Greetings!

About the Illinois River Scoutcraft Newsletter

My name is Phillip Hadden, an Eagle Scout—class of 2003. My full disclaimer is that Illinois River Scoutcraft is not an official publication of The Boy Scouts of America. It will publish anecdotal scouting experiences, including my youth affiliation with BSA & currently as a Cubmaster & Troop Committee Chairman.

So, what will be on this site?

If you want to learn more about scoutcraft and learn skills like building a fire or different ways to build a fire, this is the place for you, too! Want to know how to pitch a tent? Use a Compass? Or go fishing? Great! You’ve found the right place to discover all of it.

I plan on doing video and article reviews on camping gear essential to the art of scoutcraft, including tents, bushcraft items, fishing gear, hiking gear, and first aid kits.

I will write about local lore around the Illinois and Mississippi River Valleys. Stay tuned for stories about Lover’s Leap, Starved Rock, The Piasa Bird, Dickson Mounds, Cahokia Mounds, etc.

Don’t forget good ole’ campfire stories too!

And if you’re a parent and want to start doing these things with some guidance, I encourage you to look up a scouting organization in your area and get out to the field and live scouting.

In Scouting,

Phillip Hadden

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