Spring Fellowship - 2005 Cold blustery winds, high of 50 degrees, partial sun, 100% chance of showers – storms possible, with snow flurries possible on Saturday night. Even with this forecast for central Wisconsin on May 13-15, almost 350 Scouts and leaders made the trip to Camp Napowan for the NWSC Spring Fellowship weekend (a.k.a. OA Work Weekend). This annual weekend of fellowship and fun (and hard work) is an annual event to help get Camp Napowan ready for Summer Camp. This is also a major event for the Order of the Arrow (OA) which is the honorary camping group within the BSA. As a testament to the strength and dedication to the OA, there were 72 Ordeal candidates, 71 Brotherhood candidates and 6 Vigil candidates present. The list of things to be done was extensive, but the many work teams were up to the task. Work completed during the weekend included; maintenance on both the East and West shower houses, repairs on the pump house roof and exterior, erection of a new dining tent next to the dining hall, and repairs to many items including latrines, boat dock, waterfront restrooms, and the camp office roof. The biggest effort of work done was the removal of slash (tree debris after foresting) from the fall and spring. Many campers will benefit from the efforts of these teams through cleaner campsites and the removal of a potential fire hazard. It is estimated that well over 2,500 hours were worked on Saturday and Sunday. Some of the summer camp staff were working to get ready for the summer. The OA ceremony team did a great job with the ceremonies on Saturday evening in difficult weather conditions. Thanks to the kitchen crew under the leadership of Earl McDermid for preparing an outstanding feast. It was topped off by an ice cream social during which we saluted the service of Napowan Ranger Mike Rader who is leaving for a new Scout position in Minnesota. Through the hard work of everyone at the fellowship and the many others involved in the planning process for the weekend, over 1,400 Scouts and leaders will have a better camp experience at Napowan this summer. Mark your calendars now for the 2006 Spring Fellowship weekend, May XX. We guarantee a fun and rewarding time – current forecast, 70 and sunny! TWO SCOUTS FROM TROOP 205 WIN ACTING ROLES AT THE 2005 JAMBO Back in March, the BSA was looking for five actors to star in the opening Arena Show of the 2005 National Scout Jamboree. They were offering a free scholarship to the five chosen and sent out word to all participating Councils searching for willing participants. The BSA had a short script for each of the five characters, and asked that the scouts perform the short monologues in front of a camera and create a CD of the performance to be sent in for review. Tom Conry (15, Star) of Troop 205 did just that and was selected to be "Joe" in the opening show at the Jamboree in West Virginia. Congratulations Tom! Kevin Holmen (14, First Class) from the same troop also sent in an audition and was selected to be an understudy for all 5 parts. Kevin was also given the same scholarship as the other five scouts. Apart from understudying, Kevin might also do interviews, narrate videos, introduce speakers at the event or Emcee parts of it.  It is very unusual that a sixth actor was chosen for the opening show, but even more unusual that two actors (both of whom are home-schooled) were selected from the same council, let alone the same troop!  You can learn more about their experiences and follow along at www.Troop205.us . 3 Month Memo for Council events JULY: Napowan Week #3 ---------------------- July 3 - 9 Independence Day -------------------------- July 4 Cub Scout Residence Camp #1 ------- July 7 - 10 1st Year Webelos Weekend #1 ------- July 9 - 10 Napowan Week #4 ------------------- July 10 - 16 Council Philmont Trek --------------- July 10 - 22 Day Camp Session #3 ----------------- July 11 - 15 S’burg Flyers’ (C S 75th Anniv.) --------- July 12 Cub Scout Residence Camp #2 ---- July 14 - 17 Venturing Cope Weekend ---------- July 15 - 17 Venturing Weekend ----------------- July 15 - 17 Napowan Week #5 ------------------- July 17 - 23 Commissioner Cookout ------------------- July 18 Day Camp Session #4 -------------- July 18 - 22 Executive Board Meeting ---------------- July 20 Council 2005 Jamboree Trek -- July 20 - Aug. 5 Cub Scout Residence Camp #3 ---- July 21 - 24 1st Year Webelos Weekend #2 ---- July 23 - 24 Napowan Week #6 ----------------- July 24 - 30 2005 National Jamboree ------ July 25 - Aug. 3 Day Camp Session #5 -------------- July 25 - 29 AUGUST: National Jamboree Contingent Returns … Aug. 5 Executive Committee Meeting …….