- Camp Director Message
- Camp Mitigwa - New for Scouts BSA
- Camp Akela-News for Cub Scouts
- Upcoming Events
- Order of the Arrow
- High Adventure
- Training
- Unit Resources
- Silver Beaver
- NESA
- Eagle Nest
- Scout Shop - Sales
- Maytag Scout Center
|
|
|
“Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!”
― Humbert Wolfe
|
|
There is something special about autumn at Camp. As the air becomes a bit crisper each morning, the voices of scouts penetrate the breeze lifting the colors off the trees and painting the paths. Smoke rising up from a troop’s campfire in the fall, to me, smells a little sweeter than those of the summer, and the aroma of a fresh baked cobbler wafts past the forest, to tempt me to never leave.
One of my first experiences at Camp Mitigwa was a fall campout with my troop, older scouts worked with us first years on our lashings and fire building skills. This was my first experience with a Scouter and the Red Wool jacket. The camp master that weekend stopped by our camp inviting us to a campfire that evening with the other troops that were in camp, cost of admission was one skit. I had great fun that evening. The temperatures, dipped a little more that night, and I learned that I could survive the cold in a tent. (OK so the cold was about 40 degrees, but I survived it).
Now that we have turned the calendar page into October the Mitigwa Scout Reservation has a lot to look forward to with many events planned to get your Scouts back camp for a day or for the weekend. We have Cub Fun Day on October 7, allowing our newest members to come and enjoy camp, and get a feel for what is in store for them next summer at Akela. This is always an exciting event where we will be expecting over 1000 Scouts and parents to attend.
On the weekend of October 20 we will have our training teams on site to work with new adult leaders in the skills that they need to take Scouts into the great outdoors. BALOO training will be held at Camp Akela, to prepare Cub Scout Leaders to take their packs camping. IOLS is for Scouts BSA leaders to learn the same skills that a Scout learns to get to first class, while covering the essentials that every leader should know while camping with their troops. These courses are required to be considered a “TRAINED” leader.
Finally, on October 28, we will host our first Haunted Harvest event at Camp Akela, There, will be a variety of basic and premium activities for our Cub Scouts to participate in, such as face painting, bounce houses and much more. For our Scouts BSA members we invite you to put together a food stand to earn a little extra money for your troop. In the evening we will have a haunted hike and a tent or treat event for all to participate in. Then we will have movies for the cubs and Scouts to watch. If your troop is interested in helping man the event, providing a food venue or just camping out with us please contact me at scott.robinson@scouting.org. If you are a cub pack interested in coming up please visit campiowa.org for more information.
You are also invited to come out and just walk the camp and enjoy the breeze painting the trails with the colors from the trees. Camp is open on the weekends, (Sunday afternoons by appointment) and Monday through Friday 9 AM to 5PM (Evenings by appointment) I would love to have you come visit and enjoy the wonders of Mitigwa in the Fall.
Scott Robinson
Camping Director
|
|
Haunted Harvest
October 28, 2023
Come join in the fun at this fall celebration. Raise funds for your troop activities by running a food stand for the participants. In the evening you can participate in a Spooky Night Hike. Challenge participants to a scout skill or hand out a treat. This is a great way to meet new scouts that may want to join your troop. End the night with a Scouts BSA activity just for you!
|
|
Special Pricing Ends Nov 1st
|
|
|
Fun for the Whole Family
Pedal cars, Shooting Sports, Games, Fishing, Spooky Night Hike, Tent or Treat Costume Contest, Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Premium Activities
Food Trucks, Face Painting, Balloon Animals, Bounce Houses
Find more information on our website.
|
|
|
As we celebrate our 100th Anniversary of the first Scout Camp at Mitigwa, we should all be proud of the impact of Scouting on the lives of Iowa’s young people. Build your legacy by making a gift to the Mitigwa Legacy Campaign to secure the next 100 years of Scouting on the “Hills above the River."
|
|
Round Tables
Twin Rivers October 12th at 6:30 pm
Maytag Scout Center or virtually
Prairie Winds October 10th at 7:00 pm
City Church in Ames or virtually
Woodland Trails Virtual
Look for a link in your email.
|
|
October 7th
Camp Akela
October 14th
Foster Acres
October 21
Maytag Scout Center
October 27-29
Camp Akela
November 18th
|
|
October 20-22
Grinnell Scoutland
October 21
Maytag Scout Center
October 27-29
Camp Mitigwa
OA Lodge Leadership
Development Conference
November 4th
Maytag Scout Center
November 18th
|
|
Please pay your 2023 dues so that you can be involved in our upcoming activities and receive all of our communications
|
|
DON'T MISS OUT!
