Boy Scouts of America

3-Minute Update - October 31, 2024

BOO! I’m Tyler Matthews coming to you from the totally not haunted basement of the Lake Erie Council Service Center. I’m here with all your spooky news for the week, so let’s jump right in.

Reminder: unit renewal will be available to units starting November 1st!

Sarah: Hey Tyler! Did you remember to tell the nice people that units should check for any adults whose Youth protection expires before the end of the year? Those leaders will need to renew their YPT before their unit can be renewed, and 25% of our volunteers expire between September and the end of the year.

Tyler: That’s a great reminder, Sarah! How will our volunteers know when it’s their time?

Sarah: They can look for a reminder message in their email. Be sure to check the spam folder too if they don’t see it right away.

Tyler: What if I don’t have access to that email? Or can’t find it? What if I don’t ever check my messages? What if…

Sarah: That’s ok! The quickest way is to go to my.scouting.org > my training. Your youth protection training expiration date will be in the box near the middle of the page. Your YPT must be current for your unit to include you on its charter renewal. Don’t be the reason your unit gets a $100 late fee!

Tyler: Nobody wants those late fees. Thanks, Sarah!   

Monday, November 11th is the Cleveland Veterans Day parade. The parade is from 12:30-1:30 pm with staging directly beforehand. If your scouts would like to participate, contact Kenya Gray at (216) 337-6312.

One more EDGE training session for this year, happening on December 8th at the council service center. Register now!

Intro to Leadership Skills for Troops- Train the Leader, is happening Saturday, November 16th at Beaumont Scout Reservation. This three-hour session is designed train the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, and Senior Youth leaders how to facilitate ILST in their own units by familiarizing them with the syllabus. Register now!

Let’s look at the remaining Merit Badge Universities. November 9th at the Unit Service Center. November 15th-16th at Firelands Scout Reservation. December 6th-7th at Beaumont Scout Reservation. December 15th at the council service center. Find all these MBU’s on the council calendar to register.

Cub Fun Day is Saturday, November 9th at Firelands Scout Reservation. Bring your pack out for a fun filled day of range and target activities. Register now!

Registrations for Holidays at camp are open! Two festive weekends, December 7th and 14th at Firelands Scout reservation. Don’t miss out on wreath making, wagon rides and caroling, hot cocoa, Christmas cookies, and more Holiday cheer. Register now! If you’re interested in volunteering for the event, sign up here, and reach out to Jess if you’re interested!

And lastly, a personal request from your host- I am working on my Wood badge tickets, and I could use your help! Does your pack or troop have a Dutch oven recipe that you love? Something you think you think you do better than anyone else? Well, I am creating the Lake Erie Council guide to Dutch Oven cooking, and I want to fill it with the recipes that our scouts love to make. The plan is to compile all these recipes into a cookbook, and all the proceeds from those books will go into the council campership fund so that we can help send as many scouts to camp as possible. If you could send me an email with your unit number, where you’re from, the recipe, and maybe even a picture of your scouts making it, that would be a huge help! Email me!

That’s it for this week folks, so until next time, stay prepared, stay adventurous, and keep the spirit of Scouting alive!

3-Minute Update - October 24, 2024

Hey everyone! I’m Tyler Matthews coming to you from St. Helens Oregon, which is the home of the real life Halloweentown. I hope everyone is enjoying spooky season and is carving up their Jack-O-Lanterns just like this one. We have plenty of great news this week, so let’s jump in!

Another reminder that unit renewal will be available to units starting November 1st. For troops participating in the combined troop pilot, you will still need to renew BOTH troop’s charters. The deadline is December 13th and there is a $100 late fee for units not renewed by that deadline. Please visit the website or contact your unit service executive with any questions and for assistance in completing your renewal.

Monday, November 11th is the Cleveland Veterans Day parade. The parade is from 12:30-1:30 pm with staging directly beforehand. If your scouts would like to participate, contact Kenya Gray at (216) 337-6312.