…… Aug. 24 Wood Badge Weekend #1 ……….….. Aug. 26-28 SEPTEMBER: Napowan Family Campout……………... Sept. 2-5 Labor Day Weekend (Office Closed)….. Sept. 3-5 Popcorn Fair/Orientation ………………… Sept. 7 Popcorn Consignment Orders Due ………. Sept. 9 Lakota OA Fall Fellowship ………...… Sept. 9-11 Executive Committee Mtg………………. Sept. 14 Wreath Sale Orientation ………………… Sept. 15 Popcorn "Race To Win" ………………… Sept. 17 Executive Board Mtg. …………………… Sept. 21 Popcorn Consignment Pick-up ……… Sept. 22-24 OA Section Conclave ………………... Sept. 23-25 Wood Badge Weekend #2 …………… Sept. 24-26 Popcorn Consign. Re-orders Due ……… Sept. 26 Popcorn Consign. Re-order Pick-up …… Sept. 30  Venturing Calendar for July  July 8, 2005  Senior Scout Paddleboat Party - Pottawatomie Park, St. Charles, IL July 9-10, 2005  Civil War Reenactment with Crew 862 - Wauconda-Lakewood forest preserve July 12, 2005   NWSC Schaumburg Flyers Game - Schaumburg, IL July 15-17, 2005  NWSC Napowan Venturing and COPE Weekend - Camp Napowan, Wild Rose, WI July 15-17, 2005  Bay Jammer - Menominee, MI July 26, 2005 Beach Party at Lawrence Ave Beach, Chicago July 30, 2005  Blackhawk Regatta - "A Fun Day At The Beach" -- Rockford, IL see http://venturing.nwsc.org for the contacts, registration forms, etc. Cool Outings! Rafting the Vermillion! There's nothing like a little whitewater to get the adrenalin pumping, and if your troop or crew is prepared for the challenge, you might consider steering them to the Vermillion River. With drop off and pick up points near Starved Rock State Park, the Vermillion is a roughly two-hour drive from the northwest suburbs. There's plenty of camping opportunities at Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Park (plan ahead). The Vermillion features some class one and two rapids along with the always challenging Wildcat Falls, and a dam near the end of the trip With a good rudderman (usually an adult or older, experienced Scout), navigating this approximately three hour float is a safe, fun event – certainly one that your Scouts will remember. But this is whitewater. It requires preparation, concentration, and attention to the principles of safety afloat. River levels fluctuate, so it's always important to check ahead. You may want to check out the web site of a local outfitter --- www.vermillionriverrafting.com. Be safe and have fun.   Scout Executive's Minute Scouter of the Month Scout Shorts   NWSC Scout Executive Steve Taylor has been appointed to the BSA Product Sales Task Force.  This group, composed of 16 Scout Executives nationwide, will be evaluating and recommending national policy related to the BSA's popcorn sales campaign.   NWSC Executive Board Member and Past President Don Yacktman appeared in a full page article on him in the June 13th edition of "Fortune" magazine.  Don is CEO of Yacktman Asset Management Company, a nationally prominent mutual fund. The NWSC was recognized at the BSA Annual Meeting as a 2004 National Quality Council, a 2004 Regional Scoutreach Award Winner (four years), amongst the Regional "Top Ten" in Traditional Unit Growth (#2 in Central Region), and in the "Top Ten" in new James E. West Fellows (#6 in Central Region).    The Northwest Suburban Council won the first ever "Good Turn for America Award" at the BSA Annual Meeting held at the Gaylord Hotel in Grapevine, Texas in mate May 2005.  