Orion District, BSA

As we begin the new district year, as of the June 1st charter date, Dr. Cox has been hard at work filling the District Committee. The website page which lists leadership and contact information has been updated to reflect her efforts.

Please give patience and understanding as this process is not complete, but we felt that getting you as much information as possible now is important to your unit and activity success.

The mentioned webpage can be found here.

The residents of Mount Olympus are looking to create an elite Phalanx of Mortals. Your City-State Stratego (GeneralSPL) and Hoplite Phalanx (Scout Patrols) are called and challenged to compete in the Orion Regional Odyssey (Camp-O-Ree)! This Odyssey shall be a series of trials held throughout the Orion Region of Texas. It is requested that all City-States (Units) send their best Hoplites (Scouts) for this event.

Event activities include: Patrol Competitions, Troop Contests, Greek Regalia Contest, Greek Phalanx Flag Contest, Kick-ball Tournament, Campfire Program, OA Callout, and Sunday Service.

April 23-25, 2021
Location: Sid Richardson Scout Ranch, Camp 8
Early Registration: $10/person (by April 10, 2021)
Late Registration: $12/person (beginning April 11, 2021)
Registration: https://scoutingevent.com/662-Orion_District_CampORee
Unit Volunteer Signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080545AFAC2EA4FB6-phalanx
Camp-O-Ree Contacts:
Tony White — tonywhite2010@verizon.net
Steve Kral — steve.kral@yahoo.com
Gary Utrup — garyutrup@gmail.com

Calling all Merit Badge Counselors! We need your help for the 2021 Merit Badge College! If you are interested in helping to teach a class please contact Christina Cunningham as soon as possible. She would be more than happy to give you more information or help you register as a counselor!

Dates: January 30 and February 27, 2021
Location: This year, the college will be delivered at least partly online (the first weekend will be online; if conditions allow, the second weekend will be in person).
Cost: $5.00 per Scout + optional pamphlet costs
Registration Deadline: December 28, 2020
Contact: For more information, contact one of the planning committee members Lynne Cox, Christina Cunningham, Yoli Johnson, Rudy Kamman, Mark Lampe, or Jeff Mack.

The objective of the Orion District Merit Badge College is to provide Merit Badges that a Scout may not have an opportunity to take otherwise. Scouts may sign up for three Merit Badges offered during three sessions: Session 1: 9:00 – 10:45; Session 2: 11:00 – 12:45; lunch break 12:45 to 1:30 and Session 3: 1:30 – 3:15. Session times may be adjusted as we get closer to the event. Class sessions are for both Saturdays and will require off site work (homework) and/or field trips in order to complete all requirements. Attendance alone will not result in any/all requirements being completed. Each Scout must participate and demonstrate they have met each requirement in order to earn the badge. Scouts are limited to no more than two Eagle required merit badges. Scoutmasters must discuss all merit badge choices their Scouts sign up for but please keep in mind that per the Guide to Advancement, there are no minimum age requirements for participation in a class.

The event cost per Scout is $5.00, which covers all required program expenses and includes a patch. Troops will designate one person to register Scouts using an online system. Registration closes on Dec 28th. Registering early is a good thing to do – classes will fill on first come first serve basis!

Since many units have extensive libraries, the MBC committee has adjusted the budget to make the purchase of pamphlets optional this year. Pamphlets will be available for pre-order only through the MBC committee at a reduced cost. Registered troops will be contacted to collect the pamphlet pre-orders. Troops will then be invoiced for the cost of the event and the pre-ordered pamphlets. Money will be collected prior to distribution of program materials. Units will be required to furnish Blue Cards to each Scout. Scouts will need a pen or pencil and workbooks or paper to take notes with. If a Merit Badge requires additional expenses the Scout will be notified in advance.

Merit Badges offered:

1. Archaeology
2. Architecture
3. Art
4. Citizenship in the Community
5. Citizenship in the Nation
6. Citizenship in the World
7. Coin Collecting
8. Communication
9. Crime Prevention
10. Emergency Preparedness
11. Engineering
12. Digital Technology
13. Fire Safety
14. Game Design
15. Graphic Art
16. Inventing
17. Law
18. Leatherwork
19. Medicine
20. Movie Making
21. Personal Management
22. Photography
23. Programming
24. Reading
25. Space Exploration
26. Truck Transportation

For the past 2 years, Blake Travis with Troop 9168 has organized a toy drive to benefit Scottish Rite Hospital. Unfortunately this year due to COVID, his toy drive does look different and he was unable to speak at the Orion District Roundtable as he has done in previous years with Tonkawa District. Blake has partnered with several hospitals in the area for this year’s drive. There are 2 options for donation:

1. Donate a toy in person. Contact Blake’s dad Jonathan, at 214-293-2921 to arrange the donation.
2. You may donate via Amazon to one of the hospitals.

Read on for a note from Blake about the drive as well as links for all of the hospitals.