Old Dominion District 

Unit Leader Communications

Announcements

see Other Announcements below

Popcorn Fundraiser for Units - Open for Business!

Interested in raising money for your unit? 



Earn Service Hours at Burke Lake Park

What: Service Hours Opportunity – Burke Lake Park

Service Hours: Burke Lake Park is in desperate need of assistance assembling and placing several hundred new picnic tables. Please reach out to Keith O’Connor at keith.o'connor@fairfaxcounty.gov if your Unit is interested in providing community service to support this, as well as other potential projects in our local community.

Contact and Questions: Keith O’Connor at keith.o'connor@fairfaxcounty.gov

 

Recruiting & JSN Resources for Units - Request to Get Resources!

Complete the following three steps to receive all your Unit's Recruiting and Membership Needs 

1) Click Here: Complete Google Form to Order Materials

2) Click Here: One-Stop Shop for Your Unit's Recruiting & Membership

You can find almost anything you’ll need to help grow your Unit's Scouting program in in addition to other supplemental program resources and guidelines.

3) Email Keenan Pallone - email him today at keenan.pallone@scouting.org 

As our Council prepares for another successful Fall Recruitment season this year, I wanted to take some time and connect with each of our Units’ leadership teams to see what resources are needed to help support your Unit’s recruitment campaign. 

ODD Sponsored Events & Training

click on event for details

Sep 14 (Thu) 7:30pm - ODD Roundtable (all unit leaders should attend)

When: 2nd Thursday of Each Month - No July Meeting

Where: IN-PERSON at Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, 8336 Carrleigh Pkwy, West Springfield, VA 22152

Who: All unit leaders (Den Leaders, Assistant Scoutmasters, etc. and those just thinking about it!)

March Breakout Sessions:

Scouts BSA - Click Here to view a summary of Summer Camp Feedback, our topic for the evening

Cub Scouts - TBD

More: 

What is a Roundtable?  A monthly opportunity commissioners provide unit leaders with the skill to do and the will to do what is needed to ensure that every member of every unit has a great Scouting experience. Roundtables exist to:

2023 starts with new Roundtable Commissioners for the Old Dominion District

Announcements will be at the end of roundtable and will only be by prior arrangement with Ryan or Jim they will limited to 30 seconds unless approved otherwise.  

Each roundtable will include a Hot Topic and a Safety Moment.  

Come in uniform if you can.  

We will recognize the Pack and Troop with the most participants at roundtable each month.  Could that be your unit?

Join us the second Thursday of each month at 7:30pm at Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, 8336 Carrleigh Pkwy in Springfield.

Sep 15-16 - Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) ($0 by Sep 8) (Old Dominion District)

When: September 15-16, 2023

Where: Sep 15: Virtual; Sep 16: Camp William B Snyder, 6100 Antioch Road, Haymarket, VA 20169

Registration: Click Here to register and for more information

Questions: Mike Nostrand, nostrandfamus@aol.com

Sep 16 (Sat) 9am - Cub Scout Fair - Recruiting Event (Old Dominion District)

When: September 16, 2023 (Sat) 9am-Noon

Where: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church , 8304 Old Keene Mill Rd., Springfield, VA 22152

Registration: To register, contact Marjorie McDonald at e: mm00mjbm@gmail.com or c: (713) 702-2653

Who: This event is for Cub Scouts or Scouts BSA youth, parents, Pack leaders or any potential youth interested in joining or finding out more about Scouting. 

Program: Recruiting and sharing Scouting knowledge, skill and practices with potential new Scouts. Focus is on Cub Scout Recruiting. Fun stations will be available to challenge their Scout skills. 

Questions: Contact Marjorie McDonald  at e: mm00mjbm@gmail.com or c: (713) 702-2653

------------------

If you are a Cub Scout/Scouts BSA leader and would like your Scouts to help run a station, click below: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080845ADA923A5FE3-oddcub


Sep 30 (Sat) 9am-10:30am - Life to Eagle Seminar ($0 by Sep 30) (Old Dominion District)

When: Sep 30 (Sat) 9:00am to 10:30am

Where: Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, 8336 Carrleigh Pkwy, West Springfield, VA 22152

Cost & Register: No fee. No need to sign up, just show up!

