Be Prepared
WESTERN
MASSACHUSETTS
COUNCIL, BSA
HIGHLIGHTS
2011 Camping
Changes FAQ at D E C E M B E R 1 7 ,
right.
WMC Partner
Camps for Boy
Scout Summer
2011 Changes in Camping Programs FAQ
Camp on page 6. FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS:
What are the changes? We
are partnering with other Scout-
ing councils to ensure that our
Boy Scouts receive a quality,
week-long summer resident
camping experience. Boy Scout
Resident Camp will not be held
at Chesterfield or Moses in 2011.
Our other summer programs
(Cub Scout Day Camp, Cub
Scout Resident Camp, Webelos
Weekend, NYLT, Eagle Week,
and Venturing Week) will, how-
ever, be held locally.
Why is WMC making this
INSIDE THIS
change? This is a step that
ISSUE:
strengthens the council overall,
Recognition 2 and helps lead us into the future.
Dinner It is in the best interest of our
council‘s youth to take this step
WMC Pro- 3 tional Council has piloted and
now in order to be better pre-
gram Events
pared and positioned for Scout-
Training ing‘s next 100 years.
4
Courses
What trends led to this
change? In the broad context,
2011 Summer 5 this change. We cannot sustain
many Boy Scout troops have
Camping
sought variety in their summer
WMC Partner 6 camping experiences. More than
Camps! one third of our Boy Scout
troops currently camp out of
Stay Updated 8 mer camp and to our donors.
council or off site. In addition,
On Scouting
there is an over abundance of
Boy Scout summer camp pro-
grams within easy driving dis-
tance to WMC. Many of these
camps offer excellent Boy Scout
resident camp programs like we
have in the past here in WMC.
The future trend will be for a
much smaller number of high-
quality, well attended, and well
funded regional Boy Scout sum-
mer camping programs.
2 0 1 0 W W W . W M A S C O U T I N G . O R G
Why us and why now? We
want to be pro-active. The coun-
cil consolidation two years ago
was a big step. This is another
key step in continuing to
strengthen the council. Becoming
a quality operation and a
―Financially Sustainable Council‖
is a key priority. Despite a strong
camp promotion effort and a
very worthy program, our Boy
Scout summer camping program
has been greatly under-utilized,
and therefore, greatly under-
funded for a number of years.
What are the numbers? The
per-Scout council subsidy level
has been very high for a number
of years. In 2010, we had a coun-
cil subsidy level of more than
$100 per camper. Even with
additional cost cutting measures
and further summer program
consolidation efforts, the pro-
jected council subsidy level in
2011 would have been over $100
per camper had we not made
this. This would not be fiscally
responsible, and it is not fair to
the other 80% of our members
who do not attend WMC sum-
What other factors led to
this change? Both enhanced
camping program standards and
health/safety standards have in-
creased greatly in recent years.
We applaud this. However, when
combined with the increase in
associated costs including staffing
and other items, as well as other
increases, it is no longer feasible
for WMC to offer a Boy Scout
summer resident camp. In addi-
tion, the stressed economy and
reductions in some funding
sources are a contributing factor
in mitigating WMC‘s ability to
withstand more years of large
subsidies and losses at camp.
Therefore, we must collaborate
with other visionary, pro-active,
like-minded councils to provide
this service to our Boy Scout
troops.
Does this fit into the Na-
tional BSA Strategic Plan?
The new National strategic plan
includes the following objectives
regarding sharing of services with
other councils: ―Provide special-
ized shared-service models for
use across council boundaries
(e.g., special events, camping,
activities, and production within
a defined area)‖ and ―The Na-
