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Populate Your Unit Google Pin District News, Contacts or Website To access, click on the name of and Manage Your BeAScout.org your district. leads: Fall recruitement is just around the corner! Now’s the time to update your unit’s Google pin to ensure every boy has the Not sure which opportunity to join ! Click here to learn more about district you’re in... updating your unit’s information and/or unit lead tracking. click here or on the map! BeAScout.org - Membership Kick-offs Let’s provide every boy with the opportunity Northern Trail Maramech Hill to join Scouting! The life-changing lessons Kishwaukee Indian Prairie of Scouting are critical to every boy’s development and our recruitment efforts are Thunderbird Fox Valley necessary to ensuring that every boy gets Chippewa Chanonee the invitation to join. Shabbona Foxfire

Fall is a key time of year to invite new boys Potawatomi Trails to join Scouting. To assist volunteers in planning their recruit- & LFL & Exploring ment efforts, we have 2 membership kick-offs scheduled in Contact any of our Council STAFF by August. All volunteers are invited to participate, and we will calling (630) 584-9250 or provide a variety of resources and tools to ensure the success of by clicking here! your recruitment drive. Save the Date for BeAScout.org Membership Kick-offs! Quick Links: th th Monday, August 13 Tuesday, August 14 7:00pm 7:00 pm Internet Recharter ● Online Tour Permits Cantigny Visitor Center Location: TBD (check MyScouting ● Online Learning Center 1S151 Winfield Rd, Wheaton the TFC website). Internet Advancement ● Council Website National Website Find the Tools to Make Recruiting for Your Venturing Crew Easy Please click on the link to see It’s all part of the new Venturing Tool Kit, released this month by the BSA’s Marketing the June Calendar on the Group. There’s even a handy recruiting guide Council website! (PDF) that tells you when, where, and how to attract new Venturers. The ultimate prize Please click on the link to see the comes when you show young men and July Eagle Scouts women age 14 to 20 (or 13 and finished with the eighth grade) the adventures awaiting them if they join your 2011 & 2012 Eagle Scouts! crew. Get started today! Please click on the link to see our Local Heroes and Look for the BeAScout.org banner ads on DailyHerald.com website Memorials. and e-mail blast with Chicago Parent in late August 2012!

Three Fires Council— www.threefirescouncil.org New Cub Lesson Plans Introduced Help deliver the promise with the new Alternative Lesson Plans Manual: Year B (please note: huge PDF file, will take a while to download). This follow-up manual to Year A consists of the traditional Cub Scout program and can be delivered by volunteers and program managers. The easy-to-use guide is suited for mixed-age packs/dens and guarantees rank advancement for each Cub Scout.

The hope at the heart of Adopt-a-School is to build strong, sustaining relationships with schools—creating thousands of lasting community partnerships across the U.S. Through committed volunteer efforts – from landscaping and clean-up outside the school building to Scouts’ active participation in school events throughout the year – the BSA® will become a defined presence in improving our nation’s schools.

The second Voice of a Scout survey will go out this fall to parents, Scouts & Venturers over 14, volunteers and chartered organizations. The surveys have been designed to be very brief, but will give needed insight into the variety of experiences at the unit and district within our council.

Surveys will stay open for three weeks, then information will be referenced for making key decisions to drive Scouting forward, as guided by the people that matter most - our members. It will be a continuous program, in that we will launch these surveys twice per year, with no household receiving more than one survey every six month.

Due to the sheer volume of surveys in this program, we must deliver via email to effectively and efficiently collect opinions. To make the most of this program we will begin asking for emails updates regularly, so please make sure we have your most recent email by contacting our Membership Administrators - Nancy Barrett (West Team) or Megan Thill (East Team) at (630) 584-9250.

Voice of the Scout is how we will help guide our decision-making for our future programs and operational delivery. Please take a few minutes of your time to participate! Extended Camp Cards Sale! The no risk Camp Card fundraiser allows you to earn funds for program, camp, and troop equipment, while providing customers with over $67.00 in coupons for local businesses.

Sell 20 Camp Cards and you can earn a multifunction knife! Check out your 20 Camp Cards at a TFC Scout Shop Call (630) 584-9250 for more information.

