October 2023 Edition

Camp Minsi – Future planning underway



As part of our strategic planning process, a key initiative for our council will be focusing on making Camp Minsi the premier Scouting destination for Northeastern Pennsylvania! With a group composed of a cross section of our adult volunteers and youth, we will plan out future programs and facilities that youth and adults, families, and community members will all enjoy. 

Initially working with a non-BSA company that specializes in developing master site plans, we will work together to find those programs and facilities that are needed to achieve our premier destination goal. The results will be available by late spring, and we will continue to refine with feedback from our camp attendees over the summer of 2024.

Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to provide feedback on topics!

Smooth Entry into Camp Minsi



We are excited to report our paving project at Camp Minsi has been completed. New blacktop has been laid along the entry road off route 940 down to the T intersection behind the Rangers house. Below are a few pictures.  

2024 Charter Renewal – Update and Deadlines

For the 2024 Charter Renewal/Rechartering season, Minsi Trails Council Staff and Commissioners will be working with Units to start this process when National makes the software available on October 1. Due to changes in software that are coming for next year, we must have your charters submitted by December 31, 2023 for 2024. This provides time to resolve any outstanding issues by the end of January. Also, there is no longer a grace period or extension available – if charters are not submitted by December 31, units will need to submit all new charter paperwork.

Because we know the month of December is already jam-packed with activities and assemblies, we are avoiding it as much as possible and asking you to complete your charter renewal process by November 18. Payment will be due by December 31, and must be made by unit check made out to Minsi Trails Council by that date. As in previous years, we do NOT recommend paying online.

Key dates in this process:

October 1 – Charter Renewal opens – Access from my.scouting.org or Internet Advancement

(Units should start checking 2024 charters to add, change and remove registered adults and scouts, check for and follow up on required trainings and expiration of YPT and PA Act 15 before 1/31/2024)

October 26 – 7 pm - Council Wide Roundtable on Charter Renewal for all units – Live locations and Zoom – District Breakouts – Watch for live locations from the Roundtable Team

October 27 through November 18 – 8 pm – Charter Renewal Help Desk – via ZOOM only

Additional information and Zoom links available at Charter Renewal Resources (minsitrails.org)

District Activities associated with Charter Renewal

Carbon/Luzerne – December 7 – Tweedle Park

Lehigh –November 13 & 14 - 6 to 8:30 - MTC Office, December 2 – Jordan – Holiday event

Northampton – November 9 – 6 to 9 pm – MTC Office

Monroe – December 14 – watch for more info from your district

Warren – December 14 – watch for more info from your district

We appreciate your cooperation with this aggressive yet necessary schedule – in the long run, it will make our holidays and the charter process smoother and prevent issues for next year.

Tamie Swain | Council Commissioner

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

Minsi Trails Council

Cell/Text: 610.505.9858 | CouncilCommissioner@minsitrails.org

Be the heart. Build relationships. Change lives.

At the Council Scout Shop! Take advantage of the great deal.

Now until October 29

Our partnership with @goldcreditunion is ongoing! Anyone who opens an account will get $25 into the account, a $50 donation to their Scouting Unit Account at the MTC Office, and a $25 donation to the Minsi Trails Council. Learn more and sign-up at https://www.goldcu.org/promotions/bsa-minsi-trails/

Camp Minsi 2024 Summer Camp

Sign Up Today!

www.campminsi.org 

Overnight camping for Cub Scouts & Scouts, BSA

Week 1 June 23: Cub Scout Resident Camp (At capacity, registration is closed

Week 2 June 30: Cub Scout Resident Camp & Specialty Camps

Week 3 July 7: Scouts BSA Resident Camp & Webelos Pioneer Camp

 Week 4 July 14: Scouts BSA Resident Camp & Webelos Pioneer Camp

Wek 5 July 21: Scouts BSA Resident Camp & Webelos Pioneer Camp

Week 6 July 28: Scouts BSA Resident Camp & Webelos Pioneer Camp

Week 7 August 4: Scouts BSA Resident Camp & Webelos Pioneer Cam

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

Cub Scout Fall Family

October 13-15 at Camp Minsi

Registration closes October 6

http://www.minsitrails.org/event/cub-scout-fall-family-weekend/2839670 

Everyone is Welcome to attend for the weekend or Saturday only. 

