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.
You are invited to celebrate Peter Weatherhead’s achievement of earning the Eagle Rank, at his Eagle Court of Honor on Saturday, March 9, 2019. The ceremony will be held at 3:30pm at Schram Memorial Chapel,1799 Patriot Blvd. in Glenview. There will be a small reception immediately following.
What, you may ask, is a Camping Campout? Here is the most excellent answer.The Camping Campout is whatever you want it to be.That’s right.If you want to make it a cooking extravaganza, you can.If you want to make it a hike-a-thon, you can.If you want to make it a wide-area game (think capture-the-flag or scavenger hunt), you can.Whatever the campers on this adventure want the Camping Campout to be it will be.
Oh, and here is another great thing.The Camping Campout this year is going to be held at Camp Oakarro in Wadsworth.That’s right, no long car ride.It is all about the camping.
Now, look alive, the Camping Campout is coming up quickly – March 15-17th.Certainly keep an eye out for the flyer, but in the interim, be sure to block out those dates on your calendar.And, be thinking about what you and your fellow Scouts would like the Camping Campout to be . . .
‘TIS THE SEASON
No, not that season.As we look forward to Summer Camp in July, don’t forget to ask your doctor to complete Part C of the BSA medical form (after, of course, you have completed Parts A & B).Getting the paperwork done now is one less thing that you will have to think about as Summer Camp approaches.
ALSO AHEAD
I am a little sad, because, one day, the cold weather is going to end.However, what that means is that we are about to enter prime camping season.As you make your plans for the Spring, don’t forget to consider the following opportunities:
March 15-17thCamping Campout (See Above)
April 26-28thCaving Campout (Underground in Iowa)
May 10-12thBiking Campout (Fastest Troop on Two Wheels)
May 24-26thMaKaJaWan Workers Weekend (Cold Water, Docks, Paint Brushes and More)
June 7-9thWhitewater Campout (School’s Out!)
QUESTION TIME
Q: Why don’t elephants bring backpacks to camp?
A: Because they keep everything in their trunks.
BY DEFINITION
Picture: (1) Worth a thousand words.(2) Might be a photograph, collage or that fingerpainting from pre-school that you presented to your mother so proudly.(3) A representation of a person, object or scene.(4) Used to capture a moment in time.As in: The Scout smiled broadly as he and his parents paused for a picture shortly after he received his Tenderfoot rank.
Each year, Scouts from Troop 156 participate as Patrols in the District First Aid Meet, a competition against other Troops in the District on applying first aid skills in scenarios that Scouts to provide emergency care in crisis situations. Last year, we had two Patrols from the Troop compete, and they took both First and Second place in the Meet!! We're hoping there are Scouts among you who would like to help make that happen again this year by joining the Troop's First Aid Team.
This year's District First Aid Meet will be held on Saturday, March 2nd, from 12:00 - 4:00 pm. Please check your calendars to see if you have the date free to participate in the Meet. While First Aid training will be provided to ALL Scouts during the month of February, those who plan to compete in the District First Aid Meet will receive additional training with ASM Mike Lynch, a veteran Glenview Fire Department paramedic (first session for team members is TODAY at 2:00 pm at the fire station on Landwehr). The team members will also deliver first aid training to their fellow Troop members, and participate in the Troop's own first aid meet on Thursday, February 28th.
In addition to needing competitors, we will also need to provide 'victims' on which the teams would administer first aid, as well as a few adults to help with the judging.
OK, please forgive me, but I am going to wax a little philosophic here on a topic that has nothing to do with outdoor activities (yes, I am about to depart from my swim lane, so hold on).
In the last 48 hours I have been in the midst of two strident conversations – one about Pinewood Derby rules and the other about merit badge requirements.I love it.Why?Because it shows that people take Scouting seriously.You and I care about Scouting.
This is important because Scouting is defined by what we put into it.Sure, there are handbooks, rules, websites and all sorts of opportunities, but if we do not invest in the program – if we do not take advantage of the opportunities that it presents – then it becomes just a bunch of check-the-box exercises that add little value.
So, thank you for caring.
SPEAKING OF OPPORTUNITIES
Now, back in my swim lane, I would just like to say that campout participation has been underwhelming.I know, I know, what could be better than playing dodgeball in the GCC gym (really?!)?Well, actually, getting out of the house, getting out of town (and leaving the parental unit behind) can be pretty terrific.And, don’t worry, the parental unit will be there when you get home, ready to listen with interest to your stories and about your adventures.
