All participants in official Scouting activities should become familiar with the Guide to Safe Scouting. The Guide to Safe Scouting is an overview of Scouting policies and procedures gleaned from a variety of sources. For some items, the policy statements are complete. Unit leaders are expected to review the additional reference material cited prior to conducting such activities.

The Guide to Safe Scouting has been updated for 2019. Download or view the latest version by clicking here

UPDATES TO THE GUIDE TO SAFE SCOUTING:

1. Updated language throughout to reference “Scouts BSA” rather than “Boy Scouts.”
2. Youth Protection and Adult Leadership Clarified language in the Adult Supervision and Accommodations sections.
3. Camping Updated information about Webelos overnight camping. Corrected publication number for Pack Overnight. 
4. Campout Site Appraisal Form and provided URL to access form. 
5. Sports and Activities Clarified Sea Scout participation in Climbing and Rappelling section. 
6. Animal and Insect Hazards Replaced entire chapter. 
7. Incident Reporting Provided URL for incident reporting. 
8. Appendix Replaced Event Safety Checklist.

There’s enthusiasm for the launch of Scouts BSA everywhere you look. Today, let’s look at the top 10 Scouts BSA questions volunteers are asking.

As many of you are already aware, membership registration has fallen behind due to an unexpected and prolonged situation leaving the Council Service Center short handed for several months.  A solution through Registration Shared Services with the National Council is now in place and we are working feverishly with their help to get all membership entered.  Because of the backlog, your District Executive might ask you for something that has already been submitted. Please understand it is our intention to get through the stack of papers without asking you for something twice but we may fail in this attempt.  We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused for all of our Scouts and units and look forward to the day we serve you with efficiency.

All future registrations can be emailed to:  membership@mayflowerbsa.org.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Click on Photo to view or download here

The Boy Scouts of America will offer a one-time, limited exception to its age requirements for the Eagle Scout award, giving new Scouts BSA members, male and female, a fair chance to earn the program’s top honor.

The Worcester Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting is calling for nominations for Adult Catholic Religious Awards due by February 20, 2019. The awards are to recognize those adults in Scouting who have participated in promoting and teaching Catholic Faith Formation in Scouting through religious emblem programs, Scout Sunday observance, and various other activities relating to the Faith.

The Bronze Pelican and the St. George Emblem are for those adults involved in the Cub and/or Scouts BSA programs. A nominee for the Bronze Pelican has significantly influenced Catholic Scouting for at least three years. Nominees for the St. George emblem have previously received the Bronze Pelican and have made significant and outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youths through Scouting. Nomination forms should give a detailed description of how the nominee provides such outstanding contributions.

Please send nominations to Bob Ryan, CCOS Nominations Chair at rhrljr@att.net or mail it to 8 Colonial Drive, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.

Nomination Forms:

• St George Form
• Bronze Pelican Form

Is Your Pack Ready To Crossover?

Tantamous Lodge is here to help!  If your Unit would like the Order of The Arrow to assist in your crossover ceremony, just let us know by filling out the following form and we will contact you.

SIGN UP HERE

Advancement Update: A revised Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook for 2019 has been posted and is available here. The content is basically unchanged and revised to reflect gender-neutrality.

We are very excited to have you join us this year for Merit Badge University!

Merit Badge University offers Scouts the opportunity to earn up to 3 merit badges, both eagle and non-eagle required with the help of our merit badge counselors. Registration opens on Monday, January 14th at 9:00am.

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