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The River Trails District, Chicago Area Council, BSA is a non-profit
organization dedicated to developing self-reliance, patriotism, teamwork, self-esteem and leadership skills to the Chicagoland
youth between the ages 7 to 20. This is all made possible by the outstanding dedication and service of our volunteer leaders.
The River Trails District proudly serves the youth and communities
of Archer Heights; Avondale; Bridgeport; Brighton Park, Cicero Township; Herinosa; Humboldt
Park; Logan Square; Lower West Side; McKinley Park; New City; South Lawndale; and West Town since 2001.
Spring Scout Recruitment Drive
Spring is near and will be soon upon us and we must remember that this is a criticial
time to recruit! This is the time of the year to check over your unit's membership inventory and improve on
your unit's rechartering numbers. This is an exciting time in Scouting and we want to share it with as many youth
as possible. It's time to get out there and continue too spread the word. We should never stop growing as unit
and as a district. Remember, with every new youth comes a possible new leader. So, please! RECRUIT, RECRUIT,
RECRUIT!
When requesting recruitment fliers for your unit please supply David with the following information:
- Unit number
- Date needed by
- How many needed
- Recruitment Night, time & location
- Contact person w/phone number
If you would like assistance with your unit's recruiting efforts, please feel free to contact
District Executive, David Tafur at (312) 421 - 8800 ext. 246 or david@chicagobsa.org
Tips for a successful Scout Recruitment:
- Do boy talks at schools
- Have Scouts bring a friend to a meeting
- Go door to door with fliers
- Post an article in the local neighborhood newspaper
- With permission - Do a display at the neighborhood library
- With permission - Post posters in the community businesses
- Have a successful Webelos-to-Scout Transition
So hold a recruitment night open house and showcase your unit and it's history as
well as what Scouting is all about. If your not sure or need help in holding a open house please click on the link
below.
CLICK HERE for more info
Cub Scout Automotive Safety Patch Program
Safe Kids Buckle Up and Chevrolet have teamed up with the Boy Scouts of America to teach Cub
Scouts and their parents and caregivers about safety in and around vehicles.
These hands-on educational activities are conducted by Safe Kids Coalitions and held at Chevrolet
dealerships designed to educate families with older children — ages 7 to 10 — about being safe inside and outside
of moving and parked vehicles. After the Scouts successfully complete all of the educational stations, they are presented
with their Automotive Safety Patch.
Safe Kids has received an overwhelming response to the advertisement in Boy’s Life Magazine.
We have created this site to expedite the process of matching up interested packs and Safe Kids coalitions, and Chevrolet
dealerships.
Safe Kids coalitions are independently operated and unfortunately, if there is not a Safe Kids
coalition or chapter located near the interested Cub Scout pack, it may not be possible to hold an Automotive Safety Patch
event at your location.
CLICK HERE for more information...
2008 Owasippe Memorial Work Weekend
Owasippe
Lodge
2008
Owasippe Memorial Work Weekend
Friday, May
23rd – Monday 26th 2008
Owasippe Scout
Reservation
9900 Russell Road
Twin
Lakes, Michigan
The Memorial
Work Weekend will offer lots of fun and fellowship to all that participate on this great weekend. The outing is open to all our member’s, fathers and friends who wish to come and provide some service
to our council’s summer camp. The leisure activities will provide opportunities
for hiking, boating, horseshoes, volleyball, and fishing.
Note:
Non-Members are welcomed and encouraged to attend this event. This is a great
opportunity for a special father and son weekend. Anyone requiring more information
may contact Lodge Advisor, Ted Kumzi at (708) 425 – 7445.
$ 20.00 (Includes
meals and special commemorative patch)
Registration
deadline is Friday, May 16th 2008
CLICK HERE for Memorial Work Weedend Registration Form...
Calumet Council's 19th Annual Trade-O-Ree
Calumet
Council’s
19th
Annual
Scout Memorabilia Show
& Swap Meet
Friday, May 23rd
2008 6pm to ???
Saturday, May
24th 2008 9am
- 3pm
St Christopher's
School Gymnasium
Keeler
and 147th Street (Sibley Blvd)
Midlothian, IL
General Admission:
$ 1.50 per person
Scouts in uniform
are FREE
Refreshments
will be available for purchase
CLICK HERE for more information...
