2009
May 1-3, 2009
Camp Iyataka
Last Updated 05/03/09
The 2009 North Star District Spring Rendezvous was a great success. We'll be updating this web page in the near future with updates about this year's Spring Rendezvous, so check back in a few days. In the meantime, check out some of the photos that were taken during the weekend. Lots more photos will be posted soon.
2009 North Star District Spring Rendezvous photos
Again this year the North Star District is making plans to hold it's annual big 3-day 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/Annual Dinner . . . . . and more. The weekend will have something for everyone - Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, Explorers, and families.
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 . . . . 
The weekend will include activities and events specifically for Cub Scouts and Webelos . . . . and even setting aside an area for family camping.
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.
FEE: Everyone - $10.00 - Includes insurance, camp facilities use fee, event patch, Saturday evening meal (lawnchair BBQ), awards, program supplies, & misc. expenses.
REGISTRATION: Cub Packs and Scout troops, and Venture crews are asked to print out an Event Registration Form, which can be used to record who will be attending from your unit. Units are asked to provide a headcount by April 28th of how many Scouts, leaders, parents, and sibblings from your unit will be attending. This information is important in determining how many will be at the BBQ. You can phone in your headcount to Dennis Helland at 886-6915 or by e-mail at [Click for member's page]. Unit registration forms should be dropped off at the registration table as early as possible. Everyone is asked to check in at the registration table in the garage when they arrive so we can check your name on your unit's registration form. Units can settle up financially with the registrar as soon as everyone with the unit has arrived and is registered.
DISTRICT RESOURCE AREA: Tables will be set up in the garage where Scouts, leaders and families can get information about membership, contact information, advancement, summer camps, upcoming events, etc. If you've got a concern or question about any of the district committee functions, or Scouting in general, stop by the garage.
DISTRICT AWARDS EVENT: The district's top volunteers will be recognized and honored at a "lawn chair barbecue" early Saturday evening, May 2nd, 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 deadline for submitting nominations has been extended to April 18th.
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. You might also wish to bring a raincoat or poncho (or umbrella) just in case. Those who would like to set up a canopy or dining fly near the back of the seating area may do so
BBQ meal tickets will be issued to each unit for the number of people registered with the unit. "No tickie, no eatie!"
CONCESSION STAND: The Iyatonka Chapter of the Order of the Arrow will be running a concession stand in the garage, which will be open periodically during the weekend. Proceeds for the concession stand go to fund various chapter activities.
FIRST AID: A first aid station will be located in the garage.
CAMPFIRE:- Following BBQ and the district Awards Event, everyone is invited to the Spring Camporee Campfire and Order of the Arrow Call-out at 8:30 at the Campfire bowl. Everyone is asked to meet at the main flag pole at 8:15 for the retiring of the colors.
For Scout Troops and Venture Crews, 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 and crews 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.
Tentative North Star District Rendezvous Schedule(s)
(Note: Separate schedules for Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts & Family Campers)
BOY SCOUT TROOPS AND VENTURE CREWS
FRIDAY - May 1st
3:00 - 9:00 pm - Troop/Crew check-in and set up troop sites
9:00 - 10:00 pm - Scoutmaster & Sr. Patrol Meeting (Lodge)
10:00 - 11:00 pm - Troop Time
11:00 pm - Taps... Quiet Time
SATURDAY - May 2nd
7:00 am - Reveille
7:15 am - Breakfast/clean-up
8:00 - 8:20 am - Flag Ceremony - South Beach
8:30 am - Troop events start
8:30 - 9:30 am - Challenge #1
9:30 - 10:30 am - Challenge #2
10:30 - 11:30 am - Challenge #3
11:30 am - 12:30 pm - Challenge #4
12:30 - 1:30 pm - Lunch - Eat on the Trail
1:30 - 3:30 pm - Catapault Challege - South Beach
4:00 pm - Webelos Crossing Over Ceremony
5:45 pm - Assemble at parade ground for "lawn chair" barbecue and District Awards Program(wear Class A uniforms and bring unit & US flags; lawn chairs; Frisbees - also a jacket, flashlight; and ponchos, raincoat, or umbrella)
6:00 - 7:30 pm - Barbecue and District Awards Program
7:30 - 8:15 pm - Free time; trading post open; campfire preparation, etc.
8:15 pm - Assemble at flagpole to retire the colors
8:30 - 9:30 pm - Camporee Campfire and Order of the Arrow Call-out ceremony at the campfire bowl
9:30 - 10:30 pm - Order of the Arrow members - lyatonka Chapter meeting and officer elections - location TBA11:00 pm - Taps - Quiet time!
