News & Blog
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Occoneechee Council seeks requests Statements of Qualifications for dam construction
The Occoneechee Council, Scouting America (Owner or Council) is requesting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from qualified firms to provide engineering and grant administrative services for a High Hazard Potential Dam Rehabilitation construction project (Project) at the Occoneechee Scout Reservation located in Moore County, North Carolina. Specifically, the dam identified by the North Carolina Department of…
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What Could Popcorn Pay For? Meet Benjamin, the Scout Funding His Adventures One Sale at a Time
Think popcorn is just for Cub Scouts? Meet Benjamin. At 14 years old and heading into ninth grade, Benjamin has been selling popcorn since he was a Tiger Cub. What started as a way to help pay for dues and weekend campouts has grown into something much bigger. Popcorn sales have helped Benjamin pay for…
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Thousands of Scouts. One Unforgettable Experience: Inside the 2026 National Jamboree
What happens when thousands of Scouts from across the country come together for days filled with adventure, challenges, new friendships, patch trading, high adventure, STEM activities and everything Scouting? You get the National Jamboree. In July, Scouts and leaders from Occoneechee Council joined with Tuscarora Council and East Carolina Council to form a contingent headed…
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Available now: Refresher for Safeguarding Youth Training
Available now: Refresher for Safeguarding Youth Training Last year, on May 17, 2025, Scouting America replaced the retired Youth Protection training (YPT), with the new full Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) course. This SYT course expires 12 months from the completion date, and takes approximately 90 minutes including a 20 question test. As of May…
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Safeguarding Youth Updates + Resources (March 2026)
Scouting America recently shared the following information with Councils regarding safeguarding youth and privacy practices within Scouting. Occoneechee Council is sharing this message with our members so they can have access to the same guidance and resources. Below is the message provided by Scouting America, along with supporting document links. To see full details on…
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Scouting America & Department of War: Statement from Occoneechee Council
Media inquiries should be directed to PR@Scouting.org. A message from Patrick Jordan, Occoneechee Council Board President, on March 5, 2026: Dear Scouting Family, As I write to you for the first time as President of the Occoneechee Council, I do so with deep gratitude for your trust and with the awareness that this is a significant…
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Courage in Action: Honoring Our Medal of Merit Recipients
At this year’s Eagle Banquet, Occoneechee Council had the privilege of presenting the Medal of Merit to six youth and separately recognizing an adult leader for his role in a life-threatening emergency. The Medal of Merit recognizes meritorious action, outstanding acts of service, uncommon bravery and presence of mind in situations involving risk to life.…
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A Night of Leadership: Celebrating the Eagle Scout Class of 2025
The Eagle Banquet is always special, but this year felt electric. From the moment guests arrived, there was a sense of pride in the room. Families, leaders, and supporters gathered to celebrate years of hard work, perseverance, and service. One by one, Scouts crossed the stage to be recognized as members of the Eagle Scout…
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Jim Crawford Named 2025 Council Alumnus of the Year
Occoneechee Council is proud to announce that Jim Crawford has been selected as the 2025 Council Alumnus of the Year. This distinction is unique within Scouting. Rather than recognizing service alone, the award honors individuals who actively promote and share the gift of Scouting through their careers, personal influence, and lifelong commitment to its values.…
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2025: A Year of Growth, Service, and Momentum at Occoneechee Council
As we close the chapter on 2025, one thing is clear: Scouting in Occoneechee Council is strong, growing, and making a measurable difference across central North Carolina. This year marked our fourth consecutive executive year of membership growth. Over the past five years, our council has grown nearly 7 percent. That kind of steady progress…