delivered a useful model for ex-
ploiting economies of scale and/
or the use of shared services to
reduce individual council ex-
penses.‖ In addition, our own
WMC strategic plan calls for
action to ―Consider financial
implications, council subsidy
level, and stewardship of re-
sources regarding camping prop-
erties on a regular basis as rec-
ommended by our National con-
sultant, Mike Watkins. Research
possible scenarios as and when
appropriate.‖ There has also
been serious talk at all levels for
nearly twenty years about using
this shared-services model. Re-
gardless, the over-reaching goal
is to provide the best possible
summer camp program for as
many youth as possible.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
 Last Call: 2-3-4 GROWTH PLAN FOR UNITS!
PAGE 2
For Packs, Troops, & Crews
Concept:
To encourage units to grow their membership
over the previous year and reward their success.
Pack Reward:
Pinewood Derby kits for boys registered as of
January 1, 2011.
Troop and Crew Reward:
WMC camp weekend cabin rental (depending on
234 is Western Mass.
cabin availability; does not include Training
Council’s official BSA
Lodge).
council number.
Evaluation:
Units will be evaluated by the district leadership
on December 31, 2010.
WMC Recognition Dinner on Feb. 5th
Western Mass. Council’s 3rd Annual Recogni-
tion Dinner will be held on Saturday, February
“In Recognition of 5th, at the Delaney House, 3 Country Club Rd.
great Scouting (off Rt. 5) in Holyoke, MA.
Volunteers!” Program highlights will include the recognition
of the 2011 Class of Silver Beaver Award recipi-
ents, District Awards of Merit, along with other
Scouting awards.
There will be a 5:00-6:00 PM Social Hour with
hors d’oeuvres, followed by dinner and program
from 6:00-8:30 PM. Dinner will include Tomato
& Mozzarella Cocktail, Combo plate of Bistro
style Chicken & London broil with Mushroom
Scouting’s Journey To Excellence
Coming in 2011: “Scouting’s Journey to Excellence” is
JOURNEY TO the BSA‘s new council performance recog-
nition program designed to encourage and
EXCELLENCE
reward success and measure the perform-
AWARD
ance of our units, districts, and councils. It
is replacing the Centennial Quality Awards
Program as a means of encouraging excel-
lence in providing a quality program at all
levels of the BSA.
Requirements for Packs, Troops, Crews,
Districts, and Councils are available online:
BE PREPARED
To Qualify:
Units will achieve the following.
2. Host at least one spring recruitment event & net
+2 members over last June by 6/30/10. Also see
Requirement 4 below.
3. Participate in the 3 fall recruitment events includ-
ing a School Night rally, a ―Sizzle‖ Bring Scouting
to the People event, and a Give ‘em Another
Chance to Join event. See page 1 for details.
4. By 12/31/10, show a net gain of +3 members over
last December, or +4 youth if you did not qualify
on Requirement 2.
Contact your District Executive for official registration
numbers and a progress update. Be a winner. Good
luck!
Bordelaise sauce, and Banana’s Foster. A vege-
tarian option is also available. This is an Adult
affair.
Reservations are available at the following lev-
els:
$35 per person
$275 for Table of 8
$340 for Table of 10
Please contact the Chicopee or Pittsfield service
center, or find the reservation form on the
council website www.wmascouting.org.
Please join us in recognizing our worthy Scout-
ing volunteers!
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/
Awards/JourneyToExcellence.aspx. Also
there are webinars, power points, and addi-
tional information.
Make the ―Journey to Excellence‖ commit-
ment now at recharter time.
PS: Don’t forget to submit your unit’s
Centennial Quality Unit form before
December 31st to qualify for the 2010
recognition!
DECEMBER 17, 2010 PAGE 3

