Scouting in Illinois
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Scouting in Illinois has a long and rich tradition, from the 1910s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live. Illinois is the homestate of the BSA founder, W.D. Boyce.
[edit] Early history (1910-1950)
In 1946, the National Order of the Arrow Lodge Meeting was held at Chanute Field.
[edit] Recent history (1950-1990)
The 1963 and 1971 National Order of the Arrow Conferences were held at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
[edit] Scouting in Illinois today
There are twenty-two Boy Scouts of America local councils in Illinois. In addition, the headquarters for the Central Region of the BSA is in Naperville, Illinois.
[edit] Abraham Lincoln Council
Abraham Lincoln Council is headquartered in Springfield, Illinois and serves central Illinois. It operates Camp Bunn in Hettick, Illinois, Camp Illinek in Springfield, Illinois, and is served by Illinek Lodge #132.Abraham Lincoln Council
- Honest Abe District
- Lincoln Home District
- Log Cabin/Railsplitter District
[edit] Blackhawk Area Council
Blackhawk Area Council is headquartered in Rockford, Illinois and serves southwestern Wisconsin and northwestern Illinois. It runs Canyon Camp, located between Stockton and Apple River, Illinois, as well as Camp Lowden near Oregon, Illinois, and is served by Wulapeju Lodge #140. The Council was formed by the merging of the U.S. Grant Council in the west and Blackhawk Council in the east portion of what is now the Blackhawk Area Council. Formerly, the two councils each had one camp. The council also owns a cabin in Mount Carroll, Illinois. The word Wulapeju (one spirit) refers to the merger of the Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak (Chief Blackhawk's name) Lodge and Wetassa Lodge #227 as part of the council merger. Some older members of the former Wetassa Lodge still proudly wear their pre-1973 raccoon Wetassa Lodge flap on their uniforms.Blackhawk Area Council
- Arrowhead District
- Sycamore District
- Wanchanagi District
- Wetassa District
- White Eagle District
[edit] Buffalo Trace Council
Buffalo Trace Council is a Boy Scout council based in Evansville, Indiana that serves southwestern Indiana and southeastern Illinois. Its affiliated Order of the Arrow lodge is Kiondaga Lodge.Buffalo Trace Council
[edit] Calumet Council
Calumet Council is headquartered in Munster, Indiana and serves Scouts in Indiana and Illinois.Calumet Council
Serving the youth of the 54 communities comprising the south suburbs of Chicago and Northwest Indiana since 1917, the Calumet Council is the local entity of the Boy Scouts of America and Learning for Life Programs.
Calumet Council was formed in 1966, and was the result of a merger of the Pokagon Trails Council in Hammond, Indiana and the Sauk Trails Council in Gary, Indiana. In 1971 the Twin City Council in East Chicago, Indiana joined to make up the current structure. Camp Frank H. Betz, located in Berrien Springs, MI (USA) is operated by the Calumet Council. 'Betz' has served Scouts in the South Suburbs of Chicago and Northwest Indiana since 1922.
In 2006, over 13,000 young men and women were active members of the Scouting program in the Calumet Council. Over 4,100 adult volunteers, supported by a small staff, provide a top quality "values based" program, with an emphasis on outdoor programs and life skills.
Due to the unique demographics of the Calumet Council, a special program designed to serve the hardest to reach “at risk” youth, called Scoutreach, is used in lower income communities. In 2006, sixty six Scoutreach Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops and Venture Crews were active in nine different communities with over 2,600 members.
The Eagle Scout Award, the highest award a boy can earn in Scouting, was presented to 65 young men in 2006. These newest Eagles totaled over 3,000 combined service hours in the 65 different community service projects which they carried out as part of the Eagle Scout requirement.
The Council operates four districts: Crossroads, Nishnabec, Prairie Dunes, and Thunderbird. These service areas were formed in 2005 as a result of a restructuring to utilize volunteer resources better.
