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October 2019
Introducing the PTAC Trail
Summer is winding down, pretty soon it will be time to face the Chicago winter again. Want a way to extend the Summer a bit longer, enjoy an outdoor urban hike, and celebrate the diversity that is the Pathway to Adventure Council? The newly crafted Pathway to Adventure Council Trail is your solution. Get to know and how your support for the Council by hiking or planning a service project for your community along the Trail now!  More information can be found on the PTAC website.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING SCOUTS WHO PASSED THEIR EAGLE BOARD OF REVIEW IN JULY:
Alexander B. - Arlington Heights, IL
Anay P. - Schaumburg, IL
Anthony A. - Des Pleaines, IL
Benjamin C. - Chicago, IL
Brandon B. - Elmwood Park, IL
Brian B. - Elmwood Park, IL
Charles W. - Chicago, IL
Colin D. - Schaumburg, IL
Colin L. - Hinsdale, IL
Cyrus M. - Oak Park, IL
Donald P. - Downers Grove, IL
Erik D. - Hoffman Estates, IL
Gerardo C. - Chicago, IL
Gino Antonio B. - South Barrington, IL
Jack P. - Chicago, IL
Jahsia L. - Chicago, IL
Jonathan S. - Park Ridge, IL
Jose Luis D. - Munster, IN
Joseph A. - Crestwood, IL
Joshua K. - Chicago, IL
Luke A. - Skokie, IL
Michael A. - Paolor Heights, IL
Michael H. - Mount Prospect, IL
Michael M. - Munster, IN
Nathan L. - Downers Grove, IL
Saren B. - Lowell, IN
Sean S. - Lansing, IL
Steven V. - Willow Springs, IL
Tarun V. - Lake Barrington, IL
Thomas A. - Munster, IN
Thomas F. - La Grange, IL
Timothy J. - Woodridge, IL
To see a list of Scouts who completed their Eagle, Summit, or Quartermaster Board of Review so far 2019, click here .
SCHOLARSHIPS
Is your Scout on the lookout for scholarships?
ACTIVITIES
All Camporee participants, including trailers and storage vehicles, should proceed directly to Schaumburg Towers at 1400/1450 American Lane, Schaumburg, IL 60173 .  You will enter on Meacham Drive. Participants camping at Busse Woods will unload their gear onto a truck, park their car, and then load a shuttle directly to their subcamp. Please put as much gear as possible in trailers and storage vehicles. Ensure all personal gear has your name and unit information. Trailers and storage vehicles will check-in at Schaumburg Towers to receive their parking pass and then can proceed to Busse Woods. Shuttles will run consistently throughout the day on Saturday for day-only participants.
For more information, please review the Leader Guide.
Scouts BSA Girl Troop Celebration
Pathway to Adventure Council is very excited to announce an event with Windy City Ninjas Chicago on November 9 for our Scouts BSA girl troops. A fun space for units to celebrate the first girls who have joined Scouts BSA! The girls will be able to traverse across elements and challenge themselves on obstacle courses designed for adventure. We challenge every Scouts BSA girl troop to attend. We cannot wait for the girls to meet, engage, and have fun! There is limited space, so sign up today!

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.
Neli Vazquez Rowland - Executive Board
Brad Epstein - Advisory Council
Scott Stringer - Executive Committee
Ben Schwab - Associate Board
POPCORN UPDATE
The PTAC Popcorn Sale is in full swing. We are hearing great results from units at all the site sales they are having. Please remember there is another re-order opportunity coming up in October. Do not forget Return/Show and Sell Payment Day on Saturday, October 26 . We will be sending out information soon on how to collect information on prizes and patches. Thanks for all you are doing for the sale.
RECOGNITION
Silver Beaver Nominations
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 them 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 the highest award a Boy Scout Council can bestow upon a volunteer Scouter.
Nominations forms have been simplified and are easy to use. Nominations are due by December 2, 2019.
 
Save the date and join us at The Annual Council Recognition Dinner, scheduled for February 23, 2020.
If you have questions about how to nominate a person or fill out the form please contact Don Swibes, Silver Beaver Chairman at [email protected] .
 
ACTIVITIES CONTINUED
STEAM in Scouting!
Hosted one Saturday a month from 9:00am to 1pm, open to 6th-8th graders, this innovative program will be a the two locations below!
University of Chicago
Program will be led by graduate students and researchers from the Physics and Computer Science program at the University of Chicago.
We will be covering the following subjects:
  • October 19 - Intro to Physics through Fabric
  • November 16 - Communication, Coding, and Mini Sphero
  • January 18 - Drones
  • February 15 - Cyber Security
  • March 21 - Mobile Development

Location: Kersten Physics Teaching Center 5720 S Ellis Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

North Park University
Program will be led by staff and researchers from North Park University.