Congratulations to all 16 of our new Silver Beaver Recipients! On Thursday, June 21, 2012 the Three Fires Council held its Annual Voting Meeting followed by the Council Recognition Dinner at the Hotel Arista at CityGate Centre in Naperville. The dinner honored our 16 Silver Beaver recipients for the class of 2011, 6 Districts were also honored with Journey to Excellence Awards & the TFC Marketing Com- mittee was recognized with a National Award for Marketing Excellence. View photos of these two events in our TFC Photo Gallery or see the Silver Beaver video!

2. Three Fires Council—Boy Scouts of America

2012 Popcorn Sale Can you believe that the 2012 Popcorn Sale is right around the corner? We want to get every unit signed up to sell popcorn by June 30th this year and have the correct Unit Kernel information so you do not miss any important announcements.

To register your unit and Unit Kernel for the 2012 popcorn sale just click the box below and you will be taken to the online registration form. You will also receive a confirmation email with lots of links to resources to help you prepare and plan for your Unit’s popcorn sale over the summer. Our District Kernels are busy registering units for the sale, so if you have already turned in a paper form or registered online, there is no need to register a second time. Click the button for the E-Registration: Remember your District Kernel is your key contact for the popcorn sale. A list of Dis- trict Kernels can be found on the Council Website. Please let us know if you have any questions, and I look forward to seeing all of you at the Popcorn Kickoff on Saturday, August 18, 2012! Allan Boyce, Pocorn Chair & Ron Wentzell, Staff Advisor

J. Milito and Associates Help with Friends of Scouting Wrap-Up We are currently wrapping-up the Friends of Scouting Family Campaign and want to ensure every Scouting family has an opportunity to contribute to the program their sons benefit from. Thank you for all of your support, and if you have not already made a contribution to Friends of Scouting this year we encourage you to do so. We will be working with J. Milito and Associates this year to do a telephone clean-up campaign for all families that have contributed in the past. J. Milito and Associates is a telephone fundraising company with a great reputation, and has come highly recommended from other Boy Scout Councils. We will conduct this clean-up effort from June 18-30, 2012. We need your support again this year. Please inform your families that they may receive a call from J. Milito and Associates, and if they do to help the Boy Scouts at a level they are comfortable with.

Thank You Grainger Community Grant Program The Grainger Community Grant Program is having a significant positive impact on the lives of our Scouts this year through a very generous $7,500 grant to assist disadvan- taged and at-risk youth in our Programs. This grant allows the Three Fires Council to serve more youth and expand our programs in hard to serve areas of the Council. Through support from Grainger and other Friends of Scouting donors, our Council has the means to register any boy that wants to experience Scouting regardless of means or circumstance.

Grainger helps customers save time and money by providing them the right products to keep their facilities up and running. Grainger's customers are 2 million businesses and institutions in 157 countries. Grainger is proud to be a member of our community and shows that commitment through their actions and support for local organizations like the Three Fires Council, Boy Scouts of America. We wish to thank Grainger for their generous support, especially the Addison Branch and Chris Koska, Branch Manager.

You Too Can Make a Difference Through Matching Gifts and Grants From Your Employer Contact your Human Resources Department and fill out a matching gift form to match your Friends of Scouting contribution or for your hours of volunteer service. Submit the form to your company or mail it to the Council depending on the instructions. Once the Council receives the form we will verify the gift or the hours of service and return it to your employer to match your Scouting contribution. You will make an even greater impact on Scouting!

Also, check with your employer to see if they make grants to community organizations like the Boy Scouts to help us fund our quality Scouting program. Contact Ron Wentzell, Director of Development, at 630-797-4615 or [email protected] if you have any questions.

3. Camp Freeland Leslie (CFL) Program Guide & Merit Badge Registration for summer camp! Help your unit prepare for an outstanding summer camp experience by reviewing the CFL Program Guide and merit badge registration instructions. Directions to Camp Freeland Leslie and CFL Campsite map.

JOIN US FOR SAFARI 2012 REGISTER ONLINE on the left sidebar at www.ThreeFiresCouncil.org in the TFC Camp Store for all Three Fires Cub Scout Day camps, overnight camps, and resident camps. This year ALL TFC Summer Camp reservations will be made online. Payments can be made online with a credit card, or at the Norris or Deicke Scout Shops. If paying offline, please print a copy of your online registration receipt and attach it to your pay- ment. Don't miss out on the FUN of summer camping! Register today!!! See the 2012 Day Camp Video!

