Its Time to go ELECTRONIC
Times change, technology changes, and following a thorough review by the Council Marketing Committee, it is time for the Northwest News to change.
In light of increasing social and economic issues, it has been decided that 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.
Also, the newsletter content has been under review for several months The goal is to expand news coverage with additional pages.
However, 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.
For those who do not wish to receive electronic notification, paper copies of the newsletter can be made available for pickup at the Council Office upon request.
NWSC Howls with Wolves in Double Header Event
Would you believe racing and hockey in one afternoon?
Scouts, parents and Leaders are invited to have a package of fun on Sunday, March 30, at the Allstate Arena where the Chicago Wolves will stage a Pinewood Derby and then take on the Grand Rapids Griffins hockey team.
The excitement starts at 1 PM with the registration of your Pinewood Derby cars in the Skyline Room, located on the north side of the Arena. Racing competition starts at 2 PM. At 4 PM, all racers and friends may watch and cheer on the Wolves as they battle the Griffins in a fast moving, bruising hockey game. But, come early and see the pre-game fireworks and laser show.
Three great package deals are available:
Package "A" ($28) includes a hockey game ticket, a Wolves Baseball hat, a hot dog, medium soft drink and a mini "Skates" Bobblehead doll.
Package "B" ($19) includes the game ticket and the Bobblehead doll
Package C ($17) includes the $19.00 game ticket only.
For car entry rules and package ordering, please pick up a flyer at the NWSC office or contact Dan Rosenblat at 847-832-1943. Awards, prizes and gifts will go to all Scouts who enter the Pinewood Derby. Roar with the cars and growl with the Wolves!
Who Puts The News in Newsletters? By Jim Tierney
When the Northwest News hits your mailbox or computer screen, we read it eagerly, enjoy it, and ask ourselves some serious questions;
When did they expand it to multiple pages?
How did the editor get to be Scouter of the Month? Good choice but, who voted?
What does the #36 that our new President wore at the Annual Business Meeting mean?
Can you believe how many great things are happening in each District that are benefiting our kids?
As we read through a newsletter we find the usual features such as the upcoming calendar, the Scout Executive minute, a profile of the Scouter of the month, Council happenings, and occasionally biographies or lists of individuals who have done something special. This prompts excitement for each reader and family, not to mention it brings work to a standstill at several offices or places of work (Note: this was not written on Harris Bank time!) The editors and authors meanwhile hide in seclusion until they have heard whether their recent publication is a success and no one is lining their bird cages with it.
For those of you who are saying that you, too, could be a columnist in the Northwest News, just remember to never use a current photograph of yourself. This way critics cant identify you and friends cant photoshop your image to look like a bad Elvis Presley imitator. I suggest you use our baby picture. Others cant blame a cute butterball like the one here to miss an important story once in a while, can they?
So what would life be like without the newsletter? Would we be totally uninformed? Maybe. More likely we would be misinformed or miss out on terrific things our kids are doing to improve themselves and the communities in which we live.
Although grapevines work fairly well, they cant capture important stories across all our Districts. That is why we need contributions from all the reaches of the Northwest Suburban Council and beyond. We will learn about the terrific things each District is doing to promote Scouting, make programs effective, and essentially clarify any rumors that persist. In essence, let the editors share a story or secret that may lift Scouting for all of us to benefit from.
So why do newsletters get people so excited? Its like when calm, average, rational people have a television camera focused on them at a sporting event. The idea that someone may recognize them turns them into screaming, octopus like arm waving maniacs.
And so it is with us. We immediately read the newsletter to see if our name is included or someone we know. We look for upcoming events or activities that we want to learn more about and participate in. We want to be included in some important and measurable way that demonstrates Scoutings affect. There might even be a baby picture contest, who knows?
Thats what makes a newsletter so exciting; its all about us! The contributions we are making in developing character in our kids, the milestones and achievements, and our experiences that bring us together as a family.
You will read in this issue some exciting things your Northwest News has in store that will broaden our reach, provide more good news than ever before, and make us good citizens of the environment. I am confident you are going to enjoy it.
So, from the 36th President of the Northwest Suburban Council (that cute baby) to the staff of the Northwest News, keep the news coming and well keep an eye on our mail boxes.
Scouting around the Archdiocese of Chicago News
March is a great time of year for your unit to be finalizing the Spring and Summer activity calendars. Let us share some things with you to consider and include in your activity plans.
The Easter season is the time most Catholic youth begin their faith journey on the trail to earning the Catholic religious emblems of either Ad Altare Dei, or Pope Pius XII. All youth applications as well as adult applications to conduct the respective program must be submitted no later than April 1, 2008 for the emblems to be presented on February 10, 2009. For more info, email Deacon Al Memmel, almemmel@aol.com.
