Welcome to the Suwannee River Area Council!

Our council’s goal is to provide a quality, dynamic program of learning and adventure that builds well-rounded young people. The Suwannee River Area Council, Boy Scouts of America was incorporated on January 22 1924. Since then it has been our honor to instill in the youth we serve the character, values and traditions that make Boy Scouts of America stand apart in the crowd.

#Giving Tuesday 2020 is here!

Launched in 2012, #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving positioned as a “do-good” alternative to the post-Thanksgiving shopping and consumption associated with Black Friday and Cyber Monday. #GivingTuesday falls on the Tuesday after Black Friday. 

#GivingTuesday is a time to “do a good turn” in some way. Due to the financial pressures placed on our council by the pandemic, we’re asking for a monetary donation this year. However, if that’s not possible, those wishing to provide support can also do volunteer office work and camp service as great ways to celebrate also.  Contact us at 850-576-4146, to find out how!

As you may have seen, retailers in 2020 have extended Black Friday starting November 1st, throughout the season. Along those lines, the Suwannee River Area Council is extending our Giving Tuesday campaign throughout the holiday season, as well. Please join us in celebrating the season of giving by making a donation to the future of the young people in our area.

America needs Scouting now, more than ever. Through our #GivingTuesday campaign, we’re asking you to rally with us to create maximum impact. This is your chance to help bring the values and mission of Scouting to even more families in 2021.

By contributing to Scouting locally, you will have a profound impact on America. More youth will experience the program that will further instill values and character in their moral fiber.

#GivingTuesday also presents a great opportunity to help grow Scouting in your community. You can donate to the Suwannee River Area Council, help send a Scout to camp or help build the next great high-adventure camp. However you decide to give, you’ll be providing young people with the chance to have fun, gain confidence and become leaders who live the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

See our #GivingTuesday webpage for full details and resources that you can use to assist social media followers in particpating in this year’s campaign.d

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So... what's going on around #SRACBSA?

So, you came here looking for information on what’s going on around our council? Wow! That’s great, there are a number of ways to keep up with what’s up around SRAC. Obviously, this website is one of them. There also several other channels available to help you keep up with Scouting stuff.  We’ll list them below with links for accessing each one.

  • For detailed information on what’s coming up on the schedule of events, see our “Events” page
  • You can join our electronic mailing list, so that you can receive our newsletter.  You can subscribe by clicking here or you can simply text “SRACBSA” to 22828 and follow the text prompts.
  • You can like our Facebook page
  • You can join our SRAC Volunteers Facebook group , where members can also post announcementsof interest.
  • Attend a monthly roundtable meeting. 
  • Ask your Den Leader, Cubmaster, Crew Advisor or Scoutmaster.

Current COVID-19 Updates

Updated September 30, 2020
 
UPDATE ON COUNCIL PROGRAM EVENTS

Time to put the “outing” back in Scouting!

As September 30 approached, the Council Executive Committee began reviewing, current conditions and recommendations, as well as the plans for certain events and activities.

As always, the safety of our participants and families is key. With updated guidance, we’re pleased to share that we will, once again, be scheduling certain events and activities for our scouting families. The Committee is taking a measured approach, but has taken action to begin scheduling activities that cover all aspects of scouting, from Cub Scouts to Venturing!

Thus far, the following have been approved to take place:

  1. Shooting Sports “Camporee” for Scouts BSA and Venturing
  2. Tiger Prowl
  3. Order of the Arrow Inductions and Brotherhood activities

Please see the current newsletter for the latest on some of these programs. As more information becomes available, we will share that with you in separate e-mail updates.

For the Tiger Prowl, we’re working now to secure a date that works the best, once we have that date secured, we’ll send out a notice and information about this year’s Tiger Prowl.

Important: Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, although preventive measures are being taken, we cannot guarantee that you or your child(ren) will not come in contact with or become infectied with COVID-19. Therefore, attendance at all of these events will require an adult to read and sign an “Informed Consent Waiver“, acknowledging that you understand the contagious nature of the virus and assume all risk for you and/or your children attending these activities. A copy of the waiver is attached to the online registration for each event and you will be able to sign for acknowledgement electronically during the registration process. You may review a copy of the waver at this link, as well,

The suspension of programs through November 30 remains in place, with certain exceptions. Our council program volunteer leaders are hard at work to put the necessary measures in place, as we keep up to date with the latest in guidance and recommendations, so stay tuned for more updates.  See the original notice below.

 

Council Program suspension/cancellation extended through November 30, 2020. As always, the safety of all of our members, volunteers, and employees and their families is the Suwannee River Area Council’s top priority. Since the spread of this pandemic, we have been continually monitoring the situation, and consulting with health experts, government officials and other youth serving organizations.

After careful and thoughtful deliberation and in accordance with current local government guidelines (e.g. Gadsden County Resolution 20-42 limits camping groups to ten (10) people), the Council Executive Board has decided to extend the suspension of Council program activities through November 30, 2020. The board’s vote included a complete cancellation of all programs through September 30, with no exceptions.

