The 2013 National Jamboree is a lot closer than you might realize.  Youth applications for this historic event are being taken right now, and we hope to have the contingent filled soon.

Applying for a National Jamboree slot is easy. Just look to the left, in the RESOURCES section.  Fill out the online pdf form, print it, and send it to the council office with your deposit of $120.  That's all there is to it.  Easy!

Once your youth application has been submitted to the council office, along with the $120 deposit (no application will be considered without the deposit), your end is done.  In December, the council will select 36 Scout participants from the pile of applications.  The council has developed a selection process which will be used.  Preference will be given to Scouts for whom this is their only opportunity to attend a National Jamboree as a youth, and to Scout who have not been to jamboree before.  This will help ensure that the greatest number of Scouts in our council will have a National Jamboree experience as a youth.

Scouts who are selected to be part of the contingent will make 12 monthly payments of $100 to the council office, beginning in January, 2012.   By the time January, 2013 rolls around, jamboree will be paid for, and all a Scout will have to do then is prepare, and wait for the bus to roll out toward The Summit.

The total cost of the 2013 National Jamboree trip, including the deposit, for one participant, is $1,320.

The Lodge Executive Committee of the Pushmataha Area Council's Watonala Lodge of the Order of the Arrow presented Lodge Advisor Brice Stubbs with a handmade plaque honoring his service during the year 2011 in that capacity.  The boy members of the committee handcrafted the award and presented it to Brice during the SR-1B Section Seminar held at Camp Seminole on the weekend of Friday, January 20 to Sunday, January 22, 2012.  A total of 126 members of Section SR-1B attended the seminar with members coming from as far away as Panama City, Florida.

The 2012 Pushmataha Area Council Annual Recognition Dinner will be Saturday, Feb. 11, at 6:00 PM at Starkville First United Methodist Church.  Featured speaker will be Major General Thomas L. "Tango" Moore, USMC (Retired).

This event recognizes our council's Eagles from 2011, as well as the 2011 Silver Beavers. Deadline to purchase tickets is February 7. Tickets are $20 per adult and $10 for youth 12 and under.

Download the complete Recognition Dinner registration form here.

Unit Commissioner Charles Guyton was awarded the square knot for Distinguished Commissioner during the 2012 District Awards Banquet held at camp Seminole January 12.

Commissioner Guyton, who serves Pack 27 and Troop 45 in Starkville, has been a commissioner for over five years, and the units he serves have consistently performed above the average in advancement, membership, and re-chartering requirements.  Commissioner Guyton, who holds the Commissioner's Key, completed his commissioner training during a week-long session at Philmont Scout Reservation.

Commissioner Guyton was presented the award by Choctaw District Commissioner Dan Gent (on right in photo).

The prestigious District Award of Merit was presented to three Scouters during the 2012 District Awards Banquet held Thursday, January 12, at Camp Seminole.

Joan Fuentes, Bubba Forrester, and Terry Smith were presented with the commendation for dedicated service above and beyond the call.  Council President Dr. Dan Wrather, assisted by Scout Executive Jeremy Whitmore, presented each of the awards.  Each of the recipients was greeted with thunderous applause from those gathered.  Joan Fuentes and Bubba Forrester were both present for the honor.  Terry Smith was out of town, and unable to be there for the presentations.