Boston Museum of Science Camp-In Almost Full!

ATTEN- ther King, Jr. Day) at the Bos-
TION ton Museum of Science, this fun
CUB -filled experience is for registered
SCOUT Cub Scouts & Webelos, parents, &
PACKS : adult leaders. This special program
is designed to inspire cubs to dis-
ONLY
cover science in fun and educa-
30
tional ways.
SLOTS
Please note that Western Mass.
LEFT!
Council has been allocated only 500
This is spots for this great activity, so the
one of the most talked about time to register is now!
events of the year! Happening
Full payment of $60 per participant
on Sunday, January 16th - Mon-
is required to guarantee your spot,
day, January 17th (Martin Lu-
including cubs, leaders, & parents.
For registration procedures and
additional information, please visit
the Western Mass. Council website
at www.wmascouting.org.
A Survival Manual for this overnight
program will also be provided to
you.
For additional information on the
museum and its exhibits, facilities, &
location, you can visit its website at
www.mos.org.
Thanks, and have lots of fun!

WHAT?
“A Gather- Webelos Woods is an adven-
ing of the ture designed to introduce We-
belos Scouts and their parents
Tribes” to the action-packed Scouting
adventures ahead, and help
them make the transition into
WHO? Boy Scouts even more exciting.
Bears and 1st year Webelos
WHEN?
(3rd and 4th graders) and par-
The weekend of June 3 - 5,
ents. Den Chiefs are also wel-
2011 (The weekend after Me-
come to attend.
morial Day).
WHERE?
Horace A. Moses Scout Res-
ervation
MORE INFORMATION?
Additional details will be pub-
lished in future issues of “Be
Prepared” and will be available
on our council website.
MARK YOUR CALEN-
DARS FOR THIS ADVEN-
TURE NOW!!!!!

Merit Badge University Filling Up Fast for Spring 2011!

