Hey everyone, welcome to this week’s 3-minute update. I’m your host, Tyler Matthews coming to you from our membership tracker! We have begun our journey to hit 6000 youth Scouts in Lake Erie Council as part of the 2025 Scouting Strong campaign. This goal is vitally important for all of us, so rather than me traveling the globe each week to bring you the news from different scenic locations, I’ll be right here counting all the youth that we are serving in our units! Today, that number is 4,467. Let’s work together to hit that goal of 6000 and beyond. I can’t wait to celebrate at the finish line! Let’s get into this weeks news.
First, a quick update on 3-minute update: The 3-minute update will be going bi-monthly. You can now expect to see episodes on the first and 3rd Thursday of each month.
April 1st marked the end of the 90-day renewal grace period for members whose membership was set to expire in December and January. We are asking all units to double and triple check their rosters to make sure they accurately reflect the members you have coming to your weekly meetings and events. We are all still adjusting to the new individual renewal system, so we are trying to be as accurate as possible. If you do find any discrepancies, please call our care team at (216) 861-6060. Thanks for your help!
Let’s go over some upcoming training! EDGE training is happening on May 18th at the unit service center. SM basic training, which is required for all scoutmasters and assistant scoutmasters, is happening April 11-13th at Firelands. BALOO training, which every cub scout pack needs a few of, is happening April 25th-27th at Firelands. Rangemaster training takes place on April 12th at Firelands. Plus, registrations for wood badge and NYLT are now open. You can find all these training courses and registrations at lecscouting.org/calendar.
In-person, fall kick-off meetings are coming to a town near you! Mark your calendars so you don’t miss out. For the West, you have June 11th 6:00 pm at Snow Road picnic area Parma metro park. June 12th 6:00 pm at Rocky River civic center gazebo. June 24th, 6:00 pm at North Royalton pavilion by splash pad. In the East you have June 5th at 6:00 pm at Mitchells ice cream in Solon. June 11th, 6:00 pm at Mitchells ice cream Van Aken. In the Far East, you have Saturday, June 28th at 1:30 pm at the Rollhouse in Mentor. In the Far West you have June 25th 6:30 pm at the Avery Hand dining hall, Firelands. Sign up today and contact your unit support executive with any questions about kick-offs in your area.
Join us for the Sasquatch Quest Spring Camporee out at Beaumont Scout Reservation on April 11! Activities include Rifle, Archery, Tracking, Animal and Plant Identification, Tomahawk, and more! Sign up today and you can contact Rob Burnham or Anthony Dworning for details.
May 3rd is Scouts Trash the Trash Day, an international Messengers of Peace project for Scouts around the world, where each Scout is challenged to bring a friend or family member along and pick up at least 2 pounds of trash each on the first Saturday in May. Scouts are asked to bring a friend with them on this day of service in order to increase the impact of their trash-cleaning effort. Units are encouraged to set up a cleanup in their own communities, or they can join one of the two locations being coordinated by the Lake Erie Council. Patches are available to order during registration at $2/each. Register now and send your questions to Chelsea.
Does your unit have a social media page, or are you unsure of what to post and haven’t started one yet? Join us on the evening of May 15th for our training, “Social Media for Scouting Units! This session is designed to help unit leaders grow their units and better engage with their communities through digital platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and more. Learn best practices, creative content ideas, and effective strategies to showcase the Scouting experience online. Questions? Contact your Unit Executive or Michelle Cali. Register now!
The culmination of Pinewood Derby season is coming up on June 7th at our 2025 Lake Erie Council Pinewood Derby! Hosted at Swings-N-Things in Olmsted Falls, this is the perfect opportunity for your Pack's Top 3 racers to compete at the council level and showcase what their car can do! It's $10 per youth to register, and each racer will receive a patch for participating! You can register for the Derby on the Council Calendar, and for more information you can reach out to Ian Bailey.
Following the Derby, Swings-N-Things will be hosting their 2025 Scout Night! This is a fantastic and fun overnight for Scouts of all ages to celebrate Scouting. Go-Karts, Mini Golf, Batting Cages and more will be open and running throughout the night, and it's sure to be an incredible event. Scouts and their Adults can register at https://swingsnthings.centeredgeonline.com/, and the first 100 overnighters to register will receive a Free Overnighter patch! Tickets are $25 per person, and Adults are required to spend the night with their scouts. Reach out to Ian Bailey for any further questions
Cub Scouts! Are you looking for an amazing summer camp opportunity? Look no further than S'Mores Cub Adventures out at Firelands Scout Reservations! 2 weekends, June 20th-22nd and July 25th-27th. Check out the event page for more information or contact Anthony Dworning!
Philmont Scout Ranch is excited to once again offer two Supported 7-day backcountry treks, designed for Scouts with special needs. Building on the success of the inaugural trek in 2024, these customized adventures ensure that each Scout, accompanied by a parent or caregiver, has a safe and successful experience. With trained staff and volunteers providing support, each trek is limited to 12 participants (6 Scouts and 6 parents/caregivers). Interested families must complete a pre-screening form and interview before registering. Learn more and start your journey here.
That’s it for this week folks! Until next time, remember to stay prepared, stay adventurous, and keep the spirit of scouting alive.
