POST YOUR SUMMER ACTIVITIES ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

Journey To Excellence Information

Raritan Valley District Calendar 2018 – Click Link to Access

   Patriots’ Path Council of the B.S.A. Lightning Safety Policy

• Flash-to-Bang method consists of counting the seconds from seeing the lightning flash to hearing the thunder. Each five seconds translates to approximately one mile.

Boy Scouts of America Social Media Guidelines
[Note: It is not the goal of this document to provide a step-by-step “how to” on creating and using the specific features of social media channels. Such guides already exist and can be found elsewhere. Additionally, social media changes regularly, so this document reflects the current guidelines as determined by the BSA and is subject to modifications and amendments from time to time as required.]
INTRODUCTION
It’s an exciting time to be part of the BSA for many reasons. One of those is that new communication vehicles now enable current and past Scouts and Scouters, as well those who are interested in participating or are just interested in Scouting in general, to communicate directly with each other about Scouting. Online social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have made it possible for virtually anyone with an Internet connection to create and be part of online communities where people can discuss Scouting and share stories, photos, videos, and other types of media.
Although using social media is not a Scouting activity, their use to connect with others interested in Scouting can be a very positive experience. But the creation and maintenance of these channels requires forethought, care, and responsibility. For that reason, the Boy Scouts of America has developed the following guidelines to help you navigate the use of social media channels. These guidelines are a complement to the BSA’s existing Youth Protection policies and training.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND YOUTH PROTECTION
First, everyone should review and strictly adhere to the terms of service and existing guidelines outlined by each individual social media channel (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.). As is true for participation in Scouting activities, all Scouts and adult leaders should abide by the guidelines outlined in the Scout Oath and Law when participating in social networking. As with a Scouting activity, safety and Youth Protection should be a key focus. Staying true to the commitment of the BSA to be an advocate for youth and to keep children and their privacy safe, both online and off, should always be at the forefront of any considerations where social media usage is concerned.
To help ensure that all communication on social media channels remains positive and safe, these channels must be public, and all communication on or through them must be public. This enables administrators to monitor all communication and help ensure there is no inappropriate communication between adult leaders and Scouts or between Scouts themselves. Therefore, no private channels (e.g., private Facebook groups or invite-only YouTube channels) are acceptable in helping to administer the Scouting program. Private channels and private communication put both the youth and you at risk. If you feel the information you seek to share via social media channels should not be shared in public, you should not share that information via social media.
Abiding by the “two deep” leadership policy that governs all Scouting activities also applies to use of social media. Two-deep leadership means two registered adult leaders, or one registered leader and a parent of a participating Scout or other adult, one of whom must be 21 years of age or older, are required for all trips and outings.
As it relates to social media, two-deep leadership means there should be no private messages and no one-on-one direct contact through email, Facebook messages, Twitter direct messaging, chats, instant messaging (Google Messenger, AIM, etc.), or other similar messaging features provided through social media sites. All communication between adults and youth should take place in a public forum (e.g. the Facebook wall), or at a bare minimum, electronic communication between adults and youth should always include one or more authorized adults openly “copied” (included) on the message or message thread.
While all communication should be public and leaders should follow the two-deep rule while communicating via social media channels, it is recommended that as you and members of your group create personal social media profiles, the personal information on these profiles should be kept private (e.g., do not display your phone number, address, or personal email address on these profiles). It is recommended that any Scouts with personal profiles for social media make those profiles private so the Scout’s personal information is not accessible by the public. In creating personal profiles, everyone should familiarize themselves with and abide by the terms of service of the sites where they create and maintain personal profiles.

Summer 2019

Schedule Generally they only need 4-6 people per shift.    I will send out reminders about the May & June  shopping sprees.  The packing dates are also listed if you want to mark your calendars. May 25th Sat. Shop Rite of Somerville 1 South Davenport St. Somerville, NJ 08876 26th Sun. Shop Rite of Somerville 1 South Davenport St. Somerville, NJ 08876 June 2nd Sun. Shop Rite of Flemington 272 US 202 & NJ 31 Flemington, NJ 08822 8th Sat. Shop Rite of Somerset 435 Elizabeth Ave. Somerset, NJ 08873 (This Event will be Staffed by Our Canal Walk Veterans of Somerset) 9th Sun. Shop Rite of Somerset 435 Elizabeth Ave. Somerset, NJ 08873 15thSat. Stop n Shop of Flemington 334 State Route 31 Flemington, NJ 08822 29th Sat. Shop Rite of Branchburg 3166 Route 22 Branchburg, NJ 08876 30th Sun. Shop Rite of Branchburg 3166 Route 22 Branchburg, NJ 08876 Shifts are   9:30AM to 12:00PM   11:30AM to 2:00PM      1:30PM to 3:30PM Upcoming Packing Dates are: August 10th Patriots Stadium 11:00AM to 2:00PM November 9th VFW Manville, 11:00AM to 2:00PM December 7th YMCA Hillsborough 11:00AM to 2:00PM

As projects come to my attention I will send out an email blast with information.

