Scout Executive's Minute
This past weekend I was picking up some items at my local grocery store. Helping me get a few extra bags to my vehicle was a young man who I noticed was wearing a Scouting jacket. I asked him what Troop he was from and what his rank was. He proudly told me he was a Life Scout from the local troop that had just finished his project which he described in detail to me. As we wrapped up our conversation I reached into my center console and gave him a business card. I finished our conversation by telling him it would be my honor to attend his Court of Honor once he got it scheduled.
I’ve thought about that encounter over the past few days within the context of the Wall Street Journal article that came out last week. As some of you might have read, the Boy Scouts of America, National Council is looking at variety of business strategies to continue to keep our great organization fiscally sound. Some of these strategies were shared and reported by the Wall Street Journal. In response to that article I want to share with you a couple of key points I shared with our Executive Board this past week.
• First, no such decisions have been made, and no actions have been taken. These considerations are merely due diligence and part of good governance of our National Organization.
• Second, The National Council, BSA is a separate and distinct corporation from any local BSA Council. Mid-Iowa Council is incorporated in Iowa and our assets are not affected should the National Council restructure and reorganize its own assets. Our funds and properties are under our board’s ownership and governance.
• Third, children count on us for fun and adventure, for character-building life skills, for a safe haven, and for their preparation as our future community leaders. We’re keeping our focus on them. Scouting in the Mid-Iowa Council is strong and vital, and we will find the services and resources we need, locally as well as in concert with other Scout Councils, to serve our families for decades to come.
In conclusion, I want to ask one more thing of each of our approximately 7,000 adult volunteers. If you haven’t already done so, PLEASE TAKE THE NEW YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING! As a leader in the realm of youth protection, it is imperative that each of our children have a trained leader providing a safe and quality program.
Thanks to each of you for all that you do to ensure that each of our Scouts has the opportunity to one day proudly talk about their Eagle Scout project just as the young man at our local grocery store did with me.
Have a Blessed Holiday Season,
Matt
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The Venturing Officers Association (VOA)
The VOA is hosting a Winter Extravaganza, February 15-17, 2019. There will be a scavenger hunt, relay races, trainings that are required for rank advancements, and other fun games!
Cost: $10
Location: Bear Creek Lodge at Mitigwa Scout Reservation
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Mid-Iowa Council Court of Honor
Please join us as we recognize the hard work and dedication of our volunteers and Scouts at our Council Court of Honor on February 24, 2019. We will be presenting the Silver Beaver, Heroism, and other awards at this annual event. Register today to be part of the fun and fellowship.
2018 Silver Beaver Recipients
TJ Ballard
David J Bergeson
Thomas D. Cox
Fermin Falcon
Dale Hedrick
Jack D. Hilmes
Timothy York
Dr. Joshua E Young
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MERIT BADGE COUNSELORS NEED TO RENEW YEARLY.
Due to the crunch of the Holidays Mid-Iowa Council is moving the merit badge counselor renewal process to May. Watch your E-mail for your renewal notice starting in March. If you do not respond to the renewal notice you will not be able to teach merit badge classes. You can renew your merit badge counselor status any time between
March
and May
. If you did not receive a renewal notice, contact the Maytag Scout Center
515-266-2135
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Champ Camp
hosted by Mid-Iowa Scout Shop
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Champ Camp, hosted by Mid-Iowa Scout Shop will be held on Saturday, January 5 , 2019 at the Maytag Scout Center from 900am-3:00pm.
Come and test out your car on our practice track! Or, if you want some expert help in building your car, we will have stations for Templates, Cutting, Wheel and Axles, Weights and Sanding.
Have you ever wondered how some of the specialty tools can help you go faster? Experts will be demonstrating how the tools can be used to make your car a winner!
For questions please call (515) 265-5990
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Camp Card Sales
Start February 1st!
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Sign-up to make the easiest money possible for your Scouting unit. These cards sell for $5.00 and have a $400.00 value. Fill out our on-line form today to reserve your cards!
Earn up to 60% commissions!
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District Annual Business meeting announcements
At the District Annual Business Meeting, voting members will elect the slate of candidates for the District Committee and Members at Large.
Woodland Trails Annual Business Meeting: Thursday, January 3
rd Foster Acres, Strother Lodge (525 Grandview Ave Ottumwa, IA 52501)
Twin Rivers Annual Business Meeting: Thursday, January 3
rd Fred Maytag ll Scout Center (6123 Scout Trail, Des Moines, IA 50321)
Prairie Winds Annual Business Meeting: Tuesday, January 8
th City Church in Ames (2400 Oakwood Road, Ames, IA 50014)
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Scout Shop Holiday Giving Tree Ends December 20th!
Do you have a Scout in your unit that could use a new shirt or pants, but can't afford them? Maybe they can't afford a belt to complete their uniform, or a pair of Scout socks?
Please stop into the Scout Shop or Print the form below to see how the giving tree works and for more details....
Let's make the season even brighter!
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Order of the Arrow | Mitigwa lodge
The OA Winter Banquet will be held January 5, 2019 at the Airport Holiday Inn at 6111 Fleur Drive in Des Moines. There will also be a LECM for chapter officers and advisers. Details and registration links can be found at the redesigned OA website.
Read more
www.midiowacouncilbsa.org
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Apply for Camp Staff 2019
Interviews will start December 28th! How would you describe your ideal summer job? Would it include variety? Creativity? Being respected and revered? Hanging out with friends all day? A great night life?
