Waupe Wednesday May 2026

April Roundtable: Service Takes Center Stage! This April, our roundtable tackled a new topic, but one of the most important parts of Scouting: service! We brought fresh ideas to the table and talked about real, exciting ways to get youth involved beyond meetings and requirements. Service is how Scouting puts values into action—helping others, strengthening our community, and building character. And here’s the best part: service doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Sometimes the best opportunities are the ones right in front of us—planned well, done with care, and delivered with Scout spirit. The Service Ideas We Brainstormed: Humane societies & animal-related projects Blankets and toys, shelter supply prep, and pet-ready organization (labeled storage, restocking). A lot of these can even work as off-site projects! Forest preserve help & conservation hour projects Trails, cleanups, and supporting local green spaces—awesome outdoor time while helping Scouts build real skills. Rainbow Scout Reservation service Camp isn’t just a place you visit—it’s a community you help build. Service at camp makes the whole Scouting experience stronger- and there is ALWAYS something to do! Partnering with your chartered organization Want a shortcut to great service opportunities? Ask your chartered org! And we emphasized: ask multiple contacts (facility staff, teachers/program leaders, and the lead community contact). Helping food pantries Sorting, packing, food drives, supporting distribution days—small actions that add up fast (and build trust in your community). Community events (cleanups & local days) We talked about how fun it is to jump into local efforts—like your village’s cleanup day—helping neighbors and keeping shared spaces looking their best. Nursing homes & assisted living facilities (year-round) This is service that matters all year long. Depending on the facility, projects might include activities, crafts/comfort items, or writing notes/letters. Bottom Line No matter what project your unit chooses, the heart of Scouting service is the same: show up, help out, do it with respect, and make your community stronger—one action at a time. Catch our next roundtable! For Scouts BSA: Scoutmaster Cookoff at Spring Camporee — May 2 For Cub Scouts: Zoom on May 14 — Summer fun ideas! We hope you can join us—bring your questions, grab new ideas, and be part of the conversation- and the community! Do you have an idea for the next Rainbow Council News? Send us a message

Just prior to February 8, 2025, it's 115th birthday, a bi-partisan bill was entered into Congress to designate February 8th as Scouting America Day! The Boy Scouts of America was chartered by Congress in 1916 and changed it's name to Scouting America on February 8, 2025 in support of it's programs which serve all youth, boys and girls. Youth who engage in Scouting America programs including Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Exploring are learning character development, citizenship, leadership and personal fitness. Looking for an upcoming event? Check out these opportunities. Rainbow Council Ten Commandments Hike : March 29th Scouts Day with Chicago Cubs: April 6 Rainbow Council Easter Egg Hunt: April 12 Scouts BSA Spring Camporee: May 2-4 Scouts BSA and Venturing Swim Check: May 10th Fish On Rainbow Council Derby : May 10th Do you have an idea for the next Rainbow Council News? Send us a message

The Guide to Advancement was updated effective January 1, 2025 with many new updates. Unit leaders and interested adults are encouraged to download a new copy https://www.scouting.org/program-updates/updates-to-the-guide-to-advancement/ Several important updates: 1. Scoutmasters are the only leaders who can open a blue card unless a leader is otherwise designated to do so by the Scoutmaster. 2. Several new policies regarding online merit badges and the use of AI technology. 3. Eagle reference letters will be handled differently and there is an updated Eagle Scout Application. Looking for an upcoming event? Check out these opportunities. Rainbow Council Pinewood Derby : March 8th Chess Tournament: March 15th Rainbow Council Ten Commandments Hike : March 29th Scouts Day with Chicago Cubs: April 6 Rainbow Council Easter Egg Hunt: April 12 Scouts BSA Spring Camporee: May 2-4 Scouts BSA and Venturing Swim Check: May 10th Fish On Rainbow Council Derby : May 10th Do you have an idea for the next Rainbow Council News? Send us a message

Scouting guidelines for uniforms have been updated for 2025 for Scouts BSA! While the Scouts BSA uniform is still encouraged, it is now the responsibility of each Troop to decide their own uniform policy. Any questions about a uniform worn by a Scout should be directed to the unit leader and not the Scout to avoid any misunderstandings. https://www.scouting.org/program-updates/scouting-activity-clothing-guideline/ Looking for an upcoming event? Check out these opportunities. Rainbow Council Pinewood Derby : March 8th Chess Tournament: March 15th Rainbow Council Ten Commandments Hike : March 29th Scouts Day with Chicago Cubs: April 6 Rainbow Council Easter Egg Hunt: April 12 Scouts BSA Spring Camporee: May 2-4 Scouts BSA and Venturing Swim Check: May 10th Fish On Rainbow Council Derby : May 10th Do you have an idea for the next Rainbow Council News? Send us a message

