Remember: We're going ELECTRONIC Effective with the June issue the Northwest News will be published electronically. This will result in a savings of approximately $3500.00 FOS dollars monthly in printing and postage costs which can be put to better use providing improved program opportunities for the youth of the Council. It will also help the Council “Go Green” by eliminating the printing of approximately 8000 plus paper copies of the newsletter each month. We want to know what you think! We ask that you take a couple minutes and complete an on-line survey at http://survey.nwsc.org. There are three simple questions which will help us reformat the publication to make it what YOU want to see and what will be most informative and useful for YOU! What do you like best about the Northwest News? Are you satisfied with the content of the newsletter? What additions/changes would you recommend? In order to receive notice that a new edition of the Northwest News has been published, we ask that you sign-up for your free subscription online at http://www.nwsc.org/maillist/. Your address will be added to our secure database. Your information will not be sold or distributed for any other use. With the advent of the Northwest News going electronic beginning with the June edition, we realize that not all recipients of this newsletter either do not have an e-mail address or do not want to receive the newsletter electronically. Should a mailed edition of the Northwest News be preferred, simply send a note to the Council Office marked to the attention of the Northwest News. A mailing list will be compiled from responses received and the newsletter mailed. ORDER OF THE ARROW 2008 SPRING FELLOWSHIP CAMP NAPOWAN May 16 - 18, 2008 The annual Spring Fellowship at the Napowan Adventure Base is co-hosted by the Order of the Arrow and the Wilderness Engineers. Fellowship, Friendship, Fun and Cheerful Service are the watchwords for this event. Check-in begins at 6 pm on Friday night and checkout is after 10 a.m. on Sunday. New Ordeal Candidates may go through their Ordeal at this event. All Ordeal members are encouraged to complete their Brotherhood at this event also. The new Vigil call out ceremony will be Saturday Night at approximately 7 pm, after the Ordeal Ceremony. All Vigil Honor members are requested to attend. Register now by completing the form found on the Lodge web site, www.lakotalodge.org, or at the council office. Registration fees vary with level of membership. Talk to your Chapter Chief for more details. To avoid late fees register by May 9, 2008. It's time for council honors Mark down May 2 on your calendar, and then visit the Volunteer Service Center today and make reservations for the 2008 Annual Council Recognition Dinner. Once a year, a few top volunteer Scouters are selected by the Silver Beaver Committee to receive the highest national award that nay be awarded at the council level. In addition to the Silver Beavers, Quality Districts, Distinguished Units and Officer recognitions will be made. This year's "Council Court of Honor" will be held at the Meridian Banquet Hall, 1701 Algonquin Rd. in Rolling Meadows. A cash bar-social hour will be begin at 6 PM, followed by dinner at 7 PM and the award ceremony. The per person cost is $30.00. Make your reservations now and plan on celebrating the achievements of some great volunteers and units. Leadership: Walking the Talk By Jim Tierney At the Council Annual Meeting on January 23rd, I outlined two essential tenets of Leadership. The first is about an approach that I refer to as BNG. The second tenet is the notion of being committed, or attached, to a cause rather than only being attracted to it. BNG stands for “Where have you Been, Where are you Now, and Where are you Going”? Translation: Accountability. Whether we are leading a one Scout, a pack, patrol, or troop, leaders need to understand what has been accomplished since the last activity or time we met, where does that get us toward our goals, and what will be done between now and when we visit or meet again. This works for individuals as well as organizations. Essentially, it keeps us focused on what we said we are going to do. And as kids, accountability is what earns badges. As adults, accountability is what makes our programs and Council successful, and what our kids expect. Some of the places I have been include the Marketing Committee (as I call them, our Public Relations department), Council Executive Meetings and a planning retreat, a new parent leader training, Council Commissioner retreat, Fund Management Committee, Hometown