Boy Scout Days at Six Flags of Great America
Boy Scout
Days at Six Flags
Six Flags
of Great America
542 N. Route
21
Gurnee,
IL 60031
Saturday, June 7th 2008
Check out the
new Dark Knight Coaster and experience the ride of a lifetime:
- Venture through demented hallways of twists, turns and hallucinatory images
- Speed through six 180 degree hairpin turns
- Climb unseen hills
- Plunge into pitch darkness and dip into unforeseen danger
Only Gotham’s
Silent Guardian – Batman – can save you!
Note:
On Saturday, June 7th 2008 Hurricane
Harbor opens for the 2008 season
$ 28.00 –
Scout Days
$ 10.50 –
Picnic Meal
$ 1.00 – Boy Scout Patch (Great America)
$ 1.00 – Boy Scout Patch (Hurricane
Harbor)
CLICK HERE for more information...
Be A Fisherman!
Be
a Fisherman ...
Saturday, June 14th 2008
St. Mary of the Lake University
1000
E. Maple Avenue
Mundelein, IL
Come out and join ESPN Outdoorsman Chauncey fishing.
This is a great opportunity to 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 email Cheryle Wall, at cherylewall@sbcglobal.net
A BSA unit local tour permit is required for this event.
No Fishing License Required
This setting provides a great place and opportunity to
get started on Fishing Merit Badge.
All Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venture units are invited to
attend.
Cost: $7.00 per person (includes lunch and patch)
CLICK HERE for more information...
Railroading Merit Badge
Railroading Merit Badge
hosted by:
Chicagoland Lionel Railroad Club
Saturday, June 21st 2008
Chicagoland Lionel Railroad Club
1311 So. Schoolhouse Road
New Lenox, IL 60451
9:00 a.m.
This program is designed so the Railroading Merit Badge can be earned in one day!
Cost: $ 15.00
Participation Patch & Lunch
Space is limited to 80 Scouts!
For more information or to register please contact Herb Koch at (708) 361 - 2483 or at hkoch@sbcglobal.net
Chicagoland Lionel Railroad Club
http://www.CLRCtrains.com
Cub Scout Day Camp
River Trails - Western Trails - Greater Southside
2008 Cub Scout Day Camp
CSI: Cub Scout Investigation
Saturday, July 12th 2008
Skinner Park
1331 W. Adams Street
Chicago, IL 60607
LEADERSHIP: Each Pack provides its own
leadership through parents, leaders, and other family members. All Camp Leaders must be registered members of the Boy Scouts
of America. National BSA Policy requires a minimum of two adults in camp. A Scout ratio of no more than five to one leader
is required at Day Camp.
HEALTH HISTORY: A complete health history form signed by
a parent/legal guardian is due with payment of fees. Every person attending camp (adults/youth) must turn in a health history
form.
Registration Fee: $ 20.00
Camp Director: Teresa Miller (312) 720 - 5899
CLICK HERE for Day Camp Flyer...
CLICK HERE for Reservation and Health History Form...
National Youth Leadership Training Conference
National Youth Leader Training
NYLTC is the premier training for youth leaders. The course is design to teach youth
leaders to lead and support the skills adultslearn in the 21st Woodbadge. NYLTC focuses on teaching advanced leadership
and planning skill in a team building atmoshere.
WHO: Boy Scouts (1st Class Rank, age 13 and older)
WHEN: August 10th - 15th 2008
WHERE: Hoover Forest Preserve, 11285 Fox Road, Yorkville, IL
COST: $ 195.00 (camperships are available)
Participants will be regularly challenged to accomplish time sensitive tasks using the team
building and leadership skills taught in the course. Participants will also have opportunities to improve their outdoor
skills and apply them. For more information or to register for the conference, please contact Ray Gawne, Course Director
at (773) 763 - 0756 or scouter955@sbcglobal.net or Shayna Hoffmeister, Staff Advisor at (312) 421 - 8800 ext. 263.
Wood Badge for the 21st Century
Wood Badge for the 21st Century
Become the kind of leader that our your will remember
...
