May 16 & 17 Scout Activities

This weekend started with a meeting of the 100th Anniversary Steering Committee at the service center. While there is a lot of planning left to do things seem to be coming together. Next was a visit with Jim Boeger who seems to be doing as well as can be expected. He was in good spirits and gave me one of his new books "Trains & a Camera". It has pictures of trains framed in some of the best scenery from across the country.

Then it was off to Camp Lowden where a lot was going on this weekend. My first stop was to check on the status of the Boeger Leadership Lodge. The upstairs interior has had a lot of work done since I was there last. Below is a picture of the fireplace.

After that it was a stop at the Main Lodge where I ran into Bill Brosch and his team putting on BALOO and Webelos Leader Outdoor Training.

At the same time Geoff Heberlein and his staff from Wanchanagi were putting on an Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills course. Below is a rare picture Ramona and Carl taking a break.

NYLT was also out at camp for their last staff development before the course starts.

The main reason for being at camp this weekend was to present Wood Badge beads to two of my participants from C-23-07. Brent Pierson and Evan Michel are very active with NYLT and asked to have their beads presented during their final staff development.

That was all for Saturday, but on Sunday there was an Eagle project being started by one of the scouts of Troop 152 who is helping to do some renovations for a local animal shelter. This was just the first of several phases of his project.

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.

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.

Another Busy Weekend

Saturday was an early trip to Camp Lowden with Dave Savone, Ed Allen, and Dan Banko to help cut and move trees that were taken down last fall. They are now in the way of the construction of the Boeger Leadership Lodge. Fortunately for us the NYLT staff had some time and helped out. We were able to get most of the wood moved and the rest is staged where Dave can get at it with his loader.

Later that day we spent several hours hiking through camp looking for the southern boarder. We got well back into camp but I'm not sure we made it all the way. The rest will have to wait for another weekend, hopefully before all the buckthron blossoms this spring. Below are some shots of the area.

Sunday I was at the Sycamore District Venture Bowling Tournament which included two regular games and a third goofy game. There were twelve teams this year with one coming from out of council. The crew from Marengo won the title and the traveling trophy. Fareen Parkitney did a great job of putting on the event.

Boeger Leadership Lodge Progress

The construction of the Boeger Leadership Lodge progresses a step at a time. Earlier in the week the footing was framed (first picture) and poured. Today the construction crew was out framing the lower level walls (second picture). The cement truck should be out first thing in the morning to pour the walls.

Boeger Leadership Lodge Construction

I was at Camp Lowden this morning with Dave Savone to check on the progress on excavation. Because of the colder weather we were able to get permission to get the equipment back into camp and start digging. The excavator brought in his hammer tool to help break up the sandstone. It is expected that the digging will take a couple of days to finish. Then they can start on the footing. I uploaded the video to the Boeger Leadership Center blog.

Leadership Breakfast and more

On Monday I attended the Leadership Breakfast in Rockford which was sponsored by Ranger District and organized by Jef Heckinger. It was a unique breakfast as we had a video link to live coverage of the Continuous Fire. Our MC for the breakfast, Executive Committee Member Jon Krause, was connect live via video link with Executive Committee Member Dr. Kris Tumilowicz who provided remote commentary during breakfast. Even thought it was breakfast we had desert consisting of cobbler that was brought over hot from the continuous fire, thanks to Troop 181. The breakfast was a success in raising some much needed funds for the council.

Following breakfast I spent the morning in Rockford meeting with a couple of our Board Members. One was Jim Boeger, the benefactor of the leadership lodge we are constructing at Camp Lowden. Jim looked good and was headed out for the afternoon. I ended up spending the rest of the morning in the Service Center, buying more needed Scout Stuff.

I ran home to change into my uniform and was back out to Rockford, actually Cherry Valley, to attend Troop 181's Court of Honor. I was there to present Wood Badge Beads to Phil Reece, a member of the Bobwhite Patrol of course C-23-07, and new staff member for the upcoming C-54-09 course. If you ever need an example of a well run troop, stop out and see Terry Nichols at Troop 181.

Camp Lowden - Nov. 26

My son Jason and I were at Camp Lowden on Wednesday to continue cutting the trees that were removed for the Boeger Leadership Lodge. There is still more work to be done if anyone has time to put in.