2004 in Review As 2004 comes to a close, we can look back on a year of strong accomplishment in the NWSC. Here are some of the reasons our professional staff and hard-working volunteers are celebrating. All four of our traditional districts achieved 100% of their FOS goals by June 30th. Membership is climbing. 37 new units were chartered this year. That's more than twice last year's total. Over 500 new youth have joined Scouting this year. Our council leads Area III of the Central Region in both membership and unit growth. The NWSC staff is back to its regular complement of 10 professionals. The Scout shop has been converted into a National Scout Shop with expanded inventory, better merchandising, more space and revenue for the NWSC. 16 new James E. West Fellows were enrolled to support the council's endowment fund. A strategic plan has been launched as a roadmap for the future. You'll be hearing much more about that as we move into 2005. In the meantime, congratulations to all for a strong 2004 - Happy Holidays, and bring on the new year! Happy Birthday Cub Scouts! Seldom is the word “old” captured in the same sentence with “Cub Scouts”, but in 2005, the two will go hand-in-hand. Cub Scouting will be 75-years-“old” next year, and the Diamond anniversary of Scouting’s largest membership division will last throughout the year. If you’re a member of one of the 137 Cub packs in the Northwest Suburban Council, why not consider using the 75th birthday theme as a way to recruit new Cub Scouts and retain older Cubs. Upcoming national anniversary events, and your own pack’s history may help bring greater awareness of Cub Scouting to your community and chartered organization. Besides, birthday parties are always fun. We suspect you’ll be fortunate enough to hear what some of the leaders of Pack 14 in Des Plaines have heard in their recent recruiting nights – boys following their parents around while asking, “Have you registered me yet?” Happy Birthday Cubs. NWSC Annual Meeting Scheduled for Jan. 19th Baxter International is once again hosting the NWSC Annual Meeting on Wed., Jan. 19. All Board Members, Advisory Members and Charter Organization Representatives are requested to attend. Several important issues are on the agenda for Board review, discussion and voting, including the election of '05 officers and the '05 budget. A reception will start at 6:00 P.M. followed by the Annual Meeting. Baxter is located at 1 Baxter Pkwy., in Deerfield, off Saunders Rd., west of Milwaukee Ave. and north of Lake Cook Rd. 3 Month Memo for Council events DECEMBER: North Woods Recharter Clinic --- Dec. 4 Napowan Kickoff ------------------ Dec. 4 Blue Goose Kickoff -------------- Dec . 8 Wreath money due -------------- Dec. 10 O.A. Winter Banquet ------------ Dec. 27 Blackhawk Recharter Clinic ---- Dec. 28 Silver Beaver Nominations Due -Dec. 31 JANUARY: CS Summer Program Kickoff ---- Jan. 8 Annual Business Meeting ------ Jan. 19 New "Coordinated Meeting" --- Jan. 29 Comm. Semi-Annual Mtg. —— Jan. 31 FEBRUARY: Scouters’ Swap Meet ------------ Feb. 19 Wood Badge Dinner ------------- Feb. 19 FOS Leadership Dinner --------- Feb. 25 Six NWSC Jamboree Troops Formed Over 400 Jambo-registered Scouts, parents and Jambo leaders attended a "Jambo Combined Troop Meeting" on Nov. 7 at Hersey High School. Following the council's receipt of an authorization to form an unprecedented sixth troop, Chairman Scott Ratter and his Jambo Committee set to work assigning over 200 youth to their units. The Nov. 7 meeting's purpose was two-fold: to brief Scouts and parents about next July's National Jamboree at Ft. A.P. Hill, Va., travel plans, troop/personal equipment, medical forms and fund raising; and to form the six troops. Following the orientation presentation, each troop (36 youth and four Leaders) met separately for specific details re. troop meetings and shakedown campouts. The National Jamboree will be held next July and the council is still accepting youth applications. Adult Leaders may apply to serve on the National Jambo Staff. For further details, contact Randy Toland or Marty Schultz at 847-635-9404. Scout Executive's Minute Cool Outings! What's new at Blue Goose High Adventure Base? Learn about the final High Adventure programs being offered at Camp Napowan this summer at a Service Center meeting on Wed., Dec. 8 at 7 PM. All interested youth, 13 years or older by Jan 1., Scout Leaders and parents will be briefed on the H.A. programs and take part in a discussion as to which programs should be run