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.
The clock is ticking. April 30th, is coming soon. Specifically, 5:30pm on April 30th. Let’s see. What is happening on that date, at that time? Mmmmm. Oh, that’s right, the Troop will be departing from GCC on April 30th at 5:30pm. Will you be ready?
Last week, I wrote about gear. But, how about the “other things?” What other things? Well, have you signed up to cook for your patrol? When will you go shopping? Do you know where the cooler is in which you will take the food to camp?
Or, have you checked out the Apple River Canyon State Park website? What are you interested in exploring? And, of course, there is the opportunity to knock out a few requirements. Have you circled the requirements that you will want to complete on the campout? Have you read the relevant pages in the handbook? By the way, I highly recommend focusing on requirements that are best completed outdoors.
If there is one thing that we have learned in the past year, it is that we cannot take campouts (or anything else for that matter) for granted. Here is a golden opportunity to get back to camping. I hope that you make the most of it.
HOPE YET. AS IN: THERE IS . . .
I know that as you progress from being a tween to being a teenager that you become ever more doubtful about the capabilities of adults, particularly your parents. On one subject, though, I would like to set your mind at ease.
You see, there was a parent meeting last week about summer camp at MaKaJaWan. Not only was the information provided excellent, but terrific questions were asked and everyone was fully engaged. On this subject, at least, your parents really get it.
I would like to encourage you to do two things. First, make sure that you learn as much as you can about summer camp yourself. You know, like, be prepared. For example, have you poked around on the MaKaJaWan website? My favorite is the history page at: https://makajawan.com/about/history. Second, please encourage your parents to keep asking questions. It is up to the teens and teenagers of this world to do everything possible to do everything they can to help their parents out.
QUESTION TIME
Q: How many Scouts can you fit in an empty dining hall?
A: One. And then it is no longer empty.
[Editor’s Note: I suppose that this was more amusing pre-Covid, but it is shared here nonetheless as it seems appropriately summer campish.]
BY DEFINITION
Tween: (1) Ten, 11 and 12-year-olds. (2) Prime Scouting age. (3) On the cusp of being a teenager. (4) Known by parents as the last years of hugability. As in: The mother hugged her 11-year-old frequently knowing that in a couple of years he would scarce recognize her.
Tomorrow's (4/18) Troop meeting will take place at GCC (Glenview Community Church) garage (northwest corner of the main parking lot), where Scouts will go through the camping gear necessary for the Apple River Campout. Those going on this summer's Philmont trek will also meet. Both meetings will take place from 2:00 - 3:30 pm.
We've had a great turnout of those registering for the upcoming Apple River Canyon Campout, with 32 Scouts and 13 adults planning to attend. Here are a few logistical details to keep in mind:
1) As mentioned in the initial campout survey sent out prior to confirming the plan to move forward with the campout, we do plan on following some specific COVID safety guidelines to keep everyone as safe as possible. All participants will be required to wear a mask except when eating or inside their own tent. Social distancing will be followed whenever possible. No participant will be allowed to enter anyone's tent but their own. Cooking will be done by Patrol is socially distanced groups.
2) "Tenting pairs would need to be arranged and approved by parents prior to the campout." Many of you have received emails over the past week to confirm tent mates. The last few will be contacted today so that all Scouts will know their tent mates before Sunday's Troop meeting, where they will check out tents and practice setting them up.
3) "Parents would be asked to arrange for transportation to and from the event (whether transporting their Scout individually or arranging a carpool). There would not be a “ride board” with assigned rides as is the Troop’s historical practice." For those of you who did not list your intended manner of transportation for your Scout to get to and from the camp out, we ask that you please make those arrangements and notify the trip leader, Paul Bauerschmidt, of your plan by Thursday, 4/22.
4) All Scouts going to the campout should plan to attend tomorrow's Troop meeting, which will meet at the Glenview Community Church garage, where we will go through all of the
5) Campers should also plan to attend the Troop meeting on Sunday, 4/25 for the final Camper's meeting, where we will go over all of the final details for the trip.
As we look forward to the Troop’s first camping trip in some time (Apple River Canyon, April 30 – May 2), I am reminded of the fact that most of us have not done any camping beyond the backyard in over a year. Backyard camping is fine, but the truth is that it is all too easy to duck into the house to retrieve any gear that may have been forgotten. You know how it goes. Forgot a flashlight? No problem, it is sitting on the shelf in the basement ready to be grabbed.
