CategoriesMidnight Sun Council by

Clarification – Eagle Scout Requirements – Citizenship in Society

Citizen in Society MB
Eagle Scout candidates will continue to use the current rank requirements until June 30, 2022, and will not be required to complete the new Citizenship in Society Merit Badge as long as they complete all of the current Eagle Rank requirements before July 1, 2022.

They do not have to submit their final Eagle Scout application nor complete their Eagle Scout Board of Review prior to July 1, 2022, but must complete all current Eagle Scout requirements before then. 

Starting July 1, 2022, Eagle Scout candidates will be required to complete all Eagle Scout requirements including the new Citizenship in Society merit badge. 
 
As has been the practice, the Local Council will be responsible for verifying in the system the Eagle Scout candidate and their completion of the Eagle Scout requirements.

The Local Council will determine those Scouts that meet all requirements before July 1, 2022, under the current requirements, and those Scouts that fall under the new Eagle Scout requirements as of July 1, 2022. 

CategoriesTraining by

Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews (ILSC)

Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews (ILSC) Has Been Updated! 

The Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews Course (ILSC) has been created to help Venturers learn and practice the attitudes and skills that good leaders demonstrate. The course is a series of lessons divided into three modules: Leading Self, Leading Others, and Leading Crews. The syllabus contains six and a half hours of instruction, but a course’s length may vary depending on facilitators’ choice of games, the content chosen for more extensive discussion, and the needs of the crew. 
 
Completion of ILSC is a prerequisite for Venturers to participate in the more advanced leadership courses, such as National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT), National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE) and Kodiak. 
 
The 2021 Revision of Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews (ILSC) instructor-led course includes the following major changes: 
• This version of ILSC was reviewed by the NYLT task force to ensure that it was compatible with the new NYLT syllabus. 
• Course format revised to make it easier to read online or as a downloaded document. 
• EDGE is now referred to as Scouting EDGE to align with NYLT during the Team Development session. 
• Leadership tied to the Venturing motto “Lead the Adventure.” 
• Venturing terminology updated. 
• Vision session revised to align with NYLT “Start with Why” (reference to mission statement eliminated). 
• Distinction between delegating and tasking added to the session on delegating. 
• Session on calendaring (time management) added. 
• Session on keeping the crew on task added. 
• New games/activities with options added (a few activities were “retired”). 
• Feedback from Venturers included as sidebars. 
The updated material can be found at https://www.scouting.org/training/youth/.  
 
Questions? Email Kathy.Craig@scouting.org.  
 
CategoriesTraining by

Online Training for Distinguished Conservation Service Award

New Online Training for Distinguished Conservation Service Award

In response to the needs of Scouts working toward the BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award, Scouting U and the Outdoor Programs Team have released a new training program for BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award Advisors and Council Conservation Committee members. This training will only be available online.

These new training programs are available by logging onto https://my.scouting.org and launching the BSA Learn Center.

When the Learn Center opens, you can search the catalog and select the DCSA Advisor/Committee Training Learning Plan.

The eight courses in the Learning Plan are arranged in order of completion (top to bottom) to allow the participant to complete the 2-hour training program in segments, making it easier to complete.

Completion of this training will award training code H114 – BSA DCSA Adviser/Committee Member, which is required to be an advisor or committee member that guides Scouts to a higher level of service, while also guiding them to a higher level of success in the completion of their projects.

CategoriesSupport by

Camper Auction

 

Great News!

The Midnight Sun Council has been gifted a 28ft bumper pull camper trailer! This 2008 SPREE is in great shape as everything works as it should and the roof has no leaks! It even comes with a weight distribution hitch! Unfortunately, we are unable to use it for Scouting programs and events. With the donors blessing, we have decided to hold an auction to find a new home for this camper. The proceeds will be used to support our Scouting program. 

 

THANK YOU TO LAST FRONTIER AUCTION 

for donating their services to promote and manage the auction!

Anyone who wishes to bid on the trailer need to visit their website and click the online auction button or download their app (APP available on Google or Apple under Last Frontier Auction). For your convenience the direct link to the auction is below. 

Bidders will need to register and part of the registration process is providing a credit card. However in order to raise the most funds, it is stated in the rules that the successful bidder will be given the option to pay via cash, certified funds, or a credit card (4% processing fee).  

