Learning for Life-Main

 
 LFLbanner2
 

Learning for Life is a character education program designed to support schools and community- based organizations in their efforts to prepare youth to successfully handle the complexities of our contemporary society. Our curriculum prepares students to enhance their self-confidence, motivation, and self-esteem. The program uses age-appropriate, grade-specific lesson plans to give youth skills and information that will help them make positive decisions for themselves, their families and their futures.

 

Learning for Life makes academic learning fun and relevant to real-life situations in age appropriate and grade specific material. As a result, the positive character traits and skills learned by participation in Learning for Life not only make students more confident and capable, but also give them an invaluable understanding of how things work in the real world. Schools will see higher attendance rates and fewer disciplinary actions.

 

THE LEARNING FOR LIFE CURRICULUM FOCUSES ON NINE CHARACTER ATTRIBUTES:

Respect           Responsibility             Honesty/Trust         Caring/Fairness         Perseverance       
  Self-Discipline             Life Skills               Courage          Citizenship
 

Learning for Life incorporated in 1991 as a nonprofit organization. We have 264 local offices across the country and also serve international education institutions. Since our incorporation, we have served over two million youth who will grow up to be our future leaders.

 

Click here to visit the national Learning for Life website  for more information

 

 

Clean Up Day

cleanupdaybag

Let’s talk trash about

2026 CLEAN UP DAY!

When:  May 16th, 2026 

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!!

BAGS and registration will be available

starting May 4th, 2026 

click here for 2026 Clean up day flyer

Click links below for Safety Tips:

Clean Up Day Dos and Dont’s

Clean Up Day – Syringe


 

brought to you by:


 

What is Clean Up Day?

Clean Up Day is a community wide volunteer initiative to clean up the trash uncovered by melting snow in the Fairbanks North Star Borough before tourist season begins.

Who organizes Clean Up Day?
The Clean Up Day Committee is made up from volunteers from many different sponsoring organizations including; United Way of the Tanana Valley; Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Adopt a Highway; Green Star of Interior Alaska; Midnight Sun Council, Scouting America; Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce; Fairbanks North Star Borough, Central Recycling Facility; Cowles Heating Services; and Golden Heart Waste Management


 

Recycling Bag Dos 002
Recycling is Back for 2026

We are excited to offer Green Bags as an option again this year! Green Bags will be passed out at all 5 bag pickup locations. You may fill the bags with #1 and #2 plastic bottles and jugs, cardboard, aluminum cans, batteries and electronics. You may leave the green bags along main roads with other Clean Up Day trash and the Heavy Haulers will get it where it needs to go. After Clean Up Day you may take your Green Bags to the Central Recycling Facility, 1855 Marika Road. For a full list of what the Central Recycling Facility accepts, outside of this event, please visit their website https://www.fnsb.gov/294/Central-Recycling-Facility


 

Where to get Clean Up Day bags?

Midnight Sun Council, BSA  –  1400 Gillam Way, Monday – Friday 9 AM to 5 PM

Cowles Heating  –  1675 Richardson Hwy, Monday – Friday 8 AM – 5 PM

Central Recycling Facility  –  1855 Marika Road, Tuesday – Friday 10 AM to 5:30 PM

         and Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM

Green Star of Interior Alaska  –  2134 Texaco Avenue, Tuesday – Friday 10 AM to 5 PM

     and Saturday 1 PM to 5 PM

Golden Heart Waste Management  –  3859m Peger Road, Monday – Friday 8 AM to 5 PM


Who picks up the trash bags from the roadside on Clean Up Day?
The volunteers, who pick up the trash bags from the roads on Clean Up Day and transport them to the landfill, call themselves the “Heavy Haulers.” The crew and the pickup route are organized by Golden Heart Waste. Many companies volunteer their time and their trucks to pick up trash bags. Thank you to all our Heavy Haulers; Alaska Waste, Horst Expediting,  Shredway, Golden Heart Waste Management, 907 Diesel, Hydro Tech, Total Toyo, and Cowles Heating.

