Prickly Pear District - Montana Council Scouting America

06/14/2026

Last Chance to Register!
2026 K-M Scout Ranch Cub Scout & Webelos/AOL Camp

One of the promises of a great program is enjoying the outdoors. What better place to do that than K-M Scout Ranch?!

Cub Scout Camp: July 5 - 8, 2026 – This program is packed with high-interest activities for all ages of Cub Scouts: BBs, archery, fishing, swimming, boating, and more. Scouts will have opportunities to earn rank adventures as well! K-M’s modern facilities, including flush toilets and showers near every campsite, tents with built-in cots, and a modern dining hall serving delicious and filling meals, means your stay will be comfortable and relaxing.

Webelos/Arrow of Light Camp: July 8 - 11, 2026 – Offering rank adventures and opportunities to go boating, learn archery skills, and shoot BB’s. K-M’s modern facilities will make your camping experience safe and comfortable.
Space is Limited
Don’t wait – register today!

https://scoutingevent.com/315-CubCamp26

06/14/2026

💻 A First Look at ScoutConnect

One of the key initiatives highlighted on Scouting America's new Trail Map is "Implement Unified Technology Platforms." The goal is simple: make Scouting easier for youth, parents, volunteers, and unit leaders.

Coming in August 2026, Scouting America plans to launch a redesigned BeAScout website and registration process that will simplify joining Scouting and serve as a gateway to the new ScoutConnect platform.

Attendees at the National Annual Meeting were given a preview of ScoutConnect, which is designed to bring together membership, registration, and other Scouting functions into a more unified experience.

For Scouts BSA leaders, improvements in technology can mean:
✅ Simpler registration processes for new families
✅ Easier onboarding for youth and parents
✅ Reduced administrative burden on volunteers
✅ More connected tools and information

Want to see the preview for yourself?

🎥 Watch the ScoutConnect demo:
https://vimeo.com/1194524500/a373cf9d7b?fl=tl&fe=ec

As additional details are released, we'll continue sharing updates that impact Scouts BSA troops, leaders, and families.

06/14/2026

🦕🔥 What a dino-mite finish to Prickly Pear’s Dino Discovery Day Camp! 🔥🦕

On Friday, our young paleontologists uncovered the “fossilized” dinosaur eggs hidden in the nests they built earlier in the week. Scouts carefully excavated their discoveries and learned how volcanic eruptions and natural processes can contribute to fossil formation.

A huge thank you to our special guests, Laura Evilsizer, volunteer with Pack 207 and local archaeologist, along with members of the Helena Historical Society, who guided our Scouts through the process of archaeological digs and shared why studying history helps us better understand the world we live in today.

We wrapped up an incredible week with a closing “campfire” filled with Scout skits, songs, laughter, and recognition of our outstanding Scouts and dedicated volunteers who made this adventure possible.

Thank you to everyone who helped make Dino Discovery Day Camp a roaring success. We can’t wait to see where next summer’s adventures take us! 🦖⛺🏕️

06/12/2026

🦖 Prickly Pear Dino Discovery Day Camp – A Roaring Good Time! 🦕

Our Cub Scouts have been having an unforgettable prehistoric adventure at Dino Discovery Day Camp!

🌦️ Wednesday reminded us that Montana weather can be as unpredictable as the age of dinosaurs! Despite the changing conditions, our Scouts embraced the adventure and even got to meet Spot, our resident Triceratops. Campers used their creativity to build dinosaur habitats, sculpt clay dinosaurs, and construct nests in preparation for the possibility of baby Triceratops joining the herd.

Thursday brought beautiful Montana sunshine, and campers kicked off the day with plenty of camp songs, cheers, and enthusiasm. Scouts became junior paleontologists as they learned about fossils, discovered how dinosaur tracks are formed, and explored what we can learn from clues left behind millions of years ago.

From learning and exploring to building and imagining, our Cub Scouts have shown curiosity, creativity, and resilience every step of the way. We can’t wait to see what discoveries the rest of the week brings!

🦴🦕🌲

06/09/2026

Just in time for day camp!!

📣 Program Update: Certain Previously Prohibited Activities Are Now Allowed

Scouting America has updated its guidance regarding several activities that were previously prohibited. The following activities are now permitted when conducted safely and appropriately:

✅ Laser tag
✅ Low-pressure water guns
✅ Pie in the face activities

*Laser Tag and Water Gun guidance coming soon

As with all Scouting activities, leaders are expected to apply the principles of SAFE Scouting and follow all applicable safety guidance.

