Friends of Scouting 2008 Orientation

There will be a meeting for all Friends of Scouting Presenters and Bo-Qui Community Leaders at the following location:

Friends of Scouting meeting

City State Bank

801 Main St

Norwalk IA

January 2, 2008 at 7:30 pm

Please RSVP Linda Echelmeyer at: (515) 266-2135 or lechelme@bsamail.org.

Popcorn For Sale

Is your unit looking for a fundraiser? The Scout Office has popcorn containers available. Consignment sales are a great way to pull in quick money for Scouts to pay for high adventure and summer camp experiences. Contact the Scout Office for more information.

Nominate That Person For An Award

December 15, 2007 will be the deadline for nominating that person in your unit for the Energizer Award or The Award of Merit. You can hand in your nominating form at the December 13th Roundtable meeting or email Art Jones at vigileagle1@msn.com. See the attached forms.

Scout Leader Training

United Methodist Church

130 W Grant St

Osceola, IA

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Pre-registration is preferred. You may register by calling Bob at the Scout Office (800-999-7268 or 515-266-2135) or emailing him at rgrange@bsamail.org. Please specify which course you plan to attend. Also, please register by January 10th, so that we can ensure that we have enough materials for you.

Registration begins at 8:30 am - Please bring a sack lunch - drink provided.

WALK-INS WELCOME!!!!

Course offerings:
9:00am - 10:45am
New Leader Essentials - This session gives participants a basic overview of the Scouting program. This course is required for most other trainings.

11:00am - 1:00pm
Cubmaster* - This session gives Akela (The Cubmaster) the essential tools to running a successful Pack.
*Prerequisite: New Leader Essentials

Pack/Troop Committee* - Ever Scouting unit needs people behind the scenes to guide the program. The Pack and Troop Committee gives volunteers the know-how and tools to lead successful units.
*Prerequisite: New Leader Essentials

Tiger Cub Den Leader* - This course gives the Tiger Cub Den Leader all the basic knowledge to run a successful Tiger Cub Den, from planning "go-see-its' to ensuring that every Scout is successful in earning the Tiger Cub rank. *Prerequisite: New Leader Essentials

Den Leader* - For Wolf and Bear Den Leaders, this course will teach the skills necessary to a successful den.
*Prerequisite: New Leader Essentials

Webelos Den Leader* - This training gives Webelos Den Leaders the knowledge needed to successfully prepare their Cub Scouts for Boy Scouts.
*Prerequisite: New Leader Essentials

(130 W Grant St - directions from Interstate 35: get off on Exit#33, go east into town. Turn right on Fillmore St and go one block to Grant St and go 1/2 block and turn right to enter the parking lot. See map link below:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=130+W+Grant+St,+Osceola+IA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=34.724817,63.457031&ie=UTF8&ll=41.03042,-93.766336&spn=0.032309,0.06197&z=14&om=1

District Committee Meeting Cancelled

Due to the winter snow storm the District Committee meeting is cancelled for December 6, 2007.

Leader Training - CANCELLED

December 1, 2007, training is cancelled due to lack of people pre-registering and more importantly the weather. We don't want to be responsible for anyone being injured trying to get there. There is Cub Scout training available on December 8th, at Kaplin College (formally Hamilton's College).

Attention all Cub Scout Leaders, last chance for training in 2007:
December 8, 2007
Kaplan College (former Hamilton College)
4655 121st St, Urbandale
Pre-registration perferred: Call Bob Grange at 266-2135 ext. 10 (email: rgrange@bsamail.org)
7:45am - check-in
8:00am - 9:30am - New Leader Essentials
9:30am - 12:00pm - Specific Leader Training
Directions: take the Douglas Ave exit off of Interstate 35/80 and go west to 121st St. Go north/right across Meredith St. and take first right into parking lot, go to east side of buildings and enter Kaplan Colege and follow the signs.

All are welcome!! Coffee and donuts will be served.

Order of the Arrow and Pizza Party

Calling all Arrowmen! Let's have a party and celebrate the holiday season. Order of the Arrow is having a Pizza Party, December 13, 2007 at 7:30pm. The cost is $5.00.

OA dues are once again due before December 31, 2007. Your 2008 dues are $12.00 and after December 31, 2007 they are $14.00. Getting your dues in on time is a really big item for getting Quality Chapter of the year. So ask the members in your unit to get their registration in on time for 2007.

Look for your next issue of the Mitigwa Chief, you will find information in there for the Winter Banquet. Mark you calendars for the banquet - January 5, 2008.