The Kappa Omicron Chap-
ter of ALPHA PHI OMEGA
is sponsoring the 19th annual
Merit Badge University in co-
operation with Western Mass.
Council on Saturday, March
5th & Saturday, April 2nd, at
UMass Amherst.
MBU is filling up fast, and
many session are already phone registrations).
closed. More than 375 Boy Visit the WMC website today &
Scouts have registered! regis-
ter
Check-in time will be at 8:30 AM. for
Morning classes will run from 9:30- your
11:30 AM and Afternoon classes ses-
will go from 12:30-2:30 PM. sions
Please note: There is online now!
registration only (no mail in or
 PAGE 4
Training Courses for New Volunteers
Trained leaders deliver
better programs. Boys
stay in Scouting longer
when their leaders are
trained. The longer boys stay
in Scouting, the more they get
out of Scouting!
Fast Start Training is the
Get updated training first step, and is presented in
info at WMC’s website separate formats for Cub
www.wmascouting.org. Scout leaders, Boy Scout Lead-
ers, and Venturer leaders.
These sessions are available
online at the BSA‘s Online
Learning Center. You can go
SPECIAL TRAINING COURSES!
The Trainer’s EDGE: on
“Every boy Saturday, January 8, 8 AM – 4
PM, at Herman Hall, Western
deserves a trained New England College, in
Springfield. This is a how-to
leader, and every
course for those who want to
leader deserves to join our council‘s training staff
and is required for those who
be trained.” will be on Wood Badge faculty.
You can register electronically
through our council web site
or submit a paper registration
to the Chicopee or Pittsfield
Service Centers.
MORE SCOUTER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Training Philmont Training
helps you Center: 2011 summer
conferences are now
provide
open for registration.
great
Spend an exciting week
program!
at Philmont and enjoy a
respite from New Eng-
land‘s heat and humid-
ity. It‘s hot and dry
down there! Course descrip-
tions and schedules are avail-
BE PREPARED
to our council‘s website,
www.wmascouting.org, click
on Training on the left-hand
menu bar, and follow the link
to start your online training
adventure!
This is Scouting has replaced
New Leader Essentials, and
also is available at the BSA‘s
Online Learning Center. This
session is for all new volunteer
leaders.
Youth Protection Training
is required for all leaders
within Scouting.
Venturing Leader Specific
Training: on Saturday, Janu-
ary 15, 9 AM – 4 PM, at the
Church of Atonement in
downtown Westfield. Learn
how to advise, not lead, your
teen-age Venturers to exciting
outdoor adventure, personal
growth, and leadership skills
development. Cost is $12 per
person, or, if your Crew is
sending three or more adults,
$10 per person. Submit your
registrations to the Chicopee
able at both council service
centers. Go to
www.philmonttrainingcenter.o
rg for details on what to ex-
pect from your Philmont train-
ing experience.
Wood Badge: Two 3-day
weekends of challenging, team-
building and leadership course-
work and practical experience
are only the beginning. Then
At all times, youth safety is our
number one priority. Take
this session now at the Online
Learning Center.
Leader Position Specific
Training is based on the vol-
unteer leader‘s Scouting posi-
tion. Separate courses for
Cub Scout , Boy Scout, & Ven-
turer leaders are offered lo-
cally throughout the year, and
now these sessions are avail-
able online as well!
Get trained to provide great
Scouting now!
or Pittsfield Service Centers.
Boy Scout leader training
sessions: will be available at
Merit Badge University.
You don‘t have to read the
paper in a drafty corridor.
Spend your time wisely, get
training. Youth Protection
Training, Troop Committee
Challenge, Scoutmaster Spe-
cific, Scout to Eagle, First Aid &
CPR are all planned. Watch
for registration materials avail-
able soon.
complete the training over the
next 18 months through your
practical application of the
skills you developed during the
classroom periods. Trained
counselors support you
through the process. Sched-
uled training dates at Camp
Chesterfield are September 9-
11, 2011 and October 8-10,
2011. Registration information
coming soon!
DECEMBER 17, 2010
WESTERN MASS. COUNCIL CAMP PROMO NIGHTS!
FOR BOY SCOUT
TROOPS & VENTURE
CREWS:
On
Mon-
day,
January
24th,
7:00 PM
at Union
Station Restaurant, 125A Pleasant
St. in Northampton, MA. Refresh-
ments will be provided. Register
by emailing Gail at
2011 Cub Scout Day Camp Schedule!
Four weeks of Western Mass.
Council’s Leon J. Carman Cub
Scout Day Camp are being
planned now for the summer of
2011. Sites are being finalized, and
programs & themes are being pre-
viewed and tested. More details
will be announced as they are avail-
able, but for Pack and Den planning
purposes, the schedule is as fol-
lows:
July11-15: supported by Laurie
McDonald & volunteers from Post
Road & Metacomet Districts, at
Local Resident Camping Sessions this Summer:
FOR CUBS:
Cub Scout Resident Camp
at Chesterfield, August 7-
12, co-chaired by Ellie Matrow
and Joanne Dempsey. Stay
tuned for details, and please
attend the Camp Promo night
for Cub leaders on January 25th
gwojtkow@bsamail.org.
Come to get information on Boy
Scout Resident Camp from our
WMC Partner Camps, as well as
details on our local NYLT, Eagle
Week, and Venturing Week ses-
sions!
FOR CUB SCOUT PACKS:
On Tuesday, January 25th,
7:00 PM at Union Station Restau-
rant, 125A Pleasant St. in North-
ampton, MA. Refreshments will be
provided. Register by emailing Gail
Swift River Sportsman‘s Club.
July 18-22: supported by Sherri
Harrison & volunteers from Spring-
field/Chicopee District, at Chicopee
Moose Family Center.
July 25-29: supported by Elizabeth
Kuzmech & volunteers from Appa-
lachian Trail District, at St. Mark‘s
School in Pittsfield.
August 1-5: supported by John &
Vicki Kornacki & volunteers from
Knox Trail District, location TBA.
You may attend any and all Cub
that is mentioned above!
FOR BOY SCOUTS &
VENTURERS:
National Youth Leadership
Training (NYLT) at Ches-
terfield, June 25-July 1,
Course Director Jim Burke.
Venturers may also attend.
PAGE 5
at gwojtkow@bsamail.org.
Come to get information on our
local Cub
Scout Resi-
dent Camp
and Cub
Scout Day
Camp ses-
sions!
See you
there in
January!
Day Camp sessions that you are
interested in. Themes and some
program specifics may vary from
week to week, but standard activi-
ties that boys look forward to will
be there, site and weather permit-
ting: archery, nature study, sports
and games, den activities, Friday
afternoon campfire, and more.
Contact Fritz Schmidt for more
information at
fschmidt@bsamail.org.
Plan on your Den & Pack hav-
ing a great time this summer!
Eagle Week & Venturing
Week at Chesterfield, Au-
gust 7-13. More details com-
ing soon.
Contact our local resident
camp staff advisor Hunter
McCormick for info on all these
at hmccormi@bsamail.org.
PAGE 6

For Boy Scout Summer Resident Camp:

WMC Partner Camps!

