Popcorn and Wreath Sales | Service Opportunity | Jamboree Details | October Campout

Hello scouts!

Our Troop 1 Patrol Leader's Council (PLC) met on Monday to plan our next month's activities.  We have a lot of fun things going on this month!

Popcorn and wreath sales - September 19, 20, 21, and October 4

Fall popcorn and wreath sales are the main way we provide for scouts to earn money in their individual accounts, which can be used towards camping and activity fees throughout the year, or can be saved up for a big-ticket adventure such as National Jamboree or a high-adventure trek.  All scouts are encouraged to get out there and build up their savings, to keep these activities affordable.

Our Treasurer, Nicole Falk, has arranged for Troop 1 to sell popcorn at a table at a couple Cub Foods locations during these dates.  We need one more person for the shift tomorrow from 4-6pm.  There are also a few shifts left on October 4.  Please sign up if you can.  A portion of your sales will go towards your scout account.

Parents, we don't have two-deep Troop leadership arranged during these shifts so please accompany your scout as necessary.

We also plan to have a booth set up at Minnehaha United Methodist Church this Sunday (September 21), before and after the service, to sell both wreaths and popcorn.  We need up to 2 scouts for this 9-11am shift, please contact Nicole (troop1.mpls.treasurer@gmail.com) if you are interested.

Volunteer opportunity this weekend - Saturday, September 20

As a reminder, the Troop was invited to support an Ethiopian festival in Powderhorn Park on Sept 20. 6-10 volunteers are needed for the morning and afternoon shifts (9-10 AM and 3-6 PM respectively). Food/BBQ will be provided for the afternoon volunteers.

If you are interested in helping out for one or both shifts, please fill out the volunteer form, or see who’s signed up.

We will also need a couple parents present during the shifts.  Adults, please sign up using the form or contact Dr. Nixon if you are able to stay.

If you have any questions about the event, please reach out to the event contact, Jeanette Wiedemeier-Bower (wiedemeierj@gmail.com)

Troop Meeting - Monday, September 22

Our district commissioner Andy Murphy is serving as Scoutmaster to one of the Northern Star troops going to the National Jamboree in July 2026, and would like to share more details and signup info.  The Jamboree is an incredible experience that brings scouts together from all over the country, and is open to active scouts who are at least 12 years old.

If you are considering going to Jamboree, you will want to hear more details next Monday.  Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend as well.

Following the Jamboree presentation, Cullan will lead the troop in learning about First Aid, practicing how to handle splints and dislocations.

Scouts who are attending the Camporee the following weekend should also take some time to plan meals and gear.

Camporee - September 26-28

The Northern Star Scouting Fall Camporee will be September 26-28 at Stearns Scout Camp. The theme for this Camporee is Crafts and Trades. Volunteers who work in the skilled trades or have craft skills they use in a hobby will provide hands-on activities to learn more and spark interest in doing things with their hands and minds.

Camporees are organized by Northern Star Council and are an opportunity to meet Scouts from other troops all over our area.  Signup is still open but is likely to close soon.

Register for camp | See who’s signed up

Troop Hike - Saturday, September 27

If you aren’t going to the Camporee, you are welcome to join us for a hike!  We are reviving an old Troop 1 tradition of hiking together once a month.  Scouts should meet at the church at 10 am.  We’ll aim to cover about 3 miles together from there.  

Over time, we hope this grows into a great way to spend time together and build our endurance for high-adventure trips and some of the more challenging fitness merit badge activities.

Troop Meeting - Monday, September 29

We have a group of scouts who have been working on Moviemaking Merit Badge, and will show their movie to the troop!

Continuing the First Aid skills we’d worked on the week before, Cullan will teach carrying skills.

Troop Meeting - Monday, October 6

We’ll focus on planning meals, preparing gear, and planning other activities for our camp the following weekend.

Music and merit badge camp - October 10-12 at Stearns

This will be another largely unstructured camp, but with a couple of focuses.

With all the great campfire music we’ve had over the last several campouts, many more scouts are interested in bringing instruments and preparing a song or two to play together.  To that end, we have a couple volunteers who are starting a Troop 1 songbook.  We’ll try to make some of our favorite songs available so scouts can try them out before camp.  If you have a favorite song you’d like to play and contribute, let us know!

