There will be a training and information update session on Internet Advancement Version 2 on Wednesday 11 September at 7 PM at Garner United Methodist Church. The training and Q/A session will be led by Gantt Edminston who handles computer programming issues for the Council. Gantt has been very involved with the development and roll out of IA2. There are bugs and some of our units have had issues with IA2. Since all units are required to do advancements electronically all units should send their advancement person or other representative. Gantt will discuss how IA2 works, relationship with Scoutbook, synchronization with other programs, identified issues, how to get help, and planned updates/improvements.

Black River District Troop Leadership training will be here before you know it.  We are still expecting to hear from more units.  Several units have already signaled their intention to participate.  Attendance will help your unit with JTE.

The 14th edition of the Scouts BSA Handbook includes changes to advancement requirements. For example, the number of overnight camping activities required for the First-Class rank was reduced from six to three, and for the Scout Rank, members are no longer required to demonstrate, but must discuss, pocketknife safety to satisfy the requirement. The text in the corresponding chapters of the handbook was not properly edited to reflect these changes and reflects the old requirements. It is important that troops utilize the requirements listed in the Rank Requirements section of the handbook (pages 441–454).

Internet Advancement is being upgraded and the new and more useful Internet Advancement 2.0

As girls now join Scouts BSA some of the new members to scouting will not have sufficient time to earn the rank of Eagle because of their age at joining. Earning the rank of Eagle takes a minimum of 19 to 20 months. Therefore, a one-time extension for earning the rank of Eagle has been created for all Scouts age 16 or 17, who first join Scouting BSA between 1 February and 31 December 2019. This one time extension is not just for our new female members of scouting but also boys age 16 or 17 who have never been a member of the BSA/Scouting BSA. The detailed information regarding requesting this one time extension is available at the attached link or you may contact Curt Lunchick at curt.lunchick@bayer.com for the details.

Black River District will hold a training session for both individuals interested in becoming an Eagle Coach and for troops on unit responsibility regarding preparing our Life rank Scouts for the earning the rank of Eagle. The District requires all Eagle Coaches to have the training before they coach Eagle Scout candidates. The unit responsibility training is for a troop's SM, ASMs, Committee members, and other registered adults in a troop. The goal of the training is to ensure that all Eagle candidates are properly prepared for both the concept preparation and the final Eagle Board of Reviews. It is the unit's responsibility to properly prepare the Eagle candidate before the appear before the District Board. The training is 22 June 2019 at Campbell University from 0900 to 1100 in Room 311 Leslie Campbell Science Building. Parking is available in the faculty parking lot with the exception of the handicap spaces unless you have placard.  Coffee and doughnuts will be available. Any ...

The Black River District Pinewood Derby was a success. We would like to thank all of the adults that made it happen - especially our Senior Family Scouting Executive, Kate Merrit, District Chairman, Glenn Traylor, Jim Stewart (computer genius), Jimmy and Jamie White, Dennis McKinney and Pack 320 for the use of their track and all of the leaders that made the derby a success. We especially want to thank Keith Tripp and Hiester Chevrolet in Lillington for allowing us to conduct the derby in their showroom.

We are now looking for a chairman for next year's race. If you would like to chair this exciting event, please contact Don Gantt (dwgantt@gmail.com)

Click the title above for the Derby Results

When: March 2, 2019 - starting @ 9 a.m.

The 2019 Guide to Advancement is now available and replaces the 2017 version. The 2019 guide can be downloaded at the following url:  https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33088.pdf   All units should begin using the 2019 guide as soon as possible.2019 Guide to Advancement