Are you interested in presenting the colors at an upcoming Cavs game? The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for packs and troops to present the colors at the start of a Cavs home game for the 24/25 season. Stay on the court afterward for the National Anthem and earn a patch from the Cavs! For more information, or to get your scouts on the priority list, email Tricia.

East side units, the meet and greet for AOLs with troops in your area is happening Monday, October 28, 2024, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Mentor Public Schools Paradigm Center located at Mentor High School. Please reach out to Paul Parrish (paslparrish@gmail.com) with any questions.

Let’s look at some of the upcoming trainings we have here in Lake Erie Council:

EDGE training sessions are coming up on November 2nd and December 8th at the council service center. Register now!

Wilderness First Aid training is happening from November 1st-3rd at Beaumont Scout Reservation. This course is open to youth ages 15 and up, and to registered adult leaders. Register for your spot today!

Intro to Leadership Skills for Troops- Train the Leader, is happening Saturday, November 16th at Beaumont Scout Reservation. This three-hour session is designed train the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, and Senior Youth leaders how to facilitate ILST in their own units by familiarizing them with the syllabus. Register now!

Let’s look at the remaining Merit Badge Universities. November 9th at the Unit Service Center. November 15th-16th at Firelands Scout Reservation. December 6th-7th at Beaumont Scout Reservation. The last one for the year is December 15th at the council service center. Find all these MBU’s on the council calendar to register.

Cub Fun Day is Saturday, November 9th at Firelands Scout Reservation. Bring your pack out for a fun filled day of range and target activities. Register now!

Calling all 4th graders! Did you know that we are celebrating the semi-quincentennial of America in 2026? To kick off celebrations, the America 250-Ohio chapter has partnered with several museums to allow 4th graders to visit museums for free with 1 paying adult! This is free to sign up, and only takes a few moments to do so! More museums are being added regularly. This is a great opportunity to save some money and experience some cool Ohio history! If you have any questions, check out the America 250-Ohio site or contact Chelsea.

Registrations for Holidays at camp are open! Two festive weekends, December 7th and 14th at Firelands Scout reservation. Don’t miss out on wreath making, wagon rides and caroling, hot cocoa, Christmas cookies, and more Holiday cheer. Register now! If you’re interested in volunteering for the event, sign up here, and reach out to Jess if you’re interested!

And lastly, a personal request from your host- I am working on my Wood badge tickets, and I could use your help! Does your pack or troop have a Dutch oven recipe that you love? Something you think you think you do better than anyone else? Well, I am creating the Lake Erie Council guide to Dutch Oven cooking, and I want to fill it with the recipes that our scouts love to make. The plan is to compile all these recipes into a cookbook, and all the proceeds from those books will go into the council campership fund so that we can help send as many scouts to camp as possible. If you could send me an email with your unit number, where you’re from, the recipe, and maybe even a picture of your scouts making it, that would be a huge help! Email me!

That’s it for this week folks, so until next time, stay prepared, stay adventurous, and keep the spirit of Scouting alive!

3-Minute Update - October 17, 2024

Hey everyone! I’m Tyler Matthews, coming to you from Progressive Field where our Cleveland Guardians are still playing October baseball! Beat those darn Yankees! We have plenty of great news this week, so let’s jump in!

Unit renewal, formerly known as recharter, will be available to units starting November 1st. As a reminder, youth and adult members are individually renewing their memberships online, so this unit renewal is strictly about your unit’s charter. For troops participating in the combined troop pilot, you will still need to renew BOTH troop’s charters. More information is coming to you soon about the steps required to submit, but for now start making sure your rosters are accurate and that members who are due to renew their memberships do so. The deadline is December 13th and there are 3 things we need on or before that date for a renewal to be considered complete: 1) the online submission through my.scouting, 2) payment of the $100 charter fee, and 3) the fully signed annual charter agreement. Units that do not have these 3 items completed by or before the December 13th deadline will be subject to a $100 late fee. Please visit the website or contact your unit service executive with any questions and for assistance in completing your renewal.

