Northern Trail News: July 6, 2025
July 6, 2025
Action Items
- “2025 National Scouts BSA Fall Membership Kickoff”! Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 7pm Central on Zoom. It's that wonderful time of year to welcome new families into the fun and adventure of Scouting. While many events focus on Webelos crossing over into a troop, don't forget about the fall season. It's an excellent opportunity to connect with middle schoolers and older youth who haven't yet experienced the program. We've compiled some helpful tips and strategies that you can implement immediately to reach these families. Join us at this year's National Scouts BSA Fall Membership Kickoff event, where we'll share these insights. Attendees will leave energized and equipped with effective tools to support their council’s recruitment efforts this Fall. We look forward to seeing you there!
- Post photos on the District and Council Facebook pages.
- Calling all Scout Families Send your scouting photos/videos for a chance to be featured on upcoming marketing materials. Your scout photos could help inspire more families to join. Send scouting photos/videos to Brandi.Mantz@scouting.org
- Share this newsletter with others in your unit. Sign up Link
- Have Content for the Newsletter? Send it to: news@ntrail.org
- 2026 National Jamboree: Signup to be part of the C-10 contingent.
- Pay OA Dues: It's not too late to renew your OA membership, go to: miki.org/event-registration/
- Get Trained, Details Below:
- S.A.F.E. guarding Youth Required for all adults
- Wood Badge 147 Scouting America's ultimate leadership training.
- Share: Scouting skills. You are needed to mentor new leaders. Contact Bram Franklin, bramfranklin@gmail.com
- Popcorn: Time to designate your unit Kernel. Sign-up.
- Volunteer: The District Committee needs your skills and passion for scouting continue delivering a great program. Program, Training, Membership and Finance all need need new members. Contact Lester at: lester.cox@icloud.com
On the Calendar
- Texas Rangers Scout Weekend is BACK - July 18–20.
Scouts, families, and friends — get ready for an unforgettable weekend at Globe Life Field as the Texas Rangers take on the Detroit Tigers! Join us for Scout Weekend with three exciting games to choose from, all packed with fun and Scout spirit!
Special Highlight: Sunday, July 20 Scouts and leaders in uniform can take part in a pregame parade on the field! Let’s fill the stands with Scout pride! Don’t miss this chance to cheer on the Rangers with your pack, troop, or crew!
- National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) Session 3 & 4 Camp James Ray July 14 - 19, 2025
- District Committee Meeting, August 7, 2025, 7:00pm, FUMC
- Scout night at Mesquite Rodeo August 23.
- District Calendar.
- University of Scouting Save the date for September 27, 2025
- Save the Date- 2025 WIS Trail to Troop #2 October 17-19 at Camp Wisdom.
- Trainer's EDGE November 15,2025(Registration Closes: Monday, November 10, at 11:00 p.m.)
Scoutmaster Minute – Hazardous Weather Preparedness
Scouts, Scouters, and families—
We talk a lot in Scouting about being prepared. But what does that really mean when we’re out in the woods and the sky starts to darken?
In response to the recent tragedy in Central Texas, it’s more important than ever to understand the importance of preparedness.
Hazardous Weather Training isn’t just a rule—it’s part of living up to our promise to keep Scouts safe. It teaches us how to recognize danger before it strikes, how to act quickly, and how to protect one another in storms, extreme heat, and other weather challenges.
A thunderstorm doesn’t care if we’re halfway through a hike. A sudden flood won’t wait for us to pack up camp. But if we’ve done the training, stayed alert, and worked together, we’ll be ready.
So let’s remember: being prepared isn’t just a motto—it’s a mindset. Whether you’re a Scout or an adult leader, take time to learn the skills that could make all the difference.
Because in Scouting, safety isn’t luck. It’s leadership.
Scouting Roundtable
Come meet other Unit leaders, ask questions, network and learn from the topic of the month. We welcome all Adult volunteers. How do you know if you do not ask. Whether a new volunteer or lots of years in the saddle, it will be of value to you, to your unit and to our youth- its fun to network. Roundtable will begin the 2nd Thursday in August. First United Methodist Church Richardson, Rm. 230 @7:00 pm.