The Order of the Arrow is Scouting’s National Honor Society. The council's chapter is Michigamea Order of the Arrow Lodge number 110. It is youth-run and advised by adult volunteers. Michigamea lodge has over 600 active members. In 2007, the Lodge received The National Service Award for their work on the new Frank H. Betz firebowl. This annual award is only presented to eight lodges nationally.
The Council Executive board is made up of 45 local business and community leaders who guide to the year-round operation of the Council. The Council Key III is made up of President James K. Larson, Council Commissioner Albin Sporny III and Scout Executive Michael Creagh.
[edit] Chicago Area Council
Chicago Area Council disoperates Owasippe Scout Reservation in Michigan. It is served by Owasippe Lodge #7.Chicago Area Council
The Bass Lake lone troop Scout camp was part of the Owasippe Scout Reservation operated by the Chicago Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The Bass Lake camp was a single camp on a small (approximately 600 feet wide) lake in the Owasippe reservation. A single troop would take over the entire camp, usually for a two week period, preparing all their own food and overseeing all aspects of the camp life. Active in the 1950s and 1960s, Bass Lake camp is no longer in use.
- Arrowhead District
- Fort Dearborn District
- Greater Southside District
- Indian Trails District
- Iroquois District
- River Trails District
- Western Trails District
[edit] Des Plaines Valley Council
Des Plaines Valley Council is headquartered in La Grange, Illinois. It was formed through the merger of West Suburban Council and Thatcher Woods Council in 1993. The council operates Camp Shin-Go-Beek near Waupaca, Wisconsin and Camp Mach-Kin-O-Siew near Rhinelander, Wisconsin. The council operates The BSA Adventure Camp in Rochelle, Illinois in a joint venture with Three Fires Council. The council sold Camp Tomo-Chi-Chi-Knolls in Huntley, Illinois to the Kane County Forest Preserve District as of January 1, 2007. Des Plaines Valley Council is served by Pachsegink Lodge #246.Des Plaines Valley Council
- Tall Grass District
- Twin Lakes District
- Voyageur Trace District
[edit] Glacier's Edge Council
Sinnissippi Council served Scouts in Wisconsin and Illinois, before it merged with Four Lakes Council. It is now called Glacier's Edge Council and is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin.Glacier's Edge Council[citation needed]
[edit] Greater Saint Louis Area Council
The Greater Saint Louis Area Council is based in Saint Louis, Missouri, and serves Scouts in the Saint Louis Metro area, southeast Missouri, and southern Illinois. The three southeast Missouri districts comprised the former Southeast Missouri Council (1936-1993) The two southern Illinois districts, Egyptian and Kaskaskia, comprised the former Egyptian Council (1941-1994).Greater Saint Louis Area Council
[edit] Illowa Council
Illowa Council serves Scouts in western Illinois and eastern Iowa in the Quad Cities area.Illowa Council
- Chief Blackhawk District
- Hoover District
- Kittan District
- Medicine Lodge District
- Mesquakie District
- Saukenuk District
- Sha-Bo-Na District
[edit] Lincoln Trails Council
Lincoln Trails Council has its headquarters in Decatur, Illinois, and is served by Woapink Lodge #167.Lincoln Trails Council
- Railsplitter District
- Two Rivers District
- Redhawk District
In 2007, Lincoln Trails Council ran a Scoutreach program in inner city areas[1]. Boys are offered constructive, fun activities and learn about Scouting. This can keep the boys from wandering the streets unsupervised and getting into trouble.
[edit] Mississippi Valley Council
Mississippi Valley Council is headquartered in Quincy, Illinois, and is served by Black Hawk Lodge #67. This council serves Scouts in Illinois, Missouri and Iowa.Mississippi Valley Council
- Cherokee District
- Fox District
- River Valley District
- Shoquoquon District
[edit] Northeast Illinois Council
Northeast Illinois Council has its headquarters in Highland Park, Illinois. It runs Camp Sol R. Crown in Wilmot, Wisconsin, Camp Oakarro near Wadsworth, Illinois, Camp Dan Beard in Northbrook, Illinois and Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation near Antigo, Wisconsin. The council is served by Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Lodge #40. Northeast Illinois Council
Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation is a Boy Scouts of America property located in Northern Wisconsin and serves the Scouts of the Northeast Illinois Council based in Highland Park, Illinois. Originally a logging camp, the Scouts purchased the land and first had campers in 1929. The camp is 1,560 acres (6 km²) in size.
