CategoriesBlog, Training by

Intro to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS)

IOLS collage

Intro

to

Outdoor

Leadership

Skills

Date: April 5-6, 2025
Place: Lost Lake

click here to view/download flyer

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.

 

CategoriesTraining by

Medal of Merit Award

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!

CategoriesTraining by

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!

click here to view/download flyer

  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: Lost Lake Scout Camp

Why: To take your Cub Scouts Camping!

When: April 4,5 2025

start at 6pm on April 4th and end by noon on April 5th.

Cost: ($ TBA) per participant for food and supplies

Register and pay at:

Midnight Sun Council office

907-452-1976

or click on the link below to register online

https://scoutingevent.com/696-95816

 

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 2025 Spring BALOO – Save the Date flyer

 

 

 

 

CategoriesDistrict Programs by

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.

 

CategoriesMidnight Sun Council by

Newsletter Archive

 

Newsletter Links

 

2021 Newsletters 2022 Newsletters 2023 Newsletters 2024 Newsletters
Issue 1 – January Issue 1 – January Issue 1 – January Issue 1 – January
Issue 2 – February Issue 2 – February  Issue 2 – February Issue 2 – February
Issue 3 – March  Issue 3 – March  Issue 3 – March Issue 3 – March
 Issue 4 – April  Issue 4 – April  Issue 4 – April Issue 4 – April
 Issue 5 – May Issue 5 – May Issue 5 – May Issue 5 – May
 Issue 6 – June Issue 6 – June Issue 6 – June Issue 6 – June
 Issue 7 – July not available Issue 7 – July Issue 7 – July
Issue 8 – August Issue 8 – August  Issue 8 – August Issue 8 – August
Issue 9 – September  Issue 9 – September Issue 9 – September Issue 9 – September
Issue 10 – October  Issue 10 – October Issue 10 – October
Issue 11-November  Issue 11 – November Issue 11 – November
Issue 12 – December   Issue 12 – December not available
CategoriesDistrict Programs by

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

 

 

CategoriesDistrict Programs by

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.

 

 

 

 

CategoriesDistrict Programs by

Council Rock

 

Cub Scout, Scouts BSA

 Council Rock 2024 

When: Sep 13-15th, 2024

Time: Activities start at 8:30 am Saturday

Where: Lost Lake Camp

How to Register for Council Rock 2024

 

1) Register Online: Scan QR code on flyer or click the following link to access event:
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
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!

 

 

CategoriesDistrict Programs by

Family Camp

Family Camp

 Midnight Sun Council’s Annual Family Camp
 

familycampfire

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