Voyageur Trace District
Welcome
The Voyageur Trace District represents the communities surrounding the LaGrange Scout Shop and Service Center. Our district is known for its collaborations with local businesses and organizations that provide unique opportunities for our scouts. A few examples are our Vulcan Quarry Event, Cook County Adventure Day, and the Voyageur Trace First Aid Meet.
Bedford Park
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Indianhead Park
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North Riverside
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Berwyn
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Justice
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Riverside
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Bridgeview
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LaGrange
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Stickney
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Brookfield
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LaGrange Highlands
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Summit/Argo
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Countryside
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LaGrange Park
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Westchester
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Forestview
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Lyons
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Western Springs
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Hodgkins
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McCook
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Willow Springs
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District meeting dates of note:
Roundtable for all leaders - 2nd Wednesday of the month (Sep-May) at Plymouth Place in LaGrange
District Committee Meeting - 4th Monday of the month (Aug-May) at Plymouth Place in LaGrange
District Commissioner Meeting - 3rd Tuesday of the month (Aug-May) at Riverside Presbyterian Church
Useful Resources:
Click here for the VT District Master Brochure
Click Here for the A Little Help Please Brochure
Click here for the VT Patch Order Form
Click here for the VT Distinguished Service Award Form
Click here for the District Award of Merit Form
Important Links:
https://www.facebook.com/voyageurtrace/ - Voyageur Trace Facebook Page
https://twitter.com/voyageurtrace - Voyageur Trace Twitter Page
http://scoutingwire.org/ - The Ultimate Scouting Resource Website
https://www.scoutbook.com/ - Say goodbye to your old tracking software and say hello to a whole new way of thinking about Scout advancement.
Order of the Arrow
Takone Lodge Website: http://oa7.org/

Donate today! Please consider making a difference in the lives of the youth we serve. CLICK HERE to make a pledge today! The leaders of tomorrow thank you for all you do!


Here is a document to events happening in all 4 districts of the West Service Area.
Units and/or families can attend activities in any district if the date works better with your calendar.
2019-2020 West Service Area Calendar
2019
October 26 Webelos Vulcan Quarry Day
This event will fulfill the Earth Rocks elective and Webelos will receive their pin that day.
Two sessions to choose from. Limited to 100 Webelos per session.
Registration and Flier
November 9 Council Training Academy - McDonald's Hamburger U
More Info and Course List
Registration Link
November 9 Scouts BSA Girl Troop Celebration
Windy City Ninjas Chicago
View the flier here
Registration Link
November 16 Triton College Merit Badge Academy
Prerequisite requirements and more info on the registration page
Registration
2020
January 22
Voyageur Trace District Dinner
January 25
Scouts BSA Klondike Derby
Bemis Woods South - Grove 7
2020 Klondike Flier
Registration Link
February 8
Cub Scout Polar Prowl
Bemis Woods South
2020 Polar Prowl Flier
March 7
First Aid Meet
April 18
Scouts BSA Adventure Day VII
May 9
Letter Carriers' Food Drive
May 16
Voyageur Day
Scouts BSA Canoe Event
May 23
Veterans Flag Placement
Woodlawn Cemetary
Hosted by Twin Lakes District
August 12 Voyageur Trace Kickoff
Location TBD
September 11-13
I&M Canal Days
Des Plaines River Valley Rendezvous
with Cook County Forest Preserves
October TBD
Webelos Vulcan Quarry Event
And if that is not enough, here is a document to events happening in all 4 districts of the West Service Area.
Units and/or families can attend activities in any district if the date works better with your calendar.
2019-2020 West Service Area Calendar

Congratulations to Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr.,

2019 WHITNEY M. YOUNG, JR.
SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT
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. He will be honored along with other recipients at a dinner on 10/29/2019. This distinguished event is held annually by the Boy Scouts of America to recognize the commitment of adult volunteers and organizations that work tirelessly to improve the lives of youth in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. Rev. Parker has been associated with Pack and Troop 44 in Summit for many years.
Invitation is available here.

See the Tribune/Doings newspaper article with pictures of the 1st Aid meet.
Service Hours on Journey to Excellence
From Linda Baran-Voyageur Trace Service Hours Coordinator
Hard to believe, but we are 2/3 of the way through 2018. Service Hours numbers continue to come in, but not at the rate we'l like to see them. So many points of our program come back to giving back to those around us, and so many do it, we just want to brag about it!!
I recently reached out to all the Troops and am working on contacting the Packs and Crews regarding Service Hour Reporting.
With many scouts having gone on summer adventures either with their units or families, there may be a lot of service hours sitting out there that you may not be aware of. Ask an adult volunteer or one of the scout leaders to talk with the scouts to see if any adventure included Service Hours.
Ask your Advancement Coordinator to check the records too and if any scout has ranked up from 2nd Class on, find out what they did for their Service Hour requirement.
I am usually (not always) as smart as my computer, so if you need some help recording the hours, please feel free to let me know. I will do my best to be available to help either at your location or mine.
Please reach way down and consider making 2018 the best year ever in terms of each and every Unit recording as many hours as possible.
Also, here’s service hours instructions on how to record hours. If you have any questions, feel free to email me:
troopmom15@gmail.com
Thank you
Linda Baran
VT Service Hours Coordinator

