2023 Northern Star Scouting

Spring Camporee and Webelos Recruitoree

Event Overview

Save the date on your calendars for this exciting event! We will have a wide range of program activities offered during the day Saturday. Scouts can choose the activities they find most interesting. All program stations will offer some type of hands-on activity for the Scouts, covering a wide range of interests including sports, careers, science and technology, hobby interests, shooting sports, climbing, conservation, outdoor skills, etc. There will be a Patrol Skills competition modeled after the Wali-Ga-Zu competition which was a long-time feature of the legacy Northwest District. Patrol awards will be given based on the level of performance of the Patrol measured against an absolute standard. Other recognitions are planned based on participation in a wide range of the program activities.

Webelos Dens are encouraged to participate with a Scouts BSA Troop of their choice. Troops are encouraged to reach out and invite Dens of associated Packs to join them. The Den will act as a Patrol within the Troop. The Webelos Scouts will practice working together as a Patrol independently under Scout youth leadership. Parents of Webelos will camp and eat with the Troop adults while being able to observe their Scouts in action. Troops will plan their own menus and provide their own food. This is a great opportunity for Troops to show Webelos Scouts and their parents why they should join the Troop for the next step on the Scouting adventure trail.

There will be an orientation session for Webelos adults to help them understand the transition from Cub Scouts to the Scouts BSA program and the youth-led, Patrol method model.  Adult Youth Protection Training and Troop Committee Challenge will be offered if sufficient interest is shown through the event registration. A Dutch Oven cooking class for adults will also be offered based on interest.  

Any Scout Troop, Venturing Crew, or Explorer Post interested in providing a program area highlighting a specialty of that unit is encouraged to contact the event chair: Dave Yarusso at daveyarusso@gmail.com.

Further details about the program offerings will be communicated as the planning progresses.

(Updated 2/15/2023)   

Event Costs

Scouts BSA or Webelos Youth $20

Scouts BSA/ Webelos Adult $8

Shooting Sports $5

Webelos and Arrow of Light Scout (4th /5th grade Webelos) Participation

Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts are encouraged to attend, but must register with an attending unit.  This event is considered a transition and retention activity and Webelos can participate alongside Scouts BSA Troops. 

Registration Campsite Selection 

This year's registration includes a campsite preference.  While registering, the registrant contact will be able to select your unit's location/ area preference.  We will do our best to accommodate requests, but may need to shift final locations due to capacity.

Registration Deadline

Pre-registration as well as all registration changes and modifications are due Monday May 8th at 11:59PM.   

Star Patrol Skills Challenge 

The Star Patrol Skills Challenge is one of the events offered at the 2023 “Choose Your Adventure” Spring Camporee.  However, to do well in this challenge, a Patrol needs to study and practice prior to the event. It also is designed for the entire Patrol to participate in all five of the skills. Patrols can earn recognition based on their performance across all the skills, being recognized one a 1-star to 4-star scale based on their score against absolute standards.

The Star Patrol Skills Challenge is designed to promote learning, practicing and demonstrating basic Scout skills. The basic Scout skills covered in the Challenge are:
▪ Tripod Building (Lashing)
▪ First Aid (knowledge and skill demonstration)
▪ Nature Identification (this year the subject is “Constellations”)
▪ Map and Compass Symbols, and
▪ Knot Tying

Check the links in the attachments on this page for the Star Patrol Challenge Guide, as well as the cards associated with the individual challenges.  Please note, some card sets have printing and folding notes located in the margins.  It is recommended to read the overall guide first before reviewing the individual challenge materail.    

Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 1/17/2023)

What if a participant shows symptoms of COVID-19 after attending a Fall Camporee event? 

Our expectation is that any participant who exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 would promptly contact their physician for evaluation.  If a test is administered and the results are positive for COVID-19, a public health official will contact the individual. Please discuss the individual’s involvement in a Scouting activity with them and provide Northern Star’s contact information (Kris Burbank: 612-261-2450 or kburbank@northernstar.org).  Public health will reach out to us directly.

If the symptoms occur greater than 14 days after conclusion of the activity the risk of COVID related to the activity or transmission to others present at the activity would be extremely low. 

Will meals be provided?

Meals will not be provided as a part of the event.  Please plan on developing your own unit menu and providing equipment accordingly.  

Are Health Forms and Pre-Screening Forms required for participants on-site for less than 72 hours?

Yes, all participants remaining on-site will require a Pre-Screening Form and Health Form to be submitted. 

What is the event refund policy?

If a cancelation is made at least 30 days prior to the event start date, a full refund is issued.

Any cancelation made between 30 and 14 days of the event start date will be refunded at 50% the total registration fee. Refunds are not issued within 14 days, except in cases of emergency. 

If the event is canceled by the organizer and the rescheduled event date cannot be attended by the participant or group, a full refund will be issued.