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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.
2009 Owasippe Leader Kick-Off Meetings
Owasippe Scout Reservation
2009 Leader Meetings
All unit leaders planning on attending summer resident camp, Venture camp, Webelos camp, and/or
the high adventure base are highly encouraged to attend. Meet the camp directors, hear about the exciting program opportunities
at camp and get a jump start on the 2009 camping season
Meeting Dates and Locations:
Tuesday, March 10th 2009
Central Region Office
230 W. Diehl Road, Naperville
Wednesday, March 11th 2009
Five Holy Martyrs
4327 S. Richmond Street, Chicago
All meetings start promptly at 7:15 p.m.
Lord Baden-Powell University
Lord
Baden-Powell University
“Proudly serving Scouters
from throughout the Central Region of the Boy Scouts of America for Nineteen Years”
Friday, March 20th –
Sunday, March 22nd 2009
Salvation Army Wonderland
Camp and Conference Center
9241
Camp Lake Road
Camp
Lake, WI 53109
The purpose of Lord Baden-Powell
University of Scouting (LBPU) is to provide introductory, supplemental, and advanced training for all functions related to
commissioner service, membership, finance, and program for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, Varsity, and Sea Scouting. Much of the specialization provided only at LBPU is the strength found in our offering
this innovative curriculum. LBPU is there to augment the training programs existing
within the local councils.
53rd Annual Potawatomi Hike
Potawatomi Hike
The
Order of the Arrow, Michigamea Lodge # 110 of the Calumet Council will be hosting their 53rd Annual Potawatomi Hike on Saturday,
March 28th 2009. The Potawatomi Hike will be held at the Indiana Dunes State Park located in Chesterton, Indiana.
The
hike is open to all Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers regardless of council affiliation.
Hikers will have their choice of taken a 5, 10 or 20 mile hike on marked trails.
The primary route goes along the lakeshore and then continues on across the dunes and back to the Nature Center.
The hike will take place regardless of the weather.
No
advance registration is required. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the City West
Shelter, opposite the large parking areas for the beach and the hike kick-offs at 9 a.m. (You can come later in the day to
hike but you must register before 12 p.m.)
The
cost traditional is $ 4 per person and includes a trail patch. Parking cost should
be in the $ 8 range for out-of-state license plates per vehicle. The Order of
the Arrow, Michigamea Lodge will also have refreshments for purchase at the concession stand.
Directions: Take I-94 east, approximately 25 miles past Indiana-Illinois
State border to Indiana Route 49 and exit north to the park (about 3
miles)
Camping: There is youth group tent camping available at a RV Campground.
For more information on camping please call (219) 926 – 1952.
For more information please contact the
Calumet Council Service Center at (800) 513 – 2343 or
visit www.calcouncil.org
Scout Day with the Chicago White Sox
Scout
Day
with
the Chicago White Sox
Chicago
White Sox
@
U.S. Cellular Field
Saturday, April 11th 2009 @ 3:10 PM
vs Minnesota Twins
The Chicago
White Sox baseball team had dedicated this day to the Boy Scouts. The White Sox are offering specially priced discounted
tickets to all Chicago Area Council Scouts and their family and friends. So, come out and support the defending American
League Central Division Champions on their hunt to a World Series title. All Scouts attending can participate in a pre-game
parade on the field and Scout will receive a Chicago White Sox Scout Patch.
$
20.00 Lower Reserved
$
14.50 Upper Deck Box
CLICK HERE for more information...
District Pinewood Derby
River Trails District
District Pinewood Derby
This year's District
Pinewood Derby will be racing into history. This year the Pinewood Derby is no longer just for Cub Scouts. There
as been a new division of competition added for Boy Scouts only, the semi-truck pinewood derby race.
On your marks, get set, GO!
Sunday, April 19th 2009
St. Frances of Rome
1431 S. Austin Blvd.
Cicero, IL 60804
All engines are roaring and so are our Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, so let the Pinewood Derby begin!
Pack 3345 and Troop 345 of St. Frances of Rome will host their annual District Pinewood Derby on April 19 2009. Stay
tuned for the application to register will be on-line soon! Meanwhile, contact Rich Jakubowski at (708) 780-1782.
AND YES...I DID MENTION BOY SCOUTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL RACE TOO! For more information on what the Boy Scouts
can race, go to www.indyproducts.com or call direct at (317) 831 - 1114. This site will provide you with information on purchasing
a Pinewood Derby Semi-Truck Kit! Let's pedal to the metal and goooooooooooooooooo!
64th Annual Lincoln Pilgrimage
55th Annual U.S. Grant Pilgrimage
Scout Day at the Illinois Railway Museum
Scout
Day
Illinois Railway Museum
Scout
Day at the Illinois Railway Museum
will be held on Saturday, May 16th 2009. The Illinois
Railway Museum is located at 7000 Olson Road in Union,
Illinois 60180. Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers will participate in a day long event, including a flag ceremony,
awarding of badges and touring the museum.
For
more information please contact the Illinois Railway Museum at (800) BIG – RAIL or
(815) 923 – 4000 or visit www.irm.org
Baraboo Circus Heritage Weekend
Baraboo Circus Heritage
The
Glacier’s Edge Council will be hosting their 23rd Annual Baraboo Circus Heritage Weekend from Friday, May 15th to Sunday,
May 17th 2009 in Baraboo, Wisconsin.
The weekend will include admission to the Circus World
Museum which features circus performances, camping at the fairgrounds, sideshows,
skill competitions, miniature circus wagon competition, leader Dutch oven dessert bake off, Scouting Museum, and a center ring stage show.