Are you interested in presenting the colors at an upcoming Cavs game? The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for packs and troops to present the colors at the start of a Cavs home game for the 24/25 season. Stay on the court afterward for the National Anthem and earn a patch from the cavs! For more information, or to get your scouts on the priority list, email Tricia.

East side units, you are invited to an evening where Arrow of Light Scouts can visit with participating Scouts BSA Troops and learn more about their programs and where and when they meet. The event will be held Monday, October 28, 2024, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Mentor Public Schools Paradigm Center located at Mentor High School. Come anytime that's convenient during that time frame to visit with the Troops. Troops from Eastlake, Kirtland, Mentor, Painesville, Wickliffe, Willoughby, and Willoughby Hills have been invited to come to share information about themselves, plan visits and help you begin to know what options are out there for Scouts when it comes time to crossover and continues in the Scouts BSA program. Boy, Girl and the new pilot program combined Troops will all be there to tell you how they operate and explain the options available for Scouts once they make the transition from Arrow of Light to Scouts BSA. Please reach out to Paul Parrish (paslparrish@gmail.com) with any questions.

Let’s look at some of the upcoming trainings we have here in Lake Erie Council:

EDGE training sessions are coming up on November 2nd and December 8th at the council service center. Register now!

Wilderness First Aid training is happening from November 1st-3rd at Beaumont Scout Reservation. This course is open to youth ages 15 and up, and to registered adult leaders. Register for your spot today!

Intro to Leadership Skills for Troops- Train the Leader, is happening Saturday, November 16th at Beaumont Scout Reservation. This three-hour session is designed train the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, and Senior Youth leaders how to facilitate ILST in their own units by familiarizing them with the syllabus. Register now!

Switching gears, let’s look at some upcoming Merit Badge Universities! October 26th at Firelands Scout Reservation. November 9th at the Unit Service Center. November 15th-16th at Firelands Scout Reservation. December 6th-7th at Beaumont Scout Reservation. The last one for year is December 15th“Honor the Past, Focus on our future” day at the council service center. Find all these MBU’s on the council calendar to register.

Cub Fun Day is Saturday, November 9th at Firelands Scout Reservation. Bring your pack out for a fun filled day of range and target activities, plus other games and activities. Register now!

Calling all 4th graders! Did you know that we are celebrating the semi-quincentennial of America in 2026? To kick off celebrations, the America 250-Ohio chapter has partnered with several museums to allow 4th graders to visit museums for free with 1 paying adult! This is free to sign up, and only takes a few moments to do so! More museums are being added regularly. This is a great opportunity to save some money and experience some cool Ohio history! If you have any questions, check out the America 250-Ohio site or contact Chelsea.

Registrations for Holidays at camp are open! Two festive weekends, December 7th and 14th at Firelands Scout reservation. Don’t miss out on wreath making, wagon rides and caroling, hot cocoa, Christmas cookies, and more Holiday cheer. Register now! If you’re interested in volunteering for the event, sign up here, and reach out to Jess if you’re interested!

And lastly, a personal request from your host- I am working on my Wood badge tickets, and I could use your help! Does your pack or troop have a Dutch oven recipe that you love? Something you think you think you do better than anyone else? Well, I am creating the Lake Erie Council guide to Dutch Oven cooking, and I want to fill it with the recipes that our scouts love to make. The plan is to compile all these recipes into a cookbook, and all the proceeds from those books will go into the council campership fund so that we can help send as many scouts to camp as possible. If you could send me an email with your unit number, where you’re from, the recipe, and maybe even a picture of your scouts making it, that would be a huge help! Email me!

That’s it for this week folks, so until next time, stay prepared, stay adventurous, and keep the spirit of Scouting alive!

