Both the McInich Scout Service Center and the Manchester Scout Shop will be closed for the holidays on December 24, December 25, and January 1. The Scout Sercice Center will be closing at 3:00pm on Tuesday, December 31 for New Year's Eve.

Otherwise, the Service Center will be open normal business hours of 8:30 am to 5:00 pm weekdays, and the Scout Shop will be open 9:30 am - 6:00 pm weekdays, and 9:30 am to 3:00pm on Saturdays, throughout the holiday season.

The Daniel Webster Council is again teaming up with Monster Jam to give Scouts and their families the opportunity to see the show at the Verizon Wireless Arena on January 3 AND take part in an exclusive Scout Clinic to meet the drivers and get up close to the trucks! The "pit party" will give families an opportunity to get out on the floor with the trucks and drivers and learn what it takes to keep monster trucks charging! The clinic is before the first show of the weekend, so trucks will be in top condition and it will be safe to get up close!

Tickets can be purchased online at www.nhscouting.org/monsterjam

The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 to recognize Scouting volunteers with a record of distinguished service at the council level. Recipients of the Silver Beaver are registered Scouters who have made a tremendous impact on the lives of youth through years of service above and beyond involvement in a single Scouting unit. Daniel Webster Council is now accepting nominations of deserving Scouters who are at least 21 years of age. There are no other specific criteria beyond being a registered Scouter and providing service at the council level, but recipients are selected by a volunteer committee based on their record of service and standing in the community.

If you would like to nominate someone, please fill out a nomination form  and submit it to Daniel Webster Council, care of Dave Roberts, Director of Support Services, no later than January 15, 2014. Please do not inform an individual of their nomination. Recipients will be selected and notified in time to receive the award at the Council Recognition Dinner in the spring.

Friends of Scouting is a critical yearly fundraising campaign that assists the Daniel Webster Council in offsetting program costs and providing quality service. The true cost of Scouting is much greater than what local dues and event or camping fees cover.

Pay your 2013 Pledge Online

Because of the continued support from Scouters, parents, businesses, and members of the community, 2013 was a great year for the Daniel Webster Council! Your support truly helped us deliver the promise of an outstanding program for our Scouts.

Next year is shaping up to be another exciting year for Scouting in New Hampshire. With your continued support, we can and will succeed. If you made a Friends of Scouting pledge in 2013 and have not had the opportunity to fulfill your commitment, please send a check to the Daniel Webster Council or pay your 2013 pledge online»

2014 Campaign

The 2014 Friends of Scouting campaign is now underway. Friends of Scouting is the annual campaign where Scouters, parents, alumni, and community members are asked to financially support Scouting.

Yearly registration fees directly support the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America and help provide program development and research, literature, and local council support. The Daniel Webster Council uses contributions made through the annual Friends of Scouting campaign to:

• Maintain camp properties and a service center.
• Organize new Scouting units and support existing ones.
• Provide professional support and leader training.
• Distribute program resources and regular communications.
• Organize activities and events.
• Offset general liability insurance costs to chartered organizations.
• Criminal background checks for adult leaders.

Each unit is asked to schedule a presentation date for this campaign during the months of January, February and March. If your unit hasn't scheduled a presentation yet, please firm-up a date ASAP so district volunteers to have enough time to plan for the campaign. Your unit FOS coordinator may schedule a presentation by contacting your district Family FOS chair or your district professional.

Each district will be holding a Family Friends of Scouting Kickoff and a representative of your unit should plan to attend to learn more about the upcoming campaign. Contact your District Family Friends of Scouting Chair or district professional for more information.

Thank you for your support!

Now is the time to get Scouts and their parents committed to attend summer camp in 2014! To help packs, troops, and crews get the word out, district camping committees and the Order of the Arrow will provide trained camp promoters to make presentations at unit meetings or other gatherings. Visit www.nhscouting.org/camping and click on the "Camp Promotion" tab in the blue menu bar to request a camp promotion for your unit. Even if you attend camp every year, it's important to have a camp promoter visit your unit to share the latest information and help you build excitement!

