Sal has been a Scouter for the past fourteen years, ever since his three sons started with Cub Scouting at St. Monica’s Parish on the Northwest side of the city. His two oldest sons became Eagle Scouts in 2006 & 2009 respectively, with one on the way. Sal has been everything from an Assistant Den Leader to an Assistant Scoutmaster. He currently enjoys the roll of Troop Committee Chair with Troop 943, and is a member of the Council’s Camping Committee.

He first participated in Woodbadge C-16-04 as a Bobwhite (Soaring!) and followed that up with a Staff position for C-17-06 and C-24-08. Some of Sal’s scouting interests are: dutchoven cooking, camping, geocaching and architectural tour/hikes through the loop.

Bear (What you gonna do when we come for you?)

David registered as a Scouter eleven years ago—when Andrew, his son, jumped into Cub Scouting as a Tiger Cub with Pack 3822, when meetings were being held at Boone School on the North-side of Chicago. Andrew is nearly an Eagle, and hopefully will have his project completed by June 2011. David has been an Assistant Den Leader with Pack 3822; Troop Committee Member, Assistant Scoutmaster and Troop Committee Chairman with Troop 39; and is currently the District Commissioner and Roundtable Chairman for Fort Dearborn District.

David participated in C-24-08 at Camp Hoover, and was honored to be asked to serve on staff for Wood Badge C-27-09 at Camp Carlin in Owasippe. He is a merit badge counselor for a variety of merit badges, including Communications, Computer, Bird Studies, Music and Cooking. He hopes that whatever he lacks in knowledge and experience is made up for by his enthusiasm.

Tom has been a Scouter for the last six years, since his son started as a Tiger Scout in Pack 3079. Since then, He has served as Cubmaster, Pack Committee Chairman and is currently the Charter Representative for the Menomonee Club for Boys and Girls for Pack 3079, Troop 1 and Crew 1.

For the last five years, Tom has served as the Chairman of the Council Camping Committee and on the Council Executive Board.

Tom was a participant in Wood Badge C-16-04 as a Bobwhite (Soaring!). He served as a Troop Guide for C-17-06 and Senior Patrol Leader for C-24-08.

In his spare time Tom enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, camping, cooking and sail boat racing.

Thomas started his scouting career as a Tiger Cub and proceeded through Cub Scouts and eventually earning his Arrow of Light and crossing over into Boy Scouts. Throughout his time in Boy Scouts he did a Manistee Quest as well as a trek on Philmont and was marooned on a scouting owned island at Florida Sea Base. Thomas achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at age 16 and received 2 palms. At age 18 he decided to staff at Camp Blackhawk (GO!) in the nature area after wanting to do it for some time. There, Tom taught 11 badges. He returned for 2 more tours of duty in the nature area, the last of which was awarded “Staff Person of the Year.” Tom also did a 5 month unpaid internship at Owasippe Scout Reservation over the off season as a Ranger where he helped get camp up and running for the 2008 season. He was then reassigned to be the Director of the Shooting Sports Area. Tom took on that roll for 3 years until he decided to retire from teaching at summer camp after 6 years of service. Tom decided to further his knowledge and take a Wood Badge Course in 2009 Owasippe Scout Reservation and was placed in the Eagle Patrol. He has been put in charge of the Owasippe Skeleton Crew, which was a 4-5 man team who came up to camp to set up all the tents and clean all the Reneker cabins before other staffs showed up. Tom also worked another unpaid internship for the United States Forest Service in 2010 where he was honored with the Presidential Service Award for over 500+ hours of service. Thomas Completed his Bachelors Degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in Outdoor Recreation Management and currently an outfitter at Cabela’s.

Beaver Patrol (Got Wood!)

Alva enjoyed scouting as a youth and has been involved as an adult since his son joined Tigers in Cub Scout Pack 3481. He servered as a Tiger Cub Leader, Den Leader, Cubmaster and is now part of the Troop Committee of Troop 481.

Alva was a participant in Wood Badge C-24-08 as a Beaver (Got Wood!). He also served as a Troop Guide for C-27-09.

Alva spent last summer taking a crew to Philmont Scout Ranch and was very proud that his son was elected SPL for that trek.

Alva enjoys spending time with his family: Tammy, James(15), Micaela(13), and Phoebe(11). In his spare time he like to woodworking and reading fantasy books.

An Eagle Scout from Troop 4 in Chicago, Greg is back in Scouting when his son joined as a Tiger and he volunteered as a Den Leader. Greg is currently Assistant Cubmaster for Pack 3822 and a Unit Commissioner in the Ft. Dearborn District.

Greg participated in Woodbadge course C-24-08 as a Beaver and is looking forward to being the Scribe for course C7-118-11-1

Fox Patrol (were stealthy)

This is my 1st year on Wood badge Staff

Married since 1984 with 2 sons Matthew age 23 Kristofer age 21

Scouting Highlights:

• I started Cub Scouts in 1965 with Pack 3363 in Hickory Hills and earned my Arrow of Light in 1971.


