Adventure Base 100 & Canyon Camp Work Day

Another busy weekend last week.  It started with a bus ride into Chicago to support the Adventure Base 100 stop at Douglas Park.  Steve James helped organize the Blackhawk Area Council contingent.  We received compliments from the Chicago Area Council staff both the number of volunteers and how we handled things.  I received an email that showed the Chicago stop had the second highest turnout behind only the Pasedena Rose Parade stop over New Years.  There was just shy of 13k visitors.  Great job by everyone involved.

As it turns out the requirements for another new merit badge, Scouting Heritage, were just released and a visit to Adventure Base 100 meets one of the requirements.  So those Boy Scouts that came out to visit or help have a start on earning that merit badge.

Last weekend was also the Canyon Camp work day sponsored by the Monroe Kiwanis.  I was out on Sunday and helped finish up the new tent platforms that were started on Saturday.  They had over 50 people out on Saturday and got a lot of work done.

This weekend is also a busy weekend with the Camp Properties Workshop, BALOO & WLOT training sessions, Jamboree Shakedown, and the Wood Badge Reunion Dinner.  I hope to see some of you around.

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.

October 12, 2009

Wow, I can't believe it has been three weeks since I last updated the blog. I've been so busy getting the chandeliers done for the Boeger Leadership Lodge in my spare time its taken away from my updates. Anyway here's some of the latest.

Work continues on the Boeger Leadership Lodge with the tile and wood floors being completed.

The kitchen equipment was installed last week.

And the lights are progressing.

Which is good because we are now generating power with our solar cells.

I was out at Canyon Camp to visit with representatives from the Natural Land Institute and the DNR about the Wiley property that the NLI recently acquired. We took a tour of Canyon Camp as a part of the meeting.

The weekend before last was the Sycamore District Camporee. It was a different event in that most of the competition was held at night with activities like the rifle and archery ranges and climbing wall were open during the day. Congratulations to Troop 152 who won the competition and Troop 456 that won the spirit award.

Last weekend was a trip to Kansas City with Dave Savone, Dan Banko, and Mike Condon to the Wood Badge Course Directors Conference. I was asked by Dave to help staff the course.

Somewhere in there was a day in the kitchen for the second weekend of the Wood Badge course.

Upcoming Events

Next weekend, September 11-13, is a busy weekend. We have a lot of different activities going on to start the fall season. If you are interested in any of these it is not to late to register.

Religious Retreat is Fri-Sun at Camp Lowden
Canyon Camp Alumni & Friends are gathering at Canyon Camp Fri & Sat
McHenry Co. Sporting Clays is Saturday at the Richmond Hunt Club
Sycamore Extreme Pinewood Derby is Sunday at Buss Ford in McHenry

Venturing Summer Camp & OA Conclave

Last week I mentioned being at Venturing Summer Camp and writing about that. I got some pictures to use from the Unti’s. The summer camp is held at Canyon Camp and is designed specifically for Venturers and older Boy Scouts. The camp is open for many of the normal camp activities like swimming, crafts, and shooting sports (including the new paint ball range) but also has activities geared toward being able to complete the Venturing Bronze award (e.g. First Aid, Leave No Trace, and Land Navigation requirements). There are also opportunities to go canoeing on the Mississippi, taking a day long bike ride, and a hike/float through the Apple Canyon River. The Venturers all had a great time. My thanks to Crews 957 and 159 for allowing my crew to join with them for the week.

Caving
Volleyball with homemade net.

Founders Hike through Apple River

Canoe trip.

Several staffers foolishly tried to capture the Zip Zip Bird and paid the price.

Canyon Camp presents an award to a unit based upon participation and enthusiasm. This year the award went to Crew 957.


This weekend was the Order of the Arrow Conclave for Wulapeju Lodge and was held at Canyon Camp. For those of you not yet familiar with the OA, it is a society of honor campers elected by their units after fulfilling certain requirements. The new candidates go through and “Ordeal” following which they become Ordeal Members. This takes Friday night and most of Saturday to complete. The rest of the members work on service projects to benefit the camp in the morning and in the afternoon have different instructional sessions and some free time to go swimming or play kickball. Other OA members work to become Brotherhood members by going through a process to learn about the traditions of the Order of the Arrow. Brotherhood members are eligible to be nominated for the Vigil Honor. It was my great honor to be nominated this year and I spent Friday night doing my Vigil along with the other nominees including Don Reiss, Rick Rhoads, and our Lodge Chief Dan Dick. At dinner Saturday we were presented with our certificates which contain our new Indian names. I was given the name Amendchewagan Milcemosswagon which means Solid Minded Worker.

OA members at the Saturday evening flag ceremony.

Free time kickball.

Providing cheerful service to the camp.

Father Mac conducts mass.

August 6, 2009

We had a McHenry County Distinguished Citizens Dinner planning meeting in the morning. The dinner is really shaping up to be another great event this November.

Then it was out to Camp Lowden to help with the storage closets in the maintenance building. Rick Rhoads started by adding a couple of closets for NYLT and Wood Badge storage. Dave Savone and others framed three additional closet spaces to finish out the side. Two will be for summer camp storage. On Thursday Dave Savone, Don Reis, Steve James, and Jim Zeigler were adding the roof portion so there can be additional storage on top for larger items.