ALL THEIR LIVES
August 22nd - 24th, 2008
and
September 19th - 21st, 2008
Hoover Forest Preserve
11285 Fox Road
Yorkville, IL 60560
Wood Badge is an adult training where you work with others to learn and practice leadership
skills (as a member of a successful working team) and live the values of Scouting.
21st Century Wood Badge is the ultimate leadership training experience for adult BSA leaders,
conducted in an outdoor encampment, with the foucs on application of leadership skills. These skills are conveyed through
active learning sessions in an ideal Scout setting.
You will be able to use these lessons and experinces from Wood Badge outside of Scouting
to make every team a successful team, whether the team is at your work or is your family.
Inspired in England by Lord Baden-Powell at Gilwell Camp, Wood Badge is today offered around
the world. Upon completion, a Scouter receives a certificate and two beads, and becomes a permanent member of Troop
1, Gilwell.
For further answers to all of your questions, concerns and/or to pre-register please contact
the Course Director, Charles E. Beavers, Sr. at (773) 779 - 1831 or at cbeavers.umojainvest@juno.com
Want to take Wood Badge Training but can't
afford the fees? You may qualify for an Adult Training Campership.
CLICK HERE for the application form...
Illini Jamboree
Prairielands Council
presents
Illini Jamboree
Friday, September 12th - Sunday, September 14th 2008
Rautoul Municipal Airport
6 Aviation Center Drive
Rantoul, IL 61866
CLICK HERE for more information...
CLICK HERE for registration form...
2008 Trailblazer Activity Day
2008 Trailblazer
Activity Day
Saturday, October 4th 2008
Max McGraw Research and Education Center
Dundee,
IL 60118
Who: Boy
Scouts, Boy Scout Leaders and Parents
What: The Trailblazer Activity
Day will provide a day long program of Archery, Fishing, Trapping, and BB Gun Target Shoots
When: Saturday, October 4, 2008
Bus Pick Up – 7:00am
– 7:15am
Bus Return – 4:30pm
Cost: Free ... lunch
will be provided
Reservations for this fun-filled day are due by September 26, 2008 and can be completed online
by clicking here or you can click here to download the flyer and mail it in.
Cub Scout Nature Discovery Day
Cub Scout Nature Discovery Day
at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Saturday, October 18th 2008
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 No. Cannon Drive
Chicago, IL 60614
Come explore the museum's permanent exhibits, like the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, and special exhibition,
In the Dark, which investigates the different enviornments of darkness and the unique life forms that inhabitat them.
Take
part in special hands-on science activities to help fulfill Cub Scout achievement requirements and electives:
-
Meet
one of our live collections from our Istock Family Look-In Lab
-
Learn
how to identify local and migrating birds from sights and calls
-
Investigate
the plants and animals that call our North Pond home
-
Use
recycled materials to create your very own insect species
-
And
much more!
There
will be Special Activity Programs that will run for 30 minutes. Start times are: 11:00am, 11:30am, 12:00noon, 1:00pm,
1:30pm, 2:00pm, 2:30pm, 3:00pm, and 3:30pm. Please be sure to indicate your time preference when you register!
Cost:
$8.50
per person before October 3, 2008 (children under 3 FREE) $9.50 per person after October 3 to October 10, 2008.
No
on-site registrations!
Includes
Museum admission, special programs, and patch!
REGISTER
ONLINE NOW BELOW (online payment only) or print out the event flyer and registration form and mail it in!
(When registering online, do not include children under 3 as registrants.)
Scouting for Food
Scouting for Food
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Hunger is a way of life for far too many in our country. It may seem ironic,
but in the wealthiest nation in the history of the world, millions of people each year are forced to choose between putting
food on the table or paying for other necessities of life. An estimated 13 million
people go to bed hungry each night. The Chicago Area Council can do its part
to alleviate hunger in Chicago and America.
The Chicago Area Council Activities Committee
and the Greater Chicago Food Depository are asking for your
help this winter!
BASIC INFORMATION REGARDING the DISTRIBUTION and COLLECTION of BAGS:
1. Units will receive collection bags at their November Roundtable.
2. On December 6th, units will distribute bags to houses in their neighborhood. If desired, the unit may choose to attach a letter to the bag explaining that they
are collecting food for the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
3. On December 13th, units will collect the bags and drop them off at
a location in their area.
