tion, the stressed economy andreductions in some fundingsources are a contributing factor
in mitigating WMC‘s ability to
withstand more years of largesubsidies and losses at camp.Therefore, we must collaboratewith other visionary, pro-active,like-minded councils to providethis service to our Boy Scouttroops.
Does this fit into the Na-tional BSA Strategic Plan?
The new National strategic planincludes the following objectivesregarding sharing of services with
other councils: ―Provide special-
ized shared-service models foruse across council boundaries(e.g., special events, camping,activities, and production within
a defined area)‖ and ―The Na-
tional Council has piloted anddelivered a useful model for ex-ploiting economies of scale and/or the use of shared services toreduce individual council ex-
penses.‖ In addition, our own
WMC strategic plan calls for
action to ―Consider financial
implications, council subsidylevel, and stewardship of re-sources regarding camping prop-erties on a regular basis as rec-ommended by our National con-sultant, Mike Watkins. Researchpossible scenarios as and when
appropriate.‖ There has also
been serious talk at all levels fornearly twenty years about usingthis shared-services model. Re-gardless, the over-reaching goalis to provide the best possiblesummer camp program for asmany youth as possible.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
FREQUENTLY ASKEDQUESTIONS: What are the changes?
Weare partnering with other Scout-ing councils to ensure that ourBoy Scouts receive a quality,week-long summer residentcamping experience. Boy ScoutResident Camp will not be heldat Chesterfield or Moses in 2011.Our other summer programs(Cub Scout Day Camp, CubScout Resident Camp, WebelosWeekend, NYLT, Eagle Week,and Venturing Week) will, how-ever, be held locally.
Why is WMC making thischange?
This is a step thatstrengthens the council overall,and helps lead us into the future.It is in the best interest of our
council‘s youth to take this step
now in order to be better pre-pared and positioned for Scout-
ing‘s next 100 years.
What trends led to thischange?
In the broad context,many Boy Scout troops havesought variety in their summercamping experiences. More thanone third of our Boy Scouttroops currently camp out of council or off site. In addition,there is an over abundance of Boy Scout summer camp pro-grams within easy driving dis-tance to WMC. Many of thesecamps offer excellent Boy Scoutresident camp programs like wehave in the past here in WMC.The future trend will be for amuch smaller number of high-quality, well attended, and wellfunded regional Boy Scout sum-mer camping programs.
Why us and why now?
Wewant to be pro-active. The coun-cil consolidation two years agowas a big step. This is anotherkey step in continuing tostrengthen the council. Becominga quality operation and a
―Financially Sustainable Council‖
is a key priority. Despite a strongcamp promotion effort and avery worthy program, our BoyScout summer camping programhas been greatly under-utilized,and therefore, greatly under-funded for a number of years.
What are the numbers?
Theper-Scout council subsidy levelhas been very high for a numberof years. In 2010, we had a coun-cil subsidy level of more than$100 per camper. Even withadditional cost cutting measuresand further summer programconsolidation efforts, the pro- jected council subsidy level in2011 would have been over $100per camper had we not madethis change. We cannot sustainthis. This would not be fiscallyresponsible, and it is not fair tothe other 80% of our memberswho do not attend WMC sum-mer camp and to our donors.
What other factors led tothis change?
Both enhancedcamping program standards andhealth/safety standards have in-creased greatly in recent years.We applaud this. However, whencombined with the increase inassociated costs including staffingand other items, as well as otherincreases, it is no longer feasiblefor WMC to offer a Boy Scoutsummer resident camp. In addi-
2011 Changes in Camping Programs FAQ
INSIDE THISISSUE:
RecognitionDinner
2
WMC Pro-gram Events
3
TrainingCourses
4
2011 Summer Camping
5
WMC Partner Camps!
6
Stay UpdatedOn Scouting
8
WESTERNMASSACHUSETTSCOUNCIL, BSA
Be Prepared
WWW.WMASCOUTING.ORGDECEMBER 17, 2010
HIGHLIGHTS2011 CampingChanges FAQ atright. WMC Partner Camps for BoyScout Summer Camp on page 6.
“In Recognition of
great Scouting
Volunteers!”
234 is Western Mass.
Council’s official BSA
council number.
WMC Recognition Dinner on Feb.
5th
For Packs, Troops, & CrewsConcept:
To encourage units to grow their membershipover the previous year and reward their success.
Pack Reward:
Pinewood Derby kits for boys registered as of January 1, 2011.
Troop and Crew Reward:
WMC camp weekend cabin rental (depending oncabin availability; does not include TrainingLodge).
Evaluation:
Units will be evaluated by the district leadershipon December 31, 2010.
