Troop 121 - October Article
Facts and Events
Troop 121 is Aquia Harbour's local Scout troop. We have almost 30 Scouts and meet weekly on Tuesdays at the Harbour Inn.
Troop 121 does many service projects in our community. Recently, Scouts spread mulch at the preschool. We also did a mulch service project at the Virginia Outdoor Center during one of our campouts. Other service projects we do include food drives, helping at community events, planting flags for Memorial Day at the local veterans cemetery, and helping community food pantries.
The troop also relies on fundraising. Scouts raise money by selling lemonade, popcorn, and other products. Fundraising helps each Scout pay their way for camps and other Scouting adventures. It also helps the troop pay for and maintain equipment that everyone uses, such as our trailer and troop tents.
Recent Summer Camp Trip
Almost 20 Scouts attended summer camp at Bashore Scout Reserve. Most Scouts worked on about three to four merit badges, along with other camp activities and adventures.
Interesting Facts
This most recent summer camp was one of the best the troop has had because we had the largest number of Scouts attend that we have had in a while.
The best part of the troop is the leadership experience and getting to experience each level of leadership. You get to make new friends, have fun, and learn.
What We Get to Learn and Do
- We learn how to be good citizens and leaders. We do merit badges, which help you move up through certain ranks - or, if you're Gen Z, help you "level up." There are different ranks and leadership positions that give Scouts opportunities to learn how to lead.
- We do community service. We participate in food drives, help at community events, plant flags for Memorial Day at the local veterans cemetery, and help community food pantries.
- We go on campouts. We learn outdoor survival skills, the Outdoor Code, how to respect wildlife, and the essential items and skills we need for outdoor activities.
The Details
To go further into how the troop works and runs, the troop works with different levels of leadership. There are different patrols that create smaller groups within the bigger troop so each group can work together.
For example, one patrol can work on a specific merit badge while another patrol can work on something different. The Senior Patrol Leader and other youth leaders help run the meetings, while the Troop Guide can provide advice to Scouts and patrols as they learn to work independently.
Ronin H., Troop 121 Scribe