AirCamp 2010 by Blackhawk Area Council

Wow! The AirCamp team did a great job.  I've been traveling since and haven't had a chance to post on the camporee.  There were numerous activities including a zip line, paint ball, and pistol shooting that the scouts were able to participate in.  Along with the camporee, the EAA Young Eagles offered free flights to some of the scouts.  We had about 4700 participants including over 100 units that camped the weekend.  We had scouts from several other councils attend as well and received some very nice emails from them following the event.



Mountain Boarding



Milk Crate Stacking

One thing that we often take for granted is the number of volunteers we have in Blackhawk Area Council willing to give of their time and expertise to help plan and operate an activity as large as AirCamp.  Many of the emails received from outside our council commented at how impressed they were that we were able to put on such an event.  There are many councils that don't even attempt something of this magnitude.



Before



After

The work toward what would become AirCamp 2010 started three years with council wide focus groups to decide what types of activities we would be conducting at the council level for the 100th Anniversary.  One of the activities selected was to have a council camporee.  About two years ago Bill Mugnai agreed to take the role of chairman for the event and spent the next two years recruiting a core team that consisted of Mark Broman (Program), Jim Behrensmeyer (Program), Marilyn Behrensmeyer (Finance), Jeff Moritz (Registration), Mike McCleary (Health & Safety), Tom Siefken (Communications), and Dan Banko (Logistics).  Ed Allen acted as advisor to the committee and stepped in to handle logistics when Dan Banko had health problems.  This group worked for two years to bring AirCamp to life.



Colonel Roosevelt Addresses the Troops



There were many other people who played key roles such as Fran Waller (Cub Scout Program), Ed Colson (Boy Scout Program), Fareen Parkitney and Eve Schroeder (Venturing Program), Chuck Natoli (Subcamp Coordinator), Alan Broadfield (Static Displays), Steve Pierson (EAA), and Bill Nattress (Arena Show).  All contributed a great deal of time to planning and conducting the event.  There were volunteers working at the airport most of the week before the event including Gene Barney who put in the poles used for the zip line and spar pole climbing and Rich Horn who marked out the entire site.  Not to mention the hundred or so other volunteers helping with registration, program, parking, etc.

Thanks to everyone involved in the event.

If you have any pictures please link them to the Blackhawk Area Council Facebook page from your home page.

Camp Lowden 70th Anniversary

A celebration was held for the 70th Anniversary of Camp Lowden out at camp today.  Steve Sarver, who's wife delivered their second child on Friday, organized the event.  It was a great day as the weather had cooled from the hot summer temperatures of summer camp and it was a bright, sunny day.  There were staff alumni from Tennessee, Kansas, and Michigan in attendance.  Staff from as far back as the 1940s were there.  In conjunction with the event, Steve has completed a new edition of the Camp Lowden history that I'm looking forward to going through and a couple of picture books that can be ordered.  Thanks to Russ and Sue Sarver for doing registration and Jef Heckinger who got a lot of new scouting alumni registered.

1940s Camp Lowden Staff

1950s Camp Lowden Staff

1970s Camp Lowden Staff

1980s Camp Lowden Staff

1990s Camp Lowden Staff

2000s Camp Lowden Staff

Tour de Blackhawk, Silver Dollars, Pinewood Derby, Galena, Johll Bead Ceremony

Don't miss out on the early registration discount for the Tour de Blackhawk which ends this week (May 1).  All the information can be found at www.blackhawkscouting.org/2010Events/TourDeBlackhawk/TourDeBlackhawk.htm.  John Wurtzel and his committee are putting together a great event.  There is something for everyone with rides from as few as 8 miles to about 100 miles.  There are also some bike rodeos planned for the Cub Scouts.  This is something completely different that Blackhawk Area Council has never done before.  If you are available to help on the day of the event John is looking for some volunteers for various duties.  Just fill out the volunteer form (http://www.blackhawkscouting.org/2010Events/TourDeBlackhawk/TourStaffApplication.pdf) or send John a note.

The BSA Silver Dollars are selling out.  The uncirculated dollars are already gone and there is less than a week's supply of the proofs left.  Don't miss out, by law the mint can not make more.

Two weekends ago the Council Pinewood Derby was conducted by Bob Gingras and his team, which seemed to draw a lot from the Mighty Pack 5, put on another great event.  I received a number of compliments about the event while at the Winnebago Culvers on Saturday.

I even got to race my car on the Worlds Longest Track ... well at least part of it. It wouldn't all fit in the building.  My car took a big lead at the beginning before being passed on the straight by Jerry Coots' Wanchanagi Key 3 car and Rick Sanner's super special.  Unfortunately for them their cars were both disqualified for having illegal wheels.

Last weekend was the U.S. Grant Pilgrimage in Galena.  There was a tremendous turn out for the event this year far surpassing last year's attendance.  The Pilgrimage committee did a great job adding a number of new things this year.  There was a new Venturing Trail Hike, which was more challenging, a GPS Trail Hike, and some new activities like a zip line.  The OA had lines of Cub Scouts participating in an ever growing list of activities that included a monkey bridge, knot tying, bear bag toss, and compass work.  We had nine Generals this year that participated in a scavenger hunt.  If you got all nine you could get a special scavenger hunt pin.  The Army Golden Knights parachute team was present but unable to jump because of the low ceiling.  They did march in the parade and had a signing session following the parade.  I stayed at Canyon Camp with the Sycamore District Venturers which is slowly becoming a tradition for all the Ventuers to stay together.

