NORTHERN STAR COUNCIL, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL BY DEVELOPING THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE, LEADERSHIP, RESPECT, AND A COMMITMENT TO SERVICE THROUGH THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: -CUB SCOUTING (266 PACKS GRADES K-5) -SCOUTS BSA (365 TROOPS OF BOYS AND GIRLS AGES 10-18) -VENTURING (32 VENTURE CREWS OF BOYS AND GIRLS AGES 14-21) -SEA SCOUTS (1 SHIP) -EXPLORING (54 EXPLORER POSTS IN WORK SITE-BASED CAREER EXPLORATION). IN ADDITION, NORTHERN STAR COUNCIL SPECIAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE: JUVENILE DIVERSION PROGRAM WHICH TARGETS FIRST-TIME NON-VIOLENT YOUTH OFFENDERS; OUTREACH PROGRAM DEVELOPED TO EFFECTIVELY REACH OUT TO AT-RISK YOUTH AND YOUTH OF ALL ETHNICITIES AND CULTURES; AND POLARIS WHICH BRINGS SCOUTING PROGRAMS TO PHYSICALLY AND DEVELOPMENTALLY CHALLENGED BOYS, GIRLS, AND ADULTS WITH COGNITIVE CHALLENGES.