Scouting / FOS breakfast, and ongoing contact with our Capital Campaign and Camping Leaders. What’s been accomplished so far? As a result of the outstanding people working in Marketing we have expanded the Northwest News, shared more important information across all Districts and improved our calendar. Exciting news at Camp Lakota is revealed at our web site (NWSC.org) as we have broke ground on the new cabin and we plan to break ground on the pool and shower house this Spring. Progress is also being made in the development of the planned Napawan dining pavilion. Our Hometown Scouting / FOS breakfast was a big success with $150,000 pledged over the next five years. FOS for 2008 exceeded its February target of $200,000 and two FOS luncheons in mid March bring Hometown Scouting to Downtown Chicago for those who were unable to attend our local February breakfast. In regard to being attached, this means being passionate and committed to specific assignments, groups, or activities. On the other hand, being attracted means to like something or to be around it, but not engaged in its success. If you want to be a strong leader, you must know what personal brand you've created. You must ensure that your personal brand resonates with those people with whom you want to build strong relationships. When your behaviors are inconsistent and your values seem to shift based on what's convenient, your personal brand has failed. But when your behaviors are consistent and your values are strong, you are on the road to developing and communicating who you are through your personal brand. Learning for Life 2008 Online Auction Learning for Life is a non-traditional Scouting program that impacts the lives of more than 6,100 youth in the northwest suburbs. We are a character education and career development program that partners with local schools and businesses to facilitate positive growth for today’s youth. Our most recent project is a life skills and career development program that provides interactive curriculum and resources, career speakers, and career trek opportunities for students with special needs including behavioral disorders, emotional disorders, and learning disorders. Through the Learning for Life program, at-risk youth are more likely to graduate from high school, enroll in college, and proceed to have productive careers. You can help support this worthwhile program by participating in the 2008 Learning for Life Online Auction. There are some AWESOME auction items including professional sports tickets, tickets to theatre and music events, restaurant gift certificates, and musical items signed by Grammy winners !!! The auction will be begin on Friday, April 4, 2008 and will run through midnight on Sunday, April 14, 2008. Come check out our website and participate in the FUN!!! http://lflnwsc.nwsc.org Lakota Cabin Construction Begins The sounds you may hear at Camp Lakota over the next few weeks may well be the sounds of construction equipment in action. Construction on a new Cabin for year around camping at Camp Lakota started on Leap Day (February 29th) with the sounds of excavation on the site of the new cabin. For information on the progress of construction please view the pictures on the Council website. Located in the campsite formerly know as Coons Run, the cabin will be ready for use during the summer months. Look for announcements in Northwest News and the on the Council website for the rental availability by Scouting units. Reservations will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis following the announcement of availability. After many years of planning, designing and collecting capital contributions the start of the Lakota cabin construction signals just the beginning of capital improvements at the Northwest Suburban Council’s two camps. There are three other capital building projects in the planning, development, design and permitting phases that the Council anticipates initiating during the course of this year. Future issues of the Northwest News will provide additional information on these projects. The Council Capital Campaign Committee would like to thank those donors who through their commitment to the Scouting program have made the significant contributions that will make this cabin a reality. Please contact Peggy Thompson, Capital Campaign Coordinator, at the Council Office if you would like to add your name to those who are supporting Scouting with a Capital contribution. View pictures of the progress on the front page of www.nwsc.org The District Award of Merit The District Award of Merit is a council award