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.

Council Recognition Dinner

On March 8th we held the annual Blackhawk Area Council Recognition Dinner. The dinner is open to anyone in the council and is held in honor of our 2008 Eagle Scouts and Silver Beaver recipients.

Eagle Scout Class of 2008

2009 Silver Beavers

ScoutReach, Sycamore, and Wanchanagi were recognized as Quality Districts and Blackhawk Area Council was recognized as a Quality Council.

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.

Wanchanagi Continuous Fire

Saturday evening I stopped by the Continuous Fire. For those of you outside Wanchanagi, the Continuous Fire is a district tradition where a fire is built that burns throughout scouting's anniversary week - the week that includes February 8th. This year the fire was lit Saturday, Feb. 7th. For the next week, 24 hours a day, troops in Wanchanagi will take eight hour shifts caring for the fire until it is extinghished next Saturday at 5:00pm. If you get a chance, stop and have hot chocolate with oru scouts who will be braving the elements over the next week. They are at the Harlem United Methodist Church, 8411 North Alpine in Machesney Park (just north of Rockford).

For more information on the Continuous Fire check out the Wanchanagi District Web Site {here}.

Arrowhead & Wanchanagi Fireside Chats

This week we held our annual Fireside Chats at the Arrowhead and Wanchanagi Roundtables. I want to thank the District Commissioners, Nichole Mezera and Jerry Coots, for allowing time at their Roundtables. I'd also like to thank all of the scouters who attended and participated in helping to improve our council.

The Fireside Chats are an opportunity for the district scouters to discuss issues with council representatives and to make suggestions. Each year we compile all of the suggestions we receive and supply those to the appropriate council group for consideration. A number of new activities, programs, or process changes are adopted each year as a result of the input we receive at these chats.