For scouts working on the American Heritage merit badge, and any other scouts & parents interested in learning more about the history of our immediate area, please join Mr. Robertson and Mrs. Hopkins-Ourth this Saturday, November 5, for an outing to the Chicago Portage.

We will be joining a group led by Gary Mechanic, who will explore the “Birth Story of Chicago” from the geological beginnings of the Portage to how it is still functioning in Chicago today. The tour is approximately a ½ mile in length on a gravel path through the woods and will take about 2 hours. Wear long pants and walking shoes or boots. The Chicago Portage National Historic site is at 4800 S. Harlem, on the west side of Harlem Ave. (7200 W) just 2 blocks north of the Stevenson Expressway (I-55). Meet at the monumental statue of Marquette and Joliet and their Native American guide at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Parents: if you don’t plan to stay for the outing, please bring your scout to the Portage and check in with one of the Troop leaders.

For more information about the portage, see www.chicagoportage.org.

Saturday forecast: Sunny, with a high near 58. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.