- New Leadership Requirements
- Camp Mitigwa-News 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
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New Leadership Requirements |
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A Must Know for Leaders
Guide for Safe Scouting
Updates 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.
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Registration as a Merit Badge Counselor does not meet this requirement. See FAQ for list of adult fee-required positions.
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Cub Scout Programs – Overnight Exception: Cub Scout parents or legal guardians taking part in an overnight Cub Scout program with their own child or legal ward are not required to register as leaders. All adults must review the “How to Protect your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide” that can be found in the front of each Cub Scout Handbook. In addition, the parent or legal guardian must be accompanied by a registered leader at any time they are with youth members other than their own child/ward. All other overnight adults must be currently registered in an adult fee-required position.
How to Become a Registered Adult Leader in Mid-Iowa Council
The BSA is open to all who meet the requirements, and leaders are selected based on individual merit. Adult leaders must possess the moral, educational, and emotional qualities that the BSA deems necessary for positive leadership to youth. Before submitting their completed application packet to their unit leadership, adult applicants must also:
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Abide by the Scout Oath, Scout Law, and Scouter Code of Conduct. The Scouter Code of Conduct can be found HERE.
- Subscribe to the precepts of the Declaration of Religious Principle.
- Reside within the USA or a U.S. territory or be a U.S. citizen residing outside the USA.
- Be 21 years of age or older for primary leadership positions.
- Be 18 years of age or older for assistant leadership positions.
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Complete online Youth Protection training (YPT) and Leader Specific Training by going to my.scouting.org and creating an account.
- Completed application.
To finish the application process, complete the following and return to the Mid-Iowa Council:
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Completed adult application HERE
- Completed and signed Background Check Authorization form
- A printed copy of your Youth Protection Training certificate.
- Registration fees.
If you have any questions about the program updates or how to become a registered adult leader, please contact Mid-Iowa Council at 515-266-2135 or email midiowa.councilbsa@scouting.org
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Members of the Mitigwa Lodge were the first to be introduced to the Mitigwa Guardians. A new reservation and council program designed to recognize the individual's Scouting journey at the Mitigwa Scout Reservation. The Guardians has it's roots in a similar program dating to the 1940's and 50's, using beads or "Tallies" as a visual log of participation.
There are many activities that a Scout can earn their tallies for at camp all year, including summer camp, program weekends, trainings, and participation as lodge officer and event chair people.
Look for more information on campingiowa.org coming October 1st.
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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!
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Special Pricing Ends Nov 1st
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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.
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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
Twin Rivers September 14th at 6:30 pm
Maytag Scout Center
Prairie Winds September 12th
Virtual
Woodland Trails Virtual
Look for a link in your email.
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September 16th
Cambridge, Iowa
October 7th
Camp Akela
October 14th
Foster Acres
October 21
Maytag Scout Center
October 27-29
Camp Akela
Iowa Wild Scout Night
November 18th
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September 16th
Cambridge, Iowa
OA Vigil Weekend
September 22-23
Mitigwa Scout Reservation
September 23
Local 33 Training Center
Sept 29- Oct 1
Hickory Grove Park
Sept 29- Oct 1
Mitigwa Scout Reservation
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
Iowa Wild Scout Night
November 18th
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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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We would like to welcome our 2023 Vigil Class.
Andrew Antunez
Steve Antunez
Marsha Bailey
Thomas Brown
Cameron Harms
Josie Lewis
John Stephenson
Dan White
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Newsletters and details on upcoming events can be found at
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Cub Fun Days
October 7, 2023
Come out to Camp Akela to help with parking and providing lunch for the Cub Scout 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.
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Lodge Leadership Development Conference
November 4, 2023
Maytag Scout Center
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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. |
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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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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!
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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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Campout Safety Checklist
SUMMARY
Camping is a long-honored tradition for many families, including the BSA family. Timing, supplies, and location should be determined ahead of time so you can make the most of your camping experience. There might be some instances where you overthink or underestimate a camping trip, but there are also many ways to enjoy the adventure, fun, discovery, and teamwork involved. A campout safety checklist will help to ensure these aspects of camping are accomplished while keeping you safe.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Camping can be enjoyable in almost any area—from the backcountry to summer camp, as well as national high-adventure bases, to name a few. When you decide on a camping trip, you need to consider who, what, where, when, how, and why.
Here are a few items to check off on your Campout Safety Checklist:
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Documentation Needed—This includes medical records, guidebooks, and permission slips. A Scout leader can ensure your safety as well as his or her own when you are both better informed of any limitations, hazards, or permissions.
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Training—General training, such as Youth Protection training, CPR/first aid, and Hazardous Weather, or specific training, such as Trek Safely or Wilderness First Aid, gives you the confidence to know what to do in the event of an emergency.
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Planning—Planning is important. Become familiar with your campsite location and do some research about the weather, licensing/permit requirements, and project or activity guidelines so you can be prepared.
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Equipment—Plan for vehicles involved or tools necessary for your camping experience. Also consider trailer requirements and first-aid or emergency kits.
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Emergency Planning—A prepared Scout is a confident Scout. Keep a cellphone handy as well as a list of local authorities (fire department, police, hospitals, etc.) in case an emergency occurs, such as inclement weather or a lost Scout. If you are in the backcountry, canyons, or a remote location, coverage may be one to two hours away. A GPS tracking/messaging device is helpful in these locations.
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Program—Know your program. There should be age-appropriate activities, safety equipment, proper supervision, and a discussion on potential hazards.
RESOURCES
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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.
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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!
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Scouting Trailblazer Award Recognition
"S.T.A.R."
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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.
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Welcome to the Eagle's Nest
Congratulations to the Newest Class of Eagle Scouts
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Upcoming Scout Shop Holidays
Labor Day
September 4, 2023 - Closed
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Upcoming Admin Office Holidays
Labor Day -
September 4, 2023
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Mid-Iowa Council | 6123 Scout Trail | Des Moines, IA | 50321 | 515-266-2135 |
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