Erie Canal District Leatherstocking Council

06/12/2026

🚨 Training Update 🚨

The final fixes are now live in Training Manager for Safeguarding Youth Training. Here’s what you need to know:

If you previously completed the old Youth Protection Training, you’ll be linked to the new 90-minute Safeguarding Youth Training to renew your status.

If you already completed the newer Safeguarding Youth Training, you’ll be linked to the 20-minute refresher course.

There’s a 30-day grace period to complete the refresher after your current training expires. After that, the full 90-minute course will be required for annual renewal.

✅ Make sure to check your training status soon so you stay up to date!

06/11/2026

Eager to hear more about this initiative.

Scouts BSA Announces SPL Summit (Launching September 2026)

Scouts BSA is launching the SPL Summit, the next evolution of its National Youth Council, designed to strengthen youth voice in shaping the program.

The SPL Summit will bring together Senior Patrol Leaders from across the country for quarterly virtual sessions with national program leadership to review ideas, provide direct feedback, and help guide future initiatives.

Key highlights include:

** Quarterly national online gatherings for SPLs
** Direct input into program ideas and improvements
** Early access to upcoming resources and initiatives
** Opportunities to help shape the future of Scouts BSA

The initiative reinforces Scouts BSA’s commitment to youth-led leadership by ensuring the voices of troop leaders remain central to program development.

More details will be shared this summer.

Learn more:

https://www.scouting.org/program-updates/scouts-bsa-announces-the-spl-summit/

06/11/2026

Are you having fun? Are your volunteers?

Want to improve volunteer retention? Start with one simple question:

Are people having fun?

In a recent interview, longtime Scouting volunteer Larry Green shared a powerful insight - people stay involved when they enjoy the experience. That applies not only to youth members, but also to parents and volunteers.

Too often, organizations focus retention efforts on recruitment goals, policies, and processes while overlooking the importance of creating engaging and rewarding experiences. People are more likely to return when they feel involved, challenged, connected, and appreciated.

One point that stood out to me was Green's definition of fun. It is not simply entertainment. It is active participation. People want to contribute, solve problems, learn new skills, work as a team, and see the impact of their efforts.

The best experiences:

✅ Give people a meaningful role
✅ Build skills and confidence
✅ Foster teamwork and relationships
✅ Create memorable moments
✅ Leave people feeling that their time mattered

Whether you're leading a nonprofit, community organization, association, or volunteer program, retention often comes down to the quality of the experience you create.

People may join because they believe in the mission.

They stay because they enjoy being part of it.

Read more in today's OnScouting:

https://onscouting.org/2026/06/11/the-secret-to-retention-fun-according-to-this-new-book/

06/11/2026

📣 Important Membership Renewal Update

Scouting America has announced that the current membership lapse period will be phased out and will end on **December 31, 2026**.

🔹 What Is Changing?

The lapse period has allowed members a short grace period after their renewal date before their membership becomes inactive. As Scouting America moves toward a simpler and more consistent renewal system, this lapse period will gradually be reduced and then eliminated.

📅 Key Dates

✅ Members with an **October 2026** renewal date will be the last to receive the full **two-month lapse period**.

✅ Members with a **November 2026** renewal date will receive a **one-month lapse period**.

✅ Members with a **December 2026** renewal date will receive **no lapse period**.

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

📅 Beginning January 1, 2027, members must be current in their registration to maintain active status.

Unit leaders, committee members, and families should begin planning ahead to ensure memberships are renewed on time and there is no interruption in participation, advancement, or registration status.

More information will be shared as Scouting America continues implementing its simplified membership and renewal processes.

06/10/2026

Scouting America today announced a new five-year partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) aimed at advancing the development of America’s next generation STEM workforce through immersive, hands-on educational experiences. This collaboration will connect young people across the country with real-world learning opportunities centered on space exploration, aeronautics, and STEM: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Through this partnership, NASA will support Scouting America’s national and local programming efforts, helping to create engaging, mission-aligned educational experiences that introduce youth to cutting-edge STEM concepts and future career pathways. Programs will emphasize experiential learning, allowing Scouts to explore topics such as engineering design, robotics, space science, and Earth systems through interactive activities inspired by NASA’s missions.

“Scouting America has always been committed to preparing young people for life by fostering curiosity, leadership, and problem-solving,” said Roger Krone, president and CEO of Scouting America. “Partnering with NASA elevates this mission by providing unparalleled access to the wonders of space exploration and the science behind it. Together, we are inspiring the innovators and explorers of tomorrow.”

As part of the collaboration, Scouting America will integrate NASA-themed content and expertise into its programs, including merit badge curricula, learning modules, and special events. Local councils will have opportunities to engage with NASA centers, scientists, and engineers, bringing authentic STEM experiences directly to communities nationwide.

This isn’t the first time Scouting America and NASA have worked together. The agencies also collaborated to support the Artemis II program by using its missions as a powerful platform for youth education and inspiration. By connecting young people to NASA’s goal of returning humans to the Moon and eventually traveling to Mars, Scouting America is helping inspire a new generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers while reinforcing its broader mission of character development and leadership.

The partnership will roll out in phases over the coming year, with pilot programs launching in select regions and expanding nationwide. Together, Scouting America and NASA aim to ignite curiosity, strengthen STEM competencies, and open doors to future opportunities for millions of young people across the United States.