Western Mass. Council
is pleased to announce
that we have finalized
cooperative camping
agreements working in
collaboration with the
following councils and
camps for Boy Scout
Summer Resident Camp
in 2011 using the shared-services model. Western Mass. Council’s Boy Scout Troops should re-
view these offerings from our Partner Camps, and register for a great Boy Scout summer camp
experience this summer. Use the information below to get started now!
Your local WMC contact is Field Dir. Bob D’Avignon, Bob.D’Avignon@Scouting.org, or your Dis-
trict Executive. More information will also be available at the Camp Promo Night for Boy Scout
Troops on Monday, January 24th at 7:00 PM at Union Station Restaurant in Northampton.

Twin Rivers Council, Albany, NY.

Rotary Scout Reservation, Averill Park, NY 12018.
Visit: http://bsa.siigroup.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=503&Itemid=75
Contact: Brian Murray (campdirector@rsrbsa.org) (518) 791-9393 or Nancy Harstein
(nancy.harstein@scouting.org) (518) 869-3436. In council pricing for WMC troops, $290 by 5/1,
$340 after 5/1.

CT Rivers Council, East Hartford, CT.

June Norcross Webster, Mattatuck, & Workcoeman.
Visit: www.ctrivers.org/WMC-Partner-Camp
Contact: Deb Miclette (dmiclet@bsamail.org) (860) 913-2711. Lowest rates for WMC troops,
$330 by 5/20, $355 after 5/20.

Seneca Waterways Council, Rochester, NY.

Massawepie Scout Camps, Tupper Lake, NY 12986.
Visit: www.senecawaterways.org/massawepie
Contact: Camping Department (camping@SenecaWaterways.org) (585) 241-8545. Reduced in-
council pricing for WMC troops. For Pioneer, $295 by 5/16, $320 after 5/16. For Adirondack
treks, $350.

