SCOUTS SAY THANKS TO OUR VETERANS
Scouts from the Blackhawk District participated in the annual Blackhawk District Camporee over the weekend of April 20-22. This year's theme was "Duty to Country" as over 325 Scouts and Scouters gathered at the Great Lakes Naval Training Base.
The 37 participating Boy Scout Troops ate breakfast with the Naval recruits in the Base Galley. Many of the recruits had been Boy Scouts before enlisting and enjoyed their breakfast talking and sharing stories with the Scouts and Leaders before starting their day. The Scouts had many questions for the recruits.
The Scouts spent the remainder of the day participating in several activities, events and competitions with some of the Veterans that reside at the nearby VA Medical Center. Certain events were scored for the competitive portion of the outing and other events were designed to allow the Scouts and Disabled Veterans to interact with each other. Lunch was donated and served to the Scouts and Leaders by a Veterans groups located in the Blackhawk District: VVA Chapter #311, VFW Post #2992 and American Legion Posts #36 and #134. Everyone enjoyed the outdoor lunch break under the sunny blue skies and near 80 degree temperatures.
In the afternoon, many of the Scouts headed inside to visit with some of the disabled Vets. The Scouts and Vets sat and talked, played cards, chess and checkers for a portion of the afternoon. Over 200 Scouts working in small groups along with a disabled Veteran worked together to design and complete a 12"x 12' quilt section honoring the Veteran's service to our country. The finished quilt will hang in the VA Medical Center's lobby to display the Scouts respect for the Veterans and thank them for their service to our country.
The day concluded with a solemn evening campfire at the shores of Lake Michigan at dusk, to retire the torn and tattered American flags that had been collected and prepared for retirement by the Scouts and Veterans during the day.
The camporee concluded on Sunday morning at a "Scout's Own" worship service where the Scouts were reminded of John F. Kennedy's famous 1960 Presidential Inaugural speech quotation " Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country".
District Chairman, Tom Lobacz , a Viet Nam Veteran himself, told the Scouts before departing, that the Veterans appreciated the Thank You they received from the Scouts over the weekend. However, Tom reminded us that many Veterans were never thanked. That's because they gave their life for our country and didn't return. Many were buried in the battlegrounds all over the world. As each Scout was presented with a grommet covered with soot from the flags retired in the campfire the previous night, Mr. Lobacz asked the Scouts to keep the grommet in their pocket. He also asked that when the scouts reach in their pocket and hold the grommet, to turn to face the wind and say thanks to the Veterans that never received a thank you. He said "when you feel the wind on your cheek, you'll know they said...yourre welcome".
And while all of the Scouts enjoyed the day's activities, it was the Veteran's that told us how much this day meant to them. Many of the Veterans were Boy Scouts before joining the armed services, many soon after graduating from high school. The smiles on the Veterans faces and their laughter when interacting with the youth, told the story of how a day the Scouts dedicated to "Duty to Country" had made these Veterans feel that we continue to appreciate their efforts in protecting our freedoms.
Learning for Life/Exploring Thank You Reception
On May 2nd, the first Learning for Life/Exploring Thanks You Reception was held. It was a delightful event with lots of great food and fellowship that brought together volunteers from the various Learning for Life programs. Vice President of Learning for Life, Anna Klimkowicz, gave an enthusiastic presentation on where the program has come in the past 2 years, and Learning for Life Professional, Erin Bass, gave a vision casting presentation for the next 2 years. In addition, representatives from each of the seven programs gave accounts of how Learning for Life has opened up new opportunities for their students. It was especially exciting to hear from Daniel Simons, an Explorer for Post 300 out of Skokie Police Department, describe his Exploring experience. He credited his current position as a full-time police officer at the Skokie Police Department to his involvement in Exploring. He stated, This is what its about; I would not be in the position I am in today if it werent for the leadership and guidance of the Exploring program. Daniel was just one of 9 people to receive the Leadership Award at the reception. Others that were honored include Eric McCunePost 300 Skokie Police, Danielle RogersPost 9 Windy City Aviation, Andrew SealePost 9707 U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Officer Michael LeuhrPark Ridge Police/Advisor to Post 911, Officer Elizabeth RonderosSkokie Police/Advisor to Post 300, Special Agent Samir PatelSecret Service/Advisor to Post 9707, Sergeant Mike VargasPalatine Police Department/President of the Latino Speakers Bureau for Learning for Life, and Pascuala HerreraCoordinator of LD Services at Harper College/career speaker for Learning for Life school programs.
Napowan 2007 Dining in the Dining Hall
After a long, hard day at Napowan, do you think your scouts would like a night off from waiter/server duties? How about dining inside the dining hall for a meal; away from the rain, the bugs, and the crowded tent?
Does your unit have Scouters who have pledged or contributed to the NWSC Endowment Fund since last summer?
Any unit with a NWSC Endowment Fund contributor (James E West level or above) from July 2006 through this summer of 2007 will receive a meal served by camp staff in the comforts of the dining hall. Please make arrangements with Camp Director Marty Schultz as early in the week as possible.
Dining in The Dining Hall is to promote awareness of the NWSCs Endowment Fund and its role in supporting our Council and Camps for future generations. The James E. West Fellowship is a National Award presented by the NWSC. It is named after the first Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America and is for those who contribute/pledge $1,000 to the NWSC Endowment Fund (it can be spread over 3 years).
For more information on the NWSC Endowment Fund and different ways to contribute, please contact Pete Stikovich, Finance Director or your District Executive.
