Historical Merit Badges Announced

The news is hitting the World Wide Web with great enthusiasm, as today both Scouting Magazine's website and ScoutmasterBucky.com announced the release of 4 Historical Merit Badges for Boy Scouts that can be earned only in 2010.

These merit badges are from the years of 1910-1911 are able to be earned by Scouts only during the 2010 calendar year. Best yet, they count towards advancement as elective merit badges.

Additionally on ScoutmasterBucky.com we found workbooks and the detailed requirements for each merit badge along with a an initiative from the Scoutmaster Bucky Team to offer all four of these merit badges at their upcoming 2010 events, starting in February with the Pathfinding Merit Badge.

Metro Lakes Troop 100 Broombal Tournament

Metro Lakes Troop 100 is holding a broomball tournament at Camp Ajawah [map] on January 23, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Get your troop together and bring a bag lunch.  Compete in this fun day of broomball with other against other Scout Troops.

Hot chocolate and brooms will be provided so bring warm clothes and a competitive spirit to have fun.  Contact Scoutmaster Dave Moore at 612-922-4988 to register or for more information.

2010 Metro Lakes Urban Orienteering Event

Coming up on January 16, 2010 is the annual Metro Lakes District Urban Orienteering Event.  This activity is designed to engage second year WEBELOS scouts in conjunction with Boy Scouts in exploring the "Urban Jungle" of Minneapolis.

The primary skills needed are teamwork, problem solving, map reading, use of a compass, and the desire to have fun..

This activity will take place on Saturday January 16th, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. at the IDS's Crystal Court in downtown Minneapolis.  Required materials are a compass, pocket change for pay phone calls, and warm clothing as some parts of the course are outdoors.  The way points of the orienteering course are pay phones. Each team will have to make seven pay phone calls.  Check out the 2010 Urban Orienteering brochure for contact, registration, and more information.

Metro Lakes District Awarded 2009 Quality District

Congratulations Metro Lakes District - Quality District 2009.

Metro Lakes Adult Scouter quoted in Scouting Magazine

Metro Lakes' very own Ted McLaughlin of Troop 33 has made nation press.  Check out the article in the September-October 2009 edition of Scouting Magazine to find out what one of Scouting's elite has to say about the Personal Management Merit Badge.  Congratulations Ted...can I have your credit cards?     Click here for the article.
 

Scoutmaster Bucky Saturday Events Announced for November 7, 2009

Scoutmaster Bucky is at it again and kicking off things with another great Fall Event on November 7, 2009.  This Event has something for everyone.  

Cub Scout Webelos can participate and earn their Webelos Citizen Activity Pin, Boy Scouts can choose from Aviation, Citizenship in the Nation, Drafting, Music, or Rifle Shooting Merit Badge classes as well as a Youth Leader Training opportunity.  Adult leaders can signup for Youth Protection Training and/or Merit Badge Counselor Training.

For more information check out www.ScoutmasterBucky.com or find Scoutmaster Bucky on Facebook

You will be missed

It is with great sorrow that we have learned of the passing of one of Metro Lakes own Scouting youth.  Tommy D, from Pack 187 chartered out of Mayflower Congregational Church, at the age of 10 years old, peacefully passed after a tremendous 5-month struggle with cancer this past Saturday.  All our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and fellow Scouters at Pack 187.  

Tommy's life will be celebrated at a Mass of Christian Burial 10 AM Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at St. Thomas More (East Campus) Catholic Church, 1093 Summit Ave., St. Paul. Visitation 5-8 PM Tuesday at O'Halloran & Murphy, 575 S. Snelling Ave., St. Paul and also one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Private interment. 651-698-0796  **Memorial donation in lieu of flowers, please.

Cub Scout Leader Specific Training - All Scout Leaders Welcome

Hey Cub Scout Leaders, don't forget training Thursday November 5th. Come one, come all, come near and come far.

Cub Scout Leader Specific Training will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday November 5th at Mayflower Congregational Church, (35W and Diamond Lake Road in Minneapolis) downstairs in the Cub Scout breakout room.  Get all your leaders to this training and ensure your pack is 100% trained.