SUNDAY - May 3rd
7:00 - 8:30 am - Reveille - Breakfast & Clean-up
8:45 - 8:55 am - Flag Raising Ceremony & Morning Briefing (South Beach)
9:00 -9: 30 am - Chapel Service (location TBA)
9:30 am - Noon - Break Camp, clean-up troops sites, depart
CUB SCOUT PACKS
SATURDAY - May 2nd
9:00 - 10 am - Registration (garage)
10:00 am - Assembly, flag raising ceremony, greeting, morning briefing - main flag pole
10:00 am - 3:00 pm - Cub Scout Activities Begin
11:00 am - 1:00 pm - Foil dinner cook-out - Each participant responsible for ingredients and his/her own foil dinner, which can be pre-made at home or at camp, and cooked over coals at camp; bring your own utensils, etc. - Cook and eat lunch sometime between 11:00am - 1:00 pm.
1:00 - 3:30 pm - Cub Scout Activities Continue
3:00 pm - Pinewood Derby - behind the lodge. Bring your lawn chairs, etc.
4:00 - 5:30 pm - Webelos Crossing-over Ceremony
5:45 pm - Assemble at parade ground for ‘lawn chair" barbecue and District Awards Program(wear Class A uniforms and bring unit & US flags; lawn chairs; Frisbees - also a jacket, flashlight; and ponchos, raincoat, or umbrella)
6:00 - 7:30 pm - Barbecue and District Awards Program
7:30 - 8:15 pm - Outlaw Division Pinewood Derby, free time; trading post open; campfire preparation, etc.
8:15 pm - Assemble at flagpole to retire the colors
8:30 - 9:30 pm - Camporee Campfire and Order of the Arrow Call-out ceremony at the campfire bowl
FAMILY CAMPERS
FRIDAY - May 1st
3:00 - 11:00 pm - Check-in, setup camp sites, and free time
11:00 pm - Taps . . . Quiet Time
SATURDAY - May 2nd
7:00 am - Reveille
7:00 - 9:00 am - Breakfast and campsite clean-up
10:00 am - Assembly, flag raising ceremony, greeting, morning briefing - main flag pole10:00 - 11:00 am - Cub Scout Activities Begin
11:00 am - 1:00 pm - Foil dinner cook-out - Each participant responsible for ingredients and his/her own foil dinner, which can be pre-made at home or at camp, and cooked over coals at camp.
1:00 - 3:00 pm - Cub Scout Activities Continue
3:00 pm - Pinewood Derby - behind the lodge. Bring your lawn chairs, etc
4:00 - 5:30 pm - Webelos Crossing-over Ceremony
5:45 pm - Assemble at parade ground for "lawn chair" barbecue and District Awards Program(wear Class A uniforms and bring unit & US flags; lawn chairs; Frisbees - also a Jacket, flashlight; and ponchos, raincoat, or umbrella)
6:00 - 7:30 pm - Barbecue and District Awards Program
7:30 - 8:15 pm - Outlaw Division Pinewood Derby, free time; trading post open; campfire preparation, etc.
8:15 pm - Assemble at flagpole to retire the colors
8:30 - 9:30 pm - Camporee Campfire and Order of the Arrow Call-out ceremony at the campfire bowl
9:30 - 11:00 pm - Free time
11:00 pm - Taps - Quiet time!
SUNDAY - May 4th
7:00 - 8:30 am - Reveille - Breakfast & Clean-up
9:00 -9: 30 am - Chapel Service (location TBA)
9:30 - Noon - Break Camp, clean-up campsites, depart
Cub Scout Events & Activities . . . . . . .
This year's Spring Rendezvous is going to be bigger and better than last years, with more Cub Scout events being added . . . . including a North Star District Pinewood Derby.
Cub Scout events this year will include: a BB gun range, archery, plastic pop bottle rocket launching, noon foil dinner cooking, leather branding/tooling, whittling chip (wood carving), scavenger hunt, Pinewood Derby, Webelos Crossing-over Ceremony, and tug-or-war.
With the addition of more events and activities for Cub Scouts, we'll be starting at 10:00 am instead of 11:00 am like last year. Everyone is asked to assemble at the main flag pole behind the lodge at 10:00 am for a flag ceremony, greeting, and any last minute information.
Again this year, we will have open scheduling so folks can participate in most activities at anytime between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. If an area is busy, move on to the another one and come back later. To give everyone an opportunity to use use the BB gun and archery ranges, issuance of tickets for these areas is being planned.