Many thanks to all of the local Packs, Troops, Crews, Posts, and Groups for participating in this community service project. Park Ridge Community Fund (formerly the Park Ridge United Way) has increased our annual allocation to $1300 for 2005! This is a 30% increase from last year! Breaking News for April '06 Attention all Catholic Scouters! Please highlight April 25-29, 2006 on your calendars. On those dates, the National Catholic Committee on Scouting Biennial Meeting will assemble at the Woodfield Hyatt in Schaumburg. The NWSC will be serving as one the local councils supporting this national event. Local Catholic Scouters may participate as “day participants” or help support the event as staff members. Program details are in the early planning stages. Local Catholic Scouters will be needed to aid with registration and other support services. Over 400 attendees from around the country are expected to attend. Additional information will appear in the future issues of the Northwest News. Get into the Swing… At the Northwest Suburban Council's 2005 Golf Classic on Monday, August 15, at the Kemper Lakes Golf Course. A major fund-raiser for the Council, the event is a fun time to get out, play some golf with your friends, discuss those Scouting event plans, swing for some prizes, and have lunch and a great dinner. The fee is $400 per player and includes the course fee, golf cart, prizes and dinner. You, or your company, may wish to sponsor a hole for $300 or a cart for $50. An $1800 complete package sponsorship includes the fees for a foursome, hole sponsorship and carts. Finance Director Jason Erpelding stated that the outing, with its average of 20 foursomes, is an important part of the Council's income. "We wish to encourage our Scouters and corporate friends to sign up, enjoy a great day and help the Scout Program at the same time," he said. The Classic schedule includes: 11:30 AM - Driving Range Open, Registration and Silent Auction. 12:00 - Lunch 1:00 PM -Shotgun Start 5:30 -Open Bar 6:30 - Dinner Kemper Lakes Golf Course is located at 24000 N. Old McHenry Rd in Hawthorne Woods. So, don't putter around. Get your foursome together and sign up now. For additional details, please call Jason at 847-824-6910. Friends of Scouting Closing In On Lofty Goals New Plans on Tap to Help Volunteers, NWSC The 2005 Friends of Scouting campaign is closing in on its $447,000 pledge goal with 67% complete. Signal Hill District has had a remarkably successful campaign this spring, raising almost 90% of their goal of $144,000 as of June 1. Hats off to Curtis Siegel and the Signal Hill finance volunteers for a bang-up job. Pathfinder District was the first district done with their family campaign reaching 100% by late April. Thanks and kudos to Steven Fleck and the Pathfinder Team. When was the last time you were searching for a new house? A new car? Furniture? Appliances? Computers? Life insurance? There are council volunteers involved in all of these vital businesses and hundreds more. Do you know who they are? If you did, wouldn't you feel more comfortable doing business with a fellow Scouter whose values reflect your own? Plans are being laid out right now for council resource catalog listing contact information about volunteers and their businesses so that the next time that you need products or services for your business or personal use you'll have a ready reference guide directing you to other Scouters who can meet those needs. In exchange for space in the guidebook businesses would agree to donate a portion of the proceeds on Scouting referrals to the Northwest Suburban Council Friends of Scouting Campaign. Long-time Blackhawk district volunteer Jean Marella and council Finance Director Jason Erpelding have been working with council Finance Vice President Ed Toczyski to develop plans and timelines to make this effort work and have these resources available to districts and unit by this fall. If you have an interest in this project contact Jean Marella at 847-803-4028 or Jason Erpelding at 847-824-6910. When it gets off the ground it will truly be a win-win situation for all involved! Scout Shop Scoop Looking for a new project for this summer? Try reaching for the stars. The Scout Shop has rockets, engines and everything else to help you launch your rocket. Stop in and then blast off.