What We are Doing

Backpack shakedown.

It’s fire season, so we are avoiding back-country camping for a few months. That said, we have Scouts and Scouters who need to break in backpack gear and get used to our packs.

So we took some of our Scouts out on a shakedown hike to Sycamore Falls in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It was warm, a couple of our number did not bring enough water, and it was more strenuous wearing masks, but it was a lot of fun and a real confidence-builder for a Troop that has made car camping a habit over the last few years. I am going to suggest to the PLC that we make this an annual activity.

I can’t wait to head into the back country in a few months. Meantime, we have some great front country trips planned.

Socially-distanced, of course.

Aaron Wolf Eagle Scout

Troop 234 is happy to announce that Aaron Wolf has become our newest Eagle Scout. Aaron completed is Eagle Scout project by working with the Ojai Valley School to replace fencing destroyed during the 2017 Thomas Fire. The fencing protect the school’s solar panels from damage and falling debris, thereby minimizing damage and ensuring the security of the school’s sustainable energy activities.

Please join us in congratulating Aaron for his hard work!

Service Project and Court of Honor

August 17th, 2019 – Scouts from Troop 234 and 1234 completed a troop service project at the Veteran’s Home of California – Ventura by preparing and cooking dessert for the residents and assisting in serving lunch. Following the service project, the Troop held a Court of Honor and celebrated the completion of numerous Merit Badges, as well as multiple rank advancements:

Troop 234 Advancements:

  • Gavin Hemphill – Scout
  • James Smith – Scout
  • Brandon Ayala – Scout and Tenderfoot
  • William Smith – Second Class
  • Wesley Conner – Second Class and First Class
  • Adan Linares – Second Class and First Class
  • Jay Somdhal – Star

Troop 1234 Advancements:

  • Sarah Tree – Scout
  • Violette Martinez – Scout
  • Alison Neptune-Smith – Scout and Tenderfoot
August 17th, 2019 Court of Honor for Troops 234 and 1234

September: Citizenship Month

This month the troop will focus on programs that emphasize our role as citizens in our community, in our nation, and in the world.  Given that the month begins with a national holiday – Labor Day – this is incredibly appropriate.

Part of being a good citizen is knowing and appreciating the rights of citizenship. Indeed, one of the great gifts of citizenship in the United States is the rights that such citizenship confers upon us.

(I know: I spent nearly twenty years living in a country that threw people in jail for no reason, kept them away from any contact with family and friends, and could take away anything you owned at any time and for no reason.)

But something that is not talked about as much is our responsibilities as citizens. In Scouts, more than anywhere else, we learn that being a good citizen is not only important, it is easier than we think and is deeply rewarding.

If you don’t believe me, ask a senior scout or the senior patrol leader. Each of these scouts have experienced many occasions when the service they give to their community and nation has changed their lives.

So enjoy this month – I would bet each of us is going to come out of this as better, happier citizens of the United States.