Scouting news

Boy Scout Troop 53, chartered to Christ Community Church of Lawrence, had its annual Fall Court of Honor on Sept. 18.

The following Scouts received their Tenderfoot rank: Patrick Bennett, Connor Chestnut, Jordan Cuttell, Andrei Elliot, Gavin Fischer, Jack Lange, Sean Morris, Brian Morris and Josh Saathoff. Max Butterfield received Second Class rank. John Hambleton and Trenton Shambaugh received First Class rank and Joey Cunningham received Life rank.

The following scouts earned 92 merit badges between them: Michael Bennett, Patrick Bennett, Max Butterfield, Connor Chestnut, Dawson Conway, John Chumbley, Zach Chumbley, Jordan Cuttell, Joey Cunningham, Michael Darnal, Andrei Elliott, Gavin Fischer, James Hall, John Hambleton, Joshua Ideus, Jack Lange, Robert Larabee, Luke Lesslie, Alex McKinsey, Evan Mielke, Brian Morris, Sean Morris, Ryan Pennington, Josh Saathoff, Justin Saathoff, Ryan Schulties, Trenton Shambaugh, Patrick Shields and Joey Waisner.

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Members of Boy Scout Troop 64, chartered to the Eudora Lion’s Club, camped Sept. 16-17 at the H. Roe Bartle Reservation and hiked the 12.5 miles Osage Wilderness Trail. Scouts attending were Justin Male, Brandon Wheelock, Jeffrey Moses, Devon Middleton, Andrew McLees, Jonathan Morrison, Andrew Briery, Lyle Howell, A. J. Lavery and Alex Whitten. They were accompanied by adult leaders Jerry Criqui, Tim Middleton, Heidi Briery, Tom Whitten, Roy Lytle and Glenn Jackson.

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Lawrence Hidden Valley Committee and Friends of Hidden Valley celebrated the 50th anniversary of the camp on Sept. 7 with a dinner honoring men and women who have been instrumental in the acquisition, development and maintenance of Hidden Valley, and have organized activities and events for Girl Scouts at Hidden Valley.

The dinner was the third of four events celebrating the 50th anniversary of the purchase of the first 20 acres that became Hidden Valley, a camp for Girl Scout use.

The honorees viewed historical displays of Hidden Valley and Girl Scout items that were assembled by Ellyn Owen. She was assisted by Lynne Bodle, David Owen and Lucy McAllister.

The program began with a flag ceremony performed by Girl Scouts Gabby Gant, Eliza Gant, Courtney Cooper, Marisa Billie and Meredith Burke.

A video about the first 50 years, produced by Kayla Frost, Karen Warner and Flora Wyatt, was shown. Emcee for the event was Jeannie McClure.

Each honoree received a certificate of appreciation; a copy of “Hidden Valley: the First 50 Years” written by Mary Burchill, Karen Warner, Jill Giele and Jackie Bogner; and a patch designed by Audrey Taylor, commemorating the 50th anniversary.

The honorees were: Betty Alderson, Opal Allison, Hazel Anderson, Jo Barnes, Mary Alice Barr, Sandra Berman, Ed Bishop, Lynne Bodle, Mary Burchill, Janis Bunker, Deborah Burns, Sue Dary, Sandy Dolezal, Carol Francis, Rebecca Gant, Christine Graves, Phoebe Godwin, Nancy Hawkins, Evelyn Lenzen, Gwen Macpherson, Jean Martin, Ralena McCurdy, MaryJo Mensie, Lori Michel, Galen Miller, LaVonne Nauman, Ellyn Owen, David Owen, Mary Kay Ridgway, Mary Beth Petr, Durand Reiber, Henry D. Remple, Cindy Riling, Ronna Robertson, Robin Robertson, Martha Rose, Janiece Scribner, Louise Smith, Lucy Smith, John Solbach, MaryKay Stephens, Karen Warner, Marcia West and Judy Wilson.

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Hidden Valley Camp celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sept. 23 with an open house birthday bash for the community. About 1,000 people attended.

Guests roamed the wooded trails of the 40-acre camp visiting 18 stations, each featuring a unique bit of what the camp has to offer.

Activities included an open house of the new universally-accessible composting toilet, touring the butterfly garden, bowling with Osage Orange hedge balls, an orienteering and trail sign course, and operating a model windmill.

There were exhibits on identification and prevention of poison ivy, wilderness canoeing opportunities, bridge building, and volunteer opportunities. Girl Scouts of Kaw Valley Council was on hand to provide information on becoming a scout.

More than 120 volunteers, including members of the Youth Volunteer Council, helped with the event. Audrey Taylor designed a T-shirt for the volunteers to wear at the event.