Read the full press release 👇

https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/scouting-america-announces-strategic-partnership-100000149.html

06/09/2026

📣 Mark Your Calendars!

🍂 2026 National Fall Scouts BSA Membership Recruitment Kick-Off

📅 Wednesday, July 22, 2026
🕗 8:00 PM ET | 7:00 PM CT | 6:00 PM MT | 5:00 PM PT

🚀 Join Scouts BSA unit leaders, volunteers, and council staff from across the country for an exciting, high-energy webinar focused on growing Scouting this fall!

💡 Learn proven recruitment strategies
🤝 Collaborate with fellow Scouting leaders
🎯 Gain practical tools and fresh ideas
🌟 Leave inspired and ready to strengthen Scouting in your community

📧 An official email invitation and registration information will be sent to volunteers and staff in the coming days.

🔗 Register here:
https://scouting-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ser5MsuBQxiRx62pTai9Bg

06/09/2026

The Adventure Plan, or TAP, is your go-to website for planning safe, fun, and unforgettable Scout outings. Using six steps called Waypoints, TAP guides you through everything from weighing options and handling logistics to creating itineraries and reflecting on your adventures.

With links to Scouting resources and a full Resources section, it makes answering “how do we…” questions easier than ever. Every Scout and leader should have this tool in their toolkit. Make your next outing smoother and help your Scouts truly “Be Prepared.”

Check it out here: https://www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/tap/

06/07/2026

New research from Scouting America and The Harris Poll provides compelling evidence that the benefits of Scouting extend well beyond youth.

In a survey of more than 3,100 adults, Eagle Scouts reported significantly higher levels of enjoyment, gratitude, purpose, optimism, and overall life satisfaction compared to those who never participated in Scouting. They were also less likely to experience loneliness, sadness, and fear, even after accounting for factors such as age, education, and income.

The study also found that Eagle Scouts are more likely to engage in healthy habits, including spending time outdoors, maintaining routines, setting health goals, and following a balanced lifestyle.

Scouting is not just about earning badges or achieving ranks. It's about developing leadership, resilience, character, and a sense of purpose that can positively influence individuals throughout their lives.

Read more from the story 👇

https://onscouting.org/2026/06/04/study-shows-eagle-scouts-have-a-head-start-to-a-happy-life/

06/05/2026

What is your units approach to cell phone use at events/activities/meetings?

Today, a thoughtful perspective was shared by Glen Pounder, Scouting America’s Executive Vice President and Chief Safeguarding Officer, on a topic many units are navigating today - cellphone use at Scout events.

As technology becomes more integrated into daily life, cellphones are increasingly present at campouts, meetings, and other Scouting activities. Glen and members of the 2025–26 National Youth Council recently explored how troops can approach this in a balanced and practical way.

Phones clearly bring value. They support safety in the outdoors, assist with navigation, provide access to learning resources, enable appropriate communication with families, and help Scouts document their experiences.

At the same time, they can also create challenges. Distraction from activities, reduced engagement with peers and nature, overreliance on devices, and risks tied to social media are all concerns that units are working to manage.

There is no single right answer. Many troops are finding success with a middle-ground approach that sets clear expectations while allowing flexibility based on the situation. Factors often include the type of event, the age and maturity of Scouts, and individual needs such as medical, school, or family communication requirements. Some units also establish limited phone windows, such as before bed, while keeping devices away during activities.

A key takeaway from this discussion is the importance of youth voice. When Scouts are included in setting expectations, policies tend to be better understood and more consistently followed.

The goal is not to eliminate technology, but to ensure it enhances rather than distracts from the Scouting experience. And that technology is used safely.

Read more on Glen's take on the responsible use of cellphones 👇

https://onscouting.org/2026/06/05/scouts-speak-up-about-cellphone-use-at-events/

06/05/2026

A Cub Scout leader wants to know how to make sure families stay informed and respond to important pack updates.

Families receive information from many sources, including email, text messages, apps, social media, schools, and sports organizations. With so many competing channels, it can be difficult for important pack communications to stand out, be seen, and prompt action.

Successful packs address this by simplifying communication and being very consistent. Many use a single primary platform for all announcements, such as an email newsletter combined with one messaging app for reminders. Others adopt a “one message, one action” approach so each communication clearly states what needs to be done, by when, and who is responsible.

Practical strategies also include sending a weekly or biweekly pack digest instead of frequent scattered messages, using calendar invites that automatically sync to family phones, and repeating key information in multiple formats without changing the core message. Many packs also improve engagement by making brief announcements at the start of every den meeting, pack meeting, and event so families hear the same message in person that they see online. This repetition helps reinforce key dates, deadlines, and expectations.

In addition, assigning den leaders or parent coordinators to follow up directly with small groups can make communication more personal and harder to miss. The most effective packs reduce noise, create predictable communication rhythms, and make it easy for families to know exactly where to look for reliable updates.

And don’t forget, the best way to choose a communication platform is to ask the parents which ones they prefer. No need for guessing!

What has your pack found that works, and doesn't work, for keeping families informed?

Every Friday, we’ll feature a question from one of our volunteers and invite fellow volunteers to share their thoughts, advice, and experiences.