Boy Scouts of America

Scouting America logo
Home > Outdoor Programs > Trail To Adventure Blog > 
New National Historic Trail Opportunities in Illinois!
Back to: Trail To Adventure Blog

Awards

New National Historic Trail Opportunities in Illinois!

2020 Articles Edition

  • Dec 9, 2020

Awards

New National Historic Trail Opportunities in Illinois!
2020 Articles Edition
  • Dec 9, 2020

Scouting America maintains a register of approved National Historic Trails. You can find the listing on “The Adventure Plan” (tap.scouting.org). There are several hundred trails across the country. The area and terrain covered by many trail routes hosts an authentic and historic significance and/or a wilderness beauty that adds to the education of Scouting America members. These trails also provide the opportunity for physical fitness and outdoor living.

Two such trails recently added are sponsored by the Three Fires Council of St. Charles IL. They are:

The Illinois Fox River Trail and Illinois Prairie Path Trail.

These two trails are laid in the same tracts as interurban rail systems. The history of interurban service in this country is a fascinating area of the railroad industry often forgotten since many were shut down between the 1920s and the 1940s. These systems were designed for passenger commuting before many people had automobiles and connected certain cities. Their sole purpose was passenger use and had direct service to and from limited destinations.

 

The rails to trails system in northeastern Illinois was first proposed in the United States during the 1960s. Converted railways have been added to this system for over forty years and have become a part of a national biking and hiking trail system.

By accessing a trail, one can learn the history and importance of these railway systems from previous decades. It will show how conversion and development to a historic trail benefits the communities they pass through today and how the trail system’s future use can lead to better health and experiences for those that enjoy them.

The Fox River Trail spans 44.6 miles and was built on stretches of three former railroad beds. Today, it hosts a multitude of different flora and fauna. Starting at the southern terminus, this rail-trail originates in the charming village of Oswego, 50 miles west of Chicago. The trail begins at the face of the Fox River and has playgrounds, picnic areas, and benches, as well as a restroom and drinking fountain.

The Illinois Prairie Path was one of the nation’s first rail-trail conversions. It consists of five connected trail segments with three main branches. The 58-mile trail follows a very historical rail path. Beginning in 1902, the electric railroad provided passenger service from the western suburbs to downtown Chicago. The Illinois Prairie Path’s 16-mile Main Branch is the most urban of its corridors, which follows city streets with extra wide bicycle-friendly sidewalks. Just when you think you have left the remoteness of the trail; the Lincoln Marsh Natural Area affords a bucolic diversion. With multiple overlooks and interpretive signs, the marsh provides the perfect finishing touch.

Units are highly encouraged to participate in the opportunities that the National Historic Trails program provides. Visit the website for a complete listing of trails, you may be surprised by trails near you!

See the rest of the articles from the 
2020 Articles edition
See the rest of the articles from the 
2020 Articles edition

Related

Other Awards articles

Awards

Scouting America National Historic Trails Programs offer unique opportunities

The Adventure Plan (TAP), https://tap.scouting.org/, is a guide for Scouting unit leaders to focus Outdoor Adventure as a key element of youth development. With the challenges of virus concerns, masks, social separation, cancelled meetings and events, unit leaders are looking for ways to continue with progression and expansion of personal experiences. One way to expand unit programs is with outings to many National Historic Trail sites. Embedded in the TAP are links that make finding an approved trail very simple.

There are 210 historic trails in the United States, Europe, and Japan that are listed including links for individual researching. Finding a trail has been made easy with several new additions including a Google pushpin map!

All the trails meet the Scouting America Brand, have genuine historic significance and/or wilderness beauty that will add to the education of members of Scouting and provide the opportunity for physical fitness and outdoor living.

There are several ways to find a trail that is nearby and/or meets the needs of your Scouting unit. After logging into the TAP (see link above) go to the bottom of the page where you will find an internal link for “Historic Trails” and click select!

You can also select “Resources” to obtain the Historic Trails Award Application and then select the link in “Award Requirement”, item #1, https://tap.scouting.org/scouting-america-historic-trails-index/. Either method provides a listing of available historic trails. At this point, select an individual state/country to begin researching trails. Also, near the top of the page, is a button to “click HERE to Access Historic Trail map views.” By resizing the Google pushpin map, the same listing of trails is available.

Note: the index links send you to a local council web site where contact information is available. The use by Scouting units increases each year. Use this great resource to enjoy the outdoors.

 

Happy Hiking!

Read More

See the Most Popular Content!

View Most Popular
Subscribe to the Trail to Adventure blog
Email blast!
Subscribe to the Trail to Adventure blog
Email blast!

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.