4. Every Scout who participates will receive a patch and each participating unit
will receive a ribbon for their flag.
Unit commitments are due by October 1, 2008 and can be completed online by clicking here or you can click here to download the flyer and mail it in.
We are also in the process of arranging tours of the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s amazing facility. Watch the web and the Scouter for more info!
Wanted! ... Pop Can Tabs
The Order of the Arrow,
Kittan Chapter is requesting your unit’s help in collecting pop can tabs. This
is a service project that will be on going throughout the 2007-2008 Scouting program year.
The goal is to collect a sizeable amount of pop can tabs that will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House to help
off-set cost of special medical treatment for children. On average, one empty
milk jug full of pop can tabs will provide one child 30 minutes of treatment such as chemotherapy for free.
In addition, the tabs
from vegetable, soup and/or pet food cans also will be accepted.
Pop can tabs can be dropped
off at all O/A Kittan Chapter Meetings or District Roundtable Meetings. For more
information please contact Kittan Chapter Adviser, Daniel C. Stegvilas, Sr. at (773) 247-6533
Illinois BSA License Plate
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| Sample Eagle Scout License Plate |
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| Sample Boy Scout License Plate |
GOVERNOR SIGNS SCOUT LICENSE PLATE BILL
The
Governor of Illinois recently signed the authorizing Boy Scout and Girl Scout license plates. The Boy Scout plates come
in two versions - regular Boy Scout and Eagle Scout. In order for the plates to be produced, 850 must be ordered by
December 31st 2007. The cost of the plates is about $103, or $25 more than the regular license plate. The extra
$25 goes into a Scout fund for local council support.
To order the license plates, use the form here.
Commissioner's Needed!
Unit Commissioner's
The River Trails District Commissioner Staff is in need of volunteers to serve as Unit Commissioners.
No experience needed!
Unit Commissioners are a vital part of a unit's (crew, pack, and/or troop) overall success.
Former or current scout leaders make the best volunteers to serve as a Unit Commissioner. A Unit Commissioner helps
his/her assigned unit's during the re-charter process, school night recruitment, unit committee meetings and makes regular
visits to the unit to ensure it is providing a quality program. A Unit Commissioner is idealy assigned one to three units,
depending on the number of UC's available in the district
Show Scout Spirit, be responsible, have a dedication to help and serve others a must!
Communication and Problem Sloving Skills a plus!
Training will be provided at no cost!
Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner
The district is also seeking help for the Cub Scout Roundtable. We are currently in need of a Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner. If you or someone else you know are interested in the position or maybe would just like to help out for
a month or two, please let us know ASAP. No training required but knowledge of the Cub Scouting program is a must.
If you are interested in becoming a Unit Commissioner/Cub Scout Roundtable
Commissioner or would like to learn more, please contact ASAP District Commissioner,
James Koziel below.
P.R.A.Y. - Duty to God
Purpose:
To learn
about and promote religious emblems
Requirements:
Attend
or make a presentation on religious emblems
and make a commitment to Duty to God
Eligibility:
Both
youth and adults of all faiths
CLICK HERE for More Info.
MLBPA Teams Up With BSA
FULFILL REQUIREMENTS BY COLLECTING
BASEBALL CARDS
The Major League Baseball Players Association and the BSA announce
an exciting new Collections program for Cubs, Scouts, and Venturers. Excellent for use at Den Meetings or Scout Meetings.
Free Starter Kit to Scouts with 4 packs of Baseball Cards, a Collectors
Tin to store them in, and a Guide to Collecting.
Contact John Merkel at 773-784-1396
Elite SportsCards
2028 W. Montrose
Chicago, IL 60618
Click Here to visit the Baseball Card Clubhouse
The Silver Squirrel Award
UNIT-BASED RECOGNITION FOR
TROOP, PACK,AND CREW SCOUTERS
Need a way to acknowledge that dedicated but
uncelebrated Scouter? You know
the one!
The person that's always there when they're
needed? The one that makes your program
work,
but will never be considered for the
District Award of Merit or the Silver Beaver?
Here's the answer!
