History of Northwest Suburban Council

Northwest Suburban Council, Boy Scouts of America – A History
February 15, 2005

Boy Scouting, established in America in 1910 by a Chicago publisher, William D. Boyce, expanded rapidly in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. In December 1919, the Park Ridge Methodist Church began sponsorship of the first Boy Scout Troop in the area now known as the Northwest Suburban Council. From July 1912 to 1919, Troop 1 had been self sustaining. In July 2005, they will celebrate over 93 years of Scouting service to youth. 1945 saw several Lone Scouts registered with the council at fifty cents each.

In August 1926, due to the rapid growth of the Scouting idea, representatives of the various sponsors organized the Northwest Suburban Council of the Boy Scouts "for the purpose of organizing Scout Troops to enable as many boys as possible to receive the advantage and training in the educational program of the BSA". The Northwest Suburban Council was incorporated in 1940 as a non-profit organization in the State of Illinois. Chartered each year by the National Council BSA, the council boundaries have covered the same area since it was first organized.

The Cub Scout program was added in the United States 1930. Pack 1 was chartered November 1954 with 36 youth. Registration remained at fifty cents and a transfer was five cents. The Senior Scout program was expanded. In the 1970's and 1980's, Exploring, Career Awareness Exploring, and Varsity Scouting were added for high school youth and Tiger Cubs was added to the Cub Scout program in June 1982. In 1998, Venturing was created and Exploring Posts became a part of Learning for Life. Beginning in 1973, a decline in available youth of Scouting age and other factors caused a decline in membership. Since 1981, Scouting has been steadily growing in the Northwest Suburbs:

1933 677 1976 12,506 1984 9,328 1992 12,045 2000 14,707 1937 937 1977 10,555 1985 9,673 1993 12,199 2001 15,067 1950 3,000 1978 9,625 1986 10,534 1994 12,280 2002 15,090 1954 5,650 1979 8,299 1987 11,772 1995 12,610 2003 13,903 1961 10,470 1980 8,313 1988 11,750 1996 12,948 2004 15,000 1966 13,879 1981 8,166 1989 12,006 1997 13,252     1970 17,083 1982 8,632 1990 12,183 1998 13,605     1975 13,517 1983 9,281 1991 12,239 1999 13,965

In 1954, the Northwest Suburban Council served 50% of all available youth. Long range studies were conducted in 1947, 1955, 1958, 1968, 1971, 1976, 1984, 1992, 1997, and 2004 all oriented to develop community resources to keep pace with the available youth.

Headquarters for Scouting in the Northwest Suburban Council began in 1940 at 100 S. Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge then moved to a building whose entrance was behind the Pickwick Theatre in the alley entrance to the Park Ridge University Club, 18 S. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, IL. In 1954 property was purchased at 2300 Dempster Street, Des Plaines, IL. This office, dedicated November 16, 1958, was built at a cost of $28,000; estimated value of the land and buildings was $75,000. W. P. Utermohlen, Jr., was Chairman of the Building Committee; Fred Walsh as the Council President; and Stanley Huntington was the Scout Executive at the time of the Des Plaines purchase. Proceeds from the sale of the Des Plaines building and a six year pledge for $300,000 enabled Council officers to purchase and remodel 1300 E. Rand Road, Arlington Heights, Il. At this time Robert Sasser was Council President and Leslie Nelson was Scout Executive. At the time of the current offices were purchased at 600 North Wheeling Road, William C. Peterson was Council President and Arthur N. Adler was Scout Executive.

On August 14, 1938, Donald Kyger, Scout Executive, inquired at National and to Dr. E. Urner Goodman about the Order of the Arrow program. Application was made March 23, 1940 and chartered on April 25, 1940 with 19 members, 14 from Kenosha Council Camp OhDaKoTa and five transfers from other chapters. Thus Lakota Lodge 175 was born.