Secondly, camp has been a great place to work on merit badges in small groups.  In the past, we’ve offered Citizenship in Society, First Aid, Pioneering, Radio, Geocaching, and Moviemaking.  What we are able to offer this time will depend on interest and counsellor availability.  More details to come on specific offerings, but if there’s a badge you would like to work on, let us know!

Register for camp | See who’s signed up

Patrol Leader’s Council (PLC) - Monday, October 13 

We'll work on planning Troop 1 activities for the following month.

SPL, ASPL, Scribe, Troop Guide, and Patrol Leaders are expected to attend.  If you're a patrol leader and you can't make it, please send an assistant patrol leader or another member of your patrol so you are all represented.  Other Troop 1 scouts are not expected to attend but are welcome if interested.

PLC tonight

 PLC tonight @MUMC from 6:30-8

Just a quick reminder that tonight is a patrol leader's council (PLC) rather than a full troop meeting.  We'll work on planning Troop 1 activities for the next month.

SPL, ASPL, Scribe, Troop Guide, and Patrol Leaders are expected to attend.  If you're a patrol leader and you can't make it, please send an assistant patrol leader or another member of your patrol so you are all represented. 

Thank you!

PLC | Elections | Court of Honor | Tomahawk camp updates

Hello Troop 1!

PLC tomorrow

After a full week of summer camp, we're going to have a patrol leader's council (PLC) tomorrow where we'll plan our activities for the next month.  Everyone is welcome,  SPL, ASPL, Scribe, Troop Guide, and Patrol Leaders are expected to attend.  If you're a patrol leader and you can't make it, please send an assistant patrol leader or another member of your patrol so you are all represented. 
Meet at MUMC on August 11 from 6:30 to 8.

Elections next week

It's time to elect patrol and troop leadership again!  This next set of leaders will serve for 3 months, through December.  Take a look at the leadership positions available, and consider if you may be interested in any of them.
Meet at MUMC on August 18 from 6:30 to 8.

Court of Honor coming up

Join us as we celebrate our accomplishments this summer, and swear in our new youth leadership!
Meet at MUMC on August 25 from 6:30 to 8.

Tomahawk partial merit badges

If you got "partial" merit badge credit at Tomahawk and would like to complete your badge, you can submit your missing requirements here.

For the most part, these will be accepted through this October 15, although we'd ask that you complete what you can in the next couple of weeks if you'd like to be recognized for the badge at the upcoming Court of Honor.

When filling out the form, you can enter:

Council: Northern Star
Unit number: 3001 (boys) or 5001 (girls)
Sub-camp: Sioux
Camp coordinator email: jill@towlebooth.com

Tomahawk 2025 recap and plans for next year

This past week at Tomahawk was a great one.  We had 8 scouts learning basic outdoor skills in Brownsea, and 19 scouts working on 58 merit badges!  You can see our photos and contribute to the shared "Tomahawk 2025" photo album.

Many of the scouts put in a lot of effort over the week to collect frogs, salamanders, and other critters for points in the Eco-Bash, which we won with 1000 points!  We finished with 1005 points, as Ethan handed over a frog even as we were being awarded at the closing campfire.

The closing campfire was a high point, as our own SPL Cullan was tapped to MC the campfire, and Troop 1 led a sing-along for the whole camp.  Full video of Wagon Wheel is in the "Tomahawk 2025" photo album, courtesy of James Clysdale.

Also, congratulations to Lena, Cleo, and Agnes on winning the sandcastle building competition at the Beach party!

We had the pleasure of hosting 2 families from Pack 1 who participated in AOL camp the weekend before, and camped with us on Monday night.  This is a fantastic way for the AOL's and the scouts in the troop to get to know each other early on, and for them to see what Troop 1 and summer camp are like.  We hope to grow this contingent from the Pack over the next few years.

Speaking of growing, we are out-growing the campsite we've been using over the last several years, Quapaw.  Next year, we have booked a new campsite, Menomonee.  I think you're going to like it, it has a large, open cooking/dining area, great views and access to the water, lakefront paths directly to the campfire ring and the beach, several patrol-sized camping areas that can hold 5-6 tents, and it is more centrally located.  Plus, we will have our meals delivered 10 minutes earlier, giving us a little more time to finish cleanup before heading to the next activity.

See a 360 degree view of Menomonee (large party tent not included).

With this new site, we will be attending Tomahawk on Week 4 next year.  That is July 12-18, 2026.