BE PREPARED
DECEMBER 17, 2010
2011 Changes in Camping Programs FAQ (continued from Page 1)
Isn’t the camping experience
more than just numbers? The
numbers underscore both our ne-
cessity to exercise our fiduciary
responsibility and to achieve our
goal of providing the best possible
Boy Scout resident camping pro-
grams to our troops. We need to
partner with other camps in order
to achieve both. Despite our emo-
tional connections with local Boy
Scout summer camp, this is the
logical solution.
OK, so who are our partner
Boy Scout camps? We have
finalized cooperative Boy Scout
summer camping agreements with
the following:
Albany, NY
(Twin Rivers
Council) Ro-
tary Scout
Reservation,
Poestenkill,
NY. In council pricing for WMC
troops, $290 by 5/1; $340 after 5/1.
East Hartford,
CT (CT Rivers
Council) June
Norcross
Webster, Mat-
tatuck, &
Workcoeman.
Lowest rates for WMC troops,
$330 by 5/20; $355 after 5/20
Rochester, NY
(Seneca Water-
ways Council)
Massawepie
Scout Camps
(Adirondack High
Adventure Trek Center & Camp
Pioneer), Tupper Lake, NY. Re-
duced in council pricing for WMC
troops. For Pioneer, $295 by 5/16;
$320 after 5/16. For Treks, $350.
Where can I get more infor-
mation on our partner Boy
Scout camps? The WMC e-
newsletter ―Be Prepared‖ (see
pages 5 & 6) and our council web-
site www.wmascouting.org will
provide additional information,
links, contact information, and reg-
istration instructions. We also
anticipate that the OA will assist in
promoting our partner Boy Scout
camps as well.
What about Campership sup-
port? Camperships will be avail-
able from WMC for Boy Scouts
camping at any of WMC‘s partner
Boy Scout camps listed above. In
addition, camperships will continue
to be available for our in-council
week long summer programs
(NYLT, Cub Day Camp, Cub Resi-
dent Camp, Eagle Week, & Ventur-
ing Week).
What about weekend camp-
ing? We are continuing to book
reservations at Moses & Chester-
field during the school year.
What in-council summer pro-
grams will be offered? The fol-
lowing programs are planned for
2011.
Webelos Woods at Moses Scout
Reservation, June 3-5.
National Youth Leadership
Training (NYLT) for troop &
crew junior leaders at Chesterfield,
June 25-July 1.
Leon J. Carman Cub Scout Day
Camps at four locations:
Week 1, Belchertown area, July 11-
15. Week 2, Greater Springfield
area, July 18-22. Week 3, Pittsfield/
Berkshire County area, July 25-29.
Week 4, Westfield area, August 1-
5.
Cub Scout Resident Camp at
Chesterfield, August 7-12.
Base Camp Eagle Week for Boy
Scouts needing Merit Badges, at
Chesterfield, August 7-13.
Venturing Week at Chesterfield,
August 7-13.
Will we be having Camp Pro-
motion events? Yes, Camp Pro-
motion Meetings have been sched-
uled as follows:
PAGE 7
Boy Scout Troops and Venture
Crews on Monday, January 24th, 7
PM, at Union Station Restaurant,
125A Pleasant St., Northampton.
Cub Scout Packs on Tuesday,
January 25th, 7 PM, at Union Sta-
tion Restaurant, 125A Pleasant St.,
Northampton.
Where else can we talk about
these developments? Council
officers will be visiting district
Roundtable meetings in January and
February to answer any questions.
Will camp staff positions be
available at our partner
camps? Yes. They have already
indicated their interest in inviting
our folks to apply for summer staff
positions as soon as possible.
Will WMC be selling a camp?
We don‘t know yet. This is a sepa-
rate issue. Per our Strategic Plan,
the Properties Committee will be
researching and evaluating possible
future usage and/or future disposi-
tion of camp properties, and will
make any recommendation(s) to
the Executive Board only after
thorough due diligence. The Na-
tional BSA engineer / consultant‘s
recent independent camping prop-
erties report and all other factors
will be studied. Ultimately, the Ex-
ecutive Board will be expected to
make any decision(s) in the best
interest of our council and our
future youth with all emotion and
past loyalties put aside. In support
of transparency, this is where the
camp properties issue now stands.
 Appalachian Trail District (Berkshire County):
Hunter McCormick X7033 email: hmccormi@bsamail.org
Knox Trail District (western Hampden County):
Bob Gunnells X7013 email: bgunnells@verizon.net
Metacomet District (Franklin & Hampshire Co.’s):
Steve Roberts X7014 email: gtcscouting@aol.com

Western Mass. Council, BSA Post Road District (eastern Hampden County):
Fritz Schmidt X7031 email: fritz.schmidt@scouting.org
These local numbers will reach both the Springfield/Chicopee District:
Chicopee & Berkshire Scout Service
Rory O‘Donnell X7032 email: rory.odonnell@scouting.org
Centers:
Chicopee Service Center:
Springfield (413) 351-2069
Sherry Bowden X7005 email: sbowden@bsamail.org
Pittsfield (413) 418-4002
Northampton (413) 341-0032 Berkshire Service Center:
Greenfield (413) 829-2050 Gail Wojtkowiak X7012 email: gwojtkow@bsamail.org
Palmer (413) 370-2052 Accounting & Business Office:
Stockbridge (413) 298-2009 Steven Nelson X7001 email: steven.nelson@scouting.org
Chicopee (413) 594-9196
Field Director:
Dalton (413) 684-3542
Bob D‘Avignon X7034 email: Bob.D‘Avignon@scouting.org
Website www.wmascouting.org
Fax No. Chicopee Center (413) 592-1875 Council Scout Executive & CEO:
Fax No. Berkshire Center (413) 236-0902 Larry Bystran X7002 email: lbystran@bsamail.org

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Berkshire Service Center & Store:
31 Wendell Ave., Pittsfield, MA
01201, open weekdays 8:30am—
4:00pm.
Chicopee Service Center & Store:
249 Exchange St., 01013, open
weekdays 9:00am—4:00pm &
Mon. eve. ‗til 7:00pm.
© 2010 Western Mass. Council, Inc., BSA