Boy Scout Troop 65, Baldwin City, closed out 2006 with two campouts and two courts of honor. The scouts camped Nov. 17-18 at the Counts Scout Property north of Baldwin City.

The troop combined three events for its Dec. 1-3 campout: the Pelathe District’s “Unkl’s Second Annual Varmit Cookoff and Mountain Ball Lock-in” at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds, the Woodcarver’s Workshop at Camp Naish in Bonner Springs, and camping at the Lawrenz farm. Troop 65 took third place in the varmit cookoff.

Troop members received numerous awards and recognitions during courts of honor held Sept. 24 and Nov. 28.

The scouts received 90 merit badges and 34 rank advancements. Scouts and adult leaders also earned many camping beads: 86 black for rain, 62 blue for cold weather, and 92 yellow for the district camporee.

Four scouts were recognized for their success in raising funds for their individual camping accounts.

In Christmas greens sales, Brian Jones took first place with $360, Brandon Baltzell took second with $320 and Royce Harrison was third with $316.

In Troop 65’s first year of popcorn sales, Austin Kraus won first place with $520 and Ben Foster took second place with $420. Nine Scouts received popcorn sales patches.

The scouts whose honors include rank advancements, merit badges and camping beads are Callan Anderson, Second Class and First Class ranks; Trey Anderson, Star rank; Stephen A. Beegle, Scout and Tenderfoot ranks;

Alex Coffey, Life rank; David Cook, Star rank; Justin Cook, Star rank; Willie Cowley, Scout and Tenderfoot ranks; Ben Foster, Scout and Tenderfoot ranks;

Zach Garrett, Scout and Tenderfoot ranks; Nick Hagen, Scout and Tenderfoot ranks; Mac Halpin, Scout and Tenderfoot ranks; Royce Harrison, Scout and Tenderfoot ranks; Josh Hoffman, Second Class rank;

Ryan Hundley, Second Class and First Class ranks; James Jarvis, Scout rank; Brian Jones, Life rank; Austin Kraus, Scout, Tenderfoot and Second Class ranks; Andrew Morgan, First Class rank;

Greg Schiffelbein, Tenderfoot and Second Class ranks; Kirsten Shuck, Bronze Palm; and Colby Soden, Star rank; and Evan Wilson, Life rank.

Scouts earning merit badges and/or camping beads include Jesse Austin, Brandon Baltzell, Thomas Bollig, Keenan Coffey, Patrick Deitz, David Garrison, Cole Gregg, Jake Hogsett, Logan Keener, Sam Richards, Cameron Scruggs, James Simmons and Will Simmons.

Adults who received awards and recognition were Thomas Anderson, two black, two blue and two yellow beads; Joe Bollig, two black, six blue and two yellow beads;

Rick Deitz, two blue beads; Robert Lawrenz, six black, six blue and two yellow beads; Martin Pressgrove, two black and two blue beads;

John Richards, six black, six blue and two yellow beads; and David Simmons, four black beads, Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat training.