DSA is a non-profit organization run by a handful of dedicated volunteers. These volunteers give their limited free time to help DSA be the best it can be. Sometimes these volunteers go out of town or get ill. Because they are spread all over the country and not in a single office, it's not possible to have someone else step in and do their job during these brief absences. We appreciate your patience if a reply or processing is delayed. We all do our best to respond as quickly as we can to emails and phone calls. If you don't get a response within a week, please send your question again, as it may have gotten lost in cyber space or been accidently deleted from an answering machine by a "helpful spouse."
DSA Staff:
Lonnie Olson in Michigan Chris Puls in Indiana
DSA Founder and Camp Director President of DSA
Mart and Cindy Ratliff in Texas Jill Moore in Michigan
Martha Thierry in Michigan Chris Kloski in Michigan
Peggy Zweber in Michigan
Who do I contact for more information?
DSA "staff" consists of individual volunteers that are based in several different states. So your query will be answered more quickly if you direct it to the proper department! Otherwise, whomever you DO contact just has to forward it for you, which adds extra time.
MEMBERSHIP: Contact Lonnie Olson (DogScoutCamp@gmail.com)
If you had trouble processing your membership online, or want to know if your membership form got through okay or if you have not received your membership card, Cadet Scout I.D. tag, or newsletter. Membership submissions are processed once or twice a month so that a full sheet of ID card blanks can be printed at once, so please allow time for processing.
If you wish to mail in your membership, please send it to the address on the printable membership application.
You can find both the on-line and printable application forms here: http://www.dogscouts.org/Membership.html
Please use the membership application to change your contact information. The application has a check box to indicate if it's a change of information (or renewal.) Keeping your information current with us will help ensure you get a notice if your membersip expires.
NEWSLETTER: Contact Peggy Zweber ( editor@potcdogs.com )
If you want to have a story, photo or article placed in the DSA newsletter, send that to Peggy
JOINING A TROOP? Contact the Leader listed as closest to your area.
To find the locations of the current troops, visit: the Troop Locations List. You can see if there is one near you and contact the individual listed as the Leader or contact person. This list is updated frequently and the date of the last update is near the top of that page.
If a link is not working or you can’t reach the leader, contact Chris Puls (DogScouts@hotmail.com) and she will help you get in touch with the leader.
THINKING OF STARTING A TROOP? Contact Chris Puls (DogScouts@hotmail.com)
TROOP CONCERNS? Contact Chris Puls (DogScouts@hotmail.com)
MERIT BADGES? Contact Cindy Ratliff (dogluvurz@prodigy.net)
If you have a question like, “Where’s my badge?” or “When can I expect to receive my new Dog Scout’s laminated photo I.D. card?” you should contact the Recognition Program Coordinator, Cindy Ratliff. If you have a change of address, or need a new Scout ID badge for your Dog Scout because yours was lost or damaged, you can have a new one issued for $5.00. Just contact Cindy. She’ll verify that you’re in the database, and create a new ID for your dog (you may have to include a photo of your Dog Scout, unless she still has it on file.) Also, if you need a replacement of any badge (patch), you can get these through Cindy. She’ll verify that you’ve earned the badge, and send a new one out to you (you need to pay $3.00 for the replacement patch).
Badge submissions are processed in batches once or twice a month, so there may be slight delays.
BACKPACKING TITLE PROGRAM? Contact Cindy Ratliff (dogluvurz@prodigy.net)
If you have completed the requirements for one of the backpacking titles, and you are a member, send the completed log and other verifying documentation to Cindy Ratliff. She will issue and record your certificate for the title. Information on the requirements for this is on this web site. http://www.dogscouts.com/backpacking.shtml
DOG SCOUT CALENDAR? Contact Martha Thierry (mthierry@freepress.com)
If you would like to get your dog’s photo into the Dog Scout Calendar, you can get your dog listed in the appropriate month on the forthcoming calendar for $5.00 per date. You can order these from the camp store on this web site. The square will feature your dog’s photo (provided by you) and name. You can remember a departed friend, or honor your dogs birthday or adoption date by having his or her photo on the calendar.
You can also submit photos for the calendar months (dogs only.) For non-members, there is a $10.00 submission fee. For members, you can submit photos for the calendar for free. Send your digital photos to Martha.
To reserve a copy of the DSA calendar for the coming year, contact Martha, or go to the camp store online, and reserve your copies. Pre-orders are discounted $2.00 from the regular calendar price. If you have a calendar-related question, like, “When will the calendars be ready?” or, “Can I still order a calendar?” please contact Martha. The calendars usually go to print in October, so please submit all of your photos by October 1st. We prefer photos showing your Dog Scout or Troop doing “Dog Scoutly” deeds, but we will consider any good quality photo featuring dogs, responsible dog ownership in action, or the human/canine bond, whether they are members, or Dog Scouts or not.
DONATIONS? Contact Jill Moore (Ajillityglenn@gmail.com)
If you would like to set up an endowment fund, or make a donation of funds, or would like to donate goods (like wish list items for the camp) contact our Treasurer Jill Moore. She can give you a receipt for a tax-exempt charitable donation. If you would like to see a copy of our form 990, it is on file with the IRS, and you can obtain a copy from them.
