Northern Star Council
Encyclopedia
Northern Star Council is a Boy Scout Council
headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota
. The council was formally the Viking Council and Indianhead Council until the two councils merged on July 1, 2005. The council serves communities across central Minnesota and western Wisconsin, encompassing 21 counties.
, is among the largest in the United States. Other camps from the Viking Council included Stearns Scout Camp in Fair Haven Township, Minnesota
and Rum River Scout Camp in Anoka, Minnesota
. A history of patches used by the Viking Council and Minneapolis Council is available at this Viking Council Patch Archive.
The Indianhead Council was founded on October 1, 1910 as the St. Paul Council and later in 1954, the name was changed to the Indianhead Council. The Indianhead Council was headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota
, and included Ramsey
and Washington
Counties in Minnesota
, and much of western Wisconsin
. Its name came from the shape of the Wisconsin-Minnesota border, which is said to resemble that of the head of an Indian. As well as the office building in Saint Paul, facilities included Tomahawk Scout Reservation near Rice Lake, Wisconsin
, Phillipo Scout Reservation near Cannon Falls, Minnesota
, Fred C. Andersen Scout Camp near Hudson, Wisconsin
, and Kiwanis
Scout Camp near Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota
.
located along Many Point Lake on the White Earth Indian Reservation
near the township
of Ponsford in Becker County
, Minnesota
. The camp is currently the second largest scout camp operated by the Northern Star Council composed of approximately 2400 acres (10 km²), and borders the 143000 acres (578.7 km²) Tamarack National Wildlife Refuge. Many Point is further divided into six sub-camps which serve to troops, Venturing crews and families.
Many Point Scout Reservation was founded in 1946 by Wint Hartman, the first camping director for the reservation, and Boots Hanson, the first camp ranger. Wint's initial idea for the camp was that scouts would come with their troops and be guided by principals such as leave no trace. This was a new idea for the BSA, as up until this time scouts went to camp by themselves, and camps were much more para-military. Many Point Scout Camp was the first BSA camp to accommodate troops instead of just individual scouts.
During the winter of 1946-1947, Boots Hanson lived alone on land purchased from the Many Point Gun and Rod club, what is today the Buckskin sub-camp. He spent the winter readying the land for scouts. In the spring, when Wint Hartman drove up from the cities wondering if camp would be ready, he saw a red lantern hanging in Hanson's window, a sign that camp was ready. To this day, a red lantern is one of the mascots for Many Point. During the summer, lit red lanterns are hung outside of each sub-camp's lodge, as a symbol that the camp is there for the scouts. In the winter, red lanterns are placed in the windows of the rangers' homes.
As time went on and more land was obtained, new sub camps were opened and additions were made to the camp. Today it is made up of a main administration area, three program camps for troop camping, a high adventure base, a camp with no staff or program for troops who wish to run their own program, as well as a camp for families.
Buckskin
Buckskin is the oldest sub-camp within Many Point, and is a short walk from the administration area. Troops that camp in Buckskin stay in one of 13 troop sites, each containing multiple patrol sites. There is also a site called All Star, where scouts, both boys and girls, may come independent from troops.
Buckskin is unique from the other camps for its dining hall, where scouts and staff are fed, and therefor not required to cook their own food. The sub-camp is home to one of Many Point's three climbing towers and one of Three 25 feet (7.6 m) water trampolines.
Ten Chiefs
Ten Chiefs is about two miles (3 km) south of Buckskin and the Administration areas, and is the second of the three sub-camps troops camp in. Much like Buckskin, troops stay in one of 13 troop sites, but unlike Buckskin must do their own cooking, except for dinner, which is delivered from the commissary. The seconds of the three climbing towers and water trampolines are located within Ten Chiefs.
Voyageur
Voyageur is the third sub-camp used for troop camping and is just over two miles (3 km) south of Ten Chiefs. Voyageur has 13 campsites, and like Ten Chiefs troops must cook their own meals. The third climbing tower, as well as the third water trampoline are both located within Voyageur.
