Greetings Trailblazer District and happy 55º! It’s hard to believe its February with these spring-like temperatures, but here we are! This very special month in the world of Scouting saw BSA turn 103 years young on Friday and it continues with Packs and Troops throughout our district celebrating at Blue & Gold Banquets and Courts of Honor. Below you will find this month’s edition of the Trailblazer News Flash; this issue highlights some key reminders for upcoming activities and other Scouting events. First, the First-ever Cub Scout Lock-in will host excited Cubs & their families at Northern Kentucky University on March 2^nd. Also, please be aware of a VFW Scout scholarship opportunity with a quickly approaching deadline; check below for details. As always, don’t forget to LIKE US on the Trailblazer District Facebook page, as it is one of the key ways to send and receive district communications and share best practices. Stay mission-minded and let’s impact the lives of kids this month! Please enjoy!

Information included in this Scouting News Flash:

ü  District Vision

ü  Key District Leadership

ü  Roundtable Reminder

ü  Upcoming District & Council Events

ü  2013 Cub Scout Lock-in

ü  VFW Scout Scholarship Opportunity  

ü  Family Friends of Scouting 2013

ü  Boy Scout Spring Camporee

ü  Internet Advancement

ü  2013 National Scout Jamboree

ü  Service Award Opportunity

ü  Boy Scouts of America Discover^® Prepaid Card

District Vision

To Blaze the Trail for all Dan Beard Council districts, achieving at the highest level in its effort to create real impact for all eligible youth and families throughout Northern Kentucky.   

Key District Volunteer Leadership

District Chair: Steve Harper

District Commissioner: Jim Clinkenbeard

District Vice Chair-Program: Jeff Hoppe

District Communications: April Cremeans  

Roundtable Reminder

The next regular monthly Scout Leader Roundtable will be held Thursday, February 14^th, beginning at 7:00 pm. This Roundtable is for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing Leaders. Please send at least one representative to gather and share information.

Roundtables are held at Lakeside Christian Church (195 Buttermilk Pike, Lakeside Park, KY  41017)

Upcoming District & Council Events

February 8^th – Deadline for District Award Nominations

February 14^th – District Roundtable & Commissioner’s Meeting

March 2^nd – Cub Scout Lock-in @ Northern Kentucky University (See below for Details)

March 14^th – Trailblazer Award Luncheon, honoring Brent Cooper

March 28^th – District Annual Awards Dinner (online registration available 2-15-13)

April 6^th – District Pinewood Derby (Location being finalized)

April 26-28 – Boy Scout Spring Camporee

May 17^th-19^th – Save-the-Date  Webelos Outdoor Weekend

2013 Cub Scout Lock-in

The Cub Lock-In is a family experience designed to give both new and existing Cub Scouts an exciting adventure during the winter months! Through a partnership with Northern Kentucky University Athletics, Scouts and their families will have the chance to participate in Scout skills, games, crafts, and even a Norse Men’s Basketball game, all while spending quality time with their family. In addition to all of the programming, parents and leaders will have an opportunity to learn more about scouting from veteran Cub Scouters! The event will be conducted from 3pm until 10pm on March 2^nd at NKU’s Regents Hall and only costs $10 per Scout and $6 per adult or sibling!  CLICK HERE and register today!

Scholarship Opportunity

Log on to www.vfw.org

·         Highlight COMMUNITY

·         Select PROGRAMS from drop down menu

·         Select program:

                   Scout of the Year

·         At bottom of the page, select Learn More

·         Go to How to Enter

·         Print forms

Deadlines:

Scout of the Year - March 1, 2013

CONTACT INFORMATION:

DAVID REUSCH

Commander: Dist 9, VFW Department of Kentucky

(513)207-7050

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Family Friends of Scouting 2013

The Family Friends of Scouting (FOS) is the annual appeal to the families of Scouts to enlist their support toward the betterment of local Scouting. To date, over $27,000 have been raised through the support of your units; Thank You!!

An investment in Scouting plays a vital role in helping to build character and create a foundation of leadership for the youth of our community. Friends of Scouting dollars work to provide a year-around program of activities, leadership training, and community service that instils positive ethical and moral values in our youth. The Trailblazer District serves over 4,100 young people and their families. Through the Scouting program they learn teamwork, participate in new and adventurous opportunities, and build positive character traits.

If you’ve already had your presentation, please follow-up with those who weren’t able to attend and give them the opportunity to invest in Scouting! If you work for an employer who is willing to match your investment, please be sure to find out the process that is utilized. In some cases, your gift to Scouting can be doubled!

