Boy Scouts Attend Summer Camp
Fifteen Boy Scouts from Troop 19 attended summer camp at Camp Easton on Lake Couer d’ Alene July 8 - 14. They survived week long temperatures in the mid 90’s, and had a lot of fun along the way. During the week, they earned over 70 merit badges in Swimming, Canoeing, Lifesaving, Leatherwork, Pioneering, and Chess just to name a few. One Scout, Kelton Ellis, earned the BSA Mile Swim award. He is the 5th Scout in Troop 19 history to earn this. The boys and adults also earned the Polar Bear Plunge award, by jumping in the cool waters of the lake at 6 AM each day.
The Troop was divided in two Patrols, and each patrol earned the Golden Paddle award, by participating in games and events, and doing service projects such as cleaning the bathroom - shower house, and performing a Flag Retirement ceremony for the entire camp at the Friday night campfire. Only one other troop there had a patrol to earn this award. They competed against 12 other troops from all over the northwest. The two patrols came in 2nd and 3rd place in the Easton Summer Games, a skills competition highlighting the skills they learned while earning merit badges during the week. The Games concluded with the Scoutmaster Belly Flop compeition, with Asst. Scoutmaster Ken Schueler taking 2nd place, and Scoutmaster Craig Needham in a 3 way tie for 3rd.
Scouts in attendance were Daniel Doyle, Kelton Ellis, Tim Estes, Brandon Harrington, Michael Henry, Josh Lemmon, Alexander and Bjorn Phillips, Tim and Tom Schueler, Jeremiah Smith, Bruce Stinson, Derek Thompson, Jon and Josh Tucker. Along with SM Craig Needham and ASM Ken Schueler, Dwight Ames and Matt Henry, both members of the Troop Committee also attended with the boys.
The adults each earned their own award, the Silver Paddle. They earned this by participating in events with the boys, attending leaders meetings, and performing service projects, like moving a fishing pole rack, repairing fishing poles, fixing stairs on the dining hall, helping serve meals, and cleaning window screens on the kitchen. Four of the boys were unavailable for this picture.