Attend our February Roundtable

   RV District Pinewood Derby – Saturday, March 16th

John E. Riley Elementary School
100 Morris Avenue South Plainfield, NJ, 07080

Click Here for information and to register

Journey To Excellence Information

Raritan Valley District Calendar 2018 – Click Link to Access

January 2019

November 2018

Winter Activity Safety 

Guide to Safe Scouting

All participants in official Scouting activities should become familiar with the Guide to Safe Scouting, applicable program literature or manuals, and be aware of state or local government regulations that supersede Boy Scouts of America practices, policies, and guidelines. The Guide to Safe Scouting is an overview of Scouting policies and procedures gleaned from a variety of sources. For some items, the policy statements are complete. Unit leaders are expected to review the additional reference material cited prior to conducting such activities.

In situations not specifically covered in this guide, activity planners should evaluate the risk or potential risk of harm, and respond with action plans based on common sense, community standards, the Boy Scout motto, and safety policies and practices commonly prescribed for the activity by experienced providers and practitioners.

Perhaps this quote by Sir Robert Baden-Powell from his 1914 book Quick Training for War is appropriate to include here:  “… The books lay down definite principles and examples which serve to guide the leaders when applying their common sense to the situation before them. No two situations are ever precisely the same, and it is therefore impossible to lay down exact rules that should guide in every case, but a man who carries precedents and principles in his head has no difficulty in applying their teaching in supreme moments of sudden emergency …”

Download the print-friendly version here. 

 This is the full PDF version that contains updates as of May 2018.  Please refer to the online version for the most updated information.

Viewing the online Guide

The online version of Guide to Safe Scouting is available here.

ONLINE RESOURCES RELATED TO SAFE SCOUTING

BSA Guide to Safe Scouting (a must read for all adult leaders to learn what activities are permitted or not permitted, as well as to learn safe operating procedures for a number of activities) at http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS

In the continuing effort to protect participants in Scout activity, the BSA National Health and Safety Committee has developed 16 points that embody good judgment and common sense for all activities. Go to http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/Resources/sweet16.aspx to learn more about the Sweet 16 of Scout Safety.

The national BSA Scouting Safety website can be found at http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety

BSA Safety Thoughts @ http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/SafetyThoughts

BSA On-line training modules (Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, Climbing Safely, Hazardous Weather, Trek Safely, etc.) can be completed online at http://www.myscouting.org

On-line health, safety and risk management on scouting official site at http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/healthandsafety/resources

Scouting Safety Begins with Leadership BSA video (an informative video highlighting the hazards of driving, swimming and boating, hiking, and climbing) at http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/Video.

BSA Health and Safety Training Course Syllabus can be found at http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/19-100A.pdf

“Managing Risk” from Chapter 6 of the Boy Scout Fieldbook can be found available online at http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/Resources

GUIDELINES FOR MANAGING FOOD ALLERGIES

Millions of children and adults in the United States have been diagnosed with specific food allergies that can be life-threatening. Initial food allergy reactions can occur at any time, even in previously undiagnosed individuals. The Health and Safety team has become aware of these risks and has developed food allergy prevention guidelines that can be useful in helping people with food allergies be prepared at all types of Scouting events.

The guidelines include information for Scouts and their families, adult leaders, and camps to plan ahead for many types of events and trips. Although the document is not intended to be all-inclusive, it does identify many common experiences and is meant to begin a dialogue regarding food allergy prevention.

The guidelines for managing food allergies can be found at:

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/2013Guidelines_Managing_Food_Allergies.pdf.

The document also links to several reputable websites that will educate and inform you about food allergy prevention.

 IT CAN WAIT!

Never text and drive and do everything you can to convince your driving-age Scouts to do the same.Take the pledge at http://www.itcanwait.com not to text and drive and put that promise into action by:

• Store your phone in the glove box or trunk.
• Use “X” or #X as a signal that you’re driving. By ending a text conversation with the letter ―X‖ or tweeting with #X, you’ve just told your friends and family that it’s time to stop messaging and start driving. Train them to know that signal.
• Give your phone to someone else. If you’re driving with others, let them keep you focused on the road.
• Put your phone on Do Not Disturb and face down in the passenger seat so you won’t see the screen.
• Draw X’s on your thumbs as a visual reminder to stop typing and start driving.
• Let technology help keep you honest. Use an app that blocks texting while driving and let others know you’re on the road.

Jan. 15, 2018

Dear Scout Masters & Cub Masters,

Happy New Year!    I hope everyone had a great holiday season.   Please share this information with your  Leaders, Scouts and Parents.

Toys for Tots:

Thank you to everyone who donated a toy (s) to our USMC Toys for Tots Drive.   As a council we delivered 1, 158 toys to the Marines.  These toys helped 40,850 children in the area!  Great job, we doubled our donation from last year.

Community Service Chairperson:

As a council we are looking to have each unit to have someone be a Community Service Chairperson.   This person would be responsible for organizing service events as well as reporting the hours.    Please let me know if you have one /find a Chairperson so I can communicate with them when service opportunities arise.   If you have someone interested but they would like more information, please have them reach out to me.

Service Hours:

Dec. 31, 2018 was the last day to enter service hours for the year.   Raritan Valley logged      17,293 hours this year, up from 14,819 in 2017.  We had  36 units out of 76 report hours for the year.  New this year is the Patriots Path App to enter your service hours ( excluding Eagle hours). We  had 9 units report using the app.    The App is very easy to use!

All units are asked to report their service hours via the app or https://servicehours.scouting.org/UI/Security/Login.aspx

If you have any questions or problems with reporting please let me know.

Serv Award:

This is a pin that is issued based on the amount of service for a year.  The year for the SERV Award runs from Dec. 1, 2018- Nov. 30, 2019.    This is a great way to incent your Scouts to do service.   There are 3 pins, bronze, silver & gold.   The amounts of hours for Cub Scouts are  4, 6, 10 hours and Scouts 8, 12, 20 hours.   The cost of the pins are $2 each.   You can decide if you want to wait until the end of the year or issue the pins as they are achieved.  To receive the pins you will need to fill out the attached paperwork and submit it to the Scout Shop.

https://ppcbsa.org/wp-content/uploads/SERV-Award-Tracking-Form-2019.pdf

Scouting for Food:

In October/November some units participated in Scouting for Food.  Scouts distributed plastic bags asking for food donations.  Later Scouts went and collected the bags and then dropped them off at area food banks.  The Community Service Committee would like to make this a year round initiative.     If you unit would like to participate please email me and I can send you information on where to get the bags and where to donate food.

Service Projects:

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

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO REGISTER FOR ALL TRAININGS

For trainings see the Council Calendar

  Register Here

2019 Alumni & Friends District Gathering –  short fifteen-minute program introducing your volunteer district leaders and upcoming events in your area, then enjoy fellowship, food and beverages with Scouting friends!
It will be sponsored entirely by Alumni fundraising events. Click Here to Register
Attendees: Over 18. Dress: Non-uniformed event. Fee: Free appetizers and refreshments, Cash Bar
Time:  7-9pm
May 2         Munsee & Raritan Valley –   Galloping Hills Golf Course, Kenilworth

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