A scout who is planning to go to both Tomahawk and National Jamboree should be able to attend both, if they left Tomahawk Friday afternoon, since the Jamboree trip leaves on July 18.

Tomahawk pre-camp planning tomorrow

Hello Troop 1!

Update: due to the derecho forecasted to hit us tonight, I'm going to move this meeting to Google Meet. 

I'll send invites to addresses on the Tomahawk sign-up sheet.  

The in-person meeting at MUMC is cancelled. 

---- 

This is a reminder that we'll spend our Troop meeting tomorrow planning for our week at Tomahawk.

Everyone - adults and scouts - who is joining us at camp should attend, 6:30-8 at MUMC.
If you have a conflict and can't make it, I'll follow up with you afterwards.

(If you're not going to Tomahawk this year, you're welcome to skip this one).

Lots to cover:

We'll combine into the patrols we'll use at camp, and elect any missing leaders.  We'll talk about wildlife (bear and tick) safety and camp rules.  We'll choose tent-mates and talk about tents and troop and patrol equipment.  We'll answer any questions on what to pack and what to expect.  Finally, drivers and quartermasters, we'll decide when to meet next Saturday to pick up gear from MUMC.

See you tomorrow!

Jill

Troop meeting tonight | Patrol box assembly and advancement | Tomahawk pre-camp meeting next week

Hello Troop 1!

Troop meeting tonight, 6:30-8 at MUMC

It looks like we're going to have perfect weather!

The plan is to pull out our beautifully weather-sealed patrol boxes out of the shed, and to assemble their contents from the items we'd cleaned and moved to storage bins.  The goal here is to do a good inventory and create a shopping list of items (per box) that are missing.  That way they'll be all set to go camping with us!

After that, there will be time for advancement or games.  If there's interest, I can also cover some content on nutrition and exercise goals and plans from the Personal Fitness merit badge.  Whether or not you're working on that merit badge, these skills are important to have and will be useful in the 30-days of fitness rank requirements for Tenderfoot, Second class, and First class.

Next week: Pre-camp planning

Heads up that we're saving all the pre-camp planning for Tomahawk for our meeting on July 28!

Everyone - adults and scouts - who is joining us at camp should attend.

(If you're not going to Tomahawk this year, you're welcome to skip this one).

For that meeting, we'll combine into the patrols we'll use at camp, and elect any missing leaders.  We'll talk about wildlife (bear and tick) safety and camp rules.  We'll choose tent-mates and talk about tents and troop and patrol equipment.  We'll answer any questions on what to pack and what to expect.  Finally, drivers and quartermasters, we'll decide when to meet the following Saturday to pick up gear from MUMC.

Troop Meeting Tonight | Patrol Boxes, Advancement, and Games | Philmont Crew meeting Tonight | Clarification on Tomahawk Registration

Hello Troop 1!

Troop meeting tonight at MUMC, 6:30-8.

With clear skies overhead, it will be a good day to re-coat the boxes with weather seal.   Please come to the meeting with a T shirt that can get messy - we will wear Class A's for the opening flag ceremony but will take the uniform shirts off when painting the boxes. We don't want weather seal on your Scout uniform!

I would suggest that quartermasters and representatives from each patrol participate in the painting, but this task won't take the whole meeting or all of the scouts.   This means that there will also be time for advancement.  Bring your handbooks, this can be a good time to get some rank or merit badge requirements signed off.

Finally, we should have time for some games.  We have some patrol-level challenges that should be fun!

For the Philmont Crew: 

There will be a final 10-minute meeting tonight after the regular scout meeting.

A clarification on the registration forms for Tomahawk campers:

Yesterday I sent out class schedules to those currently registered for camp.  A few of you have reached out, wondering why sessions 3-7 read "None Selected".  This is fine.  Most campers will attend Brownsea and Merit Badge sessions in the morning only (sessions 1 and 2).  Sessions 3-7 occur in the afternoons and evenings, while we're doing troop activities and having free time.  Those extra entries are there because the Tomahawk class registration system allows for afternoon and evening sessions for those older scouts who have signed up for all-day activities, which do occur in the afternoons and evenings.

Summer camp is right around the corner!

Hello Troop 1!

If you have not yet signed up for Tomahawk and are intending to, please do so right away on our Troop form, and then let me (Jill) know.  The form can be found on our Troop 1 camping page.  Once that is completed, we will need to take that information and get you registered with Tomahawk.  Registration at Tomahawk closes 2 weeks before our camp date and we are currently 3 weeks out.  That means that we need any remaining registrations completed next week.

