Welcome to our 1923 throwback series with the original newsletter header.
Enjoy digital copies of the original May and June newsletters.
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- Summer Camp
- Upcoming Events
- Order of the Arrow
- High Adventure
- Training
- Eagle Nest
- NESA
- Unit Resources
- Scout Shop
- Maytag Scout Center
- Mitigwa Strong
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Scouting Minute
Matt Hill, Scout Executive
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I’ll never forget the first Sunday of Camp in 2019. For over a year we had been preparing for our first female Scouts BSA Troops to attend Camp that summer. Months of preparation, numerous conversations, town halls, and I’m sure some sleepless nights were had prior to that June day. And then, all of a sudden Troop 188 G was pulling through the gates, unloading, and checking into the Deere Center. In my mind, as soon as the moment happened, it passed, and we were back to Scout Camp as usual.
Fast Forward four summers later, many of those Scouts who attended Mitigwa that summer are back at Camp as staff members, teaching the next generation of Scouts (both boys and girls) that go to Camp this summer. As of today 386, females are enrolled in Scouting and 9 young ladies have attained the rank of Eagle since 2020.
As our membership continues to evolve, so does our Council’s leadership. For many years we have been blessed by strong female leaders on the unit, district, and Council levels. Most recently, Kandra Dickerson, past Mid-Iowa Council Commissioner, served as the Central Region Commissioner. Additionally, Kandra has given servant leadership to National and World Jamborees, numerous National Committees, and taught many courses at the Philmont Training Center.
One of our newest Executive Board members, Kathleen Riessen, is the mother of three Scouts and married to an Eagle Scout. In her professional life, Kathleen is a renowned author and speaker, multi-business owner, and podcaster. Kathleen just launched a weekly newsletter focusing on leadership in business. I’d urge each of you to check it out here at www.canoanstrategy.com.
Two of our afore mentioned Eagle Scouts and summer camp staff were recently nominated for the Boy Scouts of America Women of Character honor. The Women of Character committee selected 64 females, each who had achieved the rank of Eagle Scout as finalists for the award. Out of these 64 outstanding young ladies, two of our own Scouts, Hannah and Claudia, were selected as finalists, and Claudia will be representing Mid-Iowa Council as one of 10 young ladies chosen to attend the Woman of Character event at the Summit later this month. These two young ladies are the epitome of leaders forged by Scouting.
If you, one of your female leaders or Scouts are looking for additional Scouting resources, I would encourage you to check out our Supporting Women in Scouting (S.W.I.S.) group. For more information, e-mail our staff advisor Serica Maiers at Serica.Rowley@scouting.org to receive updates on meeting times, newsletters, and other great information.
Four years later, Mid-Iowa Council is proud of the efforts we’ve made to both grow and strengthen our Scouting program for our female Scouts. Boy or Girl, young or young at heart, our communities are better when there are young people Scouting. Have a great summer!
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Summer camp is under way at Camp Mitigwa and there are so many exciting things happening as we head into the next century of camping adventures on the Hills Above the River. |
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Observing the stars is easier as the observation platform is open again. The new high COPE course is an adventure all its own as scouts maneuver through challenges high above the ground. The lakefront has transformed into our full aquatics program and participants and staff are having fun using the lake full time for class and to stay cool! Staying cool away from the water has gotten easier too as the new Apgar Family Pavilion is open providing more gathering area in the shade. |
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Mitigwa Summer Games
August 7-10, 2023
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Youth and adults will spend three fun-filled days at camp participating in one of three specialty areas - COPE & Climbing, Shooting Sports, or Aquatics- at a recreational pace. Learn new skills and perfect old ones and experience your chosen area at a fun less pressured pace. Participants will get a one of a kind Summer Games hat and patch. Join us August 7-10, 2023!
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The Cub Scouts are having an out of this world adventure at Camp Akela this summer! Swimming, BB Guns, Bows, and Arrows are just the start. Don't miss out! There are still spots available to register your cubs! |
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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." |
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Round Tables
Round tables are on break for July but mark your calendars for fall kick off in August! Don't miss the fun!
Twin Rivers August 10th at 6:30 pm
Maytag Scout Center
Prairie Winds August 8th at 7:00 pm
City Church in Ames
Woodland Trails August 10th at 6:30
Peace Lutheran Church in Pella
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Pool Party
July 30th
Nevada
Twilight Camp
July 31st - August 4th
Maytag Scout Center
Story County Day Camp
August 12-13th
Ames
Cub Fun Day
October 7th
Camp Akela
Cub Fun Day
October 14th
Foster Acres
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Summer Games
August 7-10th
Camp Mitigwa
Welding Merit Badge
September 23
Local 33 Training Center
Fall Camporee
Sept 29- Oct 1
Woodland Trails Fall Camporee
October 20-22
Grinnell Scoutland
Jamboree on the Air
October 21
Maytag Scout Center
Philmont
June 2024
Philmont Scout Ranch
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Please pay your 2023 dues so that you can be involved in our upcoming activities and receive all of our communications
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Fall Fellowship - August 18-20 |
Fall Fellowship is right around the corner. Don't miss out on this fun event. Meet our new lodge members and spend time with old friends while we celebrate the start of another service year. Elections will be held for lodge and chapter officers. Finish your Ordeal or Brotherhood membership. The weekend will finish with our Vigil callout ceremony.
