York District, Pine Tree Council, Scouting America

06/15/2026

Good afternoon! I hope you are all doing well as the school year is winding down. I was looking at the updated report for leaders who are up to date on their Safeguarding Youth Training. Council-wide we still have 193 leaders who have not completed their updated training. I have emailed everyone who needed to complete this. Please check your spam folders and make sure you have not missed the email, or check your status in your my.scouting account. Thank you for all you do for our scouting youth!

06/14/2026

06/13/2026

Our Troops in action. Bring on the summer!!

06/02/2026

🚨EXPIRED = Youth Protection Training (YPT) on May 31, 2026🚨
🚨OVERDUE = The new Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT)🚨

Youth Protection Training (YPT) has been replaced by the new Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT). Every registered leader must have taken SYT by May 31, 2026, to continue to participate in Scouting.

Failure to have taken the course means:
⛔Suspension of your account
⛔No access to Scoutbook Plus
⛔No participation in unit activities as a leader (including meetings, outdoor activities, service projects, summer camp, etc.)

💻Once completed it can typically take 24-48hrs for the course to show on your account.

⚠️If you have not taken the NEW SYT full 90 Minute course, you MUST TAKE THAT FIRST before you can take the refresher to get full SYT credit.

🔗 NEW Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) full 90 Minute course:
https://training.scouting.org/courses/SCO_3014

🔗 Looking for the new refresher course, here’s the direct link: https://training.scouting.org/courses/SCO_3016

05/27/2026

Monday Membership Moment: Reengagement

One of the most meaningful ways to grow Scouting is also one of the simplest: reconnecting with those who already know it well.

We talk a lot about recruitment and retention, but very little about reengagement. Let's change that.

Many former Scouts stepped away because of life changes, not because their interest in leadership, service, or adventure disappeared. School, work, moves, and family responsibilities often interrupt participation, but the connection to Scouting values tends to remain.

Reengagement starts with a personal touch. A phone call, text, or message that says they are missed and invited back can go further than any formal campaign. Keep it simple and genuine. Ask how they are doing, share what is new in the unit, and extend a low-pressure invitation to visit an upcoming meeting or event.

It also helps to highlight what has changed since they were last involved. New programs, updated activities, and fresh opportunities for leadership can spark curiosity and make returning feel relevant rather than like starting over.

Most importantly, make space for them to reenter at their own pace. Some may want to volunteer right away, others may just want to reconnect and observe. Both are valuable steps.

Reengagement is not just about filling roles. It is about restoring a connection to a community that once mattered to them, and often still does.

Who can you reach back out to today?

05/24/2026

A big update on the annual renewal process!

📢 A New, Simpler Renewal Cycle for All Members

Scouting America announced an important change at last week’s National Annual Meeting that will simplify the membership and unit renewal process nationwide.

📅 By February 2028, all members and all units will have a single, common renewal month of February.

This change is in response to feedback from unit leaders and other Scouters who asked for a simpler, more consistent renewal experience. We appreciate and value their input.

🔑 Key updates include:

🔹 Beginning September 2026, all units due for renewal will renew to February 2028.

🔹 All memberships and unit charters will have a common renewal month of February by February 2028

➡️ To simplify the process and in response to unit leaders' requests, Scouting America is returning to unit control of member renewals. If the unit does not renew a member, that member may renew themselves after the unit-only period closes.

⚠️ The current 60-day grace period will end December 31, 2026

🔹 Members renewing in November 2026 will still receive a 30-day grace period through December

🔹 Members renewing in December 2026 must renew by December 31 to avoid being dropped

🛠️ To support the transition during 2026 and 2027:

🔹 Beginning in September 2026, new and renewing units will use the standard charter fee plus pro rata fees through February 2028

🔹 No changes for new and renewing members through 2026

📌 Unit leaders should watch for updates from their local council, as additional guidance and implementation details may vary by council during the transition period.

This is a significant operational change designed to reduce complexity and create a more streamlined experience for volunteers, families, and councils alike.