Latest News

This Area is updated every week. There are many links that will take you to the latest changes on this Web Site, which are designed to provide you with the most current news about the Tall Pine Council.

Upcoming Special Events - News about recent and upcoming activities throughout the Tall Pine Council.

• Scout Night at the Palace of Auburn Hills -Take advantage of these great discounts and exclusive opportunities for Scouts! Tickets for the April 2, 2010 game against the Phoenix Suns are only $20 (reg. $40) for Scouts, family and friends. Plus, each Scout in attendance will receive a FREE commemorative Scout patch! Deadline to order: two weeks before game date. Click here to download the Detroit Pistons Scout Night registration form to order your tickets today.
  
  
• Scout Day at Oldsmobile Park (Lansing Lugnuts Baseball Game) - The Lugnuts are calling all Scout Leaders!! The 15th annual Scout Day is April 25th! We are inviting Scouts from across Mid-Michigan to come out to the ballpark and participate in the event which will include free Pre-Game Autographs, an exclusive Scout Parade on the field, as well as post-game Pepsi Kids Run the Bases! The Lansing Lugnuts will be playing the Dayton Dragons. Click here to download the ticket order form now before tickets run out for this exciting event.
  
  
• 28th Annual Tall Pine Council Golf Tournament - Let's see if you hit a hole-in-one at the Atlas Valley Country Club which will be held on Monday, July 12, 2010. The Atlas Valley Country Club is located 8313 Perry Road, Grand Blanc. To register or for more additional information please call the Scout Service Center at (810) 235-2531 or e-mail: golf@tpcbsa.org.
  
  
• 14th Annual Tall Pine Council Sporting Clays Tournament - The Sporting Clays Tournament is fantastic for the outdoorsman. This event will take place on Friday, August 13, 2010 at the Hunters Creek Club. The Hunters Creek Club is located on 675 E. Sutton Road, Metamora. To register or for more additional information please call the Scout Service Center at (810) 235-2531 or e-mail: sportingclays@tpcbsa.org.
  
  
• Tall Pine Council Boy Scout Bistro - Mark your calendar for a night of fun and entertainment. The Boy Scout Bistro will take place on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at the Woodfield Country Club. The Woodfield Country Club is located at 10200 Woodfield Drive, Grand Blanc. To register or for more information please call the Scout Service Center (810) 235-2531 or e-mail at bistro@tpcbsa.org
  

Charles J. Holmes, Sr. Will Retire On April 1, 2010

Charles J. Holmes Sr., team leader, Community Alliances, Membership Impact Department, will retire April 1, 2010, with 38 years of service.

Charles began his professional career with the Boy Scouts of America in 1971 as a district executive in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He also served as district executive, senior district executive, program director, field director, and assistant Scout executive in Indianapolis; Cleveland; Columbus, Ohio; and Flint, Michigan. In 1994, Charles served the council in Long Beach, California, as Scout executive. In 1998, he joined the National Council staff, serving as Venturing division director, Program Group. Since 2008, Charles has been serving as the team leader for Community Alliances in the Membership Impact Department.

2011 Council Contingent Philmont Trip

The 2011 Council Contingent Philmiont trip dates are from June 30 - July 12, 2011. The cost for the trip is approximately $1,225 which includes transporation and meals - prices may vary). Contingent members will be limited to four youth and two adults per district until March 1, 2010. Reservations will be filled on a first come, first serve basis by district and require a $50 deposit. Once the district’s positions have been filled interested parties will be placed on a waiting list to be contacted if any positions become available. The total deposit fee of $100 is due by April 15, 2010.

All adults interested in participating in the trip must also fill out the Contingent Leader Application. Please note if you are only interested in being an adult participant.

Click here to download the form if are interested in going on the 2011 Council Contingent Philmont Trip.

Click here to download the form if you are interested in becoming a 2011 Philmont Council Contingent Leader.

The Price of Freedom Conference - February 11-14, 2010

The Price of Freedom program of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge (Pennsylvania). This four-day, three-night conference has been specifically developed for BSA youth members who have demonstrated leadership potential in their units, on camp staff, in the Order of the Arrow, on the staff of the council junior leader training conference, and as Venturing crew officers and members of the council’s Venturing team leader council.

Participation in this program is limited to young men and women currently enrolled in grades 10, 11, or 12 who are active in the Scouting program and have demonstrated leadership in their Boy Scout troop, Varsity Scout team, Venturing crew, or Sea Scout ship, and meet at least one of the following rank requirements:

• Boy Scouts or Varsity Scouts must have earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
• Venturers must have earned the Silver Award.
• Sea Scouts must have earned the Quartermaster Award.

After Hours Drop Box

For you convenience, when the Scout Shop is open and the Scout Service Center is closed there is an after hours drop box located in the lobby by the Eagle Scout photographs. The drop box can be used for membership applications, charters, event and camping registrations and any miscellaneous items of business.

