Safety Tip of the Month: Weather Related Safety  (see attached)

Top Scouting Awards Program

Congratulations to the Eagle Scouts and Summit Award recipients of the Prairielands Council for 2017. Show your support for these fine leaders of tomorrow at the annual Youth Recognition Dinner on February 17. The reservation form is available at  https://prairielandsbsa.org/ .  The early fee due date is this Thursday, Feb. 8.

Council Candy Sale Details

The Camp Candy Sale starts on Friday, February 23.  Please place your order for pick-up in either Champaign or Danville offices.  The Camp Candy Sale has changed to a new company with options to help your Scouts earn their way to summer camp

Leave No Trace Training

Camping season will be here before you know it and you should prepare yourself with a suite of Leave No Trace skills! The Leave No Trace Trainer Course is an informative, practical & fun workshop on the ethics and practices of minimum-impact recreation and travel. Prairielands Council is offering this weekend course March 2-3 at Camp Drake. Registration closes on February 16th, so register soon at https://www.campdrake.com/lnt before the course fills up. 

Council-Wide Service Project

If you’ve heard butterflies and bees are declining and you want to help them, now is your opportunity! Join with units from across the council to build pollinator gardens in our own communities. If you and your unit are interested in participating or would like more information, visit https://www.campdrake.com/planting-for-pollinators or email Maddy Kangas mkangas2@illinois.edu

Helping Camp Drake Ecology

The Camp Drake ecology area is in need of improved program supplies and you can help! Units or individuals can help upgrade or supply equipment by purchasing or donating new or used items off of the following list.

Please contact Maddy Kangas mkangas2@illinois.edu with any questions or more specific information.

Wish List:

Dissecting microscope

Game camera

Aquarium tank

Aquarium nets

Plastic storage tubs

Metal storage cabinet

Local field guides

Taxidermy of local wildlife

Ant farm

Plant press

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MANY TRAILS DISTRICT

District Spring Camporee in May

The Many Trails Spring Camporee will inspire your basic outdoor skills when you warm up on May 18-20, 2018.   Uncover your Scout skills at the District Spring Camporee where you can   enjoy a fun weekend with your Scouting buddies of the five county territory.

CUB SCOUT

TOOL TIME TO HELP CAMP DRAKE

All Scouts, Scouters, and parents are welcome to help prepare camp for all the fabulous activities in 2018.  Primary projects will focus on clearing campsites and removing brush, brambles, and leaves from program areas.  Basic cleaning will be needed in the cabins and buildings.  Spring cleaning begins on Saturday, March 17 at 9:00 am at the north end of the Tin Shed at Camp Robert Drake near Oakwood, IL.  A lunch will be served at 12:15 .  Please encourage your pack, troop, or crew to help with this Tool Time date.

Plan Now to Create Summer Adventure

Look to plan a summer calendar that will provide simple day events, as well as extended outings and trips, to provide each family a choice for their family schedule.   Most importantly, encourage a variety of leaders to coordinate and prepare administrative details, in order to share the organizational load.  Finally, communicate the plan to all the families as early as possible, to allow time for Cub Scout campers to make their own schedule adjustments and meet financial and/or equipment requirements.

BOY SCOUT

Merit Badge Schedule for 2018 Camp Drake

The new merit badge schedule is up on our website.   Go to www.campdrake.com   for more details on summer camp activities for the “REBOOT YOUR SUMMER” thrills.    Check out the options for on the BOY SCOUT SUMMER CAMP section.

Summer Camp Fee Update

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 all fees must be paid by May 31, 2018 and NO BALANCE may be had upon arrival to camp.

ORDER OF THE ARROW

NOAC 2018

Join the fun of an adventure filled week at NOAC 2018.  From July 30 to August 4, 2018, everything about the Order of the Arrow will create an exciting event on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, IN.  Contact Lodge Chief Philip Wachter at (pswachter@gmail.com)  for more details.

CAMP PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMS

Special commemorative EAR BUDS are available to all Scouts planning to attend Camp Robert Drake during the summer of 2018.  Each troops registered to attend a week of camp can pick up their promotional  packet from their OA Camp Promotions Team or see Susan at the Raymond Lee Scout Service Center in Champaign.  These fabulous EAR BUDS will sound the call of the Scouting spirit from the banks of the Salt Fork.  Make arrangement to have a troop celebration for summer soon.

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