Thank you to Bill Langham for serving as scribe!
Southern District Roundtable March 3, 2025 Live @ Iona Prep
This was the quarterly “Live” Roundtable. There were approximately 25 Scouters present from Algonquin and Mphican Districts.
Highlights:
Hazardous Weather Training - now required for all persons with youth contact. Must be repeated every two years. National agreed to this as a requirement to obtain national insurance coverage. Link: Health and Safety Links
Membership Report from Celeste Hughes: Make the unit VISIBLE! Get outside - setup near Youth Soccer and do a visible project on the periphery. Go where the kids (prospects) are, don’t be shy. Participate in Parades - St Patrick’s Day Parade, Memorial Day Parade.
Algonquin Membership leads the entire GHVC in membership and retention! If you are interested in joining the Algonquin District Committee, applications are open. Check with Garrick Gelinas for details
Any Rye Eagle Scouts this spring? Algonquin has a nice shoulder recognition Council patch - if invited, a District rep will attend the COH, present the patch and eat cake. Contact Ray Bradley, District Chair with dates and details.
Camp Read Opportunities ~ Merit Badge Registration opens April 1. If a scout is interested in earning merit badges this summer and wants to attend Read as a Super Trooper (unaffiliated) they can still register now to attend following the Bechtel Summit WVa trip.
More Camp Read - There are trek opportunities for older scouts to explore the Adirondack Preserve by canoe, back-packing or cycling. 5-day trips are available from Read’s Summit Base. Discussion mong the Scoutmaster present suggested a Trek Clearing House. Units planning forthcoming treks would post their plans and seek (if necessary) scouts from other unit to participate. Could be council-wide database. Also could be organized for Super Troopers led by outside outfitters and Adirondack Guides.
Other Read Treks - older scouts who have exhausted the merit badge offerings at CSR, could attend with their home unit but participate in 3-day treks out of camp into the surrounding Pharaoh Wilderness.
Highland Games - troops needed to staff some of the 8 stations offered. Event is scheduled for April 25th at Durland. Reserve campsites early for best selection. Five Islands Park in New Rochelle is unavailable this spring. Registration link, cost to be determined.
Training this spring (and Fall)
Cub leaders: BALOO April 26th/27th.
Scout Leader Basics: Part 1 March 20th 7- 9:30PM Part 2 March 27th 7 - 9:30PM at Cyrus Russel Community House in Cross River (near Pound Ridge)
Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (ItOLS) May 3/4th at Durland Scout Reservation
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) will be held at Durland. Two weeknd’s beginning March 28. Registration is OPEN, but closes this Friday March 7. Hurry if interested.
Wood Badge will be held at Camp Bullowa over two weekends beginning September 26th - 28th, and October 25th-26. [Robert Lamanga says Rich should attend.]