The Sacramento Kings has partnered with the Golden Empire Council to kick-off our 2019 Fall Membership Recruiting Drive!     Will you be the next KING OF THE EMPIRE ?

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2nd Annual Golden Empire Council Unit Video Contest

WIN A PIZZA PARTY FOR YOUR UNIT!

Every Pack, Troop, Crew and Ship can enter the Video contest.  Anytime after August 31st, 2019, post a Scout appropriate video, no more than 2 minutes in length, that showcases all the great things your unit does on your unit’s Facebook page.  Tag @gecbsa when you post (this will make sure your entry is submitted).  The video that has the most likes and shares by October 31st is the contest winner and will receive a pizza party for their unit.  

So get those cameras out and let’s showcase all the great things our units do in Scouting.

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Guide to Safe Scouting - Prohibited Activity Update

The Guide to Safe Scouting is the best resource for information about how to keep your Scouting program safe for all participants.

The HTML version of the Guide to Safe Scouting has been updated with the revised prohibited activity listing. The effective date of the changes is October 1, 2019. Please use the published FAQ to address the questions we anticipate you will receive.

The pdf version of the Guide to Safe Scouting dated January 2019 will be replaced on or about October 1.

September is Scout Month at Bass Pro and Cabela's

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's are offering 3 merit badge classes for Scouts. Classes are available at the store to help you work toward earning your badge on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays beginning at 6pm.  Follow the link to view the schedule and registration information.

Scout Month information (webpage)

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Trails End Popcorn - Mt. Adventure Rewards

The 2019 Popcorn Sale is underway!!! Trails-End has just announced a new contest called Mt. Adventure Rewards to promote credit card sales using the new mobile sales app or online sales. Prizes include a  $2,500 family vacation and Amazon Gift Cards.  Every $100 dollars in Credit Card Sales or online give a scout a chance to win. Register your sales today!!

Register today!!!

Bike Trek Training

Don’t miss out on a chance to learn how to do multi date bike treks safely with your Units.  The next course is scheduled for September 7^th and still has a few remaining spots.  Please click here to sign up. For only $5, you will receive the training to have a successful and safe trek adventure with your Scouts.  Topics to be covered include Nutrition, choosing the right bike, training rides, route selection and more.  Open to all adults and mature youth that are interested in backpack style adventures with a new mode of transport!  Class scheduled to be held at the Golden Empire Council offices at 251 Commerce Circle, Sacramento.  See the registration link for more information. 

National Jamboree 2021

Save the date!  National Jamboree is July 21 – 30 in 2021 but we are planning now!  If you have interest in serving as one of the adult leaders, being on the committee to help our youth get to the Jamboree or think that your Scout might be interested, please send an email to Laura.Lovell@Scouting.org to be put on our list.  We expect our travel quotes to be in soon and are ready to get started. 

What is Jamboree?  The National Scout jamboree is a gathering, or jamboree, of thousands of members of the Boy Scouts of America, usually held every four years and organized by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America.  Scouts from all over the United States will come together for 10 days of fun and fellowship at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia.  The Summit is bursting with so many Scout activities, that it is almost impossible to do them all.  Scuba, zip lines, BMX Bikes, Climbing and Rappelling, Shooting Sports, Arena Shows, and more await your Scouts, so be on the lookout for more information as the registration process goes live in the next few months.  The Golden Empire Council contingent will consist of 220 Scouters, Venture Scouts, and both Boy and Girl Troops from Scouts, BSA.  Remember to email Laura.Lovell@Scouting.org to be added to our interest list for both Scouts and Leadership positions for the 2021 National Jamboree GEC Contingent.

Solar Regatta

Team TLAR wants YOU!

Lots of people talk about STEM^*, but in the Boy Scout tradition, Team TLAR DOES STEM!

We are building the GEC BSA team to compete against other teams from high schools across Northern California in the May 2020 SMUD 9^th Annual California Solar Regatta.  The competition involves designing, constructing and racing a solar-powered boat in three different races using only solar or battery power.  In the process we learn about solar panels, electricity, boat design, mechanical design, computer sensing and control, and whatever the team decides is needed to create a winning boat - a couple years ago it was composite materials and construction.