Read more
www.midiowacouncilbsa.org
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The General's Cup
The General's Cup is a competition between Scout Honor Guards in Mid-Iowa Council. The day will include instruction in flag etiquette, marching, and conducting flag ceremonies by the Iowa National Guard's Honor Guard and will end with a competition between troop honor guards. Is your honor guard up to the challenge?
February 9, 2019
Camp Dodge
Johnston, IA
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PEACE LIGHT TO BRIGHTEN IOWA AGAIN THIS YEAR
“The Light” arrived at the Mid-Iowa Scout office. “The Light” will burn brightly Monday through Friday, December 10 through December 21 at the Maytag Scout Center where you can transfer the flame to a lantern or long burning devotional candle from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM...
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32nd Winter Survival Training
Saturday, January 26, 2019, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
(Check-in: 8:30 am to 8:55 am)
Iowa State University Armory
Pammel Drive and Russell Road
Ames, Iowa
The training event will host as many as 300 participants and is being conducted by the Army R.O.T.C. Staff and cadets at Iowa State University. This will be the 32nd year they have provided this training.
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Certified Anglers Training Course
"Do you enjoy fishing? Would you like to help Scouts learn and get excited about fishing? Mid-Iowa Council is hosting a Certified Anglers Training Course
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As part of your unit’s Journey to Excellence the number of service projects your units complete each year is factored in, but the service hours from those projects needs to be recorded. Those hours are used to promote the value of Scouting to the communities we serve. To record your unit's hours.
Click Here
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SAVE THE DATE
April 28, 2019
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Scout Day at Principal Park
Save the date for April 28, 2019 and join us on the field for the National Anthem and a completely Scout themed baseball experience!
$10 per ticket for the full experience and event patch.
Jerseys worn by players will be Scouting related and auctioned off during and after the game!
More details very soon!
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Be the
BEST
leader you can! Get Trained
Check out training opportunities below
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Position-specific training course Updates
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Position-specific training courses for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts (Scouts BSA) are being updated and will be available January 2, 2019. Any progress on current training materials will not carry over to the new learning plan so be sure to complete any in-progress training before December 31, 2018. If not completed by December 31, you will have to take the new course for your position starting January 2019.
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Wood Badge Training Course 2019
If you have been looking for a way to take your adult leadership skills to the next level, this is it! This is not outdoor skills training, this is developing your personal skills of group leadership.
Read more
www.midiowacouncilbsa.org
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Mid-Iowa Council Powder Horn Course, Begins 3/29
Powder Horn is a training opportunity designed to expose participants to activities and resources necessary to operate a successful Venturing or Troop High Adventure program....
Read more
www.midiowacouncilbsa.org
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Youth Protection - Boy Scouts of America
BSA Youth Protection Mission Statement True youth protection can be achieved only through the focused commitment of everyone in Scouting. It is the mission of Youth Protection volunteers and professionals to work within the Boy Scouts of America...
Read more
www.scouting.org
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NEW
Submitting Eagle Scout Rank Applications
A simple step has been added to the process of preparing for Eagle Scout boards of review in our council. A completed Eagle application form must be submitted for confirmation of earned merit badges and other details by the council before a board of review may be held. When this step has been completed ...
for more information
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The World Scout Jamboree (WSJ) is only 8 months away and if you have not signed up there is still time but you must act soon. The requirements: you must be a registered member of Scouts BSA, you must be at least 14 years of age by July 22, 2019, you must be no older than 17 years of age on August 2, 2019. Meet these requirements and you too can be part of one of the truly life changing events offered by the Boy Scouts.
On July 22, 2019 young men and women who belong to scouting organizations in over 150 countries will come together at The Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia, for two weeks of fun fellowship and Scouting. With opportunities for camaraderie with Scouts from around the world, the WSJ is a unique cultural immersion experience that supports the World Organization of the Scouting Movement’s mission to create global citizens and educate young people.
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2019 Contingent Registration Now Open!
We plan to include over 50 Scouts and Adult Advisers in our 2019 Expedition. We will organize those participants into five crews of 10-12 Scouts. Each crew will make their own choice of 35 available itineraries.
This opportunity is open to individual Scouts or unit crews. ACT NOW!
Our 2019 departure date is July 20th with return on August 3rd. Cost for the trip is estimated at $1,320.00.
Our reservation must be confirmed by May 1, 201
Contact:
Chuck Jordal
for additional information.
(515)279-8746
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Central Region Outdoor Conference
Do you need new ideas on how to better serve youth in the outdoors? The Central Region Outdoor Conference will be held at the Maytag Scout Center in January. This conference is open to any Scouter at all levels with an interest in Outdoor Programming.
Click Below for details.
Jan 19, 2019
7:30 am to 2:30 pm
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Welcome to the Eagle's Nest
Congratulations to the Newest Class of Eagle Scouts
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Hours
Monday -Thursday 9:00-7:00
Friday 9:00-6:00
Saturday 9:00-4:00
Closed Sundays
Closed the following dates:
- Christmas Eve - December 24, 2018
- Christmas Day - December 25, 2018
- New Year's Day - January 1, 2019
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Mid-Iowa Council offices
Hours: M-F 8:30am-5pm
Closed the following dates:
- Christmas- December 24-26, 2018
- New Year's Day - January 1, 2019
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Mid-Iowa Council | 6123 Scout Trail | Des Moines, IA | 50321 |515-266-2135
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