presented byto individuals who have rendered noteworthy service to youth in Scouting, outside Scouting, or both. nature and value of “noteworthy service to youth” may consist of a single plan or decisions that contributed vitally to the lives of large numbers of youth or it may have been given to a small group over an extended period of time. Below are the recipients of this years District Award of Merit. Thank you and congratulations. Blackhawk - Ted Begley, Mark Gotthelf, Sharon Lawson Northwoods – Mary Sabol, Marlin Simon, Bruce Hoffman, Russ Talbot Pathfinder - Laura Camiliere, Tom Wertz Signal Hill - John Campbell, Aline Denges, Lisa Earley, Mike Gutschick. Eagle Scout Brian Chapp awarded annual scholarship The desire to help others in need led to his Eagle project and the resulting character and scope of Brian Chapp's Eagle project, in turn, led to his being awarded the annual Joseph DiLullo Scholarship. On March 3, at the Volunteer Service Center, Mario and Margaret DiLullo presented a check for $500 to Brian for his work in supplying clothing items to survivors of the horrendous December 26, 2004 tsunami. In memory of their son, Joseph, who died unexpectedly on Dec. 29, 1988, the DiLullos established a college fund for Eagle Scouts. The award to Chapp marks the 18th year such a grant has been made. While considering his Eagle service project, Chapp decided that he "wanted the project to benefit persons who had a real need of help." The disastrous tsunami was still in the news. The undersea earthquake caused tidal waves that inundated coastal communities of the Indian Ocean, killing over 225,000 persons in 11 countries. A need was evident. Chapp contacted foreign embassies to see how he might be of service even in the smallest way. Additional contacts with two religious-based organizations, Samaritans First and the United Methodist Committee on Relief, set him on his quest to collect specific items. Chapp and his brother Scouts from Troop 25 in Des Plaines set about distributing collection boxes in numerous churches, fire stations and the public library. Within a 3 month period, over 3,000 items were collected, boxed and shipped to the above mentioned charitable organizations for subsequent distribution in the affected countries. SCOUTS GO "HI TECH" IN TREASURE HUNT It looks like searching for paper clues under rocks and in tree stumps may be a thing of the past for modern day treasure hunters. "Hi Tech" is taking over. Seventy-seven NWSC Cubs. Boy Scouts, Leaders and parents spent a recent Saturday at the Volunteer Service Center learning about a new (and additive) hobby --- "Geocaching." It's pronounced geo-cashing. It's a national, 8-year-old game that uses the internet, a Global Positioning System (GPS) the natural Scouting love of the outdoors, and Scouting curiosity to wander in unknown areas in hopes of finding "treasure." Troop 297 ASM and long-time geocaching enthusiast Tony Skiroock conducted the first council class. After a morning session of learning about the game's history, the basic operation of a GPS receiver and various kinds of caches, the class logged on to www.geocaching.com to find nearby cache locations. They then programmed their geographic locations into their GPS units and were ready to start the hunt. Tony and other experienced cachers led the group to a nearby park where the fun started. With minimal information, the students were able to locate nine temporary caches, placed specifically for the class, and one permanent cache. The ‘treasures,' as large as a fruit jar and as tiny as a child's thumb, were found by the hi-tech hunters in bushes, under park benches, in tree stumps and from tree branches. What a new and wonderful idea for weekend camping trips and hikes. No doubt this "Hi Tech" outdoor game will be "caching on" with Scout units. Another class is scheduled for April 5 at Camp Lakota that will offer even more challenging possibilities for hidden treasure. Check the Service Center for additional details. 