Pinewood Derby Championships

Pinewood Derby will be held at Judah Christian School on April 14. Each Unit is allowed 6 Scouts to advance to the Council race. As well as 6 Scouts in the Show division. All siblings, parents, grandparents are allowed to race in the open division as well! Fee is $8 per Scout, with a late fee for those in the open race of $10. All registrations are due on March 30. For all pinewood information visit: https://prairielandsbsa.org/pages/pinewood-derby

Camp Drake  2018…What a Deal!

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. 

Candy Sale Rewards

Drawing tickets will be issued per BOX of candy sold.  Weekly deadline is 1:00 pm prior to drawing (3/2, 3/9, 3/16, & 3/23) at the Raymond Lee Scout Service Center.  Candy Bar chairs must turn in the money for Scouts to become eligible for the drawing. 

MANY TRAILS DISTRICT

Set up your Camp Promo Night in March

Each troop registered to attend a week of camp can pick up their flashlight packet from their OA Camp Promotions Team or see Susan at the Raymond Lee Scout Service Center in Champaign.  These handy lights with show off the shine of the Scouting spirit from the banks of the Salt Fork.  Make arrangement to have a troop celebration for summer soon.

FREE TICKETS for SPORTING EVENT in DANVILLE

Any Scouting groups, plus parents and family are invited to the NCJAA National Basketball Tournament at Danville Area Community College on the weekend of March 23-24, 2018.  Tickets are being provided to youth groups are no charge to enlighten young people about the excitement of college basketball, as well as build a cheering atmosphere in the Mary Miller Gymnasium for the teams that travel to Danville from across the country.  You could have a chance to cheer on the hometown DACC Jaguars!  Please –email Mike at mike.graham@scouting.org  with how many tickets your pack, troop, or crew will need.  There are three games on Friday, March 23 and two games on Saturday, March 24 to attend.

Camporee for All!

Enjoy a relaxing weekend campout will 100 of your bestest Scouting buddies!  Fun Scouting events are planned for the Kennekuk County Park near Danville.  The 2018 Many Trails Spring camporee will be held on the weekend of May 18-20.   The campground has scenic trails, a wonderful fishing lake with a dock, and an excellent outdoor sports area.  For more info, please contact Camporee facilitator Kris Hoogstraat  kamsflo07@gmail.com

Educational Resources

The University of Illinois’ Funk ACES Library now has Educator Resource Trunks from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).  Scout leaders are encouraged to borrow them with no fee and no University library account is required. 

For more information: go to https://www.library.illinois.edu/funkaces/trunks/

Adult Adventure Weekend at The Summit, Beckley, West Virginia

--Ride zip lines, climb rocks, ride bikes, fish, and experience all the adventure!

See www.summitbsa.org//AAW for more info.

Lions Program no longer a Pilot Program starting this fall

See the attachment for the full update on the Lions program.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters

I am reaching out on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois to see if local Boy Scout groups would be interested in participating in Bowl For Kids Sake, our annual fundraiser that directly supports the 230 current mentor relationships in Champaign. By creating a team today, you can make a big impact on opportunities and services for children who need extra support in their lives.  We ask that, at minimum, each individual raise at least $100. Chances to win great prizes are available for additional individual and team fundraising!

Bowl for Kids Sake will take place on April 6-8, 2018 at Old Orchard in Savoy.  Teams can sign up for a time slot on Friday night, Saturday afternoon, or Sunday afternoon.  Bowl two games on us and enjoy free pizza and soda.

Please let me know if you would like more information about Bowl for Kids Sake by emailing: jana.lithgow@gmail.com . 

Sign up here today:  https://bfksil2018.kintera.org

Thank you for your time,

Jana Lithgow

BBBS Champaign Board President

Prairie Fire District

Prairie Fire District Commissioner Meeting

Commissioner meeting is March 8, 2018 at IFSI, starts at 6:00PM, for more information you may contact District Commissioner Jill Quisenberry:  jill.quisenberry@gmail.com for more info. This is the Spring kick off! All commissioners need to attend.

Prairie Fire District Roundtable

Roundtable is March 8, 2018 at 7:00PM at IFSI  for one hour.  A new roundtable format has been created and we would like very much for every Pack, Troop and Crew to send at least one or two representatives to participates, we need YOU!  So come check out our new presentation and give us your feedback.  For more information contact  Parker Arnholt:  parker.arnholt@scouting.org  

Prairie Fire District Camporee

The 2018 Camporee will be held at Camp Drake on April 20-22. Come on out for the Prairie Fire District Rendezvous hosted by Crew 25 in Mahomet. Fee is $15 for a packed weekend full of mountain fun! To register your Unit, go to www.prairielandsbsa.org and under events you’ll find the flyer OR come to the Scout Shop.

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).

CAMP DRAKE

Summer Camp Online Registration Tools

To help aid our Units in understanding Tentaroo, we have done PowerPoint presentations with step by step instructions. See below!

1. First Time Unit Registration
2. Numbers Registration w/campsite deposit rollover applied
3. Merit Badge Registration

CUB SCOUT

Cub Scout Day Camp

Three different locations will provide a wide variety of activities will allow campers fun with outdoor skills.  Different fun features will entertain the Scouts.  Start making plans to experience the WEIRD SCIENCE!!

Cub Scout Adventure Camp         Blue session-July 1-4             Gold session-July 22-25

The big challenge of the Cub Camps is the four-day, three night Cub Scout Adventure Camp.  Cub Scouts and leaders live the Scouting life through a series of set programs, followed by open program areas each afternoon.  Extra emphasis will be focused on the archery and BB gun shooting sports, as well as aquatics activities at the swimming pool and boating area.  Campers can bring their own camping gear, but tents and cots will be provided, as needed.  For more information, check out www.campdrake.com

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.

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. 

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. 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. 

ORDER OF THE ARROW

Official March Meeting for All Lodge Members

An official meeting of lodge members will still be held for all arrowmen including officers, advisors, and committee chairs of the Order of the Arrow on Sunday, March 4^th.  The official meeting will be held at the Illinois Fire Service Institute on the southern edge campus of the University of Illinois. beginning at 3:00 pm.   The official address is 11 Gerty Drive in Champaign.  The purpose of this gathering is to finalize plans for spring events and review the objectives of the officially upcoming summer.   All official Arrowmen are encouraged to attend.

OA Spring Fellowship

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 Service.  Save the weekend of May 4-6, 2018 for the OA in your future.

Order of the Arrow Elections

Whether you plan to conduct the election on your own or bring in assistance from your chapter, it is important to designate the date of your election and announce it to the unit as early as possible.  All troop/team leaders should review their materials to prepare for the election requirements.   Contact your OA leadership, if you need assistance in conducting the election in your troop/team. 

Flaps on Sale

Illini Lodge has put the new lodge emblems commemorating the 2018 national conference of Order of the Arrow for sale at the Raymond Lee Scout Service Center in Champaign.  These collectible patches celebrate the nationwide celebration of the Brotherhood of Cheerful Service in Bloomington, IN.  Limited quantities are available now in the arrowriffic section of your local Robeson Scout Shop.