Troop 62: What Activities We Do
Troop 62 has lots of fun and likes to do a variety of Scouting activities. But, what are those activities?
Listed below are descriptions of several of the activities we do as a troop. Explore them to see what you'd like to do. Then, learn how you can Join Troop 62.
Camp Freeland Leslie (CFL)
Every June/July, our scouts spend a week at Boy Scout Summer Camp. This Three Fires Council outdoor program is one of the biggest features about Scouting that appeals to Scouts, and a week at summer camp is one of the top experiences. No one will ever forget the memories and experience from summer camp.
Besides all of the fun involved at camp, the boys work on their Merit Badges. Boys have the opportunity to complete all of the work involved for up to four of their badges. Parents are invited to go to camp as well to learn how to be better leaders.
For more information about CFL, visit the Three Fires Council CFL webpage.
Haunted Hike
Every October, the Three Fires Council sponsors the Haunted Hike in Elgin, Illinois. It is held at Camp Big Timber and a 3/4 mile hike is planned. Each year it is produced by the youth and adult members of the Three Fires Council Exploring and Venturing Division with assistance from local Boy Scout troops, Key Clubs and many other dedicated individuals.
Members of Troop 62 participate in building scenes on the hike and/or helping run the hike. Or, in years where we don't participate, we'll visit the hike to support it and get a good scare.
For more information about the Haunted Hike, visit the Haunted Hike webpage.
Klondike Derby
A Klondike Derby is an annual event held by some Boy Scouts of America councils during the winter months, usually January or February.
Each troop within the council brings a dog sled (...but no sled dogs), usually one constructed as a troop project. The troop pulls their sled around the hosting campground or Scout reservation, visiting stations that are typically named after Alaskan towns. At each station, skills and knowledge are demonstrated by the station-masters (or ‘mayors’) on such topics as American history, ropework and knot-tying, proper use of tools, first aid, map-reading, and fire-building. Points are awarded based on performance. At the end of the event, the troops with the highest point totals are recognized in an awards ceremony.
To get a good idea of what a Klondike Derby is like for an average scout, imagine lugging a 150 pound sled around for 8 hours, completing mundane tasks while racing around as fast as you can, then after doing all that construct a shelter you can live in (usally in below-freezing temperatures), without any food or water except for the twenty minutes you have to prepare a meal from scratch in the middle of the snow.
Sleds in the Klondike Derby can be made of anything from wood to plastic piping. They may run on small detachable wheels in the event of a snow-free Derby.
Upper Limits Climbing
Upper Limits is a climbing experience in Bloomington, Illinois which has something for everyone. Old grain elevators have been converted into a fun, safe climbing experience for people of all levels.
They have many different rooms and areas for a total of more than 20,000 square feet of climbing surface making it one of the largest climbing gyms in North America. Their numerous climbs range from beginner climbs to routes that will challenge the most advanced climbers.
- 110 ft. outdoor wall with toproped and leadable routes in the summer. Lighted for night climbing.
- Rappel 120 ft. off the top of the building with an elevator ride to the top.
- Massive multi-level bouldering cave and training area.
- At 30' tall the main area , includes slab, aretes, roofs, dihedrals, cracks, and the wave wall.
- The silos are 65 ft. tall. Three are round and two are uniquely shaped featuring stem and chimney type climbs. Each silo contains eight or nine topropes and all routes are leadable.
- Facilities include showers, lockers, water fountain, pop and snack machines, Lounge, rest rooms, world-class pro shop, and complete gear rentals.
- Classes and programs are available for every age and type of group.
- All climbers must sign a waiver. Anyone under 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.
- Outdoor bouldering area with more than 1,700 square feet of climbing surface that is lit for climbing at night.
For more information, visit Upper Limits website at http://www.upperlimits.com/bloomington/index.html