Troop 103 and Camp Geiger, 1998-2019
As 2019 rolls to an end, and Troop 103 ceases to exist, I wanted to take a moment and think back on the interaction between the Troop and camp, and in particular, the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. That is the reason the Troop started going to Geiger back in 1998, after all.
Troop 103 is sponsored (until December 31, 2019) by the Paola Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (referred to as the Church from now on) has been, until next year, one of the largest national chartering organization of the Boy Scouts of America since their association began in 1913. Nearly 20% of BSA's membership stems from that relationship, but this isn't about that.
For those that don't know, the Church has a rule regarding camping on Sunday. You don't normally do it. Many people find ways around it, but by and large, what Troops in Heart of America had done going to Bartle is to pack up their stuff on Saturday night, drive home, spend Sunday at home, drive down at 0 dark 30 on Monday morning and resume camp. The Olathe Stake President at the time decided to put an end to that, and told the various wards (a local congregation) that they would not attend Bartle, period. In Paola, we had four young men who would have been up for their Call out that summer who were very disappointed. I was in Cubs at the time, and mentioned to the Scoutmaster that Geiger was a Sunday through Saturday camp that would allow us to come up on Monday. And so it began.
That first year we had two leaders and four boys. As it turned out, the four boys, and the other leader were tapped, and I had fun table waiting and getting the boys sleeping bags dried out. Since that year, we have brought several young men and adults to camp. Those first ones? I have listed them only by Tribal name. I wonder how many can figure out who they are.
1998
Hn Warrior Guides Lightning
Runner Lost Wind*
Tom Tom Beater Broken Pony
Warrior Strong Totem
Brave Broken Oak
As you can see, some progressed further than others.
2000
Keeper of the Sacred Bundle Small Golden Words
Tom Tom Beater Early Horse*
2001
Brave Lakota Hawk
2002
Firebuilder Bear Lake
2003
Hn Warrior Big Lost Wind
Tom Tom Beater Little Lost Wind
Tom Tom Beater Blue Devil
2004
Keeper of the Sacred Bundle Smaller Golden Words
Tom Tom Beater Buffalo Lake
2005
Hn. Warrior Buffalo Bear Lake
Hn. Warrior Wind River
Warrior Little Blue Devil
Brave Lost Lodge
2006
Warrior Little Buffalo Bear Lake
Brave Little Wind River*
2007
Hn. Warrior Big Lightning Eye
Hn. Warrior Ina Lightning Eye
Brave First Call
2008
Warrior Spirit Journey
Brave Young Otter
2010
Hn. Warrior Long Life
Runner Golden Powder*
Runner Little Sand Caster*
2011
Warrior Crazy Guard
2012
Hn. Warrior Big Shadow of Fire
Warrior Shadow of Fire
Warrior Eyes in the Night*
2013
Warrior Little Shadow of Fire
Brave Wild Guard
2014
Hn. Warrior Ina Golden Powder
Runner Runs to Thunder*
Warrior Least Sand Caster*
2016
Hn. Warrior Big Eyes in the Night
2017
Hn. Warrior Steel Signal
Warrior Little Eyes in the Night*
Warrior Least Eyes in the Night*
2018
Hn. Warrior Smallest Golden Words
Brave Little Steel Signal
Brave Fears No Wolf*
The (*) marks those that I know received their Eagle Scout. I believe there were others, but as many of those listed attended with our troop, but from other locales, I cannot be certain. The known ones are 11, or about 1/3rd. A far greater average than Scouting in general.
My count would indicate 12 adults brought in, and 32 young men. They say that as the responsibility increases the numbers grow fewer. That would be consistent with my list. I believe that except for one year I was in camp the full week, and that year that I wasn't, I was in camp for four days. It saddened me that the Troop did not come this past year for its last, but that is okay.
What is next for me and Scouting? I am exploring options here in the District, and will probably go to Roundtable next week, to see if there is anything I can help with. I also do plan to serve on the Camp Staff this next year at Geiger, and look forward to that. I have loved my last two years serving. I wonder at times how I contribute, as I am serving more in a mercantile fashion, rather than the giving back that I always imagined, teaching and so on, but as I have so few skills to offer, I guess I serve where I can, and that is sufficient.
While the Church has chosen to end its official sponsorship of BSA, it strongly encourages those who wish to be involved to continue to do so. The values expressed in the Scout Oath and Law are values that coincide with my beliefs, and so long as they do, then I will continue to support the organization.
As expressed previously in this space, the Tribe of Mic-O-Say holds a special place in my heart. The changes occurring do not impact that, but rather enhance it. Change is constant, and so long as the change does not weaken the resolve of the Oath and Law, then it is acceptable. When my Duty to God becomes incompatible with the policies of the program, then that will be that, but that is not now. The Customs and Traditions are safe with me, and guide me in my life.
And that is my View from the Rim
Keeper of the Sacred Bundle Golden Words.
I have mentioned before, but will again, a few that made coming to camp successful for Troop 103 over the years. There were many that are not named, to be clear, but these are the ones that consistently made it possible
James Chandler
Duane Anderson
John Phillips
Paul Smith
Jeremy Allen
Wil Bradshaw
and of course, Sarah Lovesee
Like I said, so many more, but these were the ones that made attendance possible, year in and year out.
