Spring has sprung and Summer Camp is almost here...

Happy May Scouts, Scouters & Parents!
I know the weather outside feels more like February/March, but the calendar does not lie. Before long, we'll be swatting mosquitoes away and getting ready for our June Court of Honor! In the mean-time, we have plenty keeping us busy and working to our goals.
Just last weekend, we were up at Taylor's Falls and Interstate State Park were a dozen of our Scouts climbed up over 70 feet of rock and rappelled down again. If you ever want to stare fear in the face, just ask these happy dozen. They even capped the night off with a cake bake-off competition. Only problem was that over half the camp turned in before the cakes were done... ah well, better next time.
And speaking of planning, about 1/3rd of our Scouts joined 10 leaders and I today, Sun 30-April, for our semi-annual Troop Leader Training session. In keeping with the spirit of more Scout leadership opportunities and building on our successes, ASPL Karsten S and SPL Steynar A led our Scout only session on Leadership and overcoming challenges while the Scouters worked on how to best invest time with our Scouts. We then broke for hot dogs and fellowship (mostly running in and out since the weather seemed extra cold and wet), and then we dug into our goal planning. This time we spent some time together with each role-respective Scouter leading the discussion with the Scouts to set ourselves up for our forthcoming Troop Leader Meetings as well as goals and commitment planning for the incoming term.
What always impresses me about these sessions is the growth I see in our Scouts. Sure, they come for the snacks and fellowship, but what we see in-between is sometimes amazing! Some of these Scouts have been coming to each session for years, and some for their first one. I enjoy the growth I see when I push on the growth goals. These are life skills, and the Scouts pretty much take my feedback and run with it. Some set tougher, more complete goals while others adjust time allotments for making their goals attainable in the term of office. One piece of feedback we will be taking up is a mid-term review. Now we won't be polling like the papers, but the Scouts thought that a group review and discussion mid-term would allow for real-time feedback.
Keep your eyes out for our Canoe Camp-out coming in June as well as Many Point in July & August. Also, I'm counting on the weather improving as we are to be Stearns Scoutcamp in 5 days to get some great fishing in at our Scout's 'private lake'. Hopefully all of our Scouts will be joining us for some outside adventure soon!
Thank you for continuing to support your son's growth, and I hope you are seeing the same at home. We enjoy participating and helping in wherever we can be useful mentors.
Yours in Scouting,
Stu Smith
SM 283