The Silver Beaver Award is given by the National Council, Boy Scouts of America upon recommendation of the local council to persons who have given outstanding service to youth over an extended period of time. The local council presents a limited number of Silver Beaver Awards each year, according to the number of registered units in the Council.

This award is bestowed upon only those persons who have given continued, unselfish and effective service to the community, usually through the programs of the Boy Scouts of America, but not limited to Scouting. Because individuals may not nominate themselves for this award, only those persons who have been nominated by their Scouting peers are considered. It is the intent of the Silver Beaver Committee to select the most deserving based on the applications submitted.

Is your unit looking for some exciting winter programing? 

Bay-Lakes Council Camps has great options for you!

Polar Cubs:

Polar Cubs is a unique winter program for Cub Scouts and their families. Campers are grouped into “Super Dens” keeping those from the same Pack together. Super Dens rotate through various activities led by staff members. The program focuses on outdoor winter adventures with some indoor activities.

GARDNER DAM ADVENTURE BASE     Feb. 14-6  |   Feb. 28-Mar.2

Campers have the option of a Friday night OR Saturday night stay or attend Saturday only. The overnight option includes indoor accommodations in one of our heated buildings, indoor showers and restrooms as well as meals prepared for you.  The program will start Saturday about 9:00 AM and end around 4:00pm.  Lunch will be provided.  Attending Friday overnight through Saturday, check-in will be about 7:00 PM and checkout on Saturday.  Attending Saturday overnight, check-in on Saturday and check-out on Sunday around 9:00 AM.  All meals are included if you stay overnight.

Arctic Adventure:

Arctic Adventure, a winter adventure program for Venturers and Scouts BSA with a variety of outdoor and indoor activities. The Okpik winter camping program is an option for Arctic Adventure participants. A virtual day of Okpik winter camping training is being planned and more information (date & zoom link) will be sent to registration contacts.  Participants can practice Okpik winter camping skills during their winter camping adventure at Arctic Adventure!

GARDNER DAM ADVENTURE BASE     Feb. 7-9   |   Feb. 21-23

Program Highlights:

• Indoor lodging & dining
• Snowshoeing
• OKPIK winter camping option
• Quinzhee / Winter Shelter Building
• Snow Sculptures
• Jerky making and dehydrating foods
• Indoor bouldering wall
• Snowshoe construction
• Cross-country skiing
• Downhill skiing on Saturday (day trip from Gardner Dam with additional cost | option based on interest)
• Sew fleece items (neck gaiters & more)
• Food & winter cooking
• Winter activities and games
• Ice fishing (option based on interest)
• Hearty meals and trail snacks to keep you well-fed for winter activities
• Board games, card games, movies
• Optional overnight outdoor camping Sat. night

Participants are required to have BSA medical and consent form, part A&B, upon arrival in camp and are responsible for their personal clothing, bedding, and personal care items. Additional information with the suggested list of items to bring will be sent prior to the event and posted to this registration.

Estimated costs:

Arctic Adventure weekend | $55 base fee (includes lodging, food, standard program)

Arctic Adventure Saturday only participants $40

**Potential** Downhill skiing option on Sat. with housing at Gardner Dam pending | additional cost to be determined

For more information contact Mike Mailand at mike.mailand@konwapos.org or (920) 915-7901.

Hiawathaland Ice Climbing Adventure:

Join us for a weekend of adventure and experience a whole new way of climbing!  Check-out the frozen beauty of the Pictured Rocks area. 

CAMP HIAWATHA    Feb. 21-23

Scouts, BSA or Venturing Crew members who are 14+ and adults get a chance to experience Ice Climbing!

Lodging: heated cabins with 2 twin bunks (4 per cabin) in the snowshoe village.

Open to participants 14 and older.  All participants must meet BSA height/weight guidelines. All attendees MUST be BSA currently registered youth or adults prior to arrival. 20-person limit for Ice Climbing per weekend. Waitlist available. 

COST: $TBD per person. Includes lodging, food, transportation, all equipment, and guided training. Meals in camp will be served in Snowshoe Lodge. Saturday lunch will be on the ice wall. $40 per person if you come for the weekend, but do not ice climb. 

All Participants will receive the New Hiawatha Winter Adventures Patch!

ITEMS TO BRING: Sleeping Bag / Bedding / Pillow. Personal items for overnight stay. Warm hat/gloves/snow pants/jacket for spending the day outdoors.

PROGRAM:

• Friday: Check-In after 5:00pm Eastern at Camp Hiawatha.

• Friday 9:00 PM: Cracker Barrel with presentation on Ice Climbing.

• Saturday - Load bus / training / gear up / travel to ice curtain / CLIMB!

• Sunday - Breakfast will be provided / departure by 10:00 AM.

If you have any questions, please contact Erick Kestila at erick.kestila@baylakescamps.org. You can also sign up for the weekend if you would like to stay at camp on the family side cabins and pay the non-climber rate for the weekend.

The other evening, I had a chance conversation with a local musician. Officially, he is an associate professor of Music and teacher of String Bass. A few weeks ago, my wife and I saw him perform with a national touring group. He was introduced as the last minute fill-in for the regular bassist, who took ill. Based on my "keen" musical ears, he was in sync, on cue and on note. So I asked him how much lead time did he have. He got the call at 5:30 for a show that began two hours later. It was fun, he said. And, it showed in his performance. Little wonder his bio begins with the words::"a versatile bassist, composer, and educator (with) diverse performance experience." And this fill-in was not the first performance with national musicians.

As even our beginning scouts learn, “Be prepared” is the motto of both the Boy Scouts (and the Girl Scouts, too.) Scouting's founder, Lord Baden-Powell explained that the motto means "being ready in mind and body to do one's duty at any time."  Like video gamers, sports players, and musicians, we learn that we have to plan and practice, and practice much more. There's a moment of excitement when a gamer "levels up." Or successfully tying that first knot. Or knowing what to do in emergencies. Asked, "Be prepared for what?", Baden-Powell is always quoted as responding, "Why, for any old thing." 

We might not have studied string base since our youthful days as did my musician friend. Nor would we expect to get a two-hour notice to perform. Yet, there are many things for which we have trained and prepared ourselves, and some of those require more immediate reaction and response that a two-hour warning. Both in and out of Scouting. 

Scouting values do not stop when the unit meeting concludes, or when the uniform comes off. These are life-guiding principles which have real impact everywhere we go, in everything we do, and upon every person we encounter. So, for what are you really prepared?

See you on the trail!

Warren Kraft

Program Development

Bay-Lakes Council #635

Feedback: Have a thought or question? We'd love to hear from you. Please share your comments with us. It is easy; just reply to this email or send a message to guide@baylakesbsa.org.