Based at Glenview Community Church, Troop 156 has served its community for more than 65 years. As one of the largest and most active Boy Scout units in Northeast Illinois, Troop 156 has a proud tradition of excellence. In the past five years alone, the Troop has produced 35 Eagle Scouts.
We are a scout-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 proud of our 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. Bob Blackwell is the unit's Committee Chair.
You don’t want to miss our weekly Thursday meeting this week! We will be planning for MaKaJaWan including, tent mates, merit badge plans, and passing out T-shirts. This is also an excellent opportunity for parents to ask any questions you may have.
The meeting will take place at 7pm at the GCC Garage.
As this will be my last note before next fall, I am in a reflective mood.I know that this likely runs counter to your present state of mind.After all, the summer, in all of its glory, extends seemingly unending in front of you.So, here is a bit of prospective reflection [I know, I know, thinking about a concept like that runs afoul of the first rule of summer break – think no big thoughts.Sorry, I can’t help myself.]
While it was decades and decades ago, nearly lost in the mists of time, I, too, remember summer break.There were soccer games played on the small strip of yard on the side of the house.There were swimming lessons.There were bike rides up to the high school to play tennis on the courts there.And, of course, there were Fourth of July fireworks and cookouts and cans of pop pulled from ice in a big galvanized steel tub (see, I told you it was a long time ago).
There was also a fair bit of Scouting.Summer camp, of course.Service projects.And even a merit badge or two completed somewhere other than summer camp.While I never did high adventure, I did attend the National Scout Jamboree.
During the summer, you lose the regular cadence of meetings and monthly campouts.But, you have the opportunity to take on some more intensive experiences.You also have some time to work on requirements and merit badges that take sustained effort.For example, what about working on menus to cook at home or on a campout (while sitting outside under a tree, of course).If you find yourself in a pool with a deep end, work on your surface dives.If you are away from the city and outside after dark, can you find the Big Dipper and follow the pointer stars to the North Star?Is it dark enough to see the Milky Way?You know, you might just want to page through the Scout Handbook and see what captures your attention.Yes, Scouting is an adventure.But, importantly, it is an adventure of your own making
QUESTION TIME
Q: What do you get if you cross a snowman and a shark?
A: Frostbite
BY DEFINITION
Bicycle: (1) A two-wheeled conveyance (unless it has three wheels). (2) Typically un-motorized except for those who opt for an electrical boost. (3) A key life skill – changing an innertube, that is. (4) Freedom.As in: The Star Scout appreciated the convenience of having a parent shuttle him from one activity to another, but he absolutely loved the freedom of getting to where he needed to go on his own, by bicycle.
