News
See specific updates from Beaumont Scout Reservation:
The Sizzle
and Firelands Scout Reservation:
Sparks from the Fire
The Lake Erie Council is looking for eager volunteers to help with the Great Scout Luncheon on Thursday, November 29, 2018. Tasks include helping greeting guests and participating in the day of program.
Come out and show the community what Scouting is all about. Volunteers would be needed from 12 (Noon) until 1:30 at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel. Youth and adults of all ages are encouraged to consider coming to this historic annual event.
To learn more, register today!
SCOUTBOOK SUBSCRIPTIONS WILL BE FREE STARTING JANUARY 1, 2019
In an effort to drive program consistency and deeper engagement with our youth and leaders, Boy Scouts of America is pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2019, Scoutbook subscriptions will be free to all BSA units.
Scoutbook is an online unit management tool that ensures that you never miss a Scouting moment—from tracking advancements to milestone achievements along the Scouting adventure.
When units with a current Scoutbook account need to renew their subscription this fall, they will not pay any renewal fees effective September 1, 2018.
When councils with Scoutbook accounts for their units need to renew these unit subscriptions this fall, they will not pay any renewal fees effective September 1, 2018.
Essentially, units (or councils paying for their units) can renew Scoutbook subscriptions in September, October, November, or December 2018 at no cost.
For units currently without a Scoutbook account, they can begin their free Scoutbook unit subscription on January 1, 2019.
Here are some FAQs about this announcement:
Q. What is the new Scoutbook subscription policy?
A. Effective January 1, 2019, there will be no cost for any new Scoutbook subscriptions. Effective September 1, 2018, there will be no cost for any renewed Scoutbook subscriptions.
Q. If I open a trial subscription today, will it run out in 30 days or will it stay open until the effective date of January 1, 2019?
A. A new trial subscription opened between September 1, 2018 and November 30, 2018 will remain as it is currently setup in Scoutbook. It is free for the first 30 days of trial use; then the unit is flagged that the trial has run out and the unit is invited to activate a full paid subscription. If an individual creates a new Scoutbook subscription between December 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018, the trial period would be free for the first 30 days; then the unit is flagged that the trial has run out and the unit is invited to activate a full free subscription—since the effective date of free Scoutbook subscriptions takes place on January 1, 2019.
Q. I recently opened and paid for a subscription to Scoutbook. Will I be reimbursed for any time in my subscription that remains after January 1, 2019?
A. No. There are no plans to reimburse anyone who has previously paid for a Scoutbook subscription. This change applies only to any new Scoutbook subscriptions effective January 1, 2019 or later—and to any renewing Scoutbook subscriptions that would “normally” be paid between September 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018.
Q. I recently opened a trial subscription to Scoutbook between August 1 and 31, 2018. So now that September is here, do I have to pay for my continued subscription to Scoutbook?
A. No. You started a trial subscription in August at no cost. You would normally renew that subscription in September at cost, but since there is no cost to renew an existing subscription on or after September 1, 2018, your Scoutbook subscription can be renewed at no cost.
Q: How does renewal of Council or Unit Subscriptions expiring between September 1 and December 31, 2018 occur? Does an expiring Council or Unit need to act?
A. No. Expiration dates will be monitored, and automatic extension will be enabled. Unit Codes not issued by Councils may be issued and tracked as usual. If more unit codes are required, the Council must request them as needed.
Q: How does renewal of Council paid subscriptions that expire in 2019 occur? Is action required?
A. No. Expiration dates will be monitored, and automatic extension will be enabled. Unit Codes not issued by Councils may be issued and tracked as usual. If more unit codes are required, the Council must request them as needed.
Q. How will the family plan in Scoutbook work in the future?
A. The current family plan is for families who want to share their Scout’s advancement records. The family plan is also for families with more than one Scout. Parents, grandparents, and leaders can all connect to the Scout(s) records. The Scout(s) in the family can also have access to their records with their own login account. The cost for this service is $10/year for 2 to 5 Scouts or $20/year for 6 to 10 Scouts. On or after September 1, 2018, any current family plan for Scoutbook can be renewed at no cost. On or after January 1, 2019, any new family plan for Scoutbook can be created at no cost.
Q. I need to add a few more Scouts to my family plan in Scoutbook. What is the charge?
A. On or after September 1, 2018, any current family plan for Scoutbook can be renewed at no cost. Any current family plan in Scoutbook can also be upgraded at no cost—if you need to add up to 5 more Scouts to your current family plan.
Q. As it is the fall and school is beginning, it is now “new member signup” time for my Cub Scout pack. My pack has a 75 Scout subscription with 15 open slots. We expect to recruit well over that number next week on Tuesday night. Will we be able to extend our Scout numbers by that time?
A. It sounds like you have a current Scoutbook subscription, so after September 1, 2018, you can renew your subscription (if needed) or add more youth to Scoutbook at no cost.
Q. How does this effect Units that have not activated the Sync feature in Scoutbook?
A. Units that have not activated the Sync feature in Scoutbook clearly have a current plan in Scoutbook—so on or after September 1, 2018, they do not pay to renew their subscription. Please note that units must Sync to renew their subscription to Scoutbook. No Scoutbook renewals without Sync! For any help that may still be needed with the Sync feature, units should contact Scoutbook.support@scouting.org
Q. My unit had a trial that previously expired. Do I have to wait until January 1, 2019 to begin using Scoutbook again?
A. Yes. Scoutbook will be free to all units beginning January 1, 2019. Meantime, please watch the key BSA marketing channels for the release of Scoutbook Lite for all units later in 2018. This free online tool will provide a different UX (user experience) and will help your unit track advancements for all your youth members.