Summer camp, an integral part of the council responsibility since Scouting's inception, has progressed from the early 1930's when Northwest Suburban Council Scouts camped with the Kenosha Council at Camp OhDaKoTa. Present policy is to own and operate one long-term summer camp, Camp Napowan, a 313 acre property located near Wild Rose, Wisconsin. Camp Napowan was purchased in 1945 when John Gillick was Council President, W. A. Miles was Council Commissioner and Stanley Huntington was Scout Executive. From 1950 to 1954, Jordan Minerva was Camp Director at Napowan and in 1951 the first well, ten feet deep was hand dug in the Wilderness Camp. In 1951, one thousand trees donated by the State Forest Dept. were planted on the property near Funk Lake (now known as Lake Napowan). After 1947 the Hills Lake property was purchased for $3,200, making Napowan a 313 acre camp. Two forty acre tracks were added over the years for a total of 393 acres. One short-term nearby property of 90 acres, Camp Lakota in Woodstock, Illinois, a developing multi-purpose facility, was purchased in 1946. Another 90 acres was purchased in 1947. There are 38 leased acres at Camp Lakota for a total of 226 acres.

In 1953, the Northwest Suburban Council went from two districts (one district covered: Park Ridge, Skokie, Morton Grove, and Des Plaines; the other district was Barrington and Lake Zurich) to five districts, and two professionals to seven. The districts were Skokie Valley, Maine Ridge, Algonquin, Blackhawk, and Signal Hill. In 1955, the Northwest Suburban Council served 54% of the available boys.

In 1962/63, the Northwest Suburban Council bought Camp Namekagon to be used as a canoe base. This camp was sold in 1977.

In 1961, seven districts were formed: Signal Hill, Pathfinder, Sauk Woods, North Star, Algonquin, Maine Ridge and Skokie Valley. In May 1972 the council approved nine districts: Algonquin, Signal Hill, Sauk Woods, Pathfinder, Thunder Bird, Maine Ridge, Blackhawk, Skokie Valley and Polaris. An additional District, No. 10 was added that of Exploring. 1973 saw two National Jamborees; one in the west from 8-1-73 to 8-7-73 at Farragut State Park in Idaho and in the east from 8-3-73 to 8-9-73 at Moraine State Park in Pennsylvania.

In 1965, the Woman's Service League was formed and countless hours were given by volunteers to the council. This group was dissolved in January 1985.

In 1972, Boy Scout Skills Awards (belt buckles) were instituted. Camp Namekagon fees for seven days were $50.00. On 9-1-72 registration fees increased from $2.00 to $2.50 and Boys' Life fees went up from $2.00. to $2.50. 1972 was also the start of the Cub Scout Segment program around the Northwest Suburban Council patch.

In 1973, Camp Namekagon was a conservation and ecology camp with fees of $60. plus transportation. The camp also ran an aquatics camp for $50. plus bus transportation from Randhurst Mall at $35. In 1974 both Namekagon and Napowan ran seven weeks of summer camp, $38 if camp furnished food and equipment and $35. if the troop brought their own tents to camp. 1992 summer camp at Napowan introduced the CAP program (Camper Activity Program) for the first time.

In 1976, the first Scouters Swap Meet started (2-29-76). These events ran each spring ending on 3-23-96. One is planned for February 2005. Northwest Suburban Council celebrated their Golden Anniversary at Shoe Factory Woods in 1976. Other Golden Anniversary events included a special “Old Timers Reunion with C. Otto Nimitz as special guest and Golden Anniversary Scout-O-Rama and Camporee. 1995 was the 50th Anniversary of the purchase of Camp Napowan. A special camp staff reunion celebrating the 50 years of operation was held in the summer of 1996 at Camp Napowan. Craig Schulze served as chairman of this fun weekend. The most notable camp staff alumnus is Harrison Ford. He was invited, but could not attend this special event. Cub Scout Day Camps started and the first Webelos Dad and Son Campout at Camp OhDaKoTa was held.