A camping trip, though, requires advance planning. What will you take? How will you carry it? When will you pack? First things first. What will you take? I am a big fan of using the Scout Handbook. It really is a great resource. In fact, if you check out page 268, you will see a “Personal Camping Gear Checklist” that is a great way to think about what to bring on the campout. You likely will not need everything on this list, but it is a good place to start.
There is one thing missing from this list, though. Troop 156 travels to and from campouts in Class A uniform – Scout shirt, pants, belt, socks, neckerchief and slide. This is for two reasons. First, it is a matter of safety. With all Scouts in uniform, it is much easier for adult leaders to keep track of everyone. Second, it is a matter of pride. Scouts are highly capable and good young men and young women. Your uniform identifies you as a proud member of this group.
As for the question, “how will you carry it,” many of our campouts do not require carrying personal gear any great distance. Vehicles can pull up right at the campsite. For this reason, a duffle bag (of a carriable size) works quite well. Bulky things like your sleeping bag can be carried separately. There is one key exception. Summer camp. You should aim to carry all of your personal gear about a mile from the parking lot to the campsite in one trip. For this, a backpack often works the best.
Finally, I find that packing is best done by laying all of your gear out on the floor where you can see it, tick everything off of the list that you made (you did make a list didn’t you?) and then pack everything into the duffel bag or backpack that you are going to use. And, I am sure that you are not going to wait until the last minute to get everything packed up. Right? You will want to be able to be ready to leave home on time so that the rest of the Troop isn’t left waiting for you at the departure point.
WHAT YOU DON”T NEED
When it comes to personal gear, there is a lot to remember, but there are some things that you don’t need to bring. First, you will usually not need to bring a tent. All Scouts sleep in Troop tents with occasional exceptions made for a (very) few of the oldest Scouts. Because of Covid, some Scouts will be tenting with a parent at Apple River. They are welcome to use a Troop tent or to use one brought from home.
The second thing that you do not have to worry about is cooking gear. Yes, you should bring an “eating kit” including a plate, utensils and a cup, but you do not need to bring things like pots and pans. These are kept in the patrol box (for which, of course, the patrol maintains an inventory and ensures remains clean).
WHEW!
Wow, that’s a lot. But, there is one more thing. Have you submitted your registration form? Don’t forget, it is due April 15.
QUESTION TIME
Q: What do you get if you cross Bambi with a ghost?
A: Bamboo
BY DEFINITION
Camp site: (1) An open field or clearing in the woods. (2) Used as a place to pitch tents. (3) Often includes a fire ring and picnic table. (4) Proximity to a latrine can be either a good thing or bad thing. As in: The Life Scout, having much camping experience, noted the close proximity of the latrine with satisfaction. Then he caught a whiff of it and reconsidered his satisfaction.
At the end of April, Troop 156 will make a triumphant return to camping, albeit with some changes to regular operations in order to keep the risk of COVID infection as low as possible. Logistics will be a little tricky, so please bear with us.
REGISTER: Complete the online registration form by April 15th (https://forms.gle/CVqGstrP6JAXUenW9) and turn in the signed Hold Harmless Agreement to Paul Bauerschmidt
WHERE: Apple River Canyon State Park (2 1/4 hours west)
WHEN: Friday, April 30 to Sunday, May 2 - meet at Glenview Community Church by the garage at 5:15 pm, for a 5:30 pm departure. Return by about 11:00 am on Sunday; Scouts will call from the road with ETA for GCC pickup
ACTIVITIES: Camping, outdoor cooking, hiking, fishing (16 and over require an Illinois fishing license)
LEADER MEETING: All adult leaders planning to go on the campout are required to attend a breakfast meeting (pastries and coffee) on Saturday, April 10th, at 7:00 am at Swenson Park. Bring your own chair.
QUESTIONS: Please contact Paul Bauerschmit at paul@bauerschmidt.com.
We're so excited to get back to a major part of the Scouting experience, and look forward to seeing you there.
After missing summer camp at Camp MaKaJaWan for the last two years due to heavy storm damage in 2019 and the pandemic in 2020, all seems to be on track for Troop 156 to return to Camp MaKaJaWan this summer! Registrations and deposits for summer camp are due soon.
Parents and Scouts - please join us for a Summer Camp Presentation during Troop Office Hours on Thursday, April 15th (7:00 - 8:30 pm). The presentation will be followed by a Q & A, so have your calendars handy and bring your questions.
Adult Leaders planning to attend Summer Camp, please note the following training opportunities:
