Great Trail Council

Help us smooth out the bumps at Camp Manatoc!



Manatoc Scout Reservation has been a home away from home for Scouts and leaders for over 101 years. From first-time campers to seasoned veterans, everyone who has spent time at Camp Manatoc shares fond memories of its beauty, adventures and yes, those infamous bumpy roads!



As part of our 33rd Annual Gala Auction, we’re asking for your support to repair and restore the roads at Camp Manatoc and smooth out the journey for future generations of Scouts and leaders. Whether you donate enough to fill a pothole or pave an entire lot, every dollar counts and will make a tangible difference. Smooth roads make it easier for everyone to access all parts of the camp, ensuring no Scout misses out on the adventure.



Let’s work together to make the road ahead a little smoother for our Scouts of tomorrow. To donate, go to https://onecau.se/_4b4h41 and click the donate button in the top right corner.

Need some service hours?!?! This Saturday at Camp Manatoc the Leave No Trace Marathon & Half Marathon will be happening and our friends at Western Reserve Racing need our help! If you’re available to volunteer, click the link below:

https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/OH/Peninsula/LeaveNoTrace

Wood Badge Staff Development for course 9-433-24 this fall. We're looking forward to the Party at Stambaugh!

Scouts BSA units and Scouts! Want to earn the Soil and Water Conservation Merit Badge on September 21st? Click here to register!

Join the Summit Soil & Water Conservation District and the University of Akron Field Station at Bath Nature Preserve to complete the BSA Soil & Water Conservation Badge through hikes and hands-on activities!

Please bring a water bottle, lunch, and dress for the weather

Activities Include Five 45-minute sessions

Hydrology journey with nature drawing
Stream table to demonstrate topography and erosion
Enviroscape activity to demonstrate point and non-point source pollution
Hike to walk a watershed and see conservation practices in action
Soil survey to look at how to gauge healthy soil

https://scoutingevent.com/433-swc

For those who have asked for clarification about Webelos and Arrow of Light camping guidelines--with the appropriate link to the Scouting reference!

Webelos and Arrow of Light Camping Additional Guidelines

https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss03/

Webelos and Arrow of Light Camping Additional Guidelines

Effective June 1, 2024, Webelos is the designated program for 4th graders and Arrow of Light is the designated program for 5th graders. As such, the Arrow of Light program is no longer combined with the Webelos program and the purpose of Webelos (4th grade) is no longer to prepare Cub Scouts to join Scouts BSA. The purpose of the Arrow of Light program is to prepare for Arrow of Light Scouts to join a Scouts BSA troop.

Only Webelos Scout dens and Arrow of Light dens/patrols may conduct den coordinated overnight campouts. Webelos Scout dens and Arrow of Light dens/ patrols coordinated overnight campouts are restricted to no more than two consecutive nights.
Webelos den or Arrow of Light den/patrol coordinated camping is only for the youth members of those dens/patrols, their parents, and their registered adult leadership.

Webelos den and Arrow of Light den/ patrol coordinated campout must have a BALOO trained adult leader in attendance and all of Scouting’s Youth Protection policies apply. Reminder – Cub Scout overnight camping is limited to their council’s designated locations with appropriate facilities.

During Webelos Scout dens and Arrow of Light den/patrol camping, each Scout should attend with their parent(s) or legal guardian(s). A Webelos Scout or Arrow of Light Scout whose parent or legal guardian cannot attend a Webelos den or Arrow of Light patrol overnight camping trip may participate under the supervision of at least two registered leaders. The leaders and a parent or legal guardian must agree to the arrangement, and all Youth Protection policies apply.

Webelos Scouts and Webelos Scout dens may not participate at a Scouts BSA troop unit campout or at a Scouts BSA “camporee” or other events designed for Scouts BSA during the day and/or overnight, even as visitors.

* Guidelines for Arrow of Light Scouts Camping Overnight with Scouts BSA

Arrow of Light Scouts can participate and camp at a unit coordinated campout with a Scouts BSA troop they are eligible to join. They must attend as an Arrow of Light den/patrol under the supervision of two deep leadership from their Arrow of Light den/patrol or pack. All Cub Scout camping requirements still apply, including the Arrow of Light den/patrol must have a BALOO trained adult leader in attendance and all of Scouting’s Youth Protection policies apply.

