You are receiving this email because you or a member of your family is registered with the Pathway to Adventure Council and/or you have opted to receive our e-newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.

June 2020
The Pathway to Adventure Council is allowing for a cautious reopening of Scouting activities beginning on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. When meeting, ALL PTAC units are required to follow Chicago's Phase III reopening precautions which include:

  • All gatherings are limited to 10 or less people (includes leaders, Scouts, and family members. Youth protection guidelines must still be followed.)
  • When meeting, everyone should practice social distancing and wear a face mask.
  • Frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned after each use.
  • All Scouts, leaders, and family members should stay home if they feel ill or have come into contact with someone with COVID-19. 

If you have any questions regarding the cautious reopening plans, please review our Reopening announcement , PTAC Reopening FAQ , and the City of Chicago’s Reopening website . For tips on prevention tactics like hand washing and social distancing, please review the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website .
SCOUT SHOP AND SERVICE CENTER UPDATE
Service Centers and Highland Scout Shop
The Arlington Heights, Chicago, Highland, and La Grange Service Centers and the Highland Scout Shop will reopen on Tuesday June 9, 2020. Please note that all visitors must wear a mask and are subject to a temperature check and health questionnaire. The Highland Scout Shop will continue to fulfill mail orders. For details on mail ordering, please click here.
Arlington Heights, Chicago, and La Grange Scout Shops
The Arlington Heights and La Grange Scout Shops will reopen on Tuesday, June 16. The Chicago Scout Shop will remain closed. The modified hours for Arlington Heights and La Grange are as follows:

Monday             Closed
Tuesday            10 am – 6 pm
Wednesday      10 am – 6 pm
Thursday          10 am – 6 pm
Friday                10 am – 6 pm
Saturday            10 am – 2 pm
Sunday             Closed

Stores will be closed 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm Tuesday – Friday for lunch.
Curb-side pick-up will be by appointment.
Online SUMMER CAMP
We are proud to announce Camp O.N. (short for Owasippe and Napowan) for Scouts BSA! Since we can’t be at camp, we’re bringing camp to our Scouts! This online camp program provides exciting and engaging merit badges and activities led by our camp staff, including all necessary program supplies! Weekly programs will include ten merit badges to choose from, cooking, science, and craft activities, and much MORE!

SCOUTING AT HOME RESOURCES
There are still plenty of ways to continue Scouting at home! We've listed some opportunities here, but make sure to check out our PTAC Scouting at Home website page and our Facebook and Instagram pages for more ways to #ScoutAtHome.
Virtual Cub Scout Adventures
On Thursdays (through mid-June) we will post new video adventures for you and your Cub Scout to do at home together!

Cub Scouts is for girls & boys grades K-5. Adventures will contain fun activities including: art projects, science experiments, obstacle courses, and more! All you have to do is register, get your materials together, and hit play! Links to the videos will be emailed out on Thursdays.

If you don’t have the materials, that’s okay! Just follow the Cub Scout Motto and “Do Your Best!” Make sure to register so you can access the video.

Feel free to tell your friends so they can register too! They don’t have to be official Cub Scouts to participate. We want everyone to join in on the Cub Scout fun!

We will be posting materials and instructions for certain activities so parents/guardians can help follow along with the videos at  http://pathwaytoadventure.com/scoutingathome .


Register today with this link:  https://scoutingevent.com/456-VirtualCubScouts
Home Cooking
Here’s some food for thought: Your Scouts don’t have to be together to cook together.

For a taste of what I mean, just check out the skillful Scouts from Troop 301 of Cross River, N.Y., part of the Westchester Putnam Council.

This month, while video chatting from their home kitchens in front of laptops, tablets and smartphones, the Scouts each prepared their own version of “Camp Stroganoff.” Instead of eating as patrols or sharing with the adults, the Scouts then served up their creations to their families.

You can read more about home cooking in this Boys' Life Article.
Beascout.org: The Smart and Simple Way to Recruit Scouts During COVID-19
Fortunately, you don’t need to be a master of search engine optimization to recruit new families to your pack, troop, crew or ship. You just need to update your   BeAScout  pin. And thanks to some volunteer-focused changes to this process, it’s now easier than ever to do so.

You can read more in this Boys' Life Article.
ADVANCEMENT
PTAC COVID-19 Advancement Information 
As a response to the health and safety concerns caused by the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, the Pathway to Adventure Council Advancement Committee, along with guidance from the National Advancement Team of the Boy Scouts of America, is providing this information to give our youth opportunities to continue advancement and experience as many programming opportunities as possible.

