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What's New!
COVID-19 Update - January 18, 2021
Effective January 18, 2021, Governor Pritzker moved the entirety of the Three Fires Council area to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan. However, some areas of our council are under different mitigation tiers. Dupage and Kane counties are under Tier 2 mitigation while the rest of our area is under Tier 1 mitigation. This new phase and mitigation tiers bring on a number of different guidelines to our Council as we continue to reopen.
Unit Operations:
- Under the Restore Illinois Plan Phase 4, Tier 2 : small groups of 10 or less are allowed. Boy Scouts of America programs should be limited to den or patrol size (with two-deep leadership).
- Under the Restore Illinois Plan Phase 4, Tier 1: small groups of 25 or less are allowed.
- Activities are strongly encouraged to be outdoor program whenever possible. Hand washing, face masks and social distancing are to be the norm and to be enforced by unit leaders.
- Before members participate, they need to self evaluate to confirm it is safe for them to participate.
- Members who are ill, living with someone who is ill, or showing symptoms, or in a higher risk category should not participate in group activities.
- Regular troop meetings/outings: please speak with your Charter Partner and follow their guidance.
Council Program Operations:
- Council Programing will continue as planned.
- Please be on the lookout for additional information about our upcoming spring programs and any potential changes. Check out our Facebook page for the most up to date information.
- Three Fires Council will continue to update and distribute additional materials, as well as programs for Cub Scouts via our Digital Scouting Resources page; including Virtual Dens and the Adventures in a Box Program.
EPA, Boy Scouts Announce Collaboration on Environmental Education Award Program and Special Award
WASHINGTON (August 17, 2020) - Today U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Boy Scouts of America (BSA) CEO and President Roger C. Mosby signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the creation of an EPA/BSA special award to be awarded as part of a new environmental education awards and recognition program.
"I was an Eagle Scout growing up in Ohio, and I can definitely say scouting is where I learned to love the environment," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "This award program challenges Scouts to earn multiple environment-related merit badges in the areas of animal study, outdoor activity, Earth science, and Public Health, and increases awareness of EPA's accomplishments during its first 50 years."
"Since the very beginning of the Boy Scouts of America, conservation and environmental studies have been an integral part of our program. Scouts have provided service to their communities and to our country by helping to conserve wildlife, energy, forests, soil and water," said Boy Scouts of America President and CEO Roger C. Mosby. "We are proud to sign the first-ever Memorandum of Understanding with the Environmental Protection Agency so that we can continue to challenge and empower Scouts to learn more about and care for the world around them."
"For 110 years, the Boy Scouts of America have used the outdoors as a classroom to educate youth and adults on the importance of being good stewards of our natural resources. This partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency will have a positive impact on thousands of youth and our environment," said Boy Scouts of America National Capital Area Council Scout Executive & CEO Craig Poland.
Aligned with EPA's 50th Anniversary Commemoration, the program includes several activities that help to fulfill EPA's obligations under the 1990 National Environmental Education Act to promote environmental education and to provide national leadership to increase environmental literacy.
The EPA-sponsored award will challenge Scouts to learn about, explore, and conserve the world around them as part of an awareness campaign to educate the public about EPA's accomplishment during its first 50 years and develop the vision for the next 50 years. The program will also provide EPA with opportunities to educate BSA member councils and leadership about priority initiatives including Trash Free Waters, Winning on Reducing Food Waste, and Healthy Schools.
The program will introduce Scouts to the breadth of EPA's involvement in environmental protection and conservation, combining a variety of disciplines including earth sciences, animal studies, outdoor activities, and public health. To receive the EPA award, Scouts must first receive merit badges in each of these four areas and participate in an environmental/public health community service project, totaling at least six hours, as part of an approved Scouting program. Scouts may complete required steps to earn the award between April 22, 2020 and December 31, 2021, at which time the MOU may be extended.
The Boy Scouts of America is the largest Scouting organization and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with about 2.1 million youth participants and about 1 million adult volunteers. The BSA was founded in 1910, and since then, about 110 million Americans have participated in BSA programs.
To earn the EPA award, you can download the application here. EXITCompleted applications should be submitted to the local Scout Shop to receive the commemorative patch.
Cub Scout Day Camps - "Weird Science!"
For Cub Scout aged Scouts, siblings and friends entering 1st grade thru 5th grade in the Fall of 2021. For children entering 1st grade in the Fall (Tiger Scouts), a parent is required to attend with their child.
Join the Camp Freeland Leslie Summer Staff!
Camp Freeland Leslie Registration is now open!
Camp Freeland Leslie is also a bike friendly and compact camp that is easy to get around. With four scheduled merit badge sessions daily and an open session, you can tackle as many advancements as you wish or relax and have fun.
Since we had a successful 2020 at CFL using the cohort program we are preparing for 2021 to get back to normal, but we are also ready to adapt to ensure a great summer camp experience. At Camp Freeland Leslie the choice is yours. Reserve your campsite today before space fills up!
Family Camp at Camp Big Timber
Conveniently located in Elgin there are activities for you and your child to enjoy together including archery, BB guns, Games, STEM activities, rock climbing, a campfire and more!
There are two sessions available to begin your summer and end your summer. Click here for more information.
You Are Not Alone - Introducing Virtual Dens!
To accomplish this, we have a few Den Leaders already, but are looking for some more dedicated volunteers that are familiar with the Cub Scout program and have the ability to help some Cub Scouts continue their journey during the current pandemic. We need engaged volunteers to be Den Leaders to support Cub Scouts who do not feel comfortable participating in groups, Cub Scouts who have no Den Leaders for their rank, or Cub Scouts who have few or no other Scouts in their current dens. You may be a current Den Leader with a planned program already that could mentor a few more, or maybe a former Den Leader that could take a full den.
If you're interested in being a virtual den leader, contact Roberto Aguilar at Roberto.Aguilar@Scouting.org