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 John Finnegan, john13851@sbcglobal.net, for the 411 on the training dates and locations.
Be a Fisher man at St. Mary of the Lake University on Saturday, June 14, 2008 starting at 9 AM. Great opportunity to fish for fish as well as learn more about considering being a fisher of men. The program includes a patch and a great barbecue 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 Cheryle Wall, cherylewall@sbcglobal.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 $7.00 per person.
More Nuggets on Camping...
Horatios Happenings
There are many changes in our camp programs this year. Here is a quick summary of each camp, which doesnt do the programs justice. Please see your Pack Camping Chair or Committee for registration details. Details are also available at the Service Center or by emailing
cubcamps@sbcglobal.net.
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.
Scout fees if paid by March 14: $150 per Scout, $175 by April 18 and $200 by June 20. The adult/Den Chief rate is $45. This fee will be waved for each adult who attends the required Adult Orientation meeting at Lakota on June 14.
All Scouts must attend camp with at least 2 adults who meet the established BSA leadership requirements for outings. One parent is needed per five Scouts per unit. Tiger Cubs must attend with their adult partner.
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!
Scout fees if paid by March 14: $40 per Scout per day, $45 by April 18 and $50 by June 20. The adult/Den Chief rate is $15 by April 18, $15 by June 20.
All Scouts must attend camp with at least 2 adults who meet the established BSA leadership requirements for outings. One parent is needed per five Scouts per unit. Tiger Cubs must attend with their adult partner.
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 theyll be more likely to encourage their own boys to attend our camps.
Fees have yet to be published. Each Scout must be accompanied by a parent.
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 dont 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.
THINK SPRING!
The time to hibernate is over shake off those winter blues! Spring is the time of the year when a Scout leaves the den in search of the outdoors and adventure. This experience can be found at one of the four District Camporees held in the month of April.
What is a Camporee? It is many things - camping fun for boys, the thumping of hundreds of feet on the way to an evening campfire or the smoke from fires cooking stew or ham and eggs. It's the patter of rain on many tents at night. It's the ripple of windblown flags in the morning sun. It's catching the idea of teamwork in a patrol.
A Camporee can be a perfect showplace for the Scouting program and, therefore, goes far beyond just being a gathering of boys. Each patrol demonstrates its very best camping techniques and shares its experiences with other patrols. Camporee programs include contests and demonstrations of outdoor Scouting skill as well as campfires, games, and field events. At the camporee, challenges we will focus on the patrol method, with emphasis on Scout spirit, teamwork, Scout leadership, and Scout skills.
The program is designed to provide an opportunity for every Troop, regardless of size, to excel and be recognized. Scouts have the chance to compete, but also have time to learn and have fun.
Act now to take advantage of early registration fees. Get your Troop signed up today, and start practicing those skills.
April 11-13 Pathfinder District
April 18-20 Blackhawk District
April 18-20 North Woods District
April 25-27 Signal Hill District
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3 Months of Council-related events
March
Commissioner Meeting
.
.. 1
North Woods District Dinner
..
.. 1
SM Specifics
..
.
1
Pro Staff Mtg.
...
.. 3
Cub Leader Specifics Trng.
. 5
Pro Cluster Mtg
...
6
Lord Baden-Powell U. of Scouting .7-9
Life to Eagle Seminar
.
8
Daylight Savings Time (Spring Ahead) 9
Pro Staff Mtg
.. 10
Blackhawk District Dinner
..
. 14
CPR/1st Aid
..
..
.. 15
St. Patrick's Day
..
. 17
Pro Staff Mtg.
.
. 17
FOS Report Mtg ............................... 18
Council Executive Committee
. 19
Good Friday ..(Office Closed)
.
. 21
Top Hands
.
.. 24
BH Cub Leader Specific Trng
. 26
NWSC Executive Board Mtg
. 26
Cub Leader Specifics Trng.
. 26
Wolves (Pinewood & Hockey Game) 30
April
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
Council Executive Committee
... 16
Cub Leader Specifics Trng.
.
. 16
NorthWoods Dist. Camp-O-Ree 18 - 20
Blackhawk Dist. Camp-0-Ree
18 - 20
Pro Staff Meeting
..
..
21
FOS Report Mtg ............................. 22
Intro. to Outdoor Ldr. Skills
.
.. 23
SH Cub Scout Leader Specifics .
. 23
Signal Hill Camp-O-Ree
..
.. 25 - 27
North Woods Dist. Pinewood Derby 26
North Woods Webelos Spring Event 26
Top Hands
.. 28
May
BSA Endowment Tour
1
NWSC Annual Dinner
...