2021Camperauction  2021Camperauction1

2021Camperauction2    2021Camperauction2

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If you are interested in looking at the camper trailer it is located at the Midnight Sun Council Boy Scout office
at 1400 Gillam Way in Fairbanks.
The camper can be unlocked for viewing during our normal business hours 9am till 5pm M-F
  
Minimum reserve must be met
Bidding starts at $5000
 
If you like what you see please place your bid at
 
Last Frontier Auction and Sales (bidwrangler.com)
 
Bidding ends December 8th at 8pm.
Winning bid will be announced during our 38th Annual Distinguished Citizens Award Banquet that evening.
 
CategoriesCouncil Resources by

Hazardous Weather Training Expiration Emails

New My.Scouting Hazardous Weather Training Expiration E-mails

For direct contact leaders, staying current on Hazardous Weather Training is an important part of offering a safe Scouting program and needs to be renewed every 2 years.

Like Youth Protection Mandatory Training, My.Scouting will now provide notification e-mails at 14-30-60-90-day intervals prior to expiring. Upon expiration of a person’s training, an e-mail will also be sent.

These notifications are important. Knowing how to recognize and manage weather and environmental risks is key to keeping our participants SAFE in Scouting’s outdoor classroom.

Please take the time before you venture out on your next outdoor adventure and update your training by going to https://my.scouting.org/ and then selecting the BSA Learn Center. You can quickly access the course in the Learn Center by selecting My Learning and typing “hazardous weather” in the search box. Clicking the “Retake” button will take you to the course so you can “Start Again” and complete it to update your training record in My.Scouting.

Thank you for all you do in serving youth and keeping Scouting safe!

click here for Hazardous Weather Training – BSA website

CategoriesMidnight Sun Council by

Lone Scouting

The Boy Scouts of America is proud to provide the Scouting experience to all youth who meet membership requirements. Youth can join Cub Scouting or Scouts BSA and have the opportunity to grow and learn from Scouting. There are many opportunities for youth to benefit from the Scouting experience.

 

Why Lone Scouts?

A youth applies for membership as an individual Lone Scout only if he or she cannot conveniently join a Cub Scout pack or Scouts BSA troop. They may reside in remote areas of the country, live overseas, or be in a place where it just isn’t safe for them to attend traditional unit meetings. Lone Scouting may be the answer for these youth. 

 

When Is Lone Scouting the Right Choice?

Because regular interaction between youth and leaders in the BSA’s traditional programs has many advantages, we must keep in mind that Lone Scouting is not intended for youth who are able to safely attend meetings of traditional Cub Scout packs or Scout troops. Traditional units, if available, have the best potential to provide a quality Scouting program. Youth in circumstances such as those listed to the right, however, may find that Lone Scouting is the best option. With the right adult friend and counselor, Scouting’s aims and mission can be well met. Youth in the following or similar circumstances may find Lone Scouting is the best option.

lone scout 002
• Home-schooled where parents do not want them in a youth group
• U.S. citizens living abroad
• Exchange students away from the United States
• Disability or communicable illness that prevents meeting attendance
• Rural communities far from a unit
• Conflicts with a job, night school, or boarding school
• Families who frequently travel or live on a boat, etc.
• Living arrangements with parents in different communities
• Environments where getting to meetings may put the Scout in danger

 

Although the Lone Scout might miss the opportunity to participate in activities in the pack or troop, there are certain advantages to this experience. For example, Scouting activities can be done entirely at home. Boys or girls who live in rural areas have the outdoors close at hand where much of Scouting takes place. Each youth can progress at his or her own pace, building upon his or her own interests and abilities. Also, the youth has the personal help of an adult counselor. 

With the entire Cub Scouting and Scouts BSA programs open to them, they may, under the watchful eye of a Lone Scout friend and counselor, strive for the Eagle Scout rank, just as any other Scout. Advancement in Lone Scouting provides flexibility when requirements call for participation with a den, pack, patrol, or troop, and opportunities abound for a strong bond between a Scout and counselor.

Cub Scouts rockets 1

 

How to join

If Lone Scouts is right for you, fill out the necessary paperwork

– Youth Application

– Adult Application

– YPT

and send it to the Midnightsun Council to get registered to participate in Scouting.

For detailed information contact us at 907-452-1976.

Click here to download/view the Guide to Lone Scouting

 

 

 

 

 

 

CategoriesCouncil Resources by

Guide to Advancement

2021 GUIDE TO ADVANCEMENT

The current edition of the Guide to Advancement is the official source for administering advancement in all Boy Scouts of America programs: Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouts. It replaces any previous BSA advancement manuals and previous editions of the Guide to Advancement. Producing the Guide to Advancement has involved many members of the Boy Scouts of America’s national staff and many volunteer advancement administrators and subject matter experts at all levels from across the country. The result is a resource intended to efficiently meet the needs of those who would most often consult it. 

