Canyon Camp Work Weekend

Scouters and friends of Canyon Camp are asked to help at Canyon Camp on Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3. This will be the 34th Annual Kiwanis Work Weekend at the camp. Volunteers are needed to work together with area Kiwanians as we open camp and prepare for another summer of outdoor programming for Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. Help prepare camp for the summer. We will be doing the usual spring maintenance including painting, plumbing and wood construction projects. We will also be working on a new staff cabin and shelter house pavilion. No matter what your skill, our primary work criteria is enthusiasm for service to the Scouting program. Bring your favorite gloves and tools and we’ll provide the projects. The Monroe Kiwanis Club will be providing meals throughout the weekend. Whether you can stay only a few hours, or all weekend, you are welcome to join us for the fellowship and fresh spring air. Please call or e-mail Ron Spielman with your questions and to let us know how many volunteers we can expect! Phone: 608/325-6490 Email: spiel335@tds.net

2009 U.S. Grant Pilgrimage

This past weekend was the U.S. Grant Pilgrimage in Galena, IL. The weather was typical for this event. When I go to the Pilgrimage I always carry my rain gear and sun screen. I know I'll need one or the other. We had a hard rain early, but by the time the event started it was intermittent drizzles. The canoe races were back for the first time in a number of years. The Galena community is always very supportive of our event and this year Culver's provided signs for use on Route 20 and the Galena Primary School was the registration site. In addition to General U.S. Grant and his wife, President Abraham Lincoln was in attendance. The Elks provided the food for the luncheon which had a great turn out from the community and the volunteer organizers. Put the April 23, 2010 date on your calendars now for the special 100th Anniversary of Scouting Pilgrimage.

Sharon Fanucce - Gone Home

I had the opportunity to work with Sharon on several council events. The last was the 2002 Wood Badge course which we both staffed. Sharon was a dedicated scouter and active member of the OA. She will be missed.

Sharon G. Fanucce, age 60, died Monday, April 20, 2009 at her home. She was born Sept. 26, 1948 in Springfield, Massachusetts the daughter to Edward and Dorothy (Davis) Bourgault. She married Michael L. Fanucce, Sr. on Sept. 19, 1970 in Lakeworth, FL. He preceded her in death on Nov. 18, 1988. Sharon lived in the Oregon and Byron area for approx. 30 years where she was very active in her community especially the Boy Scouts. She served as a invaluable leader including Scout Leader of Troop 140, Byron, District Chairman of the White Eagle District, various other positions on the White Eagle District Committee and also served in the Blackhawk Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. Sharon was a member of the United Church of Byron, served on the Byron PTA, and also the Byron Park District Board. Her hobbies included; quilting, crocheting, and painting. She was also predeceased by her husband, parents, and brother Larry. Survived by her son Michael L. Fanucce, Jr. of Oregon, sister Denise Baurgault of Oregon, four brothers; Barry (Rebecca) Baurgault, Darren Baurgault, Rick (Linda) Baurgault, and Dean Baurgault all of Florida, and her dog Sammy, special friends; Lynn McGarry, Barb McNames, and Carolyn Schlagel and a special Thank You to all those who helped comfort Sharon in her final days.

Powder Horn, Pinewood Derby, and Construction

Last weekend was Powder Horn and Pinewood Derby. Following the Council Executive Committee meeting Thursday it was out to Camp Lowden to get ready for the first weekend of the Powder Horn course. Powder Horn is the advanced training to provide our leaders with outdoor program resources. Along the way the participants get a taste of a lot of the different activities required for the Ranger Award in the Venturing program. Friday the Powder Horn group met at the Stronghold near Oregon, IL for high and low cope courses. It was a perfect day with bright sun and cool temperatures. When we got back to camp the rock was being delivered for the Boeger Leadership Lodge for the basement. The upper level walls have been finished. Saturday was preparing breakfast for Powder Horn and then off to the Anniversary Steering Committee meeting at the service center. The out to Pecatonica for the Pinewood Derby. The competitors had a lot of great looking cars. The high school is a great location for the event and Bob Gingras and his team did a fantastic job getting it all organized and run. Then it was back to Powder Horn in time for dinner and the murder mystery night. There were two deaths and a lot of suspects in this Revolutionary War mystery. Sunday was a rainy day but it did not deter our Powder Horn participants from having a good time at the rifle range shooting muzzle loaders and hand guns. After lunch it was back to Pecatonica for the Pinewood Derby finals and the awarding of trophies to some very proud Cub Scouts. Now on to next week and the U. S. Grant Pilgrimage at Galena. Hope to see you there.

Council Pinewood Derby

This weekend, April 18 & 19, is the Blackhawk Area Council Pinewood Derby. If you are available to help for a part of the weekend let us know. The races are in Pecatonica High School in Pectonica. If you can help with either the morning or afternoon shift on Saturday or the morning on Sunday come on out.

