📌 Action Items

• Last Call - Unit & District Awards. All unit and district award applications must be submitted by January 9

📣 Recruitment & Promotion

• Northern Trail Roundtable - Are you making it to your district roundtable meetings? 
• Post photos on the District and Council Facebook pages.
• Share this newsletter – Forward to others in your unit. Sign up here.

🎓 Training & Leadership

• S.A.F.E. Guarding Youth – Required for all adults.
• Share Your Skills – Mentor new leaders; contact bramfranklin@gmail.com.

🍿 Fundraising & Volunteering

• TBD

📰 Newsletter & Content

• Have Content? – Send items for the newsletter to news@ntrail.org.

📅On the Calendar 

📆District Calendar📢Please note January date changes on calendar📢
• District Commissioner Meeting - January 8 at FUMC, room 230 has been rescheduled to 6:00 pm.
• Northern Trail District Committee Meeting - January 8 at FUMC, room 230 at 7:00pm.
• Northern Trail Roundtable - January 15 at FUMC, room 230 at rescheduled to 7:00 pm.

• Looking down the road next year

• 👉2026 Merit Badge Mania - January 31, 2026 at Richland College. Registration is now open, merit badge classes fill up fast, so be prepared. 

  
  

  2026 Woodbadge courses
  • WoodBadge 148 at Camp Wisdom: February 6-8, 2026 and February 21-22, 2026
  • Wood Badge 149 - Philmont Scout Ranch: August 2-8, 2026
  • Wood Badge 150 - Trevor Rees-Jones Scout Camp: October 23-25, 2026 and November 7-8, 2026

  Think It, Build It, Sell It – Merit Badge Day

  Scouts can earn Entrepreneurship, Inventing, and Salesmanship at this special Merit Badge event in Richardson. Each badge has its own counselor, with hands-on learning and guidance to complete requirements. 

  • Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026 – 1:00–5:00 PM
  • Inventing second session (required): Saturday, March 28, 2026 – 1:00–5:00 PM
  • Check-in opens: 12:45 PM both days
  • Location: First United Methodist Church Richardson, Mays Hall (Rooms 227 & 230)
  • Cost: $5 – includes patch & snacks
  • Each class is limited to 40 Scouts

  
  

As the New Year begins, we’re often encouraged to make resolutions. But Scouts already have something better than resolutions. We have a promise. 

Each time we say the Scout Oath, we promise to do our best. Not to be perfect. Just to keep trying. A new year gives us 365 fresh chances to live up to that promise a little better than we did yesterday. 

The Scout Law reminds us what that looks like in everyday life. Being trustworthy when it’s easier not to be. Being helpful without being asked. Being brave when something is hard or unfamiliar. These aren’t New Year goals that fade by February. They’re guideposts for every day of the trail. 

As this year unfolds, don’t ask, “What do I want to achieve?” Ask instead, “How can I live the Scout Oath and Law more fully?” If you do that, this year won’t just be new. It will be meaningful. 

Help Shape Scouting — Become a Unit Commissioner 

Many of us have Scouts who have aged out but still want to contribute to the values and ethics Scouting instills in our youth. We are looking for two new commissioners for Northern Trail. If you have Scouting experience and want to help beyond your Pack, Troop, Crew, Ship, or Post, please consider becoming a unit commissioner. 

If you have questions or would like to suggest someone for this role, please contact: 

Bram Franklin
214-609-9089
BramFranklin@gmail.com

Northern Trail Roundtable Meeting 

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 – it’s fun to network. 

📍 Roundtable is the 2nd Thursday of every month.
First United Methodist Church Richardson, Rm. 230 @ 7:00 pm 

Upcoming Roundtable Topics: 

Other Important Information 

Scouting Public Safety Day – March 7, 2026

Join Scouts from across Richardson for a FREE full-day event focused on safety, service, and skill-building! The City of Richardson will host Scouting Public Safety Dayon Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM at the Fire Training Center, 1621 E. Lookout Dr. Merit Badges Offered: Crime Prevention Emergency Preparedness Fingerprinting Fire Safety First Aid Safety Search & Rescue Use QR code to the right to sign up. For more information, contact Ryan Steele at 972-744-0904 or ryan.steele@cor.gov.

Merit Badge Counselor Positions

To apply for a MBC position, please send the merit badge form along with a multiple application and a copy of your ypt/sy to Josh.Ohmstede@scouting.org. MBC is a council position and the applications are handled by the council.

Cub Scout Camping

Cub Scout Camping is fun and only allowed at approved camps. Make your reservations in advance for your whole pack to enjoy the outdoors. Click on Circle Ten Camps for information on the 4 Circle 10 camps and all the other approved Cub Scout Camping locations at the bottom of the page for your Cub Scout Pack to have an adventure.

Commissioners

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.

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.