May 2-4, 2008
Camp Iyataka
Last Updated 05/07/08
Spring Rendezvous Recap - 05/07/08
The North Star District’s first Spring Rendezvous was attended by 229 participants, and by the feedback we’ve received was a great success.
The weather, after a wet and windy Friday, turned out to be a welcome and much-deserved sunny and warm weekend.
The Rendezvous combined the Spring Camporee, District Recognition Dinner, along with activities for Cub Scouts, a crossing-over ceremony for Webelos, an opportunity for Scouts to work on the Orienteering merit badge, and the ever popular campfire.
A special welcome goes to the following people for helping make the weekend a success:
Bob and Linda Vergamini for handling the registration, and putting together the model Pack meeting, along with Rhonda and Cal Stengel.
Steve and Mary Hall for organizing the lawn chair barbeque and getting things together for the leather working for the Cub Scouts.
Rick Holinka and Jay Schroeder, and Pack 293 for organizing and running the plastic pop bottle launching event.
Dan Larson and Mike Butts for putting on the Orienteering merit badge class.
Tim Yerdon for organizing and running the foil cooking station.
Gary Sauers for putting on the Webelos Crossing -over ceremony.
Bill Jockheck and Troop 128 for setting up the rope monkey bridge for the Webelos Crossing-over ceremony.
Duane Caron of T-209 for presenting the Scoutmaster’s Minute at the campfire.
A special thanks to the unit leaders who took the time to bring their units to the Spring Rendezvous, and who generously chipped in where ever needed when anyone needed any help.
If we’ve left anyone out, please let us know and we’ll be glad to add them to the list.
Congratulations to all those who were presented with the various district awards.
In the event you didn’t make it to Spring Rendezvous, you can see some of the photos during the weekend which are now posted on the North Star District Photo Album
This year the North Star District is making plans to hold a 3-day rendezvous-type spring event - the North Star District Spring Rendezvous. This event will encompass the district’s Spring Boy Scout Camporee, Webelos Crossing-over Ceremony, and the annual District Awards/Recognition event . . . . . and more. The weekend will have something for everyone - Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, Explorers, and families.
This year, the North Star District is blazing a new trail by holding several district events at the same time and location - known as the “North Star District Spring Rendezvous” weekend, scheduled for May 2nd, 3rd, and 4th at Camp Iyataka.
The Spring Rendezvous will incorporate the district’s Spring Boy Scout Camporee, Webelos crossing-over ceremony, and the district’s annual recognitions/awards event, plus more . . . .
Something for everyone . . . . 
Plans are also being made to include activities and events specifically for Cub Scouts and Webelos . . . . and even setting aside an area for family camping.
The idea to integrate several events into one evolved in response to concerns about there being too many district events and meetings; the increasing cost of travel; and as a way to increase attendance and participation at all three events.
The Spring Rendezvous will provide a unique opportunity for Cub Scouts and parents to observe and learn about Boy Scouting. Webelos will have an opportunity to check out troops he’s thinking about joining; ask questions; and meet potential troop leaders and members.
Cub Scouts, parents, and Cub leaders will have an opportunity to visit Camp Iyataka, and see what it has to offer.
Scouting families will have an opportunity to get in some camping if they wish.
The district's top volunteers will be recognized and honored at a "lawn chair barbecue" early Saturday evening, May 3rd, in the parade ground area behind the Lodge at Camp Iyataka - in the presence of fellow Scouters, parents, and the youth members of the district. Be sure to check out the district webpage at for information about the District Awards that will be presented, and for a nomination form if you know of someone who is deserving of one of the awards.
The cost of Saturday night's barbecue is included for those registered for the the Camporee or the Cub Day programs. For those coming only for the barbecue and Awards event, there will be a $5 meal fee. Meal tickets for the barbecue will be issued for everyone registered an paid. Everyone is asked to bring their lawn chair for the awards event & barbecue, and a frisbee to use as a paper plate holder.
Following the presentation of awards, everyone will be invited to the Spring Camporee Campfire and Order of the Arrow Call-out.
For Scout Troops, the Spring Camporee component of the weekend will be remain essentially the same as in the past, with the exception that they will be under scrutiny of curious Cub Scouts and their families. Also, Scouts will be playing to a much larger audience at the Camporee Campfire and Order of the Arrow Call-out ceremony.
As troops will be under close scrutiny during the weekend by Cubs, Webelos, and parents, troops will need to put on the best show possible in their campsites, events, and in demonstrating Scout skills and leadership. Suggested activities include lashing troop site gateways, towers, and bridges.
04/20/08 - A
“Super Troop” award will be presented Saturday evening to the best troop at the Rendezvous.
A possible ten points can be earned for each of the following criteria:
Percentage of unit’s membership at the Rendezvous
Scout Spirit
Campsite Organization
Unit Flags
Troop Sign
Axe yard
Fire protection in campsite
Percentage of unit’s Scouts in uniform at flag ceremonies and assemblies
Posting of duty rosters
First Aid kit in campsite
Percentage of unit’s Scouts involved in the Orienteering merit badge
Involvement of troop/patrol members working on projects or advancement during troop time
Unit submits skit or song idea for the campfire by 4:00 p.m. Saturday
Unit performs troop yell at Awards Banquet
The highest scoring troop wins the awards. Units weak in one area can make it up in other areas. It’s highly recommended you share the criteria with your Scouts so they can start making plans on how they can best beat the other units.
Finally, there will be a Scoutmaster/Senior Patrol Leaders’ cracker barrel at 9:00 p.m. Friday night in the lodge to go over any schedule or programming changes, and to address any other business anyone wishes to bring up.
Boy Scouts will have an opportunity to work on the Orienteering merit badge. Scouts are asked to print out a copy of the Orienteering Merit Badge Worksheet and begin working on some of the requirements beforehand. The more a Scout does before the camporee the easier it will be at camp.
Scouts should bring the worksheet to camp and have completed requirements 1, 2, and 3. If they have a topographical map, they can also do requirements 4 and 6.
Scouts will need a compass, their Orienteering merit badge worksheet, and pape & pencil at the camporee - or buddy up with someone in their troop with a compass.
Compass courses will be set up at the camp for Scouts to learn and demonstrate their proficiency at map, compass, and pacing. To help determine their pace or length of step, Scouts may make their own Pacing Computer, which they can bring to camp to use when working on the merit badge. Click here for how to use the pacing/distance computer.
Scouts must bring a blue merit badge card for the Orienteering merit badge, which has been filled out and signed by their Scoutmaster, and already completed requirements signed off.
Cub Scout events will include, cooking a foil meal, pop bottle rocket launching, leather tooling a special Rendezvous Weekend patch for those wanting to tool their own leather round commemorative patch, participating in a Model Pack Meeting, checking out the various Troops and their programs, attending the District Awards event & barbecue. and attending the Spring Rendezvous campfire. Click on the links at the bottom of the page for more Rendezvous Weekend information, schedule and fees, foil dinner handout, and how to make pop bottle rockets.
Webelos Scouts who have recently crossed-over or will be crossing over soon to Boy Scouting can take part in the district’s annual Webelos crossing-over ceremony, which takes place utilizing a rope monkey bridge.
In a nutshell, this is the basic concept of the District’s Spring Rendezvous Weekend.
Check here for the lastest Spring Rendezvous information; Rendezvous Weekend schedule and fees; for a foil dinner cooking handout; or for information about water bottle rockets.
Be sure to check this posting regularly for the latest information and updates.
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