Flintlock
Flintlock is unique from each of the other sub-camps as instead of being composed of troop sites and activity areas, it serves as Many Point's high adventure base. Located about a mile north of Voyageur and a mile south of Ten Chiefs, older scouts from each sub-camp may sign up for a day activity or overnight trip to one of the camps two Project C.O.P.E. courses, the tree houses or Huck Finn Rafts. Famous to Flintlock Bay is a giant floating iceberg, part of Many Point's recently added Challenge Outpost. Scouts coming to Flintlock may also participate in the International Target Sports Outpost, kayak day or overnight trip, large boat sailing and sailboarding. Flintlock and parts of Southern Ten Chiefs are located in the camp's fabled Yeti Swamp which claims to be the home of the camp's legendary yeti
.
Also at Flintlock is the new Frontier program. Located across the bay from Buckskin and only accessible by boat, Flintlock staff and interested troops are helping to build a replica of an 1860's logging camp, the Thompson-Peake Lumber Company, that used to be on Many Point Lake.
Pioneer
Pioneer is located along the southwest shore of Many Point Lake, between Voyageur and Family Camp. Unfortunately, the sub-camp is no longer in use. However, troops and crews may come to this camp if they wish to make and run their own program, with minimal staff interaction.
Family Camp
Family Camp is built on the site of a former resort, on a peninsula that stretches to the center of Many Point Lake. While priority for the cabins and tent sites are given to families of scouts and scoutmasters camping at another sub-camp, any family can come and spend a week doing some fun camp activities, or relaxing for the entire week. Swimming lessons, arts and crafts and trips to Itasca State Park are also available. Many Point Family Camp is unique from other BSA family camps as it is one of the only in the nation to run program for families.
External links =
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
. The council was formally the Viking Council and Indianhead Council until the two councils merged on July 1, 2005. The council serves communities across central Minnesota and western Wisconsin, encompassing 21 counties.
History
The Viking Council was founded on October 15, 1910 as the Minneapolis Council and later in 1952, the name was changed to Viking Council. At the time of the merger with Indianhead Council, the geography of the Viking Council spanned from Minneapolis all the way across Minnesota to the South Dakota border. The Viking Council's main Camp, Many Point Scout Camp located near Ponsford, MinnesotaPonsford, Minnesota
Ponsford is an unincorporated community in Becker County, Minnesota, United States.The community is located west of Park Rapids on Minnesota State Highway 225.Minnesota State Highway 34 is nearby....
, is among the largest in the United States. Other camps from the Viking Council included Stearns Scout Camp in Fair Haven Township, Minnesota
Fair Haven Township, Minnesota
Fair Haven Township is a township in Stearns County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,458 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
and Rum River Scout Camp in Anoka, Minnesota
Anoka, Minnesota
At the 2000 census, there were 18,076 people, 7,262 households and 4,408 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,709.0 per square mile . There were 7,398 housing units at an average density of 1,108.7 per square mile...
. A history of patches used by the Viking Council and Minneapolis Council is available at this Viking Council Patch Archive.
The Indianhead Council was founded on October 1, 1910 as the St. Paul Council and later in 1954, the name was changed to the Indianhead Council. The Indianhead Council was headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
, and included Ramsey
Ramsey County, Minnesota
Ramsey County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota, founded in 1849. As of 2010, the population was 508,640. Its county seat is St. Paul, which is also Minnesota's state capital. The county is named for Alexander Ramsey , the first governor of the Minnesota Territory...
and Washington
Washington County, Minnesota
Washington County is a county established in 1849 in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 238,136. Its county seat is Stillwater.-History:...
Counties in Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, and much of western Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. Its name came from the shape of the Wisconsin-Minnesota border, which is said to resemble that of the head of an Indian. As well as the office building in Saint Paul, facilities included Tomahawk Scout Reservation near Rice Lake, Wisconsin
Rice Lake, Wisconsin
Rice Lake is a city in Barron County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 8,320. The city is located mostly within the Town of Rice Lake.-Geography:Rice Lake is located at ....
, Phillipo Scout Reservation near Cannon Falls, Minnesota
Cannon Falls, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,795 people, 1,550 households, and 996 families residing in the city. The population density was 946.4 people per square mile . There were 1,611 housing units at an average density of 401.8 per square mile...
