The Midnight Sun Council was honored to present the Medal of Merit Award to ten of the twelve individuals who earned it at our closing campfire last night. The remaining two will be presented at a future date. The awards were presented to participants and leaders of last year’s National Youth Leadership Training course (NYLT), who came across a wildfire and were able to put it out before it went too far. In a state where a fire can burn millions of acres, this was a great job well done. There were houses in the vicinity, but the nearest firehouse was at least an hour away. Using what they had, and engaging passing motorists, they were able to save the nearby houses, and prevent a catastrophe. Yes, these Scouts and Scouters set a fine example of teamwork, leadership, and what it means to be prepared. Congratulations and thanks to each one of you!
Intro to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS)
Intro
to
Outdoor
Leadership
Skills
Date: September 22 & 23, 2023
Place: Lost Lake Camp
Cost: $20
Time: Friday 7:30 pm – Saturday 6 pm
Who should attend:
Scoutmasters, Asst. Scoutmasters, committee members and future Scout Leaders.
click here to view/download flyer for more information
From the Course Syllabus: Specifically, this hands-on program gives adult leaders a practical introduction to the patrol method of a Scout-led troop by teaching many of the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the out-of-doors. In addition, the teaching methods, activities, and games model the variety of teaching used in effective and engaging Scouting programs.
Participating troop leadership should include the Scoutmaster, all assistant Scoutmasters, interested troop committee members, and new adult leaders from Webelo’s graduation and round-ups.
This course is REQUIRED to be considered fully trained in a Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmaster position, in addition to the specific leader training for your position.
BALOO
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) Training
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation is a training event that introduces parents and leaders to the skills needed to plan and conduct pack outdoor activities, particularly pack camping.
Ask children why they want to be a Cub Scout, and nine times out of 10 they’ll answer “to go camping.” Cub Scouting has designed Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) training, so Cub Scouts, along with their parents or some other adult, can participate in a successful overnight camping experience.
In the future, leaders can organize a pack camp-out at a location approved by the local council. It is a great way for families to have fun and build confidence in outdoor skills. This kind of camping isn’t the rugged high adventure outing geared toward older Scouts. It is what you might call “soft camping”, where families can simply drive up to a campsite and pitch a tent within a few feet of their vehicle’s rear bumper. The emphasis is on family fun activities that don’t require lots of advanced outdoor skills.
How do you get started?
A member of your pack committee needs to attend BALOO training. The six-hour BALOO session will give your pack’s outdoor activity leader the tools to conduct a safe and successful overnight. The Outdoor portion will take place at a location approved by the local council.
An online course (Baloo Prerequisite Training) is also available through My.Scouting.org.
You can take the BALOO training online to replace the in person training sessions. You do NOT have to do the in person AND the online training. Its one or the other.
Completion BALOO classroom training or online training and outdoor portion will qualify Scouters to be certified to take their scout units family camping.
With proper planning and your BALOO-trained leader, your pack should be set for a fun and exciting weekend event.
UPCOMING BALOO Training Opportunities:
Save the Date for BALOO training!
Who: All Cub Scout adult leaders, interested parents, Committee Chairs, and Committee Members who would like camping as part of their pack program.
What: Cub Scout Outdoor Leadership Training
Where: TBA
Why: To take your Cub Scouts Camping!
When: May 10/11, 2024
start at 6pm on May 10th and end by noon on May 11.
The location and registration information will be released soon.
Cost: ($ TBA) per participant for food and supplies
Register and pay at:
Midnight Sun Council office
907-452-1976
PREREQUISITE: BALOO Prerequisite Training V2 (35 minutes) on my.scouting.org
All participants will need to go online to My.Scouting.org to complete the pre-requisite BALOO training.
Sign in or create an account and remember passwords for this site. All currently registered members can call the Council office at 907-452-1976 for a member I.D. number and directions to My.Scouting.org. If you do not have an account, you can create one. BALOO candidates will need to complete BALOO pre-requisite training before attending the “Outdoor Experience”.
click here to view/download BALOO flyer and sign up sheet
Super Saturday
Super Saturday
Boy Scout Leader Training
This Event has been cancelled! Sorry for any inconvenience!!!
Commissioners
Welcome to the Midnight Sun Council Commissioner Corps!
We are currently in need of unit commissioners to assist with serving the youth of Northern and Interior Alaska!