3-Minute Update - October 10, 2024

Hey everyone! I’m Tyler Matthews, coming to you from a trunk or treat in a town near you! These events are a great way to connect with potential new cub scouts in your area who might not have signed up the first time around this fall. See if your community is hosting one! Lets talk about some not so spooky news:

Unit renewal, formerly known as recharter, will be available to units starting November 1st. As a reminder, youth and adult members are individually renewing their memberships online, so this unit renewal is strictly about your unit’s charter. For troops participating in the combined troop pilot, you will still need to renew BOTH troop’s charters. More information is coming to you soon about the steps required to submit, but for now start making sure your rosters are accurate and that members who are due to renew their memberships do so. The deadline is December 13th and there are 3 things we need on or before that date for a renewal to be considered complete: 1) the online submission through my.scouting, 2) payment of the $100 charter fee, and 3) the fully signed annual charter agreement. Units who do not have these 3 items completed by or before the December 13th deadline will be subject to a $100 late fee. Please visit the website or contact your unit service executive with any questions and for assistance in completing your renewal.

East side units, you are invited to an evening where Arrow of Light Scouts can visit with participating Scouts BSA Troops and learn more about their programs and where and when they meet. The event will be held Monday October 28, 2024 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Mentor Public Schools Paradigm Center located at Mentor High School. Come anytime that's convenient during that time frame to visit with the Troops. Troops from Eastlake, Kirtland, Mentor, Painesville, Wickliffe, Willoughby, and Willoughby Hills have been invited to come share information about themselves, plan visits and help you begin to know what options are out there for Scouts when it comes time to crossover and continue in the Scouts BSA program. Boy, Girl and the new pilot program combined Troops will all be there to tell you how they operate and explain the options available for Scouts once they make the transition from Arrow of Light to Scouts BSA. Please reach out to Paul Parrish (paslparrish@gmail.com) with any questions.

Let’s look at some of the upcoming trainings we have here in Lake Erie Council:

EDGE training sessions are coming up on November 2nd and December 8th at the council service center. Register now!

The deadline to register for the two Leave No Trace courses at Beaumont is Friday October 11th . The course takes place on the weekend of October 25-27. There are only 3 spaces left for the adult instructor course, so lock in your spot now! For more details, visit the council calendar. Contact Joe Wollet at with questions. 

Wilderness First Aid training is happening from November 1st-3rd at Beaumont Scout Reservation. This course is open to youth ages 15 and up, and to registered adult leaders. Register for your spot today!

Intro to Leadership Skills for Troops- Train the Leader, is happening Saturday, November 16th at Beaumont Scout Reservation. This three-hour session is designed train the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, and Senior Youth leaders how to facilitate ILST in their own units by familiarizing them with the syllabus. Register now!

Rangemasters! There is a new Range Safety class available in your my.scouting trainings. SCO 822 will go over updates to the range and target activities that you need to know before your packs next outing.

Switching gears, lets look at some upcoming Merit Badge Universities! October 19th, Fire Safety Merit Badge at the Western Reserve Fire Safety Museum. October 26th at Firelands Scout Reservation. November 9th at the Unit Service Center. November 15th-16th at Firelands Scout Reservation. December 6th-7th at Beaumont Scout Reservation. The last one for year is December 15th “Honor the Past, Focus on our future” day at the council service center. Find all these MBU’s on the council calendar to register.

Cub Fun Day is Saturday, November 9th at Firelands Scout Reservation. Bring your pack out for a fun filled day of range and target activities, plus other games and activities. Register now!

Now I know what you’re thinking, “Tyler, it’s not even Halloween yet! We can’t talk about Christmas!” and normally, I’d agree with you. However, registrations for Holidays at camp just opened! Two festive weekends, December 7th and 14th at Firelands Scout reservation. Don’t miss out on wreath making, wagon rides and caroling, hot cocoa, Christmas cookies, and more Holiday cheer. Register now! We’re also looking for Scouts BSA and Adult volunteers to help run the event, so reach out to Jess if you’re interested!

That’s it for this week folks, so until next time, stay prepared, stay adventurous, and keep the spirit of Scouting alive!

3-Minute Update - October 3, 2024

Hey everyone! I’m Tyler Matthews coming to you from Beaumont Scout reservation, where the witches and ghosts are gathering to await your arrival for Cub Haunted! It’s going to be a graveyard smashing good time and we can’t wait to see you here. Now, buckle up for all the great news we have this week!

