December Training Newsletter
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2020 Scouting For Food Collection Reporting
Did your unit participate in Scouting For Food? We have heard a number of units collecting an amazing amount of food for their community food pantries. Northborough Scouts collected over 10,000 items while Westborough Scouts brought in 6,800 pounds of food. How much did you collect? Please fill out our brief form below with the amount of food collected and don’t forget to enter your service hours too.
Farewell Good Friend
It is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement of Rick Poirier, Director of Support Services. Rick has been an integral part of the Mayflower Council and the Boy Scouts of America for 38 years. He is an Eagle Scout, NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout, Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow and past recipient of the Founder’s Award among many other achievements and accolades.
Rick started his career with the BSA in 1982 as a District Executive in the Narragansett Council in Rhode Island. In 1986 he joined the legacy Old Colony Council as where he served in many positions including: Senior District Executive, Field Director, Camp Squanto Camp Director, Assistant Scout Executive and staff advisor to various council, regional and section committees over the past 35 years. In 2017 he was named the Director of Support Services for the Mayflower Council overseeing the council’s camping operations and summer camp programs.
Rick has been a staple of the Scouting program for nearly four decades and his knowledge, skill, and passion for Scouting will be greatly missed! On behalf of the council executive board, staff, volunteers and Scouts of the Mayflower Council we wish Rick the best.
Please join us in wishing Rick well as he retires from professional service on December 1 by submitting a congratulatory letter to be put into a memory book for him as he opens a new chapter in his life. Letters may be emailed to farewell@mayflowerbsa.org or mailed to Mayflower Council, BSA 83 Cedar Street, Milford, MA 01757. Kindly submit by November 25.
Youth Protection Training Guide
Tips For Taking Youth Protection Training Online!
Learning Plan
Total time: 72 minutes
Description
The safety and well-being of our youth is of paramount importance to our organization, and integral to everything we do. We must continue our commitment to providing a safe and secure environment at all times for all our youth members. After completing all three modules and passing the exam, it may take up to 24 hours to see your certificate in My.Scouting.
Overview And Policies V2 – total time: 24m
This module will help you to recognize, respond and report the different kinds of abuse experienced by youth. Importantly, you will also know the barriers to abuse and how to utilize them to help create a safe space for youth. After completing all three modules and passing the exam, it may take up to 24 hours to see your certificate in My.Scouting.org
Sexual Abuse V2 – total time: 25m
Child sexual abuse is considered a public health concern by experts and health organizations. This module covers the different types of sexual abuse. After completing all three modules and passing the exam, it may take up to 24 hours to see your certificate in My.Scouting.org
Bullying V2 – total time: 13m
Bullying is any unwanted, aggressive behavior by an adult, a youth, or a group that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated or is likely to be repeated multiple times. This module covers various forms of bullying. After completing all three modules and passing the exam, it may take up to 24 hours to see your certificate in My.Scouting.org
YPT Certification Test V2 – total time: 10m
This exam must be passed with a 75% or better passing criteria along with the other mandatory modules to receive credit for the YPT course. After completing all three modules and passing the exam, it may take up to 24 hours to see your certificate in My.Scouting.org
2021 Silver Beaver Award Nominations
In Scouting, we say “it’s about the youth” and none of our adults are involved for the recognition, but every now and then we need to say thanks especially to those volunteers whose leadership and example has left a lasting positive impact on the program and the broader community. One way we do that is through nominating a Scouter for the Silver Beaver Award, the highest adult recognition a council can bestow. Take a few moments to reflect on volunteers within your unit or district and consider nominating them for the Silver Beaver Award.
A detailed nomination form is available by clicking here and all nominations must be received by Friday, December 4, 2020.
Completed nominations should be emailed to: awards@mayflowerbsa.org. The awards will be presented at the Council’s Recognition Dinner to be held sometime in the Spring of 2021.
Frequently asked questions about the Silver Beaver Award:
Overview
To recognize registered Scouters of exceptional character who have provided distinguished service within a council. The award is presented by the National Court of Honor on behalf of councils.
Who Can Earn This Award?
Anyone may nominate any deserving registered Scouter to the council, which selects recipients for the following year. Each council may process their own annual allotment of Silver Beaver awards and shall send a list of Silver Beaver awards presented each calendar year to the National Court of Honor no later than January 31 of the following year.
Mayflower Council Moves to New Headquarters
Mayflower Council, Inc, Boy Scouts of America, announced that they have acquired an office building in Milford, MA to serve as their new Service Center headquarters. The building, located at 83 Cedar Street, Milford, will provide 8,100 sq. ft. of office and meeting space for the Council’s 17 professional and support staff.
September Training Newsletter
Swim Tests
Do you need your BSA Swim test? Join us at Camp Resolute or Camp Squanto. We have three dates available. Space is limited.
September 5th – 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
September 8th – 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
September 9th – 5:30 – 7:00 pm
- Each registrant will be given a time slot in 15 min increments and must adhere to COVID restrictions.
- Please arrive on time and in your bathing suit, there are no changing areas.
- Be prepared to do you your swim test and immediately exit the water, there is no free swim time.
- Please wear a mask at all times when not in the water and maintain social distancing.
- Upon arrival there will be a pre-screening of COVID related questions.
The various components of each test evaluate the several skills essential to the minimum level of swimming ability. Each step of the test is important and must be followed as listed below:
SWIMMER’S TEST:
Jump feet first into water over the individual’s head in depth, level off, and begin swimming. Swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy resting backstroke (elementary backstroke). The 100 yards must be swum continuously and include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating.
BEGINNER’S TEST:
Jump feet first into water over the individual’s head in depth, level off, swim 25 feet on the surface, stop, turn sharply, resume swimming as before, and return to the starting place.
NON-SWIMMER TEST:
This is reserved for anyone that attempts one of the swim tests above and does not complete it to a satisfactory degree, subject to the test’s administrator (Lifeguard or Scout Leader). Anyone who does not attend swim tests is automatically assigned a “Non-Swimmer” classification. Please do not sign up for these swim tests if you are planning to attempt a non-swimmer test, you will be sent home.
Guide to Safe Scouting; what do Swimmers vs Beginners vs Non-Swimmers do?
The Scout Shop Uniform Sale Is Back
This uniform sale helps you save on essential elements of the Scouting experience as a new Scouting year begins.
New Video Resources Can Help Den Leaders
With the pandemic limiting some in-person activities, these videos offer an easy-to-deliver virtual alternative for leaders.Your Content Goes Here