Unit leaders please forward your date to Rose King we’d like to get a volunteer to briefly share about 2016 Summer Camping and Friends of Scouting.

Contact Info: Rose King, Good4sscouting@gmail.com, 419-386-9035

Personnel Update

Levi Keller-Chinquapin District Executive

Welcome Levi Keller! Levi is a product of the Black Swamp Area Council and Camp Lakota.

Serving as the District Executive of the Chinquapin District, Levi will provide support to the Scouting program and volunteers in Williams, Fulton, Henry, and Defiance Counties.

Hailing from Stryker OH, Levi was a scout in Troop 1222, in Bryan where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Levi has served on Order of the Arrow Ceremony Team, NYLT Staff, Camp Lakota Staff as well as going to Philmont and National Jamborees. 

A recent graduate of Bowling Green State University, where Levi earned a degree in education.

Please welcome Levi Keller to the Black Swamp Area Council Team. You can reach Levi at Levi.Keller@scouting.org or (567) 239-1119.

Former Scoutmaster Richard Wolf Honored with National Scouting Award

Richard Wolf, former Scoutmaster of Wauseon Boy Scout Troop 8, was honored recently for his service to Scouting with a James E. West Fellowship.

Mr. Wolf served as Scoutmaster of Troop 8 from 1962 through 1967, starting out with just 6 Scouts in the troop which grew to over 40 Scouts during this period.  All three of Mr. Wolf’s sons David, John and Tim were Scouts in Troop 8. Additionally, during Mr. Wolf’s leadership as Scoutmaster 7 Scouts achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.  Mr. Wolf was recognized for his service at both Troop 8’s February Court of Honor and the annual Chinquapin District Boy Scout Recognition Banquet held Sunday February 21st.

Mr. Wolf’s legacy to Scouting continues to this day as Troop 8 continues to help young boys grow into young men of high ethics and moral character.  Troop 8 is now 77 years old with 41 Scouts having achieved Eagle Scout rank, the highest rank in Boy Scouts.

Pictured above L-R Dave Wolf, son, Richard Wolf, seated, Curt Fauver, Rosie Witt, daughter, Tim Wolf, son, Gabe Witt, grandson, and Vickie Wolf daughter-in-law.  Photo taken at District Recognition Banquet.

FOS Presentation Dates Needed

We are scheduling group dates for FOS presentations to share the Scouting story and the important reasons for this one-time ask for support of Scouting. Please call Doug Ditto at 419.303.2787 or doug@coreconsulting.ws, or send your dates to Jim Mason at jmason@scouting.org. 

District Pinewood Derby Needs a Race Coordinator

The Great Oaks District Cub Scouts are in need of you in order to have a District Pinewood Derby race this year. The race was originally scheduled for April 23, but recently it was learned the council Pinewood Derby Race was scheduled on this same date. That being said, long-time race coordinator Chad Bryan is not able to organize the race this year because of work commitments prior to original date, nor is UNOH available because of an open house date at the school that same weekend.

Can one of you or a couple of you partner and coordinate a district pinewood derby race on April 16, or April 9, if needed? I listed these dates, as there are some Packs in our district which have races set for first weekends of April. A location will also have to be identified different then the UNOH gym.

Contact Jim Mason ASAP so he can get the word out about this year’s race, at 419.227.2107 or jmason@scouting.org.

FOS Dates Needed for Scheduling Purposes

We are scheduling group dates for FOS presentation to share the Scouting story and the important reasons for this one-time ask for support of Scouting. Please call Doug Ditto at 419.303.2787 or doug@coreconsulting.ws, or send your dates to Jim Mason at jmason@scouting.org.

To date, the following groups have scheduled their FOS presentation:

Troop: 11, 49, 65, 82, 84, 103, 124, 256, 777

Pack: 3002, 3011, 3042, 3043, 3082, 3103, 3124, 3131, 3777

Crew: 6008, 6601

Junior Fair Board Representation Needed

The Allen County Junior Fair Board is seeking 1 adult and 1 youth to represent the Boy Scouts on the board for the upcoming year. If you’re interested, please let Jim Mason know at jmason@scouting.org or call 419.227.2107, ext. 124.

District Honors Bestowed at Annual Dinner

Congratulations to the individuals who were honored at the Great Oaks District Dinner on Feb. 11!

This year’s recipients of the District Award of Merit were: Joel Delgado of Pack 777 and Kurt Rehling of Troop 777. 

