Buckskin Council

melanie.young@scouting.org

Seneca District Klondike Derby 2025

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Register Now

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Seneca District’s Klondike Derby is February 21st-23rd, 2025.  Troops may arrive the evening of 21st and depart the morning of the 23rd.

What is a Klondike Derby?  A Klondike Derby is a winter Scouting event where patrols pull homemade sleds between stations, completing challenges that test Scout skills like first aid, knots, fire-building, and teamwork.  We have a sleigh full of activities planned for Saturday.

Location: Summit Bechtel Reserve

Scouts   $20

Adults   $10

The fee includes all the program events, a patch plus lunch and dinner on Saturday. 

Lunch (Philmont-style trail lunch) and dinner are the only meals included in the registration fee.

For all the details, check out our KLONDIKE DERBY LEADER GUIDE.

Questions?  Contact Johnny Tracy at (901) 489-6027.

2025 Takhonek Lodge Dues

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Register Now

Deadline to pay 2025 dues is November 30, 2025.

More Details

The Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s Honor Society, is made up of thousands of great Scouts and Scouters, just like you.  You are an Arrowman and we ask that you continue your support for the Order of the Arrow and it’s worthy goals which are more important now than ever.

Think back to your Ordeal. Remember the Obligation and Admonition. Remember…  “The ones who choose you, need you.”

Dues for 2025 are $15 per lodge member.

Fox Pass is $60 per lodge member.

*All Dues and Fox Pass payments must be completed through this online link.*

Why do I need to pay dues to remain a member of the lodge?

Just like your home scouting unit, everyone in the Scouts BSA recharters on an annual basis. By paying your annual dues you are entitled to attend lodge, section, and national events, wear the official lodge flap, and participate in your chapter meetings and activities. The stronger we are, the more help we can provide to our local units and the Buckskin Council.

What is a Fox Pass?

The Fox Pass can be purchased by any dues paying lodge member.  It’s no secret that over the last year or so prices on everything have increased. Those increases affect our lodge event budgets the same way they affect your household budget.  All weekend long events will cost $20 and the one-day events will cost $10 if registered for individually. If you register in the last week prior to an event, there will be a late fee charged. The late fee will be $10 for weekend events and $5 for one-day events. By purchasing the Fox Pass, you pay less for each event, and you will avoid all late fees. If you register for each event individually, it will cost you $80 over the year. If you purchase a Fox Pass, the cost is only $60.

Think of it as a “Season Pass” for the lodge events.

This year we will only be selling 75 Fox Passes. This is a first come, first served sale.

The benefits to purchasing a Fox Pass:

  • You are prepaying for ALL 2025 lodge events in advance and at a reduced price. (Excludes Vigil/Vigil Reunion, section, and national events.)
  • It is a $20 savings verses paying for each event individually.
  • If you are unable to attend an event, you will still receive the patch for that event.
  • Avoid late fees for events.

What is included in the Fox Pass:

  • AIA/ICE Weekend
  • Spring Ordeal and Brotherhood
  • Lodge Summer Picnic
  • Fall Ordeal and Brotherhood
  • Lodge Winter Banquet

**Special Note:  If you are currently an Ordeal member and purchase a Fox Pass, there will be an additional $30 fee if you plan to obtain your Brotherhood in 2025. This is a $15 savings over the cost for non-Fox Pass Brotherhood candidates. The fee will be paid at the time you register for the event.

Scout Ski Days at Winterplace

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Announcing Scouts on Skis for the 2025 Season.  Cub Scout Packs, Scouts BSA Troops, and individuals can sign up and spend a day learning how to ski, snowboard, or even snowtube!
The all day Ski Package has an optional 2 hour snowtubing add-on for an additional $32.  If you only want to snowtube, choose the 4 hour Snowtubing Package for $50.  Persons tubing must be at least 44 inches tall.  Only single riders per tube.
SKI PACKAGE:  $80 per person - includes a lift ticket for all open areas, equipment rental (skis or snowboard* and helmet) and a group lesson**.

*There is a $10 charge to change your equipment during your visit.   **Group lessons are available at 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm.

SNOWTUBING :                 4 hour package  $50  (9 am-1 pm & 3 pm-7 pm)
                                              2 hour add-on  $32  (9 am, 11 am, 3 pm, 5 pm, 7 pm)
Food vouchers are available for $16 per person
Choose your Ski Day below and start your fun on the slopes!
January 5, 2025
January 26, 2025
February 2, 2025
February 23, 2025
Winterplace_trailmap_sign

2026 National Jamboree

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The Boy Scouts of America announced that the next National Scout Jamboree will be held at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia July 22-31, 2026.

More than just a gathering of Scouts, the Jamboree will provide High Adventure programming, a chance to meet Scouts from around the country, and so much more.  Many of you have waited years for the opportunity to attend a Jamboree, and we are excited to offer a local contingent that will help you reach this Scouting milestone.  We hope that you will consider joining with us as we plan and take part in a memorable Scouting adventure! Preliminary plans for the 2026 NSJ include the Buckskin Council sending a male troop of 40 (36 youth and 4 adults) and a female troop of 20 (18 youth and 2 adults).

The event-wide arena shows will be returning during the 2026 NSJ. The Jamboree will also celebrate the 250th birthday of the USA.

