In the Wake of Katrina
As we all work to help those who lost so much in hurricane Katrina, please consider this message from Chief Scout Executive Roy Williams the best way to help is to make a cash contribution to the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army. The needs are clearly enormous, and financial help is the most effective way to assist in the relief effort.
Within Scouting, nine local councils along the Gulf Coast were affected by Katrina. Six of them had to cease operations. The BSAs national office has set up a Hurricane Katrina fund to rebuild Scouting. This fund is meant to provide direct assistance to those councils so that Scouting in those communities can be reestablished and Scouting facilities can be restored and rebuilt.
The Southern Region will identify and recommend needs. Chief Scout Executive Williams says, 100% of the money is distributed for the fund purposes. Under a best case scenario, the cost to rebuild Scouting in the Gulf Coast region is in the millions of dollars. But we must start somewhere, and these relief funds are critical in the steps toward recovery.
Donations may be made electronically at www.scoutingfriends.org or sent to:
Hurricane Katrina Recovery Funds
c/o National Boy Scouts of America Foundation
1325 West Walnut Hill Lane
P.O. Box 152079
Irving, Texas 75015-2079
Building a Legacy
The Northwest Suburban Council held its "Building a Legacy" Capital Campaign Kickoff at the Milrose Restaurant in Barrington on September 7th with sixty local supporters present to hear of the plans to raise $4.3 million over the next three years to significantly improve Camp Napowan, Camp Lakota, and the Volunteer Service Center.
Campaign Co-Chairmen Jim Tierney and Dave Pepper spoke of the vision to support our growing as well as changing local youth population by providing for proper facilities over the next few years. Scout Executive Steve Taylor commented on the vintage 1945 buildings that had become worn out over time as well as undersized to meet current needs.
Health and safety as basic considerations that need to be addressed as state, health department, and BSA standards have tightened over the years. Both camps were built to accommodate about 100 campers per week. Camp Napowan averages 350-400 campers per week during the summer camp season. New structures would also be winterized to provide for at least three-season usage.
Plans are to spend approximately $1.8 million at Camp Napowan to construct a larger dining hall and kitchen to feed 400 campers per week, renovate existing structures, provide for a new fleet of boats and canoes, and refurbish other existing structures.
Plans are to spend approximately $1 million at Camp Lakota to construct a dining hall/conference center, four new cabins, and break through a new roadway to open up access to the 75% of camp that currently goes under-utilized.
Approximately $1 million will be needed to either refurbish or relocate the Volunteer Service Center, provide for more parking, more training/conference rooms, newer HVAC units, newer bathrooms, and provide more office space.
About $300,000 will be needed to provide ongoing program support to our Latino Soccer and Scouting Program as well as provide support to Learning for Life for at-risk youth.
Currently, $400,000 has been committed to the "Building a Legacy" Capital Campaign from 30 donors. Several additional hosted events for donors are currently being planned.
3 Month Memo for Council events
OCTOBER:
istinguished Citizen Luncheon
.. Oct. 6
Popcorn Consignment Re-order Due .
.. Oct. 11
Popcorn Consignment Pick-up
Oct.14
Executive Committee Mtg.
.. Oct. 19
Area 3 Key Three Conference
..
Oct. 21-22
Council Operations Meeting
.
.Oct. 24
Family FOS Kick-Off
.. Oct. 27
OA Haunted Hike
... Oct. 28-29
Popcorn Consignment Returns/Payment
Oct. 29
Popcorn Take-orders & Prize Orders Due ... Oct. 29
NOVEMBER:
Popcorn Consignment Retns/Paymnt Due . Nov. 1
Popcorn Take-Orders & Prize Orders
.. Nov. 1
Wreath Orders Due
Nov. 1
Executive Committee Meeting
. Nov. 9
Veterans Day (Service Center Closed)
Nov. 11
Scoutfest
. Nov. 12
Executive Board Meeting
.... Nov. 16
Popcorn Take-Order Pick Up
.
. Nov. 19
Christmas Wreath Pick-Up
.
. Nov. 19
DECEMBER:
Popcorn Take-Order Payment Due
. Dec. 2-3
Napowan Kick-off
. Dec. 3
Wreath Payment Due
. Dec. 9
Executive Committee Meeting
. Dec. 21
Christmas Holidays
(Service Ctr. closed)
. Dec. 23-26
Eagle Recognition Event
... Dec. 27
Cool Outings --- Lower New River, W. Va.
A triple header of fun ---camping, rock climbing and white water rafting! Adding to their Spring Break backpacking and Summer Boundary Waters canoe High Adventure trips, 12 Scout and 3 Leaders from Troop 32 had a great time in the wilds of West Virginia recently.
