Twin Lakes District
Welcome!
The Twin Lakes District represents 12 towns in the near Northwest suburbs of Chicago. They include Broadview, Bellwood, Maywood, Forest Park, Oak Park, Elmwood Park, River Grove, River Forest, Melrose Park, Northlake, Franklin Park, and Stone Park. Our units have participate in favorite events such as Winter Blast, Klondike Derby, and Scout Fun Day. We have a diverse group of leaders and scouts in the district, and have some recently recognized volunteers who received prestigious scouting awards for ethnic diversity in their communities. We also have a strong presence in our towns as providers of service doing such things as feeding hundreds at a Memorial Day parade, and helping to make and deliver meals and gifts to over 10,000 families at Christmas time.

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November Events
Tuesday, November 12
November Roundtable
Roundtables will start at 7:30 PM.
St. Cyprian: 2601 Clinton St., River Grove (Cafeteria)
TWIN LAKES ROUNDTABLES should be attended by at least one representative from EVERY Pack and Troop for the latest training, program ideas, news, information, and fellowship with other leaders. Members of the District Committee and Commissioner Staff should attend to participate and meet with the leaders of the units they serve.
Our goal is to have 100% of the units represented at Roundtable each month.
December Events
Tuesday, December 10
December Roundtable
Roundtables will start at 7:30 PM.
St. Cyprian: 2601 Clinton St., River Grove (Cafeteria)
TWIN LAKES ROUNDTABLES should be attended by at least one representative from EVERY Pack and Troop for the latest training, program ideas, news, information, and fellowship with other leaders. Members of the District Committee and Commissioner Staff should attend to participate and meet with the leaders of the units they serve.
Our goal is to have 100% of the units represented at Roundtable each month.
January 2020 Events
Tuesday, January 14
January Roundtable
Roundtables will start at 7:30 PM.
St. Cyprian: 2601 Clinton St., River Grove (Cafeteria)
TWIN LAKES ROUNDTABLES should be attended by at least one representative from EVERY Pack and Troop for the latest training, program ideas, news, information, and fellowship with other leaders. Members of the District Committee and Commissioner Staff should attend to participate and meet with the leaders of the units they serve.
Our goal is to have 100% of the units represented at Roundtable each month.
Saturday, September 25
Klondike Derby with Voyageur Trace District
More details soon!
February 2020 Events
Saturday, February 8
Twin Lakes Winter Blast
Thatcher Woods
More details soon!
Tuesday, February 11
February Roundtable
Roundtables will start at 7:30 PM.
St. Cyprian: 2601 Clinton St., River Grove (Cafeteria)
TWIN LAKES ROUNDTABLES should be attended by at least one representative from EVERY Pack and Troop for the latest training, program ideas, news, information, and fellowship with other leaders. Members of the District Committee and Commissioner Staff should attend to participate and meet with the leaders of the units they serve.
Our goal is to have 100% of the units represented at Roundtable each month.
Thursday, February 27
Twin Lakes District Dinner
River Grove Moose Lodge
More details soon!
Saturday, February 29
Twin Lakes District Pinewood Derby
St Celestine
More details soon!
March 2020 Events
Saturday, March 7
1st Aid Meet with Voyageur Trace District
More details soon!
Tuesday, March 10
March Roundtable
Roundtables will start at 7:30 PM.
St. Cyprian: 2601 Clinton St., River Grove (Cafeteria)
TWIN LAKES ROUNDTABLES should be attended by at least one representative from EVERY Pack and Troop for the latest training, program ideas, news, information, and fellowship with other leaders. Members of the District Committee and Commissioner Staff should attend to participate and meet with the leaders of the units they serve.
Our goal is to have 100% of the units represented at Roundtable each month.
Saturday, March 21
Merit Badge Academy
EP High School
More details soon!
April 2020 Events
Tuesday, April 14
April Roundtable
Roundtables will start at 7:30 PM.
St. Cyprian: 2601 Clinton St., River Grove (Cafeteria)
TWIN LAKES ROUNDTABLES should be attended by at least one representative from EVERY Pack and Troop for the latest training, program ideas, news, information, and fellowship with other leaders. Members of the District Committee and Commissioner Staff should attend to participate and meet with the leaders of the units they serve.
Our goal is to have 100% of the units represented at Roundtable each month.
Saturday, April 18
District Service Project
More details soon!
May 2020 Events
Friday, May 15 - Saturday, May 16
Twin Lakes Camporee
Camp Tomo
More details soon!
Monday, May 25
Memorial Day Flag Placement
Woodlawn Cemetery
More details soon!
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If your Unit has an event or activity to publicize, please email Jason Clary and we will update our page with your news.
