August 2010
Kickoff
Ah, Summer. Boy’s at Tomahawk, Cubs at Akela, Volunteers resting… it’s a wonderful time. But Fall is fast-approaching, and that means KICKOFF IS COMING!
Just like last year, we’ll be Kicking Off the Scouting season at Fred C. Andersen Scout Camp’s Swanson Lodge. The Commissioner Corps will be providing Hot Dogs, Corn and Beans. Cost is $4 per person / $10 per family – what a deal! Materials for Recruitment, Popcorn and planning your program year will be on hand. Make sure you don’t miss this great event. Note: seating in the Swanson Lodge is limited, so bring a lawn-chair. Provided the weather cooperates, we’ll be eating outside. See you there!
Popcorn Training
With Fall comes everyone’s favorite snack and fundrasor: Popcorn. This year’s popcorn sale will be fantastic, with a new prize system, new packaging and product changes. In order to make sure everyone knows all the details, we’re once again offering several different options for Popcorn training. Any unit selling popcorn should plan to have their popcorn Kernel attend one of the offered sessions. Monday August 9th, we’ll be in River Falls at the Library. Thursday the 26th, we’ll be at St. Josephs in Osceola. There are over 15 other sessions all over the Council. Each unit with a Kernel at training will receive a box containing over $100 worth of items to enhance your Unit’s sale. Three cheers for popcorn: Crunch Crunch Crunch!
FYR Training
Fall Youth Recruitment is the backbone of Scouting’s success. This year, big changes have arrived in the ways we coordinate recruitment efforts. It’s essential that each Pack have someone attend one of our August FYR training sessions. August 5th at the Legion hall in River Falls and August 11th at St. Josephs Church in Osceola. Again, lots of changes this year – it’s essential that whoever is coordinating your Pack’s recruitment be there! Any questions about Fall Youth Recruitment can be directed either to Greg (gball@nsbsa.org) or Linda Rawlings (drawling@pressenter.com)
In preparation for the training, make sure your unit has logged on to the online recruitment planner. (www.northernstarbsa.org/planner)
June 2010
Online Recruitment Planner
Each unit should make sure they log in to the Online Recruitment planner (www.northernstarbsa.org/planner) to post info on their Pack, Troop or Crew for anyone who might be looking to join. If you have questions about how to log on, request flyers, or add an event, contact membership chair Rick Smith at r@smat.us
Fall Recruitment Training
Believe it or not, fall is fast approaching and with it; RECRUITMENT! This year there are many changes to the ways we’ll be handling everything from ordering flyers to boy talk scheduling to sign up nights. Make sure your Pack has someone attending one of our recruitment training events. August 5th at the Legion hall in River Falls and August 11th at St. Josephs Church in Osceola. Again, lots of changes this year – it’s essential that whoever is coordinating your Pack’s recruitment be there!
StarCamp
Wow. Wowwy – wow-wow.
Those of you who made it there know what I mean. For the rest of you, you can check out pictures and videos of this enormous super-event at www.northernstarbsa.org
Roundtable – now on YouTube!
The last several Roundtable events have been enormous successes. Each one has had over 100 attendees from all over the district! If you haven’t been to Roundtable recently (or ever…) check out our new Roundtable promotion video on our District web page: www.eagleriver.nsbsa.org.
Eagle River gains one more cub scout (seven years from now)
DE Greg Ball became a first-time father on May 12th. Alexander George was born at 9.44 and filled out a Cub Scout application at 10:00. He and mom Emily are doing very well. Special thanks to all who sent well wishes! Alex has promised to make an appearance at a Scouting event soon.
Kick-off
Put it on your calendar now, you won’t want to miss the 2nd Annual Eagle River District Kickoff Event. Food, Fun and information for all! August 19th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Osceola Landing (just across from Osceola on the MN side of the St. Croix). Don’t miss it!
April 2010
District Dinner
Come join Eagle River for a great early dinner. Saturday April 24th, gathering at 12:30pm at Somerset Elementary – 635 Sunrise Drive, Somerset. At the District dinner, we’ll be presenting our 2009 Eagle Scouts, the District Award of Merit, Outstanding Unit Scouter Awards and 2009 Quality Units. Every Scouting family is invited to attend. Cost is only $15 if pre-registered, $20 at the door. 2009 Eagle Scouts attend for free! If you’ve nominated someone for Outstanding Unit Scouter, please make sure they’re signed up to attend. Registration forms are available at April’s Roundtable as well as www.eagleriver.nsbsa.org. Online registration is also available. Dinner will be catered by Mama Maria’s Italian Restaurant. This will be a great afternoon of fellowship and fun, don’t miss it!