Volunteers Needed
The Northwest Suburban Council Office is in dire need of some attention. There are several critical areas including repair and staining of the wood facia on the front of the building, tuckpointing in numerous areas of the building exterior especially the front face, and the donation of and planting of shrubbery in front of and on the side of the building. The numerous trees on the property could also use quantities of mulch.
Any interested volunteers should contact Scout Executive Steve Taylor directly at 847-824-6830.
2007 POPCORN SALE DATES
Popcorn Fair and Orientation
..Wednesday 8/29
Consignment orders due
..Friday 9/7
Race to win
..
Saturday 9/15
Consignment order pick up
.Thursday 9/20
Friday 9/21
Saturday 9/22
Consignment Re-orders
.Friday 9/21 Pick up 9/28
Friday 10/5 Pick up 10/12
Consignment Returns
( No more than 10% of cases taken)
.Saturday 10/27
(consignment payment, take orders, prize forms) Monday 10/29
Take order pick up
...Friday 11/16
Saturday 11/17
Take order payment
.Friday 11/30
Saturday 12/1
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3 Months of Council-related events
June
Wood Badge Staff Development
1 3
Hometown Scouting
. 7
2007 Fisherman's Day
.
.. 9
CPR/1st Aid
9
LFL, Candlelight Bowl, River Rand Bowl
. 9
Climbing Instructor Trng
.. 9 - 10
Council Key 3
... 11
Pro Staff Mtg
.
.. 14
Webelos Weekend Napowan
.
.15 -17
Father's Day
.
17
National Leadership Youth Trng
.
..17 - 22
Napowan Week #1
..
17 - 23
Council Executive Committee
.
...
. 20
Everybody Wins Committee
..1 PM
.
. 20
Scout Night With Schaumburg Flyers
...20
Hometown Scouting
21
OA Summer Fellowship
. 22 24
Council Leadership Gathering
.
23
Napowan Week #2
.
. 24 -- 30
Cub Resident Camp, Week 1
. 25 1 June
Popcorn Sale Committee
27
Endowment Committee
.. 28
NWSC Sporting Clays Event
. 30
July
Napowan Week #3
1-- 7
Cub Day Camp, Week 2
.2 8
Independence Day (Office Closed)
4
Cub Resident Camp, Session 2
5 8
Pro Staff Meeting
6
Napowan Week #4
.. 8 -- 14
NWSC Golf Classic
.. 9
Council Key 3
. 9
Cub Day Camp, Week 3
.. 9 - 15
Cub Resident Camp, Session 3
. 12 15
Napowan Week #5
15 -- 21
Cub Day Camp, Week 4
..16 22
Napowan Week #5
. 22 -- 28
Council Executive Committee
.
18
Everybody Wins Committee
...
.
18
Cub Resident Camp, Session 4
. 19 -- 22
Napowan Week #6
22 -- 28
WB Staff Development #3
..
. 23
Scout Night With the Flyers
. 24
Council Executive Board
... 25
Popcorn Sale Committee
.
.. 25
Cub Resident Camp, Session 5
.. 26 29
Venturing Weekend
27 -- 29
Napowan Week #7
29 Aug 1
August
Pro Staff Meeting
. 3
Council Key 3
. 6
WB Staff Development #4
.. 9
Webelos Weekend Lakota
..
10 12
Council Executive Committee
. 15
Popcorn Sale Committee
22
Endowment Committee
.. 23
Wood Badge Session #1
.. 24 28
Family Camping Napawan
.. 31 Sept. 4
Our Newest Eagles
Michael Bombick Troop 149
Kirk Breneisen Troop 10
Benjamin Hofeld Troop 228
David Ishikawa Troop 149
James Jaffe Troop 3
Prashant Jayarman Troop 29
Knoepfle John Troop 32
Scott LaVanne Troop 309
Nicholas Lydiksen Troop 161
Sean Murphy Troop 32
Jeffrey Rozalewicz Troop 140
William Schjerven Troop 198
Jeffrey Schneider Troop 335
Kyle Siebert Troop 140
Daniel Zachacki Troop 84
2008 Philmont Contingent
Do you want to make a memory that will last a Lifetime
Do you like Backpacking, Camping, Clear Mountain Air, the smell of Ponderosa pines, watching a thunderstorm build, more stars than you can imagine, a horizon that is 50 miles away, then Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM is for you.
NWSC announces that applications are now being taken for the ultimate backpacking adventure Scouting has to offer. The 2008 NWSC Contingent departs on July 9, 2008 and returns July 24, 2008. Individual Scouts and Scouters are encouraged to join the contingent. Units may sign up a maximum of 6 trekkers per unit. After July 1, units may sign up more trekkers. The total cost for the trip is estimated to be $1400 per trekker.
Boy Scouts and Venturing Scouts are welcome to trek as part of the Philmont Contingent. Scouts must be at least 14 or may be 13 and have completed 8th grade by January 1, 2008.
Please refer to the NWSC website or the Council Office for an application. If you have questions, please contact Dick Engbrecht at 847-392-1542 (engbrecht@comcast.net) or District Executive, Jon Wilson at the Council Office at 847-824-6875
Tour Permits
With the time for Summer Camp fast approaching, all units are reminded and encouraged to file Tour Permits in accordance with the Guide to Safe Scouting and local Council Policy. Questions concerning Tour Permits should be addressed to your District Executive or the Council Office.
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