 

Additional information and best practices appear in other official BSA resources such as Advancement News and the Advancement Resources web page found at www.scouting.org/advancement.

 

Note that the National Advancement Program Team addresses many questions through the e-newsletter, Advancement News. You can find the Advancement News archive at www.scouting.org/advancement.

 

Click here to view/download 2021 Guide to Advancement in PDF format

 

CategoriesCouncil Resources by

Journey to Excellence

 (following is an excerpt from BSA JTE Website)

Journey to Excellence is the Boy Scouts of America program to help Packs, Troops, Crews, Ships and Posts to plan, monitor and evaluate their performance and their ability to serve youth. There are specific criteria for the unit to plan and accomplish. These standards are reviewed each year and revised standards are published.

 

The 2022 Journey to Excellence Standards are now available.

Here are the major changes in the JTE scorecards for 2022.

  • The standards are written as activities that the unit will do. This is to emphasize that JTE is primarily a planning tool.
  • The Cub Scout scorecard has many changed standards. This is because of changes in the Cub Scout program.
  • For standard #10, Gold now includes recruiting a new leader. We have found that the best units continually recruit parents and other adults who have never been involved in Scouting

There is no requirement, no expectation and, in fact, we might discourage a unit from believing that they should achieve Gold in all JTE criteria. A great unit is balanced in the service that it provides to youth. There is no shame and no problem if a unit achieves Silver or Bronze. That unit is serving youth.

Click here to visit the BSA Journey to Excellence website to read full article and to view/download scorecards, unit tools and JTE supporting documents.

CategoriesBlog by

Safety Moments

Cannon Prohibition Announcement 

Effective September 21, 2021, there is no longer an exception for the use of cannons at council camp ceremonies. The use of cannons is prohibited at all Scouting activities. The Guide to Safe Scouting Prohibited Activities listing has been updated to reflect this change. A revised version of the BSA Shooting Sports Manual will be released in January 2022, reflecting this updated BSA policy. Questions? Email shooting.sports@scouting.org. 

Update to the Guide to Safe Scouting

The update to the Guide to Safe Scouting is now available in PDF here and online here. The Fall 2021 updates include:

Aquatic Policy
– Update to the Scuba Policy.
– Prohibiting the use of Full-Face Snorkels.
– Lifejacket language to reflect performance levels.

BSA’S Commitment to Safety
– Update to the BSA’S Commitment of Safety.

Camping Policy
– Update in Format/Delivery.
– Age-Appropriate Guidelines for camping integrated into Age-Appropriate for Scouting.

Immunization Policy
– Update to the current Vaccination Policy. (Effective 6/1/2022)

The Safe Checklist
– Transition from the Sweet 16 Of BSA Safety to SAFE Scouting.

Transportation Policy
– Update in Format/Delivery.

Prohibited Activity List
– Council cannon use exception has been eliminated.

New Sections Incorporated in GTSS
– Wilderness First Aid
– Hazard Trees

Frequently Asked Questions
AHMR FAQ: https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/ahmr/medical-formfaqs/
Prohibited Activities FAQ: https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/prohibited-activities-faqs/

Safety is a value in Scouting! Safety as a core value treats safety as the most important item.

Thank you for being part of delivering this value to our Scouts and Scouters.

Resource Links:

 

  

 