Program: The seminar is open to anyone interested in the path from Life to Eagle. Welcome are Scouts (of any rank, although the seminar is of obvious particular interest to Life Scouts), parents, and Scouters. Eagle coordinators and, perhaps, committee chairs might find it useful. 

We will address the requirements for Eagle, completion and processing of the ESRA, Eagle project selection, approval, and completion, and take questions. 

Questions: Contact Holcombe Thomas at hhthomas@verizon.net


Oct 20-22 - Fall Camporee & Webelos-o-ree - Stay Tuned for Details (Old Dominion and Prince William Districts)

Where: Bealton Flying Circus Aerodrome, 5114 Ritchie Road (Route 644), Bealeton, VA

Stay tuned for details... registration is expected to open mid-September

Other Events & Training

click on event for details

Sep 1-4 - Goshen Family Camp ($ by Sep 2)

Click Here for more information and to register

Sep 7 (Thu) 7:30pm - Order of the Arrow (OA) - Chapter Meeting for All OA Members

When: 1st Thursday of each month; 7:30-8:30pm (no meeting in July) 

Where: Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, 8336 Carrleigh Pkwy, West Springfield, VA 22152

Who: All Order of the Arrow members

Website: www.wipit470.org 

Questions: Contact Jason Huggins at olddominionchapter@wipit470.org

Sep 8-10 - OA Fall Fellowship - Camp Olmstead ($25 by Sep 5)

Who: Amangamek-Wipit OA Lodge

When: September 8-10, 2023

Where: Goshen Scout Reservation

Registration: Click Here for more info and to register

Sep 8-10/Oct 7-8 - Wood Badge - Fall Course ($300 by Aug 25)

Where: Camp Snyder, 6100 Antioch Rd., Haymarket, Virginia 20169

Click Here for more information and to register

Sep 9-10 - Cub Scout "Adventure Day" & "Cub-O-Ree" ($ by Sep 3) (Patriot District)

Click Here for details and to register. 

Sep 15 (Fri) - Sporting Clay Tournament (Sponsored by NCAC)

Click Here to register and for more information

Sep 16-17 - Climbing Level 1 Instructor Training ($40 by ASAP)

When: Sep 16-17  8:15 am to 6:00 pm

Where: Sugarloaf Mountain

Fees: $40 per participant, first come first served

Register: Contact the Course Director at ncac.climbing@gmail.com to register

Program: Click Here for more details and full program guide

Questions: Email the Course Director at ncac.climbing@gmail.com

Sep 22 (Fri) - Golf Classic (Sponsored by NCAC)

Click Here to register and for more information

Oct 1 (Sat) 5pm - OA Road Clean-Up (Park & Ride at Gambrill)

When: Oct 1 (Sat) 5:00pm-6:30pm

Where: Meet up at the Park & Ride, Gambrill Road, 7321 Gam         brill Rd, Springfield, VA 22153

Program: Trash removal from the Park & Ride to the traffic light and back again

Contact & Questions: Jason Huggins, e: scoutmaster@troop1140.org  

Oct 21-22 - Wilderness First Aid (Sponsored by NCAC) ($220 by Oct 11)

Click Here for more information and to register

Nov 18-19 - Wilderness First Aid (Sponsored by NCAC) ($220 by Nov 8)

Click Here for more information and to register

Sep 23-24 - Climbing Level 1 Instructor Training ($40 by ASAP)

When: Sep 23-24  7:30 am to 5:00 pm

Where: Great Falls Park

Fees: $40 per participant, first come first served

Register: Contact the Course Director at ncac.climbing@gmail.com to register

Program: Click Here for more details and full program guide

Questions: Email the Course Director at ncac.climbing@gmail.com

Sep 23 & Oct 21-22 - Back Country Outdoor Leader Skills (BCOLS) ($65 by Sep 18)

Back Country Outdoor Leader Skills (BCOLS) is an optional course offered to adult leaders who have completed the required training in their Scouting program.  This course assists Scouters working with youth in the backcountry by providing the skills necessary to conduct a safe and risk-managed high adventure program in venues outside those supported by BSA infrastructure.  It has been continuously designed to address new and emerging issues, techniques, and gear.