Troop 103 is sponsored (until December 31, 2019) by the Paola Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (referred to as the Church from now on) has been, until next year, one of the largest national chartering organization of the Boy Scouts of America since their association began in 1913. Nearly 20% of BSA's membership stems from that relationship, but this isn't about that.
For those that don't know, the Church has a rule regarding camping on Sunday. You don't normally do it. Many people find ways around it, but by and large, what Troops in Heart of America had done going to Bartle is to pack up their stuff on Saturday night, drive home, spend Sunday at home, drive down at 0 dark 30 on Monday morning and resume camp. The Olathe Stake President at the time decided to put an end to that, and told the various wards (a local congregation) that they would not attend Bartle, period. In Paola, we had four young men who would have been up for their Call out that summer who were very disappointed. I was in Cubs at the time, and mentioned to the Scoutmaster that Geiger was a Sunday through Saturday camp that would allow us to come up on Monday. And so it began.
That first year we had two leaders and four boys. As it turned out, the four boys, and the other leader were tapped, and I had fun table waiting and getting the boys sleeping bags dried out. Since that year, we have brought several young men and adults to camp. Those first ones? I have listed them only by Tribal name. I wonder how many can figure out who they are.
1998
Hn Warrior Guides Lightning
Runner Lost Wind*
Tom Tom Beater Broken Pony
Warrior Strong Totem
Brave Broken Oak
As you can see, some progressed further than others.
2000
Keeper of the Sacred Bundle Small Golden Words
Tom Tom Beater Early Horse*
2001
Brave Lakota Hawk
2002
Firebuilder Bear Lake
2003
Hn Warrior Big Lost Wind
Tom Tom Beater Little Lost Wind
Tom Tom Beater Blue Devil
2004
Keeper of the Sacred Bundle Smaller Golden Words
Tom Tom Beater Buffalo Lake
2005
Hn. Warrior Buffalo Bear Lake
Hn. Warrior Wind River
Warrior Little Blue Devil
Brave Lost Lodge
2006
Warrior Little Buffalo Bear Lake
Brave Little Wind River*
2007
Hn. Warrior Big Lightning Eye
Hn. Warrior Ina Lightning Eye
Brave First Call
2008
Warrior Spirit Journey
Brave Young Otter
2010
Hn. Warrior Long Life
Runner Golden Powder*
Runner Little Sand Caster*
2011
Warrior Crazy Guard
2012
Hn. Warrior Big Shadow of Fire
Warrior Shadow of Fire
Warrior Eyes in the Night*
2013
Warrior Little Shadow of Fire
Brave Wild Guard
2014
Hn. Warrior Ina Golden Powder
Runner Runs to Thunder*
Warrior Least Sand Caster*
2016
Hn. Warrior Big Eyes in the Night
2017
Hn. Warrior Steel Signal
Warrior Little Eyes in the Night*
Warrior Least Eyes in the Night*
2018
Hn. Warrior Smallest Golden Words
Brave Little Steel Signal
Brave Fears No Wolf*
The (*) marks those that I know received their Eagle Scout. I believe there were others, but as many of those listed attended with our troop, but from other locales, I cannot be certain. The known ones are 11, or about 1/3rd. A far greater average than Scouting in general.
My count would indicate 12 adults brought in, and 32 young men. They say that as the responsibility increases the numbers grow fewer. That would be consistent with my list. I believe that except for one year I was in camp the full week, and that year that I wasn't, I was in camp for four days. It saddened me that the Troop did not come this past year for its last, but that is okay.
What is next for me and Scouting? I am exploring options here in the District, and will probably go to Roundtable next week, to see if there is anything I can help with. I also do plan to serve on the Camp Staff this next year at Geiger, and look forward to that. I have loved my last two years serving. I wonder at times how I contribute, as I am serving more in a mercantile fashion, rather than the giving back that I always imagined, teaching and so on, but as I have so few skills to offer, I guess I serve where I can, and that is sufficient.
While the Church has chosen to end its official sponsorship of BSA, it strongly encourages those who wish to be involved to continue to do so. The values expressed in the Scout Oath and Law are values that coincide with my beliefs, and so long as they do, then I will continue to support the organization.
As expressed previously in this space, the Tribe of Mic-O-Say holds a special place in my heart. The changes occurring do not impact that, but rather enhance it. Change is constant, and so long as the change does not weaken the resolve of the Oath and Law, then it is acceptable. When my Duty to God becomes incompatible with the policies of the program, then that will be that, but that is not now. The Customs and Traditions are safe with me, and guide me in my life.
And that is my View from the Rim
Keeper of the Sacred Bundle Golden Words.
I have mentioned before, but will again, a few that made coming to camp successful for Troop 103 over the years. There were many that are not named, to be clear, but these are the ones that consistently made it possible
James Chandler
Duane Anderson
John Phillips
Paul Smith
Jeremy Allen
Wil Bradshaw
and of course, Sarah Lovesee
Like I said, so many more, but these were the ones that made attendance possible, year in and year out.
Comments
Post a Comment