Registration:
www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/DocDownload.asp?id=53112
For
more information please contact the Glacier’s Edge Council Service Center
at (608) 756 – 4669 or visit www.glaciersedge.org
Asleep with the Fishes at the Shedd Aquarium
Asleep with the Fishes
Shedd Aquarium
Grab your sleeping bag and pillow and join us for an overnight adventure at the Shedd Aquarium.
Before snuggling into your sleeping bag, immerse yourself in the many aquatic environments through special programs, games
and hands-on activities. In the morning, enjoy a continental breakfast and visit with the fishes once more before your
journey comes to an end.
Present the Colors with the Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks
proudly presents
Presentation of the Colors Scout Package
The Chicago Blackhawks season is in full swing and there is a buzz about the team all around
Chicago. Right now, the Blackhawks are offering a limited number of dates as part of a special Presentation of the Colors
Scout Package.
As part of this package, your group will receive:
- fifty (50) 300-level seats at $ 25.00 each
- Chicago Blackhawks Scout Patch
- Troop/Pack name welcomed on video board
- Up to eight Scouts to present the colors on the ice
The entire package is available for only the cost of fifty tickets at $25.00. Availability
is limited to one group for each of the dates reserved.
Wood Badge for the 21st Century
Wood Badge
for the
21st Century
August 8th - 15th 2009
Owasippe Scout Reservation
9900 Russell Road
Twin Lakes, MI
The Chicago Area Council is pleased to invite you to become part of Wood Badge histroy by
experiencing this once in a liftime adventure! Wood Badge is known world wide as the premeir training course fpr Scouters,
this experience heralds livelong personal development skills. This training course is for all Scout leaders of all programs
and will teach you skills that will help you become a more effective leader and help you to develop hig preformance teams
to make your den or pack grow, make your patrol or troop go, and take you Venture Crew to the next peak. The skills
you will learn also transfer to business and life.
National Youth Leadership Training
National Youth Leadership Training
August 9th - 15th 2009
Owasippe Scout Reservation
9900 Russell Road
Twin Lakes, MI
The National Youth Leadership Training course centers around the conceptes of what leader
must be, what he must know, and what he must do. The key elements are then taught with a clear foucs on how to.
The skills come alive during the week as the patrol goes on a quest for the meaning of leadership.
Northern Illinois Hunting & Fishing Days
Northern Illinois Hunting & Fishing Days
The
Annual Northern Illinois Hunting and Fishing Days will be held from Saturday, September 26th to Sunday, September 27th 2009
at Silver
Springs State Park located at 13608 Fox Road in Yorkville,
Illinois 60560. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, rain or shine.
Admission
is Free! The event will include hands on activities for all ages, angling and
casting demos, canoe rides, fly tying & casting, kids casting area, stocked kids fishing pond, and many seminars. The event will also feature over 75 vendors, food court, give-a-ways and raffles. The also will be a Archery and BB Gun range.
Flyer:
www.huntingandfishingdays.org/2009%20flyer.pdf
For more information please visit www.huntingandfishingdays.org
Great Lakes Centennial Jamboree
Great Lakes Centennial Jamboree
Come
and kick-off Scouting’s 100 Anniversary Celebration by participating in the Great Lakes Centennial Jamboree from Friday,
September 25th to Sunday, September 27th 2009. The Great Lake Centennial Jamboree
which will be held at the Experimental Aircraft Association Grounds located at 3000 Poberezny Road in Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54902.
The
Great Lakes Centennial Jamboree will feature a 12 council coordinated encampment experience.
The following councils (Bay-Lakes, Chicago Area,
Chippewa Valley, Des
Plaines Valley, Gateway Area, Glacie’s Edge, Hiawathaland,
Milwaukee County, Potawatomi Area, Samoset,
Southeast Wisconsin, and Three Fires) will be representing the states of Wisconsin, the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Northern Illinois.
This
will be a Jamboree-like experience and will most likely be the largest encampment most Scouts will have the opportunity to
attend unless they are fortunate enough to participate in the National Jamboree. There
will be Jamboree style camping in sub camps, more activities than there will be time to do on Saturday which will all be capped
off with a superb arena show with entertainment and fireworks. This will be a
weekend to remember! So be a part of history and help kick-off the BSA’s
100th Anniversary Celebration in grand style.
Flyer:
www.glcj.org/PDF/GLCJflyer1.pdf
For more information and updates please
visit www.glcj.org
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 2008-2009 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
Scout Recruitment Drive
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
Illinois BSA License Plate
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| Sample Eagle Scout License Plate |
EAGLE SCOUT LICENSE PLATE
Attention
all Eagle Scouts! Order your very own Eagle Scout License Plate today. By purchasing a set of Eagle Scout License
Plate, you will help support grants to the Boy Scouts of America. Grants will be awarded to the county division in which the
plates are sold. All applicants must provide a copy of his Eagle Scout Certificate or written proof from the local council.
CLICK HERE for more information...
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.
Beacon Award
Beacon Award
A special recognition for units promoting Scouting
in their community
How to Qualify:
- Send in a newspaper clipping of an article or photograph that shows your unit completing an
activity that positively displays the Scouting program to the general public.
- Plan and complete a simple activity that positively displays the Scouting program to the general
public, such as:
- Provide a uniformed color guard for a civic ceremony, such as a parade or other public event
- Have your Scouts present a brief annual report to your chartering organization's governing
body
- Perform a flag rising and/or flag retirement ceremony, or lead the Pladge of Allegiance at
a public meeting
- Provide service to an outside organization, such as staffing an information booth at a community
event or celebration
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.
Baseball Card Clubhouse
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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