New Council Scout Executive

Mark Barbernitz

Please welcome Mark Barbernitz as our new Scout Executive of the Northeast Pennsylvania Council effective September 19.

Mark began his Scouting career as an Exploring executive in the Great Trail Council in Akron, Ohio, then as a district and senior district executive. He moved on to become a field director for the Heart of Ohio Council in Ashland, Ohio, and later as assistant Scout executive with the Pennsylvania Dutch Council in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was then selected to serve as Scout executive of the Mason-Dixon Council in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Mark is a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow and a lifelong Scout who enjoys camping, skiing, boating, and cooking.

Mark and his wife Marty have three grown children: Kristen, Kara, and Mark.

Mark may be contacted at:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 570-207-1227, x227

Please join in with all of our Scouting family in congratulating Mark as he joins in partnership with the volunteers and staff of the Northeast Pennsylvania Council to deliver quality Scouting experiences to the young people of the communities they serve.

Lion

The NEPA Council is pleased to offer an exciting new Scouting program called “Lion” for Kindergarten-aged boys as part of the BSA National Pilot Program. This program does not change any of the current ranks and organization of other Scouting programs. It’s unique as it reaches out to a slightly younger group of boys. The Lion program has the same mission as the rest of the Scouting program, but is simple, extremely flexible and a great way to introduce families to Scouting. A Lion learns by doing things himself while having fun. As he learns and grows, the relationship with their adult partner grows as well. We hope to have the early enthusiasm caused by this, stay with the boy through the rest of his Scouting experience. At the conclusion of their kindergarten year, the Lion will transition to Tiger Scout and continue on their journey through Cub Scouting.

Note that not all Cub Packs in NEPA will be participating in the Lion National Pilot Program.  In order for packs to participate in the program, packs must have applied and have been accepted by the NEPA Council Membership Committee.

Contact the NEPA Scout Service Center and/or your District Executive to find a Cub Pack near you that has been approved to run the Lion program this fall.

Read more: Lion

Webelos STEM Weekend

Saturday, Oct 1^st - Sunday, Oct 2^nd

Camp Acahela

New this year: Friday Sept 30th 
check-in and camping option.

This weekend of fun and adventure is open to all WEBELOS SCOUTS, their parent(s)/guardian(s), and WEBELOS Den Leaders / Den Chiefs.  New Scouts (4th and 5th graders) are encouraged to attend.

During the weekend Webelos Scouts may earn up to three STEM related WEBELOS ADVENTURE PINS and be introduced to the BSA NOVA and SUPERNOVA awards.

The weekend will include CAMPING - bring a tent, and COOKING - bring food to cook; plus Saturday night CAMP FIRE with skits and songs, and Sunday morning SCOUT'S OWN SERVICE.

Read more: Webelos STEM Weekend

Historic Traveling Camporee

NIAGARA FALLS

October 8-10, 2016

Corning Museum of Glass
Old Fort Niagara Program
American, Bridal & Horseshoe Falls
Maid of the Mist Boat Tour
Cave of the Winds
Niagara Adventure Theater
Niagara Aquarium
Niagara Gorge Discovery Center
Observation Deck
Niagara Power Project Vista
Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park

Read more: Historic Traveling Camporee

Great Expectations Youth Leadership Training

Saturday, November 5, 2016
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Divine Mercy Parish Center
Scranton, PA

All Boy Scout & Venturing Youth Leaders are invited to attend a special one day training course designed right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania for Boy Scout and Venturing Youth Leaders.

The course is designed to provide Scouts (and adult leaders) with a more in-depth training experience than their Troop/Crew  training by providing supplemental leadership skill sessions.

CLICK HERE to find out more & register for this event.

NESA Eagle Scholarships

The National Eagle Scout Association wants to make college more affordable for more than 100 worthy Eagle Scouts across the country.

The window for 2017 Eagle Scout scholarships opened Aug. 1, 2016, and will close on Oct. 31, 2016.

In the 2015-2016 window, the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) awarded $640,000 in scholarships to 140 Eagle Scouts.

For the 2016-2017 window, NESA's goal is to increase the number of recipients to 150. That includes scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $50,000.

Despite some online rumors about these scholarships, NESA doesn’t have the funds to offer money to each of the more than 5,000 applicants. Less than 3 percent of those who apply will receive scholarships.

In the past, NESA scholarships were available only to Scouts attending four-year universities. Now Scouts attending vocational trade schools and other approved programs may apply.

Keep reading for the more information about the the 2017 NESA scholarships.

Read more: NESA Eagle Scholarships