Building Boys to Men—
starts with bringing boys into your Troop
A steady flow of new youth and parents into a Boy Scout troop is essential to maintaining the troop's health. New Scouts and their parents bring energy and enthusiasm to the troop program. A troop should try to add a patrol of new Scouts each year. Having a year-round plan in place will help attract new Scouts. The first step for any recruitment effort is to appoint an assistant Scoutmaster or troop committee member to serve as the troop membership chair. This person will help to develop and implement a year-round plan. There are three primary methods of recruiting new Scouts into troops:
1.Graduate Webelos Scouts into a Boy Scout troop
2.Host a troop open house
3.Encourage boy-to-boy recruiting
1. Graduate Webelos Scouts into a Boy Scout troop
 At the beginning of the recruitment process, the troop should align with a Cub Scout pack in the community. If more than one troop draws its new Boy Scouts from this pack, contact the leadership of the other troops and design a plan to work together with the pack. One of the most effective ways to build a solid relationship with a Cub Scout Pack is to appoint Boy Scouts to act as Den Chiefs in the pack. This is a great way to build leadership in younger Scouts and it provides an invaluable service to Packs. Check with your district leadership if you need more information about starting a Den Chief program. Your Troop can also offer use of your troop's equipment and expertise to the Cubmaster and the Webelos den leaders, and work with them to develop an effective Webelos-to-Scout transition plan. Stay close to the Webelos den and make sure they feel comfortable in the Troop setting
Lastly, ensure that the Scouts and their parents have a smooth transition from the Webelos den to the Boy Scout troop. Make the Scouts and their parents feel at ease in the new troop environment, and recruit parents of the new Boy Scouts to become assistant Scoutmasters and troop committee members. This group can help you advance the new boys on the Trail to First Class.
2. Host a troop open house
A troop open house can be an effective tool to recruit new Scouts into a troop, especially in the fall when outdoor activities are on the horizon. Select a date, set up a school rally, and make a presentation to the fifth- and sixth-grade boys to spark their interest, then follow up with an invitation to visit the troop. Your District Executive can provide you with interest survey sheets to help gather contact information for each interested boy. Fifth and Sixth graders are very interested in the fun Scouting has to offer. It is our job to make sure they get an invitation.
3. Encourage boy-to-boy recruiting
 The most effective recruiter in Scouting is a Scout who is enthusiastic about his troop. To make recruiting a year-round plan, consider having a fall recruitment campaign within the troop. Offer incentives for each Scout who recruits one of his friends to join the troop, as well as an overall prize for the top recruiter. End the campaign after a few months so there is a definite starting and ending point to the emphasis. A new national recruiter incentive is also available. Any Scout who recruits one friend to join his troop can receive a new official recruiter patch. Patches are available through your district executive.
There are many families and boys that want and need Scouting. Please help in making sure they get an invitation to join your Troop. If you need help or more information please visit with your District Leadership, Unit Commissioner or District Executive.
 Gap Narrows
Thank you to so many Friends of Scouting who have helped our council get through a difficult time (maybe in our most difficult year). High unemployment levels, lower camp attendance, stock market plunge, you name it, haven’t prevented Oregon Trail Council from advancing Scouting’s mission. We’ve cut our budget drastically and thinned our staff to respond to our local economy. Fortunately, our council acted early in the year so that our cuts would not be so deep and hurt so much. In spite of our economy, in 2009 we launched internet re-chartering and advancement, added 1,000 new families to Scouting so far this fall, conducted our largest council event in recent council history (1,300 people at Jambo/Rendezvous), and raised nearly $500,000 in Friends of Scouting!
The council does, however, have a small gap of $39,000 we need to raise in new Friends of Scouting before December 31st and you can help with a new gift or an additional gift by clicking here. $39,000 sounds like a lot of money, but with so many Scout supporters and family members, we can achieve that and more if everyone made a gift. Please help keep Oregon Trail Council strong by helping us get through this year with a balanced budget.
SCOUTING FUN
William Boggs of Pack 339 chartered to Springfield Elks, shows off his boat for the October Pack Meeting’s Raingutter Regatta.
Internet Rechartering is Here!
Internet Rechartering is up and running. The new system will help units through the rechartering process. For more information, visit the 2010 On-Line Rechartering page.
Congratulations to our Popcorn “Fill It Up” Winners
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Scout Winners
Ben Knapp – Eugene
Khristoffer Lotis – Florence
Daniel Phillips – Elmira
Dawson Rutledge – Eugene
Isaac Griffes – Florence
Christopher Kramer – Roseburg
Unit Kernel Winners
Pete Knapp – Eugene
Katrina Dilger – Eugene
Kim Davis – North Bend
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Registration Fees Increase January 1, 2010
Beginning January 1, 2010, the youth and adult registration fee will be $15.00 per year; that’s just $1.25 per month; still a bargain to join America’s greatest youth movement.
National membership fees support our national organization, including national marketing, high adventure bases, general liability fees and direct council support to name a fee.
The National Council is committed to providing added benefit to local councils and volunteers including new user-friendly Web-based resources such as MyScouting, online training, internet rechartering and advancement, as well as tour permit, social networking and future new member registration via the internet. This is the first fee increase in six years.