The Executive Board of the Northwest Suburban Council met on 2-24-76 and the sale of Camp Napowan was discussed. In December 1973, a report and recommendation of the Land Development Committee was approved by the Executive Board. This recommendation proposed: 1.) One “Northwoods” long-term summer camp facility to accommodate our future camping needs. 2.) A “near in” year round camp to accommodate “multi-purpose” usage. (Cubs, Picnics, Day Camp, Webelos, Scouting, Exploring, Leader Training, Troop Leader Development, Wood Badge, and long term camping).

In July 1975, to bring this subject to a decision, the Council Executive Committee authorized the Land Development Committee to place the Napowan property on the market to seek an “offer to purchase”. In January 1976 an offer was received which the Land Development Committee and the Council Executive Committee recommended for consideration. Scouters were informed at “Fireside Chats” held in each district in October, at Council meetings, and at a “Special Informational Meeting” held February 5th. More then 250 Scouters met at the Union 76 Auditorium in Palatine where facts and finances, cost of camp operation, and present health and sanitation deficiencies were presented. Various Scouters recommended other alternatives, requesting that Camp Napowan be retained and operated as a summer camp until some more viable camp alternative was secured. This could assure a continued high quality camping and advancement program. Both Napowan and Namekagon would operate as usual in 1976.

In October 1976, a five year plan announced by Council President Roger Klich called for redistricting the Northwest Suburban Council, selling the council's Camp Namekagon and starting a $800,000 capital improvements program. Scout Executive Arthur Allen said the recommendations reflect a continued decrease in the number of boys available in the suburbs for Scouting. Nine districts would merge to six. Wheeling, Buffalo Grove, Prospect Heights, Mount Prospect and Elk Grove would be one (SAUK WOODS); Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove and Niles would be two (THUNDERVALLEY); and Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Rosemont and Schiller Park would be three (ILLINIWEK). The other communities would remain the same. The Namekagon Scout Reservation should be sold. Camp Napowan should be the council's prime long-term camp with additional improvements in health, sanitation and camping facilities. A new camp should be developed within 125 miles of Arlington Heights and Camp Napowan eventually should be sold. An $800,000 capital budget includes acquisition of the new long term camp and improvements at Camp Napowan as well as minimal improvements to the council's service center at 1300 Rand Road, Arlington Heights.

In May 1977, Council President Roger Klich appointed Ralph Clarbour as Chairman of the Camp Site Selection Committee for McHenry, Boone, DeKalb, Ogle or Winnebago Counties. This committee would be responsible for the sale of Namekagon and selection of a new camp in the aforementioned counties.

In September 1977, Gould Shelter was built by Pepper Construction and dedicated on October 15, 1977.

In the spring of 1978, the Wilderness Engineers were established as a group of Scouters with building trade skills, and in 1980 the name was created to identify the group. In 1978, Flintlock Village was added to Camp Napowan.

In 1979, a full-time Ranger, Tom Vodicka, was hired for Camp Napowan followed by Wes Bingenheimer, Marvin Huffman and currently by Mike Rader.

Project SOAR a Conservation Program was instituted in 1981. In June 1982, the Tiger Cub program began and Safeco Shelter was dedicated. In July 1982, the Trails End popcorn sales program began. In September 1982, the Program Center at Camp Lakota was started and completed in May 1983. Camp Dan Beard Cabin was remodeled. In October 1982, Algonquin Woods Nature Hike in Des Plaines was created by Troop 6 and the Isaac Walton League. In November 1982, the Orndorff Camperships started. In December 1982, unit accounts were established for the Local Council Distributorship. In July 1983, the Lakota Dancers began, as an Explorer Post.