Blue & Gold Cub Scout Camp Promotion
One of the most exciting nights of the year for all Cub Scouts is the Blue & Gold Dinner. The council promotions committee is preparing for our Cub Scout camp promotions and would like to share with you at your Blue and Gold. If you are interested, a camp promotions member could come to promote Cub Scout Camping (5 minutes). Please respond to camppromo@pathwaytoadventure.org and our district promotions team will then work to meet all of the requests we’ve received. So, please email with the following information to help us plan:
- The date, time, and location of your Blue and Gold Dinner
- The estimated number of families that will attend your Blue and Gold Dinner
We have incredible opportunities we would like to share with you. Looking forward to seeing everyone at camp. Please let me know if we can join your fun. Y.I.S.Mary Hoy - PTAC Promotions Chair
camppromo@pathwaytoadventure.org
Des Plaines River Trail
Tom Nelson is promoting the use of our Forest Preserve District trails by earning this patch for a 5 mile hike. The trail runs through the northern part of the Twin Lakes District, starting (or ending) at North Avenue with the opposite end near Lawrence Avenue. This is not an official PTAC or Twin Lakes District trail. It is strictly a trail through the Forest Preserve. But, if your Scouts complete the trail, you may award them the patch shown here. The patches are available from Tom for the whopping cost of 75¢ each, payable to Tom in coin of the realm. Contact Tom at 708-456-0730, Tom particularly likes to receive calls at dinner time (just kidding).
Click here for a map of the trail.
How to Update Your Scouting ID and Profile
Sometimes your training record is not accurate because you have not updated your personal profile in My.Scouting.org with your ID number. Follow the instructions below to fix this common problem.
You have the ability to update your own profile on the MyScouting website. This is important to make sure your training records are successfully recorded under your name as well as to keep current contact information for receiving important district and council information. Please Click here to download and instruction sheet to successfully update your profile.
Merit Badge Counselor List
Council has just updated the Merit Badge Counselor list from all the legacy councils. This has been a long process because the records were not well kept in some of the other councils. Besides, it was a monumental undertaking to create a list that is 169 pages long! A list has been made and it has been emailed to the Key 3 of each troop in our district as well as your Unit Commissioners. The new list will be updated and sorted by district, shortly, which will make it easier to use. If you have any problems or suggestions regarding the new list or its format, please contact Mike Stewart our District Advancement Chair.
By the way, PTAC policy prohibits "posting" this list. So please respect this policy and use this list "privately" within your troop.
Community Newsletter Direct to You
To sign up for the PTAC or Des Plaines Valley Community e-newsletters, go the the home page. The lower right area of the homepage has the sign-up form. Click here to return to home page.
Click here to find archived council and district newsletters.
Shin-Go-Beek Song Book
“High above the Twin Lakes waters…" Thomas Wiese converted the old mimeographed Camp Shin-Go-Beek songbook into a PDF format as part of his Wood Badge ticket. Plans are to identify the tunes and add links to the music for us musically challenged folks. Click below if would like a copy of the words to these 79 songs!
Camp Shin-Go-Beek Song Book
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TWIN LAKES ROUNDTABLES should be attended by at least one representative from EVERY Pack and Troop for the latest training, program ideas, news, information, and fellowship with other leaders. Members of the District Committee and Commissioner Staff should attend to participate and meet with the leaders of the units they serve.
Our goal is to have 100% of the units represented at Roundtable each month.
ATTENTION ALL TWIN LAKES VOLUNTEERS: In an effort to try and get more units to attend, we are changing the location and the day of the week. We are now going to be having the monthly committee meetings and Roundtables on the 2nd TUESDAY of the month. The committee meetings will start at 6:30 PM, and the Roundtables will start at 7:30 PM.
Roundtable Location for November - April: St. Cyprian - 2601 Clinton St, River Grove
2019-2020 Roundtable Schedule - Check back soon!
SEPTEMBER |
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OCTOBER
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TBD |
NOVEMBER
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TBD |
DECEMBER
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Blue and Gold
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JANUARY
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TBD |
FEBRUARY
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TBD |
MARCH
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TBD |
APRIL
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TBD |
MAY
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TBD
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Twin Lakes 2019-20 Training Update
Current May 24, 2019
Wood Badge • Scouting BSA Youth • Scouting BSA Adult • Cub Scout Leader
Charter Organization Representative • Venturing • Youth Protection Training
Hazardous Weather Training • Using Online Training
This course listing includes required, basic training and advanced leadership training options. BSA training uses course materials developed by the national council and have the same content wherever taken. Find the most convenient course to meet your time and needs. Register for PTAC courses using the calendar at: http://pathwaytoadventure.com/ptaccalendar
There are many ways to receive supplemental training, Roundtable is your easiest option. The Twin Lakes Roundtable meets
every second Tuesday, September to May.
WOOD BADGE
Wood Badge is the premier leadership training offered by the BSA. Pathway to Adventure Council. Wood Badge is staffed by experienced fellow Scouters who want to share the Greatest Leadership Secret with you!
Wood Badge is not about how to do Scouting, it is about how to be a better leader. It has been shown that units with Wood Badge trained leaders offer a better program for their youth. Why don't you plan on attending Wood Badge this year and see how you can improve what your unit can offer the Scouts you serve.