What if a group picks up an area on a different day than Clean Up Day?
If you organize a clean up crew on a different day than Clean Up Day, you will need to take the yellow bags to the FNSB landfill and let the attendant know you’re there for Clean Up Day. Please secure the Clean Up Day bags in your vehicle! You don’t want your group’s hard work to end up back on our roadways. The Clean Up Day Committee does apply for a tipping fee waiver from the Borough for about a month around Clean Up Day. The bags are weighed, and the landfill keeps track of the tonnage so we can track the community effort. If it is taken to a local transfer station, it is treated as regular household trash and will not be tallied.


ANY TRASH COLLECTED AFTER CLEAN UP DAY MUST BE DROPPED OFF AT THE BOROUGH LANDFILL

Fairbanks North Star Borough Landfill:
455 Sanduri St., Fairbanks, AK 99701
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 8 AM to 4 PM; Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM; Sunday noon to 4 PM
Click here to view Map to Fairbanks Landfill (https://goo.gl/maps/zr6YxJiURVH2)


 Thank You!

 From all of us on the Clean Up Day Committee, thank you for your commitment to keeping Alaska’s roadsides beautiful.


For more information call 452-7211(United Way) or visit us 

at www.facebook.com/groups/goldenheartcleanupday/

Where to go camping

Where to go Camping, Hiking or Fishing! 
Day Trips for all Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers and Families:

1. Angel Rocks – The 3.5-mile loop starts along the north fork of the Chena River, and can take 2-3 hours to complete. Angel Rocks Handout

2. Wickersham Dome – This 7-mile, out-and-back hike starts out approx. near 28-mile Elliot Hwy (where it splits with the Steese Hwy). The climb might be steep, but the view of the Alaska wilderness is great!

3. Moose Creek Bluff – There is a parking area just off the 1st exit (on the left) off the Richardson Hwy, just past the Chena Flood Control bridge. This hike is considered to be an easy 2-hour hike.

4. Birch Hill Recreation Area – This is a favorite with well-groomed, extensive and challenging trails. The trail system is available exclusively to skiers in the winter, and to mountain bikers, runners, hikers and berry pickers in the summer. Birch Hill Trail Maps

5. Creamer’s Field – This is a unique trail system that allows hikers to see both wild and plant life that would be impossible without it. There are benches and rest stops, and at least two towers to view a majority of Creamer’s Field along the 2-mile trail. Creamer’s Field Map and Info

6. Steese Ponds – These are man-made gravel pits along the Steese Hwy that are stocked annually with grayling and rainbow trout by the Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game.

7. Murphy Dome – Murphy Dome is popular with ATV riders and hikers. It lies about 20-miles outside of Fairbanks, off of Sheep Creek Road.

8. Triple Lakes Trail – This trail is 9.5-miles long, about a 5-hour trip one way. The trail starts off steeply at mile 231 of the Parks Hwy, before evening out. There is an excellent view of the Nenana River and Alaska Range as you hike along three scenic lakes!

9. Lost Lake Campground to Moose Pond – This hike begins at Lost Lake campground and follows along the right side of Lost Lake. Go along the spruce bog about 1.3-miles until you reach Moose Pond. Watch for moose, beavers, and more!

10. Ester Dome – From the top of the domes, take the side trails to the south, and look for blueberries and cranberries.

11. Granite Tors – This trail ranges from moderate to strenuous along the 15-mile loop.

12. Horse Shoe Lake Trail – This is a popular 3-mile (round trip) hike starting at 0.9 mile in Denali Park. The total travel time is around 1 to 1-1/2 hours.

13. Ballaine Lake – This lake is just off of University Ave. on the left (from College Rd.). The Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game stocks this lake with grayling, rainbow trout, and Alaska blackfish.

 

State of Alaska, Dept. of Fish & Game – Southcentral Fishing Regulations
State of Alaska, Dept. of Fish & Game – Licensing & Permit Information

 

 

 

 

NYLT

National Youth Leadership Training 

🟨Now Accepting Interest for NYLT 2025 – All-Alaska Youth Leadership Course!🟨
The Midnight Sun Council is proud to host National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) this summer at Lost Lake Camp, from July 27 to August 1, 2025. This all-Alaska course is open to any registered youth member of Scouting America — including Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouting — who meets the following:
  • Has completed Introduction to Leadership Skills for their unit-type (Troops, Crews, or Ships)
  •  Is at least 13 years old and First Class by July 27, 2025
    OR
  • is a registered Venturer or Sea Scout who has completed 8th grade
NYLT is Scouting’s premier youth leadership experience, teaching real-world skills like communication, team-building, ethical decision-making, and problem-solving in a challenging and fun outdoor setting.
Want to attend or serve on staff?
Fill out the quick Interest Form here: t.ly/midnightsunnylt25
📝 Submitting the form ensures you’re notified when paid registration opens through BlackPug.
📬 Questions? Email midnightsun.nylt@gmail.com or call the Midnight Sun Council office at (907) 452-1976

