You are receiving this email because you or a member of your family is registered with the Pathway to Adventure Council and/or you have opted to receive our e-newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.
|
|
COVID-19 Information
The City of Chicago has recently updated its Emergency Travel Order. Beginning on Friday, February 26, 2021, those traveling to/from certain states*, including Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan, are no longer required to quarantine or have a negative COVID-19 test but must continue to wear a mask and practice social distancing. Please note, however, that this guidance is subject to change at any time due to the uncertain nature of the virus.
The Pathway to Adventure service centers will continue to be open by appointment only. Volunteers should contact a staff member to make an appointment. All Scout Shops will remain open during their normal hours, but we still encourage placing orders in advance via email for the Munster Scout Shop.
If attending a Scouting event, meeting, or activity, everyone must:
- Practice social distancing and wear a face mask, except during physical activity.** Physical activity includes free play, games, sports, transportation (walking, cycling, hiking), and recreation.
- Youth protection guidelines must be followed.
- Clean frequently-touched surfaces after each use.
- Stay home if they feel ill or have come into contact with someone with COVID-19.
If you visit a city, state, or area with stricter COVID-19 guidelines, you must follow the stricter guidelines.
** Children under 2 years old and those with health conditions that prevent them from wearing a mask are exempt from this precaution.
|
|
Cub Scout Spring Fun Day
Join us Saturday, April 17 for an afternoon of BBs, games, STEM activities, and much more! Cub Scouts attend free of charge! Everyone, including Scouts, parents, and siblings must register. There are 4 sessions between 1:00 pm - 6:45 pm available. Registration is limited, so sign up today!
We are excited for Cub Scouts to have a fun day and earn rank advancement.
Max Athletic Center
4750 Vernon Ave
McCook, Illinois 60525
|
|
Scouting for Food
Scouting for Food planning is in full swing for our events on April 17th and April 24th. We now need our unit's to commit to participating by completing this form: https://forms.gle/adcF6r1WomsToca56
The commitment form lets us know how many door hangers and other marketing materials to prepare for your Unit. These materials will be ready for pick up in mid-March at your local PTAC service center. Additionally, the Google Form allows you to communicate your preferred canvass area. Once we receive your Google Form, a Scouting for Food representative will contact you to confirm your area.
We are gaining traction and want you to help us out! At this time, we have mobilized over 900 Scouts and plan to visit over 10,000 homes with door hangers and bags. Every donation counts, be a part of Scouting for Food and help families in need!
|
|
Virtual Merit Badge Academy
The Pathway to Adventure Council is pleased to announce its spring virtual merit badge academy! Between Feb 20 and May 22, PTAC Scouts* can sign up for classes led by expert merit badge counselors! To see what classes are available and to register, use this link: https://scoutingevent.com/456-VirtualMBA2021
*Please note classes are open to PTAC Scouts only.
|
|
NEW DATE: MAY 8, 2021 - Youth Recognition and Council Awards Dinners Combined
Attention 2020 Class of Eagle Scouts, Quartermasters, Summit, Silver Beaver, NOESA, and Alumnus of the Year Award Recipients, the new date for the Council Recognition Dinner is May 8, 2021. The PTAC Recognition Dinner Celebrating Scouting - The Adventure Continues, will recognize the 2020 Class of Youth Awardees which includes the Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scouts. All 2020 youth awardees attend for free. Please plan to join us to recognize our Scouts' and Scouters' unique achievements in the Scouting program. Click here to register!
Waterford Banquet Center
933 S Riverside Dr
Elmhurst, IL 60126
|
|
Council Recognition Dinner Art Contest
New to the Council Recognition Dinner this year, we are hosting an art/design contest! Youth Scouts of ALL ages are welcome to submit artwork that corresponds with the event's theme, "The Adventure Continues." The winning design will be featured on the dinner patch and face mask! All artwork should be 3"x5" and must include the council name (Pathway to Adventure Council) and the Fleur-de-Lis. Scouts must be registered with the Pathway to Adventure Council and have parent/guardian permission to enter. Entries must be submitted using this form.
|
|
Calling All Artists!
Are you a painter, sculptor, photographer, or graphic designer? We have an opportunity for you!
