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.
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Due to current concerns regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus), all Pathway to Adventure Council in-person meetings and activities have been canceled through
May 30, 2020,
with the possibility of extension. The Service Centers and Scout Shops in Arlington Heights, Chicago, La Grange and the temporary location in Highland, Indiana will also remain closed.
Please note that entire council will adhere to the more-strict Illinois guidelines when making re-opening date decisions. All units should continue with virtual activities at this time.
Thank you and stay healthy!
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PTAC Summer Camp Program Update
After careful deliberation and with heavy hearts, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all 2020 Pathway to Adventure Council summer camp programs at Camp Betz, Camp Napowan, and Owasippe Scout Reservation, and Cub Scout Day Camps. This includes Scouts BSA camps, Webelos Camps, Family Camps, Day Camps and National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT). This decision was not made easily. While we are saddened, we believe that it is the right decision, with regards to the health and safety of all Scouting families who love and enjoy our summer camps.
To see the full announcement and view the please click the "read more" button below.
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SCOUTING AT HOME RESOURCES
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While we're all doing our part by staying at home there are still plenty of ways to continue Scouting! We've listed some opportunities here, but make sure to check out our
PTAC Scouting at Home website page
and our
Facebook
and
Instagram
pages for more ways to #ScoutAtHome.
If your Scout or Scouting unit is making the most out of Scouting from home, take a picture of them in action and send it to Allison.dietz@Scouting.org. We'd love to see your creative ideas!
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Virtual Merit Badges
The Pathway to Adventure Council is pleased to offer Virtual Merit Badge courses to youth in Scouts BSA. These courses are free and are only available to Scouts registered with the Pathway to Adventure Council. Each course is approximately 2 hours long.
Duties of Each Scout
- Please review prerequisite assignments closely to be prepared for class expectations. Note that some counselors are requesting that prerequisites be submitted prior to the session in order to make the most of the time spent in the virtual classroom.
- Any communications between a Scout and a counselor must include a parent or other Scout leader to comply with BSA Youth Protection policy.
- Scouts must attend in BSA Field Uniform (no troop t-shirts) and Be Prepared with pen/pencil, paper, merit badge booklets (if required), and any other items needed for your badge.
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PTAC Virtual 5k
We are excited to announce the Scout Strong Virtual 5k!
Join us any time between May 1-May 10. You decide whether you walk, jog, or roll! This 5K can be done from any location as long as you are following the social distancing guidelines (at least 6 ft. apart from other people. Once registered, you will be emailed the official racing bib. You can print it off and run your race. No printer? No problem! Feel free to draw your bib on a piece of paper and pin/tape it on your shirt. You can walk, jog or roll (skateboard, rollerblades, scooter, bike) on the road, trail, treadmill, or on a track.
You must register and complete the race by May 10th. Make sure to post pictures or a video of your Scout/your family on Instagram or Facebook and use the hashtag
#PTACSCOUTSTRONG. You can also email your pictures to Brooke.Parker@Scouting.org.
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STEM Fun Contest!
STEM is the theme for our next PTAC virtual challenge! For this challenge, any and all science, technology, engineering, or math project/activity can be done! Extra points given to those that manage to use all four subjects in their project.
STEM Fun rules:
- Let us know:
- The problem that the experiment will solve.
- Your hypothesis (“Here’s what I think is going to happen.”)
- The steps (“Here is what I’m going to do.")
- The results (“Here is what happened!")
- Scouts must have parent/ guardian supervision.
- Post a video or pictures (with a description) on Facebook and include the hashtag, #STEMFUNPTAC between Sunday, May 3 and Sunday, May 10.
PTAC board members will review all projects and choose the winners.
If your family does not use social media, you can email your pictures or video to
Allison.dietz@scouting.org. Please include #STEMFUNPTAC in the email subject line.
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Make a Face Mask Using a Scout Neckerchief
Are you still looking for a face covering? Look no further than your Scout uniform! You can make an easy face covering using a Scout neckerchief, T-shirt or a bandana. It doesn’t require any sewing, and you can use these face coverings during essential trips to the grocery or pharmacy, where social distancing is challenging to maintain. Check out this
Boys' Life
article
for full instructions on how to make a mask.
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Digital Safety
As Scouting continues virtually on online platforms, we want to remind you of the importance of online safety. Please view the guidance linked below, which applies to all online Scouting activities and meetings.
