Program Planning for January 2026

Things to Remember This Month:

  • Celebrate 2026 with a First Day Hike at a Louisiana State Park or Historic Site! First Day Hike participants will enjoy free admission. Get outside and explore one of Louisiana’s incredible state parks or historic sites. Check out a complete list, here!
  • May your new year be bright with promise and full of dreams! - Council Office and Scout Shop are closed to commemorate the New Year's Day (January 1). Both will reopen on January 2.
  • READY-SET-RACE! Pinewood Derby races are coming soon to a Pack near you. The most important thing is that everyone that participates, shows good sportsmanship, and, lives up to the Cub Scout motto - Do Your Best! Participate in Champ Camp on January 24 and don't forget to bring your stencil so we can cut your car and get you race-ready! 
  • Dream Forward: Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.'s Legacy - Council Office and Scout Shop are closed on January 19 for the Martin Luther King Jr.'s holiday.Both will reopen on January 20.
  • Have you heard that Scout Week 2026 is quickly approaching at The National World War II Museum? January 24 - February 1!
  • Clickable January 2026 Program Planning PDF available for sharing with others.

January Council Events

Unit Camping

 

Be sure to check in with your unit for upcoming activities. Avondale Scout Reservation offers a fantastic setting for an unforgettable outdoor adventure!

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Learning Programs for Leaders

 

A trained leader is better prepared to make the Scouting program all it can be!

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OA G1 Section Impact Summit

January 30 - February 1

Step into the future with the Section Impact Summit! This isn’t just any training - it’s a launchpad for the leaders of tomorrow within the lodges of Section G1.

REGISTER

Climbing Tower Training @ ASR

January 30 - February 1

Be part of our team running our climbing and rappelling tower. We will be holding a training to become a tower boss or a staffer for our tower, the Avondale Beast.

REGISTER

Northshore Service Area Roundtable

January 8

Monthly program offered by Northshore Service Area that gives leaders hands-on experience and provides a forum for leaders to offer and receive help from their fellow Scouters.

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Capital Service Area Roundtable (Central, Southern, and Western Districts)

January 15

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.

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Eagle Service Project Application Due

January 16

All 2025 Eagle Scouts may be nominated for the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams Service Project of the Year Award.

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Champ Camp

January 24

Join us for an action-packed car-cutting event and top tips to help you zoom to victory! We'll have a pit stop full of kits, decals, accessories, books, and tools available for purchase. Don't forget to bring your stencil so we can cut your car and get you race-ready!

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Council Program Committee Meeting

January 29

Join us to discuss and decide/plan program initiatives for the entire Council. Let your voice be heard! This is an open event - all leaders are invited.

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Hybrid Light Fundraising

 

Perfect Scout Fundraiser for your unit. Can be sold by Take Order Form or Show N Sell. The product can be consigned from Scout Office. Additionally, Units can set up an online storefront with HybridLight and sell directly online.

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January Planning Items

Other Notable Activities

Work Camp Staff

Are your Scouts looking for the experience of a lifetime? We hire older scouts to serve on camp staff at Avondale Scout Camp. Older Scouts and adult leaders are invited to be a part of something truly important as they teach valuable skills, traditions and values to camp participants, Camp Staff Application.

Simpler Plans (and more!) for Every Cub Adventure – Even Electives!

In the Rank by Rank section of the Cub Advancement page resources are links to every Cub Scout Adventure, with videos to show you how it’s done (including BSA videos en español) plus simpler “streamlined” and “family-led” plans derived from the Den Leader Guide Plan, but made simpler and easier to use.  Share with your families, and let them help lead and succeed – both in your Den and at home (if they need to “make up” for missed meetings. Check out the Cub Scout Advance leveraged from the Atlanta Area Council.

Pinewood Derby Racing

A highlight for many Cub Scouts (and parents) is racing in a Pinewood Derby – in your Pack, maybe also your District. Racing can happen any time, but is common in the early part of the year. Don’t have a track? Ask other Packs about borrowing one.  Got a track? Be helpful and invite other Packs to join you or borrow it. Plenty of information at scoutlife.org/pinewood-derby/.  Need a Pinewood Derby car? Email scoutshop@istroumascouting.org.

Mandatory Hazardous Weather Training

The training is designed to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle adverse weather conditions, thereby enhancing our preparedness and response capabilities during scouting activities. Please reference the S.A.F.E checklist for all activities. To learn more about safety training, please visit the Health and Safety website. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all our members and youth.

Click HERE to view the latest Frequently Asked Questions document.