Boy Scout Blog

The first year of the second century of Scouting is drawing to a close.  How exciting to be part of a relevant, dynamic organization that does so much good for kids, families and communities!

After three years of planning and fundraising, the Northern Lights Council broke ground on the new Jon L. Wanzek Center for Scouting!  This new 15,000 sq. ft. center will feature a 2,500 sq. ft. Scout Store operated by the National Council, Boy Scouts of America! The 3,000 sq. ft. Shelly Ellig Training Center will be the hub for leadership training for our youth and adults, and the atrium and gathering area will display the timeless values of the 12 words we call the Scout Law.  These 12 points guide the decisions and lives of our membership and alumni.  The new Center will be completed in July 2012!

The only state our Chief Scout Executive hadn’t visited was the State of North Dakota!  October 19, 2011, changed that when our Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazucca and Regional Director Al Lambert visited Big 4 Scout Camp in Minot, spoke at the Bismarck Rotary Club and presented SCOUTStrong Awards to members of Troop 123.  The Chief also met many volunteers and Scouts at a reception in Fargo.  The Chief’s visit included a meeting with many of our state’s political leaders including Lt. Governor (Eagle Scout) Drew Wrigley!   The Chief commented he had a great visit to our Northern Lights Council, but we wore him out with an aggressive schedule touring the state!

Camp Wilderness was a happening place this summer with the largest Cub/Webelos Camp attendance at the Butler Wilderness Outpost since opening in 2007.  A total of 673 Tigers/Cubs/Webelos attended, 1,609 Boy Scouts attended Scout Camp, and 162 Cubs and Scouts attended Camp at Heart Butte Scout Reservation.  As the summer came to a close, the Council broke ground on the renovation and expansion of the Wanzek Trading Post and Scout History Center at Camp Wilderness!  Through a generous donation from the Jon Wanzek family, the Camp will now include a History Center and a year-round Trading Post using geo-thermal heating!  The new facility will be ready for Summer Camp 2012.

Severe flooding in Northwest North Dakota affected many Scouting families’ homes in the greater Minot area.  The Big 4 Scout Camp was under water for several months.   With many questions about future city plans, we wait in anticipation to continue clean-up and renovation in 2012.  The Scout Spirit and call to service was evident as Scouters pitched in to help with the clean up.

Our fall recruiting went well with 1,002 new first grade boys and 910 Cub Scouts signing up for an adventure of a lifetime.  We are thrilled about the possibilities for the new Cubs.

As we charge into the second century of Scouting, I reflect on the solid foundation of service, character and citizenship our organization was founded on.  We are so grateful for dedicated volunteers and friends that believe in and see the impact of America’s foremost youth development program – Scouting.

Thank you for your partnership.  Wishing you a safe, healthy and happy New Year.

Most sincerely,

Mark G. Holtz
Scout Executive

Bob Mazzuca, Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America, is making his first trip to the Northern Lights Council on Wednesday, October19. We believe this is the first National BSA Chief Scout Executive to ever visit the Northern Lights Council and we are thrilled  that he is going to be here to honor all our Scout volunteers.

As the 2^nd largest geographic Boy Scout Council in America, we have a busy day planned for the National BSA Chief Scout Executive  and our Scouting volunteers across the Northern Lights Council.  First stop, Big 4 Scout Camp in Minot.  While at Big 4 Scout Camp, we will tour the camp, assess flood damage, and have a brief program at 9:30 AM, when we will be presented a check from Ackerman-Estvold to help with the flood recovery efforts at Big 4.  At this time, Bob Mazzuca will also speak about the importance of Scouting and the important role that volunteers have in the Boy Scouts of America.

At noon, we will be in Bismarck where Bob Mazzuca will be the guest speaker at the Bismarck Rotary Club which meets at the Elks Club, 900 South Washington Street in Bismarck.  He will present twelve Boy Scouts and adult leaders from Bismarck Troop 123 with the Scout-specific Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (Pala), which is part of the Boy Scouts of America’s recently launched, new national healthy-living initiative called “SCOUTStrong.”  Bob Mazzuca will also share details about the formal commitment that the BSA has made to do even more to address the major health concerns facing today’s youth.

Now, on to Fargo…at 7:00 PM at Butler Machinery Co., 3401 33rd Street South, Scouting volunteers and supporters will be recognized by the top Scouting official in the nation, Bob Mazzuca.  The National Chief Scout Executive will attend and speak at this meet and greet reception.  During this time,  he will recognize all the volunteers who have helped to make the BSA vibrant and viable for more than 100 years.  In addition, he will share details about the ever-growing vision of the Boy Scouts organization as it enters the second century of Scouting.

Please feel free to join us at one or all of the events that we have scheduled during the National Chief Scout Executive, Bob Mazzuca’s visit to the Northern Lights Council.  Please RSVP to Fargo Scout Service Center at 701-293-5011 if you will plan on attending. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Fargo Scout office.  Have a great Scouting week!

For more information on Scouting in the Northern Lights Council visit our website at www.nlcbsa.org. Scouting builds:  Leadership, Character, Achievement, Service to Others, and Appreciation for the Outdoors.  Be A Scout!

Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts across the Northern Lights Council have started to go door-to-door selling Trail’s End popcorn to fund their Scouting activities. Many packs and troops rely on this annual sale to support their activities – like the popular Pinewood Derby and camp – throughout the entire year. The sale also allows individual Scouts to earn prizes and scholarship money for college.

Trail’s End fans will find Scouts selling all of their favorites, including microwave popcorn in Unbelievable Butter, Butter Light, and Kettle Corn flavors, as well as signature snacks like Classic Caramel Corn, Caramel Corn with Almonds, Pecans and Cashews, Cheddar Cheese Corn and White Cheddar Cheese Corn. In addition, White Chocolately Pretzels and Chocolately Triple Delight are also available. All flavors of Trail’s End microwave popcorn are made with heart-healthy canola oil, making them lower in calories, total fat, saturated fat and sodium, while also providing Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 fatty acids. The entire product line also contains 0g trans fats.

As the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts have offered for the past several years, customers also have the option of sending popcorn treats to U.S. Troops stationed all over the world. You will be able to support the Troops by making a donation of $30 or $50 and Trail’s End will ship popcorn directly to the Military.  In 2010, the Northern Lights Council shipped $65,525 worth of popcorn overseas to support the Troops!

“When people purchase popcorn or support the Military Troops Program, they are supporting the local Scouting units,” says Scout Executive Mark Holtz.   Scouts from across the Council sell popcorn to raise money that is used for uniforms, camping trips and outings, or other expenses. The more popcorn a Scout sells, the more funds his unit will receive, and over 70 percent of the money raised stays in the local area. The Scouts also get prizes depending on the amount of popcorn that they sell.

Salute Scouting!  Buy Popcorn when the Scouts call on you.  You can also order popcorn and Support our Military Troops with your special donation order by contacting the Northern Lights Council Regional Headquarters of the Boy Scouts of America in Fargo at 701-293-5011.

The Northern Lights Council, Boy Scouts of America is a non-profit organization serving more than 14,880 youth with 3,896 registered adult leaders throughout the entire state of North Dakota, 18 counties in NW Minnesota and 2 counties each in South Dakota and Montana.  The Northern Lights Council is a United Way Agency.            

Were you a Scout? Did you sell Trail’s End Popcorn?  Let us know…we want to hear from you!  Re-connect and re-engage with Scouting at www.BSAalumni.org  .  Scouting builds:  Leadership, Character, Achievement, Service to Others and Appreciation for the Outdoors.

This summer, Dr. Stephen McDonough, a pediatrician at Medcenter One, was one of 16 national Boy Scout leaders to complete the “Walk the Walk” initiative, as he earned the President’s Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) by exercising at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week for six out of eight weeks.  Dr. McDonough was selected by Boy Scouts of America to help its alliance with first lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” program and the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.

 “It was an honor to be asked by the Boy Scouts to help its efforts to improve fitness for Boy Scouts, parents and volunteers” Dr. McDonough said.  “The challenge is something that anyone can do. It is free and a great motivator to exercise, which improves both physical fitness and mental health.” 

To earn the PALA, people must track their exercise on an online fitness log available at presidentschallenge.com. First lady Obama has made the challenge a priority as part of “Let’s Move,” and her goal is to have a million Americans earn the PALA by September 2011. The Boy Scouts have launched a healthy living initiative and are aim to have 500,000 Scouts earn their PALA over the next three years.

Dr. McDonough recently attended the “Top Hands” national Boy Scouts meeting inSan Antoniowhere he received the newly created Scouting PALA activity badge. The 16 national Scouting leaders issued a challenge to all Scouts, parents and volunteers to achieve PALA badges as well.

“Scouts pledge in the Scout Oath to be physically fit” said Mark G. Holtz, Scout executive of the Northern Lights Council.  “We are thrilled to have Dr. McDonough here inNorth Dakotato help lead this important national initiative”.

Dr. McDonough is also working with Troop 123 of Bismarck on PALA this summer.  More than 50 Scouts and parents in Troop 123 have registered with PALA, and many completed the award this summer. Children and adolescents need to exercise 60 minutes a day, five days a week for six out of eight weeks to earn the award. Troop 123 operates fromFaithLutheranChurchinBismarck.

Dr. McDonough serves on several Boy Scout committees: Boy Scouts ofAmerica,Dallas, Health and Safety Committee; Northern Lights Council, Fargo, Strategic Planning Committee for Youth Advocacy and Strategic Relationships; and the District Committee, Frontier Trails District,Bismarck. In 2010, he was appointed by President Obama to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.

Are you a Scout Alumni?  Have you signed up to earn the Pesident’s Actiive Lifestyle Award?  Let us know…we want to hear from you.

Can you believe it…it’s almost the end of July and it has been a month since we had the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Jon L. Wanzek Center for Scouting.   Wow, time flies…and it’s amazing what’s been happening at building site.  Today, we are excited to share the following building site photos with you.  Please check back  next week for an update.   You can also find information on our Northern Lights Council website  and you can now find us on Facebook .  Enjoy the photos!  Have a great week!