Registrations for Cub Haunted are STILL open! 3 spooktacular weekends, October 4th-6th, 11th-13th, and 18th-20th so register your pack and send your questions to Dan Goerndt or Anthony Dworning. Troops interested in volunteering for the event should reach out to Jess Weaver.  

East side units, you are invited to an evening where Arrow of Light Scouts can visit with participating Scouts BSA Troops and learn more about their programs and where and when they meet. The event will be held Monday, October 28, 2024 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Mentor Public Schools Paradigm Center located at Mentor High School. Come anytime that's convenient during that time frame to visit with the Troops. Troops from Eastlake, Kirtland, Mentor, Painesville, Wickliffe, Willoughby, and Willoughby Hills have been invited to come share information about themselves, plan visits and help you begin to know what options are out there for Scouts when it comes time to crossover, and continues in the Scouts BSA program. Boy, Girl and the new pilot program combined Troops will all be there to tell you how they operate and explain the options available for Scouts once they make the transition from Arrow of Light to Scouts BSA. Please reach out to Paul Parrish (paslparrish@gmail.com) with any questions.

Let’s look at some of the upcoming trainings we have here in Lake Erie Council:

EDGE training sessions are coming soon. October 12th at Firelands Scout Reservation, November 2nd at the council service center and December 8th at the council service center. Register now!

Scoutmaster Basic is being held at Firelands Scout reservation from October 11th-13th so if you are a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster in your troop, you will need to complete this training if you have not done so already. You can enroll now and send your questions to me!

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. 

Wilderness First Aid training is happening from November 1st-3rd at Beaumont Scout Reservation. This course is open to youth ages 15 and up, and to registered adult leaders. Register for your spot today!

Intro to Leadership Skills for Troops- Train the Leader, is happening Saturday, November 16th at Beaumont Scout Reservation. This three-hour session is designed to train the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, and Senior Youth leaders how to facilitate ILST in their own units by familiarizing them with the syllabus. Register now!

Rangemasters! There is a new Range Safety class available in your my.scouting trainings. SCO 822 will go over updates to the range and target activities that you need to know before your packs next outing.

Switching gears, lets look at some upcoming Merit Badge Universities! October 19th, Fire Safety Merit Badge at the Western Reserve Fire Safety Museum. October 26th at Firelands Scout Reservation. November 9th at the Unit Service Center. November 15th-16th at Firelands Scout Reservation. December 6th-7th at Beaumont Scout Reservation. The last one for year is December 15th “Honor the Past, Focus on our future” day at the council service center. Find all these MBU’s on the council calendar to register.

That’s it for this week folks. I’ve gotta go wrangle some zombies back into their cages, and then I’ve gotta feed the Lake Beaumont monster, so until next time, stay prepared, stay adventurous, and keep the spirit of Scouting alive! Hey everyone! I’m Tyler Matthews coming to you from Beaumont Scout reservation, where the witches and ghosts are gathering to await your arrival for Cub Haunted! It’s going to be a graveyard smashing good time and we can’t wait to see you here. Now, buckle up for all the great news we have this week!

Registrations for Cub Haunted are STILL open! 3 spooktacular weekends, October 4th-6th, 11th-13th, and 18th-20th so register your pack and send your questions to Dan Goerndt or Anthony Dworning. Troops interested in volunteering for the event should reach out to Jess Weaver.  

East side units, you are invited to an evening where Arrow of Light Scouts can visit with participating Scouts BSA Troops and learn more about their programs and where and when they meet. The event will be held Monday, October 28, 2024 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Mentor Public Schools Paradigm Center located at Mentor High School. Come anytime that's convenient during that time frame to visit with the Troops. Troops from Eastlake, Kirtland, Mentor, Painesville, Wickliffe, Willoughby, and Willoughby Hills have been invited to come share information about themselves, plan visits and help you begin to know what options are out there for Scouts when it comes time to crossover, and continues in the Scouts BSA program. Boy, Girl and the new pilot program combined Troops will all be there to tell you how they operate and explain the options available for Scouts once they make the transition from Arrow of Light to Scouts BSA. Please reach out to Paul Parrish (paslparrish@gmail.com) with any questions.