UPDATES
The most up-to-date national advancement updates and changes due to COVID-19 can be found here: https://www.scouting.org/coronavirus/covid-19-faq/

VIDEOCONFERENCING
In order to assist youth with opportunities to continue advancement progression during this time, we have approved the use of videoconferencing for Eagle Scout Board of Reviews and Merit Badge counseling. Please note: All YPT and Guide to Safe Scouting guidelines must be followed, including two-deep leadership. Please see this article published by Bryan on Scouting regarding this topic:

CAMPING
The following temporary modification is being made by the PTAC Council Advancement Committee until September 1, 2020.Virtual camping may be counted toward the required nights of camping for rank advancement and merit badge requirements if all of the following conditions are met:
  • To be counted, all virtual camping nights should be a direct result of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and be part of a BSA unit-organized unit camping event (a unit camping event is defined as multiple members of the unit are involved and camping simultaneously at remote locations)
  • Some form of unit-organized communications should occur either during or immediately following the event
  • All existing Youth Protection Policies and Digital Safety Guidelines must be followed
  • No more than 3 nights of virtual camping are to be credited in any month which government or council-imposed COVID-19 restrictions are in place

VIRTUAL CAMPING NIGHTS
In light of the extended period of camping restrictions attributable to COVID-19, the following temporary modification is being made by the PTAC Council Advancement Committee until September 1, 2020. Virtual camping may be counted toward the required nights of camping for rank advancement and merit badge requirements if all of the following conditions are met:
  • To be counted, all virtual camping nights should be a direct result of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and be part of a BSA unit-organized unit camping event (a unit camping event is defined as multiple members of the unit are involved and camping simultaneously at remote locations)
  • Some form of unit-organized communications should occur either during or immediately following the event
  • All existing Youth Protection Policies and Digital Safety Guidelines must be followed
  • No more than 3 nights of virtual camping are to be credited in any month which government or council-imposed COVID-19 restrictions are in place

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION SUBMISSION, VERIFICATION, AND SIGNATURES
When it is time to turn in your completed Eagle Scout/Summit Award/Quartermaster application/paperwork, because the offices are closed, you can submit them electronically to: PTAC.Advancement@gmail.com. Please note: digital and scanned signatures have been approved during this time. In addition, you do not need to wait for verification before the final Eagle Board of Review is conducted. PTAC professionals will contact you if anything on you application needs your attention.

EAGLE/SUMMIT/QUARTERMASTER TIME EXTENSIONS DUE TO COVID-19
The PTAC Advancement Committee has been granted the authority to grant a 3-month extension for those scouts working on their Eagle/Summit/Quartermaster and it can be established that COVID-19 disruptions were the only circumstances that delayed work.

If you feel that COVID-19 has disrupted a youth’s progression, please send an email to PTAC.Advancement@gmail.com as soon as possible with the following information:
  • Name
  • Unit
  • Date of 18th Birthday
  • Details of situation/request
  • List of any items remaining to complete including merit badges, leadership roles, etc.
  • Current status of the service project and if it is already approved by your District

Should you need to seek additional information about your specific situation, please reach out to: PTAC.Advancement@gmail.com and we can provide individual guidance and recommendations.

Currently, these COVID-19 changes and exceptions expire on September 30, 2020.

EAGLE/SUMMIT/QUARTERMASTER CREDENTIALS
Please note that fulfillment requests for Eagle/Summit/Quartermaster certificates, cards, and letters from the National Service Center and National Supply will be delayed at this time due to COVID-19.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/QUESTIONS
Should you have any additional questions, please contact the Pathway to Adventure Council Advancement Committee at: PTAC.Advancement@gmail.com
Cub Scout Advancement
If your Cub Scout Den is behind in advancement due to COVID-19, Cub Scouts can continue to work on their current den's advancement through July 31, 2020. If Cub Scouts earn their badge rank prior to July 31, 2020, they may advance to the next rank.

Additionally, Through July 31, 2020, parents and other adults in the Cub Scout’s family, may sign off on Webelos and Arrow of Light requirements. We strongly encourage that parents use the Scouting App or ScoutBook to record completion of their child’s requirements.
Extension for Eagle Boards of Review for Those Who Wish to Be in the Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scouts
Because we want all girls who joined in 2019 and wish to be a part of the Inaugural Class of female Eagle Scouts to have the benefit of such an experience, and after carefully considering recommendations from stakeholders, including feedback from volunteers and professionals, we will be extending the period for boards of review from 10/1/2020-1/31/2021. To further support the Inaugural Class, all boards of review will be dated with the same date by the National Service Center.
While this notice discusses the Inaugural Class of female Eagle Scouts, the lengthening of the Eagle board of review window is applicable to all Scouts who were granted the Inaugural extension, regardless of gender.
As a reminder, all requirements must be completed while the individual is a registered member of Scouts BSA, or as a member of a Venturing crew or a Sea Scouts ship after achieving First Class in Scouts BSA, per the Guide to Advancement.
HIGH ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
PTAC 2021 National Jamboree Contingent- Registration Extended!
Despite our current shut-down, we are still looking forward to Jamboree 2021 and registration is still open! In order to ensure a place for your Scout, register as soon as possible! While a $200 deposit is due now, you can choose “mail-in” as your payment option in the registration and send the deposit at a future date. This will hold your Scout’s spot as a part of PTAC’s Jamboree contingent troop. The committee has made this adjustment to the fee schedule to accommodate as many Scouts as possible!

