Council News

Health and Safety Summer Newsletter

The Health and Safety Team of the National Council just released their Summer 2013 Newsletter with lots of important information on a variety of topics. More information and a link to the entire newsletter are here.

2013 Scouting for Food Results

The results are in and the combine effort of packs, troops and crews throughout the Council made a huge difference in the lives of those in need. The 2013 Scouting for Food Drive gathered more than 33 TONS of food for local food banks and shelters! Timucua District led with the most pounds collected and every district made a contribution. More information, including a per unit breakdown, is available on our Scouting for Food page.

Game Design Merit Badge Released

The BSA’s 131st current merit badge—Game Design—has been released. It teaches Scouts how to create, test, and refine a game from one of four categories:

• Electronic (games for computers, game systems, or mobile devices)
• Outdoor/Athletic (sports or games like capture the flag)
• Tabletop (dice-based games, board games, card games)
• Pen and Paper or Role-Playing Games

Although today is the official release date, pamphlets are still being printed and shipped. More information is available on the Boys’ Life website. You also may check scoutstuff.org for availability.

National Key 3 Issues Safety Statement

The National Council’s top leadership, known as the Key 3, is comprised of the National Commissioner, Tico Perez, President Wayne Perry and Chief Scout Executive Wayne Brock. They recently issued a statement emphasizing the importance of good safety practices in Scouting programs. You can read their statement here and are strongly encouraged to keep these important issues in mind wherever your Scouting activities may take you.

Unit Health Self Assessment

The National Council requires that each year every unit in the Scouting organization complete a Unit Health Self Assessment. For your convenience, the forms can be downloaded and completed by your unit. The information will provide us with information to help us understand what your needs are as a Scouting unit.

One you have completed the form, please email it back to Maria Edley. Many thanks and Happy Scouting!

• Self Assessment Guidelines
• Pack Self Assessment
• Troop Self Assessment
• Crew Self Assessment

Council Events

Scout Day At Tampa Bay Rays June 16

Join your fellow Scouts, Scouters and parents at the next Scout Day at the Rays Event June 16 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. Be there as the Tampa Bay Rays take on the Kansas City Royals. Gates open at 11:40 a.m. and the game starts at 1:40 p.m. Special pricing includes Baseline Box Tickets for $20 and Upper Reserved Tickets for just $12 each. Tickets include free parking for cars of four or more, plus Jeremy Hellickson headphones for kids 14 and under, and a post-game concert by Imagination Movers. Tickets must be purchased by Friday, June 7 at a special webpage here. Be sure to enter the password Scout1 to gain access to the page. For groups of 15 or more receive additional discounts and preferred seating. Contact Tom Breslin, email or phone, (727) 825-3396, for more information. Additional details are in the flyer.

Scout Night at the Tampa Yankees May 24

Yankee Fans! Get ready to cheer on your Tampa Yankees at 7 p.m. May 24 at Steinbrenner Field. There are two great ticket packages: $15 gets you a reserved seat ticket to the game, food (hot dog, chips and soda) , a commemorative patch and and baseball activities on the field, or for $20, add the ability to camp out at Steinbrenner stadium, watch a movie on the video board and enjoy a Continental breakfast the following morning. Details and ordering information are in the flyer.

Scout Night at the Lakeland Flying Tigers

Make plans now to join Scouts, Scouters, parents and friends for the Fourth Annual Lakeland Flying Tigers when they take on the Tampa Yankees Saturday, June 8 at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland. Gates open at 5 p.m. with the game starting at 6 p.m. There are three tickets options and proceeds from each ticket benefits the Cub Scouts. Choose from Option 1: Game ticket and a Scout patch for $9, Option 2: Ticket, patch and sleepover for $11, plus there’s a Food Option of a Hot Dog, Chips and Soda for $5.50. For more information or to purchase tickets, please download the flyer.

2013 Silver Beaver Recipients



The Gulf Ridge Council presented the prestigious Silver Beaver Award to 12 volunteers at their Annual Recognition Banquet April 6 at Busch Gardens. The Silver Beaver Award was developed in 1931 to recognize adult volunteers who have provided noteworthy service to the youth in the Boy Scouts of America. The Silver Beaver Award is the highest award that the Gulf Ridge Council can bestow upon a volunteer Scouter. Recipients have given many hours to the Scouting program, and because of their efforts, scouting in the Gulf Ridge Council is stronger than ever.

Pictured above are the 2012 Silver Beaver honorees.

Front Row (L-R)
Charlie Pritchard, Brian Hartpence, Tina McGuire, George Mitchell, Mackie Zewalk

Back Row (L-R)
Deborah Barber, Albert Bell, Ed Dadez, Doug Wimberly, Cliff Travis, Jake Updegrove, Nina Wolfson

Jamboree on the Trail

Jamboree On The Trail (J.O.T.T.) is an annual day for members of the World Scout Movement to hike together. All Scouts, whatever their age and wherever they may be in the world, are invited to participate in whatever way they can. Cubs and younger Scouting sections could visit a local nature trail as part of a weekend camp. A Scout Troop might check out a hiking trail while working on rank requirements. A Rover Crew might make a service project out of restoring or maintaining a hiking trail. In their own way, everyone will be hiking the same direction: towards a better future through Scouting. J.O.T.T. is held on the second Saturday of May each year.

Locally, the Gulf Ridge Council would like to hold a Jamboree on the Trail event on May 11. If you are interested in serving on the steering committee for this event, please contact Ian Greig, Council International Scout Representative, by email.

Cub Scout Events

Day and Twililght Camps Scheduled

Looking for some fun for your Tiger Cubs and Cub Scouts to do this summer? Well, consider the Council’s Day Camps and Twilight Camps. Dates for most districts have been set and registration should be available soon. [More]

Summertime Pack Activities

The Gulf Ridge Council is pleased to offer monthly activities to help Cub Scout packs stay connected during the summer. On specific Saturdays, participants can earn the Shooting Sports Award, the Aquatics Award and the Climbing and Field Sports Award. The program runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with different activities each month. More information and the registration form are available here.

Boy Scout Events

International Jamborette 2013



Central Florida Council will host the Central Florida International Scouting Jamborette July 13 — 20 at Camp La-No-Che, near Paisley, Florida. At the conclusion of the Jamborette, overseas contingents are offered the opportunity to stay in the homes of American Scouts from July 20 — 24, providing a chance for Scouts and their families to share international traditions. For more information, please contact the director by email.

Venturing Events

Training Events

Aquatic Training

The Council’s Aquatics Committee is offering training on several dates at Flaming Arrow Scout Reservation. Courses include Swimming and Water Rescue, Paddle Craft Safety, Kayaking, Canoeing & Water Rescue, and BSA Lifeguard. More information and the registration form are here.