Boy Scout Troop 156, Glenview IL

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Welcome !

Based at Glenview Community Church, Troop 156 has served its community for more than 50 years. As one of the largest and most active Boy Scout units in Northeast Illinois, T-156 has a proud tradition of excellence. In the past five years alone, the Troop has produced 35 Eagle Scouts.

This is a "boy-led" Troop with emphasis on developing leadership ability and other other important life skills and values. The patrol method is an important part of the program and outdoor adventures, service projects and special events are scheduled year-round. It's not uncommon to have as many as three different activities the boys can choose from each month. Troop 156 is also proud of it's diverse culture with many different races and religions represented.

Currently Mr. Paul Bauerschmidt serves as Scoutmaster, supported by a team of 35 trained adult volunteers serving as Committee Members and Assistant Scoutmasters. Mr. Mark Demsky is the unit's Committee Chair.

Virtual PLC Meeting This Monday

Posted on Apr 3 2020 - 11:13pm

Message:

The next Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) meeting will be held virtually this coming Monday, 4/6, from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. All boy leaders from the Troop should plan to attend. To connect from your home computer, click on this link: meet.google.com/kwy-cogq-xti. Or, you can join by phone: +1 401-426-3844 (PIN: 177909113). Please let Scoutmaster Bauerschmidt know if you cannot attend.

Summer Camp Registration Details

Posted on Apr 3 2020 - 10:18pm

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Planning for summer camp is underway now, with the positive attitude that we will clear the current environment by July.

Updated key dates

April 9th, $125 deposits due
April 15th, registration for merit badges opens at NEIC (you will be provided with a link to a form in which to make your selections after next Thursday's virtual MSR Parent Meeting)
May 1st, remainder of camp fees due (see pricing below)
MaKaJaWan Refund policy allows for cancellation 30 days ahead of time. We had an experience last year with the storm at MSR, and we all received full refunds.

Costs

Camp Fee per Week $345
Troop Fee per Scout (includes “Class B” t-shirt) $40
Additional t-shirts (youth and adult sizes) $15
Bus to Camp $50
Bus from Camp $50

Payments should be mailed to Ben Boshes, 2131 Chandler Ln, Glenview, IL 60025, with checks written out to "BSA Troop 156". Scholarships are available from both NEIC and the Troop. To confidentially request a Troop scholarship, please contact either Paul Bauerschmidt (paul@bauerschmidt.com) or Mark Demsky (markdemsky@gmail.com).

Fire Safety Merit Badge

Posted on Mar 27 2020 - 10:23pm

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Here is a merit badge of which Scouts can complete the majority while staying at home during social distancing - the Fire Safety Merit Badge. One of our former Troop parents, Doug Schuberth, is a firefighter and is offering this merit badge for his daughter's Troop, and has generously offered to meet virtually with any Scouts from our Troop as well who would like to work on it.

To work on this merit badge, Scouts should first email Scoutmaster Bauerschmidt (paul@bauerschmidt.com) to let him know that they plan to work on the merit badge. (Normally, Scouts first need to obtain a signed 'blue card' from the Scoutmaster in order to begin any merit badge, but during social distancing, they should at least notify him first before they begin work.)

Scouts should then complete the merit badge booklet found here: http://usscouts.org/mb/worksheets/Fire-Safety.pdf, after reading the Fire Safety Merit Badge Pamphlet (see attachment - do not follow the requirements in the 2014 pamphlet as they are not up-to-date). Once they've completed the booklet, they should contact Mr. Schuberth (dougschuberth@gmail.com) to set up a virtual meeting to go over the booklet. They can then finish up with our own Fire Safety Merit Badge counselors once we can meet again in person.

Resource for Scout Rank 1A - Recite Scout Oath, Law, Motto & Slogan

Posted on Mar 27 2020 - 5:22pm

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For new Scouts looking to complete Scout Rank 1A, here is a great resource to learn and practice the Scout Oath, Law, Motto and Slogan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpeB9ubw5fI

Schedule Updates and Program Resources

Posted on Mar 27 2020 - 5:13pm

Message:

Hi Troop 156 families,

Well, the three parts of the Scout Oath that jump out right now are helpful, brave, and clean. We are living through an extraordinary event and doing some extraordinary things to stay safe. We wanted to give you a quick update on our activities.

We have cancelled all our events through the end of April. This includes the Apple River Campout and the Pancake Breakfast. Anyone who sold tickets to the breakfast, please let them know we will try to reschedule, and refunds will be available. We will be holding a video conference for our PLC meeting on April 6th, which I think is a first for the Troop, which is exciting. Details on that will come later to the leadership team.

MaKaJaWan Summer Camp remains excited to welcome us this summer. Ben Boshes will be sending out an overview for parents. Registration will be due when we meet again, in early May. Please reach out with any questions at all here.

Other fun scouting to do at home:

CyberChip: All Scout rank and Star rank advancements require a CyberChip.

Requirements are found here: http://www.usscouts.org/advance/cyberchip.asp
Scouts will write a personal contract, which outlines rules for using the computer and mobile devices, including what you can download, what you can post, and consequences for inappropriate use.
Parent involvement is required.
Please send Scoutmaster Bauerschmidt the contract when completed and we’ll make sure you get the CyberChip sign off (and awarded).

Knots

Videos on how to tie each of these knots can be found here: https://scoutingmagazine.org/2017/04/tie-essential-scouting-knots/. Once your Scout has practiced and mastered how to tie the knot, have him find a practical use for the knot somewhere in your house, take a photo and send to Scoutmaster Bauerschmidt, with a note of the Scout's name and the type of knot being used. Creativity is highly encouraged!
New Scouts may work on rank requirements for both the Scout rank and the Tenderfoot rank concurrently. A great requirement to work on during this time at home is the Square Knot, two Half-Hitches, and the Taut-Line Hitch (Scout rank requirement 4a or the Tenderfoot Rank Requirement #3a, b, c).
Second Class Rank Sheetbend Knot and the Bowline Knot (requirement #2f and #2g)
First Class Rank Timber Hitch and the Clove Hitch (requirement #3b)

Oath and Law: New Scouts can also spend time on Scout rank requirement #1 - reciting from memory the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout Motto and the Scout Slogan, which can be found in the Scout Handbook or here: http://usscouts.org/advance/boyscout/bsoathlaw.asp.

We'll hopefully pick up meetings on May 7th. Our next planned campout is May 8-10 to Warren Dunes, Michigan. More info on that later.

We love hearing from folks, so reach out with any news. Please stay well and be safe!

Yours in Scouting,

Paul Bauerschmidt

paul@bauerschmidt.com

(312) 860-7318 cell