camping Start Planning For Many Point 2012


After 65 years Many Point continues to break records, uphold traditions and be recognized as an innovator. Over 4100 Scouts (450 more than 2010!), 252 troops and crews, 1450 adult volunteers and 700 Family Campers spent a week or more by the shores of Many Point Lake this past summer. In traditional style, we also saw an equal number of smiles and happy faces at Saturday check out, indicating, that each had a great experience.


We also saw tremendous success with our new Water Sports Outpost. 150 youth participated in a program that taught them how to use jet skis while having fun and being a responsible rider. Each youth also worked on water skiing skills, kayaking skills, Water Sports Merit Badge and completion of the Minnesota Watercraft Operator’s permit. Several adult leaders remarked that these are the types of activities that will continue to keep Scouts involved in our great program.


Though the high water caused trouble for some in Northern Minnesota, it also meant more adventuresome kayaking for our out of camp trips on the Otter Tail


River. This trip was one of the key features of race style adventure called the Amazing Pace that had Scouts competing for points throughout the week.


Many Scouts also had the opportunity to earn the new Geocaching merit badge, try their hand at making homemade root beer at the Frontier Outpost or shoot crossbows and blowgun paintball at the Flintlock Outposts. We even witnessed a helicopter landing as part of the incredible All Things Emergency Response Week.


Construction crews were also busy at camp this summer. We just completed a major renovation to the Dining Hall kitchen that promises to keep producing tasty treats like Granny’s homemade bread for many more seasons. In early August we dedicated the new Bjelland Flintlock Lodge that will serve as the hub for our expanding older Scout programs. Plans continue with the approaching groundbreak- ing of the new storm shelter/handicrafts building in Buckskin.


Currently we’re busy analyzing your feedback so we can make improvements and additions to make 2012 an even greater season. We already know that we’ll focus on rotating in new merit badges while making physical and program improvements to the tree houses, Frontier, nature and outdoor skills areas. Space is still available for coming season. Tell your friends that Many Point is the place to be and we’ll see you on our next great adventure in 2012.


Looking Forward to Summer 2012 at Tomahawk


The 2011 summer was great! We expanded many things: New Knapp-Stout Logging Camp, two new T-2 High Adventure programs, two new bouldering walls, geocaching merit badge, and physical fitness merit badge. We had a fun, exciting, and safe 2011 summer at Tomahawk Scout Reservation, and next summer we plan to continue improving our summer program to be one of the best there is. We are looking into adding even more merit badges and developing better ways to teach merit badges we have taught for years. More GPS units and other program equipment will be purchased to help accommo- date more Scouts in popular badges. Logging Camp’s program, just as it did last summer, will continue to grow and improve with the goal of providing a


unique experience, hands-on historical education, as well as fun activities and personal challenges. Next summer you may see wind surfing appear in our Sailing & Whitewater T-2 program, and more High Adventure activities to challenge older Scouts. Leaders, you will be better informed with a redesigned website, and more online notifications. Tomahawk is always trying new things to stay ahead of the curve and push the Scouting Program. We are looking forward to Summer 2012 and we hope Tomahawk’s troops are too.


Dan Kobler elected Section Chief


Congratulations to Dan Kobler who was elected Section Chief at this year’s Section C-1A Conclave in September.


Dan Kobler has been very involved in both our lodge and section over the last few years but this will be a new step for him. He has served as chapter chief, a lodge officer, a section officer and now section chief. His new ter- ritory will include lodges from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Montana. Dan has worked as a Camp Akela staff for four summers, and he currently works at base camp. He is looking forward to diving in to his new position especially to assist the national committee at the 2012 National Order of the Arrow Conference or NOAC.


Dan loves the outdoors and enjoys hanging with friends but as a new college student he has started to become very fond of sleeping. He is a Eagle Scout from troop 246 in West Saint Paul, a Vigil honor member of Totanhan Nakaha Lodge and this past year received the highest award that our lodge could bestow upon him, the Founders Award. Dan Kobler has proven to be an amazing addition to the lodge leadership and will continue to grow as he sets out on a new adventure as section chief.


