January 2024 Edition

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Thank you for all you did to help Scouting in 2023! We look forward to what 2024 holds and how we can continue to grow Scouting and support you, the Volunteers in Minsi Trails Council.

Happy New Year!

During the month of December, we reviewed proposals from Landscape Architecture firms that responded to our request to help us create the long term Master Site Plan for Camp Minsi. We’ve chosen our partner and will be sharing more details of the actual project plan in the coming months. The site planning teams have been meeting to review all the input and we thank the 60+ people that responded to our survey.

We’ve decided to keep the survey open until mid-January so if you have not yet responded, please use the link below to share your thoughts the future of our camp. The survey is open to volunteers, leaders, parents, and scouts!

https://forms.gle/JKw4mbG22rtrFXYSA

Cub Scout Requirement Changes 2024

The changes to the Cub Scout rank requirements are officially here! Over the next 8 months the updates will be released. During each month a different portion of the changes will be presented. The timeline for these updates is pictured below with the GO LIVE date of JUNE 1, 2024. Note that the council cub scout advancement team will present the new requirements at University of Scouting. If you have any questions, please contact your district cub scout advancement chair or the council Cub Scout advancement chair. We are excited for the new requirements and look forward to June 2024!!

INTO ALL THINGS WATER?

So are we ! 

Jump onboard our next meeting and check us out.

January 28

New Campership Announcement

We are happy to announce the creation of a new campership that will be given automatically to the first 1000 Minsi Trails Council Scouts going to Camp Minsi Cub Scout, Scouts BSA or Venturing/Sea Scouting Summer Camp in 2024.  The new “General Trexler Campership” is funded by a portion of the proceeds of the sale of Trexler Scout Reservation, and is intended to directly benefit our council’s scouts. $75 per scout youth will be taken off the 2024 Camper Fee at Camp Minsi for Minsi Trails Council Scouts, so instead of $455 for a full week of camp the camp fee will be $380.  Scouts can also apply for our other camperships to further reduce the cost of attendance. More info about those camperships is in this email. 

Weeks at Camp Minsi are filling up fast. If your Pack or Troop has not signed up for Camp Minsi yet, please do so as soon as possible as some weeks are close to capacity and two are filled.  Sign up at www.campminsi.org

Cub Scout Resident Camp

Week 1 June 23-28 Registration is Closed

Week 2 June 30-July 5 Limited space available

Scouts, BSA and Webelos Pioneer Camp

Week 3 July 7-13 Limited space available

Week 4 July 14-20 Registration is Closed

Week 5 July 21-27 Open for Registration

Week 6 July 28- August 3 Open for Registration Also Venturing/Sea Scout Week

Week 7 August 4-10 – Online Registration in closed, call for more information.

Join the Camp Minsi Team



Earlier this month we announced our management team. Foof, Kasey, Matt and Trey have been busy interviewing staff and filling up the staff roster. While most of the staff positions have been filled, we are still accepting applications, especially for lifeguards.  

Please fill out the camp staff application if interested in joining the team. 

https://www.minsitrails.org/summer-camps/summer-camp-staff-application/

2024 Minsi Trails Council Campership Information

While the pinnacle of any Scouting experience is attending Summer Camp, the leadership of the Minsi Trails Council realizes the cost of providing this experience can be a lot for some families to pay. Funds are available to assist those families who request help so that the Scout may have camping experience. These funds are made possible by individuals and organizations who understand the lifelong impact Summer Camp has on youth. This assistance is provided in the form of a “Campership” through the application and review process.

 All applications are due by April 1, 2024  in the Minsi Trails Council office. All applications and FAQ are available on www.minsitrails.org/camperships 

Camperships Available

Minsi Trails Council Campership - Approximately $15,000 will be available in 2024.  This campership is available to any Minsi Trails Council Scout going to Camp Minsi Cub Scout or Scouts, BSA Summer Camp or a Minsi Trails Council Cub Scout Day Camp. 

Ed Hughes Foundation Camp Scholarship Fund - Over $15,000 available in 2024 The Ed Hughes Foundation Camp Scholarship Fund was established to assist in making the council’s vision a reality by providing financial assistance to BSA registered youth of the old Anthracite District footprint to attend camp. Scouts in these zip codes 18201, 18202, 18211, 18216, 18219, 18221, 18222, 18223, 18224, 18225, 18227, 18230, 18231, 18234, 18237, 18239, 18241, 18242, 18243, 18246, 18247, 18248, 18249, 18251, 18254, 18255, 18256, 18661, and 18985 are qualified to apply. 

Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church Camp Scholarship - $1,500 is available in 2024. The Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church Camp Scholarship Fund was established to assist in making the council’s vision a reality by providing financial assistance to BSA registered youth of the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church to attend camp. Applicants must be a member of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church 4102 S. Main St, Whitehall, PA and a BSA registered youth within Minsi Trails Council. There is $1500 available in 2024 for this campership.  