 SAFETY MOMENTS ARCHIVE

Firearm Safety in the BSA: Best Practices and Reminders 

All Boy Scouts of America (BSA) programs are guided by the BSA’s commitment to safety. In Scouting, we will not compromise the safety of our youth, volunteers, and employees. The purpose of BSA shooting sports programs is to teach firearm safety while introducing youth to a variety of programs. The BSA’s programs are developed and implemented through age-appropriate training and experiences. The Boy Scouts of America adheres to its longstanding policy of teaching its youth and adult members the safe, responsible, and intelligent handling, care, and use of firearms, archery, and hand-held throwing sports in planned, carefully managed, and supervised programs for each youth who chooses to participate.  
As with many of our programs, we partner with third-party experts for program development and implementation, establishing industry standard safety measures and financial support. The National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Rifle Association, USA Archery, and others have long provided support in instructor training and credentialing, range engineering, safety standards, safety equipment and financial support of BSA-designed and -approved shooting programs. 
The Boy Scouts of America continually reviews and improves all the programs that Scouts and Scouters participate in, including our shooting sports programs. 
How does the BSA focus on firearm safety? 
• Program participants are taught how to be safe around firearms. This includes conversations such as “What happens when you see a gun? Never touch the gun, leave it where it is, and tell an adult right away.” The BSA is committed to teaching youth how to always be safe around firearms, whether at home, in their neighborhoods, or around the community. (Note the use of the word “gun” in this example conversation is to ensure Scouts understand the lesson of the conversation versus using our preferred term “firearm.”) 
• Program participants are taught and review the fundamental rules of firearm safety every time they participate in BSA shooting sports programs. All BSA shooting sports programs teach and model this behavior through safety briefings and program instruction. 
• Prior to beginning any shooting sport experience, each participant is instructed how to handle a firearm safely and responsibly, reinforcing the rules of firearm safety. 
• All shooting sports are facilitated by trained range supervisors and operate under strict participant-to-instructor ratios. 
• BSA shooting sports programs collaborate with and utilize industry best practices in program materials, range design, program instruction, and program facilitation. 
As we continue to implement these programs in the BSA, please be mindful that: 
• All BSA shooting sports programs must align with the policies set forth in the Guide to Safe Scouting and the BSA Shooting Sports Manual. This includes but is not limited to the use of trained staff and range supervision for each type of shooting activity. 
• Photos, videos, social media posts, websites, and other digital documentation of shooting sports programs must reflect BSA policies. For example, taking “selfies” with firearms is not appropriate since such action would not align with the BSA’s stance on safe firearm handling. 
• As appropriate, language and verbiage used to describe BSA shooting sports programs should align with the BSA’s commitment to safety. This includes use of the term firearm versus gun, use of the term participant versus shooter where feasible, etc. 
• All camping operations must adhere to BSA National Camp Accreditation Program (NCAP) Standards for firearm programs. NCAP’s national assessment teams will continue to engage in thorough reviews of all firearms programs for long-term camp operations. All local council led NCAP assessments must also include a thorough review at their day camp and short-term camp assessments. 

Winter Sport Safety! 

Beyond camping, a number of cold-weather activities present challenges to Scouts and leaders, such as alpine or cross-country skiing, ice skating, sledding, ice fishing, and snowshoeing. Essential ingredients for fun include skill training and an awareness of the hazards unique to these activities….Read more
 
Pies Are for Eating, Not Throwing!
Do your unit leaders know that throwing things at people or striking people in Scouting is prohibited? For more on prohibited activities that include striking or throwing objects at each other, see #14 and/or #15.
Instead of throwing pies at leaders as a reward for achieving a goal (like popcorn sales) we recommend eating the pies instead. Hitting someone should never be a reward for achievement in Scouting. Also consider the lesson being taught about wasting or throwing food, not behavior we want to reinforce in Scouting. If you know someone has plans to conduct this
activity as a leader or parent, you have a responsibility to stop it.
What are some awesome and fun things leaders can do to reward Scouts for achieving a sales goal?
1. We opened this note with one suggestion. Use a pie (one you that you eat, not throw) as a recognition. Perhaps leaders can break up the goal into eight and track it by using a pie chart.
2. Customize the recognition. At the start of the sale, leaders can ask each Scout, with their parent, to write down what reward they would like. Leaders will want to set a budget limit on this.
3. Hold a special event for those who make the goal. A local sporting activity, trip to the
zoo, or perhaps a movie night.
4. Special unit t-shirt or iron-on for t-shirt. Make a special unit t-shirt that is presented to each Scout who reaches their goal, or perhaps someone can craft a special iron-on that can be placed on an existing t-shirt.
5. Coordinate with the school for a special lunch. Lunch with the Cubmaster or Scoutmaster
is a great example of how we want to reward achievement, something special.
6. Questions? Email Health.Safety@scouting.org.

Energy Drinks    –  The consumption of energy drinks by children may lead to serious medical consequences. The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that “stimulant-containing energy drinks have no place in the diet of children and adolescents.”  Read more

Hiking is a great way to spend your time in the outdoors. It’s also a good way to get your heart pumping for some exercise or to test your limits. Some hikes are just a few hundred feet while others are many miles, but all can pose potential hazards if not carefully considered.  Read more and/or Download PDF

Hammock Camping – https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/hammock-camping/

Safety Moment – A Fatal Fall – Nolan Henderson’s Story: https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/fatal-fall-nolans-story/

Safety Moment – Dangers of Leaving Scouts Unsupervised, Sand Dunes, and Digging in Sand Dunes – Gage Wilson’s Story: https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/dangers-of-leaving-scouts-unsupervised-sanddunes-and-digging-in-sand-dunes-gages-story/