Tool Time March One Seven

All Scouts, Scouters, and parents are welcome to help prepare camp this weekend. Basic cleaning will be needed in the program areas and campsites.  All Tool Time participants should bring their own equipment if possible, but some rakes, brooms, and loppers are available.  The 1^st Tool Time Work Day is set for Saturday, March 17^th 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 and a recognition distribution will be conducted at the end of the day at 3:15 pm. 

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 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

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/.

PRAIRIE FIRE DISTRICT

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.

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

Tromp the Trail April 7

Blaze the trail through the woods at the annual Trail Tromp hiking day at Camp Robert Drake on April 1^st to win your own Global Positioning System.   All of the Trail Tromp participants will be eligible for the drawing for a hand-held GPS device, sponsored by Illini Lodge of the Order of the Arrow

Shooting Event at Drake-a-palooza

Various levels of Scouting programs will compete in the Camp Drake Marksmanship Challenge on Saturday April 7, 2018.   Join the Shooting Sports fun from 1:30pm to 3:00pm at the Nogle Shooting Sports Facility on the south side of the camp.  Only $5.00 per person for any age marksman.

MANY TRAILS DISTRICT

Many Trails Program Planning

The annual program planning kickoff will be held at the Many Trails Roundtable for April.   District volunteers will provide the traditional delightful Scouting informational talks for your Scouting groups.  Outdoor opportunities will be previewed at the roundtable on the second Thursday of the month (4/12) from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.  The wide array of Cub Scout and Boy Scout camping options will highlight the presentations.   Be there for the fabulous outdoor Scouting experience!

Camporee Return!

Numerous paths to adventure can be found near Danville.  The 2018 Many Trails Spring camporee will be held on the weekend of May 18-20 where fun Scouting events are planned for Kennekuk Cove County Park.  The campground has scenic trails, a wonderful fishing lake, and an excellent camping area.  Plan now to be part of the rewarding outdoor weekend.

CUB SCOUT

Crossover Benefits for the 5^th Graders

Recognition and Orientation Opportunities open to 5th grade Webelos Scouts crossing over into Boy Scouting on many levels.  This stage in their Scouting career can be a critical time for the future enjoyment of Scouting.

Arrow of Light Plaques

Illini Lodge of the Order of the Arrow has created an impressive framed certificate for all Arrow of Light recipients in the Prairielands Council. This colorful plaque displays the name and year of the recipient recognizing their achievement in earning the highest award in Cub Scouting. 

Arrowhead Award Ceremony Recognition at First Campfire

All of the Arrow of Light recipients who attend Camp Drake this summer will be recognized at the opening campfire for this achievement.  During the festive atmosphere of the welcoming camp skits, each new Boy Scout that has earned the Arrow of Light will be called on stage by members of the Illini Lodge Ceremonies Team to receive a special Arrowhead Award for their achievement

BOY SCOUT

Bugle Troop

Any Boy Scout can attend Camp Drake as a part of the Prairielands Council provisional camping option without their hometown Scoutmasters.  Join the Bugle Troop from July 15-21 this summer. This summer there are multitudes of adventures you can undertake to fill your summer with fun exciting challenges.  You can come back to camp to work on extra merit badges, awards, relax, or to push yourself to discover new events. 

ORDER OF THE ARROW

Trail Tromp

Get on the hiking boots and Get On the Onaquispasippi Trail!  See the spectacular views around camp.  Add to your springtime calendar of fun events – the TRAIL TROMP is hiking on to your calendar on Saturday, APRIL 7.  Walk the Onaquispassippi Trail and uncover secrets of camping past and prizes for our leaders of tomorrow. 

Spring Fellowship

Come out and have fun with ARROWMAN friends as you spend the weekend of the activities we will be doing, as well as an evening dinner. We will also be doing service to help prepare camp for summer camp. Spring Fellowship is May 4-6. We hope to see you out there for a fun Order of the Arrow themed weekend.