Register Today!
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We are excited to have completed Week 3 of Summer Camp! Monday nights at camp we host an ice cream social and service project for the Mitigwa Lodge. To date we have made 38 fleece tie blankets for local animal shelters. Callout on Wednesday night is always a highlight of the week and we are excited to have Ordeal opportunities at camp again this summer. Our Ordeal candidates have helped with many projects around camp. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date each week!
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Newsletters and details on upcoming events can be found at
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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.
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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
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Be the BEST leader you can! Get Trained
Check out training opportunities below
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Don't Miss Out!
Woodbadge Registration Now Open
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1. Is your Scouting unit one that runs flawlessly?
2. Do you notice something within your unit that causes you and/or your child anxiety?
3. Does your unit have “room for improvement”?
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Wood Badge is advanced leadership training in a Scouting setting, allowing adults to participate in a Scout patrol AND experience top notch leadership training in a single program. While building on the best traditions and experiences of the Boy Scouts of America, Wood Badge draws upon current leadership models used in corporate America, academic circles, and successful organizations throughout the country to share skills and ideas that can be taken back to your Scouting unit. Wood Badge is not is Scout skill training; the only Scout skill taught during Wood Badge is leadership. The principles and techniques that I learned during my course back in 2009 still apply today.
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We need staff for NYLT 2024
Youth and Adults needed!
This program can not happen without trainers
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Welcome to the Eagle's Nest
Congratulations to the Newest Class of Eagle Scouts
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New Leadership Requirements |
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Adult Registration Requirement to Take Effect September 1, 2023. (Effective September 1, 2023) Two registered adult leaders at least 21 years of age are required at all Scouting activities, including all meetings. There must be a registered female adult leader at least 21 years of age in every unit serving females.
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MERIT BADGE COUNSELORS NEED TO RENEW YEARLY
Merit badge counselor renewal process will take place in May. Be sure to attach your E-mail for your renewal notice starting in March. If you do not respond to the renewal notice you will not be able to teach merit badge classes. You can renew your merit badge counselor status any time between March and May. If you do not receive a renewal notice, contact the Maytag Scout Center 515-266-2135.
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Aquatics Safety—The BSA Way
Adult Audience Only
SUMMARY
Since the inception of Scouting, learning to swim and engaging in aquatics activities have been core to the program. More than 1.5 million aquatics-related merit badges have been earned by Scouts BSA since 2009. The BSA has also been a leader in promoting and providing training in aquatics safety. For at least 80 years, checklists have been in place to make sure those aquatic experiences are positive ones. Back in the 1940s there was the seven-defense method, a precursor to today’s Safe Swim Defense.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Take Scouts near any body of water—whether it’s a pool, lake, river, or ocean—and they have a natural desire to go swimming. Once Scouts have learned how to swim, they naturally want to progress into other aquatics activities, including sailing, rowing, canoeing, and rafting. There are plenty of age-appropriate aquatics activities.
But before that swim or row, we want everyone to have a plan and be on the same page when it comes to aquatics safety in the BSA program. The two key training prerequisites are Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat. These are not learn-to-swim or learn-to-paddle courses; they are the BSA way to conduct a safe and fun aquatics program.
Both courses can be found on my.Scouting.org and taken online anytime. All leaders are encouraged to take the training and at least one adult needs the training when unit aquatics activities are conducted. Upon course completion, leaders should be able to understand the key points of each program.
- Qualified supervision, personal health review, safe area, response personnel, lookout, ability groups, buddy system, and discipline make up the eight points of the BSA’s Safe Swim Defense.
- Qualified supervision, personal health review, swimming ability, life jackets, buddy system, skill proficiency, planning, equipment, and discipline make up the nine points of the BSA’s Safety Afloat.
Many camps and council aquatics committees offer these basic courses in person, in addition to higher-level skill courses for unit leadership including Aquatics Supervision: Swimming & Water Rescue and Paddle Craft Safety. Should older youth or leadership wish to further hone their lifesaving skills, BSA Lifeguard certification is available.
RESOURCES
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Upcoming Scout Shop Holidays
Independence Day
July 4, 2023 - Closed
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Field Days at
Maytag Scout Center
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During the month of June Maytag Scout Center was host to over 300 youth from kindergarten through 5th grade. These youth were able to have a taste of our Scouting program and given information on how to join. The youth and their adult leaders had a great time! Thank you to everyone that made this possible! If you would like to volunteer we will be having 3 more field days in the month of July.
July 10, 11, and 18th
For more information and to sign up to volunteerclick the link below.
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Upcoming Admin Office Holidays
Independence Day -
July 3-4, 2023
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To visit the Mitigwa Strong Memorial site
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Mid-Iowa Council | 6123 Scout Trail | Des Moines, IA | 50321 | 515-266-2135 |
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