Click Here for more details and to register

Sep 24 (Sun) - Tread Lightly! Tread Trainer Course (Virtual) ($25 by Sep 17)

Learn about the newest component of the BSA Outdoor Ethics program: Tread Lightly! and how to share the concepts with Scouts and others. Tread Lightly Tread Trainer course is an 6 and a half hour course designed to provide a "crash course" on outdoor ethics focusing on motorized and mechanized recreation on both land and water.

Click Here for more information and to register

Sep 27 (Sun) 7pm - Gala - Prepared. For Life. (Sponsored by NCAC)

What: 8th Annual Prepared. For Life Gala (Sponsored by the National Capital Area Council)

When: September 27, 2023

Why: The 8th Annual Prepared. For Life Gala will be held on Wednesday, September 27th. This year’s gala will honor individuals that have made impactful contributions to the local community and their industries, while highlighting how Scouting trains youth today so that they can become future skilled leaders.

Click Here for more information and to register

Sep 29-Oct 1 - OA Ordeal - Va Central Fall Area ($ by Sep 28)

Where: Camp William B Snyder, 6100 Antioch Road, Haymarket, VA 20169

Click Here for more information and to register 

Contact & Questions: Contact Jason Huggins at olddominionchapter@wipit470.org

Oct 5 (Thu) 7:30pm - Order of the Arrow Chapter Meeting

When: 1st Thursday of each month; 7:30-8:30pm

Where: Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, 8336 Carrleigh Pkwy, West Springfield, VA 22152

Who: All Order of the Arrow members

Website: www.wipit470.org 

Questions: Contact Jason Huggins at olddominionchapter@wipit470.org

Oct 6-9 - Climboree ($30 by Sep 17) (NCAC)

Where: Camp Mountaineer, 187 Camp Mountaineer Road, Morgantown, West Virginia 20508

Program: Join us on the long holiday weekend for two full days of climbing, high ropes challenges, shooting sports, and Dutch oven cooking!

Click Here for more information and to register

Oct 12 (Thur) 7:30pm - Scouting For Food Stickers Pick Up (at Roundtable)

Oct 13-14 - BALOO & IOLS Training ($40 by Sep 29) (Western Shore District)

Where: Kings Landing Regional Park, 3255 Kings Landing Rd., Huntingtown, MD

Program: 

IOLS is the required outdoor training for Scoutmasters / Ass't Scoutmasters.  The skills taught are based on the outdoor skills found in The Boy Scout Handbook and focuses on skills that build confidence and competence in leaders conducting outdoor camping experiences.

BALOO is the Cub Scout leader training required for any Cub Scout den or pack outdoor event, including pack camping overnighters and Webelos den overnighters. 

Click Here for more information and to register

Oct 27-29 - Spooktacular Festival ($ by Oct 20) (NCAC)

Where: Camp William B. Snyder

Click Here for more information and to register

Oct 27-29 - V3 Hike-O-Ree 2023 ($30 by Oct 13) (NCAC)

The Hike-o-ree is open to all Venturing Crews, Sea Scout Ships, and Scouts BSA Troops. Units must form trail crews consisting of no more than 12 members, including at least two adults.  If a unit has more than 12 simply form another crew (with proper adult leadership).  The minimum age to participate is 13.

Click Here to register and for more information

Oct 28 (Sat) - Scouting for Food - Community Sticker Distribution - This day is earlier than prior years!

Stickers may be picked up at the Oct 12 Roundtable

Note: This is an earlier weekend than prior years to avoid the Nov 11 Veteran's Day holiday.


