“Passing the Torch”

The month of April was a big one for the Bay Lakes Council.  On April 22nd we held our Annual Meeting at the Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh, WI. It was a great evening, and we celebrated several important events and people. In particular, Rich Balch was honored with the Silver Beaver Award. Additionally, Alex Tyink, Bruce Wisnefski, and Dennis Buehler were all honored with the NOESA (National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award). But most importantly, we celebrated the passing of the leadership torch on our Board of Directors.

This celebration included thanking a group of six key Board Members who were concluding their Board Service, as well as our outgoing Board President. We also we welcomed a new Board President and four new Board Members, all who we feel will positively impact the Council for years to come.  

Included in the group that concluded their Board service were Anthony Gahn Jr., John Heyer, Paul Shrode, Dave Benton, Terry Schacht, and Craig Berndt. There is not enough time to list all the ways this group significantly impacted this council. Their tireless efforts, financial support, and countless hours given are remarkable. The council sincerely thanks them for all that they have done.

Our outgoing Board President is Tim Feldhausen. Tim’s 2 year term featured numerous substantial accomplishments. This included leading the Board in the restoration of our financial health, the transition and search for a Scout Executive, managing the realities of the post-Covid membership landscape, and working closely with National on several challenging initiatives. The council thanks him for his leadership.

Our incoming Board President is Bruce Zak. Bruce is the Northeast Regional President for Johnson Financial Group.  Bruce is also the Board President of the Community Blood Center. A resident of Greenville, Bruce has a passion for Scouting and is the father of an Eagle Scout. Bruce brings a strong financial background, leadership, and an aggressive growth mentality to the council.

Our newest Board Members bring incredible skills, strong networks, Scouting experience, and a fresh problem-solving mindset.  Included in the class are Mark Bake, Chief Academic Officer for Bellin Medical College in Green Bay, Brian Rollefson, Director of Human Resources for the City of Green Bay and a 21 year Air Force veteran, Mike Heider, a Bay Lakes Council Eagle Scout and former VP of Finance for the William H. Carter Company, and Fr. Mark Carr, Executive Director of the Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh, Eagle Scout, member of the Global and National Religious Committees on Scouting, and Chaplain for both Philmont and the National Jamboree.

Get Your Very Own LIMITED EDITION America250 Special Council Shoulder Patch in a Framed and Matted 8x10 Print!

Contributing a $250 gift toward the Bay-Lakes Council Endowment, a generous anonymous donor, will match dollar for dollar, adding another $250, for a total of $500 invested directly into the council endowment.

An endowment gift is the gift that keeps on giving, where it is invested and a small yearly distribution is returned back to help Scouting each year. You are helping ensure Scouting continues well into the future.

Are you or your Scout looking for a summer job and learn some kitchen skills? Kampros is looking for kitchen help for summer! You can stay in camp and dining hall meals are included. We are a team of former Scouts fueling adventure for campers and staff! Join our 2026 team!

Have you taken the NEW Safeguarding Youth Training yet? Make sure you've taken it before Sunday, May 31, 2026, as that is when Youth Protection Training EXPIRES!

Youth Protection Training (YPT) has been replaced by the new Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT). This training is required for all Scouting America registered volunteers and is a joining requirement.

Here are some updates regarding the new training:

• The new 20-minute Safeguarding Youth (SYT) Refresher course is Live.
• If you have not taken the NEW SYT full 90 Minute course, you must take that first before you can take the refresher to get full SYT credit.
• If your SYT is expired for 7 days or more, you must take the full 90 minute course again.
• If you fail the course quiz on the refresher course with less than an 80% on your first attempt, you will be directed back to the full 90 minute course.

The course is available in the Volunteer Learn Center in English and Spanish.

• Safeguarding Youth Refresher

• Curso de actualización SYT

Learn more about the new Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT): https://www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/. New refresher course: https://training.scouting.org/courses/SCO_3016.

Bay-Lakes Golf Classic: Support the Bay-Lakes Council Silent Auction!

Our Silent Auction is officially live for this year's Bay-Lakes Council Golf Classic and this is your chance to secure incredible items while making a direct impact on local scouting programs. From unique outdoor gear and exclusive experiences to custom memorabilia, there is something for everyone. Every winning bid goes directly toward supporting the Bay-Lakes Council, ensuring we can continue providing high-quality leadership training, maintaining our beautiful camp properties, and expanding opportunities for youth across our region.

Join us for 2026 Scout Night with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Sunday, June 14th at 1:10 PM at the Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

Milwaukee Brewers Scout Night Tuesday, August 18 vs Seattle Mariners. Scouts and their families will enjoy special ticket pricing. All Scouts that participate in the parade will receive a Milwaukee Brewers Scout Patch.

Ticket orders must be received by Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Orders placed after 7/21 subject to $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 (414) 902-4530 or ryan.blaire@brewers.com.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ! 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 open the event flier.

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 a day or stay all three days. Activities include walking/riding bikes around the 4 miles race circuit, outdoor movie on the big screen during sun set, explore the paddock and pits talking with race teams and drivers, hands on automotive activities, disc golfing, geocaching, grid walk and present the colors during the National Anthem, explore karting day that Saturday with go-kart races happening on the Motorplex circuit., and so much more!

Calling all Scouts… Are you ready to grow as a leader?

Are you looking for some ideas on how to run your troop better? Do you need a little spark to help you work better with your patrols? Need a better way to talk to your leaders? How about 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, too, giving them a foundation in setting a vision, working towards goals, planning, developing a team, solving problems, resolving confl icts, values and ethics, building resilience, servant leadership – a toolbox of skills they will use at home, in school, in the workplace, and beyond.

We are fortunate to offer two NYLT options again this year:

• Our Traditional course runs at Gardner Dam from Sunday, June 28 through Friday, July 3. This six-day action-packed course is right here in Wisconsin, easily accessible for any Scout to grow their leadership skills in a fun, camp-based environment. Registration closes on May 18. All the details can be found here.

• 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 the details can be found here.

Both courses have limited space remaining, so please register soon to ensure a spot for your Scout.

We welcome any questions you may have. Our staff of youth and adults have been meeting and preparing, and are getting excited to welcome this year’s participants!

Paul Walheim
Course Director, NYLT Traditional
(920) 224-4287
BLCNYLT25@gmail.com

Tom Hemr
Course Director, NYLT Pack & Paddle
(248) 877-0617
tomhemr@gmail.com

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 guide@baylakesbsa.org.