The Carolina Compass our new Bi-Weekly Communication to You

We are thrilled to launch the Carolina Compass, your new essential bi-weekly guide to everything happening in the Central North Carolina Council. This newsletter is packed with the latest news, crucial updates on upcoming activities and events, exclusive offers, and key topics tailored just for you. With a new edition landing in your inbox every two weeks, the Carolina Compass is your reliable source for insights, inspiration, and staying deeply connected to our Scouting community.

⛷️ On The Trail: Winterplace Ski Resort is Back!

Hit the slopes with the Central North Carolina Council during our popular "Scouts on Skis" program at Winterplace Ski Resort in Ghent, West Virginia! We have secured two exclusive dates—Sunday, January 4, 2026, and Sunday, February 22, 2026—for this fun, family-friendly event.

For a deeply discounted price of $80 per person, attendees receive an incredible package valued at over $160, which includes an all-day lift ticket (open to close), full equipment rental (skis or snowboard), helmet rental, and a customized 90-minute group lesson (minimum age 8). All Scouts, their families, friends, and neighbors are welcome to attend! Snowtubing can be added to your experience for an extra $35 for a 2-hour and 45-minute session.

Registration is now open.

2026 Camp Cards

Welcome to the 2026 Camp Card Sale… Selling Camp Cards is an easy, no-risk way to teach Scouts the value of earning their way. Going to camp is the highlight of every Scout’s year. Shouldn’t they understand the value of that experience?

Thank you for committing your time and energy in your Scouting Unit’s 2026 Camp Card Campaign. This sale plays an essential role in allowing you to generate the funds for your unit, and to send your Scouts to camp this summer.

Imagine being able to pay for a MAJOR portion of what your unit does for an entire year with Camp Card profits: Trips, campouts, trainings, advancements, blue & gold banquets, courts of honor, trailers, uniforms, day camp, resident camp, and summer camp!

Last year, Scouts in the Central North Carolina Council earned over $49,000 to fund their Scouting adventure. Our goal is to give each Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, and Venturer the opportunity to earn the money needed to have the best Scouting summer ever.

2026 Scouting for Food

Scouting for Food” is the nation’s largest single-day food drive. It began as a Scout’s service project in St. Louis in 1985 and was adopted by the National Organization in 1988. The goal is to help feed the hungry in our communities.

Scouting for Food takes place on the last Saturday of January and the first Saturday of February:


• Saturday, February 21st is Doorhanger Distribution Day. Approximately 15,000 Doorhangers will be delivered to homes throughout Central North Carolina.

• Saturday, February 28th is Food Collection Day. Starting at 9am, Scouts blanket our communities, collecting food donated by residents.

Scouts then deliver the food to collection sites, where it is counted, packed and readied for delivery to food pantries.

As an organization, Scouting America teaches youth the value of helping others and giving back to their communities. By collecting food for people in need, Scouts are “doing a good turn” and “helping other people,” key elements of the Scout Oath and slogan.

After the Scouts collect the food, they deliver them to a local drop-off location where volunteers sort and box the food to be delivered to local food pantries. Your donated food will help feed people in (Union, Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly, Montgomery, Anson and Richmond Counties) - at no charge to them.

The Central North Carolina Council Recognition Banquet brings together Scouts, Scouters and community members from throughout Central North Carolina each year to honor both the 2025 Class of Eagle Scouts who achieved the highest rank in Scouting and outstanding adult Scouters for their contributions to the Scouting program with the Silver Beaver Award. The Silver Beaver Award is the highest council-level distinguished service award of Scouting America.

When: Saturday, March 21, 2026

Where: Atrium Health Stanly – Family & Education Center Attire: Scout uniform or Business Casual

Scouting America is the Nation’s leading outdoor education and character development program. The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

Cub Scout Family Fun at Camp Barnhardt at Spring Family Fest, March 27-29, 2026


All Cub Scouts and their families are invited to join us for an action-packed weekend of adventure at Camp John J. Barnhardt! 

This fun and exciting event is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and practice skills together. The weekend features engaging Target Sports, including Archery, BB Guns, and Sling Shots. 

Families can also participate in various Field Games such as Gaga Ball, Basketball, Kickball, Tug-of-war, and Bean Bag Tossing, alongside the challenging experience of Bouldering (horizontal rock climbing). 

Come share in a weekend of active family fun, skill-building, and lasting memories!

Reminder to Renew your Scouting America Registration


As the end of the year continues to get closer, we want to remind you to check and make sure your membership in Scouting America has been renewed. Over 85% of the youth and adults in your Cub Scout Pack, Scouts BSA Troop, Venturing Crew, or Exploring Post have a 12/31/25 expiration date for their current Scouting America registration.

We hope that you and your family has had a great experience in your Cub Scout Pack, Scouts BSA Troop, Venturing Crew, or Exploring Post in the Central North Carolina Council, Scouting America. 

Please use the button listed below for a guide (step by step) to renew your Scouting America registration.

2026: "Barnhardt Camp of Scoutcraft and Wizardry"


As Camp Barnhardt approaches its 60th Anniversary summer, we’ve been reminded of the legend of a dark wizard destined to conquer North Carolina’s Uwharrie region before the camp finishes celebrating its diamond anniversary. Many details have been forgotten over time as most believed his attack was simply a myth created to scare campers... but the omens are clear: Barnhardt will face a mystical attack during the 2026 summer. We’ll need all able Scouts and troops to assist in returning the dark wizard to his own realm and saving camp!

To assist you in saving our camp from the dark wizard, we’ve designed the 2026 program to train young campers in the ways of scoutcraft and wizardry. We'll spend the early portions of the week learning from the tales of powerful past wizards and witches like Merlin, Potter, and Oz. After a series of trials and competitions, you’ll become a cunning spellcaster, a masterful alchemist, and a daring explorer of arcane arts ready to battle the dark wizard. So, ready your wands, consult your spellbooks, and prepare for an unforgettable journey!

We’ll group 2-4 troops into a great Wizardry House so they can compete as a team against the other houses. We’ll pair newer troops with our experienced groups so they have allies to guide them on their first Barnhardt journey. Will our magical sorting hat lead you to be one of the Loyal Lions or a Brave Badger? This format allows for the biggest of competitions; plus, you’ll make new friends as you compete over the Stogworts House Cup!

You’ll see our creative schedule allows Scouts to earn up to 6 (sometimes 7) merit badges and still participate in all the campwide games and evening activities. This year, we’ve added 9 new badges: Citizenship in the Community, Crime Prevention, Dog Care, Fire Safety, Game Design, Multisport, Pets, Pioneering, and Reptile Study. Of course, we’re offering Chemistry to help you with potions and keeping adventurous options like ATV, Mountain Bikes, COPE, Waterskiing, and Cowboy Action Shooting. For adults, we offer IOLS, CPR, and Level 1 Tower.

Please Share your Pack, Troop, or Crew's Scouting Adventures for us to Share in upcoming editions of the Carolina Compass


If your Cub Scout Pack, Scouts BSA Troop or Venturing Crew have had a great Scouting activity / adventure please share with us a summary with pictures for us to share with the Central North Carolina Council.

In addition, if your Cub Scout Pack, Scouts BSA Troop, or Venturing Crew has recently completed a service project please send us a summary with pictures for us to share.