Northern Trail News: May 17, 2026
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:
📌 Action Items
- 📝 Cub Scout Crossover Reminder: Please ensure all Cub Scout advancement is recorded before a youth is registered with a troop. Many Scouts crossing over have already paid their national dues at the end of 2025; those dues should not be collected again by the troop. ➡ Need arrows for your crossover? Contact Arapaho chapter advisor Kristine Schowope Kschwope@hotmail.com or 214-734-2281.
- Northern Trail District Committee meetings - Have a Voice in Your District!
- Northern Trail Roundtable - Are you making it to your district roundtable meetings?
- Post photos on the District and Council Facebook pages.
- Share this newsletter – Make sure new members are in the know - Forward to others in your unit. Sign up here.
- New Merit Badge Counselor Contact Jayde Hawkins. Send the merit badge form along with a multiple application and a copy of your ypt/sy. Training is available at Merit Badge Counselor Position Specific Training
📣 Recruitment & Promotion
🎓 Training & Leadership
- Please note that Youth Protection Training(YPT) is being sunset as of May 31. – Even if you took YPT less than two years ago it will expire May 31 and you will need to take the new safeguarding youth training. The training can be found online at my.scouting.org. 🚨 Deadline: May 31, 2026
- Health and Safety – Safety is a value that must be taught and reinforced at every opportunity.
- Check out all the new training classes added to On the Calendar!
- Share Your Skills – Mentor new leaders; contact bramfranklin@gmail.com.
🍿 Fundraising & Volunteering
- Tentative 2026 Popcorn Calendar Now Available. Time to start preparing for the Fall!.
📰 Newsletter & Content
- Have Content? – Send items for the newsletter to news@ntrail.org.
📅On the Calendar 
- 📆District Calendar
Northern Trail District Commissioner Meeting June 4 at 6:00pm, FUMC Richardson, Room 226B. 2027 Program Preview - come see what's planned for next year! Open to all scout volunteers!
Northern Trail District Committee Meeting June 4 at 7:00pm, FUMC Richardson, Room 230.
Northern Trail Roundtable - August 13 at FUMC, room 230 7:00 pm.
2026 OA Camp Staff Support DayJoin us to help prepare for Summer/Resident Camp at Camp Constantin, Camp James Ray, and Trevor Rees-Jones Scout Camp! You do not need to be an OA member to help. The OA is sponsoring the event. Lunch will be provided.
Wood Badge 149 - Philmont Scout Ranch: Wood Badge is Scouting America's ultimate leadership training designed to meet the advanced leadership needs of Scouters. August 2-8, 2026.
Becca Bradley from NT invites all parents and leaders who have not attended the course to come. Family cabin camping and programming is available simultaneously, so there will be fun for the whole family.
2026 UNIVERSITY OF SCOUTING Save The Date October 10, 2026
Wood Badge 150 - Trevor Rees-Jones Scout Camp: October 23-25, 2026 and November 7-8, 2026
| 🏕️ Have a Voice in Your District |
Northern Trail Scouters, are you satisfied with the district activities? Do you want a voice in deciding future events? If so, you are encouraged to attend our next District Committee Meeting on Thursday, May 7 at 7:00 PM in room 230 at the First United Methodist Church of Richardson. All Scouters are welcome, and your unit’s Charter Organization Representative is especially encouraged to attend as a full member of the district committee. |
| Local News and Notes |
| ⚠️ Leader Safety Minute: Before You Head to Summer Camp |
|---|
| Summer camp preparations usually focus on tents, gear, and making sure nobody forgets their Class A uniform five minutes before departure. But before the troop trailer rolls out, take a few minutes for a quick safety check that could make a major difference during camp week. 🩹 Check the troop first aid kit. Replace expired medications, restock bandages and gloves, and make sure leaders know where the kit is stored. A “mostly stocked” first aid kit has a strange habit of becoming completely empty at the worst possible moment. ❤️ Inspect your AED. Verify the battery and pads are within expiration dates and ensure the device is packed where it can be accessed quickly. In an emergency, every second matters. 🛞 Inspect trailer tires before departure. Check tire pressure, tread wear, lug nuts, lights, and the condition of the spare tire. Summer heat and long highway drives can turn neglected trailer tires into roadside confetti. ☀️ Don’t forget sunscreen. Hydration gets a lot of attention at camp, but sunburn can sneak up fast during aquatics, shooting sports, and afternoon activities. Encourage Scouts and adults to apply sunscreen early and reapply throughout the day. A few minutes spent checking safety equipment before camp can prevent problems later and help keep the focus where it belongs: adventure, learning, and a great week outdoors. |
📚 Upcoming Training
| 🚨 Deadline: May 31, 2026 🚨 |
|---|
| New Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) |
| Please note that youth protection training (YPT) will no longer be valid after May 31. The course has been replaced with the new SAFE Guarding Youth Training (SYT). Even if your YPT training is less than two years old, it will now expire May 31. If you have not yet taken the new SYT course, you will need to do so no later than May 31.SYT is available now on my.Scouting.org. |
| Upcoming District and Council Events |
Arapaho Chapter News
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.
It's not too late to renew your OA membership go to: miki.org/event-registration/ and pay your dues.
Other Important Information
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.
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.
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
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 Tento 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
