17 November 2004 - 9:25 p.m.

A little over two years...............................

Jay Kuivinen's brother, who is an Eagle Scout, went with their Dad, who was a Scoutmaster, in the early spring some years while he was a boy, to a cave that is not far from here called Eagle Cave, in Muscoda, WI.

Jay is suggesting that we try this in March for our campout as it is warm in the cave. We'll see what the Patrol Leader's Council says, but it sounds pretty cool. A confined space with many voices, all trying to talk over one another. A smoke filled cavity full of bats and cobwebs. Sleeping on a damp floor. What is not to like! I can't wait.

In thinking back on our first two years as a Troop and the meager beginnings with which we started, I can't help but reflect on all that we have accomplished together. No one is responsible but as a team we all have played important roles, each of us in our own way, time and means.

Whether that be the Popcorn Chair or a supportive parent; a Merit Badge Councilor, mowing grass or simply helping in transportation; working the garage sale or coming camping with us dingalings, we all have done a great deal towards building this program. Building a program that is the envy on many other Units.

Just the simple support we see at the Courts of Honor is evidence to this commitment the Scouts and their families have to our tradition.

In this time of Thanksgiving we should all give thanks for the time that everyone has taken away from their busy lives to deliver to our youth, skills that will last a lifetime, virtues that will make them great, and spirit that will hold them together.

Nothing but Scouting accomplishes these tasks at such a young age. It is why we are unique and will always be.

Look what we can say through everyone's help, whether it small or large, that our Troop has accomplished in these three short years.

We have:
Our own canoe based camp complete with Scout law signs, two firepits and an outhouse.
A monthly swimming training session and Family Swim advertised in the Council newsletter and in the District Hangfiles.
The best Web Site in the Council - powered by 'Q' technology, yes that is right, 'Q' technology.

We are the Troop that invented 'Q-Docs'.

We have:
The first "Q-Doc" Server ever.
An advancement program par to none, with 20 rotating Merit Badge Classes offered on a 24 month period. Scouts achieving First Class in a year and Eagle in 3 to 4.
50% (at least) more events than the average Troop

We employ a three tiered "Total Program Concept" approach (well almost) combining the Pack, Troop and Crew into one seamless Unit.

We have:
Greater boy retention ratios than most.
A fully active and functioning popcorn program!
An Annual Garage Sale that helps the environment by reusing items that would be in the landfill and makes us good money.

We are a Christian based Unit.

We have:
A Council Scout Camp within 7 miles that we canoe to.
District Training and Web Site Control
A growing Pack and Troop (and future Crew).

We now camp in caves (pending approval - you know I'll get it! Boys will be boys). Alec is going to do bat-poop training at the District level before we go, so don't worry Moms!

We have:
A very supportive Chartering Organization
An Annual Cannon River Canoe Run
An Annual Boundary Waters Canoe Trip

We own our own trailer!

We have:
A Scout accounting system with individual Scout accounting kept track of nearly instantaneously.
A fun parent fundraiser every Jesse James Days.
An Advancement Chair and computerized record keeping system.

We have an Order of the Arrow Contingent with several active members.

We have:

Our own Chaplain.
Chapel services at most campouts.
A web based photo gallery.

We have a Cycling and Hiking Merit Badge Program as an option to Swimming Merit Badge.

We have:

A silent Auction for a Patriotic ice sculpture each year.
We utilize an active Web Log to transmit information.
We deliver the Scouting Promise to our Scouts, Community and World.

Do we not (well just about anyway), control the World?

Good work everyone, please keep doing what you are doing! Without your support we could not brag about all these things. Thank you to all on behalf of the Scouts.

YIS

Don