Based at Glenview Community Church, Troop & Crew 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 the Troop has produced 20 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.
In addition to the traditional Boy Scout Troop, there is also a Venturing Crew for high school age men and women. Many of the "V-crew's" activities involve high adventure skills such as rock climbing or wilderness camping.
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.
We hope all Scouts going to Summer Camp are getting excited, with Week 1 departure just a week away.
For all Scouts going to Camp, don't forget to bring your personal gear, your mess kit, water bottle, sleeping bag, mosquito netting, fishing gear, Class A uniform and neckerchief, Class B shirt, swim gear, rain gear, and a change of clothes.
Our first week starts on Sunday, July 21. For all of you Scouts taking the bus for Week 1, show up at the Neiman Marcus parking lot at Northbrook Court on Sunday, July 21 at 7;30 am. Buses leave at 8:00 am sharp! All of your gera will be loaded under the passenger compartment. Bring on the bus a lunch, possibly a snack, and any electronics. Electronics are to be used ONLY on the bus, but not up at Camp.
For all Scouts going up for Week 2, same drill for your bus, but it will be on Sunday, July 27.
The buses for the return trips will be early afternoon on the following Saturday, dropped off at the Neiman Marcus parking area at Northbrook Court. We will have a calling tree to notify parents when the buses cross the Illinois border.
Photos from the Troop and Pack participation in the 4th of July parade have been posted to the Troop website. They can be accessed here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZoAix6jQXrLZeeaC9.
For all other archived photos, simply log on to the Troop website, click on Photos, and then the link to the event you would like to view.
Any Scout who has not yet signed up for merit badges to work on at Camp should contact Jack O'Malley (week 5) (john.omalley2@comcast.net) or Carlton Olson (week 6) (colson@ctlgroup.com) to get that done.
Anyone who missed the Final Camper Meeting last week and needs to pick up their Class B t-shirt, should contact Paul Schwarz (paul_schwarz@msn.com) to schedule a pickup time.
Anyone who would like to purchase an additional Class B t-shirt for $20 should also contact Paul Schwarz. The $20 includes FREE delivery! We have limited inventory and sizes left.
Thursday's Court of Honor marked the last regular Troop meeting of the year. Congratulations to all of the Scouts who earned rank advancements and/or merit badges this year! We are proud of your efforts! THANK YOU for living the Scout Oath and Law, even when the world may tell you to do otherwise. THANK YOU for being honorable young men who dedicate your time and service to “do a good turn daily.” Thank you for your spirit, smiles and laughter.
A big THANK YOU goes out to our boy leaders, who under the exemplary leadership of Senior Patrol Leader, Gavin Dickinson, provided training to our Scouts and leadership in planning and executing our weekly meetings, and monthly campouts and special events.
A big THANK YOU also goes to the parents of our Scouts, for supporting their participation in Troop activities and in pursuing their rank advancements and merit badges. We know a lot of other worthy things compete for your time, and yet you encourage your sons to participate in Scouting. Thank you for doing your best to make Scouting a success for your sons.
And finally, a big THANK YOU to our adult leaders and volunteers, who, under the leadership of Scoutmaster, Paul Bauerschmidt, spend time with our Scouts, so the community will be better for everyone. We thank you for teaching, leading and guiding the leaders of tomorrow. Thank you for living as examples to the youth, for spending hours in training, and even more time in a sleeping bag –be it sun, rain, snow, or ice. Thank you for making it possible for the youth to experience the outdoors, connect with nature, gain confidence, and make friends, keeping them safe in te process.
There are still summer adventures ahead, so keep an eye out for the weekly eBlasts. We're still hashing out the fall meeting calendar, but the first meeting back will likely be the last Thursday in August. Thanks for a great year!
Well, this is it. The last Outdoor Coordinator’s eBlast until next Fall. I know, I know you are saddened immeasurably. I mean, what are you going to do without me exhorting you to do one thing or another? Yet, you are resilient. You will survive. Right?
Because this is my last eBlast of the Scouting year, I don’t want to waste it. I need to make it count.
Hence, I have two words for you: get outside. Over the coming weeks, when you find yourself pondering what to do next. Don’t even think about it. Just get outside. When you wake up in the morning considering what to do with yourself, don’t hesitate: get outside. Yes, even when it is raining, what is the right answer? Get outside. OK, so if there is thunder and lightning, the right answer is not: get outside. But you already knew that.
My point is that for all of the time you spend indoors avoiding the winter cold or sitting at a desk doing schoolwork, why would your first thought during summer be anything other than get outside?
You get the picture: get outside, get outside, get outside.
AND THEN WHAT Aaah, you didn’t think that I would just leave you hanging without some suggestions as to what you might do after getting outside, did you? Of course, many of you will be heading to summer camp. Most excellent. But, that’s just one week or maybe two.
Once outside, I would suggest that your next question should be: what outdoor activity do I need to complete for my next rank or merit badge? Sure, you may have other worthy thoughts like: maybe I will go for a bike ride, play a game of soccer with friends or whack a tennis ball against a wall. These are all worthy activities, but you know me, I am nothing but consistent -- you know, Scouting 24/7 -- hence the question about outdoor activities, rank and merit badges. But really, if you are ever at a loss about what to do outside your Scout Handbook really is a good resource. Check it out.
ONE LAST THOUGHT Please don’t forget about safety. Say, for example, you would like to try lighting a fire with a magnifying glass (not such a bad idea for a sunny day, no). Well, first you need to gain the permission of a parent or other responsible adult. Then, you need to find a safe place to build the fire and be prepared to put the fire out. Finally, you need to start your fire in a manner that keeps yourself and others safe. Oh, and by the way, it should not be a roaring blaze – just large enough to show how you can harness the sun’s energy. In other words, have an adventure, try something new, but do it right. Be safe.
QUESTION TIME Q: What did the Scout do with the tree after he chopped it down? A: He chopped it up. [Editor’s note: As you know, rarely, if ever should a Scout chop down a tree. After all, it is the dead stuff on the ground that makes the best firewood.]
BY DEFINITION Ice Cream: (1) A chilled concoction of cream, sugar and flavoring. (2) Served by Dolley Madison at the White House. (3) A substance for which frozen yogurt is a poor substitute (in the editor’s opinion). (4) A perennial objective for Scouts returning home from meetings. As in: On the way home from weekly Scout meetings, the Star Scout was always looking for ways to get his dad to stop for ice cream.
