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Trail Signs
December 2024 - January 2025
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Service above self! Trail Signs is our bi-monthly newsletter. | |
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Please take note of upcoming Council Service Center Closings:
- Council Service Center - December 24-25
- Council Service Center - December 31
- Council Service Center - January 1
- Scout Shop - November 28
- Scout Shop - December 22 - January 2
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Winter Rendezvous 2025
January 17-19, 2025
Maumee Scout Reservation
12975 West County Road 925 North, Norman, Indiana
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The FEAST has an amazing menu (as always). Have you ever heard of Saarleaender Eintopf mit Raibrot, or Clafoutis, or Mandazi? Be prepared to try these new exciting foods at the Rendezvous FEAST!
New Klondike stations and challenge course events! Muzzleloaders, Shotguns, Tomahawks, and Biscuit cutting again this year! Practice your knots and hitches and fire building skills, but broaden your range because at the Rendezvous we like to think beyond the basics.
Once again early registration comes with benefits.
* Pre-Register up to 2 sleds time slots
* Pre-Register for tokens to the shotgun and muzzleloader stations
* Pre-Register your Feast Seating preference
* Pre-Register your campsite preference (units who have financially sponsored a dedicated campsite will be given top priority for the campsite which they have sponsored.)
The sooner your unit registers the sooner your unit has opportunities to pre-register for those items listed above. Plan your January camping experience now by registering for the Winter Rendezvous.
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Special Holiday Popcorn Sale | |
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Starting now through December 15, Scouts and Scouters will be offered a special opportunity to enable great adventures through this extra popcorn effort that is independent from the fall sale. This is a great way for units and Scouts to reach or exceed their selling goals and put more commission into your bank account. This sale can be through wagon sales or store fronts as we have a large supply of popcorn available for check-out at the Council Service Center with no risk. That’s right, you can get your supply of popcorn and sell all that you want and then return any surplus with no stocking fees! We will offer the entire lineup (except chocolate pretzels) for your Scouts to sell. They are also free to sell many great products online. We would like to clear as much as we can before the holidays and reward you for your efforts. Commissions will start at 35% and increase by 1% for every $1,000 your unit sells.
It’s easy and we need your help!
- Encourage your Scouts to sell to their families and neighbors over Thanksgiving break.
- Units do not need to coordinate the sale for their Scouts, they can turn in their order to the Council directly.
- Encourage your Scouts to visit VFW’s, police & fire stations and like organizations and ask them to help support Scouting by purchasing a hero’s donation.
- Encourage your Scouts to do an online sale Blitz – this is the easiest way to earn money! No product or money must be exchanged! Visit www.trails-end.com and create an account to sell online!
- Encourage your Scouts to ask the business’ that their families frequent to support Scouting through the popcorn sale.
Send your completed order form to Kevin Trojan, Kevin.Trojan@Scouting.org
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- Scouts can download the order form here
- Orders will be delivered mid-December. Dates and times will be communicated through email with the units/families that sell. Please make sure to include your name and Scout unit on your email order submission.
- Payment is due to the Council by December 30, 2024
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Commissions earned will go to the local Scouting unit
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Cub Scout STEM-O-Ree
February 15, 2025
Ivy Tech Community College
200 Daniels Way, Bloomington, IN
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Join us on February 15, 2025 at Ivy Tech in Bloomington for this awesome one-day FREE Cub Scout activity that supplements local pack programming and brings innovation and excitement into your pack! Participants will have the opportunity to learn about many STEM-related Cub Scout activities: Computers and Design, Physics, Science, Astronomy, Mathematics, Engineering, Robotics, and more. This activity is designed to last all day with check-in starting at 8:15 and closing at 3:15 pm. Events will be scheduled and in sequential order throughout the day.
The entire family is welcome to this great event that gives a jump start on earning requirements towards Cub Scout advancements and will pique interest in cool technologies and arts of today!
Please remember to pack a sack lunch or enjoy some of the great restaurants located close by for your convenience.
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East Side Merit Badge Day & Training EXPO
February 22, 2025
Ivy Tech Community College
590 Ivy Tech Dr, Madison, IN
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Hoosier Trails Council is hosting a Merit Badge Day & a Training EXPO February 22, 2025 at IVY Tech in Madison. This event is free for Hoosier Trails Council adults and youth that register by February 14, 2025. Adults and youth from outside Hoosier Trails Council or ones that are not registered before February 14th will be charged a $5 fee and are not guaranteed an event patch.
We will have Adult Leader breakout sessions (Training EXPO) happening throughout the day. Session 1 starting at 9:30am and Session 2 starting at 1:30pm, allowing adults to get their units off to classes and be back in time before they come back for lunch or leave.
