Welcome to the Northern Lights Web Site Unit Locator Map Click here for a map of all Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops and Venturing Crews in the district Click here for Unit contact information Looking for a Boy Scout Troop, Cub Scout Pack or Venturing Crew to Join? Try the Adventure is Calling web site New Content!! Welcome to our new District Executive, Amy Hoeschen 01-25-2012 District Pinewood Derby Date and Location Announced 01-21-2012 Congratulations - Council membership goals reached 01-21-2012 Merit Badge Madness Pre Requisites 01-07-2012 Spring Recruitment and Spring Popcorn 01-07-2012 January / February Navigator Article 01-07-2012 Eagle Tips: Bronze, Gold, Silver Palms 01-07-2012 New Eagle Workbook Explained 01-05-2012 New Eagle Service Project Workbook 01-04-2012 Wood Badge Registration for 2012 12-11-2011 Updated Commissioner Corner 12-11-2011 Unit Commissioners needed 10-23-2011 Volunteer Opportunity - World Paraympics 08-31-2011 Eagle Tips - Eagle Ceremony Flags 2012 Friends of Scouting Campaign As we kick off this year's Friends of Scouting campaign, look back at all of the wonderful activities your son or daughter were able to do because of scouting and your support. Help make this year's campaign a success. As of today, we are 9.08 percent of the way towards our Family Friends of Scouting goal.                                                                                                                   This number reflects only the Family portion of of the Northern Lights District Friends of Scouting goal. There is also a community goal where we ask local businesses to help support scouting. The community goal is not relected here. If you know of some contacts in the community we can approach for support, please contact Chip Chapin (612)827-5294, our Friends of Scouting chairman Curious on where your unit stands on their individual goal? If you are a registered user of the Unit Toolbox, you can see where you stand by accessing the Unit Toolbox. Click here for the Unit Toolbox Login Currently Active Hang File Items     01/28/2012     Merit Badge Madness Pre Requisites 01/25/2012     Scouting and the LDS Church 01/25/2012     Discontinued Square Knots 01/04/2012     Wood Badge Registration 2012 01/04/2012     Merit Badge Madness Registration Form 01/04/2012     Meit Badge Madness Course Listing 12/18/2011     The Bug Man (Outside Promotion) 12/18/2011     How to host a Scout Sunday 12/11/2011     Unit Commissioners Needed 11/06/2011     Scout discounts for the Minnesota Wild 11/05/2011     World's Toughest Rodeo Scout Discount 10/25/2011     Unit Tool Box (Youth Recruitment Planner) Presentation 10/23/2011     Rifle Merit Badge 10/10/2011     Powder Horn High Adventure Program 10/10/2011     Wilderness First Aid Training Upcoming Training Sessions Hosted by Northern Lights District (Next 90 Days)     02/10/2012     Youth Protection Training (In person) 04/03/2012     Boy Scout Leader Training Session 1 04/10/2012     Boy Scout Leader Training Session 2 04/17/2012     Boy Scout Leader Training Session 3 04/24/2012     Boy Scout Leader Training Session 4 (Committee Members) Click here to signup for training Click here for a full list of upcoming courses Latest News from the Northern Star Council via Twitter

Upcoming Events Click Here for a complete calendar Tue, Jan 31 District Committee Meeting Tue, Jan 31 Scout Night with the Wild Thu, Feb 2 Commissioner's Meeting Thu, Feb 2 OA Chapter Meeting Thu, Feb 2 Roundtable Fri, Feb 3 World's Toughest Rodeo Scout Night Sun, Feb 5 Scout Sunday Sat, Feb 11 Scout Sabbath Sat, Feb 11 Scout Swim (Northfield/Carleton) Tue, Feb 14 Valentine's Day Fri, Feb 17 2012 Buck Hill All-Nighter Sat, Feb 25 Merit Badge Madness Day Sun, Feb 26 Scout Night with the Wild Tue, Feb 28 District Committee Meeting Here for Upcoming Eagle Courts of Honor Northern Lights Recognizes the most recent Eagle Scouts. Click here for a full list       Name Troop 454 Zachary Muntean Troop 234 Alexander Bovitz Troop 84 Sam Kenknight Troop 268 Christopher Landis Troop 751 Zachary Buechelle Crew 368 Ethan Moss Troop 610 Winura Withanawasam Troop 582 Samuel Gentle Troop 724 Andy Heath Troop 234 Erick Morrow Roundtable Hang Files Electronic Hang Files (think Pendaflex folders) contain flyers and information handed out at Roundtable or made available via the Web Site. There are two places to look: Our district maintains flyers specifically for Northern Lights District. Click here for Northern Lights District handouts and flyers Also, the Northern Star Council maintains a set of folders for Council wide events and information Click here for Northern Star Council handouts and flyers Got a flyer you want distributed - Send it to the Web master NorthernLightsBSA@comcast.net Follow the Northern Star Council on Facebook

Welcome Amy Hoeschen, our new District Executive

Please join me in welcoming our new District Executive, Amy Hoeschen.