, Fred C. Andersen Scout Camp near Hudson, Wisconsin
Hudson, Wisconsin
Hudson is a city in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 18,937, making it the principal and largest city of the Minneapolis - St. Paul metropolitan area . The Hudson area however had a population of 39,713...
, and Kiwanis
Kiwanis
Kiwanis International is an international, coeducational service club founded in 1915. It is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Current membership is 240,000 members in 7,700 clubs in 80 nations...
Scout Camp near Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota
Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota
Marine on St. Croix is a city in Washington County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 689 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water. Minnesota State Highway 95 serves as a main...
.
Organization
With the Exception of El Sol, Silver Maple, Polaris, and Zulu Districts, Northern Star Council is divided into districts based on local Geography. The current districts are:Camps
Northern Star Council is currently home to nine camps.| Camp Name | Camp Location | Size (acres) | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Camp | St. Paul, MN | 6 | Website |
| Eagle Landing | Osceola, WI | 20 | Website |
| Fred C. Andersen Scout Camp | Houlton, WI | 260 | Website |
| Kiwanis Scout Camp | Marine on St. Croix, MN | 110 | Website |
| Many Point Scout Camp | Ponsford, MN | 2,400 | Website |
| Phillippo Scout Reservation | Cannon Falls, MN | 450 | Website |
| Rum River Scout Camp | Anoka, MN | 160 | Website |
| Stearns Scout Camp | South Haven, MN | 1,200 | Website |
| Tomahawk Scout Reservation | Birchwood, WI | 3,000 | Website |
Tomahawk Scout Reservation
Many Point Scout Camp is a Boy Scout summer campSummer camp
Summer camp is a supervised program for children or teenagers conducted during the summer months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as campers....
located along Many Point Lake on the White Earth Indian Reservation
White Earth Indian Reservation
The White Earth Indian Reservation is the home to the White Earth Nation, located in northwestern Minnesota. It is the largest Indian reservation in that state...
near the township
Township
The word township is used to refer to different kinds of settlements in different countries. Township is generally associated with an urban area. However there are many exceptions to this rule. In Australia, the United States, and Canada, they may be settlements too small to be considered urban...
of Ponsford in Becker County
Becker County, Minnesota
Becker County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 32,504. Its county seat is Detroit Lakes. A portion of the White Earth Indian Reservation extends into the county.-History:...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. The camp is currently the second largest scout camp operated by the Northern Star Council composed of approximately 2400 acres (10 km²), and borders the 143000 acres (578.7 km²) Tamarack National Wildlife Refuge. Many Point is further divided into six sub-camps which serve to troops, Venturing crews and families.
History
The first occupants of Many Point Lake and its surroundings were Native Americans of the Ojibwa tribe, who gave the lake its name for its many points. In the 19th century, the lake and woods which surrounded it were occupied by French fur traders and loggers, who harvested the abundant natural resources.Many Point Scout Reservation was founded in 1946 by Wint Hartman, the first camping director for the reservation, and Boots Hanson, the first camp ranger. Wint's initial idea for the camp was that scouts would come with their troops and be guided by principals such as leave no trace. This was a new idea for the BSA, as up until this time scouts went to camp by themselves, and camps were much more para-military. Many Point Scout Camp was the first BSA camp to accommodate troops instead of just individual scouts.
During the winter of 1946-1947, Boots Hanson lived alone on land purchased from the Many Point Gun and Rod club, what is today the Buckskin sub-camp. He spent the winter readying the land for scouts. In the spring, when Wint Hartman drove up from the cities wondering if camp would be ready, he saw a red lantern hanging in Hanson's window, a sign that camp was ready. To this day, a red lantern is one of the mascots for Many Point. During the summer, lit red lanterns are hung outside of each sub-camp's lodge, as a symbol that the camp is there for the scouts. In the winter, red lanterns are placed in the windows of the rangers' homes.
As time went on and more land was obtained, new sub camps were opened and additions were made to the camp. Today it is made up of a main administration area, three program camps for troop camping, a high adventure base, a camp with no staff or program for troops who wish to run their own program, as well as a camp for families.
