Montana Council Annual Meeting

The theme is Western, the venue is Big Sky incredible, and the sessions will deliver take away value for leaders! The Bucks T-4 Lodge, 46625 Gallatin Road in Big Sky Montana is the place to be April 24-25, 2015. This isn't just a "business" meeting, but will be an exciting event with sessions designed to inspire, educate, and give leaders opportunities to socialize and have some fun. You can decide whether to come for Saturday or stay the entire event. Registration is menu-driven so you only pay for what you want, although the all inclusive registration is a good value.

Complete information is on the Council Website, but here are some key points:

Early Bird Registration through March 23, 2015 will save $15 per person on an all inclusive pass (events, seminars, and meals) - $110 versus $125 beginning March 24.
Saturday Seminar Only Registration is only $25! This does not include meals, which you can order separately.
Special Hotel Rates are available at Buck's T-4 Lodge and Hotel ($109 plus tax) or the Whitewater Inn ($70 plus tax). Register soon as rooms are expected to fill up.

Why Should I Attend?
The conference style program gives you many choices of what to see. Some sessions will help your program delivery, like the session on the New Cub Scout Program. Others will just be fun, like "A River Runs Through It" hands-on classroom session with Simms instructors. As the Host District, MVD is helping with several sessions including the two spotlighted below. How Scouts Use Technology is presented by 2 wonderful Scouts who know what they are talking about and promise to help leaders who are tech saavy and those who aren't. Scouting and Special Needs: How Special Needs Scouts will Improve Your Unit is presented by an experienced Scout Leader and two educational professionals who are sure to provide unique and helpful insights to delivering scouting for special needs youth.

How Scouts Use Technology in Scouting

9:35 – 10:20, Room 3

Do you wonder what those Scouts are doing on their phones, tablets, and computers? It might be scouting related. This session will be taught by NYLT Staff where they will share how they use technology in their scouting program and tips for leaders with best practices.

Presenters Josey Quiones and Nick O'Donnell

Nick O'Donnell is a Life Scout with Troop 649 in Belgrade, MT. Nick has been involved in Boy Scouts for seven years and is currently working towards his Eagle Rank. Nick is a true example of a teenage "geek" and loves technology. He has staffed NYLT as the "techy" for four years and will be the techy again this summer. Nick has advised the NYLT Course Directors and Mountain Valley District Staff in technologies to make presentations, registration and notifications easier for scouting events. He is an avid user of social media including texting, Facebook, Snapchat and many others. Nick currently works as the light and sound technician for the Belgrade High School and worked as their PC Specialist last summer.

Josey Quinones is an Eagle Scout from Troop 218 from Helena, MT. He is currently student teaching in Belgrade, MT to complete a degree in Music Education from Montana State University. Josey has served in a variety of roles in the Scouting program, notably and most recently as the Co-Director for the 2014 Montana Council Camporee. He has also held various leadership roles in the Order of the Arrow on the local, state, regional, and national levels. A special area of interest and study of Josey's is using technology to more effectively communicate and teach both in school, Scouting, and social settings.

Scouting and Special Needs: How Special Needs Scouts will Improve Your Unit
3:05 - 3:50, Room 2

Studies show that teaching that works for kids with special needs actually improves the engagement for all kids. Learn how Scouting is perfect for boys with attention challenges, and other differences when the program is delivered well. This session will cover tips, techniques, and leader options for good program delivery with some specific focus on ADHD and behavior contracts.

Presenter(s):
Dave Eubanks, District Training Chairman
Tonya Shonkwiler, Special Education Teacher
Mary Stone, Special Education Teacher

Please sign-up if you can help staff our hospitality table or just assist as needed. We would like 2-3 MVD people available during the event simply to help.