All classes will have a limit of 20 Scouts, unless noted. We are limiting troops to only 4 Scouts per merit badge, per session to allow an equal opportunity to all. The goal is to try and complete the merit badges on this day, but many of the merit badges have prerequisites that the scout needs to bring signed off, evidence from their parents and/ or Scoutmaster, or need to bring in the work. Registration will open soon!
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Council Spring Camporee
March 7-9, 2025
Maumee Scout Reservation
12975 West County Road 925 North, Norman, Indiana
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Get Ready for the WILDEST Camporee EVER at Maumee Scout Reservation on March 7-9, 2025!
Think you have what it takes to survive? This isn't your grandma's camporee, but the “Oregon Trail” is a lot older! Get ready for a weekend of immersive adventure at the East and West Spring Camporee. Team up with your troop and your AOLs for an unforgettable experience. We're talking character role-playing, crazy music-making with bizarre instruments, and food challenges that will blow your mind (and maybe your taste buds!). Explore the mysteries of Bartertown and strategize your survival against crazy challenges where you and your patrol will need all your wits to survive the trail as you start and try to get to the end. This is a total game-changer – you'll be talking about this one for years! Lock it in your calendars and sign up ASAP – spots will disappear faster than free pizza!
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2025 SUMMER ADVENTURES FOR EVERYONE!
Maumee Scout Reservation is nestled in the northern section of the Hoosier National Forest providing an environment surrounded by pristine wilderness with a crystal-clear private lake. You may see deer, turkey, hawks, osprey, snakes, frogs, birds of all types and even bald eagles, not to mention the beautiful night sky and sunrises over Lake Tarzian.
Visit HoosierMaumee.org for more information.
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Cub Scout Family Camp – July 18-20, 2025
This is a “don’t miss event” for all Cub Scouts (Kindergarten – 4th Grade) that is sure to be one of the most enjoyable Scouting experiences of the year. Spend time in our different program areas throughout camp, learning and having fun. You will have an opportunity to enjoy beautiful Lake Tarzian to fish and swim or perhaps try a kayak for the first time. Spend time in our Handicraft area to make a special project to take home or advance your Scout skills at our Scout Craft area. Shooting Sports will be open so you can see how well you can find your target, or you can go on a beautiful hike to see all that Maumee has to offer. Bring your own tent, sleeping bags, and personal gear. All meals will be provided.
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Scouts BSA Summer Camp – Week 1: June 1-7, Week 2: June 8-14, Week 3: June 15-21, Week 4: June 22-28
2025 SITE SAVER NOW OPEN – Save your spot for 2025 Today! Visit HoosierMaumee.org
Scouts can spend time at evening programs to enjoy the best lake in Indiana, throw tomahawks, shoot rifle, do some branding, play ga-ga ball, and more. During the daytime hours Scouts can choose from over 50 merit badge offerings to work on their trek to Eagle Scout. For older Scouts that may not need any badges or just want different opportunities, we have you covered as well in our Eagle Landing and Mountain Man areas where you can try activities and partake in adventures designed specifically for the older Scouts including Cowboy Action Shooting. Summer Camp is one of the top experiences any Scout will have, enjoying a week-long adventure in the outdoors while making new friendships and deepening existing ones with other members of your Scouts BSA Troop. The memories made during camp will remain with you for the rest of your life.
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Summer Camp Staff Application
Maumee Scout Reservation provides life-changing experiences to hundreds of Scouts each summer. Programs and employment opportunities include positions in Aquatics, Eagle Quest, Shooting Sports, Nature, Handicraft, STEM and Skilled Trades, Scoutcraft, Trading Post, Dining Hall Operations and many more. If you are 14 years old or older and would like to be a part of the Maumee family helping change the lives of our Scouts and ourselves, please click on the link above and apply today!
Plan your Summer Adventures at Maumee Scout Reservation!
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Winter Feast
We have a lot to celebrate, and this past year will be highlighted at our annual Winter Feast event hosted at the Seasons Lodge in Nashville on January 4th, 2025. We encourage all members to attend and recognize our past youth officers as we welcome our leadership team for the coming year. A great dinner will be served, and special awards will be presented to distinguished members for all their hard work and service. Please do not miss out on this great opportunity! Register today for this awesome event!
River Pass
Register today for your 2025 River Pass - All Access, annual dues are included! This is a great way to save time and money. Get your River Pass and automatically be signed up for ALL activities and events for our lodge. *This pass is not valid for section or national events*
NOTE: If you completed your Ordeal in 2024 your dues for 2025 have already been paid. Select the River Pass only option during signup. Register today for this opportunity!