AND THEN
There is only one Scout that I know of in the Troop who is not interested in rank advancement.You know who you are!As for everyone else, I would like to encourage you to set some goals for yourself and then to think about what it is going to take to realize those goals.Oh, and by the way, “realizing what it is going to take” is a long way of saying “planning.”A lot of requirements have to be completed over time.You can’t just roll up at a meeting or in front of a merit badge counsellor and say, “Here I am.Can you sign this off?”Finally, it is on you to do the planning.There are many people around you more than happy to help, but, importantly, they will help, not do it for you.Scouting is about (you) doing.
QUESTION TIME
Q: What member of the Troop is responsible for keeping track of 25 cent pieces?
A: The Quartermaster
BY DEFINITION
Darkness: (1) Happens every day when the sun goes down.(2) Affected adversely by light pollution, obscuring the stars.(3) An added benefit to setting up camp on a Friday night.As in: The Scouts embraced the challenge of setting up their tent in the dark when they arrived at their campsite after sundown.
If there was ever a reason to be a Scout, this week’s weather was it.Yes, it has been cold.Yes, the cold is dangerous.But, as we all know, there is no such thing as bad weather.At the risk of oversimplifying, layers and a hat go a long way toward combatting the cold.
By the way, I hope that you have thanked your classmates who are not Scouts.After all, if everyone was a Scout, there would have been no reason to cancel school because everyone would have known how to dress for the weather.Right?
KNOWING THE SIGNS
OK, so there is more to cold weather preparation than layers and a hat.Two of the more important things to know are recognizing the signs of hypothermia and frostbite.Scouts like to be outdoors regardless of the weather.Sometimes it can be too much, though, and it is important to know when you need to get yourself or a friend someplace warm.
. . . to sign up for Scout Sunday February 10, 2019 at GCC (gathering in the narthex at the back of the church near the east entrance at 9:15am to serve as ushers and greeters prior to the 10am service) and Pack 156’s Pinewood Derby at the Lyon School gym February 9, 2019 (gathering at 8am to begin checking cars in at 8:15am with racing starting at 9am).
QUESTION TIME
Second-Class Scout: Hey, what is the outer part of a sycamore tree called?
Star Scout: I don’t know.
Second-Class Scout: Bark.
Star Scout: OK, woof, woof.
BY DEFINITION
Scarf: (1) A long, slender piece of clothing often made out of wool.(2) Wrapped around the neck to ward off the cold.(3) Once, and perhaps still, a favorite gift lovingly knitted by grandmothers for their grandchildren.(4) A highly practical item often eschewed by young men seeking to be cool (but often ending up cold).As in: Despite the frigid weather, the seventh grader left his otherwise useful and comfortable scarf hanging on the hook at home as he dashed out the door to catch his bus.
I am taking a risk.Actually, it is not that much of a risk because I know how popular the Snowmando campout is going to be (February, 22nd - 24th, Indian Mound Scout Reservation, Oconomowoc, WI), but I am taking a risk nonetheless.What is the risk?Well, I have reserved two cabins.When you reserve two cabins, you pay for two cabins.Why have I reserved two cabins?Because I am confident that Snowmando will be a highlight of the camping year.The numbers will be big.The space will be needed.
There are a lot of reasons to be a Boy Scout, but I would argue that one of the biggest reasons is the opportunity to go camping – having adventures with your friends and fellow Scouts outdoors.I know how much you love school and dreary, cold winter days.But, you know what, every so often you need a break – a change of pace.Snowmando is just the ticket.
Registration forms are due at the Troop meeting on January 31st.Please do not forget to bring your completed form to the meeting.
DRESS TO IMPRESS
It would be remiss of me if I did not remind you of one key fact.Winter campouts are fun only if you dress for them appropriately.As some Scouts in the Troop will tell you, I am utterly dismayed by the fact that there are Scouts wearing shorts in the middle of January.Sure, sure, it is a short walk from the car to the door at GCC, but still, it’s January and it’s darn cold.Anyway, I digress.
The point I want to make is that a winter campout requires appropriate clothing – things like layers, boots, gloves and, perhaps most importantly, a hat.If you are cold you will not have a good time and, likely, your friends won’t have a good time either as they join you in cutting short outdoor activities.Sure, “be prepared” is a motto, but perhaps it is most meaningful as a call to action.
QUESTION TIME
Q: Who is green and lives alone in the woods?
A: Hermit the Frog
BY DEFINITION
Match: (1) A small stick with a compound on the end that ignites when struck against a rough surface (something about red phosphorous becoming white phosphorous igniting potassium chlorate) [yes, I looked this up, I am a history major].(2) A key method of starting a fire that is infinitely easier than, say, using a bow and drill.(3) A means to measure fire-building skill.As in: The Scout’s meticulous effort building his fire was evident in his ability to light it using just one match.