Unit In Need Of Trailer

Boy Scout Troop 73 out of Ankeny is looking to purchase a troop gear trailer. This unit should be 6' x 12' enclosed trailer and in good condition. If you are looking to sell a trailer, please contact:

Tim Martin, Scoutmaster

tim.martin1@worldnet.att.net

(515) 419-7444

Lincoln Geren, Troop Committee Chair

lkgeren@hotmail.com

(515) 964-5723

A Fellow Scouter Has Passed Away

Scouter Robert "Bob" Bernhard from the Raccoon River Valley District died Saturday, November 24, 2007, due to cancer.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00am Thursday, November 29, 2007 at Iles Funeral Homes-Westover Chapel, 6337 Hickman Rd, Des Moines. Family will receive friends from 6-8 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2007, at Westover Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to First United Methodist Church or Mid-Iowa Council Boy Scouts of America.

Fireside Chat With Eli Brewer

Come and attend a fireside chat with Eli Brewer on December 13th, 2007 at 8:00pm. This is an opportunity for you to voice your opinion and give us your feed back. We welcome all ideas.

If you can't make this meeting, you can leave an idea or suggestion under the comment section in this article and it will make it to the meeting.

2008 Unit Recharter Paperwork Due

The Council has changed the renewal date for Bo-Qui District from January 31st, 2008 to December 31st, 2007. With this new change the price of renewal for each youth and adult is $9.24 and Boys Life charge is $11.00.

We are offering you a chance to drop off your recharters at the December 13th Roundtable. Doors will open at 6:30pm and run until 9:00pm.

Once again you can come and enjoy a bowl of chili and brownies while the Unit Commissioners check over your paperwork. Price of supper is $5.00.

Bo-Qui Looking For Unit Pictures

Looking for pictures that were taking in 2007. If you had a picnic, camp out, Blue & Gold Ceremony, Court of Honor, Eagle Ceremony, day camp, pack meeting, etc. So put your pictures on a disc and give it to Mariann Edris at Roundtable.

Last Gasp Cub Scout Leader Training

Attention all Cub Scout Leaders, last chance for training in 2007.

December 8, 2007

Kaplan College (former Hamilton College)

4655 121st St, Urbandale

Pre-registration perferred: Call Bob Grange at 266-2135 ext. 10 (email: rgrange@bsamail.org)

7:45am - check-in

8:00am - 9:30am - New Leader Essentials

9:30am - 12:00pm - Specific Leader Training

Directions: take the Douglas Ave exit off of Interstate 35/80 and go west to 121st St. Go north/right across Meredith St. and take first right into parking lot, go to east side of buildings and enter Kaplan Colege and follow the signs.

All are welcome!! Coffee and donuts will be served.

A Fellow Scouter Has Passed Away

Troop 40 has lost a long time Scouter in their troop. Scouter Allen Test died Sunday, November 4, 2007 of cancer.

Memorial services will be held Sunday, November 18, 2007 at Brooks Funeral Home at 2135 SW 9th St, Des Moines. Visitation will be at 2:00 pm with services starting at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Boy Scout Troop 40 or Iowa Hospice. Memorial can be mail to Donna Test, 326 Wilmer Ave, Des Moines IA 50315-3671.

Training for Scout Leaders

December 1, 2007
First United Methodist Church
313 E. Montgomery St, Knoxville

Pre-registration is preferred. You may register by calling Bob at the Scout Office (800-999-7268 or 515-266-2135) or emailing him at rgrange@bsamail.org. Please specify which course you plan to attend. Also, please register by November 28, so that we can ensure that we have enough materials for you. WALK-INS WELCOME!!!!

(Registration begins at 8:30 am - Please bring sack lunch - Drink provided)

Course offerings:
9:00 pm - 11:00 am
New Leader Essential
This session give participants a basic overview of the Scouting program. This course is required for most other trainings.

11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cubmaster* This session gives Akela (The Cubmaster) the essential tools to running a successful Pack.
*Prerequisite: New Leader Essentials
Pack/Troop Committee* Every Scouting unit needs people behind the scenes to guide the program. The Pack and Troop Committee gives volunteers the know-how and tools to lead successful units.
*Prerequisite: New Leader Essentials
Tiger Cub Den Leader* This course gives the Tiger Cub Den Leader all of the basic knowledge to run a successful Tiger Cub Den, from planning "go-see-its' to ensuring that every Scout is successful in earning the Tiger Cub rank.
*Prerequisite: New Leader Essentials
Den Leader* For Wolf and Bear Den Leaders, this course will teach the skills necessary to a successful den.
*Prerequisite: New Leader Essentials
Webelos Den Leader* This training gives Webelos Den Leaders the knowledge needed to successfully prepare their Cub Scouts for Boy Scouts.
*Prerequisite: New Leader Essentials
Chartered Organization Representative Offered for all Chartered Organization Representatives, this course outlines the specific responsibilities of the Chartered Organization, and local Boy Scout Council.