2008 Popcorn Announcement Calling all Scouting units!It’s now time to be assertive in securing your 2008 Popcorn Chairperson.Before you know it, our very important 2008 Popcorn Kick-Off (orientation) will be here.This note is to help you “be prepared”. This year’s sale will have several new and improved dynamics that you’ll need to become well-informed about, by attending the Popcorn Kick-Off. is highly important that your Popcorn Chairpersonthe following date in their calendar today so they attend the Popcorn Kick-Off and there is no communication break downsome of the new steps to our 2008 sale. Popcorn Sale Kick-Off Meeting Wednesday August 27, 2008 7:00 p.m. at the Northwest Suburban Council office 600 Wheeling Rd. Mt. Prospect IL 60056 . If your unit already knows who your Popcorn Chairperson is, please contact NWSC Finance Assistant Sue Domzalski by calling 847-759-2999 or email sdomzals@bsamail.org.We will need to record your Popcorn Chairperson’s name, phone number and email address please. This also informs the Council office that your unit is officially selling popcorn in 2008. We would also like to extend an open invitation to each and every unit in our Council to attend the Popcorn Kick-Off to “search and discover” the great opportunities in selling a product that will literally secure enough funding for your unit’s treasury to financially provide all of your programming for the entire year! Wood Badge for the 21st Century C-23-08 Dear Potential Participant, I would like to invite you to join the Wood Badge experience. This is the next step in your training to provide the best program for today’s youth. This training consists of two, three day long weekends with presentations covering Communications, Managing Conflict, and Listening to Learn among others. Scouters of all levels, Boy Scout, Cub Scout, Venturing, and Varsity will benefit from this training, as well as helping in their personal and professional lives. Please consider this request to participate in one of the most satisfying and fun training experiences you will have in your scouting career. An excellent staff has been assembled from the premier trainers in our council. They stand ready to present an outstanding course so come join us and let’s have some fun. Yours in Scouting Bill Kaisling Course Director 847-826-1312 wkaisling@wowway.com NWSC 2009 Philmont Contingent The Philmont Experience is a life changing event on the journey of a Scout. It is at Philmont that you have the opportunity to realize all of the skills that you have learned in Scouting. Scale mountains that are 9500 to 12441 feet high … see more stars than you can imagine; watch an afternoon thunderstorm build … see what the weathercaster means by “virga”. Applications for Philmont 2009 Contingent are available on-line through the Events button on the home page or at http://flyers.nwsc.org/CPhilmont2009.pdf. 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, 2009. Units can start reserving an unlimited number of spots; maximum crew size is 12. Please refer to the NWSC website or the Council Office for an application. If you have questions, please con­tact Randy Toland at the Council Office.   View this edition in PDF Signal Hill - Sentinel Scout Executive's Minute Scouter of the Month 3 Months of Council-related events April Council Executive Board Mtg. ……….… 2 BH Cub Leader Specifics Trng. ….……. 2 L-F-L On-line Auction …………….... 4 -13 Pro Staff Meeting ………………………… 7 Wilderness 1st Aid (Lakota)…….. . 11 - 13 Pathfinder Dist. Camp-O-Ree ……. 11 - 13 Signal Hill Dist. Pinewood Derby ….… 12 Napowan Leader Meeting ……….….… 12 Council Executive Committee …….…. 16 OA Lodge Mtg. ……………………...…. 16 PF Cub Leader Specifics Trng. ………. 16 North Woods Dist. Camp-O-Ree 18 - 20 Blackhawk Dist. Camp-0-Ree .… 18 – 20 BALOO Trng……………………..…... 19 Passover …………………………..….… 20 Pro Staff Meeting ………………..…..… 21 FOS Report Mtg .........................…........ 22 Intro. to Outdoor Ldr. Skills (Patrol Mtg) . 23 Signal Hill Cub Scout Leader Specifics ...23 Signal Hill Camp-O-Ree …….…….. 25 - 27 North Woods Dist. Pinewood Derby ..… 26 Top Hands …………………………….. 28 May BSA Endowment Tour ………..………… 1 NWSC Annual Dinner (Silver Beaver Awards) ……………………………….... 2 IOLS (Camp Lakota)…….……….... 2 – 4 SH Cub Olympics ………….……….…… 3 BH Cub Spring Hike ……….……………. 4 Pro Staff Mtg……………….……………. 5 L-F-L "Thank you" Reception …..…….. 6 CPR/1st Aid ……………………...……. 10 MOTHER'S DAY ………………. …… 11 Council Exec. Committee …………….. 14 OA Lodge Meeting ………………….... 14 OA Spring Fellowship (Camp Napowan) ………………………………………..16 - 18 Climbing Instruction Trng….……….16 - 17 PF Cub Olympics ……………..………... 17 Pro Staff Mtg…………………..…..…… 19 National BSA Annual Mtg…….…. . 21 - 23 Family Camping (Camp Napowan) …..……………………………………….23 – 26 Memorial Day (Office Closed) ……… 26 Council Executive Board …….….…. 28 SH Merit Badge Clinic ………..……… 31 June Pro Staff Mtg. ……………..…………… 2 Sporting Clays ……………..…………… 7 CPR/1st Aid ………………..…………... 7 Webelos Weekend …….....…… 13 – 15 Contingent Crew to BWCAW …. 17 - 27 Kodiak …………………..…….…. 14 – 20 Napowan Week #1 …………… 14 – 20 Natn'l Youth Leadership Trng ..….15 –20 Field Staff Mtg. ……………..…….… 16 Golf Outing ………………..…….