• I Became a Boy Scout in 1972 with Troop 372 in Hickory Hills


• In 1976 I became the 1st Eagle Scout of Troop 371 in Hickory Hills


• I am a Brotherhood member of the O/A


• In 1999 I became an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 644 of Evergreen Park


• I worked at Owasippe from 1976 thru 1981 I worked as a C.I.T., Aquatics Aide, Scoutcraft Director Trucker, Commissioner and Asst Field Sports Director


• I attended National Camp School in 1980 and 1981 for Commissioners and Field Sports


• I attended Wood Badge in 2009

I coach High School Hockey at Lyons Township

Chris’ introduction to scouting was as at the age of 9 where he joined a Cub Scout Pack at his elementary school, Our Lady of Sorrows on Chicago’s west side. Though he only participated for one year, he always remembered the values he learned and fun he shared with his fellow “cubs”.

In 2007, Chris was invited to assist Troop 213 as an adult volunteer. That one weekend with these young boys exposed him to the potential of the scouts and the impact of the BSA on their lives. By fall of 2007 he’d completed his training as an Assistant Scoutmaster as well as attended his first University of Scouting

In the fall of 2008 he participated in “Woodbadge for the 21st Century” at Hoover Scout Camp where he eagerly became a “Beaver” completing his training and tickets by spring of 2009 and receiving his beads in the spring of 2010.

In 2010 and 2011 Chris has acted as a spokesperson for Friends of Scouting (FOS) in the Western Trails District and become the Chartered Organization Representative (COR) for Troop 213.

This will be Chris’ first time serving as a Woodbadge staff member.

Chris has been married to his wife Angela for 22 years and has two daughters, Angel (16 ) and Ashley (14).

Angela joined scouting in 2004 when her eldest son joined Cub Scouting as a Bear scout. She quickly became active in her Pack and began serving as Treasurer on the Pack Committee. She has now served as an adult leader in Cub Scout Packs 99 and 54 as Tiger Cub Den Leader, Wolf and Bear Den Leader, Webelos Den Leader and Pack Committee. She is a member of the Troop Committee for Boy Scout Troop 95. Angela serves as Unit Commissioner for Pack 99 and Troop 99 in Downers Grove, IL. She also enjoys teaching the Protestant Religious Emblems Courses.

Angela is married to Andrew, who is Scoutmaster for Troop 95. They have two sons Ryan, who is a Life Scout and thinking about his Eagle project, and Dylan who is a Webelos 1 and well on his way to becoming a “Super Scout”.

Angela began her Woodbadge experience by attending the course in 2009 at Owasippee Scout Reservation. She became a life-long member of the Beaver patrol (Go Beavers!). She is very excited to keep the Woodbadge spirit alive by serving as a Troop Guide in this year’s course.

Alex Lohse joined the Scouts of St. Edward program in 1998 and has been a member of Scouting ever since.

His youth highlights include: the Voyageur Wilderness Program at the Boundary Waters, Philmont Scout Ranch, National Order of the Arrow Conferences (2004, 2006), Senior Patrol Leader (Troop 1224) at the 2005 National Scout Jamboree, National Conservation and Leadership Summit, and staff for the ArrowCorps 5 project at the Mark Twain National Forest.

His training highlights include: Junior Leader Training, National Leadership Seminar, National Youth Leadership Training (ASM – Troop Guides), Scoutmaster Specific, Intro to Outdoor Leader Skills, National Lodge Adviser Training Seminar, and the Aquatics Section of National Camp School.

Alex is an Eagle Scout from St. Edward’s Troop 904, a Brotherhood member with the Vigil Honor, and a Founder’s Award recipient from Owasippe Lodge.

He has served as the Owasippe Lodge Chief, a two-term Chapter Chief, a veteran staff member at Owasippe Scout Reservation and as a Second Assistant Scoutmaster for the 2010 National Scout Jamboree.

Alex is a merit badge counselor for Lifesaving, Swimming, Canoeing, Rowing, Small-Boat Sailing, Motorboating, Watersports, and Whitewater as well as a BSA Aquatics Director and a BSA Lifeguard Counselor.

As a product of the program, he has taught Instructional Swim, Webelos Aquanaut, Swimming, and Lifesaving merit badges at the Glenview Playdium Swim Program for the last 10 years.

He currently serves Scouting as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 969 in the Indian Trails District.

He also the Associate Chapter Adviser for the Nacha Alluns OA Chapter, a committee adviser for the Council of Chiefs for Section C-7, the Blackhawk Assistant Camp Director at Owasippe, Senior Patrol Leader for the IOLS Course, and is a member of the BSA Speaker Bank.