Your unit is missing out on community support if service hours are not being reported…
Get recognized-
•Units reporting their service will receive a certificate from the council officially stating the number of service hours they have contributed to their community.
•Units that register an average of 4 hours per Scout or more will get patches for each of their Scouts.
Starting in 2018 the competition begins-
•Monthly bragging rights – Best or most impactful project submitted by the 15th of each month will be featured in the council newsletter. Submit two to three sentences and up to four pictures to be considered.
•The 10 best projects will be selected in November of 2018 to be featured in the 2017 Annual Report.
Click here for more info

Dear Leader,
The Boy Scouts of America volunteer-led national board of directors voted unanimously last week to welcome girls age 5-10 (including Lions) into Cub Scouts in Fall 2018 and will deliver a program for girls age 11-17 in 2019 that will mirror the Boy Scout program right up and through Eagle.
The values of Scouting as outlined in the Scout Law — trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent — are relevant and important for both young men and women. We are excited to partner with you to provide Scouting’s life-changing experiences to even more young people and their families.
Please read the applicable section below and view the infographic and program model. Feel free to contact your local district executive with any questions.
Cub Scout leaders
As a Cub Scout leader, you and your chartering organization will have the opportunity beginning in Fall 2018 to:
- Establish a new all-girl pack
- Establish a coed pack that consists of girl dens and boy dens
- Remain or establish an all-boy pack
Dens will remain single gender in all scenarios. This hybrid model builds on the benefit of a single-gender program while also providing character and leadership opportunities for both boys and girls. The choice for what type of pack you have in Fall 2018 is up to you in consultation with your chartering organization.
Education experts have evaluated the current program content and activities and confirmed the relevancy of the program for girls and young women. Activities, rank advancement requirements and Youth Protection policies will not change. As is current policy for a Scouting activity that includes both boys and girls, there must be both female and male leaders present. At least one of those leaders must be registered as an adult member of the BSA.
Uniforms will also stay the same, although the fit and styling may change.
Boy Scout leaders
A program for girls age 11 to 17 will be announced in 2018 with a projected introduction in 2019. It will use the same curriculum as the current Boy Scouts program, which will give participating girls the opportunity to earn Scouting’s highest rank: Eagle. Eagle Scout requirements will be the same for young women as they are for young men.
Girls who are in the fourth grade in Fall 2018 will likely want to continue their Scouting experience once they complete their time in Cub Scouts. An outstanding program will be in place for them when that time arrives.
All leaders
If contacted by a member of the media, please direct them to our Marketing and Communications Director Kate Jacobs who may be reached at Kate.Jacobs@Scouting.org or at (630) 796-4256. Please understand that only Council officers may speak for the Council or BSA.
We look forward to continuing our partnership with you as Scouting embraces all members of our communities. Thanks for all that you have done and will continue to do for Scouting. Additional information is available at http://www.scoutingnewsroom.org/family-scouting/. For questions, please contact your local district executive.

Voyageur Trace has created a patch to recognize the generosity and dedication of its volunteers. This round, limited edition patch incorporates all the elements of the Voyageur Trace emblem: pack, moccasins, canoe paddle, and wagon wheel.
There are three rockers that encircle the patch:
Volunteer - for those who give of their time serving on a District Committee, on the District Commissioner staff, or as a District Member-at-Large.
Recruiter - for those who bring new volunteers to serve at the district level.
Benefactor - recognizing individuals who contribute $1,000 or more to our district over the course of four years or less.
We greatly appreciate the work and dedication of all of our district volunteers. This first-ever Voyageur Trace patch set is intended to highlight and promote the generous contributions of time, talent, and treasure made at the district level.
VT Patch Order Form
Roundtable Meetings
Roundtable is the best way to find out what is happening at the district and at the council level. Interaction and discussion between leaders is a valuable tool and learning experience. We encourage all units to have at least one person attend the Roundtable to participate in the discussion, hear the announcements, and to receive any handouts and unit mail.
The Voyageur Trace Monthly Roundtables takes place September through May on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, beginning at 7:00pm. Roundtable is intended to be from 7:00 to 9:00. District leaders will be available after for questions and fellowship. If your time is limited, please feel free to leave when necessary. We meet at Plymouth Place in Dole Hall. Leaders are encouraged to attend in uniform.
Plymouth Place is located at 315 N La Grange Road in La Grange.
If you have any questions please contact:
Ernie Froemel
ernie.froemel@gmail.com
The following is a listing of live training course which are being offered. New leaders or those who have changed positions are strongly encouraged to complete their training within 60 days. Training requirements for each position can be found on the training page of the council website. All basic leader training courses can also be completed online at my.scouting.org. Unit committee chairs should work to ensure that 100% of the unit’s adult leaders are fully trained.
To register for any of these courses, click the Calendar tab above.
For a listing of upcoming dates click here. Training Dates

