1st Annual Kinus - Report

The following report by Ed Hine appeared on the J-Scouts mailing list on Oct 11, 2000.

Scouts and Webelos from all over the Connecticut Yankee Council gathered at Deer Lake Scout Reservation in Killingworth, Connecticut on September 22, 2000 for our first annual Council Kinus. The theme for the weekend was “To Remember – To Observe.” We wanted to prove that being Shabbat observant and participating in Scout camping are not necessarily mutually exclusive processes. While planning for the weekend, patrols were asked to be mindful of the “39 rules,” then plan in advance to “be prepared” with food and shelter. By the time the sun went down on Friday, all were ready for a relaxing and observant Shabbat.

Shabbat services on Friday evening and Saturday morning were led by Life Scout David Edelglass of Troop 41, Woodbridge. Following the Shabbat morning services, we held discussions about the Aleph, Ner Tamid and Etz Chiam religious awards. Discussion leaders were Elliot Croll, Art Green, Marc Schneider, and John Edelglass. Then it was out into the autumn air where everyone joined in our “Shabbat Quiz” version of “Steal the Matzo Ball” followed by a relaxing walk to “Fat Man’s Squeeze.”

After a beautiful havdallah service led by Life Scout Evan Ravski of Troop 41, we had a wonderful campfire that was prepared for us in advance by Ranger Mark Clifton. At the campfire we held a retirement ceremony for several hundred unserviceable American flags that had been flown to mark the graves of Jewish veterans.

Our Sunday morning service was led by Tenderfoot Scout David Ratner and Scout Tal Schechter of Troop 15, Stamford. As we dismissed until next year, David Edelglass sounded the shofar. In all, fifty Scouts and Scouters were in attendance.

We are already planning our next Kinus for September 28-30, 2001 and look forward to extending an invitation to all Scouts and Scouters throughout the Connecticut Yankee Council and the Northeast Region. Special thanks go to Dr. John Edelglass who worked so hard to arrange the religious services and the Etz Chiam program, Elliot Croll who prepared the Aleph program, and of course, Senior District Executive Jonathan Glassman, advisor to the Jewish Committee on Scouting, who helped make it all happen.

Detach and return Registration form below

Jewish Kinus/Camporee May 30 thru June 1, 2003 (Registration Deadline May 23) Name:                                                                                              Pack/Troop/Crew #__________ Address:                                                                                    Telephone:                                         City/State/Zip:                                                                           eMail:                                                                Number of Scouts:                 + Number of Adults:                 X  $40.00 = $                                                                                                              Total Amount Enclosed:    $                                                                 (Make check or money order out to Connecticut Yankee Council, BSA) Mail to:               Jewish Committee on Scouting                             Connecticut Yankee Council, BSA                             P.O. Box 32                             Milford, CT  06460

All reservations and payments must be received one week prior to the Kinus.  A detailed information packed will be mailed out upon receipt of your registration.

All units must be accompanied by two registered leaders, or one registered leader and a parent of a participating Scout, one of whom must be 21 years of age or older.  Cub Scouts must be accompanied by a parent or another responsible adult relative or friend.  No youth may stay in a tent with an adult other than his parent or guardian.  Male and female leaders require separate sleeping facilities. However, married couples may share the same tent.