Central Illinois Scouting

Tips for Scouts to stay safe on Halloween 🎃

A spook-tacular weekend 🎃👻

Our annual Spook-O-Ree earlier this month at Rhodes France Scout Reservation got Scouts in the Fall feeling!

Scouts and their families camped out with activities throughout the weekend, including shooting sports, wood work, crafting, car racing, and more.

Did you or your Scout attend this year?

Tonight we are Hill Magnet School in Decatur for Trunk or Treat!

Stop by and see Dana Flory. If you have always been interested in what Scouting has to offer your student, come on by and ask some questions!

Make this winter one to remember at the 2026 Winter Camp at Rhodes France Scout Reservation!

Scouts BSA and Arrow of Light Scouts are invited to enjoy an unforgettable winter adventure filled with fun, fellowship, outdoor activities, and exciting evening programs. It's a great opportunity to make new friends, build Scouting skills, and experience camp in a whole new season!

Arrow of Light Scouts are encouraged to attend with their Den or Patrol and adult leaders as they prepare for their next Scouting adventure.

Don't miss out! Get your unit ready and register today: https://buff.ly/SfJDmJh

A Good Turn Daily is more than a saying—it’s one way Scouts put their values into action. 💙

Over 40 years of Scouting For Food 🥫

Since the nonperishable food drive began helping families in need Council-wide in 1985, our community has raised more than 56 million food items.

Today, those food items are donated to local partner food banks across the council footprint, and Councils from across the country participate in what was just a local Eagle Scout project by Christopher Dubois.

Scouting For Food is a reminder that compassion and community-building have the power to create a legacy of kindness and assistance that spans generations.

Blue bags are delivered on November 14.

Join us December 28–29 for a unique virtual experience where Scouts work with merit badge counselors on three Eagle-required merit badges!

Workshop Highlights:

- December 28–29, 8:45 AM–1:30 PM

- Open to Scouts who have earned First Class rank

- Interactive sessions with experienced counselors

- Complete prerequisites ahead of time to maximize your chances of earning your badges!

Get ready to learn, connect, and make progress toward Eagle Scout!
https://buff.ly/ACDEEB4

🏒💙 Calling all Scouts! Join the St. Louis Blues for Scout Nights this season!

Enjoy an exciting night of hockey with family and friends, plus get an exclusive commemorative patch when you purchase a theme ticket! 🥅

🎟️ Check out the upcoming dates and get your tickets: https://www.gofevo.com/group/Scoutnight280

GOAL ACHIEVED! Thanks to the generous match of the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, we successfully raised $10,000 to support the Mobile STEM Lab!

Interesting in bringing the lab to your unit meeting, school, or community group? Visit https://stlbsa.org/stemlab/

🎃👻 Get ready for a spooktacular weekend at Beaumont Scout Reservation's Fall Fright Fest 2026!

Join us for Halloween fun featuring a spooky trail, slime-making, goody bags, campfires, and more! 🕸️🔥

🏕️ Make it a full weekend with Friday night camping and a campfire, or join us for Saturday's festivities!

⏰ Hurry! Registration closes TOMORROW at NOON! Don't miss out on the frightful fun! 🎃
https://buff.ly/WIAcNVT

🏕️ Build your outdoor leadership skills with Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)!

This hands-on training teaches adult Scout leaders essential outdoor skills, the patrol method, and techniques to confidently lead Scouts on outdoor adventures. Open to Scoutmasters, assistant Scoutmasters, committee members, and other troop adults.
https://buff.ly/6BHxyIV

Scouts 🤝 4x NHRA Champ

Many thanks to former Cub Scout and NHRA team owner & champion Antron Brown for meeting with local Scouts during the NHRA Midwest Nationals earlier this month!

We're honored to receive this gift from the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation! These dollars will be used to help us remove barriers and start new Scouting programs in the city of Decatur.

We are pleased to announce the recipients of our 2026 CommunityWorks grant program, awarding a total of $118,000 to support programs and projects focused on education, environment, and workforce development in Macon, Moultrie, and Piatt counties.

CommunityWorks is designed to provide a coordinated, systems-based approach toward achieving community aspirations. The program is grounded in the belief that strengthening education, environmental health, and workforce development can directly improve quality of life throughout the region.

The 2026 program offered grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 per organization. Funding supports new programs or the further development of existing programs that prioritize one of the program’s three focus areas.

The following organizations have been selected to receive funding through the 2026 CommunityWorks grant program:

Marisa's Purpose $5,000 — Clear Minds, Strong Futures Education Program

Moultrie County Counseling Ctr $5,780.00 — Adult Literacy & Skill Development

Moultrie County Beacon Inc. $6,720.00 — Open Future Learning at MCB

Baby TALK Decatur Area Programs $7,500.00 — Community Engagement & Family Education

Piatt County Mental Health Center $10,000.00 — Piatt County Vocational Program

Dove, Inc. $10,000.00 — Dove Skills Build Program

Lovington Working Women's Collective $10,000.00 — Learn Local: Skills for Life

MRI $13,000.00 — Supportive Employment Program

Decatur Park District $15,000.00 — The Clubhouse Dementia Friendly Pollinator Garden & Community Nature Sanctuary

Central Illinois Scouting $15,000.00 — Scouting in Decatur Expansion

Crossing Healthcare $20,000.00 — Crossing Recovery Pathways

These investments will help local organizations build on community strengths, address identified needs, and create opportunities for residents across the Foundation’s service area.

“CommunityWorks is about investing in ideas and programs that can make an evidenced difference in our community,” said Andrea Gerhard, HICF Director of Scholarships & Grants. “By supporting organizations working in these key areas, we’re able to make a direct and meaningful impact, create opportunities, and contribute to the quality of life for people throughout our region.”

Last year, 1.9 million food items were donated and collected during the 40th anniversary of Scouting For Food, an increase of 300K from 2024.

All items donated go toward local food banks across greater St. Louis and southern Illinois.

Let's break 2 million this November 💪

Info: https://scoutingstl.org/scouting-for-food/

🦅 CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWEST EAGLE SCOUT!

Please join us in celebrating Owen M of Troop 91 (Harristown, IL) on achieving Scouting's highest rank!

For his Eagle project, Owen led the efforts on building a long jump pit at Sangamon Valley Middle School.

Way to go, Owen! We're proud of you and excited to see where your Scouting journey takes you next. 🎉

It's blue bag season! 🛄

Mark your calendars for Scouting For Food 2026 👀

Be present. Listen. Lead by example.

Help prevent bullying in our community.