"Growth Through Learning" at Lord Baden-Powell University March 7-9, 2008 will mark over a decade of excellence when the nineteenth annual Lord Baden-Powell University commences at the Salvation Army, Wonderland Camp in Camp Lake, Wisconsin. The over 250 Scout leaders that participate annually, find themselves returning home after these events truly “pumped!” Are you interested in having more fun and meeting Scout leaders from more than twenty councils throughout the Midwest? Would you like to share in the camaraderie of learning unique leadership skills with a region-wide variety of Scouting backgrounds and experiences? If the answer is “yes,” then this program is just for you! A basic fee of $99 will provide two days of classes and two nights at the campus dorm, or for an additional $64, you can take lodging in one of our cabins. We provide pillows, sheets, blankets and towels, four great meals, and two evening cracker barrels. You’ll also enjoy our Saturday night entertainment! There are a variety of courses to choose from and patches will be given out. Shirts, Caps and Coffee Mugs will be available for purchase. View the 2008 catalog offering of 94 course hours at www.lbpuniv.org. There are courses in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing, Sea Scouting, Commissioner Service and Council/ District Operations. Registration forms can also be downloaded from this website. If you have any questions please call Al Wilson 847-259-9194 or E-mail alwilson100@msn.com New Boy Scout rank requirements (11/23/07) The National Youth Protection Committee recommended additions to Boy Scout rank requirements that were approved and will become effective January 1, 2008. These changes will help us advance the importance of Youth Protection training beyond the initial Boy Scout joining requirements, and keep youth informed and actively engaged in understanding the key elements of personal safety and protection. Tenderfoot Rank Revised requirement 9: Explain the importance of the buddy system as it relates to your personal safety on outings and in your neighborhood. Describe what a bully is and how you should respond to one. Second Class Rank New requirement 8b: Explain the three R’s of personal safety and protection. First Class Rank New requirement 12: Describe the three things you should avoid doing related to use of the Internet. Describe a cyber bully and how you should respond to one. The changes will be represented in the 2008 Boy Scout Requirements book and the revised ninth printing of the 11th edition of the Boy Scout Handbook. A "Jump Start" for 2008 On Feb. 7, NWSC will hold a major fund-raising breakfast for corporate and community leaders at Meridian Banquets in Rolling Meadows. The free event combines two on-going council programs, the annual, community Friends of Scouting (FOS) gift giving and the "Hometown Scouting" informational initiative started in 2007. As part of the overall FOS program, the Community FOS provides corporate and community leaders an opportunity to make a pledge to aid the council in meeting the 2008 financial goals necessary to support Scouting in our northwest suburbs. "Hometown Scouting" was started early in 2007 and consists of council volunteers and professional staffers giving bi-monthly briefings to business, community and religious leaders. These guests and others are being invited to attend the breakfast and learn more about all of our youth programs. A one-hour agenda includes live presentations, a new, 10-minute video, "Growing to Serve," and a request for a commitment, either in time or in financial assistance, from the attendees. All registered Scouters are urged to invite 3 or 4 guests to the event and to volunteer to be a table host. There is no registration fee. However, a reservation for all attendees is required by January 24th. Meridian Banquets is located at 1201 Algonquin Rd., in Rolling Meadows. Reception and registrations will take place from 7:00 – 7:30 AM, followed by breakfast and presentations from 7:30 to 8:30 AM. Let's get behind this "Jump Start for 2008." Invite guests who can help Scouting. BSA Troop 309 Deliver Bikes for Needy Families The snow coming down last night just added the right touch to the Bike Parade at St. Francis de Sales Church in Lake Zurich. 