You may have seen our successful 2019 boat and Scouts on the KCRA Channel 3 News.  Last year we finished 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th (out of 20 teams) in the 3 on-the-water events and took “Best Drive Train” honors. We are aiming even higher this year.

We are starting in October by working on three applicable STEM merit badges from a solar- powered boat design perspective:

• Engineering
• Electricity
• Electronics

We are looking for interested Scouts, Venturers and adult mentors to join our team in this adventure.  For more information or to arrange a presentation to your troop, please contact one of our team leaders/mentors:

• Dave Burns (916) 768-7705 dsb7200@gmail.com
• Steve Jahr (916) 296-4828 stevejahr@suddenlink.net
• Mike Rebollo (916) 203-4471 mike.rebollo@blueprintautomation.com

* STEM: Science Technology Engineering and Math

Silver Beaver Nominations Due September 30th

The Boy Scouts of America relies on volunteers to plan, produce, and run many of the programs and events for our youth members.  Some volunteers are extremely dedicated to making sure our youth members have the best program possible.  They are the volunteers who dedicate many hours and days to the Day Camps, Camporees, Scout Expos, Scout-o-ramas and the many other events produced by the Golden Empire Council.  Most of these volunteers do this without any expectation of recognition outside of the thank yous they may receive during the events.

Each year the Golden Empire Council holds a a recognition dinner to honor our volunteers.  During this dinner we present a few of our most dedicated volunteers with the Silver Beaver Award.  This is the highest adult volunteer award that can be given by the Council.  

The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the Golden Empire Council.  We are planning to make the Council dinner a very special event.  You can help by nominating the most dedicated volunteers to receive the Silver Beaver Award.  Nominees must be currently registered Scouters.  Nominations are due by September 30, 2019.  Don't wait to the last minute.  Submit your nominations now.

Silver Beaver Nomination Form

Special Fall University of Scouting November 9, 2019 

Every Scout deserves a trained leader. And every leader should attend this year’s University of Scouting. University of Scouting is a supplemental training opportunity for Scout leaders and Scouts. It is the only time during the year where you can find the widest variety of training opportunities in all program areas. Whether you are new to the program or a veteran of many years, the University provides interesting courses, leadership training, and electives courses applicable across the Scouting programs. There is also Den Chief Training and merit badge offerings for the Scouts BSA youth. Don’t miss the midway, which will feature displays from many different council committees and program areas. This event will fill up fast so register soon.

Questions: UOS Chair: Kim Perry-Reed universityofscouting2019@gmail.com

                   Professional Advisor: Chris Platz Christopher.platz@scouting.org

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Save the Date:

45th Annual

Swing a Club for Scouting

Benefit Golf Tournament

Monday, October 14, 2019 - Morgan Creek Golf Club

A memorable golf experience awaits at the Morgan Creek Country Club's premier private golf course. The beautiful rolling terrain and wonderful sloping greens are kept in pristine condition.  Here is an opportunity to test your skill and at the same time, benefit Scouting, the character development program for youth that is needed more now than ever before!

Your participation fee supports the Golden Empire Council; which serves approximately 17,000 members in 16 Northern California counties.

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Register Today

FAMILY ADVENTURES AT CUB RESIDENT CAMP

Did you attend our 2019 Cub Resident Camp – Adventures in Time?  We sure hope you had a chance to experience all the fun, family time, advancement opportunities, and beauty that Camp Lassen offers for the families of Northern California.  Don’t miss your chance to join us in 2020 for Americans of the Early Frontier as we celebrate Louis & Clark, Paul Revere, the gold rush and more.  Register now to save your Pack’s spot for 2020.  We will fill up for this great experience.  We cannot believe how amazing the reviews were in 2019 – trust us, you don’t want your chance to slip away.  Click here to register now! 

For more information or to make a reservation email Mark Buschmann or call 916-333-5434.