Cub Scout leaders can also request promotional placemats to use at Blue & Gold Banquets through the Camp Promotion tab. The Council Service Center will produce these themed 8.5"x14" placemats featuring all the Cub Camping options, dates, and fees for your unit at no cost. Request yours early and they can be delivered to you at your next Round Table! The placemats are a great way to get details about camp to the parents of Cub Scouts so that they can make their decisions about camp in time to make early deposits by March 17. This will secure the lowest possible camp fees!

Do you want to serve on camp staff this summer? or know someone that may be interested? Click here for information about the staff hiring process for the Griswold Scout Reservation (Hidden Valley Scout Camp and Camp Bell). If you're considering applying for Camp Carpenter Cub World staff, click here.

The Daniel Webster Council partners with the Museum of Science in Boston each year to provide an opportunity for Cub Scout packs to participate in a popular overnight experience. The museum provides a program of hands-on activities, exciting demonstrations, an Omni-film, after-hours access, and a sleep-over in the exhibit halls. Due to the popularity of this program, there are very few spaces left between now and May, but please email Valerie Whatmough or call 1-800-221-0009 ext. 116 to inquire if you are interested in trying to secure a date in the new year. Cost is just $55 per person, including evening snack, breakfast, and memories to last a lifetime!

If you were inducted into the Order of the Arrow as a Scout, but haven't been involved as an adult, now is the time to rekindle the fellowship that comes with belonging to the BSA's society of honored campers! Begin by visiting the Passaconaway Lodge website at www.nhscouting.org/oa and selecting the "members" tab from the menu on the left. You'll be able to create a profile that will give you access to features like Lodge Newsletters and the ability to pay dues online, which will renew your membership. You can also register for upcoming Lodge events like the January 11 banquet at Camp Carpenter and the Hidden Valley Winter Fun Weekend January 17-19. Don't miss out!

If you missed out on travelling to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico as a Scout or have been longing to return, the Philmont Training Center has countless programs for adults and families and provides the perfect reason to visit in 2014! The conference season at Philmont begins June 8 and continues through September. There are courses for all registered adult Scouters as well as Scouts and all immediate family members. No matter what your role in Scouting, you'll find the perfect program to develop your skills and enjoy the Ranch. Visit www.PhilmontTrainingCenter.org for all the details!

Unit Commissioner Basic Training will be held at Camp Carpenter on Saturday, January 25 from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. This courses is critical for existing commissioners and appropriate for other Scouters that may be interested in becoming a commissioner. Click on the link for more information and to register.

Commissioners are district and council leaders who help Scout units succeed. They coach and consult with adult leaders of Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, and Venturing crews. Commissioners help maintain the standards of the Boy Scouts of America. They also oversee the unit charter renewal plan so that each unit reregisters on time with an optimum number of youth and adult members. Quality Commissioners are key to quality Scouting!

Click on your district for the latest news and events in your area. If you're not sure of your district, please click here

• Abnaki (Central Eastern Region)
• Arrowhead (Greater Nashua)
• Great Northern (Northern New Hampshire)
• Historic (Seacoast Region)
• Massabesic (Greater Manchester)
• Mt Monadnock (Monadnock Region)
• Nutfield (Greater Salem & Derry Area)
• Sunapee (Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee Region)
• Wannalancit (Greater Concord & Lakes Region)
• Exploring Division (career-based programs/statewide)

The 2013 top-selling Scouts for the popcorn sale were recognized at the Manchester Monarchs Scout Day and hockey game on December 15. Congratulations again and super job raising the funds to support a great year of Scouting program!

This year's event added some exclusive opportunities for Scouts, like learning basic stick handling from a Monarch's player, getting to shoot a puck on the ice, and getting photos taken in front of a Zamboni. If you missed out on the pre-game festivities this year, don't miss-out in 2014!