If you haven’t yet had your presentation, or even scheduled one, PLEASE FORWARD IMMEDIATELY the details for your event to Family FOS Chair, Adam Clinkenbeard ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) and Campaign Advisor, Jessie Bowen ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ). This will help to ensure that all necessary resources are prepared for your unit’s presentation.

Boy Scout Spring Camporee

Ever wondered how a railroad REALLY operates? This is your chance to take a hands-on class, leading to actual excursion passenger train operation on a short line heritage railway! Mark your calendars now to join in at the Whitewater Valley R. R, for a full weekend of activities, including the opportunity to earn the Railroading Merit Badge! This Camporee is limited to Boy Scouts, Venture Scouts and Scout leaders, and only to the first 300 registered. Be sure to visit http://www.trailblazer-district.org/2013spring to reserve your Troop’s spot for this popular camporee!

Scout Internet Advancement

Advancement and recognition is a fundamental tradition of the Scouting program. As one of the methods that delivers the Aims of Scouting, advancement teaches Scouts self-confidence, responsibility, goal-setting, and achievement. The Dan Beard Council offers many opportunities for Scouts to advance on the unit, district, and council levels. The Council Advancement Committee administers and promotes the advancement programs and ensures a quality experience for all Scouts.

Units can now submit advancement for unit youth members online. Use Internet Advancement to add ranks, merit badges and awards, and update information on existing advancement. Click Here for Internet Advancement

Using Internet Advancement also helps to ensure that all Scouts are properly registered with your unit throughout the year.

National Scout Jamboree

The 2013 National Jamboree will take place at the all new Bechtel Scout Reservation on July 13th - July 24th,2013. You won't want to miss this The Dan Beard Council will send a contingent of 7 Troops of 36 Scouts and 4 adult leaders and 4 Venture Crews of 8 Venturers and 2 adult leaders.

The cost of the Jamboree experience is $1195.00 for the total trip. The total fee is payable in six instalments. We will depart Cincinnati early on the morning of July 13, 2013 and will return in the evening on July 24, 2013.

Your youth will be assigned to either one of the 7 Troops or 4 Venture Crews of the Dan Beard Council depending if they registered as Scouts or a crew member. Once our contingent reaches the Jamboree, the contingent Troops and Crews will be split up to go and camp with other Troops and Crews from around the country. A true meaning of the Scouting brotherhood. Should you have any questions, please refer to the following contacts:

Joe Bergeron                                                                        Dave Bruno

Dan Beard Council                                                                 Dan Beard Council

2013 National Jamboree Contingent Leader                             2013 National Jamboree Executive Committee Chair

(513) 524-3154 home                                                              (513) 779-6508 home

(513) 460-0687 cell                                                                 (513) 703-2299 cell

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.                                                           This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   

Service Award Opportunity

On March 3rd, 2013, the Florence Elks is having a Community Service awards banquet. They would like your help in nominating a scout in the Northern Kentucky area who you feel is deserving of this award. That Scout will be invited to attend this banquet in order to receive the award.

They ask that you could prepare a short letter or statement as to why you feel they should be recognized. You would also be invited to read that statement to those in attendance before they receive their award. If you are unable to attend, they would read it on your behalf.

If you have any questions, please contact Tony Mason at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Boy Scouts of America Discover^® Prepaid Card

We’re proud to announce that the Boy Scouts of America Discover^® credit card is now available!

With the Boy Scouts of America Discover credit card, Scouting is more rewarding than ever! Specifically designed for the adult members of Scouting families, the Boy Scouts of America Discover credit card rewards you on everyday purchases, while the Boy Scouts of America receives a percentage of those purchases to support Scouting.

Also, by visiting the Scout Rewards section at www.scoutingrewards.com, cardholders can donate their points to Scouting. The points will be shared equally between local councils and the National Council.

Additionally, for adult Scouting alumni, the BSA Discover credit card is a perfect opportunity to show their Scouting pride while paving the way for future Scouts. Along with the increased funding to local councils, this is an excellent way to affect the Scouting organization in positive and far-reaching ways.Please help us get the word out by forwarding this email to colleagues, friends, and family. You may also access “spread the word” tools at www.scouting.org/BSAcreditcard, where you’ll find template emails, social media posts, fliers, and more.

Get your BSA Discover credit card today by clicking on the Order Now button atwww.BoyScoutCreditCard.com

In Scouting,

Adam Blanchard, District Director, (513) 577-7724

Jessie Bowen, District Executive (513) 577-7734

Kara Hudepohl, District Executive (513) 577-7693

The Dan Beard Council prepares more than 35,000 young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Scouting is funded by Friends of Scouting, the Popcorn Sale and the United Way.

If you would like to be removed from the Trailblazer District email distribution list, please send an email message to  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . In the subject line type "Remove from distribution list" then include your name in the message. Your email address will be removed promptly.  News