We will be covering the following subjects:
  • October 26 - Drones
  • November 16 - Mobile Development
  • January 18 - Cyber Security
  • February 15 - Communication, Coding, and Mini Sphero
  • March 21 - Nature Drawing and Journaling


Location: 3225 West Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60625-4895 .

The cost is $50 per student for the program.
Please contact Kristen Vogt, the Director of STEAM and Innovation, at [email protected] or at 312-421-8800 ex 232 for registration and questions.
Order of the Arrow Election Prep
The OA would like to invite all unit leaders and OA unit reps to an area meeting to learn about the upcoming OA election season and thank you for your support of Takhone lodge! There will also be unit representative training for youth members.
Central Area (11/7 - 7pm)
First United Methodist Church of Oak Lawn
100th & Central Ave.
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
North Area (11/21 - 7pm)
Park Ridge Community Church
100 Courtland Ave.
Park Ridge, IL 60068
South Area (11/20 -7pm)
St. John's Lutheran Church
18100 Wentworth Ave.
Lansing, IL 60438
Ad Altare Dei & Pope Pius Programs
This program is for all Scout BSA and Crew members, Ad Altare Dei age 13+ or in Confirmation prep, Pope Pius XII age 15+.
This interactive experience explores portions of the Ad Altare Dei & Pope Pius Programs, with time for socializing and a tour of Techny.

Scouts will actively engage in specific sections of their program booklet, while also being provided opportunities for personal reflection and group prayer. The program includes prayer and Mass in the spectacular Chapel of the Holy Spirit.

October 12
(Arrive at 8:30 AM) 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM 
Techny Towers 2001
Waukegan Road
Techny, IL 60082 
Recycle for Ronald McDonald House Charities
Attention environmentalists and recycling gurus... don't miss this once a year opportunity to see a real recycling plant, United Scrap Metal, in motion. Bring your scrap metal and receive a patch! All the revenue raised from your recycled material will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Attending this event even satisfies some Sustainability merit badge requirements. 
ADVANCEMENT
Triton Merit Badge College
Announcing the third annual Triton Merit Badge College on Saturday, November 16 ! New classes just added include Chemistry, Citizenship in the World, Communications and Genealogy. Due to popular demand a second class of Citizenship in the Nation was also added. Already have those? Don't worry more classes are in the works (Fire Safety and Search & Rescue coming soon). Don't miss out on your Scout's opportunity to be inspired by a college environment, learn in cool labs and earn from experts in the field of study. Don’t miss out on your Scout’s first choice; Architecture, Automotive Maintenance, Citizenship in the Nation, and Robotics are already at full capacity! 

Registration is open! For more info, check out the flyer !
Free Merit Badge Clinic with over 100 merit badges
Saturday, November 16 there will be a Merit Badge clinic featuring counselors for over one hundred merit badges. The merit badges include the three citizenship merit badges as well as Eagle required and the rarest merit badges. This is a free opportunity for Scouts to meet a counselor and achieve their merit badge.

The clinic will be at:
9 AM - 12 PM
Barrington United Methodist Church,
98 Algonquin Road in Barrington, Illinois.

There will also be a concession stand operating with breakfast items.

Online registration through the PTAC calendar event page is open October 1 - November 11 at 5 pm, but walk in registration will be welcome.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
2020 Camp Staff Applications
Pathway to Adventure Council is excited for summer camp 2020 to begin! We are now accepting applications for paid and volunteer camp staff positions at Napowan and Owasippe. Staffing summer camp is an amazing experience for Scouts and Scouters alike!

Volunteer Counselor-In-Training (CIT) applicants must be at least 14 years old at the start of summer camp, and paid staff applicants must be at least 15 years old at the start of summer camp. Volunteer commissioners must be at least 18 years old.

Order of the Arrows Haunted Hike
Come out for a night of Halloween fun at the Des Plaines Methodist Campground and support the Order of the Arrow Haunted Hike on October 25 & 26! Patches and admission can be purchased online in advance and Scouts in uniform receive discounted pricing.

Saint George Trek
The Saint George Trek is The National Catholic Committee on Scouting’s high adventure Catholic leadership program for older Catholic Scouts and Venture Crew members at Philmont Scout Ranch. The program brings Catholic high school youth from around the country together with selected priests and seminarians for eleven days of backpacking in the context of a vocation retreat.

The Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Committee on Scouting is accepting scholarship forms until October 24, 2019. Contact Paul Szymczaks for more information at [email protected]
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 information, click here!
TRAINING
Winter National Youth Leadership Training
Were you unable to attend NYLT in the Summer? Good news, we have a Winter 2020 session! This session is a two-weekend format offered at Camp Big Timber in Elgin on January 17-19 and February 14-16, 2020. Participants must attend both sessions. Register now for this youth leadership training - come out for "school in the snow!" Participants will be staying in heated cabins - this is not winter camping - it is training.
 
2019-2020 Wilderness First Aid Classes
These classes are intended for Scouts/Scouters attending high adventure camps in 2020 or any Scout/Scouter who’d like to complete a WFA certification course.
 
Contact Tom Bosworth at 224-888-1243 or [email protected] for more information.

Religious Emblems Coordinator and Counselor Training
Thursday October 24th, from 6:30-8:30PM
St. Stephen deacon & Martyr Church
17500 & 84th Avenue
Tinley Park, IL
Contact Deb Sitz [email protected] 708/363-6547
Saturday October 26th,from 9AM-1PM
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
1775 Grove Street, Glenview, IL
Contact Janet Pasquesi [email protected] 874/845-1433
Monday October 28th, from 7PM-9PM
St. Mary Star of the Sea. Duggan Hall
6424 S. Kenneth Ave.
Chicago, IL.
Contact Bill Witkowsky [email protected] 773/551-0003
VOLUNTEER, GIVING, & INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Attention Eagle Scouts, NESA Members, Scouting Alumni and Friends:
Your local NESA committee members are reaching out to see who would like to be included in upcoming social, networking, and service activities. Please take this short survey and share it with your friends and colleagues who loved Scouting when they were a youth. Thank you!
Seeking Scouts for a PTAC Video Shoot
The Pathway to Adventure Council is planning a promotion video shoot and is seeking Scouts of all ages to be in the video. The shoot will take place on Saturday, October 19. If your Scout is interested in participating, please send your name, email address, phone number, and Scout's name and age to [email protected]. This video shoot will be full of Scouting activities and is sure to be a good time!
National Youth Leadership Training Volunteers
NYLT is looking for enthusiastic, registered adult scouters to support the program. There are big roles like being part of the adult staff and small parts like being a bus chaperone, helping get staff to camp, dropping by for a day or two to help set up, break down or be an extra pair of hands.
 
There are a limited number of opportunities, please e-mail [email protected] if you are interested (or you know someone who should be considered) and think you have what it takes to be a part of this team encouraging youth to become the best leaders they can be. 
CAREER CORNER
Building Tech partner Local 130 is seeking apprentices! In an effort to prepare Scouts beyond their years in the Scouting program we partner with businesses and the skilled trades to help them sample a variety of career options.This month we are featuring the Plumbers' JAC Apprenticeship Local 130's upcoming info night. The labor shortage is real and talented plumbers are in high demand. If your Scout has always wondered if a career in the trades is for him or her see this flyer or go to: www.jac130.org/apprenticeship for more information.

SPECIAL EVENTS
Come out and support the 2019 11th Annual Whitney M. Young , Jr. Service Awards Recipients that will be held on October 29, 2019.

The Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award is national recognition for those individuals and organizations who provide exceptional service for disadvantaged youth by developing Scouting and other opportunities in challenging urban areas.

Volunteer Recipients
  • Linda Helm, Committee Chair and Charter Organization Representative for Pack 4791 & Troop 1791 located at Greenstone United Methodist Church
  • Reverend Wheeler Parker, Jr. Relative of Emmett Till and Charter Organization Representative for Pack 3044 located at Antioch Baptist Church of Summit

Community Recipients
  • James Cannon Founder and CEO of Cannon Associates
  • Eric Johnson, General Manager of Ziegler Auto Group

Corporation Recipient
  • CIBC
Adult Eagle Scouts who are working in the field of law are invited to attend this special event on Tuesday, November 12, in downtown Chicago, hosted by PTAC Board President, Stephen Schwab, and DLA Piper. Come hear the good news of local Scouting, see how you can stay connected, and learn how you can support our Scouts today.

Please RSVP by Nov. 7.
SALES AND PROMOTIONS
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!
PARTNER ACTIVITIES
Shedd Scouts presented by the Shedd Aquarium
Spend the day with Shedd experts participating in hands-on activities, completing adventure loop requirements, and paddling in a canoe or kayak! Activities on each date are geared towards specific scouting levels, but all ages are welcome. For more information and tickets, click here.
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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