Action Items
On the Calendar
Dealing with the Unexpected
Years ago, I was the leader in charge of a scout campout and we went to a Scout Camp up in Oklahoma.
We had a fair-sized group of 30 or more boys and enough adults to keep a good eye on the situation. During some free time, Saturday afternoon two of our scouts wandered away from camp and their absence was not immediately detected. Once we realized they were missing, we did a quick search of the immediate area and then notified the camp ranger that we had two boys unaccounted for.
We organized a search party and searched the camp perimeter, not realizing that these two adventures scouts had crossed not one but several fence lines and were no longer on the property!
As it turned out our scouts did follow the buddy system and stayed together, which was a critical factor. Eventually they were able to contact the authorities who were aware that they were lost and brought them back to camp to the relief of all.
I wrote an incident report and sent to both our council and the council in Oklahoma. In retrospect we did well, we detected the missing scouts promptly, sought help quickly and would like to think that our lost scouts acted appropriately by staying together. It had never occurred to us to remind scouts that the camp fence was a red line not to be crossed.
Newsletter Future at Risk
Unless a new communication chair is found, the last newsletter will be June 29, 2025. Contact District Chair, Lester Cox if you are willing to take on this role or know of a good candidate [email protected].
Roundtable, Thursday, May 8, 2025, 7:00pm
At Roundtable this week, we will discuss program year planning.
Have you started planning for the next program year? What do you need to do to ensure your unit is ready for your Scouts in the fall? Come to our next Roundtable to discuss all the elements to ensure you are ready to entertain, educate, and advance your Scouts.
First United Methodist Church, 503 North Central Expressway. Map
Northern Trail Day Camp, Saturday May 31, 2025, Map
Calling all Cub Scouts from Tigers to Arrow of Light Scouts, Siblings, and Prospective Cub Scouts!
Event Details:
Cost:
More information and registration may be found here.
You Can Help Connect Us With New Unit Prospects
Northern Trail is setting appointments with Calvary Pentecostal and St. James Episcopal churches. Are you a member at either site? We'd love to know as it's always helpful to have Scouters who are also members of our partners. Contact DE Katherine McCrary at [email protected]. Have ideas for other possible unit prospective partners? We're all ears!
Training
WFA Wilderness First Aid
Wilderness First Aid is required for attending all BSA High Adventure bases - Philmont - requires 3 with WFA; Northern Tier - 1; Sea Base - 1; Summit -1 recommends having 2. and in general recommended for all scouting activities beyond one hour of medical help. I have 1 remaining class this spring.
May 16-19
Classes: Friday, night; Saturday, all day; Sunday, afternoon
Cost: $90
CPR/AED is required and will be offered the Thursday night before each class. For the application and more information contact Mike Reisinger, 972-907-8949, [email protected]
Youth Protection Training (YPT)
Avoid the rush, check your card and get it done. Training is valid for two years and you must retake the online course. If you are out of date, it is full stop. Go to my.scouting.org for this and other training opportunities. Don't forget Hazardous Weather Training and Range Activities Safety Training.
A huge amount of training material is available online, including position training and Youth Protection. Access your account here. If you don't have an account, it is easy to set one up. You can access your training records and set up a complete training program.
If you have any questions about training needs, please contact us at [email protected]
Camperships
We want every scout to attend Summer camp, Financial aid is available. More information about the process may be found here.
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops May 17, 2025 Advanced Registration Required.
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) course teaches Scouts with leadership positions about their new roles and the organizational and leadership skills needed to most effectively reach success in that role. Completion of ILST is a prerequisite for Scouts to participate in the more advanced leadership courses such as National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT).
This course is for every Scout in the troop who holds a leadership position, including all elected positions and any appointed positions at the discretion of the senior patrol leader. In some troops, this might mean that this course is for every Scout! More information.
Arapaho Chapter News
OA Chapter Meeting May 13, 2025, 7:30PM FUMC, Room 230
Contact [email protected] with questions.
The Order of the Arrow is an honor camper service organization. Each district has a chapter and members are chosen by their peers.
Crossover Arrows
Does your Pack need crossover arrows? We have you covered! Contact Kristine Schwope at [email protected]
Northern Trail has an active commissioner staff with deep scouting knowledge. Get to know your commissioner. Your commissioner can help you and your unit resolve problems and pass along some ideas to make your program even better. Our District Commissioner is Bram Franklin, who may be reached at: [email protected].
If you are having trouble reaching your commissioner, contact Bram and he will assist you.
Commissioner Service
Looking for a way to give back to scouting? New unit leaders need mentors who can help them navigate the trail. As you know it can be a little overwhelming. Training is available! Contact our district commissioner Bram Franklin [email protected] for more information.
Website and Newsletter
Our newsletter and website reach a very large audience in Northern Trail. If there is something scouting related which needs to be on the website or the newsletter, please do not keep it to yourself, let us know. [email protected]
If we need to fix a broken link or have incorrect information, please take a moment, and let us know. [email protected]
Do not keep the newsletter to yourself! Everyone in your unit should be receiving the newsletter and be aware of the website. sign up is easy, just send them to: Newsletter sign up . Do not forget to sign up on Circle Ten to receive updates from the council.
Looking for something in a recent newsletter? Several years of past newsletters may be found here.
Yours in Scouting,
John Slaughter
Northern Trail Communications Committee
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