One Week Until Powder Horn

Powder Horn is an exciting training opportunity focused on outdoor, high adventure topics. It is different from any other scout training course. The Powder Horn course is designed to expose Venture Advisors and other Scouters to the resources available to operate a successful unit level high adventure program. The course is based on the Ranger requirements giving participants hands-on exposure to some outdoor / high adventure activities. All Ranger core requirements will be covered plus a majority of the electives.

Topics planned include: First Aid, Communications, Cooking, Emergency Preparedness, Land Navigation, Leave No Trace, Wilderness Survival, Conservation, Backpacking, Cycling, Ecology, Hunting and Fishing, Lifesaver, Mountaineering, Orienteering, Outdoor Living History, Physical Fitness, Plants and Wildlife, Project COPE, Scuba, Shooting Sports, Watercraft. No one has to physically do any activity they feel uncomfortable with.

The course starts next Friday, April 17 and has a few spaces available. Details are available at http://www.bacpowderhorn.org/.

Japan Trip Opportunity

We were contacted by Des Plaines Valley Council (LaGrange, IL) about filling a few openings they have left on a scout trek to Japan. This opportunity is open to Eagle Scouts and Venturers (boys and girls). Below is a list of activities and the dates. If you'd like an application let me know (I haven't figured out how to attach them here yet).

Dear Eagle Scouts and Venturers:

One of the greatest and most rewarding experiences in Scouting is the opportunity to meet others in the movement, to gain knowledge of their lives and experiences, and to learn more of the world. I am pleased to tell you that you are eligible to take advantage of a truly rare chance to do just that in a big way!

I would like to personally invite you to be a part of our official Des Plaines Valley Council Contingent, visiting the exotic and beautiful country and culture of Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun, for 14 days from Thursday, July 16 to Wednesday, July 29, 2009. Those on this trip will be ambassadors of the U.S. Scouting program, sharing your experiences, background and skills with Scouts, leadership and families in Japan. Our Council has participated in such exchanges with Japanese Scouts for several years and all involved have been thrilled, excited, and deeply moved by the experience.

This is your opportunity to share in this rare, perhaps once in a lifetime, experience. Program details are as follows.

1. Duration: July 16, Thursday (Departure Chicago-O’Hare) –July 29, 2009, Wednesday

2. Number of Participants: Up to 30 Eagle Scouts and/or Venturers and 5 Adult Leaders.

3. Program:
(a) Camp: Attend Tokyo Council Venture Scout Joint Camp.
(b) Overnight Mt. Fuji Expedition (Climbing to the top of the mountain)
(c) Home Hospitality Program at scouts’ homes.
(d) Sightseeing of Tokyo
(e) Experience traditional tea ceremony “Chanou”

4. Your Financial Responsibilities - $2,750 payable to the Des Plaines Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America; included in this fee are the round trip plane tickets, domestic transportation in Japan, lodging and meals, Tokyo Council Summer Camp Fee, and Accidental and Health Insurance during stay in Japan. We suggest an additional $300 personal spending money.

Please complete the enclosed form and mail it along with a $250 non-refundable deposit. Interviews will be conducted in order of receipt of application and deposit. This event will fill up fast, so get your application and check in as soon as possible. I hope you can join us in the unique adventure and am looking forward to receiving your response.

Yours truly,
William P. Sarther SarthAssoc@AOL.com or 630-915-5050
Chairman, International Scouting

Camp Lowden Work Day

Thanks to everyone that came out Saturday to help get Camp Lowden in shape for the spring season. We had a lot of activity at camp. Work was done on the deck on the back of the Main Lodge and the ceiling of the Wienke Handicraft Lodge. NYLT staff was out at camp and once again pitched in when they had some extra time. The last tree to be removed near the Boeger Leadership Lodge came down and another team spent the day splitting wood. Other volunteers spent the day collecting and cutting old metal scrap to be removed from camp. Of course the highlight is always a wonderful lunch. Thanks Maureen.

The Canyon Camp work weekend is coming up on May 2-3. This weekend is sponsored by the Monroe Kiwanis and everyone is invited to come out. There are a number of projects that will need help along with typical spring preparation.

Camp Work Days

Camp work days are upon us. These are the days we help get the spring cleaning done at camp. While we always appreciate the help of skilled tradesmen, there are a lot of projects to be done and all skill levels are invited. The Camp Lowden work day is this Saturday, April 4. Lunch will be provided by the camp. The Canyon Camp work weekend is May 2-3. You don’t have to be there the entire time.

Some of the things scheduled for Camp Lowden this weekend include:
- siding several of the buildings
- Main Lodge caulking, roofing, and replacing the chimney cap
- visitors latrine needs some sanding and re-staining
- install new ceiling on the Handicraft Lodge
- shingle the pump-house roof
- clean out winter debris from pool
- campsite maintenance