News

For the first time in the history of the BSA, girls will be able to be able to embark on the Trail to Eagle.  Starting February 1, 2019, all-girl or linked troops will officially be established.  Between now and February, we will be working to charter these troops that will welcome the BSA’s newest members....

One of the characteristics of Scouting—for over a hundred years—is that no matter when you join, however long you stay, or the rank you attain, the Scouting experience prepares you for life. And for some, the pinnacle of their Scouting experience is achieving the highest rank of Eagle Scout. The policies of the BSA indicate...

Dear New Birth of Freedom Volunteer Leaders: Like many other organizations, balancing our Council’s annual operating budget is often a difficult challenge. In fact, in 2017, we had an operating deficit of just over $126,000 – our first deficit year since the Council was formed in 2010. As you might expect, it wasn’t just one...

The Boy Scouts of America on Thursday announced a voluntary recall of Cub Scout neckerchief slides sold between February 2018 and August 2018. The affected products include the orange Lion, red Wolf, green Bear and blue Webelos slides. The $6 slides were sold at local Scout Shops, authorized BSA distributors and online at scoutshop.org....

Keeping our youth safe is paramount in the Scouting program.  Youth Protection Training is vital in being able to provide safe, fun, and memorable Scouting experiences.  For anyone that has not yet completed the new Youth Protection Training, your training is set to expire on October 1.  There have been some communications from National to...

The New Birth of Freedom Council would like to welcome Christopher Lontz who will serve as the new Battlefield District executive starting on September 4th.   Chris is a recent graduate of Mansfield University with a B.S. in Chemistry. After spending 8 summers on camp staff at Hidden Valley Scout Reservation, Chris has decided to continue...

The Boy Scouts of America has reinstated the Heroism Award, filling a gap between the Honor Medal, presented for attempting to save a life with “considerable risk to self” and the Medal of Merit, which honors Scouting service but does not require a lifesaving attempt. The Heroism Award was first presented in 1977 and...

From now until October 31, 2018, both the Mechanicsburg and York Scout Shops are offering special discounts on the purchase of Cub Scout uniform shirts. Save 25% of the purchase of a Cub Scout uniform shirt with purchase of a Cub Scout uniform bottom. Offer is also valid on-line. To better serve new Cub Scout...

Going camping or hiking with Scouts or Venturers isn’t merely a fun, fulfilling way to spend a weekend. It may also help you feel better, sleep more soundly and live longer. A massive study published last month by the University of East Anglia in England concludes that exposure to the outdoors reduces your risk for...

Becoming an Eagle Scout is its own reward. Earning a college scholarship because you’re an Eagle Scout? That’s like a reward on top of a reward. The National Eagle Scout Association will award nearly $700,000 in scholarships to more than 150 Eagle Scouts based on their academic performance, Scouting background, college plans and financial need....