What is Laughs For Lunch? It is an annual show the Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 perform for the local community. Audience members bring an item of food for the local food shelf as admission to the show. Thus, the Scouts provide the laughs while the audience provides the lunch for the needy.
     This is the tenth show the troop has held. The show is based on songs and skits seen at some of the campfire programs at summer camps and camporees. In addition to well know campfire songs and skits the troop has developed a few original bits that also have become a part of the show. Some of the bits even included audience members who were brought on stage to have a little fun.
     It is amazing that the troop can pull this off when you consider that they only have four practices to get the act together. Troop 68 would like to give a special thanks to those former troop members who came back for one more show this year. (The high school seniors.)

Oh no! The king is hungry and he wants some raisins to eat. Some good tasting raisins.	Our troop newscasters practice their lines for their news break during the show.	Of course, while some of the guys practice their acts, the rest sit in the audience.
During the show, these guys sang about what they would be if they were not Boy Scouts.	The Scouts got the audience to participate during the favorite "John Jacob Jinglehammerschmidt".	We even got the district executive to participate during the "Furniture Store" skit.
Nearly the whole cast was on stage during the "Is It Time Yet" skit.	One of the favorite skits of all the shows has been the "Radio Airwaves" skit.	Most of the cast posed with some of the food collected after the show.

One troop member had trouble getting out of bed Saturday morning so the others thought they would help him.	It might have been a little cold, and the clothing might have been a little bulky, but we had fun playing disc golf.	The broomball field was a short hike from the lodge so we had to bring the gear with us to the playing field.
For many of the Scouts this is the one time during the year when they get the chance to play broomball.	The meal of spaghetti and meat sauce is finished. It is time for the whipped cream "salad" desert.	Seven Scouts participated in this year's trip to Camp Stearns. They had a lot of fun on the camp's sledding hill.

Freeport State Bank

Melrose City Hall

Central MN Federal Credit Union

US Bank

The Boy Scouts slept in one of the building at Parker Scout Reservation.	One of the merit badges offered was the Computers Merit Badge.	Citizenship in the Nation was another of the merit badge choices.
A few Scouts from Troop 68 ham it up for the camera during some free time.	There was an evening campfire program Saturday night featuring the Scouts from all the troops that were attending the outing.	Joe kept everyone well fed during the weekend. The troops ate in the Parker dining hall.

Jacob and Brad sat with their parents during the program.	Brad was presented his Eagle Scout Award with his parents by his side.	Jacob was presented his Eagle Scout Award with his parents by his side.
Kathy and Carl presented their son with a special gift during the ceremony.	Karen and John presented their son with a special gift during the ceremony.	The Eagle Scouts presented their assistant scoutmaster and scoutmaster with a special gift.

The Boy Scouts received a tour of the equipment used by the fire fighters.

We discovered that the gear worn by the firemen is very reflective to the flash of the camera.

The Boy Scouts discovered that the fire fighting gear worn by the firemen is quite heavy.

The Scouts enjoyed popcorn while sitting around the campfire Friday night.	These Scouts were the team that was the winner of the annual egg drop competition.	This team's egg drop package was one of the messier ones used in the contest.
Grab the water balloon and the sling shot to hit the duck blind on the other side of the pond.	This was the second year Troop 68 held a blow gun dart shooting competition.	The winner of the tomahawk throwing contest stands next to some of his successful throws.

A Scout Law candle ceremony opened the court of honor.

Our troop chaplain led us in prayer after the opening ceremony.

Several Scouts received merit badges during the award presentation.

Sitting around the campfire is always good fun.	Especially if there is popcorn and other snacks to eat.	We did some service work for the campground Saturday morning.
It is always great when we sit down for a meal together.	Playing Frisbee at the beach was a fun activity in the afternoon.	What a handsome group. Right? Huh? Yeah, I mean the whole group.

This year the troop broke tradition and stayed in the Seton campsite located in the middle of Buckskin.	The Buckskin staff did a great job of keeping us entertained during the Sunday night opening campfire.	One of the reasons we stay at Buckskin is to eat in the dining hall and save all that time of cleaning dishes.
The Scoutcraft area is always a popular place to spend some time, especially when waiting for the apple cobbler to bake.	The rifle range is a great place to have some fun and practice your hunting skills.	In was a warm week at summer camp this year. The beach was one of the most popular places to be to keep cool.
Several merit badges were offered at the Handicrafts Lodge, including Basketry and Leatherworking.	The Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 won this week's hunt for the MPSC 60th anniversary medallion search.	We left camp Thursday afternoon and visited the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park.
Summer camp is a perfect place to earn the Wilderness Survival merit badge. And then hope it does not rain.	The climbing tower is always a popular activity for the members of Troop 68.	The Scout were able to hone their skills at the archery range, and also try tomahawk throwing and sling shot shooting.

The four volunteers have received their accident injuries.

The bus received a new sunroof when the fire departments arrived.

After the drill, the participants received snacks, pop, and pizza for their time.

Two new members of the troop were recognized during the ceremonies.

One troop member received the Second Class Rank.

Most members of the troop received awards at this fall's court of honor.

Any great outing has to have great food too, doesn't it? After all, we work up a great appetite.	Each of the Scouts had his blood pressure checked by the EMTs.	The Scouts learned how to properly load a person onto a stretcher and then load him into the ambulance.
The troop poses for a picture before the ambulance crew left the outing.	A game of football is always fun on a nice sunny fall day.	A Scout is reverent. Here the guys are waiting for worship services to begin.

The scouts were driven around town, picked up the food out at homes, and then brought it to the local food shelf.

Some Scouts and parents sorted the food as it was brought to the food shelf.

The food drive involved both the Cub Scout Pack and the Boy Scout Troop.

One of the caretakers of the museum took the Scouts on a tour during their first visit.

The Scouts discovered a section of the museum showcased local Scouting history.

During the second visit the Scouts competed in a scavenger hunt of information.

A gift exchange was held during the troop's Christmas Party. Everyone participated.

Scouts rolled dice during the gift exchange. If they rolled doubles they got to "exchange" the gift with someone else.

The senior patrol leader and his assistant handed out gifts to each member of the troop.

The prize for best popcorn salesman was presented during the court of honor.

The Wussy Wolves Patrol won the Progressive Patrol Award for the quarter.

A special presentation was made to recognize the people who have chaired the breakfast fundraisers for several years.