Unit Leader Training for Scouts with Disabilities

 

This month we are featuring training that will help unit leaders with scouts who have a disability. Scouting has always tried to be as inclusive as possible and by making some adaptations you can make your program accessable and welcoming to all.

The Crossroads of the West Council has created a webpage with numerous links to available trainings and resources for unit leaders use when they have scouts with disabilities or special needs within their unit. To get to the page, logon to UtahScouts.org, click Resources in the top menu. Click on Disability Awareness Resources in the drop down menu. This page has links to many resources for various kinds of disabilities. There are sections specifically dedicated to Autism and ADD\ADHD as well as information for supporting youth with physical disabilities.

These trainings will enhance your scout knowledge for your position. Often the trainings are in modules so you can do a session, stop and then come back to continue. Using this information can help you make you program available to youth with various challenges and the lives of your other scouts will be enriched because of it.

2022 Old Ephraim Klondike Derby

It's that time of year again for the always popular Klondike Derby. This annual test of scout skills and outdoor toughness will take place on Feb 25-26, 2022. We will be in the same location as last year at Sunrise Campground next to the Bear Lake Overlook. There is a $7/person fee and units are strongly encouraged to register early online so we can ensure we have enough supplies

The activities will be centered around Pioneering and Orienteering skills so practice up on your knots and compass reading. There actually are some Klondike Sled designs online where the sled is lashed together. That could be some good practice for the Pioneering activities. There will also be a 1 mile compass course, so be prepared to participate in that.

It is especially important to be prepared for cold weather campouts and you will want to be sure to have everything you need for the Klondike activities. Here are some things to keep in mind.

• Please come prepared for snow and cold. 
• Each scout needs boots, gloves and coat and a stocking hat. 
• They need shelter and a warm sleeping bag (or two)
• Please leave tennis shoes at home. Snowshoes really help! 
• Remember to clean up after yourself and leave your campsite nice and clean
•  Ashes need to be carted off or widely scattered
• No pallets allowed
• Trash, wrappers, etc must all be taken home
• Leave No Trace practices are mandatory
• Please use the restrooms at the rest stop
• We need to use parking space very efficiently
• There is not a lot of parking room so please don’t bring a large trailer if you can avoid it
• Bring meals, drinking water, firewood, equipment and Klondike sled
• There will be a Friday night cracker barrel at 8pm in the parking lot
• Saturday activities start at 9am with a flag ceremony
• Klondike race will be at 1 pm
• Activities will be basic Scout skills with an emphasis on map, compass and rope work
• A 1 mile compass course will be available
• Stations will be round robin style with no set time per station
• Each scout needs a compass and 12-15 feet of rope

The restrooms will need to be sanitized, swept and mopped at the end. If your troop would like this service project, please contact Paul at ph.cv.ut@gmail.com. 
 

UPDATE: 2022 Scouting for Food Drive

 

Update: The bags have arrived and will be available at the Logan Scout office most mornings of the this week (Feb 7-11) You can also call Jason Eborn (208-847-5487) or Randy Hadfield (435-512-0960) to make arrangements to have them delivered to you, especially for outlying units.

It's time for the annual Scouting for Food drive. This year's drive will be on Saturday, February 12, 2022. Units may participate in several ways.

 Bags will soon be available for pickup at the Scout Service Center and scouts of all ages can distribute them during the week to neighbors, friends and family. Saturday they can collect the donations and deliver them to the nearest Smith's Food and Drug store, Bank of Utah location or directly to the nearest food pantry. We will send out another email when the bags are ready and available. For units that are outlying from the Scout office, let us know and we can make arrangements to get bags to you. 

Units may also be asked to staff collection points at Smiths stores and Bank of Utah branches to help collect food that is delivered. Those staffing collection points at stores will also have flyers they can hand out to shoppers and encourage them to buy food to donate. Collection point locations can be found on the Council website.

All units should help promote the drive any way they can. Be creative and get the word out on social media or maybe post a sign in your yard. If your unit has another idea of how to collect food or to promote Scouting for Food we would love to hear about it. You can put your idea in the comments below or shoot an email to district.oldephraim+sff@gmail.com and tell us about it.

If you have questions, contact Randy Hadfield by email randy.hadfield70@gmail.com or text to 435-512-0960.