To Qualify:
Units will achieve the following.2. Host at least one spring recruitment event & net
+2
members over last June by 6/30/10. Also seeRequirement 4 below.3. Participate in the
3
fall recruitment events includ-
ing a School Night rally, a ―Sizzle‖ Bring Scoutingto the People event, and a Give ‘em Another
Chance to Join event. See page 1 for details.4. By 12/31/10, show a net gain of
+3
members overlast December, or
+4
youth if you did not qualifyon Requirement 2.Contact your District Executive for official registrationnumbers and a progress update.
Be a winner. Goodluck!
Bordelaise sauce, and Banana’s Foster. A vege-
tarian option is also available. This is an Adultaffair.Reservations are available at the following lev-els:$35 per person$275 for Table of 8$340 for Table of 10Please contact the Chicopee or Pittsfield servicecenter, or find the reservation form on thecouncil website www.wmascouting.org.Please join us in recognizing our worthy Scout-ing volunteers!
Western Mass. Council’s 3rd Annual Recogni-
tion Dinner will be held on Saturday, February5th, at the Delaney House, 3 Country Club Rd.(off Rt. 5) in Holyoke, MA.Program highlights will include the recognitionof the 2011 Class of Silver Beaver Award recipi-ents, District Awards of Merit, along with otherScouting awards.
There will be a 5:00-6:00 PM Social Hour with
hors d’oeuvres, followed by dinner and program
from 6:00-8:30 PM. Dinner will include Tomato& Mozzarella Cocktail, Combo plate of Bistrostyle Chicken & London broil with Mushroom
Last Call: 2-3-4 GROWTH PLAN FOR UNITS!
PAGE 2
Coming in 2011: JOURNEY TOEXCELLENCE AWARD
BE PREPARED
Scouting’s Journey To Excellence
“Scouting’s Journey to Excellence”
is
the BSA‘s new council performance recog-
nition program designed to encourage andreward success and measure the perform-ance of our units, districts, and councils. Itis replacing the Centennial Quality AwardsProgram as a means of encouraging excel-lence in providing a quality program at alllevels of the BSA.Requirements for Packs, Troops, Crews,Districts, and Councils are available online:http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Awards/JourneyToExcellence.aspx. Alsothere are webinars, power points, and addi-tional information.
Make the ―Journey to Excellence‖ commit-
ment now at recharter time.
PS: Don’t forget to submit your unit’s
Centennial Quality Unit form beforeDecember 31st to qualify for the 2010recognition!
Boston Museum of Science Camp-In Almost Full!
PAGE 3DECEMBER 17, 2010
ATTEN-TIONCUBSCOUTPACKS :
ONLY30SLOTSLEFT!
This isone of the most talked aboutevents of the year!
Happeningon Sunday, January 16th - Mon-day, January 17th (Martin Lu-ther King, Jr. Day) at the Bos-ton Museum of Science,
this fun-filled experience is for registeredCub Scouts & Webelos, parents, &adult leaders. This special programis designed to inspire cubs to dis-cover science in fun and educa-tional ways.Please note that Western Mass.Council has been allocated only 500spots for this great activity, so thetime to register is
now
!Full payment of $60 per participantis required to guarantee your spot,including cubs, leaders, & parents.For registration procedures andadditional information, please visitthe Western Mass. Council websiteat www.wmascouting.org.A Survival Manual for this overnightprogram will also be provided toyou.For additional information on themuseum and its exhibits, facilities, &location, you can visit its website atwww.mos.org.
Thanks, and have lots of fun!
many session are alreadyclosed. More than 375 BoyScouts have registered!
Check-in time will be at 8:30 AM.Morning classes will run from 9:30-11:30 AM and Afternoon classeswill go from 12:30-2:30 PM.
Please note:
There is
onlineregistration only
(no mail in or
The Kappa Omicron Chap-ter of ALPHA PHI OMEGA
is sponsoring the 19th annualMerit Badge University in co-operation with Western Mass.Council on Saturday, March5th & Saturday, April 2nd, atUMass Amherst.
MBU is filling up fast, and
phone registrations).Visit the WMC website today &
regis-ter for your ses-sionsnow!
WHAT?
Webelos Woods is an adven-ture designed to introduce We-belos Scouts and their parentsto the action-packed Scoutingadventures ahead, and helpthem make the transition intoBoy Scouts even more exciting.
WHEN?
The weekend of June 3 - 5,2011 (The weekend after Me-morial Day).
WHERE?
Horace A. Moses Scout Res-ervation
MORE INFORMATION?
Additional details will be pub-lished in future issues of
“BePrepared”
and will be availableon our council website.
MARK YOUR CALEN-DARS FOR THIS ADVEN-TURE NOW!!!!!
“A Gather-
ing of the
Tribes”
WHO?
Bears and 1st year Webelos(3rd and 4th graders) and par-ents. Den Chiefs are also wel-come to attend.
Merit Badge University Filling Up Fast for Spring 2011!
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