Many Rivers Scouting - Northern Star Council, BSA

10/14/2026

OA Lodge Logo
Fall Fellowship is coming soon - October 25th at the Mall of America, Nickelodeon Universe!

**Registration closes THIS SUNDAY 10/18**

The Lodge is back with our annual Nickelodeon Universe Fall Fellowship Event on Sunday, October 25th from 11:30 a.m.- 7 p.m. Come enjoy great fellowship with your fellow arrowmen across our lodge, and experience hours of half-price rides and, in the evening, dinner plus a Lodge Program with a Lodge Program, awards, and more.

Can’t make it the whole day? There are two participation packages available: an all-day package with rides + the lodge evening program, and a partial package including only the lodge evening.

To Register : https://scoutingevent.com/250-fallfellowship26

Yours in Brotherhood, Cheerfulness and Service

Lodge Communications Team

2026 TOTANHAN NAKAHA LODGE FALL FELLOWSHIPRegistration Closes Sunday, October 18th at 11 pmThere is NO walk-in option. You must be pre registered!Wher

10/14/2026

Friends, Please help out by sharing Pier’s flyer, who currently needs new host family. He’s a smart, studious, helpful and kind young man who just needs a fresh start. Currently attending Forest Lake High School. We hope to keep him there, but we need a family to step forward to host him. Please share his flyer, thank you. Contact Annalese Wright for more info, 763-360-6901, [email protected]

10/12/2026

Scoutbook Plus Has New Merit Badge Counselor (MBC) Features
Merit Badge Classes – MBCs can now group the youth they counsel into "classes," which work much like patrols. Using Bulk Actions, they can quickly mark requirements complete and approved for the whole class at once.

Merit Badge Counselor Cleanup – Counselors still connected to a Scout will now be removed automatically one year after the merit badge is completed and approved. Any counselors who were still connected more than a year after completion have already been disconnected.

10/12/2026

You Have Leads!
As of the most recent report, the online registration system has more than 555 open leads (down 8% since last week) and 19,315 pending applications (up 2% since last week) awaiting follow-up. Each lead represents a family interested in learning more about Scouting, and each pending application is an excited new youth member who has already paid to join and is just waiting for unit approval.

10/12/2026

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE GREY WOLF NYLT STAFF?
Respond by November 1, 2026

If you have an interest in serving as a first-time or returning staff member at Grey Wolf NYLT in the summer of 2027, we invite you to fill out the Staff Interest Form found at https://scoutingevent.com/250-gw2027staffinginterest Pleasee be sure to fill in all information requested. Scouts assigneed to the staff teams will be invited to register, and make payment by December 15, 2026. First-year staff must attend a mandatory online orientation meeting on November 10.

Staff interest ressponsees are due by November 1, 2026.

Contact Training and Advancement Director Dave Arola at [email protected] or 612-261-2333 if you have questions or need assistance.

10/11/2026

🦅🎓 EAGLE SCOUTS — SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY!

Earning the rank of Eagle Scout is an incredible accomplishment — and it may also open the door to scholarships for your next educational adventure!

The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) offers scholarships to eligible Eagle Scouts pursuing college, associate degrees, or skilled trade programs.

💰 Scholarships range from $5,000 to $50,000, including several multi-year awards.
📅 IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2027
🦅 Eagle Board of Review: On or before January 24, 2027
📝 Application Portal Opens: December 1, 2026
⏰ Application Deadline: January 31, 2027, at 11:59 PM CST
🏆 Scholarship Awards Announced: June 10, 2027

Who can apply?

Applicants must be NESA members and may apply beginning in their senior year of high school through their junior year of an undergraduate program — or through the halfway point of an associate degree or skilled trade program.

Scholarships are available for eligible Eagle Scouts enrolled in or accepted by an accredited educational institution as a full-time student.

📣 Scout leaders, parents and Eagle Scouts — please share this information! A Scout who worked hard to earn Eagle may have another opportunity waiting because of that achievement.

🦅 Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle.

https://nesa.org/scholarships/

10/10/2026

Big Thank You to all the scouts, scouters and volunteers this morning. We had scouts from 9733, 9142 and 9249 on hand for the project. 61 yards of wood chips, 12 scouts & scouters, 2 hours!!

10/09/2026

LOOK BACK AS YOU LOOK FORWARD WITH THE HISTORIC TRAILS AWARD

Northern Star Council supports three local Historic Trails in our area. Units can hike these special trails where history and physical fitness come alive, bridging learning and outdoor activity. Check out the three trails below, and follow the links to the requirements. All Historic Trail Award patches are available from the customer service desk at the Northern Star Leadership Center, 6202 Bloomington Road in Fort Snelling during office hours.

