| | | | | | | | Welcome New Staff to Bay-Lakes Council | | Bay-Lakes Council is pleased to announce the selection committee has chosen James (Jim) Martin as the new Scout Executive! He will take the helm on August 22, 2025. Jim brings a wealth of experience across the spectrum of the corporate world, small business entrepreneurship, and non-profit leadership. | | | | | | Please welcome Cassidy Tassone to the staff at Bay-Lakes Council! Cassidy is a recent college graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She received a Bachelor's of Science in Political Science in May of 2025. Cassidy is continuing her education at UWO by being enrolled in the Master's of Public Administration Program. She is a hard-working and compassionate individual. In her free time, Cassidy enjoys spending time with family and friends, and traveling around her beautiful home state of Wisconsin. | | | | | | | |
CHECK OFF THESE TO DO ITEMS EARLY THIS SUMMER:
(Complete these tasks to make sure your unit is ready for Fall Recruitment.) - Roster Check - make sure ayour unit roster on my.scouting.org is correct.
- Update your unit's beascout.org pin.
- Reserve space at the schools you will be hosting join events & share with your district team HERE.
- Plan to have your unit leadership attend a Membership/Popcorn Kickoff (see dates & locations below).
District Membership/Popcorn Kickoffs
Kettle Country District: August 7, 7:00 PM, Moraine Park Technical College West Bend Campus (2151 N Main St, West Bend, WI 53090)
Ledge to Lakes District: Tuesday, August 12, 6:30 PM, at Moraine Park Technical College room E120 (235 N National Ave, Fond du Lac, WI 54935)
Northern Lites District: August 12, 7:00 PM via Zoom. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 890 0894 6004 / Passcode: NL
Gathering Waters District: Wednesday, August 13, 6:30 PM, Bay-Lakes Council Office Lower Conference room (2555 Northern Rd., Appleton, WI 54914). For all Cubmaster’s or Pack Committee Chairs. Also on Wednesday, August 20 (same time and location) for all Scoutmasters or Troop Committee Chairs and Commissioners.
Lakeshore District: Thursday, August 14, 6:00 PM, Camp Rokilio Welcome Center
Voyageur District: Thursday, August 14, 4:30-8:30 PM, Good Shepherd Church (2736 Glendale Ave, Green Bay, WI 54313)
Twin Lakes District: Thursday, August 21, 6:30 PM, St. John Lutheran- enter through North entrance (808 N Main St, Oshkosh, WI, 54901) | | | | | | Come on out to Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna on Monday, 8/11/25 from 5:30-7:00 p.m., for a fun on-track box-car race! Youth have the chance to decorate a cardboard box race car then race it through a dozen stations on the track. We also plan to have some vehicles from various public services, and possibly even some actual race cars, that youth can get up and close with.
Our goal is to have a FUN event to kick off the upcoming Scouting year. You can use this as a “bring a friend” style event to promote scouting in a fun, low-key way. Feel free to wear your pack's t-shirt, your favorite Scouting t-shirt, or even a fun costume; uniforms are not required for this event. Registration is $10.00 per Scout via the link on this page. For each registered Scout that signs up to attend this event, you may bring along a friend who is not currently in Cub Scouts for FREE.
Registration will include a patch for the event and decoration materials for the box cars for all youth attending; youth can then bring their box car home with them. Concessions will be available for purchase. | | | | | | | | The 2025 Wood Badge Experience begins in less than 30 days! Sign up today!
Why Do We Offer Wood Badge?
To build stronger Scout units. Wood Badge strengthens your Scouting unit - your child’s unit - by empowering you and your leadership team with the skills, vision, and energy needed to lead more effectively and deliver a truly impactful program.
To have fun and reignite your passion. Just as our youth grow through fun, challenging, and life-changing adventures, Wood Badge gives you the chance to do the same. It’s your turn to discover, laugh, reflect, and rediscover the spark that brought you to Scouting.
To connect with others. Wood Badge brings you together with Scouters from across the region, forming a valuable network of like-minded leaders. The relationships you build here will inspire and support you long after the course ends.
To understand the “What” and “Why” of Scouting. You’ll gain deeper insight into the purpose behind Scouting’s programs and methods - understanding not just how we do things, but why they matter in shaping the next generation.
To gain lifelong skills and perspective. From communication and conflict resolution to servant leadership and team development, Wood Badge provides practical, real-world tools that stay with you - for Scouting and beyond.
To strengthen every group you lead. The lessons you take from Wood Badge will enrich not only your Scout unit, but also your workplace, your family, your faith community, and any team you serve.
