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Welcome to The Lamplighter, the official newsletter of Scouting America in the W. D. Boyce Council!

This edition of The Lamplighter is being sent to EVERY leader and family in the W. D. Boyce Council

We’d love to add you to the list: Sign up for The Lamplighter now!

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Have a question, idea or something you want to see in a future issue? Please email Ian Lamb, Council Field Director, at ian.lamb@scouting.org

Scout Night with the Peoria Chiefs!

📅Saturday, August 9^th | 7:05 PM

📍Dozer Park

ℹ️Pregame Parade & Postgame Fireworks!

Personnel Announcements

Please join us in welcoming Zach Friedrich as our newest District Executive. Zach comes from a family with a proud tradition in Scouting America. He and his two brothers each achieved the rank of Eagle Scout—an accomplishment that instilled in him enduring values of leadership, service, and a deep appreciation for the outdoors. Zach spent the past four years working for the Eaton Corporation in Lincoln, IL.

Ian Phillips has enlisted in the Army National Guard and will take a 6-month leave of absence from his role as District Executive beginning early August. In Ian’s absence, Zach Friedrich and Field Director Ian Lamb will support the volunteers of the Heartland District. While we’ll miss Ian during his training, we appreciate his dedication and willingness to serve and defend our country.

Yard Signs Have Dropped

Ready to show your Scout spirit?  Yard signs just dropped! Signs are available for Cubs Scouts, Scouts BSA, and they are customizable! Fully Promoted Peoria is giving $5 from every sign purchase to help support Scouting America, W. D. Boyce Council programming. Pick-up will be available at August Roundtables.

Help us test out the new Scoutly AI Chatbot

Say hello to “Scoutly” the AI Chatbot and the newest member of our Scouting family. We’ve been selected as a pilot council to help launch and share this new AI feature with our volunteers and prospective new families



Here’s how it works: Anytime you visit scouting.org and beascout.org within our council zip codes, you will now be greeted by “Scoutly” in the bottom right hand corner of your screen. “Scoutly” is specifically designed to help with things like:

✅ How to join Scouting

✅ General Scouting questions

✅ Safety information

✅ Merit Badge requirements

“Scoutly” is still learning and here’s where we need your help. Your questions, experiences and feedback will help this grow into an amazing resource for leaders, families and Scouts nationwide.

We encourage you to visit and share with your Scouting families how "Scoutly" can be helpful and friendly along their Scouting journey.

Get Ready to Register for the Fall Camporee

Registration for the Fall Camporee to be held October 17 - 19, 2025, will open on or about August 1. So get ready to hold your spot at what promises to be a FUN and memorable time.

We have a few changes to announce for this event. First, we have a new location - Ingersoll Scout Reservation. We also have a new theme - Highland Games. All AOL and Scouts BSA Scouts will be invited to test their mettle against athletic contests traditional to the Scottish Highlands ... and a few others thrown in for fun!  

Dust off your bagpipes and clean off your kilts. You'll want to "gie it laldy" (give it your best) because it will be "pure dead brilliant" (very good)!

Be Prepared - Popcorn Season is Right Around the Corner

Thank you to the more than 50 volunteers who attended our Popcorn Kickoff Trainings!

All presentation slides and materials are available on our popcorn webpage.

Join the 50+ units already funded by popcorn—submit your commitment to sell today!

Completing the commitment form is essential to gain access to your unit’s Trail’s End account and to receive important updates about the sale.

Act Fast - Limited Number of Spots Available for the Aviation Merit Badge!

Scouts are invited to a full day of hands-on, interactive activities at the Prairie Aviation Museum! Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to explore the world of aviation.



📅Saturday, August 23^rd  

🕛9:00am - 3:00pm

📍Prairie Aviation Museum (2929 E Empire St, Bloomington, IL)

💵$25 per Scout

4 Spots Remaining as of July 21^st

Who’s Ready for Some Outdoor Adventure?

BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation) is open to all Cub Scout leaders interested in adding a camping component to their Pack activities. Scouting America's Cub Scout level camping policies will be taught along with the discovery of the necessary tools to help units carry our a successful camping experience. Completion of this course is mandatory for a MINIMUM OF ONE adult on a Pack overnighter.

IOLS (Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills) provides Scouts BSA leaders the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the outdoors. Upon completion, leaders should feel comfortable teaching Scouts the basic skills required to obtain the First Class rank. Along with Scoutmaster Specifics, this course is required of all direct-contact leaders registered in Scouts BSA Troops in order to be considered “trained.”

Next Training

📅September 13 - 14, 2025

📍Ingersoll Scout Reservation

💵$40 per leader

❗Limited to 35 Attendees per course

SCOUT ME IN - Fall Recruitment Planning Already Underway

We’re actively planning and preparing to welcome new families into Scouting this fall!

All Cub Scout Packs will be contacted by their District Executive this summer to schedule a meeting and develop a plan for a successful recruitment season.

Complete your recruitment plan with the help of your District Executive by August 1^st, and your Pack will receive a full set of the brand-new Den Meeting Resource Card Deck—a great tool to support your leaders and Scouts!

Thanks for reading and for your support of Scouting!