Let’s look at some of the upcoming trainings we have here in Lake Erie Council:

EDGE training sessions are coming soon. October 12th at Firelands Scout Reservation, November 2nd at the council service center and December 8th at the council service center. Register now!

Scoutmaster Basic is being held at Firelands Scout reservation from October 11th-13th so if you are a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster in your troop, you will need to complete this training if you have not done so already. You can enroll now and send your questions to me!  

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. 

Wilderness First Aid training is happening from November 1st-3rd at Beaumont Scout Reservation. This course is open to youth ages 15 and up, and to registered adult leaders. Register for your spot today!

Intro to Leadership Skills for Troops- Train the Leader, is happening Saturday, November 16th at Beaumont Scout Reservation. This three-hour session is designed train the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, and Senior Youth leaders how to facilitate ILST in their own units by familiarizing them with the syllabus. Register now!

Rangemasters! There is a new Range Safety class available in your my.scouting trainings. SCO 822 will go over updates to the range and target activities that you need to know before your packs next outing.  

Switching gears, lets look at some upcoming Merit Badge Universities! October 19th, Fire Safety Merit Badge at the Western Reserve Fire Safety Museum. October 26th at Firelands Scout Reservation. November 9th at the Unit Service Center. November 15th-16th at Firelands Scout Reservation. December 6th-7th at Beaumont Scout Reservation. The last one for year is December 15th “Honor the Past, Focus on our future” day at the council service center. Find all these MBU’s on the council calendar to register.

That’s it for this week folks. I’ve gotta go wrangle some zombies back into their cages, and then I’ve gotta feed the Lake Beaumont monster, so until next time, stay prepared, stay adventurous, and keep the spirit of Scouting alive!

3-Minute Update - September 26, 2024

Hey everyone! I’m Tyler Matthews coming to you from the somewhere out in the Medina wilderness. Let’s jump into this week’s news!

Registrations for Cub Haunted are open! 3 spooktacular weekends, October 4th-6th, 11th-13th, and 18th-20th so register (https://scoutingevent.com/440-72123)your pack and send your questions to Dan Goerndt (mailto:daniel.goerndt@scouing.org) or Anthony Dworning (mailto:Anthony.dworning@scouting.org). Troops interested in volunteering for the event should reach out to Jess Weaver (mailto:Jessica.weaver@scouting.org).  

Let’s look at some of the upcoming trainings we have here in Lake Erie Council:

EDGE training sessions are coming soon. October 12th at Firelands Scout Reservation, November 2nd at the council service center and December 8th at the council service center. Register (https://scoutingevent.com/440-80804) now!

Rangemaster RECERTIFICATION training is Friday, October 4th at Beaumont from 6-9pm. Emphasis on RE certification. If your current rangemaster training is about to expire, or already has, this course is for you. You can sign up (https://scoutingevent.com/440-88645) using the link, and send questions to Julia (mailto:julia.hearne@scouting.org).

Scoutmaster Basic is being held at Firelands Scout reservation from October 11th-13th so if you are a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster in your troop, you will need to complete this training if you have not done so already. You can enroll (https://scoutingevent.com/440-SMBasic) now and send your questions to me (mailto:tyler.matthews@scouting.org)!

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 Woll (mailto:jwollet@gmail.com)et at with questions.

Wilderness First Aid training is happening from November 1st-3rd at Beaumont Scout Reservation. This course is open to youth ages 15 and up, and to registered adult leaders. Register (https://scoutingevent.com/440-WFAfall) for your spot today!

We have set up an evening where Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts can visit with participating Scouts BSA Troops and learn more about their programs and where and when they meet. The event will be held Monday October 28, 2024 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Mentor Public Schools Paradigm Center located at Mentor High School. Come anytime that's convenient during that time frame to visit with the Troops. Troops from Eastlake, Kirtland, Mentor, Painesville, Wickliffe, Willoughby, and Willoughby Hills have been invited to come share information about themselves, plan visits and help you begin to know what options are out there for Scouts when it comes time to crossover and continue in the Scouts BSA program. Boy, Girl and the new pilot program Coed Troops will all be there to tell you how they operate and explain the options available for Scouts once they make the transition from Arrow of Light to Scouts BSA. Please reach out to Paul Parrish (paslparrish@gmail.com) with any questions.

