District M Northern Star Scouting

08/25/2026

REPRESENT SCOUTING AT THE GREAT MINNESOTA STATE FAIR!
August 27 - September 7, 2026, State Fairgrounds, Falcon Heights, MN

WE STILL NEED HELP!!! Northern Star Council is excited to return to the great Minnesota State Fair in 2026! The fair takes place beginning Thursday, August 27 and continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Fairgoers can stop by for hands-on inflatable axe throwing to give youth a brief taste of outdoor Scouting! We're at the same location aas last year, at 1420 Underwood Street, just north of Wright Avenue.

Northern Star Council needs many energetic volunteers to work at the State Fair booth! Volunteers serve as general ambassadors for our Scouting programs; help youth register to participate at the axe throwing course; and help with the axe throwing equipment. This year volunteers will be working weekdays, weekends and Labor Day sfifts. We need two volunteers per shift on weekdays and four volunteers per shift on the weekends. Youth ages 14 and older may volunteer if they are accompanied by an adult parent, guardian or leader.

When you volunteer, you receive TWO FREE TICKETS to get into the fair; one to volunteer and another for someone to join you when you're done with your shift! The tickets will be available in August, to be picked up at the Northern Star Leadership Center at Base Camp.

Updated August 25

o THURSDAY, AUGUST 27 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - FULL 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM - FULL

o FRIDAY, AUGUST 28 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - FULL 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM - FULL

o SATURDAY, AUGUST 29 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - FULL 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM - FULL

o SUNDAY, AUGUST 30 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - FULL 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM - 3 OPEN

o MONDAY, AUGUST 31 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - FULL 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM - 2 OPEN

o TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - FULL 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM - 2 OPEN

o WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - 2 OPEN 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM - FULL

o THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - FULL 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM - FULL

o FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - FULL 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM - FULL

o SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - 2 OPEN 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM - 5 OPEN

o SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - 2 OPEN 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM - 3 OPEN

o MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 (LABOR DAY) 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - 5 OPEN 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM - FULL

REGISTER ONLINE at https://scoutingevent.com/250-sfvols26
Registration for each day closes the prior evening.
All volunteers are required to read the Information document available on the registration page. Please review the map and read the Information to be sure you know where to go when you volunteer.

Reach out to State Fair Committee Chair Mary Lillemo at manylillemo@gmail,com or 651-490-1218 or Activities Director John McDermid at [email protected] or 612-261-2329 if you have questions or need assistance.

08/25/2026

BE THERE FOR THE DISTRICT M SEPTEMBER ROUNDTABLE!
September 3, 2026, Saint Edwards Church, Wayzata, MN

Please join us for the next District M Roundtable on Thursday, September 3, beginning at 7:00 PM. This month we're doing Cub Scout Den Leader training. This 90-minute course is being led by your Unit Commissioner team. We need trained leaders in order to deliver a quality program for our Cub Scouts, so gather your Den Leaders and come to Roundtable to complete thiss very importaant first step in being a trained leader.

Contact Sheldon Way at [email protected] or 612-261-2344 if you have questions r need assistance.

08/25/2026

ARROWMEN - DON'T MISS THE NEXT OA SHORELINES CHAPTER M MEETING!
September 3, 2026,Saint Edwards Church, Wayzata, MN

Come join us at the Order of the Arrrow Shoreline Chapter meeting on Thursday, September 3 starting with flags at 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Saint Edwards Church, 865 North Ferndale Road in Wayzata. All adult and youth Order of the Arrow members are encouraged to attend. OA Unit Representatives - this is the place to get the information to take back to your Troop to keep all your OA Scouts informed from the Chapter, Lodge and National level. Please wear Scout Class A field uniforms and OA Sash when you attend. Meet your fellow Arrowmen from around the Chapter.

Contact Chapter M Adviser Jim Smyth at [email protected] if you have questions or need assistance.

08/25/2026

ATTEND CENTRAL MINNESOTA WOOD BADGE THIS FALL!
September 25-27 and October 10-11, 2026, Parker Scout Reservation, Nisswa, MN

REGISTRATION ENDS TODAY!!! Wood Badge is an advanced leadership training course for Scouting worldwide which helps you in your volunteer service, your career, and in your personal life. Wood Badge is for any registered adult Scout volunteer or professional. It teaches skills necessary to be an effective leader and communicator, helps foster personal growth, and helps strengthen our Units.

Please join us on Friday, September 25 to Sunday, September 27 AND Saturday, October 10and Sunday, October 11, 2026. Attendance all five days is required. The course takes place at Parker Scout Reservation, 21930 Paradise Drive near Nisswa, Minnesota, located on North Long Lake. Participants stay in Miller Castle the first weekend and tent camp the second weekend. There is a course orientation on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 6:00pm at the Council office.

WOOD BADGE FEE:
o $250.00 early bird fee if registered by March 1, 2026.
o $350.00 per person if registering after March 1, 2026. All fees must be paid by August 25, 2026. There are only 48 participants allowed so sign up now!
o If a financial hardship prevents you from registering for the course, please contact us as scholarship money does exist.