 

 

Golden Eagle Reception

The Golden Eagle Reception is a special reception where we thank and recognize those people and organizations that have given $1,000 or more during our annual Friends of Scouting drive. Thank You to all of our donors who make 2025 possible in the Midnight Sun Council. The link to our 2025 Annual Report will be posted here soon. Below is a list of current 2026 Golden Eagles.

eagle

 2026 Golden Eagles

Steve & Carol Adamczak

Alaskan Outdoor Council

Alaska Railroad

Matt Cooper

Fairbanks Curling Lions

The Gibbons Family

 

 

IPLOW

Kal Kennedy

The Mondelli Family

Optimist Club of Fairbanks

River Boat Discovery

Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service

Kayla Smith

Stephen Smith

Cathie Tordoff

Jack & Carol Wilbur

 


 

GOLDEN EAGLES ARCHIVE

2025 Golden Eagles

Mike Abels

Steven Adam

Steve & Carol Adamczak

Alaska Outdoor Council

Alaska Riverways

Bell Development

Andrew Bennett

Larry Bennett

Bettisworth North

John & Judy Binkley

Chena Hot Springs Resort

Dennis Cook

Jeff Cook

Matt Cooper

James Davis

Denali State Bank

Everts Air

Fairbanks Daily News Miner

Fairbanks Gold Mining

Fairbanks Cheechako Lions Club

Fairbanks Laundry

Fairbanks Youth Sports Trust

Flowline

GHEMM

Bob Groseclose

iPlow

Kal Kennedy

Jim Kelly State Farm

Kids in Motion

K+N Tree Service

Robert Minto

Jim Lund

Jim & Carrie Moore

Mt. McKinley Bank

Nenana Ice Classics Assoc

Optimist Club of Fairbanks

J Price Energy

Rasmuson Foundation

RJG

Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service

Rotary Club of Fairbanks

Kayla Smith

Stephen & Mary Ann Smith

CJ & Megan Stewart

Summit Telephone

Brad Tilden

Tired Iron Sponsors

Cathie Tordoff

URESCO Construction

Weeks Charitable Foundation

Dan White

Dennis Wise

 

2024 Golden Eagles

Steve & Carol Adamczak

Stephen Adams

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Railroad

Alaska Riverways

James Barton

Bealer Farms

Bell Development

Andrew Bennett

Bennett Engineering

Larry Bennett

Bettisworth North

Jim Binkley

Mary Binkley

Tom and Frances Burke

Matt & Amy Cooper

Craig Compeau

Con Miller American Legion Post 30

Cowles Heating Service

CSG, Inc.

Jeffrey Currey

Denali State Bank

 

Design Alaska

Pete Dillon

Doyon Utilities LLC

Everts Air

Fairbanks Central Labor Council

Fairbanks Gold Mine

Fairbanks Laundry

Flowline Alaska Inc

Mike Garza

GHEMM Company

Bob Groseclose

Steve & Jo Heckman

Interior NAPA

iPlow

Kal Kennedy

Kiwanis Club of Fairbanks

Ben Lomond

Lost Lake Camp Staff

James Lund

Market Basket Inc. (Gavoras Liquor)