Today's youth are spending more time than ever using digital media for education, research, socializing, and fun. To help families and volunteers keep youth safe while online, the Boy Scouts of America introduces the Cyber Chip. In developing this exciting new tool, the BSA teamed up with content expert NetSmartz®, part of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children® and training expert for many law enforcement agencies. Netsmartz® has created a Scouting portal showcasing Cyber Chip resources, including grade-specific videos, for each level (Grades 1 through 12). Check out the CYBER CHIP PROGRAM here. The Cyber Chip can be earned by any youth in the BSA’s programs. Material is tailored at each level for age-appropriateness. (Cub Scouts—Grades 1–3 and 4–5, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers, and Sea Scouts—Grades 6–8 and 9–12.) Topics include cyberbullying, cell phone use, texting, blogging, gaming, and identity theft. Cyber Chip Resources.

Leave No Trace Trainer Course - INFORMATION FLIER This 16-hour, overnight training course is designed for adult and youth members of Scout- ing 14 years of age and older, who value the land and want to teach others how to protect and preserve it. Participants will receive introductory training in Leave No Trace skills and outdoor ethics in a condensed two-day format. During this course, participants will be given the opportunity to learn more about the seven principles of Leave No Trace and techniques for disseminating these low impact skills. Completion of a Leave No Trace Trainer course is also a requirement for the Boy Scout Leave No Trace Trainer position within troops. Participants will learn the concepts of Leave No Trace and prepare to teach Leave No Trace Curriculum in a variety of settings: schools, camps, parks, wilderness, and front country areas. Dates: Fri-Sun - October 12-14, 2012 (Camping from Friday, Oct 12th to Sunday, Oct 14th) Location: Hoover Center - Yorkville Time: 5:00 p.m. Friday until 11:00 a.m. Sunday Gear: Additional information on paperwork and gear will be provided after confirmed registration. Cost: Before Sept. 1st $75.00 after Sept. 1st $85.00 (Includes Camp Sites, Trainer Packet, Leave No Trace Materials and Food)

4. Three Fires Council—Boy Scouts of America www.threefirescouncil.org

Wondering which merit badges are the newest? Here’s a look at the new merit badges!

Search & Rescue Chess Welding Kayaking Estimated release: CNBC story on welding Summer 2012 featuring Three Fires Council Scouts! 7/8/12

Sneek Peek: preview the upcoming television show "Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout," from Boy Scouts of America and Original Productions. Airing later in 2012 on the National Geographic Channel.

CHECK OUT WHAT YOUR SCOUT CAN DO!

STEM = SCIENCE + TECHNOLOGY + ENGINEERING + MATHMATICS!

Learn More by visiting WWW.Scouting.org/stem

Thank You Camping World! Camping World will have a significant impact on the lives of our youth involved with the ScoutReach Program. The generous donation will assist disadvantaged youth, and at-risk youth in areas that are challenging to serve.

Camping World is the nation's largest retailer of RV supplies, accessories, services and new and used RVs. Camping World wants to make camping more affordable for every family, on any budget. They work with industry suppliers and partners to add more value to camping dollar. For more information on RVing visit: http://www.campingworld.com/aboutus/

5. Three Fires Council—Boy Scouts of America www.threefirescouncil.org

Attention all SCOUTMASTERS: Mandatory training is coming. Please make arrangements to get yourself and your Assistant Scoutmasters trained for your positions. To be considered trained as a Scoutmaster you need to take Youth Protection, (this can be completed online at www.MyScouting.org. You also need to take Scoutmaster /Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training, and Outdoor Leader Skills for Boy Scout Leaders. Scoutmaster /Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training is of- fered by all of our Districts please check www.Threefirescouncil.org, under the training tab for dates and times.

TRAINING AT SUMMER CAMP: Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters can become fully trained at Camp Freeland Leslie while their Troop is at summer camp! Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific training and Outdoor Leader Skills are both offered all 5 weeks of summer camp this year. Get those new leaders to summer camp and get them trained. This is a no hassle way to fulfill your training requirements. More information is in the leaders guide for Camp Freeland Leslie at the CFL web- site.

