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.

“Ear Buds”  in April

Special Camp Drake Ear Buds with sound off the songs of the Scouting spirit from the banks of the Salt Fork.  Make arrangement to have a troop celebration for summer soon. Each troop registered to attend a week of camp can pick up their Ear Bud packet from their OA Camp Promotions Team or see Susan at the Raymond Lee Scout Service Center in Champaign. 

Attend Camp Drake without your Leader

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.  Visit www.campdrake.com

Planting for Pollinators 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. There will be a kick-off event on April 7^th at Camp Drake and Scouts will get to help Camp build their very own pollinator garden!

Activities Committee

There will be a Council Activities Committee meeting tomorrow evening at 7:00pm at the Raymond Lee Scout Service Center in Champaign.  All are welcome to attend.

We will primarily be focusing our discussion on Drake-a-Palooza, the Pollinator Service Project, and the Fighting Illini Scout Camporee.  We're looking for anyone who might want to have any input in these events or other events coordinated through the council to attend.

If you're an Assistant Scoutmaster and you're thinking that you might want to get more involved in Scouting and would like to help all youth have quality programs available, then you should plan on attending this meeting!  It's open to anyone to join and we help plan programs that hundreds of youth will participate in each year.  We hope to see you there!

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

Day Camps

Summertime is coming, just hold on a little longer and when it comes you will want your Scout to come have some fun in the sun with one or all three of our terrific Day Camps!!  Yes that’s right we will have three different dates and places for your Scout to learn some “Weird Science” stuff, shoot Bows & Arrows, fish, make cool crafts and lots more fun things to do!  This year’s theme is “WEIRD SCIENCE” and our Camp staff is putting together a great program, so come join one or all three of our Day Camps for the low price of $40.00 for Scouts and $10.00 meal ticket for adults.  ALL CUBMASTERS SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A DAY CAMP COORDINATOR GUIDEBOOK IN THE MAIL, IF NOT, PLEASE STOP BY THE SCOUT OFFICE.  Registration is not online, so please go to our Council website and download the forms or stop by the Scout Shop Monday- Friday from 9:00AM- 6:00PM and pick them up.  For more information contact Lovetta Ash-Simpson- Day Camp Advisor:  lovetta.ash-simpson@scouting.org or 217 531-0217

Candy Bar Update

All Candy bar money is due by Friday, April 6, 2018!  

Please let me know if you would like more candy.   Between Champaign & Danville, we have 4 cases of Variety, 4 cases of Caramel, 8 cases of Almond, 2 cases of Krunch and 4 cases of Dark Chocolate.  You can contact me by email at sharon.kirk@scouting.org or by 217-531-0218.

The Bloodmobile is coming to Prairielands Council Office

Tuesday, April 24^th from 3pm to 5:30pm is your opportunity to give blood that will be used locally at Carle Hospital.

Normally it only takes about 45 minutes and you will feel good helping the community.  To sign up to be a donor, please call or email Sharon Kirk (217)531-0218 or Sharon.kirk@scouting.org . Thanks for your consideration!

Training

IOLS: Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills This course is required to be considered fully trained as a Scoutmaster or Asst. Scoutmaster. You will enjoy a hands-on overnight experience in the outdoors as you learn the basic outdoor skills you need to coach your Scouts. Meals provided.

What to bring: basic overnight camping gear

When: Sat/Sun April 28-29 2018

Where: Camp Robert Drake, 9994 Camp Drake Rd. Fairmount, IL 61841

Cost: $20

Register: https://www.campdrake.com/iols

BALOO: Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation This course is for Cub Scout leaders to take Cubs camping. You will enjoy a hands-on, full day outdoor experience as you learn the basic skills you need to take 'em camping. No camping gear is required. Lunch provided.

When: Sat April 28

Where: Camp Robert Drake, 9994 Camp Drake Rd. Fairmount, IL 61841

Cost: $10

Register: https://www.campdrake.com/baloo

New Youth Protection Training due by October 1

The BSA has rolled out a new, more intensive YPT that all volunteers must complete by Oct 1.

Go to the www.prairielandsbsa.org and see unit resources at the bottom of the home page to take YPT2.

The training has several modules and each module must be completed before breaking.

Support Big Brothers Big Sisters - Bowl for Kids Sake!

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

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.

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

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).

MANY TRAILS DISTRICT

Get Your Program Details

The annual program planning kickoff will distribute helpful program info for Scouting at the Many Trails District Meeting for April.  Scouting opportunities will be previewed at the roundtable on the second Thursday of the month (4/12),   from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in Danville.

District Camporee

Numerous paths to adventure can be found north of 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 sports area.  Plan now to be part of the rewarding outdoor weekend.

CAMP DRAKE

Spring Cleaning at Camp

All Scouts, Scouters, and parents are welcome to help prepare camp on 4/14/18. The Tool Time Work Day starts 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. . 

Trail Tromp Fun

The sun was shining on the Onaquispasippi Trail last Saturday for a fun hiking experience.  A great crowd turned out for the “just a little muddy” walk.  Thanks to Illini Lodge for their hosting the trail hike on a gorgeous morning. 

CUB SCOUT

Pirate Cubs

The bearded pirates may visit the vestiges of your hallowed pack during every plank-walking opportunity on the Cub Scout Adventure Camp scene.   The theme of "Buccaneers of the Salt Fork" will offer an exciting array of entertaining activities and educational games for the different Cub Camp activities coming this July. Cub Scouts and leaders experience all kinds of treasure-filled booty through a series of “scurvy” programs.  Campers can bring their own camping gear, but tents and cots will be provided, as needed. See the Cub Scout Adventure Camp Leader Guide, also known as “The Lantern”, for added details.  

Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award

 Cub Scouts have the opportunity to earn the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award.  Boys may earn the award in each of the program years as long as the requirements are completed each year.  The first time the award is earned, the boy will receive the pocket flap award, which is to be worn on the right pocket flap of the uniform shirt.  Each successive time the award is earned, a wolf track pin may be added to the flap

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Cub Scouts: Learn about recycling and how to help the environment

See the attached flyer about a day camp at University of Illinois on Sunday, April 22^nd.

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. 

National Outdoor Badges for Camping, Hiking, Aquatics, Riding, and Adventure

The five National Outdoor Badges recognize a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout who demonstrates both knowledge and experience in camping, hiking, aquatics, riding, or adventure. Scouts earning the National Outdoor badges have demonstrated that they are knowledgeable, safe, and comfortable in the outdoor activity covered by the badge.  National Outdoor badges may be earned in the following areas:  Camping, Hiking, Aquatics, Riding, and Adventure.  Check out https://www.scouting.org/programs/boy-scouts/youth/awards/noa/

ORDER OF THE ARROW

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. 

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.

New Lodge Chevron

The deer are at the front gate!  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 honor the nationwide celebration of the Brotherhood of Cheerful Service in Bloomington, IN.