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New Unit Report
Signal Hill District has a new Venturing Crew to report! Congratulations to Erehwon Outfitters in Deer Park for chartering Crew 91 which is a high adventure program. This program will serve youth who are excited about rock climbing and skiing. Erehwon has advertisement flyers available in their store with information, so you can check out this “cool” Crew.
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Spring Camp-O-Ree 2003 Results!!
Be Prepared…Prepared to Serve. Truer words could not have been said better for this years Signal Hill Spring event - a wonderful tie in of Scouting and the National Guard's “can do” attitude. Representative of Troops 29, 209 and 461 put on an event that will be remembered for years to come and which other troops will hopefully aspire to in the future. Their selfless dedication to this program that began nearly 9 months ago is a testament to how a great event can be made exceptional.
The Signal Hill Camp-o-ree took place at the Army National Guard's training facility in Marseilles, Illinois during the weekend of April 25 - 27th. What made this event so unique was that the Guard was helping us to sponsor this event providing us with a glimpse of what it is like to be a “Citizen Soldier”. There were more than 600 Scouts, Webelos, Adult Leaders and Parents who attended this event. We had 18 of 19 troops and 4 Webelos Dens who were challenged from the Signal Hill District. It is believed to be the largest Camp-O-Ree event in the history of the Signal District. There was a program both for the Scouts and Webelos.
Those Webelos got an opportunity to see what challenges that will be before them when they bridge into Scouting next year. The District looks forward to seeing these Scouts troops in the spring of 2004.
A unique aspect of the Camp-o-ree included having Meals Ready to Eat as the noontime meal for all that participated. These are the same meals our troops are using in the Gulf war so it gave us all a moment to reflect on our freedoms. The meals were a huge success and the boys wanted more.
The events included an official army obstacle course; sandbag filling; bridge building using pioneering skills and knot identification; orientation and compass proficiency using the National Guard's course; signaling using semaphore and morse code; first aid competition and to top it all off a cooking competition second to none.
The Saturday events were not over as evening descended over the grassy field and the Order of the Arrow Call Out took center stage as the current members of the O/A escorted all the Troops and Webelos Dens to our double campfire. This solemn event brought out the best in Scouting in our boys. We also had plenty of awards to go around as patrols with names like “Dill Pickles?” challenged themselves to excel. And let us not forget that awesome patch…won't that be one to keep for many years to come!
And who could forget our guest speaker Major Glenn Gibbs speech about his duty to the family, Guard and to Scouting? It was hard not to become emotional particularly when our brave men and women are in foreign lands globally protecting our freedoms. Thank you Glenn!
Our thanks to Lt. Eric Davis who oversees the operation of the Army National Guard's Marseilles Training facility and the men and women who are involved in its security. A BIG THANK YOU for your support and the support you gave in water and restrooms and a genuine sense of security. The estimated 600 troops who were training that weekend were awesome as well as professional and courteous. We owe you and them a great deal.
Thanks to the Marseilles Fire Department whose volunteers manned a fire truck at the campfire. Wasn't the public address system in the middle of the woods and extra treat? And to the many volunteers from the troops whose names have not been included in this article. These are the ones who also gave selflessly to the weekend by operating event and first aid stations, registration tents and the awesome task of keeping the entire weekend running smoothly throughout the weekend our sincere thanks.
Last but not least, thanks to the management and staff of the Signal Hill District and Northwest Suburban Council who had the task of administering the paperwork, we certainly could not have done it without you.
So as we began this article…Be Prepared…Prepared to Serve…we would like to think we demonstrated that theme. The overwhelming response we have heard during and since the weekend, has been very gratifying to host Troop 29, 209 and 461.
We look forward to another event along the Scouting Trail at this venue maybe in 2005!! HOO…AHH!!!!
Tom Wilhelm
Camp-O-Ree Chairperson
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Camp season is here. Stop in the Scout Shop and receive 10% off all uniform shorts and socks.
Beginning June 10 through August 19, the Scout Shop will be closed on Tuesdays so that we can support the camp trading posts. Please visit us at one of the camp trading posts.
Receive 10% off all uniform shorts and socks.
June
June 4th Commissioners Meeting
7:30 P.M. St Phillips Episcopal Church 342 E. Wood St Palatine
June 5th Roundtable Program Kick-Off Night!! 7:30 P.M. Immanuel Lutheran Church 200 N. Plum Grove Rd Palatine This is where you find out about all the upcoming 2003 – 2004 events in the Signal Hill District. You don't want to miss this and the Taste of Signal Hill!
June 12th District Committee Meeting
8:00 P.M. - NWSC main conference room
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