Wood Badge is an immersive, hands-on leadership course that brings Scouting’s Aims and Methods to life through dynamic team development experiences in an active outdoor setting. Designed for adult leaders, it equips participants with the tools, insights, and confidence needed to deliver a high-quality program that empowers youth to grow into their full potential.
Partial scholarships are available to help offset the cost of the course. To learn more or to apply please contact Course Director Jess Medinger. | | | | | | | | Have you ever wanted to become a licensed Ham Radio Operator and earn your Rating Strip? The Bay-Lakes Amateur Radio Club – WI9BSA is hosting a Ham Cram & Exam Session. Review the material and question pool in your free time and meet with us for a final study session followed by an FCC License Exam. When: Saturday August 23, 2025 Ham Cram Session: 9am-3pm FCC License Exam: 3pm Where: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 2736 Glendale Ave Green Bay, WI 54313 Cost: Exam Fee is $15 ($5 for Scouts) FCC License fee is $35 payable on the FCC Portal upon successful completion of the Exam. Exam: The first License to earn is the Technician Operator license. The Exam is 35 questions, and you must get 26 questions correct to pass. If you fail your first attempt, you can retake a slightly different exam two additional times in the same session. RSVP is required for the Study Session. Click this link to RSVP: Bay-Lakes ARC: Ham Cram & Exam 8/23/25 Study materials, YouTube links, Mobile App downloads, and links to study guides can be viewed, purchased, or downloaded by visiting this link. A few things to note: - Pre-Study is required. - Success is NOT guaranteed. While we wish for success to all Scouts and Scouters who come to take the exam, these are administered under the auspices of the Federal Communication Commission, and minimum scores must be attained. - Passing the Exam does not mean you are licensed. If successful, your score will be reported to the FCC, and after you receive an email, you will be required to go online, pay the FCC license fee of $35, and you will be given access to a PDF of your license. They are valid for 10 years. Any additional questions can be sent to baylakesamateurradio@gmail.com. | | | | | |
Bay-Lakes Council is looking for all our Certified Angling Instructors (CAIs) and Angling Educators (AEs) to help support USAngling Youth Education. This free, hands-on educational experience will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, 1606 East Shore Dr., Green Bay, WI.
We need assistance from our CAIs and AEs with the following: · Rig & Tie Station – Learn essential knots and tackle setups · Conservation Education – Explore how to protect aquatic ecosystems · Water Safety Tips – Understand safety on shore, in boats, and with gear · Catch & Release Practice – Discover how to fish responsibly
If you would like to help contact Kathy Myszewski (Bay-Lakes Fishing Advocate and Scouting America National Fishing Leadership Team member) since she is the focal point of this event for Bay-Lakes Council. If you are interested in helping with this event and are not a CAI or AE, contact Kathy Myszewski requesting to register for the Angling Educator class she is organizing for anyone interested and wants to volunteer for this event. Plus, once you are an Angling Educator, you have the tools to run a fishing program for your Pack or young Scout BSA youth.
Angling Educator is a 4–5 hour course that goes into more detail on fishing gear and techniques. It teaches Scouters what they need to know about fishing to host fishing events and support AE and CAI courses. Participants are generally Scouters who know a little about fishing, but want to know more and hope to apply their learning to Scout fishing programs. As the world’s best anglers descend on Green Bay for the FIPSed IV Street Fishing World Championship, USAngling is excited to announce a companion event that brings the joy of fishing to the next generation: the Youth Angler Education Adventure 2025.
Designed for youth and families, the event will feature expert-led stations where kids can learn to cast, tie fishing knots, understand conservation, and explore water safety—all in a fun and welcoming outdoor setting. No experience is necessary, and all equipment is provided.
Hands-on instruction will be led by angling educators from USAngling, Scouting America, and Learn 2 Fish With Us, offering participants the chance to learn from respected leaders in sport fishing and outdoor education. “This is more than just a day of fishing,” said Michael Brand, Vice President of USAngling. “It’s about sparking a lifelong connection to nature, promoting environmental responsibility, and passing down the values of patience, perseverance, and respect that define our sport.”
The Youth Angler Education Adventure is a signature outreach component of USAngling’s hosting of the FIPSed IV Street Fishing World Championship, a global competition that will bring elite anglers from over a dozen nations to compete along the Fox River’s City Deck in downtown Green Bay. The youth event complements the championship by ensuring that the spotlight on competitive fishing also illuminates the importance of education, access, and youth engagement.