You must attend both weekends of Wood Badge.
- September 18-20 and October 3-4, 2020 – Starts at 7am – Camp Betz, Berrien Springs, MI
SCOUTS BSA TRAINING
YOUTH
Den Chief Training
- March 28, 2020 – Merit Badge Academy
- December 5, 2020 – TBA – LaGrange Area
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops
Meant to be delivered by the Scoutmaster and Senior Patrol Leader.
Syllabus available at: https://www.scouting.org/training/youth/
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)
National Youth Leadership Training is an action-packed program designed to provide youth members with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home troops and crews, and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others.
The course centers around the concepts of what a leader must BE, what he must KNOW, and what he must DO. The key elements are then taught with a clear focus on HOW TO. The skills come alive during the week as the patrol goes on a Quest for the Meaning of Leadership.
NYLT is a six-day course. Content is delivered in a troop and patrol outdoor setting with an emphasis on immediate application of learning in a fun environment.
- January 17-19, 2020 and February 14-16 – Camp Big Timber, Elgin, IL (PTAC)
- June 14-20, 2020 – Starts 1pm – Owasippie, Twin Lakes, MI
- June 21-27, 2020 – Starts 1pm – Owasippie, Twin Lakes, MI
Click here to go to the NYLT page for more information.
ADULT
Scoutmaster/Asst. Scoutmaster Position Specific Training
Scoutmaster & Assistant Specific Training provides Scoutmasters and Assistants with the basic information and tools they need to lead a successful troop. This course along with Introduction to Outdoor Leaders Skills is required training for all Scoutmasters and Asst Scoutmasters to be considered trained for their position.
- February 8, 2020 – LaGrange Area - TBA
- November 21, 2020 – LaGrange Area - TBA
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)
- May 16-17, 2020 – 8 am Shabbona Woods, 15810 S Torrence, South Holland, IL
- October 24-25, 2020 – 8 am Shabbona Woods, 15810 S Torrence, South Holland, IL
Troop Committee Challenge
Merit Badge Counselor Training
- Available online
- Possibly March 28, 2020 - Merit Badge Academy, Elmwood Park, IL
Wilderness First Aid
CUB SCOUT LEADER TRAINING
Den Leader & Assistant
This course provides Tiger, Wolf, Bear & Webelos Den Leaders & Assistants with the information & tools they need to
run a successful den meeting.
- March 14, 2020 – 9am - La Grange Area Voyager Trace District
- November 7, 2020 – 9am - La Grange Area Twin Lakes District
Cubmaster & Assistant
- March 14, 2020 – 9am - La Grange Area Voyager Trace District
- November 7, 2020 – 9am - La Grange Area Twin Lakes District
Pack Committee Challange
- March 14, 2020 – 9am - La Grange Area Voyager Trace District
- November 7, 2020 – 9am - La Grange Area Twin Lakes District
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation- BALOO
Online orientation course required beforehand for completion
- May 2-3, 2020 – Starts at 8:45am Shabbona Woods, 15810 S Torrence, South Holland, IL
- October 17-18, 2020 – Starts at 8:45am – Shabbona Woods, 15810 S Torrence, South Holland, IL
CHARTER ORGANIZATION REPRESENTATIVE
Training the Chartered Organization Representative
VENTURING TRAINING
Venturing Advisor Position-Specific Training
Crew Committee Challenge
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews
Meant to be delivered by the Crew Officers. Syllabus available at: https://www.scouting.org/training/youth/
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)
See listings under Scouts BSA Training - Youth
Youth Protection Training (YPT)
All registered leaders are required to take Youth Protection Training (YPT) before registration as a leader and then every two years afterwards. Non-registered adults who are in contact with youth for more than 72 (non-contiguous) hours (ie, campouts) are also required to take YPT. New leaders need to submit a copy of the completion certificate with their registration form. YPT is required to be considered “Trained”.
Leaders who are not current with YPT training will be dropped from the charter.
It is also recommended that YPT generally be taken by any interested adult so that everyone in the unit knows and understands the BSA policies for youth protection.
YPT must be retaken every two years in order to maintain your registration in the BSA.
Youth Protection Training is available online at My.Scouting.org, you do not have to be a registered leader to take YPT online. Group presentations can also be arranged by contacting your Unit Commissioner or the Twin Lakes District Training Chair.
Hazardous Weather Training
Direct contact leaders (Den Leaders, Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Crew Advisors - and assistants) are required to complete Hazardous Weather Training to be considered “Trained”. This training is part of any online position specific training course or available as a stand alone online course. Online courses are available at My.Scouting.org.
Using Online Training
My.Scouting.org has numerous required and supplemental training courses. YPT may be taken online before registering as a leader. Please make sure you don’t create multiple accounts by signing on differently each session because your training
records become difficult to verify which can affect your unit’s charter. Once you are issued a BSA ID number, enter it in your My.Scouting.org profile so all your personal information and training are linked together.
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