.
... 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
..
16 - 18
Climbing Instruction Trng
.. 16 - 17
PF Cub Olympics
.
17
Pro Staff Mtg
.
..
.. 19
National BSA Annual Mtg
. 21 - 23
Family Camping (Napowan)
.23 26
Memorial Day (Office Closed)
26
Council Executive Board
.
28
Our Newest Eagles
Michael Bart Troop 72
Michael Korecky Troop 401
Timothy Villaverde Troop 107
Charles Schuetz Troop 76
Nicholas Steffen Troop 149
Michael McGuire Troop 495
Daniel Morris Troop 23
Alexander Compton Crew 477
Matthew Nelson Troop 155
John Kowols Troop 236
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, Venturers and Scouters are encouraged to join the contingent. Units may sign up a maximum of 6 trekkers per unit. After July 1, 2008 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.
LIFE TO EAGLE SEMINAR, MARCH 8
The Eagle rank is a very significant accomplishment for any Scout, which can only be achieved through hard work, planning and commitment. As with most difficult endeavors, knowing what is expected, and the necessary steps of the process, makes the journey go more smoothly.
A Life to Eagle Seminar is scheduled for Saturday, March 8th, at the NWSC Service Center, 10am to noon. The purpose of this FREE seminar is to provide information to Life Scouts and their parents, which will save many hours of work and frustration, in preparation to become Eagle Scouts. Additionally, we encourage the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, Troop Committee Chair and committee members, as well as the Troop Advancement Chair of all units to attend.
For the seminar flier, click here.
The "Once-in-a-lifetime" event is coming.
Two years may seem like a long time, but now is the time to start thinking about attending the National Jamboree at Ft. A.P. Hill, Va. in July, 2010, the 100th birthday of the Boy Scouts of America.
Scott Ratter, Chairman of NWSC's highly successful '05 Jambo Committee, has agreed again to head up the council's Jambo 2010 preparations.
"We're in the process of forming a committee of experienced Jambo Scouters who will guide our recruiting, logistical, financial and promotional efforts," stated Ratter. "The upcoming Jambo celebrating Scouting's birthday will be fantastic and we want our Scouters and Scouts to start planning to attend the big party."
As additional details are received from the National Council, Scott and his committee will share them with all of us. In the meantime, give some serious consideration to attend this "Once-in-a-lifetime" event.
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 todays 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 lets have some fun.
Yours in Scouting
Bill Kaisling
Course Director
Wood Badge C-23-08
847-826-1312
wkaisling@wowway.com
What? Training? Who needs it?
Youre right! Who needs to take training ? Why should it be any different than changing the oil in your vehicle? As long as the vehicle is running, you tend to neglect it until you get the Check engine oil light or you hear the valves pinging from sludge building up.
Well, there is a reason why BSA is constantly updating and changing rules and laws. The reason is that things and social/ public circumstances change and BSA would want to make sure that the Youths and their programs are Safe and Well Maintained.
It is true that you only need to take New Leader Essentials once, even if you change positions and units, or take the Specifics for your position, or O.W.L (Outdoor Webelos Leader), or B.A.L.O.O (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation), or I.O.L.S. (Intro to Outdoor Leaders Skills). Have you tried to take the same course twice or have you helped teaching it? The more you expose yourself to training, the more you absorb and catch on to something you may have missed from the previous time.
Training courses are not just for Social gathering. Training is the Continuum of learning and education to better ourselves in order to deliver and teach the Mission and the Values of BSA to the Youths at their best.
Wood Badge is a course that every adult leader in any position, unit, committee or even professional scouters should take. It is an Upper management Skills, Leadership and conflict solving training course.
N.Y.L.T (National Youth Leadership Training) is a mini Woodbadge for the older Boy Scouts.
V.L.S.C (Venturing Leadership Skills Course) is a mini Woodbadge for the Venturers.
T.D.C (Trainers Development Conference) is a wonderful course for Those Who Wanna Be a Good Trainer.
L.N.T (Leave No Trace) is a great train-the-trainer course to take and bring back to the units.
Okpik is another train-the-trainer course that all adult leaders and older scouts should take so they can learn how to enjoy the cold weather camping and activites.
L.B.P.U (Lord Baden Powell University) is a true school with over 180 courses available.
When you attend any of the above mentioned courses and others twice and more, as a participant or as a trainer, you will be learning more each time and certainly refreshing your knowledge. After all, Nobody was Born Professional.
Just as a reminder, dont forget to change the oil in your vehicle regularly and dont forget to oil your door hinges and certainly the lock.
George Zogaib NWSC Venturing training Chair
venturing4fun@hotmail.com
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