Monthly Podcast from the Mayflower Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
April 2024 episode, hosted by Rob DiFazio, features:
Update on National Fees:
Effective April 1, 2024, the BSA will eliminate the $25 one-time joining fee for new program participants in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouting.
Effective May 1, 2024 (formerly April 1), registration fees will be as follows:
Monthly Podcast from the Mayflower Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
March 2024 episode, hosted by Rob DiFazio, features:
Camp Resolute and Camp Squanto places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth campers.
We are required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations to obtain a CORI (Criminal Offender Registry Information) and a SORI (Sex Offender Record Information) check on all adult leaders, volunteers attending camp with your troop and camp staff.
Any adult leader or volunteer who will be providing leadership while they are in camp must have a completed CORI and SORI form on file with the camp regardless of the amount of time they are in camp.
The CORI request for for summer camp is different than the CORI request form you filled out to be a volunteer with the Mayflower Council. Massachusetts camps are required to perform a CORI check that will result in the camp receiving all conviction, non-conviction and pending information in both the adult record (age 17 and older) and juvenile data. As this is a different CORI check being completed a different CORI form than the one you filled out to volunteer in Scouting is required.
The CORI regulations require that each leader, volunteer or staff member provide a government issued photo identification such as a driver’s license, passport, state identification, etc… and that a copy of the ID be kept on file with the camp.
Camp Resolute and Camp Squanto is also mandated by Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health to obtain a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) report from the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) for all camp staff or volunteers. The Sex Offender Registry Board is a public safety agency responsible for protecting the public from sex offenders.
All leaders, volunteers and staff members must complete each of the following forms:
Over the past year, a great deal of discussion has ensued regarding the district leadership structure of Mayflower Council. It has become increasingly challenging to fill the many district committee positions and ensure that the support needed for the Scouting program is being provided in the most efficient, effective, and consistent manner.
A committee was formed last summer of individuals from across the council to determine the best path moving forward given the current number of unfilled positions. A wide variety of options were considered and discussed at length; it was decided that to best way to provide a quality scouting program in Mayflower Council was to adopt a more Council centralized support structure in place of what has previously been a District-centered approach. It is extremely important to note that the continued involvement of current leaders, and recruitment of others, will be a critical element as we move forward. The knowledge base and dedication of the current corps of volunteers will be integral to the new leadership structure.
To facilitate a smooth transition to this type of structural leadership change, an Implementation Team has been identified to collect information and identify “next steps” for the transition. It is anticipated that the roll out will occur in a stepwise fashion during the 2024-25 program year. In the coming months there will be in-depth discussions amongst various committees and constituents to solicit input and help the Implementation Team develop a well-defined roll out plan. This will be an evolving process, with information to be provided as it becomes available. The Implementation Team is planning to hold a Council-wide Summit in October, open to those currently serving in District leadership positions and all others who are interested.
A contact email (click here to email ) has been set up to ensure that individuals can ask questions at any time as we move forward with the transition. Every effort will be made to ensure responses are sent as quickly as possible, recognizing that answers to many questions may not be available until the roll out plan is better defined.
Check out Mayflower Council’s “Around The Campfire” Podcast, a new show designed specifically for unit leaders and volunteers. Hosted by Rob DiFazio, an Eagle Scout from East Bridgewater serving on the Membership & Unit Service Team, this episode of the podcast covers a variety of topics, including Webelos to Scout transitions with Wood Badge-trained Scouter David Laucirica, and Eagle Scout Aaron Christian (both from the Membership & Unit Service Team). Logan Ferraro, Program Executive, gives an overview of BlackPug and CampDocs, as well as upcoming events. Additionally, Rich Carlson, our Council Commissioner, provides an update on our new Scout executive. Don’t miss out on this informative podcast!
With the impending snow storm we would like to remind our community about our adverse weather policy. The council follows the lead of the Milford school system when setting its adverse weather policy. If Milford Public Schools close, so does the Milford Service Center. If the Milford Public Schools announce a delay (1 hour delay for example) the council service center delays its opening by the same time. We encourage everyone to follow the weather and school closure reports on Boston media such as WCVB Channel 5 in order to stay informed and up to date on school closings and weather alerts.
Effective April 1, 2024, the BSA will eliminate the $25 one-time joining fee for new program participants in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouting.
Join us for Mayflower Council day with the Boston Red Sox!
Lace up your Hiking Boots for the BCT (Bay Circuit Trail)
What if there was a local hiking trail that travelled around the city of Boston, through some 37 local cities and towns offering natural beauty, historical interest and access to trail heads and trail segments using the MBTA and public transportation? A trail that is managed by a collaboration of private and public entities including the Appalachian Mountain Club and local town and city conservations departments. Hiking, biking, cross country skiing and snow shoeing are all available on the trail. If that were the case, you would be describing the Bay Circuit Trail! The BCT is some 230 miles long, starting at the mouth of the Merrimack River and ending in Kingston Bay on the South Shore circling the city of Boston.
We are inviting all Mayflower Scout units to choose a trail segment either in their own hometown or a trail segment of their choice, so that all or units together will cover all 230 miles of the trail in a single day! Cub Scouts, Scout BSA and Venturers are all invited to participate. Trail segments can be assigned by hiking ability and length to accommodate the novice or the experienced hiker. We would ask that a photo be taken at both the start and the end of your hike as proof that you have completed your part of the trail. Scout units from other local councils are also cordially invited to join us on hike day. We are planning an ending celebration after all 230 miles have been completed. Did I mention that there will be a cool and unique patch made available to all registered hikers? Hike day is planned for Saturday May 18th. Watch for a future registration link and additional detail as we get closer to hike day. Unit leaders include this in you units’ activity planning, you will want to be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity!