Scoutmaster Dispatch: Court of Honor and Silent Auction | Upcoming events | High Adventure proposals

 Hello Troop 1!

Court of Honor and Silent Auction: December 15, 6:30-8 at MUMC

Please join us tomorrow to celebrate our accomplishments this fall at the Troop 1 Court of Honor!  We'll have treats afterwards, you're welcome to bring something to share.

We're trying something new this time, we're going to hold a silent auction after the ceremony.  We hope this will be a fun way for us all to find some interesting holiday gifts while raising funds to pay for Troop 1 campouts and scout camperships throughout the year.  Scouts and families are invited to donate an item for the auction that you think others would like, such a handcrafted item, scouting collectibles, outdoor or camping gear, etc.  If you find something you like, we can take cash, credit card, Paypal, or Venmo.

The schedule is as follows:

• 6:00-6:30: Set up, donate items, open the auction for bidding
• 6:30-7:00: Scouts arrive and set up the ceremony.  Our Courts of Honor often start around 7:00
• After the ceremony, once everyone's had a chance to make their bids, we'll wrap it up and announce the winners.

Winter Break

We won't meet on December 22 or 29.  We hope you have a safe and happy holiday.

Troop meeting: January 5, 6:30-8 at MUMC

Our next meeting is the first Monday in January.  We will hold Order of the Arrow elections, and ask that everyone to attend if they can.  We will also do any planning needed for Snow Base.

Snow Base: January 9-11

We have enough scout interest that we will be able to go to Snow Base this year!  This is a winter camping experience held at Tomahawk Scout Camp, in Wisconsin.  Warm gear is provided and camp staff will show us how it's done.  Scouts can choose between the Experience program, where scouts sleep and eat meals inside, and the Spearhead program, where scouts are outside for 24 hours, sleeping in a shelter they make.

Learn more | Sign up | See who's going

High adventure proposals

On Monday, Troop 1 members proposed high adventure trips they would like to be considered for 2026.  "High Adventure" is an experience that takes us beyond our regular weekend camping, for example, remote wilderness trips, physically or mentally challenging activities, and activities that help us learn teamwork and new skills.  Scouts were excited about regional and national hiking, backpacking, and sailing adventures.  We would like to invite scouts and adults who would like to go on one or more of these trips, to let us know by filling out this interest form.  With that feedback, we can decide which trip(s) make the most sense to pursue as a group.

Thank you,

Scoutmasters Nixon and Towle

Camp Sign-Up

Hello Scouts and Scouters!

As discussed in the last meeting, we have some fun camp opportunities coming up. You can't have Scouting without "outing", so let's get out there and camp!

A gentle reminder from your Treasurer: Your Scout account needs to be paid up before you register for camp. If you have a negative balance, please email the Treasurer (troop1.mpls.treasurer@gmail.com) to top off your account. If cost of camp is an issue, camperships are available. The Troop supports camperships for all Troop 1 events, and Council offers financial support for any Council-organized camps like Snow Base and Summer Camp.

Troop camperships are supported by fundraising. For those who do not need financial assistance, please remember that keeping your Scout account paid up helps the Troop afford to assist those in need.

Board Game Camp: December 12-14, 2025, Tonkawa Lodge, Stearns Scout Camp

A perennial favorite, and a camp you won't want to miss! A full weekend of your favorite board and tabletop games, in Tonkawa Lodge - the newest and fanciest Scout lodge in Minnesota. Bring your favorite games to share, and try games you've ever played before.

Board Game Camp is organized by the Troop. Cost includes food for all attendees.

• Register Here | Campout Roster

Snow Base: January 9-11, 2026, White Pine Subcamp, Tomahawk Scout Camp

Your chance to learn how to stay warm and have fun in winter weather! Snow Base is a blast, whether you are sleeping indoors in a cozy cabin or outside in a snow shelter built by you and your friends, the camp staff at Snow Base will show you how to do it right. All necessary winter camping gear and clothing is provided by the camp, you just need your own hat and jacket!

Snow Base is a Council-organized and staffed camp. Cost includes staffed camp fees, food, and use of cold weather gear.

• Register Here | Campout Roster

Ski Camp: February 06-08, 2026, Peterson/Adirondack Lodges, Fred C. Anderson Scout Camp/Trollhaugen

Troop 1 will welcome Arrow of Light scouts to join us at camp for our annual Ski Camp weekend. We'll stay in the Peterson/Adirondack cabins Friday night, then drive to Trollhaugen on Saturday. Scouts can ski, snowboard, or hang out in the chalet. We'll offer a chance to work on Snow Sports Merit Badge.

Ski Camp is organized by the Troop. Camp cost includes food for all attendees, plus lift tickets (if skiing/boarding) and equipment rentals (if needed).

• Register Here | Campout Roster

Scoutmaster Dispatch: Wreath Delivery | Holly Trolley | Upcoming Camps | Service Opportunity

Hello Troop 1,

Your Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) met on Monday to plan activities for the next couple of months.

