News

Winter Camp Out 2018

On the last weekend of January 2018, the troop went camping at Camp Newman, just south of Superior. They scouts had a fun time sledding and working on advancement. But the highlight of the weekend, was going to AmsOil Arena in Duluth to watch the #5 St. Cloud State Huskies take on the #9 University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs in ice hockey. This was Scout night with the Bulldogs and the game was very entertaining. Everyone had a great time at the game. For many of the Scouts, this was their first time at a hockey game, much less a Division 1 college hockey game. Committee Chair Groskreutz, a former youth hockey coach, was explaining a lot of the game to the scouts.

The troop was the winners of a Papa John's pizza during the game. In true Scouting fashion, they shared it with the Cub Scouts from Hibbing that were sitting behind them.

Mystery Cave Trip 2017

Over the weekend of October 19-22, Troop 187 traveled to Southern MN and camped at Maple Springs Campground. While there the Scouts worked on advancement and the Astronomy merit badge. The highlight of the trip was on Friday, when the troop toured the Mystery Caves. The troop took a 1 hour tour thru the caves and experienced true darkness as the guide turned all of the lights off in one of the caverns. 

On Friday evening, the troop hiked to the top of the hill in the campground and star gazed as part of a requirement for the Astronomy merit badge. There were several electronic devices used to help identify the various constellations, planets and other celestial items.

On Saturday, the troop went to Historic Forestville and helped make apple butter. While there, the Scouts explored the old town and even hiked to the old cemetery. While there, committee chair Groskreutz was reunited with a former employee from Cuyuna Scout Camp during his tenure as the camp director.

The troop returned home on Sunday, a little wet from the Saturday night rain.

Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/MvObKaGdzTQPKOt43 

Troop places 3rd at Klondike Derby 2017

On Saturday, February 25th, 2017, the Askov Boy Scout Troop #187 participated in the Beargrease Klondike Derby held at the Forestry Center in Cloquet.  The troop had one patrol compete in the derby.

A klondike derby in Scouting is similar to a human dog sled race, where all the checkpoints are scouting skill competitions.  Due to the number of patrols competing, it is started in a shotgun start with patrols starting at different checkpoints.  

The patrol started at the checkpoint where they had to use survival skills and problem solving skills to cross an “imaginary” river where there were floating ice chunks to cross on.  The next checkpoint the patrol were tested in their fire building skills where they had to build a fire and get a pot of water as hot as they could in 25 minutes.  

At the third checkpoint they were tested again in their survival skills.  This time they were given poles and they had to make a signal of some sort to be rescued.  They lashed the poles together to make a flag pole about 20 feet tall and put a bright colored jacket on it as a signal.

The next two checkpoints dealt with log dragging to fix a bridge and a log lift.  They had to use their knowledges of knots to complete the challenges.  After that, it was lunch, which they had to prepare on the trail.

After lunch was over, there was a strength and teamwork challenge.  The next check point dealt with the scout’s knowledge of First Aid.  This test was different from prior years as they were tested on homesickness.  The next check point dealt with their knowledge of constellations and navigation at night.  At the next checkpoint, the scouts were tested on their knowledge of Scouting.

At the final checkpoint the scouts were given historical information on John Beargrease, who was a mailman who used his sled dogs to deliver mail in the late 1800s along the northern shore of Lake Superior.  They also got to meet mushers who participate in the annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon and some of the dogs.

When all of the patrols were finished, the organizers of the derby totalled up the points that each patrol earned.  Troop 187’s patrol finished third overall out of about 20 patrols that were competing at the derby.  

Members of Troop 187 that participated were Trever Nolan, Chris Pardun, Colin Drager, Devin Stanley, Erik Quigley, Damian Childers and Eric Fredrickson.  Venture Crew 187 member Hannah Taylor-Hischer was the eighth member of the patrol.  Lupe Buzo also attended the event and worked as a staff member.  Adults Art Drager, Bill Groskreutz and Dave Moore went on the trail with the patrol for the full day.

Photo album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/XgjEJcIblXnnEqXz2