The United States Heritage Award
The United States Heritage Award was designed by Scouts and adults to give youth recognition for learning about the heritage of the United States of America. By completing this award, it is hoped participants will not only increase their understanding of the United States but also foster greater sense of patriotism through service in local communities.
The award may be earned by any youth in the United States. A medal and patch can be awarded to each youth that successfully completes the requirements for the award. All requirements may be completed with a unit, group, family, or individually.
There is a silver medal for youth 6 - 10, and a gold medal for youth 11 - 18. Adults can also earn the gold medal. More information, worksheets, and adult guides are available at: www.nationstrails.com.
Award
A silver medal and patch can be awarded to each youth that successfully completes the requirements for the award. The request form must be completed to purchase the medals and patches. All requirements may be done with a unit, group, or individually.
Requirements
To earn the Silver United States Heritage Award a youth must:
- Tell when the Declaration of Independence was adopted.
- Learn the first verse of the national anthem “The Star Spangled Banner”.
- Know the Pledge of Allegiance. Explain what it means.
- Learn about the United States Flag.
- What colors does the United States flag have?
- How many stars are on the blue rectangle (canton)? What do the stars symbolize?
- How many stripes are on the flag? What colors are the stripes? What do the stripes symbolize?
- How do you show respect for the United States flag?
- Make a list of the original thirteen states of the United States of America.
- Know who is the current President of the United States of America.
- My America. Do one of the following:
- Write a short story or poem about one of the following topics :
- Why America Is Special To Me,
- What It Means To Be Free,
- If I Were President…
- Draw a picture of a famous person in American History and tell what they did.
- Render a service that benefits a neighborhood or community
- Write a short story or poem about one of the following topics :
For more information go to http://www.nationstrails.com/awards/
Boys’ Life 2012 Reading Contest – Last Chance!
From Boys' Life website:
Write a one-page report titled “The Best Book I Read This Year” and enter it in the Boys’ Life 2012 “Say Yes to Reading!” contest.
The book can be fiction or nonfiction. But the report has to be in your own words — 500 words tops. Enter in one of these three age categories:
8 years old and younger
9 and 10 years old
11 years old and older
First-place winners in each age category will receive a $100 gift certificate good for any product in the Boy Scouts official retail catalog. Second-place winners will receive a $75 gift certificate, and third-place winners a $50 certificate.
Everyone who enters will get a free patch like the one on this page. (And, yes, the patch is a temporary insignia, so it can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform shirt, on the right pocket. Proudly display it there or anywhere!) In coming years, you’ll have the opportunity to earn different patches.
The contest is open to all Boys’ Life readers. Be sure to include your name, address, age and grade in school on the entry.
Send your report, along with a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope, to:
Boys’ Life Reading Contest
S306
P.O. Box 152079
Irving, TX 75015-2079
Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2012 and must include entry information and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Click here to read the winning essays in the 2011 contest.
Happy Holidays From the National Key 3!
The BSA’s top three professional and volunteer leaders have created a special holiday greeting …
Upcoming Scout Days
Save the dates for upcoming scout days!
12/26-30: How to Train Your Dragon - Live Spectacular @ HP Pavilion
01/11 (Fri): Warriors Scout Night (vs Portland)
01/12 (Sat): Scout Saturday @ Hiller Aviation Museum
01/19 (Sat): Harlem Globetrotters Scout Night @ Oracle Arena
01/20 (Sun): Harlem Globetrotters Scout Night @ HP Pavilion
02/23 (Sat): Monster Jam Scout Night @ Oakland Coliseum
03/02 (Sat): Cal Basketball Scout Day (vs Colorado University)
04/27 (Sat): Scout Day @ Schulz Museum
05/19 (Sun): A's Scout Day
Scout Days/Nights are not Pack 1776 events but rather community events open to Scout groups.