…... 16 Council Executive Committee ….….. 18 OA Lodge Mtg. ………………..……. 18 OA Summer Fellowship …...….. 20 – 22 Napowan Week #2 ……………. 22 – 28 Lakota Day Camp ………….…... 22 – 26 Top Hands …………………...……….. 23 Resident Camp for Beginners … 27 – 29 Napowan Week #3 ………… 29 – 5 July Our Newest Eagles Michael Hansen   Troop 24 Frank Romano   Troop 22 Henry Dauphinee   Troop 50 Eric Poczatek   Troop 496 Steven Fornoff   Troop 6 Craig Gilsinger   Troop 140 William Tatom   Troop 193 Mark Harker   Troop 1 Bryan Lee   Troop 392 Brenton Schroeder   Troop 132 Kent O'Neill   Troop 159 Nicholas Nowotarski   Troop 235 Michael Gruzynski   Troop 495 Brian Toczyski   Troop 964 Steven Midday   Troop 93 Andrew Beierwaltes   Troop 175 Wesley Durham   Troop 50 Brian Burkhardt   Troop 198 Andrew Bohm   Troop 496 Thomas Caudill   Troop 964 Camping news... Summer Camp Update There are many changes in our camp programs this year. Here is a quick summary of each camp, which doesn’t do the programs justice. Please see your Pack or Troop Camping Chair or Committee for registration details. Details are also available at the Service Center or by visiting the Council website at www.nwsc.org. Cub Scout Day Camp Adventures in the Wild West Monday – Thursday, June 23 – June 26 Day Camp is once again at our own Camp Lakota. Day Camp is a great opportunity to get boys outdoors, learning and most importantly, having fun. Only offered as one, four day session this year, daily program starts when the participants board a Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line train to take them to Harvard, where a bus will transport them to Lakota. There will only be one train for the campers to ride on and stations/times have yet to be announced. The day ends when they get off the train to go home. Activities will include nature study, crafts, team/individual sports, BB guns, swimming (subject to availability), archery and more. Boys will be separated into dens by rank, so they can participate in activities appropriate to the age and skill level of each Scout. This will also provide the bonus of Scouts meeting other Scouts from around the Council. One Day Out West Choose Your Own Adventure! July 1, 2, and 3 One Day Out West is a one-day event showcasing all that is great about Camp Lakota. Each day will a different theme. (Pioneers, Gold Miners, and Mountain Men) It is a great opportunity to participate in Day Camp activities but only for one day, or all three! Cub Scout Resident Camp Traveling Through Time Thursday – Sunday, July 10 – 13, 17 – 20, and 24 - 27 Resident Camp is a great multi night camping opportunity for Cub Scouts. Scouts will have all of Lakota’s facilities available to them including the climbing wall, BB guns, archery, crafts, nature, swimming (subject to availability), off site fishing, and a great campfire program. Delicious meals are served in the dining tent and the enthusiastic camp staff makes the weekend fun for everybody. Resident Camp For Beginners Camping for the Rest of Us Friday – Sunday, June 27 - 29 This special Resident Camp session is geared towards first time and reluctant campers. It is a Friday to Sunday program that features a skilled staff member to help each group of campers set up their tents and camp, answer questions, and basically give extra attention to people new or uncomfortable in the camping experience. Program is focused on teaching camping skills intermixed with themed Resident Camp activities. Webelos Weekends Camp Napowan: June 13 - 15 Camp Lakota: August 8 - 10 All sessions are three day, two night weekends open to both Webelos I and II Scouts. The Napowan session, as always, is a great introduction to Boy Scout summer camp, and Lakota will offer a great Webelos camping experience without the four hour drive. Both Camps will feature the climbing wall, BB guns, archery, crafts, nature, swimming (Lakota subject to availability) and a great campfire program. Napowan also features a waterfront and the unique feature of Flintlock village. Delicious meals are served in the dining tent and the enthusiastic camp staff makes the weekend fun for everybody. Family Camping Camp Napowan: May 24 – 26 Share our camps with your entire family! Everybody gets to enjoy all of our great camp facilities on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. Bring your own gear and food, and be ready for a fun, family camping experience. Educate our Scout parents on what our Scouts can do, and they’ll be more likely to encourage their own boys to attend our camps. Napowan Summer Camp June 15 – August 2 Each summer, the Camp Napowan offers