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Make Joining Scouting Easier with Klarna Payment Options

The Tecumseh Council is excited to announce a new way to make Scouting America more affordable for families!

Beginning immediately, families registering through BeAScout.org can now choose Klarna as a payment option, making it easier than ever to join Scouting America by spreading annual membership fees into manageable payments instead of paying the full amount upfront.

We know that every family’s budget is different, and this new option helps remove one more barrier for youth who want to experience the adventure, leadership, and lifelong memories that Scouting provides.

Click the title of this article for details on how Klarna works.

Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)

IOLS will be offered Friday, November 6 with check in at 5:30 pm and program start at 6 pm to Saturday, November 7 at 5 pm at the Camp Birch Training Lodge (in conjunction with the Fall Camporee). Cost is FREE for adults WITH a current paid registration in Tecumseh Council, cost is $40 for adults WITHOUT a current paid registration in Tecumseh Council (or out-of-council). There is a $10 late fee if not registered by October 30 (applies to both in and out-of-council). Contact Steve Carroll with questions at steve.carroll@sbcglobal.net.

WHAT IS IOLS? Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) is training that provides Scouts BSA leaders with basic skills and information to run a successful outdoor program.

Wine Tasting benefiting Tecumseh Council

Hauck Bros. Heating & Cooling presents Wine Tasting benefiting Tecumseh Council, Scouting America on Saturday, November 21, 2026 from 6 to 9 pm at The State Theater (19 S Fountain Ave, Springfield, OH 45502). The cost is $45 per person. Ticket includes 6 wine tastings and heavy hors d’oeuvres including Mom Andrasik’s Hungarian Cabbage Rolls and Charcuterie Table. There will be a Wine Pull & Silent Auction. Register online by November 14.

Many thanks to our sponsors: Hauck Bros. Inc. Heating & Cooling, Always Sunny Realty, Heidelberg Distributing Company & Tech Advisors!

Restore and Explore

November 7, 2026 is Restore & Explore at Camp Birch. Packs, Troops and Crews can enjoy a free weekend of camping at Camp Birch and work on projects to improve camp.

Check in for weekend camping is Friday, November 6 from 5 to 8 pm. There will be a short leader’s meeting on Saturday, November 7 at 8:30 am. Service projects will run from 9 am to 12 pm on Saturday, November 7.

Restore & Explore will be conducted in conjunction with the Scouts BSA Fall Camporee (for Troops & Crews ONLY). If your Troop or Crew will be participating in the Fall Camporee, please register your unit online for the Fall Camporee. You do NOT need to register separately for Restore & Explore. Your Fall Camporee registration will include a Restore & Explore service project.

REGISTRATION (for units not participating in Fall Camporee including ALL PACKS): Please contact Tara Corns at tara.corns@scouting.org to register for Restore & Explore. Please include your unit number, an estimated number of youth and adult participants, and a contact name, email and phone number for your unit. Please register early as space will be limited.

CAMPSITES: Campsites will be assigned for Restore & Explore participants with separate camping areas for Packs and Troops/Crews.

QUESTIONS? Please contact Camp Birch Ranger, Tanner Spencer at Tanner.Spencer@scouting.org or 937-346-4842.

NRA Shotgun Instructor Weekend

NEW LOWERED COST! NRA Shotgun Instructor Weekend provided by the Tecumseh Council Range & Target Activities Committee will be November 20-22, 2026 from Friday 6 to 10 pm and Saturday & Sunday 8 am to 5 pm at the Camp Birch Training Lodge. COST IS NOW $125. Please bring a laptop and #25 rounds of shotgun trap shells. Active CHTB Range Volunteers can save $25 by emailing DG Adams at dg98adams@yahoo.com to get a discount code. Please get the discount code prior to registering. No refunds will be given for discount codes not entered prior to registering. Please register online by November 13, 2026.

NRA Range Safety Officer (RSO) Course

Tecumseh Council’s Range & Target Activity Committee is hosting a NRA Range Safety Officer (RSO) Course on Saturday, February 20, 2027 from 8 am to 5 pm (9 hour course) at the Camp Birch Training Lodge (4057 Swimming Pool Road, Yellow Springs, OH 45387). The cost is $125. Active CHTB Range Volunteers can save $25 by emailing DG Adams at dg98adams@yahoo.com to get a discount code. Please get the discount code prior to registering. No refunds will be given for discount codes not entered prior to registering. Please register online by February 13, 2027.

Popcorn Sale

Popcorn Kickoff is Thursday, August 6 at 6 pm at the Council Office at Camp Birch. The Show & Sell Order form is due August 8 (order must be on council form). You can email it to jenny.spencer@scouting.org, place it online on the popcorn website or bring to Council Office. Popcorn Distribution is August 21 between 3:30 pm and 6:30 pm at Camp Birch in the Dining Hall or August 22 between 8:00 am and 9:30 am at Camp Birch in the Dining Hall. Please click the title of this article for more popcorn sale resources.

Mad River District Roundtable

Mad River District Roundtables are held the second Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at Urbana United Methodist Church (238 N. Main Street, Urbana, OH 43078).

Limits on Merit Badge Counselors

Limits on the number of merit badges an individual may be a counselor for: Scouting America’s Guide to Advancement states on page 42 in section 7.0.0.3 that “Ideally, Scouts should work with a variety of adults so that they can gain insights and learn from examples offered from a variety of perspectives and approaches to life. Earning a large number of merit badges from a small number of counselors, or only from counselors known to the Scout, robs the Scout from the opportunity to learn and grow.”

In keeping with the spirit and intent of this paragraph it is the policy of the Tecumseh Council, Scouting America Advancement Committee that individuals will be approved to be counselors for no more than 25 merit badges. The committee reserves the right to make extremely limited exceptions under extreme and limited circumstances. All current merit badge counselor approved to council more than 25 merit badges will be asked to inform the advancement committee of their 25 merit badges they prefer to counsel by July 1, 2026.

Military Family Fee Waiver

The Military Family Fee Waiver will be effective June 1, 2026. Scouting America is committed to expanding access to Scouting for military-connected youth.

OVERVIEW

Scouting America is waiving the $85 national youth registration fee for eligible military families through a verification and code process during online registration.

Youth members only

New and renewing online registrations

funded nationally through philanthropic efforts

ELIGIBILITY

Youth in families with current service in:

Active Duty

Reserve

National Guard

FEE COVERAGE

$85 National Registration Fee – Waived

Reduced to $0 after verification and code application. Applies only to the national fee.

HOW IT WORKS

National fee reduced to $0

Select “Get Military Discount Code”

Complete verification process

Receive code

Enter code at checkout

National fee reduced to $0

ADDITIONAL COSTS

Local council, unit, optional add-on (e.g., Scout Life magazine), and processing fees may still apply.