Cub Scout Pack 318 in Rolling Hills recently gave back to the community. They planted two bushes over by the Morristown Mill in honor of 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts in America. They also planted two trees in the Morristown City Park in honor/memory of long time Scouting volunteer Vern Moldenhauer.

Vern started the Morristown Scouting program and served in multiple positions with Scouting continually for 19 years. He held positions in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Shooters. He did everything from den leader, cub master, and charter representative. He held positions at the district level as well. He was involved in scouting for food drives, certified on the shooting ranges, and was an expert at knot tying. He played a crucial role in starting and keeping scouts motivated in Morristown.

The scouts will be purchasing plaques in the Fall and having a small dedication.

The trees and bushes were purchased with a grant program through the local Modern Woodsman with the assistance of Carol Morshcing. The organization gave the boys $250.00 to purchase the plants. Ron Greenwald, from Greenwalds Greenhouse and Landscaping, donated his time, supplies, and expertise to ensure this project was a success.
 

In order to help all the Rolling Hills Packs with the summer programming and retention, the Rolling hills district is providing summer events in each month of the summer. For more information, check the Rolling Hills District website at www.rollinghills.nsbsa.org

Fishing Event
When: June 22nd, 6:30-9:00 pm
Location: Cody Lake Fishing Pier
Located on Southwest side of lake off Co. Rd. 59
Outside of Lonsdale
Cost: FREE, Dinner Provided

Swimming Event
When: July 19th, 7:00-9:00 pm
Location: Montgomery Highschool Pool
101 2nd St NE
Montgomery, MN 56069
Cost: $3 per youth or adult, $9 maximum per family

Bike Ride
When: August 12th, 7:00-9:00 pm
Location: Faribault Middle School
704 17th Street SW
Faribault, MN 55021
Cost: Free Event
 

With Fall Recruitment approaching very quickly, every Rolling Hills needs to start preparing to conduct some event from September 13th-24th. Marketing your Pack this summer is the key to getting a high turnout. Consider the following steps:

1. Pack Information Sheet
This is your chance to brag about your pack and have a quick handout ready to distribute.
Each pack should develop and distribute a Pack Information Sheet that includes meeting times and locations, a pack calendar, list of leaders’ contact information, your pack website and other exciting information about your program.

2. Fliers
Fliers are provided by the council office. Normally, there are a few versions of the flier: 8.5x11, 4.25x5.5, and a Scout is Reverent flier for religious institution use.
Some information on this flier is personalized for your pack – date, time, location of your joining event as well as contact information.

3. School Visits (Boy Talks)
School (classroom, lunchroom, school bus, school assembly) visits are a highly effective way to get kids excited about the program.

4. Open House Nights
Your pack is part of the fiber of the school and its families, request permission to have a pack display/information booth at this event. Being present at Back to School Night and all other school and chartered partner activities is an important way to raise exposure of your program.

5. Peer-to-Peer / Families Helping Recruit
The current families within your pack can be a great resource to help promote any pack recruiting event. Ask them to invite friends of their boys who are not currently in Cubs to join.
 

Community involvement is one of the key components of Scouting, which makes it unlike other organizations. Every Rolling Hills Pack, Troop, and Crew does some form of volunteering in their area. Please have your Pack, Troop, or Crew log into the Good Turn for America website goodturnforamerica.org and record their service work. Each town needs to pick their own dates for Good Turn for America, since there will not be a specific date. There will be door hangers available at the April 8th ROUNDTABLE to promote your weekend of service. There will be no date on the 2010 door hangers, it'll only say “Next Saturday.”

Northfield held their Good Turn for America weekend on Saturday, March 20, the Northfield Fire & Rescue Department along with dozens of Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, students from St. Dominic’s School and St. Olaf College canvassed the Northfield community for food donations. Their successful collection garnered 4,640 pounds of food and $252.69 for the Community Action Center of Northfield’s Food Shelf.

Over the past decade the Northfield Fire & Rescue Departments with the help of local Cub and Boy Scouts have collected an amazing 52,319 pounds of food. The city of Northfield is very proud of the annual community-wide food drive. Not only does the food drive bring in a lot of food donations, it also helps to heighten public awareness of those in need in Northfield.

Historical Rolling Hills Food Totals
2009: 14,000 pounds
2008: 16,700 pounds
2007: 16,400 pounds

Any questions, please contact Good Turn for America Chair Barb Jirik ogresdad44@aol.com
 

There are at least 11 people in town pleased with the frigid temperatures.

 

Kids from Faribault’s Boy Scout Troop 309 spent Friday night in quinzees — a shelter built from snow — and spent Saturday cooking their own meals, ice fishing on Cannon Lake and sledding.

The boy scouts spent the time outside to earn their zero hero badge, one that doesn’t come easily.

In order to receive the honor, scout master Jennifer David said the kids must camp outside for 24 hours in a temporary shelter with a temperature below zero degrees. Each scout must cook two meals and the only heat allowed is by campfire.

