President Ford Proclamation 12/30/13

President Ford FSC eNewsletter Issue 24  Monday, December 30, 2013 Welcome to the final 2013 issue of the President Ford Proclamation. We've received a lot of feedback this year and you can really see a lot of changes in formatting and style from that first issue way back on February 1st. We stuck to our schedule of everyother Monday through holidays (Memorial Day, Labor Day, and April Fools!), but we skipped last Monday so that we could have a true end of the year issue. This issue contains a ton of links to pictures to some of the fantastic Scout adventures and stories that took place this past year - a year in review. We couldn't include them all, but if we are missing something from one of your favorite Scouting activities let Dan know!  Scouting Year in Review     Johnny Agar is a member of Troop 228 in Rockford. Not only is Johnny a determined athlete, he will shortly be awarded the rank of Eagle Scout! Johnny is an inspiration to all of us and an example of determination. Johnny truly lives by the first eight words of the Scout Oath ... On my honor, I will do my best. (Brought to our attention by Clyde Sinclair, Eagle Spirit Assistant District Commissioner)   Check out this amazing story of Scoutmaster Darryl Nelson of Troop 31 in Traverse City using his skills he learned as Boy Scout to help save the life of a 3 year old little girl. The reunion 14 years later is pretty incredible!     We just could not pick a favorite week of Scout Camp at Gerber this summer - they were all AWESOME! So, we included all of the weekly camp videos! If you didn't make it to camp last summer, check one out to see what you have in store when you go in 2014!              Mackinac Rendezquous XIV was both a trip back in time to the fantastic little island inbetween two great lakes and a time to break a world record when we decided to create a ginormous Scout fleur-de-lis on Sunday morning.    Just before Halloween a bunch of Cub Scouts and their Pals gathered at Gerber Scout Camp to chuck some pumpkins with a catapult, prove their skills with a bow, and prove that a Michigan chill wouldn't keep them from having fun!    Early on, we decided that it was important to have Scouting stories and pictures from our local Scoutmasters included in as many issues as possible. Our favorite story has to be Cindy Hanson and Matt Drent's recollection of Troop 111's Pictured Rocks Backpacking Trip from the September 2nd issue.   Upcoming Events        January 3rd - 5th   January 11th + 24-26th  January 24th +25th The Order of the Arrow Winter Extravaganza is back at Camp Greilick! Broomball, Video Games, Snow Bowl, Euchre, and more!   OKPIK is Cold Weather Camping Training for Boy Scout and Venturing Leaders. It is 2 sessions, one indoor and one outdoor   Nuclear Cowboyz bring their explosive arena circus to Grand Rapids. Fire breathers, motocross, and more!         January 26th February 1st   February 8th The Harlem Globetrotters will be in Grand Rapids! Scout groups can receive a discount and patches! (April 16 in TC)  Scout Night at the Muskegon Lumberjacks!   Nataepu Shophpe Lodge's Winter Banquet         February 21-23rd February 22-23rd + March 22-23rd   Due February 28th  Venturing Kickback Weekend is a fun weekend Venturing centric activities at Gerber Scout Camp.  Pope Pius XII Weekends are being offered for Catholic Scouts + Venturers to depend their understanding of their faith. (Both weeks are required to finish the program.)  The Silver Beaver Award is the highest award honor a local council can bestow on a volunteer. Please nominate a worthy volunteer that you know today!        March 7th or April 4th  March 14th March 15th   Detroit Red Wings Scout Nights Two more opportunities for major league hockey this season!  Monster Trucks - crushing cars and doing outrageous jumps at Monster Jam in Grand Rapids Scouting for Food is a great opportunity for a Good Turn! Don't forget to order your door hangers.         March 26th  April 26-27th  May 17-18th Save the date for this year'sBuilding Character Celebrationwhere we will celebrate the 2013 Eagle Scout and Silver Award recipients.  Scout and Pal overnights are designed for Parents or guardians to attend with their son. They generally last about twenty for hours and are a ton of fun for both Scouts and their Pals! Scout and Pal overnights are designed for Parents or guardians to attend with their son. They generally last about twenty for hours and are a ton of fun for both Scouts and their Pals!   From Our Previous Issues + In Brief Staff Contacts What is a professional Scouter? Previous Issues of the Proclamation Merit Badge Requirements Merit Badge Sponsorships  Lowe's Eagle Scout Project Grant Application    The Michigan Crossroads Council is proud to announce the NEW Polar Bear Challenge patch and application for Boy Scouts. Day Camps are Back for 2014!  Promotional materials will be available beginning in February. June 16-18 Grand Rapids Area June 23-25 Holland Area July 16-18 Muskegon Area July 28-30 Kalkaska Look for more information in a future issue.        Scouting History The Boy Scouts of America has been around for 103 years, 10 months, and 21 days. In that time, millions and millions of Americans have enjoyed themselves in the pursuit of fun in the outdoors. There are also a ton of fun photos from throughout the years. Each issue of the Proclamation will now end with a historical Scouting photo. In the Grand Rapids office there is a framed charter from Troop 3 in Grand Rapids. Behind this framed charter certificate, there are 5 older charter certificates. Below is the oldest of the 6.    If you have read this far- Dan thanks you for being A-MAZE-ING. I hope you're ready for 2014 because it's right around the corner. And I look forward to hearing about ALL of your Scouting adventures so I can share them with all of the President Ford Field Service Council. As always, if you have any feedback or thoughts on future issues of the President Ford Proclamation, please contact Dan Soszynski.