NYC Scout Takes home a win at Staten Island's 3rd Annual History Day Fair

The Staten Island History Day Fair is a Social Studies Program that is open to 4th and 5th grade students in all public and private schools throughout the borough. Each school was encouraged to hold its own fair and chose students to move onto the Borough-wide fair that was held at the Center for the Arts at the College of Staten Island on May 11th. This annual event was sponsored by the Staten Island Borough President office, as well as The New York Public Library and CSI.

Webelos Scout Andrew Chang, Pack 150 in Great Kills, represented  P.S. 58 at the Borough-wide fair and
received a 1^st place overall win.  Andrew took
home 3^rd place for his work on the history of William H. Pouch Scout Camp - a video that showed the past, present and future of Pouch Camp. His passion for Scouting lead to his fun, educational and creative idea for the video on Pouch Camp.

Congratulations Andrew! 

NY/NJ Port Authority Invests $4 Million in Staten Island's Pouch Camp

At the April 26th meeting of The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Board of Directors, $4 million dollars was approved for a portion of the Conservation Easement on the William H. Pouch Scout Camp.

The Greater New York Councils would like to thank the Hon. David Samson, Chairman, Hon. Scott Rechler, Vice-Chairman, all the Port Authority Commissioners and Executive Director Patrick Foye for their support of Camp Pouch, open space on Staten Island and the Scouts of New York City for generations to come.

We would also like to thank Council President Alair Townsend and members of the Council’s workout committee for all the behind the scenes effort that went into this historic occasion.

We also recognize our partners in this process including Web Bingham with Jones Lang LaSalle, along with Kent Whitehead and Marc Matsil from the Trust for Public Land.

The money will be combined with funding from Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro and Council members James Oddo and Vincent Ignizio to meet the $5 million dollar goal for the funding of Phase One of the easement.

Attention all unit leaders;

The recent fire ban in effect at all three properties: Pouch, Alpine, and Ten Mile River have been lifted. However, the risks of fire remain high and we ask all campers and visitors to exercise caution during your visit to any of the camps.

When possible, refrain from lighting campfires and limit them to the proper areas (fire pits or fire rings). Campfires must be tended to at all times and water buckets keep at hand. Please check with the camp ranger for additional guidance, or to clear any questions or doubts.

Scout Leaders: Make sure to check out changes to the Tour Plan process for 2012. The most important change is the approval process for the Tour Plan, please Click Here for more information.

Explorers and Scouts Attend Annual Tour of the New York Container Terminal

On Monday, April 9^th, members of the Customs Border Patrol JFK Post 4701, Troops 37 and 160, and Ship 24 took part in a tour of the New York Container Terminal.  For the past few years, the Maritime Industry has been able to introduce a group of youth to the wonderful career opportunities the industry has to offer.  Thanks to board member and President of the New York Container Terminal, Jim Devine, they were able to show these Scouts and Explorers firsthand what goes on in the Maritime world.

Since 1982 the Maritime Industry has raised over $3,000,000 to support The Greater New York Councils, Boy Scouts of America.   The Maritime Industry’s continued support has helped provide summer camp opportunities to disadvantaged Scouts across the five Boroughs.

Scouters Awarded at the 20th Annual Woodbadge Dining-In on March 25th

On Sunday, March 25, the 20th Annual Woodbadge Dining-In was held in Staten Island.  Woodbadge trained leaders from all around GNYC, and Westchester-Putnam Councils, and beyond, joined in an evening of fun, friendship, and a fantastic dinner.  One of the main highlights of the evening was the awarding of a certificate and the Woodbadge regalia, a special neckerchief, a leather woggle, and two small wooden beads on a leather thong.  Wood Badge is,  Scouting's premier training course. Designed by Lord Robert Baden-Powell, so that Scouters could learn, in as practical a way possible, the skills and methods of Scouting. 

Congratulations to all!

Woodbadge Training is open to all registered Scout Leaders(Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing).  If you have an urge to better serve the youth of Scouting, and would like to attend the Woodbadge Training Course, it will be over two weekends (both required) September 28-30 and October 27-29, 2012.  

For further information, contact  Course Director Carolyn Birstler at 917-453-7260 or cbirstler@aol.com or Staff Adviser Justin Rodstrom at jrodstro@bsamail.org.

Help Us Get Publicity for GNYC Troops and Council Activities!

Why is Publicity Desirable?

1. It makes Scouts, their parents and volunteers feel good.
2. It encourages parents of young people, the youth themselves and volunteers to participate if they are not already doing so.
3. It makes it easier to garner honorees and community financial support for Scouting.

How Can We Get Free Publicity?
We don’t have the budget for substantial paid media campaigns, but we have access to dozens of community newspapers that are eager to receive free content. They have very small staffs, and stories and photos we send them are appreciated and often appear in print.

What Is Newsworthy?
1. Newly appointed council presidents and commissioners in boroughs. The press release should include pertinent background information, a photograph, and quotes from the appointee and someone from the Greater NY Councils.

 2. New Eagle Scouts. The press release should include the youth’s name, age, neighborhood of residence, parents’ names, Troop number and Scoutmaster’s name, where and when the Eagle induction ceremony was held, a quote from the Scout about what attaining Eagle means to him, his Eagle project and a photograph (preferably from the Eagle ceremony with his parents).

3. New units being formed (specify Cub or Scout), ages of boys invited to participate, names of leaders, contact information for more information, and address and time/day of usual anticipated meeting site.

4. Explorer posts in the various boroughs—both announcements of upcoming Posts and reports (with photos) of Post activities; website to get more information about how to apply and a brief description of the program, including age range for participants.

5. Scouts doing community service, including date of service, number of youth involved, approximate total hours of service provided if relevant, Troop number and Scoutmaster’s name(s) if relevant, plus photo of the Scouts doing the service.

6. Special events including fund-raisers, with profiles of honorees, date and place of event, approximate number of attendees, and photo from the event including honoree.

7. Scout activities including Pinewood Derbies, Troops at camp, with photos and relevant information.

How to Submit
A PR packet will be available shortly from the Greater New York Councils office listing citywide and community newspapers as well as helpful guidelines about preparing material. For each submission, always include at least the relevant local papers.

You can call 212-651-3000 for any guidance related to public relations with the Greater New York Councils, Boy Scouts of America.