Boy Scouts of America | Hawkeye Area Council

Please take a moment to review this important message from Assistant Chief Scout Executive, Jim Terry regarding new Youth Protection Guidelines.

Message from Jim Terry

For more information view this FAQ from the National Council

Thank you for your continued support of Scouting and for your dedication to keeping the Scouts of Eastern Iowa safe!  Please contact the Council Service Center with any questions at 319.862.0541.

The glitch that prevented the registration form for "Pitch for Scouting", Scout Night at the Kernels has been resolved and the registration is fully active.

To access the July 16th event, click here.

To access the August 7th event, click here.

Please note that in order to register for this event you must be either a Cubmaster/Scoutmaster, Unit Committee Chairman, or approved as the unit's registration coordinator.  For help on this please call the Council Service Center at 319.862.0541 or contact us.

The Hawkeye Area Council is proud to offer a Wood Badge Course in 2011.  Dates are now confirmed.  Click on the link to access registration form.

Registration Form - Wood Badge 2011

Cub Scouts 2010 is an exciting change in the method used to deliver the great Cub Scout program.  A few changes will be occurring effective with the August 2010 Program Kick-Off.  First though, are a list of items that will NOT be changing:

• The Cub Scout program WILL NOT change, only the delivery method.
• The current Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos handbooks WILL NOT change.
• The Cub Scout advancement levels WILL NOT change.

The below are changes that will be occurring:

Changes to Program Delivery

The new resource for Cub Scout leaders will be the “Den and Pack Meeting Resource Guide.” This guide is divided into different parts. These parts are summarized below:

• First part is an overview of the Purposes, Ideals and Methods of Scouting. This also includes “tips for how to run a den meeting.”
• Next is a section on the Aims of Scouting, including the 12 Core Values of Cub Scouting which are integrated into each den meeting. As an aside, the 12 Core Values will replace the current “monthly themes.”
• Third is a chapter on our responsibility to the boys. Namely, the outcomes of each den meeting and the importance of advancement to our boys. Also, the impact good program and advancement has on youth retention.
• The largest part of the Resource Guide is the Den Meeting Plans. Each rank of Cub Scouting has all of their den meetings pre-planned for the year. The den meetings start in September and assumes two den meetings per month. By following the plan the boys will earn their rank advancement by the Blue and Gold ceremony.
• Included in this section are supplemental plans for above and beyond activities for the boys
  after they earn rank advancements (summer, etc.)
• Also included are “Special Moments” helps like Den Leader and Cubmaster minutes. These will be 1-2 minute stories and reflections about what occurred over the den/pack meeting, in other words (why did we do this activity today?)
• The actual den meeting plans are divided into 6 main areas covering: introduction to a den
  meeting, den leader responsibilities, meeting plans, hints for den leaders and an overview. Of course all yearly den meetings are separated by Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelos. A last section is called “Arrow of Light” year which for most intents and purposes is Webelos Year 2.
• The den meeting format is three parts, the “DO” which is what happens during a den meeting, the “HOME ASSIGNMENT” which is an item that can be done at home and “VERIFY” where a den leader verifies work at home and continues the boys toward advancement.

Changes to Printed Resources

• Program Helps have been discontinued and replaced with the Den and Pack Meeting Resource Guide.
• Cub Scout Leader Book – reorganized and rewritten, all duplications removed
• Webelos Leader Guide – reflects the new Meeting Resource Guide
• Position Specific Leader Training – Rewritten to reflect changes above, one main module with rank specific breakouts.
• Ceremonies for Dens and Packs – cover change only
• Roundtable Planning Guide – uses 12 core values of Cub Scouts instead of monthly themes
• “How-To” Book – cover change only
• BALOO – changes to match Leader Guide book cover but is only offered at camp in-person training.
• Academics and Sports Guide – Cover change and reflects new belt loops and pins.

• A new revised Cub Scout Fast Start will be online effective MAY 7, 2010
• Position Specific Training will be available beginning JUNE 20, 2010 – ONLINE. 
• In other words all required training in order to be listed as “trained” will be offered online:  Youth Protection, This is Scouting, Fast Start, Position Specific.

More information on Cub Scouts 2010 can be found in this presentation.

Information on the National Boy Scouts of America webpage.

In celebration of the 100th year of Scouting, the Boy Scouts of America has brought back four historic merit badges that Scouts can have the opportunity to earn.  The requirements for Carpentry, Pathfinding, Signaling, and Tracking Merit Badges must be completed by December 31, 2010 in order to receive these badges.  After 2010 these badges will no longer be available!

For more information visit the National Boy Scouts of America information page