2011 Highlights of Boy Scout Troop 68

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Welcome to the Melrose Boy Scout Troop 68
2011 Photo Gallery!
All pictures on this page are thumbnailed. Click on them for the big picture.

Click on a gallery name to go to that gallery:

Junior Leader Training	Camp Stearns	Dakota's Eagle Court of Honor
Spring Fundraiser	Spring Open House	Camp Watchamagumee
Ripley Rendezvous	Kings Lake Outing	June Court of Honor
Monster Truck Visit	Summer Camp	Minnesota Rennassainse Festival
September Court of Honor	Service Projects	Fall Camporee
Darren's Eagle Board of Review	LPMRB Outing	December Troop Meeting
Christmas Party	December Court of Honor

Junior Leader Training
January 3, 2011

The Boy Scouts of Troop held a junior leader training session for the new troop leaders. We try to hold these at least once per year.

Was would you do if you were blindfolded?

An activity to demonstrate different types of leadership.

No potatoes were available, so we used lego building blocks.

Know the abilities of the people in your troop and patrol.

Camp Stearns Outing
March 18-20, 2011

It was a little warm during the weekend we attended Camp Stearns. The broomball field was a mud pit, but the sledding hill still had plenty of snow.

Risk is a popular game at Camp.	It is almost time for breakfast.	Learning how to play Pente.	Studying for Tenderfoot.
On the way to the disc golf course.	Walking with snowshoes takes a little practice.	My disc is in the basket.	Teeing off on one of the holes.
Taking a break during disc golf.	I am good. What can I say?	This year's disc golf open participants.	Preparing supper.
Looks like we will be having steak.	It was a great meal.	Jackets come off fast when you get snow under them.	Time to walk back up the hill.
Look out for the train!	My jacket is as bright as I am.	Look out for that jump!	Fun at the sledding hill.

Dakota's Eagle Court of Honor
April 2, 2011

Dakota Massmann was presented with Scouting's highest award at the Melrose American Legion. Tim Bullock was the master of ceremonies. Several guests spoke and a few old members of the troop were on hand to participate. It was a great ceremony.

A very nice cake. And it tasted great.	Tim and Dakota.	The award and certificate.	Eagle Scout Alex speaks.
Dakota's uncle is an Eagle Scout.	Almost time for the presentation.	Chris pins the award on Dakota's Shirt.	Presenting the troop's newest Eagle Scout.
Dakota presents the mentor's pin.	A present from his parents.	Dakota had a present for his scoutmaster and assistant scoutmaster.	A few members of Boy Scout Troop 68.

Spring Fundraiser
April 15, 2011

This year's spring fundraiser was a waffle supper held at St. Mary's Church basement. We served nearly 300 people during the event.

Setting up the syrups.

Serving the coffee.

Waiting for some work to be done.

Selling tickets.

Spring Open House
April 18, 2011

The Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts were in attendance for the first pack and troop open house. Unfortunately, no one else showed up. We still had fun and the Cub Scouts learned a couple new skills. It was a good chance for the Cub Scouts to meet the Boy Scouts.

Photo albums and displays.	One of the stations to visit.	The ladder truck from the fire department was on hand.	The boys were able to climb on the truck.
The Scouts of Pack 68 and Troop 68.	Learning to tie a square knot.	Learning to fold the flag.	Four activity stations were planned.

Camp Watchamagumee
May 6-8, 2011

It may have rained a little Saturday morning, and we may have heard the coyotes howl Friday night, but we had a great time at Camp Watchamagumee once again. The egg drop competition went well. We played disc golf in the back ten acres. And the treehouse was finally finished.

Sitting around the campfire Friday night.	The marshmallows caught fire!	Practicing our roasting skills.	The patrol's campsite.
Preparing the meal.	After the egg drop there was the egg toss.	Studying for totin chip.	Finishing the tree house.

Ripley Rendezvous
June 3-5, 2011

The Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 joined 3000 other Scouts from around Minnesota at Camp Ripley for the state-wide Ripley Rendezvous, which is held every four years. The boys took part in one of three program areas based on the age of the Scout. Older Scouts went to the Camp's ranges and obstacle courses. The younger Scouts took part in 60 activities and demonstrations. The Melrose Scouts also visited the Military Museum. All the Boy Scouts had a great time.