North East Illinois Council is composed of three districts:
- Aptakisic District
- North Star District
- Potawatomi District
Current Camp Information [www.neic.org] Historical information on Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation [1] Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Lodge 40's Website is [2]
[edit] Northwest Suburban Council
Northwest Suburban Council is headquartered in Mount Prospect, Illinois. It operates Camp Lakota outside Woodstock, Illinois and Camp Napowan near Wild Rose, Wisconsin. Northwest Suburban Council is served by Lakota Lodge #175.Northwest Suburban Council
The Key Three for 2008 is composed of Council President Jim Tierney along with Council Commissioner Rick Romani, and Scout Executive Stephen J. Taylor, CFRE.
The Northwest Suburban National Scout Shop is located within the NWSC Volunteer Service Center located at 600 N. Wheeling Road in Mount Prospect, IL.
In 2006, the Northwest Suburban Council earned the National Quality Council Award, two BSA National President's Awards for Marketing Excellence, three of its six districts earned the National Quality District Award, the Council was recognized as a National Learning for Life Council of Distinction, earned the Central Region Scoutreach Award, and earned the National Endowment Achievement Award.
In 2007, the Northwest Suburban Council has 15,669 Total Youth Members and over 4,200 Adult Volunteer Leaders in 341 Total Units. It met nine of the ten criteria for the new Centennial Quality Council Award with two districts earning the new Centennial Quality District Award. The Council also earned the National Endowment Achievement Award and for the fifth year, the Central Region Scoutreach Award. The council met all three criteria for the new Financially Sustainable Council Award at mid-year along with Above and Beyond recognition and Chief Scout Executive's Winners Circle. Youth Retention was in eighth place in the Central Region for 2007 combined with first place wins in 2005 and 2006.
The Northwest Suburban Council has an ongoing Capital and Endowment Development Campaign. So far over $2.2 Million has been pledged to the effort by nearly 300 donors. New rowboats, shooting sports equipment, and lighting at Camp Napowan have already been acquired as a result of the campaign. Major building refurbishments have also been accomplished at Camp Lakota. Funding has also been provided for expanded program support of Scoutreach and Learning for Life. The new pool and cabin at Camp Lakota are currently being constructed. A new poolhouse for Lakota and a new dining pavilion at Napowan are next in the construction sequence.
In 2006, the Northwest Suburban Council served as host to the BSA National Endowment Art Tour, the Biennial Meeting of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, and the Annual Meeting of the National Jewish Committee on Scouting.
Lakota Lodge #175 is the local Order of the Arrow Lodge of the Northwest Suburban Council with Richie Ferolo being the current Lodge Chief. Lakota Lodge's website is [www.lakotalodge.org] operated by Joey Bracco, Vigil Honor Member and Eagle Scout which is updated daily to keep members up to date with everything going on in the lodge.
Past Lakota Lodge Chief Don Hough was elected as Order of the Arrow Section Chief and also Central Region Chief. Scott Paczosa was elected as Section Chief to replace Don Hough.
The council's service area includes 34 communities in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with Skokie as the eastern border, Barrington on the west, Lake Zurich on the north, and O'Hare International Airport on the south with the council territory remaining unchanged since its founding in 1926. The population served by Northwest Suburban Council is quite diverse, as it is composed of 15% Latino/Hispanic, 8% Asian, 3% Eastern European, 1% African-American, and 73% Caucasian.
The council newsletter recently changed its name to "The Drum Beat" when it went electronic and is now available on-line. The council's website is located at www.nwsc.org.