BSA 100th Anniversary Celebration Logo Contest!

Calling a Scouts to a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be part of BSA history in the making by participating in the BSA 100th Anniversary Celebration National Logo Contest!

In honor of BSA's 100th anniversary, the National Council has launched a contest to inspire the very best design for the anniversary celebration logo. Every registered Scout is eligible to participate. The winning design will become the official symbol for this very important BSA milestone. It will be placed on all official celebration materials and will become a treasured BSA icon for generations to come.

As a leader, you are asked to engage your Scouts in this project. Every logo contest entrant will receive a commemorative certificate and patch from the National Council recognizing their effort.

A distinguished panel of judges will select winners in several categories, including an overall winner and best design by a Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, Webelos Scout, Boy Scout, Eagle Scout and Venturer. The winner in each category will receive a trip, along with an adult guardian, to a May 2008 recognition ceremony at the BSA National Annual Meeting in San Diego, California. In addition, the overall winner will also receive a trip, along with an adult guardian, to work hand-in-hand with renowned graphic artist and Eagle scout Kit Hinrichs in his San Francisco studio to finalize the logo for use throughout the celebration.

This is a great activity for individual Scouts and for den, pack, patrol, troop, and crew meetings since entries can submitted by individuals and by groups! Entry forms, rules and details can be found on the council website http://www.bsa-ia.org/ look at the bottom of the page.

The National Council will be awarding $100.00 and $250.00 Scoutstuff.org gift cards for category and overall winners. Make sure you get your designs in soon.

So encourage your Scouts to rev up their creative juices and submit their design ideas! Deadline for entries is November 30, 2007.

2008 Camp Mitigwa Boy Scout Leader Orientation Meeting

Looking forward to summer camp next year at Camp Mitigwa. Many new items and changes for 2008, like merit badge schedules and what is offered, and a new "adventure area".

There are two meeting schedules:
January 31, 2008, 7:00-9:00 pm
Learning Center, West Des Moines

February 4, 2008, 7:00-9:00 pm
Altoona United Methodist Church

Pick up a copy of the 2008 Camp Mitigwa Leader's Guide and other items.
Come and meet the Camp Director, Pete Langston. If you have any questions, contact Pete at plangsto@bsamail.org, (515)266-2135 or (800)999-7268. Mark your calendars now.

Merit Badge University

Alpha Phi Omega of Drake University is conducting a Merit Badge Day. On November 17, 2007, 9:00am to 5:30pm at Meredith Hall on the Drake University Campus.

Scouts can choose from Chemistry, Fingerprinting and Crime Prevention, First Aid and Nuclear Science. Not all badge requirements will be completed during this event, some requirements will need to be complete at home.

This event will cost $15.00 per participant. Adults will be admitted for free. Lunch will not be provided during this event, please bring your own sack lunch or make other arrangements with your group. Click on the image below to print form.

2008 Recharter Fee Changes

The Mid-Iowa Council is moving all rechartering to the month of December. Please not fees will be for 11 months (February 2008 to December 2008). This will be a first key step towards internet rechartering to begin in 2009 and will aoslo help in other areas.

Adults and Boys = $9.24 for 11 months
Boys' Life magazine = $11.00 for 11 months

Thank you for your help and cooperation.

The Wizard of Ahhh's (Pow Wow)

A one day hands-on training for Cub Scout Leaders (Pow Wow)

Saturday, November 3, 2007
8:00am - 4:00pm
Valley Southwoods School
625 S 35th St.
West Des Moines IA

Featuring "Tracks" specially designed for: Tiger Den Leaders, Wolf Den Leaders, Bear Den Leaders, Webelos Den Leaders, Cubmasters, Committee Chairs and Pack Trainers.

Scoutmaster's ask your older Boy Scouts to take Den Chief training. Great way to get your boys involved with the local Cub Scout Pack in your area.

Every boy deserves a trained leader.

PRODUCT RECALL ON:

Cub Scout Immediate Recognition Kit (Item NO. 01804).

The Mid-Iowa Scout Shop will be receiving replacement totems. Packs can exchange the totems they have at the Scout Shop when supplies are available.

