2009 Summer Camp at Rhodes France Scout Reservation

Troop 156 will be attending summer camp at Rhodes France Scout Reservation. Our camp week will be July 12-18. The troop will vote on a campsite at the troop Christmas party. The merit badge list is posted at http://www.lincolntrailscouncil.org/pdf/campguide/pre-requisites.pdf

Please let your Scoutmasters know if you have any questions!

November 25 Troop Meeting

The Scouts in Troop 156 has the opportunity to work on their Citizenship in the Community merit badge last night with Ray D., former Jasper County Clerk. We would like to pass along a big Thank You to Ray!

Scoutmaster Jesse W. discussed hobbies with the Scouts who had already earned the Citizenship in the Community merit badge. He brought in a few of his N scale trains for a demonstration. The Scouts enjoyed watching and playing with the trains. A hobby fair is being planned by the troop to allow members of our families and the community to display their hobbies. Planning will continue in January.

Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, December 9 Troop Christmas Party / Court of Honor, Falmouth United Methodist Church, 6pm - please bring an exchange gift ($10 price limit), board games to play, a 2-liter bottle of soda, and a dessert item. Monical's Pizza in Robinson is donating pizza for our dinner.

Community Service Opportunities:
Jasper County Ministerial Association
Saturday, November 29 9am-12pm Distributing bags in town for food collection, First Baptist Church
Saturday, December 6 9am-12pm Collection of food bags in town, OLD IGA Building on West Jourdan
Friday, December 12 5pm Put together food baskets, OLD IGA Building on West Jourdan
Saturday, December 13 9am-12pm Distribution of food baskets, OLD IGA Building on West Jourdan

Faith Fellowship Church and Mission
Saturday, December 13 8:30am-12pm Help carry out toys, Faith Fellowship Church 1 mile south and 1/4 mile east of Hidalgo (please see Ellen W. or Jesse W. for more information)

November/December Trailblazer

The November/December issue of the Lincoln Trails Council newsletter - The Trailblazer - is available for reading on the council's website, www.lincolntrailscouncil.org

Election Day!

Don't forget to go and vote today! Every vote counts!

October 28 Troop Meeting

VETERANS DAY ACTIVITIES DATES/TIMES UPDATED!!!

Troop 156 meet on October 28 for their regular troop meeting. The Scouts completed their Fingerprinting merit badge with Assistant Scoutmaster Jim R.

The Senior Patrol Leader reviewed upcoming events with the troop to include:
November 1 - Popcorn pickup / Earl Dufrain Park 10am - 12pm
November 8 - Putting Flags on poles / Floral Hall, Jasper County Fairgrounds 8 am
November 9 - Flag Ceremony at Faith Fellowship Church (Doug M., Jesse M., Nathan S., Jacob O., Zach L.) - 10:30 am
November 9 - Staking the Courthouse lawn for Flag 1 pm
November 11 - Putting Flags on Courthouse lawn - 6 am / Taking Flags down from Courthouse lawn 4 pm
November 11 - Troop meeting canceled due to Veteran's Day
November 15 - Folding Flags at the American Legion Post #20 / 8:30am
November 13 - Board of Reviews (Scouts will be contacted individually with time & location)
December 16 - Troop Christmas party and Court of Honor - tentatively planning a pizza/bowling party at Parklanes
January 10 - Klondike Derby

Ellen W. presented Spookoree patches to Nathan S., Jesse W., Doug M., Gary S., Jacob O., and Jesse N.


Ellen W. made a special presentation on behalf of Doug Z., Rhodes France Scout Reservation Camp Director, to Doug M., Jacob O., Jesse N., and Nathan S. for all of their hard work at the Spookoree. These boys did everything they were asked to do with out complaint and even did additional work that was not asked of them. They are now the proud owners of new mini multi-tools with LED flashlights.


I had to post the picture below because Nathan S. little sister is way too cute! Katlin S. is show here with her puppy Daisy.

Compliment from the Spookoree program director!

Below is a compliment that I received from the Greg B., program director for the Spookoree.

"Ellen,

Thank you so much for your service at the spookoree.

You are awesome!! The meals were great, and everyone had plenty of time to eat and plenty to eat. Hats off to you, for operating such an efficient chow line with no more help than you had. You are the best.


Yours in Scouting
-Greg"

2008 Spookoree

This past weekend we had 4 Boy Scouts and 3 adults attend the 2008 Spookoree. We worked in the commissary preparing and serving food for almost 500 people! I want to say a special thanks to Gary S., Nathan S., Doug M., Jesse M., and Jacob O. for all of their hard work. Jesse M. ended up going home on Saturday as he was not feeling too well. We all hope you are feeling better now!


Here is the cool patch from the weekend!

I want to say thank you to the following individuals who helped also helped us out:
Lawrence T., Johnathan C., Matt K., Doug Z., Will S., John M., Tom L., Travis L., Andy B., Diane B., Angie K., and Mark K. There were also a couple boys from one of the troop that was camping that came and helped with serving. I unfortunately do not remember their names as by the end of the morning on Sunday I was just happy that I still remembered mine! There were also a few adults that were camping with the Cub Scouts that helped with emptying trash and coming over for items that needed replenished from the Commissary. If I have missed someone I apologize.

In closing I would like to say thank you for all of the compliments that I received for the cooking and have to say that without the help of the above people it would not have happened. I just came up with the menu - they help make it a reality!