Nov 2 (Mon) - Life to Eagle Conference via Zoom ($0 by ASAP) (Prince William District)

Current Life Scouts and Star Scouts who will earn the Life rank by the end of May are eligible to attend with unit leader consent.

Click Here for more information and to register

Nov 4 (Sat) - Scouting for Food - Community Food Bag Pick-Up - This day is earlier than prior years!

Stay tuned for details...

Note: This is an earlier weekend than prior years to avoid the Nov 11 Veteran's Day holiday.

Nov 25 (Sat) - 5K Trot & Ride (NCAC)

Where: Camp William B. Snyder

Click Here for details and to register

Dec 16-17 - Wilderness First Aid (Sponsored by NCAC) ($220 by Dec 6)

Click Here for more information and to register

2023/2024 - Sea Base Registration

Click Here for more information

2024 - National High Adventure Bases 

Includes the following: Summit Bechtel Reserve, Philmont Scout Ranch, Northern Tier and Sea Base

Click Here for more information

Jan 19-21, 2024 - NCAC Klondike (Old Dominion District and Prince William District)

Save the date - stay tuned for full details.

When: Jan 19-21, 2024

Where: Camp William B. Snyder, 6100 Antioch Rd, Haymarket, VA 20169

Registration: Stay tuned for details... 

Feb 24, 2024 - University of Scouting - (NCAC)

Stay tuned for details...

Mar 2, 2024 (Sat) 9am - Life to Eagle Seminar (Old Dominion District)

When: Mar 2 (Sat) 9:00am to 12:00Noon (or maybe 10:30am)

Where: Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, 8336 Carrleigh Pkwy, West Springfield, VA 22152

Cost & Register: No fee. No need to sign up, just show up!

Program: The seminar is open to anyone interested in the path from Life to Eagle. Welcome are Scouts (of any rank, although the seminar is of obvious particular interest to Life Scouts), parents, and Scouters. Eagle coordinators and, perhaps, committee chairs might find it useful. 

We will address the requirements for Eagle, completion and processing of the ESRA, Eagle project selection, approval, and completion, and take questions. 

Questions: Contact Holcombe Thomas at hhthomas@verizon.net

Apr 2024 - Mt. Vernon Clean-Up (Stay Tuned for Details) (Old Dominion District)

Stay tuned for details...


Apr 6, 2024 (Sat) - Cub Scout Pinewood Derby (Old Dominion District)

What:

District Pinewood Derby

When:

Apr 6, 2024 (Sat) 

Host: Pack 1100

Stay tuned for details.... registration opens early March


Apr 13, 2024 (Sat) - Mt. Vernon Clean-Up Service/Ecology - Stay Tuned for Details (Old Dominion District)

Stay tuned for details...


Apr 20, 2024 (Sat) - Merit Badge Jamboree - Stay Tuned for Details (Old Dominion District)

Where: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

Stay tuned for details, registration should open mid- July 2024.


Apr-May 2024 - ODD Spring Camp-A-Thon - Earn a Patch!

OLD DOMINION DISTRICT SPRING 2024 CAMP-A-THON

WHEN:  April-May 2024 

WHERE:  Camp out in your own backyard.  Use your tent or a family tent.  If you do not have a tent, make one outdoors out of a tarp or indoors out of a tarp or blankets.  If you do not have a yard to camp in, camp inside.  Use all of your camping equipment.  While you have it out, check it out, fix anything needing fixing, clean anything needing cleaning, and replace/upgrade if needed.  You may want to wash or clean your sleeping bag (check the label for proper cleaning).  This will also get you ready for spring, summer, and fall camping when you can again camp with your fellow Scouts following COVID safety rules. 

WHAT:  Camp out (or in), cook a meal outdoors, look at the stars and find the north star and identify a constellation, practice the knots that you know and learn a new one, take a hike with a family member, do a little service along the way or in your neighborhood, if your parents permit make a campfire in a safe place (like a backyard fire pit or barrel) and roast some marshmallows (invite your family members), etc.