Nathan Rolling didn’t doubt it would be cold — the National Weather Service predicted overnight lows of 17 below zero — but said he would rely on his sleeping bag and layers to stay warm.

“We have to have the proper gear,” added Christopher David, 12.

The scouts learned about proper layering. Tyler Mason, 12, said the wicking layer was the most important. The wicking layer is worn directly on the skin and is typically made of a synthetic fiber, like polyester.

“It keeps water away from the body,” he said.

The troop spent about 14 hours preparing for the weekend with the help of parents, who will also spend the 24 hours outside.

They built five quinzees, trained and tested for the weekend. Scouts learned how to keep themselves, as well as their supplies, warm enough to function.

Nick Cagle, 13, said he was excited to sleep in the quinzees.

“It’s pretty cool,” he said. “They’re like an igloo. I’ve never actually seen something like that.”

Building five quinzees didn’t come easy, though.

“The first day we dug out for like four hours,” Christopher said.

The group had scrambled eggs, lasagna and grilled cheese sandwiches on the menu, but said it would like to catch its own meal Saturday at Cannon Lake. Christopher said the scouts knew how to filet fish.

Members from the group tried last year for the honor, but the temperature was well above zero degrees last year, they said.

This year, they didn’t have that problem, and they’re more than happy about it. At 7 p.m. Saturday, they earned their zero hero honors.

“It’s a lot of fun to do,” said 13-year-old Andrew Ruehling.

ZERO HEROES

During a 24-hour period of a campout, each of the following must occur:

• The temperature must fall below zero degrees

• Scouts must sleep outdoors in a temporary shelter

• Heat provided by only campfire

• Cook two meals outdoors over campfire

— Staff writer Corey Butler Jr. may be reached at 333-3135.

 

All Troop or Crew leaders need to turn in their re-charters packets NO LATER than January 14th. Please contact Rolling Hills District Commissioner Jay Wieland at N0PUI@MSN.COM

New Internet Re-charter access codes are issued every year. Use the one provided with this packet. LOG ON AS A FIRST TIME USER WITH YOUR NEW ACCESS CODE even if you did the charter last year. You are a new user every year. Disable your “popup blocker” to allow all processes. LEAVE ALL GRADES AS SHOWN. Exception: If a Scout is currently listed in the wrong grade, change only that Scout. The National office automatically advances all grades on June 1.

 

The 2010 Rolling Hills OA Ice Fishing Derby is taking place on Saturday, February 6th on Cedar Lake in Scott County and is open to all boys and girls 5-18 years old.

Registration before Feb 1st - $5 / youth $2.50 / adult Feb 1st or after - $6 / youth $4 /adult. Grab bags for the first 250 particapants pre-registered. Hot Dogs and Hot Chocolate will be provided.

Registration is all on-line starting in early January. Go to register the Rolling Hills District Web site www.rollinghills.nsbsa.org and follow the link for OA District Fishing Derby.

Questions please contact Craig Turner (952) 237-6312, npcom@bevcomm.net

 

Rolling Hills will join Prairie Lakes District again for a combined Winter Klondike event on February 27th, at the Phillppo Scout Reservation. The day event will offer: Outdoor Winter Games, Cross Country Skiing, and 2 Merit Badges. A Klondike Race will conclude the day. More detailed information to come.

Please contact Rolling Hills Activities Chair Paul Turgeon at paul.turgeon@ci.burnsville.mn.us

 

New Prague Troop 323 from Rolling Hills District completed their first Boy Scout Sea Base National High Adventure trip August 20-26, 2009. The Troop was the 46th unit from Northern Star Council (including Viking and Indianhead Councils) to attend Sea Base. The Keys Adventure program accommodates 6-8 crew members. Boys must be 14 years old to attend High Adventure Camps. The Brinton Environmental Center is located 25 miles north of Key West on Summerland Key. The Sea Base program runs about 11,000 boys through their programs in a year.

The crew of eight from Troop 323 included Scouts Nick Jirik, Tony Beranek, Tyler Christian, and Eric Novotny. Nick Jirik served as the Youth Crew Leader. Adult leaders Jim Christian and Mike Jirik. The two other adults were Mike Drellack and Jay Novotny.

Activities included swimming, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, kayaking, exploring, camping, environmental project, and a day trip to Key West. Water temperatures were 88-92 degrees Fahrenheit with visibility up to 80 feet. Air conditioned dormitories housed the crew for all but one night. Air temperatures were 90’s in the day and 80’s in the night with high humidity. Top notch equipment and ample, delicious food made the trip very enjoyable. Sea Base owns and operates 17 power and sail boats. Most of the power boats run 300 hp Suzuki 4 stroke motors which get the 25’ Dusky center console boats up on plane in a hurry. The crew fished 17 miles off shore one day and even enjoyed an afternoon swim at lunch time in 750’ of water. You can’t see land that far out but the water is the most beautiful deep blue!