As you probably know, Andrea Pengra, our previous District Director, has taken over duties down south. She is now the District Director for the Prairie Lakes district and overseeing one additonal district.

As her replacement, Amy will be working hand in hand with Allie Lodden. Allie comes from the Prairie Lakes District and is the District Director for Lake Minnetonka District and oversees the Northern Lights District Executive.

Originally from Hastings, Minnesota, Amy graduated from the College of Saint Benedicts/Saint John's University in May 2010 with a degree in Political Science and Environmental Studies. Upon graduation, Amy refined her skills in environmental education and outreach while working for a YMCA Camp on Lake Burntside in Ely, Minnesota. Amy is also experienced and enthusiastic about environmental policy; Amy spent time in Washington DC working for The Wilderness Society and Representative Martin Heinrich. Amy also enjoys running around Minnesota's beautiful lakes, camping, and canoeing (especially portaging).

Amy's first day was Jan 3rd. She is looking forward to working with us and making Northern Lights District one of the top districts in the council.

Amy's email address is ahoeschen@northernstarbsa.org . Her phone number at the council office is (763) 231-7226.

Council Membership Goals reached for 20122 - Thank You!

As an update and a big CONGRATULATIONS, I am proud to announce Northern Star Council achieved Traditional Membership Growth for 2011. More than growing numbers however, it is encouraging to know that every single one of those boys, young women, and young men will be changed as a result of their decision to be part of Scouting. We are reaching more youth through Scouting because of you and your hard work.

Amy Hoeschen, District Executive

Spring Recruitment and Spring Popcorn Sales

This year, the council will not be holding a spring recruitment drive, or selling popcorn.

If your unit would like to do a recruitment drive, or sell popcorn, please contact Allie Lodden (763)231-7223 (District Director) or Amy Hoeschen (763)231-7226 (District Executive). They will be happy to help you in your efforts.

Volunteer Opportunity - World Paralympics  in Feb 2012

The Nordic Ski Foundation is proud to partner with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), a branch of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), to host the 2012 World Paralympics. This event will bring top Paralympic athletes from around the world to Minneapolis for 2 days of racing in Theodore Wirth Park. The races will take place February 1st and 2nd, and culminate with athletes participating in the City of Lakes Loppet. The Loppet, the largest cross-country ski weekend in Minnesota, is expected to draw over 10,000 participants. “We are thrilled to welcome the Paralympics competition to our community,” said Nordic Ski Foundation Director John Munger who has been working with the Courage Center to make sure the trails meet IPC standards. “We are excited to show the international community our trails, hospitality, and cross-country skiing culture.”

This event marks the first time in seven years that the United States will be holding an international Nordic skiing competition. 100 athletes are expected to participate in the event. USOC Director John Farra commented, “…we’re excited to bring elite competition onto our home soil. This is an exceptional opportunity for many of our up-and-coming athletes to get some international experience two years out from the 2014 Paralympic Games in Sochi.”

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Kristin at krisklaustermeier@gmail.com

The official website for the event is http://www.NordicWorldCupUSA.com .

For more information, please contact the USOC Communications Division at (719)866-4529 or visit: www.usparalympics.org .

Merit Badge Counselor List

As of January 24, 2011, if you would like to find a Merit Badge Counselor, please contact Allie Lodden (763)231-7223 (District Director) or Amy Hoeschen (763)231-7226 (District Executive)

Training, Training, Training

Cub Scout Leader Training is offered 3 times this year. The next training session begins January 1st 2011. See upcoming training events for more information.

Now available, on line sign up for Cub Leader Training. Click here to sign up for Cub Training

Can't make one of our training events? Click here for information on all training throughout the council

Youth Protection Training

This 30 minute course will help you know and understand the Boy Scouts of America policies on youth protection. This does not cover the protection of the youth, but you as an adult in a youth organization. This course is offered at no charge and can be taken online or in person. Click here for information about the course

Roundtables

Roundtables are for all adult leaders in Cub Scout Packs and Boy Scout Troops. They are held the first Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at:

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

4700 Edinbrook Terrace
Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
763-425-7223
Click here for a map

Roundtables are a training session for leaders to help them each month in working with the boys. Every pack and troop should have at least one representative come to these meetings to get ideas and share ideas with other leaders, as well as get information on events that are happening on a district level.

New Leaders

District Website/Pictures/Articles

From the Web Master

Thanks

Doug