Units needing service hours, Canalway Partners is looking for volunteers for their Towpath Marathon. The race is being held on October 5, along the Towpath Trail. They are looking for course marshals, water stop, and finish line help. Register at the link and send questions to Julie Sciarrino, julie@canalwaypartners.com

 That’s it for this week folks. Until next time, stay prepared, stay adventurous, and keep the spirit of Scouting alive!

3-Minute Update - September 19, 2024

Hey everyone! I’m Tyler Matthews coming to you from the beach at Geneva State Park, where this weekend over 160 Scouts will gather to work hand in hand with the ODNR to make this place even more beautiful than it already is. We love to see Scouts in action out in the world, making a real impact in their community. With that, let’s take a look at some of the other great things coming up around the council.

Registrations for Cub Haunted are open! 3 spooktacular weekends, October 4th-6th, 11th-13th, and 18th-20th so register your pack and send your questions to Dan Goerndt or Anthony Dworning. Troops interested in volunteering for the event should reach out to Jess Weaver.  

Well happy fall recruitment season folks! Especially you Cub Scout packs, we hope you’re welcoming in lots of new Scouts and families to your organizations and maybe you’re even looking to welcome a few more! Remember that your field team is here to help with all your recruitment needs, so reach out to your Unit Service Executive today to talk about recruitment in your area.

For those units who HAVE welcomed in some new adult leaders, remember that we want to get them trained! So, let’s look at some of the upcoming trainings we have here in Lake Erie Council:

EDGE training sessions are coming soon. October 12th at Firelands Scout Reservation, November 2nd at the council service center and December 8th at the council service center. Register now!

Rangemaster RECERTIFICATION training is Friday, October 4th at Beaumont from 6-9pm. Emphasis on RE certification. If your current rangemaster training is about to expire, or already has, this course is for you. You can sign up using the link, and send questions to Julia.

Scoutmaster Basic is being held at Firelands Scout reservation from October 11th-13th so if you are a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster in your troop, you will need to complete this training if you have not done so already. You can enroll now and send your questions to me!

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. 

Wilderness First Aid training is happening from November 1st-3rd at Beaumont Scout Reservation. This course is open to youth ages 15 and up, and to registered adult leaders. Register for your spot today!

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.

That’s it for this week folks. Until next time, stay prepared, stay adventurous, and keep the spirit of Scouting alive!

3-Minute Update - September 12, 2024

Hey everyone! I’m Tyler Matthews coming to you from the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo where our very own Michelle Cali… I mean Michelle ESCHBACHER got married last weekend! If you see her around, make sure you tell her congrats! Now let’s get into this week’s news: 

Registrations for Cub Haunted are open! 3 spooktacular weekends, October 4th-6th, 11th-13th, and 18th-20th so register your pack and send your questions to Dan Goerndt or Anthony Dworning. Troops interested in volunteering for the event should reach out to Jess Weaver.  

EDGE training sessions are coming soon! September 14th at Beaumont, October 12th at Fireland, November 2nd at the council service center, and December 8th at the council service center. Register now!

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. 

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.

That’s it for this week folks. Until next time, stay prepared, stay adventurous, and keep the spirit of Scouting alive!

3-Minute Update - August 29, 2024

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!

3-Minute Update - August 22, 2024

Hey everyone! I’m Tyler Matthews coming to you from the traffic jam at the school pickup line. Schools all around the state are back in class this week, and since I’m stuck here in this line we might as well cover 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.

 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. 

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.

 That’s it for this week folks, and I just realized that my kid is only 4 months old, and doesn’t go to this school, so I’m gonna get on out of here. Until next time, stay prepared, stay adventurous, and keep the spirit of Scouting alive!