L.E.A.D 2013
Date: Saturday, January 26, 2013
Time: 8am - 5pm
Location: Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill (Campus Map)
Cost: $35 through January 2, $45 through January 20, $55 on-site (reimbursable upon successful completion of training)
Scout "Leader Education And Discovery" (L.E.A.D.) is a full day of relevant, inspiring, and required Adult Leader classes with sessions in all Scouting aspects, from outdoor skills to national policies. This is a great opportunity for all leaders to build their Scouting network.
Visit http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/lead to sign up, view course schedule and descriptions. Class sizes are limited so register early.
Thoughts and Prayers
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families affected in the shooting in Connecticut. We are heartbroken about this terrible tragedy and are very saddened to share that the Scouting family has been struck. Following is a message from our Chief Scout Executive on the tragedy and how you can help.
We are all struggling to come to grips with the tragic school shooting in Connecticut. I have the sad responsibility to report that this tragedy has also struck within the Scouting family.
We’ve been informed two of the young victims, 7-year-old Chase Kowalski and 6-year-old Benjamin Wheeler, were new Tiger Cub Scouts with Pack 170 in the Connecticut Yankee Council. In addition, three of the victims were siblings of other boys in Pack 170. Victoria Soto, one of the hero teachers, was an Explorer as a youth.
Please join me in remembering these victims and families in your prayers.
We have been in touch with council leadership. The National Council is offering any support possible during this difficult time.
Working with the leadership of Pack 170, the Connecticut Yankee Council has established a memorial fund in support of the five families. If interested, donations, cards, and letters can be sent to the Pack 170 Memorial Fund, c/o Connecticut Yankee Council, P.O. Box 32, Milford, CT 06460
God bless everyone as we take a step back and think about the safety and well-being of our own families and loved ones in the midst of this national time of mourning.
- Wayne Brock, Chief Scout Executive, The Boy Scouts of America
New Socks for the Homeless
Pack 1776,
We are collecting new socks to donate to the St. Anthony's "Socks in the City" drive. This wonderful program provides socks for the homeless. New socks not only provide warmth but they also help prevent blisters and infections that are common conditions in the homeless. There is a collection box in the Coyote Creek lobby through Dec. 12th. We are collecting new socks for both adults and children. If you would like more information please email me at [email protected].
Mette Spears
January Hike to Wildcat Peak
Date: Sunday, January 20, 2012
Time: 9:30am – 11:30am
Location: Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley
Meeting Point: Near the sign you see below.
Attire: Class B
Awards: Trail Trekkers Cub Scout Patch/Progressive Hike Award.
Must read: Hike info
Contact: Hiking Chair Sachin Sheth (Email: [email protected] Tel: 925.968.9940)
A view of Mount Tamalpais rising from San Francisco Bay will be the reward for hiking to the top of Wildcat Peak in Tilden Park. This trail loops through eucalyptus and oak forests, up moderately steep hills, then back to one of the best nature study areas in the Bay Area.
[stextbox id="info" caption="Hike Statistics" align="center"]Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: Allow about 2 hours
Grade: Mostly gentle with some moderately steep grades near the peak
More Detail: Hike info, area brochure and map[/stextbox] [stextbox id="info" caption="Directions" align="center"]From Highway 24 take the Fish Ranch Road Exit (just east of the Caldecott Tunnel); go north about 1 mile to Grizzly Peak Blvd., turn right; stay on Grizzly Peak about 12.5 miles; turn right on Canon Drive, go about .10 mile and veer left on Central Drive, following signs to the Little Farm and Nature Study Area.[/stextbox] [stextbox id="info" caption="What to Bring" align="center"]Food, snack (granola bars, trail mix, fruit), water.
Binoculars, camera, layer your clothes.[/stextbox] [stextbox id="info" caption="Other Information" align="center"]There is plenty to do for younger siblings in the nature area; Bring an extra pair of socks as the scouts may get their feet wet; Rain cancels this hike.[/stextbox]