Sign up online by emailing the Metro Lakes Training Chair - Doug Kleist - - or the Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner - Cheryl Miller - - Cost for this is FREE however reference booklets and materials will be available for sale.   Additionally, training audits will be performed to assist you and your unit, if desired.  ALL Scout Leaders from anywhere may attend.

Must Read for ALL Scouting Volunteers

Did you know that almost daily the Northern Star Council publishes news articles of interest, covering current events, activities, training, and much more.  Be sure to add the Northern Star Council website to your favorites for additional Scouting reference.  Click here to check out Northern Star Council's website and the latest news articles.

Many of you have heard over the past few days, a Twin Cities area Scouting volunteer has been arrested on charges of child molestation. Officially the Northern Star Council has formulated the following statement. Click here.

If you have any questions about this, please contact Kent York at kyork@nsbsa.org or 763-231-7201.

Embroidered Centennial Ring Emblem

A new emblem released for the 100th anniversary designed to be placed around the World Crest emblem has been available now in the Scout Shops since the end of July.

While little official information is available, the ScoutStuff Facebook page has some notes of interest. The Centennial Ring Emblem was designed specifically to be worn around the World Crest so it would NOT be appropriate to wear as a standalone temporary patch.  The Centennial Ring Emblem patch is optional and can be worn around the World Crest on any official scouting uniform.

Cubs on a Roll - Roller Skating
Mark your calendars for November 21, 2009 at the Rollergarden in St Louis Park, it's Cubs on a Roll.  Bring the family, bring your friends, for just $4.00 each from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Scouts, families, and friends of all ages can join Metro Lakes District Scouts for an afternoon of roller skating.  Bring your own skates or rent them at the Rollergarden.

Cub Scouts attending have the opportunity to easily work on and earn their Skating Belt Loop and ALL attendees are guaranteed to have great fun.  Don't miss it, we'll see you there.  Click here for directions to the Rollergarden.

New Scuba Merit Badge
That's right Boy Scouts of America has announced a new addition to the list of merit badges that Boy Scouts and Venturing Scouts can earn. Just announced this week, the Boy Scout of America released the official requirements for the Scuba Merit Badge.  The Scuba Merit Badge is the first new merit badge since Composite Materials was announced at the BSA National Jamboree in 2005.

Don't rush out to the local Scout Shops quite yet, merit badge books and badges are rumored to start hitting the shelves by the first part of December. For those who just can't wait, click here to see the requirements and information available online.

By the way, three other merit badges are to be added bringing the total number of current merit badges up to 125 by Summer 2010.  The additional three merit badges include Scouting Heritage (to be released by end of 2009), Robotics (to be released early 2010) and GPS/GIS (to be released Spring 2010).

Fall Camporee Thank You
Many thanks to Troop 262 Scouts and Adult Volunteers, as well as the Metro Lakes District Camping Committee for putting on a GREAT 2009 Fall Camporee.  Over 200 Scouts and Adults participated in the Camporee, held at Fort Snelling State Park this past weekend.  Scouts worked on two of three "trails" during the activities on Saturday - American Heritage Merit Badge, Nature Merit Badge Trail, or the Historic Fort Snelling Trail - completing most or all of the requirements.

Despite cool autumn weather and dreary and drizzly skies, Scouts hustled from station to station working on specific requirements for the trail they were working on with excitement.  Many volunteers contributed their expertise and resources in order to provide one of the best activities of the year for Metro Lakes Boy Scouts.

Pass on a note of thanks to Troop 262 by emailing their Scoutmaster (Ry4an Brase) and letting them know how much you enjoyed it.  - -.

Cub Scout Leader Specific Training
Hey Cub Scout Leaders, didn't get a chance to make it to the District's Fall Training?  Well don't fret because Cub Scout Roundtable is here to help you out.  Mark your calendars for Thursday November 5th. 