Arrow of Light Scouts may participate at a Scouts BSA “camporee” (council coordinated, short-term camp, see NCAP SA-001) during the day and/or overnight in one of two ways:
With their Arrow of Light Den/Patrol. Arrow of Light Scouts can attend as an Arrow of Light den/patrol under the supervision of two deep leadership from their Arrow of Light den/patrol or pack. The Arrow of Light Scout’s parent or legal guardian(s) may attend with the Arrow of Light den/patrol and their child, either alongside the two-deep leadership or as part of it if they are registered with the pack. Or

As an Individual Scout. Arrow of Light Scouts can attend with their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) if the local council coordinates two deep leadership per NCAP Standard HS-502.

Camping The Boy Scouts of America has established the following guidelines for a safe and quality camping experience. Fundamental guiding principles for camping: Supervision of camping activities must include qualified, registered, adult leadership. At a minimum, one leader present is current in Hazardous W...

Event Cancelled
Choose Your Own Adventure Night

Due to low ticket sales, the Council has decided to cancel the Choose Your Own Adventure Night that was scheduled for Friday, September 6th at Camp Manatoc.

We want to hear from you! Follow the link below to answer a few short questions about why you chose not to purchase tickets for this event. Your feedback will help us with the creation of new events in the future.

Thank you for your support of Scouting in the Great Trail Council!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXc2MHBM9S54UN7EDp62JqHr7_zQtdFO6yQ5giejGG--xxiA/viewform

Commissioners, check your emails for important dates to be trained in the Future of Commissioner Service. The changes coming are dramatic and so different from what we have been used to. The most important date is Nov 2, when we will conduct an all-council in-service and continuing education. We made the cost about the cost of your lunch, so please plan now to join us that day. Registration Details are on the Council Calendar and in the email you should have received today.

Register today.

We're extending the Flash Sale for Choose Your Own Adventure until tomorrow so that everyone has a chance to take part! This unique, inaugural event is for YOU! See you there

https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/c15cca0c-0c83-48f5-a355-ebee5b5dbd1c/events/vevt:b43a3847-3ee0-40a7-a89a-2c42d04581f6/home/story

Eagle Projects benefit so many of our community partners! Our Eagles here in Great Trail Council have impacted so many people... Share past Eagle projects with us that are still an important part of the community!

Did you know that Great Trail Council supports Exploring Posts throughout our area? We'll be sharing recruitment events for these vocation-driven Posts which allow young people to try a career on for size. Youth who already participate in Scouting may also join an Exploring Post.

There's STILL TIME to join us! Our 33rd Annual Gala, which supports Scouting here in Great Trail Council, is accepting registrations now.

If we build it, they will come.

Click here to join us: https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/c15cca0c-0c83-48f5-a355-ebee5b5dbd1c/events/vevt:9dc5888e-8657-461d-9910-475cfc83e462/home/story

It's Program Kickoff Time! Join your district this month at your District's annual Program Kickoff Meeting. Gain valuable knowledge, resources, and insights into making this the best Scouting Year Ever! Reserve your School Night slot with your DEs to advertise your program in the schools and order recruiting materials. Also, learn about all the exciting events coming up this program year in your district and the council.

Catch a Kickoff Meeting near you:

Canal District - Thursday, August 8, 7:00 p.m., Firestone Metropark, Tuscarawas Pavilion
Crooked River District - Thursday, August 8, 7:00 p.m., Kent Plum Creek Park, Shelter #1
Stambaugh District - Wednesday, August 14, 7:00 p.m., Camp Stambaugh, Brown Pavilion
Soaring Eagle District - Thursday, August 15, 6:30 p.m., Granger United Methodist Church

See you there!

It's Program Kickoff Time!

Join your district this month at your District's annual Program Kickoff Meeting. Gain valuable knowledge, resources, and insights into making this the best Scouting Year Ever! Reserve your School Night slot with your DEs to advertise your program in the schools and order recruiting materials. Also, learn about all the exciting events coming up this program year in your district and the council.

Catch a Kickoff Meeting near you:

Canal District - Thursday, August 8, 7:00 p.m., Firestone Metropark, Tuscarawas Pavilion
Crooked River District - Thursday, August 8, 7:00 p.m., Kent Plum Creek Park, Shelter #1
Stambaugh District - Wednesday, August 14, 7:00 p.m., Camp Stambaugh, Brown Pavilion
Soaring Eagle District - Thursday, August 15, 6:30 p.m., Granger United Methodist Church

See you there!

Let's go on an adventure on September 6th!

Are you ready for a fun night out? Join us at Camp Manatoc for our inaugural Choose Your Own Adventure Night. Just like the popular children's gamebooks of the 80s and 90s, each guest will have an opportunity to choose what activities they participate in during the event including a Pinewood Derby, an evening hike out on the trails, Archery and Tomahawk Throwing. Guests will also enjoy food, s'mores, entertainment and more!