SPARKY’S ONLINE STORE? Contact Lonnie Olson (dogscout2000@yahoo.com) (989) 389-2000
If you have a question about sizing for a backpack, item availability, or what colors of something are currently in stock, contact camp store manager, Lonnie Olson. If you’re having difficulty placing your order, or want to know if we carry something that is not listed online, just ask for help. If you have not received an item ordered, received the wrong item, want to return an item, or have a general question, contact Lonnie. This is a one-person operation, and sometimes Lonnie is out of town on business, so if your order has unfortunate timing, it could be a week or more before your item gets shipped. Normally, we ship out items the next business day, and if you have a concern, please contact Lonnie.
DOG SCOUT CAMP (in MI)? Contact Lonnie Olson (dogscoutcamp@gmail.com) (989) 389-2000
If you have a question about the camps in MI, accommodations, or online registration, contact Camp Director, Lonnie Olson. If you want to see if you can room with a particular person, or if we have a space big enough for your 50 foot RV, just ask. Most of the information pertaining to camp and enrollment is online on the Camp Info page.
If you would like to volunteer your services (like volunteering for a position, or coming to a camp clean-up weekend), contact Lonnie (dogscoutcamp@gmail.com).
TEXAS MINI CAMP? Contact Cindy Ratliff (dogluvurz@prodigy.net)
If your question pertains specifically to the Texas Mini Camp, contact Cindy. She is in charge of the planning and arrangements for this fun satellite Dog Scout Camp. More info is on the "Camp Info" page.
If you’d like to host a mini-camp in your area, contact our office for more information. Mini Camps always sound like a good idea for people who live far away from one of our permanent camps, but it’s another thing entirely to get at least 20 other enthusiastic people to want to pay for such a camp. You usually need to have a solid base of dog scout members in the area, and get at least a dozen people who say they will definitely attend, before you move ahead with plans. We have had mini camps in KY, MO and TX, successfully. These are areas that have the two biggest Dog Scout Troops in the nation or have multiple troops in the state.
CAMP SCHOLARSHIP? Contact the Board of Directors c/o Lonnie Olson (dogscout2000@yahoo.com)
If you have a financial hardship due to your dog’s expensive medical condition, but feel that he or she deserves to have a chance to come to camp in spite of your limited income, you can apply for the DSA memorial scholarship. Memorial donations help pay for this scholarship, and it is issued in the memory of all of the dogs who have passed away the previous year. If you feel you meet the criteria, send your essay explaining why you feel you should receive the scholarship to Chairman of the Board, Lonnie Olson. The board will review your application and report back to you. All board decisions are final. http://www.dogscouts.com/scholarship.shtml
WORLDWIDE CERTIFICATION FOR DSA BADGES? Contact Chris Puls (DogScouts@hotmail.com)
If you live in an area that doesn't have a Scoutmaster and you want to get the Dog Scout certification with your dog, you can participate in our distance learning program. You can take tests over the internet and submit video of you and your dog performing the elements of the Dog Scout Certification to be evaluated by the Certification Program Director, Chris Puls. Once your dog earns the title of Dog Scout, the same process can be used to earn the specialty badges.
WEB SITE? Contact Chris Puls (DogScouts@hotmail.com)
If you have a question about the web site, like permission to reprint information from the web site, contact webmaster, Chris Puls: (DogScouts@hotmail.com) We are not currently exchanging links with other websites.
If you see errors or omissions on our web site, or think that something is unclear, please let our webmaster know.
DISCUSSION LIST/NEWSLETTER LIST?
The DSA discussion list is located at: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/DSA_TalkList/ To join, go to that website and click on the “Join this group” button. When you join, you’ll get an email explaining how to operate the features of the list and how to set your email delivery options. If you are having a problem with the discussion list, it might be resolved by contacting your local Internet Service Provider (your cable, telephone or satellite company). You should also contact your email service provider (the company listed after the @ symbol in your email address.) It could be that they are blocking out emails thinking they are spam. If you notify your ISP and/or email provider that the DSA discussion list mail is safe (DSA_TalkList@yahoogroups.com), it should resolve the problem. If you are trying to unsubscribe, the directions are on the bottom of every email from that group. You have to subscribe, unsubscribe, and set the method of email delivery on your own, through the website of the discussion list (listed above.) If you are experiencing some other form of difficulty, you can contact the List Administrator, DogScouts@hotmail.com
DOG SCOUT OBITUARIES? Contact Memorial Recognition and Engraving Coordinator, Chris Kloski FuzzyFriends@wowway.com
If you have a Dog Scout (a dog who has passed the Dog Scout Certification test and has the title of Dog Scout), that had attended camp in MI at least once, that has passed away, we have a special way of honoring these departed friends. There’s a special plaque in the lodge here at the main camp, called the “Rainbow Bridge Troop” memorial. Chris Kloski has donated and dedicated this plaque in the memory of her first Dog Scout, “Sweetie.” There is no charge for having your dog’s name plate added to this plaque. Please just contact Chris K. with your dog’s birth and death dates.
It would also be good to send the information to the newsletter editor, Peggy Zweber, for inclusion in the Scoop’s “Rainbow Bridge” column (Peggy will include info on any member’s dog—it did not have to be a Dog Scout for inclusion in the newsletter memorial).
If you would like to make a memorial donation in your pets name (or the pet of a friend) please send it to Treasurer Jill Moore. If you need a receipt for your tax-deductible gift, just ask.
GENERAL QUESTIONS (that are NOT in any of the categories above)? Contact Chris Puls, President (dogscouts@hotmail.com) (513) 505-5071. If unavailable, contact Lonnie Olson,(dogscout2000@yahoo.com) or write to Chris at: P.O. Box 158, Harrison OH 45030.