60 bikes were paraded in style, as they were loaded into the Troop’s newly purchased trailer and delivered to the Ministry Center. “Scouting teaches us to be prepared”, said Scout Kevin Somers. “We didn’t want the bikes to be dirty and wet from the snow, so we put them into the new trailer and brought them over to the Center. Normally we ride the bikes over from the Old Church where they are refurbished, to the Center. Scouting teaches you to have a back up plan in the event that things don’t go as planned.” The Troop spent several weekends fixing bikes donated by the Lake Zurich community. “We match the bikes up with the people who have requested one. We even had a lady who was 71 years old ask for a bike. We found an older model bike that she would enjoy, and that made us feel really good.” said Scout Tom Kudla. Kudla and Somers co-chaired the Troop’s largest service project. Kudla commented “The project teaches us both leadership skills as well as mechanical skills. As leaders, we had to learn how to organize the other Scouts to get the 60 bikes repaired in only a few weekends. As Scouts, the more experienced boys teach those who have not done that much repair work before.” Barbara Haff, Chair of the St. Francis de Sales Gift of Love program and Father David Ryan, pastor of St. Francis de Sales were on hand for the event. Father Ryan blessed the Scouts and the bikes. “It’s impressive to see young people helping other young people. They’ve created a circle of giving – people have donated the bikes, the Scouts have repaired them and are giving them to someone who needs them – it’s a perfect circle of giving.” Barbara commented, “I’m speechless. The Scouts have become an integral part of the Gift of Love program. We always get so many requests for bikes. This year, 20% of the families have requested bikes. In the past three years I have come to depend on the Scouts to help me out, and they always have come through. It’s marvelous to see the energy and generosity of these young men.” Troop 309 is Chartered by St. Francis de Sales. Scouting around the Archdiocese of Chicago New office location The Office of the Catholic Committee on Scouting has a new home, 1025 West Fry Street, Chicago. Our new phone number is (312) 243-3700. Welcome our new staff Ms. Jackie Herrara. Our new hours are Monday through Friday, 10 AM – 4 PM. The Grand Avenue Office and the Columbus Office both are closed. Scout Sunday at Holy Name Cathedral The annual Archdiocese Scout Sunday Catholic Religious Emblems Ceremony at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior Street, Chicago, will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2008, at 2:30 PM. This annual event includes the presentation of the Pope Paul VI Catholic Quality Unit Awards, Ad Altare Dei Emblem, and Pope Paul XII Emblem. Francis Cardinal George and other adults will be recognized with the St. George Religious Emblem. Limited parking is available directly across the street from the Cathedral. Deacon Al Memmel provides the leadership for this event. Religious Emblems Dinner The annual Archdiocese Scout Sunday Catholic Religious Emblems Recognition Dinner will be held immediately following the Cathedral Ceremony at the Warde School, directly across from the Cathedral. Formerly known as the Bishops Dinner, this event is held in recognition of all award and emblem receiptants. For more information on the dinner, please go to www.accs.catholicweb.com. This event was completely SOLD OUT two weeks in advance. PLEASE make your reservations today. John Finnegan provides the leadership for this event. Mundelein Event to Kick Off Summer Mark your unit calendar now for Saturday, June 14, 2008, for the fifth annual gala event at Mundelein Seminary, St Mary of the Lake University. This year’s event looks to be the best yet. Registration will open at 9 AM, and this event will start at 10 AM. Check our web site at www.accs.catholicweb.com for more info. Pre registration will be required to assure we have enough food for all. Cheryle Wall provides the leadership for this event. Call to service Consider this as your call to service as a Cub Pack Religious Emblems Coordinator, a Boy Scout Ad Altare Dei Counselor, or Venturing/Boy Scout Pope Pius XII facilitator. Our Spring Training dates will soon be posted on our web site at