Takhonek Lodge Summer Picnic
Register Now
Registration closes Wednesday, July 29th.
Fun! Food! Fellowship!
The Summer Picnic and Pool Party is just around the corner. The picnic will be held at Camp Arrowhead on August 1st. Join us for a great time at camp.
Check-in starts at 10:30 am in the Dining Hall. Lunch will be served at 12:30 pm. Be sure to bring the whole family as this is a Family Event.
The cost of the picnic is $10 per lodge member and their family members are free. Fox Pass members must register so we know how much food to prepare.
Registration today!
Things to Know about the New Safeguarding Youth Training
Safeguarding Youth training is required for all Scouting America registered volunteers and is a joining requirement. Safeguarding Youth training must now be taken every year. Here are some important things to know about Safeguarding Youth Training:
- Leaders must take the full 90 Minute course before you can take the refresher to get full SYT credit. If your SYT is expired for 7 days or more, you must take the full 90 minute course again. After you have taken the full course, you may take a refresher course every year.
- You must pass the refresher course quiz with at least 80% correct answers on your first attempt or you will be directed back to the full 90 minute course. A score of less than 80% requires that you re-take the full course.
- If you took the previous YPT course (before May 2025), you must take the full 90-minute SYT course. Taking the Refresher will not give you credit.
- Those who have not taken the new Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) must take it before May 31, 2026. Not taking SYT will result in your suspension. The suspension will be lifted only after you have successfully completed SYT and submitted a certificate.
- When your Safeguarding Youth Training is complete, email your completion certificate to your district executive or the council registrar at jeanette.pickens@scouting.org.
The new 20-minute Safeguarding Youth (SYT) Refresher course is now live. The course is available on my.scouting.org in the Volunteer Learn Center. If you need help logging in, call the Wehrle Service Center at 304-340-3663.
If a volunteer’s Safeguarding Youth training is not current at the time of annual registration renewal, the volunteer will not be re-registered. In addition, if Safeguarding Youth training expires during a volunteer’s registration year and is not promptly renewed, that volunteer’s membership will be suspended until the training is renewed.
Circuit Rider 36
Register Now
Registration deadline is August 24, 2026.
Circuit Rider 36
September 11-13, 2026
WVU Jackson's Mill, Weston, WV
The Circuit Rider is returning for 2026 and is open to all Scouts BSA troops, Venturing crews and Webelos. Webelos may only participate in Saturday activities. If Webelos plan to stay for the Saturday dinner, there will be a $4 fee per person. Circuit Rider 36 is an exciting camping weekend sponsored by the West Virginia United Methodist Men filled with more activities than you can imagine. Come out and enjoy your weekend camping at historic Jackson's Mill.
Scout Leaders: Pre-registration is required! Register for Circuit Rider 36 by clicking the blue button above. Registration deadline August 24, 2026.
Scouts BSA Informational Leader Guide United Methodist Men's Annual Retreat brochure
In addition to the numerous free activities provided similar to past events like the frozen T-shirt contest and cast iron cookoff, the United Methodist Men and WVU Jackson's Mill are pleased to offer the following special programs. Each will last approximately one hour and be led by a program coordinator from Jackson's Mill.
Scouts and their Scout-age guests can sign up for one, two, three or all four of the special programs offered for a fee of $10 for each Scout or Scout-age guest. Class spots will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each class will be offered four times throughout the day with a limited capacity for each offering. Be sure to sign up for your chosen activities using the 'Select Activities" button during registration!
- Historic Area Program: tour historic area featuring a demonstration of an operational gristmill
- Outdoor Recreation Program: a mountain bike course and group ride around the grounds
- STEAM Program: practice problem-solving skills as you use the engineering design process to create, build, test, and improve a drone
- Wall Climb: try your strength and agility at climbing a rock wall
*Scouts who pay for the special programs must be sure to select their choices during registration.
Cost: $ 4 per person to attend. Scouts and Scout-age guests may participate in one, two, three, or four special programs for an additional fee of $ 10 per youth. Webelos are free but if they are staying for Saturday's dinner must pay $4.
United Methodist Men only: Everyone attending the West Virginia United Methodist Men Annual gathering must register and pay registration fee. UMM participants have several lodging options (Various price levels, meals included) plus the option to attend Saturday only for $75 (lunch and dinner included). (These fees do not apply to Scout troops.)
GOOD CONDUCT IS EXPECTED
Rules of conduct:
- No ground fires permitted. Bring a portable fire pit if you want a site campfire.
- All Scouts & leaders must wear registration wristbands.
- All Scouts need to be in their camping area from 10 p.m. until morning flags.