Webelos Pioneer Camp

Camp Minsi Webelos Pioneer Program is open for campers going into 4th or 5th grades and will run coinciding with our Scouts' BSA Program.  Adult leadership is not required, as our staff will provide the leadership, but you are welcome to join us.  Encourage your Troop to come the same week as your Webelos Dens. You can camp with your Troop or stay with the camp staff.   Space will be limited to 30 participants so sign up today! www.campminsi.org

 January 13, 2024

Winter FunFest at Camp Minsi

(formally known as IceFest)

Register at https://www.minsitrails.org/event/2986099

The Minsi Trails council, Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members.

(Effective September 1, 2023) Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required at all Scouting activities, including all meetings.

There must be a registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over in every unit serving females. A registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over must be present for any activity involving female youth or female adult program participants.  

Notwithstanding the minimum leader requirements, age and program-appropriate supervision must always be provided.

All adults staying overnight in connection with a Scouting activity must be currently registered in an adult fee required position as listed or as an adult program participant. Limited exception below for Cub Scout overnight Programs. There is no longer a 72 hour rule exemption  

Our BARF Campaign Continues! A reminder that any Scout who signs up a friend to join our program will receive a BARF patch for them and their friend. If you need the paperwork to complete the application contact your District Executive

Save the date!

Special programs offered for Sea Scouts & Venturers July 28th to August 3rd.

Ships & Crews who would like to participate in our programs oriented towards Scouts BSA programs are welcome any week including in our Afternoon Adventure programs!

 As you know, Scouting is so much more than camping. It prepares kids for life. Because of you, boys and girls throughout our nation are learning skills that can be critical during times of uncertainty including first aid, healthcare, fire and EMS, and law enforcement. Thank you for all you do to make it possible for kids to learn these lifesaving skills through Scouting. 

Is Scouting in your estate plans? Would you like to receive some additional information about supporting the future of Scouting through an estate gift! Email us.  

Support local Scouting by visiting Minsitrails.org/give and making a contribution

The Minsi Trails Council activities committee is pleased to announce the refresh of the MTC Historic Trails program. First launched in 1969, and updated in the 1990’s, these 10 hikes offer an excellent opportunity for Scouts to learn about our region’s history. Each hike offers a glimpse into the past of how the area started - from pre-colonial rural areas to urban centers of industry, and transportation networks to entertainment sites. Each hiking booklet has been updated to include new photographs and updated routes to ensure safe hiking conditions. You will find they now also include additional online resources of some of the sites you’ll visit. You may access these new hiking pamphlets at https://www.minsitrails.org/historictrails. Both online and print friendly versions are available. The hiking booklets may also be reached from the main website under the “council” section. 

For each hike completed, Scouts can earn a rocker, and after completing 5 hikes they are eligible to wear the medal. The patches and medal are both available today at the Minsi Trails Council Scout Shop. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the committee at [email protected].  Happy hiking!

Join 2024 Camp Minsi Camp Staff

CREATE A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES AND EARN A SALARY

Working on camp staff opens to each staff member a whole new world of adventure and opportunities. In addition to spending a summer in the great outdoors, staff members will:

• Learn how to lead others and to apply leadership skills.
• Be part of an effective team and cooperate with others to get things done.
• Acquire experiential education (learning by doing) and new skills while working with young people ages 6-17.
• Make lots of friends and memories that will last a lifetime.

Our staff is not just a group of counselors having fun, but rather a family of 60 individuals dedicated to providing an outstanding experience to each and every one of our campers. Each of our counselors and support staff members receives extensive training in their roles in camp, as well as specific knowledge in customer service, emergency procedures, and youth protection. We look for only the best staff members that possess the following qualifications:

• Be at least 15 years old.
• A positive attitude and a strong work ethic.
• A desire to make a lasting impact on the life of a Scout.
• A willingness to live by the Scout Oath & Law.

Many of our senior camp staff leaders have extensive experience in camp and have the following to say about their time on camp staff:

"I worked on staff for four summers before going away to college. When I moved into my dorm, most of the people I was living with had never done their own laundry, lived away from home, or had a real job. Working on staff really put me ahead of the rest of the students."

"Spent a summer working at Aquatics – more fun that working at a fast food joint."

"My time on staff helped me decide to become a school teacher."

"I’ve been in Scouting for a long time and have made a lot of great memories. When I get together with my friends, the stories we tell all seem to revolve around our time on camp staff."

"I was never a Scout, but I had a great time working at Camp Minsi while in college."

"I met my wife working on camp staff."

Apply today for a Summer Camp Positions at Camp Minsi.

https://www.minsitrails.org/summer-camps/summercampstaffapplication/75695 

The Stabler Foundation

Thank you to our Sponsors and their continued support of Scouting and the Minsi Trails Council!