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One of the Greatest Gifts a Father can give his Son or Daughter is Time spent together.

Wilderness Journal

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How the Midwest Was Won

The Park Ridge Wilderness Scouts and Princesses’ very own Matt Parker wrote the script for the Washington PTO Playmakers upcoming production How the Midwest Was Won.  Matt’s work is packed with musical numbers, comedy, drama and quite a few PR Wilderness Scouts and Princess parents.   Matt is a proud member of the Chippewa tribe in the Park Ridge Winnebago Nation.  Other Playmakers include Kevin Wiland, David Arena, Todd Bridges, Ben MontesDeOca, Andy Rothstein, and Ed McCarthy. They are members of the Park Ridge Iroquois, Winnebago, Mohawk, Algonquin, and Illini Nations.

The Washington Playmakers have been producing plays for over 55 years to raise money for the Washington School PTO.   Washington School parents put together the script, the set, the acting and singing, producing, publicity, ad sales, hospitality and concessions.   The kids help with the crew by working lighting, sound and other backstage jobs. It is an impressive feat.  The production takes about a year to put together and it is a true labor of love for all involved.

The play costs $10 per person in advance, or $12 at the door.  The dates and times of the play are below.

  • Friday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, February 25 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Get your tickets at http://seatyourself.biz/washingtonpto

The Park Ridge Wilderness Scouts and Princesses proudly support the Washington Playmakers.

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Games Galore at Camp Duncan

Trying to maneuver a pretzel from your forehead to your mouth without using your hands is a challenging task.  The Princesses and dads of the PR Iroquois Nation managed to accomplish this feat as tribes battled for dominance of the games at Camp Duncan this past weekend.  The Princesses also attempted “Crow”quet (best named event) as they used a croquet mallet to hit balls down a hill through cones of varying distances and difficulties to earn points.  The girls shot arrows at targets and tried to catch tennis balls with Lacross sticks after their dads hit the balls with tennis racquets.   The Baby Toss game was very popular.   Participants needed to launch baby dolls into hoops for points.  It was fun for all to be a part of the events.   

PR Iroquois Nation Chief Michael Grapenthien and his tribal chiefs put together a great campout for the girls and their dads.    After the games the girls joined the Council Fire, played bingo, and ate their Tribal Chef’s prepared feasts.  They later sat around the camp fire and played in their cabins.   The next morning was filled with leather crafts and archery to be followed by a 45-minute car ride home.  What a great weekend!

 

 

 

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Congratulations to the Iroquois Patch Design Winners!

 

Congratulations to Emmy Buckley and Maya Forte for their winning patch designs!  Emmy won the best patch design for the 2016 fall campout at Camp Tecumseh and she was presented the award this weekend before the Iroquois Nation.  Emmy is pictured above with her proud dad, Christopher.  The Buckley’s are members of the Seminole tribe.  Maya Forte won for best winter patch design at Camp Duncan.  She will receive the award this spring.  Maya and her dad , Joseph, are members of the Nez Pierce.

A great deal of work goes into patch design.  The artist’s goal is to convey the campout experience of the PR Wilderness Scouts & Princesses with the Seven Aims in mind.  Each Princess (or Scout) is eligible to participate in the contest.  Once all of the patch designs have been submitted, the tribal chiefs vote for their favorite design the weekend of the campout and the winner is announced at Sunday breakfast.  The design is ultimately made into a patch to be worn by each member of the Nation.  It is among the highest honors for a Princess (or Scout) to receive.  Kudos for Emmy and Maya!

 

 

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Valentine’s Day Crafts for the the Navajo

 

Mike and Bria Sanderson led craft night for the Iroquois Nation’s Navajo tribe at the Maine Park Leisure Center.  The gathering opened with the girls talking about the good deeds they had done during the week.  The girls then painted canvases purples and reds adding Valentine’s Day designs and decorations.  It was fun for all.

 

 

 

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The Sauk and Chippewa Tribes have a Laser Quest Battle for the Ages

Chippewa Chief Mike Hannigan and Sauk Chief Russell Benko  joined forces for a fun filled evening at Laser Quest in Norridge, Illinois last week.    Scouts, past scouts, siblings and even a few dads suited up with laser packs to battle.  Multiple rounds or Laser Quest raged on for  an hour and a half.    The weary warriors had snacks after multiple rounds at Laser Quest and called it a night.

We would like to thank Joe at Laser Quest and his entire staff for being so accommodating.  Enjoy the great pictures of the kids that the Laser Quest staff took the night of the event.

 

 

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Capture the Flag at Camp Duncan

Dads and Scouts of the Park Ride Winnebago Nation made their annual pilgrimage to Camp Duncan over Super bowl weekend.    With the camp’s main winter attraction being an incredible but snow-less sled hill, Nation Chief Matt Hachigian partnered with Matt Adams and Mike Charlie of the Chippewa tribe to pull-off a fun-filled weekend for all of the kids.  The boys participated in archery, leather crafts, the super slide, floor hockey, football, unusual object, and an epic game of Capture the Flag.  The dads had a great time as well, grilling and smoking an endless quantity meats while gathering around the camp fire swapping stories.

Capture the Flag was the highlight of the camp out.  The boys strategized and attacked.  Others defended.  Some were captured and many escaped.  The battle raged for an hour and a half until the courageous and fast Owen Charley of the Chippewa tribe raced down the sled hill with the opponent’s flag.  Victory for the Chippewa/Sauk team and fun for all.

The Sauk played a friendly game football after dinner.  Eye of the Tiger played on the radio as Sauk dads displayed brief flashes of athletic ability that had not been seen in years.  Unfortunately, one casualty of the game was Nation Chief Matt Hachigian who separated and bruised his shoulder on one spectacular play.  I am happy to report that he caught the ball.  I am happier to report that he is recovering nicely.

Despite no snow, dads and scouts had a great camp out.

Enjoy the pictures below.