Next Steps for Parents and Interested Leaders

  • To stay in the loop with Jamboree and local contingent developments, please consider joining our mailing list by filling out the online form below.
  • Based on experience, we strongly encourage that parents and scouts explore fundraising options to help fund participation in the Jamboree.
  • A process will be published at a later date outlining the leadership selection process for the units that will make-up our contingent to the Jamboree. Please sign-up for the mailing list, and indicate your interest to serve as a leader to receive more information.

Learn more about the National Jamboree at jamboree.scouting.org/

See you at the Summit in 2026!

COUNCIL CONTINGENT ADULT LEADERSHIP APPLICATION

As with prior Jamborees, the Council National Scout Jamboree Committee is beginning its search for adult leaders who will serve as the scoutmaster and assistants for the group that will go to the 2026 NSJ. The Council is proposing to send one all-male troop of 36 youth and 4 adults, along with a half troop of female scouts and scouters consisting of 18 youth and 2 adults.

For those interested in being part of the adult leadership for the Council’s 2026 NSJ contingent. Please review, complete and send the form below to the Buckskin Council Service Center, 2829 Kanawha Blvd E, Charleston, WV or email the form to  carl.sullivan@scouting.org.

Adult Leadership Application

2026 National Jamboree Interest

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Cub Scout Position Specific Training Modules are updated on My.Scouting

The online position-specific training modules for Den Leader/Assistant Den Leader, Cubmaster/Assistant Cubmaster, and Pack Committee Members were updated on May 30 to reflect the program updates launched on June 1, 2024.

The outline of the training modules has not changed.  There are still four different position Learning Plans; Den Leader/Assistant Den Leader, Cubmaster/Assistant Cubmaster, Pack Committee Chair, and Pack Committee Members.  The run time for the modules has not been significantly changed.   The names of the individual modules are still the same and so is the order that they are presented.

Cub Scout volunteers who completed training before these updates, do not have to retake training.  We do strongly encourage Cub Scout volunteers to retake key modules with the most edits based on the program updates.

CS19 Bobcat – Updates to Bobcat as a required Adventure for all ranks.

CS19 Advancement – Updates to how each badge of rank is earned.

CS19 Cub Scout Uniforms – Updates to the uniform, specifically Webelos and Arrow of Light.

CS19 Conducting a Den Meeting – Outlines how to plan and conduct a den meeting using the updated Adventures and Den Meeting Resources found in the handbooks and on Scouting.org.

CS19 Denners and Den Chiefs – Recommended for Den Leaders for Bears, Webelos, and Arrow of Light.  The updated Bobcat requirement for these ranks includes the Denner and Arrow of Light Patrol Leader.  This module details these positions.

CS19 Conducting a Pack Meeting – Minor edits include planning for Cub Scout Adventures that can be completed as a pack and making pack meetings more activity-based.

CS19 Pack Structure – Includes updated information about forming dens.

CS19 Annual Program Planning – Update includes planning for Cub Scout Adventures that can be completed as a pack.

Below is the list of key modules listed by position:

Den Leader & Assistant

  • Bobcat
  • Advancement
  • Cub Scout Uniforms
  • Conducting a Den Meeting
  • Denners and Den Chiefs

Cubmaster & Assistant

  • Bobcat
  • Advancement
  • Cub Scout Uniforms
  • Conducting a Pack Meeting
  • Denners and Den Chiefs

Pack Committee Members

  • Cub Scout Uniforms
  • Pack Structure

Pack Committee Chair

  • Cub Scout Uniforms
  • Pack Structure
  • Annual Program Planning

The syllabus for in-person position-specific training is scheduled for release by August 1, 2024.

Questions?  Contact our council training team, Susan Williams, Chair or Carol McCarthy, Co-Chair.

 

https://www.buckskin.org/training-events/11790/

BSA and United Methodist Church Units – Going Forward

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The United Methodist Church in West Virginia has recommended local United Methodist Churches not charter Scouting units.  They recommend use of an Affiliated Agreement, or the Facilities use Agreement.  After a detailed review of these two options, the Executive Board of the Buckskin Council has determined that the Affiliated Agreement is not a viable option for our council.  As a result, Untied Methodist units will have to be chartered by another entity if they follow the recommendations of West Virginia United Methodist Church officials.  Those that do so and still desire to allow scout units to utilize their facilities will need to execute a Facilities Use Agreement.

Given that a number of existing church units will need to be rechartered as a result of these developments, the Council Executive Board has authorized the formation of a Group of citizens to act as the chartering partner for any units who are losing their current chartering partner and are unable to identify an alternative chartered partner.  This entity, known as the Central Appalachian Scouters' Association, will be established as a separate entity with its own EIN and will function as any chartering partner would function.

We recognize the this is a burden for our United Methodist Church sponsored units and will work closely to help shepherd you through this process.  Your point of contact for questions is your District Executive or Commissioner.  Alternatively, you can contact Kelly Thaxton at 304-340-3663.

For complete details, please refer to the INSTRUCTIONS TO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH UNITS.

RELEASE OF SCOUT UNIT OWNERSHIP

FACILITIES USE & INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (September 2022)

NEW UNIT APPLICATION

ANNUAL CHARTER AGREEMENT

UPDATE:  The Buckskin Council has conducted three informational meetings to provide details and guidance to unit leaders going forward.  In these meetings, leaders were able to ask questions.  We have compiled these questions and answers plus the slide deck from the presentations to help provide clarity to unit leaders.

BSA and UMC SLIDE DECK

Q & A - DECEMBER PRESENTATION

Q & A - JANUARY 5th PRESENTATION

Q & A - JANUARY 10th PRESENTATION

Scouting Adventures