Q. What about the term “subscription” and “renewal” for Scoutbook?
A. With Scoutbook becoming free for new users beginning January 1, 2019 and free for any current users beginning September 1, 2018, you may see the term “subscription” and “renewal” be used less frequently or not at all. In the future, we expect to just have Scoutbook users actively engaged in this online platform. The need to “subscribe” or “renew” annually will become unnecessary.
Q. In the future, what is the renewal process for Scoutbook?
A. Scoutbook will be free effective January 1, 2019. Units with a current subscription can renew or add more youth at no cost—effective September 1, 2018. If a unit in Scoutbook is in sync, we expect that the unit in the future will not need to “act” to renew, as there is no reason to end a subscription—due to a payment that is no longer needed. If your unit has a current Scoutbook subscription and is in Sync, expect that you do not need to take any action and that your unit Scoutbook account will stay live on and after your current subscription end date.
Q. How does this affect the development and roll-out of Scoutbook Lite?
A. This Scoutbook announcement does not affect Scoutbook Lite, which will be rolled out later in 2018 and feature a new UX (user experience). Scoutbook Lite in its initial rollout will feature only advancement reporting.
Q. Will Scoutbook performance be negatively affected?
A. No. The performance of Scoutbook is not affected by this change. The BSA IT and Member Care teams will continue to support Scoutbook with their timely service and quality resources. Scoutbook performance enhancements have been implemented and performance is continually monitored. The platform that Scoutbook is built upon is very adjustable. If adjustments are needed in the future, they will be brought to bear as needed.
Q. Where can I get more information about this change in Scoutbook?
A. For more info, please contact Scoutbook.support@scouting.org
Lake Erie Council has partnered with Cedar Point to provide tickets to Scouts and their families at a discount this Halloween season. Plan your Unit's or family's weekend getaway by spending an evening at Firelands Scout Reservation before spending the day at Cedar Point.
Packages range from $60-$75 per person!
You may also be interested in the Cedar Point-hosed Boy Scout Campout on their beach on September 14-15. More information can be found on the Cedar Point website.
Roundtable is a monthly program that offers more than just news and announcements, it's a time for fellowship and networking, sharing of best practices and an opportunity for resource gathering, these are what makes attending a worthwhile experience.
As a result of the roundtable experience, unit leaders will be inspired, motivated, informed, and able to provide a stronger program for their Unit and Scouts.
We invite you to attend the monthly Roundtable at a location near you.
Also see these dates on our calendar
If you have any questions, please contact Roundtable Development Task Force Coordinator, Steve Garner, at LEC440.RoundtableACC@gmail.com.
All Cub Scouts are invited to a weekend of spooks and fun out at Beaumont Scout Reservation for Cub Haunted! This Halloween event is open to all Cub Scouts, and their families. The event runs for three weekends this Fall, starting the weekend of October 12-14, through October 19-21 and October 26-28, 2018.
Both troop lodges and tent sites are available for weekend camping opportunities. Activities include hayrides, archery, BBs, a haunted fort & a costume contest! To Learn more click below and sign up now for a Fall weekend of fun!
Join the Lake Erie Council this fall for an exciting Fall Camporee and Webelos Woods. Troops, Packs, and Crews, are invited to Camp Stigwandish for a weekend of fun on Friday, September 28, through Sunday, September 30, 2018.
This unit and family camping experience includes archery, canoe races, shotgun/BB gun shooting, GAGA Ball and much more! This year, we are offering the Jimmy O'Dell Dutch Oven Cook-Off for lunch. Each unit will be tasked with making their favorite dutch oven dish to share with their unit. The Unit with the best recipe that incorporates the secret ingredient will receive the golden griddle.
Breakfast and dinner are also available to any unit if they wish to eat in the dining hall!
For more information visit the link below or contact Jake Brown or Anthony Dworning.
Scouters have you ever wished you had a nice picture of your Scout in uniform? The Lake Erie Council is excited to offer a free photoshoot opportunity to Scouts and Scouters.
Now through the Fall, you can schedule a photoshoot time with the council's communication team!
This is an excellent opportunity for families to have a once in a lifetime photo of their Scout in a uniform. These photos also make great gifts for graduation, holidays and court of honors.
Contact Anthony Dworning for pricing and available times.
The Outdoor Adventures Team of the Lake Erie Council is pleased to announce that beginning July 4, 2018, the online camping reservation system has a new look and feel.
To assist you with navigating the new site, we would encourage you to view the videos below. As more tutorials are released, we will share them with you and post on https://lecbsa.org/247scouting-tips/
For more information about our awesome camp properties and facilities visit
https://lecbsa.org/our-camps/
If you need assistance with the new camp reservation system, please contact a member of the Outdoor Adventures Team.
Thank you for all you do to provide Scouting adventures to our Scouts and families.
Join the Lake Erie Council on Wednesday, August 1, 2018, at Cleveland State University for an informative kick-off rally for a realigned unit funding model (popcorn) and a new member family engagement model to join Cub Scouts.
This is a great way to gather all the information about Scouting events coming up this fall.
To learn more about the new models, register now!