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Updated Merit Badge pamphlets now available through Amazon Kindle
Weekends and e-learning downtime provide great opportunities for Scouts BSA youth to work on Merit Badge requirements. Can't run to the Scout Shop to pick up a Merit Badge Pamphlet? No problem! Merit Badge pamphlets are now available through Amazon Kindle. Simply visit the
BSA's Kindle Library and purchase the pamphlets your Scout needs. Scouts can access the pamphlet on any device that has the Kindle App. To learn more, check out this
Bryan on Scouting article.
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PTAC COVID-19 Advancement Information
As a response to the health and safety concerns caused by the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, the Pathway to Adventure Council Advancement Committee, along with guidance from the National Advancement Team of the Boy Scouts of America, is providing this information to give our youth opportunities to continue advancement and experience as many programming opportunities as possible.
UPDATES
VIDEOCONFERENCING
In order to assist youth with opportunities to continue advancement progression during this time, we have approved the use of videoconferencing for Eagle Scout Board of Reviews and Merit Badge counseling. Please note: All YPT and Guide to Safe Scouting guidelines must be followed, including two-deep leadership. Please see this article published by
Bryan on Scouting
regarding this topic:
CAMPING
The following temporary modification is being made by the PTAC Council Advancement Committee until September 1, 2020.Virtual camping may be counted toward the required nights of camping for rank advancement and merit badge requirements if all of the following conditions are met:
- To be counted, all virtual camping nights should be a direct result of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and be part of a BSA unit-organized unit camping event (a unit camping event is defined as multiple members of the unit are involved and camping simultaneously at remote locations)
- Some form of unit-organized communications should occur either during or immediately following the event
- All existing Youth Protection Policies and Digital Safety Guidelines must be followed
- No more than 3 nights of virtual camping are to be credited in any month which government or council-imposed COVID-19 restrictions are in place
VIRTUAL MERIT BADGES
VIRTUAL CAMPING NIGHTS
In light of the extended period of camping restrictions attributable to COVID-19, the following temporary modification is being made by the PTAC Council Advancement Committee until September 1, 2020. Virtual camping may be counted toward the required nights of camping for rank advancement and merit badge requirements if all of the following conditions are met:
- To be counted, all virtual camping nights should be a direct result of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and be part of a BSA unit-organized unit camping event (a unit camping event is defined as multiple members of the unit are involved and camping simultaneously at remote locations)
- Some form of unit-organized communications should occur either during or immediately following the event
- All existing Youth Protection Policies and Digital Safety Guidelines must be followed
- No more than 3 nights of virtual camping are to be credited in any month which government or council-imposed COVID-19 restrictions are in place
ELECTRONIC APPLICATION SUBMISSION, VERIFICATION, AND SIGNATURES
When it is time to turn in your completed Eagle Scout/Summit Award/Quartermaster application/paperwork, because the offices are closed, you can submit them electronically to:
PTAC.Advancement@gmail.com. Please note: digital and scanned signatures have been approved during this time. In addition, you do not need to wait for verification before the final Eagle Board of Review is conducted. PTAC professionals will contact you if anything on you application needs your attention.
EAGLE/SUMMIT/QUARTERMASTER TIME EXTENSIONS DUE TO COVID-19
The PTAC Advancement Committee has been granted the authority to grant a 3-month extension for those scouts working on their Eagle/Summit/Quartermaster and it can be established that COVID-19 disruptions were the only circumstances that delayed work.
If you feel that COVID-19 has disrupted a youth’s progression, please send an email to
PTAC.Advancement@gmail.com
as soon as possible with the following information:
- Name
- Unit
- Date of 18th Birthday
- Details of situation/request
- List of any items remaining to complete including merit badges, leadership roles, etc.
- Current status of the service project and if it is already approved by your District
Should you need to seek additional information about your specific situation, please reach out to:
PTAC.Advancement@gmail.com
and we can provide individual guidance and recommendations.
Currently, these COVID-19 changes and exceptions expire on September 30, 2020.
EAGLE/SUMMIT/QUARTERMASTER CREDENTIALS
Please note that fulfillment requests for Eagle/Summit/Quartermaster certificates, cards, and letters from the National Service Center and National Supply will be delayed at this time due to COVID-19.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/QUESTIONS
Should you have any additional questions, please contact the Pathway to Adventure Council Advancement Committee at:
PTAC.Advancement@gmail.com
.