The crew caught two Skip Jack Tuna (the Mahi Mahi was too small to keep), numerous Yellowtail Snappers and Grunts, and two Spiny Lobster, to supplement dinner on the Big Munson Island campout. Snorkeling on Looe Key provided a stunning view of this healthy reef. Depths ranged from 5’-40’. Beautiful and bountiful coral and tropical fish were everywhere. We were lucky enough to see the passing of a Black Tipped Shark and Spotted Eagle Ray too. The Moon Jellyfish were abundant and one tangled with Tyler and Tony leaving some painful but temporary sting marks.

This High Adventure Camp is far different from Philmont in New Mexico but provides a varied and unique tropical and aquatic experience for the boys.

 

Scouts prepare to for the Rolling Hills Bike Ride on July 9 at Faribault Middle School.

 

With Fall Recruitment approaching very quickly, every Rolling Hills needs to start preparing to conduct some event from September 14-25.  Marketing your Pack this summer is the key to getting a high turnout.  Consider the following steps:

1.  Pack Information Sheet

This is your chance to brag about your pack and have a quick handout ready to distribute.

Each pack should develop and distribute a Pack Information Sheet that includes meeting times and locations, a pack calendar, list of leaders’ contact information, your pack website or www.joincubs.org, and other exciting information about your program.

2. Fliers

Fliers are provided by the council office.  Normally, there are a few versions of the flier: 8.5x11, 4.25x5.5, and a Scout is Reverent flier for religious institution use.

Some information on this flier is personalized for your pack – date, time, location of your joining event as well as contact information.

3.  School Visits (Boy Talks)

School (classroom, lunchroom, school bus, school assembly) visits are a highly effective way to get kids excited about the program.

4.  Open House Nights

Your pack is part of the fiber of the school and its families, request permission to have a pack display/information booth at this event.Being present at Back to School Night and all other school and chartered partner activities is an important way to raise exposure of your program.

5.  Peer-to-Peer / Families Helping Recruit

The current families within your pack can be a great resource to help promote any pack recruiting event. Ask them to invite friends of their boys who are not currently in Cubs to join.

Planning on your Unit Calendar this Summer

All units must be planning their yearly calendar to ensure a great year.  The typical planning meeting consists of the following steps:

1. SET A DATE TO MEET – Pick a date in the summer with the committee and to establish an annual plan.

2. CHECK MEETING DATES - Before this time, check with your chartering organization and school calendar to confirm available dates for troop and pack

meetings and events.

3. REVIEW LAST YEAR'S PROGRAM - Which activities worked and which did not? Decide the activities and special meetings you would like to do

again. Also, determine whether or not your budget was adequate for them.

4.  BE AWARE OF COUNCIL AND DISTRICT DATES - Review the council and district calendar and mark dates on your program schedule for district and council activities like roundtable, camporees, and trainings. 

5. SET OTHER DATES - Set the dates for special activities like Court of Honor or Blue and Gold banquets, Friends of Scouting, and Camping activities.

6. SCHEDULE YOUR MONTHLY COMMITTEE OR PLC MEETINGS - Set dates for and schedule dates for your monthly PLC meeting and Committee meeting to plan the next month's activities and meetings (i.e. in September you should be planning for October). You should have a committee meeting and PLC meeting every month.

7. DEVELOP A BUDGET - Based on the meetings and activities you have planned for the year, number of boys who are likely to advance, and the number of youth and adult members of the troop, figure out what your approximate yearly expenses will be.

 

 

 

In order to help all the Rolling Hills Packs with the summer programming and retention, the Rolling hills district is providing summer events in each month of the summer. For more information, contact Rolling Hills Activities Chair Paul Turgeon, paul.turgeon@ci.burnsville.mn.us

Fishing Event

When: June 18, 6:30-9:00 pm
Location: Lakeview Shelter Cleary Lake Regional Park
18106 Texas Avenue
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Cost: $10.00, Dinner Provided

Bike Ride

When: July 9, 6:00-8:00 pm
Location: Faribault Middle School
704 17th Street SW
Faribault, MN 55021
Cost: Free Event

Swimming Event

When: August 11, 7:00-9:00 pm
Location: Northfield Outdoor Pool
801 7th Street East
Northfield, MN 55057
Cost: $10.00 per youth

 

All Rolling Hills packs should consider the Lion Cub program which is designed for Kindergartners.

This new program is focused on parent planning and delivery, with youth participation. The program focuses on parents learning about the basics of youth development, and Scouting’s proven tools for raising happy, healthy children, and the outcome for kids is to commit to the FUN of Scouting at an earlier age.

1. Make a commitment to participate by June 30, 2009. Commitment includes:
1. Top Leaders of the Pack are trained.
2. Year Round Program for all Cub Scouts and their families
3. Participation in Fall Youth Recruitment
4. Full Family of Cub Scouting – Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear and Webelos dens
2. Recruit a Pack Lion Cub Coordinator.
3. Support the Lion Cub program in your pack for one program year.
4. Complete the feedback forms and return to the Rolling Hills Lion Cub Coordinator by dates indicated.
5. Please email this information to esinn@northernstarbsa.org by June 30, 2009.