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July 2019
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING SCOUTS WHO PASSED THEIR EAGLE BOARD OF REVIEW IN JUNE:
Brandon M. - Hammond, IN
Brian C. - Deer Park, IL
Conor K. - Cicero, IL
David R. - Chicago, IL
DeSean J. - Highland, IN
Dustin O. - Palatine, IL
Ethan R. Park Ridge, IL
Francisco C. - Chicago, IL
Garrett M. - Oak Park, IL
Griffin G. - Downers Grove, IL
Hayden C. - La Grange, IL
Ian C. - Barrington, IL
Jacob M. - Forest Park, IL
John Michael P. - Downers Grove, IL
Johnathan S. - Cedar Lake, IN
Joseph F. - Arlington Heights, IL
Joseph M. - Oak Lawn, IL
Justin S. - Chicago, IL
Mark C. - Munster, IN
Matthew U. - Willow Springs, IL
Matthew H. - Schaumburg, IL
Matthew M. - Park Ridge, IL
Merrick S. - Oak Park, IL
Michael Z. - Saint John, IN
Nathan G. - Oak Park, IL
Nathan J. - Chicago, IL
Paul W. - Beecher, IL
Paul D. - Evergreen Park, IL
Philip L. - Crestwood, IL
Rayhan Z. - Munster, IN
Reese P. - Lake Barrington, IL
Royce P. - Arlington Heights, IL
Theodore K. - Chicago, IL
Thomas C. - Oak Park, IL
William S. - Wheeling, IL
Venturing Summit Award:

Adan M. - Chicago, IL
To see a list of Scouts who completed their Eagle, Summit Award, or Quartermaster Board of Review so far 2019, click here.
INTRODUCING OUR VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP
There are more than 7,500 PTAC volunteers who provide adult leadership to our units, districts, and council. Some council-level volunteers serve on four panels that provide specific support. Each month we will be highlighting people from each panel so that you can get to know them better. For more information on the different panels, you can click here.
Atticus Francken - Associate Board
Todd Connor - Executive Board
Demetrio Garcia - Executive Committee/Advisory Council
ACTIVITIES
Pathway to Adventure Council Camporee
All Scouts are welcome to join us at the Pathway to Adventure Council's first-ever council-wide camporee - The Future Frontier! The Camporee will be hosted at Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village from October 11-13, 2019.

Weekend and day participants are welcome for an early-bird price of $18 before August 31; the price increases to $25 on September 1.

Experience programs and activities that you can't always find on unit outings or even summer camp, including BMX cycling, robot building, hands-on STEM experiments, obstacle courses, rocket launches, and then complete the weekend with an incredible closing show!

2020 Annual Program Planning Guide
To aid in your unit planning for 2020, the council has developed this Program Planning Guide. This guide lists key dates for Council-wide events and programs, along with tools and best practice tips. Program planning is a simple but critical part of a unit's success. Throughout the process, remember your goal is to deliver a quality program to each Scout and their family. It should be fun, exciting, and focused on the purposes of Scouting. Setting an annual program plan provides direction and a sense of satisfaction and a feeling of accomplishment in a job well done. Planning also makes the best possible use of your valuable volunteer time.

ADVANCEMENT
Scout Tech Summer Programs
Announcing more Scout Tech summer programming opportunities! Due to the high demand of these clinics, registration is now open.


Building Tech Merit Badge Clinics:
  • July 8: Welding hosted by Plumbers Local 130.
  • Scouts must be 13 y.o. or older. Registration page will have clothing restriction details.
  • July 10: American Labor hosted by International Union of Engineers Local 399.
  • Aug 8: The first of two clinics for Personal Management hosted by US Bank.
  • The follow-up clinic to review completed work will be the first week of January, 2020.
Triton Merit Badge College
Announcing the third annual Triton Merit Badge College on November 16! Space Exploration and Astronomy take place in a planetarium. Automotive Maintenance is in a real auto shop! Scouts can also learn to weld like a pro. We are proud to offer over 15 merit badges for Scouts to choose from!
See you on November 16!

