Greeting Fellow Scouters, it is hard to believe August has slipped by. I am excited to share with you an update on the council, and things that are happening to make your Scouting experience better.

We recently held a council Training Team meeting to discuss how to get more leaders trained. The council is last in Area 5 in % of trained leaders. With the focus of the training team, and the support of unit leaders we will improve this metric. 

Earlier this month the new Unit Leader Planning Guide was distributed to all units at Roundtable. For those who did not receive yours, plan to attend the September roundtable. I will be attending Kiokee River Roundtable in September. You will also be able to download a digital copy on the new website. 

New Website

Did I say New Website! Yes I did. It is planned to go live tomorrow September 1st .. It should magically appear between 9 AM and noon. The web address does not change ...   www.gacacouncil.org 

I am excited with the new platform, and I expect your unit leaders, scouts and parents will find it much easier to navigate. The SEARCH feature at the top is a valuable tool. We will provide an overview of the website at each roundtable if possible. You will find the site tablet and phone friendly. Through this one site we will be able to register for upcoming events including summer camp, day camp, banquets and other activities. 

I think you will also find the new site is loaded with information, and it will be growing in the coming weeks as we continue to add additional information to the site. If their is content you would like to see on the site please let us know and we will do our best to make it happen. The site exists for the simple purpose of serving you.  

In other news, Georgia Carolina finished July tops in Area 5 in Membership growth, and it looks like we may do the same again in August. We look to show a 4.8% growth in membership vs 2016. This effort is being led by Wesley Brown and the Creek River team showing a strong 40% growth vs 2016! Congratulations to those units who have completed their fall sign-up night for a job well done. We look forward to working with the other Packs and Troops in the coming weeks. 

Update on Camp Projects

• Campsite Name Survey is complete, names will be announced in September. 
• 1st level approval from Army Corps of Engineers complete, awaiting final approval to get electricity to the Aquatics Storage / Maintenance Building. 
• Capital funding has been approved to replace the leaking roof for the chapel at Camp Daniel Marshall. 
• New shelving has been acquired, and installed in the Schwab Maintenance Center. Project Complete. 
• Have met with contractors and working on a budget and drawings for potential dining hall. Awaiting Executive Board approval after design and cost is complete. 
• Site visit complete, awaiting cost estimate to build high ropes / zip line at Knox Scout Reservation. 
• Bulletin Boards for campsites ready to go, waiting for campsite names. 
• Camping Committee Member has taken the lead on developing camp-master program. Details to come in September. 
• 10 mountain bikes purchased, looking for volunteer to lead the development of a mountain bike program at camp. 

Next Camping Committee meeting is September 12th at 6:30 at Council Service Center. 

Yours in Scouting,

Daniel Rogers, Scout Executive