Geography
Many Point Scout Reservation is made up of roughly 2400 acres (9.7 km²) of woodland and swamp along over six miles (10 km) of shoreline on Many Point Lake, Round Lake to the south and a few small lakes to the east. The camp is located on the White Earth Band of Ojibwa Reservation, bordering the 143000 acres (578.7 km²) Tamarack Wildlife Refuge.Main Area
The administration area is located a short drive into the camp, and is where troops check in at the start of their session. The area houses the administration building, which includes a lounge for Staff, also used by C.I.T.s on weekends. The Many Point History Center and fire tower are also located here. A couple minutes away by foot is the camp maintenance shop and C.I.T. base camp, also called C.I.T. Hill.Camps
Many Point is made up of four sub-camps, which are Buckskin, Ten Chiefs, Voyager and Pioneer. Many Point also has a family camp, where Scouting families may stay for the week. Preference is given to those families that have a Scout attending Many Point that same week. Family Camp includes a full program led by camp staff, 21 cabins, and 8 tenting sites. Many Point is also home to Flintlock, a high adventure base serving scouts staying in Buckskin, Ten Chiefs and Voyageur.Buckskin
Buckskin is the oldest sub-camp within Many Point, and is a short walk from the administration area. Troops that camp in Buckskin stay in one of 13 troop sites, each containing multiple patrol sites. There is also a site called All Star, where scouts, both boys and girls, may come independent from troops.
Buckskin is unique from the other camps for its dining hall, where scouts and staff are fed, and therefor not required to cook their own food. The sub-camp is home to one of Many Point's three climbing towers and one of Three 25 feet (7.6 m) water trampolines.
Ten Chiefs
Ten Chiefs is about two miles (3 km) south of Buckskin and the Administration areas, and is the second of the three sub-camps troops camp in. Much like Buckskin, troops stay in one of 13 troop sites, but unlike Buckskin must do their own cooking, except for dinner, which is delivered from the commissary. The seconds of the three climbing towers and water trampolines are located within Ten Chiefs.
Voyageur
Voyageur is the third sub-camp used for troop camping and is just over two miles (3 km) south of Ten Chiefs. Voyageur has 13 campsites, and like Ten Chiefs troops must cook their own meals. The third climbing tower, as well as the third water trampoline are both located within Voyageur.
Flintlock
Flintlock is unique from each of the other sub-camps as instead of being composed of troop sites and activity areas, it serves as Many Point's high adventure base. Located about a mile north of Voyageur and a mile south of Ten Chiefs, older scouts from each sub-camp may sign up for a day activity or overnight trip to one of the camps two Project C.O.P.E. courses, the tree houses or Huck Finn Rafts. Famous to Flintlock Bay is a giant floating iceberg, part of Many Point's recently added Challenge Outpost. Scouts coming to Flintlock may also participate in the International Target Sports Outpost, kayak day or overnight trip, large boat sailing and sailboarding. Flintlock and parts of Southern Ten Chiefs are located in the camp's fabled Yeti Swamp which claims to be the home of the camp's legendary yeti
Wendigo
The Wendigo is a mythical creature appearing in the mythology of the Algonquian people. It is a malevolent cannibalistic spirit into which humans could transform, or which could possess humans...
.
Also at Flintlock is the new Frontier program. Located across the bay from Buckskin and only accessible by boat, Flintlock staff and interested troops are helping to build a replica of an 1860's logging camp, the Thompson-Peake Lumber Company, that used to be on Many Point Lake.
Pioneer
Pioneer is located along the southwest shore of Many Point Lake, between Voyageur and Family Camp. Unfortunately, the sub-camp is no longer in use. However, troops and crews may come to this camp if they wish to make and run their own program, with minimal staff interaction.
Family Camp
Family Camp is built on the site of a former resort, on a peninsula that stretches to the center of Many Point Lake. While priority for the cabins and tent sites are given to families of scouts and scoutmasters camping at another sub-camp, any family can come and spend a week doing some fun camp activities, or relaxing for the entire week. Swimming lessons, arts and crafts and trips to Itasca State Park are also available. Many Point Family Camp is unique from other BSA family camps as it is one of the only in the nation to run program for families.
External links =