Dear Staff Alumni Member,

Thank you for your continued generosity and support of the Staff Alumni Association. It is important for us to keep records current. If any of your information has changed recently, please be so kind to provide us an update. Your contribution this year will allow Many Point to update the patrol boat fleet at camp. Your contribution is much appreciated.

As we dive deeper into Winter 2025, we’re also looking ahead to something special. In 2026, Many Point Scout Camp will celebrate its 80th summer — a milestone that reflects the people, experiences, and friendships that have shaped this place for generations.

I was also able to spend some time at camp this past summer, and it was great to see Many Point in action. The staff, over 50 alumni, Scouts, and programs were outstanding. The care, energy, and attention to detail that go into the camp experience are as strong as ever. We’ve included photos later in this newsletter that offer a glimpse of the summer — and they only scratch the surface.

For many of us, Many Point wasn’t just a summer job. It’s where friendships formed, confidence grew, and moments happened that stayed with us long after we left camp. That shared experience is what continues to hold this alumni community together.

To kick off some of the celebrations, we’ll be hosting the Spring Fling at the Freight House in Stillwater on April 25th. The Many Point Staff Alumni Association has several opportunities ahead for alumni to reconnect, with gatherings throughout the year and plans underway for both familiar favorites and new events tied to the 80th Anniversary. You’ll find details throughout this newsletter.

Most importantly, thank you to every alumnus who stays connected, gives their time, and supports camp. Your involvement continues to make a real difference for the staff and Scouts who will call Many Point “The Place to Be” in the years ahead.

We look forward to celebrating 80 years of Many Point with you.

Yours in Scouting,

Mike Kuklok

MPSAA

For contributions of $40 or more, members will receive an MPSAA luggage tag and a waterproof sticker.

Many Point had another amazing summer season in 2025. We had a rocky start when we got hit by a storm following the opening banquet, but the staff rallied and worked through their day off to get camp ready again for the first day of scouts. They went into week one with the energy and enthusiasm the scouts deserve, and they kept it up all 8 weeks of camp.

Special things to note: Our new robotics outpost was a success and will continue into 2026, the Many Point black bears remain persistent and especially enjoyed the dining hall this summer, and finally, our army of volunteers and Alumni pulled through when we needed them and helped us deliver the best program possible. We served 2,756 scouts this year and had a total of 234 troops come through camp. Planning is in full swing for 2026, and we are excited to serve more scouts and see what the new year brings!

-Bernadette Takash

Heritage Fund Update

Happy New Year and thank you to those of you that gave strongly this year! Our realized fund balance is $270k There were 90 donations totaling just under $40k in 2025. For 2026 we’ve expanded the HF team and created new subcommittees to focus on growth, marketing, activities & events and project planning. More to come in this 80th summer. See you at camp!!

Give to make a positive difference in the life of a kid!

In 2026, the Many Point Staff Alumni Association will focus its fundraising efforts on supporting a vital need at camp: patrol boats.

Camp has continued to invest in upgrading waterfront equipment, including the recent purchase of new motors. Patrol boats are essential to safe beach operations, swim safety, and boating programs, and reliable equipment is critical to keeping the waterfront running smoothly.

Each new 14-foot aluminum patrol boat costs approximately $5,000. Through partnership with camp, the MPSAA hopes to help provide three to four new patrol boats, making a direct and meaningful impact on safety and daily operations at the waterfront.

This effort offers alumni a tangible way to support the programs and Scouts that define the Many Point experience, today and into the future.

The Many Point Staff Alumni Association is updating how we deliver the Lantern’s Light to better support our mission: keeping alumni informed, fostering meaningful connections, and supporting Many Point Scout Camp, responsibly and sustainably.

A Modern, Mobile-Friendly Newsletter

Starting next spring, the Lantern’s Light will move to a fully online, mobile-friendly format that’s easier to read on phones, tablets, and computers, and allows us to share more photos and timely updates. A downloadable PDF will still be available for those who prefer to print. Plus! The newsletter can contain more information, photos, and videos.

Why the Change

The challenge isn’t our growing community—it’s rising printing and postage costs. Mailing a single newsletter now costs nearly $2, and with about 1,800 addresses, this expense limits our ability to support alumni events, camp projects, and other priorities. Moving digital lets us communicate faster, more efficiently, and direct savings where they matter most.

Staying Connected

Email will remain our primary communication tool for the majority of members. We’re also piloting a text-alert system from 763-308-1940 to share quick updates. If you don’t use text messaging, announcements will automatically be delivered as a voicemail to your landline. This system also allows us to tailor messages by staff era when appropriate.

Prefer Mail?

If you would like to continue receiving the newsletter by U.S. Mail, please contact Mike Kuklok at 763-234-7642.

Get your red lantern gear. The store will open on February 1st with orders being delivered late March. Stay tuned for information as we get closer to February. Options shown are examples shown from last year. Watch for emails and postings on the website and our Facebook group.

Every Many Point staffer remembers the moment someone believed in them. Someone gave you the nudge, opened the door, or simply said, “You’d be great on staff.” Now you can be that person for the next generation.

Many Point’s Counselor in Training (CIT) Program is accepting applicants for Summer 2026, and we’re asking our staff alumni to help identify future leaders, Scouts, family members, neighbors, or teens you know who are ready for something meaningful.

