I've been on the job for ten months now, and everyday I learn something incredibly important. As we're embarking on my first camp season, I have had the opportunity to spend time with our Camp Staff. I know that nothing of what I will write today is going to be a revelation to any of you, but it's eye-opening for me. I also think that a lot of times we get so close to work, that we forget to celebrate some of the amazing elements that define it. So today, let's celebrate Camp Staff!

As I've mentioned before, I know that I don't have all of the answers, but I'm pretty good at asking the right questions. Plus, my experience has taught me that the answers are usually in the room with you, but you must provide the forum for those answers to be voiced. So, as I met with each Staff, it was a chance for me to ask questions and get answers that will help shape our strategies for growth.

My first question was "Why do you want to be on Camp Staff?" The most common answers were as follows:

• Camp made a lasting positive impact on my life, and I want to give back to ensure that the next generation is impacted the same way. The Staff spoke on how they had learned how to lead, how to make friends, how to love the outdoors, how to overcome fears, how to communicate, how to cook, how to be part of a team, and so forth. But most importantly, they spoke about how they wanted all of this for the kids who are currently in camp—they felt it was their responsibility.
• Camp is a safe place. Many of the Staff talked about the pressures of being a kid, and now of being a young adult. Universally, they spoke about camp being a safe place, and that coming back helped to ground them and calm their mind. These comments made me happy, sad, and proud all at the same time.
• I get to be with my family and friends. This answer was usually accompanied by a very large smile. It was clear to me that the bonds made at camp last a lifetime. What a testament to the power of Scouting. 
• I can laugh, have fun, and still be a kid. One high school Staff told me that where she lived, it wasn't cool to laugh, sing, have fun, or act goofy. She told me that Scouting allowed her to have fun, without judgment. She was probably 16 years old—the knowing nods of those around her told me that she wasn't the only one who felt this way.

As you visit or operate our camps this summer, we encourage you to capture the moments that make Scouting so memorable. From the natural beauty of the camps to the adventures, friendships, and lasting memories created along the way, your photos and videos help tell our story!

Simply scan the QR codes or click the links attached to the names of each camp to upload your content to the appropriate Google Drive albums. We look forward to showcasing the experiences that make our camps and Scouting so special!

We are seeking nominations for outstanding individuals in the Bay-Lakes Council service area who dedicate themselves to serving others through the military, law enforcement, firefighting, emergency response, healthcare, and our schools. These individuals are on the frontlines keeping our country healthy, safe, and educating our nation's youth.

We would like all nominations by August 1, 2026. Submit your impactful stories here!

Need some new Scouting gear? Check out Scouting America's Scout Shop promotions! 

Click the image above to to learn more! 

For more information or any questions, please contact Patrick at pweaver@kampros.com or (865) 386-4604.

Calling out Scouts! Are you ready to grow as a leader?

Are you looking for some ideas on how to run your troop better, need a little spark to help you work better with your patrols, or need a better way to talk to your leaders? Consider NYLT!

National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is a leadership course for all Scouts who are age 13+ and at least First Class rank, or members of Venturing Crews or Sea Scout Ships. It is the centerpiece of Bay-Lakes Council's youth training opportunities. This action-packed program is designed to provide Scouts with leadership experience they can use in their home units and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others.

Scouts will return from these courses with the skills needed to lead themselves and others in Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) meetings, troop activities, and outings. The benefits extend beyond Scouting, giving them a foundation in setting a vision, working towards goals, planning, developing a team, solving problems, resolving conflict, values and ethics, building resilience, servant leadership—a toolbox of skills they will use at home, in school, in the workplace, and beyond.

Starting on June 28, Scouts will be at Gardner Dam Adventure Base participating in the Traditional NYLT course. This six-day action-packed course helps Scouts grow their leadership skills in a fun, camp-based environment.

There's still a chance to participate! Our Pack & Paddle course runs at Camp Hiawatha in upper Michigan from Saturday, August 8 through Sunday, August 16. Pack & Paddle offers the entire NYLT curriculum, extended over nine days and held on a backpacking and canoeing trek in the Hiawatha National Forest. Registration closes on June 30. All details can be found here. 

Please contact Tom Hemr at tomhemr@gmail.com or (248) 877-0617 with any questions. Our staff of youth and adults have been meeting and preparing, and are excited to welcome this year's participants!

Join us for Whitewater Weekends and experience some of the best Whitewater in Wisconsin at Gardner Dam Adventure Base!

Open to all Scouts BSA and Venturing participants (age 13 or older), including registered adult leaders! This introductory class is designated for anyone who has an interest in trying whitewater kayaking. It will begin indoors with basic safety instructions, then move to the water. A team of certified instructors will assist you with outfitting the required gear—once outfitted, you will start your experience in the pond, learning various rescues and paddle strokes, and building your confidence in whitewater kayaks. Lastly, you will move onto the Wolf River practicing your skills going through multiple types of rapids!