Click the link for more details. http://www.bsa-ia.org/shop/Scoutshopindex.htm

TIME CHANGE FOR ROUNDTABLE MEETING

Roundtable is a great way to pick up information that is passed out for the next coming months. Since we've been missing people from the southern part of our district, the decision has been made to change the time of Roundtable to 7:30 pm. It will remain on the second Thursday of each month at the First Baptist Church, 200 E 1st Ave, Indianola. This will allow many Scouters and Order of the Arrow members from the southern most part of our district time to travel to Indianola.

Philmont in 2009

Imagine 214 square miles of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in northern New Mexico --ideal backpacking country. Imagine taking part in programs about mountain men, gold miners, Indians. Imagine yourself rock climbing and rappelling, climbing a pole like a lumberjack, taking part in an archeology dig, panning for (and hopefully finding) gold, finding your way using a map and compass, climbing to 12,441 feet at the summit of Mt. Badly, climbing to that famous Philmont and Santa Fe Trial landmark - the Tooth of Time, or visiting Waite Phillips' luxurious summer home - the Villa Philmonte.

Stop imagining the possibilities - JUST DO IT!!!

All this and more can be yours, don't miss it! Let's give our Scouts and Scouters, a chance to experience backpacking high adventure at Philmont in 2009! This is a great program for keeping the older Scouts interested.

We want to see how much interest there is in putting together a Bo-Qui group to go to Philmont in 2009. We would need both Scouts and Scouters. You could go as a troop/crew or as individuals.

I would like you to talk to your Scouts and Scouters about going to Philmont.

We need to make our initial assessment of who is interested in going by the end of September.

Sign-up for the Internet random selection must be done during October and November.

See the reverse side for trip details

Let me know as soon as you can as to your interest, even if very tentative. If you would like to go on your own, I would be glad to help you with that too.

If you have any questions, or want more information, don't hesitate to contact me (your Bo-Qui Philmont Expedition Coordinator):

Don Sanning 515-288-0854 (H)
1343 Loomis Ave
Des Moines IA 50315-1866
dbsanning@mchsi.com


BO-QUI PHILMONT EXPEDITION FOR 2009

WHO CAN GO? Scouts must be 14 by January 1, 2009 (year of birth 1994 or prior), or have completed the eighth grade and be 13 by the time or our Philmont trek. Scouters need to be registered and 21 by the time we go. They can be mail or female. Size? Any size, large or small. Treks can be chosen to match the size and physical capabilities of those going.

DATES? When would it be most convenient for your Scouts and Scouters to go? We can request desired dates, but it will depend on dates available at the selection.

TRANSPORTATION? I anticipate we will again take Amtrak from Kansas City.

COST? For right now I would figure the expedition cost at about $975.00 (This covers the Philmont fee, Amtrak, bus from Raton train station to Philmont and trail expenses). The final fee will be depend on the train cost. This does not include any personal or unit equipment that might need to be purchased.

EQUIPMENT? Each person needs a sleeping bag they can backpack that is good down to about 40 degrees, a good pair of hiking boots, and a good pack (packs can be rented at Philmont). Most of the other equipment a Scout/Scouter should have.

Don't let the sun set on your opportunity to go; be there to enjoy the sun setting behind the Tooth of Time.

Cub Scout Challenge registration deadline

Cub Scout Challenge
October 6, 2007
11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Attention Cubmasters:
The deadline for registration is Friday, September 28, 2007. It is important to get your Cub Scouts registered so they have enough supplies for the Cub Scout Challenge event. Contact the Scout Office with your numbers.

Attention Scoutmasters:
We are still in need of Boy Scout Troops to help out with the Cub Scout Challenge event. Remember this is a way to have the Cub Scout see there is more to scouting when they bridge over from Cub Scout. Contact Chuck Jones (515) 710-4221 for more details.

Cub Scout Challenge

Cub Scout Challenge

October 6, 2007
Time: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Plan to attend this full day of fun with your den or with the family up at Camp Mitigwa near Boone, Iowa. Price is $5.00 for all Scouts and siblings age 6 and older. Adults free.

Registration deadline is September 28, 2007. Make sure you make reservations for this fun day with your children. Contact your Cubmaster to get your reservations in as a Pack. The reservation is to make sure that they have enough supplies for each child.

Walk-in's are also welcome, but they would like you to make reservations.

Come and have fun.

2007 Fall Camporee

2007 Fall Camporee will be sponsored by Troop 30 and Troop 301. Camporee will be September 21-23, 2007 at Norwalk Soccer Complex. See forms for sign up sheets.