Promote Scouting during Anniversary Week

Use your local media outlets to inform the community about the successful facets of Scouting in your packs, troops, and crews.  Promote your pack, troop, or crew this week during the anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America.  Tell the simple story of Scouting success in your unit with the fun and benefits of the programs for youth and their families.  

Prairielands Training College

The Prairielands Training College will be held on the north side of Champaign on Saturday, February 10th, 2017.  The fantastic training experience allows leaders to select specific educational topics to discover a wide array of Scouting information. 

MANY TRAILS DISTRICT

Many Trails District Meeting

The meeting of the Many Trails District will be held on Thursday, February 8 in Danville at the Danville Scout office, 305 W. Woodbury, beginning at 6:30 pm.  Plans for helping Scouting units achieve success will be reviewed.  

Family Friends of Scouting Campaign

Each unit is asked to schedule a presentation during the winter months for their Scouting families. Please contact Mike Graham in the Danville Scout office (217) 531-0212

2017 Class of Eagles for Many Trails District

Congratulations to the Eagles Scouts from the Many Trails District in 2017.  Thanks to their dedication and commitment to Scouting in order to reach this lofty goal.  All of the Scouting community celebrate your achievement.  Compliments to Bryce Vorick of Troop 118, Hoopeston, Lincoln Butzow and Gavin Ogburn  of Troop 32, Paxton,   Ian Clevenger and Ben Hoogstraat  of Troop 158 Clifton,  Daniel Wyckoff of Troop 157, Cissna Park,  Austin Patton of Troop, 29 Gibson City,  Dalton Rolinitis of Troop 234, Westville for attaining the rank of Eagle Scouts.   Praises also go out to the supporting families and Scouting volunteers who help make this happen.  These young men are the best example of the quality of the Boy Scouts of America’s mission.

CUB SCOUT

Cub Placemats Guide you to Camps

Packs from throughout our nine-county council can use the Cub Camp placemats to preview the outdoors and get ready for the warm summer fun of Cub Camping.  The info guide will navigate your path to Cub Camping fun this summer.  Pick up your Cub Camping placemats starting Feb. 1  to decorate your special meeting in February and March at the Raymond Lee Scout Service Center in Champaign or the Danville Scout office on the east side of the council. 

Arrow of Light Honors at Boy Scout Camp

For all recipients of the Arrow of Light award in late 2017, as well as the 2018 recipients, Illini Lodge #55 at the welcoming campfire will conduct a special recognition each Sunday of the summer camp at Camp Robert Drake.  As a commemorative honor for achieving the highest rank in Cub Scouting, all Scouts who earned the Arrow of Light this year will be called up on stage during their week of camp attendance. 

BOY SCOUT

Camp Staff Option

Any registered Scout, older than age 14 on June 1, 2018, can apply to be a Camp Counselor. Camp Robert Drake is looking for energetic youth to serve as future paid counselors to learn the duties during the 2018 summer.   Please contact Mike Graham at mike.graham@scouting.org

Summer Camp Fees

The change in the calendar to the new year means a “heads-up” are in order for your Scouting schedule! Please note the new shift into the summer camp pricing! 2018 Pricing is below (in council):

Now to March 11: $257 (early)

March 12 to  April 22: $267 (base)

April 23 to May 21: $282 (late)

To ensure a Scout gets the early rate, a complete payment of $257 must be made before March 11. The system calculates fee’s based on when the payment was made. Please note that this does not include class/merit badge fees. Please note that all fees must be paid by May 31, 2018 and NO BALANCE may be had upon arrival to camp. Also each Unit must keep track of what each Scout has paid to the Unit, the system DOES NOT keep track of what Scout has paid for what.

Merit Badge Sign Up for 2018 Camp Drake

A $125 deposit per youth registrant must be paid in order to sign up for merit badge classes on March 1, 2018. The system will calculate the number of Scouts you can register for classes by the amount of money you have paid come March 1. Merit Badge classes are a first come first serve basis and will fill up quickly come March 1, 2018.

CAMP DRAKE

KLONDIKE PANCAKE BREAKFAST

For the Klondike Campers: Saturday Morning Breakfast will be served! Pancakes and Sausage! It is a free will donation style breakfast! Served from 7:30 AM till 8:30 AM .  All the overnight campers are encouraged to attend.   Warm your tummy for the big event. 