For “pie in the face” activities, Scouting America has published a detailed SAFE Checklist that includes:
🥽 Required eye protection
🥧 Proper pie materials and application methods
🪑 Safety procedures to reduce injury risk
🧼 Cleanup and first aid considerations

Key reminders include:
• Only consenting adults may receive pies in the face
• Pies should be placed gently — never thrown
• Disposable aluminum tins or paper plates only
• Eye protection is required
• Participants must be seated during the activity

👉 Read the official Pie in the Face SAFE Checklist here:
https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/pie-in-the-face-safe-checklist/

Scouting America continues to emphasize that safety is not just about rules—it’s about creating a culture of supervision, assessment, fitness, skill, and appropriate equipment and environment.

05/28/2026

🧭 New “Trail Map” Shared for Membership Growth & Organizational Strength

Scouting America has released a new “Trail Map” outlining key priorities and challenges facing the movement as leaders work toward long-term growth and sustainability.

Among the major themes identified:

🔹 Volunteering is too hard
🔹 Technology is the #1 organizational weakness
🔹 Fees are pricing families out
🔹 Training needs a complete redesign
🔹 Trust and alignment are fractured across levels
🔹 School and community partnerships are the #1 growth lever
🔹 The first-year experience is make-or-break
🔹 Eliminate what does not serve the mission

The update also included several major technology milestones planned over the next two years:

💻 Technology Updates
📅 August 2026 — New BeAScout and registration system
📅 August 2026 — Unified member ID / eliminate duplicate member IDs
📅 September 2026 — New renewal system
📅 December 2026 — Simplify: eliminate lapse
📅 December 2026 — Simplify: align unit renewal
📅 March 2027 — New Scoutbook
📅 April 2027 — Align member renewal to February

Much more information is expected in the future, but these updates provide an early look at areas of focus for strengthening the Scouting program and improving the volunteer and family experience.

05/28/2026

A fun and exciting day camp is planned for June 10-12

Get ready for three action-packed days of prehistoric adventure at Prickly Pear Dino Discovery Camp!

Registration closes June 9.

Prickly Pear District Cub Scout Day Camp   June 10-12, 2026Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds  Get ready for three act

05/24/2026

Apoxky Aio Lodge 300 is back on social media!
Follow the Lodge on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected with upcoming OA events, leadership opportunities, and lodge news. Please share with Arrowmen and Scouting families!

We’re back on Instagram & Facebook! 🎉
Get ready to see more Apoxky-Aio content, updates, and announcements coming your way.

05/21/2026

Prickly Pear District was proudly represented at Montana Council’s recent Wood Badge course!

Participants included:
🦉 Greg Cejka, Troop 1212 — Owl Patrol
🦌 Todd Wayne, Pack 4207, and Genie Funk, District Executive — Antelope Patrol
🐻 Rebekah Kamp, Troop 1207 — Bear Patrol
🐃 Terry Davis, District Vice Chair and Pack 4236, along with Jared Kamp, Troop 1207 — Buffalo Patrol

A special thank you to Rob Stapley and LeRoy Wosoba for serving as program facilitators, Dave Tallman for leading the Bear Patrol, and Jerry Blythe and Brian Hansen for keeping everyone fueled with outstanding meals throughout the two weekends.

Thank you all for your dedication to strengthening Scouting and developing leaders for the future!

02/13/2026

🪺🌲 Handcrafted with Character. Built with Leadership. 🌲🪺

At this year’s Prickly Pear Investment in Character and Leadership (ICL) Kickoff Lunch on February 17 at Carroll College, our table hosts will receive a very special thank-you gift — beautiful, handcrafted birdhouses made by Helena Scouts!

These birdhouses were thoughtfully designed and decorated by local youth ranging from Cub Scouts to Eagle Scouts, including members of the Order of the Arrow. Each one reflects creativity, teamwork, and the pride our Scouts take in serving their community.

Just like Scouting itself, these birdhouses represent more than craftsmanship — they symbolize growth, mentorship, and building something lasting.

We still have a few seats available for the luncheon and would love for you to join us in supporting Scouting’s impact across Helena.

For more information or to reserve your seat, please email
📧 Genie Funk, District Executive at [email protected]

Come see firsthand how Scouting is building the future — one young leader at a time.