Information, fees, and registration can be found on our website: pathwaytoadventure.org/jam boree2021

Calling all Volunteers!
Pathway to Adventure Council is looking for volunteer Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters for our council contingent troops headed to the 2021 National Jamboree. Being a Jamboree leader is an amazing way to experience the Jamboree and work with Scouts from across Pathway to Adventure Council. To be considered, you must be a currently registered troop or crew Scouter.

To apply to be a volunteer, follow this link!
Pathway to Adventure 2021 Philmont Council Contingent
PTAC is now accepting registrations for the 12-day Council Contingent to Philmont in Cimarron, New Mexico. Philmont, known as Scouting Heaven, is 137,000 acres (214 square miles) of rugged backcountry in the Sangre de Christo Mountains. Participants will spend 11 days backpacking, enjoying the beautiful scenery and experiencing the exciting programs offered along the way. Current dates: L eave Chicago, Saturday, July 3, 2021 and Depart Philmont & return to Chicago, Saturday, July 17, 2021. The trip cost is $1,995** per person (price subject to adjustment pending travel costs).

Pathway to Adventure 2021 Sea Base Council Contingent
PTAC is going to Sea Base! Do you like to sail? snorkel? SCUBA dive? If the answer is "yes," then plan to join your Scouting friends for a week of sun and fun in the Florida Keys next summer, 2021. Both Coral Reef Sailing crews will snorkel, fish, crew the vessel, learn navigation, and tour the nearby Turtle Hospital. During as many as 11 dives, the SCUBA crew will explore coral reefs, wrecks, and underwater rock formations. After leaving Sea Base, both crews will have free time to sight see. For more info, contact the event coordinator (who's been on both adventures).

ACTIVITIES
Trading Tech Merit Badge Clinics Go Virtual!
We may not be able to go into the offices of our Trading Tech partners located in Chicago’s financial district this year, but they will bring their offices and colleagues to you virtually! Our friends including, Advantage Futures, CME Group, Enova, FourStar and John Lothian News and others are ready to teach Scouts a merit badge and life lessons they won’t forget. The first week will be July 13-17th.
Registration opens June 5th!
Order of the Arrow Updates
Takhone Lodge has extended the unit election season and is conducting virtual elections to finish up this year's elections. Please request a visitation today: http://oa7.org/unitvisit/
Woodbadge Updates
Wood Badge 2020 is postponed.
COVID-19 has become a tremendous challenge to all of us in Scouting and taken a toll on much of our program. Because of the tremendous amount of preparation time needed to run a course, Pathway to Adventure Council has made the tough decision to postpone our 2020 Wood Badge Course.

Wood Badge has been rescheduled to the weekends of 9/10-9/12 and 10/2-10/3 of 2021. Registration will be open June 1st at https://scoutingevent.com/456-woodbadge2021.

Wood Badge is advanced leadership training for Cub Scout, Scouts BSA and Venturing adult leaders at the unit, district, council, and professional levels. It is taught by living the experience of a Scouts BSA Troop, utilizing the patrol method. Wood Badge is about learning and developing Leadership skills, rather than basic Scouting skills - skills that can be used in Scouting and all facets of life. We hope you will join us in 2021 for this extraordinary and life changing course.
VOLUNTEER, GIVING, & INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Casting Call For Stars In The Making!
If you are a current Scout, Venturer, or Explorer and have a desire to share your star potential, we are looking for your talent! Interested Scouts should not be shy in front of a camera, have a meaningful Scouting experience to share, and be able to memorize a script and deliver it the appropriate style and confidence. Interested Scouts must be currently registered in a BSA program and have parent/guardian’s consent.

For more information please send myriam.herrera@scouting.org an email with the Scout's name, the Scouting program they are involved in, and two sentences about his or her Scouting journey. Act fast, this casting closes on June 15th.
Continue the conversation, follow us on social media!