Do you know who your Scout Unit Commissioner is? They are not the police, they are there to help and guide, to answer any questions you have about scouting. How can we help. If you do not know who your unit commissioner is, please contact bramfranklin@gmail.com
Small Boat Sailing Merit Badge class
Scout Scout Ship 1899 will be hosting a Small Boat Sailing merit badge class on Saturday July 12 at White Rock Boat Club. This will be an all day event and includes lunch. The cost is $30. Registration is required, fill out this Google document that contains information information for the class.Scouts must have passed the Scouting America swimmer test.
Troop Fundraising Opportunity
The Richardson Rotary Club is searching for a scout troop in the Richardson area that would like to help them with their Flag Program. One or two troops are needed to help the Club put out and pick-up flags. This project could be a good income source for a troop’s scout accounts.
If interested, contact Daniel K. Long, Sr. long4pcc@gmail.com 214-607-7597.
New Resource for Stronger Troops!
Scouts BSA has just introduced a Revised Troop Self-Assessment Program — designed to help troops reflect, improve, and grow stronger together.
You Can Help Connect Us With New Unit Prospects
Northern Trail is setting appointments with Calvary Pentecostal and St. James Episcopal churches. Are you a member at either site? We'd love to know as it's always helpful to have Scouters who are also members of our partners. Contact DE Katherine McCrary at Katherine.McClary@scouting.org. Have ideas for other possible unit prospective partners? We're all ears!
Training
S.A.F.E. guarding Youth
The new course contains a lot of updated information and reinforces a culture of active supervision, situational awareness, and safety. S.A.F.E. guarding Youth training is 90 minutes long the first time you complete it. After completing the training one time, you will only need to complete annual 15-minute refreshers moving forward.
2025 Wood Badge 147
Wood Badge brings together leaders from all areas of Scouting - Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, and Venturing. Our mission is to inspire and train adults through world class leadership training that sets an example for youth empowerment. Go to Black Pug Circle Ten Council offers three Wood Badge courses in 2025 to meet the varying schedules and needs of our volunteers. In 2025, there is a spring, summer, and fall course so you may choose the time of year that works best for you.
A huge amount of training material is available online, including position training and Youth Protection. Access your account here. If you don't have an account, it is easy to set one up. You can access your training records and set up a complete training program.
If you have any questions about training needs, please contact us at NT.Training@att.net
Arapaho Chapter News
Vigil Honor nominations are due Aug 1 and we ask Arapaho chapter members to take some time to reflect on potential nominees within our organization who exemplify the ideals of the OA and fill out a nomination form using this link Once completed please email it to the Vigil Adviser, and the submission date is by end of day on August 1st, 2025.
It's not too late to renew your OA membership go to: miki.org/event-registration/ and pay your dues.
The Order of the Arrow is an honor camper service organization. Each district has a chapter and members are chosen by their peers.
Contact arapaho@miki.org with questions.
Northern Trail has an active commissioner staff with deep scouting knowledge. Get to know your commissioner. Your commissioner can help you and your unit resolve problems and pass along some ideas to make your program even better. Our District Commissioner is Bram Franklin, who may be reached at: bramfranklin@gmail.com.
If you are having trouble reaching your commissioner, contact Bram and he will assist you.
Commissioner Service
Looking for a way to give back to scouting? New unit leaders need mentors who can help them navigate the trail. As you know it can be a little overwhelming. Training is available! Contact our district commissioner Bram Franklin bramfranklin@gmail.com for more information.
Website and Newsletter
Our newsletter and website reach a very large audience in Northern Trail. If there is something scouting related which needs to be on the website or the newsletter, please do not keep it to yourself, let us know. news@ntrail.org
If we need to fix a broken link or have incorrect information, please take a moment, and let us know. news@ntrail.org
Do not keep the newsletter to yourself! Everyone in your unit should be receiving the newsletter and be aware of the website. sign up is easy, just send them to: Newsletter sign up . Do not forget to sign up on Circle Ten to receive updates from the council.
Looking for something in a recent newsletter? Several years of past newsletters may be found here.
Yours in Scouting,
Tammy Pitt
Northern Trail Communications Committee
8605 Harry Hines, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