and when. Scout Shop Scoop  Time to replace a uniform or camping equipment? The Scout Shop is ready to help with your Holiday shopping needs. With everything from stocking stuffers and crafts to gift certificates, we are your one-stop Gift Center. Plan now for summer camp Troop CCs and SMs.! Find out about the Napowan Adventure Base Programs being offered for next summer. A kickoff meeting will be held at the Service Center on Sat., Dec. 4 at 8:30 AM. Make sure you have a troop representative there to pick up the new Leader Guide and to discuss what you would like to see and do at Napowan. Silver Beaver nominations due Dec. 31 Take a mental look around your Scouter circle and see who's doing something outstanding in serving our youth. Then, go either to the council website, www.nwsc.org, or to the Service Center and obtain the Silver Beaver nomination form, fill it out and submit it for the person/s you consider worthy for the Council's highest award. The Silver Beaver is a national award presented at the Council level annually to a limited number of registered Scouters, based on his/her record of overall service, their community standing and a noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth within the Council. On Friday, May 6, the awards will be presented at the Council's Annual Recognition Dinner. We have many dedicated NWSC Scouters who devote time and effort over and above their registered position requirements. Make it tough on the Silver Beaver Award Committee. Submit more than one candidate. Completed nominations must be at the Service Center NLT Dec. 31. Venturing Elections by Ryan G, Crew 476 & VAC cabinet member Attention all NWSC Venturers with a desire to lead and serve: The Venturing Activities Cabinet (VAC) is holding elections. We are currently in need of able and willing Venturers to fill the positions of President, Vice Presidents of Administration and of Program, and Secretary. Terms are for one-year. The VAC is responsible for coordinating multi-crew activities throughout the council, and the officers make sure these activities take place. Nominations are due at the VAC meeting on December 18th, held at the Schaumburg Galyan’s from 7 to 9 pm. The actual elections will be held during the January VAC meeting. In the past the VAC has been responsible for planning climbing trips, whirly-ball excursions and other fun shindigs. If you have any ideas for the group (which you all do) then we would like for you to join our cabinet and make those ideas become realities. Don’t pass up this opportunity enhance your leadership skills and serve all the Venturers and Crews of this council. If you have any question, comments, concerns, etc. feel free to contact Doug Zubka at doogiepricetag @ yahoo.com Girls Adventure Program Girls looking for an outdoor adventure program similar to what their brothers are in have finally found their answer in The Adventure Girls. The new girls group has been formed by the Northwest Suburban Council and the American Legion through the Learning for Life and Venturing programs. Lloyd Kalicki, Sergent-at-Arms for the Lake Zurich American Legion Post 964 often wondered how to offer an adventure program to the young ladies in his community. Venturing was part of the answer, but he also knew that girls wanted adventure in the outdoors before they turned 14. When several parents shared the same thoughts with him, a girls adventure program was born. The unit is divided into three sections: Junior Patrol for 4th and 5th graders, Senior Patrol for 6th - 8th grade , and Venturing Crew for 14-20 year old girls. The group offers an outdoors program (traditional scouting) for girls, including work on skill badges. The uniform is a light blue t-shirt with patch and optional bandana or hat. Women trained by BSA in outdoor skills are the girls' advisors/leaders. Dads are "Consultants" for the girls, providing them with quality time & sharing their knowledge of the outdoors. Members are primarily from the Signal Hill area. Meetings are held at Immanuel Lutheran in Palatine on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 7-8:30 PM, with special meetings at the Lake Zurich American Legion. An annual plan with monthly outings has been scheduled as well. A website has been put together at http://crew321.nwsc.org for more information. So come learn more about us and see if it's what your daughter has been looking for! Too far? Other districts are welcome to use our model to create a group. Call Darwin Walk at 847-824-6906 to inquire.