Recharter Time
Packs, recharters are due on March 31st. If you haven’t turned in your charter paperwork with signatures, dues and additional applications, please contact your unit commissioner or Greg Ball to arrange to get them in ASAP.
Online Recruitment Planner
Each unit should make sure they log in to the Online Recruitment planner (www.northernstarbsa.org/planner) to post info on their Pack, Troop or Crew for anyone who might be looking to join. If you have questions about how to log on, request flyers, or add an event, contact membership chair Rick Smith at r@smat.us
District Pinewood Derby
Get Ready to Race! The Eagle River District Pinewood Derby will be on Saturday, April 17th in two locations; Grantsburg and Prescott. The top 10 racers from each Pack automatically qualify for the District Race (and a chance to go on to the Council Pinewood Derby in June). But wait! All racers are invited! Each location will have a “second chance” race for those racers who didn’t place in the top 10 of their unit. The top racers from the second chance race will also qualify to race in the District Race. Detailed info and online registration are available on the district website www.eagleriver.nsbsa.org.
Roundtable Date
Due to the position of Easter on this year’s calendar, April Roundtable will be on APRIL 8th (not April 1st). Make sure you’ve marked the right date on your calendar, and let all the leaders in your unit know. Same time (7:00pm), same location (Paperjack Elementary, New Richmond). Likewise, the District Committee meeting that would normally be held on March 30th will be held on April 6th.
OLS / BALOOTraining at Roundtable
The Outdoor Leadership Skills course started at March Roundtable will continue for April and May Roundtables. In addition BALOO training will start at April’s Roundtable and conclude in May. Note, while Roundtable starts at 7:00pm, BALOO training will start at 6:30 (there’s a lot to cover) don’t be late!
StarCamp
Registrations for StarCamp are now open. Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime super-event! Make sure all the Scouts in your unit are invited to attend. Eagle River will have it’s own camping area. This is going to be a huge deal - Helicopters, race cars, climbing walls, games and a huge campfire!
February 2010
District Awards
The District Award of Merit is the highest award Eagle River can give to a volunteer. Applications for both the Award of Merit. and the Unit Scouter of the Year awards can be found on the Eagle River website. Forms are also available at Roundtable. Both forms take some time and research to fill out, so start early!
Recharter Time
Troops should have already turned in their Rechartering materials. If you haven’t yet, please contact your commissioner to get it done. Cub Scouters, the online rechartering system is active starting February 1st. If you have not picked up your packet, or have questions about the rechartering process, please contact your unit commissioner or District Commissioner Dan Oehmke. Remember, if you’re adding boys or adults to your charter they need to turn in Applications along with the charter paperwork!
Planning Conference
2010 is going to be a huge year for Scouting and for Eagle River. In order to make sure that we’re ready, we’re going to hold a Planning Conference on February 20th from 9:00 am – 1:00pm at Paperjack in New Richmond. All Scouters involved in District activities and operations (training, popcorn, events, etc) are strongly encouraged to attend. We’ll be meeting as subcommittees and then gathering to lay down an official calendar for the next 18 months. If you have opinions on where or when events of any kind are to be held, come to the Conference and have your voice heard! RSVP with Greg Ball. Brunch will be provided.
Roundtable
February’s Roundtable is a Birthday Party! Happy 100th Birthday Scouting! We’ll meet at our usual location and time (Paperjack Elementary at 7:00) but will play games, have cake and end with a campfire ceremony. If you have some ‘traveling ashes’ you’d like to contribute to our grand campfire, please bring them. This is going to be great fun!
Also, remember that anyone who comes to Roundtable can get a District Patch! Additional patches are available at Roundtable for purchase ($2).
Spring Popcorn
Any units looking to participate in the Spring Popcorn sale should email Greg at gball@northernstarbsa.org. We’ll have a brief training at the February Roundtable. This is a great opportunity to line your Unit’s coffers, especially if you sold Fall Popcorn (most folks have eaten their fall orders already).
