Northern Star Scouting is a nonprofit youth development organization headquartered in the Twin Cities. Thanks to the dedicated service of more than 11,000 volunteers, nearly 32,000 boys, girls, and young men and women are served annually in traditional programs in 25 counties across central Minnesota and western Wisconsin. More than 23,000 additional youth participate annually in non-traditional programs. All are welcome.
Our mission and vision of positive youth development includes a desire to help all young people. Through the Scouting program, youth learn and implement leadership skills as well as outdoors skills. While not all youth will be registered members, by working together with other organizations, whether collaboratively, by example, or referral, we strive to make a positive impact on as many young people of our community as possible.
Youth, volunteers and employees receive a wide range of youth and adult training opportunities, including online and in-person courses and events.
Northern Star Council is among the five largest in the United States. More than 600 community organizations (educational, religious, non-profit, civic, and business organizations) join in partnership with Northern Star Scouting by chartering Scouting units (packs, troops, teams, crews, posts and groups).
Vision: Northern Star Council is a positive influence in the lives of all young people in our communities.
Mission: We prepare young people to be leaders and individuals of strong character by helping them discover and live by the principles of Scouting.
Our History:
Our council is both old and new. How is that possible? We were built on the foundation of the former Minneapolis and St. Paul councils that were founded in 1910. Northern Star was created in 2005, as the best way to collaborate and more effectively serve our community. Both legacy councils share a history of innovation and focus on the young people of today and tomorrow.
Our unique vision of striving to be a positive influence on all young people makes us a resource for the entire community and welcoming to anyone can help further our mission.