REGISTER ONLINE at https://scoutingevent.com/296-WoodBadge2026
Registration closes on August 25, 2026.

Contact Camp Program Manager Holly Carlson at [email protected] if yyou have questions or need asistance.

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

CUB LEADERS - HERE'S YOUR CHANCE TO ATTEND BALOO TRAINING!
September 26-27, 2026, Stearns Scout Camp, South Haven, MN

Calling all Cub Scout leaders in charge of the Pack's outdoor experiences! This is your opportunity to attend required BALOO training! This course is being held at Stearns Scout Camp, 3303 County Road 44 in South Haven, Minnesota on Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27. One BALOO-trained leader is required on all Cub Scout camping outings. The training allows Webelos Den Leaders to take their Den camping independently of the Cub Scout Pack.

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation, or BALOO, training covers topics from health and safety to the logistics of planning and running a successful camping trip for your Pack. You learn about program planning, meal preparation and food safety, camping gear selection, water safety, and campfire program planning, and you get hands on experience with group games, skits and songs, and traditional Scouting skills like pocketknife use and safety, map and compass, knot tying, hiking, and first aid. BALOO training ensures your campingg outings are covered under Scouting America insurance, plus gives you resources for creating a fun camping program and saving money!

This course does include an overnight camping experience. Participants should bring a tent, sleeping bag, camp chair, personal items, clothing appropriate to the weather, a water bottle, notebook, pen, and a day pack.

There's a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, September 23 to cover the classroom portion of the BALOO training. If you're unable to make it to this event, please email Rick Mitchell to discuss alternatives.

COST for this training is $45.00 if you register by August 31, 2026; $50.00 after that date.
Meals are provided from lunch Saturday through breakfast Sunday. Please indicate food allergies or dietary needs on the Registration form.

REGISTER ONLINE at https://scoutingevent.com/250-baloo2026fall
Registration closes on September 20, 2026.

Contact Instructor Michelle Rutledge at 952-212-0509 or Rick Mitchell at [email protected] if you have questions or need asssistaance.

08/25/2026

DON'T MISS THE BASE CAMP SCOUT SHOP POP-UP SALE!
September 25-26, 2026, Saint Edwards Church, Wayzata, MN

Get your full unifform needs and so much more at the Base Camp Scout Shop Pop-Up Sale, to be held at Saint Edwards Church, 865 North Ferndale Road in Wayzata on two great days --
o Friday, September 25, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
o Saturday, September 26, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

o SAVE 10 PERCENT on uniform bottoms when you purchase any matching uniform top Offer good through December 31, 2026
o SAVE 20 PERCENT on a full Cub Scout uniform - top, bottoms, belt, neckerchief, clide, cap and socks; full Scouts BSA and Venturing uniform - top, bottoms, belt, cap, and socks Offer good through October 31, 2026

Contact BAsee Camp Scout Shop at [email protected] or 612-261-2490 if you have questions or need assistance.

08/25/2026

BECOME A CERTIFIED CLIMBING TOWER VOLUNTEER!
October 10-11, 2026, Northern Star Base Camp, Fort Snelling, MN

Join us for Volunteer Climbing Tower Training on Northern Star Base Camp, Team Building Center, 6202 Bloomington Road in Fort Snelling on Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM each day.

Successful completion of this training course allows volunteers to operate any climbing tower at Northern Star Council camp properties. To attend, you must be at least 21 years old, attend both days of training andd pass a skills aassessment at the end of the course.
NOTE: This training DOES NOT include Natural Rock Climbing or High Ropes facilitation.

COST is $125.00 per person. Please bring your own lunch.

REGISTER ONLINE at https://scoutingevent.com/250-2026climbingtraining
Registration closes on September 25, 2026.

Contact Base Camp Program Direcctor Kendra Burbank at [email protected] or 612-261-2471 if you have questions or need assistance.

08/25/2026

EXPAND YOUR SKILLS WITH NRA FI****MS TRAINING THIS SUMMER!
Various Dates and Locations

Join us for upcoming National Rifle Association (NRA) training opportunities and become certified in Shotgun, Rifle, Pistol, or Range Safety Officer (RSO) instruction.

Whether you're looking to support Scouting programs, volunteer at the range, or build your own knowledge and confidence, these courses provide valuable training with an emphasis on safety and responsibility. Register today and take the next step!

o NRA RANGE SAFETY OFFICER - Course 927875 Saturday, September 19, 2026, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Kimball Rod and Gun Club 9837 Willow Creek Road, Kimball, Minnesota COST: $125.00 per person
o BASIC PISTOL SHOOTING - Course 927877 Sunday, September 20, 2026, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Kimball Rod and Gun Club 9837 Willow Creek Road, Kimball, Minnesota COST: $125.00 per person

REGISTER ONLINE at https://www.nrainstructors.org/coursedetails.aspx?courseid=(above number)

Contact Instructor Robb Feldhege at [email protected] if you have questions or need assistance about the classes.