Today is the Rainbow Council Annual Meeting and everyone is invited to attend! Ted Karns, CEO/Scout Executive and other Rainbow Council Board members will be delivering their annual report on Scouting in our Council. Board members will be elected and we will celebrate 115 years of Scouting history as Boy Scouts of America as we officially transitioned to Scouting America on February 8, 2025. Join us as we celebrate with cake and a ribbon cutting ceremony with all the frills! Looking for an upcoming event? Check out these opportunities. Rainbow Council Annual Meeting: Feb 27th Rainbow Council Pinewood Derby : March 8th Chess Tournament: March 15th Rainbow Council Ten Commandments Hike : March 29th Scouts Day with Chicago Cubs: April 6 Rainbow Council Easter Egg Hunt: April 12 Scouts BSA Spring Camporee: May 2-4 Scouts BSA and Venturing Swim Check: May 10th Fish On Rainbow Council Derby : May 10th Do you have an idea for the next Rainbow Council News? Send us a message

Did you hear?? All Resident Summer Camp programs are open for registration ! Choose from Scouts BSA, Webelos/AOL Resident Camp or Family Resident Camp. All camping choices are designed with YOU in mind and are led by trained, professional staff! Every year, Scouts, families and units tell us they choose to return to RSR every year because they trust the program and know the staff is the best! Register today! Looking for an upcoming event? Check out these opportunities. Rainbow Council Annual Meeting: Feb 27th Rainbow Council Pinewood Derby : March 8th Chess Tournament: March 15th Rainbow Council Ten Commandments Hike : March 29th Scouts Day with Chicago Cubs: April 6 Rainbow Council Easter Egg Hunt: April 12 Scouts BSA Spring Camporee: May 2-4 Scouts BSA and Venturing Swim Check: May 10th Fish On Rainbow Council Derby : May 10th Do you have an idea for the next Rainbow Council News? Send us a message

Happy Section Sunday, The new year has already started so if you haven't paid your 2025 Lodge dues please click here to do so https://scoutingevent.com/702-OA2025Dues Spring Fellowship is coming up soon, It’s a fun filled weekend with service opportunities at RSR. To register for Spring Fellowship please click here https://scoutingevent.com/702-SpringFellowship2025 From April 11-13, join our lodge and hundreds of other Arrowmen at Ed Bryant Scout Reservation in Mauston, WI, for the Section Conclave. Secure your spot today to join us for this amazing weekend of fun events, fantastic shows, and unique training! Please click this link to register https://scoutingevent.com/127-G9Conclave Here are some additional dates to mark your calendar with and register for. Spring Fellowship May 30- June 1 Fall Fellowship September 5 Color Walk October 4 Pumpkin Smash November 1 Please make sure to pay your 2025 Lodge dues here https://scoutingevent.com/702-OA2025Dues Scott Biedess Jr. | Lodge Secretary

Top popcorn sellers in 2024 were treated to a fun pizza party with a prize wheel and lots of prizes! One Scout even took home a Playstation 5! Thank you for making popcorn your Passport to Adventure in 2024! Looking for an upcoming event? Check out these opportunities. Rainbow Council Annual Meeting: Feb 27th Rainbow Council Pinewood Derby : March 8th Chess Tournament: March 15th Rainbow Council Ten Commandments Hike : March 29th Scouts Day with Chicago Cubs: April 6 Rainbow Council Easter Egg Hunt: April 12 Scouts BSA Spring Camporee: May 2-4 Scouts BSA and Venturing Swim Check: May 10th Fish On Rainbow Council Derby : May 10th Do you have an idea for the next Rainbow Council News? Send us a message

February 8th marks 115 years of Scouting and Rainbow Council is joining Scouting America in celebrating! Scouting has endured 115 years of societal change yet it endures as the #1 youth development program communities and families trust. PREPARED. FOR LIFE. Help us keep Scouting available in Will, Kankakee and Grundy counties by inviting friends and neighbors to join Scouting! Looking for an upcoming event? Check out these opportunities. Scouting University , Scouting classes for adults of all experience levels, Joliet March 1 Do you have an idea for the next Rainbow Council News? Send us a message