Greetings Trailblazer District! I hope everyone has had a great to your new year and are getting back in the swing of things!  As we head into the first months of 2013, it is important to be mindful of what opportunities lie ahead. Plan the work and work the plan; we will be great in everything we do for the benefit of kids!  Below you will find the first 2013 edition of the Trailblazer News Flash; this issue highlights some key reminders for upcoming activities and other Scouting events. First, the 2013 Cub Camping Rally is this Wednesday, January 30^th. Also, a quick change: the nominations deadline for the Annual District Awards are has been extended to February 8^th; please reference the article 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. 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  New District Executive

ü  2013 Cub Camping Rally

ü  Family Friends of Scouting 2013

ü  Trailblazer District Award Nominations & Dinner

ü  Internet Advancement

ü  2013 National Scout Jamboree

ü  Eagle Scout Honor Visit

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

January 30^th – Cub Camping Rally @ Scout Achievement Center

February 5^th – Eagle Scout Honor Visit to Frankfort  

February 7^th – District Executive Committee Meeting

February 8^th – Deadline for District Award Nominations

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

March 2^nd – Cub Lock-in @ Northern Kentucky University (Details coming soon!)

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

March 28^th – District Annual Awards Dinner

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

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

New District Executive

We would like to introduce Kara Hudepohl to the Trailblazer District effective January 2, 2013. She joins Adam Blanchard and Jessie Bowen as a member of your field staff and will have unit responsibility in Kenton County.  

Kara is a graduate of East Central High School and Ball State University with a Bachelors of Social Work.

While attending Ball State University she was an active member of the Student Social Work Association, National Association of Social Workers, and volunteered at many local organizations.

Prior to employment with the Dan Beard Council, Kara severed as a home based case manager for Pathways Youth Shelter and Family Services. During her time with Pathways, Kara assisted at risk families in finding successful ways to eliminate stressors that may lead to child abuse and/or neglect.

In her free time Kara enjoys water sports, and outdoor activities. Please take a moment to welcome Kara to the Trailblazer District. She can be reached by email at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  , by cell at (513) 659-5056 or at her desk at (513) 577-7693.

2013 Cub Camping Rally

What's happening this summer at your Dan Beard Council Cub Camps? Come find out at the annual Cub Camping Rally on Wednesday, January 30th at 6:30 pm at the Scout Achievement Center. This event is a MUST for all Cub Scout Packs and features dinner, activities (for the adults), drawings for prizes and free camp sessions, and all the information you need to promote camp and get registered for 2013. We have BIG news to share about Day Camp/ Twilight Camp this year and you won't want to miss out! Packs should have at least one leader in attendance but all are welcome. Make your reservations by clicking here or e-mail your Pack number and number of attendees to  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  See you at the Rally!

Please note: This event is for adult leaders, intended to pump you up about Cub Camping. Youth are welcome to attend, but the activities presented will not be geared specifically towards them.

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 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.

Trailblazer District Award Nominations & Dinner

It’s time to consider the folks who’ve given tirelessly their time, effort, and leadership to their unit(s), District and Council, but most importantly, the Scouts themselves.  As the District Recognition Dinner Chair and Master of Ceremonies, I’m calling on you to nominate your fellow Scouters and recognize them for their service.

I’ve attached award nomination forms for the following Trailblazer District awards:

·         Unit Volunteer of the Year

o    Overview: The Unit Chair, in consultation with the Unit's leaders, selects one individual who made an outstanding contribution to the Unit during the year.  The individual need not be a registered Scouter.  The Trailblazer District will recognize the selected individual at the annual District Recognition Dinner. 

o    Number of Awards Given: Equal to the number of units nominating an individual

·         Service to Youth

o    Overview: The nominee must have been a registered Scouter for at least 2 years & The nominee must have rendered noteworthy service specifically to youth in a Pack, Troop, Crew, Ship, Team OR at the district level over an extended period of time.

o    Number of Awards Given: No limit

·         Order of the Heart

o    Overview: The nominee must have been a registered Scouter for at least 2 years & The nominee must have rendered noteworthy service a Pack, Troop, Crew, Ship, Team OR at the district level over an extended period of time.

o    Number of Awards Given: Maximum of 10

·         Meritorious Service Award

o    Overview: The nominee must have been a registered Scouter for at least 3 years & The nominee must have rendered exceptional service to youth in a Pack, Troop, Crew, Ship, Team, District or in another organization (e.g. church, synagogue, school, community organization, etc…) over an extended period of time.

o    Number of Awards Given: Maximum of 7

·         District Award of Merit

o    Overview: The District Award of Merit is a council award presented by districts. The award is available to Scouters who render service of an outstanding nature at the district level. It is not appropriate to nominate a Scouter who has already received this award.

REQUIREMENTS –

·         A nominee must be a registered Scouter.

·         A nominee must have rendered noteworthy service to youth in Scouting, outside Scouting, or both. Note: The nature and value of “noteworthy service to youth” may consist of a single plan or decisions that contributed vitally to the lives of large numbers of youth or it may have been given to a small group over an extended period of time.

·         Consideration must be given to the nominee’s Scouting position and the corresponding opportunity to render outstanding service beyond the expectations of that Scouting position.

·         The nominee’s attitude toward and cooperation with the district and/or council is to be taken into consideration.

·         Nominations cannot be considered for posthumous awards.

o    Number of Awards Given: Currently - Maximum of 5 (The award is made available annually on the basis of 1 for each 25 traditional units or fraction thereof.)

Note:  Trailblazer District awards do not follow a progressive recognition system (e.g. a nominee for the District Award of Merit need not have been previously awarded any other District award).

Please submit completed award nomination forms to District Director, Adam Blanchard, via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The deadline has been extended: All nomination forms are due by 11:59pm on 2/8/13.

It is my personal goal to make the upcoming District Recognition Dinner the biggest and best we’ve ever had.  If you and/or your unit would like to present additional major achievement awards such as the Unit Leader Award of Merit or major youth awards such as the Hornaday Medal, please notify me personally no later than 2/11/13. 

The District Dinner will take place on March 28^th at 6:30pm at Receptions in Erlanger. Registration will be available online by February 8^th.

Thank you all for your service and I look forward to seeing you at the District Recognition Dinner.

YIS,

Adam

Adam J Clinkenbeard

2013 Trailblazer District Recognition Dinner Chair

502-553-0416

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

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.   

2013 Eagle Scout Honor Visit

Each year, the corps of Eagle Scouts make a trip to the Capital of the Commonwealth in Frankfort. This is a great opportunity to meet state dignitaries and represent the best that local Scouting has to offer. If you are 2012 Eagle Scout and are interested in making the trip on February 5^th, please contact George Lude at   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or 859.445.8777.

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.