Catholic Committee on Scouting News It’s that time of year to be finalizing the spring and Summer activity calendars for most units. Let us share some things with you to consider and include in your activity plans. Easter time is the time most Catholic youth begin their faith journey on the trail to earning the Catholic religious emblems of either Ad Altare Dei, (7th & 8th grade boys) and Pope Pius XII ( must be at least in 9th grade). All youth applications must be submitted no later than June 1, 2007. These emblems will be presented on February 24, 2008. Adults interested in serving as counselors or facilitators for these emblems must complete the appropriate training programs offered by the Archdiocese of Chicago, Catholic Committee on Scouting. Email Pat Doyle, doylepbb@msn.com, for the 411 on the when and where training will happen. The National Catholic Committee on Scouting, Standing Committees, Advisory and Executive Board National Meetings will be held April 17-21, 2007 in Milwaukee. For more info, log onto www.nccs-bsa.org. Much closer to home, Be a Fisher man at St. Mary of the Lake University on Saturday, June 9, 2007 starting at 10 AM. “Chauncy’ Niziol, ESPN Radio Star and Outdoorsman, will be on hand to provide tips on fishing, and more. Great opportunity to learn more about fishing for fish as well as considering being a fisher of men. The program includes a patch and a great lunch. You just need to bring your fishing pole & bait. Hike the grounds, too! For more information check the Archdiocese website at www.catholicweb.com/accs or email Jeff Zondlo, ainformatics@comcast.net. A BSA unit local tour permit is required for this event. Great place to get started on Fishing Merit Badge. All Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venture units are invited to attend. Just $5.00 per person. Philmont this summer? Yup, space is filling fast, but there is still room for you to attend a conference at the Philmont Training Center. Scouting in the Catholic Church - July 29 – August 4, 2007- is offered at Philmont - Cimarron, NM. The goal of the conference is to help the participants understand how Scouting is a Youth Ministry. The conference is structured to explore the four daily components - Leadership, Holiness, Conversion, and Worship - from several points of view. The NCCS' Scouter Development: Lay Apostolate for Scouters format of bible readings, reflection, and small-group discussion gives the participants insight of why a Catholic Scouter is called to be lay apostolate. Class is in session Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Bring the family; Philmont has programs from infants to spouses so you can concentrate on your class experience. But you also have a chance to experience Philmont during the evening Sunday-Friday and all day Wednesday with them. Who is chaplain’s aide in your unit? Ooops, you do not have one? You should. Ask your commissioner for the 411 on the role of the youth position of chaplains’ aide in your unit. See you all fishing on June 9! E-LEARNING - THE FUTURE OF ON-LINE SCOUT TRAINING! BSA National has taken all the essential volunteer learning courses they offer online and put them together in one spot, the Online Learning Center (OLC) at olc.scouting.org. At the OLC leaders and interested parents can take courses at their own convenience 24/7. This site provides a variety of materials, from quick references to complete courses, all designed to help adults to improve leadership skills and deliver a quality program. Each course takes less than an hour to complete. A log-in is required however anyone may create a user account and view the courses. Registered members of the BSA that provide their member number found the membership card (as part of the user profile) to receive credit and print a certificate showing successfully completion. For proper credit,answer with your name as it appears on your unit charter or membership card. DON'T WORRY IF YOU CAN'T FIND THIS NUMBER ... you can add it at anytime! The E-LEARNING website will track your training for you, and updates your official record. It is recommended that you notify your UNIT COMMITTEE when completing any training (On-Line or traditional) so that unit records are current). New volunteers need Fast Start training before beginning youth activities. The course covers such basics as the aims and purposes of the BSA, how to manage troop or den meetings and outdoor activities, job descriptions of various leadership positions, and additional sources of information. Fast Start is a short introductory course; you will still need to take New leaders Essentials (NLE) as part of your training continuum. In addition to Fast Start for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing leaders, the OLC also offers Youth Protection Training , Aquatics Safety (including Safety Afloat and Safe Swim Defense), and Venturing Crew Orientation and the newest addition to on line-learning the TROOP COMMITTEE CHALLENGE. And while you are there check out the links to other helpful training information. This is only the beginning. More courses will be added as they are developed." Check It Out! Knot Article: In March of 1946 The Boy Scouts of America announced the first 6 square knot awards. These awards were to replace the Military style ribbon bars that were being earned at the time. The list of knots has continued to grow. At the current time, there are 35 knots awards covering several areas. Those areas are Youth Achievement, Religious, Bravery, Leadership and Training and Outstanding Service and Honor Awards. These awards are worn on the Scouting uniform in place of the plaque or large pendant they represent. Generally known as Knot awards