Program Planning for February 2025
Things to Remember This Month:
- Scout Sunday, Sabbath, Jumu’ah and other religious observances
- Order of the Arrow Elections
- Plan Webelos Crossover
February Council Events
Scouts Merit Badge Day @ LSU
February 21
Join the Scout’s Journey: Merit Badge Day at LSU, 2025! The event is open to all Scouts BSA. Come out and have a day of enjoyment while working on merit badges.
LEARN MOREPisachi - University of Scouting
TBD
Join us for a single day packed with a year’s worth of fun, program ideas, and information – the largest single training event for adult leaders in Istrouma Area Council.
LEARN MORENorthshore District Roundtable
February 13
Monthly program offered by Northshore District that gives leaders hands-on experience and provides a forum for leaders to offer and receive help from their fellow Scouters.
LEARN MORECentral, Southern, and Western District Roundtable
February 14
Monthly program offered by Central, Southern and Western District that gives leaders hands-on experience and provides a forum for leaders to offer and receive help from their fellow Scouters.
LEARN MOREFebruary Planning Items
Other Notable Activities
- OA G1 Section Impact Summit started on January 31 and continues until February 2.
- A Scout is Reverent! Honor your beliefs based on your religious preferences. Scout Sabbath is on Saturday, February 8. Scout Sunday is on Sunday, February 9.
- Touchdown Time: Super Bowl Sunday, February 9
- Valentine's Day - February 14
- President's Day - February 17
Happy Birthday Scouting and Other Observances!
The BSA was formally incorporated on February 8, 1910, so February is often a month of celebrations like Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath and Scout Jumu’ah, Service Projects, and Cub Scout Blue & Gold Banquets. A guide to religious observances for 2025 and 2026 are available for review and use in your planning, Calendar of Religious Observances "2025" or "2026". Celebrate Scouting any time – some events can be held in any month (and a Blue & Gold party with rank awards is often less stressful on leaders and parents if held later in the spring).
Simple Scouting: Plan Some Fun, Family + Friends Events
Cub Scout leaders may be rushing to complete rank advancement right now – following up on requirements, getting those last adventures done, helping families who are trying to catch up – but plan to catch your breath too. Now is a great time to plan some fun*simple*easy spring activities with your Den families. No complex agendas. Fun with families and friends. Relax. Unwind. Get to know each other better and pick up some more assistants and leaders for the upcoming year. See some ideas in the links by Parish below.
Schedule an Order of the Arrow Election
The Order of the Arrow (OA) is Scouting’s National Honor Society recognizing Scouts and adults who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law. Scouts BSA Troops, Venturing Crews and Sea Scout Ships with eligible youth members are encouraged to schedule a Unit election. Units can hold a Unit election once each calendar year between January and March in the current year. Units wanting to participate in a district call-out ceremony at a Camporee or other venue should schedule the Unit election at least two weeks prior to the call-out event. Elected youth and selected adults will be inducted into the OA at a Lodge Induction Weekend. Click on the link to learn more about the Istrouma Area Council's Order of the Arrow page.
Plan Arrow of Light Crossover
Hopefully you’ve had 5th Grade Scouts from your local packs attend one or more Troop meetings, campouts or day activities as part of the Arrow of Light Scouting Adventure pin – if so, you should be ready for “Crossover” of those 5th Grade Arrow of Light Scouts into one or more Troops. While Webelos and Arrow of Light dens should visit one or more troops as a group, the selection of a troop is up to the individual Scout and their family. Every troop has a different “personality” and is different in the type of activities scheduled. Scouts are encouraged to join a troop in early spring, allowing them to experience several Troop campouts prior to attending summer camp. Make their joining experience memorable and welcoming! Check out the page, Scouts BSA Recruiting, leveraged from the Atlanta Area Council.