Brother Eagles

The Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Lucas and Jacob Burk was very inspirational. Jacob chose Lucas as his Mentor and Lucas chose Craig Woerpel. The brothers brought Scoutmaster Sam Martinez's number of Eagles to 25.

Another Great Saturday in the Hiawathaland Council

Buddy, a.k.a. the Black Wolf of Hiawatha on the family side.

Auriel Van Der Laar instructs Webelos on the Naturalist Activity Badge at MTU's Ford Center at Alberta. Fifty Webelos were present and each district in the council was represented. Thanks to Auriel and the other Tech students for a great program.

The Venturer Seminar at Camp Hiawatha created some good fellowship and lessons learned.

Also at Camp, the Properties Committee was hard at work putting chips around the newly planted trees in site 8.

Another activity Saturday was leader training in Red Buck District. Thanks to Anders Nyberg and his staff for training 13 leaders.

Bobcats begin the Scouting Adventure

It was a great day at Camp Hiawatha as 61 Bobcats were introduced to Cub Scouting. Thanks to event Chairman Jennie Lochner, Iota Chi Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity, Scoutmaster Paul Salfai and Troop 360, Dick Oslund, John Kenn, Jim Edwards, Sally and Erik Hendricks, Chuck Suckow, Travis Wooley, Dan Closner, and Mike Alberts for starting these boys and their families on the Scouting trail. The Cubs learned the legends of the Jungle Book from Baloo and were introduced to the Cub Scout Promise, Law of the Pack, and Motto.

Jim Edwards explains the mysteries of the Cub Scout organization.

A crafty Cub Scout.

Planting a tree and memories.

The fireman, John Kenn.

Kevin Corkin of APO and the APO guys supervise paint ball slingshots (at targets, not people.)

Pirates searching for a hideaway interrupted the closing, but forewarned the Cubs of next years resident camp adventure.

Commissioners Confer

Council Commissioner Barb Dupras, MIR Commissioner Cathy Tomassoni, and Copper Country Commissioner share ideas at the Annual Commissioner Conference.

Eagle Scout Caleb Eckloff

Caleb, his troop mates and leaders.

Caleb presents the Eagle Mentor pin to Jim Edwards who provided valued assistance to Caleb's Eagle Scout Service Project.

John Delabek shares a story and salutations with Caleb.

The chain of influencers pass the Eagle Medal down the line to Caleb.

Fellow troop members open the ceremony.

A Leader of Leaders

Mark Stauber (center) and Don Autio present Curly Verville with his certificate to the National Hall of Leadership for his extraordinary service to Scouting. He has done it all for over 75 years.

Highlights from Hessel

The 24th International Scout Rally at Hessel hosted by Troop 140 drew over 800 participants. Thanks to Dale Streichert, John Kenn and their team of volunteers for another fun-filled event.

Congratulatons to Eagle Scout Matt Waters

Matt Waters is shown with Scoutmaster Curtis Jay at his Court of Honor. Matt is on the football team at Michigan Tech with a great record of accomplishment in athletics, vocal music, and student government. He perservered to earn his Eagle in spite of challenges with his mother's health. His mother died 3 weeks before this Court of Honor, but she left a son of which to be very proud.
Curtis received his 4 Eagle Mentor pin. He is to be saluted for laboring to continuing a Troop after its feeder pack dried up.

The Leader's Leader- Dr. Don Fitch

Council President Don Miller presents Dr. Don Fitch of Troop 411 with the certificate as the Hiawathaland Council's Hall of Leadership recipient. The Hall of Leadership is a project of the 100th Anniversary Committee to recognize outstanding leaders in Scouting. Nationally, over 7000 leaders were nominated. In the Hiawathaland Council, there were 17 nominees of which 12 were selected for national competition. Dr. Fitch was one of 300 selected nationally.

Don began as a Scout leader with Troop 411 of Escanaba in the early 1970s and has continued serving since then. Over 40 young men earned the Eagle Award under his leadership including his 3 sons. He had been very involved in Woodbadge training, Philmont treks, and the Mackinac Island Scout Service Troop. He is an exemplary Scouter in every way.

Tom and Jackson report

Before the recent Court of Honor at Troop 411, Tom Conine (left) and Jackson Ciofu enthusiastically spoke about their experiences serving on the staff of the National Jamboree. Tom was with the service corps and Jackson staffed the Technology Quest.

Farewell to Joe & Sue Erickson

Joe Erickson's retirement from professional Scouting was marked by an outpouring of appreciation, respect, and love for a couple who have contributed decades of service to young people in Scouting and especially the campers and staff at Camp Hiawatha. At a reception in the Snowshoe Lodge, Joe and Sue heard accolades from scores of friends in the crammed building.

Although Joe is retiring from full-time Scouting, he will continue to be involved in Scouting and making improvements at Camp Hiawatha.

Joe and Doc Jewell at the reception.

Sue makes her entrance.

Joe reflects on his years in Scouting.

Area Vice President Larry Tomlinson salutes Joe.

Bill Davis presents a gift from the Camp Committee.

Meritorious Matt

Matt Morgan receives the District Award of Merit from Copper Country chairman Kirt Schott. Matt gave exceptional leadership as Scoutmaster of National Jamboree Troop 1233 this summer. He served 4 years as Scoutmaster of Troop 209 and the last 2 years as Assistant Scoutmaster. He is Wood Badge trained.
Congratulations, Matt!

Mackinac Island Board of Review

Mackinac Island is a special place for many people, but it will always be especially memorable to Lucas and Jacob since they completed their Eagle Scout Boards of Review while serving on the Island with the Mackinac Island Scout Service Troop. Lucas (in the top picture) and Jacob of Troop 578 in Hermansville are shown with the members of their Boards of Review.

Mackinac Island Scout Service Camp

Every week a troop of Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts from Michigan serve as the Mackinac Island Scout Service Troop. Our council's 56 Scouts are coordinated by Troop 411 led by Scoutmaster Craig Woerpel and 11 other adults. The troop stays in the Scout Barracks behind the fort. Its primary duties are raising and lowering the 21 flags in the vicinity of the fort and acting as guides at the fort and other historical locations. The Scouts also have a lot of activities when not on duty including bicycling around the island, baseball, frisbee, shopping, pie eating contest, merit badge opportunities, and service projects.

The troop simultaneously lowers 21 flags around the post including the garrison flag.

A service project on the Island.