myriad different opportunities to meet your summer needs whether its going for a plunge in Hill’s Lake, reliving the 1800’s in the Flintlock Historical Village or by experiencing one of five Older Scout programs including hiking the Porcupine Mountains, SCUBA diving, rock climbing, canoeing the Flambeau River or biking/kayaking. Along with their troop and patrol scouts will be see the magic of Scouting come alive in daily living. With a knowledgeable and well trained staff, Camp Napowan stands with open arms for all campers to experience the best summer yet! Special Napowan Opportunity In an effort to offer a summer camping experience to boys who may not be able to attend Napowan with their unit, or whose units don’t plan to go to Napowan this summer, or to offer an additional week to boys all ready planning to attend at some point with their unit, NWSC is working up something special during the June 29 - July 5 Summer Camp Session. The Napowan Staff will be available to be campsite leaders so boys can attend a week of Napowan without their unit leaders. This week is usually the quietest session during the summer, so there will be ample opportunities for Scouts to: Earn more merit badges. Get more practice time at shooting sports. Do more projects at Flint Lock. Take the BSA Lifeguard Certification course. All the normal camp activities will be in place so everyone will get the full program. The fee structure is the same for the other weeks, EXCEPT for boys who will be attending with their unit during another session. The fee for these Scouts enjoying a second week will be discounted to $175.00. Details are still be worked out, but please make this offer known to all of your Scouts. Wilderness First Aid Training Nearly everyone in Scouting has taken some sort of First Aid or CPR training, but how prepared are you once you get away from the comforts of home, the 911 call zone and full-fledged hospitals and ambulance crews? That’s where the Wilderness First Aid course (April 12-13) at Camp Lakota can help you and your unit. Why take this course? Any adults and youths planning to tackle Philmont or another High Adventure destination know they will generally be more than 4 hours from help at some point. And starting this year, Philmont is requiring Wilderness First Aid certification for each crew, so don’t wait for the course to fill up and miss your chance. This 16-hour course begins with check-in at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, and concludes at approximately 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 13. Many First Aid courses are taught in a lecture and practice format, but the Wilderness First Aid course utilizes a scenario format set in the outdoors. These accident scenes recreate life-like injuries that your “patrol” must manage and treat. Judges and instructors provide feedback at the conclusion of each scenario, which promotes an excellent learning experience and discussion. If you are a planning any outdoor adventures that will take you more than 15 minutes from professional medical services, you should take this course. You should have a solid understanding of basic first aid (bandaging, splinting, bleeding control, CPR, etc.) before taking this course. That training is not part of the course. Instead, you will learn about accident scene management and assessment, triage, preparing victims for transport, and when and how to transport safely. The cost of this training is $100 and includes all meals, camping fees and course materials. Registration is available at the NWSC office. For more information, please contact Kevin Chapman at madpiper@bh.nwsc.org. Please visit the training page at nwsc.org for more information on any of the training programs you are interested in attending. INTRODUCTION TO OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP SKILLS IOLS is a fun-filled program of hands-on skills training in the outdoors, designed to help you master basic camp skills required for Tenderfoot to First Class. BASIC ADULT LEADER OUTDOOR ORIENTATION This training is required for any adult who is in charge of planning a pack campout, and it is recommended that one adult per pack complete BALOO training.Tour permits now require that a leader have completed BALOO Training before taking Cub Scouts camping. CLIMBING/RAPPELLING INSTRUCTOR TRAINING This course is for volunteers that have some climbing and rappelling experience and would like to become BSA certified instructors to lead a climbing/rappelling experience in their unit or will be active with council sponsored climbing/rappelling activities.