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The following Cub Scout events and activities are being planned for Saturday:
*BB GUN RANGE – A BB gun range will be set up for Cub Scouts to do target shooting.
*ARCHERY – Also for Cub Scouts will be an archery range for budding Robin Hoods
*Depending on how many Cubs want to use the BB gun and archery range, tickets may be issued to ensure that everyone who wishes to shoot will have an opportunity to do so. HELP NEEDED: We're looking for at least one more person to help with the archery/BB gun ranges.
PLASTIC POP BOTTLE ROCKET LAUNCHING – Back again by popular demand is the ever-popular plastic pop bottle launching range. Those wishing to launch a rocket are asked to build a rocket ahead of time or bring the materials necessary to do so. Click here for more information about plastic bottle rockets.
LEATHER BRANDING/TOOLING – Again this year, Scouts will get to brand rounds of leather with the Camp Iyataka brand, which can be further personalized with leather tools.
WHITTLING CHIP – Cub Scouts (Bear rank and above) will be able to work on advancement requirement #19 (pocket knife use and carving). Those taking part in this event will go home with a free pocket knife.
SCAVENGER HUNT – A camp-wide scavenger hunt is being planned for Cub Scouts and anyone interested. Participants will be given a list of items commonly found at the camp, along with items that can be found, begged, and borrowed where Scouts camp. The first three teams to find the required items on the list will win a prize and special recognition. HELP NEEDED: We could still use a couple voluteers to help with this event.
TUG OF WAR – As time permits, we're planning to include opportunities for dens, packs, patrols, troops, Scout leaders, and parents to participate in tug-of war competitions.
FOIL MEAL COOKING (Saturday Noon Lunch) – This event serves several objectives. Its an excellent activity for Scouts, leaders, and families to learn a useful outdoor/camping skill, while at the same time answer the questions, “What's for lunch?” and “When do we eat?” It's also a great opportunity for Cubs and parents to do something together. A cooking area with beds of hot coals will be set up near the garage between the 11:00 am – 1:00 cook and eat your foil meals. Each participant is responsible for the ingredients and cooking of his/her own foil meal, which can be pre-made at home or at camp, and cooked over coals at camp. Click here for more information about foil meal menus, preparation, and cooking.
Each Pack should decide if they'd like to eat as a pack, den, or as a family. As we'd like to keep the activities on schedule, we ask that everyone set aside sufficient time during this period to cook and eat their meal. Please bring your own utensils, napkins, and beverages.
DISTRICT PINEWOOD DERBY (3:00 pm) – This event is in lieu of the District Pinewood Derby that is normally held at a District Scout show. Cub Scouts may enter a Pinewood Derby car that they've built within the last 12 months. The rules used at previous year's Pinewood Derby will apply. Past years' Pinewood Derby Rules.
Cub Scouts will compete for trophies as follows: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers for Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos divisions, with a special tropy for the entry with the best craftsmanship, and the most creative entery.
For entrants or entries that don't qualify for the regular Cub Scout races, an “Outlaw” division is being planned for 7:00 pm Saturday evening, where most anything goes. If your too old to compete in the Cub Scout races, or have a car car that doesn't meet official requirements, this race is for you. Outlaw Division Rules.
Pinewood Derby Schedule
Registration (Cubs and Outlaws) 2:00 - 2:55
Judging 3:00 — 3:15
Webelos Division 3:15 — 3:45
Wolf Division 3:50 — 4:20
Bear Division 4:25 - 4:55
Tiger Division 5:00 — 5:30
Awards During Awards Program
Outlaw Division 7:30 — 8:00
Outlaw Awards During campfire
Be sure to check regularly for the latest Pinewood Derby information and updates.
HELP NEEDED: We're still going to need a few volunteers to help with this event. Cub Pack people, here's your opportunity to learn how to run a Pinewood derby from the pros! We could also use another small postal-type scale to help weight the Pinewood Derby cars. If you have one, could you please bring it?
WEBELOS CROSSING OVER CEREMONY (4:30 pm) - 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 at 4:00 pm Saturday afternoon. The ceremony will take place north of the parade ground, using a rope monkey bridge. More information will be made available at the Rendezvous.
HELP IS ALWAYS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED: Putting on a the Spring Rendezvous is no small task, and lots of volunteers are always needed for the various events and other aspects of the Rendezvous weekend. We're could still use a few more volunteers to help with the Pinewood Derby. Please let us know as soon as possible if you can help with this activity. Contact Dennis Helland at 886-6915, or by e-mail at [Click for member's page].
Troop/Crew events & Activities . . . . .