Youth Protection Training – Y01 (available only on-line at my.scouting.org) True youth protection can be achieved only through the focused commitment of everyone in Scouting. It is the mission of Youth Protection volunteers and professionals to work within the Boy Scouts of America to maintain a culture of Youth Protection awareness and safety at the national, regional, area, council, district, and unit levels.
- Youth Protection Training is required for all BSA registered volunteers.
- Youth Protection Training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer’s Youth Protection Training record is not current at the time of re-charter, the volunteer will not be re-registered.
- Volunteers with expired YPT will not be allowed to participate in BSA activities until their Youth Protection Training has been updated.
Cub Scout Leader Training

Den Leader & Assistant Position Specific Training – C42 (also available on-line at my.scouting.org) This course provides Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelos Den Leaders and Assistants with the information and tools they need to run a successful den meeting.

Cubmaster & Assistant Position Specific Training – C40 (also available on-line at my.scouting.org) This course provides Cubmasters and Assistants with the information and tools they need to successfully lead a Cub Scout Pack.

Pack Committee Member Position Specific Training – C62 (also available on-line at my.scouting.org) The purpose of this course is to familiarize pack committee chairs and committee members with the various responsibilities of the individual members of the committee as well as the committee as a whole.
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) – C32 This overnight Cub Scout leader training is required for any Cub Scout den or pack outdoor event, including pack camping overnighters and Webelos den overnighters. This course also replaces the previous OWLS Course.
Boy Scout Leader Training

Scoutmaster & Assistant Position Specific Training – C42 (also available on-line at my.scouting.org) Scoutmaster & Assistant Specific Training provides Scoutmasters and Assistants with the basic information and tools they need to lead successful Boy Scout troops. 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.
Introduction to Outdoor Leader’s Skills (IOLS) – S11 This training introduces the adult Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, or Crew Advisor to the outdoor skills learned by scouts through First Class rank. This includes interactive sessions on cooking, fire building, orienteering, knot tying and much, much more! All Scouters are invited, including Committee members and any other interested adult leaders.

Troop Committee Challenge – WS10 (also available on-line at my.scouting.org) This course provides committee Chairs and members with the tools they need to support a Boy Scout Troop.

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation – D76 (also available on-line at my.scouting.org) This course, required of all Merit Badge Counselors, gives you the confidence and consistency needed to counsel Boy Scouts in Merit Badges.
Venturing Leader Training

Venturing Leader Specific Training – P21 (also available on-line at my.scouting.org) This course is intended to provide Venturing Crew Advisors with the basic information they need to help youth leaders manage a crew.

Crew Committee Challenge – WS12 (also available on-line at my.scouting.org.org) This course will discuss the roles and responsibilities of a Venturing Crew Committee and how to keep positively engaged in the functions of a successful crew.
Supplemental Adult Training

Wood Badge – A90 Wood Badge is advanced leadership training for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing adult leaders at the unit, district, council, and professional levels. It is taught by living the experience of a Boy Scout Troop, utilizing the patrol method, over two weekends.

The Trainer’s Edge - H96 The purpose of the Trainer’s EDGE course is to provide and help develop the platform skills of a trainer. The course uses contemporary training techniques and emphasizes the importance of experiential learning, or "learning by doing." Only practice can polish these skills, but this course is intended to “train the trainer” on behaviors and resources while offering hands-on experience in methods and media for delivering excellent presentations to groups

Training the Chartered Organization Representative – D72 (also available on-line at my.scouting.org) This course is designed to familiarize the Chartered Organization Representative (COR) with the Scouting program. The presentation will help to orient the new COR’s and serve as a review for those with Scouting experience.

Wilderness First Aid Training – N02 This class meets the requirements for Wilderness First Aid established by Boy Scouts of America.

Religious Emblem Counselor / Facilitator
Youth Training

Den Chief Training – C31 The Den Chief is a critical member of the Cub Scout leadership team. To be successful, he must realize the importance of his job. Den Chief Training is intended to build enthusiasm for the position, develop high morals, and teach the skills the Den Chief will need to be successful.

National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) - S78 National Youth Leadership Training is an exciting, action-packed program designed for councils to provide youth members with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home troops.
Please contact our District Executive if you would like recruiting materials for your Pack or Troop or if you want to lend a hand to assist on the membership committee.
Membership Resources Page
If you would like to learn more about sponsorships opportunities please contact our District Executive.
Community Friends of Scouting
Family Friends of Scouting
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