For 2019, Raritan Valley will have Scouting for Food, Operation Shoebox NJ,  Toys for Tots and a blood drive.

If you are in need of ideas for Service projects please let me know.

We are looking for pictures to put on both the Patriot’s Path & Raritan Valley’s Facebook pages.  Please email me any pictures you take while performing a service project.

Have a great year.

Yours In Scouting,

Linda Cummings

Raritan Valley Community Service Chairperson

[email protected]

908-904-4498 home     908-963-6310 cell

Training Committee looking for BALOOTrainers

On the weekend of October 12^th RV and Munsee Districts will be holding a joint BALOO training event at camp Winnebego.  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.  We need leaders from RV District to step up and assist in presenting the course.  We will be at camp from Friday night Oct. 11 to Sunday morning Oct. 13.

The training is described in:  

https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/training/pdf/510-033(17)baloo.pdf

If you have camping experience and want to pass it on to new Webelos or Cub Scout leaders, please contact RV Training chairman Tom Mitchell at [email protected]

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO REGISTER FOR ALL TRAININGS

For trainings see the Council Calendar

  Register Here

June 22-23, Friday-Sunday:     Alumni Getaway in historic Stockbridge, MA and Hudson Valley, NY
In Stockbridge activities to choose from include Norman Rockwell Museum, Berkshire Botanical Gardens, Naumkeag House & Gardens, Shopping, Merwin House and more. Trips includes stops at the Vanderbilt Mansion and Franklin D. Roosevelt’s home at Hyde Park.
Check back for more details.
Attendees: All Alumni, Family & Friends. Dress: Casual. Fee:  single;  per person double. Must pay and register in advance.

July 26-28:             2019 World Jamboree Weekend Trip, Friday-Sunday
Attendees: All Alumni, Family & Friends. Dress: Casual. Fee:   Must pay and register in advance.

September 12-15         A Martha’s Vineyard Getaway and 2019 Council Retreat
Includes three nights at the luxurious Harbor View Resort, bus and ferry transportation and dinner Friday and Saturday nights. Explore Martha’s Vineyard on your own; suggestions include Farm Neck Golf Club, lighthouse tours, biking trails, fishing, shopping, dining and more.  Orientation Meeting: March 10, 2019  Check back for more details..
Attendees: All Alumni, Family & Friends. Dress: Casual. Fee:  TBD.  Must pay and register in advance.    

The following is a listing of requested Eagle Projects

POSSIBLE SCOUT PROJECTS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY PARK COMMISSION

Contact:

Geoffrey D. Soriano, Interim Secretary-Director, Somerset County Park Commission

P.O. Box 5327, North Branch, New Jersey 08876

Phone:   908-722-1200 ext. 5237  E-Mail:  [email protected]    Website:  www.somersetcountyparks.org

Environmental Education Center  (Bernards Township)

The EEC currently has 5 Scout projects in progress with two projects that were recently completed.  Possible additional project at the EEC include the following:

-Build and install a Kiosk at Fisherman’s Parking to post information

-Create an outdoor classroom near Lily Pad Pond

-Rebuild the Lily Pad Pond dock

-Build and install a dock for Esox Pond

Lord Sterling Stable (Bernards Township)

We started to build a sensory trail for the therapeutic riders at the Stable, but what was completed and under construction was totally destroyed by Super Storm Sandy.  We haven’t done anything with the project since.

We have identified a new location to build a trail – but funding is our first major hurdle.  If multiple Scouts were to each take a phase, I think it would be a great, financially feasible project.  However, the second hurdle is that the new trail will be located just to the north of one of our pastures, and this pasture is on the list to hopefully get new fencing.

Once the fencing is done then this will become an active project for us and hopefully one that multiple Scouts would like to undertake.

____________________________________________________________________

Colonial Park (Franklin Township)

At Colonial Park, we have 18 majestic Northern Red Oak trees (NJ State tree) growing along the north west section of Colonial Drive behind the tennis center.  The trees would greatly benefit from the installation of mulch rings to protect the tree trunk and root flare from mechanical damage from mowers. A tree tender task force with one staff member from Horticulture Department, one staff member from Colonial Park Maintenance Department could coordinate

Please contact our RV WebMaster to remove listing as needed

Spring Cub Family Camping – June 8-10, 2018

Raritan Valley District Recognition Breakfast Photos – June 2, 2018

Raritan Valley District Recognition Breakfast Photos – May 13, 2017