FORT SNELLING HISTORIC TRAIL -- Explore history in an urban area on this trail through Minnehaha Park, Historic Fort Snelling at Bdote and Fort Snelling State Park. It's a great opportunity to learn about local history right in our Council's backyard. This trail was designed with the help of educators from the Minnesota Historical Society to teach participants about the Fort and surrounding area. You'll go through Minnehaha Park, Coldwater Spring, Historic Fort Snelling and Fort Snelling State Park. Requirements athttps://www.northernstar.org/Portals/0/Historic%20Trail%20Requirements%20Fort%20Snelling.pdf

L'ETOILE DU NORD HISTORIC TRAIL -- L'Etoile Du Nord (Trail of North Star) was established in the downtown area of Saint Paul by Boy Scout Troop 9499 of Apple Valley, in connection with Marc Flry's Eagle Scout Service Project. Follow the "Trail of the North Star" and spend the afternoon hiking through historic Saint Paul while learning about the area. This trail will familiarize hikers with an area of historical value and begins at 240 Summit Avenue, the historic house of James J. Hill. Requirements athttps://www.northernstar.org/Portals/0/Historic%20Trail%20Requirements%20L'Etoile%20du%20Nord%20.pdf

1862 US DAKOTA WAR HISTORIC TRAIL -- The trail includes visits to important sites in, and around, Morton and Fairfax Minnesota associated with the war. You also see the State Historical Society Museum and the site at the Lower Sioux Agency where the first significant fighting took place. Other stops include the Birch Coulee Battlefield North of Morton, the Morton Monument Hill, and the Historic Fort Ridgely near Fairfax. Directions are located on the Trail questionnaire. Some American Indian Culture merit badge requirements can be completed if Scouts take time in the Lower Sioux Agency Museum to learn about Dakota culture and governance. The entire trail in the Morton area exceeds ten miles and counts as a ten mile hike for the Hiking merit badge. Driving is allowed for purposes of earning the Trail patch, but not the Hiking merit badge. See requirements athttps://www.northernstar.org/Portals/0/Historic%20Trail%20Requirements%201862%20US-Dakota%20War.pdf

NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAILS AWARD -- In order to bring appreciation to the ideals, principles, traditions, and history which have made our communities and country what they are today, Scouting America encourages units to further their enjoyment of local Historic Trails by working on a national level award. The Historic Trails Award requirements emphasize cooperation between historic societies and Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scout units. Scouts should establish a close relationship with a local society as soon as possible when planning a historic activity -- most communities have such societies. To earn the award, members of your Pack, Troop, Crew or Ship must plan and participate in a historic activity, including research, visiting the historic site, participate in a restoration or program related to the site, and other specific requirements. For complete requirement information and an award application, visithttps://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/430-066.pdf

Contact Activities Director John McDermid at [email protected] or 612-261-2329 or Field Assistant Riley Firman at [email protected] if you have questions or need assistance.

10/09/2026

ABOUT THE Education Outpost LIVE webinars

As part of our commitment to reach the widest possible audience, Northern Star Scouting offers a series of Instructor-led Zoom/TEAMS classes for Adult Leaders online. Webinars will take place on a weekday evening starting at 7pm and will last around an hour, unless a different duration is specified. They will include a presentation, followed by Q&A time. There is no cost for these sessions.

We will be updating the class listings regularly as we confirm new sessions. Additionally, you may request a topic by emailing UoS Extension Co-ordinator, Rachel Thiemann, at [email protected].

WHO CAN REGISTER: Adult Leaders for any Scouting Programs. Some classes may be of interest to parents/guardians or youth.

WHEN:October 2026 - February 2027 Please register for as many sessions as you like and continue to check this page for new sessions.

WHERE: As advertised or online via Zoom or Teams. Zoom/Teams information will be emailed to you before the event.

SESSION INFORMATION:

How to Use Scoutbook/Scoutbook Plus - Ed D'Avignon
October 13, 2026
November 5, 2026
December 9, 2026
January 12, 2027
February 11, 2027

Get hands-on with Scoutbook and Scoutbook Plus in this live demonstration session. We’ll walk through how to track advancement, manage records, and use key features that make unit administration easier. Perfect for leaders who want to save time and use the tools with confidence.

Leveraging Movo.ai to Recruit New Scouting Families - Greg Ball
October 20, 2026

For the last 3 years, Northern Star has adopted the 'relentless enthusiasm' model to recruit new Scouting families regardless of School access. The Scouting America pilot with Movo.ai connects amazingly well with this effort! In this class, learn how to leverage Movo's knowledge base, import Scouting leads, and follow up with families as they connect with your unit.
This class is intended for Northern Star unit leaders, as the tools described aren't available in every Council.

Scoutbook/Scoutbook Plus for Merit Badge Counselors - Ed D'Avignon
November 12, 2026

Designed specifically for Merit Badge Counselors, this live session focuses on using Scoutbook and Scoutbook Plus to support the merit badge process. Learn how to work with Scout records, track merit badge progress, and navigate the tools and features most relevant to your role with confidence.

Unit Finance Rules and Best Practices - Greg Ball
November 17, 2026

How can your unit be financially sound? What are the best practices of the most successful treasurers? A great scouting program needs a solid financial base. Learn how to take your unit down the path of stable finances toward great programming and better retention. Put together the essential pieces of fundraising, budgeting, accounts, and evaluation.

The views in these presentations do not necessarily represent Northern Star Scouting or Scouting America. These presentations are solely provided to improve Scouting and the youth we serve.

ABOUT THE Education Outpost LIVE webinarsAs part of our commitment to reach the widest possible audience, Northern Star Scouting offers a series of In

10/08/2026

LOTS OF AVAILABILITY!!!!!

SIGN UP IS OPEN
15 merit badges. One Saturday. Three of them Eagle-required.

Scoutmaster Bucky's October Merit Badge Day is Saturday, Oct 17 in Bloomington. Registration closes Thursday at 10 pm.

Fun fact: when merit badges debuted in 1911, there were only 57 of them.

https://scoutmasterbucky.regfox.com/in-person-scoutmaster-bucky-october-merit-badge-day-2026-10-17