For those of you who are registered, 

There are a few things you can do now to get ready…

Scouts, take a look at the classes and merit badges you’ve signed up for.  This has been sent out to you already, I will re-send class schedules out again this weekend.  Let us know if you would like to make any adjustments.  As a reminder, the list of merit badges available can be found in pages 22-27 of the Program Catalog.

We encourage you to look through the pamphlets we have available in our merit badge library at MUMC or available online as a downloadable PDF.  You’ll get more out of the merit badge classes at camp if you’re already familiar with the content.

Health forms are required for anyone who wants to stay overnight with Troop 1 at camp.  Tomahawk requires 2 printed and signed copies.  If you haven’t turned yours in yet, please do so in the next week, if possible.  If you do not have the health forms by August 3, you cannot attend camp.

• All scouts and adults who are staying over 72 hours each need to provide a full health form, with Part C completed by a health care professional based on a physical exam within the previous 12 months.  
• Adults who are staying a partial week (less than 72 hours) would need to complete this form, containing just parts A and B, and doesn’t require a medical exam.

It is also required that adults who plan to camp with us need to be up-to-date with their Youth Protection training and registered as a leader with both 3001 (boys) and 5001 (girls) troops.  If you are signed up for camp and this is not yet completed, I have already reached out to you personally.  If this isn’t completed, you cannot stay with us at camp.

Finally, think about what you’ll need to bring and start planning now.  See below for the camper packing list and gear recommendations, as well as what to expect at camp.

On July 28th, we’ll have a pre-camp meeting where we’ll combine into the patrols we use at camp, choose our leaders, talk about wildlife safety, equipment, tent sites, and schedules.  With the exception of those still hiking in New Mexico, all Tomahawk participants should plan on attending.

On Saturday, August 2 (time TBD), Troop and Patrol Quartermasters and drivers will need to meet at MUMC to load up the Troop and Patrol gear, including patrol boxes.  We’re doing this a day ahead because MUMC holds church services outside during the summer, and we’ll need to leave from an alternate location so as to not interrupt their service.

Getting there and back…

Traveling to camp

On Sunday, August 3, we will meet at Northrop School (4315 S 31st Ave - where we do wreath pickup in the fall).  Please arrive at 10 am, with the goal of getting all scouts and gear in cars and leaving by 10:30.  Please wear your Class A uniform (tan shirt) for traveling to and from camp.  Scouts and adult leaders always travel in uniform.

We’ll stop for lunch in Cumberland, WI.  There’s a Burger King, a Kwik Trip, and a Subway nearby, or you can pack your own lunch.

When we arrive at camp, we’ll unload our gear and then anyone (both scouts and adults) who wants to swim at the beach during the week outside of the learner section will need to take a swim test.  Because of this, it’s helpful to have your swim suit accessible within your bag, we can change in the latrines.  After the swim test we can finish setting up our Troop gear (dining flys and patrol boxes) and then our personal tents and gear.

Returning from camp

We’ll aim to check out of camp by 10am and should arrive at MUMC a few hours later.  We will text or email our ETA when we have it.  Scouts are expected to help stow the Troop gear in the shed before leaving.  As with the trip to camp, Scouts will wear uniforms on the trip home.

What should I pack?

See the Packing list.

Be sure to label everything with your scout’s name and “Troop 1”.

And it’s worth repeating our standard packing advice:

Parents - please DO NOT pack for your scout, EVER. Especially for extended camp. If you do, they won't know what they have, and they'll blame you if they’re missing stuff. This is a great time for them to learn to prepare, and plan. Help guide them and please double check on things like rain gear, mess kit, water bottle(s), sun screen, underwear, toothbrush, bug spray. 

Cell phones and electronics

While cell phones can be useful tools in scouting and can be used for navigation, photography, and communicating with the group, they can also be a distraction and can pull us out of the present moment.  Scouts who are frequently contacting home can experience more homesickness.  Phones and electronics are also very expensive and could easily get wet or lost or broken.  If your scout brings a phone, it is their responsibility to take care of it.  We want our scouts to be fully present at camp, and so we don’t want to see phones or other electronics being used for entertainment (such as browsing, watching videos, or playing games).

