If your unit has any other version posted, please remove that version and replace it with a link to the national site link for the ESRA.

Registration is now open for the 18tth Annual Black River District Klondike Derby to be held 22-24 February at Hammerstone Scout Museum, 2219 Leaflet Church Road, Lillington NC. This event is open to all Scout Troops, Venture Crews and Weblos in Cub Scout Pack. A bridging ceremony will be held for eligible Weblos. Contact host Scout Troop 61 Scoutmaster Jimmy White at jnjm00707@yahoo.com to register and for additional information Thank you Scott 

The Black River District Pinewood Derby represents the best cars from each of the Cub Scout Packs that make up our District. This year’s derby will be held on Saturday, March 09, 2019, at John Hiester Chevrolet at 105 W Cornelius-Harnett Blvd, Lillington, NC 27546. The top three finishers from each rank in each Pack will be invited to participate.

The application and information for the 2019 John William Pope Family Eagle Scout Scholarship is now available.  If you visit our council website, it is currently the first item shown on our homepage (www.ocscouts.org).  Scouts who are recommended for the Eagle rank at the 12 December Eagle Board of Review are included in those who can apply. No better time than now for interested scouts to start the process!

From 2018 Chair of the Occoneechee Silver Beaver Selection Committee Susan Long We have leaders in every district in Occoneechee Council who deserve the Silver Beaver recognition- the highest recognition a BSA Council can award to a volunteer!   Please go to https://ocscouts.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Silver-Beaver-2018-Nomination-Form-Fillable.pdf for the Nomination form.  (Or you may go to the website https://ocscouts.org/ and click on the right hand side of the page where it says “2018 Silver Beaver Nominations”).  The online fillable nomination form will come up and a detailed explanation of what should be included in the nomination is included on pages 3 & 4.  Note the deadline has been extended to close of business on Wednesday, November 7th, so get your nominations in now to Dona Johnston at Dona.Johnston@scouting.org!     Thanks in advance for your attention to this important recognition.

As a movement whose leadership is overwhelmingly volunteers the Boy Scouts of America realizes the need to recognize the invaluable services that men and women render to youth. In addition to the thanks, praise and recognition that come to those who serve their communities with utmost efficiency, the Boy Scouts of America has established district awards that are given for distinguished service to youth. The criterion is different for each award, but there is one common thread. The awards are granted by one's own peers in Scouting and do not come as the result of any prescribed course of action or tests to be accomplished.

This recall involves Boy Scouts of America's neckerchief slides. The brass neckerchief slides were sold in four styles: red wolf, green bear, orange lion and blue Webelos. ... number 200228276, 20023175, 200233281 or 200236630 are printed on a white label attached to the back of the neckerchief slide.

Beginning on 1 October 2018, adult supervision on “all Scouting activities,” which includes Eagle Scout projects, must consist of no less than two Youth protection trained, BSA-registered adults—both at least 21 years of age. 

As packs and troops begin to develop their programs for the next year, planning to train and support den chiefs is an important part of the Scouting process for leadership development. The Den Chief training syllabus, which was recently updated, is available at this web address: www.scouting.org/training/youth/.

Recently the BSA National Order of the Arrow Committee revised its guidance for lodges and chapters concerning the types and details of ceremonies that will be permitted after January 1, 2019. Of particular note, Arrowmen in these ceremonies are to be in a Scout uniform and are no longer permitted to be done in American Indian regalia.