Scouts BSA is designed to take place outdoors. It is in outdoor settings that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live and work with one another. In the outdoors, the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose. Being close to nature helps Scouts gain an appreciation for the beauty of the world around us. The outdoors is the laboratory in which Scouts learn ecology and practice conservation of nature’s resources.
Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and lays out steps for overcoming them through the patrol method. The Scout plans their own advancement, meeting each challenge and progresses at their own pace. The Scout is rewarded for each achievement, whether it be a merit badge or a rank, which helps them gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.
Meeting Times & Places
We have troop meetings most Mondays, 7:00 at the Elim Lutheran Church Center, with work toward advancement at 6:30. They involve learning valuable skills, fellowship, and often end with a game.
The youth Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) and Troop Committee (adult leadership) typically meet the Monday following a campout. The PLC is comprised of the youth leaders who guide the troop, and the committee works behind the scenes to make the Scouts’ plans successful.
Camping and Other Activities
Troop 141 camps each month of the school year with a day event in December. These campouts take place at most Northern Star Council camps, as well as many state and county parks. Cabins are used during winter months, though Scouts are encouraged to sleep outside when weather permits. Campout activities include advancement, service projects, exploring, skill development, free time and reflection time.
In July, we spend an entire week at Many Point Scout Camp, where Scouts work on earning merit badges, develop new skills, build relationships with other Scouts, and challenge themselves with new experiences.
The troop also participates in multiple service projects, including Scouting for Food, assisting the Minnesota Transportation Museum with their annual Pumpkin Express, and helping the Palmer Lake VFW with their Memorial Day remembrance ceremony.
Gear and Other Necessities
What the Troop Provides
When a Scout joins Troop 141, they receive:
- Scout handbook
- Troop 141 neckerchief and Scout slide
- Green shoulder loops (epaulets)
- Troop 141 uniform patch
The troop also has group gear which includes cooking equipment, stoves, and Eureka 4-person Timberline and Alps Mountaineering 4-person Lynx tents.
What the Scout Provides
Each Scout should have a few basics to get them started:
- Tan Scouts BSA uniform, plus council shoulder strip and world crest
- Mess kit (plate and bowl, silverware, mug and/or cup)
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
Documents
Every Scout, upon joining, should work with their parents or guardians to fill out:
Scouting 141 