Spending money

We suggest scouts bring $30-50 for both the lunch on the way to camp, and to spend on slushees, treats, t-shirts, and other gear at the Trading Post.

Medications

Emergency medications like an inhaler or epi-pen should be with a camper at all times.

Per Tomahawk policy, all non-emergency medications that need to be taken by any Scout at camp must be administered by a designated adult leader in the unit.  

• If your scout has prescription medications, you can give them to me before we leave for camp, and I will store it and distribute it as needed.  Please provide 8 days’ worth of medication, in its original container, labeled with the scout’s name, the name of the medication, the dosage, and frequency.  We can store medications that need refrigeration.
• We also need to store and track over-the-counter meds (allergy, ibuprofen, acid reflux, etc) that are administered to scouts.  We will have some of these on hand and can administer these to scouts as needed, if authorized to do so in part B2 of the scout’s medical form.

What to expect…

Meals

One of the main reasons we choose Tomahawk every year is that in Sioux sub-camp, the scouts get the opportunity to cook their own meals as a patrol.  This is a great opportunity to practice not just cooking, but also working together, time management, conflict resolution, etc.  Tomahawk will deliver ingredients to our campsite for breakfast and dinner, and each patrol will cook, eat, and clean up together.  For lunch, we will have a pre-cooked meal delivered, so scouts can eat and clean up more quickly, with more time to move on to the afternoon activities.

The menu is available if you would like to get an idea of what we’ll be eating, including vegetarian, gluten free, and dairy free alternatives.

Scouts and adults should each bring their own mess kit, including a plate, bowl, cup, spoon, knife, and fork. 

Tenting

Tomahawk provides canvas wall-tents.  We will set these up on day 1, scouts sleep 2 to a tent.  These don’t have a floor or bug screens, so you may want to bring a tarp or something to use as a tent floor if you don’t want your gear sitting in the dirt and leaves.  You may also want to bring mosquito netting (like this or this) that can be arranged over your cot, so you don’t get bitten overnight.

Tomahawk also provides cots.  You will likely want a sleeping pad - a foam pad or air mattress - to make the cot a little more comfortable.

If you and your tent-mate would prefer to bring your own tent to use rather than the canvas ones, that’s fine too.  Don’t forget a sleeping pad!

Be prepared to spend a lot of time outside!

Bring sunscreen and bug spray to make yourself more comfortable.

Remember a swimsuit and towel for the beach and the shower.

Don’t forget a rain jacket / rain pants!  We’ve had rain (and some severe storms) every year I’ve gone.  Don’t worry, there’s a storm shelter not far from our site.

Be prepared to walk… a lot!

Even though our campsite is relatively central to the activities, we spend a lot of time on our feet at camp.  Scouts can easily walk 3 to 4 miles a day.  Last year I walked 7 to 9 miles a day, just participating in our scheduled activities.  Most of the walking is on gravel roads and dirt trails, so bring shoes that are supportive and have good traction.  You may want a second pair of shoes to wear to the beach and around camp at night.  There is a 5K fun run on Thursday night, so if you would like to participate in that, bring a good pair of running shoes.

Bring a daypack / backpack

It's useful to have a day pack of some kind; it doesn't have to be elaborate, a drawstring bag or even a shopping bag will work. Scouts will leave the campsite after breakfast each day, and won't get back to the camp site until lunchtime. You'll want a way to easily carry your merit badge materials, water bottle, hat, sunscreen, and other items.

Bring a small, hard-sided container for the bear box

Tomahawk has bears, and they’ve been known to visit camp sites.  We will talk about them more in our pre-camp meeting, but it’s very important to put any food, as well as anything that smells like food to a bear (like soap, shampoo, sunscreen, slushee cups, toothpaste and toothbrush, etc.) in the designated bear locker.  Scouts and adults should each have a small plastic container (smaller than a shoebox), for their items, which will help keep things organized and keep the resident mouse out of your stuff.  A small tote or tupperware will work nicely, remember to label it with your name.  Please try to use the smallest container you can for smellables, as the bear box has limited space.

Sending mail to your scout

If you would like to send mail to your scout, you can address it as follows.

Scout’s Name 

Sioux: Quapaw Troop 1

Tomahawk Scout Camp

N1910 Scout Road

Birchwood, WI 54817

 

Tomahawk Scout Camp number

612-261-2455

Jill Towle’s cell number

651-249-7912

Chad Towle’s cell number

651-336-8817