Alex is a Bobwhite (Move Over! ..Beep! Beep!) from C-27-09 and will serve on the C7-118-11-1 staff as a Troop Guide.

Occupation: New Home Construction Manager.

Married with two daughters ages 12 and 15

Scouting Highlights:

I started Cub Scouts in 1970 and earned my Arrow of Light in 1973. I became a Boy Scout in 1973 and worked my way up to Eagle in 1976. I help many leadership position in my Troop as a youth and in 1980 became an Assistant Scoutmaster.

I was inducted into the Order of the Arrow in 1976 and became a chapter Chief in 1978 and served on many Chapter and Lodge Committees and in 1982 had the Vigil Honor bestowed upon me.

Thru the 1980’s and 90’s I served on many District Committees and held many different positions until my first daughter was born. I became involved in the Council again in 2006 and now sit on the Council Activities Committee. I took Wood Badge in 2009 and had a great time.

Colleen’s first experience in scouting was when her son, Gunard Jr., joined Cub Scout Pack 3065 in the mid-80’s. When her son became a Boy Scout in Troop 6 in 1990, she served as a Committee member for the Troop for about four years.

In 2002, Colleen joined Pack 3213 as a Den Leader and served in this position for five years. She then became Cubmaster in 2007 and has continued in this position to the present time. Colleen has served as a Committee member for Troop 213 from approximately 2004 to the present. She has also assisted her husband, Gunard, who is the Scoutmaster of Troop 213, with the Western Trails Provisional Troop 8643 at Owasippe summer camp where she worked with Troop 8643 first-time campers for the past seven years.

Colleen attended Wood Badge Course No. C-24-08, Fox Patrol, in the fall of 2008 and received her beads in the spring of 2010. She also served as a staff member for the Cub Scout Roundtable in Western Trails in 2010.

Colleen has been married to her husband, Gunard, for 40 years and they have a daughter Angela (38 years old), a son, Gunard, Jr. (32 years old), and three grandchildren. She is currently an Administrative Assistant at The Segal Company where she has worked for 27 years.

Ken Romero joined scouting eight years ago as Cubmaster of Pack 3701, which was in danger of folding. A change in his work schedule forced him to step down as Cubmaster, but became Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 701. He has attended basic leader training and participated in Woodbadge Course C-17-06 as a member of the Bear Patrol. He is also an NRA Certified Instructor. Though he has no youth scouting experience, his military experience has enabled him to immerse himself in the Scouting program. Outside of scouting he is a member of the Lion’s Club and the American Legion, having held leadership positions in both organizations. Ken is married to Leticia, who is a past Webelos Den Leader, and has three children and two grandchildren.

ASM, Troop 607, Pack Trainer 3607 Bethany Union Church , Arrowhead District Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner, Arrowhead Dist. Day Camp Medical Officer 2009, Jamboree 2010 Medical Staff Central Region, Ph.D. Cub Scouting, 2009 University of Scouting Chicago Area Council. Whitney Young Award recipient 2010, Arrowhead Dist. Award of Merit 2010. BLS Instructor Stroger Hospital. Married, 1 son a First Class Scout Troop 607. Retired General Internist.

Jim is a lifelong scout since joining Cub Scouts about 1970 and never leaving. He is and Eagle Scout (1977) with 5 Palms and Was awarded the Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow in 1980. Both of his sons earned the Eagle rank and have worked at Owasippe along with his wife and daughters for many summers. He is currently the Scoutmaster of Troop 644 and Committee Chair of Pack 3644. In addition he is on district and council committees.

He first participated in Wood badge EC-189 as an Eagle and followed that up with C10-00 as and Owl. In addition he staffed for C-17-06 and C-27-09. Some of Jim’s scouting interests are: Dutch oven cooking, camping, and the aha moments with the leaders of tomorrow.

Ernest Espinoza is the Assistant Director of Field Service

Started in the Chicago Area Council, BSA in August of 2010.

Ernest was born in Chicago, Illinois. Ernest has worked in three Councils previous, starting in the Sam Houston Area Council in Houston, Texas, The Rio Grande Council in Harlingen, Texas and the Circle 10 Council in Dallas, Texas. Ernest has also volunteered in Quito, Ecuador in the Scouts of Ecuador.

Ernest Espinoza Was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout in the Sam Houston Area Council in Houston, Texas and started the profession in 1995 with the Sam Houston Area Council as an Intern in the National Program.

Ernest Espinoza oversees the five District Directors and District Executives, Fort Dearborn, Indian Trails, Iroquois, River Trails and North River Districts. And works directly with District Directors and District Executives in Iroquois, River Trails, Fort Dearborn, Indian Trails, North River. Ernest is also the advisor to the Chicago Area Councils Training and Latino Outreach programs.

Contact information: Ernest Espinoza, Work 312-421-8800 ext. 248 and cell 214-907-9759