Our campsite at the Ripley Rendezvous.	It was a very good breakfast.	The POW.MIA balloon was on hand.	Just one of the 60 demonstrations and activities for younger Boy Scouts.
There was even a video game activity.	Woodcarving was a popular place.	Hundreds of Boy Scouts and leaders signed the banner that would be sent overseas to a National Guard Unit.	The troops begin to arrive for the big show Saturday night.
The Melrose Scouts posed with one of the show acts before the evening show.	The National Guard commander left in a helicopter after speaking to the Boy Scouts.	During one of the acts, two Boy Scouts stood on a board of nails which was on the chest of the juggler.	The Boy Scouts and leaders of Troop 68 visit the military museum.
The boys try on different hats and uniforms.	That radio was not picking up very many stations.	Two Scouts stand by the Vietnam War display.	A quick picture outside the museum.

Kings Lake Outing
June 24-26, 2011

The Boy Scouts spend the weekend at Kings Lake, located near Freeport, Minnesota. The weekend included a hike, a disc golf game, a pontoon ride around the lake, and a visit to an older Scout's graduation party.

Setting up the campsite.	Cooking Saturday morning breakfast.	Breakfast was very good.	Anyone see the Boy Scout in the tree?
learning a few things about fire building.	The troop went on a pontoon ride around the lake.	The Boy Scouts tried their hand at branding.	Cutting wood is a favorite past time.

June Court of Honor
June 27, 2011

Troop 68 held its summer court of honor at the Melrose City Hall meeting rooms. Three Scouts received the Tenderfoot Rank. A committee member was recognized for her ten years of service to the Cub Scout pack and Boy Scout troop.

Three members received their Tenderfoot Rank.

The whole troop was in attendance.

Having fun after the ceremony.

Chris Massmann was recognized for her ten years of service with the Scouting program.

Monster Truck Visit
June 28, 2011

Paul Strong, the owner and driver of the monster truck, Martial Law, invited a couple Cub Scouts packs and our Boy Scouts troop to pay his shop, which is located in Albany, a visit. The boys enjoyed a tour and were allowed to climb into the driver's seat for pictures. Paul was a member of Troop 68 when he was a teenager.

The tour of the shop begins.	The Scouts got a good look at everything.	Yes, there were trophies to see.	The drivers, Cub Scout, and Boy Scouts.
Paul signed autographs.	Sitting in the driver's seat.	Everyone had the chance.	Paul takes a moment to relax.

Pictures used on this page were provided by Steve Borgerding. He retains the rights and ownership of these photographs.

Summer Camp
July 10-16, 2011

Six Boy Scouts of Troop 68 attended a week of camp at Many Point Scout Camp near Park Rapids, Minnesota. The troop stayed in the Seton Campsite at Buckskin Camp.

First day at camp. Meeting some of the staff.	Waiting for the troops to arrive for mealtime.	Walking up the new trail to the dining hall.	Senior Patrol Leader introductions during the Sunday night campfire program.
A Scout is clean. Our turn to clean the shower house.	Our SPL goes over the rules at the rifle range.	Can you hit the broad side of the barn?	Learning how to make a monkey fist.
Resting after a meal.	Our camp good turn project was replacing our flag pole in the campsite.	Our camp good turn project was replacing our flag pole in the campsite.	Snokeling was popular with this year's crew.
Three member of Troop 68 entered the Ironman competition.	Are the canoe teams ready for the Ironman?	Part two of the Ironman was swimming.	Part three of the Ironman was runiing.
Campsite flag retirement before supper.	Scout Vespers service.	On the way to a merit badge session at the nature yurt.	The lodge and trading post building was remodeled since last year.
It is time for DELTA games.	You have to watch out for those tricky turtles.	A moment of reflection following a DELTA game.	The newest DELTA game. Get the marble out of this contraption.
Kyle's wilderness survival merit badge shelter.	Darren's wilderness survival merit badge shelter.	Goofing off before lunch.	Time to go to the aquatramp.
When you do it correctly you can get some serious air.	Otherwise you do not get very high.	Posing for a picture in the tower, 100 feet above the ground.	It is quite a view from up there.
Camp reflection time on how the week is going.	Practicing the skit for Friday night's campfire program.	Camp life can be very easy for some Boy Scouts.	A little time at the archery range.
Preparing for climbing.	The bouldering wall.	On belay. Belay on.	Hanging around at camp.