Registration is open! For more info, check out the flyer!
North Park University Merit Badge College
Save the date! Join us on February 29 for the North Park University Merit Badge College! Scouts will experience the atmosphere of a four-year university and can earn two STEM-focused Merit Badges from professors that are experts in their field. Parents and Scouts raved about the first North Park University Merit Badge College, which was completely full!
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
Share your story!
We want to hear about the adventures, awards, and projects Pathway to Adventure Scouts and Scouters have earned or experienced!

We are looking for pictures, written or recorded testimonials, stories, or anything else that documents your Scouting experiences.

You can share anything! Examples include summer camp fun, community service activities, or something you did at your unit's weekly meeting.

Follow the link below to share your story with the rest of the PTAC Scouting community:
Free Camping Weekends at Napowan and Owasippe
Thinking about bringing your troop or Webelos den to summer camp at PTAC's Camp Napowan or Owasippe Scout Reservation, but never had a chance for your Scouts visit? Now's your chance! We're hosting free camping weekends at both PTAC Scouts BSA resident camps this fall: 
September 20-22 at Napowan 
September 27-29 at Owasippe 

Tour the camps and try some of our programs. Shooting sports, boating, and climbing will be offered. 

To register or for more information click on the links below:

NOTE: These events are for Troops, Crews, and Webelos Dens only.
Join our Jungle Adventure Day Camp in 2019! 
Day camp will have excellent program for youth (entering 1 – 5 grade in the fall) that is filled with fun and learning in an outdoor environment. Participants will have fun doing shooting sports, working with leather and wood, games, crafts, and so much more!

Day Camp will run Monday - Friday at 5 locations, and we will offer before and after care for an additional fee. There will be multiple Saturday locations as well.

We are looking for donations of plastic eggs and toilet paper/paper towel cardboard tubes. Please drop off your donations at any PTAC Service Center.

2021 National Jamboree Adult Leader Opportunity
The 2021 National Scout Jamboree has been announced, and the Pathway to Adventure Council (PTAC) has started planning for this fantastic event! The Jamboree Committee is being formed, and the committee is seeking adult leaders for the Jamboree troops. The Jamboree will be held at the National BSA Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia!
 
PTAC will be sending at least FOUR troops and ONE Venture crew to the National Jamboree in 2021. Each troop will need a Scoutmaster and three Assistant Scoutmasters. There are opportunities for at least 14 adults to serve as Scoutmasters, Crew Leaders, and Assistant Scoutmasters. Also, there are opportunities for at least four young adults (18 to 21) to serve as Assistant Scoutmasters. Jamboree troops will be formed geographically throughout the council, so Scouts and adult volunteers will not need to travel too far for meetings and planning activities. Adult volunteers will be assigned to Jamboree troops in their area. 
 
Adults interested in joining the Jamboree Committee or going to the 2021 National Jamboree as a Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster must be registered leaders and currently active with a PTAC troop or Venture crew. In addition, there are physical fitness requirements for all participants due to the challenging physical nature of the Summit Bechtel Reserve.

Information on youth registration will be available late summer / early fall.

Please follow this link to apply for participation as a Jamboree leader or a member of the Jamboree Committee
Camp Rentals
Pathway to Adventure Council owns and operates four beautiful camps. Our camps are open year-round and are great locations for Scouts of all ages to experience and learn what the great outdoors offer!
For more info, click here!
TRAINING
National Youth Leadership Training Facebook
Did you know that PTAC National Youth Leadership Training has a Facebook page? Like/follow it for all the latest updates and information. Stay informed!  https://www.facebook.com/PTACNYLT
2019 Wood Badge - Time Is Running Out!
Be a part of the historic 100th anniversary Wood Badge class will be held September 20-22 and October 26-28 at Camp Frank S. Betz in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

(Space is limited to 48 participants.)

Want more Information? Send an email to Paul Kurtzner at:

What is a Wood Badge Ticket? Learn more at: http://www.pathwaytoadventure.org/training/schedule/woodbadge .

Wood Badge Alumni Association
Already have Wood Badge? Check out this information to stay in contact with other Wood Badge Alumni!
Merit Badge Counselor Maximum
Effective July 1, 2019
After lengthy discussion, review of section #7.0.1.4 of the 2019 Guide to Advancement, and consideration of feedback from multiple Scouters concerning merit badge counselor maximums, the Pathway to Adventure Council Advancement Committee is formally recommending that an individual merit badge counselor not counsel more than eight (8) merit badges. 

Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) Training
If you are attending Napowan or Owasippe this summer with your troop, consider taking Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) during your stay at camp. The Pathway to Adventure Council Training Committee is excited to offer these courses each week at summer camp. Adult Scouters can register for IOLS through their unit's summer camp registration, similar to Scout Merit Badge sign-up.
Order of the Arrow Update
Registration is now open for the Takhone Lodge Summer Fellowship August 16-18 at Rainbow Scout Reservation!

This is the second Ordeal induction opportunity for candidates elected into the Order of the Arrow this year.
Eligible Ordeal members can also sign up to complete their Brotherhood at the fellowship too.
The third and final Ordeal induction for 2019 will be at the Fall Fellowship September 6-8 at Camp Betz.

Silver Beaver Nominations are now open. 
Do you know a Scouter that has distinguished themselves in scouting and the community? If you do, we want you to nominate that person for the Silver Beaver. Don’t wait for someone else to nominate that person.

The Silver Beaver Award is presented by the National Council, Boy Scouts of America, through the local Council to adult volunteer Scouters for their distinguished service to youth and their community. The Award is intended to acknowledge noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth by registered Scouters including but not limited to Cub Scouters, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts and Exploring leaders within the territory under the jurisdiction of Pathway to Adventure. It is considered to be the highest award a Boy Scout Council can bestow upon a volunteer Scouter.

Nominations are due by December 2, 2019 . Please do not wait until the last minute.

VOLUNTEER AND GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
Letter from NESA Chariman
My name is Kevin Kelley, and I am your chairman of the National Eagle Scout Association for Pathway to Adventure Council. 

I personally invite our area Scouting alumni, Eagles, and all, to join us in sharing your Scouting memories and building a program to serve all of our youth."

Please join NESA LinkedIn and Facebook pages using the handle @NESAPTAC, and email your contact information to [email protected].

To view NESA Chairman Kevin Kelley's full letter, click here!
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) Trainers Needed!
The Council Training Committee is seeking Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) Trainers and Scouters that want to be on the IOLS Training Committee!

If you have been trained in IOLS and Scoutmaster Specific, we would like you to consider volunteering at Owasippe this summer and assist in training new leaders that attend summer camp.
If you are interested in serving for a few days at camp, please contact Don Swibes at [email protected] for more information.
SALES AND PROMOTIONS
Owasi-Pack
If your Scout is camping at Owasippe Scout Reservation this summer, don't forget to order them an Owasi-Pack! (Available in limited quantities). The Owasi-Pack is a draw-string bag care package filled with treats for your Scout to enjoy!
You can even include a personalized note to your Scout!
Giving an Owasi-Pack is a wonderful way for parents or grandparents to send their love!

Sons of Owasippe
The 2019 Sons of Owasippe T-shirt and Council Patch (CSP) sets can be ordered online before camp and will be available for pick-up when you arrive at Owasippe.



Nap-O-Sack
Your away-from-home care package is here! Not sure what to send your Scout as they embark on an amazing Scouting journey? The answer is Camp Napowan's Nap-O-Sack!

You can even include a personal message! Sending a Nap-O-Sak is a great way for parents or grandparents to send their love!

There are limited quantities, so order today! https://scoutingevent.com/456-Naposack2019
Scout Shop
Help the Scout Shop's spread the news! Share us on Facebook. We are your one stop shop for all your Scouting needs from uniforms to camping equipment and so much more.

Visit your local Scout Shop to take advantage of the wide selection of new products and sales!
Here's a preview of what's in store:
SPECIAL EVENTS & RECOGNITION
PARTNER ACTIVITIES
Forest Preserves of Cook County Events
Looking for opportunities to get your unit outside? Look no further than the Forest Preserves of Cook County! The Forest Preserves of Cook County offers a variety of recreational and educational programs appropriate for all ages. Programs are offered year round and throughout Cook County. For more information check out their website: fpdcc.com/events.
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