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Fall outdoor event schedule

So what exactly does the Patrol Leader’s Council do?  In a Scout-led Troop like ours, the PLC decides what the guys want to do with their monthly outings and presents the plan to the Troop Committee.

Thanks to Edward and Hayden for gathering input and presenting to over 20 adults at last week’s Committee mtg.  The PLC has spoken.  The themes they chose to incorporate into our activities were advancement, environmental impact and quality of food.  Here’s the plan for fall 2018:

Our first event will be on September 15 -16 at 31st St. Harbor courtesy of the Sea Scouts. Games, food and other things to entertain both our Scouts and the Webelos (5th graders) who will be invited for the day. The Troop members will have a place to sleep on the big Sea Scout boat, with additional vessels to be added as needed.  Sailing an option depending on weather.

Next up is October 13 – 14 at Blackwell forest preserve in DuPage County. This will be a bike overnight with potential for two different mileages similar to what we did last year on the beautiful (and flat!) Illinois Prairie Path.  This location is ideal for exploring both on foot and on two wheels.  Campfire expected as well.

Third is scheduled for November 2 – 4 at Camp Dan Beard in Northbrook. No school for CPS on Friday gives us the option to do an extended two night event.  This property in Cook County offers opportunities for hiking, orienteering and pioneering (building cool stuff out of branches & rope).

Check your schedule and save the dates!  Also posted on the Troop calendar.

Member of our Google Group?  Click here for more photos of previous events.
[PHOTO] IL Prairie Path @boylesfour

Summer 2019 High Adventure – never too early to plan!

It’s true!  Troop 79 is pointing our compass south again to the Caribbean island of St. Thomas to participate in the BSA’s Sea Base high adventure program in 2019.

Experience the allure of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Here, the trade winds blow, offering some of the best sailing in the world. Upon arrival at Sapphire Beach Resort and Marina, our two crews will each board a 40-foot-plus vessel with an experienced captain. Most crews attain the 50 Miler Award as they circumnavigate the crystal blue waters surrounding St. John.

In addition to sailing, our crews will snorkel pristine coral reefs, hike through jungles in the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park, swim ashore to incredible beaches, and fish.

 

Sea Base St. Thomas – see the Troop calendar

  • Highlights of the trip – see Sea Base St, Thomas brochure
  • Crews fly into STT Airport via commercial airline and taxi to the marina.
  • Adventure will span 6 nights, 7 days including arrival and departure dates, plus transit.
  • Estimated cost is $2,000 per participant including transportation.
  • Either a passport or copy of birth certificate is required to travel.
  • To be eligible to sign up, each participant must:
    • be a registered Boy Scout or Adult Leader.
    • be 13 years of age prior to July 29, 2019.
    • be in good health evidenced by the BSA Annual Health and Medical Record
    • be able to pass the BSA swim test.
    • meet BSA Height and Weight Guidelines.

We have a limited number of spots available! A minimum of 4 adults are needed for the trip (moms or dads).  That leaves room for a maximum of 12 Scouts to attend.

Sign up link will be sent to the Troop email distribution.  Deposit due Aug 1.

Contact Mr. Boyle, Asst. Scoutmaster with any questions.  Anchors aweigh!

Supporting our Chartered Organization

In case you were curious, the “Chartered Organization” conducts the Scouting program through its charter from the Boy Scouts of America.  In the case of Troop 79, we’re fortunate to have the Old Town Triangle Association as our chartered organization.  The Troop and our leaders therefore belong to the OTTA and are part of its “family.”

 

 

Q: Which of the below does the Chartered Organization do for the Troop?

  1. They provide the Troop a place to meet
  2. They help fund the Troop’s operating expenses
  3. They suggest activities that could benefit the OTTA and the neighborhood

A: All of the above!

And what does the Troop do in return?  Why of course, we provide cheerful service!  The most obvious example is supporting the annual Old Town Art Fair.  Over the course of four days, the Troop’s Scouts, parents and friends contributed over 350 person-hours of their time to the event.  Despite a couple rainy mornings, the crews setup tents, tables, chairs & stocked the entry booths.  Volunteers were also on hand during the event, as well as helped tear down afterwards.  And for the first time, the Troop also provided assistance for the memorable volunteer appreciation dinner.

Thank you, OTTA!  And thanks also to Mr. Martorina and Mr. Keats for herding the cats.

Member of our Google Group?  Click here for more photos.
[PHOTO] OTTA volunteers @Jill Wachholz

Troop 79 Eagle project update

Only 4 out of every 100 youth members achieve Scouting’s highest rank.  One reason the badge is such an accomplishment is the service project that must be planned, led and completed before a Scout turns 18.  Spring 2018 has been a very productive season for Troop 79’s Scouts on the path to Eagle.

What is the Eagle Scout Service Project?
While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. (The project must benefit an organization other than the Boy Scouts of America.) A project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your unit leader and unit committee, and the council or district before you start.

With the guidance of Mr. Barich, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Z and others, here’s what the six young men pursuing Eagle have achieved this spring:

March 21 With the manpower of over 20 scouts as well as the encouragement and wisdom of troop advisors, my parents, and the South Loop School after-school art teacher, Troop 79 conquered the first of many Eagle Scout projects this spring! Bringing the mural to fruition proved challenging, but the finished piece is fantastic. (still no invitations to the Art Institute masterpiece gallery though. Hmm…) Upon completion, the valiant scouts who sacrificed their evening feasted on Jimmy John’s sandwiches for their efforts. —Elijah

April 21 We did some landscaping cleanup, built and painted a bench and cubbies, and painted the high school room at St. Pauls UCC. (a pretty lengthy to do list…) Lunch was provided and this definitely counted towards rank advancement or high school service hours! —Jake

April 29 We met at the Holy Angels Catholic School Main Entrance at 750 E 40th St. From there, we headed to our workspace just down the block to build planter boxes and install/arrange them. This project helped create an afterschool program for the students to learn about urban farming and provide fresh vegetables for their community! In addition, pizza and drinks were provided for everyone! —Hayden

May 5 Scouts worked with Adaptive Adventures, an organization that helps people with physical disabilities gain access to adventures similar to those in scouting: kayaking, camping, and even skiing! At the project, scouts built multiple types of shelves and painted the entire storage container, resulting in a more useful and brightly colored space for Adaptive Adventures! —Michael

May 12 We worked at Patchwork Farms, 2825 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, from 9 am until 2 pm, and food was provided! We built a rat-proof lid for a compost box, which was formerly a shipping container (20 feet by 8 feet!)  In addition, we performed some minor repairs for the farm, as well as helped them get ready for the planting season. —Otto

May 26 The art installation at the Lincoln Park Community Services shelter took the cooperation of 20 Scouts and the use of the Lane Tech maker lab’s milling machine. The project incorporated additional shelving in their community kitchen, which was custom fit to the cabinet. The art pieces that came out of this displayed “Loyal”, “Helpful”, and “Friendly”; parts of the Scout law and images inspired by the city. —Edward

[PHOTOS] Elijah G,, Michael Y, @boylesfour

 

Member of our Google Group?  Click here for more photos.

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