We want you to show off your artwork at PTAC’s largest development events this Fall. Your artwork will be seen by THOUSANDS of people at our Construction and Metals Industry Dinners and included in the Silent Auction at both events. Not an artist yourself but know someone who is? Let them know about this opportunity! We are looking to show off authentic artwork from the youth in our community.
|
|
SUMMER CAMP AND HIGH ADVENTURE |
|
Join 2021 Camp Staff
Camp Napowan and Owasippe Scout Reservation are now accepting applications for summer camp staff 2021! If you're looking for an amazing way to spend your summer, consider applying for camp staff. Scouts and Scouters age 14 and up are eligible for volunteer and/or paid positions. For more information or to apply, please visit our camp staff webpage: https://www.pathwaytoadventure.org/camping/campstaff
|
|
2021 Family Camp at Camp Betz
A weekend camping experience for the whole family in Berrien Springs, Michigan! Camp Frank S. Betz is a 57-acre preserve that has been in continuous service since 1922. Camp Betz offers beautiful wooded campsites for tent camping. Flush toilets and showers are available. The program includes archery, BBs, crafts, swimming, boating, campfires, and more! While at camp, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the property and enjoy the beauty it offers. All meals will be provided on Saturday, along with a Sunday breakfast.
|
|
2021 Webelos Camp at Napowan or Owasippe
A three-night Webelos camping experience and preview to Scouts BSA camping! This program is tailored for next school year’s 4th and 5th grade Webelos Scouts and includes opportunities to earn several Webelos Adventures pins (both required and elective). Webelos will also be able to fish, swim, shoot archery and BBs, hike, explore, and have a fantastic adventure at summer camp! Attend as a den or as a Webelos Scout and parent.
|
|
Philmont 2022
Pathway to Adventure Council is sponsoring a 2022 Council Contingent Trek to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. The contingent will depart Chicago on July 2 and return on July 16. The per person fee, estimated to be $2250.00, will include the Philmont registration fee, all trip transportation, meals, lodging, Shakedown Weekend, Taste of Philmont, 10-mile Shakedown Hike, Philmont belt & buckle, trail tee shirts, a laundry bag for transporting a backpack, Philmont Tooth of Time Crew photo, and more. Registration closes on April 27, 2021, but spots fill quickly, so sign up today!
|
|
Do you hold a special certification and are willing to share your skill?
Pathway to Adventure Council is collecting information to better serve our unit, district, and council activities and trainings. If you hold certifications in First Aid/CPR for Professional Rescuer, ServSafe Manager, COPE and Climbing, BSA Shooting sports, or Aquatics, and are willing to lend a hand, please complete this form.
Additionally, we are looking for volunteers who hold a current certification as a ServSafe Instructor, Wilderness First Aid Instructor, and Trainer for First Aid/CPR for Professional Rescuer. Please email amy.hutcherson@scouting.org if you meet these qualifications and are interested in joining the PTAC training team. |
|
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)
National Youth Leadership Training is an exciting, action-packed program designed for councils to provide youth members with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home units and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others. Courses are co-ed and are open to First Class, 13 years and older Scouts BSA troop members or members of a Venturing Crew or Sea Ship. This week-long leadership training experience will be held June 27 to July 3, 2021, at Camp Carlen, Owasippe Scout Reservation. More details can be found on our website and our Facebook page.
Registration opened on January 1, and there are only 48 spaces available, so sign up today!
The course cost is $275, which is the same as last year. Questions? E-mail nyptptac@gmail.com.
|
|
Position-Specific Training and Woodbadge
Every Scout deserves a trained leader!
Trained leaders who understand the program have a positive impact on the success of the unit resulting in a higher rate of advancement and retention. Most importantly trained leaders can bring more fun into the program.
Please become trained. Most basic training is available online at my.scouting.org. Login in a start taking training required for your Scouting position.
Once you've completed position-specific basic training, if you want to take your training to the next level, learn how to strengthen your unit, learn more about the what and why of Scouting, experience new things, have FUN, and learn how to transfer your training to your non-Scouting life, then sign up for Wood Badge! Wood Badge is a two-weekend course held at Camp Betz, in Berrien Springs, Michigan. The course will take place all-day September 10,11 & 12 and all-day October 2 & 3.
|
|
NRA Basic Rifle and Shotgun Trainings
Want to work with Scouts and Scouters to develop lifelong skills in a safe, meaningful environment? Do you like being a mentor or coach and teaching Scouts new skills? This is your opportunity to take the beginning courses to be on your way to becoming a member of the BSA Pathway to Adventure Council’s shooting sports team!
Regardless of your shooting experience, the basic courses listed below teach you the core fundamentals of firearm safety so that you can visit the range with confidence and with safety in mind. Learn how to properly handle, transport, and store your firearm, as well as how to keep children safe around firearms.