As things were going pretty well, Dave added a new rack for the paddles and oars since the old one was about to fall apart.

After finishing the work for the day Dave and I stopped at the Boeger Leadership Lodge. Wow, what a difference a few days makes. With the stain on the outside and the area being graded it really looked great.

Then it was off to Canyon Camp to be with my Crew for the last couple of days of the Venturing Summer Camp. More tomorrow on that.

Spirit Pavilion Dedication

Today I made a trip out to Canyon Camp for the Spirit Pavilion dedication. While out there I ran into a lot of individuals who were at camp for the dedication. Some, like Rich Tobin, were there because there units were at summer camp this week. Unfortunately for Rich he broke his leg on Monday night when the campers were moved to the dining call during a storm. I think he was just looking for a way to stay in the health lodger and avoid the hike up to his camp site. I also met Tim Conway, no not the comedian, who was visiting his son who was on staff for the third year. I found out that Tim had attend Canyon Camp as a youth as did his father. The more people I meet out at camp the more I run across where multiple generations have called Canyon Camp home during the summer. I had dinner with the McFarland's who had recently returned from Scotland and came to the dedication before returning home to Wisconsin (near St. Paul). Another attendee was the daughter of Dr. Gillies. Apparently there is quite a connection between Jean Wurtzel and the Gillies family that Jean filled me in on at dinner.

Unfortunately there were a couple of people who were not able to attend. John Wurtzel was away at summer camp with his troop. John was a key driver in getting the constrution done on the Spirit Pavilion having worked on it almost every weekend this past spring. Fortunately Jean was able to attend. Ron Spielman was also unable to attend due to the passing of his father.

The dedication ceremony put on by Dick Reynolds and Lee Binkley was one of special remembrance. While the pavilion was funded primarily by donations given in honor of scouters who have passed on, the name Spirit is a tribute to those scouters as well as the vast group of other scouters who contribute to the on going spirit of Canyon Camp.

Canyon Camp, May 20, 2009

I was out at Canyon Camp on Saturday to help John Wurtzel with the new Staff Cabin before campers show up on Sunday. Jean Wurtzel made dinner including the best homemade applesauce.

Canyon Camp Visit

This afternoon I was invited out to Canyon Camp to have dinner with the incoming summer camp staff. Each year Dick Reynolds and Lee Binkley start the summer off with a pot luck dinner for the staff and their families. It's a great way for the staff to meet and let their families know they are in good hands for the summer. I also took a tour to see the new construction at Canyon Camp. A new staff cabin was added since last summer. There is a little more to do (staining the exterior) but it is usable and the senior staffers that were moving in seemed pleased with their new home. The other addition is the Spirit Pavilion. John Wurtzel has been putting in a lot of time getting this finished. There is just a little trim to be added and finishing touches on the electric which should be done this week. The staining may have to be done during the summer.

Summer Camps 2009

The start of our summer season is right around the corner with our Boy Scout summer camps starting in less than a month. We have summer camps for all of our programs and it's not too late to register. If your son is unable to attend with his regular unit we can often accommodate individual scouts by teaming them up with other units for the week. If your son would like to attend a second week of camp we can also accommodate that. Check with the council office if you have questions. Below is a list of summer camp.

Cub Scouts:
Wolf/Bear at Camp Lowden August 1-2
Wolf/Bear at Canyon Camp August 8-9
Webelos at Camp Lowden August 7-9

Boy Scouts:
Six weeks at Canyon Camp starting June 21.
Four weeks at Camp Lowden starting June 28.

Venturing:
Canyon Camp August 2-8

A Lot of Scouting over the Weekend

This past weekend was another busy scouting weekend. It actually started on Thursday evening with at trip to Galena to present Sandra Shultz, a member to the Buffalo Patrol, with her Wood Badge. The presentation was at the Troop 95 Court of Honor which appeared to be very busy with a lot of merit badges and one new Eagle Scout. Several staff and members of Sandra's patrol were present for the ceremony.

Then it was off to the second weekend of Powder Horn. We started early Friday morning in Crystal Lake where a number of sessions were scheduled including time at the climbing wall and sailing at Crystal Lake. The evening was a session on Emergency Preparedness in between the pig roast and the Hawaiian dancers.

Saturday was an early start to get the Powder Horn participants fed and then off to the 34th Annual Kiwanis Work Day at Canyon Camp. I got to help out John Wurtzel for a few hours with the new pavilion and have lunch provided with the Monroe Kiwanis. Then it was off to Camp Lowden to get dinner ready for the Powder Horn staff so they could eat before the evening entertainment that included a birthday party and "Rock Band" competition.

Sunday was more meal preparation while the Powder Horn participants had a canoe trip and horse back riding. The day finished with a closing ceremony to recognize the participants for having earned their Powder Horn recognition. Mike Condon was the course director and he and his staff did a great job putting the course. Every participant should be able to take the information back to their home crews and start exploring ways to put the information to use.

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

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