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Talakto- Talakto is one of the words the Alabama used for Eagle. It ties in well with our OA symbol, the Golden eagle, and of course the Eagle Scout. It also celebrates the Rocket City’s contribution to landing the first man on the Moon, in “The Eagle has landed..” If you would like to find other Alabama indian words check out the Alabama Indian translation page at http://www.ling.unt.edu/~montler/Alabama/Dictionary/index.htm

Talakto Roundtable (Starting in September) - held first Thursday each month 7PM at Catholic High School (corner of Wynn Dr.& Bradford Dr).

OA Chapter meets at the same time and location as roundtable. All OA members both youth & adults should make an effort to attend. The OA Chapter will hold Election Training and all units should send their OA Rep to receive the training so that elections in their respective units will be expedited.

Talakto Communications
All Talakto District communications happens through our Yahoo groups. Please use the information provided below to join the Yahoo Groups for the Talakto District. If you have a .mil address, your filter may block emails from the Yahoo group, so please enter an alternate address. When a message is posted to the group, an email is generated from Yahoo to you.

Go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Talakto_Cub_Scout_Communications
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Talakto_Boy_Scout_Communications
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Talakto_Venture_Ship_Communications
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Talakto_COR_Commissioner_Communications
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Talakto_Committee_Communications

Then Click the “Join This Group” button.

If you have any questions, please send an email to: talakto_communications@yahoo.com
To get information sent out to the district, please send it to: talakto_communications@yahoo.com

"WINGS - THE STORY OF CAMP WESTMORELAND" by Lawrence Faulkner: This book traces the beginning of Scouting in the North Alabama area as well as the genesis of Camp Westmoreland in Florence. The book details the stories, legends, personalities, and development of Camp Westmoreland. Founded in 1929, it is in its 80th year of continuous operation - the oldest in the state and one of the oldest and most historic Camps in the United States. The book is full of tall tales, funny stories, memorabilia databases and over 180 color photographs & documents. It features a Foreword by Tom Varnell - President/CEO Sam Houston Area Council and Afterword by LTC Ed Yeilding - Aviation Pioneer and World Speed Record Holder - SR 71 Blackbird, both Camp Westmoreland alumni. In development for over two years, the Book is available online via www.authorhouse.com or at a local Books-A-Million. Find out what makes Camp Westmoreland the best kept secret in the Council. For more information, follow this link:

http://www.authorhouse.com/bookstore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=47550

2009 Talakto District Pinewood Derby "Rules of the Road"

The intent of the Pinewood Derby is to strengthen the relationship between the Cub Scout and his parent(s) by the introduction of a construction project requiring planning, design and building techniques. The success of the project is in the construction of the car itself, not in the resulting races. The race will determine the fastest car in the fairest setting, but it will not necessarily reflect the most successful project. As the construction of the car strengthens the Cub's relationship with his parent(s), the race strengthens the Cub's character by accepting winning and losing gracefully. The Pinewood Derby race should be an enjoyable and fun family experience for all those participating. Remember, "Keep It Simple, Make It Fun!" The focus of this event is not to win at any cost, but for each Cub Scout to DO HIS BEST!

To download a .pdf file of info and rules for the 2009 Talakto Pinewood Derby click here.

Merit Badge Counselor Info

Many thanks to all those who have registered as Merit Badge Counselors in Talakto.  Your efforts are vital to our Scouts as they progress along the Trail to Eagle. Please continue to encourage other adults to accept this exceptional opportunity to guide and support our Scouts.

The following information is needed for registration:
            1. An Adult application - Complete the form for the Council position of Merit Badge Counselor -- Position Code 42.  Be sure to sign the form - BUT DO NOT SEND IT TO YOUR TROOP FOR APPROVAL. Send the originals for approval to me (Bill McCoy) or Curtis Hunt at the Scout Service Center, along with the MB Counselor Information Sheet.  We'll be sure they are processed for the GAC - Talakto list.  You must complete an Adult application for MB Counselor -- even if you are already registered with a unit.
            2. Merit Badge Counselor Information Sheet - Complete this form indicating the MB subjects on which you'd like to work with Scouts. There is a Talakto MB Counselor overprint attached troop MBC List, but the BSA form is acceptable. Please indicate the unit you are associated with at the bottom of the form.
            3. Youth Protection Training - Please indicate on the Information Sheet the date that you received this training. It is required every THREE years for ALL adult leaders -- MB Counselors, too !!
            4. Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - This is a one-time requirement. Please indicate the date you completed the course on the Information Sheet.

My in-box has been placed in the DE Distribution boxes in the Scout Service Center.  You may drop your applications off there or pass along to our DE, Curtis Hunt.  Once a MB Counselor is registered, re-registration is not anticipated. The only items we'll need are Information Sheet when changes occur, an annual indication that you'll continue as a counselor, and every three years -- Youth Protection training.   We will distribute our MB Counselor List at least annually for all Troops.  Thanks for your continuing support of  our Boy Scouts. 

Bill McCoy
Talakto Advancement

Order of the Arrow NewsKaskanampo Chapter - Coosa 50 Lodge Order of the Arrow
For Scouting’s Honor Campers

Purpose of the OrderTo recognize those campers – Scouts, Varsity – who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and by such recognition that causes other campers to conduct themselves in such a manner as to warrant recognition.
To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit.
To promote Scout camping, which reaches its greatest effectiveness as a part of the unit’s camping program, both year-round and in the summer camp, as directed by the camping committee of the council.
To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life of purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.
History
The Order of the Arrow was founded in the summer of 1915. It grew out of a desire to emphasize that the good Scout camper is not only proficient in the skills of Scoutcraft, but also practices the principles of the Scout Oath and Law. It was intended to make these Scout principles more effective in the lives of Scout campers. If focuses particular attention on making cheerfulness, service, and brotherhood realities to a boy.
A unit chooses from their camping members, those who best exemplify these traits, to become a member of the Order of the Arrow.
What is the Order of the Arrow?
It is a society of Boy Scouts that functions as a part of the regular camping program of the Boy Scouts of America. Its foremost purpose is to promote and enrich Scout camping.
The Arrow members in a local Scout council form a Lodge (used as in Indian tradition in the sense of the hunting lodge of the council lodge).
Elements of Indian tradition are used in the Order of the Arrow ceremonies for the dramatic effect. However, the Indian aspects of the Order should never obscure its objectives.
One becomes a member not so much for what he has done, but for what he is expected to do.
Eligibility
To become a member a young man (under the age of 21)
must be a registered Scout in a unit,
have experienced 15 days and nights of camping – which included one long term camp (summer camp),
have achieved the rank of First Class,
and be approved by his Scoutmaster.
For an adult to become a member, he/she must be nominated by the unit committee.

Link to Coosa 50 website - www.coosa50.orgOA Chapter meets at the same time and location as roundtable. All OA members both youth & adults should make an effort to attend. The OA Chapter will hold Election Training and all units should send their OA Rep to receive the training so that elections in their respective units will be expedited