Greetings & Salutations!

It has been a great summer, so far.  We had an awesome season at Camp John Mensinger.  Our CJM attendance increased for the second year in row, including record attendance - 65 Campers - at the Pendola Sierra Adventure Base.  We added a new Eagle Village with special Eagle required merit badges for our older scouts, Kayaking Merit badge, and two S.T.E.M. related merit badges – Automotive Maintenance and Welding.  The Waterfront programs at Beardsley Reservoir are into their third season and we have worked out most of the kinks.  Our Scouts now enjoy Kayaking, Canoeing, Motor Boating, and Sailing on a big lake.  Next year we plan to add Stand Up Paddle Boarding.  

 I had the chance to speak with leaders each week at Camp John Mensinger.  They provided us with great feedback, most of which was positive.  Generally, the leaders indicated that  we have a great staff, great camp leadership, awesome programs, and quality Merit badge instruction.  They also felt that the new online Merit badge registration worked very well and that the food in the camp dining hall was of good quality.  With their direction, our plans are already in motion for an even better season in 2014.  Many troops have already made their reservations for next year.  If you have not been back to Camp John Mensinger in a year or two, I encourage you to do so.  I applaud our Camp Director, Tim Long, and the entire CJM staff for offering an awesome program this summer!

I would be remiss if I did not mention our other programs.  We have had a great season of Cub Scout Day Camps in our various communities.  All of our Day Camp leadership teams are to be commended for their efforts.  Likewise, Our National Youth leader Training course trained 30 new junior leaders this past summer.  All of their troops will run better because of their experiences at NYLT.  A special thanks to David Bakken, for leading this year’s course. Finally, we sent a full troop and two crews to the National Jamboree at the Bechtel Summit in West Virginia.  I would like to personally thank all of the adults for giving significant time and treasure to provide that experience for our young men and young women who attended this year.   

I know that as I write this letter, there are hundreds of leaders across all of our units that have sacrificed countless hours to provide our young people with a great, safe summer program.  Summer is where the magic happens in Scouting.  It’s not possible to thank all of you individually, so I do so collectively.  Thank you for all that you do.  We need Scouting now more than ever before, and that just will not happen without great folks like you.

 I am looking forward to a great new program year starting in August, because we have great volunteers like all of you!

Young Marksman

A young marksman shoots his air rifle at the Manteca Day Camp.  BBs and Archery are featured at many of our Cub Day Camps.  Cub and Webelos Scouts are supervised on Day Camp ranges by range masters that take Cub Scout Shooting Sports Training under the direction of the council shooting sports director.  This NRA-based training makes sure that all Archery and BB Shooting done in Day Camp is safe and fun!

Riverbank/Modesto Cub Day Camp is still accepting registrations -- this camp actually runs four days instead of the usual three.  Contact Camp Director Jenniffer Hetzler for more details!

Sierra Valley Program Kickoff Dates

Be sure to attend the Roundtables in August.  They will feature program kickoff information for 2014.  The Valley Roundtable in Manteca will be held on August 8th.  The Sierra Roundtable will be held on August 13th in Sonora.  The meetings will feature school night recuritment training and much more.  The Council 17-month planning calendar will be distributed that night.  Show up and get your copy!

What is it??

Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 13 (and completed the 8th grade) through 20 years of age.

Come join us on Saturday, August 17th at 10 am at the Greater Yosemite Council office and find out!

• Learn what Venturing is all about!!
• See some of the new changes that are coming in 2014.
• Learn what  a VOA is and how you can help.
• Share ideas!
• Come for fun, games and hot dogs!
• Meet some current venturing youth and leaders.

We encourage crews to bring flyers to promote their crew!

Please contact Cindy Vander Ploeg at jstpchy007@comcast.net for more information.

Download a printable flyer to hand out to friends and fellow Scouts.