The council's annual operating budget is just under $2 Million annually with $450,000 being raised through its Friends of Scouting Annual Giving Campaign. Popcorn sales net income for the council account for approximately $400,000 in annual income. Camping/activity revenue account for another $650,000 in income. Scout Shop sales are approximately $50,000 net annually. Special events such as the Golf Outing, Distinguished Citizen Banquet, and Sports Events account for another $125,000. United Way income totals approximately $85,000 annually. Project Sales total $20,000. Interest Income from the Endowment is approximately $50,000. The council conducts an independent annual audit through Robert Hofmeier, CPA of Gurnee, Illinois which is reviewed by a volunteer Council Audit Committee, and approved by the Council Executive Board. For 2007, the council earned an "unqualified" or "clean" audit opinion.
Its local districts are:
- Blackhawk District
- North Woods District
- Pathfinder District
- Signal Hill District
- Aguila/Scoutreach District
- Learning for Life
[edit] Okaw Valley Council
Okaw Valley Council is headquartered in Belleville, Illinois, and is served by Taleka Lodge 81 http://www.taleka81.org. The Okaw Valley Council owns two camps: Camp Vandeventer in Waterloo and Cap Joy in Carlyle. There are five districts in the okaw vally council which are the Illini District, Black Gold District, Crooked Creek District, Kaskaskia District and St. Clair District.Okaw Valley Council
[edit] Taleka Lodge
Taleka Lodge is one of many lodges in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) program known as the Order of the Arrow (OA). Taleka Lodge 81 is based in the Okaw Valley Council of south-western Illinois, with their council headquarters located in Belleville (approximately 13 miles (21 km) east of St. Louis, Missouri). Ceremonies, service, and activities take place at both Camp Joy and Camp Vandeventer of the council.
History
Today's Taleka Lodge 81 is the result of the merger of two lodges in the late 1960s. Mannaseh Lodge 81 and Cascasquia Lodge 115 were joined together as one lodge in [1966].
The name Taleka comes from the Lenni Lenape language and means 'great white egret.' The totem or symbol of Taleka Lodge is the Egret.
Taleka Lodge 81 is one of six other lodges that make up Section C5C. A section is a grouping that is smaller than a Regional level, but larger than one single council/lodge.
Activities
Every year, Taleka Lodge hosts several events aimed at promoting brotherhood and service. Weekend camping events include the Fall Fellowship held in late August, and the Spring Fellowship held in mid-April. The second weekend in January is the annual Winter Banquet, a social dinner and silent auction.
At the council summer camp each summer, the lodge provides a Brotherhood class in which members fulfilling requirements can seal their membership within the lodge. Also at the camp, the lodge ceremonies team conducts the 'call out' to symbolicly recognize new candidates into the lodge.
Membership
Currently, Taleka Lodge holds an approximate 400 registered members. This number is an increase from many previous years of around 300 members.
As with the normal Council members of the BSA, the OA members are divided into small groups known as Chapters. There are 4 separate chapters corresponding to the districts within the council.
Leadership
Taleka Lodge's leadership comes in several forms. First, the general membership votes annually on certain matters as well as electing the lodge officers.
Lodge officers are the Lodge Chief, Lodge Vice-Chief of Program (VCP), Lodge Vice-Chief of Administration (VCA), Lodge Secretary, and Lodge Treasurer. Each of these positions is fulfilled by a Youth (under the age of 21) member of the lodge. Other positions of leadership include Chapter Chief and Committee Chairman. The lodge officers, chapter chiefs, and committee chairman all sit upon the Lodge Executive Committee (LEC). The LEC is the presiding body over the lodge and its operation.
In guidance of all the youth leadership, several adult members of the lodge are attached to the positions. These positions are known as Advisors. With the exception of the Lodge Chief each position has one advisor appointed to it. The Lodge Chief is guided by the Lodge Advisor and the Lodge Staff Advisor. The Lodge Staff Advisor is a professional scouter employed by the council. The Lodge Advisor, Staff Advisor, and Lodge Chief make up the 'Key 3' of the lodge. This is the topmost leadership of the lodge.