Pan of Gold Trophy

The patrol with the highest score at the Prairielands Council Klondike Derby is awarded the “Pan of Gold Trophy”, an actual gold miner’s pan, marked with the history of the past winning patrols through the years.  It takes quality leadership, strong teamwork, plus excellent Scouting skills and knowledge to earn the top honors amongst the 50 other Scouting patrols competing in the event.    The young men who earn the “Pan of Gold Trophy” exhibit the best talents for winter preparedness, complicated problem-solving, and team spirit.

Yukon Jack Trophy

If you think the Lombardi Trophy is the ultimate prize in all of sport, then you are sadly mistaken.   The Yukon Jack Plaque is the most coveted honor in the sporting field, awarded to the fasted sled racing team at the Prairielands Council’s annual Klondike Derby.  On the Camp Drake plateau, see the race this Saturday, Jan. 27, on the field where legends get trampled.  Think Ben-Hur in the snow.

ORDER OF THE ARROW

Klondike Service

In fine Klondike Derby tradition, lodge members have been asked to serve at the council winter challenge at Camp Robert Drake on January 28, 2017.  The lodge’s very own Vice-Chief of Activities Blayne Beeson will provide leadership to the lodge’s support of the largest single day event in the council

Exclusive Illini Lodge Honor

Each year at the Illini Lodge Winter Banquet, dedicated Arrowmen are distinguished with the Ken Frederick Award.  This honor was created in commemoration of a dedicated Scouter and Arrowman from Troop 55 in Tolono.  The award is presented to youth and adult arrowmen for their hard work for the lodge during the past year.  The recipients of the Ken Frederick Award are Philip Wachter of Troop 13 in Champaign and Bobby Butler of Troop 25 in Mahomet.

New Lodge Chief and Officers Inducted for 2018

The pinnacle spectacle of the 2018 Illini Lodge Winter banquet was the induction of new Lodge Chief Philip Wachter.   Using the long-standing chief confirmation ceremony, Philip accepted the responsibilities for the lodge operations for 2018 as he accepted the tomahawk and pipe.  The new chief then inducted the officers for the upcoming year:   Kacey Clarkston as the Vice- Chief of Administration,  Kenny Clarkston as the Vice- Chief of Activities, Ben Hoogstraat as the Vice- Chief of Inductions , Jason Cotton as the Lodge Secretary, and Ryan Henderson as the Lodge Treasurer.  Best wishes for the new chief and the officers for a great year in the Brotherhood of Cheerful Service.

Trophy for Top O.A. Troop

Congratulations to Troop 25 of Mahomet, IL for earning the 2018 Illini Lodge Table Top Trophy.   Troop 25 had the top total number of arrowmen and their guests with paid registration by noon on Friday, January 5, 2018. The honor of the fabulous Table Top Trophy was announced by past Vice-Chief of Activities Blayne Beeson as Troop 25 of Mahomet as a part of the opening ceremony for the 2018 Winter Banquet at the Beef House in Covington, IN on January 6th, 2018.

Lodge Donates $1,000 to Prairielands Council

Illini Lodge contributed $1,000 to the Prairielands Council Endowment Fund at the Order of the Arrow Winter Banquet at the Beef House in Covington, IN on January 6th, 2018.   The Brotherhood of Cheerful Service presented a James E. West Fellowship to Parker Arnholt, in honor of his servant leadership to Scouting. In addition to recognizing Parker for his service to the lodge and Camp Drake,   the donation to the Endowment Fund will support the council with long-term financial support.

Founders Award to Father/Son

One of the best moments of the 2018 Illini Lodge Winter Banquet was the acknowledgement of the long term Order of the Arrow efforts of Ben and Kris Hoogstraat of Troop 158 in Clifton.  Both Arrowmen have been active in Illini Lodge events and service throughout their Scouting careers.   In typical Kris Hoogstraat fashion, a warm hug for hard-working Ben during the award presentation received a heartfelt “aaahh” form the crowd.   Congratulations Ben and Kris!

National OA Conference at Indiana University

Illini Lodge is looking for youth Arrowmen interested in attending the ultimate Order of the Arrow event in 2018---the National Order of the Arrow Conference.   A limited number of arrowmen will be able to experience this tremendous occasion.  The National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) is a multi-day event bringing together thousands of delegates from Order of the Arrow lodges around the nation for training and activities.  Contact Lodge Chief Philip Wachter at   pswachter@gmail.com   for more details on the great adventure.