OA Vigil Conclave Recap


The water balloon slowly falls to the earth as a hundred people hold their breath, then came the cry of delight as the water filled projectile slams in to our lodge chief, Joe Kaus. The cheering stops and breathes are once again held as another water balloon leaps from the sling shot in to the air and speeds off in the direction of Joe. These Vigil candidates and members are enjoying the last minutes of fellowship before dinner is severed.


The day started around noon as candidates and vigil members ran off in different direc- tions to do service projects for Phillippo Scout Reservation. Projects included taking down tent frames, trail work, and whatever the rangers could think of. The service work lasted in till three o’clock. After the service was done the fellowship began with card games, soccer, talking, and of course there was the launching of the water balloons at cur-


rent and past lodge officers. As the sun set and night fell the candidates started to trickle away for the Vigil Ceremonies.


The next morning during the public recognition all 56 of the candidates became full Vigil members of the Order of the Arrow. We would like to congratulate all the candidates on becoming Vigil Honor members and the people who made the vigil conclave possible.


By Tracen Vail


Do you know a Scout or adult volunteer who is considering becoming a camp staff member within Northern Star Council? Being a member of camp staff is one of the best decisions you can make, but don’t take our word for it, read on to learn how actual current and former camp staff feel about their experiences:


“Being on camp staff is one of the most rewarding things you'll ever do! Working with youth in an outdoor setting is a truly amazing experience; teaching scouts new skills and seeing their reaction when they master skills gives you a great feeling inside. Scout camps are truly a great place to work; always a positive and encouraging environment! ”


-John Nixon (Many Point Staff)


“After working on camp staff, I constantly find myself in life situations that I can work through with confidence because of unique and challenging experiences I had at camp. Plus, I met some of my best friends while working at Tomahawk.”


-Bobby Marko (Tomahawk Staff)


“Apart from my parents, who raised me, being on camp staff has been the most influential experience of my life.”


-Corey Friend, (Tomahawk Staff)


"Before I worked at summer camp I was a quiet, shy guy. It changed my life more than I give it credit. Camp really helped me build skills such as public speaking, leadership and self-esteem."


-Ryan Stefani (Camp Akela Staff)


“I love working at camp knowing that I am making a difference in the lives of young Scouts, and hopefully fostering an interest in many years of scouting and learning. The most rewarding thing is having an adult come thank me for giving them the opportunity to spend time with their son.”


-Jamie Denn (Kiwanis Staff)


“Being on camp staff allows me to give back to a program that guided me and gave me the building blocks of character and integrity so I could build and live the life of a good citizen.”


-Adam Tuchtenhagen (Stearns Director)


Northern Star Council is currently taking applications for many positions at all of our camps: Camp Stearns, Phillippo, Many Point, Tomahawk, and Kiwanis. We need staff starting at age 15, and up, there is a variety of positions and leadership opportunities. You can download an application at www.northernstarbsa.org/ camping, or call 651-254-9158 for more information.


All applicants will be invited to an interview day at the Huling’s Scout Service Cen- ter on Saturday February 4, 2012. More information will be sent to those who apply.


Family Camp: Your Next Vacation Destination


Family Camp at Many Point is an unbeatable, fun-filled vacation opportunity for your family. We are confi- dent that once you arrive at camp, you will wish you could stay for the entire sum- mer. Not to mention it is also one of the most affordable week-long vacation spots, which is why sites fill quickly. We offer cabins, tent and trailer sites.


Family Camp accommodations currently are available to all families with troops camping with us for 2012. Visit us at http://www.manypoint.org/Family_Camp for more information and a reservation form. Reserve your family today by calling Kris Burbank at 651-254-9158. Do not hesitate as reservations are filling fast for the 2012 summer camping season. We look forward to seeing you next summer!


11


Nov/Dec 2011


Camp Staff Needed for the Experience of a Lifetime!


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