The Dr. Chris Crawford Good Scouter Award was presented to Tom Evans for his work with both Troop and Pack 84. Tom is celebrating his 40 year as an adult Scouter.

The Boy Scout of the Year was Adam Schneer of Troop 65.

The Boy Scout leader of the Year was Don Spar with Troop 124. 

The Charter Organization of the Year honor went to American Legion Post 382 in Bluffton for its work with Troop 256

The district’s Venturers of the Year were Krista Rehling and Ben Leis, both of Crew 601.

The Crew Leader of the Year was Lyle Leis of Crew 601.

The district Cub Scout Leader Award was presented to Pack 777’s Jeff Vorhees.

Roundtable

Eric Homier teaching at the last Roundtable.

Pinewood Derby

Cub Leaders, our district pinewood derby will be April 16^th at the Glandorf Parish Center. More information to follow. Please also be aware that the Council race will be held 1 week later in Findlay.

Scouting for Food:

Scouting for food will be held the first two weekends in March. Bags were passed out during roundtable, if you need more please contact Adam Warnement or the Lima Scout shop. Patches will be distributed once the unit registers the number of participants online.  

Spring Camporee

WHEN: APRIL 22-24TH

WHERE: Camp Clay, 9196 Liberty Union Rd, Van Wert  OH 45891

Cost is $15per person for the weekend

Arrival and check in begins Friday @ 4:30pm, break camp Sunday by noon

Be on the lookout for online registration, coming soon! Optional signup for Saturday Morning 5-6mile canoe trek ($10 additional fee, 28 spots available. Must be Boy Scouts). Units will need 1 adult min. for every 8 youth signed up for trek.

Special Events Committee

Stacy is looking for a small committee that would like to help out for a Special Event for our district.  Murder Mystery at The Overdrive in Celina on May 14^th.  Please email her at stacy.perkins@scouting.org if you would like to help out.  She will be having a meeting on February 29, 2016 at 6:00pm at El Azteca in Wapak.

Pinewood Derby

Auglaize and Mercer Counties Pinewood District Derby will be held on April 16, 2016 starting check in at 10am.

Dr. Doty's Dentistry

Exploring is excited to welcome back Post 320 Dr. Doty’s Dentistry. This post kicked off Friday, January 8^th.

Ohio Means Jobs

Exploring is starting a new partnership with Ohio Means Jobs and will be represented on their website in the next couple of months. This partnership will be beneficial to all of the Exploring Posts in Ohio and all of the participating posts will get features on the website.

Please call Tiffanie Ruppright at 419-422-4356 ext. 125 or email at Tiffanie.Ruppright@scouting.org with any questions or interest in starting a post. 

Exploring Recognition Dinner

Swamp Romp

The Black Swamp Area Council's single-biggest event makes a triumphant return! Swampy's coming back to Swamp Romp on Oct. 7-9, 2016. 

Mark your calendars now and prepare for a one-of-a-kind experience. Swamp Romp will be such a grand experience it has to take place at the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima.

Swamp Romp 2016 will be the single largest gathering of Scouts from Northwest and West Central Ohio. This event is filled with fun and experiences that Scouts and families will love! From Boy Scout Troops, Cub Scout Packs, Venture Crews to Exploring Posts, this will be an amazing experience. All units will be invited to spend the weekend camping, while enjoying all the activities and programming, and finishing with a stadium show and fireworks Saturday night!

Just some of the expected fun activities include: shooting ranges, inflatables, fishing, midway games, climbing & repelling towers, national exhibits, challenge course, SESA & COSI, stadium show and fireworks!

2017 National Jamboree

Boy Scouts of America's flagship event is a one-of-a-kind experience. It's a gathering of approximately 45,000 Scouts, leaders, and staff showcasing everything great about the B.S.A. and its members. Over the course of 10 summer days, Scouting comes together. The result is the National Scout Jamboree.

The Black Swamp Area Council will be sending 1 Troop (36 Scouts, 4 leaders), as well as a Venture Patrol (8 youth, 2 leaders), if there's enough interest.

Where: 

The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve is the home of achievement, adventure, and innovation in Scouting. Located in West Virginia, it features world-class facilities and a focus on outdoor action sports. The Summit welcomes Scouts to a whole new experience.

When: 

July 19-July 28, 2017

Registration: NOW OPEN - sign-up early to ensure your spot at: bsajamboree.org

View the booklet here for details on the event, how to register and how to get involved as a leader for the contingent.

BGSU Falcons

To view the ticket order form for the BGSU hockey game with pricing information, click here.