Traveling to Lafayette, W. VA., with its own camping gear, the Venture crew first went white water rafting on the Lower New River. (You recent Jambo vets know the fun and challenges this piece of water offers.) During the five hour trip that included swim opportunities in rapids and a shore lunch, one of the two rafts turned almost vertical, dumping 6 of its 8 occupants, permitting additional, unexpected swim time. Equipped with helmets, vests and underwater cameras, the scouts had a ball. "We gotta do this again" and "This definitely is a repeat trip" were just two of the enthusiastic comments from the Scouts
Rappelling and climbing were next with the troop's gear. After scouting a gorge area, the crew spent a day rappelling from only a 50' height. "This was the first time for some boys," said Leader Dan Walsh, "and a great way for everybody to build some rope trust." The following day included a "warm-up/learning climb" of about 50' and later an 85' climb and a 90' rappel. All took a photo moment at the bluff's top, almost a 1000' high, to take in the scenic view above the tree top level
Those who were eligible earned both their Whitewater and Climbing Merit Badges in an ideal situation. Camping, outdoor fun and some great Scout-cooked meals made this a real "Cool Outing!" Raft WVA was the outfitter used by T-32. For additional details, contact Troop 32 ASM Dan Walsh at wals4@comcast.net.
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Scout Shop Scoop
Couldn't make it to the Jamboree? Some of the Jamboree has come to you. Check out the special souvenirs and take home your own piece of the Jamboree.
Okpik Time
Cold weather camping mistakes can be deadly. Northwest Suburban Council announces Okpik Cold Weather Camping Training for Leaders, Senior Scouts, Venturers, Trainers Ages 14 & Up. Sessions start October 23, 2005 and will be held at Calvary Community Church 1000 S. Springinsguth Rd. Schaumburg, IL. 60193.
This Train the Trainer program will provide you with the knowledge and materials to conduct winter camping training within your units. This program covers the skills and techniques that must be learned and the planning that must be done to ensure a successful, fun, and safe cold weather camping experience.
These include physical preparation, clothing, food and water, sanitation practices, first aid and emergency procedures, shelter and shelter building, methods of travel in snow, and making equipment. See http://www.nwsc.org/okpik/ for more information.
Scoutfest Promises A Feast of Learning
Are you hungry for Fun, Facts and Food? You can satisfy your appetite at ScoutFest: A Smorgasbord of Scouting! ScoutFest is a day-long supplemental training for adults in all areas of the Scouting program. Are you a brand new leader? You have an opportunity to take New Leaders Essentials, or one of the Leader Specific courses, in addition to the entire menu of courses that are available to you. Are you a more experienced leader? You can choose from over 50 classes, including 13 that are brand new to ScoutFest this year. The selection includes topics from Nature and Cooking, to Leadership and Service Projects.
ScoutFest will be held on Saturday, November 12, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Notre Dame High School, 7655 Dempster Street in Niles. Registration materials are available at Roundtable or on the web at www.nwsc.org/training. Questions: Call Doug Zubka at 847-310-1998.
Scouting Around the Archdiocese of Chicago
Thanks to all the troops and crews that attended Kumbaya Scout Retreat held last month! A great spiritual and fun camping experience! Plan now for next year if you missed it. Next year, it will be held September 15, 16, and 17!
Calling all adults who want to be of service in their parish as a religious emblems coordinator, counselor, or facilitator! The initial training to serve in these positions is being offered this month ! Email Pat Doyle at patrick.doyle@gesm.ge.com
Nominations for the St. George Religious Emblem are due December 1, 2005. Nomination forms are available at www.nccs-bsa.org! The purpose of the St. George Emblem is to recognize the recipient's outstanding contribution to the spiritual development of Catholic youth in the program of the Boy Scouts of America. The St. George emblems will be presented at Holy Name Cathedral as part of the 2006 Religious Emblems Ceremony!
Pope Paul VI Unit Award applications are also due December 1, 2005. Cooperation, development, and program are the key words in the recognition of Catholic chartered units in earning the Pope Paul VI quality unit recognition award.
From the Front Lines
Scout Executive Steve Taylor announces the promotion of Pathfinder District Executive Brian Sutilla to serve as Senior District Executive with the Northeast Iowa Council in Dubuque, Iowa effective September 13, 2005. Brian has served for the past three years with the Northwest Suburban Council and we wish him all the best in his new assignment as well as congratulations on his promotion.
Senior Special Projects Professional Daniel Gatica will become Senior District Executive for the Pathfinder District of the NWSC effective September 15, 2005 along with retaining his leadership responsibilities for the Latino Scoutreach Program through several Program Aides. The position will be requested for reclassification as a District Director position at the first of the new year.
Senior District Executive Bill Burgess of Blackhawk District has been appointed Camp Napowan Director for 2006 in addition to his primary district responsibilities. Council Program Director Randy Toland will remain in the council service area during summer 2006 to concentrate on further improvements and support of the NWSCs Cub Scout Camping Program including Cub Scout Day Camps, Cub Resident Camps, and Webelos Weekends. The goal of this change is to significantly increase summer camp attendance for 2006 of all program elements by NWSC Cub Scout Packs and Boy Scout Troops.
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