 Remember to check back weekly for updates on the Jon L. Wanzek Center for Scouting!!

Are you a Scout Alumni?  Let us know!  Visit www.BSAAlumni.org

 

On Thursday, June 30th at 11:15 A.M., Scouts and Scouters will gather at the site of the new Jon L. Wanzek Center for Scouting for our Groundbreaking.  The site is at the corner of 42nd Street and 19th Ave South in Fargo, North Dakota!!! After 2 years of planning and fundraising, the Northern Lights Council will break ground on a new 15,000 square foot Center that will be the hub for all of Scouting in the Region! 

The Center will take approximately one year to build, and when finished will house a Scout Store run by the National BSA.  The Scout Catalog will come to life in the new store- Scouts and leaders in the outlying areas will be able to order items and have them in their mailbox the next day! The new Shelley Ellig Training Center will be used to train leaders and Scouts in Leadership,Conservation, first aid,  and youth protection just to name a few.

Share in our excitement of the new Center by posting your comments or stop by for the groundbreaking ceremony!

Sincerely,

Mark G. Holtz
Scout Executive

We are proud to announce the Northern Lights Council, Boy Scouts of America, has been recognized in the BSA’s 13th Annual National  President’s Awards for Marketing Excellence for the Best 100th Anniversary Material.   The Council was one of the top 6 in the 100^th Anniversary category out of 305 Boy Scout Councils in America.  The National BSA marketing competition recognizes outstanding and innovative marketing produced by, or on behalf of, the Scouts and the local Boy Scout Councils.

The recognition was given to the Northern Lights Council for the creativity and hard work of Leigh Kaeding, Digitally Yours, LLC, Bismarck, ND and Forum Communications Printing, Fargo, ND  for their efforts for the Council’s Centennial Celebration at the ND State Capitol Grounds in June of 2010.  Forum Communications Printing designed and printed the commemorative program book for the event and Leigh Kaeding, Digitally Yours, LLC conceptualized, organized photographers, designed and produced the commemorative photo DVD. 

“We are thrilled by this recognition,” said Mark Holtz, Scout Executive.  “We are so appreciative of Leigh Kaeding of Digitally Yours, LLC and Forum Communications Printing for their outstanding work on the materials for our 100th Anniversary event at the ND State Capitol.  These are keepsakes that captured lasting memories for the Scouts and their families and volunteers across the Council.”
            
The Northern Lights Council is a United Way Agency and serves all of North Dakota, eighteen counties in northwest Minnesota, two counties each in South Dakota and Montana.  www.nlcbsa.org

Scouting builds:  character, leadership, achievement, service to others and appreciation for the outdoors.  Be a Scout!  Re-connect and re-engage with Scouting at www.BSAalumni.org

The Boy Scouts of America was founded on the premise of doing a ‘Good Turn Daily’.  Community Service is very important in the character building process and, as Scouts, we have made the commitment to give back to our communities.

Over the last few weeks, many communities across our Northern Lights Council territory, the entire State of North Dakota, 18 Counties in Northwestern Minnesota and 2 counties each in South Dakota and Montana, have been impacted by flooding.  Scouts and volunteers across the Council have been giving back to these communities and helping fight the flood…thank you for your service and doing a good turn daily.

Flood waters run far and wide in our area and right now our Big 4 Scout Camp in Minot, ND has been inundated with water. Scouts and volunteers were called to service last Wednesday to save the camp and do what they could to try and limit the effect of the high water.  The Boy Scout pavilion building is surrounded by sandbags – more than 600 filled and placed in two hours.  The 100 year old cabin, the one that people have the fondest memories of, has at least 4 feet of water in it.  The campfire area, rifle range, and picnic areas are all under water. 

Attached are recent pictures from our Big 4 Scout Camp…water, water and more flood waters!  We will keep you posted on the clean-up efforts of the camp, once the water goes down.  Hopefully, the forecasted rain in the area will not put a damper on our camp clean up – camping season is right around the corner.

Have a great Scouting week!  Scouting builds leadership, character, achievement, service to others, and appreciation for the outdoors.

 

The National Boy Scouts of America Alumni Relations Committee recently announced they have new award:  the Alumni Award. The requirements are available at www.BSAalumni.org  for registered alumni.  If you or someone you know is not registered as a Scout Alumni, sign up today-it only takes a few minutes to complete this simple registration.

The Boy Scouts of America’s definition of alumni is, “everyone positively and personally impacted by the Boy Scouts of America- former Scouts, family members of Scouts past and present, volunteers past and present, community leaders, and the millions of Americans who benefit from Scouting in their communities every day.”

The recognition items for the Alumni Award include a very nice-looking square knot AND lapel pin.  Recipients of this award must show an approved application by both the Northern Lights Council Alumni Committee AND the national BSA Alumni Relations office before the award recognition knot and pin can be obtained.

Are you a Scout alumni member? Let us know, we want to hear from you.   Scouting Builds:  Leadership, Character, Achievement, Service to Others, and Appreciation of the Outdoors!  Be A Scout!