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Cub Scout Advancement
If your Cub Scout Den is behind in advancement due to COVID-19, Cub Scouts can continue to work on their current den's advancement through July 31, 2020. If Cub Scouts earn their badge rank prior to July 31, 2020, they may advance to the next rank.
Additionally,
Through July 31, 2020, parents and other adults in the Cub Scout’s family, may sign off on Webelos and Arrow of Light requirements. We strongly encourage that parents use the Scouting App or ScoutBook to record completion of their child’s requirements.
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Extension for Eagle Boards of Review for Those Who Wish to Be in the Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scouts
Because we want all girls who joined in 2019 and wish to be a part of the Inaugural Class of female Eagle Scouts to have the benefit of such an experience, and after carefully considering recommendations from stakeholders, including feedback from volunteers and professionals, we will be extending the period for boards of review from 10/1/2020-1/31/2021. To further support the Inaugural Class, all boards of review will be dated with the same date by the National Service Center.
While this notice discusses the Inaugural Class of female Eagle Scouts, the lengthening of the Eagle board of review window is applicable to all Scouts who were granted the Inaugural extension, regardless of gender.
As a reminder, all requirements must be completed while the individual is a registered member of Scouts BSA, or as a member of a Venturing crew or a Sea Scouts ship after achieving First Class in Scouts BSA, per the Guide to Advancement.
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HIGH ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
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PTAC 2021 National Jamboree Contingent- Registration Extended!
Despite our current shut-down, we are still looking forward to Jamboree 2021 and registration is still open! In order to ensure a place for your Scout, please register by July 1, 2020. While a $200 deposit is due now, you can choose “mail-in” as your payment option in the registration and send the deposit at a future date. This will hold your Scout’s spot as a part of PTAC’s Jamboree contingent troop. The committee has made this adjustment to the fee schedule to accommodate as many Scouts as possible!
Calling all Volunteers!
Pathway to Adventure Council is looking for volunteer Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters for our council contingent troops headed to the 2021 National Jamboree. Being a Jamboree leader is an amazing way to experience the Jamboree and work with Scouts from across Pathway to Adventure Council. To be considered, you must be a currently registered troop or crew Scouter.
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Pathway to Adventure 2021 Philmont Council Contingent
PTAC is now accepting registrations for the 12-day Council Contingent to Philmont in Cimarron, New Mexico. Philmont, known as Scouting Heaven, is 137,000 acres (214 square miles) of rugged backcountry in the Sangre de Christo Mountains. Participants will spend 11 days backpacking, enjoying the beautiful scenery and experiencing the exciting programs offered along the way.
Current dates: L
eave Chicago, Saturday, July 3, 2021 and Depart Philmont & return to Chicago, Saturday, July 17, 2021. The trip
cost
is $1,995** per person (price subject to adjustment pending travel costs)
Registration closes April 27, 2020.
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Pathway to Adventure 2021 Sea Base Council Contingent
PTAC is going to Seabase! Do you like to sail? snorkel? SCUBA dive? If the answer is "yes," then plan to join your Scouting friends for a week of sun and fun in the Florida Keys next summer, 2021. Both Coral Reef Sailing crews will snorkel, fish, crew the vessel, learn navigation, and tour the nearby Turtle Hospital. During as many as 11 dives, the SCUBA crew will explore coral reefs, wrecks, and underwater rock formations. After leaving Sea Base, both crews will have free time to sight see. For more info, contact the event coordinator (who's been on both adventures).
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Order of the Arrow Updates
Takhone Lodge has extended the unit election season and is conducting virtual elections to finish up this year's elections. Please request a visitation today:
http://oa7.org/unitvisit/
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VOLUNTEER, GIVING, & INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
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Do a Good Turn Daily
We take an oath at every meeting that on our honor we will help other people at all times. Now is the time for us to help by sending encouragement and appreciation to those who are working hard to help all of us. Let’s break out our Scout spirit and spread some joy!
Here's how to participate:
- Create a thank you sign/notes to healthcare workers, first responders, teachers, and other essential workers.
- Or create a thank you video message. (no longer than 10 seconds)
- If your Scout is featured in the video, please have them wear their Field Uniform or troop/pack shirt.
You can share you signs or video with us by posting it on Facebook and using the hashtag #ScoutSpiritPTAC. If your family does not use social media, your can send your submission to
Allison.Dietz@Scouting.org and put #ScoutSpiritPTAC in the subject.
Once we have everyone's video or note, we will create a compilation video to share with our essential workers.
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Continue the conversation, follow us on social media!
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