[edit] Prairielands Council
Prairielands Council (previously "Illiana Council") was formed in 1991 by the merger of Arrowhead Council and Piankashaw Council. The council serves Scouts in east central Illinois and western Indiana. The main headquarters is located in Champaign, Illinois and has an auxiliary office located in Danville, Illinois.Prairielands Council
[edit] Properties
Prairielands Council currently owns and operates Camp Robert Drake located near Oakwood, Illinois (but addressed in Fairmount, Illinois). The council used to own Camp Cherokee Hills (the former summer camp of the Piankashaw Council), located east of Georgetown, Illinois. This land was sold in 1996 to the State of Illinois to be an addition to the Harry "Babe" Woodyard State Natural Area.
[edit] Council-Level Youth Programs
Illini Lodge #55, formed by the merger of Waukehon Lodge #55 (Piankashaw Council) and Illini Lodge #92 (Arrowhead Council) in 1994, is the council's Order of the Arrow lodge. There is also an active Venturing Officer Association in the council known as the Council Venturing Association.
[edit] Districts
The council is divided into three districts:
- Prairie Fire District
- Indian Trails District
- Many Streams District
[edit] Rainbow Council
Rainbow Council is headquartered in Morris, Illinois. It operates Rainbow Scout Reservation near Paytonville, Illinois and Camp Theakiki near Kankakee, Illinois. Rainbow Council is served by Waupecan Lodge #197.Rainbow Council
- Greater Five Rivers District
- Kankakee District
- Tomahawk District
[edit] Shawnee Trails Council
Shawnee Trails Council serves Scouts in Kentucky, Illinois, and Tennessee.Shawnee Trails Council
[edit] Three Fires Council
Three Fires Council formed from the merger of Two Rivers Council and DuPage Area Council (named for Dupage County); it was briefly called "Two Rivers-DuPage Area Council" in the interim. Its council service center is located in St. Charles, Illinois. Three Fires operates Camp Big Timber near Elgin, Illinois and Camp Freeland Leslie near Oxford, Wisconsin. It operates The BSA Adventure Camp (previously known as the Three Fires Council Ranch) jointly with Des Plaines Valley Council near Rochelle, Illinois. It is served by Lowaneu Allanque Lodge 41.Three Fires Council
- Chanonee District 6
- Chippewa District 12
- Fox Valley District 5
- Foxfire District 8
- Indian Prairie District 9
- Kishwaukee District 1
- Maramech Hill District 4
- Northern Trail District 3
- Potawatomi Trails District 7
- Shabbona District 2
- Thunderbird District 10
- Learning For Life District 11
- Camp Freeland Leslie
[edit] Trails West Council
Trails West Council is headquartered in Wood River, Illinois, and is served by Kishkakon Lodge #32.Trails West Council
- Cahokia Mound District
- Piasa Bird District
[edit] W.D. Boyce Council
Formerly the Starved Rock Area Council, Corn Belt Council and the Creve Coeur Council, W.D. Boyce Council was created by merger and renamed in 1972 in honor of the founder of the BSA, whose grave lies within the grounds of the Ottawa Scouting Museum in Ottawa, Illinois. Its headquarters is in Peoria, Illinois. The council runs Ingersoll Scout Reservation west of Peoria and Cache Lake Scout Camp in Ontario, Canada. W.D. Boyce Council is served by Wenasa Quenhotan Lodge #23.W.D. Boyce Council
Camp Ki-Shau-Wau is a former Boy Scout camp owned by the Starved Rock Area Council (and later by the W.D. Boyce Council after the merger in 1972) located one mile east of Lowell, Illinois along the Vermillion river. The last summer camp program was held in 1976. The camp opened in the 1920s and was sold in 1989. The site is a private retreat today where cabins can be rented. In the movie "Fracture", Ryan Gosling's character can be seen wearing a Camp Ki-Shau-Wau Staff shirt in one scene.
Camp Heffernan is a former Boy Scout camp owned by the Corn Belt Council. It is located south of Normal, Illinois.