A little about the PTAC shooting sports team: Our shooting sports team members set up, run and manage the ranges at BSA activities throughout the Pathway to Adventure Council. Those ranges include Archery, Rifle, Shotgun, and much more! BSA requires that shooting sports team members hold certifications by recognized organizations (e.g.: NRA, USA Archery) for the discipline they are instructing and supervising.
We are offering two classes at a significant discount for registered Scouters:
- NRA Basic Rifle class – Course fee - $75.00 (50% off normal pricing!)
- March 6 & March 7
- NRA Basic Shotgun class – Course fee - $75.00 (50% off normal pricing!)
- March 13 & March 14
|
|
No Scout Left Behind - Lessons at NYLT
|
|
YOUTH AWARD OPPORTUNITIES |
|
BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award
The Boy Scouts of America has recently unveiled the new BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award, which recognizes Scouts, Scouters, and organizations/individuals for contributing significantly to natural resource conservation and environmental protection.
As with many national recognitions, the steps associated with earning the award are PTAC-based: from advising the Scout on identifying the conservation topic of choice, learning more about the chosen topic, doing a project to mitigate the conservation issue, to educating others. Upon completion of two approved projects and project workbooks, the Scout has a board of review before PTAC’s Conservation Committee and then can be awarded the new Distinguished Conservation Service Award.
Please note that this award replaces the William T. Hornaday Bronze and Silver Awards. A temporary award has been developed for Scouts that were working on these awards and had already completed at least 2 service projects and had started on the 3rd or 4th projects by October 13, 2020. If the Scout meets these requirements they have until June 30, 2021, to complete the following awards. After these dates the awards will be retired and not available to be earned.
If you would like to share your interests in expanding conservation service project activities beyond your unit, please contact Wayne Schimpff at 773-406-9396 or www.wschimpff@aol.com about joining PTAC’s Conservation Committee. If you have questions about the new Distinguished Conservation Service Award Program, you can also contact Wayne Schimpff or visit the BSA's Distinguished Conservation Service Award webpage.
|
|
Whitney M. Young Service Award Nominations
The Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award recognizes outstanding service by an adult or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for youth from low-income rural or urban backgrounds.
|
|
In this section of our newsletter, we will hear from our Council President, Marc Passiment. |
|
February has been another busy month in Scouting. All the snow this month reminded me of the many wonderful Klondikes each year, and I look forward to many more. It has been a month of practicing healthy and safe habits as we begin to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Traditionally this is the month of celebrations, in addition to winter activities. The nation celebrated Black History Month, a time during which we remember figures like Stanley A Harris. Born in Tennessee, Stanley brought Scouting to Kentucky in 1908. He applied and received a charter from the British Boy Scouts, later joining the Boy Scouts of America. Stanley was influential in founding the first all-Black Boy Scout Troop in 1916 in Louisville, Kentucky. Harris later joined the BSA national team to promote interracial Scouting. From 1926 until his retirement in 1947, Harris advocated that Scouting's membership should mirror the diversity of the nation. Our movement continues to strive for this inclusive vision.
Our council, along with the National Organization, celebrated the service, leadership, and groundbreaking accomplishments of the first class of Female Eagle Scouts at the Be the Change event on February 21. Many young women from the Pathway to Adventure Council were highlighted, with Kendall, from Prairie Dunes, being highlighted during the National Program. I am proud of all our Eagle Scouts every year and pleased to expand this distinction to the young women Scouts. They not only made it to the
|
|
mountain top of Scouting, but they did so in such a tumultuous year. Scouts and Scouters always inspire, and this year more than ever.
Scouting has always been "a game with a purpose." William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt, an early leader of Scouting, described facing challenges that can be uncomfortable by having fun in learning while achieving new levels of confidence. This is our mission as we march forward.
As we head into spring, it is time to start thinking about Pinewood Derbies and Space Derbies in the park. We are anticipating the excitement of Webelos crossing over into the troop and introducing them to the amazing activities of Scout camping. It was also during this time of year our Venture Crew would plan its' first bouldering outing. Perhaps a trip to Starved Rock State Park might be in order. Ships are preparing to sail and practicing knots outdoors as the snow thaws.
Continue to stay safe, and let us reach out to everyone who has been a part of the program in the last year and invite them back into the fold. Scouting is needed in people's lives more than ever before.
Look forward to seeing you on the trail.
|
|
Please note that the Arlington Heights and La Grange Scout Shops are now closed on Wednesdays. |
|
Continue the conversation, follow us on social media! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
