Klondike Derby

Exiting the secret entrance into Laketown

Bilbo and Thorin's company continued their quest for the Arkenstone this year. Threatened by orcs and spiders, they crossed a river, forest, and lake, and faced hunger, injury, and many other challenges. Yet they maintained their spirits with song and cheer and hot soup until at last they found the fearsome dragon, Smaug, high in the snowy mountains.

Troop 321 fielded two patrols, and both were awarded numerous ribbons for their many achievements. Next year they will have the chance to complete their quest and return safely home. Will they make it? We can only hope.

Some Scouts chronicled their exploits in song and others with many images, each according to the custom of his land. Our local bards were out as well to share our exploits with the world. Thanks also to the many adult volunteers from our Troop and from Pere Marquette zone for all the work they put into this event. It's a big deal, and the boys enjoyed it immensely.

Lock-in!

The night went a lot like this...

It's winter and the boys sometimes get squirrelly, so what's a Troop to do? Lock. Them. In! It's an idea so brilliant, it makes you wonder why we don't do this every month... Volunteers? Anyone?

So we locked the boys in, and we had a enough volunteers that Carl didn't have to wander the hallways muttering to himself. And the boys and their brothers and their friends went about the very serious business of having fun.

Video games abounded with Flappy Birds causing the most buzz - and frustration. Next door a non-stop game of  "capture the fort" dominated the gym. The boys turned hockey sticks into rifles or canons, a scooter became a scout car, and with only a little prodding, they conscripted two trash cans on wheels to serve as battle tanks.

It's also true that a few sleeping bags saw limited service as sleeping bags, but that wasn't discouraged. There's more evidence of good times here in this album, too!

Pack 321 Webelos Cross Over...

On My Honor...

... with a little help from their friends in Troop 321 and Boy Scouts' honor society, Order of the Arrow.

Families, Scouts, and leaders all attended this significant and solemn event, and many of the boys from Troop 321 participated.

These former Cubs will now choose a Troop to join, and we expect many of them will choose ours.

Additional event photos may be found in our album page.

Cub Winter Games

They're working - see the clipboard?

Cub Winter Games? We've been there, done that, and brought home the ribbons as Cubs. As Scouts, we’ve got the Klondike Derby to look forward to in a couple of weeks, so what have we to do with Cub Winter Games anymore now that we’re a lot older?

The answer is easy: we help run the games! From set up to take down and all points in between, Troop 321’s Scouts were on hand to lend a hand.

In addition, we helped raise nearly $200 for Nelson William's family, and we've got a whole album of fun uploaded and ready to view, too. Great job guys!

UP 200

Troop 321 on station

When the days are short, the nights are long, and the thermometer threatens to crash through zero - what's a Troop to do on a Friday night?

Well, we'll stay up, head out, and help the mushers racing in the UP 200 safely cross the street. Why? Because we're short of little old ladies, that's why.

OK, we're doing it because it's a long race that crosses many roads and the organizers need all the help they can get. And frankly, it's a thrill to witness a page out of Jack London's Call of the Wild right here in the U.P. You're just not going to see that sort of race in Atlanta any time soon - though maybe next year...

And there's a McDonald's with hot chocolate just a few minutes down the road on our way home.

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

Scouts: Learning to Serve

Troop 321 held its first annual spaghetti dinner and bakesale fundraiser this evening. We should be very proud of our boys for all the work they put into this event.

A couple of weeks ago, a half dozen Scouts braved the cold to sell tickets from door to door in Ishpeming. They also took turns standing vigilant at the Holiday gas station and at Jubilee inviting patrons to purchase tickets. Other boys sold tickets to family, friends, and neighbors. Severe cold hampered their efforts somewhat the following week, but it did nothing to dampen their spirits.

Our Scouts sold many tickets to people on the promise we would donate them to the Salvation Army, and Darryl dropped them off in time for distribution. As a result, Troop 321's fundraiser also served to help feed our local needy.

More boys volunteered to help out with the dinner. They rolled up their sleeves and took on all tasks: ticket taking, food preparation, serving, table bussing, and cleanup. However, this was truly a family event with Dave, a professional chef, keeping the boys in the kitchen organized, Darryl who handled the shopping and a lot of the food preparation, and, of course, our sweeties Grace, Carolyn, and Robert who brought baked goods. We've also uploaded a photo album - here.

A few of the adults put their heads together and agreed we should try this again next year. With the boys a year older, they can take on even more responsibilities. We should also be able to incorporate this event into several different merit badges, too: Salesmanship and Cooking come to mind!

Cardboard Classic

Troop 321 blasting through the crash barrier

Sometimes the weather doesn't hold up for the Scouts' outdoor activities, but the Cardboard Classic event never fails. After all, we only need freezing weather in the middle of the winter in the U.P.!

Troop 321 entered two sleds this year, both with experienced teams. They fielded some super fast sleds, but they just weren't fast enough. But no matter, everyone had a blast!

You can find more action photos here, and news coverage here!

A few of the boys arrived early to the event so they could help the Cubs lug their sleds up the hill - a favor the smaller boys sure appreciated! It's great when the older boys show the younger boys both kindness and leadership.