Sunday I was in Cuba City, Wi (just north of Galena) for Greg Johll's Wood Badge Bead Ceremony.  As part of Greg's ticket he developed an informational video about Diabetes that can help educate volunteers.  We had four of his grandchildren (two Boy Scouts and two Cub Scouts) help with the ceremony.  I hope to get a copy of that picture to post.

Now its time to get ready for Adventure Base 100 on Saturday.  The BSA traveling exhibit will be in Douglas Park in Chicago this weekend and Blackhawk Area Council will be working there on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Anniversary Week 2010

There were a number of activities planned by units, districts, and council this week to recognize the 100th Anniversary of Scouting in America.  Sunday was Scout Sunday and many of our Scouts attended their local churches at scout services.

On Monday I was invited to attend a reunion of Pecatonica scouts and scouters.  There was a large turn out of people involved with the pack, troop, and/or crew in Pecatonica over the years.

On Wednesday morning we had the Blackhawk Area Council Leadership Breakfast.  We had a good turn out and featured a live hook up with the Continuous Fire.  The breakfast was topped off with fresh cobbler made by two of our troops.

Wednesday was a full day with the Wetassa District Roundtable and Fire Side Chat.  It was a good meeting with a number of suggestions that will be referred to the appropriate council groups to consider.  Thanks to everyone in Wetassa that participated.

Thusday evening was the Sycamore District Roundtable.  Blair Piotroski, District Commissioner, had an anniversary treat for everyone in attendance.

We've had some photos of anniversary activities posted to the Blackhawk Area Council's Facebook page.  As you continue to celebrate the anniversary throughout this month and year please continue to post your pictures.

February 6 & 7, 2010

It's finally here, the start of Scout Week 2010.  Saturday morning I was in Sycamore District helping with the Tiger Time event.  This is a great activity just for Tigers and their adult partners.  They have a variety of activities and a picnic lunch.  I enjoy this one a lot, this is the 12th year I've helped with the activity.

After Tiger Time I made my way to Machnesy Park for the lighting of the Wanchanagi District Continuous Fire.  The fire is a tradition in the area being lit the Saturday at the beginning of Scout Week and burning until the Saturday at the end of Scout Week.  All the local troops take turns maintaining the fire.

On Scout Sunday I attended the awards ceremony in Rockford for the Catholic scouts that had earned their religious award.  It was held at The Cathedral of St. Peter and presided over by Bishop Doran.

Venturer Climbing

Last weekend the Sycamore District Venturers went climbing at the North Wall in Crystal Lake.

Klondike Derbies and other things

We'll we are certainly roaring into our anniversary year with a lot of activity.  Last weekend there were three Klondike Derbies.  I made it to two of them, sorry Wetass District, only so much time in a day.

Saturday started at the Sycamore Klondike Derby held at Camp Lokata.  The had a huge turn out.  Congratulations to the Lumpp brothers for organizing the event.

Here is the Hawiian contingent.

Congratulation to the French Chickens, winners of the 2010 competition.

The next stop was the White Eagle District Klondike at Camp Lowden.  I caught up with them a lunch time.  They had a full house in the dinning hall.

The last stop of the day was to help work on some final touches at the Boeger Leadership Lodge which ended up carrying on into Sunday.  A group of volunteers put up insulation and shelving in the storage room.  Thank you to Dave and Cindy Savone, Mike and Julie Condon, and Steve James.  The shelving came from the Central Region offices as they close for relocation to the National Office.  Thanks to Dave Savone and Steve James we also got a small snow blower for the sidewalk and a couple of nice carts.

Wetassa Camporee, Boeger Lodge, Eagle Project

Its always something. Last week the power supply on my computer went out and of course an exact match was not available so I had to adapt what they had and finally got back on line this week.

So back to a couple of weeks ago, we had our monthly Anniversary steering committee meeting on Oct. 17. Things are coming along and we should have some very exciting events for the council next year.

The afternoon was spent helping Riley, one of my Life scouts, work on his Eagle project for Troop 152. The project was clearing brush/undergrowth from the forested area between the church and school. We worked until dark and then he had additional help finish up the following day. Now I just need the workbook completed.

Sunday I got an early start as I was determined to finish the chandeliers for the Boeger Leadership Lodge and deliver them to camp. Mary and I made it out to camp before dark and dropped off the chandeliers and a few remaining lights needed for the interior.

Hand crafted partitions were installed in the bathrooms. They really look sharp.

Wednesday that week was the Distinguished Citizens Luncheon in Rockford where we presented the Champion of Youth award to Gordon Eggers, Crusader Community Health Clinic, and Diane Stout, Executive Director of Circles of Learning. Both are very deserving recipients for their support of youth in our community.

October 24 was an early day with a trip to Canyon Camp to visit with the scouts from Wetassa District at their camporee. I missed the activities as they were starting after lunch so their scouts could participate in the merit badge midway being conducted in Arrowhead. They looked to have some pretty neat activities. I'd like to see some pictures. One event was a stretcher obstacle course that looked like it would be a lot of fun.

Since the activities were held later, several of us took a hike up the hill and around the campsite area to check out the terrain. We found one of the geocaches that Mike Condon put out last summer. I'm not sure if finding it by accident counts?

The next stop was the Boeger Leadership Lodge to drop off mattress covers and check out the electricians work installing the chandeliers. The electrician did a good job but there were a couple of places I wanted to touch up.

That would have to wait because I was already behind and wanted to stop at my troop's annual Webelos campout. It's a great one because the food is fantastic with several turkeys and hams on the menu. Unfortunately I couldn't stay because I had to make it to Penny's to pick up a large bedding order for the Boeger Leadership Lodge.

So Sunday was a trip back out to the Boeger Leadership Lodge to drop off a car load of bedding and do the touch up on the chandeliers. The painters were there and had painted the chimney.