By Lukas Kubasik
BSA Troup 127
While 2023 has come to a close and the new year is well underway, our Scout Troops 127 and 7127 look forward to another year of outdoor adventure, leadership and service to the community.
In January, we started meeting at Lakeview Lutheran Church, which has been a generational asset to the Northside and has a strong, inclusive view that is welcoming to our scouts.
We have also started a new scouting unit, “Venturing Crew,” for older youth (ages 14–21). This group is just getting started and will focus on bold outdoor adventures and community service. It will offer new opportunities and adventures to older youth, including those who may not have been in the traditional scout program. All are welcome!
This spring we will do a lot of hiking in preparation for June, when our troops will go on a 12-day remote, backpacking trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. We will be taking the Amtrak train from Illinois to New Mexico, which will be the first time many of our scouts have ridden in a train.
Last summer, I was fortunate to be invited to trek at Philmont with another troop, and I was deeply impressed by this enormous wilderness. I enjoyed a variety of activities, such as an exhausting and exhilarating summiting of Mount Baldy, making railroad ties, shooting black powder rifles, participating in chuckwagon dinners, axe throwing, making homemade root beer, visiting historical sites, and enjoying the fellowship of my fellow adventurers, not to mention the miles of hiking daily.
All these activities are located in the 111,000-acre wilderness area of Philmont Scout Ranch, filled with beautiful terrain, including mountains, canyons, rivers and trees.
You may see us hiking around the Northside as we strengthen our legs for the mountain terrain, break in our boots and gear, and get comfortable carrying the weight of our food and water. The challenges we will overcome and lessons we will learn at Philmont will help carry us through the challenges of life. I, for one, can’t wait.
If you know a youth who wants or needs more fun and adventure, reach out to Scoutmaster Justin Sargent at justinssargent@gmail.com.