The Golden Empire is Now Accepting

 2020 Summer Camp Reservations

The Golden Empire Camps are ready for the 2020 season!  Don’t miss out on your chance for the experience of a lifetime at Camp Lassen or Camp Winton for summer 2020 by signing your Unit up NOW!   WE WILL SELL OUT – so get your reservations in early! Contact the Camping Department with any questions at Camping@GEC-BSA.org  or at 916-333-5434.  

	TWO Amazing Camps to chose from, ONE Great Council!
	Camp Lassen is a well rounded camp offering everything from a 1st-Year Scout Program to off-the-charts High Adventure (ATV, High rope COPE, Welding & Metalworking and so much more!). Located 45 minutes from Chico, this 4200ft high camp has all the comforts of home! With warm showers and an array of campsites to chose from, you'll want to get your choice locked in now. Learn more about Camp Lassen by visiting our webpage. Programs available for Troops, Crews and Packs.
	Camp Winton has sold out for the last four years! Troops come back year after year for the beautiful mountain scenery, refreshing Bear Valley Reservoir, extensive waterfront programs which include Sailing, Water Skiing, Kayaks, Canoes, Rowing, Paddle boards and so much more! Winton is known for its spectacular evening campfires and wonderful camp entertainment. Visit Camp Winton's webpage to learn more. Programs are for Boy Scouts and Venturing.  Reserve now. Weeks 2, 4, & 5 are already full.

Reserve your spot now and select your favorite campsite before it's gone!

2020 Summer Camp

Are You a Trained Leader?

Every Scout deserves trained leaders.  Trained leaders help make the Scouting programs the best they can be.  Scouts who have the best programs are more engaged and more likely to stay in Scouting.

Position-specific training courses for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts (Scouts BSA) are available online.  Log on to my.scouting.org to view and take the new training.

Access training

Training information

Do you prefer the interaction of live training session?  We still do live training in addition to the online classes.  Click here to see our training schedule.

     NYLT

     NEWS

NYLT Changes Age Minimum to 13

Great News! Boy Scouts of America has just recently announced a rollback of the age of Scouts BSA youth to attend National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)! A youth must be 13 years of age by the course date. Your youth can take the next step to improving their troop/crew/ship leadership skills for their unit and for their life! There is nothing that compares to National Youth Leadership Training! For more information go to http://www.gec-bsa.org/training/nylt/62948.   

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Letter to parents

Watch our building progress at the Nor Cal Adventure Area.

Visit the Blog or website for more information.

Webpage

Support Scouting while you Shop

Are you using Smile when you shop at Amazon?  Amazon Smile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you.  When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase price to your favorite charitable organization.  The Golden Empire Council is listed as "Golden Empire Council - Boy Scouts of America Trust Fund".  

So far Golden Empire Council participation in Amazon Smile has resulted in over $2,300 in donations.  Imagine what that might become if more Scouters Council-wide choose to do the same.

At a recent Council Connections meeting which is a quarterly meeting that all district leadership and council committee leadership attend to keep our Council on track for GOLD, our volunteers developed the 2019 Golden Empire Council Calendar. We hope you plan to attend many of these exciting activities and use it to plan your unit activities.

2019 Council Calendar

Save the Dates in 2019 - highlights

Whitewater Merit Badge Opportunities

The Golden Empire Council is partnering with River Runners

River Runners has been providing high quality whitewater rafting adventures on the American Rivers near Coloma, California since 1974. Over the years their trained Merit Badge Counsellors have awarded countless Scouts with both the Whitewater Merit Badge and Kayaking Merit Badge. The Golden Empire Council and River Runners are now creating a partnership to teach more scouts how to navigate whitewater.

From March through September River Runners offers adventures and whitewater merit badge courses that keep your Scouts feeling challenged and connected with nature in a meaningful way. There is always plenty of time for Scouts to just play and experience the simple joy of being on the river too. With hassle free catered camping and high-quality meals it’s also a treat for scout leaders and chaperones.

For more information, visit River Runners’ website at:

https://www.riverrunnersusa.com/whitewater-merit-badge-for-scouts/

Call: 530 622 5110

E-mail: adventures@riverrunnersusa.com

Click here to download the current
Golden Empire Council Calendar