Troop #104: June Adventures and Achievements

June has come and gone, but what a whirlwind month it was for Troop #104! From momentous rank advancements to thrilling outdoor adventures, our Scouts made the most of every opportunity.

We kicked off the month with a Court of Honor—an event to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our Scouts. Thanks to their efforts at Merit Badge University and focus on rank advancement, we had 8 Scouts advance in rank. One Scout even turned in his paperwork for his Eagle rank, a monumental achievement! In total, we awarded 34 merit badges, which might just be a record for a Court of Honor that wasn't following Summer Camp. Hats off to everyone for their hard work and determination!

Shortly after, the troop embarked on an extraordinary journey to Isle Royale, one of the most remote national parks in the U.S., nestled within the largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Superior. Our troop sent two crews of 7 Scouts each for a 7-day High Adventure starting on June 21st. With gear and food strapped to their backs, they boarded the Island Queen IV and set sail for the wilderness. After a 3.5-hour boat ride, they arrived at Rock Harbor and set off on separate treks across the island, only to reunite before heading back to the mainland on June 27th.

Isle Royale, known for its ongoing predator-prey study between wolves and moose, didn’t disappoint. Our Scouts were lucky enough to encounter moose, beavers, and one crew even spotted a wolf and a fox. They also came across plenty of other wildlife, including non-poisonous snakes, frogs, slugs, and leeches, as well as loons that serenaded them throughout the trip. With no vehicles allowed on the island, the peaceful seclusion of this remote paradise left everyone with memories to last a lifetime. It was truly an experience like no other, and the entire trip went off without a hitch—a major success for our first time on Isle Royale.

While our High Adventure crews were off exploring the wilderness, our younger Scouts took on an adventure of their own at Starved Rock. This group, consisting of 7 Scouts and 7 adults, braved a weekend of camping and hiking. For many, it was their first time camping with the troop—5 of the Scouts and 3 of the adults were new to the experience. This meant that our two "seasoned" Scouts (both age 11) had the responsibility of showing the newcomers the ropes. It was an exciting challenge for everyone, especially when it came to setting up camp.

The majority of Saturday was spent hiking in the heat and working on advancements, with plenty of time for bonding and goofing off. However, the real test came during the big storm on the night of June 21st. Despite the challenges, our young Scouts handled the situation with resilience and a positive attitude. It was a weekend full of learning and growth for everyone involved.

As we look ahead to July, the excitement doesn’t stop. Summer Camp is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to see what adventures lie ahead for our Scouts.

Stay tuned for more updates!