Bucktail Council

Membership Policy Update

Dear Scouting Family,

We appreciate your participation and support of Scouting as we help equip your children with the life skills to become good, strong citizens. Throughout Scouting’s 103 years, our focus has remained the same — to accomplish incredible things for young people and the communities we serve. During the recent membership policy review process, we have continued to stay focused on that which unites us, reaching and serving young people to help them grow into good, strong citizens. As an integral part of the Scouting family, I want to take a moment to briefly update you on the status of our review process.

In February, the Boy Scouts of America embarked on the most comprehensive listening exercise in its history to consider the impact of potential changes to its membership standards policy on the organization and gather perspectives from inside and outside of the Scouting family. This review created an outpouring of feedback from the Scouting family and the American public, from both those who agree with the current policy and those who support a change.

Scouting’s review confirmed that issue remains among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today. Even with the wide range of input, it is extremely difficult to accurately quantify the potential impact of maintaining or changing the current policy. While perspectives and opinions vary significantly, parents, adults in the Scouting community, and teens alike tend to agree that youth should not be denied the benefits of Scouting.

For this reason, the Executive Committee, on behalf of the National Executive Board, wrote a resolution for consideration that would remove the restriction denying membership to youth on the basis of sexual orientation alone and would maintain the current membership policy for all adult leaders of the Boy Scouts of America. The voting members will take action on the following resolution during the Boy Scouts of America’s National Annual Meeting next month:

The following membership standard for youth members of the Boy Scouts of America is hereby adopted and approved, effective Jan. 1, 2014:

Youth membership in the Boy Scouts of America is open to all youth who meet the specific membership requirements to join the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Sea Scout, and Venturing programs. Membership in any program of the Boy Scouts of America requires the youth member to (a) subscribe to and abide by the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law, (b) subscribe to and abide by the precepts of the Declaration of Religious Principle (duty to God), and (c) demonstrate behavior that exemplifies the highest level of good conduct and respect for others and is consistent at all times with the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.

The resolution may be viewed in its entirety here: http://www.scouting.org/membershipstandards.aspx.

America needs Scouting, and our policies must be based on what is in the best interest of our nation’s children. It is vital that we continue to work together to deliver the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training.

Council Annual Meeting and Recognition Dinner

This year's Council Annual Meeting and Recognition Dinner will be held on Monday, May 13, 2013 at the Presbyterian Church in Clearfield, PA.  It will begin at 6:30pm.  As all Chartered Organization Representatives and Council Members at large are voting members of the Council, they are encouraged to attend.  Also, all Silver Beaver recipients are encouraged to attend to welcome the 2013 Silver Beaver recipients.

Nuts for Scouting

Great sale this year!  Nearly $30,000 in Nuts sold.  For more information on the Nuts for Scouting Sale, click to go to the Nuts for Scouting page.

Woodbadge Course Announced

Chief Cornplanter Council will be hosting this year's Woodbadge Course in our area.  Check out more information and download the flyer here.

Carl Hall resigns

Let us take a moment to thank Carl Hall for his service to the Bucktail Council over the past 3 years.  Carl recently accepted another job outside of Scouting.  His last day was Monday, April 15th.  Until a replacement can be hired, Allegheny Laurels units are asked to email Gregg Bennett or Irv Gable or call the Council Service Center for support.

Send your Trading Post Orders via Email

Packs, Troops and others may now opt to send their trading post orders for badges, books, etc. to Bucktail Council Trading Post.  This will allow us to more efficiently get your orders ready for you to pick up.

Please Read This Open Letter to Parents

Please read this open letter to parents on the commitment of the Boy Scouts of America to help keep kids safe:  http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/BSAYouthProtection/BSA_Communications/parent_letter.aspx.

Go to BeaScout.org to find the Cub Scout Pack nearest to you!

Go to BeaScout.org  to find out how you and your son can sign up for Cub Scouting!  Just type in your zip code and a Google Map with pins will appear with the Cub Scout Packs in your area.  There will also be contact information for the Pack so that you can call or email for more information.  You can also contact the Council Service Center at 814-371-5650.

 

 

 Our Mission

The mission of the Bucktail Council, Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical choices during their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. We fulfill our mission by establishing and supporting strong relationships with organizations that use the program of the Boy Scouts of America to accomplish mutually acceptable goals.

Boy Scouts of America Profile

The Boy Scouts of America promise youth of America an exciting, challenging, outdoor program filled with fun and adventure, which will build character, train in the responsibility of participating citizenship, and develop personal fitness.

What area does the Bucktail Council cover? Simply put, it services an area within the Boy Scouts of America that covers Elk, Cameron, Clearfield, Jefferson and Western Centre Counties of Pennsylvania.