- Remember the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace principles while camping.
- No pets allowed.
Needs:
- Flag details for 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. Sunday.
- Chaplain aides for 9 a.m. Sunday
Proposed free events include, but are not limited to:
- Aviation demonstration
- Frozen T-shirt contest
- Air cannon
- Leaders & Scouts Dutch Oven Cooking Contest - 4pm Saturday, in front of the Assembly Hall **must supply recipe**
- Rescue line toss
- Basketball Skills Demonstration
- Tomahawk throw
- Saturday dinner
- Patch trading post
- Sheriff Demonstration
- Forestry Demonstrations
- DNR Demonstration
- Free gift to all who attend
Leaders & Scouts
Dutch Oven Cooking Contest (Dessert Only) 4 pm. Saturday in front of the Assembly Hall ***Must Supply Recipe***
SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS: The Saturday evening meal will be provided by your hosts, the W.Va. United Methodist Men. Special dietary needs must be addressed when you check in on the porch of the Marion Cabin next to the Assembly Hall.
More information: Wayne Custer (304) 238-6807 wcuster855@aol.com
Pastor Gregory Godwin 304-952-1526 gagodwin@citilink.net
IMPORTANT:
- Pre-registration for Circuit Rider 36 and for the W. Va. United Methodist Men's Annual Gathering is required. Registration closes on August 24, 2026.
- All Scout leaders must have a current certification in Youth Protection Training, which can be found at my.scouting.org.
- All United Methodist Men must be trained in Safe Sanctuaries Policies and acknowledge the BSA's Barriers to Abuse and Youth Protection policies during online registration.
- Current Safeguarding Youth (Youth Protection) Training is required. Who needs this training? 1. Any Scout who is 18 years old. 2. Any parent who goes along with the unit. 3. Any Adult Leader
United Methodist Men Schedule
Friday
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Check In
4:00 p.m. Executive Session
5:00 p.m. Dinner
6:00 p.m. Gathering at the Chapel
7:00 p.m. Lay Servant Ministry
8:30 p.m. Accountability Time
Saturday
7:00 a.m. Witness Time
8:00 a.m. Breakfast Time
9:15 a.m. Gathering With Music
9:45 a.m. Lay Servant Ministry
10:30 a.m. Break
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Greg White
3:30 p.m. Time with Scouts
5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Dinner with Scouts
6:30 p.m. U.M.M. Business Session
7:30 p.m. Rootin Tootin Time
9:00 p.m. Witness Time
Sunday
8:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 a.m. Vespers with Ashley Wood
Scout Schedule
Friday
4:00 – 9:00 p.m. Check In
10:00 p.m. Scoutmaster Meeting
Saturday
7:00 a.m. Reveille
8:00 a.m. Flag Raising
9:00 a.m. Greg White
9:30 a.m. Events Start
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 – 1:30 Ribbon Cutting Bishop Wallace-Padgett at chapel
1:30 p.m. Activities begin
4:00 p.m. Activities end
4:00 p.m. Dutch Oven Dessert Tasting Competition
5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Dinner at the Dining Hall with the U.M.M.
7:30 p.m. Rootin’ Tootin’ Time at Amphitheater
Sunday
9:00 a.m. Vespers with Ashley Wood
Cub Scout Rocket Day
Saturday, September 19
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
The Summit Bechtel Scout Reserve
What is a Cub Scout Rocket Day? Our Cub Scout Rocket Day is a full day of Cub Scout fun at The Summit Bechtel Scout Reserve. Cub Scouts can shoot off rockets, blast their rockets into space, and do so much more!
The Rocket Day is Saturday, September 19th. The fun starts at 9:00 am and runs until 2:00 pm. And lunch is included!
Rocket Day is free for all Cub Scouts, but we ask that you register so we know how many to expect.
Questions? Contact Samuel Bosley at samuel.bosley@scouting.org
Register Now
Cub Scout Rocket Day is free, but we ask that you register so we know how many Scouts to expect.
Liberty in Action – Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary
Get ready, Scouts and Explorers — this is YOUR moment! As America celebrates 250 years, you’re invited to dive into the adventure of a lifetime. Explore bold ideas, take on creative challenges, visit historic places, and team up with friends and family to make a real impact in your community.
From uncovering the meaning of freedom to designing cool patches, from building time capsules to stepping up in service — this challenge is all about learning, leading, and having fun while making history.
Parents and leaders, you’re part of the journey too! Together, let’s spark curiosity, build character, and celebrate the spirit of liberty that shapes us all.
It’s big. It’s inspiring. And it starts with YOU. Let’s make history together!
