Scouting Matters - Mississippi Valley Council
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Scouting Matters Summer 2021
Quincy Service Center Burlington Service Center
2522 Locust Street, Quincy, IL 62301 3007 Flint Hills Drive, Burlington, IA 52601
Phone: (217) 224-0204 Phone: (319) 754-8413
Many of our Scouts and Leaders have been counting down the days until they are able to return to our two gorgeous properties
for Summer Camp: Saukenauk Scout Reservation and Camp Eastman! We saw more than 900 Scouts come from multiple states
to enjoy our facilities as Scouts worked on age-appropriate activities including Merit Badges, Scoutcraft activities, Ecology Projects,
Shooting Sports (BB’s, Archery, Shotgun, Pistol, Rifle, Paintball), and more! We could keep elaborating on the fun of Summer
Camp, but as the adage says a picture speaks a thousand words so check out this high word count in pictorial form:
Back to Camp
Order of the Arrow Spring Conclave
On the weekend of April 16-18 Black Hawk Lodge held the Spring Conclave,
their first in-person gathering since the Lodge Leadership Development on
February 15, 2020. It was also the first induction event since the Fall
Reunion in August of 2019. For all those elected for induction, this is their
first step toward being a member of the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s
National Honor Society. Included were Scouts and adults who were called-
out in 2019 at summer camp, as well as those who were elected during the
year of 2020. In total there were eighty-one Arrowmen / Candidates
attending! As a part of their Ordeal, they all did service work around camp.
Such as new paint on the Scoutcraft closet, chopped wood, new stepping
rocks in front of the Honor Cabins, and cleared brush are all things that
were accomplished by the candidates. Congratulations new Arrowmen!
Black Hawk Lodge’s next event is the Fall Reunion (Aug 13-15, 2021) at
Saukenauk Scout Reservation.
Partnerships with Local Sporting Clubs
Around our Council
Mississippi Valley had a strong attendance for Scout Night at the Quincy Gems
baseball game. Cub Scouts and Scouts from the region attended games on June
22nd and July 20th. They had their names announced with the baseball team and
jogged out with the players. They also Participated in the flag ceremony during
the National Anthem. Following the pre-game ceremonies, Scouts, leaders, and
family members stayed and cheered on the hometown team.
On July 31st, Scouts gathered to cheer on the Burlington Bees. Flags were carried
on the field by Troops and Packs, and a firework display was shown after the
game. We’re thankful for our partnership with both the Bees and the Gems.
Thank you to the staff of the Quincy Gems and Burlington Bees for providing a
unique experience for the youth.
Local Scouts Visit Historic BSA Trails on National Battlefields.
In June of this year, Life Scout Thomas and his
Scouter Father, Dan, completed four historical
battlefield trails administered by local BSA
Councils in Tennessee, as well as another
battlefield hike currently in the rigid process of becoming a BSA Historical Trail. Over five
days, while battling a high heat index and alternatively 100% humidity, the duo from
Troop 3 in Burlington hiked a total of 43.7 miles on various terrain at Fort Donelson,
Parker’s Crossroads, Shiloh, Stone’s River, and Franklin. These trails allow hikers to
experience the battlefields off the beaten path in a unique way. The required preliminary research, and the questions and
answers while hiking, teaches scouts about these complex battles that shaped our history. Thomas earned four BSA trail
patches and one trail medal on this adventure. If you have any questions about these trails or visiting Civil War battlefields,
contact Mr. Fell at Troop 3 via mvc@scouting.org.
Scouting for Food Campaign
The Council hosted its annual Scouting for Food drive on the second and third weekends in March with support from our multi-
decade sponsor, County Market. Scouting for Food is the nation’s largest single-day food drive where more than a million youth go
door to door dropping off bags and returning to pick up the bags a week later. Community Service is one of the hallmarks of our
organization and Scouting for Food is looked forward to by youth and adults alike all year round. Food is donated to local pantries,
churches, and shelters. March is the given time frame because that tends to be when the pantries are running low after numerous
holiday contributions. We’re proud of all our Scouts who are learning to help others through unselfish acts. Check out these
pictures from a few of our Scouts around the Council.
Pack 35 Troop 71 Pack & Troop 7 Pack 99
Summer of Service
Rushville, IL Danville, IA Fort Madison, IA Quincy, IL
Jacob W.’s 1st Collection Showing off their collection Donated 1,000lbs Collected 1,400 items
Summer of Service Pack 22 Trash pickups
Pack 22, Chartered to Holy Name Society, St. Francis Church,
Quincy, IL., participated in the Summer of Service program completing three separate trash pickups over the summer.
Conservation Project at Geode State Park by Troop 3
Troop 3, chartered by St. John’s Catholic Church in Burlington, Iowa completed a substantial
restoration project at Geode State Park in Danville, IA. Lake Geode was drained in the Fall of 2017 due to water quality problems
and excess sediment. The bank on the outside of a large bend of the creek had become eroded. Dan Fell enlisted Troop 3 to
implement and complete a restoration plan to prevent further stream bank erosion and therefore keep dirt out of the creek, and
out of the lake. Five adults and twenty-two Scouts worked on this project on May 1st. One crew shaved the sides of the streambank
to a healthier angle. A second crew harvested brush cutting to create brush mats and fascines to stabilize the soil. The Troop’s third
crew gathered different size rocks to armor the new streambank and to construct stream barbs to keep the water flowing in the
center of the channel. The pictures are before and after the project.
Council Recognition Reception
Silver Beaver
Recipients
Congratulations to these Scouts & Volunteers!
Adam Tatti Zane Whitaker
Pat Jackson Memorial Meritorious
Scholarship Award
Ben Schmidgall
Kim Thompson
The Mississippi Valley Council hosted its annual recognition event at Camp Eastman. Three
recipients received the prestigious Silver Beaver award and were honored while surrounded by
Jordan Schier friends and family. The inaugural Pat Jackson Memorial Scholarship was award to Adam Tatti. of
Burlington, Iowa. Zane Whitaker received a Certificate of Merit for saving his father’s life.
Thank you from Rosanna Voss Introducing Michelle Meyer
Throwback to 13 Eagles Scouts
It has now been almost two months since I retired from the We’d like to introduce Michelle Meyer as the new Executive
Mississippi Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America after Assistant for the Council. You’ll see her friendly face in the
in 1974 - picture
nearly 28 years of employment. I wanted to take this Scout Shop or hear her on the phone when you call. She’ll
opportunity to thank everyone who attended my retirement be supporting the administrative, program, and
party at Native Grill & Wings on April 29th. Over 100 people development objectives of the Council while making sure
attended from as far away as Burlington, IA and Normal, IL! our 900+ volunteers have the resources and tools to be
I know many wanted to attend but were unable; I know you successful. We are excited to have her on the team!
were there in spirit. Thank you to everyone who donated to
my James E. West Fellowship Award and my retirement gifts
including a personalized hand axe. I am very grateful to
everyone's generosity.
Although I won't be in communication with you on a
consistent basis, I know we will see each other on the
trail, whether it be in the community or on Facebook.
Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Council Leadership: Scouting Matters Staff
Will Duryea, Council President J. David Gilbert, Staff Advisor
Ben Schmidgall, Council Commissioner Michelle Meyer, Staff Writer & Designer
Ricci Dula, Scout Executive/CEO
Scouting Matters is published four times a year by the Mississippi Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America. Articles and
pictures are always welcome for consideration and may be e-mailed to mvc@scouting.org.
Find us online: www.mississippivalleybsa.org
Visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MississippiValleyCouncil
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