Your investment will go towards building the future of Great Trail Council for generations of Scouts to come.

Register now here!

https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/c15cca0c-0c83-48f5-a355-ebee5b5dbd1c/events/vevt:b43a3847-3ee0-40a7-a89a-2c42d04581f6/home/story

Can you believe it's almost TIME FOR POPCORN???? That's right... Each unit's Popcorn Kernel should choose any one of our Popcorn Kick-Off Nights to attend. It's the best way to get information and start your Scouting fundraising for your unit off on the right foot! Click here for all the information, and to register now: https://scoutingevent.com/433-popcorn

This summer, Camp Manatoc has served Scouts BSA members AND Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts in action packed resident camps. Our staff has worked tirelessly to provide a fun, safe and engaging program, all so that memories and values culminate in the understanding that To These Things You Must Return.

On what promises to be one of the nicest Saturdays of the summer, our dedicated Wood Badge staff are diligently working to build the best program for our fall course!!

For more information: https://www.gtcbsa.org/woodbadge

It's time to join us for Wood Badge.

It's time to experience an intense, purposeful and incredibly fun leadership training that will help with Scouting, your career, and life.

This two week-end course this fall will energize you, and deepen your commitment to service. We can't wait to see you at Stambaugh for Wood Badge!

click here to sign up https://scoutingevent.com/433-woodbadge

What are some awesome things our Great Trail Council Eagle Scouts are doing this summer? We want to hear how you are excelling in your pastimes, sports and hobbies!! Maybe some of our Eagles will be on a list like this in the coming years!!!

Meet the 13 Eagle Scouts competing in the 2024 Summer Olympics Of the hundreds of athletes that will represent the United States in the 2024 Summer Olympics, 13 are Eagle Scouts.

Grab your tickets today for our new Choose Your Own Adventure Night at https://onecau.se/_4datx1!



Just like the popular children’s gamebooks of the 80s and 90s, each guest will have the opportunity to choose what activities they participate in. Test your skills at our archery and tomahawk throwing range; take an evening hike out on our best trails, or compete in a Pinewood Derby. The choice is yours!



Be sure to bring your favorite camping chair, when you’ve completed your adventure, you’re invited to enjoy some entertainment and delicious food by Robert J. Events & Catering. Beverages will also be available from a few local breweries. We’ll even get some campfires going for s’mores!



You don’t want to miss this memorable night! Grab your friends and join us! Tickets are $75 individually or $125 for a couple with proceeds benefitting the future of Scouting within the Great Trail Council.

Make sure to park next door at KARVO if you are visiting the Great Trail Scout Shop on July 20th!

And also make sure to have a fun, safe and Scout-filled weekend!!!

Are you planning on visiting the Great Trail Scout Shop Saturday, July 20? We will still be open while Great Trail Council is getting the entire parking lot sealed.
Please park next door at KARVO. Thank you for your patience.

Cubs who participate in our Council's Day Camps come away wanting more Scouting. More fun, more water activities, more unique experiences--more outdoors. Thanks to all of the families who joined in on the fun at Day Camp, and we hope to see you at all of our Council Cub Activities this year! To join the fun of Cub Scouting, click here: https://www.allaboutscouts.org/

Day Camp was fortunate enough to have the Akron Fire Department stop by for lunch on Friday. Our 200 campers flocked to try on equipment, and dream of becoming Fire Fighters. Such a lofty goal, and such important work!

We gather in school gyms, church multi-purpose rooms, and Sunday School classrooms. We welcome youth from all walks of life, and work together to make Scouting fun for Scouts and Scouters.

In summer, we spend a week of vacation sleeping in a canvas tent, and melt slowly in the heat. Or we accompany large groups of over-excited Cubs as they raft, swim, craft and experience shooting sports for the first time.

Sometimes, we get recognized with an Eagle mentor pin, or a certificate or plaque. But we're here, in Scouting, for the same reason the youth stay in our program. It's the people, and the fellowship, and the fun.

Scout on!

Happy Independence Day! Flags, fireworks, friends--however you're celebrating our Nation's birth may you be safe and jubilant this 4th of July!

A Scout is Reverent. Working with faith communities to connect Scouts to their traditions is important. Camp Manatoc's beautiful setting, and the roofless chapel, continues a tradition of reverence for all of our campers.

Did you know that TODAY (Sunday, June 30th) is the LAST day for early-bird pricing for our Woodbadge course? If you've been sitting on the fence, thinking about how AWESOME taking Woodbadge would be--first, you're right. Second, click here now to sign up! https://scoutingevent.com/433-woodbadge