Lodging will be provided, inside Wausau Homes Adventure Lodge at Gardner Dam Adventure Base, or you may choose to camp at any site on property. Our excellent cook staff will keep you nourished, starting with a cracker barrel on Friday through lunch on Sunday. A fully-trained and enthusiastic volunteer staff provides all leadership, instruction, and supervision for each weekend session. Bay-Lakes Council provides equipment, food, lodging, and emergency services.

Scouts must be at least age 14 (or age 13 and have completed 8th grade), have completed the BSA swimmer classification, and have a completed BSA Medical Form A/B. Each camper is also responsible for all of their clothing, swimming attire (recommended two sets), towels, bedding, and personal hygiene needs. The cost is $60 per weekend. Registration for the August 8-9 session closes August 5 at 11:59 PM! Click here to sign up.

*IMPORTANT: Cost includes housing and food, except for Session 3.

Upcoming session dates:

• Session 3: August 8-9, 2026 at Wausau Whitewater Park (Wausau, WI)
• Session 4: September 18-20, 2026 at Gardner Dam Adventure Base

Registration will include a special Cub Scout 500 patch and decoration materials for box cars for all youth attending; they can then bring their box car home with them after the event! Concessions will be available for purchase.

Contact Mydasia Zipperer at mydasia.zipperer@scouting.org with any questions.

Join us at American Family Field on August 18, 2026 for Scout Night with the Milwaukee Brewers vs. the Seattle Mariners!

Scouts and their families can enjoy special ticket pricing and a Milwaukee Brewers Scout patch, if they participate in the parade. Ticket orders must be received by August 4, 2026. Orders placed after July 21, 2026 are subject to a $3/ticket increase. To purchase tickets online, please visit this link. For groups of 15+ or for any special needs requests, please contact Ryan Blaire at ryan.blaire@brewers.com or 414.902.4530. 

*IMPORTANT: Only Scouts and adults in uniform may participate in the parade. Everyone must have their game ticket in hand. Parade details will be communicated closer to game day. For more information, see the event flyer.

Camp with us during the GT World Challenge Weekend and enjoy thrilling adventures and amazing experiences at Road America! Scouts will get a 3-day experience—come for one day or stay for all three! Activities include: 

• walking/riding bikes around the 4-mile race circuit
• outdoor movie on the big screen during sunset
• exploring the paddock/pits and talking with race teams and drivers
• hands-on automotive activities
• disc golfing
• geocaching
• grid walking and presenting the colors during the National Anthem
• exploring karting day with go-kart races on the Motorplex circuit
• and so much more!

Pull for our youth. Aim for their future.

Join us on Friday, September 11 for our 24th Annual Sporting Clays Shoot at Triple J Wing & Clay in Brillion, WI. Sign up as a team of four or individually!

Join us Tuesday, October 13, 2026 in the Lambeau Field Atrium for the 2026 Golden Eagle Event!

This unforgettable evening will feature promising excitement and entertainment for all attendees, including a live and silent auction and a raffle.

Come and be a part of a heartwarming celebration as we unite with corporate and community leaders to empower our young Scouts and future leaders! Your presence and support at this event will help us continue our vital mission and services for the youth in Eastern Wisconsin.

Emmett Liesch is an Eagle Scout from Shiocton, Wisconsin. He is preparing to attend the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee as an incoming architecture student. Scouting has been a defining part of his life for over thirteen years, shaping his leadership, character, and the way he serves others. He's held roles such as Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, and Troop Guide, along with being a member of the Order of the Arrow. He recently joined Venturing Crew 9826 to continue developing leadership skills while taking on new high-adventure opportunities and expanding the ways he can support his council and community. His Eagle project, completed in 2023, combined design, service, and emotional support by building six pieces of dog-agility equipment for a Comfort Dog ministry out of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Greenville, Wisconsin that visits schools, hospitals, and community events to bring joy and healing to youth and families.

Outside of Scouting, Emmett is the author of The Rise of the Soul series, a trilogy of reflective, emotionally-grounded books that trace a journey through struggle, healing, identity, and purpose. The first book, Journey of the Mind, explores mental health, trauma, and the process of rebuilding yourself from the inside out. The second book, The Scout Within, focuses on character, resilience, and the values that Scouting instills, serving as a guide for anyone learning to lead themselves and others. The final book, The Soul's Compass. coming out on July 14, brings the trilogy together through themes of faith, calling, and rising into the person you were meant to become. His hope is that this series serves as a companion for young people who feel or have felt alone, overwhelmed, or unseen, and that it helps Scouting America strengthen its commitment to youth mental health, emotional safety, and compassionate leadership. He says, "Through my writing, my Eagle project, and my ongoing work developing mental-health training materials for Scouting, I want to help build a generation of Scouts who lead with empathy, courage, and light."

Click the button below to read Emmett's article about his time in Scouting, his Eagle project, mental health, 

and advice to fellow Scouts!

Want to read Emmett's The Rise of the Soul series? Check them out at the links below, and watch for his third book, The Soul's Compass, releasing July 14!

Feedback: Have a thought or question? We'd love to hear from you. Please share your comments with us. It is easy; just reply to this email or send a message to emma.rollefson@scouting.org.