Hey everyone, welcome to this week’s (slightly longer than) 3-minute update. I’m your host, Tyler Matthews coming to you from inside a snow globe! Seems fitting! Hopefully everyone is staying warm out there during this nasty winter weather. Now, let’s jump into this week’s news.
Hey, let’s start out this week with a very important announcement. By now, most of you are aware that Safeguarding Youth Training has replaced the old Youth Protection Training. That new training is mandatory for all adults to complete BEFORE May 31st of this year. Even if your old YPT is valid for longer, everyone must complete the new training by the deadline. Don’t wait, the new training is available right now online at my.scouting.org. Lake Erie Council has been one of the highest performing councils for youth protection nationwide, so let’s keep that trend going and knock out this new training!
One Klondike left for 2026! Firelands Scout Reservation will have their Klondike from February 20th-22nd. Sign up now!
Registration for the Eagle Scout Class of 2025 Celebration Dinner is now open! The celebration dinner will be taking place at The American Croatian Lodge in Eastlake on February 28th beginning at 5pm. We encourage all 2025 Eagle Scouts, their families, troops, and friends to attend this exciting evening. Please register by February 14th by visiting the following link: Registration.
Additionally, we want to showcase all of the Eagle Scout's hard work on the big screen! Please submit any service project photos to: This Link
Finally, for those who cannot make it but would still like to sponsor the event, please visit the following link for info on giving opportunities: Sponsor Form. Any additional questions, please reach out to Heather McMillan or Karen Viveros
Join us for Sap Camp out at Beaumont Scout Reservation on March 7th from 10am-4pm. Participants will get to learn all about the history and process of making maple syrup. Activities include tree tapping, log splitting, syrup tasting, a pancake lunch, and more! Don’t miss out!
During the month of February many units will be taking part in their local Scout Sunday celebrations. If your unit will be recognized during a Scout Sunday service, you are encouraged to use this free Power Point Template from the national office to help showcase all your scouts success from this year. Check out our website for all faith based presentations: https://lecscouting.org/faith-based-celebrations.
This year’s Wood Badge and NYLT scholarship breakfast will be held Saturday, March 14th at Lakewood high school. Doors open at 8am and the program begins at 8:45. Early bird pricing is $15 for adults (through Feb. 15th, then price goes to $20) and $7.50 for youth (through March 8th). Tickets purchased at the door the day of the event will be $25 (Adult) and $15 (Youth). Registration is open now through March 8th so sign up today! Don't forget to complete & submit an Annual WB Ticket form & WB Hall of Fame Nomination form by the Friday, Feb. 20th deadline. Fillable forms and instructions on whom to send them to are all on the registration page. The Breakfast is looking for more auction items of various price ranges to be used in our Live & Silent Auctions. Especially those items which are unique, hand-made, fun gift baskets, camping items, etc). Please contact Linda Gray at Lmgray55@gmail.com, if you have something you would like to donate to the Breakfast Auction. If you want your items listed in the breakfast program book or through other communications, please supply item information to Linda by Wed., Feb. 18th.
Join us, March 21st for this year’s University of Scouting. The University of Scouting is a Council-wide supplemental training extravaganza for all Cub Scout, Scouts BSA and Venturing leaders as well as potential leaders, Commissioners, Committee Members, and youth. The best instructors available will help enhance your leadership skills to work with the youth of our communities. Bring your unit’s Leadership Team so you can share the knowledge. We also offer courses suited to the needs and interests of Youth Scouts. Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Lorain County JVS in Oberlin, OH. Information is on the Council Website, with registration going live February 2, 2026. Contact Dave Sechnick at dave.sechnick@gmail.com if you have any questions.
The Adventure Lab is the place to be, and they have programs for YOU! Sign up now for Badge Labs and Explorations happening through mid-May. February Badge Labs include Digital Technology, Personal Management, Home Cooking, First Aid, Welding, and a special Scouting Heritage Badge Lab on February 8th- Scouting’s Birthday! These Labs are open to Scouts AND Students, so invite your friends. To register for a Badge Lab visit the Lab Calendar. These Labs are held at the Adventure Lab inside the Unit Service Center in downtown Cleveland. For more information, contact Sarah Demetruk, the Adventure Lab Director, at sarah.demetruk@gmail.com. We can't wait to see you there!
Are you a new Scoutmaster or ASM? Thank you for jumping into the volcano! Scoutmaster Basic Training will give you all the tools you need to lead and train the youth of your Scout Troop. And we'll do it in an outdoor experience that will give you a lived appreciation for the challenges of a youth learning to lead in a weekend campout. We have two sessions scheduled for 2026 - April 10-12 at Firelands and September 11-13 at Beaumont. Register now at the link provided. Registration
BALOO training will be April 25th and 26th at Firelands. NYLT registration is still open for their course in June. Wood Badge registration is open, and that course will take place across 2 weekends in July and August. Find all of these and more training opportunities online on the council calendar.
Hey, are you thinking about looking for a summer job? Applications are now open for Beaumont scout reservation summer camp staff. This is a great opportunity to develop skills, make new friends, and help teach Scouts from all over! Apply now at the link provided. If you have any questions, you can email Dan Goerndt.
One last quick announcement- If your unit has any pictures, videos, or stories of your Scouts in action, we want to hear about it! We want to highlight your Scouts and their accomplishments, service projects, camping trips, and whatever other stories you have to share. Send your submissions to Leccommunications@lecscouting.org for your chance to be featured on Lake Erie Council social media and promotions!
I’d like to end this week’s episode with a huge thank you and shout out to First Energy, who just made an incredible donation of three pickup trucks to Beaumont Scout Reservation. This is a huge gift, and we are so grateful for the generosity that First Energy has shown to us and our council of Scouts. Well, that’s it for this week folks! Until next time, remember to stay prepared, stay adventurous, and keep the spirit of Scouting alive.