Chapter Meeting Dates
Prairie Winds - Tuesday, October 10th at 7:00 PM - City Church of Ames, (2400 Oakwood Rd. Ames, IA)
Twin Rivers - Thursday, October 12th at 7:00 PM - Mini Golf
Woodland Trails- Thursday, October 12th at 7:00 PM - Virtual
Watch your email for more details on meeting information.
|
|
|
Cub Fun Day
October 7, 2023
Come to Camp Akela to help with parking and providing lunch for the Cub Scouts at Cub Fun Days. This is the Lodge's primary fund raiser to help off set expenses for NOAC and other Lodge special events. We need help parking cars and in the kitchen serving lunch. You can also help with event stations where needed. This is a work day for your First Year Award and we can sign for Silver Cord Hours too.
|
|
|
Lodge Leadership Development Conference
November 4, 2023
Maytag Scout Center
|
This is a one day leadership training open to all Order of the Arrow members. Participants will learn important skills for leading that they can use in their troop and in all areas of life. They will have hands on activities to participate in to bring these leadership skills to life. We will end the day with our fall Lodge Executive Committee Meeting where our new leaders will approve our 2023-24 budget and other beginning of the year business items.
|
|
Newsletters and details on upcoming events can be found at
|
|
The Mid-Iowa Council Philmont Treks
2024
We plan to include over 50 Scouts and Adult Advisors in our 2024 Expedition.
We will organize those participants into five crews of 10-12 Scouts. Each crew will make their own choice of 35 available itineraries.
|
Philmont Scout Ranch, the Boy Scouts of America’s premier High Adventure™ base, challenges Scouts and Venturers with more than 214 square miles of rugged northern New Mexico wilderness. Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime in the rugged mountain wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo Range of the Rockies in northeastern New Mexico. This opportunity is open to individual Scouts or unit crews.
For additional information or to sign up contact:
Chuck Jordal
(515)279-8746
|
|
|
Be the BEST leader you can! Get Trained
Check out training opportunities below
|
|
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation
October 20-21 - Camp Akela
This course provides all the tools for Cub Scout leaders to plan their year round out door programming. How to plan an event, gear, activities, Duty to God, campfire program, knots, knives and so much more!
Each unit is required to have a BALOO trained adult leader at all outdoor events. Don't miss this fun and information packed training!
|
|
|
|
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills
October 20-21 - Camp Mitigwa
Take your outdoor camping skills to the next level at IOLS. This is the outdoor training portion for Scout Master training. You will expand your knowledge on skills such as orienteering, plant identification, axes & saws, gear, cooking and much more. How to use the EDGE method for teaching and mentoring these skills so your Troop is a youth lead group is covered throughout the training.
|
|
We need staff for NYLT 2024
College Credit Available
Attend NYLT Leadership Academy Summer 2024 to train for our staff
Scholarships are available to attend
This program can not happen without trainers
Youth and Adults Needed!
|
|
Established in 1931, the Silver Beaver Award is the highest award presented by the Boy Scouts of America, to council, district or unit volunteers for distinguished service to youth. Since then, of the thousands of volunteers who have served central Iowa youth, only 637 have received the Silver Beaver.
The Silver Beaver is given to those who implement the Scouting program and live its values through community service over many years. It is given to those who do not actively seek it.
Any adult may submit a nomination to recognize another leader with the Silver Beaver Award. You are welcome and encouraged to submit a nomination for a Scouting leader whom you feel deserves to be considered. Please keep in mind that your nominee will be considered solely on the information that you provide. Therefore, present your nominee's accomplishments in a clear and concise manner. Please do not inform the individual of the nomination that you are submitting.
The nomination deadline is November 15. Nominations must be submitted on an annual basis. Nominations not selected are returned to the person submitting the application so that they can be updated and resubmitted the following year.
|
|
Scouting Trailblazer Award Recognition
"S.T.A.R."
|
Join us in honoring
Apgar Family Fund's
Tom Apgar
This is a free event with a reception and presentation of the North Star Award beginning at 6:00 pm on October 26, 2023. There is a suggested donation of $100 per person.
|
|
|
|
2024 Leaders Luncheon
Join us for lunch with special guest
Allen Lazard
Allen is an Urbandale High School graduate, Iowa State Football Alumni and current New York Jets Wide Receiver. He will be joined by other special guests to celebrate leadership and leading the way in 2024.
Registration coming soon!
|
|
Welcome to the Eagle's Nest
Congratulations to the Newest Class of Eagle Scouts
|
|
|
Upcoming Scout Shop Holidays
We are OPEN October 9th. Come down and check out all our fall deals!
|
|
|
Upcoming Admin Office Holidays
October 9, 2023
|
|
Mid-Iowa Council | 6123 Scout Trail | Des Moines, IA | 50321 | 515-266-2135
|
|
|
|
|
|
|