Cub Scout Leader Specific Training will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday November 5th at Mayflower Congregational Church, downstairs in the Cub Scout breakout room.  Get all your leaders to this training and ensure your pack is 100% trained.

Sign up online by emailing the Metro Lakes Training Chair - Doug Kleist - - or the Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner - Cheryl Miller - - Cost for this is FREE however reference booklets and materials will be available for sale.   Additionally, training audits will be performed to assist you and your unit, if desired.  ALL Scout Leaders from anywhere may attend.

Fall 2009 University of Scouting
The best training and networking day for Scout Leaders you will ever experience.

Fall University of Scouting is just about here. Don't miss out on this Council-wide event with something for everyone; Cub Scout College, Boy Scout College, Venturing College, Commissioner College, Sea Scouting, General Scouting College and even a Doctoral Scout Studies program.

Saturday October 24th, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. held at Brooklyn Junior High in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.  Click here for more details

Check out the Course Catalog and Registration Information here

ONLINE REGISTRATION!!! (click here)

Weekend Scout Camping Made Easy
Now available on the Northern Star Council website is a great new resources for your weekend Scout camp planning.  Utilize the new spreadsheet which lists all Northern Star Scout Camp locations and sites within each camp to determine availability for weekend camping. 

This is updated each Tuesday to reflect the latest reservations, cancellations, and changes.  Now checking to see campsite reservation and availability is just one click away.

     click here for Northern Star Council Scout Camp Weekend Site Availability List

Back-to-School Bonus for Scouting

Borders Books in Richfield is helping our District's Scouting program by offering a special promotion. Between September 19th and September 24th, if you make a purchase at the Richfield Borders with a copy of this voucher, 15% of your purchase will go into the Council's Campership fund to help send Scouts to camp who wouldn't normally be able to afford it.

Also, join us at Borders on September 24th, between 4 pm and 8 pm to promote Scouting to families in the Minneapolis and Richfield area. Come in uniform and show off your Scouting Spirit!  

click here for a printable copy of the coupon

Metro Lakes District Fall Training Days 2009
It can't be said enough, Every Scout Deserves A Trained Leader and Metro Lakes District is doing it's part to help you become a trained leader.  The Metro Lakes District Fall Training Schedule is now available.  Cub Scout Leaders, Boy Scout Leaders, Den Chief Training, and more.

Help make sure you and your unit volunteers are properly trained.  Check out the Training Schedule and Registration Information here.

Metro Lakes Fall Camporee 2009
Scouts and Venturers: Join us for the 2009 District Fall Camporee at Fort Snelling State Park "Taking History and Nature in Stride"  Don't miss out on this great camping and learning opportunity being held October 2, 2009 thru October 3, 2009. Below you will find all the necessary information for your Boy Scout or Venturing Crew to partake in this great event.  Please fill out and turn in your registration ASAP at the West Council Office. 

Camporee Registration and Information Packet

Program Option 1: American Heritage Trail

Program Option 2: Historic Fort Snelling Trail

Program Option 3: Nature Trail

Note the location of the Camporee can be found both in the Registration and Information Packet or simply by clicking here for the map.

BSA Centennial Patch Program
Participants will earn recognition for making a difference in their communities through their dedication to five of Scouting’ core values: leadership, character, community service, achievement, and the outdoors.

Participants will then be able to earn special ribbons to display on their 100th anniversary commemorative patch. These can be earned by youth members, adult leaders, and even Scouting alumni.

You can participate with your unit in this 100th Anniversary Celebration opportunity; A Year of Celebration, A Century of Making a Difference, through simple yet meaningful achievements. The program is in effect from September 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010.

Learn more about the program and the requirements  Click Here for more information.

Fall Youth Roundup
It's fall recruiting time and soon our Scouting Program will begin another fun-filled school year.  Check out all the great resources available to you for your Fall Recruiting needs.
 For more assistance contact the Metro Lakes District Membership Committee for more information and help..

New Web Site
Welcome to the new Metro Lakes District - Northern Star Council - BSA Web Site.  Our District Staff has worked hard to make this a resource for ALL Scouters.