January 2003 ScoutTracks  

Welcome to 2003!! 
Join us and leaders from the entire district as we begin another great year of Scouting!  The Roundtable is our monthly "recharge" where we share great ideas and learn "what's happening" with the District.

Questions?  Contact Sara, (our District Scout Mom; bring Pickles! )
 at: samberg@bsamail.org
 

Council Website:  http://www.scoutingbsa.org 
District Website:  http://www.scoutingbsa.org/Districts/LakeMinnetonka

Congratulations on Achieving Quality District 2002! 
Almost 70% of the units in the Lake Minnetonka District achieved "Quality Unit 2002" status and many of the Packs and Troops grew their membership for the year!  Overall, the District achieved a 2% growth in membership numbers, including increases in ALL areas of Scouting membership (Including Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing)  Thank you to everyone for giving their time and energy to support Scouting in the Lake Minnetonka District!!!

A special "Thank You" to all of the Den Leaders and Units that sent in their rosters!!  That was the extra boost we needed to make it over the top!

Learn more about being a Quality Unit!  Forms are in Re-charter Packets

Check the Viking Council Website!  

• Pack Requirements   

• Troop Requirements

Remember When a Den Leader Was Called a "Den Mother?"
OK, so it was a long time ago.  Our Fearless District Executive Sara, will be trying her skills at being a "Scout Mom" beginning from about February 1st until May 1st.  Congratulations, Sara!!  Field Director Mike McCarthy will be stepping in to help out during her absence.

Cub Scout Items:

• Roundtable Info!
  At the January 2nd roundtable we are going to have a speaker for special needs.  Our guest speaker gives talks all around the area and is well known and respected for her skills.   If any one is interested in attending for this portion of the meeting, we will be looking at about 20-25 minutes. Bring friends, family and etc.  And as always, we are always looking for volunteers for staff...

• Roundtable Announcements!   By popular demand, the Lake Minnetonka District ScoutTracks will be used to help cut down on the time needed for announcements at our meetings.  Roundtable Commissioner, Richard LaFountain, can take requests by email or there will be a short sign-up at the meeting for announcements that are two minutes or less!  The audience will be encouraged to keep the "announcers" in line!

District Pinewood Derby Rules for 2003.   District Pinewood Derby is April 5th.
		Get your cars ready but check the rules now!  These are the official Lake Minnetonka District event rules and are posted for all to see.  There is no change from the 2002 rules...

• Visit the CUB SCOUT Clipart Site!

Still time to submit nominations!! Annual Leader Awards and District Award of Merit nomination forms are due NOW!  Forms will be available at the Roundtable or on the VikingBSA web site.  District nomination form is available here.  The dinner is Sunday, March 2, 2003 at Minnetonka Lutheran Church.

(Sara will still be lobbying for the most beautiful Scout Baby Award)

• When is your Pack Blue and Gold Banquet?   
  Please Contact Sara Amberg with your Blue and Gold date so that we can plan ahead for your event.  Look into the future and find your date!  District representatives will attend your Blue and Gold Event for FOS Presentations. 
  
  Viking Council relies heavily on the annual FOS campaign to help fund its many programs.  If you can spare an hour out of 1 or 2 evenings between now and April 2003, please drop by one of the training sessions to learn more about the campaign, or call Dave Smith at 612-671-7147 (W) or 763-475-0544 (H).   

• 2003 Unit Recharter Package. 
  Most of the Lake Minnetonka District re-charters in February, a few in March.  These packages are being distributed by the Commissioners.   The February Re-charter Packages should already be in the hands of each Pack and are due back on 2/11/2003 at the Re-charter Turn-in night from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. 
  
  Note: Please do NOT let 2nd year Webelos drop from registration if they are planning to join a Troop.  Contact the Troop to make sure that they are included on their rosters when re-chartering.  A Scout that does not appear on a Pack or Troop roster is NOT insured in the event of an accident.  They can always transfer from the Pack to a Troop later if the Troop does not re-charter in the same month.  We really want everyone help the Webelos make the transition to Boy Scouts!!

• Theme and Activities:

Looking for a great site that is devoted to the Monthly themes?  Check here.  Please note that the Themes for Viking Council are used in this Lake Minnetonka District ScoutTracks. 

Note:  The themes on other Scout sites may or may not match ours (sometimes off by a month or occasional different theme) but there is still a wealth of information available for anyone to use!

Being a Scout helps prepare boys to take care of themselves in situations
where they must decide what is right.  It's easy when an adult or Parent is
there to guide them, but our goal is to give them the tools to do what is right
based on the character that is developed within each Scout.

Boy Scout Items:

•  Star Light, Star Bright...

• The Winter 2003 Lake Minnetonka District Camporee
  The 2003 Lake Minnetonka District Winter Camporee will be held January 24-26 at Rum River Scout Reservation. The theme will be based on Scouting Strategy. Information packets with registration forms are available on the District Web Site. Webelos are invited, at no charge, as guests of the district but they must pre-register for attendance and planning purposes. They will also be responsible for coordinating with a troop for food, camping, etc. If there are any questions please contact Steve Fuchs at 763-591-9049 or at stevefuchs@msn.com
   

• From the District Camping Chair:  
  Many units are planning winter camping this year.
  Don't forget about the new Zero Hero Award.
  
  The only two requirements are:
  
  1. Attend a cold weather camping training session (can be run by troop).
  2. Sleep outdoors for a night when the temperature reaches zero degrees Fahrenheit or colder.  Programs like North Wind or Okpik are excellent ways to learn cold weather camping.

Mark Ferguson
Lake Minnetonka District Camping Chair

Editor's Note:  Ask Mark about the National Camping Award

• Troops:  We still need your Court of Honor Dates
  Please bring this information to Roundtable and let us know when the next Court of Honor is between January and May 2003.  This is for F.O.S. planning...
  
  Viking Council relies heavily on the annual FOS campaign to help fund its many programs.  If you can spare an hour out of 1 or 2 evenings between now and April 2003, please drop by one of the training sessions to learn more about the campaign, or call Dave Smith at 612-671-7147 (W) or 763-475-0544 (H).   
   

• Upcoming Roundtable Topics:

  • February--Computers

Annual Leader Awards and District Award of Merit nomination forms are due NOW.  Forms will be available at the Roundtable or on the VikingBSA web site.  The District award form is here. The dinner is Sunday, March 2, 2003 at Minnetonka Lutheran Church, where Sara will be presented with the most beautiful Scout Baby Award.

• Upcoming Training
  
  Catholic Committee AAD Counselor Training Feb. 15, 2003
  Next Cub Leader Training begins March 22nd, 2003
  Next Baloo Outdoor Training April 26th, 2003
  Next Boy Scout Leader Training starts April 5th, 2003
  Boy Scout & Cub Scout Leader Youth Protection Training - 4/8/2003