by adult leaders, there are a few; however, that can be worn by Boy Scouts, Cubs Scouts and Venture crew members. Youth members may wear the Universal Youth Religious Emblem, Life Saving and Meritorious Award, and , For Venture Crew Members, the Explorer Achievement Award Knot. Knots are sewn centered above the left Uniform Shirt Pocket, in rows of three. There is no order for wearing the knots; however, there is a proper way for each knot to be displayed. The loop of the embroidered Square Knot that comes in front of the standing part is always pointed to the wearers right and the distinguishing color (Not white) also toward the wearer’s right. Some knots are the same for Training or Service in different programs. For example the Scouters Training Award Knot is the same for service in Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Exploring, Commissioner Service and District Committee. To distinguish the difference in the program a small device is worn inside the knot indicating the program. If the knot is earned in more than one program then more than one device should be worn. The following list is the current list of knots by type. For directions on how to earn these knots, see your Council Scout Shop. Youth Achievement Awards: Arrow of Light, Eagle Scout, Quartermaster Award, Venturing Silver Award, Explorer Gold Award. Religious Awards: Youth and Adult. (Separate knots may be worn by an adult member who earned the religious award as a youth). Bravery Awards: Honor Medal, Heroism Award, Medal of Merit. Leadership and Training: Tiger Group Organizer Award, Cub Scout Den Leader Award, Webelos Den Leader Award, The Pack Trainer, Cubmaster Award, Cub Scouter Award, Scouter training Award, Scouter Key, Scoutmaster Award of Merit, Sea Badge, and Professional Training Award.   View this edition in PDF Scout Executive's Minute Scouter of the Month 3 Months of Council-related events April Daylight Savings Time Begins …….……….. 1 Hometown Scouting…….…...………………. 5 Pro Staff Mtg ….. …………………..……….. 6 Good Friday (Office Closed)…………………. 6 Council Key 3 ………...…………………….. 9 Napowan Leader Orientation …………… 14 Wilderness 1st Aid …………………….. 14 –15 FOS Report Mtg. …………...…………… 17 Council Exec. Comm./Charter Review .. 18 I.O.L.S. Patrol Mtg. …………….. ……...…. 18 Hometown Scouting…..…..………………… 19 Wood Badge Staff Develop #1 …..……….. 23 Popcorn Comm. Mtg…….…………………. 25 I.O.L.S. - Camp Lakota ……...……... 28 - 29 May Hometown Scouting…….…………….……... 3 Pro Staff Mtg …..…………………..……….. 4 Council Key 3 ………...…………………….. 7 CPR/1st Aid Trng ………………………….. 12 Mother's Day ………………………………. 13 Council Executive Committee….…...……... 16 Hometown Scouting…….…...……………… 17 Council Banquet…………………………… 18 OA Spring Fellowship ………………… 18 - 20 Baloo ……………………………………….. 19 Armed Forces Day …………………………. 19 Chicago Rush Game …………………… 19 Council Executive Board ….…..…………… 23 Popcorn Comm. Mtg………………………… 28 Family Camping at Napowan ………. 25 - 28 Memorial Day (Office Closed) …………. 28 BSA Annual Meeting in Atlanta…….5/30 – 6/1 June Pro Staff Mtg…………………………………. 1 Wood Badge Staff Development ……… 1 – 3 Hometown Scouting ………………………. 7 CPR/1st Aid …………………………………. 9 LFL, Candlelight Bowl, River Rand Bowl … 9 Council Key 3 …………………………….. 11 Father's Day ………………………………. 17 Council Executive Committee ……………. 20 Scout Night With Schaumburg Flyers ….. 20 Hometown Scouting ………………………. 21 OA Summer Fellowship …………….. 22 – 24 Council Leadership Gathering …………….. 23 Popcorn Sale Committee …………………. 27 Although the news has not been formally announced and publicized at this time, I have received word from a very reliable source that a member of Troop 175 has been selected to be the Village of Niles, Youth of the Year for 2007 ! Life Scout JJ Palliser, has been selected Niles' best and will be receiving a special award trophy at the annual Chamber of Commerce "The Night of Roses" dinner in April, 2007.JJ will be joining 2 other members of Troop 175 and one Venturing Crew 175 member on receiving this prestigious award. The Scouts and leaders of Troop and Crew 175, along with the Scouting sponsoring organizations; St. John Brebeuf Holy Name Men's Club and North American Martyrs Council 4338, Knights of Columbus congratulate JJ on his accomplishment and his exemplary service to the community ! A huge hand for JJ !One of the Best from Troop 175 ! It happens only twice a year… On Saturday and Sunday, April 14 & 15, you will have the 1st opportunity this year to take the American Red Cross Wilderness 1st Aid Basics Course at Camp Lakota. And, if your unit (or your family) is planning a remote camping or High Adventure trek this spring or summer, you should sign-up for this course now. Basically, it is a 16-hr. course that teaches you what to do if your unit finds itself in dire need of 1st aid in a remote area and there is no immediate professional help. Seven ARC-certified staffers will use a combination of classroom, skills practice and role playing techniques to teach the response steps and treatment of injuries and illnesses in delayed-help situations. Over the two-day period, student patrols will encounter a variety of realistic, outdoor injury situations that will require diagnosis and "hand-on" treatment. Boy Scouts under 15 yeas are encouraged to take the course. Registration deadline is April 6. The weekend cost is $100 that covers all meals, one night of camping and all course, take-home materials. So, Be Prepared for that remote camping trip and sign up. (The next course will not take place until the fall.) For additional information, contact Kevin Chapman, Course Director at 1-847-394-1593 or madpiper@bh.nwsc.org. Or, download the application from the council website and sign up at the Volunteer Service Center.