CLICK HERE
 
Website Disclaimer
THE “RIVER TRAILS DISTRICT WEBSITE” IS NOT AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF EITHER THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
OR CHICAGO AREA COUNCIL. THIS WEBSITE IS NOT ENDORSED OR SPONSORED BY BOY SCOUTS
OF AMERICA OR CHICAGO
AREA COUNCIL. THE “RIVER TRAILS DISTRICT” WEBSITE IS PRIVATELY OWNED
AND OPERATED. THE “RIVER TRAILS DISTRICT WEBSITE” ENSURES THAT ANY
AND ALL MATERIAL AND RESOURCES PROVIDED ON THE WEBSITE IS TIMELY, RELEVANT, ACCURATE AND EDUCATIONAL TO MEET THE GROWING NEEDS
OF THE DEDICATED SCOUTS AND SCOUTERS OF RIVER TRAILS DISTRICT ABOARD.
THE
RIVER TRAILS DISTRICT WEBSITE AT THIS TIME IS WORKING TO OBTAIN THE EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT FOR THE AUTHORIZED USE OF ANY
AND ALL BSA TRADEMARKS, WORDS, PHRASES AND INSIGNIAS OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERCIA. [QUALITY LOGO, NEWS & EVENTS, FOS, SCHOOL NIGHT FOR SCOUTING, SPL PATCH, COIN COLLECTING MERIT BADGE, ORDER
OF THE ARROW, SCOUTING SWAP SHOP, RAILROADING MERIT BADGE, NYLT, WOOD BADGE BEADS, KAYAKING BSA, ANIMATED BOY SCOUT RANKS,
UNIT COMMISSIONER, CUB SCOUT COMMISSIONER, SPINNING CREST, MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR, INTERNET ADVANCEMENT, INTERNET RECHARTER
NOW, SPINNING ARROWHEAD, 100 YEARS OF SCOUTING, JAMBOREE 2010, BSA 2010 LOGO, STRONG VALVES/STRONG LEADERS, ANIMATED WORLD
CREST FLAG, BSA, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA, BASIC LEADER TRAINING, GOOD TURN, COMMISSIONER WREATH, COMMISSIONER SERVICE MAKES
A DIFFERENCE, BSA TRAINING CONTINUUM, TIMELESS VALUE, O.A. SHIELD, DISPLAYING & CARING FOR OUR FLAG, ANIMATED O.A. SASH,
BSA HEALTH & SAFETY, THE RISK ZONE, O.A. HIGH ADVENTURE, O.A. JUMP START, O.A. LODGE LEADERHIP DEVELOPMENT, O.A. TRADING
POST, ANIMATED CUB SCOUT FLAG, ANIMATED BOY SCOUT FLAG, SPINNING VENTURE SPHERE, YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING, YPT GUIDELINES,
REPORTING CHILD ABUSE, YPT ONLINE, ARE YOU TRAINED, BOY SCOUT FAST START, CUB SCOUT FAST START, VENTURING CREW ADVISOR FAST
START, YPT VENTURING, TROOP COMMITTEE CHALLENGE, STAFFING THE DISTRICT COMMITTEE, SAFE SWIM DEFENSE, SAFETY AFLOAT, HAZARDOUS
WEATHER TRAINING, GENERATIONAL DIVERSITY, NATIONAL EAGLE SCOUT ASSOCIATION, ALPHA
PHI OMEGA, EAGLE MEDAL, EAGLE PATCH, DISTRICT AWARD OF MERIT, SILVER BEAVER, CENTENNIAL LOGO, SCOUT THE NET, JOIN SCOUTING,
SCOUTING BILLBOARD, MISSION & VISION OF THE BSA, VENTURING OATH, BOY SCOUT OATH & LAW, CUB SCOUT PROMISE & LAW,
ANIMATED CUB SCOUT RANKS, VENTURING LOGO, VENTURING SCOUTING WORKS, SCOUT DIVIDER, SCOUTING & SOCCER, AND SCOUTING VALE
LA PENA] ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA.”
THE USE OF ANY AND ALL BSA TRADEMARKS, WORDS, PHRASES AND INSIGNIAS WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE BOY SCOUTS
OF AMERCIA IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
Questions, Comments, and/or Suggestions
CLICK HERE
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