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Webpages to Support Scouting Operations | |
We have been hard at work developing resources to broaden communications and improve the level of service provided by the council website, check them out today:
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FUNDING AWESOME SCOUTING ADVENTURES | |
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Scouting License Plates
These plates can be used as standard vehicle registration plates for passenger cars, recreational vehicles and trucks weighing less than 11,000 pounds. This is not a vanity plate, so special numbers or messages cannot be accommodated. Your plate selection is good until your next registration renewal. When you purchase an Indiana Scout license plate, you indicate your personal support of Scouting and add financially to the Hoosier Trails Council Endowment. How can you participate? When you renew your plates, an additional fee is added on to your basic renewal fees, and that money is contributed to the Hoosier Trails Council endowment fund.
Renew Plates Online: Currently, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles offers Online Registration for your vehicle. Once you create an account, you can choose your specialized license plate. It's fast, easy and best of all - no standing in line!
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Support the Hoosier Trails Council in Non-traditional Ways
One way in which you and your family can help support the work of our council is through registration in the Kroger Community Rewards Program! By simply buying your family’s groceries, you can help contribute to our council’s overall success. Sound easy enough? Get on board today.
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ADULT & YOUTH TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES | |
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National Youth Leadership Training
July 7-12, 2025
Maumee Scout Reservation
12975 West County Road 925 North, Norman, Indiana
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National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) provides participants with the knowledge
and skills required to effectively lead a troop program. Overall, participants will walk away from course with greater confidence in their ability to communicate, teach, and solve problems. Our hope is that each participant takes what they learn and applies their new skills at the troop and service area level.
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) provides participants with the knowledge and skills required to effectively lead a troop program. Overall, participants will walk away from course with greater confidence in their ability to communicate, teach, and solve problems. Our hope is that each participant takes what they learn and applies their new skills at the troop and service area level.
Congratulations and good luck to Micah, Talia, and Cooper to being our troop youth leaders for our next course in 2025!
Limited participant spots are available so register now before they are filled! Participant cost is $370. A deposit of $50 will hold your scout's spot for the 2025 NYLT course. A discount of $25 is available to all who register and pay in full by March 25, 2025. Final payment is due by April 30, 2025. Limited scholarships are available.
Contact Terri Lee when you register at 812-336-6809 if financial assitance is needed or if you need assistance with registration.
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Wood Badge Training:
Register for 2025!
Hoosier Trails Council will host the next course at Maumee Scout Reservation on September 5-7 and September 27-28, 2025. It may sound like a long way down the trail but now is the time to reserve your spot! Imagine an advanced leadership course specifically designed to excel both your Scouting and professional careers. Now take that training and add fun, practical methods to bring it home, making it real for you and your team. Wood Badge is designed to drive awareness within you and how to recognize in others the 14 leadership competencies to assist in driving your group to success.
Wood Badge is a premier training course which is designed to meet the advanced leadership needs of all Scouters, particularly unit level Scouters, such as Cubmasters, Scoutmasters and assistants, Venturing Crew Advisors, Committee Chairs and members.
Additionally, Scouters serving at the local and council levels can achieve greater effectiveness through Wood Badge.
By taking Wood Badge, Scouters will acquire valuable tools such as listening, communicating, conflict management, project planning, and leading change. Scouters will learn skills that will make them a better Scout leader.
Units with trained leaders are able to deliver an improved program and a more meaningful experience for the youth Scouting serves. Reserve your spot today! The last course filled up and we expect this course to do the same.
Note*: Leaders must participate in both weekends to receive the full training and registration is through Hoosier Trails Council.
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Update Your Youth Protection Training
With fall membership season just around the corner, it is not too early to schedule your unit Youth Protection Training plan. Each year, any new adult that you have join your unit as a leader must go through and understand Scouting’s Youth Protection Guidelines. Recruitment time is the best opportunity each year that you will have to encourage your new parents to take this course online or in person. Scheduling this training up front will also put you in a good position for your unit recharter deadlines. Youth Protection Training is the best course around for sharing Scouting’s barriers to abuse and keeping our young people safe.
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What Defines a Good Safety Moment?
Keep these key criteria in mind:
- Conciseness: Limited to about one page and readable in 2 minutes or less.
- Focus: Addresses a single topic or a specific aspect of a larger subject.
- Audience Relevance: Tailored to the educational level of the audience.
- Delivery: Crafted for Scouts to present to fellow Scouts, with some topics suitable for adult-to-adult communication.
- Structure: Includes an opening statement, core information, a brief wrap-up, and at least one follow-up resource.
- Non-Specificity: Avoids references to or about specific individuals.
- Compliance: Conforms to BSA policies, practices, guidelines, and standards; excludes activities prohibited by BSA.
If you have a safety moment idea for the Scouting Safely website, share your draft with us at Health.Safety@Scouting.org, and we’ll consider it for publication.
Together, let’s grow a strong Culture of Safety in Scouting!
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Council Safety Webpage
This new page has been created to bring safety resources to your fingertips, so that our Scouting participants have safest adventures possible. We invite you to become familiar with this great resource: https://hoosiertrailsbsa.org/program-resources/scouting-safely/
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