Event Highlights Include: - Rig & Tie Station – Learn essential knots and tackle setups
- Conservation Education – Explore how to protect aquatic ecosystems
- Water Safety Tips – Understand safety on shore, in boats, and with gear
- Catch & Release Practice – Discover how to fish responsibly
- Casting Clinic – Hands-on guidance to build casting confidence (Greg Karch with Learn 2 Fish is managing this clinic)
| | | | | | Registration for the 2025 popcorn sale is now live. As we did last year, kernel profiles from the previous sale were cleared, so everyone will need to make a new profile. They can use your same information as years past, you just need to select new user the first time around. Here are exact instructions with how to register: - Click on the button below.
- Click “account log in”
- Click “My account”
- Click “create unit profile”
- Enter Council Key” “635BLC”
- Follow prompts to choose, district, unit type and number
- Enter a username, password and all other information being requested
- Click “submit”
REGISTER FOR THE SALE BY AUGUST 1ST FOR A CHANCE TO WIN 4 TICKETS FOR THE AUGUST 9TH PACKERS PRE-SEASON GAME! | | | | | | | | At this year’s Golden Eagle event on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the Bay-Lakes Council will honor “Mentors of Scouting.” As an Eagle Scout, you’ve earned numerous merit badges, each steppingstone toward new skills and passions. We want to hear about a merit badge that sparked a lifelong career, interest, or hobby—and the mentor who made it unforgettable.
If you currently serve, or have served as a Merit Badge Counselor/Volunteer, or you are someone whose career path was impacted through the mentorship of a Merit Badge Counselor, we ask that you complete this form. If you have an impactful story taking a merit badge that was life changing or have a merit badge counselor who was inspiring, we'd love to hear your story and recognize it. A limited number of submissions will be selected and highlighted at the event.
Here’s my story: I earned my Aviation merit badge under the guidance of George Miller, a remarkable counselor and F-4 Phantom pilot who flew combat missions in Vietnam, once ejecting safely during a mission. After the war, George piloted helicopters in Louisiana ferrying people and supplies to oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. In the 1980s, he spearheaded the ThedaStar Life Flight program in Neenah, selecting the Bell Jet Long Ranger helicopter. He built a dedicated flight crew and nurse team, helping turn ThedaStar Life Flight Team into one of the best. Having completed over 15,000 patient transports since its inception in 1986.
Working on the Aviation merit badge with George was a highlight of my Scouting journey. His stories, expertise, and encouragement fueled my passion for aviation, inspiring me to earn my pilot’s license. George’s mentorship pushed me to dig deeper and tap into my potential—he is my Merit Badge Mentor.
Who is your Mentor? Was there a counselor or volunteer who left a lasting impact through a merit badge experience? Share your story with us! Your reflections will help celebrate the mentors who shape our paths at the 2025 Golden Eagle Gala. We look forward to hearing from you! Submit your story here by July 31.
| | | | | | | | Join the Bay-Lakes Council contingent for a high adventure backpacking trek in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Cimarron, New Mexico. Travel by Amtrak train to New Mexico, then spend eleven days and ten nights on the trail at “Scouting’s Paradise”. This is not a glorified summer camp. Philmont Scout Ranch provides the opportunity for Crews to select backpacking trips of 50 to over 100 miles in length. There are 250,000 acres of mountain terrain available for you to explore. Your Crew may participate in multiple activities including climbing high mountain peaks (up to 12,441 feet); gold panning; mountain biking; rock climbing; horseback riding; black powder, pistol, rifle, and shotgun shooting; homesteading; burro packing; and much more. You will have the chance to see and experience how people lived in the old West. Most participants consider a trip to Philmont among the highlights of their Scouting careers.
It takes 24 hours by train to travel each way, so our contingent dates are: Saturday, 07-11-2026 12:00 PM CT to Saturday, 07-25-2026 5:00 PM CT. Actual time at Philmont will be from July 12th to July 24th. The price is $2,345. The price is an estimate; the final price will be set once transportation costs are confirmed. Sign up now with a $500 deposit to secure your spot in the contingent, remaining payments will be spread out between October 2025 and April 2026. There will be a Contingent Orientation in early December, exact date to be determined. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Join us at a Jamboree Rally Meeting to learn about travel & touring, cost & payment schedule, scholarship information, planning & preparation schedule, questions & answers…and more! Jamboree Rally Meetings (Choose one meeting to attend) July 15th, Tuesday, 7pm July 17th, Thursday, 7pm July 20th, Sunday, 7pm July 28th, Monday, 7pm July 30th, Wednesday, 7pm ZOOM LINK: JAMBOREE RALLY MEETING Contact Mike Mailand if you have any questions. | | | | | | | | | | 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. | | | | | | | | | |
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