Scouts to make world a better place at Scout-O-Rama
Saving a life, helping out after a flood or disaster, recycling community trash – these acts of kindness are what Scouting calls “good turns.” You may know that the Scouts' slogan is, “Do a Good Turn Daily.” But you may not know why. It has to do with how American Scouting came to be — and why today, that phrase is at the heart of a program that gives every Scout a chance to volunteer to help the people around him or her. It's no surprise that the third Scout law is, “A Scout is Helpful,” or that in the Scout Oath, one pledges to honor to, “help other people at all times.” Scouting even has a “Good Turn” coin to apply the slogan daily.
It's safe to say that Scouting encourages our youth to live out a set of principles.
It's also where today's youth can find adventure.
The Boy Scouts of America, Three Fires Council will host a day-long community showcase Scout-O-Rama, “Daily Good Turn” from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19 at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road in Wheaton. More than a hundred hands-on family activities will bring the perfect mix of unforgettable fun and import life lessons. Join them to honor the men and women on Armed Forces Day and “do a good turn” by donating a food item to the event partner, the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
“All acts of volunteerism make communities better today and teach our youth lifelong lessons,” said Matt Ackerman, President and Scout Executive at Three Fires Council. “We want our communities and youth to have the opportunity to learn the power of giving back. To learn more about teamwork, leadership, service and character. We want our youth to grow up to be successful at what they do, to have a sense of place, of community, to have strong values and a chance to volunteer to make the world a better place.”
Scout-O-Rama is open to the public. Tickets are $5 per person (=1 ticket) or $20 per family (=4 tickets). Plus, they have a variety of one-time and year-long discounts that local consumers know and use frequently such as Legoland, Colonial Cafe, Burger King, and Dunkin Donuts.
Tickets are available to purchase at Cantigny Park, the Norris and Deicke Scout shops, and at all Colonial Café locations.
Onsite parking is available at Cantigny Park and auxiliary parking with free shuttles will be at the DuPage County Government Center which is 1/2 mile north of Roosevelt Road (also known as Route 38, just off County Farm Road).
Be one of the first 1,500 to stop by the BeAScout.org booth to receive a goodie bag sponsored by Chicago Parent, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Plano Molding. To learn how Scouting can make a difference in your child's life or for more event information, visit ThreeFirescouncil.org or call (630) 584-9250.
Cantigny Park:
Cantigny, part of the Chicago-based Robert R. McCormick Foundation, is the 500-acre Wheaton estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick. Cantigny Park is home to the McCormick Museum, First Division Museum, formal gardens, picnic grounds, walking trails and a Visitors Center with banquet and dining facilities. More information, including hours, directions and upcoming events is online at Cantigny.org. Cantigny Golf, adjacent to the park, features a 27-hole championship golf course, full-service
clubhouse, Cantigny Golf Academy and the 9-hole Cantigny Youth Links. For information, visit CantignyGolf.com.
Northern Illinois Food Bank:
Northern Illinois Food Bank is a non-profit organization that provides food to hungry people in 13 Illinois counties through more than 600 network partners. Counties served include: Boone, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will and Winnebago. Northern Illinois Food Bank acquires and distributes donated, government, and purchased food to more than 60,000 different people each week through local food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, youth activity centers, senior centers, and other food assistance sites. In Fiscal Year 2011, Northern Illinois Food Bank distributed more than 34.8 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 29 million meals. A member of Feeding America, Northern Illinois Food Bank has Centers in Geneva (West Suburban Center), Loves Park (Northwest Center), and Lake County (North Suburban Center), and operates a South Suburban Office in Joliet. Learn more at www.SolveHungerToday.org
Three Fires Council, Boy Scouts of America:
The Three Fires Council serves youth throughout Kane, DuPage, Kendall, DeKalb, and parts of Will and Cook counties. Our mission is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. For more information please visit www.threefirescouncil.org.