Wreath Delivery | November 15, 9am at Northrop Elementary School

• We need scouts to be there early at 9:00 am to help unload the truck and sort & build all the orders for the Troop and Pack. Orders are triple checked before they go.  No order leaves the parking lot without Nicole’s approval.
• If you are not able to attend, please let us know ASAP. You will need to make arrangements to pick up all of your items during our delivery window as we do not have storage.
• Customer delivery should be by Thanksgiving. 

Holly Trolley | November 29-30 and December 6-7, Como Harriet Streetcar Line

• Sell concessions like hot chocolate and s'mores kits to families as they wait to board the Holly Trolley at the Como-Harriet streetcar line.
• Proceeds go towards paying for High Adventure trips.  All scouts are welcome, and scouts who would like to go on a High Adventure this year should join us.

Sign up | See who's signed up  

Troop Meetings | Mondays, 6:30-8 at MUMC

• November 17
  • We'll focus on knife and ax sharpening.  If you have a pocket knife or a sharpening tool, you can bring them.
  • If you have not earned your Totin' Chip, we can work on that.  You can prepare by reading about knives, saws, and axes in your scout handbook.
• November 24
  • We will work on rank or merit badge advancement.  Think ahead and prepare any requirements you'd like signed off.
  • We have a request from some of the Movie Making crew to continue work as a group on that badge.
  • We can also continue (or start new scouts) on the Personal Fitness and Geocaching merit badges.
• December 1
  • We will hold Troop elections.  Think about what positions of responsibility in the Troop or in your own patrol that you might want to have this winter and spring.
  • We will also start a discussion on High Adventure for 2026.
• December 8
  • Board game camp planning.  What games do you want to bring?
    • Do we want to cook as patrols, or make a big meal as a troop like we did last year?  Bring your best meal ideas.
  • We will also continue the High Adventure discussion and brainstorm some trip ideas.
• December 15
• Winter Court of Honor, MUMC
• December 22, December 29
  • No meeting - Winter Break
• January 5
  • Order of the Arrow (OA) Elections (tentative - date to be confirmed)
  • Snowbase camp planning
• January 12
  • PLC with our newly elected leaders

Upcoming campouts

Board Game Camp | December 12-14 at Stearns Scout Camp

This is a super fun weekend where we can play board games together.  Bring your favorite board games to share!  We've booked Tonkawa Lodge, which is very nice and large, and has a great kitchen.  Bunks are available to sleep inside.
Pack 1 AOL's are welcome to join us at camp!
More info | Register Here | Campout Roster

Snow Base | January 9-11 at White Pine subcamp, Tomahawk Scout Camp
Cold-weather camping and activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, broomball, etc.  Campers have the option of sleeping indoors (Experience program) or outdoors (Spearhead program).  Cold weather gear and food are provided.  This camp is still tentative, depending on interest.  Please sign up if you'd like to go!
More info | Register Here | Campout Roster

Ski Camp | February 6-8 at Anderson Scout Camp
Another Troop favorite, we will stay at the Petersen cabins and on Saturday we'll drive to the ski hill and spend all day on the slopes before returning to camp for one more night.
Bunks are available to sleep inside. 

 

We will work on Snow Sports Merit Badge leading up to this weekend, scouts who are interested should be able to complete it with a focus on downhill skiing or snowboarding.  Not interested in those options?  Depending on the snow cover this winter, we may also offer the merit badge with a cross-country skiing or snowshoeing focus.

 

Pack 1 AOL's are welcome to join us at camp!
Signup info coming soon....

Service Opportunity

The Friends of Lake Nokomis have asked us to help hand-broadcast native plant seeds on the hills along Woodlawn Boulevard, on the east shore of the lake.

The seeds need to be spread right before the first big snowfall, so the birds don't get to them first.  The date and time will be set according to the weather forecast, but when we hear it's scheduled, we'll let you know.

This will take 1-2 hours and count as service hours towards a conservation project.

Looking forward to a great winter with you all!

Scoutmasters Jill Towle and Josh Nixon 

Reminder: Wreath delivery tomorrow

 Good morning Troop 1!

The wreaths we've sold this fall will be delivered tomorrow morning.  We're asking scouts to join us at 9am to help sort the wreaths and pick up their order.  This will be at Northrop Elementary, the same location as in years past.

November 15, 9am

Northrop Elementary School

4315 S 31st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406

See map

If you are not able to attend, please let us know ASAP. You will need to make arrangements to pick up all of your items during our delivery window as we do not have storage.

If you haven't done this before, note that it can take some time, but many hands make light work and the more help we get, the faster we can get through it.  We need scouts to be there early at 9:00 am to help unload the truck and sort and build all the orders for the Troop and Pack. 

Orders are triple checked before they go, and no order leaves the parking lot without Nicole’s approval.  This is important because if we miscount and one scout gets a wreath from another scout's order, it is very difficult to track down that missing wreath and get it back once scouts start delivering orders to their customers.

Please deliver your orders to your customers before Thanksgiving.