If you are a new Scout who just joined, you are welcome to attend Saturday for the day for free. If you are a new scout and will be staying for the entire weekend with your new pack, all fees would apply and should be included in the Pack registration.

If you are an existing Scout, simply the fee applies for weekend or Saturday only. Please register. 

This largest Cub Scouting event of the year!

• Camp overnight for the weekend as a PACK or DEN or as a FAMILY........ OR Come up just for the day on Saturday....either way please register!
• SITES WILL BE ASSIGNED BY CAMP STAFF. 
• Meals NOT included in fees. 
• We will make every effort to outfit your Pack and or Group or Family in a designated Camping site with a picnic table and fire circle.
• Your Pack and/or Den or Family are welcome to cook in your site for the entire weekend. Or bring your lunch if you are coming Saturday.  
• Overnight/Day Youth Fee: $10 (youth 3 years of age to 12). Camp Site/Program Supplies/Patch included in fee)
• Adults are free
• All Saturday program activities are come and go as you please; your pace and timeline. 

Friday 

• 6 pm – 8 pm pm Onsite Camper Check In (notification will be sent prior to arrival)
• 10 pm - Taps

Saturday 

• Breakfast in your sites (responsibility of attendees)
• 8:45 am – Colors Parade Field
• 9 am – 11:45 am - All Programs Open
• 11:30 – 1 pm - (Lunch time - responsibility of attendees)
• 1:30 pm – 4:15 pm - All Programs Open
• 4 pm – 5:30 pm - Dinner in your sites (Responsibility of attendees)
• 6 pm - Camp wide Campfire @ Camp Minsi Fire Circle

Saturday Programs to include: (weather permitting)

• Minis Trails Council Heritage Committee - "History of Scouting" displays, artifacts, memorabilia. 
• STEM/NOVA activities 
• Open Fishing 
• Nature Hikes (Times TBA at morning colors)
• BB & Archery 

Sunday 

• Breakfast in your sites (Responsibility of attendees)
• 8:30 am - Interfaith Chapel
• 9 am Break camp and head home

What to bring for the weekend:

• Sleeping Bag 
• Appropriate clothing for the weather conditions.
• Tent and Gear
• Cooking Gear (if cooking in site Friday/Saturday/ or Sunday)
• Fishing Gear-Bait etc.....
• Outdoor Attire for Hikes etc....
• Named rosters not needed. Please submit payment promptly, as we will be assigning camp sites based on payments. 

 CONTACT E-MAIL

campminsi@minsitrails.org

COST

$10.00 per Youth (3-12 yrs old)

Save the Date

 January 13, 2024

Winter FunFest at Camp Minsi

(formally known as IceFest)

More details to come soon.

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

From August 1 to November 1 10% of purchases at the Whitehall Buffalo Wild Wings will be donated back to Minsi Trails Council. Just show the card below and follow the directions!

Click the Image below to learn more.

Save the Date!

https://fevogm.com/event/FlyersMinsiTrailsCouncilFundraiser

Great information on the BSA Alumni Committee! If you are interested in joining the Minsi Trails Council Committee email christian.averill@scouting.org

Our committee meets once a quarter and focuses on events connecting Alumni such as our Pocono Raceway event, Phantoms Event, and our upcoming Alumni Event

https://scoutingalumni.org/2023/05/bsa-alumni-program-explained-on-youtube/

 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

Sea Scout Ship 940 and Maritime Club 940

Sea Scouts are for young people ages 14-20 who have an interest in water based adventures.  Many Sea Scouts are also in a Scouts BSA troop working toward their Eagle rank. Ship 940 is now recruiting new members!

Maritime Explorer Clubs are for girls and boys, ages 10-14 and do many of the activities of a Sea Scout Ship, plus insights into maritime careers. Club 940 is just forming, and new members are welcome. Come visit us.

For 2023, Ship 940 and Club 940 will be engaged in a small boat sailing program that will lead to the Sea Scout Apprentice Rank and the Scouts BSA Small Boat Sailing merit badge. 



Contact us at: www.Ship940.org; www.Club940.org; or, mailto: Contact@Ship940.org

Learn more about this partenership at https://www.minsitrails.org/centerfont-size-1supportbrscoutingfontcenter/solar-energy-partnership/74264

Thank you to Kelly Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM for sponsoring our Council Pinewood Derby. As well as the OA for helping run the event Our Scouts had a great time and enjoyed racing inside the dealership.

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

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