Attention Unit Committee Chairs...It’s the responsibility of the Unit Committee to ensure leaders are trained for their position. All committee positions in a unit, and all Cub positions can be trained for their positions by doing the online training available at My Scouting.org. Mandatory training is coming. Please encourage your leaders to do this vitally important training. Our Scouts deserve the best program, and the best program is provided only by trained leaders. If you have questions about training please contact your District Training Chair. Mike Koehne, Council Training Chair or (630) 665-5555.

Three Fires Council is holding a Course in 2012 Wood Badge Course C7-127-12 Course Information FLIER Sunday, Aug 5, 2012 (Sunday) 1-4 pm / Orientation Meeting August 24-26, 2012 (Friday 7am - Sunday 5pm - 3 full days) Part 1 of the Course September 21-23, 2012 (Friday 7am - Sunday 4pm - 3 full days) Part 2 of the Course All 3 sessions will be held at Camp Big Timber in Elgin, IL. Payment can be made in 3 installments or all at once. $50 deposit / $100 payment / $95 payment / $245 total early fee Dan Zedan - 2012 Wood Badge Course Director.

Youth Protection BEGINS with YOU The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our members. Youth protection is of paramount importance and requires sustained vigilance. To cultivate a safe environment, the BSA continues to develop and enhance its youth protection efforts as everyone continues to learn more about the dangers and challenges facing youth.

The BSA has established a multi-tiered youth protection approach focused on volunteer screening, education and training for everyone in the program, and clear policies to protection youth. You can download a copy of the BSA Youth Protection Infographic here. Information on how to take or renew your Youth Protection through MyScouting. Youth Protection Reporting Proceedures for Three Fires Council.

6. Three Fires Council—Boy Scouts of America www.threefirescouncil.org

International Scouting

Messengers of Peace Program Overview Purchase all your Launched in September 2011, Messengers of Peace is a global Scouting material at initiative designed to inspire millions of young men and women in more than 220 one of these two countries and territories to work toward peace. Using state-of-the-art social Council Scout Shop media, the initiative lets Scouts from around the world share what they’ve done locations in or near and inspire fellow Scouts to undertake similar efforts in their own communities. Three Fires Council. The initiative is inspired by the World Scout Committee, administered by the The friendly Scout World Scout Bureau, and driven by youth volunteers worldwide. Shop staff is ready to assist you in selecting Defining Peace uniforms, badges, In terms of the MOP initiative, peace encompasses three dimensions: camping gear, and The personal dimension: harmony, justice, and equality activity, & recognition The community dimension: peace as opposed to hostility or violent conflict items. Relationships between humankind and its environment: security, social and economic welfare, and relationship with the environment Norris Scout Shop 415 N. Second St. Any Scout or Scouter who participates in a project that has had a significant St. Charles, IL 60174 impact on the community in any one of the three dimensions above can qualify Phone: (630) 797-4614 as a Messenger of Peace. Fax: (630) 584-8598 E-mail: Submitting Projects Lori Watson Submitting MOP-related projects is easy for BSA units. All they need to do is check the Messengers of Peace box when entering a service project through Deicke Scout Shop the Journey to Excellence website (www.scouting.org/Awards/ 155 W. Roosevelt Road JourneyToExcellence). Doing so will add the project to the map on the West Chicago, IL 60185 Messengers of Peace website (http://scoutmessengers.com) and will generate a Phone: (630) 231-3192 unit certificate. Fax: (630) 231-3194 E-mail: Recognition Item Sharon Grant Any Scout or Scouter who participates in a qualifying project is eligible to wear a Messengers of Peace ring patch around the World Crest on his or her uniform. To purchase these ring patches, a unit representative should take the unit Click Here to visit the certificate to the local Scout shop or council service center. Council Scout Shop online for valuable Local Contact: coupons and specials, Please contact your TFC International Representatives: Joe Harrington (630) 707- schedule of hours, and 0200 or Ken King (630) 513-0494, for questions and answers about International other information. Scouting opportunities.

Please note, the Scout Shops will be closed on the following Satur- days: All major credit cards accepted! July 7, 2012, July 14, 2012, July 21, 2012, July 28, 2012, August 4, 2012, August 11, 2012 Regular Saturday hours will resume beginning Saturday, August 18, 2012.

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