www.accs.catholicweb.com. These roles are mission critical in your parish to meet kids were they are at and journey with them to help them grow and develop in their faith. John Finnegan provides the leadership for our training team. International Award As we all celebrate this the centenary year of global Scouting, you may want to consider the adults and youth in your unit earning the International Catholic Committee on Scouting International Awareness Award. This most impressive award is designed to help Catholic Scouts and Scouters understand that Scouting is a global movement. For the requirements and application, go to www.nccs-bsa.org, and click on awards/recognition patches!   View this edition in PDF Scout Executive's Minute Explorer of the Month 3 Months of Council-related events January New Year's Day (Office Closed) … 1 Pro Staff Mtg. ……………………… 4 Eagle Scout Breakfast ……..……… 5 SH Annual Awards Dinner ……...… 6 Council Key 3 ……………………… 7 CPR/1st Aid ………………………. 12 Okpik Outdoor Session ...…... 12 – 13 Council Executive Committee………16 New Unit Blitz ……………………. 16 Combined Klondike Derby….. 18 – 20 Martin Luther King Day (Closed)..... 21 Council Membership Committee… .21 NWSC Annual Business Meeting … 23 NW Cub Klondike ……… …. 26 – 27 BH Cub Klondike…………………. 27 Top Hands …………...…………… 28 Staff Planning Conference…… .29-31 PF New Leader Essentials ……... 30 February Pro Staff Mtg. ………………….…… 1 Pathfinder District Dinner …………. 1 Scout Night with Chicago Storm …. 2 FOS – Hometown Scouting Breakfast (Meridian Banquets)…………………7 CPR/1st Aid ……………………….. 9 Council Executive Committee…... 13 Presidents' Day (Office Closed)… 18 Catholic Scout Sunday ……...……24 Top Hands Mtg.…………………… 25 March North Woods District Dinner ….... 1 SM Specifics ………….…………… 1 Pro Staff Mtg. …………………….. 7 Blackhawk District Dinner ………. 7 CPR/1st Aid ……………….…….. 15 St. Patrick's Day …………………. 17 Council Executive Committee …. 19 Good Friday ..(Office Closed) …. 21 Top Hands ……………………….. 24 BH Cub Leader Specific Trng…. 26 NWSC Executive Board Mtg …. 26 Our Newest Eagles Chad McMahon Troop 398 Matthew Ehrhardt Troop 493 Sean Ehrhardt Troop 493 Joshua Taub Troop 29 Geoffrey Tchon Troop 209 Benjamin Eng Troop 72 Nicholas Solarz Troop 964 Joshua Graham Troop 188 Gregory Ward Troop 32 Andrew Holcomb Troop 155 Conner Nelson Troop 570 Nicholas Reiff Troop 401 James Rohn Troop 335 Andrew Traxler Troop 35 Daniel Corcoran Troop 392 Zachary Bakal Troop 10 Jason Gibbs Troop 29 As of this morning, December 13th, the Secretary of State's office has received only 150 inquiries for the Boy Scout License plate statewide.In order for the state to order production, 850 interest inquiries are needed. I understand that the Secretary of State's Office has requested a rule amendment for specialty plates, which is expected to come into play by the end of January 2008.At that time, rather than 850 interest inquiries needed today, they will require 1,500 commitments with a deposit of about $25 each. If we want this plate to fly, we need to make a bit of a push now. The Eagle Scout plate is being treated like the military honor plates, and does not need a minimum order.It will likely be available in February. For those in your council who might be interested in that plate, it would not hurt us for them to send in the interest form for the Scout plate CAMP STAFF NEEDED!! The Northwest Suburban Council is looking for interested persons to serve as camp staff at Camp Napowan, Cub Scout Day Camp and Cub Scout Resident Camp at Camp Lakota for the summer of 2008. Applicants must be age 15 or older as of June 1st to qualify for a salaried position. Youth age 14 are encouraged to apply for a Counselor in Training position. Applications are available at the Council office or on the Council website www.nwsc.org. To schedule an interview, contact Randy Toland at 847-824-6859. NWSC 2009 Philmont Contingent NWSC 2008 Philmont Contingent … Applications for this trip are no longer being accepted. NWSC 2009 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 for the ultimate backpacking adventure Scouting has to offer will open on February 9, 2008. The 2009 NWSC Contingent departs on July 8, 2009 and returns July 23, 2009. 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, 2009. 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.