PRAIRIELANDS COUNCIL NEWS

Camp Drake  Fee Deadline

The summer camp fees for Camp Drake compare to the lowest prices of any summer camp in Illinois and Indiana.  Take advantage of this early rate to save on a week of summer camp. The 2018 change in the fee schedule to the new costs 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.  

 

Camp Candy Sale

The sweet smell of chocolate bars has arrived at the Champaign and Danville Scout offices.   Your pack, troop, or crew can take advantage of this easy fund-raiser.  You can sell caramel, krunch, almonds, or dark chocolate bars now!  Please call ahead to save the boxes you need. 

 

CAMP DRAKE SPECIAL GIFT

Special commemorative EAR BUDS are available to all Scouts planning to attend Camp Robert Drake during the summer of 2018. Check out the photo on the Camp Drake Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CampDrake    Each troop 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

 

Council-Wide Pollinator 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

 

MANY TRAILS DISTRICT

 

Candy Bar Pick-up in Danville

The Danville Scout office will be one of the sites for the Camp Candy Sale pick-up this Friday, Feb. 23.  The office will be open from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm this Friday.   Please call ahead, if you know a specific time you will be there.  For more info on the Many Trails candy pick-up, call Mike at 531-0212.

 

Many Trails District Spring Camporee in May

Uncover the most important skills in outdoor survival at the Many Trails Spring Camporee on May 18-20, 2018.   Learn the best methods for living more comfortably in the out-of-doors with the special primitive camping techniques taught this spring.   Plan now to discover fire-building, shelter making, homemade camping tools, and exceptional cooking options at Kennekuk County Park, just south of Henning, IL.  For the younger Scouts, many of the basic skills for rank advancement will be shared during the day.  Older Scouts and Venturers will be challenged in the fine details of outdoor skills vs. fumbling in the dark.   Look to enter the realm of a traveling outdoorsman.

 

PRAIRIE FIRE DISTRICT

 

CUB SCOUT DAY CAMPS ARE COMING and WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!!  Our Cub Day Camp theme is “Weird Science” and we need your help.  We are looking for old used candles that you are not using, it does not matter if they are short, tall, tapered, etc., we just need to Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle them for one of our really cool craft projects.  So please drop them off at the Scout Shop in Champaign located at 3301 Farber Drive Monday through Friday 9:00-6:00PM or Danville office 305 Woodbury, 1-800-464-7291.  Any questions please contact Lovetta Ash-Simpson (Day Camp Advisor)

 

CUB SCOUT

 

Tromp the Trail April 7

Blaze the trail through the woods at the annual Trail Tromp hiking day at Camp Robert Drake on April 7.   All of the Trail Tromp participants will enjoy the wonderful views of the valleys and the ridges, sponsored by Illini Lodge of the Order of the Arrow.  The event is free, but trail patches and medals are available for purchase.

 

Cubs Scout Treasure

The search of bluegold trinkets lies among the vestiges of your seaside pack during every swash-buckling opportunity on the Cub Scout Adventure Camp scene.   The theme of "Blue and Gold Buccaneers” will offer an exciting array of entertaining activities and educational games for the different Cub Camp activities coming this July. See the Cub Scout Adventure Camp Leader Guide, also known as “The Lantern”, at www.campdrake.com   for added details.

 

Family Camp Weekend in July

This family camping event invites all family members to participate in a weekend full of outdoor thrills on July 27- 29, 2018.  The FamilyFunFest at Camp Robert Drake provides the opportunity for campers of all ages to enjoy Cub Camping activities.  Participants can camp both nights, one night, or just attend the events on Saturday. FamilyFunFest campers are asked to bring their own camping equipment.  The program areas will be open from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm on Saturday for campers to enjoy at their own pace.  Certain activities will require specific timeframes.  For more details, 

 

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  on the BOY SCOUT SUMMER CAMP section.

 

PLEASE ADD TOOL TIME TO YOUR CALENDAR

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,  or attend the event on April 14 or May 12.

 

VENTURING

 

Venturers to the World Jamboree

Held at the Summit in West Virginia, the 2019 World Jamboree will include programs such as rock climbing, Cross-country Mountain biking, ropes challenge courses, zip lines, and lake kayaking. The National BSA World Jamboree Committee is looking for Venturers to attend the big event in 2019.  Check out the details at  https://www.2019wsj.org/

 

Climbing Event for Crews

The PTAC Venturing Officers Association invites you to a day of wall climbing at the Open Climbing Tower in northern Illinois.  Travel to Woodstock, IL for the opportunity to test your skills on the wall.   Channel your inner Spiderman on April 20-22, 2018 at Camp Lakota.  The cost is just $15 through March 16th, $20 until April 20th, $25 at the door.  Cost includes climbing tower, camping, and a Saturday night cracker barrel.

 

ORDER OF THE ARROW

 

National Conference for the OA

This summer 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.  Arrowmen from around the country will celebrate with original events, leadership seminars, fellowship festivals, and humungous field day!   Contact Lodge Chief Philip Wachter at (pswachter@gmail.com)  for more details.  For promo flyer, 

 

Elections for New Members

All troop/team leaders should review their Order of the Arrow materials to prepare for the election requirements.  Whether you plan to conduct the election on your own or bring in assistance from your lodge, it is important to designate the date of your election and announce it to the unit as early as possible.  Please inform your Scouts early about the date of your OA election, in order for Scouts with the 2nd Class rank to focus on completion of the eligibility requirements.  Contact your OA leadership, if you need assistance in conducting the election in your troop/team.

 

Spring Fellowship Under the Stars

May the fourth is the opening night for the Illini Lodge Spring fellowship at Camp Drake this spring.   Arrowmen of all shapes and sashes are encouraged to attend the weekend fellowship in the Brotherhood of Cheerful Servcie.  Save the weekend of May 4-6, 2018 for the OA in your future.

 

 

 

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