Mt. McKinley Bank

Nenana Ice Classic

Optimist Club of Fairbanks

Mike Parrish

Ann Rasmussen

Rods Alaskan Guides Service

Sani-Can

Silver Line, LLC

Stephen &n Mary Ann Smith

Spirit of Alaska FCU

State Farm

Sherman Stebbins

CJ and Megan Stewart

Jodi and Brian Tansky

Brad & Danielle Tilden

Tommy G’s

Toontuk Lodge

Jean Tsigonis

VFW Post #10029

Craig Van Dyke

Dennis Wise

Women’s Auxiliary Unit 11

2023 Golden Eagles

Steve Adams

Carol and Steve Adamczak

Bell Development

Ben Lomond Inc

Bennett Engineering

Andrew Bennett

Larry Bennett

C.B. Bettisworth

Bettisworth North

Mary Binkley

Wade Binkley

Chena Hot Springs Resort

Cold Spot Feeds

Dennis “Skip” Cook

Jeff Cook

Cooper Family

CSG, Inc

Denali State Bank

Design Alaska

Doyon Utilities LLC

Shelley and Richard Ebenal

Joe Faulhaber

Foundation Health Partners

Fullford Electric

Ghemm Company

Golden Heart Emergency Physicians

Fairbanks Gold Mine

Bob Groseclose

Hale & Associates

Patrick Mechanical

Mt McKinley Bank

Lotto Alaska

Jim Lund

The Optimist Club of Fairbanks

Karen Perdue

Sani-Can

Mark Simon

Stephen Smith

Brad and Danielle Tilden

Toontuk Lodge

Cathie Tordoff

TOTE Maritime Alaska

Usibelli Foundation

Walsh Kelliher & Sharp

Warwick and Schikora CPA

Women’s Auxiliary Unit 11

2022 Golden Eagles

Steve Adams

Alaska Riverways

Larry Bennett

Hank Bartos

Mary Binkley

Chena Hot Springs Resort

Craig Compeau

Skip Cook

Conoco Phillips Alaska

Matt Cooper

Doyon Utilities

Fairbanks Central Labor Council

Fairbanks Stump Grinders

Robert Groseclose

Michael Helmbrecht

IBEW

Bernie Karl

Kal Kennedy

Benny Linn

Jon Odsather

Optimist Club of Fairbanks

Nenana Ice Classic

Outdoor Heritage

Rods Alaskan Guide Service

Bill Satterberg

Stephen Smith

Somers and Sotheby’s Realty

Brad Tilden

Leonard Thiltgen

Toontuk Lodge

Cathie Tordoff

Leon Unruh

Jerrie Wagner

 

2021 Golden Eagles

 

 

Steve AdamczakCraig CompeauWayne Miller
Steve AdamsSkip CookNenana Ice Classic
Alaska AirlinesMatt CooperRiverboat Discovery
ALCAN Auto &Truck Doyon LimitedRod’s Alaska Guide
Linda Anderson & Steve FrankFairbanks Gold MineStephen Smith
Bell Development, Inc.Bob GrosecloseTechnica, LLC
Andrew BennettGVEA Goodcents Found.The Optimist Club of Fairbanks
Larry BennettCathie Harms-Tordoff Tired Iron
 Bennett EngineeringKal Kennedy Brad Tilden
 Mary BinkleyBen LomondVFW Post 10029 North Pole
Mick BraunJim Lund 

 

 

 

Annual Dinner Recognition Banquet

2025 Eagle Scout  and  Volunteer Recognition Annual Dinner

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The Midnight Sun Council has a proud tradition of bringing the best possible Scouting experience to the youth of our community.

In 2024 we served young people in the interior of Alaska with programs that build character, personal fitness, and citizenship. Each year the Midnight Sun Council recognizes the unselfish, grass-roots service of its volunteers at an annual dinner in their honor.

Here some pictures from the 2025 Annual Dinner:

 

 

 

Order of the arrow

Toontuk Lodge #549 

(click this title or image on left to go to Lodge homepage)   

For more than 100 years, the Order of the Arrow (OA) has recognized Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. This recognition provides encouragement for others to live these ideals as well. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long term resident camping, and providing cheerful service to others. OA service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich and help to extend Scouting to America’s youth.

Mission

The mission of the Order of the Arrow is to fulfill its purpose as an integral part of the Boy Scouts of America through positive youth leadership under the guidance of selected and capable adults.

Purpose

As Scouting’s National Honor Society, our purpose is to: Recognize those who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and through that recognition cause others to conduct themselved in a way that warrants similar recognition. Promote camping, responsible outdoor adventure and envirionmental stewardship as essential components of every Scout’s experience, in the unit, year-round, and in summer camp. Develop leaders with the willingness, character, spirit and ability to advance the activities of their units, our Brotherhood, Scouting, and ultimately our Nation. Crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.

 Click here for Toontuk Lodge  #549  Homepage

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