Congratulations Eagles of 2004
125 Scouts in the Northwest Suburban Council rose to the rank of Eagle in 2004. Each of them led projects that collectively took thousands of hours to complete, and will benefit many churches, schools and communities for years to come.
As a sampling of those new Eagles and their projects, consider: Troop 399’s Brandon Louro raised money, designed, and led the building of a 9/11 memorial for the Hoffman Estates Park District. Bobby Rettger of Troop 29 supervised the construction of 24 saddle frames to hold saddles for the Hooved Animal Rescue and Protection Society.
Brian Maher of Troop 50 led his fellow Scouts in a project that included the installation of 200 feet of split rail fencing, new park benches, a refurbished trail entrance and directional signs at the River Trails Nature Center in Northbrook. Chris Peterson and fellow members of Crew 65 made fleece no-sew blankets and quilts for the pediatric unit at Lutheran General Hospital.
There was great variety in this year’s Eagle projects, and – as always – great dedication on the part of the young men who are tomorrow’s leaders. Eagle Scouts are doers. Consider Matt Bogusz of Troop 22 – one of the 2004 crop of Eagles. Matt is the Senior Class President at Notre Dame High School in Niles, the editor of his school paper, the co-founder of the debate team, and recently he was selected as a Hesburgh scholar – a distinction for gifted students named for Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, the longtime President of the University of Notre Dame. Matt is a testimonial to the fact that Eagles fly high. Congratulations to all the new Eagles!
Celebrating the 75th
With Blue and Gold banquets aplenty this month, many NWSC Packs will be singing Happy 75th Birthday to Cub Scouts. Perhaps no unit will do that with more enthusiasm than Pack 201 of Park Ridge. 201 is the oldest Cub Scout Pack in the Northwest Suburban Council. It was originally chartered in May of 1933 to the Park Ridge United Methodist Church and later moved to the Roosevelt School PTO as its chartered organization. Today Pack 201 has 65 years and 8 months of continuous tenure.
Not only does it have a wonderful history, Pack 201 is starting the new year with a solid future. In the past year, the Pack doubled its membership – from 30 to 60 boys. Cubmaster Kent Anderson says starting early on membership and making it a year-around effort has paid off. An ice cream social in the spring, “movies-in-the-park” in the summer, and a fall campfire were very successful key events. Another key, according to Committee Chairman Jean Dietsch, is the close relationship Pack 201 enjoys with BSA Troop 76. “Whenever we need help”,says Dietsch,”Troop 76 is there for us. Their boys mentor our younger Scouts.” Sounds like a winning combination. Happy birthday to Pack 201 and all of Cub Scouting!
A Resolution You Can Keep Wood Badge 2005
Why not add Wood Badge training to your resolutions? Besides having fun, fellowship and personal growth, you will be honing your leadership skills, attaining a deeper Scouting commitment and benefiting yourself, your unit, career and family.
Start by attending a free Wood Badge Dinner at St. Simon’s Episcopal Church on Sat., Feb. 19. Beginning at 6 PM, the program will include an AV presentation depicting recent WB courses/training methods and fun activities; and a Q&A session with the ’05 Staff about the fall course.
Likely candidates? Any Leader in the Cub, Boy Scout or Venturing program.
Qualifications? 1. - Be a registered Scouter; 2. - Be trained in your current position, i.e., having completed New Leader Essentials and specific training (CM or SM Specifics, Committee Specifics, or Venture Specifics; and 3. – Pass a Class III Physical.
All previous Wood Badge Staff and attendees are invited to attend and bring a Scouter who might be interested in taking this advanced training course. There is no cost for the candidates. A $5.00 fee, however, is required for staffers and graduates.
Reservation information may be obtained at: www.nwsc.org, click on “Current Events,” then “Wood Badge Dinner;” or, contact Bill Morgan at the Service Center at 847/824-6880, or, wmorgan@bsamail.org .
3 Month Memo for Council events
FEBRUARY:
Pathfinder District Dinner ---------------- Feb. 4
Pathfinder Re-Charter Clinic ------------- Feb. 5
BSA Anniversary Week ------------ Feb. 6 – 12
- Scout Sunday ------------------ Feb. 6
- Scout Sabbath ----------------- Feb. 12
Signal Hill Re-Charter Clinic ----------- Feb. 12
Executive Committee Mtg. ------------- Feb. 15
Scouters’ Swap Meet ----------------Feb. 19 - 20
Wood Badge Dinner --------------------- Feb. 19
FOS Leadership Breakfast ------------- Feb. 25
North Woods District Dinner ---------- Feb. 25
MARCH:
Blackhawk District Dinner -------------- Mar. 4
Lord Baden-Powell University -- Mar. 11 – 13
NWSC Executive Board Mtg. -------- Mar. 16
APRIL:
Climbing Training at Lakota ---------April 1 – 3
BH District Camp-0-Ree ---------- April 15 - 17
Cub Scout Camp Leader Meeting ----- April 16
NW District Camp-O-Ree -------- April 22 - 24
PF District Camp-O-Ree -—----- April 22 – 24
Intro to Outdoor Leader Skills --- April 29 - 30
Jambo 1st Shakedown ------- April 29 - May 1
Fun-filled Swap Meet Scheduled
By popular demand, the Scouters' Swap Meet is back on the Council's schedule for Feb. 19 and 20 at the BDP International Warehouse at 1796 Sherwin Av., Des Plaines.
This is a great opportunity to buy, sell, trade or merely browse through Scout memorabilia, i.e., patches, belts, buckles, old Scout books, photos coins, OA flaps, mugs, Jamboree items, neckerchiefs, etc.
Table reservations (including 2 admissions) are $20.00 ea. for Saturday or Sunday; or $30.00 for both days. General admission is $2.00 each day.
Donations of Scouting items for a Sunday auction are solicited. Tax deductible proceeds of auctioned items will benefit NWSC or may be shared with the donor and the Council.
In 1996, the last time the Swap Meet was held in the Service Center's crowded warehouse, over 400 Scouters from 14 states attended. It had 47 exhibitors
Call Betty Wurster (847-699-0449 or 847-989-3746); or Randy Toland (847) 824-6859 for additional information. Table reservation forms may be obtained at the Council Service
Upcoming Venturing Activities
see http://venturing.nwsc.org for up-to-date information
February 17 - Venturing Activities Cabinet - Galyan's, Schaumburg, 7PM
All Venturing Crews should be represented.
February 19 - Woodcarving - Camp Lakota, Woodstock, IL
Hosted by NWSC, program is Free, small fee to camp
Lou Akins at 847-358-7492 or lakins@sh.nwsc.org
February 20 - Arctic Blast '05 - Wilmot Mountain, Wilmot, IL
Hosted by Crew 275, Kathy Ann Hult at 847-546-1782 or
inthecourt@sbcglobal.com
February 26 - Downtown Scavenger Hunt - Chicago, IL
Hosted by Crew 401, Attend VAC for more info.
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Dodgeball
Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive and Dodge. Yes, the five rules of Dodgeball – according to the movie. But, the number one rule was fun when Crew 690 in Palatine hosted an afternoon of Dodgeball in December. Fourteen teams joined them in the tournament that was held at the Buehler YMCA (847-359-2400). The tournament was organized by the Palatine Mayor's Team of Volunteers, including members of Crew 690. Students paid a small fee to play and donated 100 food items to the local food pantry. There was plenty of free pizza too. The champs were a team that plays regularly, but all of the Venturing Crews that participated had the most fun! Check out this month's Venturing activities at http://venturing.nwsc.org
Scout Shop Scoop
A new year has arrived and it's time to see what's new at your Northwest Suburban Scout Shop. Check out the Monopoly BSA edition, the Motorized Helicopter Kit and the Estes Rocket Kits and many more.
Lord Baden Powell University
of Scouting 2005 – March 11-13
Sign up now for classes at Lord Baden-Powell University of Scouting. LBPU provides introductory, supplemental, and advanced training for ALL council and district functions related to commissioner service, membership, finance, and program for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing and Sea Scouting.
Located in scenic Williams Bay, Wisconsin – on Lake Geneva – LBPU has been providing a wide variety of training courses in every function of scouting for 16 years. Whether you have a new position in Scouting or are a seasoned Scouter, LBPU has a wide variety of classes that promise to keep the fun in scouting. Lord Baden Powell University represents Scouters from over six councils.
Classes are filled on a first come, first served basis and you can sign up for either the whole weekend or just one day (Saturday, 3/12). Please go to www.lbpuniv.org to download the catalog of courses available and price schedule. Final payment is due on February 21st.
Saturday night entertainment will be provided by the Crystal Lake Jazz Band this year and the Steering Committee will hold a Silent Auction again for scouting memorabilia, collectibles, etc. Donations are being accepted now!
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain new ideas and meet with fellow Scouters who are committed to reinforce the Scouting values. Whether you’re completing or starting your scouting degree, this is a great time to step up and be recognized at LBPU.
Arrowmen honored at Winter Banquet
At its annual Winter Banquet, the Lakota Lodge Order of the Arrow honored both youth and adult members who rendered outstanding service during 2004.
The "Founder’s Award," a prestigious award given annually to those who best exemplify OA spirit in their everyday life, was presented to Scout Quinn Ryan and Scouter John Campbell.
A new honor this year, the "Chairman of the Year," was made to Scout Daniel Zundel for his outstanding work as the Camp Services Chairman; and, the lodge made a $1000 donation to the James E. West foundation in the name of Lu Nuccio, NWSC Advancement Chairman, for his long-time dedication to the Lodge (and for his kitchen work at the Fellowship Weekends).
Over 30 Arrowmen were introduced as recipients of the Vigil Honor, the highest rank attainable in the OA.
Besides the presentations, the festive banquet featured a terrific demonstration, staged by the Des Plaines Police Department Canine Unit, a comedy skit by Scout Alex Wade and a "unique" Yo-Yo demonstration by Scouter Jay Haack.
Leadership Breakfast 2-25
The Northwest Suburban Council's annual Leadership Breakfast is set for Friday February 25th at Arlington Trackside – 2200 West Euclid Avenue in Arlington Heights. Motivational speaker, author and vocalist Wayne Messmer is our featured speaker. Mr. Messmer is one of the founding partners of the Chicago Wolves Professional Hockey team.
As a guest, you'll be invited to pledge $250 to the Friends of Scouting Campaign. Please make your reservations by February 18th. The Breakfast begins with coffee and registration at 7:00AM.
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