Thank you!

Jill, Josh, and Nicole

Reminder: Troop meeting | Concession Sales at Pack 1 Halloween party | Conservation hours

Hello Troop 1!

We have a full week of activities!

Monday, October 27, 6:30-8pm: Troop Meeting, MUMC

This Monday we'll be playing games all evening... team building games.

If you can, bring a 2'x2' square of cardboard, one of the games will use a lot of these.

Wednesday, October 29: Last day to sign up for Base Camp overnight in November

Please sign up by Wednesday, so we can submit our final registration to Base Camp.  The overnight (lock-in) is scheduled for November 7-8.

* We opened registration up to Troop 1 scouts' friends, see the dispatch from October 22 for details.
* If you can't stay the night but would like to join us that evening for the activities, that's great.  In that case, please still register and let us know ahead of time.  We'll want to know who will be picking you up and when.

Register for camp  |  See who's going

Saturday, November 1: Service hours opportunity at the Pack 1 Halloween party

We're selling concessions again this year.  Proceeds will go to the pack and we get to earn service hours.  We have plenty of scouts signed up for the first shift but need help on the second shift (6:45-8:30).  We're barely using the kitchen, and I promise that cleanup will be quick and painless!

Sign up here | See who's going

Sunday, November 2, 10am - 1pm: Post-Trick or Treating Trash Pickup at Lake Nokomis

We thought that the weekend after Halloween would be a great time to pick up trash (candy wrappers!) at Lake Nokomis.  Because this will help the environment, scouts who join us will earn conservation service hours.  

Meet at the Lake Nokomis Little Beach at 10, and bring gloves and a garbage bag.

Map to beach

November 2 is also the last day to sell popcorn.

Thanks,

Scoutmasters Jill Towle and Josh Nixon

Scoutmaster Dispatch: Base Camp Lock-in "Bring a Friend" event | Troop Hike on Saturday

 Hello Troop 1!

Now that Troop 1 Scouts have had a chance to register for the Base Camp lock-in, we can open it up to friends who may be interested in joining Troop 1 and would like to see what it's like.

Scouts, if you know someone between 11-18 years old who would like to join us for this event, let them know!

You can give them this information:

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Lock-in (overnight) at Base Camp

Friday, November 7, 6:30pm - Saturday, November 8, 8am

6202 Bloomington Road (this is the big red brick building to the right)

Fort Snelling, MN 55111

Join Troop 1 for an evening of fun, including archery, climbing, high ropes course (ages 12 and up), pizza, and a movie.

You are welcome to stay overnight, we'll "camp out" in the building.

If you'd like to see what it's like and go home after the activities end on Friday, that's fine too.  Please arrange someone to pick you up and let us know ahead of the event if you plan to do that.

To sign up, we need 4 things from you:

• Fill out this form so we (Troop 1) know your coming and can get your parents' contact info.  More details (like what to pack and what to leave at home) are on this form.
• Print out, complete, and sign this waiver (required by Base Camp for participation in activities).  Bring it with you. 
• Print out and complete this health form (required for all Scouting America activities).  Bring it with you.
• The cost for the evening is $36/youth, this fee goes directly to Base Camp for the program.

Arrive with your Troop 1 scout friend, and check in with Troop 1 leadership (Scoutmaster Jill).

Note that we don't have the building to ourselves, there will be a couple other troops at the event as well.

As always, we will follow Scouting America's Youth Protection policies.

Let us know if you have any questions!

Registration for this event will close in 1 week on Wednesday, October 29.

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Secondly, a reminder that we're planning a Troop Hike this Saturday October 25 from 10-1!  We'll plan to go about 3 miles, which should be doable even if you haven't hiked a lot before.

Meet at MUMC at 10, and the scouts will decide where we go from there and navigate.  Scouts and adults welcome!

Thank you,

Jill Towle

Troop and Committee meetings tonight | Wreath sales due

Hello Troop 1!

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

At tonight's meeting, we're going to work on advancement.  Bring your scout book!  Scouts working on Scout rank through First Class should get some time with an older scout or adult to talk through the rank requirements they're working on.  I'd suggest looking through the requirements at the back of the book and make a note of any you'd like to get signed off.  Then you'll be ready to go!

In-person wreath orders and payments due tonight.

Please bring your order forms (you can print one off here) and payments for in-person wreath sales.

Committee meeting tonight at MUMC, 6:45

All adults welcome and encouraged to join!

Register for Base Camp overnight Nov 7-8

We're doing an overnight lock-in at Base Camp, including archery, rock climbing, high ropes course (12 and over), pizza, and a movie!  Sign up now through October 29.

Does this sound like so much fun you'd like to bring your friends?  On Wednesday we'll open this up as a "bring-a-friend" event.  If you have a friend who would be eligible to join Troop 1, they would be welcome to join us on the overnight and get a taste for scouting with Troop 1.

Register for camp  |  See who's coming | More info

See you tonight!

Scoutmasters Jill Towle and Josh Nixon