Continuing a tradition dating to the 1930s, Baldwin Boy Scout Troop 65 returned to Theodore Naish Scout Reservation, near Bonner Springs, for the second camping session June 18-24.

The troop camped at the Chickasaw Camp site, which they shared with Troop 9, sponsored by St. Peter Cathedral in Kansas City, Kan.

Troop 65 adult leaders were Tom Anderson, Joe Bollig, Robert Lawrenz, Rick Deitz, John Richards and David Simmons. Scouts who attended were Callan Anderson, Trey Anderson, Jesse Austin, Brandon Baltzell, Stephen Beegle, Thomas Bollig, Alex Coffey, Keenan Coffey, David Cook, Justin Cook, Patrick Deitz, Zach Garrett, Cole Greg, Nick Hagen, James “Mac” Halpin, Royce Harrison, Josh Hoffman, Ryan Hundley, Brian Jones, Logan Keener, Austin Kraus, Andrew Morgan, Sam Richards, Greg Schiffelbein, Cameron Scruggs, James Simmons, Will Simmons, Colby Soden and Evan Wilson.

The weeklong camp offered opportunities for advancement, earning merit badges and participation in numerous activities.

Through their hard work at camp, members of the Flaming Arrow Patrol – formed during Webelos Graduation Weekend in early May – earned the distinction of being one of Troop 65’s fastest-advancing patrols in many years.

The mile swim patch was earned by David and James Simmons. The polar bear swim bead was earned by Jesse Austin, Thomas Bollig, Keenan Coffey, Nick Hagen, “Mac” Halpin, Josh Hoffman, Austin Kraus, Andrew Morgan, Sam Richards, James Simmons, Will Simmons, Colby Soden, Joe Bollig and David Simmons.

The Totin’ Chit, which certifies that the bearer has been trained to use woodsman tools including ax, saw and knife, was earned by Zach Garrett, Royce Harrison and Austin Kraus.

The Firem’n Chit, which certifies fire-making skills, was earned by Zach Garrett, Royce Harrison and Austin Kraus.

Scouts who went on a five-mile hike on Rimrock Trail were: Callan Anderson, Stephen Beegle, Cole Gregg, Nick Hagen, “Mac” Halpin, Royce Harrison, Logan Keener, Austin Kraus, Greg Schiffelbein, Tom Anderson, Joe Bollig, Robert Lawrenz and Rick Deitz.

Troop 65 Scouts earned 51 merit badges at camp, with an additional 21 to be completed at home, for a total of 72 – the highest total in recent years.

Members of Troop 65 and Troop 9 took part in Order of the Arrow activities during the campout. Troop 65 members who became Order of the Arrow ordeal members were Brandon Baltzell, Keenan Coffey and Colby Soden. Members who became Brotherhood members were Joe Bollig, Brian Jones, Sam Richards, Cameron Scruggs, Dave Simmons and James Simmons.

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Boy Scout Troop 53, chartered to Christ Community Church of Lawrence, sent a crew to Tetons High Adventure Base in Jackson, Wyo., from June 26 to July 1. The crew participated in whitewater canoeing, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, hiking at Jenny Lake and a C.O.P.E. course. They also visited Yellowstone National Park. Scouts who attended were Jordan Yulich, Zak Stremel, Stephen May, Justin Saathoff, Joey Berger, David Teefey, John Chumbley and Peter Lesslie. They were accompanied by adult leaders Carey Berger, Doug Stremel and Hamilton Lewis.

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Justin Wood, an Eagle Scout from Troop 59, chartered to First Presbyterian Church in Lawrence, is participating in the third annual Mongol Rally, a charity event to benefit the children of Mongolia. Justin left Hyde Park in London on July 22, and hopefully will reach Ulan Bator in Mongolia in less than two weeks.

Each team consists of two people who must purchase a car to drive to Mongolia and be auctioned there for charity. Teams can choose their own routes, and in Justin’s case, he first went to Prague and Krakow, and eventually Kazahkstan before swinging through China and into central Mongolia.

Justin earned his Eagle in 1996. He is a graduate of Lawrence High School and the University of Washington.