We currently have 14 commissioners serving the youth of Northern Alaska. Unit commissioners are volunteer Scouters who provide the primary link between their assigned units and the district and council.
They carry out this responsibility by periodic visits to unit meetings and other events, contacts with the unit’s leadership, and interactions with the unit committee and charter partner. They then report these contacts, including assessments of the unit’s health, via my.scouting.org.
Unit commissioners have a role in timely annual unit re-chartering, in urging the development and use of the unit service plan and its associated Journey to Excellence performance evaluation, in assuring stable and effective unit leadership, and in passing news, information and other communication back and forth between the council and the unit.
We invite you to consider joining our commissioner corps! Serve units, serve youth, learn scouting, win awards!
See you on the team!
Contact Larry Bennett, Council Commissioner, benco@alaska.net, 907-479-5118.
Newsletter Archive
Newsletter Links
District Committee
District Committee
District Committees have four functions: Unit Service, Program, Membership, and Finance. To function in all of these areas, we have many volunteers who care specifically about each of these areas. No matter what your experience or skills, we can use help in a variety of areas and subcommittees. Contact the Council Service Center if you have an interest in volunteering at the District level.
Tanana Valley District Committee Officers:
The Tanana Valley District Committee meets monthly on the 4th Thursday of the month.
District Chair: Hank Bartos
District Vice-Chair: VACANT
District Commissioner: Mike Galloway
District Roundtable Chair: Nathan Platt
District Membership Chair: Ethan Kahl
District Finance Chair: Elad Levy
District Training Chair: VACANT
District Camping and Outdoor Activity Chair: VACANT
District Awards and Advancement Chair: Kenny Grant
District Activities and Service Chair: Kehaulani Widell
Bush District Committee Officers:
The Bush District Committee meets monthly on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
District Commissioner: VACANT
District Chair: Don Frazier
District Program/Activities Chair: Dean Jazzo
District Vice Chairman: VACANT
District Roundtable and Advancement Chair: Brad Kilburn
District Picnic
District Picnic
more information coming soon!
We are looking forward to planning this celebration of our hardworking Volunteers when gathering restrictions are lifted!
The Tanana Valley District Picnic is our annual gathering of District and Unit Volunteer staff.
Council Rock
Cub Scout, Scouts BSA
Council Rock 2023
When: Sep 22-24, 2023
Time: Activities start at 8:30 am Saturday
Where: Lost Lake Camp
How to Register for Council Rock 2023
1) Register Online: Scan QR code to access event: https://scoutingevent.com/696-74672
SCAN TO REGISTER
2) Pack Leaders + Adults:
a. Be prepared to enter your YPT date when you register. (ie. YPT
needs to be up-to-date before your register).
b. Lions and Tigers must have a guardian present the whole event.
3) Once you submit the form you will be provided with a link to pay by credit card. Options for payment:
a. Cash or Check: Visit the Midnight Sun Council at 1400 Gillam Way Fairbanks, AK 99701 and submit payment.
b. Credit Card:
i. Over the Phone: Call the council office and pay over the phone (907) 452-1976
ii. Pay Online:
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/0786Q1JCGYJCX/checkout/W36MN7UG6HQ7EUSSRRU6Z7P7
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/0786Q1JCGYJCX/checkout/W36MN7UG6HQ7EUSSRRU6Z7P7
Square accepts these forms of payment:
4) Registrants should receive a copy of their registration form via email. If you have any questions if your registration went through, please contact Stacy or Phil at the scout
office.
5) Pack and Troop leaders will be responsible for ensuring two-deep leadership and current YPT prior to the event. They will be contacted by council office if we need to create cohorts or have lack of leaders attending. Our goal is to group scouts by rank to get the most out of their Lost Lake camp experience!
Family Camp
Family Camp
Midnight Sun Council’s Annual Family Camp
Midnight Sun Council announces our Annual Family Camp Held at the Lost Lake Scout Camp.
Take part in some family fun: swimming, canoeing, fishing, BBshooting, archery shooting
Enjoy dining in the canoeing renovated Honor
lodge with all meals prepared by the camp cooking staff.
When: TBD
Where: Lost Lake Scout Camp
The four-day experience is $100 dollars per adult and youth are $75.
A deposit of $100 dollars per family is due no later than TBD, with the full balance due
TBD.
Register at the Midnight Sun Council office in person or by calling the office @ 907-452-1976
