New Scouts joined Baldwin Boy Scout Troop 65 during Webelos graduation weekend, May 30-June 1, at Spring Creek Park at the Old Baldwin City Lake.

The event was hosted by Boy Scout Troop 65, with support from Girls Scout units 20 and 7020, and participation by Cub Scout Pack 3065. Troop committee member Mark Shuck organized and led the event.

Troop 65 welcomed seven Webelos as they became Boy Scouts during an Arrow of Light Ceremony, conducted by members of the Order of the Arrow, on Friday night. Members of Pack 3065 advanced in rank during their own Bridging Ceremony.

On Saturday, the Cub Scouts participated in events such as orienteering, fire building, cooking, knot tying, first aid and wood tools use. Several of the new Bison Patrol Scouts earned their Totin’ Chips and Fireman’s Chits.

Later that evening all gathered for a family potluck dinner, which was followed by a Troop 65 Court of Honor. A celebratory campfire with storytelling was held in honor of the new Scouts.

On Sunday morning, a Camp Chapel was conducted for all units by Rev. Kirby Hayes of Baldwin City. The service was followed by an all-unit pancake and sausage breakfast.

New Scouts are Drew Cheek, Kenneth Graves, Christian Linder, Collin Linder, Eric Peterson, Noah Pippert and Dylan Swain. The Scouts, second-year Webelos from Baldwin Cub Scout Pack 3065, became the new Scouts of the Bison Patrol.

Other new members of Troop 65, who entered before and after Webelos graduation weekend: Scott Cromer, Dan Graves, Cole Kruger and Andrew Rome.

¢Baldwin Boy Scout Troop 65 sent its second-largest contingent since the 1970s to Theodore Naish Scout Reservation for the first session, June 8-14.

The Baldwin Scouts sent 28 Scouts and five adult Scouters to the camp, one person less than in 2006. A total of 485 Scouts and Scouters attended the first session. Troop 65 shared Shawnee Campsite with a troop from Kansas City, Kan.

Members of the troop were forced to take shelter when tornado warnings were issued on June 12. Most of the troop took refuge in a ravine adjoining the campsite, while those at Order of the Arrow ceremonies sheltered in the Lost Mine at Cub World. This occurred one day after a tornado hit Little Sioux Scout Ranch in Western Iowa, killing four Scouts and injuring 48.

Troop 65 adult leaders and assistant scoutmasters were Joe Bollig, Robert Lawrenz, Brett Linder, Bruce Peterson, Brian Rome and Michael Slavin. Bollig led the troop as camp scoutmaster.

Scouts who attended were Stephen Beegle, Thomas Bollig, Jacob Brungardt, Keenan Coffey, David Cook, Justin Cook, Nate Clem, Scott Cromer, Patrick Deitz, Ben Foster, Zach Garrett, Kenneth Graves, Nick Hagen, James “Mac” Halpin, Royce Harrison, Ryan Hundley, Austin Kraus, Collin Linder, Christian Linder, Jack Mitchell, Andrew Morgan, Eric Peterson, Noah Pippert, Sam Richards, Andrew Rome, Moreland “Mo” Souders, Dylan Slavin and Sam Tuckfield.

The weeklong camp offered opportunities for advancement by earning merit badges and participating in numerous activities. Those earning badges or who participated in activities:

Polar bear swim bead: Stephen Beegle, Scott Cromer, Ben Foster, Nick Hagen, Christian Linder, Collin Linder, Eric Peterson, Noah Pippert and Joe Bollig.

Scott Cromer: Totin’ Chip, for wood tools training; and the Fireman’s Chit, for firemaking skills.

BSA Snorkeling Patch: Stephen Beegle, Ben Foster and Dylan Slavin.

Justin Cook: participated in Project COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience).

Members of the Bison Patrol, new Scouts and incoming Webelos, advanced by taking part in The Eagle Trail. Scouts were Scott Cromer, Kenneth Graves, Christian Linder, Collin Linder, Eric Peterson, Noah Pippert, and Morland “Mo” Souders.

The troop earned 57 merit badges, with an additional 23 to be completed later, for a total of 80, the highest in recent years.

Troop 65 members participated in activities of the Order of the Arrow, a national honors camping society. Nick Hagen, Royce Harrison, Jack Mitchell and Michael Slavin were inducted as Ordeal Members of the Order of the Arrow. Austin Kraus and Andrew Morgan became Brotherhood Members of the organization.

Scouts at Naish usually eat at Central Camp’s dining hall, but on June 10, Troop 65 cooked foil dinners at the campsite. Also, a potluck dinner was held during Family Night on June 11.

To see photographs of Troop 65 at Camp Naish, go to the Troop 65 Web site at Baldwinksboyscouts.org.

¢New youth leaders were elected and appointed this spring within Baldwin Boy Scout Troop 65. New patrol leaders were elected for the troop’s reorganized patrols.

The troop leaders: Keenan Coffey, senior patrol leader; David Cook, assistant senior patrol leader; Brian Jones, assistant senior patrol leader; Thomas Bollig, scribe 1; Stephen Beegle, scribe 2; Ryan Hundley, quartermaster 1; Jake Brungardt, quartermaster 2; Royce Harrison, quartermaster 3; Sam Richards, Order of the Arrow representative; Nathan Clem, librarian; Nick Hagen, historian; Mac Halpin, guide 1; Brandon Baltzell, guide 2; Jack Mitchell, chaplain’s aide; Justin Cook, instructor 1; Colby Soden, instructor 2; Brandon Baltzell, den chief 1; Andrew Morgan, den chief 2; and Ben Foster, den chief 3. No one was appointed junior assistant scoutmaster.

The new patrol leaders for the reorganized patrols : Nick Hagen, Fries With That; Noah Pippert, Bisons; Dylan Slavin, Bears; Andrew Morgan, Flying Chewbacas; and Colby Soden, Penguins.

¢Lawrence Boy Scout Troop 52, chartered to the Lawrence First United Methodist Church, had a day of fun at Clinton Lake on July 19. The “Troop 52 Boating Extravaganza” included tubing, swimming, and sailing on a pontoon boat and a sailboat. Scouts who participated: Thomas Peterson, Dakota Zinn, Stefan Kuczera, Gavin Spence, Eli Schneck, Mason Davis, Matt Dominguez, Andy Dominguez, Darren Rawlings and Noah Kehr. Adults who participated: Kent Peterson, provided and captained the pontoon boat; Richard Tedlock and Rowley Tedlock, provided and captained the sailboat; and Rod Zinn, lifeguard.