Camp Wokanda is a former Boy Scout camp located just north of the city of Peoria, Illinois. The grounds are set on the edge of the Illinois River Valley and are bordered by Mossville Road, Mossville proper (and the natural gas pipeline) Colony Point and Deerbrook Subdivisions, and Cedar Hills Road.
The Boy Scouts sold the property to the Peoria Park District in the 1990s and built a new camp farther north of the city. The Park District rents out the main meeting house for parties and created a few new trails that cross from the Camp over to Robinson Park, which abuts the campgrounds.
- Crossroads District
- Heartland District
- Lowenau District
- Wotomalo District
[edit] Girl Scouting in Illinois
There are 18 Girl Scout council offices in Illinois but during the current realignment the numbers will drop.
[edit] Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana
Will be formed by the merger of several Girl Scout councils in the Fall of 2007.
Web Site: http://www.gsmetrochicago.org/index2.html
Girl Scouts of the Calumet Council in Indiana
Girl Scouts of Chicago Chicago, Illinois Web Site: http://www.girlscouts-chicago.org
Drifting Dunes Girl Scout Council, Inc. in Indiana
Girl Scouts - Illinois Crossroads Council, Inc. Vernon Hills, Illinois Web Site: http://www.ilcrossroads.org
Girl Scouts - Prairie Winds, Inc. Lisle, Illinois Web Site: http://www.girlscoutspw.org
Girl Scouts of South Cook County, Inc. Homewood, Illinois Web Site: http://www.girlscouts-scc.org
Girl Scouts of Trailways Council, Inc. Joliet, Illinois Web Site: http://www.girlscoutstrailways.org
[edit] Girl Scouts of Centrillio Council
Bloomington, Illinois Web Site: http://www.centrillio.com
[edit] Girl Scouts - Fox Valley Council, Inc.
Aurora, Illinois Web Site: http://www.fvgsc.org
[edit] Girl Scouts of Green Hills Council, Inc.
Freeport, Illinois Web Site: http://www.gsgreenhills.org
[edit] Girl Scouts - Green Meadows Council
Urbana, Illinois Web Site: http://www.gsgmc.org
[edit] Girl Scouts-Kickapoo Council
Peoria, Illinois Web Site: http://www.girlscouts-kickapoocouncil.org
[edit] Girl Scouts, Land of Lincoln Council, Inc.
Springfield, Illinois Web Site: http://www.girlscoutsllc.org
[edit] Girl Scouts of The Mississippi Valley, Inc.
Rock Island, Illinois Web Site: http://www.girlscouts-mvc.org
[edit] Girl Scouts of River Bluffs Council
Glen Carbon, Illinois Web Site: http://www.riverbluffs.org
[edit] Girl Scouts - Rock River Valley Council
Rockford, Illinois Web Site: http://www.girlscoutsrrv.org
[edit] Girl Scouts of Shagbark Council
Herrin, Illinois Web Site: http://www.shagbark.org
[edit] Shemamo Girl Scout Council of Illinois
Decatur, Illinois Web Site: http://www.shemamo.org
[edit] Girl Scouts - Sybaquay Council, Inc.
Elgin, Illinois Web Site: http://www.gs-sybaquay.org
[edit] Girl Scouts of Two Rivers Council, Inc.
Quincy, Illinois Web Site: http://www.gstworivers.org
[edit] Scouting museums in Illinois
[edit] International Scouting units in Illinois
In addition, there were Belarusian Scouts in Exile in Chicago through the 1980s, and Lietuvos skautų sąjunga still exists there. Külföldi Magyar Cserkészszövetség Hungarian Scouting also maintains a troop in Chicago, and there are large contingents of active Plast Ukrainian Scouts in Chicago.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Wells, Valerie. "Inner-city youths scout new ways to enjoy life through outreach program", Herald & Review, 2007-07-21. Retrieved on 2007-07-23.
[edit] External links
- http://www.scouting.org Boy Scouts of America - Official Website
- http://www.oa-bsa.org National Order of the Arrow - Official Website
- ttp://www.oa-c5c.com Section C5C - Official Website
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