Troops and Crews, get ready for "The Iyataka Challenge" at the Spring Rendezvous.
Here, we'll find out which patrols and troops or crews are the best in basic Scout skills. This will included challenges involving first aid, knots, lashing, firebuilding, leadership skills, and teamwork, and canoeing (if weather permits), etc. Units should be brushing up on their basic First Class Scouting skills. In addition to the areas above, patrols and troops will be judge on leadership, teamwork, and Scout Spirit.
Award patrols and troops/crews can win include the Iyataka Challenge Championship, the Super Troop/Crew Award, and the Spirit of Iyataka Award.
Troops are asked to have a skit or song for Saturday night's campfire. Click here for a Unit Campfire Skit/Song form to turn in Saturday afternoon.
More information and details were discussed at the April 2nd Scout Leader's Roundtable. Click here for a copy of the Iyatonka Challenge handouts.
The following is the tentative schedule for the Iyataka Challenge:
FRIDAY - May 1st
3:00 - 9:00 pm - Troop/Crew check-in and set up troop sites
9:00 - 10:00 pm - Scoutmaster & Sr. Patrol Meeting (Lodge)
10:00 - 11:00 pm - Troop Time
11:00 pm - Taps... Quiet Time
SATURDAY - May 2nd
7:00 am - Reveille
7:15 am - Breakfast/clean-up
8:00 - 8:20 am - Flag Ceremony - South Beach
8:30 am - Troop/Crew events start
8:30 - 9:30 am - Challenge #1
9:30 - 10:30 am - Challenge #2
10:30 - 11:30 am - Challenge #3
11:30 am - 12:30 pm - Challenge #4
12:30 - 1:30 pm - Lunch - Eat on the Trail
1:30 - 3:30 pm - Catapault Challege - South Beach
4:00 pm - Webelos Crossing Over Ceremony
5:45 pm - Assemble at parade ground for "lawn chair" barbecue and District Awards Program(wear Class A uniforms and bring unit & US flags; lawn chairs; Frisbees - also a jacket, flashlight; and ponchos, raincoat, or umbrella)
6:00 - 7:30 pm - Barbecue and District Awards Program
7:30 - 8:15 pm - Free time; trading post open; campfire preparation, etc.
8:15 pm - Assemble at flagpole to retire the colors
8:30 - 9:30 pm - Camporee Campfire and Order of the Arrow Call-out ceremony at the campfire bowl
9:30 - 10:30 pm - Order of the Arrow members - lyatonka Chapter meeting and officer elections - location TBA11:00 pm - Taps - Quiet time!
SUNDAY - May 3rd
7:00 - 8:30 am - Reveille - Breakfast & Clean-up
8:45 - 8:55 am - Flag Raising Ceremony & Morning Briefing (South Beach)
9:00 -9: 30 am - Chapel Service (location TBA)
9:30 am - Noon - Break Camp, clean-up troops sites, depart
Attention all Arrowmen . . . . . . . the Iyatonka Chapter of the Order of the Arrow has a number events and activities scheduled during the Spring Rendezvous that all Arrowmen should be aware of.
One, the chapter plans and hosts the Saturday night campfire.
Two, the chapter organizes and operates the snack bar at the Rendezvous as a service to Scouts, Cubs, parents and guests, which raises money for some of the things the Chapter likes to do each year.
Three, the chapter holds its annual election of chapter officers at the Spring Camporee each year, where the chapter Chief, Vice-chief, and Chapter Secretary for the next 12 months is elected. The election is held as part of a OA cracker barrel Saturday night after the campfire.
Fourth, the chapter plans and conducts the Order of the Arrow Call-out ceremony as part of Saturday night's campfire, where those Scouts and Scouters who were recently elected by thier troops to become members of the OA. If they haven't already, Troops need to make arrangements to hold a unit OA election prior to the Spring Rendezvous and get the results to the Chapter as soon as possible. For more information about unit OA elections click here.
All Arrowmen are asked to give thought to running for one of the Chapter's officers, and giving leadership to the Chapter until next year's Spring Camporee. Contact one of the Chapter advisers if you have any questions.
Finally, at the Spring Rendezvous the Chapter will be needing the help of both youth and adult Arrowmen in helping planning, setting up, and hosting the Saturday night campfire, as well as staffing the Snack Bar. Contact the Chapter at Iyatonka_Chapter@juno.com if you can give us a hand or have any questions.
This year, Gary Sauer of Troop 33 of Webster is heading up this year's camporee. Contact him if you have any questions or suggestions.
Be sure to check this posting regularly for the latest information and updates.
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