Patch: To Earn a Camp-a-thon Patch and help your Scout unit earn a ribbon for your flag, by 15 June 2022 the Scout leader sends an email to program@oddbsa.org reporting the number of Scouts and Scouters who camped out in April and May at least two nights and the total number of Scouts and Scouters registered in your unit.  Cost per patch is $2.  Please give a check for such to Adair Petty at June Roundtable.  Patches will be ordered mid-June and provided to the units as soon as they come in.

SAFETY:  In accordance with current BSA Youth Protection Rules: In Cub Scouting, parents and guardians may share a tent with their family.  In Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouting, youth and adults (including parents) must have separate tents. 

Camp-a-Thon Unit Award Ribbons:

Blue Ribbon – 80%-100% of Scouts camp out two nights

Red Ribbon – 60%-79% of Scouts camp out two nights

Yellow Ribbon – Less than 60% of Scouts camp out two nights

Flyer: Click Here to view and download Flyer

QUESTIONS:  Contact Adair Petty, VC Program, ODD, at program@oddbsa.org 


May/June 2024 - District Cub Scout Event (Old Dominion District)

Stay tuned for details...

May 9, 2024 (Thur) 7:30pm - District Annual Court of Honor & Program Launch (During Roundtable)

May 10/11, 2024 - Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) (Old Dominion District)

When: May 10/11, 2024

Where: Sep 10: Virtual; Sep 11: Camp William B Snyder, 6100 Antioch Road, Haymarket, VA 20169

Registration: Stay tuned.

Questions: Mike Nostrand, nostrandfamus@aol.com

May 26, 2024 - Tread Lightly! Tread Trainer Course (Virtual)

Stay tuned for details...

May 17/18, 2024 - Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)

When: May 17 & 18, 2024

Where: May 17: Virtual; May 18: Camp William B Snyder, 6100 Antioch Road, Haymarket, VA 20169

Registration: Stay tuned.

Questions: Mike Nostrand, nostrandfamus@aol.com

Jun 24-28, 2024 - Cub Scout Day Camp (Old Dominion and Patriot Districts)

Stay tuned for details...

Jun 24-28, 2024 - Cub Scout Day Camp (Old Dominion and Patriot Districts)

Stay tuned for details...

Jul 29-Aug 3, 2024, National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC)

Who: All OA Members

When: July 29 - August 3, 2024

Where: University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309

For more information: https://oa-bsa.org/program/events/noac

Questions: Contact Jason Huggins at olddominionchapter@wipit470.org

Other Items

click on item for details

Help Needed - Run a Station! - Sep 16 Cub Scout Fair (Old Dominion District)

Help Needed: Calling all ODD Units, we are looking for Leaders and Scouts to assist in our first annual Cub Scout Fair. We are looking for units to set up a "booth" or table on 16 September from 9:00am to Noon for a recruiting event. We need you to set up a demonstration and are looking for you to share your skills from tent set up to knot tying. If you are available and want to share your Scout skills. 

Sign Up: Please sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080845ADA923A5FE3-oddcub

Where: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church , 8304 Old Keene Mill Rd., Springfield, VA 22152

Questions: If you have any questions or recommendations please reach out to Marjorie McDonald at mm00mjbm@gmail.com and Nick West at nwwest@gmail.com

Revised BSA Policies - Parents Camping & Cub Scout Camping - Effective Sep 1, 2023

Effective September 1, 2023, BSA has revised its policies regarding parents camping overnight with Scouts and Cub Scout camping. Please read the entire policy. 

Click Here to view the revised BSA policies

Click Here to view the revised Guide to Safe Scouting

Click Here for a summary of the Cub Scout camping policy

Questions: Contact Keenan Pallone at keenan.pallone@scouting.org 

Friends of Scouting - Investing in Old Dominion's Scouting Future

Dear Old Dominion District Families:

As a Scouting parent, I wanted to send you a personal letter asking you to join me in supporting a quality Scouting program for our young men and women. Please consider an investment in Scouting if you haven't already done so.

