November 2023 Edition

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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 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.

Scouting for Food

Pick-up your door hangers at the Council Office! Just ask the front desk during normal business hours.



To ensure our Scouts safety please carefully watch the Scouts and stay on sidewalks, and watch for vehicles

INTO ALL THINGS WATER?

So are we ! 

Jump onboard our next meeting and check us out.

Sunday afternoons 1-4: November 12, December 17, January 28

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/

Who is your favorite superhero?

This summer at Camp Minsi your Scouts can explore their superpowers while defending humanity! With fun activities to complement our amazing existing programs, Scouts will have a full day of fun activities to stretch their Scouting skills. Sign Up Today!

www.campminsi.org 

Overnight camping for Cub Scouts, Scouts, BSA and Venturing/Sea Scouts

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

Week 2 June 30: Cub Scout Resident Camp & STEM CAMP (info coming soon)

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 &

NEW – Venturing and Sea Scout Week – More info coming soon

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

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

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

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!

Save the Date!

https://fevogm.com/event/FlyersMinsiTrailsCouncilFundraiser

 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

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

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 historictrails@minsitrails.org.  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 

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