OLS Training at Roundtable
The Outdoor Leadership Skills course will be offered over March, April and May’s Roundtables. If you’re interested in receiving this training (looking at you, Scoutmasters!) contact Rick Cihla at Richard.cihla@comcast.net.
Save the date - District Dinner
The Eagle River District Dinner will be held April 24th in Somerset. Location and specific times are TBD. This will our awards dinner where we honor those volunteers who have gone above and beyond to make an impact. Make sure your unit is represented by nominating a leader for the Outstanding Unit Scouter Award!
December 2009
Hurray for Popcorn!
Thanks to the hard work of our District Popcorn Chairs Rachel Collins and Kevin Trandum for making this year’s sale a success! Our Scouts sold over $330,000 worth of popcorn, almost 5% more than last year in a tough economy. Great work Scouts!
It’s not too late to snag some extra popcorn, either. Email Greg for details.
Upcoming Trainings in Eagle River
- Dec 3, This Is Scouting - 7:30 - 8:15pm at Roundtable, Paperjack Elementary, New Richmond - NO fee
- Jan 7, 2010 Den Chief Training, 7:00 - 9:00pm at Roundtable, Paperjack Elementary, New Richmond, $2 fee, and Den Chief Hanbook available for additional $6.
- Jan 10, 2010 Scoutmaster/Asst SM Specific training, SUNDAY afternoon 1PM - 7PM, Somerset, [site to be confirmed], fees $10, late afternoon supper served.
- Feb 27, 2010 Cub Scout Specific training, This Is Scouting, Youth Protection, Saturday, 8:30am- 2pm, Amery, WI [site to be confirmed], lunch served, fees $8, Cub Scout Leader Book for sale, additional $7.50.
* Training Questions may be directed to Anita at 715-262-3549, or Rick at richard.cihla@comcast.net
Roundtable
Have you been to Roundtable yet? If you have, you know what a big deal it is – if you haven’t come on out and give it a try! Meet other volunteers, get answers to your questions, pick up essential materials and have fun doing it! We meet the 1st Thursday of the month at Paperjack Elementary in New Richmond (East of town on 11th st / GG).
December Roundtable is Fireside Chat – your chance to visit with Northern Star Council representatives
January is our Chili Cook-off – do you have a Chili recipe that will knock off some socks? Bring a sample and enter to win Best Chili in the district!
Klondike Feb 5th – 7th, Clear Lake Chalet
The Klondike Derby is set to be a great event.�
Event Registration starts at 8:00am on Saturday the 6th, but Troops are welcome to camp out Friday night.
Check out the info packet and registration details at eagleriver.nsbsa.org > Events > Boy Scout activities > Klondike
Chariot Races – Jan 23rd, Siren School Gym
For Cubs, the Chariots are coming! Each den is encouraged to decorate a sweet ride to compete in the races. Indoor winter fun for everyone! Eagleriver.nsbsa.org > Events > Cub Scout Activities > Chariot Races
FOS Time
If your Pack, Troop or Crew hasn’t yet picked a date for their Friends of Scouting presentation, make sure you email the info (date / time / location / food) to Greg or Scott Simenson
District Pictures
Have you snapped some shots at a recent Scouting Outing? If so, email a copy to Greg for inclusion in the next issue of the Navigator!
October 2009
October Roundtable: Amery!
Remember that October’s Roundtable will be at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Amery. We’ll be back at Paperjack Elementary, New Richmond for November. Attendees at October’s Roundtable will get our new District Patch! [pic]
Get those apps in!
While all of our units have been great about turning their recruitment packet in right after kickoff, there are always a few extra registrations that trickle in. Be sure to bring them (with signatures and money) to October’s Roundtable!
Training Dates:
- Den Chief Training - Oct 1, 7:15-8:45pm, Eagle River's Roundtable, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Amery
- Charter Rep Training - Nov 5, 7:30-8:30pm, Eagle River's Roundtable, Paperjack Elementary, New Richmond
- Youth Protection Training - Nov 5, 7:30-8:30pm, at Eagle River's Roundtable, Paperjack Elementary, New Richmond
- Cub Scout Leader Specifics - Nov 10, 6:30-9:30pm, Hudson High School, checkin room 540 west wing.
- Den Chief Training - Nov 10, 7:00-8:30pm, Hudson High School, checkin room 540 west wing.