23.Council

The Mission of the Blackhawk Area Council is to positively change lives of those we serve with membership opportunities in quality programs of character and leadership development.

The Blackhawk Area Council creates the Best Scouting in America.
Trained adult and youth leaders provide quality program and membership opportunities. An informed community supports the program with volunteerism, financial contributions and goodwill. Scouting strengthens families and connects youth to the communities in which they live. Fun and Adventure is a part of everything we do.

TERRITORY:
Illinois Boone Counties: Carroll Jo Daviess
Lee McHenry Ogle
Stephenson Wisconsin Grant Whiteside Counties: Green Winnebago Lafayette

SERVICE CENTER:
1800 Seventh Avenue
Rockford, IL 61110
Phone: (815) 397-0210
Fax: (815) 397-7306

Rockford, IL 61110

YOUTH PROGRAMS:
Tiger Cubs: 1st grade boys Varsity Scouts: 9th-12th grade boys
Cub Scouts: 2nd-5th grade boys Exploring & Venturing: 9th-12th grade boys and girls
Boy Scouts: 6th-12th grade boys Learning for Life: In-school program, grades 1-12

MEMBERSHIP:
As of December 2003, there were 15,367 youth registered in our program. This includes 26% of all elementary school boys, grades 1 - 5, in our Cub Scout program! During the entire year of 2003, we served more than 17,000 youth.

GROWTH:
The Blackhawk Area Council has grown steadily for the past eleven years, increasing youth membership by 28.9% during that period, from 11,923 in 1992, to 15,367 in 2003.

LEADERSHIP:
In 2003, 5,284 registered adult volunteers gave their time and talents to bring Scouting to the 15,367 youth shown above. These Scouters gave over 1.5 million hours of volunteer service to youth. They were supported by 11 career Scouters, 6 office staff and 1 camp ranger.

CAMP PROPERTY: Camp Lowden: Canyon Camp:
Mt. Carroll Cabin: Smith Woods:
Cub Scout and Boy Scout camp near Oregon, IL (201 acres) Cub Scout and Boy Scout camp near Stockton, IL (286 acres) Small group, weekend camping, near Mt. Carroll, IL (20 acres) Woods for Camping, near southwest Rockford (20 acres)

QUALITY:
The Blackhawk Area Council faced some challenges in 2003, as did many of the councils across the country. In the end, nearly 68% of the units achieved Quality status in 2003!