2010 National Scout Jamboree
The 2010 National Scout Jamboree, celebrating 100 years of Scouting,  will be an exciting event reflecting the skills of Scouting – physical fitness, environmental conservation, our national heritage, and the true spirit of Scouting. Scouts will have the opportunity to try rappelling, discovering scuba, experience trap shooting & archery, bike-a-thons, confidence courses, and much more. The arena shows are a highlight for all participants. The jamboree is Scouting at its very best! All Boy Scouts meeting the age requirements are invited to attend this once-in-a-lifetime event.
To read more about the Jamboree, click here.
 In The Risk Zone
Every good outing starts with good planning and good planning includes filing your Tour Permit prior to departure. Tour Permits have been used by the Boy Scouts of America for decades and remains one of our most effective ways to reduce risks associate with outdoor programs. Tour Permits reinforce BSA’s commitment to improving the safety of our youth and adult members. Proper trip planning includes: approved form of transportation, age appropriate activities, vehicle insurance limits, trained adult supervision, well communicated departure and arrival times, etc.
Help reduce the risk to Scouts by thoroughly planning you outings and including a Tour Permit in your planning. Click here for a Tour Permit. A recent review of Scout accidents showed a drastic drop in accidents by units with trained leaders versus units without trained leaders.
Camping and Scouting go hand in hand
Help us sustain Oregon Trail Council by bringing your troop to Camp Baker or Camp Melakwa.
Oregon Trail Council is very fortunate to offer Scouts great opportunities for camping. We’re blessed to have summer camps Baker and Melakwa, as well as weekend camps Marion Mooney Scout Ranch, Murnane, Kitson Hot Springs, Weyerhaeuser Woods and Camp Soholm.
 Camp Baker offers great summer camp programs for Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. Our dedicated staff continues to receive positive reviews from leaders and boys on food service, flexible program, facilities and camp staff. Recent camp improvements include new campsites, new swim docks, picnic tables, rifle range, dining hall floor, well and water filtration system and more.
We need your help! When you and your unit go to our summer camps you are helping to provide these wonderful, year round, camping opportunities for our Scouts.
Now is the time to make your 2010 summer camp reservation and celebrate the 100th anniversary of Scouting at home at either Camp Baker or Camp Melakwa, and by doing so, you’ll be helping Oregon Trail Council stay strong.
2010 Boy Scout summer camp sign-up form, click here.
University of Scouting
What a Day! Great Training, Food, Friends, and lots of FUN. University of Scouting was three big events; Cub Leader POW WOW, Troop Leader POTLATCH, and Basic Leader Trainings. Nancy Bauer and her staff did a fantastic job again this year bringing a year’s worth of Cub Scout Program ideas to our Cub Leaders. Our Council Training Chair, Cindy Hull and staff, brought the new Troop Leader Potlatch to our Troop and Crew leaders, which included presentations from Eugene Skin Divers (Did you know you can introduce Scouts to Scuba for $15.00 a head?), Back County Horses, Pioneering, Dutch Oven Cooking, and lots more. Dorothy Carlson put together a fantastic group of Trainers to offer Basic Training to over 30 new Scout Leaders. Thank you to all our coordinators and staff who made this year’s University of Scouting is THE Training Event of the Year!
Winter Sports Safety--Helmets
While it is the end of October and school is just beginning, we would like to advise you of an  upcoming change to the Winter Sports Safety section of the Guide to Safe Scouting,
Currently, Section 3 states that "Suitable clothing for the activity and environment should be worn at all times, and equipment should include gloves and helmets when appropriate."
Based upon the review of General Liability claims history, along with a recommendation by the Risk Management Advisory Panel (two Scout executives from each region), and input from the Health and Safety Support Committee, the following change will be made to the Guide to Safe Scouting and published as an Alert on Scouting Safely.
"Appropriate personal protective equipment is required for all activities. This includes the recommended use of helmets for all participants engaged in winter sports such as sledding and other sliding devices. The use of helmets is required for the following activities: downhill skiing, snowboarding, and operation of snowmobiles (full-face helmets)."
Remember, when units engage in winter sports, they should only use designated areas where rocks, tree stumps, and other potential obstacles have been identified and marked, cleared away, shielded, or buffered in some way.
New Eagle Scouts – November 2009
Benton
 Isaac Ian Logerwell
Greenwood
Timothy Michael Camma
Nicolas Lance Freeman
Aaron Gregory Jenson
Zachary Clay Neel
Kristan Erik Purdy
Tributes
In Memory of: Alice LaTomme
Fred W. Danz
Glen Allen, Virginia
100th Anniversary Patches
A Year of Celebration – A Century of Making a Difference
Earn Special 100th Anniversary Patches
A Year of Celebration – A Century of Making a Difference is an awards program developed specially for the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. There are five patches, each based on one of the five core values of the Boy Scouts of America: one for Leadership, Achievement, Community Service, Character and the Outdoors. Each patch is 3” square and fits in a standard plastic temporary patch holder. They are different colors based on the official 100th Anniversary emblem.
 Each patch has different requirements depending upon age. Cub Scouts have a set of requirements, as do Boy Scouts, Venturers, adult volunteers, and alumni. Yes, even adults can earn patches for a change. There are five requirements for each age group for each patch. All you have to do is accomplish at least three of the five requirements to earn the patch. You may want to do all five requirements, but three is all that you’ll need to qualify for the patch.
Patches may be earned as of September 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010.
This program will provide every Scout, leader, and alumnus a fun and meaningful way to participate in the 100th Anniversary. Each individual participating will benefit, as will every unit and community in the country. Go to scouting.org/100years/ for more information on this and many more 100th Anniversary programs.
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