LAKE TRAILS TERRITORY ACTIVITIES
Usually the end of February or early March
A fun gold-rush themed day (with option to winter camp the nights before and/or after) filled with teamwork and scout skills
Attended by Troop recently in 2020 and 2022
Camporee
Usually the end of April
Multi-troop camping event that involves patrol-based competitions, with events like hiking preparedness, knot tying, first aid, cooking, camping, and orienteering. Camporees usually have a theme. (e.g., Old West)
All of those ribbons on the troop flag come from winning Camporee competitions
Not attended by the troop in recent years: always coincides with our April backpacking
Lake Sammamish Cub Scout Day Camp
Usually the second week of June
Day (morning and afternoon) and Twilight (afternoon and evening) Camps with a fun theme for local Cub Scouts. They are always looking for Scouts and Scouters to volunteer to staff the camp. Very rewarding experience.
Some members of T532 Staffed in 2022
National Youth Leadership Training Conference (NYLT)
NYLT is a six-day leadership course that combines teaching leadership theory with the scouting experience. Through a wide range of activities, games, and adventures, participants will work and play together as they put into action the best Scouting has to offer.
Scouts BSA members (male and female) must be at least 13, must have completed Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops, must earn the First Class rank, and must have leader recommendation.
The honor award in BSA: these are scouts that best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. It also promotes camping, responsible outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship as essential components of every Scout’s experience, in the unit, year-round, and in summer camp.
Requirements: have 15 nights of camping within 2 years of the election (including one long-term camp of 5+ nights), and must be a first class scout
There are three membership levels
Induction ceremony (“Ordeal): candidate maintains silence, receives a small amount of food, works on improvement projects, and sleeps apart from other campers
Brotherhood Memberhsip: after 6 months of service and fulfilling requirements, you are inducted
Vigil Honor: after two years of exceptional service, you can be bestowed this honor (high honor: in each lodge, only one of every 50 members can receive it)
Reece Martin Cup Multi-Troop Canoe Relay Race
Canoe Relay Race around Mercer Island, hosted by Mercer Island Troops, runs mid-September every year.
Troops need a canoe and, if possible, a chase boat
This long-lasting tradition (26 years!) is a great opportunity to develop and practice a traditional scouting skill. It will allow scouts to work as a team, develop leadership skills, overcome challenges, and get in the Scouting spirit.
Race Course (Total distance of about 13 miles)
Start: Southern Luther Burbank swim Beach
1st Waypoint (2.1 miles): Mercerwood Shore Club, 4150 East Mercer Way
2nd Waypoint (about 2.8 miles): Clarke Beach Park, entrance near 7700 block East Mercer Way
3rd Waypoint (about 3.5 miles): Groveland Beach Park, entrance near 5800 block of 80th Avenue SE, off West Mercer Way.
4th Waypoint (about 1.5 miles): Franklin Landing, end of 78th Ave SE off West Mercer Way
5th Waypoint (about 1.3 miles): Calkins Landing, end of SE 28th St off West Mercer Way
6th Waypoint (about 1.8 miles): Northern tip of Luther Burbank Park (Calkins Point), park entrance at 2200 block of 84th Avenue SE. At this point, canoers will paddle to the beach, come ashore and answer timed, Scouting-related questions. Teams will then re-embark paddling about 0.5 miles to the finish. There is no change in crew. Same Scouts continue to Luther Burbank Park Beach to finish the race. The clock will keep ticking while at this waypoint and only stops at the next waypoint (Waterfront Plaza boat moorings)
Finish: Luther Burbank Park Swim Beach/ Picnic area C
CHIEF SEATTLE COUNCIL ACTIVITIES
Aviation Day
Usually in May/June
Day for Scouts put on by Alaska Airlines, where Scouts have the opportunity to earn the Aviation and Engineering merit badges.
Very popular with local Troops
Usually three weekends per year in the spring and fall, held at Camp Pigott
Unlimited target practice, where you can work on marksmanship awards
Registration opens in the winter, and sessions tend to fill up quickly\
Program and Training Conference
Usually in mid-October
A full day of seminars: supplemental training for troops and volunteers. Mostly for Leaders, but there are some opportunities for Scouts as well, including Wilderness First Aid
Website has large archive of training resources
Trail to First Class/Paul Bunyan Award Day
At Camp Sheppard (April/May): New scouts can have their first outdoor experience, and accomplish a large part of rank requirements, while older scouts can earn the Paul Bunyon Award.
Wilderness First Aid
For youth 14+ and leaders
A 16-hour course that will teach substantial medical information and skills to respond to emergencies in the wild; required to have someone trained in WFA on high adventure/high adventure treks
Fee associated, but much cheaper than getting certified through other programs (e.g., Mountaineers)
Held at Camp Sheppard, two-night camp in a cabin setting, generally 2-3 weekends each winter
Includes merit badge opportunities, and also winter sports (tubing hill)
An easy trip to run, since council is in charge, and an easy activity for cold months
This winter: looking for Counselors In Training that are 14+ (Can volunteer for one or multiple weekends, On-the-job training, with optional staff trainings in November and December, good idea if you want to be a camp counselor as a summer/winter job)
MOUNT BAKER COUNCIL ACTIVITIES
Winter Skills Adventure Program
Two-weekend seminar that teaches you how to camp in the snow: the first weekend is a single day learning session, and the second weekend is an overnight.
You will build a snow structure for sleeping, learn how to dress and sleep warm, learn how to cook in the snow, learn First Aid and survival skills, and learn to identify and avoid avalanche conditions.
Snowshoe trek to the campsite
MULTI-COUNCIL / NATIONAL / WORLD ACTIVITIES
Usually in early June
Old scouting festival held at the Peace Arch Annually: a partnership and meeting between American and Canadian Scouts
Program includes ceremony, music, a parade, and ongoing activities (e.g., patch trading, merit badge booths)
Suspended for 2025
Held annually, the third full weekend in October
Scouts and Hams around the world unite and communicate, generally via HAM radio
Next Wash-Jam will be in 2026
A regional Scout Jamboree, cohosted every four years by the Pacific Harbors Council and the Chief Seattle Council, attracting scouts from all around the PNW
Giant festival atmosphere, with advancement opportunities and fun activities
Multi-day affair, and you can camp onsite
Next National Jamboree will be July 22-31, 2026
Held every four years at Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia, Jamboree like summer camp on steroids: lots of stellar activities and programming
The Chief Seattle Council takes contingent of Scouts to each Jamboree: Scouts attend from all over the country
Next World Scout Jamboree will be held July 30-Aug 9, 2027 in Gdansk, Poland
Gathering of Scouts from all over the world held every four years
Programming has an emphasis on peace and promoting friendship and understanding among young people from different cultures