Hey everyone! I’m Tyler Matthews coming to you from… um, I’m not actually sure anymore. I’ve been to 11 different schools in the last 8 days. I think I’m in Lorain County? Must be fall recruitment time! Anyway, let’s do the news:
We’ve got some important updates to the Guide to Safe Scouting, effective September 1, 2024. Let’s quickly go over the key changes.
First, Let’s talk about accommodations. Youth in Scouts SA, Venturing, Sea Scouting, and Exploring, should share accommodations with peers of the same gender. But there’s a new exception: in special circumstances, a parent or guardian can share accommodations with their child if they are also a registered leader. A special circumstance, for example, could be of a medical nature. If this is the case and the need for parent/child accommodation requires to be ongoing, leaders should contact Sarah at Sarah.Williamson@Scouting.org. The parental exception for Cub Scouts is unchanged by this update.
Next, an update on siblings. Same-gender siblings can share sleeping arrangements regardless of age, with the permission of their parents or legal guardians. For example, two brothers, one is 11 and the other is 16, can share a tent with parental permission. Siblings of the same gender can now buddy up, regardless of age, with parental permission.
We also have some updates about the Buddy System, which ensures no Scout is alone. Buddies can be in pairs or groups of three, especially if there’s a mix of genders. For example, a boy and a girl want to be buddies. This is only possible if a third Scout joins them. This is called a “truddy.”
An update on age gaps will also take place. Buddies should be no more than three years apart for activities and no more than two years for sleeping arrangements. When exceptional circumstances warrant, a parent or legal guardian may serve as a buddy of their own child, but youth buddies are always preferred.
Lastly, parents are encouraged to join in Scouting activities. This might be the gateway to find new volunteers for your unit! Just remember that for overnight events, parents and legal guardians must be registered leaders in their child’s unit.
These updates help keep our Scouts safe while allowing flexibility when needed. Make sure you're familiar with these changes, which take effect on September 1, 2024. Thanks for your commitment to a safe Scouting experience!
The area wide recruitment events are coming soon! Make sure your unit is signed up to attend one or more of these fantastic events to meet families from across the council who are excited to join scouting! Sign up for Cleveland Heights, Rocky River, Lorain County Community College, Firelands scout reservation, or Painesville today! Don’t forget that the unit voted “Best Table” at each event will win a prize! Facebook events are live for each one, so share them with all your friends and spread the word. Reach out to your unit service executive with any questions.
Let’s talk about training! Chaplain aide training is September 7th from 9:30-12 at the Unit Service Center. BALOO training is happening September 7th and 8th at Beaumont. EDGE training September 14th at Beaumont. 2 Scoutmaster Basic Training courses, September 13th-15th at Beaumont and October 11th-13that Firelands.
Space is beginning to fill up for two Leave No Trace courses at Beaumont on the weekend of October 25-27. If you're a youth who wants to earn the BSA Medal for Outdoor Achievement, the LNT Recreational Skills course is for you. Adults who want to become trainers should sign up for the LNT Level 1 Instructor course.
These courses are not held often in Ohio, so the Lake Erie Council decided to sponsor them this year. Don't miss out! For more details, visit the council calendar. Contact Joe Wollet at with questions.
If you have any scouts that have completed the Summer Scholar program, please email Heather.
Stewards of Beaumont is on September 17th at Beaumont Scout Reservation. Come see where you could potentially donate to help with projects at camp and get a wonderful meal in the process! Register now and contact Chris Fortunato with any questions.
Service at the beach is returning this fall! Register to join us September 20th-22nd at Geneva State Park for a weekend of service projects with the ODNR and coming ON the beach! Units are responsible for their own food and cubs can come to help for the day on Saturday! For questions, contact Chelsea.
Wilderness Engineers weekend is September 27th-29th at Beaumont Scout Reservation. We are looking for volunteers who want to help camp because many hands make for light work. Housing provided! Remember, you must be 18 or older to register for this event. Contact ranger Chris with any questions.
A big thanks to everyone who participated in this years Scouting for food! We are already hard at work to make 2025 even better. If you have feedback about this years Scouting for food, please use this form and let us know. You can also reach out to Chelsea.
That’s it for this week folks, if you see me out and about, just remind me what city I’m in and what day it is. Until next time, stay prepared, stay adventurous, and keep the spirit of Scouting alive!