Fingerprinting Merit Badge

Troop 156 would like to say thank you to Assistant Scoutmaster Jim for presenting the Fingerprinting Merit Badge. There were 10 Scouts who were able to start work on this badge. The remaining work will be completed at the October 28 troop meeting. If completed the troop will then work on the Traffic Safety merit badge with Jim.

The troop meeting scheduled for November 11 will be canceled due to Veterans Day. The troop has been invited to help with the flags for the Jasper County Veteran's Day program. Below is a list of activities - please contact Ellen with any questions.

Saturday November 8 - 8 am- putting flags on poles at the Jasper County Fairground - Floral Hall
Saturday November 8 - 10 am - staking the Courthouse lawn
Tuesday November 11 - 6 am - putting flags on the Courthouse lawn
Tuesday November 11 - 4 pm - taking flags down from Courthouse lawn
Saturday November 15 - 8:30 am - folding flags at the American Legion Post #20

Photos from September Campout

Here are the photos from our campout last month! Not the best as I only had my cell phone with me but it gives you the idea!

Our boys behaving normally.

Our boys being nice for the picture.

Getting lined up for the parade.

Waiting for the parade to start. Cody S. is in the background in his band uniform somewhere!

Looking good and waiting to start!

Marching in the parade!

Don't forget about the Cub Scouts getting ready for the parade!

Cub Scouts in the parade #1

Cub Scouts in the parade #2

Harley after the parade!

September Campout

Troop 156 camped at Sam Parr State Park this past weekend. We were asked to provide the color guard for the Fall Festival parade since the boys did an excellent job for the Strawberryfest parade in the Spring. Good job Scouts! The troop then returned to Sam Parr and relaxed and enjoyed a easy lunch. Later in the afternoon we took the troop back into town to volunteer for the Chamber's homemade ice cream booth. We had a few too many boys for the number of customers that we had but everyone helped and had a great time! Unfortunately a storm brewed up unexpectedly and we had to cancel the remainder of the campout. But we were able to get everyone home safely and almost dry! At our troop meeting last night the Scouts put up the tents that were taken to dry and reloaded the troop trailer a bit neater than when it left Sam Parr. The Chamber surprised us yesterday by letting us know that had homemade ice cream left and we were able to enjoy a snack at the end of the meeting. Thank you Lisa! (I will post pictures from the parade as soon as I download them)

A Scout Family in Need

A note to our Scouting families - Ronnie, Betty and Cody house suffered an electrical fire over the past weekend. Their trailer has a lot of water damage and they are currently living in their camper. Please call Ronnie or Betty to see if you and your family can offer assistance to them during this time. Thank you! Ellen & Jesse

2008 Summer Camp at Rhodes France Scout Reservation

Boy Scout Troop 156 recently attended summer camp at Rhodes France Scout Reservation near Pana, Illinois. 11 members along with six adults participated in such activities as rifle and shotgun shooting, swimming, climbing, repelling, and archery. Over 40 merit badges were earned by the Scouts during the week as well as the troop earn their Duty to God patch and the Baden Powell award.

July 22,2008 Meeting

There was a special speaker named Dale. He talked about being a deaf Boy Scout. Those who attended were Patrick, Trygve, Doug, Jesse, Jacob, Cody S., Matt, and Harley. Next meeting will be at Gary's house. Next activity is the O.A. Fall Fellowship Aug. 15-17.

Quote from Mark Twain

I read this quote on my box of Celestial Seasonings tea this morning - thought it was appropriate for Scouts and Scouters alike!

"Alway do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest."

Tragedy at Little Sioux Scout Ranch

The members of Boy Scout Troop 156 would like to express our condolences to the families who's sons were killed by the tornado that went through the Little Sioux Scout Ranch. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. Through this disaster they members of the Mid-America Council shown the Scout motto of "Be Prepared." God bless you all.

2008 Strawberryfest

Our troop provided the color guard for the 2008 Strawberryfest parade in Newton on Saturday. The boys did a great job! They represented Boy Scouting and our troop with pride and respect. More pictures to be posted soon from the weekend!

2008 Spring Rendezvous

Here is a picture of the Scouts who attended the 2008 Spring Rendezvous at Wolf Creek State Park. More pictures and videos to be posted soon!

See what happens when you leave your golf cart unattended???

Jesse and I decided to have a little fun with Doug in honor of his birthday on April 8. Okay, okay, I decided to have a little fun since he and I share the same birthday. I was left a present of 102 balloons in my cubical on my birthday (mostly black so I'll let you guess my age)! So I brought a few of them to Rhodes-France for OLT. Jesse and I used Doug's golf cart off and on most of the weekend and on Saturday afternoon we were able to add this festive touch for him. Cannot see it but it even had a big blue bow tied to the front and a birthday card on the inside decorated by the participants and staff of OLT. HAPPY BIRTHDAY again Doug!

Outdoor Leader Training Campfire Program - April 12

Here are a few selections for your enjoyment from the campfire program.

Outdoor Leader Training - Rhodes-France Scout Reservation, Pana, IL, April 11-13

This past weekend, Jesse, Ellen & Eric went to Rhodes-France Scout Reservation to participate in the Outdoor Leader Training that was held. Eric participated and has completed his Scoutmaster Training. Jesse and Ellen served as staff cooks and led the cooking session on Saturday. Here are a few pictures from the weekend.