TROOP 185, AGAWAM MA

Troop 185 Summer Program

Our summer program is design with very simple ideas, we have completed a somewhat comprehensive program in a surprisingly short amount of time. Troop 185 summer program runs weekly, very informal come if you can, family and friends are encourage to attend. The ideas for the Summer Program were discussed in the Patrol leaders meetings and were taken to the table at the SPL Meetings, as well as some explanation of how it works. The Summer Program only exist with help from the adult leaders and parents.

July 20, 2010 "ZIP LINE"

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Summer Camp 2010

More than just merit badges - a variety of additional activities that other camps just cannot match. One of America's premier Scout Camps.  Located in Brant Lake, New York: 30 minutes north of the village of Lake George in the six million acre Adirondack State Park. 1,000 picturesque acres of Boy Scout summer camping offering the finest program available for your youth through flexibility and dedication.

Some of the forms and files given in the 2010 Troop 185 Summer Camp Packages
Troop 185 Schdule 2010 Medical Form Camp Map Read Parents Guide

Big Fall Trip 2010

Our older scouts have done summer camp and are looking for something more challenging which Troop 185 offer two main events every year for them. This Spring the Troop went to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania over the long Memorial Day weekend where we met up with Boy Scout Troop 22 from Tarrytown, New York. Troop 22 and Troop 185 have been planning events like this for the past several years and will meet up again in July for summer camp in New York where they will also go white water rafting. The two troops are also planning a big fall event for later this year to Cape Cod.

Our two Scout Troops camped and visited Gettysburg National Park where they completed many of the historical trails and earned the prestigious BSA Gettysburg Patch which is worn on the scoutís uniforms. The troops visited Gettysburg National Cemetery and former President Dwight D. Eisenhowerís ranch where he entertained many foreign dignitaries during his presidency. The Troops visited the many battlefields where those brave men who believed in ìcountry before selfî fought during the Civil War.

Later in the evening, they did the famous Gettysburg ghost tours on Seminary Ridge in an unending march of spirits. The two Troops walked the grounds where the battle began and where the men of the Iron Brigade were mowed down in battle by the Union Troops they never saw coming. Troop 185 last visited Gettysburg National Park in 2007.

During the down time the scouts enjoyed wiffle ball, Frisbee, and the camaraderie of each other. On the last day they visited Hershey Park, home of the world famous Hershey Chocolate Bar. They toured the chocolate factory and saw how the chocolate bar was made which was a ìsweetî ending to a beautiful weekend.

The program is design for all scouts to attend, we do more than just meet weekly.

Boy Scout Troop 185

Boy Scout Troop 185 is an outdoor adventure Boy Scout Troop always on the go. Three weeks ago they went to New York and visited the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island where they trace their family roots. Prior to Gettysburg the Troop Campout over the weekend and attended the "Adventure 2010" the one hundredth anniversary of scouting council Jamboree.

The recent purchase of an enclosed travel trailer has helped troop go even further. Troop 185 meets Tuesday and Wednesday nights at our sponsor, the First Baptist Church, Main Street, Agawam.

New to Scouting?

OUR TROOP GOAL IS TO GO CAMPING ONCE A MONTH. Camping works so well because it gives scouts lots of responsibility. The responsibility comes from needing to stay warm and dry and safe and not hungry. This is not trivial, and it requires a great deal of teamwork and individual fortitude to accomplish. Without camping, a patrol has little to bind it together. Often, groups of scouts will be split between the most charismatic boys and the least. There is no criteria for leadership other than personal charm. Camping changes this by providing tasks for the group to accomplish. The successful leader becomes the scout most willing to work for the group. Leadership often begins with the boy who sees the rain coming and yells at his buddies to help him put up a tarp. Camping also gives scouts the opportunity to take control of their lives. The scouts decide what to do on a camp out.

This freedom to choose creates a tremendous opportunity for scout leadership, and keeps a troop energized and active.

The leaders of Troop 185 all have a vested interest in the scout program us their sons.

We also have regular meetings where we practice for our big outings by doing first aid, wilderness survival, and earn ranks. Us the scouts plan all the activities. If you join our troop you can run for leadership positions and influence where we go and what we do. Our adults aren't in charge, we are.

Our troop is open to boys who are 11 through 17 years old, have earned their Arrow of Light [Cub Scouting award], or have completed the fifth grade.