We ask that each family consider donating $240, as this is the minimum cost to the Council to provide programs and assistance for each Scout. There is a special edition Council Shoulder Patch for those who contribute $240 or more. Of course, every gift is important and any amount that you can give is gratefully appreciated. Our hope is that 100% of our parents will contribute at any level.

I think you’d agree that Scouting is not only one of the finest youth development programs in the world, but it’s also FUN! The National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America can provide a quality program to our youth because of the support received from Scout parents like you.

The annual Friends of Scouting campaign provides training for our leaders, insurance, program support, and maintenance of our four camping facilities, among many other things. The National Capital Area Council depends on the Friends of Scouting campaign for over 13% of its operating budget. It is essential to the wellbeing of the Scouting program for your Scout.

To help wrap-up our campaign, please make a pledge or contribution online. Thank you in advance for your generous contribution and for everything you and your family do to support local Scouting!


Click Here to give online (preferred method). Please make sure you include "Old Dominion" as your District and also specify your Unit Type and Number (i.e. Pack 1234, Troop 4321, etc.). 


Click Here to download the FOS brochure.


Click Here to download the Old Dominion District pledge form that can be distributed at the unit level for your presentation.


Donate and get Bling (email Ken Davis and let him know which items you need): 

Yours in Scouting, 

Ken Davis, Old Dominion Friends of Scouting Chair

e: daviskenjared@aol.com

Register Rising Kindergarteners as Lions Starting on June 1

June 1st is the magic date when all youth are assumed to be in the next grade. That means the rising kindergarten child may register as a Lion as of June 1st.

Roundtable - Resources for Units

#TroopTalkLive is a monthly live event where experts answer questions about certain topics.

This live event happens the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 2pm Central on Facebook Live and

YouTube. It is a great place to come ask your questions and get answers from the experts.

Tune in at 2 p.m. Central on the Scouting magazine Facebook page or YouTube

channel.



#CubChatLive is a weekly live event where experts come answer questions around certain

topics. This live event happens every Friday at 2pm Central on Facebook Live. It’s a great place

to learn about cub scout topics and get answers from the experts.

Join us Fridays at 2 p.m. Central on the Scouting magazine Facebook page or YouTube

channel.


SPECIAL NEEDS SCOUTS - TOOLBOX

New Scouts, now what?

Welcome packets: - Parents - Scouts

Organization: - New scout patrol - Troop guide

Advancement: - Scout, Tenderfoot - First Class - 

Summer camp

Special campout, activity?

Resources


Online Registration of New Scouts/Leaders - "How To"

The Boy Scouts of America offers on online application process for youth and adults that can be completed from start to finish without a single piece of paper changing hands. This allows prospective members and leaders to register and pay in a way that’s convenient for them, and it creates a more efficient and user-friendly registration experience for units, districts, and


Click Here for full details. 

National Youth Council 2023-2024 - ODD Scouts Should Apply Now!

The Scouts BSA program is meant to be led by youth and guided by adults. The National Youth Council — a group of youth that will help shape the future of the Scouts BSA program — is an extension of that philosophy.


Click Here for more information


Click Here to apply


Minor Modifications to Scouts BSA Rank Requirements (Full Effect on Jan 1, 2023)

Beginning August 1, 2022, minor modifications to the Scouts BSA requirements for the ranks of Scout through Star will take effect. On January 1, 2023, all Scouts must use only the new requirements.


Click Here for full details. 


To SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE to the MyODD mailing list,

send an email to: MyOdd.org@gmail.com

UNIT resource Links

Aug 17 (Thu) 7:30pm - Order of the Arrow (OA) - Chapter Meeting for All OA Members

When: 1st Thursday of each month; 7:30-8:30pm (no meeting in July) 

Where: Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, 8336 Carrleigh Pkwy, West Springfield, VA 22152

Who: All Order of the Arrow members

Website: www.wipit470.org 

Questions: Contact Jason Huggins at olddominionchapter@wipit470.org