What’s a Den Chief, you ask?

It’s a Boy Scout or Venturer who makes a commitment to assist a Cub Scout den. The Den Chief program is a “win-win-win-win”: the pack and den get a helping hand (someone who’s probably great at teaching Scouting skills and leading skits, songs, and games!), the Cub Scouts get a role model who inspires them to grow in Scouting, the Den Chief gets valuable leadership experience (and credit toward rank advancement), and the troop or crew gets an ideal recruiter working directly with the pack. Once you’ve recruited your Den Chiefs, set them up for success by getting them trained! Our training team will be offering Den Chief training on:

September 29th – Norwood

October 13th – Weston

October 27th – Hanover

December 1st – Hanson

Click on the date to sign up!

It’s September and that means back to school and back to Scouting. Recruitment season is upon us and thousands of kids across Massachusetts are ready to say Scout Me In!

With an exciting new take on what it’s like to be a Scout, our new Scout Me In recruitment campaign features both boys and girls and invites everyone to join the fun and adventure of Scouting.

So, is your pack ready to recruit? From flyers to videos to social media images, we’ve got you covered with resources to welcome new families. Download the latest recruitment resources by clicking below.

Recruitment Supplies

Attention Cub Scout leaders: Please join us at our upcoming Cub Scout Leader Training Festivals:

Norwood on September 29, Weston on October 13, and Hanover on October 27!

These events are a great chance for new AND experienced leaders to kick off the year with basic training to set you up for success (earn the “Trained” patch for your position), workshops on a variety of other useful topics, a chance to pick up leader guides and other resources without a trip to the council office or Scout store, and delicious food. We’ll also run a fun program for Cub Scout-age youth while their parents are getting trained. This festival is a great chance to meet and share ideas with fellow volunteers.

Registration is open for all three dates: pick the date that works for you and just come for the sessions you want. We hope to see you there!

Starting January 1, 2019, Scoutbook subscriptions will be free to all BSA units! Scoutbook is an online unit management tool that ensures that you never miss a Scouting moment—from tracking advancements to milestone achievements along the Scouting adventure.

When units with Scoutbook accounts need to renew these unit subscriptions this fall, they will not pay any renewal fees effective September 1, 2018. For units currently without a Scoutbook account, they can begin their free Scoutbook unit subscription on January 1, 2019.

Learn More Here

The Mayflower Council Advancement Committee released a revised council-wide process for the submission and review of Eagle Scout Project Proposals and Eagle Scout Applications on Friday, August 31, 2018. Unit leaders and future Eagle Scouts are urged to review these updated processes so they are prepared when they need to submit documents to the advancement committee.

Here are links to the updated documents:

How to Prepare Your Eagle Service Project Proposal and Report

How to Complete Your Eagle Scout Application Form

How to Submit an Eagle Scout Application to Mayflower Council

Eagle Application Review Process

Questions regarding the Eagle Scout Project Proposal or Eagle Scout Application submission process should be directed to your district advancement chairperson.

The Marlborough and Canton Service Centers will be closed on Monday, September 3rd in honor of Labor Day.

Find Out If You Can Get A Tax Credit!

Summer Day Camp Expenses May Qualify For Tax Credit.  Here’s a tax tip directly from the IRS. Along with the lazy, hazy days of summer come some extra expenses, including summer day camp. But the IRS has some good news for parents: Those added expenses may help you qualify for a tax credit. For more information, check out IRS Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses. This publication is available at www.irs.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Find Out More

Mayflower Council has started a Sea Scout Ship at the Wessagusset Yacht Club in Weymouth. Any and all youth are welcome join as long as they meet the requirements (14 or 13 and graduated 8th grade). No Scouting experience necessary! Sea Scouts will learn how to sail, navigate the ocean, repair vessels, and so much more! If you’re interested, come to the information night at the Wessagusset Yacht Club on Friday September 14th 5 pm – 8 pm. Park in the Wessagusset Beach Parking Lot and follow the attached picture for walking directions (less than 1/4 mile). If you can’t make it, please fill out this form for more information and to sign up!

More than 60 Eagle Scouts and family members gathered at the Franklin Country Club on Saturday, August 18th for the Mayflower’s inaugural Gathering of Eagles. The council’s NESA Committee sponsored the event to honor the council’s Class of 2017-2018 Eagle Scouts with a BBQ lunch. The event brought together Eagles from across the council for fellowship, to celebrate, share stories, and enjoy good food. Retired Army Major Richard Keogh reflected on earning his Eagle Scout badge during a brief ceremony. “The skills you learn becoming an Eagle Scout may change, but the values do not,” said MAJ Keogh, inspiring Eagles young and old. At the end of the luncheon, the Eagles rededicated their commitment to the Eagle Badge and to Scouting. All attendees received an event patch. Many thanks to Matthew Boczanowski and Sean Riley, event organizers, and the entire NESA Committee for their effort. A special thanks goes out to all Mayflower Gathering of Eagles attendees, supporters and sponsors.

We regretfully announce that Bill Dunbar, Field Director, Headwaters District will no longer be working with the Mayflower Council effective August 17th. This is a great loss to the council but we can only wish Bill the best of luck in this new chapter of his life.  Bill’s duties will be assumed by Rick Riopelle, Director of Field Service until a new district executive is hired.