NEW Eagle Scout Application

Beginning August 1, 2009, Eagle Scout applications prior to the 2009 printing will no longer be accepted. The new Eagle Scout application (512-728) can be obtained from your district advancement chair.

WARNING: Buyers Beware! - The Tall Pine Council has been informed of Third Party companies attracting Scouts, Scouters and unit leaders in an effort to sell special recognitions or awards earned through Scouting activities. Many third parties are NOT endorsed by the Boy Scouts of America and do not have any connection or partnership with these Third Party companies. Before sending money or participating Scouts in activities to earn these awards, contact your Scout Service Center to be sure they have been endorsed by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Good Turn for Goodwill Service Project - The Goodwill Good Turn Donation Drive helps people with disabilities and other barriers to find independence and employment through Goodwill programs. The donations you collect are resold in Goodwill stores providing jobs and funds for other employment programs giving people the dignity of a paycheck and the satisfaction of a job well done. For years, Goodwill Industries and the Tall Pine Council of the Boy Scouts of America have been improving people's lives through the Power of Work - one donation, one job, one life at a time!

For more information, click here to download the Good Turn for Goodwill Service Project PDF flyer.

Effective January 1, 2009, it is mandatory that at least one adult has completed Hazardous Weather training when a unit files for a tour permit. The course includes training, testing, and additional resources on weather conditions that may be encountered during BSA activities, including lightning, flash floods, tornadoes, hot and cold weather, hail, and hurricanes. Participants who complete the course earn a Weather Smart Certificate of Completion. The course content is appropriate for Boy Scouts and Venturers as well as adult leaders.

Camp Holaka Dining Hall Dedication Slideshow - Click here to view the PowerPoint slideshow of the Camp Holaka Dining Hall Dedication held on June 18, 2008. (6 MB)

Kroger Dollars for Doers - ARE YOU A…. Tutor?, Coach?, Soup Kitchen Server?, Non-Profit Board Member?, Scout Troop Leader?, Volunteer?

When you donate 52 hours of service in a calendar year to an eligible charitable organization (just an hour per week of your own time) The Kroger fund will contribute $100 to the organization on your behalf. Click here for more information on the Kroger Dollars for Doers program.

Community Sharing Fund - Raising money for any non-profit organization is never easy...espcially in today's tough economic times. That's why is happy to offer you an easy way to help the Tall Pine Council raise money just by keeping your receipts. To find out more about this fund raising program please click here.

Earn Your Centennial Recruiter Patch - Boy Scouts can earn this new Centennial Recruiter patch by recruiting a boy into their troop this fall. The Boy Scout Division is providing these awards at no cost to local councils. Patches are available at the Tall Pine Council. Click here to download the Centennial Recruiter Patch PDF flyer.

Policy on Scout Participation in Political Events - Uniformed unit members and leaders may participate in flag ceremonies at political events and may lead the Pledge of Allegiance; however, they should retire after the ceremony and not remain on the speakers’ platform or in a conspicuous location where television viewers could construe their presence as an endorsement or symbol of support. In addition, photos of candidates or Scouts in uniform or BSA marks and logos are not allowed in political campaign materials of any kind.

Volunteers and professionals must be alert to situations that would imply that the BSA favors one candidate over another. Strict observance of our long-standing policy against the active participation of uniformed Scouts and leaders in political events is mandatory.

Please notify your chartered organizations and unit leaders of this policy.

Refund and Transfer Policy - A written request with a brief explanation for the cancellation must be sent to the Tall Pine Council Service Center. The request should be received by the Service Center at least 3 weeks prior to the camp, activity, or event start date. A 10 percent (minimum $5.00) administration fee will be withheld from the refund. Refund requests received after the camp, activity, or event will be denied (extentuating circumstances may be the only exception). Transferring fees from one person to another is permissible before the event. The Tall Pine Council should be notified in writing of all transfers. This cancellation / refund policy was effective January 1, 1998, and supercedes any prior cancellation / refund policy of the Tall Pine Council, BSA.

Online Catalog - You may now purchase Scouting related merchandise online by clicking on the following link:

Visit our New Online Catalog!

Attention Scoutmasters & Cubmasters - The Tall Pine Council is in need of your e-mail addresses. With e-mail being an effective way to communicate information quickly, it is necessary that we get your e-mail address as soon as possible. Please email your District Executive with:

• Your Name
• Pack/Troop/Crew Number
• Your Position Title
• Your Email Address

Hours of Operation and Closings - Click Here to view the hours of operation and closings for both the Service Center and Scout Shop.

Scoutshop - learn about the newest arrivals of Scouting merchandise in the Scoutshop and special deals to save you money on many items.
    Scout Shop and Service Center Hours

Training - Be Prepared……learn how to obtain the proper training for the Scouting activities you want to participate in. Click here for more information about training, including types of training, dates, and times.

General Information – this area provides you with a variety of new information about the Tall Pine Council.
    Emergency Preparedness (National Scouting Link)
        • Emergency Preparedness Application Form
    Physical Fitness Award (National Scouting Link)
        • Physical Fitness Award Form