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Rechartering Deadline on the 12th!!
The council deadline for unit rechartering is January 12, 2018 to complete the on-line membership process, collect the required signatures, and pay the necessary registration fees. YES…that is Friday the 12th!! The toughest step in the process is to conduct a membership inventory within your unit to confirm the members and leaders. Use the details from the inventory to submit the membership retention into the on-line process.
Journey to Excellence
The Journey to Excellence program recognizes units with a detailed system of requirement tracking. Units can earn a Gold, Silver or Bronze Award for their level of excellence in conducting their Scouting program. Please review the requirement to these awards for this year and complete the important paperwork. Your dedicated efforts for Scouting will shine in gold, silver, or bronze with your unit achievements.
Promote your Unit during Anniversary Week
Promote your pack, troop, or crew this week during the 107th anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. Tell the simple story of Scouting success in your unit with the fun and benefits of the programs for youth and their families. Use your local media outlets to inform the community about the successful facets of Scouting in your packs, troops, and crews.
Kathryn Beich Candy Bar Sale
Mark your calendars now for the Candy Bar sale to help Scouts attend summer camps. Bars sell for $1 each.
Bars are available for pick-up on Friday, February 23 with full-case returns due Friday, April 6th.
CUB SCOUT
AOL Honors at Boy Scout Camp
For all recipients of the Arrow of Light award in late 2017, as well as the 2018 recipients, Illini Lodge #55 at the welcoming campfire will conduct a special recognition each Sunday of the summer camp at Camp Robert Drake. As a commemorative honor for achieving the highest rank in Cub Scouting, all Scouts who earned the Arrow of Light this year will be called up on stage during their week of camp attendance.
Cub Leader Camping Guide Available
The new leader guide for Cub Scout Adventure Camp was handed out to participants at the Cub Camp launch. It was the largest crowd to ever attend a Cub Camp launch. The new guidebook contains program details, administrative policies and procedure checklists for the upcoming Cub Scout Adventure Camp. Look for all the information now at www.campdrake.com
BOY SCOUT
Youth Awards Recognition Night
All Venturing Summit Award recipients, as well as Eagle Scouts, of 2017 are encouraged to attend the Prairielands Council Youth Achievement Recognition Dinner. The recognition ceremony for youth recipients, their families, and leaders will be held on Saturday, February 17th, 2018. This special event with highlight the achievements of these quality youth in appreciation of their tremendous efforts in Scouting.
TRAINING
Prairielands Training College
The Prairielands Training College will be held on the north side of Champaign on Saturday, February 10th, 2018. The fantastic training experience allows leaders to select specific educational topics to discover a wide array of Scouting information. Participants can choose from almost fifty different classes to learn new skills, uncover helpful information, and strengthen leadership abilities.
Lots of great classes for Cub, Scout and Venturing leaders.
Click on the link for the course catalog and to register:
https://goo.gl/forms/mPy4hyMe58QZGmRt1
2018 National Youth Leadership Training
This is the premier youth leadership training session for Boy Scouts and Venturers. The course will be run over two weekends on February 23 - 25 2018 & March 9 - 11 2018 at Camp Robert Drake. This is a superb management experience for problem solving, communications improvement and decision making skills.
Leave No Trace Training
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 designed to enhance your understanding of LNT principles and ethics and to increase your level of confidence in teaching Leave No Trace skills. The course is set for March 2-3, 2018
CAMP DRAKE
Camp Staff Option
Any registered Scout, older than age 14 on June 1, 2017, can apply to be a Camp Counselor . Camp Robert Drake is looking for energetic youth to serve as future paid counselors to learn the duties during the 2018 summer. Please contact Mike Graham at mike.graham@scouting.org
GO WEST for the Klondike Derby!
All Boy Scout troops and Venturing crews are encouraged to start practicing for exceptional achievement in cold-weather activities. Watch for your favorite troop or crew at the big Klondike Derby on Saturday, January 27, 2018 on the downhill plateau slope in their homemade sled.
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
MANY TRAILS DISTRICT
Many Trails District Annual Business Meeting
The Annual Business Meeting of the Many Trails District will be held on Thursday, January 12 in Danville at the Danville Scout office, 305 W. Woodbury, beginning at 6:30 pm. Please encourage your unit to send a representative to this 30 minute meeting. A slate of a district chairman and a listing of committee members will be voted on for 2018 to conduct the business of the district.
ORDER OF THE ARROW
Trophy for Top O.A. Troop
A fabulous Table Top Trophy will be presented as a part of the opening ceremony for the 2018 Winter Banquet at the Beef House in Covington, IN on January 6th, 2018. The troop with the top total number of arrowmen and their guests with paid registration by noon on Friday, January 5, 2018 will be recognized for their Cheerful Spirit with a glamorous traveling treasure to display at their meeting place for the upcoming year. Remember to promote Illini Lodge’s most enjoyable banquet ever conducted to your troop members. As of today, Troop 25 from Mahomet is leading. You have until this Friday to sign up!
Klondike Service
In fine Klondike Derby tradition, lodge members have been asked to serve at the council winter challenge at Camp Robert Drake on January 27, 2018. The lodge’s very own Vice-Chief of Activities Kenny Clarkston will provide leadership to the lodge’s support of the largest single day event in the council.
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