Minnesota Renaissance Festival
August 27, 2011

Not many members of the troop attended this outing so we took one member from Melrose Troop 68 and one from the Sauk Centre Boy Scout troop. We had a great time.

Posing with the King and his mother.

Alex with half of Puke and Snot.

Learning a little about snakes and reptiles.

A popular guy to have your picture taken with.

September Court of Honor
September 26, 2011

The September court of honor was held at the Melrose City Hall meeting rooms. Merit badges earned at summer camp and ranks completed since the June court of honor were recognized.

Boy Scout Troop 68 September Court of Honor

The court of honor begins.

The newest Second Class Scouts of Troop 68.

The receivers of the Progressive Scout Award.

Retiring the colors.

Service Projects
Various Dates, 2011

The Boy Scout completed two community service projects during the last half of the year - a road cleanup south of Melrose and the annual Scouting For Food Drive.

The Boy Scouts cleaned up the road ditches south of town.

Scouting for Food, 2011, in Melrose.
October 8, 2011.

Scouting for Food, 2011, in Melrose.

Scouting for Food, 2011, in Long Prarie.

District Fall Camporee
October 14-16, 2011

Only two members of the troop attended the Scenic Distict Fall Camporee so they joined up with the Boy Scouts of another troop to compete in the various competitions. The camporee was held at Camp Stearns near Fairhaven, Minnesota.

Waiting for the afternoon festivities to begin.	Building a cooking fire was one of the activities.	Get your food off the ground, away from the animals.	What are they cooking? Really?
Canoeing skills were tested in another competition.	There was even time to meet with a voyeur from the past.	The last station. Time to tally the score.	Troop 68 and their new found friends.

Darren's Eagle Board of Review
October 20, 2011

Darren completed his board of review for the Eagle Rank without a problem. His parents and scoutmaster were quite proud.

Darren arrives at the meeting place.

The board, the new Eagle Scout, and his parents.

The board, the Eagle Scout, his scoutmaster, and his father.

The new Eagle Scout and his very proud parents.

LPMRB Outing
November 19, 2011

A snowstorm almost cancelled this outing but we kept it local and were able to complete most of want we wanted to do. (except rollerskating and laser tag.)

The outing began with some Wii golf.	The Wii was very busy during the afternoon.	A couple Scouts decided to play chess.	Do things ever get silly while playing video games?
After the movie, the Scouts were taken upstairs to the projection booth.	The Boy Scouts look at a digital movie projection system.	Meanwhile, at the bowling alley...	The group photo.

December Troop Meeting
December 5, 2011

Just a few pictures from a troop meeting in December. I happened to have my camera with me.

Game time at the troop meeting.

The Scouts are happy as long as they
get to throw balls at each other.

No. I am not tired. Really, I am not.

Practicing for the upcoming court of honor.

Christmas Party
December 10, 2011

Movies, food, games, and a gift exchange filled the agenda for the troop's Christmas party.

The party started with watching a movie.

Time for the gift exchange, using a dice game.

Handing out gifts from the scoutmaster.

Did everyone get one?

December Court of Honor
December 19, 2011

The December court of honor was held at the Melrose City Hall meeting rooms. The annual troop auction followed the ceremony.

Kyle during his Star Rank board of review.	Noah during his Second Class Rank board of review.	Alex during his First Class Rank board of review.	Zach during his First Class Rank board of review.
The awards to be presented at the court of honor.	The presentation of the colors.	The award ceremony begins.	It is time to play "A Minute To Win It".
The newest Boy Scout is recognized.	The Second Class ranks are presented.	Three Boy Scouts received their First Class Ranks.	One Scout received the Star Rank.
Two Scouts received the Progressive Scout Award.	Let the troop auction begin!	Looking over one of the prizes during the auction.	The last troop photo of the year.

Click on the thumbnails for a larger picture.

Pictures used on this page were provided by Steve Borgerding. He retains the rights and ownership of these photographs.