In March 1984, the Northwest Suburban Council held its first Fashion Show fund raiser. In summer 1984, High Adventure Programs were added to Camp Napowan. In November 1984 Arthur N. Adler became Scout Executive. In October 1985, Wes Bingenheimer became the new Ranger at Lakota, taking Roland Pederson's place. After Bingenheimer, came Dave Stewart and then Tom Burkhart in 1989. In January 1987, a new shelter was constructed at Camp McGraw in Elgin. In November 1987, the council changed popcorn vendors from Trails End to Pecatonica Pop Corn. In the fall of the same year, youth protection training began for all leaders. Scout-O-Ramas were held from 1988 through 1993 at Forest View Education Center. On September 19, 1988 1300 Rand Road was sold and the council service center would move in ten to fourteen months to 600 N. Wheeling Road, our present location. This occurred on June 12, 1989.

In November 1989, it became mandatory that all units have two-deep leadership. In March 1990, the Lord Baden-Powell University of Scouting started, fulfilling a dream of Bill Terrinoni. During the 1990's the NWSC achieved the National Quality Council Award for 9 consecutive years.

In December 1992, OKPIK was announced as a winter campers training program. In May 1993, Camp-O-Rama was re-started as the last Scout-O-Rama at Poplar Creek, having been run in the council since 1959 (the early Scout-O-Rama were held at O'Hare on the military side of the field, then for years at Arlington Park).

In 1993, NWSC conducted Cub Scout Day Camps again, having previously shared a camp with the Two River Council at Camp Big Timber in Elgin, IL.

In May 1994, the council re-districted into four districts: Blackhawk, North Woods, Pathfinder, and Signal Hill.

In 1996, Cub Scout Resident Camp was started at Camp Lakota.

In 1998, 1999, and 2000, the NWSC was ranked third nationally in Cub Scout training and was one of two councils to achieve the T2000 Award for three years.

In 1999 and 2000, a Major Gifts Campaign Initiative was launched and the money raised from 2000 through 2003 that resulted in building Lakota climbing tower and Napowan eastside showerhouse and pumphouse, new latrines at both shooting sports and aquatics, a new shelter at Sherwood, and two new Camp Ranger trucks. A new Lakota cabin is also in the process of being built. In 1999 Boy Scout summer camp attendance topped 2,000 with seven weeks of camp.

In 2000, the Scoutreach program was added to include many minority groups as a separate district plus a district for Learning for Life and Exploring thus organizing the council into four traditional districts and two non-traditional districts for a total of six districts. During that same year the NWSC earned a National President's Award for Marketing Excellence for “Best Annual Report.” The Central Region awarded the NWSC with a regional Scoutreach Award for 2000, 2001, and 2002.

In 2001, Camp Lakota was the host of a new “Wood Badge for the 21st Century.

In 2002, the Camp Builders program was launched for units to invest in small campsite projects including new flagpoles, bulletin boards, medical supplies, and AED machines at both camps.

In June 2002, the Presidential Advisory Committee was formed and first met on September 10, 2003. This group was composed of David Pepper (Pepper Construction), Bob Paddock (The Daily Herald), Frank Clark (ComEd), Dick Duchossois (Arlington Park), and Alan Hamilton (Hamilton Partners). In 2002 the NWSC re-established a Family Camp at both Napowan and Lakota.

In 2004, the council conducted a new Strategic Plan involving over sixty local Scouters and community leaders lead by Council Vice President Marie Diffley. The plan utilized an officer's retreat, orientation workshop, Latino emphasis workshop, and coordinating session along with Bill Howard as an independent facilitator, and eight focus groups to study eighteen operational benchmarks. In late 2004, the council engaged NCDS of Atlanta, GA to conduct a feasibility study for a capital and endowment development campaign. The council organized 32 new units during 2004, re-instituted the councilwide Eagle Scout recognition event, and conducted a Heritage Society dinner at the Drake Hotel in downtown Chicago. Sixteen new James E. West Fellows supported the council with their endowment gifts in 2004.

