Pioneers of Inclusivity
Recently my troop and I enjoyed a Sunday at Moose Lodge, hosting a pancake breakfast. many members of the troop came to help serve food. We all enjoyed sausages eggs and pancakes. Lots of scouts decided to bring family to enjoy the food with. I love it when the troop is able to impact the community with things as simple as a pancake breakfast. – Margie
Boundary Waters was the most difficult yet gratifying adventure I have ever experienced. All the months of preparation: shopping for gear, watching videos and reading handbooks, all of it was worth it to spend a week canoeing through gorgeous blue lakes and clear water, and enjoying nights around the campfire with my fellow scouts. While the work of carrying heavy packs and canoes up and down rocky hills was absolutely grueling, the shared struggle helped me grow closer to my troop. If the idea of a weeklong trek through beautiful wilderness is calling your name I would say, go to Boundary Waters. It was a week of excitement, bonding, danger, and if I ever got the chance I would do it all over again. -Haley
It’s been three years since the troop was founded by couple parents and myself at table with a lot of paperwork at the oak park public library. We weren’t much then. The goal was to have a place for girls interested in the Boy Scouts of America’s program to join in Oak Park. BSA was just beginning to let in girls then, so we knew there would a lot push back and communication required for our troops subversive nature. Still we wanted there to be a place where the girls could participate in the same kind of learning outdoors activities as the boys do, so we worked through them.
Lots has changed since then. We’ve gone through multiple meeting places and leaders to find our footing. All while a strong and spirited group of girls has grown with us and not only made new friends but had a lot fun new experiences. The pandemic has brought it’s share of challenges no doubt, but we continued to hold our meeting every week over zoom and even found more members. New members requires more funding, so we started our annual mum fundraiser. All the girls have been working their way up the rankings and now there even a couple of them close to Eagle. We hope to continue growing and learning as a BSA Girls troop, especially on international women’s day.
Tabitha Hoag
Adult Leader & Co-Founder Troop 308
Why did I become a Scoutmaster? Not because I love camping, because I don’t. Not because I love hiking and backpacking; I mean I like walking but… Not because I am a serial volunteer-er, though I AM that. And certainly not because I needed to add one more thing to my already full plate.
No, I am the Scoutmaster because a year and a half ago, in the height of the pandemic, my then 15-year-old daughter (along with a little prodding from a couple of her fellow scouts) said to me “mom we really need a permanent Scoutmaster and I would like you to do it.” … When your child ASKS you to spend more time with them, you don’t ask questions. You just DO IT. Believe me whether they are saying it out loud or not, your kids ARE asking you to spend more time with them.
And over the last year and a half I have gotten some amazing time with my daughter. Quality time that as a working mom, who frequently travels, I wouldn’t likely have had. I’ve also had the privilege to get to know your kids. And let me tell you, we’ve got a great group of kids in troop 308! So please consider volunteering. Consider becoming more involved with the troop.
Take the opportunity to drive to or from a camp out or activity. Consider joining us on a campout; and get to know this amazing group of kids. You’ll be glad you did!
Yours in scouting,
Scoutmaster Carla