However, after September 30, the board also made provisions for the council’s volunteer Executive Committee to either rescind the suspension, if situations allow or to allow exceptions to the suspension, based on the program being provided and it’s ability to ensure the safety of the participants in the program, again so long as it’s in accordance with the then current local government guidelines.

If you have registered for any of these events to date, please see the refund policy at this link.

For the complete notice, please follow this link.

The Scout Shop remains open from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Monday through Friday.  No more than five customers will be allowed in the Scout Shop and front counter area at a time, including children.  Face coverings and all other social distancing protocols will remain in place.

What can all Scouting members do to protect themselves and others

  • Scouting members should take the same precautions they would for any common cold or flu.
  • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. *(Alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content can work in a pinch, but they’re generally not as effective as soap and water). 
  • Hands should be washed before eating, after using the bathroom, and when you come inside from outdoor activities that caused hands to get dirty.
  • Avoid touching your mouth, eyes or noses.
  • Cough and/or sneeze into your elbows and not your hands.
  • Distance yourself from anyone coughing or sneezing.
  • Encourage Healthy Habits, like eating a healthy diet, exercising, and getting enough sleep.
  • If you are sick, stay away from school, work, Scouts and others.
  • If you have any symptoms of the virus, seek medical attention immediately and follow the advice of your medical professional.

Let’s all set the example to be safe during this time.  If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.  Thank you.

Scouting at Home!

The Suwannee River Area Council is committed to keeping scouting alive and available in our communities.  Through this website along with our facebook page and our council e-mail list, we will offer our Scouting units and families opportunities to participate in Scouting activities from the comfort of their own home! 

Check out the activities on our Scouting at Home page and come back often for updates! 

DON’T JUST SIT THERE … KEEP ON “SCOUTING AT HOME“

National BSA Registration Fee Increase

and new Council Program fee

effective August 1, 2020

 
The Suwannee River Area Council is focused on customer service and transparency to its scouting family. Our volunteers and staff are mission-driven to grow the organization and deliver character education in a quality way. The organization is focused on that daily.  We owe it to our members to provide the highest quality customer service and resources possible.  We have big plans for this Council, all focused on you, our scouting family, and we need your partnership to deliver it!  Although Scouting is a less expensive program than competing activities, we recognize that it still costs money.  And we can all agree that the value is there!
 
  • Beginning August 1, 2020:
    • Registration fees for traditional youth (Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing) will be $10 per month, or $120 annually.             
    • Adult leader and Exploring participant registration fees will be $5 per month, or $60 annually. 
    • Each unit (new or returning) will annually pay a $75.00 unit charter fee.
    • BSA has also established a one-time new member joining fee of $25.
    • Boy’s Life Magazine (optional) will remain at $1 per month, or $12 annually.
    • Registration and fees can be completed online. Units will not have to collect national or council fees, as long as, the new youth or adult registers online. 
  • The new fees will be collected for new registrations beginning on August 1, 2020.  Currently registered members will be subject to the new fees at recharter time, as usual. 
Details on the new National BSA fee can be found at this link.
 
Included in the above fees is also a newly established Council Program fee, details of which are found below and a FAQ to help understand the rationale can be found at this link. 
 
The Council Program fee, which is incorporated into the amounts shown above (not in addition to) are as follows:
  • For traditional youth (Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing) – $54 annually.             
  • For Adult leader and Exploring participants – $18 annually. 

This fee is being implemented out of necessity to ensure the needed support for Wallwood Scout Reservation, boost unit level support, and focus on quality programs, while being able to provide the required insurance coverage in order to be able to continue to provide a robust Scouting program.

Along with this new fee, in addition to the many services the Council provides, we are happy to extend those services to also include:
  • Beginning in 2021, all registered families of the Suwannee River Area Council will receive:
    • Access to all Council camp properties for tent camping at no charge.
    • Access to University of Scouting, youth and adults, at no charge.
    • A special “thank you” decal to showcase the family as a Scouting family.
    • Excellent unit/customer service and program support through our new specialized model of position specific executives (staff) 
The online system will be updated to reflect the Council Program fee, so that all fees are collected at the same time.
 
Below is a complete breakdown of the new fee structures:
 
Annual Registration – Youth
Annual Registration – Adult
      $66.00 – National BSA registration
      $42.00 – National BSA registration
      $54.00 – SRAC Program fee      $18.00 – SRAC Program fee
   Total – $120.00/$10.00 per month   Total – $60.00/$5.00 per month
      $12.00 – optional Boys’ Life      $12.00 – optional Boys’ Life
     w/ Boys’ Life – $132.00/$11.00 per mo      w/ Boys’ Life – $72.00/$61.00 per mo

 

We encourage you to review the FAQ and to discuss this with your unit’s leadership to understand how this change effects your family.

Thank you for continuing to be a part of our scouting family.

The Suwannee River Area Council, Boy Scouts of America was incorporated on January 22 1924. Since then it has been our honor to instill in the youth we serve the character, values and traditions that make Boy Scouts of America stand apart in the crowd. Thirteen counties throughout south Georgia and north Florida are served by Suwanee River Area Council. If you are not involved in Scouting today please let us know how we can serve you!