What is the CIT Program?

A five-week leadership experience designed for teens aged 15+ who are ready to step into challenge, growth, and service. Your referral could be the spark that launches a future staff member’s journey.

Participants will:

• Live and work alongside real Many Point staff
• Build leadership and teamwork skills
• Experience program areas and camp operations
• Develop life skills along side their peers
• Merit badge advancement

Program Camp Sessions

Program Fee: $125 ($75 due at registration; balance due by June 1)

• Session 1: June 14 – July 18, 2026
• Session 2: July 12 – August 15, 2026

Family Camp CIT Program (Two-Week Experience)

• Some people shine in a more personal, family-focused setting. The Family Camp CIT Program introduces participants to leadership, service, and Family Camp operations over a two-week session.
• Program Fee: $50, payable at registration.

Why Alumni Matter

The strongest staff members often began with a simple recommendation:

• “You’d be great at Many Point.”
• You’ve worn the staff shirt. You know the impact the program can have.
• And you probably know a teen who’s ready for a challenge, ready to grow, and ready to be part of something bigger.

Your encouragement today could create:

• A future staff member
• A future leader
• A future tradition-carrier
• Share this with someone who deserves the chance to begin their own Many Point story.

Thank you to Dr. Chris Tashjian for 40 years of service to Many Point. He started as a staff member and is now the Lead Doctor for Camp. Dr. Tashjian coordinates volunteer doctors every week to supplement our medical staff, was instrumental in Many Point opening through COVID, and serves on the medical staff at National and World Jamborees.

Automobile Maintenance merit badge at Many Point. It’s one of the over 50 merit badges we offer including a rotation of all of the Eagle required merit badges.

Part of the Many Point Philosophy is to give every troop whatever they want. Troop 13 wanted to lash together a raft and paddle it across the lake from Ten Chiefs to Family Camp. They worked with Outdoor Skills Director Eric and Camp Director John to lash together a raft and paddle it across the lake. It was a great example of scouting skills, creativity, and teamwork (and the troop had a super-fun time in the process!)

Congratulations to Voyageur Aquatics Director Erik Maas who went through his Order of the Arrow Vigil at Many Point.

Fishing Overnight at Many Point! Scouts are still having fun catching different types of fish, learning how to use electronics, and maybe even a fish fry.

Build and program robots and earn robotics merit badge at the new Many Point Robotics Outpost. Spend the mornings of five days working on your robot to enter the match on Friday.

It’s All Things SCUBA Week at Many Point. Scouts earned their SCUBA merit badge, SCUBA BSA, and their PADI SCUBA Diving certification.

CIT Campfires still draw a crowd!

The MPSAA Hootenanny was hosted at the Hoot Owl Resort this summer. Thank you to Sven Larsen for coordinating and hosting the event.

Family Feud continues to be a staff favorite as summer wind’s down!

This summer we were able to start the Guitar lending program for staff members working at Many Point.  Thanks to the very generous donations of several staff, we were able to get 7 guitars and 1 banjo to camp.  To help staff members, each guitar had all the necessary equipment including cases, capos, tuners, straps and song books.  Several staff tried the guitar for the first time and some were able to strum through a song or two by the end of the summer.  The program was very much appreciated by the staff. 

After camp, we received donations of 3 more guitars and another banjo so we are in really good shape for next year.  I would like to thank the efforts of Al Boyce, Jay Belschner and Peter Larsen who were “instrumental” (sorry) in putting this program together.  If you have a guitar or banjo that you would like to donate to this program, please reach out to any of us and we will get the instrument in playable condition and get it to camp.  

Sven Larsen – 320-223-0135

Being a Many Point staffer puts you in rare company. You’ve led people, carried real responsibility, and figured things out when there wasn’t a clear playbook. That experience doesn’t stop when the summer ends, it stays with you.

All Many Point alumni stood in the same place once. Since then, they’ve taken all kinds of paths like trades, the workforce, public service, business, creative work, college, and plenty of routes that weren’t obvious at the time.

This isn’t a formal program. It’s simply connection through shared ground. A conversation with someone who knows camp and remembers what it felt like to be there. Sometimes it’s just one conversation. Sometimes it points you in a direction you hadn’t considered.

Either way, it’s easier to think about what’s next when you’re talking with someone who’s been there.

Have one conversation.

If you’re a current staffer or alum and would like to connect with another Many Point alum, reach out and we’ll help make the introduction.

• Meghan Boudreaux: 952-769-7656
• Drew Dutton: 952-500-2723
• Jack Hoye: 763-234-3357
• Brianna Eggers: 952-688-6934
• Chuck Fisher: 701-371-5424

Here’s another great way to contribute to camp.
Many Point now has an Amazon Wish List.

Please help find missing members. Use the table in the link, and click the link for each member or email kukl0016@gmail.com or text at 763-234-7642.

Dear Staff Alumni Member,

Thank you for your continued generosity and support of the StaffAlumni Association. It is important for us to keep records current. If any of your information has changed recently, please be so kind to provide us an update. Your contribution this year will allow Many Point to update the patrol boat fleet at camp. Your contribution is much appreciated.