Portage Creek District - Pathway to Adventure Council

11/02/2026

🥾 Adventure Hike: Crabtree Nature Center — Saturday, November 14!

Lace up and join the Adventure Hike series at Pilcher Park Nature Center! This is a self-guided hike — no registration needed, and PTAC staff won't be onsite, so bring your crew and explore at your own pace.

📅 Saturday, November 14, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Pilcher Park Nature Center, Joliet, IL
📞 Please call the park at (847) 381-6592 to let them know your group size

More info: https://scoutingevent.com/456-111213

Share with a family looking for a fun outdoor adventure this fall! 🍂

11/02/2026

🎖️ Merit Badge College 2026 — Saturday, November 14!

Scouts BSA members, here's your chance to knock out Eagle-required and elective merit badges in one action-packed day at Purdue University Northwest!

📅 Saturday, November 14, 2026
⏰ Check-in 8:00 AM · 4 sessions, 8:30 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Purdue University Northwest, 2200 169th Street, Hammond, IN
🎖️ 25 merit badges offered, including Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Engineering, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Aviation, and more!

🥪 Bring a sack lunch — lunch is not provided.

👉 Register: https://scoutingevent.com/456-MBC2026

Questions or need support for your Scout to attend? Email [email protected].

Share with your troop — spots fill fast! 📚

11/02/2026

🏹 Takhone Lodge Brotherhood Bash — LAST CHANCE for 2026!

This is the final Brotherhood Bash session of the year! Order of the Arrow members, don't miss your last opportunity to complete your Brotherhood membership in 2026.

📅 Saturday, November 7, 2026
⏰ 1:00–5:00 PM (Brotherhood candidates who submitted their letter in advance may arrive at 1:45 PM; general membership arrives at 2:00 PM)
📍 Des Plaines Izaak Walton League, 1841 S. River Road, Des Plaines, IL

General membership may attend — pre-registration is encouraged! All attendees must be registered Scouting America members and Safeguarding Youth Trained (SYT) compliant.

👉 Register: https://scoutingevent.com/456-104582

Calling all Arrowmen — share this with your fellow lodge members! 🔥

11/02/2026

🤖 Cub Scout Robot STEM Event — Saturday, November 7!

Join us at Triton College for a hands-on morning of hydraulics and simple machines! Each Scout builds and takes home their own working hydraulic machine — a scissor lift, crane, platform lifter, or excavator arm — taught by Triton Professor Antigone Sharris.

📅 Saturday, November 7, 2026
⏰ Check-in 8:30 AM · Program 9:00–11:30 AM
📍 Triton College – T Building, 2000 5th Ave, River Grove, IL
💵 $15 per Scout
🏅 Every Scout earns a Cub Scout Adventure Loop!

Space is limited to 20 Cub Scouts, so don't wait — register today!
👉 https://scoutingevent.com/456-121930

Tag a Cub Scout family who'd love this one, and share to spread the word! 🔧⚙️

11/01/2026

Portage Creek's, The Meandering Creek Newsletter -

You are receiving this information because you reside in or are affiliated with Portage Creek District Scouting in the Pathway to Adventure Council, Scouting America.

10/28/2026

Hispanic Recruiting Kit Is Now Live in the Brand Center

As school starts and we head into the homestretch of 2026, efforts to welcome new Scouts are ramping up. Last week, a new Hispanic Recruiting Kit was launched and is available in the Brand Center. This continues efforts to ensure the Scouting experience reaches all audiences across the country.

Recruiting Kits are available for download here:

https://scouting.webdamdb.com/cookieconsent.php?path=%2Fbp%2F #/folder/14764053/

The kit includes bilingual materials, including posters, flyers, brochures, and fact sheets that answer the most common questions Hispanic families ask.

Additionally, there is a Scouting highlight video and parent presentation that can be used for recruitment and orientations.

Several items come in two versions. One features the Beascout.org URL and QR code, while the other does not. This way, councils can localize by using their own contact information.

Hispanic residents continue to be a growing population in the U.S., representing roughly 20 percent of the population according to the 2024 U.S. Census. Amongst Hispanic families, 68 percent speak Spanish while at home.

Having more bilingual materials and accessibility for Hispanic families can work wonders not only toward welcoming new Scouts but also toward creating a space that’s truly accessible to all.

Photo: Scouting America

10/16/2026

🍂 You're Invited: The Story of the Native American Trail Marker Trees

Join us to celebrate Native American Heritage Month at the Bronze Trail Marker Tree Sculpture on Main Street in Antioch, IL. All are welcome!

📅 Saturday, November 7, 2026
🕐 1:00 PM
📍 Main Street, Antioch, IL

👉 A note for Scouts & families: this program counts toward portions of the American Indian Culture merit badge and the Citizenship in the Nation/Community badges — feel free to wear your Class A uniform!

Questions? Drop a comment below!