Financial support for Boy Scouting has historically been the uppermost responsibility of the Council Executive Board. Since the 1920's, the council has participated with Community Chests and United Way financing. Independent community campaigns were also used to supplement Community Chest support. In the late 1930's Sustaining Membership campaigns were first organized. From 1975 to 1978, an average of $110,000 was raised annually in Sustaining Membership Enrollments. At various times additional funds were needed for capital purposes. Capital Fund campaigns were conducted in 1939, 1955, 1964 and 1987. In 1947, a Council Trust Fund was adopted, with J. L. Bell, J. R. Lawrence, J. F. Gillick, F. O. Potter, and J. H. Speer as trustees. This trust was dissolved in 1970; a new trust agreement was established with the First National Bank of Des Plaines with current council officers as trustees. That trust agreement is managed by an active investment committee led by Jordan Minerva and a dedicated Endowment Committee led by Paul LaFreniere.

Scouting news, notification of meetings, and items of Council and District events are provided to registered Scouters through the council newsletter, “Northwest News.” In the 1950's “The Bell Ringer” provided a much similar service as did the “Leader's Digest” in the following years. In 1999 the council's website was recognized with the first ever “Baden-Powell Three Fleur Award.”

Supply items, uniforms, books, and other Scouting gear have been provided through franchised distributors for many years. Early local distributors were Spieglers in Des Plaines, Lipofsky's in Barrington, Geisekes in Arlington Heights, Crawford's in Rolling Meadows and Longtime in Skokie. In June 1990, the Council became a Local Council Distributorship. This operation has been highly successful and necessary, as local distributors have disappeared. The Local Council Distributorship became a National Scout Shop and the sales area was expanded and remodeled in August 2004.

Good Turns over the years have included scrap metal and paper drives, “Get Out the Vote” campaigns, “Scouting for Food” collection drive, and “Good Turn for America” with the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity.

The following twelve men have served at Scout Executives with the Council:

George Landane William F. Johnson C. Otto Nimitz Donald E. Kyger Stanley Huntington Frank B. Newton Leslie B. Nelson Arthur Allen Charles Largent Arthur N. Adler William F. Fisher Stephen J. Taylor

1926 1926 ? 1938 – 1942 1943 – 1957 1958 – 1967 1968 – 1971 Nov 1971 – May 1981 Sep. 1981 – Aug 1984 Dec 1984 – Apr 1991 Jun 1991 to Dec 2002 Nov 2003 – Present

During vacancies the following men served locally as interim professional leaders:

Asst. Scout Executive David Hinton Finance Director Dave Trehey Field Director Dan Bettison

1991 2003 2003

Thirty-four men have served as Council President since 1926. They are:

C. A. Bevens A. L. Webster T. M. Whitson C. C. Gregg John L. Bell R. O. Proctor W. C. Strassheim C. S. Stewart John Gillick David Lewis W. F. Kratt G. Sheppard M. S. Creviston Carl Buehler Fred E. Welsh Walter Craigle Harold English Russell E. Larsen Robert M. Sasser Harold B, Smith Leslie Milligan Roger H. Klich Orville Gaither Jerome W. Pinderski John C. Peterson Thomas C. Burkhart William C. Peterson Stephen J. Kaye Paul J. LaFreniere Bruce Hoffman J. David Pepper Don Yacktman Doug Chidley John Frieburg III Rich Politowicz

1926 – 1930 1931 1932 – 1934 1935 – 1936 1937 – 1939 1940 1941 – 1942 1943 1944 – 1945 1946 – 1949 1950 1951 – 1953 1954 1955 – 1956 1957 – 1959 1960 – 1961 1962 – 1964 1965 – 1966 1967 – 1970 1971 – 1973 1974 – 1975 1976 – 1978 1979 – 1980 1980 – 1982 1983 – 1985 1986 – 1987 1988 – 1989 1990 – 1991 1992 – 1993 1994 – 1995 1996 – 1997 1998 – 2000 2001 – 2004 2004 – 2006 2006 – Present