A Message From The PTAC Key 3

Dear Scouting Community,
We are constantly impressed by the dedication of our Scouting Movement and the way we band together as an organization in challenging circumstances. Amid these great difficulties, Scouting has continued to build character, confidence, leadership, and hope in families and communities across the country, and your efforts have helped make some incredible things possible:
  • Virtual Cub Scout Fun Week and Scouts BSA Camp (Camp O.N)
  • Virtual 5K run that raised money for local community organizations helping to lessen the impact of COVID-19
  • Virtual Scouts BSA Merit Badge offerings and Cub Scout Adventures
Now more than ever, families are looking for what Scouting offers. When asked what they want from youth-serving organizations this fall, parents overwhelmingly said they want to give their children a sense of normalcy, as well as something to do as a group, even if socially distant, or something productive to do with peers, even if it’s online. Scouting delivers what parents are asking for. Together, we need to stand ready to bring Scouting to even more youth and families this year.

As we promote Scouting in our community, some people may have questions about our youth protection policies and how we keep kids safe. Each question is an opportunity to shed light on the important policies and procedures we’ve put in place that make Scouting safer than ever before.

It is important to emphasize that the safety of children in our programs is our absolute top priority. That’s precisely why, over many years, the BSA has developed some of the strongest expert-informed youth protection policies found in any youth-serving organization.
If you are a volunteer, you’ve taken youth protection training, undergone a criminal background check, and play an integral role in the BSA’s commitment to keep kids safe. At the Pathway to Adventure Council and at all councils across America, adhering to and upholding these policies is a duty we take very seriously. We encourage you to view and share this video and infographic about the BSA’s youth protection measures and resources that make Scouting safer than ever before.

Conversations about safety will be especially relevant over the next several weeks when those in Scouting and other members of the public will likely see and hear print, TV, social media, digital and radio advertising from national BSA’s Chapter 11 noticing campaign. Although only the national organization has filed for Chapter 11, you will likely come across these ads in the coming weeks, so we wanted to make sure you knew their purpose and had the necessary information to address questions or concerns they may raise for you or others.

These noticing ads are different than those many people have seen so far that have been sponsored by plaintiffs’ attorneys trying to solicit clients. The BSA’s ads are instead designed and sponsored by national BSA to ensure that victims have the opportunity to come forward and apply for compensation from a proposed Trust by filing a claim by the November 16, 2020 deadline set by the court. This advertising effort underscores the BSA’s commitment to the dual objectives of its bankruptcy proceeding: equitably compensate victims of past abuse and continue the mission of Scouting.

If you would like additional information about the BSA’s outreach to victims of past abuse, see this FAQ. For questions about local Scouting, please contact the PTAC helpdesk at PTAC.helpdesk@Scouting.org

Yours in Scouting, 
Activities
Adventure Days

Saturday, 09-26-2020 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Robert J. Welsh Center for Scouting
8751 Calumet Ave.
Munster, IN 46321

Saturday, 10-03-2020 from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Covington North Park
1257 Covington Dr.
Lemont, IL 60439

Saturday, 10-10-2020 from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Our Saviors Methodist Church
701 E Schaumburg Rd.
Schaumburg, IL 60194

We invite the families of all Cub Scouts to join us for Adventure Days!
 
Scouts will:
  • Earn their Bobcat (joining rank) Badge as they go from station to station. 
  • Start their Scout skills practicing knots. 
  • Learn how to build an at home fire extinguisher at the STEM Station and get the supplies to build it at home. 
  • Take a turn catching some "fish" on dry land at our backyard bass station. 

Everyone must register, including the Scout, parent/guardians, and siblings
 
Pick the time session on the date that works best for you. Registration is free. 

*In the event that we are unable to hold in person events due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event will move to a virtual event. We will communicate how to pick up your kit of supplies to join us from home. 
Arrowhead District - Virtual Fall Camporee

Friday 10-09-2020 6:00 PM to
Sunday 10-11-2020 11:00 AM

This event will be held virtually.

Old time prospectors lived a very solitary life, maybe alone or with only a few close friends. With all that time some became great cooks, and used their pioneering resources to make some great camp gadgets to help cook.

Do you feel like a prospector cooped up in a mine?
 
Each individual member, Cub Scout, Troop Member, Venturing Member, chooses a cooking and a pioneering activity. For cooking a dinner entree, you must cook for your family or for at least four persons. (Parents are to supervise their Cub Scouts and understand what Scouts and Venture Members are doing at home.) To help you stage everything for your dinner, lash wood sticks or dowel rods to make a table in a pioneering tradition. 
Twin Lakes District - Virtual Camporee

Saturday, 10-24-2020 from 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM

This event will be held virtually.

All Scouts (Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers) are invited for a day of activities with their families!
Trainings
BALOO - Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation Training

Saturday, 10-17-2020 at 8:45 AM to
Sunday, 10-18-2020 at 12:00 PM

Shabbona Woods
15810 Torrence Ave.
South Holland, IL 60473

BALOO is the Cub Scout leader training required for any Cub Scout den or pack outdoor event, including pack camping overnighters and Webelos den overnighters. This course also replaces the previous OWLS Course.
IOLS- Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills 

Saturday, 10-24-2020 at 8:00 AM to
Sunday, 10-25-2020 at 12:00 PM

Shabbona Woods
15810 Torrence Ave.
South Holland, IL 60473

This training introduces the adult Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, or Crew Advisor to the outdoor skills learned by Scouts through First Class rank. This includes interactive sessions on cooking, fire building, orienteering, knot tying and much, much more! All Scouters are invited, including Committee members, Webelos leaders, and any other interested adult leader.
Order of the Arrow
Takhone Lodge Brotherhood Conversion Days

Pick the day that works best for you!

Saturday 09-19-2020 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Goodenow Grove Forest Preserve
27064 S Dutton Rd.
Beecher, IL 60401

Sunday 09-27-2020 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Greene Valley Forest Preserve
Green Rd & 79th St.
Naperville, IL 60565

Sunday 10-25-2020 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
All Saints Cathedral
9201 W Higgins Rd.
Chicago, IL 60631

There are several opportunities this fall for eligible ordeal members to seal their membership in the OA and become brotherhood members. Candidates must participate in a virtual brotherhood workshop before attending a ceremony of their choice. 
Takhone Lodge Member's Weekend

Friday 10-02-2020 5:00 PM to
Sunday 10-04-2020 10:00 AM

Camp Frank S Betz
3858 E Snow Rd.
Berrien Springs, MI 49103

Congratulations to the over 100 new ordeal members who have been inducted into Takhone Lodge so far in 2020. Lodge members are invited to Camp Betz October 2-4 for the Member’s Weekend. Space is limited so sign up today!  
OTHER RESOURCES
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